AKIRA Character Breakdowns Seemingly Confirm That Taika Waititi Is Looking For Race-Appropriate Actors

Thor: Ragnarok director Taika Waititi previously promised that he would cast race-appropriate actors to play the leads in his big-screen adaptation of Akira, and it looks like he's keeping his word...

By MarkCassidy - Jul 04, 2019 06:07 AM EST

Filed Under: Akira

A casting call for Warner Bros.' live-action adaptation of classic manga/anime Akira has found its way online (via Backstage.com), and it looks like director Taika Waititi is being true to his word and seeking out Japanese and Asian actors to portray the main characters.

There have been several previous attempts to get this project off the ground, but all of them relocated the action from Neo Tokyo to "New Manhattan" and had the likes of Garret Hedlund and Gary Oldman in line to star.

The casting call is for “untitled Warner Bros. live-action film” and all of the characters' names have been changed, but this is clearly Akira and we have a pretty good idea who each of these individuals are supposed to be!

Simply click on the VIEW LIST (ONE PAGE) button below!

Jun/Kaneda

Jun (Lead): Male, 18-24 Male, to play Japanese, English speaking. Must be legal 18-20’s to play 18:

Sharp-eyed, sinewy, tough, handsome, cool. He is the leader of a street gang of teenagers & knows how to have a good time. JUN should not be too cool or too tough. He’s a scrappy, ragtag kid who’s not worried about anything. Your weird, natural authentic self is encouraged! LEAD.

The first side is for "Jun," but based on the description it has to be Kaneda. We had been led to believe that the latest script draft had aged-up the main players significantly, but it looks like they'll be portrayed as being just a couple of years older than they were in the original manga.

Kochi/Tetsuo

KOICHI (Lead): Male, 18-24 Male, to play Japanese, English speaking. Must be legal 18-20’s to play 17:

Constantly forced to punch up in order to survive. He’s fearless to the point of recklessness. He is haunted by the loss of a loved one. LEAD.

This is almost certainly Kaneda's best friend Tetsuo, who emerges as the main antagonist of the story. Earlier incarnations of the film changed their relationship to make them brothers, so it's nice to see that's been dropped here.

Misa/Kei

MISA (Lead): Female, 18-30 Female, to play Japanese, English speaking. Must be legal 18-30:

Beautiful, intelligent, strong-willed. She is a member of an anti-government organization trying to save her city. LEAD.

This has got to be Kei; resistance fighter and eventual love interest to Kaneda. She also has some untapped psychic abilities in the original manga.

Reina/Kaoiri

REINA (Supporting): Female, 18-24 Female, to play Asian, English speaking (Japanese a plus). Must be legal 18-20’s to play 17:

Gentle, kind, cute, compassionate. She is a member of a biker gang & cares deeply for Koichi. SUPPORTING LEAD.

The characters' true identities start to get a bit less obvious from here, but we're pretty sure this is Tetsuo's love-interest and ultimately the only person that can control him, Kaori.

Yakamatsu/Yamagata

YAKAMATSU (Supporting): Male, 18-24 Male, to play Asian, English speaking (Japanese a plus). Must be legal 18-20’s to play 18:

Large, tough, loyal, short-fused. A member of Jun’s gang & a close friend. SUPPORTING LEAD.

We assume this is supposed to be Yamagata, who is Kaneda's muscle in the manga/anime and harbors a deep distrust of Tetsuo.

Yuki/Kai

YUKI (Supporting): Male, 18-24 Male, to play Asian, English speaking (Japanese a plus). Must be legal 18-20’s to play 16:

A small, clever, brainy technical wiz, he is the youngest member of Jun’s street gang. SUPPORTING LEAD.

Again, just a guess here, but based on the description we reckon this is Kaisuke, who is the most technically minded of the gang in the original story.

Gen/Takashi

GEN (Supporting): Male, 10-12 Male, to play Asian, English speaking (Japanese a plus), age 10:

A small, mysterious boy on an urgent mission; he is humble, shy, compassionate & wise beyond his years. SUPPORTING LEAD.

