Akira

Groups of unemployed workers, who have grown in number...

due to tax reforms enacted by the former Prime Minister, are rioting all across the country.

There is confusion among parliament members which was sparked by the comments...

of Finance Minister Takanashi during the recent parliament inquiry.

There seems to be no compromise in sight between the government and opposition.

- Hey, there. Call it.

- Gimme somethin'. Three peanuts.

Let's see......

Now, uh......

The Clown bastards are herded out on route number 5.

Damn it, don't scare me like that. Open that damn door quietly.

You know, you wouldn't be so jumpy if you didn't have anything to hide.

Why don't you sell normal drinks for a change?

How about buyin' somethin' for once? This ain't a hangout for damn street gangs.

Yeah, right! Drink your dog piss?

Twin ceramic rotor drives on each wheel.

Let's see. And these are...

computer-controlled antilock brakes.

Huh, 200 horses at 12,000 R.P.M.

You want to ride it, Tetsuo?

All right! Let's hit it!

I customized that bike for myself. It's too wild. You couldn't handle it.

I don't see how you could ride something crazy like that, man.

Huh! I could.

Ha! If you want it so bad then steal one yourself.

- Unbelievable.

- Unbelievable. - Punks!

Hey, waiter! Where are you going?

They ran into the alley! After 'em!

Quit foolin' around, you idiot!

Fuck!

What?

- That's the......

- That's the...... - Huh?

This is unit 375.

We've got reports of biker gangs fighting near the intersection of highway 14 South.

Request immediate assistance. Car 375 en route to the scene......

It's the cops. What should we do?

Damn it. My motor coils were just getting warmed up.

Bastards! Let's go, Tetsuo!

I'm coming!

- Damn them!

- Come on!

A skirmish has broken out between student protesters and riot police.

There appear to be some casualties. Next...

Don't make me get out of this car!

Jerk, I'm in a hurry!

- What was that?

- What was that? - Call the Police!

He's to the West.

West? The old city......

Eat this!

Tetsuo!

Ryu! Where are you?

Kei!

No, that's......

How do you like that?

Well? Who is it?

It's not him. It's not Tetsuo.

All right. Move out!

Why you... What'd you do, you weird little......

Tetsuo! Just hang on!

What? What did you say?

That kid......

He's really hurt bad.

Hey! You, there!

We gotta get him to a hospital! He needs an ambulance!

We can't move him!

All right. The story is, you and your friends went out at night...

on your bikes to visit your dying mother, and then...

another bunch of biker hooligans called the Clowns attacked you.

They hurt your friend, you lost your temper, and that's why eight of these Clowns...

your attackers...are all now in the hospital, and that is the truth.

Wow! She sure is hot.

Hmm? This is confidential!

And how's your mother doing?

Fortunately, the worst is over. She cleared the hump.

She cleared the hump, and you left her for cruising, huh?

Wha...?

Ah, these bozos couldn't have anything to do with it.

That goes without saying.

Wait out on that bench. Do you understand?

All right. Send in the next five.

So the army's working with the police...

to hunt down antigovernment groups, or so it seems.

- You wanna put up a fight?

- You wanna put up a fight? - Get your hands off me!

Long live the freedom revolution!

He's got a grenade!

All right, that's enough. Get him back in there.

I'll teach him a lesson. He won't forget.

You dumb bastard! If you wanna die, hang yourself!

Listen, you kids are free to leave. We've contacted your schools. See your principle in the morning

Hold on a second, old man!

Wha... "Old man"?

There was someone else with us, you know.

What was that?

Excuse me, please?

Huh? Hey! What are you doing?

Uh, it's this one right here. Can't leave my friend.

Don't ever call me "old man," you little punk!

That's my foot !

You listen here, kid. I'm only 25 years old. I'm not even married yet.

Watch your mouth. Get out of here and take your friend with you.

- I'm starving!

- I'm starving! - I need a doctor!

I think the army was chasing that weird kid Kaneda saw. That's what I think.

Yeah, you're right. I think I saw him too.

Speaking of Tetsuo, why the hell wouldn't they tell us what hospital they threw him in?

Huh? What was that?

What I meant was maybe we could go for a drink.

I figure we could have a nice, long chat about something you're into...

like the whole revolution thing.

I think you're a skirt chaser who'll try anything he can.

You'll help anyone so long as it's a girl. Right?

