Akira is a dystopian cyberpunk manga series created by Katsuhiro Otomo, and serialized in 1982–1990. Otomo himself scripted and directed an anime film version of the manga 1988. The series was the second manga ever published in Finland in 1985, and the film version was first seen at the Helsinki International Film Festival Rakkautta & Anarkiaa in 1992.
Akira has had a significant impact on the cyberpunk genre in manga, anime, and other forms of media. The story follows teenage motorcycle gang leader Kaneda and his gangmate Tetsuo. Tetsuo gains psychokinetic powers that threaten to spiral out of control. Kaneda must join forces with new allies to prevent Tetsuo from using his powers destructively.
