Akira

Akira is a Japanese given name that can be used for people of any gender. The meaning of Akira varies with the kanji used, but common representations include bright, clear, or intelligent. The name appears in a variety of media and real-world contexts, and it is also used as a title for several works of fiction.

Akira refers most prominently to the 1988 animated science fiction film directed by Katsuhiro Otomo, adapted from his manga of the same name. Set in a postwar Tokyo rebuilt into a sprawling megacity called Neo-Tokyo, the story follows teenage biker Kaneda and his friend Tetsuo Shima as a developing psychic power and political conspiracies threaten the city. The film is noted for its detailed animation, innovative color palettes, and its fusion of science fiction with political themes.

The Akira manga, also created by Otomo, was serialized in Weekly Young Magazine from 1982 to 1990 and collected into multiple volumes. It expands on the film’s premise with a larger cast and broader exploration of social decay, scientific ethics, and authority. The work is typically viewed as a landmark in manga for its expansive world-building and artistic scope.

Both the manga and film have had a substantial influence on anime and global popular culture, contributing to the wider appreciation of Japanese animation and inspiring generations of artists in comics, animation, and film. Akira has been the subject of extensive analysis and continues to be referenced across media.

Beyond Otomo’s works, the name appears for numerous fictional characters in Japanese media and for real individuals. As a given name, Akira remains common in Japan and among people of Japanese descent, with international usage in fan communities and translations.