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Akira [アキラ] #2
Akira 2
Japanese version. Who is Akira? It is a secret that some will kill for and others die to protect. Welcome back to the most incredible manga of all, Katsuhiro Otomo's Akira! This epic, sweeping work is the saga that truly introduced manga (Japanese comics) to the West, and is re-presented in its breathtaking entirety in this ongoing Titan Books series. Set in the remains of post-apocalyptic Neo-Tokyo, Akira is the high octane saga of a government conspiracy designed to hide a terrible truth. Psychic children, a military power struggle and rebellious street gangs clash explosively as something terrifying and ancient stirs anew, and the world trembles!
300 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1984
213 people are currently reading
3679 people want to read
About the author
Katsuhiro Otomo
316 books883 followersKatsuhiro Otomo is a Japanese manga artist, film director, and screenwriter. For his works in Japanese see 大友克洋. He is perhaps best known for being the creator of the manga Akira and its anime adaptation, which are extremely famous and influential. Otomo has also directed several live-action films, such as the recent 2006 feature film adaptation of the Mushishi manga.
Katsuhiro Otomo was born in the former town of Hasama, in Miyagi Prefecture.
As a teenager growing up in the turbulent 1960s, he was surrounded by the demonstrations of both students and workers against the Japanese government. The riots, demonstrations, and overall chaotic conditions of this time would serve as the inspiration for his best known work, Akira. Some would argue that this seminal work is an allegory of 1960s Japan, and that one could easily substitute the year 2019 for 1969 and leave little difference in the basic story.
The animation from this period (especially the works coming out of Tokyo animation studios Mushi Production and Toei Doga, now known as TOEI Animation) were influencing young Otomo. Works like Tetsujin 28-go, Astro Boy, and Hols: Prince of the Sun would help push Otomo toward a career in animation. However, it was the films coming out of America that were driving his rebellious nature. Five Easy Pieces and Easy Rider would serve as inspiration for Shotaro Kaneda and his biker gang in Akira: rebellious youth who took too many drugs and didn't care about authority or the pressures put on them by their parents' generation.
Otomo has recently worked extensively with noted studio Sunrise with the studio animating and producing his most recent projects, the 2004 feature film Steamboy, 2006's Freedom Project and his latest project, SOS! Tokyo Metro Explorers: The Next, released in 2007.
Otomo grew up a fanatic of American blockbusters, which has influenced his cinematic style throughout his huge career. He grew fond of the work of artists like Moebius, and is often regarded as the person who brought a Westernized style into manga. From the late seventies onwards, Otomo created numerous volumes of anthologies and short stories, which usually ran at 23 pages each. Serialization for Fireball was cancelled, though the premise and themes were later to appear in the Sci-Fi Grand Prix award winning Domu and Akira. Otomo later moved onto directing and creating notable anime like the film adaption of Akira, Memories, and Steamboy. His most recent manga have been the scripting of Mother Sarah and the short story Park released in an issue of Pafu last year. He has also directed several live action films, such as World Apartment Horror, Give Us A Gun/Give Us Freedom, and the 2006 feature film adaptation of the Mushishi manga.
Katsuhiro Otomo was born in the former town of Hasama, in Miyagi Prefecture.
As a teenager growing up in the turbulent 1960s, he was surrounded by the demonstrations of both students and workers against the Japanese government. The riots, demonstrations, and overall chaotic conditions of this time would serve as the inspiration for his best known work, Akira. Some would argue that this seminal work is an allegory of 1960s Japan, and that one could easily substitute the year 2019 for 1969 and leave little difference in the basic story.
The animation from this period (especially the works coming out of Tokyo animation studios Mushi Production and Toei Doga, now known as TOEI Animation) were influencing young Otomo. Works like Tetsujin 28-go, Astro Boy, and Hols: Prince of the Sun would help push Otomo toward a career in animation. However, it was the films coming out of America that were driving his rebellious nature. Five Easy Pieces and Easy Rider would serve as inspiration for Shotaro Kaneda and his biker gang in Akira: rebellious youth who took too many drugs and didn't care about authority or the pressures put on them by their parents' generation.
Otomo has recently worked extensively with noted studio Sunrise with the studio animating and producing his most recent projects, the 2004 feature film Steamboy, 2006's Freedom Project and his latest project, SOS! Tokyo Metro Explorers: The Next, released in 2007.
Otomo grew up a fanatic of American blockbusters, which has influenced his cinematic style throughout his huge career. He grew fond of the work of artists like Moebius, and is often regarded as the person who brought a Westernized style into manga. From the late seventies onwards, Otomo created numerous volumes of anthologies and short stories, which usually ran at 23 pages each. Serialization for Fireball was cancelled, though the premise and themes were later to appear in the Sci-Fi Grand Prix award winning Domu and Akira. Otomo later moved onto directing and creating notable anime like the film adaption of Akira, Memories, and Steamboy. His most recent manga have been the scripting of Mother Sarah and the short story Park released in an issue of Pafu last year. He has also directed several live action films, such as World Apartment Horror, Give Us A Gun/Give Us Freedom, and the 2006 feature film adaptation of the Mushishi manga.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 693 reviews
November 6, 2022
The second volume of Akira, sees Tetsuo (No. 41) investigate the existence of Akira (No. 28); with Kaneda, Kay and Ryu not too far behind. What do the numbers mean? Read the series to find out. A bit of an improvement on the first volume with clear emerging of the conspiracy theme, but the interesting world building artwork doesn't really make up for a the lack in characterisations, infantile humour and some oddly primitive sexist language. 7 out of 12.
I read Akira # 7-11, in glorious colour via the Epic Comics volumes.
2020 read, 2012 read(twice!)
I read Akira # 7-11, in glorious colour via the Epic Comics volumes.
2020 read, 2012 read(twice!)
