Cyberpunk manga Akira debuted in 1982 — over 30 years ago. The manga, and subsequent anime, are set in 2019, against the backdrop of the forthcoming 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Er, I mean the 2020 Neo-Tokyo Olympics. The impending games and Neo-Tokyo Olympic Stadium do factor into the plot (for example, Akira is housed in a cryogenic chamber below the stadium, and the Olympic grounds house a military base.)
The upcoming Olympics are even mentioned in the original Japanese theatrical trailer for the 1988 feature film, which is, of course, based on the manga.
The sign for the Olympic site that appears in the film reads: “147 Days Until the Tokyo Olympics.” Under that, it reads, “With everyone’s effort, let’s make this a success.” The sign says this is the 30th modern Olympic games (it will actually be a the 30-second).
Via Patrick Macias, here’s Olympic Stadium — in somewhat of a disarray!
If you are wondering what the Neo-Tokyo games could look like, maybe they’ll light the torch…
WITH A LASER.
The Olympic Torch might be something like this. What about events? According to Naver, they could look like…
The hurdles.
Wrestling.
Pole vault. Or Javelin. Take your pick, really.
Swimming.
Water polo. (I guess?)
High jump. Very high jump.
Shot put.
Marksmanship.
Let’s hope this doesn’t mean Akira is going to get other things right too. You know, like World War III.
Comments
9 responses to “The 2020 Tokyo Olympics Were Predicted 30 Years Ago By Akira”
Hah! I immediately thought of Akira the moment I heard the news about Toyko’s win.
I’m sure the Opening Ceremony will feature a giant Techno-Amoeba.
Man I love that movie…
I, for one, welcome Lord Akira and bow down to his greatness
now i want to watch Akira again, brb
I got so excited when I realised the 2020 Olympics was the same year akira was set, would love some inclusion in the opening ceremony, like huge blow up deformed baby tetsuo or futuristic bike gangs, big ass clowns, children that look 90. I can only dream.
My vote for the official mascots – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fp4x3YCpffI#t=2m27s
One of my favourite films of all time. Hope that the other events in the movie aren’t also predictive though.
There’s conclusive evidence that if you don’t like Akira you’ll never truly be cool. That also means 95% of my friends are viciously uncool because they didn’t like Akira. True facts.
30-second.
30-SECOND??
Christ.
Please tell me that Akira was their Olympic bidding movie.
Best. Opening Ceremony. Ever.
The amazing neo traditional drum beat, the bike gang street battle.
Hell yeah.