Katsuhiro Otomo

Grand finale of the story. And it left me scratching my head :)
Akira was an object of fear and hatred by almost everyone in the story, I mean it was even said that Akira lost personality and became the de-facto avatar of the power within, until this last chapter. All of a sudden it seems that Tetsuo played the role of huge battery - once power overtook him Miyako's [and rest of children from experiment] effort seems to be to save Akira and what happens? Akira consumes (literally) Tetsuo. In the end all people that fell during the conflict, they all reached some unknown level of existence but they did not ascend. Insetad, if I understand correctly, they remain present and start acting as protectors of Neo Tokyo. Something like new pantheon protecting the city while Takeda, Kei and other survivors become the leaders of city militia intent on repelling any foreigners from its shores. Also role of Kaneda (prophesied by Miyako in previous volumes) was a lot of noise about nothing. I was expecting something more here than Kaneda knocking off Tetsuo with few uppercuts.

Art as always is excellent.

Excellent story, maybe a bit of a convoluted ending but in overall highly recommended to SF and comic books fans.… (more)

After repeated destruction caused by Akira, Neo Tokyo ends up a divided city [in ruins]. Within its borders two forces arise - Empire lead by Akira and Tetsuo and Lady Miyako's conclave. As city slowly devolves into chaos and conflict is started between two forces, some other players start popping out and it is not quite clear what is their goal.

Talking about objectives, Lady Miyako is The Enigma in this book. Her provocation will force Tetsuo to take steps into unknown that can become quite a deadly turn of events. Question remains why since it is more than obvious psychics are highly unstable and great danger to entire world.
And while for everyone (including Tetsuo) it might seem that he is controlling Akira as story progresses it becomes clear that Akira is not just a puppet and could be the true mastermind here.

Excellent story progression. While it might seem slower than first three books this one is important because it sets the stage for the showdown between Empire and [at the moment] unknown military forces.

Highly recommended.… (more)