Is Akira were it all started?

Akira helped anime out a lot, but there have been other anime around before Akira came to america, such as Speed Racer.

I think (unless I'm mistaken) that Akira was the first feature-length serious anime film, and did pave the way for anime as an art form. It brought Manga to a wider audience, being more easily accessible than the serialised magazines, and the artistry, direction and style of the film were (and still are) absolutely breathtaking. I think that Akira was the film which paved the way for and influenced other Manga artists to embark on serious animated film-making. It's impossible to speculate on how Anime would have started or progressed had Akira not been made, but as it is, I think that it was the film which inspired and gave the foundations to the other artists, some of whom were involved in making the Matrix. Great post by the way!

it is a very innovative film, and some of the ideas and concepts are maybe similar, but i'm sure the matrix would still have been made without it. Akira is a stunning film, however i'm still not entirely sure what the hell it's all about, maybe i need to read the comics.

No way, bro. Akira may be the inpiration for many action based anime, but it all started with (oh now I forget the title) (you know, that rocket boy? With the two spikes on his head and no shirt, very chibi).