Starring: Hitosi Matumoto, Riki Takeuchi
Director: Hitosi Matumoto
Given that Hitosi Matumoto's favourite manga as a child was Tensai Bakabon, Japan's answer to The Simpsons, it's not surprising his movie debut, Dainipponjin, is a satire that lampoons virtually all aspects of modern life, from pop culture to television.
The comedy, shot as a documentary, tells the story of the middle-aged Daisato (Matumoto), who is born into a superhero family. His daily job is to get 'baked' - receiving electric shocks on his nipples at power plants to transform himself into an underwear-clad giant - and defend Japan against huge monsters.
Unlike his father and his grandfather, who are national heroes, Daisato is ridiculed by those who find his chunky appearance creepy rather than heroic. He has little money, few friends and is estranged from his daughter. In short, he's a lonely loser and slacker whose oversized ego is as difficult for him and society to manage as his 20-metre-tall body.
A delicious spin on the Japanese superhero genre, this intelligent, often subversive film is a rare treat. Although there are plenty of sight gags and silly jokes, Matumoto's deadpan humour also exposes the flaws in Japan's national psyche.