[Kamen Rider Lucha]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Locke

A solid argument, but then it only makes me question, 'why do it like that?'. Is there any reason the WHOLE show needs to deal with their origins? I think it'd suit the genre so much better, to have them start as an experience hero and then flashback to how they became what they are. *snip*

I think the magic of Kamen Rider (and Super Sentai) is that each year the producers really are willing to try very new things. So I think an approach like you describe is possible. I know I'd be interested.

But as with any medium/genre, especially one that involves such a quick turnaround time as Rider, the cliches and tropes can be very alluring. They provide quick and easy narrative tricks to get you out of sticky writing situations -- something invaluable when you're on a tight deadline. Even good writers sometimes fall victim to the siren song of easy solutions to complex problems.

On top of that, I think a lot of the repetition/cliche propagation comes from the same people being hired to write these shows year after year. When we get fresh talent like Gen Urobuchi and Kazuki Nakashima spearheading a show, we get much more unique and interesting results. They're able to eschew the cliches (or freshen them up when they do use them) because they bring new perspectives to the franchise. They haven't been buried in the Toku trenches for a decade or more.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Locke

The cultural differences are interesting, aren't they? This for me is the most problematic aspect. Because, one the one hand, it feels like Japanese culture is copping out but on another, America makes the battle of good and evil feel so hopeless, it's pointless to try.

Definitely interesting. Lots to unpack there. Someone could write an amazing thesis about Japan and America by comparing their approaches to heroism.