7

= & > = Ss d=)

| whatsoever, ivhalh
electronic
|written por
and put
character
public
ARIA
BY KATSUHIRO OTOMO

CHAPTER 12

ENTER SAKAKI
 terrified child possessing
extraordinary telekinetic abilities.
During the encounter, the
paranormal boy gravely injures
Tetsuo, one of Kaneda’s close
friends, then mysteriously
vanishes.
Asa result, Kaneda and
Tetsuo become entangled in a
power struggle between a
mysterious military and scientific.
organization led by a man known
only as the Colonel, and an
underground resistance group,
bent on putting a stop to the
Colonels activities.
Among the resistance,
Kaneda meets Kay—a girl he
altemately maddens and tries to
seduce—Kay’s “broth
and Ryu’ closest subordinate,
a man who proves his value to
the group when he detects and
very nearly kills a spy from the
Colonel's organization. Ryu's:
‘superiors in the resistance
include Nezu—who publically
leads the political party that
he year is 2030, The world opposes the govermment—and a
is rebuilding from World powerful religious leader with
Warll.In Neo-Tokyo, strong precognitive gifts, Lady
plans are being made to hold the Miyako.
next Olympics in the “old city” The Colonel already has a
where thirty-eight years before, number of children under his
the first of the bombs fell. In the control, each one possessing a
ld city, a band of teenaged distinct set of psychic talents and
delinquents led by Kaneda Identified by a number marked
encounter Number 25—a on the hand. (Lady Miyako
Jvas,at one time, Number 19 in Miyako, fear Akira’s power and
the series.) One of the children are worried about the disaster
the Colonel “controls” is the Tetsuo may unleash, use their
mental giant Akira, Ise Of talents to help Kaneda and
his immense psychic abilities, he Kay escape from their cells.
has been suspended in cryogenic Armed with a laser, Kaneda
sleep beneath the half-finished Touts Tetsuo, who flees the
Olympic Stadium for almost four installation and sets out for the
decades, Olympic site where Akira
The Colonels chief medical sleeps. Before the Colonel
advisor, called Doctor, subjects fecovers, Kaneda and Kay are
Tetsuo to painful electronic also able to escape “aided” by
and chemical experiments, the same spy Ryu’ lieutenant
awakening tremendous previously left for dead, Although
telepathic potential in the boy, they don't trust the man,
who is dubbed Number41, Kaneda and Kay bring him
Unfortunately, as his powers along as they, too, head for the
grow, a monstrous side of Olympic site. Ryu and his
Tetsuo’s nature also appears. lieutenant are working
Able to shrug offthemost undercover at the Olympic
Serious injuries, Tetsuo goes Stadium, posing as soldiers,
ona killing spree, eventually Hoping to prevent a disaster,
murdering one of Kaneda’s ‘the Colonel alerts his troops and
Closest friends and attacking scientists. When everyone finally
Kaneda, who, along with Kay, teaches the site, fighting breaks
is subsequently captured by the out,
Colonel and taken to his Tetsuo easily repels wave
installation. after wave of soldiers armed
Tetsuo leams of Akiras with the most sophisticated
existence and is unable to weaponry. The scientists
tolerate the idea that Akira may monitoring Akira’s cryogenic
be more powerful than he is, so induced sleep are appalled to
he forces the Doctortotell him discover that the temperature in
where his rival lies. Determined Akira’s chamber is beginning to
to seek him out, Tetsuo brutally rise, and they deduce that even
attacks the Colonel, who tries in hibernation, Akira's power is
to restrain him. The psychic responding to Tetsuo's psychic
children, whi Lar

Kiyoko The Colonel Lady Miyako

 Kaneda, Kay and the spy to speak, shy of bright lights;
steal one ofthe armys flying Akira is easily ordered about.
platforms but are unable to ‘Tetsuo and he begin to make
control it. The result is while their way to the surface,
trying to reach Akira’s chamber, Realizing that it is move or perish
the unlikely trio fly by an elevator Kay and Kaneda also manage
platform carrying Tetsuo, Ryu to find a way to the surface.
and his lieutenant. The runaway Less fortunate are Ryu's friend
platform, also, rockets by the and the spy, the Doctor, and a
Colonel, and dozens of hostile numberofsoldiers, all killed by
troops. The trio barely manages the deadly cold, Ryu, ironically, is
to leap off the platform before it saved by other soldiers who still
crashes. Now grounded, Kay believe he is one of them.
forces the spy to go his own Terror sweeps the control
way, Kay and Kaneda stumble room, as the Colonel tries
‘across a map to Number 28's desperately to prevent panicking,
chamber—Akira’s chamber. From but it is too late, a scientist
hiding they watch dumbfounded triggers the Code 7 Emergency
as Tetsuo strides past them Alarm. Throughout Neo-Tokyo
rightforthechamber. Me ile, the civilian defense claxon
the spy comers Ryu’s lieutenant sound. Citizens pour into the
‘on an elevator platform and they fallout shelters, lawlessness
begin a fight to the death. reigns on the streets, as Neo-
Intense cold from the growing Tokyo holds its collective breath
cracks in Akira’s chamber begins itng for the bombs to fall
to spill throughout the site. The again. Horrified of what has
Colonel orders his troops to fall been unleashed and determined
back, and take cover. While, the to act before a greater
scientists are frantic they know it catastrophe occurs, the Colonel
could only mean that Akira is ‘summons the powerful SOL
close to consciousness. Just as military satellite. He orders that
‘Tetsuo reaches Akira’ resting its laser cannon be fired at
place, the cryogenic chamber Tetsuo and Akira. The two boys
cracks from within—Akira areseparated by the blasts,
emerges. Akira is saved by Kay and
The paranormal giant is Kaneda, but Tetsuo is less
still dazed and weak with the fortunate. The laser strikes his
aftereffects of his sleep, unable left arm.
A GAP IN THE
READIN