April 7, 2024
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
October 10, 2017
You just cannot put this book down. Akira's second volume is pure, non-stop action from start to end. I love how Katsuhiro Otomo brings in all the characters and play their part without making the reading experience overcrowded. Even without the film as a reference, this book is oozing with cinematic appeal.
Now I can really say that there's a huge difference between the manga and the movie. Again, both still follow the main plot points but the smaller details are very different. I can even go as far as saying that much of the events has already happened in the first two volumes of Akira.
Now I can really say that there's a huge difference between the manga and the movie. Again, both still follow the main plot points but the smaller details are very different. I can even go as far as saying that much of the events has already happened in the first two volumes of Akira.
February 15, 2021
Review for vol. 1: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Review for vol. 5 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
A photo I took on a street of Shibuya, Tokyo, 2017.
[image error]
(Link: https://www.deviantart.com/vampirekik...)
In this futuristic Tokyo, the chaotic city has reached its breaking points with social unrest, poverty and corruption, the government, the military and the underground rebels are all locked in a deadly power struggle. In the middle of it all, the mysterious entity called Akira and a group of teenage bikers are caught in the middle of the conflicts.
The protagonists of this volume are more or less the members of the underdog teenage biker gang, I like how is described, how the rest of the gang are trying to make sense of the strange and fatal situation they had found themselves in while struggling to act at their own wills and desires despite the circumstances, e.g. Kaneda's vowing revenge against Tetsuo and everyone else who messed him and his friends up, etc. It's a raw, daredevil kind of spirit that I like.
Among the crew, Tetsuo's transformation is outstanding, I really do like how he in the end.
Not to mention, in the end , I in fact kind of like that. XD
Review for vol. 5 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
A photo I took on a street of Shibuya, Tokyo, 2017.
[image error]
(Link: https://www.deviantart.com/vampirekik...)
In this futuristic Tokyo, the chaotic city has reached its breaking points with social unrest, poverty and corruption, the government, the military and the underground rebels are all locked in a deadly power struggle. In the middle of it all, the mysterious entity called Akira and a group of teenage bikers are caught in the middle of the conflicts.
The protagonists of this volume are more or less the members of the underdog teenage biker gang, I like how is described, how the rest of the gang are trying to make sense of the strange and fatal situation they had found themselves in while struggling to act at their own wills and desires despite the circumstances, e.g. Kaneda's vowing revenge against Tetsuo and everyone else who messed him and his friends up, etc. It's a raw, daredevil kind of spirit that I like.
Among the crew, Tetsuo's transformation is outstanding, I really do like how he in the end.
Not to mention, in the end , I in fact kind of like that. XD
August 21, 2018
3.9 stars.
For fans of: The Men Who Stare at Goats; Dennis the Menace; Dragon Ball Z; The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.
Avoid if: you’re a member of the Neo-Tokyo military.
For fans of: The Men Who Stare at Goats; Dennis the Menace; Dragon Ball Z; The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.
Avoid if: you’re a member of the Neo-Tokyo military.
January 20, 2021
Although I do like the ending of this Vol. probably the most, the plot leading up to it was just okay. The setting and the art make this special but I still found myself disliking the pace and the coincidences that were happening throughout the book. The shortness of the movie actually helped to iron these blemishes out, so I actually prefer the movie version in this case.
Still giving this a 4.0 out of 5.0 stars.
Still giving this a 4.0 out of 5.0 stars.
July 8, 2019
What can I say?
Perfection.
(I liked Kaneda better in this version. Plus that whole side plot where Kei "has superpowers" was really awesome. I loved the teleportation scene when Kaneda had his handcuffed arms draped around Kei, pretending to be cool. Then they teleport, and he starts freaking out.... anyway, good book.)
May 4, 2023
4.0 Stars. Akira was originally published in the US in 38 chapters, later collected into 6 volumes. Vol. 2 is chapters 7-11. This volume answers the question of what (or who) Akira is and the answer explains why Japan is so keen to keep it a secret.
I'm coming around to the character of Kaneda. I originally viewed him as a psychopath but it no longer adds up. He is loyal to those he cares about. He is brave to the point of foolishness. He cares when those he loves are killed or injured. He makes attempts to protect those he views as weaker. He isn't void of emotion, he's filled with it. While I wouldn't call Kaneda a good or moral person, he seems more like a product of his circumstances than anything at this point.
I love a good a villain, and Tetsuo is a great villain. Mentally unstable with a massive inferiority complex, he is completely unhinged in this volume. There doesn't seem to be a limit to what he'll do.
However, it was hard for me to suspend my disbelief that the doctor/project scientist had so much faith in Tetsuo. He has done nothing to suggest he will be anything other that violent and uncontrollable in any situation
The character of Kei is one that hasn't been fully enough explored yet. I do not understand why she seems to be developing romantic feelings for Kaneda after he attempted to assault her. The series has yet to explain how she came to be involved with a terrorist organization, her relationship with Ryu, or even how old she is. While other characters have been fleshed out Kei remains a near total mystery. She is the only female main character in this series at this point and I hope to see this corrected in future volumes.
The good in this far outweighs the bad. This has become a really compelling story. It's been incredibly fast paced and exciting. However, because of the level of violence it contains it won't be for everyone.
I'm coming around to the character of Kaneda. I originally viewed him as a psychopath but it no longer adds up. He is loyal to those he cares about. He is brave to the point of foolishness. He cares when those he loves are killed or injured. He makes attempts to protect those he views as weaker. He isn't void of emotion, he's filled with it. While I wouldn't call Kaneda a good or moral person, he seems more like a product of his circumstances than anything at this point.
I love a good a villain, and Tetsuo is a great villain. Mentally unstable with a massive inferiority complex, he is completely unhinged in this volume. There doesn't seem to be a limit to what he'll do.
