Yes, there is a Japanese intro for Filmation’s The New Adventures Of Superman. I should probably add that to the Many, MANY Intros Of Superman series since I forgot to when I discussed the original American intro. I find it interesting given the previous animated Superman theatrical shorts had Superman breaking up Japanese shipyards during World War II. Times change. There’s also one for Batman, now that I think about it. Not sure about Filmation’s other DC shows.
The point is, Japan knows who Superman is. Few civilized parts of the world doesn’t know the Man Of Steel. When you think of superheroes, odds are Superman is who you think of. He made the transition from costumed “mystery men” and pulp heroes into what we know as superpowered heroes today. Sadly, even some villains in other media use Superman as a basis because those people only see the “Super” and not the “man”. It’s a strong failure to understand that it’s what Kal-El of Krypton does with powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men that makes him so beloved, including my favorite superhero. Even in his own “family” there are now a bunch of people with the same powers, and even more scattered throughout the DC universe, some with powers he lacks. How many of them will take time out to rescue a cat from a tree?
Japan has created many of their own superheroes. The Ultramen, the Kamen Riders, the Super-Sentai. As far as resembling Western superheroes only three come to mind. The members of Science Ninja Team Gatchaman may be agents but their outfits were inspired by Western heroes. Tiger & Bunny, which I need to finish watching, and My Hero Academia, which I need to start watching though I’ve watched three issues of the comic Viz was showing for free on their site, are the only ones that come to mind. Even then the former lacks secret identities in favor of the corporate TV heroes, while the latter is a training academy with no secret identities that I can surmise. Dragon Ball isn’t on that list because it’s a science fantasy martial arts franchise. Goku may be as strong as Superman, or almost if you believe Death Battle‘s two scenarios, but he isn’t Superman.
What makes Superman…Superman? YouTube channel Lukewarm Takes posted a video you may have seen Nate Winchester post in my comments recently, but YouTube had already recommended it to me some time before, and now I’ve had a chance to watch it. In the video, the host makes the claim that All-Might, the hero from My Hero Academia who serves as the main protagonist’s idol and mentor, is the anime Superman. Is he right? Let’s hear his case.
We’re not talking about a one-to-one equivalent here. It’s not about who would win in a fight because I’d rather see heroes team up to fight villains, not fight each other. Is All-Might as powerful as Superman? Not the point. The point is what he does with those powers, and that’s to make the world better.
There may be other examples but I can only think of two Western heroes that come close to Superman’s ideals and powerset. The Samaritan in Kurt Busiek’s Astro City may not be a Superman analog, as Busiek himself has stated, but he does serve a similar role in that universe. He spends so much time saving the world that he has little time for himself. Silver Sentry in the 2003 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon is the real black Superman, and an inspiration to other superheroes in that universe, including “Turtle Titan” Michaelangelo. They could use their powers the way Omni-Man or Homelander does, but they don’t. They seem to honestly believe in what they fight for and inspire others not by force or even attempting, though they understand they’re role models by nature of what they do and how they do it. They just do what seems right with the powers they have.
Like the host said, if all you see is Superman’s power, you missed the point. Goku isn’t really trying to save the world, or at least that’s not his goal. Dragon Ball Super has him putting the whole universe at risk so he can take part in a multidimensional martial arts tournament. He just wants a really good fight, but will stand up for his friends. It’s not as extreme as Team Four Star’s “abridged” parodies make it out to be, but he does usually put fighting and getting stronger over the needs of others. Ask poor Chi-Chi. Gohan is closer, but as someone who actually liked his short-lived superhero story and wanted to see more because I’m me, he never really got the chance to be that inspirational hero. He taught Videl how to fly and that’s it.
Superman isn’t just about the powers, and I don’t know any other way to state that. And yet, people keep acting like that’s all he is because they do a surface level examination of superheroes. That’s why they think Batman is nuts, that Peter Parker is defined by his “Parker Luck”, or Captain Kirk is some bed hopper. (Seriously, count up how many actual dalliances he’s had in the shows and movies. It’s not even close to James Bond.)
“Super mannequin”. I may swipe that. Stop looking at the surface and see the characters for who they really are. When you’re done doing that with fictional people, try it again on the real thing.
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