Akira Drawings

-　Akira (アキラ）-

- Drawings from the Anime Feature Film (Douga) -

Akira is referred to by many, as being the "Origin" of modern Anime films and was created by the Japanese Anime genius - Katsuhiro Otomo.

It woke the Western World up to the beauty and power of Japanese animated film and by doing so allowed Anime to become a truly Universal animation film and art form.

Fans were amazed in 1988 at the numerous colours (often as many as 16 colours per cel) and by the attention to detail in the characters.

A number of the animators who produced the original drawings (or "Douga") for this film have become famous Animators themselves. Two such animation artists are -

Mr Hashimoto and Toshio Kawaguchi.

Mr Hashimoto has worked on productions including "Metropolis" (which was made partly as a tribute to the great Osamu Tezuka) and "Spirited Away" (Hayao Miyazaki).

Toshio Kawaguchi worked as the animation director for "Ponpoko" and "Porco Rosso".

Cel and matching drawing of Tetsuo

Detail of the Tetsuo drawing above

Kaneda

Takashi, aka #26.

The Manga and Anime were both created by the Japanese Master -

"Katshuhiro Otomo".

*The English langauge Manga was originally published by "Dark Horse Comics" in USA and was translated by Fredrick L.Schodt.

* Note - "Douga" is the Japanese term for an animation drawing.

**Artwork shown is part of the collection of Geoffrey Clifton.**

ANIMATION UTOPIA

Akira

- Akira-

Akira offers up a stong warning to mankind, in that it strives to illustrate that we will always be victim to the Karmic consequences of our own actions (this was also a favourite theme of William Shakespeare).

-Akira-

Katsuhiro Otomo postulates within Akira that man has the power to use and harness the Universe as an infinite source of power and enlightenment or alternatively as catalyist for total destruction.

Takashi

Katsuhiro Otomo also shows us that the forces of nature are immense, inspiring and mysterious.

Two of the recent Australian DVD covers which illustrate the potential for disaster in our world.

Tetsuo struggles with his power

In essence, the possibility of mans manipulation and harnessing of the cosmic forces within the Universe is infact the act of actually tapping into the very energy of God itself.

Covers of the Akira Manga released in the U.S.A by "Epic Comics".

Akira is set in Neo-Tokyo in the year 2019.

The huge metropolis has been constructed after the devestation of Japan in the Third World War.

The setting of Neo-Tokyo is a symbol for the possibility of Japans horrific war time bombings once again being repeated.

Three of the Australian video releases.

*The video on the far right is the original version, with the first English dialogue (which was highly criticised).

*The video on the far left was the expensive double video release. One tape is in English and the other is in subtitled Japanese. The original price of this video set was $74.95 (Australian).

*Both the original and the twin pack set are now "hot" collectors items.

The original English "dub" (1991) was criticised for its watering down of the "gritty" dialogue as well as its miscasting of key voice actors. The later 2001 version won universal praise as a masterpiece.

A model sheet showing details of Kaneda's fabulous motorbike.


Drawing of the "Doctor" and the"Colonel"

*One of the criticisms of the original English sound track, was that the Colonel's voice lacked the sympathetic tones he was given in the original Japanese version. This change of tone made him much more of a cliched "bad guy", which had the effect of changing the feel of the story.

The narrative of Akira features a "bunch" of school aged motorcycle riding gangsters and their sparring partners the "Clowns".

They are caught up in an experiment that has the potential of funnelling down from the Universe a totally catastrophic annihilation.

**I rate Akira as being one of the top three Anime masterpieces**.

-All images are from the collection of Geoffrey Clifton-

ANIMATION UTOPIA

Akira

AKIRA

Limited editon print

- 1988 -

124 minutes

Directed by Katsuhiro Otomo

Manga by Katsuhiro Otomo

Music by Geino Yamashiro

Its 2019 and Neo-Tokyo is about to Explode!

The powerful and haunting music score of "Akira" incorporates the use of traditional Japanese instruments in an energetic, wild and stimulating addition to the Anime.

The music is truly amazing!

Kaneda model by the Kodansha company

Akira is the first "for cinema" release Anime which really caught the attention of foreign audiences. It is this film which is credited with the "switching on" of non-Japanese fanatics to the world of Japanese animation.

Portrait of Kaneda

Tetsuo and Koari

Akira is a fast paced action laced film of huge proportions.

The storyline is complex (which is often the case with Japanese adult orientated Anime), however the philosophy behind the idea is deep and and gives its audience great insight into the world we live in.

Akira is a film which deserves to be watched and rewatched. Through doing this a true understanding of the great depth of the ideas within the Anime will finally crystalise.

*All art work shown is from the collection of Geoffrey Clifton.