When Stan Lee Made a Mecha Anime

Highlights

Heroman, a Stan Lee collaboration with Studio Bones, failed to reach its full potential due to rushing through plotlines and lack of character development.
The anime series debuted in 2010, featuring a superhero set in California, with eye-catching visuals and involvement of industry legends like Hitoshi Nanba.
Stan Lee’s consulting role in the production brought fresh perspectives but couldn’t save the show from obscurity, despite its potential for success.

Title	Heroman
Director	Hitoshi Nanba
Studio	Bones
Premiere Date	4/1/2010

As a longtime admirer of both Western comics and Japanese animation, I simply can’t fathom why “Heroman” didn’t become a household name! This show was nothing short of a dream collaboration between two great minds – Stan Lee and the best artists Japan had to offer in the late 2000s and early 2010s.

As someone who has been following the anime industry for over two decades and being particularly fond of both My Hero Academia and Stan Lee’s work, I must say it’s quite surprising to see a collaboration between the two slip under the radar like Heroman did. Having grown up in California myself, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of excitement when I first learned about this superhero anime set in my home state. However, despite its promising premise and the involvement of two beloved franchises, Heroman never quite reached the heights it could have. It’s a shame, really, as it feels like something that could have resonated strongly with fans of both My Hero Academia and Stan Lee’s work. I can only imagine what it would be like if such a collaboration were to happen today, given the current popularity of anime and superheroes in popular culture.

Currently, we’re almost at the 15-year mark since the manga “Heroman” was first published by Square Enix in 2009, with Lee penning the story and Tamon Ota handling the artwork. The manga concluded in October 2011 after a total of 27 chapters spread across 5 volumes. However, the anime adaptation from Bones came out halfway through the manga’s run, airing its first episode on April 1, 2010, and finishing with 26 episodes.

What Is Heroman?

Nestled in the imagined cityscape of Center City, California, the series Heroman focuses on Joey Jones, an orphaned middle-schooler who lives with his grandmother and works at a coffee shop for their daily needs. Dreaming of affording the latest robot toy he sees advertised everywhere, Joey’s luck changes when he comes across a damaged one. He restores it and nicknames it “Heroman.” During a fierce storm, lightning strikes the toy via an open skylight, causing it to transform into something extraordinary.

Prior to grasping the situation fully, Joey finds himself lifted by a giant toy and rushed towards a tragic car accident where his friend Lina is in peril. Even though he doesn’t possess the power to save her, Heroman can – as long as Joey orders it. Following Lina’s rescue, Joey grapples with the unusual abilities bestowed upon him, mirroring the moment when his science teacher, Professor Matthew Denton, unwittingly triggers the story’s primary crisis.

Following the transmission of a message aimed at reaching extraterrestrial beings, Professor Denton invites the Skrugg, an alien species, to Earth, making Center City the site of an attack. The first nine episodes focus on Joey, his friend Psy, the Professor, and Lina as they strive to repel the invasion. Later, the narrative shifts to a less intense pace, focusing on individual stories in a more episodic manner.

A Who’s Who of Anime All-Stars

Stan Lee’s contribution is significant and deserving of attention, but it’s important to also acknowledge the impressive roster of talent behind this anime. To begin with, its director, Hitoshi Nanba, has previously worked on “Gosick” and “Golden Kamuy”. Among the episode directors, we find Koutarou Tamura, known for directing “Noragami”, Kunihiro Mori who directed “Gundam 8th MS Team”, and Makoto Fuchigami, the chief director of “Ranking of Kings”. These are just a few examples of the talented individuals involved.

As a dedicated gamer, I can’t help but be impressed by some names that have left an indelible mark on the world of anime, especially in the mecha genre. Among them, Akira Amemiya, who masterfully directed Trigger’s standout productions like Gridman and Dynazenon, was also an animator for Heroman. Notably, Hiroyuki Imaishi, the founder of Trigger and the brilliant mind behind Gurren Lagann and Kill la Kill, was part of the same team. Lastly, Toshihiro Kawamoto, who designed the iconic characters in Cowboy Bebop, served as Chief Animation Director on this project too.

The character sketches include renowned animator Shigeto Koyama from Studio Trigger, who lends a distinct human touch to the design of our title robot. This is reminiscent of Koyama’s work on Darling in the Franxx, as the robot Heroman exhibits expressive facial features and eyes that contrast notably with other mecha designs. Additionally, the striking pose of Heroman forms a bold red circle, contributing to captivating visuals.

How Big Was Stan Lee’s Involvement?

As a gaming enthusiast, I found this project captivating not just because of Lee, but due to the fusion of a genius Western comics mind and the top-tier Japanese animators, particularly Bones during the late 2000s and early 2010s. Some may ponder the degree of Lee’s production role, but as per Masahiko Minami, president of Bones, Stan’s story contributions were pivotal in shaping the narrative.

My aim was to absorb as much wisdom from Stan Lee as I could, given the opportunity. This was due to an earlier project where we brought Japanese animation to America. While it was well-received, the content was quite intellectual and difficult for people to understand the essential aspects… With Stan Lee, who is a delightful senior figure (smiles), I hoped we could produce something that would transcend the boundaries of American audiences.
– Masahiko Minami, 4/28/2010

In a consulting role, Lee clearly believes he made a significant difference in the manufacturing process. As for the design phase, Lee played a crucial role in finalizing Heroman’s appearance, pushing for a more robust and solid look over Koyama’s initially sleeker designs. Interestingly, Lee even showed Bones the mecha “Leopardon” from the Japanese Spider-Man series as inspiration for the desired aesthetic.

As a game developer, I personally ensured that our roster included a character like Simon “Psy” Kaina, who navigates with crutches due to a leg injury. When I watch our game, it reminds me of those fast-paced action shows popular among kids in America back then, but with a uniquely Japanese flair.

Why Wasn’t Heroman Bigger?

In Stan Lee’s original concept and with a team of future icons in the industry, it seems unusual that this series remains relatively unknown. However, upon watching, its appeal becomes clear. While it has an appealing quality, it dives headfirst into the invasion storyline without fully developing the characters first – something Lee himself emphasized, as Minami stated. Unfortunately, this means that the initial plot lacks depth. However, by the end of that arc, there are more thought-provoking elements to consider.

As a long-time fan of anime and someone who has watched countless shows over the years, I must say that “Heroman” stands out as one of the most unique and captivating series I’ve ever encountered. Having started watching it when it first aired in Japan, I can attest to the fact that Joey, the protagonist, is not just a mere controller for Heroman, but an active combatant with his own powers. This dynamic between man and machine really resonated with me, as it reinforces the idea that they are truly one entity, “Heroman.”

The Lost English Dub

The project was in development, promotions for it were available online, but unfortunately, it didn’t air. This non-airing might be the most unfortunate aspect. Although older anime enthusiasts might not find much more than impressive animation and an excellent theme (“RISE, FIGHT, PEACE”) in it, this show could have served as an engaging introduction to anime for younger audiences. Instead, it remains a fascinating collaboration between Stan Lee and a talented group of animators, essentially a cherished work in progress.

Heroman wasn’t overlooked or underrated; rather, it was astonishingly under-appreciated given its potential. In 2010, the Marvel Cinematic Universe was flourishing, and here was a superhero animated series featuring robots, aliens, exceptional animation, and frequent Stan Lee appearances – a combination that should have been a guaranteed success. However, it seems that wasn’t the case. Case closed.

Heroman is available to stream on Crunchyroll.

Sources: Archived interview with Masahiko Minami

2024-08-12 00:04