# Local hero (Japan)

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A **local hero** (ローカルヒーロー, *rōkaru hīrō*, also written as *gotōchi hīrō* (ご当地ヒーロー)) is a Japanese [superhero](/source/Superhero) who is created to represent a particular region of Japan, such as a [prefecture](/source/Prefectures_of_Japan) or city. They often perform in special [martial arts](/source/Martial_arts) [stage shows](/source/Stage_show). Created either by local groups or the [local government](/source/Local_government), a local hero is modeled after the superheroes of Japanese [tokusatsu](/source/Tokusatsu). A local hero is often themed around the city or prefecture's local mythologies or industries, are created to teach the children who watch the stage shows certain things (like Recycle Sentai Wakerunger (リサイクル戦隊ワケルンジャー, *Risaikuru Sentai Wakerunjā*) of [Fukui](/source/Fukui,_Fukui), [Fukui Prefecture](/source/Fukui_Prefecture)), or are themed after the event that they are used to promote (the Traffic Sentai Anzenger (トラフィック戦隊アンゼンジャー, *Torafikku Sentai Anzenjā*) group performed at the [Tokyo Motor Show](/source/Tokyo_Motor_Show) to act in both the latter forms for [road traffic safety](/source/Road_traffic_safety)).

Although local heroes are produced to act in a local area, some gain fame throughout Japan by performing at other local heroes' shows or being featured in mainstream media. [Chōjin Neiger](/source/Ch%C5%8Djin_Neiger) (超神ネイガー, *Chōjin Neigā*)[1] from [Nikaho](/source/Nikaho,_Akita), [Akita Prefecture](/source/Akita_Prefecture), has had two theme songs recorded by [anison](/source/Anison) recording artist [Ichirou Mizuki](/source/Ichirou_Mizuki)[2] (the first of which was previously available on the Japanese [iTunes Store](/source/ITunes_Store)[3]) and a subsequent EP featuring [Mitsuko Horie](/source/Mitsuko_Horie)'s vocals.[4][5] [Ryujin Mabuyer](/source/Ryujin_Mabuyer) (琉神マブヤー, *Ryūjin Mabuyā*) from [Okinawa Prefecture](/source/Okinawa_Prefecture)[6] was featured in his own [syndicated](/source/Broadcast_syndication) television series. [Maburittokiba](/source/Maburittokiba) (マブリットキバ)[7] from [Tōno](/source/T%C5%8Dno,_Iwate), [Iwate Prefecture](/source/Iwate_Prefecture), was featured in an episode of the [TBS](/source/Tokyo_Broadcasting_System) program *Kizuna Dining* when they visited Tōno and appears at hero shows throughout Japan. The [Marimokkori](/source/Marimokkori) of [Hokkaidō](/source/Hokkaid%C5%8D) has become a popular character throughout Japan, sold as [mobile phone charms](/source/Mobile_phone_charms), [claw machine prizes](/source/Claw_vending_machine), among other [merchandise](/source/Merchandise).[8]

[Independent film](/source/Independent_film) releases also use the "local hero" motif to present their characters. [Crusher Kazuyoshi](/source/Crusher_Kazuyoshi) (クラッシャーカズヨシ, *Kurasshā Kazuyoshi*) is portrayed as a local hero for [Tokyo](/source/Tokyo), and is portrayed by [Kazuyoshi Sakai](/source/Kazuyoshi_Sakai) of *[Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger](/source/Hyakujuu_Sentai_Gaoranger)*.[9] Anison artist [Takayuki Miyauchi](/source/Takayuki_Miyauchi) performs the second film's theme song.[10] *[Zan Saber](/source/Zan_Saber)* (斬セイバー, *Zan Seibā*) is a series of DVDs that feature the heroes (Zan Saber, Zan Dagger, Zan Axe) as local heroes of [Osaka](/source/Osaka), starring [Ryunosuke Kawai](/source/Ryunosuke_Kawai) of *[Tenimyu](/source/Tenimyu)* fame as the lead character.[11]

The anime *[Tentai Senshi Sunred](/source/Tentai_Senshi_Sunred)* is based on the local hero theme, featuring the title character as the protector of the city of [Kawasaki](/source/Kawasaki,_Kanagawa) in [Kanagawa Prefecture](/source/Kanagawa_Prefecture).

Another TV tokusatsu series, [Houjin Yatsurugi](/source/Houjin_Yatsurugi) was shown as the local hero in Chiba.

