Hurricane Polymar

Yoroi Takeshi is a carefree and somewhat naïve youth, who works as an assistant to the bumbling detective wannabe Kuruma Jo (who frequently proclaims himself the heir apparent to the title of Greatest Detective “Sherlock Holmes”). From their rundown and shabby office, they run a humble if not failing private investigation service. The spunky and cute Nanba Teru (who’s father owns the building when Jo and Takeshi reside in) frequently interferes in their affairs by threatening eviction (Jo is continually months behind in back rent). Since they rarely get any clients, they must resort to eavesdropping and spying on the Secret International Police Department headquarters, located in the building across from theirs in order to get their assignments. Unbeknownst to Jo and Teru, Takeshi has a deep secret. Not only is Takeshi the son of the International Police Department Chief but in times of peril and danger, mild-mannered Takeshi uses his trusty Poly-Met (Polymer Helmet) to transform into the Superhero “Hurricane” Polymer, a red suited masked man with incredible fighting abilities and superhuman strength. The only one who knows Takeshi’s secret is his lazy Saint Bernard, Daisaku, who always likes to provide cutting commentary to the audience (using his inner voice). Together Jo and Takeshi (as Polymer) confront and battle a myriad of evil organizations, criminal gangs, mutants and monsters as they fight crime in the future city of Washinkyo (Washington/Tokyo). (Source: japanhero.com)

I watched this last year, and I didnt particularly like it, but somehow I can't forget it, so I'll try writing a review. Most episodes follow the same scheme: The gang hangs around in Kuruma's office and gets knowledge of Interpol's plans, thanks to Takeshi's spying efforts. Then, Takeshi beats up a lot of guys in hilarious animal costumes. In a few episodes, Takeshi's backstory is treated, and occasionally, the relation between Takeshi and his father makes some progress. Apart from that, there not much overarching story that I remember. It is mainly animal costume guy of the week hunt. I didn't find art and sound remarkable. SometimesI remember the opening song. The bad guys and their underlings had distinctive animal costumes. Apart from that, they were rather flat characters who where evil for no apparent reason and had some megalomaniac plans. I found them all dull. Takeshi's gang was more fun. I especially liked the great detective Kuruma who always looked for excuses to avoid work and not to pay his rent. His dog was the most intelligent character in the series, but unfortunately, he could not speak. After some episodes, it got stale, apart from the action between Takeshi's gang members. The bad guy hunt got boring. And - I found the violence displayed more and more disturbing. Not because it was gory, rather because of the casual way violence was performed. Takeshi beats great numbers of animal costume guys to death and does not really seem to give a second thought about it. Somehow, I found this more and more creepy the more I proceded, and it still haunts me. For comparison: Right now, I watch Hokuto no Ken. In there, violence is celebrated, and Ken can make an enemy's death quite slow and cruel. But: If Ken is cruel against an enemy, he has decided to be so for a reason. I don't know why, but I find this much less disturbing than the casual killing in Hurricane Polimar. Didn't like this series myself, but I would recommend to watch, so you can make your own picture.