However, it was hard for me to suspend my disbelief that the doctor/project scientist had so much faith in Tetsuo. He has done nothing to suggest he will be anything other that violent and uncontrollable in any situation
The character of Kei is one that hasn't been fully enough explored yet. I do not understand why she seems to be developing romantic feelings for Kaneda after he attempted to assault her. The series has yet to explain how she came to be involved with a terrorist organization, her relationship with Ryu, or even how old she is. While other characters have been fleshed out Kei remains a near total mystery. She is the only female main character in this series at this point and I hope to see this corrected in future volumes.
The good in this far outweighs the bad. This has become a really compelling story. It's been incredibly fast paced and exciting. However, because of the level of violence it contains it won't be for everyone.
January 24, 2024
Akira rising!
Action-packed v2. Smaller scale than v1, but I'll continue to see what happens next.
Action-packed v2. Smaller scale than v1, but I'll continue to see what happens next.
January 7, 2019
Just like the first one this is filled to the brim with action.
The run for Akira starts almost immediately and the narrative moves relentlessly from one action sequence to the other as the characters clash with one another time and again.
I love that cinematic style. It is quite different from my usual reading experience and is a lot of fun. Never have 300 pages flown by as fast as they did here.
The characters are a little less annoying than in the first one. So that's a plus. But unfortunately the plot doesn't progress much.
At least we finally meet Akira. And it will be interesting to see what that means for the next volume, since a lot of people are mightily afraid of the guy.
Good popcorn fun. Just barely missing out on four stars.
The run for Akira starts almost immediately and the narrative moves relentlessly from one action sequence to the other as the characters clash with one another time and again.
I love that cinematic style. It is quite different from my usual reading experience and is a lot of fun. Never have 300 pages flown by as fast as they did here.
The characters are a little less annoying than in the first one. So that's a plus. But unfortunately the plot doesn't progress much.
At least we finally meet Akira. And it will be interesting to see what that means for the next volume, since a lot of people are mightily afraid of the guy.
Good popcorn fun. Just barely missing out on four stars.
August 28, 2018
AKIRA AWAKENS! Wow, the way the artwork of the underground base, futuristic urban landscapes, spacecrafts and helicopters is done is truly stunning. I’m loving this.
February 18, 2020
All the boys are idiots. Kei is the bestest.
February 17, 2019
"I have had a dream...I dreamed of disaster...A great disaster...one that will alter the world. None of us can stop it. Because destiny cannot be averted...It is fate. Akira is the pawn, as are we all. The day of his awakening draws even closer. Already, events have been set in motion. For you--for your entire people's party--this will be the turning point. It must not catch you unawares (Lady Miyako)."
The second of six volumes. I found it an overwhelming pleasure. The series has become known as the first Cyberpunk in history. I see the "punk" but I'm still waiting for the "cyber." Perhaps it will unfold in later volumes. Otomo masters the art of plot revelation. It makes for excitement and intensity. I suspect this intensity, excitement and pleasure will increase by increments in later volumes, a building of what the world has come to know as "epic."
Otomo also mixes the excitement with humor, particularly from the two main protagonists, Kaneda and Kei. The two met in the first volume, caught in a plot for world destruction (high fantasy elements in a science fiction world). Kaneda, a womanizer, tries his tactics with Kei, but she won't let him through. The dialogue, the sarcasm, the ruthless attitude in the face of domination and authority, provide a basis for moments of humor, perhaps comic relief from tension.
Tetsuo, a former friend, now an archenemy with superpowers, has grown out of control. At the end of the first book, he surrenders to the organization led by the Colonel, only to rebel and dominate, and take it further by pursuing Akira where the super-being hides. The book reveals who/ what Akira is. The rest of the series will move according to the revelation provided, so I plan to spoil it here...Akira is a little boy, frozen underground for the last thirty years, encased in a dome of mechanical precision.
The story reveals a Japanese Oracle (see picture below. Some pictures, in color, come from the animation. The book has the same images but they show in black and white). Lady Miyako knows things, the future. She escaped from the group of gathered children, now an old woman living in hiding. Her number, imprinted in her palm, 19. She can see things that are presently happening and paths into the future that could happen, depending on present outcomes. (Need I mention my thoughts about The Matrix movie?)
The kids in the program look like relatives of Fitzgerald's Benjamin Button. They all have wrinkles and shriveled skin, but no explanation has yet been provided. They all have various supernatural powers, and all have an addiction to certain pills provided by the controlling organization. They live in a children's center where they sleep and play, within the government building. The kids know something terrible will soon take place, that Tetsuo will cause mass destruction to the planet, and somehow awaken Akira.
Kiyoko, a little girl in a medical crib, has powers similar to Lady Miyako. She can see the future unfolding from the present. She helps Kei escape from the prison in the same building by taking over her mind and transferring her power to transport. She runs into Kaneda, also recently having escaped. Kaneda puts his arms around her attempting to flirt in spite of a life and death situation and they both disappear. Kei will not talk to him. He doesn't realize she has been taken over by Kiyoko (another humorous moment, as he freaks out in confusion).
The Colonel catches Kiyoko and the others in their pursuits to use mental powers to help the escapees, but they explain they have the motive of stopping world destruction, stopping Tetsuo and the awakening of Akira. Too late. Tetsuo thrashes them all and, although Kiyoko leads them to the children's center to help, they save the kids, but Tetsuo escapes and heads to the hiding place of Akira, under the stadium of Neo-Tokyo, where the next Olympic site has been under construction, where the bomb that ended Tokyo in WWIII had impacted.
Now the fate of the world rests in the hands of Kaneda and Kei (again, a high-fantasy type situation).
Kiyoko (picture below): "We must try...to control the future...There isn't just one path. For now the future is out of our hands. What happens next is up to the two of them."