In 2008, [Symantec](/source/NortonLifeLock) created the character of [Norton Fighter](/source/Norton_Fighter) ([ノートンファイター](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%8E%E3%83%BC%E3%83%88%E3%83%B3%E3%83%95%E3%82%A1%E3%82%A4%E3%82%BF%E3%83%BC), *Nōton Faitā*) for its Japanese advertising campaign alongside celebrity otaku [Shoko Nakagawa](/source/Shoko_Nakagawa) for their new software, including several other characters to go with him. [Hironobu Kageyama](/source/Hironobu_Kageyama) has recorded a song for Norton Fighter as well titled "Bōei Senshi! Norton Fighter" (防衛戦士！ノートン・ファイター, *Bōei Senshi! Nōton Faitā*). As a local hero, Norton Fighter is based in the [Akihabara](/source/Akihabara) region of [Tokyo](/source/Tokyo).

During 2020, a new Local Hero series premiered: [Dogengers](/source/Dogengers), a show starring a group of Local Heroes from Fukuoka which comprises their leader: Ohgaman, representative of the Ohga Pharmacies, Kitakyuman (Stylized as KitaQMan) and his brother KitaQMan MTL (Metal), who represent [Kitakyushu](/source/Kitakyushu) (stylized as KitaQChu), Yamashiron, who stands for the Yamashiro Gas Company, El Brave, representing Hachihata Construction, and Fukuokalibur, the Local Hero that represents [Fukuoka](/source/Fukuoka)'s silk artisans. These heroes are joined by Ohgaman's chosen successor, Jiro Tanaka (dubbed "Rookie") as they fight Yabai Kamen and the Secret Society of Darkness, Incorporated, a villain-distributing corporation. The first season was so successful, a second one was made, with mixed reception. Subsequent seasons have added Great-2 to represent Pizza Cooc, MAKO and Kireko of Fukuya Mentaiko, Koujin EX from the [Kagoshima](/source/Kagoshima) prefecture, Bincho Fire from Yakitori Daishizen, a police officer hero named Hyakutoban, and in the sixth season, Korega Knight of Genbaichiba (an online shopping store), and Kaguyano-hime, the true pilot of the Sekigaku-o mecha that represents Seki Furniture.

## See also

- [Yuru-chara](/source/Yuru-chara)

## References

1. ["超神ネイガー"](https://web.archive.org/web/20070902124647/http://homepage1.nifty.com/nexus/neiger/). Archived from [the original](http://homepage1.nifty.com/nexus/neiger/) on 2007-09-02. Retrieved 2007-08-11.

1. ["活動記録 平成19年10月"](http://neiger.la.coocan.jp/kirokuhtmls/kiroku1a.htm). October 2007. Retrieved 2010-01-12.

1. ["豪石！超神ネイガー-ALLEN's BLOG"](http://yaplog.jp/allenkk/archive/796). 2007-08-14. Retrieved 2010-01-12.

1. ["【関連商品】■音楽／ラジオ"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160913205554/http://homepage1.nifty.com/nexus/neiger/products/music_radio.htm). Archived from [the original](http://homepage1.nifty.com/nexus/neiger/products/music_radio.htm) on 2016-09-13. Retrieved 2010-01-12.

1. ["秋田のヒーロー"超神ネイガー"、ミニアルバム発売 MSNミュージック 音楽ニュース"](http://music.jp.msn.com/news/2776.htm). 2007-06-07. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20080616205623/http://music.jp.msn.com/news/2776.htm) 2008-06-16 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2010-01-12.

1. ["琉神マブヤー公式WEBサイト：ニライカナイからやってきた魂の戦士「琉神マブヤー」"](https://web.archive.org/web/20100127112237/http://www.mabuyer.com/index.html). Archived from [the original](http://www.mabuyer.com/index.html) on 2010-01-27. Retrieved 2010-01-12.

1. ["マブリットキバ：公式サイト トップ"](http://maburittokiba.web.fc2.com/index.html). Retrieved 2007-08-11.

1. ["Anime News Service - January 18 - May 7 Anime News"](http://www.animenewsservice.com/archives/jan55.htm). 2006-05-04. Retrieved 2010-01-12.

1. ["クラッシャーカズヨシ"](http://crusher.exblog.jp/). Retrieved 2010-01-12.

1. ["| 宮内タカユキ熱唱！「クラッシャーカズヨシ -怒る-」主題歌「炎」販売開始!! | 20世紀たぬき おしらせ・ニュース |"](https://web.archive.org/web/20090529045951/http://info.tanuki.co.jp/?eid=889509). Archived from [the original](http://info.tanuki.co.jp/?eid=889509) on 2009-05-29. Retrieved 2010-01-12.

1. ["斬セイバー"](https://web.archive.org/web/20061107220225/http://west-power.co.jp/gaion/zan/whatsnew.html). Archived from [the original](http://west-power.co.jp/gaion/zan/whatsnew.html) on 2006-11-07. Retrieved 2010-01-12.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Local hero (Japan)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Local_hero_(Japan)) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Local_hero_(Japan)?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.