AKIRA SYNOPSIS - THE KEY FILM POINTS:

I would, firstly, like to take this opportunity to clarify the definition of synopsis. Wikipedia (2006) reminds us that it is a brief summary of the plot in relatively simple terms. As such, the following synopsis will attempt to be brief & simple as possible (shown in 'bullet' points below). There are many more in-depth synopsis' available via the web so I encourage you to utilize these resources when unanswered questions arise. In saying this, the synopsis featured here covers only the basic essentials and a few spoilers. I also remind you that these personalized interpretations of mine are for educational purposes and may not be 100 percent factual, but I do hope you enjoy!

"The old Tokyo is finished." - Film stills courtesy of: BlueBlade AKIRA
  • The beginning of the film introduces an apocalyptic explosion in Tokyo, Japan in 1988. The scene is there to remind viewers of a powerful psychic boy named AKIRA who was responsible for the destruction. It also sets the stage for Neo-Tokyo, which literally means "new tokyo".
  • We see Kaneda for the first time hanging out at the Harukiya bar, messing around with the jukebox. This is also the first taste we have of political turmoil, in Neo-Tokyo, as a result of government corruption and terrorist mayhem - this is mentioned in the news bulletin in the background.
  • The next scene introduces Tetsuo for the first time. He is found fiddling around with the spec's on Kaneda's red power bike. They exchange a few words - it is clearly seen that Kaneda is more dominant & confident than his childhood friend, Tetsuo. They both prepare to engage with The Clowns, a rival motorcycle gang that is causing upheaval in the territory of The Capsules (Kaneda's motorcycle gang; also seen is a sort of emblem on the back of his jacket).
  • We are then taken to the scene of a mysterious, wounded man who is escorting an ageing, 100-year-old looking child, Takashi. It is a very mysterious scene when viewed for the first time. According to sources, the man is part of a faction that opposes the government in power, as these government officials in power cannot overlook corruption and, therefore, cannot appreciate or acknowledge the psychic power of AKIRA. The mysterious man mistakens this child for AKIRA, but does not live long to know about it as over 100 bullets are introduced into his body. Ryu & Kei are onlookers and also members of this faction, and observe the startling disappearance of Takashi - we later discover he is an esper with similar, but lessened psychic gifts, as AKIRA.
  • However, Takashi does manage to reappear in the midst of warfare between Tetsuo and a Clown member. Tetsuo later becomes a casualty because he cannot brake in time as he is set in a collision course towards Takashi - his bike explodes into scrap heap. Kaneda and the gang arrive at the scene moments later, and Kaneda sets eyes on this boy for the first time - a shocking expression is planted on his face. The Colonel and Masaru (a wheelchair-ridden esper) eventually intervene in the company of the military, searching for Takashi for somewhile.
  • Kaneda first meets Kei at the police station for interrogation related to queries regarding riot involvement. Kaneda knows she is wanted by the authorities, so he falsely claims that she is also a friend of the gang to be released - inadvertently ridiculing the officer in the process! It is at this point that Kaneda becomes Kei's admirer, but this love interest is not mutual.
  • Soon after, Tetsuo escapes from the hospital of the research facility, but not after they have conducted numerous & invasive psychic experiments on him. He reunites with his love interest, Kaori, and steals Kaneda's bike in the vocational school grounds in attempt to 'escape everything and go some place else'. His plan is, however, sabotaged by a timely attack by The Clowns, violating Kaori in the process. Once again, Tetsuo is rescued by Kaneda and the gang, and reaches a new low in his feelings regarding powerlessness. Emotions of rage & frustration ensue, followed by acute episodes of hallucinations - the visuals in this scene in particular are excellent. A medical van takes him away and delivers the aid to treat symptoms.
  • Later on in the film, we are able to get the needed insight to grasp the concept of 'AKIRA' and, therefore, the anime film itself. In prison, Kei puts forth an interesting theory in which energy & strength is governed by natural forces such as evolution. Just as fish evolved into amphibians and then into reptiles; that is also the case with Tetsuo and his latent psychic abilities. This discussion is concluded with a very thought-provoking scenario: if an amoeba had the strength of a human, it would be both amazing and disruptive to the delicate balance of power that exists. . .
  • In summary, the turn of events mentioned above leads to Kiyoko's (the 3rd, but most important, esper child) premonition - AKIRA shall have a presence in this world again, and many people will die because of it. The Colonel attempts to contain this situation are almost foiled by corrupt government officials when they announce that he is to relinquish his duties as head security officer of the entire city - The Colonel gives his final decision on the matter by shooting the 'announcer' without hesitation. The Colonel then continues with his plan and assembles military reinforcements in the affected district - the olympic stadium. The final confrontation begins and ends here. Tetsuo is highly amused by the storage containers belonging to AKIRA's dissected parts - which was abit of an anticlimax as the undergound & highly-contained freezer was thought to preserve the actual boy in full form. His amusement is short-lived. Kaneda with the aid of his laser gun collides with Tetsuo's awesome power - it is a highly intense moment in the film. It is a fierce contention for power & victory, even though Kaneda is greatly disadvantaged. However, Tetsuo's source of strength will, eventually, be his downfall as a sickening & painful mutation is witnessed. It appears his power has grown beyond physical threshold. The espers have no choice but to summon the legendary AKIRA, recreating the energy explosion that once claimed Tokyo, further allowing Tetsuo to be finally contained as his existence in this dimension is gradually relinquished. Kaneda has a change of heart and tries to rescue a friend that is unsalvageable. In the end, it is only the sacrafice of the three espers that allows him to be transported safely away from the explosion with the rest of the other characters: Neo-Tokyo has been markedly destroyed. Meanwhile, we are taken to an endless void where existence is questioned in this realm but, nevertheless, Tetsuo's presence may still be heard - "I AM TETSUO".