You're wrong!

- I have very high standards.

- I have very high standards. - Line 'em up! Come on! Move it!

It's not their looks that count. It's their... I don't know......

A girl's sensitivity that makes me do it.

I suppose I owe you one. Thank you very much, uh......

- I'm Kaneda. It's nice to... Huh?

- I'm Kaneda. It's nice to... Huh? - See you around, Kaneda.

Wait a second! You're leaving just like that?

Hey! Now hold on. I'm the guy that saved you back there.

You could at least tell me your name, you cold bitch!

Yes, I'll try talking with him, but it's risky business.

If they think you're avoiding responsibility, the whole thing could blow up in your face.

I can't believe that there's a mole in the executive council.

Even if there is a mole......

That's not what's important here!

What is are political maneuvers and diplomacy which, apparently, you despise.

I never studied the two subjects in school, it would seem.

In any case, at the next executive council meeting...

your poor management and lack of judgment on this last incident...

will be called into question.

There's a call for the colonel, sir.

Put your affairs in order, if you want my advice.

Yes, it's me. What is it now?

This way, please, Colonel.

I'm terribly sorry to call you here, but there's something you really must see.

Colonel, please look at this.

It's the special pattern I'm getting from that young man.

It doesn't resemble any that I've seen so far...

and I've never seen a developmental speed or configuration like this.

It may have begun with the shock of contact with number 26, or it could be......

Have you finished running the comparison against Akira's pattern?

I'll show you right now.

This projection is made using mixed data, and the results are not quite correct...

so a direct comparison is difficult.

But I believe based on what we see here that this boy's pattern is the key...

to solving the riddle of Akira's growth-pattern process.

- Fine. You may continue.

- Thank you very much, sir.

I'm certain he'll turn out to be a worthy addition to the numbers, don't you?

This school is your last chance!

If trash like you guys can't keep up with the academic ability of regular students......

If you can't live a decent social life, you end up here!

And if you screw up here, it's the end of the road!

Also, even though you're under 15, if you get more than 50 penalty points...

you're sent to the regular court.

Aw, bite me. Don't mess with us, you bald old goat.

Are you listening?

- You lost me halfway through.

- Discipline!

Discipline! Discipline!

Discipline! Dismissed!

Thank you very much, sir.

- You loser! I'm gonna beat you up someday!

We're gonna remember this!

- Yeah, you sick mother!

- Damn!

Hi, Yamagata!

What happened to your cheek?

- Don't bother me.

I heard you got into a fight.

My friends told me you fought the Clowns on the highway in the old city.

Big deal.

Why didn't you wipe 'em out? Those guys are so gross.

Clowns, demonstrators, cops, the damn army...

and that idiot Tetsuo had an accident!

What happened to Tetsuo?

He's in the hospital, but we don't know where.

Dumb loser was trying to show off.

Yeah, a real jerk.

Stupid idiot!

- You're talking about Tetsuo, right?

Shut up already!

Why do you have to be hangin' on my arm every minute?

What the heck has got into you?

Tetsuo, it's time for your medicines.

Doctor, hurry! The boy is gone!

No, I can't. You know the dorm mother always throws a fit if you go out before 10:00.

Yeah, you know, the one with a face like a goat? That woman is such a pain.

She's always complaining about us girls. Huh? Tomorrow at 3:00?

Yeah, that's cool. Hey, what happened to that girl? You know who.

I don't like her at all. She gets on my nerves.

Kaori!

Tetsuo!

Everyone's been worried about you. They thought you were dead.

When I woke up, I was on an operating table or something.

That examination... Ohh!

It's like they were messing around inside my head.

No, I don't want to go back there again. We'll run away.

Where would we go to?

I don't know. Someplace. Someplace far away.

Self study today!

Where'd the teacher go to?

What about my burning desire to study and learn a vocation?

Drag his butt in here!

- Kaneda! Hurry! Your bike!

What about my bike?

See? Look down there!

Wha... Tetsuo?

- Is this okay?

Aw, quiet! Shut up and hang on!

- Huh? What the......

What's wrong?

- Uuh! Aw, Shit!

Ooh!

Oops, it's...stopping... stopped......

I get it. The engine can't drop below 5,000 R.P.M.S even when you're changing the gears.

- Ouch, my butt hurts.

I understand now.

Look, some bikes.

Is that Kaneda and... Wha... No, it isn't!

