Akira is a critically acclaimed Japanese animated science-fiction film that was released in 1988. Set in a post-apocalyptic dystopian future of 2019, the film follows the story of a biker gang leader named Kaneda, who gets involved in a government experiment involving psychic powers and ends up battling his friend Tetsuo, who has become a powerful psychic entity.
One of the primary themes of Akira is the danger of unchecked power, both in terms of government control and personal ambition. The film explores the idea of how absolute power corrupts absolutely, and how the quest for power can ultimately lead to destruction and chaos.
Another prominent theme in Akira is the struggle of youth against authority. The film depicts a generation of young people who are disillusioned with their government and the older generation, and who are seeking to forge their own paths in a world that seems determined to crush their hopes and dreams.
People love Akira for its stunning visuals, complex characters, and thought-provoking themes. The film is widely regarded as a masterpiece of anime and has been praised for its innovative storytelling, groundbreaking animation techniques, and mature approach to storytelling.
Akira’s popularity has endured for decades, with fans around the world still celebrating its themes, characters, and unique visual style. The film has inspired countless imitators and has become a cultural touchstone for many anime fans.
Some other interesting facts about Akira include that it was adapted from a manga series of the same name, created by Katsuhiro Otomo. The film was also one of the most expensive anime productions of its time, with a budget of approximately $10 million. Additionally, the film’s release helped to popularize anime in the West and is often credited with inspiring a new wave of interest in Japanese animation.
- Ghost in the Shell (1995) – Set in a dystopian future, this Japanese anime film follows a cyborg detective who is investigating a dangerous hacker known as “The Puppet Master.” Like Akira, Ghost in the Shell explores themes of identity, technology, and the nature of consciousness.
- Blade Runner (1982) – This classic sci-fi film stars Harrison Ford as a detective tasked with hunting down rogue replicants, bio-engineered androids who are virtually indistinguishable from humans. Blade Runner shares Akira’s themes of power, authority, and the danger of technology run amok.
- The Matrix (1999) – This groundbreaking sci-fi film follows a computer hacker who discovers that the world he knows is actually a simulated reality created by machines. The Matrix shares Akira’s themes of rebellion, identity, and the power of the mind.
- Paprika (2006) – Directed by Satoshi Kon, Paprika is a surreal and visually stunning anime film about a psychotherapist who uses a device to enter her patients’ dreams. Like Akira, Paprika explores the limits of the human mind and the dangers of unbridled technological innovation.
- Aeon Flux (2005) – This live-action sci-fi film is based on the MTV animated series of the same name. Set in a dystopian future, the film follows a skilled assassin who becomes embroiled in a conspiracy to overthrow the ruling government. Like Akira, Aeon Flux explores the nature of power and the struggle for control.
- Children of Men (2006) – This dystopian sci-fi film is set in a future where humans have lost the ability to reproduce, leading to societal collapse and unrest. Children of Men shares Akira’s themes of power, rebellion, and the search for hope in a bleak world.
- Tron (1982) – This classic sci-fi film follows a computer programmer who gets trapped in a virtual world he created. Tron explores themes of identity, power, and the dangers of technology.
- The Animatrix (2003) – This collection of animated shorts is set in the same universe as The Matrix and explores various aspects of that world’s history and mythology. Like Akira, The Animatrix is a visually stunning and thought-provoking exploration of the limits of the human mind and the nature of reality.
- Metropolis (2001) – Directed by Rintaro and based on the classic manga by Osamu Tezuka, Metropolis is a visually stunning anime film set in a futuristic city where humans and robots coexist. Like Akira, Metropolis explores the dangers of unchecked technological advancement and the struggle for power in a world of inequality and unrest.
1. Ghost in the Shell (1995)
Ghost in the Shell is a classic anime film that explores the themes of identity, technology, and consciousness. The film is set in a futuristic world where people are able to connect their minds to the internet, blurring the line between man and machine. Major Motoko Kusanagi, a cyborg agent, and her team investigate a mysterious hacker known as “The Puppet Master,” who seems to be able to hack into people’s minds.
The film explores the concept of the “ghost,” or the essence of human consciousness, and how it can be manipulated or lost in a world of technology. Major Kusanagi struggles with her own sense of self as she grapples with the blurred lines between her human and cyborg components.
Like Akira, Ghost in the Shell explores the themes of unchecked technological advancement and the dangers of playing God. The film questions the ethics of creating advanced technology and the potential consequences of pushing the limits of what is possible.
2. Blade Runner (1982)
Blade Runner is a classic sci-fi film that takes place in a dystopian future where bio-engineered androids known as “replicants” are used for slave labor. The film follows Deckard, a retired blade runner tasked with hunting down and killing rogue replicants who have escaped to Earth.
The film explores themes of identity, power, and the nature of consciousness. The replicants struggle with their own sense of self and their place in a world that treats them as disposable objects. Deckard, too, questions his own identity and his place in a world that has become increasingly dehumanized.
Like Akira, Blade Runner explores the dangers of unchecked power and the struggle for control. The film questions the ethics of creating sentient beings for labor and the potential consequences of playing God.
3. The Matrix (1999)
The Matrix is a groundbreaking sci-fi film that takes place in a world where humans are trapped inside a simulated reality created by machines. The film follows Neo, a computer hacker who is recruited by a group of rebels to help them overthrow the ruling machines.
