Akira is a 1988 Japanese animated cyberpunk action film directed by Katsuhiro Otomo. Set in a dystopian 2019, it tells the story of Sh?tar? Kaneda, the leader of a biker gang whose childhood friend, Tetsuo Shima, acquires incredible telekinetic abilities after a motorcycle accident. The film garnered an international cult following after various theatrical and VHS releases, eventually earning over $80 million worldwide in home video sales. Akira has since been cited as a masterpiece and as among one of the greatest films ever made.