This is either Takashi or Masaru, but the "urgent mission" part has us leaning towards the former. Takashi is an esper: a young child with vast physic powers who is being experimented on and used as a weapon by the government.

Aimi/Kiyoko

AIMI (Supporting): Female, 10-12 Female, to play Asian, English speaking (Japanese a plus), age 10:

A mysterious girl on an urgent mission; she is kind, gentle, compassionate & wise beyond her years. SUPPORTING LEAD.

Another esper, this is almost certainly Kiyoko. There are three of these physic kids in the manga/anime, but it looks like they may have decided to drop the wheelchair-bound Masaru for the movie.

THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER Director Taika Waititi's AKIRA Adaptation Is Reportedly Moving Forward

Recommended For You:

AKIRA: Jordan Peele Reveals Why He Declined Warner Bros.' Offer To Helm Live-Action Adaptation

DISCLAIMER: ComicBookMovie.com is protected under the DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act) and... [MORE]

ComicBookMovie.com, and/or the user who contributed this post, may earn commissions or revenue through clicks or purchases made through any third-party links contained within the content above.

Do you have what it takes to write for us?

Want to contribute?

73 Comments

1 2

Canary - 7/4/2019, 6:04 AM

I thought this production had been shut down?

EskimoJ - 7/4/2019, 6:12 AM

@Canary - You thought wrong.

TheLight - 7/4/2019, 6:12 AM

@Canary - Wishful thinking, my friend. But Hollywood's like that one person at a party no one invited. You want them to go, you tell them to leave all they'll do is just hide somewhere else and think they can just blend in and disappear and everyone will be cool about it.

TheLight - 7/4/2019, 6:14 AM

Still don't like that Hollywood's doing this given their history of crap adaptations, but if I see that we're getting actors that fit both the physical and characteristics of their roles, then that's a plus I guess.

dragon316 - 7/4/2019, 7:46 AM

@TheLight - best anime to live action is battle angel, ghost in shell, dragon ball, speed racer in that order Japanese version live action dragon ball is worse I have not saw death note live action japan and American versions of it yet

KingGrimlock - 7/4/2019, 9:06 AM

@dragon316 - none of those were good.

TheLight - 7/4/2019, 10:34 AM

@dragon316 -

dracula - 7/4/2019, 11:56 PM

@TheLight - Detective Pikachu was good, and seriously its not like Japan has a great track record of adapting anime into live action either. Also seriously that Full Metal Alchemist movie, and anime where the main characters are european, and they introduce asian characters later, but they had a full japanese cast.

lawndart - 7/8/2019, 4:03 AM

@dragon316 - Imagine Ninja Scroll adapted to live action.

Canary - 7/4/2019, 7:05 AM

Looks like I'm about 6 years behind the times..

bobevanz - 7/4/2019, 7:20 AM

He's been dying to make this movie for awhile, I have faith that he'll knock it out of the park! Question is.. I'm wondering who will came from his indie films this time, maybe Tupac! Lol

bobevanz - 7/4/2019, 7:20 AM

@bobevanz - *cameo, still waiting on that edit button lmao

BritishMonkey - 7/4/2019, 7:22 AM

Good. That's how you do it right and properly.

Webheaded225 - 7/4/2019, 7:23 AM

How about the emperor?

MexCowboyNation - 7/4/2019, 7:44 AM

I hope they keep it in Japan. Some of the themes of the series deal with Japans fears of nukes.

MexCowboyNation - 7/4/2019, 7:46 AM

I still don't think Akira fits his style. I hope he downplays his wackyness.

GhostDog - 7/4/2019, 8:12 AM

@MexCowboyNation - yea there's not too much humor but the little that there is, Taika should easily handle

d3m01iti0n - 7/4/2019, 8:06 AM

I can't stand anime but damn Akira was good. If you slept on it, check it out.