Oh, shit! Kaori!

Any sign of 'em?

Kuwata and the others went to go look around Kisarazu.

The only place we haven't searched now is the industrial area.

Okay! Let's go!

We owe you from the other night. Now it's time for payback.

Whoo-hoo!

Shut up!

Kaori! What happened?

No, don't!

If you put a single scratch on that bike, I'm gonna kill you asshole!

Huh?

Run!

After them!

No, wait.

Tetsuo!

You're gonna kill him, Tetsuo! You want that?

I want him more than dead! I'll split his friggin' head open!

Just knock it off now!

This whole thing happened because you took my bike for a spin. Enough already.

Shut up! Don't order me around!

We were just worried.

Why do you always have to try to save me?

I could handle it on my own.

I admit that I've gotten beaten before, but I won't always be on the receiving end.

Do you understand?

Tetsuo......

Shut up! Go away!

Hey, wait! Where're you going?

Leave me alone!

Well, well. I see we have some real hip youngsters...

doin' their thing in spite of the tight checkpoints they got going around tonight.

And that just means that they're all pretty stupid, doesn't it?

This is boring.

Hey, what do you say? Let's go home.

What? But it's still early.

Yeah, but without their bikes, they're just tail chasers outta water.

You mean "fish".

Come on. Let's go and toss these fish back.

Hey, Kaneda. What are we gonna do?

- What the heck?

- Look.

That's......

Get in. What's wrong? Hurry.

I'll meet you shortly.

You know the rendezvous point, right?

- Be careful.

- You too. You be careful.

Hey! Hold it right there!

She's got a gun!

Okay, that's far enough! All right, drop it!

Drop it!

Don't do it!

- I think it came from over here.

There were two shots.

No, three. It's just up ahead!

Hey! Let's get out of here. Come on!

Kaneda!

There. Now what's the matter? Talk about it.

It was a dream that I saw.

A dream?

The city started to crumble apart, covered by a big shadow.

Lots of people died. And the three of us...

we get to meet Akira again.

Wha... Akira?

The city will crumble......

So many people... So many will die.

When will it happen? Do you know when? Kiyoko!

You mustn't let that boy go.

His power, it......

- What's she talking about?

Well, there's, uh......

There seems to be nothing physically wrong with her.

Her medication looks accurate. There's no sign of any abnormalities...

in her EKG or her EEG either.

I think number 25's statement is probably her precognitive power at work.

You know, this needs to be brought before the supreme council for inquiry.

Do you believe her?

I have no doubts regarding number 25's abilities.

We have lots of data that substantiate it.

What do you believe, Colonel?

I'll tell you, my job isn't to believe or disbelieve. It's to act or not act!

Here, sir. Cold gear, Colonel. Please put it on. You too, doctor.

The other day, a young researcher came to me and asked me something.

He wondered if their power was the form of the next stage...

that human evolution was taking, and perhaps we would all be able to control it some day.

Colonel, we're here, sir.

This way, please.

Room 10, 148 degrees Kelvin.

Fluctuation tolerance range, check.

Room 9, 118 degrees Kelvin.

Fluctuation tolerance, check.

Emergency power generator, check.

- Open the door.

- Sir. Um...

- The control room. Do it!

- Yes, sir!

Room 1 is at 0.0005 degrees Kelvin.

It's within tolerance range. No abnormalities detected in any of the rooms...

dewar walls or defense system.

No abnormal atmospheric concentrations or reactions recorded.

So then all systems are normal.

- Ryu!

- Hey, we're still young.

- Ryu!

- We could start over again.

- I'll go with you. So what do you think, huh?

- Ryu!

Turn yourself in!

This was the first time you killed a man, right?

- Ryu!

!- Anyway, when you get out...

let's go out for drinks. Don't kick yourself over it.

What's done is done. You've heard that.

Identify yourselves!

Ryu! Oh, are you all right?

- Kei, it's you!

- Ryu!

Who's this?

Who? Me?

Well, I guess if I say that I'm Kei's boyfriend, it's stretching it a bit.

It depends on your point of view.

But we haven't gotten physical or anything.

- You understand, don't you?

- Are you a spy?

- No, I'm not!

- You're lying!

- Well, is he a spy or not?

- Whatever he is, he's certainly not a spy.

Ow!

Sneak into their lab?

Ridiculous! Remember the fiasco with that kid?

