Akira Inspired One of Netflix’s Most Successful Shows After it Broke the Boundaries of the Anime Industry

Be it fashion or music, the 80s was a true trendsetter. But when it comes to inspiring pop culture hits, Akira takes 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.

Shotaro Kaneda and his infamous bike slide in a still from the film | Credit: TMS Entertainment

This includes the iconic and successful Netflix series Stranger 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 include Inception, 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 being a true trendsetter. This is especially relevant to the movie’s pioneering a major sci-fi trope.

Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven in a still from Stranger Things | Credit: 21 Laps Entertainment

The 1988 film was avant-garde in 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.

A YouTube account @TeamxSeven shared 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 Otomo has worked on several sci-fi and horror pieces. From Fireball to Domu, he has produced some underrated gems that are yet to be recognized. His inspirations for Domu were based on a real-life setting that involved an urban legend. This became a basis for inspiration for the 1988 film Akira. However, Otomo is often uncredited for his efforts.

Tetsuo Shima in a still from the movie | Credit: TMS Entertainment

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 with Mazinger Z and Gundam.

However, the 80s saw a renaissance with a rise in the cyberpunk genre. This is evident with Ghost in the Shell, Battle Angel Alita, Appleseed, and Bubblegum Crisis. Otomo’s film paved the way for revolutionary and novel storytelling in the animation industry.

Even after three decades, the film continues to be iconic and relevant. While Stranger Things cited Otomo’s film as inspiration, it is too little. This is true considering the innumerable times Hollywood borrows tropes from the anime industry. From Perfect Blue to Paprika, the artists deserve their due credit for pioneering and revolutionizing storytelling and the film industry.

Stranger Things is available for streaming on Netflix. Akira is available for streaming on Crunchyroll.