Akira Ending Explained, Plot, Cast, Trailer and More
by R Vigneshwaraa | Updated Aug 30, 2023
Akira
"Akira," a groundbreaking Japanese animated cyberpunk action film from 1988, stands as a definitive work directed by Katsuhiro Otomo, produced by Ryōhei Suzuki and Shunzō Katō, and written collaboratively by Otomo and Izo Hashimoto. This cinematic masterpiece draws its inspiration from Otomo's 1982 manga of the same title. Unfolding against the backdrop of a dystopian 2019, the narrative centers around Shōtarō Kaneda, a charismatic leader of a biker gang.
The story takes an electrifying turn when Kaneda's childhood friend, Tetsuo Shima, gains astonishing telekinetic powers following a motorcycle accident. These powers set off a chain of events that disrupt the delicate balance of Neo-Tokyo, a sprawling futuristic metropolis, throwing it into chaos and rebellion.
While the film's character designs and settings largely stem from the manga, the plot diverges significantly, omitting a substantial portion of the manga's latter half, which continued its publication for two years post the movie's release.
The film's soundtrack, a fusion of traditional Indonesian gamelan and Japanese noh music, is the work of Shōji Yamashiro and the performance ensemble Geinoh Yamashirogumi.
"Akira" premiered in Japan on July 16, 1988, courtesy of Toho, and made its way to the United States a year later through Streamline Pictures. Its journey from various theatrical and VHS releases led to the development of a global cult following, propelling its home video sales to exceed $80 million worldwide.
The film has transcended its medium to attain masterpiece status, with both audiences and critics hailing it as one of the greatest achievements in cinema. Its impact is most palpable in the realms of animation, action, and science fiction genres. It has etched itself into history as a pivotal work in Japanese animation, arguably the most influential and iconic anime film ever created.
Akira Ending Explained
As the narrative crescendos towards its climax, a climactic scene unfolds where Tetsuo is brought face to face with the awe-inspiring magnitude of Akira's unfathomable power. This pivotal juncture triggers an astounding and unsettling transformation within Tetsuo, as his corporeal form undergoes a nightmarish distortion. His once recognizable human physique is subsumed by a horrifying metamorphosis, giving rise to a monstrous amalgamation of flesh, cells, and organs that intertwine and pulsate in a surreal dance of cosmic energy.
This transmutation serves as a visceral representation of Tetsuo's profound journey, where his very identity becomes entwined with the celestial forces of Akira. The grotesque fusion of biological elements and metaphysical might vividly illustrate the extent to which Tetsuo's humanity is being overshadowed by the overwhelming galactic presence he has encountered. In this cataclysmic convergence of human and cosmic, the boundaries of existence blur as Tetsuo becomes a conduit for the enigmatic powers that have reshaped the trajectory of his existence.
What Happens to Tetsuo at the End of Akira Manga?
Throughout Tetsuo's harrowing transformation, an unrelenting plea for assistance emanates from him, directed toward those around him. Amid this desperate entreaty, Akira, a celestial entity of immense power, remains enigmatically distant. However, as the transformation's intensity reaches its zenith and the collective call for help resonates from both Tetsuo and the Espers, Akira's response resounds across the metaphysical plane. Breaking free from its ethereal existence, Akira reemerges into the tangible realm, drawn by the urgency of Tetsuo's turmoil.
In this pivotal juncture, the narrative's threads converge as Akira's presence intercedes to aid Tetsuo in harnessing his unruly abilities. Tetsuo's struggle, once a chaotic manifestation of his internal torment, now finds a tether to the luminous force that is Akira. As their cosmic energies intertwine, a profound connection is forged, enabling Akira's guidance to guide Tetsuo's frenetic power.
By this juncture, Tetsuo's form has undergone a complete metamorphosis, transmuting into an immense amoeba-like entity of colossal proportions. Akira's return to the physical plane signifies a climactic turning point, where divine intervention meets the inherent humanity within Tetsuo. This melding of the ethereal and the terrestrial represents a zenith of the film's themes, underscoring the boundless potential of cosmic power entwined with the fragility of the human condition.
Akira Plot
In 2019, the aftermath of a world-altering war spurred by Tokyo's obliteration on July 16, 1988, engulfed Neo-Tokyo in corruption, unrest, and violence. Shōtarō Kaneda, a fiery leader of the Capsules biker gang, spearheads his group's defiance against the rival Clowns in a city marked by anti-government protests and chaos.
Tetsuo Shima, Kaneda's close friend, inadvertently collides with Takashi, a fleeing esper with telepathic abilities. Tetsuo's collision unleashes a chain of events involving resistance forces, the military, and the government, all intersecting in Neo-Tokyo's sprawling urban sprawl.
As Tetsuo's transformation escalates, his continuous plea for aid echoes throughout his agonizing ordeal. Eventually, Akira, an immensely powerful being, heeds the call emanating from Tetsuo and the Espers, bridging the divide between ethereal and material planes.
Akira's return to the physical realm becomes a beacon of hope for Tetsuo, as they collaborate to tame his surging powers. Meanwhile, Tetsuo's metamorphosis reaches its zenith, leaving him resembling a colossal amoeba, a creature of unmatched proportions.
