Analysis: Traditional heroes vs Henshin heroes

I'm going to say this flat-out: I like superheroes. I don't think there's ever been a time in my life when I didn't. Superheroes tap into something that makes us feel special. We want to be these people with amazing powers and abilities. Even when their emotional turmoil is not handled well we'd rather be in their shoes. They're the ultimate in escapist fiction, even when (or unless) they're commenting on the state of our society.

However, there are two types of superheroes: Your average born-with or acquired superpowered being and the henshin hero. Now I know what you're thinking; "What the hell is a henshin hero?" To put it simply, a henshin hero is a hero who transforms. They don't have superpowers but it's their suit that gives them the powers. The word "Henshin" is Japanese for "transform". You can probably tell that these kinds of heroes are popular in Japan. Think Kamen Rider, Sailor Moon, Super Sentai (better known in the US as "Power Rangers") and even Iron Man.

Wait, Iron Man? But you just said "Henshin" is Japanese! I never said the Japanese invented the "Henshin hero". It actually dates back to Captain Marvel, who debuted back in 1940. A kid named Billy Batson gained extraordinary powers from a wizard. All he had to do was shout "SHAZAM!" and become a Superman rip-off named Captain Marvel. And of course there's Iron Man, who doesn't have superpowers until he puts his Iron Man suit on.

The Americans may have invented the Henshin Hero, but the Japanese turned it into an art form. They're primarily a TV medium, but there are manga/anime exceptions like Ninja Science Team Gatchaman and Sailor Moon.

In order to transform the henshin hero must use a device and an incantation. This is followed by an elaborate transformation sequence that seems to leave the hero open for attack but in some cases, the transformation is instantaneous. The sequence is simply eye candy to fill time.

So now that we know how a henshin hero typically operates, let's get down to business. In a way, henshin heroes have an advantage over traditional heroes. In essence, they're "Part-time superheroes". Unlike Batman, Superman or Spider-Man, they're only superheroes for a couple of minutes per day. You usually don't see a "which one is the real mask" conflict in henshin works because the superhero really is the mask. They don't work as much as your average powered hero does. The exception to this that I've seen are heroes like the X-Men or Thor, because the X-Men are literally born with their powers and Thor, well, he's a god.

This transformation factor also gives the henshin hero a bigger advantage. Whereas most average powered heroes wear their costumes under their street clothes, the henshin hero simply has to deactivate his/her costume before they can blend in with their surroundings. It's harder to catch them and find their secret identity.

Of course, this is where the henshin hero and average hero can overlap. I do think that the average powered hero could look at the henshin hero and see that their transformation can give them an advantage. They could build their own transformation device that allows them to store their suits in whatever hyperspace they come from. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like that's going to be used very often.

Still, I think that American powered heroes can learn from the henshin hero. The henshin hero is not "better" than the powered hero, they just have their own advantages. The two can certainly overlap and I want to see that happen some time.