In its fundamental state, Akira is the expression of post World War II anxiety, visually mirroring Japan’s warped and disoriented shape after facing so much irreparable damage.
The bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki are well-known casualties that took place towards the end of World War II, wherein the USA detonated two nuclear weapons over the two Japanese cities, creating a death toll of between 129,000 and 226,000 people, most of whom were civilians.
These unfortunate events play a subtle yet significant role in the film Akira. The character Tetsuo personifies Japan’s post-war struggles, as his psychic powers and grotesque mutation are redolent of the physical deformation that the Japanesesuffered due to radiation poisoning.
Additionally, Tetsuo’s new metamorphic state is a utilitarian metaphor of the advanced Japan after the war. Tetsuo managed to gain boundless, unfathomable power within just a few hours. Comparably, Japan evolved from a country of disorder and painful chaos to possessing one of the most developed economies in the world, in a considerably short amount of time.
However, the film does not simply portray Japan as an untouchable source of power after the tragic events. Visually, Tetsuo’s transformation is bloody and abhorrent, juxtaposing his newfound cosmic power. This distinct contrast connotes that, although Japan took pride in their new identity, they are able to recognise the struggle that accompanied the transformation, as well as possessing a certain fear for the new power they hold, after previously being considered as not holding much value at all
At this point in the film, Tetsuo’s character reaches his psychological limit. He begins to cry for help from anyone who might hear him, even though it is evidently too late already. This display of vulnerability allows the viewer to finally understand that with such power, Tetsuo feels more stranded and alone than he ever did before.
Drawing comparisons with this specific moment in the scene is difficult due to the sizable difference between one person gaining immense power, compared to an entire country. However, this does allow the viewer to consider the possibility that Japan may still face great troubles, despite the powerful front they gained over the past few decades (or even because of it).
In a more general sense, this film does also encourage healthy debate regarding the morality of developing nuclear weapons and the corruption involved in wielding such power, by visually displaying to the viewer its effects, under the false pretense that this is a science-fiction post-apocalyptic event (as we know similar events have happened under human jurisdiction.