The film explores themes of rebellion, identity, and the power of the mind. Neo struggles with his own sense of self as he grapples with the idea that the reality he knows may not be real at all. The rebels fight against a world that seeks to control their thoughts and actions, questioning the very nature of free will.
Like Akira, The Matrix explores the limits of the human mind and the dangers of unbridled technological innovation. The film questions the ethics of creating a world where machines have ultimate power and the potential consequences of losing control.
4. Paprika (2006)
Paprika is a visually stunning anime film that explores the power of dreams and the dangers of unchecked technology. The film follows Dr. Atsuko Chiba, a researcher who has developed a machine that allows her to enter people’s dreams. However, when the device falls into the wrong hands, it threatens to unleash chaos on the waking world.
The film explores themes of identity, technology, and the subconscious mind. Dr. Chiba struggles with her own sense of self as she blurs the lines between her waking life and her dream life. The film also questions the ethics of creating technology that can access the deepest, most personal parts of the human mind.
Like Akira, Paprika explores the dangers of unbridled technological innovation and the potential consequences of playing God. The film also touches on the theme of identity, as characters struggle with their own sense of self in a world where reality is constantly shifting.
5. Aeon Flux (2005)
Aeon Flux is a sci-fi film that takes place in a dystopian future where a deadly virus has wiped out most of the world’s population. The film follows Aeon Flux, a skilled assassin who is tasked with taking down the oppressive government that rules over what remains of humanity.
The film explores themes of power, rebellion, and the struggle for control. Aeon Flux fights against a world that seeks to control every aspect of human life, questioning the very nature of free will. The film also touches on the theme of identity, as Aeon Flux grapples with her own sense of self in a world that has become increasingly dehumanized.
Like Akira, Aeon Flux explores the dangers of unchecked power and the potential consequences of playing God. The film also questions the ethics of creating a world where governments have ultimate power and the potential consequences of losing control.
6. Children of Men (2006)
Children of Men is a dystopian sci-fi film that takes place in a world where women have become infertile, threatening the survival of the human race. The film follows Theo, a former activist who is recruited by a rebel group to transport a pregnant woman to safety.
The film explores themes of power, rebellion, and the value of human life. Theo struggles with his own sense of purpose as he grapples with the idea that his actions may be the only hope for the survival of the human race. The film also questions the ethics of creating a world where reproduction has become a commodity, and the potential consequences of placing too much value on the ability to procreate.
Like Akira, Children of Men explores the dangers of unchecked power and the potential consequences of playing God. The film also touches on the theme of identity, as characters struggle with their own sense of purpose in a world that has become increasingly bleak and hopeless.
7. Tron (1982)
Tron is a classic sci-fi film that takes place inside a computer system. The film follows hacker Kevin Flynn as he is digitized and enters the world of the computer, where he must fight against a malevolent program named Master Control.
The film explores themes of power, control, and the intersection between man and machine. Kevin Flynn must navigate a world where the rules of reality are constantly shifting, and where his very survival depends on his ability to outsmart the system. The film also questions the ethics of creating artificial intelligence and the potential consequences of playing God.
Like Akira, Tron explores the dangers of unbridled technological innovation and the potential consequences of creating machines that are smarter than humans. The film also touches on the theme of identity, as characters struggle with their own sense of self in a world where the lines between man and machine have become increasingly blurred.
8. The Animatrix (2003)
The Animatrix is a collection of nine animated short films that take place within the world of The Matrix film series. The stories explore different aspects of the Matrix universe, from the rise of the machines to the human resistance against their mechanical overlords.
The film explores themes of power, rebellion, and the struggle for control. The humans in the Matrix universe fight against a world that seeks to control every aspect of their lives, questioning the very nature of free will. The film also touches on the theme of identity, as characters struggle with their own sense of self in a world where reality is constantly shifting.
Like Akira, The Animatrix explores the dangers of unchecked power and the potential consequences of playing God. The film also questions the ethics of creating a world where machines have ultimate power and the potential consequences of losing control.
9. Metropolis (2001)
Metropolis is a visually stunning anime film that takes place in a dystopian city where humans and robots coexist. The film follows a young girl named Tima, who is the key to unlocking the secrets of the city’s power structure.
The film explores themes of power, rebellion, and the struggle for control. The humans in the city are divided by class and the robots are seen as second-class citizens, leading to tensions that threaten to tear the city apart. The film also touches on the theme of identity, as Tima struggles with her own sense of self in a world where she is constantly being used as a pawn.
Like Akira, Metropolis explores the dangers of unbridled technological innovation and the potential consequences of creating machines that are smarter than humans. The film also questions the ethics of creating a world where robots are seen as inferior and the potential consequences of playing God with the lives of machines.
Here’s a table with the IMDb ratings and Rotten Tomatoes scores for each movie:
| Movie | IMDb Rating | Rotten Tomatoes Score |
| Akira | 8.0 | 87% |
| Ghost in the Shell (1995) | 8.0 | 96% |
| Blade Runner (1982) | 8.1 | 90% |
| The Matrix (1999) | 8.7 | 88% |
| Paprika (2006) | 7.7 | 84% |
| Aeon Flux (2005) | 5.5 | 9% |
| Children of Men (2006) | 7.9 | 92% |
| Tron (1982) | 6.8 | 72% |
| The Animatrix (2003) | 7.4 | 88% |
| Metropolis (2001) | 7.8 | 90% |