The cyclical nature of history is a central theme in Akira that explores the idea that history repeats itself. The movie takes place in a post-apocalyptic Neo-Tokyo, which is built on the ruins of the old Tokyo that was destroyed in World War III. The society of Neo-Tokyo is characterized by a corrupt government, political instability, and social unrest, which are reminiscent of the problems that led to the destruction of the old Tokyo.

As the story progresses, it becomes clear that the events in Neo-Tokyo are a repetition of a historical cycle, where the rise and fall of civilization are inevitable. The emergence of Tetsuo's psychic powers, for example, is a repeat of what happened to Akira, a powerful psychic who destroyed Tokyo in the past.

In this sense, Akira portrays a pessimistic view of human history, suggesting that despite technological and scientific advancements, humanity is destined to repeat the same mistakes and face the same consequences.
The destruction of Neo-Tokyo in Akira can be seen as a metaphor for the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the end of World War II. The imagery of the explosion and destruction in the film is reminiscent of the nuclear bombs that devastated those cities, and the film's post-apocalyptic setting reflects the aftermath of such a catastrophic event.

Moreover, Akira was created during a time when Japan was still grappling with the trauma and legacy of World War II, and the film can be seen as a reflection of Japan's struggle to come to terms with the devastation and loss caused by the war. The corrupt government and political instability in Neo-Tokyo can also be seen as a commentary on the failures of Japan's political and social systems in the post-war period.

The cyclical nature of history in Akira is also closely linked to the consequences of scientific progress. In the movie, the psychic powers that the characters possess are a result of a secret government experiment that aimed to create a new form of humanity with extraordinary abilities. However, the experiment had catastrophic consequences, as it led to the destruction of Tokyo and the emergence of a new cycle of destruction and rebirth.

Akira's cautionary tale suggests that scientific progress, when unchecked and driven solely by the pursuit of power, can have severe and unintended consequences for society. The destructive power of the psychic abilities in the movie serves as a metaphor for the potential dangers of scientific advancement, which, if not accompanied by ethical considerations and social responsibility, can have catastrophic consequences for humanity.

The search for identity in a dystopian society is another central theme in Akira that relates to the consequences of scientific progress and the cyclical nature of history. In the movie, the characters struggle to find a sense of identity and purpose in a society that is marked by chaos, violence, and social decay. The characters' search for identity is complicated by the fact that they possess psychic powers that they cannot fully control, which creates a sense of alienation and otherness.

The characters' search for identity can be interpreted as a critique of a society that values conformity over individuality, where people are defined by their social status, and where human emotions and desires are suppressed in favor of a rigid social order. The psychic abilities in the movie can be seen as a metaphor for the unique talents and individuality that are suppressed in a conformist society.

Moreover, the cyclical nature of history in Akira suggests that the characters' search for identity is ultimately futile since history will repeat itself regardless of their individual struggles. This creates a sense of existential despair and hopelessness, as the characters' efforts to find meaning and purpose are undermined by the inevitability of historical cycles.

In the movie, the youth of Neo-Tokyo are portrayed as disenfranchised and alienated from society, with no sense of purpose or direction. They rebel against the corrupt government and the strict social order that oppresses them, seeking to create a new society based on their own values and desires.

The youth rebellion in Akira can be seen as a reaction to the rigid social order that suppresses individuality and creativity in favor of conformity and obedience. It is also a response to the corrupt government that exploits scientific progress for its own gain, without regard for the consequences for society.

Moreover, the youth rebellion in the movie reflects a broader cultural phenomenon in Japan at the time, where young people were rebelling against the dominant social order and seeking to create a new cultural identity that was more expressive and individualistic.

In this sense, the youth rebellion in Akira represents a search for identity and meaning in a society that has lost its way, where the youth seek to create a new future that is not bound by the mistakes and failures of the past.

Akira can be interpreted as a powerful statement on the destructive impact of war and the need for peace and reconciliation in the aftermath of conflict. The film's imagery and themes continue to resonate with audiences around the world and have made it a significant cultural artifact of Japanese cinema.