ZEBRAMAN (2004) and ZEBRAMAN 2 (2010)
Both 3 stars
88 Films. Available as separate Blu rays. Out Now
Made in 2004, the first outing for ZEBRAMAN, is set in the then future of 2010. Shin’ichi Ichikawa (Shô Aikawa) isn’t particularly successful or popular as a teacher. His home life isn’t up too much either – his son, who attends the same school he teaches at, is bullied because of it, his teen daughter despises him and dates older men, and his wife is having an affair.
At night he takes solace in dressing up as the titular hero – a character from an obscure 1970s Japanese tokusatsu TV series (think ‘Power Rangers’ and their ilk). Short lived, it was cancelled after 7 episodes (a bit like a lot of Netflix shows).
Then a new, wheelchair bound student, Shinpei Asano (Naoki Yasukôchi) transfers to the school and professes his love of the mostly forgotten production, which reinvigorates his sensei.
Meanwhile a series of crimes and murders are occurring in the area – out one night in his costume (which he made himself) our teacher turned superhero confronts one of the criminal types, who is wearing a bizarre crab headdress. As he fights, the pretend Zebraman, exhibits actual super powers and manages to defeat the miscreant.
Before long he is set to save the world from an alien invasion, as he takes on the mantle of his beloved costumed warrior.
An unusual outing for director Takashi Miike – better known for his ultra violent movies like ICHI THE KILLER (2001). This is a fun, often silly parody of the numerous superhero TV shows, which are prevalent in Japan, with things getting crazier as the plot unfolds. It is a bit drawn out and can’t quite sustain the momentum, especially as it intercuts the heroics with domestic goings on. The featured CGI is a bit crude and simplistic.
Our hero was back in the more ambitious sequel from 2010 – to give its full title ZEBRAMAN 2: ATTACK ON ZEBRA CITY. Shô Aikawa returns in the central role and this time out, he finds himself in the future (well 2025) and can’t remember that he was Zebraman.
Things have changed somewhat – Tokyo is now lorded over by a new evil governor, though the real power seems to be his Lady Gaga like pop star daughter Yui Aihara or Zebra Queen (Riisa Naka), the poster girl for the city which has now been renamed Zebra City. Now, twice a day at 5am and 5pm, there is Zebra Time for a five minute period, where crime is legal, but also the masked Zebra Police are sent out to shoot down all criminals. You may be sensing a zebra theme here! It’s that kind of crazy, almost nonsensical movie.
Gunned down by this armed force, our teacher-cum-superhero is rushed to a place outside the purview of the Purge-like edict, where a grown up Asano (Masahiro Inoue) looks after victims of the police brutality. He soon realises that his new patient is Zebraman himself. But will he get his memory back and be able to save the world once again?
More wildly over the top than the original, this throws everything it can at the screen – crazy visuals, stylishly designed and shot, even if the scattershot, bonkers script by Kankurô Kudô doesn’t always make complete sense! More violent than its predecessor, it also has much more costumed antics and slightly better fx on show.
Steve Kirkham
EXTRAS
ZEBRAMAN
Introduction By Tom Mes
“Making Of” Documentary
Deleted Scenes
Zebraman Premiere
Archive Interviews with Takashi Miike/Show Aikawa
1978 TV Series Trailer
Zebraman Theme Song
Theatrical Trailer/TV Spot/Stills Gallery
Booklet Essay By Mark Player
ZEBRAMAN 2
Audio Commentary By Joe Hickinbottom
Introduction By Tom Mes
“Making Of” Documentary
Interviews with Director Takashi Miike/Riki Abe/Show Aikawa/Masahiro Inoue/Riisa Naka
Original Theatrical Trailers And Tv Spots/Stills Gallery
Original And Newly Commissioned Artwork By Lucas Peverill
Booklet with notes by Jonathan Wroot