They're last-minute orders, and the plan is in place already.

These are the lab passes they issue once a week.

From Mr. Nezu, right?

What's the objective?

We're to gather detailed data on the new subject.

- A new subject?

- Yes.

Last week, on the same night we tried to abduct the experimental subject called number 26...

a boy who was in an accident on an old city highway was brought to the lab.

It seems that he's a student at a vocational training school...

but now he's their new subject for human experimentation.

Huh?

Ow, ouch!!

Hey, hey, hey! What's the big idea?

You!

- Should I kill him? He heard us.

- Ryu?

Wait! Now just hold on a minute! Hear me out. Please listen to me!

Ryu, he did save me.

- Yeah! Twice!

- Maybe he did it just to get close to us.

The guy who was in that accident in the old city is my friend.

I know it's hard for you to believe what I'm saying, but it's the truth.

I was right there when it happened!

Come on! Don't they say the only foolish questions are unasked ones?

They don't?

That's an intriguing story, isn't it?

Well, will you be taking the boy with you?

He knows the subject and I think we can use him as a decoy if we find it necessary.

Terrorist activities carried out by antigovernment elements...

have skyrocketed this month.

The army, riot squad and even the traffic police have been fully mobilized.

The overtime costs alone have used up the public safety budget.

And then there's the abduction of number 26.

Isn't their existence supposed to be the highest of state secrets, Colonel?

No one's ever heard of peace and order in Neo Tokyo then?

And this, this request of yours for further... Ah, yes...

for further funding because of subject number 25's prediction.

You must be joking! While straightening out the historic tax-reform blunders...

of our former Prime Minister, we parliament members have been bowing our heads down...

and begging the public to bear with us.

And what does he ask for? Money! Where, exactly, do we get that kind of money?

You've already spent a fortune here...

and all we have to show for it is that grotesque kindergarten!

The Olympics is next year, and the postwar period is over.

How much longer will you keep throwing away money on these worthless ghosts?

I always said we should put that money into the welfare program!

Shut up, old man!

What was that?

Now listen here! That power is starting to walk around free as we speak.

Unless we control that power now, we'll lose everything we tried so hard to achieve.

- Take that "old man" comment back! - Your lack of policy started this mess!

There's still no proof that the last world war was caused by Akira, in my opinion.

Don't you understand?

Unless an Akira disaster actually happens... Don't you people understand anything?

Has anyone ever seen the "Akira"...?

Akira was number 25, wasn't he?

He should be number 21.

I say that the colonel has lost sight of his duty as a soldier!

And I have had several reports on antigovernment elements...

how they're using your Akira madness to whip up their terrorist fervor.

It's not true. It's just not!

Then what about that Akira world renewal movement?

Wouldn't you say that information's being leaked?

World renewal movement? It's more like the end of the world.

Aren't you just using Akira as camouflage to cover up your misconduct? Admit it!

What are you getting at?

Colonel......

Understand that we can no longer leave the peace of Neo Tokyo to your sole discretion.

Get rid of him!

I'm sorry, but you are to be put before an inquiry committee.

He should be suspended!

Excuse me!

What?

This discussion isn't over!

- This is an outrage!

- You should explain yourself!

Are you trying to insult the supreme executive council?

Water.

Hey. Wait a minute.

Let's see. Isn't that cable replacement due for next week?

Well, the cable they ordered came in a whole week early.

And besides, I've got vacation time coming, and I'm leaving this weekend.

If I bring the workers back, there'll be overtime.

I could leave now and come back, but the work's gotta be done sooner or later.

All right, guys. Let's go.

What the...!

It's milk.

Stay away!

- Whaa! - Whoa!

- It's blood!

-I'm scared.

Weirdo!

What? Those kids......

"Patient, Room 887. Shima, Tetsuo."

Oh. The automatic lock's off?

Hey, you! You're not allowed to leave your room!

Let's go back into your room.

- What happened?

- Looks terrible.

There are 58 blocks with circuits that the computer won't display.

Of those, nearly 40 are concentrated on underground levels 7 and 8.

That's probably the place.

The central wiring shaft should be straight up ahead.

We'll be able to use that to go straight down to the sublevels.

Be careful. It's deeper in the middle.

Whew. What a stink.

Don't you ever stop talking?

I said it stinks because it stinks. Is your nose busted?

Keep up and be quiet!

Damn! Hug the walls!