1 2

Related Headlines

Akira

THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER Director Taika Waititi's AKIRA Adaptation Is Reportedly Moving Forward

MarkCassidy

Apr 11, 2023 11:04 AM

Akira

AKIRA: Jordan Peele Reveals Why He Declined Warner Bros.' Offer To Helm Live-Action Adaptation

JoshWilding

Feb 01, 2023 12:02 AM

Star Wars

Taika Waititi Updates On His STAR WARS Movie; Says He's "Still Trying" To Make AKIRA

MarkCassidy

Aug 11, 2021 02:08 PM

Related Headlines

Akira

THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER Director Taika Waititi's AKIRA Adaptation Is Reportedly Moving Forward

MarkCassidy

Apr 11, 2023 11:04 AM

Akira

AKIRA: Jordan Peele Reveals Why He Declined Warner Bros.' Offer To Helm Live-Action Adaptation

JoshWilding

Feb 01, 2023 12:02 AM

Star Wars

Taika Waititi Updates On His STAR WARS Movie; Says He's "Still Trying" To Make AKIRA

MarkCassidy

Aug 11, 2021 02:08 PM

Akira

AKIRA & DIGIMON Exclusive: Tetsuo & Tai Actor Joshua Seth Wants To Teach You How To Voice Act

LiteraryJoe

Oct 06, 2020 08:10 PM

Akira

AKIRA Exclusive: Tetsuo Voice Actor Joshua Seth Discusses The English Version Of The Classic Film

LiteraryJoe

Oct 05, 2020 07:10 AM

Akira

Deadpool & Wolverine

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE: Fans Believe Taylor Swift Has Confirmed MCU Role On THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT Album

JoshWilding

5 hours ago

Mad Max

Anya Taylor-Joy's FURIOSA Is Ready For War On New Total Film Covers

MarkCassidy

5 hours ago

Latest Headlines

No Way Home

SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME Concept Art Reveals A Surprising New Design For A "Junkyard" Vulture

JoshWilding

4 hours ago

Deadpool & Wolverine

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE: Fans Believe Taylor Swift Has Confirmed MCU Role On THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT Album

JoshWilding

5 hours ago

Mad Max

Anya Taylor-Joy's FURIOSA Is Ready For War On New Total Film Covers

MarkCassidy

5 hours ago

Sci-Fi

REBEL MOON - PART TWO: THE SCARGIVER's Rotten Tomatoes Score (And It's Zack Snyder's Worst-Reviewed Movie Yet)

JoshWilding

6 hours ago

The Witcher

THE WITCHER Season 5 Will Be The Show's Last As Netflix Rushes To Adapt Andrzej Sapkowski's Final Three Books

JoshWilding

7 hours ago

Deadpool & Wolverine

DEADPOOL AND WOLVERINE Theatre Standee Gives Us A New Live-Action Look At Logan And Wade Wilson

MarkCassidy

7 hours ago

Hot Headlines

119 comments

THE FANTASTIC FOUR Rumored To Introduce Norrin Radd Alongside Julia Garner's Silver Surfer

MarkCassidy

1 day ago EST

111 comments

MADAME WEB Star Sydney Sweeney Responds To Producer Who Said "She's Not Pretty, She Can't Act"

MarkCassidy

1 day ago EST

107 comments

Leonardo DiCaprio Was In Talks To Play Lex Luthor In BVS; Gave Zack Snyder JUSTICE LEAGUE Idea

MarkCassidy

1 day ago EST

92 comments

SUPERMAN Director James Gunn Shares New Behind-The-Scenes Photo With David Corenswet And Rachel Brosnahan

MarkCassidy

1 day ago EST

82 comments

More Sci-Fi & Fantasy ►

TRANSFORMERS ONE Character Posters Highlight The Movie's Divisive Animation Style

More Cartoons & Animated ►

Bethesda's Todd Howard On What's Next: ELDER SCROLLS VI, FALLOUT 5, And STARFIELD

More Anime & Manga ►

ABIGAIL Spoilers: Find Out What Happens - And Who Shows Up - In New Horror Comedy

More Horror ►

JAMES BOND: Henry Cavill Isn't Closing The Door On Playing 007; Maybe I'm Too Old Now. Maybe I'm Not...

