The Rapeman
Encyclopedia
was an erotic black comedy
/satire
, Japanese manga
series for adults. It was credited as being created and written by Keiko Aisaki (愛崎けいこ), and illustrated by Shintaro Miyawaki (みやわき心太郎), and ran from 1985-92. In reality, there was no Keiko Aisaki. Instead, the manga artist Miyawaki created this fictional co-author in order to lessen criticism of his work.
Clients call on The Rapeman to handle cases such as the revenge of a jilted lover, forming parental bonds through a traumatic crisis, making disruptive co-workers more docile and other things of that nature. When engaged in his night trade, The Rapeman wears a black leather ski mask shaped like the head of a circumcised
penis
. but no trousers or underwear. In the middle of a rape, if the woman becomes unresponsive or expresses enjoyment, he uses special techniques such as "M69 Screwdriver" or "Infinite Loop" to apply more pain to the victim. Despite regretting some of the contracts he fulfills, he always does the job.
The comic was made to appeal to middle aged Japanese men, and was discontinued after 13 volumes. Still sensing the concept's marketability, Pink Pineapple produced nine Rapeman live action feature films, released between 1993 - 1996. The first seven were directed by Takao Nagaishi and the final two were directed by Naoki Uesugi. A two-episode OVA was released in 1994 chronicling his exploits in the first volume of the manga. The Rapeman's garb is different in the anime version, as he is dressed in quasi-ninja
gear.
The comic received a cult following in the United States
due to its name and the curiosity of the subject matter. Several PC games have been made about Rapeman in Japan.
Super Free
"rape club" scandal.
exploitation movie in which the protagonist uses rape to extract information.
Black comedy
A black comedy, or dark comedy, is a comic work that employs black humor or gallows humor. The definition of black humor is problematic; it has been argued that it corresponds to the earlier concept of gallows humor; and that, as humor has been defined since Freud as a comedic act that anesthetizes...
/satire
Satire
Satire is primarily a literary genre or form, although in practice it can also be found in the graphic and performing arts. In satire, vices, follies, abuses, and shortcomings are held up to ridicule, ideally with the intent of shaming individuals, and society itself, into improvement...
, Japanese manga
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
series for adults. It was credited as being created and written by Keiko Aisaki (愛崎けいこ), and illustrated by Shintaro Miyawaki (みやわき心太郎), and ran from 1985-92. In reality, there was no Keiko Aisaki. Instead, the manga artist Miyawaki created this fictional co-author in order to lessen criticism of his work.
Overview
The main character, Keisuke Uasake, is a high school teacher by day and dispenses a surreal brand of "justice" at night as The Rapeman under the business "Rapeman Services", which is co-run with his uncle, a former surgeon. The business' motto is: "Righting wrongs through penetration."Clients call on The Rapeman to handle cases such as the revenge of a jilted lover, forming parental bonds through a traumatic crisis, making disruptive co-workers more docile and other things of that nature. When engaged in his night trade, The Rapeman wears a black leather ski mask shaped like the head of a circumcised
Circumcision
Male circumcision is the surgical removal of some or all of the foreskin from the penis. The word "circumcision" comes from Latin and ....
penis
Penis
The penis is a biological feature of male animals including both vertebrates and invertebrates...
. but no trousers or underwear. In the middle of a rape, if the woman becomes unresponsive or expresses enjoyment, he uses special techniques such as "M69 Screwdriver" or "Infinite Loop" to apply more pain to the victim. Despite regretting some of the contracts he fulfills, he always does the job.
The comic was made to appeal to middle aged Japanese men, and was discontinued after 13 volumes. Still sensing the concept's marketability, Pink Pineapple produced nine Rapeman live action feature films, released between 1993 - 1996. The first seven were directed by Takao Nagaishi and the final two were directed by Naoki Uesugi. A two-episode OVA was released in 1994 chronicling his exploits in the first volume of the manga. The Rapeman's garb is different in the anime version, as he is dressed in quasi-ninja
Ninja
A or was a covert agent or mercenary of feudal Japan specializing in unorthodox arts of war. The functions of the ninja included espionage, sabotage, infiltration, and assassination, as well as open combat in certain situations...
gear.
The comic received a cult following in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
due to its name and the curiosity of the subject matter. Several PC games have been made about Rapeman in Japan.
Impact
- A band called RapemanRapemanRapeman was an American post-hardcore/noise rock group founded in 1987 and disbanded in 1989. It consisted of Steve Albini on guitar and vocals, David Wm. Sims on bass, and Rey Washam on drums.-History:In an interview, Albini reported that "'Rapeman' is .....
credits the comic for the name the band chose. Frontman Steve AlbiniSteve AlbiniSteven Frank Albini is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, audio engineer and music journalist. He was a member of Big Black, Rapeman, and Flour, and is currently a member of Shellac...
and drummer Rey WashamRey WashamRey Washam is a drummer who has been performing for more than 20 years. He has collaborated with many bands, the most notable of which include: Scratch Acid, Rapeman, Ministry, the Big Boys, Helios Creed, the Didjits, Lard, and Tad and Butthole Surfers offshoot Daddy Longhead...
admitted their obsession with the character and that obsession carrying over to naming the band". - The comic was also featured in an episode of the crime drama TV series Law and Order: SVU as a piece of evidence used against a young man accused of rape. Though in the drama, his origin is altered. The Rapeman is described as a high school student that turns into the alter-ego at night to take revenge on the girls at school that wronged him rather than as a "gun for hire".
Controversy
The comic was mentioned by name in articles published in foreign publications in an attempt to delve into Japan's sex culture in the wake of the Waseda UniversityWaseda University
, abbreviated as , is one of the most prestigious private universities in Japan and Asia. Its main campuses are located in the northern part of Shinjuku, Tokyo. Founded in 1882 as Tokyo Senmon Gakko, the institution was renamed "Waseda University" in 1902. It is known for its liberal climate...
Super Free
Super Free
or its shortened form was an inter-university rave event club, mainly comprising students of Waseda University, The leader of the club along with various students from Waseda and other universities in Tokyo was arrested and convicted for rape and subsequently, the club was dubbed by several...
"rape club" scandal.
See also
Hanzo the Razor - A 70s Feudal Japan setJidaigeki
is a genre of film, television, and theatre in Japan. The name means "period drama" and is usually the Edo period of Japanese history, from 1603 to 1868. Some, however, are set much earlier—Portrait of Hell, for example, is set during the late Heian period—and the early Meiji era is also a popular...
exploitation movie in which the protagonist uses rape to extract information.