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| Image taken from animereview2.freewebspace.com |
I have never watched the movie Akira until recently. I must say that movie was rather belligerent and confusing. It was not until after the class discussion did I began to realize what the story was about. A dystopian Neo-Tokyo that is brutally government regulated. Brutal is probably just touching the tip of the iceberg. The government is rather “gun happy” if you think about it, killing peaceful protesters. They also do genetic experimentation on “special” children against their will to gain more power. The government basically controls everything about the society from new broadcasting to shopping at the mall.
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| Image taken from thelostclassics.com |
Aside from that mini overview of Akira, I would like to point out something I’ve noticed from the little I could infer from the movie and what I garnered from our class discussion. In this movie, adolescents are controlled through every aspect. They try to rebel against the government in an attempt to gain free will. I don’t blame them for rebelling, especially since the society they live in brands the youth as garbage. In school, they get punched in the face and scolded about discipline. In protests, they are shot down as if they are worthless. In some cases, adolescents are abducted for experimentation as if they were lab rats (I personally do not approve of testing on animals, it was just an example of cruelty). Every aspect of their lives is under strict control of which they wish to break free from. They are the future of that society, so why mercilessly kill them? Since the outrageous disaster Tetsuo caused, maybe Neo-Tokyo will turn a new leaf, but the government may still be stubborn and continue with such projects that result in destructive “super mutants” while oppressing their citizens.
Overall, the movie gets the point across in probably the most violent method I have ever witnessed in an anime. It has a nice style to it considering it was made back in the late 80’s. It conveys a very important message as well, it just takes some time after watching the movie to figure it out. Though if I wasn’t such a hemophobic, anxiety stricken, weak stomached anime lover… then maybe I would have been able to focus on all the little details of the movie rather than cringing at almost every scene.
Anything else you can say about the teenagers in the film? What is central to teenage life?
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with you about the violence in the film. There were parts where I either wanted to scream or vomit (such as the numerous shootings and the scenes where Tetsuo's guts would come out). But the same time, it's kind of funny how the violence is almost necessary to get the point across. All of the gruesomeness reveals the seriousness, if that makes any sense. Without all of the violence there, I don't think Akira would have the same impact haha. As gross and even morbid as it was though, I agree that it was definitely still a good anime :)
ReplyDeleteYou are correct how is it the young population of society which is the future is being treated as mere lab rats and are killed just for fighting for their freedom and rights as humans beings. It also bothers me how the schools are so badly taken care of, but if you notice in the movie the principal’s office is clean and in the background you could see all the awards and trophies he has won. But I wonder how he could have won so many trophies when the school is the worst in my opinion I have seen in my life.
ReplyDeleteAnother thing you mention that I agree on is how the movie sends the message in the most violent way, but I guess they thought it was the best way to the message out and to make a very big impression on the people who saw it so that they don’t forget the things that this movie shows and tries to teach us.
Prof. McCay: The central idea I see regarding teenagers is rebellion for a free life. Throughout the whole film they're all fighting for free will. Unfortunately there are usually casualties as a result for speaking their minds.
ReplyDeleteHillary: That film was violent to the extreme, it definitely deserves its R rating. D8! But I guess such morbid scenes were indeed as you say necessary to get the point across.
Agustin: Thats how it is in our society. We are the future, without us (like if they just killed us for fun) we would most likely become extinct. If it were something like Brave New World where everyone was taught a specific way to live then of course the society would still last. I still find it odd to control all aspects of a society.... but its a more "effective way" of continuing rather than an abrupt stop with killing left and right. Oh my I didn't lol. I paid more attention to them being punched in the face. But you do have a point, I usually hear of schools with great/good reps earning so many trophies, not bad ones. The Japanese probably thought violence was the way to burn the message into one's head so they'll never forget and ponder about the message every now and then (frequently at first though). I did learn from the movie despite how the violence certainly rubbed me the wrong way.
I completely agree with everything you mentioned in your most recent blog post. i found the government to be very cruel and brutal. the government used to physical harm and fear to make sure the citizens would follow orders. anyone who attempted to revolt or protest was instantly met with opposition from riot police and the army. i am also against animal testing and found the testing on the special children to be especially awful. i also thought a lot after the movie if when the city rebuilds how the government will try to control the citizens or if they will be more democratic.
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