Heroines and Anti-heros in Akira vs Princess Mononoke

In both Akira and Princess Mononoke we follow the interweaving stories of multiple characters whose interests and goals directly conflict with each other. However in Mononoke, the motives behind the characters actions are ultimately good. Princess Mononoke wishes to protect the forest and her animals, Lady Eboshi wishes to create a better life for her people, and Takashi wants to find peace for all. Though all sides act in morally gray areas at times, they ultimately redeem themselves with their morals. In Akira however, there is a purposeful lack of morals. Akira's characters are occupied with power struggles and their own ego. Tetsuo is an anti-hero defined by his underdog attitude and abuse of his newfound abilities. Unlike in Princess Mononoke, he does not use his powers to help others, but instead destroy. The cast of characters in Princess Mononoke includes multiple female leads who are complexly layered and exude power. In Akira, it is a band of adolescent boys and adult men who are the main focus, and women fill smaller roles that are often belittling such as the gang's girlfriends. Though Akira and Princess Mononoke share many similarities such as style and structure, they do differ greatly in who inhabits the role of hero and how that hero chooses to act.