real-life shotaro kaneda’s akira bike by bel&bel glows in the dark with neon-light tires

Shotaro Kaneda’s akira bike comes to life

Shotaro Kaneda’s bike in the anime film Akira revs to life when the Barcelona-based creative studio Bel&Bel remakes it as a real and functional motorcycle with neon-light tires and a split-open body. The vibrant shade of red that marks the signature color of Shotaro Kaneda’s ride appears in Bel&Bel’s faithful reproduction, alongside a number of stickers plastered on the anime’s counterpart, including Canon Inc., Citizen Watch Co., Shoei Co., and Arai, as well as the United States Air Force. Before Bel&Bel’s rendition, concept artist Ryan Hong also tried his hand at coming up with his own Shotaro Kaneda’s bike in fire-blazing red.

bel&bel to produce the motorcycle

For Akira and Shotaro Kaneda’s fans, the good news is that Bel&Bel is opening its by-commission production of the cyberpunk bike, offering limited enthusiasts a chance to get their hands on the real Akira bike. So far, Bel&Bel says that its rendition of the cyberpunk motorbike has a reverse function and a twin-motor and two-wheel-drive unit. 

Electronically controlled anti-lock brakes are also in place, and its motor can give the bike up to 200 horsepower, a modern feature that might not have been present yet in the 1980s. Since Bel&Bel works on commission, the owner may be able to customize the parts of Akira’s bike, including the installation of some equipment coming from high-end motorcycle manufacturers.

Sounds like MiG-21 fighter jet and 1927 Harley-Davidson

Bel&Bel gifts the real model of Shotaro Kaneda’s Akira bike engine sounds that combine the recordings of a MiG-21 fighter jet and a 1927 Harley-Davidson motorcycle, amplifying its cyberpunk and on-road aesthetics. Visually, the crankshaft and gearbox are visible – the latter on the left side of the engine – as well as the noticeable green static electricity that flutters around the front tire as the rider cruises.

Bel&Bel hints at their Shotaro Kaneda’s Akira bike being hybrid by also anchoring an electric engine, allowing for extended customization if the rider wants their anime-inspired motorcycle to have a dual-mode setup. As of publishing the story, the limited-edition, by-commission Shotaro Kaneda’s Akira bike by Bel&Bel can go up and running at 24,000 EUR as its starting price.

project info:

name: Shotaro Kaneda’s Akira bike

studio: Bel&Bel