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Be it fashion or music, the 80s was a true trendsetter. But when it comes to inspiring pop culture hits,Akiratakes the cake. From the iconic bike slide to color-coded leather jackets, the film is a visual treat. What makes the movie impeccable is its animation and well-written characters. The trope of telekinesis paved the path for several iconic shows and movies.
This includes the iconic and successful Netflix seriesStranger Things. Created by the Duffer Brothers, the show follows a similar trope of a superhuman kid. While both stories differ in most ways, it’s time Katsuhiro gets his deserved and due recognition. This also extends to his pivotal role in revolutionizing the anime industry through his works.
Akira inspired this iconic and successful Netflix series.
Akira(1988)is one of the most revolutionary animated movies that inspired several iconic Hollywood flicks. These includeInception,Chronicle,Matrix,The Fifth Element, and so on. Not only that, it has inspired popular culture in every aspect. This holds especially true with the film beinga true trendsetter. This is especially relevant to the movie’s pioneering a major sci-fi trope.
The 1988 film wasavant-gardein more ways than one. This holds especially true for the trope of telekinetic kids in the sci-fi and superhero genre. Tetsuo Shima’s character is an archetype that is reflected in popular culture. The symbolism of anomalous entities fused with political strife is ever-present in the film. This very idea is recreated in one of the popular television series.
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A YouTube account@TeamxSevenshared the glaring similarities between the film and the series. From characters to the setting, the Duffer Brothers’ work reflects the influence of the film.
Although the creators have cited the film as their influence, it deserves way more credit. From influencing fashion to popular trends, the movie was a true trailblazer. This holds especially true for its pivotal role in revolutionizing the anime industry. It also paved the way for iconic and avant-garde cyberpunk anime in the 80s.
Katsuhiro Otomo’s film remains a trailblazer for the anime industry.
Besides the 1988 film,Katsuhiro Otomohas worked on several sci-fi and horror pieces. FromFireballtoDomu, he has produced some underrated gems that are yet to be recognized. His inspirations forDomuwere based on a real-life setting that involved an urban legend. This became a basis for inspiration for the 1988 filmAkira. However, Otomo is often uncredited for his efforts.
This is especially true with his contribution to the animation industry. After the film’s success, the animation industry followed in Otomo’s footsteps. This also revolutionized the forms of storytelling. The 70s kickstarted the mecha genre withMazinger ZandGundam.
However, the 80s saw a renaissance with arise in the cyberpunk genre. This is evident withGhost in the Shell,Battle Angel Alita,Appleseed,andBubblegum Crisis. Otomo’s film paved the way for revolutionary and novel storytelling in the animation industry.
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Even after three decades, the film continues to be iconic and relevant. WhileStranger Thingscited Otomo’s film as inspiration, it is too little. This is true considering the innumerable times Hollywood borrows tropes from the anime industry. FromPerfect BluetoPaprika, the artists deserve their due credit for pioneering and revolutionizing storytelling and the film industry.
Stranger Thingsis available for streaming on Netflix.Akirais available for streaming on Crunchyroll.
Himanshi Jeswani
Anime Writer
Articles Published :993
Himanshi Jeswani is an anime writer at Fandomwire, with her work spanning over 900 articles. Her articles cover shojo, shonen, seinen, and all things beyond. Her interests, however, aren’t limited to simply anime. She has a penchant for exploring different genres of manga, be it horror, yanki, music, and food. She brings out her specialization and expertise in the performing arts through her articles. As a writer, she strives to bridge the gap between the viewers and the medium itself. To her, anime is a revolutionary medium that is capable of creating communities and stories after all.
