Hideo Kojima Explains How Spider-Man Is Similar To Japanese Superheroes

Out of all American superheroes, there is one that many in Japan seem to like best: Spider-Man. But why? In a recent interview, Hideo Kojima explains how Spider-Man is like Japanese heroes, which might explain the character’s appeal to local audiences.

[CobraKai]

Too bad they didn’t include “The Emissary of Death” costume, but at least there was that little Easter egg line about needing Peter wanting a giant transforming robot.

[Sono421]

I don't think Spider-man is similar to Japanese superheroes at all. Most Japanese superheroes have completely unique worlds and their own set of rules around those worlds, where most American superheroes are based around our world with the main differences between our world being the hero themselves, with the exceptions of adding distant planets. I just find the structures and storytelling in Japanese heroes to be much more imaginative, which to me makes them more enjoyable. I like to be presented with a new world made to seem realistic with it's own set of rules, rather than introducing outlandish things in our current world and trying to make them fit, I've already said it, but it gives for a better structure, as long as you follow the rules you've already set for your world and don't change them on the fly to fit the current narrative.

EDIT------ Not to mention most Japanese superheroes have some sort of endgame, a main goal they look to accomplish, a set ending to their story, where as a lot of US heroes just want to save people, or take out a bad guy.

[FalconofLucis98]

Nah Batman still dunks on him though. I thought the Japanese had culture.

[HeisenbergX]

Batman .. probably the most overrated character ever.

[CorndogBurglar]

Batman isn't overrated. Just over used.

[ShadowWolf712]

@Corndog

No, he's both. I love him but my God he has the most insufferable fanboys ever, and they make up a MASSIVE chunk of his fanbase.

[FalconofLucis98]

Batman overused? ... and Spider Man isnt? 😂 good one

[rainslacker]

They're different types of superheroes.
I dont think batman is overused, so much as the angsty emo version of his character has been made too much of a focus. I like batman a lot, but I dont need every story about him to be about how hes conflicted about something, and the allegory of the human psyche that goes along with it.

Not that it needs to be as silly as the 60s version, or the burton films...just not always something that is depressing.

Spiderman is usually a bit more upbeat, even when hes conflicted. Although they havent dobe very well on those stories about such things well in the movies.

[gangsta_red]

Batman is definitely overused. Out of every DC hero he's the one that gets the most time spent on in every regards with media.

[InMyOpinion]

I would kill for a sequel to Dredd, or how about a series. So tired of all the Marvel franchise movies starring the same boring characters. Wish there were more movies like Watchmen with anti-heroes and a darker theme.

[ShadowWolf712]

Spider-Man outsells Batman worldwide, homie. And frankly?

Peter > Bruce.

[FalconofLucis98]

Spider-Man is aimed more at kids Batman is far more mature. Marvel has a problem with villains. Batman villains have a lot more depth and are just far better and well-written.

Sales dont mean shit, thats just all the MCU kids buying all the toys. Most of the MCU movies are mediocre as hell Homecoming included. Why dont you compare the IMDb scores of The Dark Knight trilogy to your beloved "Peter > Bruce" films

[Tross]

I like them both, personally. They're both about the weight of responsibility that comes with being a superhero and the thanklessness that comes with no one knowing they're the ones who wear that costume. They both tackle it a different way, as Bruce is rich but doesn't have any actual super-powers, while Peter has super-powers but has to deal with everyday mundane things, and both characters at times have difficulty navigating everyday life. I guess it depends on who appeals to you more, but they both appeal to me in their own way. Sales don't mean anything to me.

@FalconofLucis98 I agree that there's more to Batman villains, given that they're not just the result of something sciency happening to them or some alien being fusing with them. I don't care about IMDb scores either though. I personally enjoyed all the MCU films, and while I used to like the Dark Knight Trilogy, I found out just how poor a representation of Batman it is once I started playing the Arkham games, and since then those films have been dead to me. I never had a particularly strong interest in Batman until the Arkham games showed me there's a lot more depth to it than I had realized, and which I didn't see in those films.

[ShadowWolf712]

Lmao it's pretty clear you haven't read much Spider-Man.

And that you're not equipped to have a conversation about this.

Point is, Batman does not "dunk" on Spider-Man in the eyes of the world, my guy. There might just be a reason for that.

