Post by DrTentacles on Jul 9, 2020 14:30:17 GMT -4
Welcome back to Tokyo NNN! Today, we have the final part of our annual special segment: JAPAN’S TOP TEN HEROES! I’m your host Kawamoto Taro, and with me is my junior colleague, Hagawari Hiro! Last edition, we had a shocking 4-way between Blue Agate, Umeboshi, Army of One, and Ultraviolet, so we were forced to add an exclusive 11th slot! Now, results are in from the TOP HERO SURVEY, so let’s break it down, discuss the new rankings, cover some surprise upsets, and discuss what this might mean for the world of HEROISM!
1) Nimue Nakahara : Leading at the top is WITCH DOCTOR--this Medical Pro was ranked three in last year’s survey, but surged to the top following a series of notable villain captures and battles. In my opinion, her victory this year probably signals that the public’s still shaken from the Fuchu riots, and looking for reliability and a gentler touch. Neither her recent kidnapping, nor private personal life seems to hurt her score--does this signal a new desire for quieter, more professional heroes?!
2) Hachi Tsutsuji : YELLOW JACKET’s position remains a solid second place, despite the dramatic shifts we’ve seen elsewhere in the ranks. Like Witch Doctor, ‘Jacket is a consummate professional--even if flashier heroes have appeared, it looks people still admire her quiet commitment to teaching and hunting villains. Some might have speculated her injury would have cost her points, but maybe the sympathy points won out. Or maybe the people just think scars are cool?
3) Perry Possum : A fascinating character, both as a hero and as the first animal to gain citizenship in Japan, PAW MIGHT is the first surprise upset in these ranks! Despite only becoming an official hero this December, he’s got the credentials he needs with his record as a UA teacher, and achievements during Muramasa’s attack. There’s something about this awesome possum’s cowboy presence, cuteness, and intelligence that just works! As trends go, Paw Might might demonstrate that the gung-ho hero isn’t entirely dead--people just feel more comfortable about it if the hero in question is 30cm tall, and fuzzy!
4) Mikhail Orlov There's little doubt Serperior will be pleased by jumping up a rank since last year, though we doubt he'd be truly satisfied by anything except the top! This serpentine hero still manages to balance an excellent public image while still performing daring, life-saving feats, and has improved his list of achievements since last year! One of the more camera-friendly heroes, Serperior's a frequency guest on our shows, and a living example that you can be "by-the-book" without being boring, or subdued!
5/6) REDHORN/BLUE AGATE And, in the middle of the pack, we have a surprise TIE! Yes, it seems that BLUE AGATE and REDHORN got the same average score! Both slid from their ranks last year, with Redhorn as the former #1, and Agate as the former #4, but both still clearly can pull a crowd! Redhorn’s public rampage cost her favor, while Agate’s the type to get outshined by flashier heroes. Their tie, however, couldn’t be more poetic! A hard-as-nails, by-the-book hero neck and neck with last year’s start, both hungry to reclaim their greatness! It’s the perfect metaphor for heroism this year! Let's break them both down below:
Mia Kearney The first half of the tie, Redhorn, is the more widely known, and publicly popular of the two--a daring, easy-going charmer, Redhorn also has incredible battles under her belt. However, like we said--Muramasa’s battle, and the Fuchu riots showed that professionalism is “in,” and the public is suddenly aware of the risk that come with pro heroes. Never count this woman out, though--a year at UA is the perfect chance to show her softer side, and win favor from some harder to please blocks.
Junko Tanaka The second half of the surprise tie also dropped a spot, but instead of scandal, we suspect it has more to do with Agate’s basic philosophy! Agate doesn’t aim for glory--she’s infamous for putting the same stubborn energy into teaching, minor crimes, and major villains alike. It’s simply that with more public, and greater acts of heroism this year, the bar to simply “keep up” raises ever higher! That’s not a bad thing for Blue Agate, however--no matter the stakes, we trust in her to give her 100%
7) Tobias Murakami : Mystery has its own allure! Unfortunately, we can’t tell you more about this reclusive (and elusive) shadow, but that doesn’t seem to matter much for their loyal fans! We suppose, for this hero, actions (and a cool name), speak louder than anything else!
8) Freya A. Valentine Coming in at 8, we have another new face on this list: HELLHOUND! Even cop-haters can’t ignore this hero’s record when it comes to fighting crime! Her placement isn’t that much of a shock--scandals follow like ashes in Hellhound's wake, but her power and presence demand respect. Will time at UA also soften her image, and open her up to new fans, or will she impart her loose-canon ways on graduating students!? We can’t wait to find out!
9) Maya Murasaki Ultraviolet brings an unmistakable glamour to the hero roster at #9! With a career even shorter than Hellhound, she's wasted no time making a mark, capturing elusive villains, and rescuing fellow pros. If she keeps up the pace, the higher spots better watch their back (not that we think she'd be so tactless to say anything). Finally, at Tokyo NNN, we’re glad to see another hero that doesn’t shy from the camera--show us what you’re capable of, Ultraviolet!
10) Jessie Murakami If she weren’t so demure, we had a feeling UMEBOSHI could score higher, but she’s never been the loud type. Solid achievements, no scandals, a colorful and fascinating quirk. If she can keep up her current streak, we wouldn’t be surprised to see Umeboshi in the top 3 come next year.
11) Caitlyn Manji Finally, at 11, ARMY OF ONE shows that truly dedicated fans will always wait for you. Despite stepping out of the limelight for several months, this one-woman-army still kept her allure, and her return signals the end of a blessed period of safety for the criminal arachnophobes. Holiday’s over, punks--the spiders are back to play!
