JAPANESE VS AMERICAN HERO ARCHETYPES

JAPANESE VS AMERICAN

HERO ARCHETYPES

Superheroes, according to the Japanese and Americans, have rather different archetypes. It is interesting to note since we have already learned about the American one, how it is in relation to the Japanese mainstream hero archetypes. This blog focuses upon the differences and creates a comparative analysis between the two. Just a reminder, no, this blog doesn’t focus on who would win a fight against Goku and Superman.

GROWTH AND DEDICATION

One of the biggest difference that is to point out is that Japanese superhero’s must train hard to unlock their hidden powers and potential, this doesnt matter if he is the chosen one but he/she has to work hard in order to gain their power. While the American super hero’s, its more about destiny as we learned. Some of the superheroes are born with the powers while the others just have to discover it. The biggest difference to this could be the cultural importance of martial arts in Japan as well as linking to the lives of the Japanese in terms of a strict working ethic. However one similarities is that either character is the strongest in desperate situation for example protecting someone they love.

MAGIC AGAINST SCIENCE

The superhero concepts of the Japanese are more to do with magic and the life force inside one for example the Chi, while the American is more science-related. For a Japanese superhero, he/she requires building up of this power with huge concentration to be able to control their Chi and turn it into power but this is something that is not so evident in the American superheroes.  

INTELLIGENCE AND INTUITION

As we learned from the Superhero lecture, American superheroes are usually very bright and scholars which usually categorize them as social outcasts. This is not so true in a Japanese hero, who are usually naive and innocent, but somehow are always able to do the right thing when it matters. It is interesting to note that due to intuition, a Japanese hero doesnt spend a lot of time worrying for a situation, while in the American one, the story is mostly based on this aspect of protecting either loved one or even just the citizens but the whole aspect of the story is made interesting due to the caring qualities of the hero.  

FRIENDSHIP

Unlike American heroes, the Japanese heroes are not always loners, who are not allowed to have personal relationships. For the ones they love are their strength, instead of the weakness unlike the American heroes. But either one of them reach to new strengths when the loved ones are threatened and hurt. An American superhero is usually surrounded by ordinary people while the Japanese one also have some kind of a power so they are not that isolated and responsible for everything.