Hentai Kamen (trans. "Pervert Mask") is a masterpiece. Whilst attempting to stop a robbery and save his attractive classmate, schoolboy Kyosuke dons a pair of panties on his face by accident and finds himself transformed into Pervert Mask, forbidden superhero! Despite what the English box text and IMDB say, Kyosuke did not get his powers from aliens, but inherited a great sense of justice from his policeman father and a great deal of kink from his dominatrix mother, which is, honestly, way cooler. Our hero discovers new powers as he becomes more weirdly turned on in his quest to save the girl and the school from the machinations of a deadpan criminal hunting treasure supposedly hidden under the campus.
The truly interesting part of the film, other than the hilarious fight scenes, is the existential crisis that the love interest undergoes after seeing Hentai Kamen in action, being drawn to his grace and power, but reviling his perversion. This conflict comes up repeatedly, even featuring in the climax, so I read it as commentary on the cultural sexual repression of Japanese youth. This theory is backed up by the villain of the film, an Evil Hentai Kamen who is even more kinky than our hero! And also a sex criminal, at least by the standards of Australian law. Hentai Kamen has to discover that his perversions are part of his innate sexuality, rather than a competition or steps to climb to become more powerful. In fact, it is when Hentai Kamen is able to explore his kinks in a safe, non-judgmental, loving relationship, that he becomes his most powerful self. A really good message there for a weird little parody film.
If you have a high tolerance for weird and can stand looking at the main character's costume, I can highly recommend Hentai Kamen as an enjoyable watch. There is a sequel which I'm yet to check out, but as soon as I can get my hands on it, I'll be giving it a watch. Yes, I want a Hentai Kamen miniature, who wouldn't? Hell, I have Howard the Duck and Ambush Bug, why not Hentai Kamen to defend the world from evil with the power of perversion? Funny, unique and though-provoking, great film.
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