Huh? What are you guys doing?

You idiot, get down!

Looks like they beefed up security, doesn't it?

- Must be that siren we heard.

- Should we scout a way around it?

- No. Let's keep going.

- Hey. Are you okay?

I want to check their security at the very least.

Damn! They spotted us! Run for it!

Don't shoot! Hold your fire!

Shimazaki!

- You assholes!

- Forget it! Run!

What the hell is that thing?

It's coming back!

Don't shoot!

This is unit 304, Shaft "H".

I have encountered intruders. Requesting backup. Now engaging.

Here it comes!

Oh! Kei!

The gun!

Damn it!

Kaneda!

Kei! Over here!

Now!

Kaneda, come on! Hurry!

Kaneda, no!

What the hell... Where are the brakes?

- That's not it.

- This is the central wiring shaft, I think.

- I can't figure it out!

- What the......

There now. That's right. Behave.

Ask the colonel for clearance on the use of firearms.

Hey. Turn the radio up.

There must be some mistake here.

That boy looks like the patient admitted in the lab.

Correct. Tetsuo Shima. He broke out of his ward.

- He's headed for "the baby room".

-It's Tetsuo?

He's extremely dangerous. Do not let him through!

Huh? What...?

It's no use hiding anymore.

We have no choice, then. Use your guns!

We can't let him go any further, no matter what it takes!

Fire!

Good. All here, are you?

Stop it!

So how long are you gonna keep playing around?

Where's the other one hiding, huh?

Hey, you! You're a cretin!

Huh?

Die!

Takashi!

What the hell is going on with me? Am I dreaming?

These powers, are they real or just a hallucination?

Red level to facility integrity has passed level 7.

Enacting disaster protocol.

Red level to facility integrity has passed level 7.

Enacting disaster protocol.

Wha...?!

Hands up! Now!

Where in the hell's the friggin' baby room?

Heads up!

Coming through!

Kiyoko.

That hurt.

Kaneda.

What are you doing in here?

Tetsuo! You okay? I'm here to rescue you.

Hurry up! What are you, stupid?

If we don't get out of here, those...

Huh?

There he is! Capture him!

You keep away!

Kaneda!

Oh, that's right. I forgot you were there.

That's enough!

Stop it! Don't hurt anyone else!

Where's this Akira?

I won't tell.

Olympic stadium... Underground.

No! Don't! What you're thinking is wrong! Akira is......

Oh! Wait!

What the hell?

I can do this too?

Kiyoko, are you all right?

It doesn't look like she's hurt.

What about you, Masaru? You're bleeding.

Where'd he go to?

He flew away.

How can he have so much power?

How could this have happened?

Damn it! Where are my men at?

He's developed so much power in such a short time, it's unbelievable.

Find him! Start searching for Tetsuo.

- Find him!

- Kaneda, come on! Get up!

Somebody, help me with this rock.

- Tetsuo went to where Akira is.

- What?

That's good. You're all safe.

He's heading for the facility below the Olympic construction site.

How'd he find out about it?

Damn it! You're saying that he's managed to escape?

Then we'll follow him. Prepare for pursuit!

- He's heading west toward the stadium.

- He's heading west toward the stadium. - Come on! Move!

I want additional checkpoints on all outbound streets leading to the construction site.

It was you.

Yo! What's up? You're alone?

That's right. Weren't you in an accident?

Your friends have been really worried. You okay?

Give me some...capsules.

Huh? You sure you want capsules, son?

You look kinda woozy.

You better get 'em now.

All right.

Whatever the customer wants, you know, but with all those terrorist attacks lately...

and the demonstrations, things are pretty rough.

In fact, they're hard to come by, so the price is pretty expensive, right?

Tetsuo's run off somewhere, Kaneda's disappeared.

Damn, I guess the team is finished.

And the checkpoints are so strict these days.

Even the Clowns are laying low.

Look!

He's dead!

What?

Who's that?

It's Tetsuo.

Why... Why are you here?

Look who's here. Wanna pop one?

What the hell are you talking about?

What happened here?

Did you notice that the owner's dead?

An octopus out of water dies, huh?

Are you...Tetsuo...

- or someone else?

- Huh?

Kaneda sends his warmest regards.

You saw Kaneda?

He's probably dead by now.

You did this, didn't you?

All you're good for now is telling me where Kaneda's bike is.

