Akira, widely regarded as one of the best anime movies of all times, has had quite a history as far as its transition towards a live-adaptation is concerned. While Warner Bros has acquired the rights ever since 2002, and while it has changed quite a few writers and directors over the course of years, it still didn't manage to make it work.

And of course it didn't "“ the plan was to westernize the story and bring it from New Tokyo to some unnamed American city. Furthermore, and most obviously, the cast was supposed to be a white one "“ and, as far as the fans are concerned, this is a definitive no-no.

Why an Akira adaptation wouldn't have worked

After all, like so many Japanese productions, Akira is based on Japan's post-war experiences "“ being the only country on which atomic bombs have been dropped. Of course, Akira may be seen as an anime (or manga, if we follow the origins of the story) about individuals with extreme superpowers, which eventually turn on their users.

But it isn't so "“ it all stems from the fear of an outside intervention in everything concerning a chosen path. Thus, all the morphing, all the fighting with the military, the overpopulation, and so on, are just a social commentary.

So how can Akira take place in a country which hasn't had the experiences of Japan?

Well, there may be a way out "“ check out the next page!