Akira is a movie with several themes set in a dystopian cyberpunk society. Human life in Neo Tokyo is degrading despite the technological advancements. Social structures are also slowly eroding and this can be seen in the daily life of the kids, as they are street vigilantes and thru the bad schooling they have.
Though life is a struggle in Neo Tokyo, the film takes a turn in focusing on Kaneda and Tetsuo’s relationship. The struggle of someone trying to be independent, and trying to prove himself as capable, spurs the story forward. Their relationship plays a vital role and penetrates the story through and through - from the beginning when we met Tetsuo examining Kanada’s bike to the end when the bike is wrecked.
Tetsuo’s lust for power also draws the viewer in, as he changes dramatically from a weak boy who can’t control the red bike into a psychic God. All this is because he wants to be independent, and to him all he does is justified by that notion. Tearing his reasoning apart, there is still just a little kid who wants to show his friends he can take care of himself.
