How to Create a Japanese Superhero

Ken the Eagle from Science Ninja Team Gatchaman

Creating a Japanese superhero for your manga, TV show or video game can be a fun, challenging process. While the process is similar to creating an American superhero, there are a few differences in the nations' heroic conventions.

Instructions

1. Start thinking about the kind of character your hero should be, in both his superhero and civilian lives. Is he compassionate or egotistical? Does he look for trouble or wait for some kind of call to action? Do any of his friends know that he fights evil, or are they all members of an elite team together? Is your hero a high school student, or a private detective? Does he have a mentor he looks up to, or a leader he takes orders from?

2. Come up with a name. Like American heroes, Japanese characters have stylish code names that reflect their personalities and abilities. Think about the names of popular characters, such as the immensely powerful Ultraman, or the quick and agile Hurricane Polymar, and think about the kind of superhero you are trying to convey.

3. Create a costume. Japanese heroes generally wear a one-piece, form-fitting set of tights or armor with a few linear or geometric designs on them. Their outfits aren't as lavish as Spider-Man's or Captain America's, which are a bit more liberal with their designs and insignias. Japanese heroes also generally wear helmets instead of masks. Some helmets exaggerate the hero's normal features, some reflect their overall theme, and others are standard helmets that have been modified a bit.

4. Decide what kind of abilities your hero should have. Most Japanese heroes are highly skilled martial artists, not brawlers like many North American superheroes, and they often have their strength, speed and endurance greatly enhanced by some scientific or supernatural means. Henshin heroes will usually be unable to use these abilities until they've transformed into their super-identity, with the aid of a magic jewel or other accessory.

5. Decide what kind of weapons your hero should have. Many Japanese heroes don't have heat vision, nor can they shoot energy hands, so they often have to rely on high-tech gadgets and enhanced weaponry. Swords, lances and staffs are common melee weapons, and shuriken, boomerangs and guns are popular long-range weapons. The hero's costume can even act as a weapon, as the helmet could house a force beam and the outfit could house a teleportation device. The costume could also allow the hero to transform into or even call on a more powerful being, such as a dynamic vehicle, an otherworldly creature or a robotic ally.

6. Flesh out the universe your character lives in. Most Japanese superheroes live in an advanced age where cybernetic beings or aliens either live alongside humanity or are at war with them. Either scenario can make for some pretty interesting drama. Start laying out your hero's backstory and answer questions about how she obtained her powers and who she was before that. Consider how her peers and other civilians view her, and how the hero views the world around herself.

7. Create villains to combat your hero. Since your hero is larger than life, he needs larger-than-life enemies. Rivals usually consist of petty foot soldiers who are easily dispatched, a darker mirror version of the hero who presents more of a physical and emotional threat, and the final mastermind. Villains are central to your hero's character development, since the way a superhero fights says a lot about his personality.

Tips & Warnings

• "Henshin" is the Japanese word for "transformation" and is the term given to the superhero genre in which normal people literally transform into superbeings. The vast majority of Japanese heroes, like the Kamen Riders and the Super Sentai teams, fall into this category. Intense action is a staple of the Japanese superhero genre, so prepare for your hero to take part in some pretty epic fight scenes with high collateral damage and possibly a high body count. Whether in a video game, movie or manga, common themes found in the Japanese superhero genre are chivalry and companionship, as well as belief in oneself and one's team. Your hero doesn't have to be human, but it helps to give her human characteristics. Some of the most popular superheroes are cyborg or alien-based characters who bridge the gap between humanity and the otherworldly. Many superhero conventions can be applied to other hero types, such as ninjas, samurai, vigilantes or antiheroes.

Resources

• Japanese Superhumans at Internationalhero.co.uk
• Henshin Justice Unlimited