Japanese Anime and American Superheroes

Superheroes as Positive Psychological Role Models

One of the universal appeals of animation and manga is their ability to blend reality and fantasy. While each story takes place in a fantastical realm populated by mythical creatures and superheroes with superpowers, there is always a metaphor for the human dimension. Superheroes might have superpowers, but they also have weaknesses that can be exploited by the enemy. Superpowers are, moreover, often depicted as hyperbolic human traits rather than as actual supernatural gifts. Both Superman and Goku exemplify positive psychological traits that can be developed by the ordinary person. They are family men, both, Goku with his progeny, and Clark Kent with his traditional family values. Yet Goku and Superman answer to a higher calling than mere house holding. They understand that their superpowers entrust them with responsibilities that are not available to the common person, and rather than ignore or shun those responsibilities for an easy life, they persist in pursuing justice and defeating bad guys. Both respond well to the trust and faith people put in them (Rosenberg).

As modeling psychological characteristics, superheroes like Wonder Woman and Sailor Moon also demonstrate unique ways of dealing with evil. As Tate points out, female superheroes like Wonder Woman frequently use martial arts because in a sense, "martial arts were developed as a way for the little person to defeat the bigger one," (151). Martial arts refer to power from within, developed after long years of training. Superman, Goku, Sailor Moon, and Wonder Woman all underwent training and are therefore humanized. The audience understands that people may be born with special gifts and talents, but those talents must be honed and perfected before one can become an effective role model, leader, or hero. Likewise, superheroes show how to balance nature vs. nurture. The superheroes are usually social outcasts of some type. They are different, even when they blend in. By suggesting to audiences that even people who are different or quirky can become powerful, the authors of these animations send a positive message to Japanese, American, and in fact, global audiences.

Male Role Models: Goku and Superman

Interestingly, both Goku and Superman are immigrants to planet Earth. This makes both Superman and Goku especially relevant in the global community in which people are mobile and shifting their geographic location regularly. Immigrants to countries like the United States and Canada will especially find that they can relate to superheroes who are like themselves. Superman and Goku also lead double lives, in a sense. They were born one person, with one name and identity, and then after sent to earth must assume another role, with a different name and identity. Many viewers can relate to the double consciousness that these superheroes exemplify. Superman is raised by his adoptive family, the Kents, in Kansas. Kansas is chosen because it exemplifies middle America, not the cosmopolitan America that New York or San Francisco represent. Thus, Clark Kent acts out the story of an immigrant from another planet who can "pass" as a white man in middle America. Rosenberg speculates as to how much of Superman's persona comes from nature vs. nurture. Superman's Kryptonian background offers him his special gifts and powers, but his humble salt-of-the-earth Kansas upbringing contributes humility, an appreciation of peace, and ethics. Goku is no different. In fact, the similarity of Goku to Superman is uncanny. Like Superman, Goku is an immigrant from another planet. His personality is a combination of his Saiyan warrior culture and his adoptive human one. Whereas he possesses the strength of a warrior, he also has the compassion of earthlings. As Ikeda and Foster put it, Goku is a "Saiyan Earthling" who "values peace and friendship more than the average earthling," (72). Thus, these two superheroes parallel one another and show that Japanese and American animation sends similar messages as to what constitutes the ideal male hero. The ideal male hero for both cultures is one who is strong yet humble; never willing to compromise ethical values but always willing to fight for justice.

Female Role Models: Wonder Woman and Sailor Moon