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A review of AKIRA, Volume 1

by Katsuhiro Otomo

Classic Japanese Science-Fiction Graphic Novel

Reviewed by: Twelve
About Twelve

AKIRA, Volume 1 Volume one of the graphic novel named AKIRA is the first part of a six volume series, first published for Japan in 1984. Since then, this futuristic post-nuclear world story has slowly gained popularity, and is perhaps more famous now than ever. Katsuhiro Otomo is the now respected artist and writer of the tale.

AKIRA is considered to be "Manga", the genre name given to many graphic novels and movies from Japan, but don't expect to find anything like Pokémon or Sailor Moon in these pages. At first glance within this book, the cartoon artwork might may you think that this book isn't what it is: deadly serious.

It's a story that begins with the trivial, anti-authority bred problems of a Japanese biker gang. They roam the dark streets of a Japan that is now only one of the many countries in the world having to deal with her major cities obliterated from nuclear warfare. As many have suggested, nuclear radiation can cause some very strange alterations to take place in the human body, and one of the co-leaders of this biker gang is revealed to possess strange "powers". This young biker, named Tetsuo, becomes the most important of many strong characters throughout the series, as his mysterious capabilities disastrously reveal themselves. No understatement here; incredibly, it is through his immaturity and selfishness that the entire country is revolutionized. However, even his threat would have been short lived if he had never made contact with the phenomena only known as "AKIRA"...

The realistic views of AKIRA are one of the things that make this graphic novel series stand out from others. It correctly observes the fact that in many conflicts, it is unclear as to which side is good or evil. Otomo won't make it easy on you, as he reveals serious flaws of those we're supposed to root for, and delves deep into the complex psychology of those we want to categorize as corrupted. You wind up quite removed from the traditional comfort zone of a possible happy ending, and will find yourself in a bewildered state that is very similar to that of the characters of this story. In that way, Otomo achieves the goal of every fiction writer: putting YOU into his world, and making you swiftly flip the pages to see how it will all turn out in the end.

AKIRA is, quite simply, one of the best graphic novels ever. I can assure you that it is a story you will not forget, and one that you'll want and need to read over and over again. Considering the fact that movie producers have recently shown interest in making this story into a live-action film, I recommend that you pick up this series before Hollywood does. There's no guarantee that the proper justice will be done on the big screen!

Click here to buy this book, or read more about it at Amazon.com: AKIRA, Volume 1

Copyright © by Twelve, 2002

Reviewed by Twelve :
-- The House of Death - by Paul Doherty
-- The Sigma Protocol - by Robert Ludlum
-- AKIRA, Volume 1 - by Katsuhiro Otomo
-- Valhalla Rising - by Clive Cussler
-- Warrior Class - by Dale Brown
-- The Dreamthief's Daughter - by Michael Moorcock
-- Jupiter - by Ben Bova
-- Celtika - by Robert Holdstock
-- Knots and Crosses - by Ian Rankin
-- The Dragonbone Chair - by Tad Williams
-- Corpse Candle - by Paul Doherty
-- Flood Tide - by Clive Cussler
-- Samurai! - by Saburo Sakai
-- The Sky of Peleg - by Twelve
-- Disclosure - by Michael Crichton
-- Pawn of Prophecy - by David Eddings









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