And FYI, there's really not "a lot more" to Batman villains. lol people stereotype so hard they miss Spider-Man actually has some of the best villains out there.

[rainslacker]

I think they both have really good, or really stupid throw away villains. The writing depends on who's writing the story. Usually the good ones are the ones that are somehow a dark side of the hero.

[Hungryalpaca]

@Falcon

Um. Batman has FAR more child friendly media than he does mature. If you wanna go and pull the whole “dark knight trilogy” I’ll go ahead and say “justice league and BVS”. See. I can cherry pick too.

Besides. The dark knight trilogy wasn’t good because of Batman. It was Nolan’s writing and direction. Heath Ledger carries TDK. Not Christian Bale.

If you want to do scores Batman has PLENTY of garbage movies. You’re just being a sore ass fanboy and cherry picking one of the very few good iterations.

[dboyman]

Overused AND Overrated you mean.. and this is coming from a former Batman fan...

[FalconofLucis98]

@tross The TDK films are the best on screen representation of Batman yet, they got his character and philosophy right. Just cause the games feel more comic booky doesnt undermine what the films set up. Detective mode, where do you think that came from? TDK. So go educate yourself.

[Tross]

I've seen the films and actually used to really like them. They just don't hold a candle to the games IMHO. I can list all the reasons why, but I'm not going to.

I apologize if I don't spend enough time "educating" myself on where certain things originated, but I have other interests besides learning the ins and outs of superheroes (or vigilantes I guess in Batman's case). I feel like in another life I would be a big superhero/comic book fan, but that isn't the path I've chosen. I suppose it's fair to say that every bit of media has had an impact on these franchises, so credit where it is due. I just can't go back now that I've seen that there's a whole world to Batman I didn't know about all those years ago.

[Hungryalpaca]

spiderman is relatable, funny and charming with major faults, constant loss and growth.

Batman is an instant win button that broods and whines and wears his underwear on the outside.

[Dirtnapstor]

Okay, very cool. But I don’t think Japanese superheroes have the constant desire to virtue signal like ours did.

[FunAndGun]

"Marvel’s stories will always be about the world outside our window.” - Stan Lee

Moral issues and doing 'good' are literally the reason comic books exist.

It's just that today we have a subset of people like you who can't handle it, so you dismiss every act you don't agree with. You call it virtue signaling, they just call them stories.

I'm not sure if Japanese audiences are as fickle as some Americans like you anyway.

[Dirtnapstor]

Hmmm, perhaps I should have been more specific...of late, the actors and/or script writers (Disney?) that have been fickle with their adulteration of characters nonsense.

[Silly gameAr]

@FunandGun

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought that was a weird comment to make. Heroes acting like heroes=virtue signalling? Does not compute.

[ShadowWolf712]

Mmk

[FunAndGun]

So you basing your comment on one actress and her comments.... yes, that is quite a knee-jerk reaction when you mention "constant desire" and "superheroes." Give it a rest, you just upset that some actress said something that you find offensive and now you're 'outraged'.....again, some Americans like you are fickle. I swear, guys like you are worse than the ones you flame against and blow everything out of proportion. You just wrote off all of comic book history because of the comments or direction of a MOVIE. Really?

[Dirtnapstor]

No. Not outraged, just extremely aware of the sjw nonsense that is now beginning to plague Disney and all its assets. Have you actually seen/heard the "ones [ I ] flame against"? Take an honest, objective listen. It has gotten ridiculous.
Oh, and I'm not writing off comic book history because of one movie's direction....

[Tross]

I see. I've never really followed the super-sentai genre, but yeah I can see why a culture who likes stories about average people becoming heroes and the impact that has on their lives would like Spiderman. It's kind of odd to think of him standing next to some very strange heroes, like the one who wears girls' panties as his face mask and knocks enemies out using his jock strap (and apparently that has a live action movie).

There's some very strange stuff in that manga I brought back from Japan a few years ago. One day I'll be able to actually read it, but until then it's just a fun conversation starter. Don't get me started on what's in the children's manga.

[dboyman]

Let's not forget there was a Marvel authorized Japanese Live action tv show of Spiderman. He had a flying car and was the first live action show which super Sentai would adopt with the transforming giant mech/robot...