Antonio Inoki was not just instrumental to the development of MMA, pro wrestling (he founded NJPW in 1972), & weird political stunts with North Korea. He also helped inspire archetypes of the shonen anime/manga hero. Here he is in episode 1 of 1969's Tiger Mask (with Giant Baba):
Caricatures of Antonio Inoki have pervaded through anime and manga for over 50 years. He is a recurring character throughout Grappler Baki (the Most Evil Death Row inmates thought they killed him, but he is a recurring character in Baki). He was also in Golosseum which is awesome
The "it's literally Antonio Inoki" appearances aside, Inoki also inspired character designs. The Yu-Gi-Oh "Joey Chin" was more of a momentary thing, but anime fans should have no trouble seeing the Inoki inspiration behind Whitebeard from One Piece, who also acts very Inoki-esque
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Animated children's programming in recent years has instilled in kids ideas of tolerance and empathy in the face of emotional loss. That's not what I was taught growing up. In my day we were taught that everything you love can betray you and end up a lie. TUNE IN NEXT TIME, KIDS!
It bears repeating that this episode was something that I saw when I was FIVE YEARS OLD. Kindergarteners don't know about The Prisoner or Twilight Zone. And the story is set in a regular neighborhood and regular house, not some volcano base. IT COULD BE HAPPENING TO YOU RIGHT NOW
Can we have some DECORUM? Some WELL ADJUSTED children's entertainment? Comics that are only sold via direct market sales; must ALSO be for kids! Let's check out this recent Kamala Khan series from 2019. Ah, so this is what kids are into. Relatable heroes with loving parents who--