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“Akira” meme: meaning, origin and common card

The "Akira" meme primarily refers to the iconic motorcycle drift scene from Katsuhiro Otomo's 1988 animated film.

MyMemeCards editorial teamPublished 8 min read
Akira meme
The “Akira” meme, 1982

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In MyMemeCards, the meme card game, “Akira” is a common card of the Memes World series 73, number 21801 of the collection, and the 187th best-known meme of its 300 cards. Here is what the meme means, where it comes from, and how to get its card.

What does the “Akira” meme mean?

The image expresses total control, audacity, or sometimes the absurdity of a situation where someone takes a sharp turn without slowing down. It also evokes the cultural heritage of cyberpunk and 1980s nostalgia. The associated screams add a dramatic or comedic dimension depending on the context, transforming a simple movement into an epic moment.

Where does the “Akira” meme come from?

The visual source comes from the Japanese animated feature film directed by Katsuhiro Ōtomo, released on July 16, 1988. The original manga began publication in *Young Magazine* on December 16, 1982, serialized until 1990. The character Kaneda performs this emblematic drift on his red motorcycle. This specific scene was heavily reused subsequently, notably via an animated parody uploaded by Harry Partridge on October 28, 2008, on YouTube. Platforms like DeviantArt, Tumblr, and YouTube amplified the spread of these clips and fan illustrations, cementing this gesture as a universal visual reference.

  1. 1982Start of the manga publication in Young Magazine.
  2. 1988Release of the animated film in Japan on July 16.
  3. 2008Upload of a key animated parody by Harry Partridge on October 28.

How to use the “Akira” meme

  • Use the image in a conversation to highlight a fast but assumed wrong turn.
  • Quote the scream 'Kanedaaaa!' to mark the triumphant or unexpected arrival of someone.
  • Reproduce the drifting posture in a humorous video to exaggerate a sports maneuver.

Also searched as

  • Akira Slide
  • Kaneda bike drift
  • Tetsuo power
  • Neo Tokyo cyberpunk
  • akira meme
  • akira slide meaning
  • akira film origin
  • kaneda bike meme
  • akira otomo release date
  • akira youtube parody

The “Akira” card in MyMemeCards

Akira card
NumberNo. 21801
RarityCommon
CollectionMemes World series 73
Fame63/100 · #187 of 300
Recycle value5 MemeCoins (15 in Shiny)
Rarities of the Memes World series 73: 300 cards
  • Common20167%
  • Rare9933%

How to get the “Akira” card

Every pack holds 5 meme cards, the first 3 of them Common; Akira comes out of the Memes World series 73 as a common card. The pack odds say what each rarity weighs.

Your first pack is free and needs no account. After that a new free pack lands every 10 minutes, up to 3 waiting for you. You can also buy the card with MemeCoins on the market, bid for it at auction, or trade it — and a double recycles into 5 MemeCoins.

Open your free pack

5 meme cards, one of them at least Rare. One free pack per person.

Free · no account needed

Odds per card, averaged over a pack: Common 72%, Rare 23.9%, Epic 3.2%, Legendary 0.56%, Mythic 0.3%, Full Art ≤ 0.1%, Shiny 0.2%. Cards 1 to 3 are always Common, cards 4 and 5 climb the rarities. Rates drop for cards that circulate a lot. Details

Memes like “Akira”

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Frequently asked questions

Akira meme meaning?

The meme refers to the legendary drift of Kaneda's motorcycle in the 1988 film. It symbolizes a stylish slide, excessive mastery, or a brutal and cinematic change of direction.

Who is akira otomo?

Katsuhiro Ōtomo is the creator of the manga and director of the eponymous animated film. His post-apocalyptic work has deeply influenced global visual culture and the cyberpunk genre.

Akira slide origin?

This move gets its name from the 1988 animated film. The scene shows the main character taking a high-speed turn without losing speed, becoming a recurring visual cliché.

How do I get the Akira meme card?

Open a pack of MyMemeCards: “Akira” is a common card of the Memes World series 73. Your first pack is free, with no account, and you can also buy, trade or win the card at auction.

How rare is the Akira card?

It is a Common card. Rarity decides which pack slot can deal it, and what it is worth on the market.

Sources: Akira: Katsuhiro Otomo's Cyberpunk Anime Meme Legacy · Akira – Anime Series | Story, Characters, Themes & Facts | EnjoyIP · Akira – Anime Series | Story, Characters, Themes & Facts | enjoyip · checked on October 15, 2026.

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