Episode 253: Akira

Forrest, Conan Neutron, and Kt Baldassaro talk about Katsuhiro Otomo’s 1988 animated cyberpunk action film Akira! Based on Katsuhiro Otomo’s manga series of the same name, Akira is an action packed and incredibly stylish cautionary tale about scientific experimentation and the mindset that led to the development of nuclear weapons.

In a Post-World War 3 Neo-Tokyo.. rebuilt after a massive explosion.. biker gangs roam a city with a badly corrupt government and increasingly powerful military that’s on the brink of collapse.

The Capsules, led by Shotaro Kaneda and his hapless best friend Tetsuo Shima, get thrown into the middle of a story that involves a secret government program to experiment on children, the anti-government resistance, a mysterious figure named Akira, and 3 psychic children called the Espers #akira #manga #katsuhirootomo #toho #epic #marvel #cyberpunk #tokyo #neo #neotokyo #moviepodcast #sciencefiction #scienceexperiment #moviepodcast #filmpodcast #movielovers #animation

Akira is widely credited with bringing a new level of interest to American Audiences who had only just started our fascination with Manga and Japanese Pop Culture.

It has also been pointed out that it got some predictions.. like the 2020 Tokyo Olympics… eerily right.

In the latest installment of Movie Night Extravaganza, our merry band of film nerds, Forrest Miller, Conan Neutron, and Kt Baldassaro break trend and cover their SECOND Anime, and their third animated film ever. (It’s been 188 episodes since that one on Waking Life with Ben Burgis!! And 197 since My Neighbor Totoro!) Making sure to start off in the exact way any Anime curious person should, they tackled one of the most iconic animated films of all time: Akira. Katsuhiro Otomo’s 1988 masterpiece leaves groundbreaking legacy in its wake. Whether you’re left mouth agape at its breathtaking animation, or you’re left ruminating on its layered social commentary for days, Akira continues to leave an indelible mark on both the anime genre and global cinema.

Forrest sets the stage with a keen analysis of Akira’s intricate narrative, highlighting its futuristic setting in Neo-Tokyo—a city grappling with political unrest, youth rebellion, and the perils of unchecked power. They draw attention to the film’s unparalleled technical achievements, including its innovative use of 160,000 animation cells and a custom color palette that brought Otomo’s vision to life. Meanwhile, Kt’s insights shine a light on the cultural impact of Akira, recommending companion works like Ghost in the Shell and Cowboy Bebop for viewers looking to explore more anime that shaped a generation.

The episode doesn’t shy away from tackling Akira’s darker themes either. Especially in the wake of their conversation on The Substance, the aspect of body horror inherent to Akira is more compelling than ever. Most of what makes Akira noteworthy hits harder in today’s socio-political climate than before. The ethical dilemmas surrounding science and power in a world where it’s youth is disenfranchised and destructive feels “ripped from today’s headlines.” Tetsuo’s transformation into a grotesque psychic entity serves as a stark allegory for humanity’s hubris, a topic the group dissect with humor and sensitivity. The group also points out the pallid “aged” children and the obvious corollaries to nuclear fallout. Because, while Akira is a dense dark tale, it does have within it interwoven with lighter moments. The group deftly mirrors this within their conversation allowing it to be as entertaining as it is thought-provoking.

Conan mentions that it is an early forerunner of the “superhero with untold power, that probably shouldn’t have it” trend. Ala: The Boys, Invincible, Chronicle, and media both in and out of the animated world. The adolescent, hormone raging youth of the Tetsuo character being terrifying in a unique way. Truly the only thing positing such stories at the time were niche things such as: Alan Moore’s Marvelman/Miracleman

Whether you’re a lifelong fan of Akira or someone discovering it for the first time, this episode of Movie Night Extravaganza offers fresh perspectives on why the film remains a cornerstone of cyberpunk and anime storytelling. Forrest, Conan, and Kt’s dynamic discussion will leave you eager to rewatch the movie—or watch it for the first time—with newfound appreciation for its artistry and influence!

Join the conversation and relive the legacy of Akira with the Movie Night Extravaganza crew. As the hosts remind us, Neo-Tokyo is still exploding—and its impact is far from fading. 
Catch the full episode now on YouTube and let the Capsule Gang guide you through this unforgettable journey.

Watch KT Baldassaro & Jared Skolnick’s Girl in the Basement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcn2Q57VXEQ

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