Tetsuo!

It's a piece of shit anyway.

You son of a bitch!

Yamagata!

Goddamn it!

So is he off to find Akira?

Yes, that's what that girl was saying.

Now, the army, Ryu and yourself...

are all trying at once to find this Akira guy...

and that's also why you're chasing after Tetsuo.

It must have to do with the powers he's got.

What the hell is this Akira thing?

I asked Ryu one time.

He told me that Akira is ultimate energy.

"Ultimate energy"?

Humans do all kinds of things during their lifetime, right?

Discover things......

Build things......

Things like houses, motorcycles...

bridges and cities, rockets......

So where do you suppose all that knowledge and energy comes from?

Humans were once like monkeys, right?

And before that, like reptiles...

and fish...

and even before that, plankton and amoebas.

Even little creatures like those have incredible amount of energy inside them.

Oh, yes... It's in the genes, right?

And even before that.

Maybe there was genetic material in the air and water...

even in the particles of dust in space.

And if that's the truth, then what sort of memories are hidden within them?

The beginning of the universe? Or maybe even before that.

What's with all the crazy talk? Are you sure you're okay?

Listen to yourself. Did you get bonked on the head back there?

And what if everyone shares those ancient memories?

What if there were some mistakes in the progression?

Then something goes wrong, like an amoeba is suddenly given...

the higher powers that a human has.

Akira is an amoeba then?

Amoebas don't build their own houses and bridges, do they?

They just devour all the food they can find around them.

Is that what Tetsuo's doing?

Are you saying he has that kind of energy?

Wha...!

The door's unlocked.

Huh?

It's a trap. This is just too good of a setup.

- Go back, then.

- No way.

I wanna find out how much of a trap it is, don't you?

By the way...

what's going on with you and that Ryu guy?

What in the world are you talking about?

- You're always together.

- That's none of your business.

No, wait. Hear me out.

What I'm saying is, he doesn't know about us, does he?

"About us"? Hey, wait a minute. What's that supposed to mean?

- Do you think it'll work?

- It can't be helped.

At this point in time, our only option left is to use her.

Well, the fact that, without us even looking...

she turned up right under our noses, says as much.

- What do you think?

- I guess so.

We have arrived at ward 13, East Ginza intersection. Over.

Northern district battalion has not responded to mobilization request!

Special search team to H.Q. Special search team to H.Q.

We're at the Harukiya bar near the highway interchange at ward 8.

It doesn't look like a bomb explosion to us, so we think it was him.

No, sir, it wasn't a gas explosion either.

It was almost certainly the work of the subject that escaped from the lab.

Yes, sir. Yes, sir. Understood.

Kaneda, wait!

What? Yamagata's dead?

Something seemed strange about him the second I saw his face.

It's odd. He was wearing what looked like a white hospital gown.

He acted like a different person.

Yamagata asked him if he was really Tetsuo...

or if he was someone else.

And then he... Yamagata! Why?

We've always been together.

I've known everything about him ever...

ever since we were in the children's home together.

They tease... Everybody tried to make him cry.

Oh. He really wanted to know where your bike was at.

Where my bike was?

What are you gonna do?

I'm gonna go send Yamagata his wheels.

You dumb bastard!

Kaneda!

Are you sure? Mr. Omi and the others have been arrested in the coup d'etat?

Yes, that's right. The house guards are fighting them right now.

Yes. I'd like to have a helicopter waiting. Yes.

That damn Colonel! I can't believe he's taken up arms.

I've underestimated him.

Hold them here!

Mr. Nezu, I......

Oh! Ryu, is that you?

I came to apologize, sir.

The mission was a failure.

Damn you! I told you, you can't be seen here!

My two best men, they're dead.

Everyone was killed.

You bastard! You sold me out!

What?

Kei!

What?

Yeah, 7th avenue is just up ahead.

It intersects this road a hundred meters from here.

Battle stations!

Right! The subject has been spotted.

What? Attack the kid?

But, sir, he's just a boy! We can't attack him!

- Look! There he is!

- It's impossible.

Is this for real?

Fire range preparations are complete.

Damn it! Fire!

Is it Akira?

Look, it's Lord Akira!

Don't be fooled! This isn't the rapture!

He's a false messiah!

Long live Akira!

Fire!

- What the......

- What's wrong?

- Did they just get cut off?

- Did they just get cut off? - What was that?

