Project Title
Japanese Tokusatsu and Their Profound and Impactful Messages
Faculty Mentor(s) Name(s)
Katie Simon
Abstract
There is a preconception when it comes to the Japanese television genre of Tokusatsu, that it is aimed directly at children for the explicit and sole purpose of selling toys, offering no value or merit, and that those who are older can find nothing outside of that purpose. Two of the most prevalent examples of this critique are the Kamen Rider and Super Sentai franchises. However, even from the franchises’ inceptions, there have been prevalent themes about life and humanity that encapsulate and engage with both younger and older viewers alike. Kamen Rider (1971), for example, has its titular hero fighting the evil organization, Shocker, which serves as a stand-in for the German Nazi Party. This project deconstructs that stigma by providing in-depth analysis of a variety of relatable themes to their corresponding seasons. By providing brief summaries of the actual shows themselves, and in demonstrating how themes such as desire, friendship and self-forgiveness tropes are represented, I argue there is more to these shows than just capitalist-driven product placement; there is heart and emotion and there are grand themes about life and humanity that are interlaced with the conflicts and characters that engage audiences. Key Words: Japanese Television, Tokusatsu, Kamen Rider, Desire, Film Noir, Friendship, Loneliness, Society
Japanese Tokusatsu and Their Profound and Impactful Messages
There is a preconception when it comes to the Japanese television genre of Tokusatsu, that it is aimed directly at children for the explicit and sole purpose of selling toys, offering no value or merit, and that those who are older can find nothing outside of that purpose. Two of the most prevalent examples of this critique are the Kamen Rider and Super Sentai franchises. However, even from the franchises’ inceptions, there have been prevalent themes about life and humanity that encapsulate and engage with both younger and older viewers alike. Kamen Rider (1971), for example, has its titular hero fighting the evil organization, Shocker, which serves as a stand-in for the German Nazi Party. This project deconstructs that stigma by providing in-depth analysis of a variety of relatable themes to their corresponding seasons. By providing brief summaries of the actual shows themselves, and in demonstrating how themes such as desire, friendship and self-forgiveness tropes are represented, I argue there is more to these shows than just capitalist-driven product placement; there is heart and emotion and there are grand themes about life and humanity that are interlaced with the conflicts and characters that engage audiences. Key Words: Japanese Television, Tokusatsu, Kamen Rider, Desire, Film Noir, Friendship, Loneliness, Society