The term and concept esper has existed in the field of parapsychology, and in the mainstream of science fiction, for some time, since at least 1950. Properly used, the term refers to an individual born capable of using telepathy and similar paranormal mental abilities; it apparently derives from extra-sensory perception ("ESP") via the English occupational suffix, thus being literally "ESP-er" with different capitalization.
The Espers, , Kiyoko (ã‚ヨコ) and Takashi (ã‚¿ã‚«ã‚·), are paranormal human test subjects of the Japanese government in the movie and manga Akira.