I imagined how teens and kids would react to the revelation of Akira, his release, the reaction of the adults, the colonel. I understand the target audience. Scenario: important adults, foundation of government security, terrified of a child with overwhelming power. From that perspective, seeing what Otomo attempted to accomplish, it came across melodramatic, until I resigned to the suspended disbelief. Fun trumps critical analysis sometimes! Otomo's world captures you when you give in to it. Constant action: alarms blaring through a government facility, dramatic music in the subconscious, a massive screen surrounding you and enveloping your every sense.
Tetsuo takes a massive elevator underground for a long stretch while being attacked by mercenaries on flying jets. Explosions cause heating to warm the cooling system underground, threatening a release of deadly freezing temperatures. The drama and build-up overwhelmed me. Otomo has built an exemplary world with exemplary characters, and a phenomenal, original plot-line. Drama = Danger + Desire. Danger = crazy mean kid with superpowers, freezing temperature release, a sub-plot of vengeance among two individuals, main protagonists running from military into deeper danger to stop Tetsuo, exploding heat, and AKIRA. Desire = WE WANT TO SEE AKIRA! Excellent execution of literary technique! In the end, more explosions ensue, a satellite from space honing in and sending missiles to destroy the new world threats. The two have caused an alert higher than that of a nuclear crisis.
The series increases my pleasure and desire for manga and graphic novels. What wonderful work! I anticipate the next four, and plan to read them over the next four weekends. Otomo may become a top author for me, up there by Tolkien.
"A...Akira.... The fool has awakened Akira!...This is just the beginning!--Akira hasn't even used his powers yet!...We're going to need missiles...Fighter planes! Call for every weapon available (Colonel Shikishima)!"
The second of six volumes. I found it an overwhelming pleasure. The series has become known as the first Cyberpunk in history. I see the "punk" but I'm still waiting for the "cyber." Perhaps it will unfold in later volumes. Otomo masters the art of plot revelation. It makes for excitement and intensity. I suspect this intensity, excitement and pleasure will increase by increments in later volumes, a building of what the world has come to know as "epic."
Otomo also mixes the excitement with humor, particularly from the two main protagonists, Kaneda and Kei. The two met in the first volume, caught in a plot for world destruction (high fantasy elements in a science fiction world). Kaneda, a womanizer, tries his tactics with Kei, but she won't let him through. The dialogue, the sarcasm, the ruthless attitude in the face of domination and authority, provide a basis for moments of humor, perhaps comic relief from tension.
Tetsuo, a former friend, now an archenemy with superpowers, has grown out of control. At the end of the first book, he surrenders to the organization led by the Colonel, only to rebel and dominate, and take it further by pursuing Akira where the super-being hides. The book reveals who/ what Akira is. The rest of the series will move according to the revelation provided, so I plan to spoil it here...Akira is a little boy, frozen underground for the last thirty years, encased in a dome of mechanical precision.
The story reveals a Japanese Oracle (see picture below. Some pictures, in color, come from the animation. The book has the same images but they show in black and white). Lady Miyako knows things, the future. She escaped from the group of gathered children, now an old woman living in hiding. Her number, imprinted in her palm, 19. She can see things that are presently happening and paths into the future that could happen, depending on present outcomes. (Need I mention my thoughts about The Matrix movie?)
The kids in the program look like relatives of Fitzgerald's Benjamin Button. They all have wrinkles and shriveled skin, but no explanation has yet been provided. They all have various supernatural powers, and all have an addiction to certain pills provided by the controlling organization. They live in a children's center where they sleep and play, within the government building. The kids know something terrible will soon take place, that Tetsuo will cause mass destruction to the planet, and somehow awaken Akira.
Kiyoko, a little girl in a medical crib, has powers similar to Lady Miyako. She can see the future unfolding from the present. She helps Kei escape from the prison in the same building by taking over her mind and transferring her power to transport. She runs into Kaneda, also recently having escaped. Kaneda puts his arms around her attempting to flirt in spite of a life and death situation and they both disappear. Kei will not talk to him. He doesn't realize she has been taken over by Kiyoko (another humorous moment, as he freaks out in confusion).
The Colonel catches Kiyoko and the others in their pursuits to use mental powers to help the escapees, but they explain they have the motive of stopping world destruction, stopping Tetsuo and the awakening of Akira. Too late. Tetsuo thrashes them all and, although Kiyoko leads them to the children's center to help, they save the kids, but Tetsuo escapes and heads to the hiding place of Akira, under the stadium of Neo-Tokyo, where the next Olympic site has been under construction, where the bomb that ended Tokyo in WWIII had impacted.
Now the fate of the world rests in the hands of Kaneda and Kei (again, a high-fantasy type situation).
Kiyoko (picture below): "We must try...to control the future...There isn't just one path. For now the future is out of our hands. What happens next is up to the two of them."
I imagined how teens and kids would react to the revelation of Akira, his release, the reaction of the adults, the colonel. I understand the target audience. Scenario: important adults, foundation of government security, terrified of a child with overwhelming power. From that perspective, seeing what Otomo attempted to accomplish, it came across melodramatic, until I resigned to the suspended disbelief. Fun trumps critical analysis sometimes! Otomo's world captures you when you give in to it. Constant action: alarms blaring through a government facility, dramatic music in the subconscious, a massive screen surrounding you and enveloping your every sense.
Tetsuo takes a massive elevator underground for a long stretch while being attacked by mercenaries on flying jets. Explosions cause heating to warm the cooling system underground, threatening a release of deadly freezing temperatures. The drama and build-up overwhelmed me. Otomo has built an exemplary world with exemplary characters, and a phenomenal, original plot-line. Drama = Danger + Desire. Danger = crazy mean kid with superpowers, freezing temperature release, a sub-plot of vengeance among two individuals, main protagonists running from military into deeper danger to stop Tetsuo, exploding heat, and AKIRA. Desire = WE WANT TO SEE AKIRA! Excellent execution of literary technique! In the end, more explosions ensue, a satellite from space honing in and sending missiles to destroy the new world threats. The two have caused an alert higher than that of a nuclear crisis.
