AKIRA (1988) – FILM STUDY –
SYNOPSIS: Akira is the story of Shotaro Kaneda and his best friend Tetsuo Shima, two young bosozoku
gang members living in the dystopian city of Neo-Tokyo in 2019. Kaneda tries to save his friend from a
secret government project while battling anti-government activists, unsavoury politicians, hubristic
scientists, and a military leader bent on claiming the city.
PART ONE: THE OPENING SEQUENCE (/2)
– How can you interpret the implications of the powerful opening sequence of Akira? Consider what is
shown from the opening shot to the title credit AKIRA.
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PART TWO: CHARACTERIZATION (/20)
– For each of the following, write down twenty (20) jot note impressions for each character based on
their: race, physicality, mindset, age, gender, culture, behaviours, actions, and any tropes/stereotypes).
Shotaro Kaneda:
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Kei:
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Colonel Shikishima:
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The ESPers:
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PART THREE: THE METAMORPHOSIS OF TETSUO SHIMA
– Tetsuo is the deuteragonist and main antagonist of the film. Deconstruct the following:
1 – The first impressions of Tetsuo in the film: (/2)
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2 – His contradictory thoughts and emotions involving Kaneda: (/2)
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3 – His relationship with his girlfriend Kaori: (/2)
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4 – How his backstory impacts his present actions: (/2)
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5 – How he represents the destructive potential of power in the wrong hands: (/2)
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PART FOUR: THE DYSTOPIAN SETTING (NEO-TOKYO)
– Setting is integral to science fiction. Deconstruct the following:
1 – How does WW2 and the Atomic bomb influence the setting of Neo-Tokyo? (/2)
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2 – What is the political turmoil presented in the film? (/2)
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3 – How does the character of Akira becomes a messianic figure in the film? (/2)
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PART FIVE – CRITICAL LENS THEORY
– Provide analysis for the following critical lenses with one (1) supported example from the film.
Psychoanalytic/Archetypal Lens: (/3)
1 – How does director Otomo present the viewer with the unpleasant reality of abandonment, absentee
fathers and the death of the nuclear family through Tetsuo and Kaneda who met in an orphanage?
Consider how a lack of parental figures impacted their development to function in society.
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Psychoanalytic/Archetypal Lens: (/3)
2 – Explain how Colonel Shikishima functions as a father-figure in this film despite his many
contradictions in character. Consider his role as head of the military, caretaker of the ESPers, and
role of in the corrupt city government.
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Feminist Lens: (/3)
– How does Otomo portray women in this film despite a predominately male cast? Consider the roles of
Kei and Kaori and what they symbolically represent in the film.
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BONUS – How is the audience meant to interpret the final line of the film?
