A review by ferns_citruscorner_8
Akira, Vol. 1, by Katsuhiro Otomo
adventurous
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I liked the style and the pacing of the plot, though again—as I always seem to mention in my manga reviews, is that misogyny and undertones of homophobia is a persistent shadow in such novels. I loved the art style and felt that these characters had more potential had they been given more attention in their own narrative. Every character seems to be the same? In thought and behavioral thinking. In the entirety of the 300+ pages only one female character is memorable and (somewhat important) and not to mention already fallen a victim to a potential sexual harassment from the main character.
Oh- and the interesting relationship these young people have with over-the-counter drugs and drug abuse in general is fascinating—to say the least. It isn’t addressed as a problem or as worrisome as it felt to me. Every single one of these 15 year olds are popping drugs like it’s candy and not one character cared to explain why?? It even came to a point where the usage of drugs came to such an extend where I believed these kids could have died if this were reality.
I have a love and hate relationship with manga but nonetheless I persist with my indulgence because I know that stories such as “Akira” can and will inspire change and even revolution in how we see our world.
I will continue with the second volume ~
Oh- and the interesting relationship these young people have with over-the-counter drugs and drug abuse in general is fascinating—to say the least. It isn’t addressed as a problem or as worrisome as it felt to me. Every single one of these 15 year olds are popping drugs like it’s candy and not one character cared to explain why?? It even came to a point where the usage of drugs came to such an extend where I believed these kids could have died if this were reality.
I have a love and hate relationship with manga but nonetheless I persist with my indulgence because I know that stories such as “Akira” can and will inspire change and even revolution in how we see our world.
I will continue with the second volume ~
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Violence, Sexual harassment, Drug abuse, and Misogyny