Speaking of American heroes, I can hardly discuss it without existence of big two comic labels which are DC comics and Marvel comics. Superman and Batman are heroes representing DC comics and Captain America and Spider man are known as Marvel's super heroes. All of these heroes have several missions and fight alone. In addition, these heroes are all muscular.
Meanwhile, speaking of Japanese heroes, many Japanese people may think that Ultra man are the most popular heroes. However, Power rangers are much popular in the U.S. According to Wikipedia, Power rangers series debuted on April, 1975 in Japan(Goranger) and exported to the U.S on August, 1993. As of 2011 the show consists of 19 television seasons of 16 different series and two theatrical films. They feature teams of costumed heroes and they are not muscular.
Interesting things are that the main fighting scenes with wearing costume are carried over from the original film that was filmed in Japan, but the other scenes are retaken by American actors. Of course it's composed of various races as well as a white. Also they use the huge robot to beat enemy monsters.
I feel that there are big differences in definition of the hero between the U.S and Japan. Why do American heroes fight alone and why do Japanese heroes fight with fellows? I know there are exceptions such as X-men in the U.S and the Masked Rider(Kamen Rider) in Japan, but generally speaking, I think there is no room for doubt.
Why is there such differences between two countries?
Superman debuted on the first issue of comics magazine DC Action Comic in 1938. The setting was that he came over from a planet, but he didn't have a place to return, because his planet became extinct. The setting caught the heart of the common people in the emigrant society. Batman confronted a crime because his parents were murdered when he was young. Then he decided to fight against evil for the revenge whereas Superman fought against freedom for justice. Then a lot of super heroes who fought against evil in comics came up. The super heroes were dependable men for the people who were suffering from hard life for the Great Depression era at that time.
Captain America also fought with Japanese troops with the hope of American people's expectation in World war 2.
These two heroes were strong and isolated existence. It looks like an epitome of American society. People have to try everything with their own risk.
If you succeed, you can be hero. it's the best always win world.
Meanwhile, Japanese team style heroes seem to be a diversification risk style for good or ill. it's a way of thinking that everybody tries to cooperate together and succeed. Also, they aren't muscular, so they need to use the strategy of " flexibility is stronger than stiffness". It seems like an epitome of Japanese society. In addition, they finally use their huge super robot and beat monsters. it's also a Japanese-style idea of winning by technology for a strong enemy.
Actually, Japanese version of Spider man use the huge robot called Leopardon
Further more, the latest Japanese hero "Tiger and Bunny" fight with fellows and they contract with an agent and receives many sponsor's help. So, they put their logo on their power suits. New Japanese heroes are company employees and cooperation with other employees to carry out their missions.
Yes, cooperation is the virtue in Japan.
With these in mind, I think these differences came from their cultural and historical back ground. I personally think that American heroes are strong and courageous compared to Japanese heroes without doubt. However, I prefer the Japanese team style heroes to the U.S one, because we can see a lot of different characters and we can learn that everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. In addition, it's fun to see the fighting scene that is based on the flexibility is stronger than stiffness.
I can't say which heroes are good. I hope these heroes should keep to improve their works based on their cultural and historical back ground in the future.
I want to see the collaboration movie that the U.S and Japanese heroes fight together. It's fantastic!!
Written in Nov 22 2011 and revised Nov 23 2011
Reference web pages
Tiger & Bunny
Spider man Japanese version
1 comment:
I have never thought about this topic.
It is interesting point of view.
I always wonder how you pick up these topics!!
You are impeccable.
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