Akima Kunimoto is the deuteragonist of Titan A.E. She is voiced by former child actress Drew Barrymore.
Background
Very little information is given in the movie about Akima's past; she grew up on a drifter colony after Earth was destroyed. A book, Titan A.E.: Akima's Story, that was released with film gives more information about Akima's past.
As mentioned before, Akima grew up on a drifter colony after Earth was destroyed by the Drej. Unfortunately, she lost her brother and both her parents in the disaster and was raised by her grandmother on the colony. She learned to appreciate humans and their various cultures as each colony was filled with people of various national backgrounds. Her grandmother died when Akima was fifteen and as a tribute to her, she cut her hair short (as we see in the movie). Akima went to live with a family friend, Muhammed, and his son, Ishaq, on another colony. A year later, the colony was attacked by the Drej and Muhammed died from his wounds because they wern't able to get him to a medical facility. She dyed her bangs purple out of respect for her friend, whose favorite color was purple.
Because of the attacks, Akima was determined to become a skilled pilot, which she did. After meeting the alien Stith and learning about the Titan Project, which could create a new homeworld for humans, Akima became committed to finding the Titan before the Drej could destroy it.
Role in Film
Akima plays the role of the love interest of Cale. We first meet her in the beginning of the film, docking the Valkyrie. Cale happens to see her and pretends to be "washing" the ship's windows when Akima notices him staring at her. They meet again when Akima is nursing Cale's arm and leg wounds from the Drej, establishing a tense sort of relationship when he insults her people, the drifters. Although Cale is against joining Captain Korso in his quest to find the Titan at first- who would want to help the "drifter colony bums" - he eventually agrees to help. Using the map embedded in the ring Cale's father gave to him before Earth was destroyed, the group heads to the broken moon of Sesharrim, where they find the Gaoul, a race of bat-like creatures. The Gaoul are able to show Cale how to direct the map, learning that the Titan seems to be in a distant nebula. Unfortunately, the Drej attack and are able to take Cale and Akima hostage. Stuck together, Akima discusses her past with Cale and they seem to become closer friends. After forcing Cale to reveal the map, the Drej imprison him while Akima is jettisoned off into space and picked up by a slaver colony. The two call out each other's name when they are separated, indicating a mutual concern for the other's well being.
While Cale figures out a way to escape the Drej mothership, Akima is able to save herself by clubbing the slavers that had taken an interest in her, showing her capability and strength. Korso and the others find her and together they set off to find the Titan. Cale and Akima hug enthusiastically when they are reunited on the ship, drawing apart awkwardly once they make eye contact (a sign that their relationship has started to become romantic). After Cale is able to steal a Drej ship and dock on the Valkyrie, they stop at one of the of the drifter colonies to pick up supplies. Cale and Akima happen upon Korso speaking with the Drej and they realize he and Preed were hired specifically to find and destroy the Titan. Although Cale and Akima are able to escape, Akima is shot, forcing Cale to carry her to safety.
After Akima is treated on the drifter colony, she and Cale refit an old ship and set out to find the Titan before Korso does.
Throughout the film, Akima is shown to be a strong female character. She is an excellent pilot, passionate about preserving and restoring her human heritage, logical, capable, strong, and courageous. She shows compassion and wit throughout the film as well.
Trivia
- Character animation supervised by Len Simon.
- She and Cale are the only characters to be shown partly naked. Unlike Cale, she does not seem self-conscious about being seen naked or uncomfortable with seeing him unclothed.
- She collects "vintage" human paraphernalia, including a baseball.
- She is shown to have nursing, hand-to-hand combat and weapon capabilities as well as pilot skills.
- She is of Asian descent, and her last name indicates that she is most likely Japanese.
- She used to have a brother.
- She sustained a shoulder wound from Preed shooting a gun at her and Cale.