On December 6, 1982, an apparent
nuclear explosion destroys Tokyo and starts
World War III. By 2019, a new city called Neo-Tokyo has been built on an artificial island in
Tokyo Bay. Although Neo-Tokyo is set to host the
XXXII Olympic Games, the city is gripped by
anti-government terrorism and
gang violence. While riding in the ruins of old Tokyo, Tetsuo Shima, a member of the
bōsōzoku gang led by Shōtarō Kaneda, is injured when his bike explodes after Takashi — a child
Esper with wizened features — blocks his path. This incident awakens psychic powers in Tetsuo, attracting the attention of a secret government project directed by
JSDF Colonel Shikishima. These increasing powers unhinge Tetsuo's mind, exacerbating his
inferiority complex about Kaneda and leading him to assume leadership of the rival Clown gang.
Meanwhile, Kaneda becomes involved with Kei, a member of the
terrorist organization which stages attacks against the government. The terrorists, led by Ryu and opposition
parliament leader Nezu, get wind of the Colonel's project and a mysterious figure connected with it known as "Akira". They hope to use this leaked information, and try to restrict Kaneda's movements after he becomes too involved with their activities. However, when Tetsuo and the Clowns begin a violent citywide turf war, Kaneda instigates a counter-attack that unites all of Neo-Tokyo's biker gangs against Tetsuo. The Clowns are easily defeated, but Tetsuo is nearly invincible because of his powers. Tetsuo kills Yamagata, a member of his former gang, and astonishingly survives after being shot by Kaneda. The Colonel arrives with the powerful drugs needed to suppress Tetsuo's violent headaches, extending Tetsuo an offer to join the project.