The bridge! He's heading for the bridge!

Are you sure you want to do this alone?

This is what he wants, isn't it?

At least give me time to get the gang together.

Hey, wait!

I wouldn't want to keep him waiting now, would I?

Hey, Kaneda, hold on!

Half of them seem to be antigovernment demonstrators. Thgie rest are......

They're more like some crazy cult than onlookers.

They're following after the subject, and more and more keep coming.

Flames of supreme purity...

rain down and raze the corrupt city...

and drown forever all the unclean believers of our time!

Give yourselves into the flame, children...

and all of you shall be reborn again!

Now consume our heart.

Wash our unclean hearts in the eternal fire!

Your body is going to be purified in the flames!

Ready!

- What?

We have confirmation of his recent movements and are in pursuit.

His present position is...

coordinates 99871 by 4332.

That's about 2 kilometers south of the Olympic construction site...

in the old city.

What?

Where did that blast come from?

- Look!

- Huh?

That must be out over at the tollbooth being guarded by the second platoon.

What the hell?

Please turn around now. This area is off-limits to civilians.

Huh? What? That's the escaped subject? Stop!

Don't come any closer! Stop, damn it!

Nice place you have here, isn't it?

You are the girl that was with Kaneda.

What's going on?

It's not safe here, Colonel!

All right now. Next move.

Open now!

What the hell is this?

That is Akira before you, Tetsuo.

That's the Akira you wanted to meet!

There is your messiah, the chosen one that you've been looking for.

Not long after his transcendental awakening...

his organs and tissues were subjected to every test known to modern science.

He's dead. That's it.

What you see there is all that's left of him.

And all of the scientists back then...

were unable to solve the mystery...

so they decided to entrust all of their collected data and test samples...

to future generations by preserving them in frozen capsules and locking them away.

Hey, watch it, you jerk!

Move! Get out of the way! Move it!

What is this, a science classroom?

Huh?

What's wrong? Have some trouble?

Yeah, but I already took care of it.

And you're too late. You missed the show.

Tetsuo, you had me worried again.

I figured you'd be standing here, sobbing like a little baby.

Kaneda. You've always been a pain in the ass, you know.

You've been telling me what to do since we were kids!

You always treat me like a kid.

You always show up and start bossing me around, and don't you deny it!

And now you're a boss, too, of this pile of rumble.

- Kaneda!

- That's "Mister" Kaneda to you, punk!

Die!

Tetsuo!

Son of a bitch!

Kei!

Oh, damn it!

Let's do it!

Gotcha!

What?

Huh?

The damn battery's dead!

What's the matter now, Kaneda?

Damn it!

It ain't fair, Tetsuo! Fight with your bare hands!

Oh, this is funny!

Feeling frustrated, Kaneda?

Now do you understand how it feels being little and helpless?

Oh?

Where's this light coming from?

- Were we on target?

- Hard to tell. Too close to the impact point.

- The monitors are getting too much electrical...

- Prepare a second volley, now!

Hey!

Kaneda!

Tetsuo!

Shit!

What the......

Wh...!

Correcting error now on tracking system.

T minus 20...

Get the fire extinguishers! Are you okay?

- Get that fire out!

- What's going on?

Kaneda!

Kai! Kei!

- Kaneda!

- Kaneda!

Get on!

- Where?

- Where? - Hurry!

What is that?

Reports say it's SOL.

Magnificent.

When Tetsuo's power reaches its peak...

is that what you're thinking?

That's when we do it. But will it really work?

We know the future doesn't necessarily proceed along a single course.

There ought to be a future we can choose. It's up to us to find it.

- What's Tetsuo's status, doctor?

- Colonel.

We set up a camera in the stadium if you want to check.

We have him under observation.

Colonel, you must take a look at this data. It's phenomenal!

We're still analyzing the energy given off by the subject, but it's just magnificent.

Oh, yes, wonderful.

Of course, this is clearly a proton collapse.

We're also detecting a fair number of what we believe to be unknown particles to science.

If we can put this into a theoretical framework...

then physics... quantum physics...

humanity itself could know the fundamental truths.

Uh... Uh... Well, you see...

we still haven't finished making our adjustments.

Wait, Colonel.

What the... The pattern!

You bastard! What did I tell you?

But, Colonel...

I couldn't throw away such a magnificent subject.

Shut up!

Oh! Oh, oh! Oh, shit!