The series increases my pleasure and desire for manga and graphic novels. What wonderful work! I anticipate the next four, and plan to read them over the next four weekends. Otomo may become a top author for me, up there by Tolkien.
"A...Akira.... The fool has awakened Akira!...This is just the beginning!--Akira hasn't even used his powers yet!...We're going to need missiles...Fighter planes! Call for every weapon available (Colonel Shikishima)!"
March 5, 2019
You can find my review on my blog by clicking here.
The post-apocalyptic world of Akira is one that has allowed Katsuhiro Otomo to revolutionize the manga and anime industry with his visionary and artistic style. With six volumes that have been loved and praised by many, the story remains iconic no matter its flaws and, without a doubt, holds plenty of reread value. As my adventure in this universe continues in its manga form before tackling the masterpiece that is the anime movie, my mind resolves to interrogate the direction it is all taking and the goal of this story that this mangaka wishes to offer his readers. Although it is science-fiction, a lot of its subplots are heavy in mystery and the themes remain fuzzy in the bigger scheme of things. Does the second volume have what it needs to propel this series in the right direction or will we still be submerged with more questions than answers as the hunt for Akira develops in this volume?
Akira (Vol. 2) pursues the story where it was left off in the first volume with the mystery behind Akira remaining the center of attention. Set in the 21st century, Neo-Tokyo is born from the ashes caused by the psychokinetic destructive power of Akira. As Tetsuo quickly discovers his hidden powers and learns to harness his full potential, he now discovers the existence of Akira and pursues his newly-acquired quest to meet this legendary source of destruction. Although he might be the only person capable to control Akira’s powers, he is also on a dark and mysterious path that could amount to another chaotic incident that could mean the end of everything once again. With his obsession blindly driving him to meet Akira, he is also hunted down by a clandestine resistance group who look to stop him before any potential threat could be unleashed. It is now only a race against time.
There isn’t a manga out there that knows how to keep you glued to its pages like Akira. With the mystery behind the identity of Akira at the center stage of this story, mangaka Katsuhiro Otomo continuously teases its reveal with hints that not only invite you to guess what kind of chaos will ensue but also solicit your imagination into determining the authenticity of this threat that originates from Akira. On top of stretching this suspense to the brink of destruction, the story also slowly teases new magical elements to further develop its world and establish the science-fiction premise on which the story is built upon. While the story is indubitably addictive and doesn’t let you go till the very last panel, it remains that the second volume doesn’t progress the story very much and barely scratched the surface on what’s going on and where it’s all headed. In fact, questions of motive still arise in me with characters like Tetsuo and it makes you realize that there is a lot of character development that is put aside for pure adrenaline fun.
Katsuhiro Otomo’s visual direction continues to be strong in this second volume with some of the most consistent and clear artwork yet. While there are moments where you’re not too sure what is going on in certain adjacent panels during action sequences where huge explosions occur, for the most part, it is easy to understand the ongoing events and to be quickly caught in the torrent as Akira remains an extremely dialogue-light story. The lack of dialogues also allows Katsuhiro Otomo to capitalize on his artistic talents and to let the drawings speak for themselves. After all, the incredible attention to detail in each panel is staggering at times and often reminds you why he was always meant to be a visual director who can perfectly control the motion and pacing of events. The mere fact that he was able to draw out an event in such a thick volume while barely progressing the story is proof that he always had a knack for visual story-telling.
Akira (Vol. 2) is an addictive installment that teases the arrival of a dangerous and powerful being without advancing the plot effectively or too significantly.
Yours truly,
Lashaan | Blogger and Book Reviewer
Official blog: https://bookidote.com/
The post-apocalyptic world of Akira is one that has allowed Katsuhiro Otomo to revolutionize the manga and anime industry with his visionary and artistic style. With six volumes that have been loved and praised by many, the story remains iconic no matter its flaws and, without a doubt, holds plenty of reread value. As my adventure in this universe continues in its manga form before tackling the masterpiece that is the anime movie, my mind resolves to interrogate the direction it is all taking and the goal of this story that this mangaka wishes to offer his readers. Although it is science-fiction, a lot of its subplots are heavy in mystery and the themes remain fuzzy in the bigger scheme of things. Does the second volume have what it needs to propel this series in the right direction or will we still be submerged with more questions than answers as the hunt for Akira develops in this volume?
Akira (Vol. 2) pursues the story where it was left off in the first volume with the mystery behind Akira remaining the center of attention. Set in the 21st century, Neo-Tokyo is born from the ashes caused by the psychokinetic destructive power of Akira. As Tetsuo quickly discovers his hidden powers and learns to harness his full potential, he now discovers the existence of Akira and pursues his newly-acquired quest to meet this legendary source of destruction. Although he might be the only person capable to control Akira’s powers, he is also on a dark and mysterious path that could amount to another chaotic incident that could mean the end of everything once again. With his obsession blindly driving him to meet Akira, he is also hunted down by a clandestine resistance group who look to stop him before any potential threat could be unleashed. It is now only a race against time.
There isn’t a manga out there that knows how to keep you glued to its pages like Akira. With the mystery behind the identity of Akira at the center stage of this story, mangaka Katsuhiro Otomo continuously teases its reveal with hints that not only invite you to guess what kind of chaos will ensue but also solicit your imagination into determining the authenticity of this threat that originates from Akira. On top of stretching this suspense to the brink of destruction, the story also slowly teases new magical elements to further develop its world and establish the science-fiction premise on which the story is built upon. While the story is indubitably addictive and doesn’t let you go till the very last panel, it remains that the second volume doesn’t progress the story very much and barely scratched the surface on what’s going on and where it’s all headed. In fact, questions of motive still arise in me with characters like Tetsuo and it makes you realize that there is a lot of character development that is put aside for pure adrenaline fun.