More Action Movies & TV ►

The Undertaker Talks Relationship With The Rock Following WRESTLEMANIA Clash As Final Boss Vows Revenge

More Pro Wrestling ►

FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGA Stills Showcase Anya Taylor-Joy's Road Warrior And Chris Hemsworth's Dementus

More Sci-Fi & Fantasy ►

More Cartoons & Animated ►

More Anime & Manga ►

More Horror ►

More Action Movies & TV ►

More Pro Wrestling ►

AKIRA Character Breakdowns Seemingly Confirm That Taika Waititi Is Looking For Race-Appropriate Actors

Thor: Ragnarok director Taika Waititi previously promised that he would cast race-appropriate actors to play the leads in his big-screen adaptation of Akira, and it looks like he's keeping his word...

Jun/Kaneda

Kochi/Tetsuo

Misa/Kei

Reina/Kaoiri

Yakamatsu/Yamagata

Yuki/Kai

Gen/Takashi

Aimi/Kiyoko

THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER Director Taika Waititi's AKIRA Adaptation Is Reportedly Moving Forward

AKIRA: Jordan Peele Reveals Why He Declined Warner Bros.' Offer To Helm Live-Action Adaptation

THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER Director Taika Waititi's AKIRA Adaptation Is Reportedly Moving Forward

AKIRA: Jordan Peele Reveals Why He Declined Warner Bros.' Offer To Helm Live-Action Adaptation

Taika Waititi Updates On His STAR WARS Movie; Says He's "Still Trying" To Make AKIRA

THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER Director Taika Waititi's AKIRA Adaptation Is Reportedly Moving Forward

AKIRA: Jordan Peele Reveals Why He Declined Warner Bros.' Offer To Helm Live-Action Adaptation

Taika Waititi Updates On His STAR WARS Movie; Says He's "Still Trying" To Make AKIRA

AKIRA & DIGIMON Exclusive: Tetsuo & Tai Actor Joshua Seth Wants To Teach You How To Voice Act

AKIRA Exclusive: Tetsuo Voice Actor Joshua Seth Discusses The English Version Of The Classic Film

AKIRA: The Seminal Anime Gets A New IMAX Poster For Its Upcoming Re-Release In Japan

Popular Headlines

CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD Happy Meal Toys Reveal A First Look At MCU’s Take On Red Hulk

DEADPOOL AND WOLVERINE Theatre Standee Gives Us A New Live-Action Look At Logan And Wade Wilson

MCU Rumor Roundup: AVENGERS 5 Shoot Date, X-MEN Synopsis, Natalia Tena's Role, & More - Possible SPOILERS

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE: Fans Believe Taylor Swift Has Confirmed MCU Role On THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT Album

BATMAN v SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE Director Zack Snyder FINALLY Explains The Infamous "Martha!" Scene

SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME Concept Art Reveals A Surprising New Design For A "Junkyard" Vulture

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE: Fans Believe Taylor Swift Has Confirmed MCU Role On THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT Album

Anya Taylor-Joy's FURIOSA Is Ready For War On New Total Film Covers

SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME Concept Art Reveals A Surprising New Design For A "Junkyard" Vulture

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE: Fans Believe Taylor Swift Has Confirmed MCU Role On THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT Album

Anya Taylor-Joy's FURIOSA Is Ready For War On New Total Film Covers

REBEL MOON - PART TWO: THE SCARGIVER's Rotten Tomatoes Score (And It's Zack Snyder's Worst-Reviewed Movie Yet)

THE WITCHER Season 5 Will Be The Show's Last As Netflix Rushes To Adapt Andrzej Sapkowski's Final Three Books

DEADPOOL AND WOLVERINE Theatre Standee Gives Us A New Live-Action Look At Logan And Wade Wilson

Hot Headlines

THE FANTASTIC FOUR Rumored To Introduce Norrin Radd Alongside Julia Garner's Silver Surfer