Quick! The battery!

Come on! My bike's burning up!

Hey, what's losing a bike or two, huh?

What? Then there's nothing wrong with using yours, right?

- I said that out loud, did I?

- Yeah, you did.

By the way, your bike's still on fire.

Huh? Oh, man! Oh!

Tetsuo?

Tetsuo, why is everyone calling you Akira? What does it mean?

It means nothing.

He never existed.

It doesn't matter who he is. They don't care.

Just so long as he destroys things.

What's that? Your arm! Look at it!

Well, it doesn't look like much, but it still works pretty good.

What's wrong? Are you okay?

It's nothing!

- Tetsuo, I just......

- Shut up! Just go away!

Come back to the lab and receive proper treatment.

If you don't, you may die.

You want me to enroll in your kindergarten and live happily ever after, huh?

Be quiet and do what you're told.

Take your medicine every day and end up all shriveled like those kids!

Kaori.

Fetch medicine, please.

No.

Stop, Tetsuo!

Tetsuo!

No, Tetsu...!

Kaneda!

Huh?

Son of a... Huh?

What are you three...doing here?

You didn't learn your lesson, did you?

Heads up, Tetsuo!

Takashi.

Akira's here.

Help, Kaneda! Help, please!

Kaori!

Please, help me!

Help me!

Let her go!

Kaori. Kaori. Kaori!

Tetsuo, are you there?

Kaori! Kaori's gonna die!

What? What did you say?

My body's not doing what I tell it to.

My power's acting on its own. Kaori!

Kaori's dying.

Kaneda, help me!

Stop this, Tetsuo! Stop it now!

Kaori's pain is coming into me.

Tetsuo!

Kaneda, run away!

Tetsuo!

Kiyoko, Takashi, Masaru! Hurry! Get away from here!

Come on!

I can't believe it. It's as if......

Kiyoko! Taka......

Hi.

Akira.

Oh, no! That's the......

But that's impossible!

Where am I?

Hurry. Get into the tunnel. You'll be safe in there.

Kiyoko, where are you?

Oh......

Tetsuo!

Kaneda!

Hang on!

- Hurry! You've got to get out of here!

- Out of the way!

- Tetsuo!

- Don't go near it!

No, don't! Wait, Takashi!

If you went in now, you'd be trapped along with him.

But he... None of this is his fault at all.

- Takashi!

- Takashi!

If we went in there...

we wouldn't be strong enough to come back out again.

But if the three of us tried...

maybe we could save that boy.

You're right. Us three together.

Look at that. We should get out of here now! Hey!

Kaneda's in there.

You see that? You're not revving your engine enough already.

When you go into a corner, lean in suicidally. Got it? Now watch.

- What the hell do you call that?

- Cornering, man.

You got it, Tetsuo?

Hey, look! They brought another kid! Is he a transfer student?

- His mom and dad left him.

- You can see it in his face.

Are these... Are these all of your dreams and memories, Tetsuo?

Uh, wait.

Is this Akira?

Yes. We called him here to the three of us.

He's going to take Tetsuo with him.

Take him where? Where?

It's too much for Tetsuo...

and for the three of us also and for Akira too.

It's way too big for us, as we are now.

But someday we ought to be able to......

Because it has already begun.

Your friend, she's......

My friend?

Kei! It's Kei you're talking about!

Tetsuo.

This is yours, right?

They're always like that with the new kids.

Hey, you came today, right?

They beat me up too, but the truth is, those guys are wimps.

My name is... Tetsuo.

Tetsuo Shima.

The truth is, I just got here myself.

My name is......

Kaneda. Kaneda.

- Kaneda!

- Kei.

What in the world is happening? What's this?

No, this isn't......

If this is correct, it's showing that this is the birth of the universe.

Kei!

What's going on here?

Disappearing. It's disappearing.

Kaneda, can you hear me?

Tetsuo.

Kaneda, what is it?

Thank you.

Huh?

You called me, didn't you, and I heard you.

Kaneda! Oh, my!

Where's Tetsuo?

He just left.

Those kids did too. Akira also.

Kaneda, back then... Oh, did you just...

Kaneda!

You're alive!

I thought...

I thought you were in there for sure.

Tetsuo! What happened to Tetsuo?

Is he dead?

I'm not sure.

Something... Oh!

But someday we ought to be able to......

Because it has already begun.