I first encountered “Cobra” when I was very young, catching glimpses of it on French TV. It was an anime my brother enjoyed, but my memories of it were brief and fragmented. Later, I revisited it through the movie released on VHS by Manga Mania, a French company that made weekly anime VHS tapes available. Created by Buichi Terasawa, “Cobra” ran as a manga from 1978 to 1984. Set in a far-future world, the series follows Cobra, a man living an adventurous life until hunted by his enemies. To escape, he undergoes surgery to alter his face and erases his own memory, seeking a normal existence. However, fate pulls him back into his past as he regains his memories and reconnects with his former partner, Lady Armaroid.
The character of Cobra was notably inspired by Jean-Paul Belmondo and his “phlegmatic style,” giving the story a unique flair. Over the years, “Cobra” has left a significant mark on creators in anime, manga, and gaming, influencing works like City Hunter, Cowboy Bebop, Berserk, and Devil May Cry. But beyond its surface, the story offers a deeper layer of reflection.
What Happens When You “Wake Up”?
At its core, Cobra begins with an ordinary office worker named Johnson, trapped in a dull, repetitive life. His awakening comes through a visit to the Trip Movie Corporation, a company that allows customers to experience dreams as if they were reality. But this dream reveals something startling—it is, in fact, his real past. This plot twist begs the question: What if, like Cobra, we aren’t fully living our real lives?
Cobra wanted to escape his past, yet his subconscious wouldn’t let him rest. This struggle resonates with themes explored in The Matrix—once you know the truth, would you willingly return to ignorance? Do we, like Cobra, put voluntary blinders over our eyes, focusing on our personal lives while inadvertently harming others?
How Does Our Subconscious Shape Reality?
We now understand that the human brain undergoes critical development stages, particularly from ages 0 to 3, shaping our emotions and subconscious. Cobra’s altered identity and hidden subconscious mirror how early experiences influence the way we perceive reality.
Our society plays a powerful role in shaping individuals. The fears and doubts of one generation are often unconsciously passed on to the next. If we want a future built on love and equity, rather than fear and division, then reshaping society begins with taking responsibility—starting at the individual level.
Is It Possible to Change the World?
I used to believe change was impossible, especially on a global scale. And it’s true—change can feel unattainable if we try to do it alone. But the conditions we are born into, the education we receive, and even the genetic lottery of our birth shape the level of responsibility we hold in this world.
As Uncle Ben famously said, “With great power comes great responsibility.” Each of us has the power to make decisions, and with that power comes the intrinsic responsibility to act. We are all connected by our humanity, by our shared capacity to think, to feel, and to change.
What do you think about the themes of awakening and responsibility explored in “Cobra”? Do you believe we’re living fully, or are we avoiding the truths that matter most? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
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