Explanatory Speech Template Outline

Peyton Dauray
I. Introduction (Approximately 1min.)

A. Attention Getter 31 years ago Katsuhiro Otomo released the influential futuristic cyberpunk

animated movie known as Akira in Japan. 31 years later and in 2019, we have reached the

year in which the movie is set.

B. Background and Audience Relevance For those of you unfamiliar with the movie, Akira is an

animated film set in futuristic, or “neo Tokyo” in a post-World War 3 Japan. The movie

Follows a biker gang who discover the government have been testing telekinetic people as

weapons. When Tetsuo a member of the gang is found to have telekinetic powers, his strength

develops, and the movie is about his

C. Speaker Credibility As an Art Major, animation has always had a huge influence on my

drawing style and I would love to peruse animation as a career. With Akira being widely

known as changing animation in the West I thought explaining that shift would be perfect

way to pay homage to the very thing that inspired my future career. In addition to the

professional importance of Akira, I am a huge fan of the movie and find its aesthetic and art

style to be so inspirational.

D. Thesis Through the releasee of Akira, Japanese animation was able to break through to the

western Mainstream, its subject matter has also inspired many well-known artists and shows

and

E. Preview of Main Points

Transition to first main point

II. Body (Approximately 3 ½-5 ½ mins.)

A. Main Point 1: Akira paved the way for Japanese Animation to succeed in the western Market.

1. Sub point 1 prior to Akira there hadn’t been wide scale success of Japanese

animation in the west. This kept popular directors like Spielberg and George Lucas
 who were initially approached to work on the film from perusing the job, because

they doubted the success of the film with western audiences.

2. Sub point 2 The film changed people’s perceptions of what animation had the

potential to do. With Akira pushing such mature themes and storylines the movie

expanded the western idea of what animation was, which prior had been associated

with childish themes and content. The movie made people interested in more

animation Japan had to offer.

3.

Transition (summary, signpost, preview)

B. Main Point 2 Akira’s storyline has influenced and continues to influence artists in all forms

31 years after its release.

1. Sub point 1 One major celebrity who admits to receiving inspiration from Akira is

Kanye West. He credits Akira as his favourite movie and the inspiration behind his

song “Stronger” in addition to taking and recreating direct scenes from the movie in

his music video

2. Sub point 2 Another very popular Show which pays homage to the story of Akira

would be the Netflix Original, “Stranger Things”. In which the telekinetic character

also known as eleven shares a similar character arc as Tetsuo the main character in

Akira. Both Characters are originally held captive by the government and tested on

upon the discovery of their powers in attempt for the government to weaponize them,

but despite being trapped both characters fight to escape.

Transition (summary, signpost, preview)

C. Main Point 3 Akira not only made it possible for other anime’s to get big in the west, but

paved the business plan for how to do so.

1. Sub point 1 With things like speed racer having hit the west before Akira, the world

had never been exposed to such a cult following for an anime before. This created the

opportunity to market to such demographics, through things like videogames,

 posters, merchandise and figurines. Akira took its global following and used it as a

gateway to more anime related things.

2. Sub point 2 By Selling merchandise and promoting Akira in such a way they did, it

made people want to find more things like it. It inspired people to watch more anime,

which in turn created a western fanbase for anime overall though the marketing of

Akira.

Transition and signal closing

III. Conclusion (Approximately 30 seconds-1 minute)

A. Restate Thesis Akira paved the way for the modern globalization of Japanese animation in the

west and completely changed the way in which people saw animation.

B. Review Main Points Through Akira’s success people expanded their ideals of what anime

could be which allowed for more mature themes and stories. This expanded the fan base and

lead to more Japanese anime becoming mainstream in the west.

C. Memorable Closer It’s currently 2019, Akira predicted the 2020 Japan Olympics, what else
could it be right about? Thank you for listening

References
(on new page)
(Links for later----)

https://www.vulture.com/2016/08/stranger-things-akira-parallels.html

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/jul/10/akira-anime-japanese-cartoon-manga

https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/why-the-pioneering-japanese-anime-akira-
remains-relevant-30-years-later/2018/07/12/b7577c74-813f-11e8-b851-
5319c08f7cee_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.e4452c81c9df