Japanese History and Akira

[Project Akira]

I'm curious but how many people here saw the connections in Akira (the film but there are a few in the Manga) to the history of Japan? I was reading an article in Animerica and the writer made many good points saying that Akira could be representative of an allegory for the story of Japan or points in Japanese history. Before I get deeper into this I have to say that I agree and think it is an astute observation.

Any thoughts, disagreements, or other such opinions?

[thedarkmarine]

That was how I saw Akira as a great movie.

[DarkGremlin]

I didn't notice them until I read that same article you're talking about - but after rewatching Akira I do see them. I wonder how intentional they actually were, though?

[thedarkmarine]

Symbolizms like these are ALWAYS intentional.

[DarkGremlin]

Originally posted by thedarkmarine
Symbolizms like these are ALWAYS intentional.

But could it have maybe not been symbolizm, but rather ripping a story straight from history? Maybe no points were being made, only moments in history being used to jazz up a story.

There's a few ways you could look at it I think, sure, saying it's symbolizm is more noble than calling it "plagerizing" history - but it's hard to say what was being done.

Don't get me wrong, I love Akira, I'm just making conversation. :D

[thedarkmarine]

Ahhhhhh. Now I see what you're tryiing to say.

Don't get me wrong either, I didn't like Akira that much. A great movie, but not exactly my style.

[Project Akira]

Well there is a reason the movie literally starts out with a bang (think Hiroshima)

[thedarkmarine]

Yes, the movie depicts Japan after WW2 and the impact on life, like Grave of the Fireflies, which I really really really want to see.

[Project Akira]

Well not right after WW II, but it does depict a Japan after a great national catasrophe. Also it has the idea of the youth rebelling against their elders which is a sort of paranoia in Japanese culture. There is also the possbility of a great rebirth after loss which Japan was given the opportunity after WW II.

[DarkPrimus]

The great part about making a movie that impacts people so strongly is that others can find symbolism that the creators never intended, but can still be percieved as an intended analogy.

[Project Akira]

Originally posted by DarkPrimus
The great part about making a movie that impacts people so strongly is that others can find symbolism that the creators never intended, but can still be percieved as an intended analogy. Well it may have been a possible subconscious analogy that the filmmakers were not aware of but snuck it's way into the film nonetheless.