MADAME WEB Star Sydney Sweeney Responds To Producer Who Said "She's Not Pretty, She Can't Act"

Leonardo DiCaprio Was In Talks To Play Lex Luthor In BVS; Gave Zack Snyder JUSTICE LEAGUE Idea

SUPERMAN Director James Gunn Shares New Behind-The-Scenes Photo With David Corenswet And Rachel Brosnahan

TRANSFORMERS ONE: Chris Hemsworth And Scarlett Johansson Assemble The Autobots In First Trailer

Sci-Fi & Fantasy

FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGA Stills Showcase Anya Taylor-Joy's Road Warrior And Chris Hemsworth's Dementus

THE ACOLYTE Has Reportedly Added SUPERGIRL Star David Harewood In A Mystery Role

SNOW WHITE Rumors May Clear Up "Seven Dwarfs" Confusion; Rachel Zegler's Princess Will Be "More Independent"

Cartoons & Animated Features

TRANSFORMERS ONE Character Posters Highlight The Movie's Divisive Animation Style

SNOW WHITE Rumored Plot Details May Clear Up Seven Dwarfs/Seven Bandits Confusion

TRANSFORMERS ONE Trailer Reveals The Origins Of Optimus Prime And Megatron

Gaming

Bethesda's Todd Howard On What's Next: ELDER SCROLLS VI, FALLOUT 5, And STARFIELD

THE WITCHER Has Been Renewed AND Canceled As Season 5 Is Confirmed To Be The Show's Last

FALLOUT TV Series Renewed For Second Season After Impressive Debut On Prime Video

Anime & Manga

Studio Ghibli's SPIRITED AWAY Is Returning To U.S. Theaters This Month

New AVATAR Movie, AANG: THE LAST AIRBENDER, Delayed To 2026

MY HERO ACADEMIA Season 7 Countdown Kicks Off With Class 1-A Character Visuals

Horror

ABIGAIL Spoilers: Find Out What Happens - And Who Shows Up - In New Horror Comedy

TRAP: First Trailer For M. Night Shyamalan's Latest Spoils The Big Twist

IMMACULATE Star Sydney Sweeney Has Been Slammed By A Hollywood Producer: "She's Not Pretty, She Can't Act"

Action Movies & TV

JAMES BOND: Henry Cavill Isn't Closing The Door On Playing 007; "Maybe I'm Too Old Now. Maybe I'm Not..."

Alex Garland's CIVIL WAR Is The #1 Movie In North America- Opens To $25.7M

THE ACCOUNTANT 2 Adds Four More Actors Including JURASSIC WORLD Star Daniella Pineda

Pro Wrestling & MMA News

The Undertaker Talks Relationship With The Rock Following WRESTLEMANIA Clash As Final Boss Vows Revenge

Damian Priest Reflects On How It Felt To Cash In His Money In The Bank Briefcase At WRESTLEMANIA

AEW EVPs Matt And Nick Jackson, The Young Bucks, Have "No Regrets" After Airing ALL IN Footage

Sci-Fi & Fantasy

FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGA Stills Showcase Anya Taylor-Joy's Road Warrior And Chris Hemsworth's Dementus

THE ACOLYTE Has Reportedly Added SUPERGIRL Star David Harewood In A Mystery Role

SNOW WHITE Rumors May Clear Up "Seven Dwarfs" Confusion; Rachel Zegler's Princess Will Be "More Independent"

REBEL MOON - PART TWO: THE SCARGIVER's Rotten Tomatoes Score Has Been Revealed (And It's Not Good)

THE WITCHER Has Been Renewed For A Fifth And FINAL Season; Will Adapt Final THREE Books

REBEL MOON: PART TWO - THE SCARGIVER First Reactions Land Ahead Of Netflix Premiere

Cartoons & Animated Features

TRANSFORMERS ONE Character Posters Highlight The Movie's Divisive Animation Style

SNOW WHITE Rumored Plot Details May Clear Up Seven Dwarfs/Seven Bandits Confusion