Zebraman

[Nothingness]

​

This time, it's the year 2010 in Yokohama, and something funny is going on. Animals are behaving oddly, and there are sightings of gigantic crab-like creatures throughout the city, but primary school teacher Ichikawa has too much on his mind to notice. His wife is stepping out on him, his daughter is a teenage prostitute, and his son is being bullied relentlessly at school. And on top of it all, Ichikawa is a lousy teacher and knows it. The only thing that gives him comfort is the fond memory of Zebraman, a superhero TV series broadcast in the 1970's and cancelled after seven episodes due to dismal ratings. One night, after Ichikawa has donned his homemade zebra suit, he hears something outside and goes to investigate. Out in the street he encounters a suspicious character, and a fight breaks out. As it turns out, his opponent is an alien, and soon the place is swarming with them, all occupying the bodies of their human hosts in a diabolical bid to take over the world. Will Ichikawa fail as usual, or has the time come for him to stand up and fight?

 

[BigBossIchi]

I really enjoyed this film when I saw it last September! Miike does a wonderful job incorporating several different aspects, elements like action, comedy and horror into this lite hearted tale. Miike brings to life elements of the Japanese television serials, molding it with dark comedy and giving us one of his most mature and complete piece of his career!