Read Snow Crash. I know allot of it is far fetched, but I like more than reality has to offer. In reference to Akira, I think Religion also plays a huge role in Neo Tokyo. All of these people are waiting for Akira. Religious ceremonies have been banned.
Religion can become a huge issue in cyberpunk material, because it effects on people are enormous.
Think about it, Religion can control a huge chunk of society to think, eat, and have the same rules to obey, as in Snow Crash. I think a connection can be drawn from deterioration of the world, and a high rise in religious beliefs. Religion, however, gives hope and guidance the people desire and crave. They want to be saved. This reason makes them vulnerable to believe in anything.