Picked up a print of this iconic Syd Mead artwork in Tokyo, inspired by Otomo’s AKIRA bike, which was inspired by Syd’s lightcycle from TRON 💊
In 1982, Syd Mead designed the Light Cycle for TRON—a sleek, gravity-defying vision that redefined what a motorcycle could be. Among those who took note was Katsuhiro Otomo, who has long cited Syd’s design as the direct inspiration for Akira’s iconic red bike (1985).
Nearly two decades later, Syd responded—with Monster Bike (2004), a futuristic beast painted for Honda. A personal nod to Akira, it marked a full-circle moment in a creative dialogue between two visionaries.
And then in 2019, at @progressionstyo - an exhibition of Syd’s artwork in Tokyo - Otomo visited the show and left a sketch on the guest sign-in board: a man rocketing forward on a motorcycle with the text バイクパクりました… This loosely translates to “I ripped off your bike!” 😂
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