Subjects / Akira

Best books to learn Akira, in order

Akira is short by manga standards — six collected volumes, read one to six, no side stories and no alternate order to argue about. The only real decision is whether you have seen the 1988 film first, because the film adapts roughly the first third of the manga and then invents its own ending; the back half of the book is material the film never touches.

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Frequently asked questions

How should I approach learning akira?
Akira is short by manga standards — six collected volumes, read one to six, no side stories and no alternate order to argue about. The only real decision is whether you have seen the 1988 film first, because the film adapts roughly the first third of the manga and then invents its own ending; the back half of the book is material the film never touches.
What's a good book to start akira with?
A strong starting point is Akira, Vol. 5 by Katsuhiro Ōtomo. The ordered reading paths above show exactly where it fits and what to read next.
What should I read after akira?
Once you have the fundamentals, explore closely related subjects like James Joyce, Samuel Beckett.

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