Akira
Author/Artist: Katsuhiro Otomo
Category: Seinen, Scifi, Cyberpunk
Format: Manga
Completed: Yes
Story Rating: 7/10
Art Rating: 7/10
Details: Akira is a classic manga. It’s realism (as real as scifi can get) in both art and story is to be admired. The story itself has 2 parts, one has an anti-government, rebellious tone while the other is Lord of the Flies like in its portrayal of a recreation of society. Both parts show the internal and external struggles one experiences when coming into adulthood.
Character wise, Akira has very well developed and meaningful characters. Everyone has their flaw and react as a human would given their situation. Though there is technically a protagonist, his role is minor and any one of the other characters could fill that role (even the antagonist).
I would have given this manga a better rating had it not been for the ending. Many are familiar with the animated film’s ending (don’t look it up if you get queasy easily).This is not what I’m referring to. In the manga the final chapters are confusing and invalidate pretty much all the effort put forth by the protagonist, which is disappointing to say the least.