Zebraman (2004)

A down-and-out school teacher receives the calling to become the real life personification of an old television superhero, Zebraman.

Director:

Takashi Miike

Writer:

Kankurô Kudô (screenplay)

Stars:

Shô Aikawa, Kyôka Suzuki, Atsuro Watabe

2 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Shô Aikawa	...	Shin'ichi Ichikawa / Zeburâman
Kyôka Suzuki	...	Kana Asano
Atsuro Watabe	...	Oikawa at the Defence Agency
Yui Ichikawa	...	Midori, Shin'ichi's daughter
Kôen Kondô	...	Segawa
Naoki Yasukôchi	...	Shinpei Asano
Makiko Watanabe
Keisuke Mishima
Yu Tokui
Yôji Tanaka
Arata Furuta	...	Owner of Candy Shop
Kumiko Asô	...	Newscaster
Akira Emoto	...	Kani-Otoko
Yoshihiko Hakamada
Ryô Iwamatsu	...	Kanda

Storyline

Being a failure as a teacher and a family man, Shinichi tries to escape everyday life by dressing up as "Zebraman", the superhero. Although the TV series was canceled after only 6 episodes, this cannot stop him from acting out his escape fantasy in a self made zebra-suit. He gets more then he could ever wish for when his black-and-white dressed alter-ego seems to be the only thing to stand between absolute (green) evil and a happy ending.

---

Plot Keywords:

non comic book superhero | character name as title | zebraman character | teacher | superhero | 

---

Genres:

Comedy | Sci-Fi

---

Details

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Release Date:

15 August 2007 (USA)

Also Known As:

Человек-зебра

Filming Locations:

Mitsukaido City, Ibaraki, Japan

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$224,832 (Japan), 13 February 2004, Limited Release

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bingo Y.K., DENTSU Music And Entertainment, Mainichi Broadcasting System (MBS)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

115 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

During the introductory section of the film, Shinichi Ichikawa/Zebraman, is watching a parody of Super Sentai/Power Rangers where the hero fights Sadako Yamamura from "The Ring". Ironically, this seems to predict the plot of the 2007 film, "Kamen Rider: The Next", which features a Sadako-like antagonist and a plot similar to "The Ring".

---

Goofs

At the end of the movie, the Colonel (the military officer in charge of the task force that is investigating the alien invasion through out the movie) refers to President Bush in his phone call when the movie takes place in 2010 (two years after Bush's last term in office).

---

Quotes

Shin'ichi Ichikawa: Striping evil!

---

Connections

Spoofs Ringu (1998)

User Reviews

Zebraman kicks!!!

I watched Zebraman at the IFFR in Rotterdam, and it was a coaster ride from beginning to end. I've seen a view movies by Miike Takashi, and they all had elements of gore and typical Japanese-over-the-top-violence. Not this one though!!! From the first second up it's totaly wicked. It has all the elements you've already seen in this sort of action-figure-based movies, but in the hands of Miike it turns into movie magic. In a nutshell: Goodbye Hollywood! Sadako rock's! America doesn't!

The story about a failed teacher/familyman, daydreaming about his alter-ego Zebraman who after construction of his ducktaped superhero outfit gets more then he could ever hoped for, will keep you on the edge for the entire length of the movie.

Those of you familiar with Miike's previous work do not need to dispare: It wouldn't be Miike if there wasn't any blood, body fluids or slurry involved, but I can't tell you anything without spoiling, so: GO SEE!