ARIA

BY KATSUHIRO OTOMO

THE GRAND CONVOCATION

WHAT HAS Tetsuo lost his arm to a laser
blast from the military satellite
GONE SOL and has used telekinesis
BEFORE to fabricate for himself a
prosthetic left arm.
Most powerful of all the
children is Number 28—
Akira—a quiet boy who was
placed in cryogenic sleep forty
years ago, when he started
the third world war with a
mental blast. He was recently
reawakened by the jealous
and ambitious Tetsuo. Shortly
thereafter, he responded to an
030. The world hovers emotional trauma by again
on the brink of World devastating the re-created city
War IV. Kaneda, one- of Neo-Tokyo. Japan now
time leader of a delinquent exists in a state of emergency,
gang, is caught up in the with the forces of the army.
aftermath of a power struggle and the resistance scattered,
between a Japanese military the military's formidable
research organization—led by “caretaker robots” patrolling
a man known only as the the streets, and new powers
Colonel—and a resistance and allegiances arising within.
group whose members include In the western part of the
Kay, Ryu, and Chiyoko. Neo-Tokyo, the Great Tokyo
The Colonel had a number Empire js formed—a monat-
of psychic children under his chy with Akira on the throne
control, Each is identified by a and Tetsuo as his prime
number marked on the hand, minister. Together the pair use
Among them were Kiyoko their powers, healing the sick,
and Masaru—Numbers 25 wielding control of the faithtul,
and 27—and the blind Lady and organizing their subjects
Miyako—Number 19—who into fighting units to defend
once led the resistance and their land. To increase the
now heads a great religious empire's power, Tetsuo uses
cult. Number 41 is Tetsuo, drugs and training to develop
once Kaneda’s close friend, psychic abilities in certain of
but now his greatest enemy. their subjects, Among their
numerous followers is ers, Lady Miyako is particu-
a dapper assistant determined larly concerned about Kay,
at all costs to destroy Lady because although Kay lacks
Miyako, who offers sanctuary native telepathic abilities, the
to any who come to her east- girl is a powerful medium for
ern shrine, the talents of others.
The Empire is infiltrated by Aboard an American naval
teams of spies from the out- vessel, an international con-
side world. All of the spies clave of scientists assembles.
except Lieutenent Yamada— They pool their knowledge of
who takes temporary shelter the Akira project, code-named
with Ryu—are killed. Ryu Juvenile A. Their data indi-
wants to join with and help cates that the effect of Akira's
Yamada, but soon after, power is like that of the Big
Tetsuo meets the pair and Bang and that the most recent
reveals that Yamada has blast (which was one of Tet-
come to kill Akira. The spy suo's) lacked the scope and
decides to separate from his dimension of the ones Akira
persistent would-be ally and caused,
go his own way. The scientists are aghast
The Colonel is determined when they learn that the
to kill Tetsuo to atone for world's armies have amassed
bringing about what he be- an Akira Assassination
lieves could become another Corps. They are even more
Akira, At this same time, upset by the knowledge that
Tetsuo is trying to master his the soldiers are sure to be
‘own weaknesses and his pow- slaughtered by the inconceiva-
ers, so that he might control ble might of their enemy. Al-
Akira's awesome might. most as if in confirmation of
Meanwhile, Lady Miyako this, Tetsuo decides to pay a
and her psychically gifted visit to his “fan club." During
monks are caring for Masaru a flight exercise, the boy casu-
and Kiyoko, who are sick ally destroys a plane, killing
with withdrawal from the drug the pilot. Then he taunts the
which augments and channels scientists of Juvenile A for
mental powers. They await their limited ideas and aspira-
the return of Kaneda and his tions before disappearing In a
friend Kay and Chiyoko— burst of destructive telekinetic
both of whom were wounded energy.
in battle with Tetsuo's follow-

The Colonel
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OTOMO VISITS
NEW YORK
Katsuhiro Otomo conducted his first ever book signing at
Forbidden Planet, New York on October 20, 1990. He
signed comics, movie cels, posters, and other Akira-related
materials for ahalf an hour.
Otomo was in town for the New York premiere of Akira
the animated movie, and also met with the Epic staff to
discuss current Akira work and plans for possible future
collaborations. Above, Otomo meets with Jo Duffy, the
writer of the English adaptation of Akira

AKIRA: the movie

AN UPDATE

Since its U.S. release over a year ago, Akira has enjoyed
success beyond all anticipation at box offices across the
country, Though its first run ended last summer in most
cities, Akira will be returning to New York in March as part of
a Japanese film festival at the Film Forum, where it set a
theater record for the number of weeks held over last fall
Meanwhile, in response to overwhelming public demand,
Streamline Pictures released the English-speaking version
of Akira on video tape on February 12 of this year. The tape
will not be available in video stores, but may be obtained
directly through comic book stores or mail order. Information
about the video tape and animation cels is available from
STREAMLINE PICTURES, P.O. BOX 691418, WEST
HOLLYWOOD, CA 90069.
 [Link] Tokyo Empire under Emperor Akira plans
agrand
convocation, a festive gala to be attended by one and all —for there's plenty to celebrate
in Neo-Tokyo thisday. Starvation in the ruins. The winds of war between the forces of the
Emperor and Lady Miyako. The threat of a super power attack with bio-chemical
weapons. And Tetsuo toying with the very fabric of the cosmos itself. Rejo
indeed .. . for tomorrow may be even worse

KATSUHIRO OTOMO'S