CHECK THE
PARIATIONL
A MILITARY SATELLITE CALLED foo}
OL. THE ARMY LALINCHED IT
BAKAKo

eel . Ss
iS
2 s
 onFa
5ei2
ast

SS

SS
DE msuras
WERE ALL
Sonne be
2 “anvinays
HAPPENED
WHILE
WE WERE
AWAY.
 CODE SEVEN
ALERT! CODE
SEVEN ALERT!
Gi
- oi PES

ANY BREACH OF THE

PEACE WILL BE
SEVERELY PUNISHED.
By; WaT
THOSE
THINGS 27
 ACODE FIVE

BE ADVISED THAT YOU

ARE STILL UNDER
MILITARY JURISDICTION.

THE FOLLOWING,
OFFICES WILL BE
THIS IS STILL RECEIVING
ASTATEOF DIRECTIVES
NATIONAL FROM THE
EMERGENCY. GOVERNMENT—

<THE HIGH- ALL RADIO, THESE

WAY AND. TELEVISION, ORDERS SHALL
TRAFFIC AND OTHER APPLY TO ALL,
SAFETY CDVIMUNICATION SERVICES. IN-
PATROLS, THE ‘AND INFORMA CLUDING THOSE
RAILROADS, ‘TION NETWORKS: WHICH WERE
POST OFFICES, = ALL PRIVATE PREVIOUSLY
THE TELE- AND PUBLIC SELF-GOVERN-
SCHOOLS ... ING.
 WHAT DO KIDS.
KNOW FROM

THESE CARETAKERS IF WE HAVE TO

WERE BUICT TO WITHSTAND TAKE SHELTER
NUCLEAR ATTACK. UNDERGROUND,
THEY CAN STAY
UP HERE IN ALL.
THE RADIATION.

AND. EVEN IF
FIGHT OFF EVERYONE
ANYONE: DIES, THE
WHO ROBOTS WILL
TRIES TO BE HERE TO
INVADE, PROTECT
OUR LAND.
 DON'T BE BUT Ate
ABSURD! INFORMATION
REGARDING
AKIRA (3
CLASSIEIED!

PRECISELY,
MY POINT!

a] ‘AT THE MOMENT, Y

eRe Care, WE MUST FIND
THAT'S NOT OUR’ WHAT MATTERS
FoR ABOUT: ‘THE SOURCE OF
THE LEAK! NOW IS THE NUMBER
EADY
A ALRaceade
MEDIon
Ke CHIEF CONCERN!
KNOW!
S70 PEOPLE ARE DEAD, AND | |NEVER MIND WHO'S ail ONCE THE FOREIGN
We STILL CONT HAVE A TO BLAME. WHAT POWERS GET WIND OF
COMPLETE TOTAL ON THE ABOUT TOMORROW'S nh THIS, (T WILL ALTER,
PARLIAMENTARY " THE BALANCE BETWEEN
INQUIRY? f THE WEST AND THE
EAST. WE CAN'T JUST
OVERTURN THE
INTERNATIONAL SiTUATION. |

WE CAN HARDLY OFFER “THEM THE

AKIRA PROJECT AS AN EXPLANATION
FOR WHAT'S OCCURRED.

THE GOVERNOR WE COULD SELL THE

IGNORANCE (5 OUR SUGGESTS THAT PROJECT TO THE
BEST COURSE, 50 HE CAN AMERICANS AND USE
AVOID TAKING. THE MONEY TO
RESPONSIBILITY, OFFSET OUR
Losses,

THAT WILL ARE YOU

ONLY MAKE DS SOMEONE Q VOLUNTEERING
MATTERS LISTEN,
S
 iA DATA
HAVE
MERE WHICH SUPPORTS...
THERE ARE ALWAYS RUMORS? THE CODE SEVEN ALERT. WAS SET IN
RUMORS AND MISINFORMATION MOTION BY A COMPUTER ERROR,
DISSEMINATED BY RADICAL THERE WAS AMALFUNCTION IN THE
FORCES TRYING TO CREATE DEFENSE SYSTEMS. THAT 1S ALL /T
A WATIONAL STATE OFPANIC, EVER WAS.

