Kyodai Hero
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Kyodai Heroes (巨大ヒーロー) is the subgenre of Japanese tokusatsu superhero TV shows that feature giant-sized superheroes similar in many ways to Ultraman.
Examples of these are:
- Ironman 28 (Tetsujin Nijū-Hachi Gô)
- Ambassador Magma (Maguma Taishi)
- Ultraman (Urutoraman)
- Spectreman (Supekutoruman)
- Mirrorman (Mirāman)
- Fireman (Faiyāman)
- Jumborg Ace (Jambōgu Ēsu)
- Meteor Man Zone (Ryūsei Ningen Zōn)
- Megaloman (Megaroman)
- Gridman (Guriddoman)
- Yuke! Godman
- Ike! Greenman
The Kyodai Heroes were made popular mostly by the success of Ultraman and the Ultra Series, which many of these heroes have imitated. These shows were produced by various companies including P-Productions (Ambassador Magma, Spectreman), Tsuburaya Productions (the Ultras, Mirrorman, Fireman, Jumborg Ace), Nippon Gendai/Senkosha (Silver Mask, Iron King) and Toho (Meteor Man Zone, Megaloman, Godman, Greenman).
They have apparently fallen in popularity in mainstream Japan, as there haven't been any new TV shows for many years other than new Ultraman shows. But currently, there are still giant superhero series produced by independent companies in Japan, most notably SFX Giant Legend: Line, created by veteran suitmation actor/mangaka Ryu Hariken.