Katsuhiro Otomo’s visual direction continues to be strong in this second volume with some of the most consistent and clear artwork yet. While there are moments where you’re not too sure what is going on in certain adjacent panels during action sequences where huge explosions occur, for the most part, it is easy to understand the ongoing events and to be quickly caught in the torrent as Akira remains an extremely dialogue-light story. The lack of dialogues also allows Katsuhiro Otomo to capitalize on his artistic talents and to let the drawings speak for themselves. After all, the incredible attention to detail in each panel is staggering at times and often reminds you why he was always meant to be a visual director who can perfectly control the motion and pacing of events. The mere fact that he was able to draw out an event in such a thick volume while barely progressing the story is proof that he always had a knack for visual story-telling.
Akira (Vol. 2) is an addictive installment that teases the arrival of a dangerous and powerful being without advancing the plot effectively or too significantly.
Yours truly,
Lashaan | Blogger and Book Reviewer
Official blog: https://bookidote.com/
April 10, 2024
hey, i wished i had just left the series when i didn’t like the first! <3 i obviously thought i could just squeeze in a manga for the month while in my music literature 4 class. and i chose this instead of my usual shoujos. and i kinda hate myself for it, for reading scifi (of which increasingly feels like “scifi for men” if you can understand i’m trying to convey).
the only thing going for this manga is the art. it makes for a quick read. so at least, we don’t suffer for long periods of time… to resume in a single word what we did this volume: chasing. that’s it, we chased around, barely had moments to breathe, just action with little to no tension left and right and i guess otomo thought it was great bcs he has his cinematographical skill on lock.
very very very little has been fixed from the first volume. the weird misplaced sexual innuendo has toned down bcs you know we didn’t really have the time to do anything but run - WOOP! aah, wouldn’t you know, one of only pauses in the endless chases, kaneda is yet against to comfortable with touching women and suggestive language! reminder: he’s 15! <3 … oh so they must have shown how kaneda and tetsuo used to be bestie to build emotions and some sort of sta - no. not a fucking peep.
anyways, so we learn a little bit about the other wrinkled children. and though everyone boasts about how akira will bring the end of the world as they know it, we still have no idea why he’s dangerous. what is it? idk. he looks like a 7 year old child though. what else did we learn? nothing else.
nothing. else.
i just read 300 pages of relentless chasings with extremely archetypical/manichean characters whom none bring any emotional weight into the story. and nothing else. how fucking boring!!! is this really one of the greatest stories in manga? bcs i’m technically 33% into this whole story, and i have yet to see the point. i have yet to enjoy myself.
maybe i’ll just settle on watching the anime. bcs if the third is any similar, i’m chucking the whole story out of the fucking window.
the only thing going for this manga is the art. it makes for a quick read. so at least, we don’t suffer for long periods of time… to resume in a single word what we did this volume: chasing. that’s it, we chased around, barely had moments to breathe, just action with little to no tension left and right and i guess otomo thought it was great bcs he has his cinematographical skill on lock.
very very very little has been fixed from the first volume. the weird misplaced sexual innuendo has toned down bcs you know we didn’t really have the time to do anything but run - WOOP! aah, wouldn’t you know, one of only pauses in the endless chases, kaneda is yet against to comfortable with touching women and suggestive language! reminder: he’s 15! <3 … oh so they must have shown how kaneda and tetsuo used to be bestie to build emotions and some sort of sta - no. not a fucking peep.
anyways, so we learn a little bit about the other wrinkled children. and though everyone boasts about how akira will bring the end of the world as they know it, we still have no idea why he’s dangerous. what is it? idk. he looks like a 7 year old child though. what else did we learn? nothing else.
nothing. else.
i just read 300 pages of relentless chasings with extremely archetypical/manichean characters whom none bring any emotional weight into the story. and nothing else. how fucking boring!!! is this really one of the greatest stories in manga? bcs i’m technically 33% into this whole story, and i have yet to see the point. i have yet to enjoy myself.
maybe i’ll just settle on watching the anime. bcs if the third is any similar, i’m chucking the whole story out of the fucking window.
May 13, 2025
Leí el primer volumen de Akira hace un tiempo, pero considerando que era bastante extenso y que había salido bastante caro también, decidí esperar y dejar pasar un rato antes de avanzar con el siguiente.
Este segundo volumen retoma la historia prácticamente donde la dejamos y no está para nada mal. No hay demasiado desarrollo de personajes, en realidad, porque casi todo el volumen es pura acción (de nuevo, no me quejo).
Finalmente hizo acto de presencia el famoso Akira, aunque todavía no sabemos quién es, porqué están todos tan aterrorizados ante su presencia, y de hecho, todavía no le escuchamos decir ni una palabra. Su apariencia ciertamente no es lo que esperaba (me imaginaba más un monstruo del estilo Godzilla, supongo por como se referían a él otros personajes).
Asumo que estos misterios se tratarán en los volúmenes siguientes. Cuando tenga tiempo (y haya cobrado mi próximo sueldo jaja) veré de conseguirlos.
Este segundo volumen retoma la historia prácticamente donde la dejamos y no está para nada mal. No hay demasiado desarrollo de personajes, en realidad, porque casi todo el volumen es pura acción (de nuevo, no me quejo).
Finalmente hizo acto de presencia el famoso Akira, aunque todavía no sabemos quién es, porqué están todos tan aterrorizados ante su presencia, y de hecho, todavía no le escuchamos decir ni una palabra. Su apariencia ciertamente no es lo que esperaba (me imaginaba más un monstruo del estilo Godzilla, supongo por como se referían a él otros personajes).
Asumo que estos misterios se tratarán en los volúmenes siguientes. Cuando tenga tiempo (y haya cobrado mi próximo sueldo jaja) veré de conseguirlos.
May 8, 2019
The second collected volume of Akira is essentially more of what we got in the opening just with even more action.
