Zebraman (2004)

53% of critics liked it
(15 reviews)
69% of users liked it
(2,899 ratings)

A nebbish father and schoolteacher finds the courage to face both his personal issues and a horde of invading aliens after assuming the guise of an unpopular television superhero in maverick Japanese director Takashi Miike's warmhearted comedy. Nice guy Shinichi (Sho Aikawa) just can't seem to find… More A nebbish father and schoolteacher finds the courage to face both his personal issues and a horde of invading aliens after assuming the guise of an unpopular television superhero in maverick Japanese director Takashi Miike's warmhearted comedy. Nice guy Shinichi (Sho Aikawa) just can't seem to find the respect he so readily deserves -- he's cuckolded at home, his son is constantly harassed by bullies, and his teenage daughter is always willing to sell her body to the highest bidder. In order to escape from his depressive reality, Shinichi frequently slips into his private room and dons his patchwork Zebraman costume. As a child Shinichi loved Zebraman, and despite the fact that only six episodes of the series ever aired, the nobility of the character has stuck with Shinichi well into adulthood. One night, while Shinichi is prowling the streets in his Zebraman costume, he comes across the frightful Crabman -- a perverted villain with a crab head and a dangerous pair of scissors. Already in character, Shinichi acts on his Zebraman instincts and effectively employs the Zebraman back kick. Later, Shinichi strikes up a friendship with handicapped transfer student and fellow Zebraman fan Asano, and begins to develop feelings for the boy's pretty and kindhearted mother. Suspecting that an alien takeover may be at hand when a horde of squishy extraterrestrial invaders begin possessing the locals and claiming the lives of young girls, the fledgling superhero leaps into action. While at first Shinichi bumbles in his attempts to keep the town safe from these strange beings, it doesn't take long for him to develop the confidence that will allow him to truly take on the persona of his childhood hero and fully realize his Zebraman powers. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 51 min.
Directed By: Takashi Miike
Written By: Kankurô Kudô
Genres: Action & Adventure, Animation, Art House & International, Comedy

In Theaters: Aug 15, 2007 Wide
On DVD: Feb 19, 2008
Studio: Media Blasters Releasing

Critic Reviews

Sid Smith, Chicago Tribune
Its odd clash of shifting sensibilities is just as often wearisome as engaging.
Frank Scheck, Hollywood Reporter
...it also has an undeniable charm, and the kitschy, CGI-enhanced special effects add greatly to the amusement factor.
V.A. Musetto, New York Post
Frequent readers may have noticed my fondness for films by Japanese cult director Takashi Miike. So it pains me to report that his Zebraman is a disappointment.
Andrew O'Hehir, Salon.com
Utterly delightful...a loving spoof on the Ultraman tradition of 1960s and '70s low-budget Japanese TV superheroes.
Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times
A downtrodden schoolteacher, a disabled boy and a government agent suffering from an embarrassing itch are the unlikely heroes of Zebraman.
Aaron Hillis, Village Voice
Zebraman has come to save our summer from bloated Hollywood product that takes itself but not its audience seriously (here, it's the other way around).
Kam Williams, EURWeb
Though featuring cheapo special effects, phony-looking fight scenes and cornball dialogue, this throwback is readily recommended for anyone who might enjoy a campy cross of Mothra and The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.
Jon Popick, Planet Sick-Boy
This is something you could take your whole family to see.
Maitland McDonagh, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Will probably play best to fanboys who love Power Rangers and Ultraman.
Mark R. Leeper, rec.arts.movies.reviews
This is a dark and yet playful look at the superhero genre.
Kam Williams, NewsBlaze
Though featuring cheapo special effects, phony-looking fight scenes and cornball dialogue, this throwback is readily recommended for anyone who might enjoy a campy cross of Mothra and The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.
, Time Out
Miike directs with due care and attention and comes up with the odd striking image, but the material is so inert that nothing can stifle yawns.
Ed Gonzalez, Slant Magazine
Like the faux gays from Japan's defense agency, Miike refuses to get real, but his gonzo, punch-drunk surrealism has never felt so arbitrary.

Read all 13 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Greg S

When amorphous green aliens invade Yokohama, a wimpy schoolteacher dons the costume of an obscure TV superhero to fight them. A bit too much drama and character development for an action/comedy, but there are enough of director Miike's trademark weird sequences, without his… More
When amorphous green aliens invade Yokohama, a wimpy schoolteacher dons the costume of an obscure TV superhero to fight them. A bit too much drama and character development for an action/comedy, but there are enough of director Miike's trademark weird sequences, without his sometimes off-putting perversity, to make this (mostly) kid-friendly effort interesting.
Justin Y

Takashi Miike is a really hard director to place a genre on because he is all over the map with his films. Zebraman is one of those with no R-rated material, but it is just as out there as any other Miike movie. Well, not totally out there. It is fairly easy to… More
Takashi Miike is a really hard director to place a genre on because he is all over the map with his films. Zebraman is one of those with no R-rated material, but it is just as out there as any other Miike movie. Well, not totally out there. It is fairly easy to make sense out of this, although it is without question, different. Heck, look at the title. Zebraman.People tend to label this picture as a comedic superhero flick. This movie does have its share of laughs, but there is a serious tone behind it all. It is Miike's abstractness and out of the blue scenes that get the laughs, while at the same time bringing out a "what the h***?" look. I can't believe I'm saying this, but the lack of these types of scenes is a letdown. That leaves this 115 minute film a little bland and slow going.In a film with "Power Ranger" type costumes, there is a place for CG. At times the CG is quite brilliant and at others it doesn't look all that great, but at the end of the day it doesn't really matter. Miike's little green men have this cute but sinister look going for them. They actually look pretty darn cool in my book.Sho Aikawa dressing up as Zebraman is pretty hilarious to see. The attractive Kyoka Suzuki is a little weird in here, but so is everything else. She does look good as "Zebranurse." The rest of the supporting cast is OK.Zebraman is a hard movie to pass up for Miike fans. Take my advice and just watch it. "Turn on the black and white."
Tsubaki S

You can't say no to a movie with Sho Aikawa in a superheroe outfit fighting aliens, tokosatsu-style. Some pacing issues keep this from being better, neverless, good ol fun. Zebra-nurse was hot.
A.D. V

Miike turns to superheroes and for the most part succeeds. It's extremely slow at times but never becomes outright boring. The last 30 minutes really makes the film though.
Anthony V

Oh so funny. Who would have guessed the director of "Ichi The Killer" could turn around and do something so lighthearted and whimsical.
Christopher B

One of Miike's lesser outings is still quite watchable with a great performance by the always reliable Aikawa. And you gotta love his theme song.