Akira: Volume 1

The first series I will be rereading is Akira by Katsuhiro Otomo which seems only fitting as it was also the first manga I began collecting. It has been over five years since I last read Akira.

Collected in six volumes Akira is an science fiction epic set in the futuristic Japanese city Neo Toyko. The story takes place in 2030, 38 years after the end of of world war three and is centred around two delinquent teenagers named Kaneda and Tetsuo.

Volume one really kicks off with a bang as we see the explosion that began the third world war. The first few pages are rendered in beautiful colour and right from the start you know you are in for a treat. Otomo's art is something else, the attention to detail is simply staggering, especially the mechanical design and cityscapes.

The plot jumps forward to the present where we see the main characters, Kaneda and Tetsuo, who are out with the rest of their gang racing their motorbikes through the ruins of the old city. Tetsuo is involved in a motorcycle accident caused by a creepy kid who mysteriously disappears and what follows is a roller coaster ride of action and intrigue which is heart-poundingly good.

While the beginning is very similar to anime movie the vast majority of this book is completely different and if you ask me far more enjoyable. I should point out that that isn't to say the Akria movie isn't good, it's just a very different version of this story.

A lot happens in volume one, Kaneda inadvertently joins a group of freedom fighters and becomes the focus of a military man hunt while his friend Tetsuo, who had been taken to secret government hospital, escapes and discovers he has psychic abilities. The depiction of Tetsuo's psychic powers in this series are fantastic and at times horrific. 

Once Tetsuo takes over another a rival motorcycle gang the real fun begins. When Kaneda discovers that his friend is now in charge of the Clowns he sets out to get some answers! The last quarter of this volume is reminiscent of the film 'The Warriors' as the motorcycle gangs go to war but instead of the Baseball Furies and the Boppers its the Carburettor Boys and the Pretty Bombers. I must say that riding a motorcycle with your arms folded is pretty impressive.

I don't want to spoil the ending so I'll just say that it is brilliant, it just makes me wish that there was a more faithful adaptation of this marvellous book. What a stunning opening to this story.

Rereading this was an absolute treat, it truly is a masterpiece of fiction. Each and every page is a feast for the eye and the pacing of the story doesn't let up. Otomo manages to get a perfect balance between action sequences, character development and important plot points. One thing I particularly enjoy about the Dark Horse release is that the book is not separated out into chapters and so the narrative flows seamlessly. Roll on part two!