The story continues where we left off, even though we are mainly focussed on the hunt for Akira now. We're still not entirely sure who he is at this point, but hearing the fear everyone has of his powers makes you want to find out. Kaneda and Kei are less annoying now, too, but maybe that's just because they are too busy avoiding all the people that are out to take them down.
The questions that originally came up are beginning to be answered - we still don't know why the children with old faces look like they do, but at least we find out what they can do. And their sadness seems to come from a place of knowing that the world is going to be destroyed if Akira will be awakened...
I just wish Otomo was more concerned with his characters. While the main plot is captivating and engaging, all people playing a part in it feel a bit archetypical and we don't actually learn much about them as individuals. We've got a bad guy with power, we've got the bad guy pulling the strings, we've got the hero... I have no idea at this point where they're all coming from, what their intentions are and I don't see that changing anytime soon considering the pace the story is moving forward at.
I've had mild complaints about the art in the previous volume, which I would now like to take back - I think the art is a main reason of why this is such a page-turner, with every frame feeling so alive that occasionally I would literally forgot that I am reading and not watching the story unfold. I've got the next volume ready to be read and I'm excited for what's about to happen!
The story continues where we left off, even though we are mainly focussed on the hunt for Akira now. We're still not entirely sure who he is at this point, but hearing the fear everyone has of his powers makes you want to find out. Kaneda and Kei are less annoying now, too, but maybe that's just because they are too busy avoiding all the people that are out to take them down.
The questions that originally came up are beginning to be answered - we still don't know why the children with old faces look like they do, but at least we find out what they can do. And their sadness seems to come from a place of knowing that the world is going to be destroyed if Akira will be awakened...
I just wish Otomo was more concerned with his characters. While the main plot is captivating and engaging, all people playing a part in it feel a bit archetypical and we don't actually learn much about them as individuals. We've got a bad guy with power, we've got the bad guy pulling the strings, we've got the hero... I have no idea at this point where they're all coming from, what their intentions are and I don't see that changing anytime soon considering the pace the story is moving forward at.
I've had mild complaints about the art in the previous volume, which I would now like to take back - I think the art is a main reason of why this is such a page-turner, with every frame feeling so alive that occasionally I would literally forgot that I am reading and not watching the story unfold. I've got the next volume ready to be read and I'm excited for what's about to happen!
March 24, 2008
(I read Akira in one huge go over a weekend, so I will be cutting and pasting this review for all 6 volumes)
Akira is an epic work of science fiction sequential art. The storyline is complex and consistent. There is social commentary, ethical musing, and morality woven through an action packed storyline of science gone wrong. The "romance" portion of the story is believable as well. The two characters are drawn to one another over time, and the world doesn't stop for them to wallow in their newfound twitterpatedness.
The art is beautiful, especially the detailed cityscapes and technical drawings. The main characters were easy to recognize, regardless of their circumstances or outfits, which is not true of many manga.
My complaints about the work are small. The placement of speech bubbles, particularly when characters are shouting, was not always clear. The foreign characters were really just Japanese with funny hats on. The difference between Akira and Tetsuo at the height of their powers is never really explained.
I first became aware of the manga because I was a fan of the anime. The manga is far more complex and satisfying.
Akira is an epic work of science fiction sequential art. The storyline is complex and consistent. There is social commentary, ethical musing, and morality woven through an action packed storyline of science gone wrong. The "romance" portion of the story is believable as well. The two characters are drawn to one another over time, and the world doesn't stop for them to wallow in their newfound twitterpatedness.
The art is beautiful, especially the detailed cityscapes and technical drawings. The main characters were easy to recognize, regardless of their circumstances or outfits, which is not true of many manga.
My complaints about the work are small. The placement of speech bubbles, particularly when characters are shouting, was not always clear. The foreign characters were really just Japanese with funny hats on. The difference between Akira and Tetsuo at the height of their powers is never really explained.
I first became aware of the manga because I was a fan of the anime. The manga is far more complex and satisfying.
December 1, 2025
read this one in a single sitting the pacing just doesn’t let up
August 14, 2025
In 1998, manga in English still felt like contraband culture. Shelves weren’t overflowing with glossy omnibuses the way they are now; you found Akira—if you were lucky—wedged between superhero floppies at the comic shop, its Epic/Marvel trade dress trying to make it look like it belonged next to X-Men. It didn’t. It was bigger, heavier, and smelling faintly of ink and revolution.
I’d read Vol. 1 and thought I knew what I was in for: neon biker gangs, street-level grudges, and that post-punk electricity humming in every panel. But Vol. 2 ripped the walls off Neo-Tokyo and revealed the machinery behind it—military bunkers, psychic test labs, and political shadow games. What had been a turf war was suddenly a war-war.
Tetsuo’s arc hit hardest. In Vol. 1, he was the friend gone missing, the one you worried about. Here, he’s back, bristling with power he can’t quite control, and Otomo draws him with the twitchy fragility of a live wire.
Watching him drift toward the cryogenic chamber that holds the enigma of Akira felt like watching a fuse burn toward something too big to comprehend.
Meanwhile, Kei and Ryu’s resistance cell sketched out a whole other layer of Neo-Tokyo—a place where youth rebellion collided with state authority, where graffiti and motorcycle grease were just surface textures over deep political unrest. Otomo’s cityscapes—every window lit, every pipe rusted—were as much characters as Kaneda and Tetsuo, and in 1998, those hyper-detailed panels looked like a prophecy of the urban sprawl we were growing into.
Back then, the 1988 anime was already legend—passed around on VHS like sacred scripture—but Vol. 2 made it clear that the movie was just a compression, a trailer for something far stranger and more expansive. In these pages, the plot started reaching for the full breadth of Otomo’s dystopia, planting seeds of cataclysm the film could only gesture toward.
Reading it in the late ’90s, you could feel the story stretching—expanding beyond the alley brawls into questions of secrecy, power, and the fragility of cities. And for a teenager on the edge of a new millennium, those questions didn’t feel like fiction.