This pivotal interaction symbolizes the culmination of themes intertwined within the film, unifying the cosmic and the human. Tetsuo's journey to harness his abilities embodies the fragility of human existence entwined with unfathomable cosmic forces. This convergence stands as a testament to the boundless narrative depth "Akira" explores, reflecting the inexorable fusion of humanity and the unknown.
Akira Manga Cast
Character
Japanese
English English Shōtarō Kaneda
Mitsuo Iwata
Cam Clarke
Johnny Yong Bosch
Tetsuo Shima
Nozomu Sasaki
Jan Rabson
Joshua Seth
Kei
Mami Koyama
Kay, Lara Cody
Wendee Lee
Colonel Shikishima
Tarō Ishida
Tony Pope
Jamieson Price
Ryūsaku (Ryu)
Tesshō Genda
Roy, Steve Kramer
Bob Buchholz
Doctor Ōnishi
Mizuho Suzuki
Lewis Arquette
Simon Prescott
Takashi (No. 26)
Tatsuhiko Nakamura
Barbara Goodson
Cody MacKenzie
Kiyoko (No. 25)
Fukue Itō
Melora Harte
Sandy Fox
Masaru (No. 27)
Kazuhiro Shindō
Bob Bergen
Travis Weaver
Kaori
Yuriko Fuchizaki
Barbara Goodson
Michelle Ruff
Yamagata
Masaaki Ōkura
Yama, Tony Pope
Michael Lindsay
Kai
Takeshi Kusao
Bob Bergen
Anthony Pulcini
Nezu
Hiroshi Ōtake
Insider,Tony Pope
Mike Reynolds
Terrorist 1
Masato Hirano
Lewis Arquette
Steve Blum
Terrorist 2
Yukimasa Kishino
Wally Burr
Michael McConnohie
Shimazaki
Yukimasa Kishino
Tony Pope
Robert Axelrod
Colonel's Council Liaison
Kōichi Kitamura
Lewis Arquette
Michael Forest
Eiichi Watanabe
Tarō Arakawa
Bob Bergen
Ted Rae
Mitsuru Kuwata
Yukimasa Kishino
Tony Pope
Skip Stellrecht
Yūji Takeyama
Masato Hirano
Jan Rabson
Eddie Frierson
Groupies
Kayoko Fujii, Masami Toyoshima
Lara Cody, Julie Phelan
Julie Ann Taylor, Patricia Ja Lee
Yuka Ōno
Barbara Goodson
Dyanne DiRosario
Lady Miyako
Kōichi Kitamura
Steve Kramer
William Frederick Knight
Inspector
Michihiro Ikemizu
Bob Bergen
Steve Staley
Army
Kazumi Tanaka
Steve Kramer
Tony Oliver
Harukiya Bartender
Yōsuke Akimoto
Tony Pope
John Snyder
Committee members
Kōichi Kitamura
Cam Clarke
Peter Spellos
Yukimasa Kishino
Lewis Arquette
Dan Lorge
Masayuki Katō
Barbara Goodson
Bob Papenbrook
Masato Hirano
Steve Kramer
Michael Sorich
Taro Arakawa
Jan Rabson
Doug Stone
Michihiro Ikemizu
Bob Bergen
Paul St. Peter, Christopher Carroll
Kodansha/Streamline (1989)
Animaze/Pioneer (2001)
Where to Watch Akira?
Currently, the availability of "Akira" extends to Hulu Plus, granting viewers the opportunity to immerse themselves in this iconic cinematic experience. Additionally, for those seeking an alternative platform, "Akira" is accessible through Vudu, where the option to rent or purchase opens the gateway to its mesmerizing narrative.
Both avenues present the chance to witness the film's captivating storyline, ensuring that audiences can delve into the world of "Akira" through their preferred streaming choices.
Akira Ending Explained- FAQs
Akira" is a groundbreaking Japanese animated cyberpunk action film directed by Katsuhiro Otomo. It revolves around Shōtarō Kaneda and his friend Tetsuo Shima in a dystopian 2019 Neo-Tokyo. Tetsuo gains telekinetic powers after a motorcycle accident, leading to chaos and rebellion in the futuristic metropolis.
Katsuhiro Otomo directed the film, and it was written collaboratively by Otomo and Izo Hashimoto. The film draws inspiration from Otomo's 1982 manga of the same name.
"Akira" is regarded as one of the most influential and iconic anime films ever created. It has garnered a global cult following and is hailed by both audiences and critics as a cinematic masterpiece, especially in animation, action, and science fiction genres.
While the film's character designs and settings are largely influenced by the manga, the plot diverges significantly. The movie omits a substantial portion of the manga's latter half, which continued its publication for two years after the film's release.
The ending of "Akira" involves a climactic transformation of Tetsuo as he confronts the overwhelming power of Akira. Tetsuo's metamorphosis showcases his journey of being influenced and reshaped by cosmic forces, blurring the lines between his humanity and the celestial realm. This powerful visual symbolizes the film's themes of identity and the collision between human fragility and cosmic might.