Colonel Shikishima

Colonel Shikishima (敷島大佐 "Shikishima Taisa") (first name unknown) is a fictional character in the manga, "Akira", and the adapted 1988 anime movie of that work, also called "Akira". In both the film and the manga, he is referred to only as "The Colonel," although the name "Shikishima" is mentioned in the documentary "Akira Production Report".

Basic information

Colonel Shikishima is the head of the government project previously responsible for unleashing Akira's power.

Profile

Role in the story

The Colonel knows the truth behind Akira and is wary of Tetsuo, whose psychic ability nears Akira's. However, no-one else outside of the military, except the Espers, trust him because they think Akira is a myth and because of his forceful methods. In turn, the Colonel trusts no-one outside of the military.

Personality

The Colonel's primary motivation is to protect Neo-Tokyo, and the world, from further destruction by the strange powers wielded by individuals like Akira. He despises the corrupt and bureaucratic ways of the politicians among whom he walks. His persona is very similar in the manga, where he controls the other Espers and is intent on stopping Tetsuo from working with Akira to expand his powers outside this control.

The Colonel does not seek political power for himself, but is willing to seize it in order to carry out his mission. Like his enemies, the Resistance, he is very 'hands-on' and acts quickly and decisively on the Doctor's scientific theories/advice. In the movie version of the story, the Colonel seems to understand the situation perfectly, and the Doctor's input is often just a device for the viewer/reader to make the story explicable.

External links

* [http://www.bbakira.co.uk/characters/colonelch.htm BlueBlade AKIRA]