Have We Entered... The Era of the Weenie?

[Keith Justice]

While it's not something I like personally, I don't want to outright say it's a bad thing. But I am seeing a string of timid..... weenies lately. And that a "weakling" can have the guts to stand up and fight is cool, it's not my thing.

But I do seem to notice these guys more and more. I was REALLY about to get into Keita Sousakan when we had 7's initial owner on the scene. I was going to enjoy following the adventures of a charismatic badass that seemed similar to Spike Spiegel. Until he went down to be replaced by the likable weenie, Keita.

I like that my old pal, Ren AKiyama is in the show, but him and Otoya and that wolfen character all play second fiddle to the show's lead weenie.

Yuuto the "man child" came off to me as a bit of a weenie.

I was wondering if this is the start of a new era. Go from Kuuga to Kabuto with strong heroes and start from Den-O on to heroes that have to work insanely hard to rise above what they accept and find strength they didn't know they had.

Anyway... I miss charismatic heroes that I could cheer for. Not weenies I hope pull through. If it wasn't for Otoya n' Pals, I don't know how interested I would be in Kiva.

 

[Ryuuta]

I miss charismatic heroes that I could cheer for. Not weenies I hope pull through.

But they will. I mean, unless the series gets canceled or the end of the world approaches before we get to know the end of their shows, all those "weenies" will do something remarkably heroic in the end. If that didn't happen, their character development would go to waste.

And what is wrong with people growing into heroes, anyway?

 

[Aoi Kurenai]

Anyway... I miss charismatic heroes that I could cheer for. Not weenies I hope pull through. If it wasn't for Otoya n' Pals, I don't know how interested I would be in Kiva.

Kengo's story? The drama between Mio and Wataru? Wataru's past? Kiva's got a lot to offer and Wataru's timid character doesn't seem to be as big of a story point as it was for Ryoutarou.

Yuuto the "man child" came off to me as a bit of a weenie.

If you can stomach one more set of episodes, watch episode 31 and 32 or 41 and 42. They do a lot for Yuuto's character. (I'd recommend 31-32)

 

[Faded.Memories]

I really don't think you're being fair, Keith, and I'm going just on Ryoutarou seeing as I actually watched all of Den-O, and I've only seen a few episodes of Kiva (not because I don't like it, but I just don't have much time to catch up right now).

Ryou is not a weenie. When I hear weenie, I think:'scared', 'weak', 'timid', 'cowardly'.

Ryou had more courage I think thank even Tendou (as much as I love Tendou).

Tendou was BORN to be a hero. Ryou was...well...forced into it more or less. He was doing it for morality and the greater good, despite how he felt most of the time (desperate, flawed, strained.)

Tendou KNEW he would prevail, knew that he would come out on top. He had confidence, strength, ability, which though he kicks all kinds of ass, made him a little predictable as a main character.

With Ryou, he is so unsure of himself, but he knows that he HAS to do this, that people's lives depend on him, despite his lack of training.

I like that Ryou had to grow into this responsibility, that he didn't just come out of nowhere with flying colours and MegaAwesome.

It was a nice change from Tendou, and I think it sent a positive message to children: You don't have to be physically strong, or even necessarily that smart to be able to do some good in this world.

 

[Takuya]

Honestly though, Keith. There's been two shows. It'd be jumping the gun a bit to call it the start of an era.

 

[CaptainB_Money]

When will the Den-O hate end? this is like your 10th topic in the last 4 months...

 

[The_Next!!!]

When will the Den-O hate end? this is like your 10th topic in the last 4 months...

Don't question God's wisdom!

 

[Forever Knight]

Seiji Takaiwa makes Den-O & Kiva for me personally. I could give two shits if the characters are "weenies" or not, as long as Seiji is there I know some ass kickings will be handed out.

 

[MattComix]

Ryoutarou was a weenie.... Wataru is a weenie, and so is Keita.

Am I noticing a pattern here that ended up with Tendou being the last hero that you'd want to look up to?

Look up to Tendou? He's an egotistical wacko who acts like a snob to everyone around him. Not that he is totally void of any heroic qualities but still..

Rider protags have been a downhill slide for awhile now.

 

[ryuuseipro]

I thought that very era dawned in the end of the 90s.

It goes without saying that I miss the manly heroes of yesteryear, which is a scarcity now. But considering the "Era of the Weenie," God-forbid should ANY of these "weenies" even be nerds or geeks! I mean, remember how we empathized with Peter Parker? It's a lost art, now. Notice that there have been very few nerds as Japanese superheroes (Iron King comes to mind). All of the "weenies" you mention are uber-hip girly-boys.

So I guess nerds must be considered tough people in Japan!

Go, nerds. :castlerock: