Akira - Characters & Cast

Initially, Kaneda is motivated by a desire to maintain his status as the leader of the Capsules and his personal freedom. After Tetsuo gains his powers and kills one of their own, Kaneda's motivation shifts to a complex mix of revenge, a sense of responsibility for his friend, and a desire to stop the destruction Tetsuo is causing. His enduring, though strained, loyalty to Tetsuo is a key driver of his actions.

Kaneda begins as a cocky, carefree, and somewhat arrogant leader of a biker gang. His primary concerns are his motorcycle, his gang, and his rivalry with other bikers. Tetsuo's transformation forces Kaneda to mature and take on responsibilities beyond his self-centered world. His journey is one of loss and a reluctant acceptance of a larger role in the fate of Neo-Tokyo. He evolves from a reckless teenager into a determined, albeit still rebellious, figure fighting to save his friend and the city.

Tetsuo's primary motivation is a desperate need for power and recognition. He resents being seen as weak and constantly needing to be saved by Kaneda. His powers offer him a chance to reverse this dynamic and become the one who is feared and respected. This desire for empowerment, twisted by his instability, drives him to seek out Akira and confront anyone who stands in his way, including his former friends.

Tetsuo starts as the insecure and resentful underdog of the group, constantly in Kaneda's shadow. The awakening of his psychic powers is a catalyst for a drastic transformation. He initially struggles with the power but soon embraces it as a means to overcome his feelings of inadequacy. His arc is a tragic descent into madness and megalomania, fueled by his newfound abilities and deep-seated psychological issues. He becomes the film's primary antagonist, yet remains a sympathetic figure due to the origins of his rage and his ultimate, horrific loss of control.

Kei is driven by a strong sense of justice and a desire to expose the corruption of the Neo-Tokyo government. She is willing to risk her life for her ideals and the people she fights alongside. Her motivations expand as she becomes aware of the psychic children and the threat posed by Tetsuo, aligning her fight with the need to prevent another apocalypse.

Kei is introduced as a capable and committed member of an anti-government resistance movement. She is initially distrustful of Kaneda and his gang, seeing them as aimless delinquents. As the story progresses and she is drawn into the conflict surrounding Tetsuo, she becomes a key ally to Kaneda. She also develops her own latent psychic abilities, becoming a channel for the other espers. Her arc sees her move from a purely political revolutionary to someone involved in a much larger, metaphysical struggle for the future of humanity.

The Colonel's overriding motivation is to prevent a repeat of the disaster that destroyed Tokyo 31 years prior. He is driven by a deep sense of duty and the belief that order must be maintained, even through extreme measures. He is not driven by personal gain but by a conviction that he is the only one who truly understands the threat and is willing to do what is necessary to stop it.

Colonel Shikishima is the head of the secret government project that manages the espers. He is portrayed as a stern, pragmatic, and ruthless military leader who believes that the immense power of individuals like Akira and Tetsuo must be controlled at any cost to prevent another catastrophe. While he is initially an antagonist to Kaneda, his character is revealed to have a sense of honor and a genuine, albeit extreme, concern for the safety of Neo-Tokyo. He eventually stages a coup d'état to take control of the chaotic situation, becoming a reluctant ally in the fight against Tetsuo.