AS J HAVE ALREADY STATED,

THE) RE ARE Senn, PARA
BEL CHE THs GI TOATION
AS (7 NOW EXISTS.1

QUESTION OF
WHEN WE Wite
82 LIETING
MARTIAL
2AM...

THIS SESSION IS
ADJOURNED!
TA KY SPEAKING!

WELL NEED
A RECESS IN
WelcH TO
REVIEW...
!D I
}
| f

WHY DID you WHAT CAN You

ACTIVATE THE TELL US ABOUT A
SOL_DEFENSE ‘
 PERHAPS
IF YOU WERE,
T L
I MUST BEHAVE, BUTT CAN USE THE
WITH THE UTMOST COVER OF THE MILITARY
EMERGENCY TO FIND
AKIRA AND CLEAN.
OUT THE REVOLUTION-
ARIES ONCE AND
FORALL.

AT TIMES LIKE THESE,

UNSCRUPLILOUS
INDIVIDUALS ALWways
TRY TO MANIPULATE
THE ARMY INTO
EURTHERING THEIR
PERSONAL AIMS.

BUT, SIR, YOU TM GOING TO

ALWAYS USE OVERLOOK THAT,
THE ARMY. REMARK...
NOERGROUND
BASE AT TWE
WEART OF
TRC

YOU MEAN AKIRA

WAS RESPONSIBLE FoR
WORLD WAR THREE?

ta TH-THAT
SUSGESTION 15
—| |Prerosterous:,
 TELL ME, KIYOKO,
Is NUMBER 44.
STILL ALIVE?

YOU'VE ALREADY
TOLD ME AKIRA
HAS RISEN.
AKIRA’ EYES HAVE THAT'S PRECISELY
OPENED, BUT HE WHY I WANT TO
CAN'T YET SEE, FIND HIM Now,
BEFORE He's
FULLY AWAKE /
 THE TRUTH
1S, T GAME TO ASK’
You TO DO THAT
VERY THING.
 Ae= |
1 EZ

you'RE
SUCH
A
GLUTTON!
 RYU, YOU
£0027 Toto
you 76 stay
AWAY FROMM
THUS OFFICE /

T'S
FROSTBITE,
y SiR. r've
BEEN INA
| MiLitary
HOSPITAL.
y>- =
 WE ALMOST REACHED THE
SECRET OF AKIRA.
AND MY BEST FRIEND DIED.

IN THE FUTURE,
WE EXPECT TO.
BE ABLE TO ATTACK
BL THE GOVERNMENT
QUITE OPENLY,

WHILE YOU WERE

‘OUT OF
COMMISSION, OUR
Ve $0
THE GIRL
WAS RIGHT!
AMAZING !
 I war YZ THERE'S SOMEONE
| ee UPSTAIRS
A AKIRAZL KIONAPRING HIM!

SOMEONE TAILED
You, AND You
NEVER NOTICEDL
 ARE you §
SAYING.

KNOCKED ME On
MY ASS LIKE THAT 2

HOPE THis &

15 STRONG
ENOUGH TO
THIS IS A CODE
FIVE ALERT.
OE Eno Unfortunately for us here in America, we have not had a
chance to see any of Otomo's other published work, until
now. Ask your favorite store owner, the one where you
bought this book, if he has ordered Otomo Katsuhiro
bi ee of us who have been exposed to Artwork—Kaba. Enclosed within the covers of this book
Otomo’s work marvel at the beautiful line is a stunning array of Otomo’s art that was created from
work, the exciting attention to detail, the 19711988. It ranges from comics to commercials,
way a cityscape of the mind springs to life. illustrations to television credit sequences.

This illustration is from

the comic book
Sayonara Nippon
Futabasha Company Ltd
1982. The medium is.
rotring with acrylic colors
and color tone,
 To me the hardest thing about the book was putting it
down. Each time | found something new that | swore | had
not seen before. It was a joy seeing an advance copy of the
book that | hope you will soon have the experience of seeing
for yourself.

This is an end paper for the comic book Hansel&Gretel, CBS-SONY

Publishing Inc., 1981. The medium is acrylic colors.
 Te Neo-Tokyo a web has been woven. The web is not silken
hard and cold—forged with a hundred lies, hardened with a thousand tre
the Colonel, may have started it, but countle ave helped him weave it unti
ild called Akira has started unravelling the web,
Frantically, th 'y¥—buttono avail
The old web
 Dyson. Te avaterng
‘Akira has begun,
Tetsuo, jvenite delinquent tuned power
mad mutant, jealously rouses the psychic
child. The race forcontrol of Akira rushes on,
sparked by warring factions who all vie for
possession ofthe force that may doom Neo-
Tokyo,
| In the future, the end has begun, Hail the
dawn of « new era for mankind; perhaps its
last

|
| | |
24885'2 3668) 2
#MANGA-SKETCHBOOK@DALNET SCANNED AND EDITED BY FINNPEST