They felt like the scaffolding behind our own world, just waiting for someone like Tetsuo to pull it down.
I’d read Vol. 1 and thought I knew what I was in for: neon biker gangs, street-level grudges, and that post-punk electricity humming in every panel. But Vol. 2 ripped the walls off Neo-Tokyo and revealed the machinery behind it—military bunkers, psychic test labs, and political shadow games. What had been a turf war was suddenly a war-war.
Tetsuo’s arc hit hardest. In Vol. 1, he was the friend gone missing, the one you worried about. Here, he’s back, bristling with power he can’t quite control, and Otomo draws him with the twitchy fragility of a live wire.
Watching him drift toward the cryogenic chamber that holds the enigma of Akira felt like watching a fuse burn toward something too big to comprehend.
Meanwhile, Kei and Ryu’s resistance cell sketched out a whole other layer of Neo-Tokyo—a place where youth rebellion collided with state authority, where graffiti and motorcycle grease were just surface textures over deep political unrest. Otomo’s cityscapes—every window lit, every pipe rusted—were as much characters as Kaneda and Tetsuo, and in 1998, those hyper-detailed panels looked like a prophecy of the urban sprawl we were growing into.
Back then, the 1988 anime was already legend—passed around on VHS like sacred scripture—but Vol. 2 made it clear that the movie was just a compression, a trailer for something far stranger and more expansive. In these pages, the plot started reaching for the full breadth of Otomo’s dystopia, planting seeds of cataclysm the film could only gesture toward.
Reading it in the late ’90s, you could feel the story stretching—expanding beyond the alley brawls into questions of secrecy, power, and the fragility of cities. And for a teenager on the edge of a new millennium, those questions didn’t feel like fiction.
They felt like the scaffolding behind our own world, just waiting for someone like Tetsuo to pull it down.
October 24, 2023
4.75 stars. Things have picked up in a huge way here as both parties work toward Akira. The story in this one kept me wanting to read through these pages as quickly as possible but the art kept me creeping along because of how crazy good it is. The biggest downfall I have with this book so far is that I don’t necessarily understand the big rivalry between Kaneda and Tetsuo that seemingly stemmed from nothing, though I’m sure there is more to this than we’ve been told. I’m not sure if we’re to assume their past together or to wait for more explanation on it.
February 16, 2025
This is way better than Stranger Things
September 23, 2020
Things move on faster - quicker pacing - than I remember them doing.
February 21, 2022
Un comic que no da tregua ni descanso. La historia sigue a un ritmo frenético, destrozos, explosiones y huidas. Tetsuo convirtiéndose en un ser que da mucho miedito, más aun que el propio Akira del que aun no sabemos casi nada. Sólo su sorprendente aspecto para ser el diablo todopoderosos que se anuncia.
Una maravilla del Ciberpunk más poderoso
Una maravilla del Ciberpunk más poderoso
October 29, 2020
er som person egentlig sygt dårlig til graphic novels fordi mine øjne kun bliver tiltrukket af ord og glemmer at kigge på billederne, men this is güd shit👌👀👌👀👌👀👌👀👌👀 good shit go౦ԁ sHit👌 thats ✔ some good👌👌shit right👌👌there👌👌👌 right✔there ✔✔if i do ƽay so my self 💯 i say so 💯 thats what im talking about right there right there (ʳᶦᵍʰᵗ ᵗʰᵉʳᵉ) mMMMMᎷМ💯 👌👌 👌НO0ОଠOOOOOОଠଠOoooᵒᵒᵒᵒᵒᵒᵒᵒᵒ👌 👌👌 👌 💯 👌 👀 👀 👀 👌👌Good shit
September 6, 2018
Most of the problems I had with the first volume are even more prominent in this volume. Lots of action, but the action has no substance, tension or emotional weight as we still don’t know anything about the plot or have any reason to care about the characters.
Most of volume 1 and 2 were just a series of repetitive chase scenes with no tension or reason to care about what happened to the characters. The humor is also very poorly done and placed in the most awkward and unnecessary situations. There was one particular scene in the first few pages of this volume that was so poorly placed and unneeded that I actually rolled my eyes.
I will say however, that the ending of this volume looks somewhat promising. I hope the series makes a turn for the better in the next one.
Most of volume 1 and 2 were just a series of repetitive chase scenes with no tension or reason to care about what happened to the characters. The humor is also very poorly done and placed in the most awkward and unnecessary situations. There was one particular scene in the first few pages of this volume that was so poorly placed and unneeded that I actually rolled my eyes.
I will say however, that the ending of this volume looks somewhat promising. I hope the series makes a turn for the better in the next one.
January 31, 2017
I wouldn't dare to give this series lower than 4 stars considering how much time and effort Otomo put into planning out all the architectural and landscape details. The story are still quite basic post apocalyptic sci-fi, but I guess this must be pretty new for the manga industry back in the 90s. I can see how many manga artists (including my beloved naoki urasawa) would be influenced by him.
October 30, 2016
3.5 stars
this wasn't as good as the first one, still way better than the movie, and the story takes A LOT of turns
this wasn't as good as the first one, still way better than the movie, and the story takes A LOT of turns
April 11, 2025
20250411 4th read
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20190903
賣掉東立舊版
--
20190719
雖然是新譯本，應該是比舊版通順一些(懶得仔細對
但是字體顯然沒有舊版用心
要嘛你就不要把背景文字改成中文嗎
貼個標楷體上去實在很突兀啊
--
20170905
讀完東立舊版
--
20190903
賣掉東立舊版
--
20190719
雖然是新譯本，應該是比舊版通順一些(懶得仔細對
但是字體顯然沒有舊版用心
要嘛你就不要把背景文字改成中文嗎
貼個標楷體上去實在很突兀啊
--
20170905
讀完東立舊版
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