Title: Kekko Kamen (1991)
Alternate Title: けっこう仮面 (Kekkō Kamen)
Genre: Action, Comedy
Plot Synopsis:
“Kekko Kamen” is a Japanese film that follows the adventures of a fearless heroine who dons only a red mask, boots, gloves, and a scarf—leaving the rest to the imagination. She battles the corrupt staff of Sparta Academy, a school notorious for its harsh punishments and perverse teachers. Using her unique combat style, she aims to protect the students from the school’s oppressive regime.
Cast and Crew:
- Director: Hikari Hayakawa
- Writer: Hikari Hayakawa
- Cast:
- Chris Aoki as Keiko Natsuwata / Kekko Kamen
- Yumi Goto as Mayumi Takahashi
- Paul Maki as Satan’s Toenail
- Suzumi Hanai as Yuka Chigusa
- Michie Watanabe as Kaori Wakatsuki
IMDb Link:
Kekko Kamen (1991)
Reviews from Letterboxd:
- FilmFan123 – ★★★☆☆
“A bizarre yet entertaining ride. Kekko Kamen is unlike any superhero you’ve seen before. The film balances action and comedy in a uniquely Japanese way.”
- AnimeAficionado – ★★★★☆
“An outrageous parody that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Fans of Go Nagai’s work will appreciate this live-action adaptation.”
- CultCinemaLover – ★★★☆☆
“While the premise is absurd, ‘Kekko Kamen’ delivers on campy fun and satirical humor. Not for everyone, but cult film enthusiasts might find it appealing.”
Meta Description:
“Kekko Kamen” (1991) is a Japanese action-comedy film directed by Hikari Hayakawa. It features a daring heroine who, clad only in a red mask and accessories, fights against the corrupt authorities of Sparta Academy to protect its students.
Title: Kekko Kamen 2 (1992)
Alternate Title: Kekkō Kamen 2: We’ll Be Back…
Genre: Action, Comedy, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
Plot Synopsis:
In “Kekko Kamen 2,” the tyrannical staff of Sparta Academy suspects Mayumi and other students of cheating. As punishment, they are sent to the torture room, where a sinister device awaits. However, this setup is a ploy to lure the mysterious heroine, Kekko Kamen, into action. The film continues the satirical and risqué adventures of the titular masked avenger, who fights against the oppressive and perverse school authorities.
Cast and Crew:
- Director: Yutaka Akiyama
- Writer: Yutaka Akiyama
- Cast:
- Kenji Yamaguchi as Bondou
- Rie Nakano as Mayumi Takahashi
- Rie Kondoh as Chris Aoki
- Mirei Asaoka as Koichi Omote
- Jirô Dan as Masatoshi Igarashi
IMDb Link:
Kekko Kamen 2 (1992)
Reviews from Letterboxd:
- guisreis – ★☆☆☆☆
“Well, now (November 2021) I watched the 1992 film Kekko Kamen 2, and everything I criticized in the movie above I keep for this one too. However, it is even worse! It is not a B-movie, but a Z-movie, even more amateur and cheesy than the one from 2004. There are very bad campy action scenes and costumes, and a lot of sadistic s&xploitation with young actresses. Ridiculous and disgusting.”
Meta Description:
“Kekko Kamen 2” (1992), also known as “Kekkō Kamen 2: We’ll Be Back…,” is a Japanese action-comedy film directed by Yutaka Akiyama. The sequel continues the adventures of the enigmatic heroine, Kekko Kamen, as she combats the corrupt and perverse authorities of Sparta Academy.
Title: Kekko Kamen 3 (1993)
Alternate Title: Kekkō Kamen 3
Genre: Action, Comedy, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
Plot Synopsis:
In “Kekko Kamen 3,” the notorious Sparta Academy continues its oppressive regime under the sinister guidance of the organization known as the Toenail of Satan. A new teacher is dispatched to enforce the highest-ranked humiliation punishments in the name of shame. As the students endure these ordeals, the enigmatic heroine, Kekko Kamen, emerges once again to confront the perverse authorities and protect the innocent.
Cast and Crew:
- Director: Yutaka Akiyama
- Writer: Yutaka Akiyama
- Cast:
- Chris Aoki as Keiko Natsuwata / Kekko Kamen
- Asami Katsuragi as Mayumi Takahashi
- Chika Matsui as Kaori Wakatsuki
- Hajime Tsukumo as Satan no Ashi no Tsume
- Mayumi Yoshioka
IMDb Link:
Kekkō Kamen 3 (1993)
Reviews from Letterboxd:
- Sven Roth – ★★★☆☆
“Overall on a similar level to the second, but only in terms of structure, character and production value. What is good. But it leans too much on the terrible comedy side for my liking and not just that. For some reason, they decided to include a love story in the film. Which is not only insanely horrible from start to finish, but which also makes our so far extremely capable heroine a weak piece of shit dependent on pure luck and others to not die in the very first fight. The action is franchise typical ok and can entertain to some extent. The over the top antagonists are the norm by now, but I have to say that Rie Kondoh…”
- Paul – ★★★☆☆
“My journey to watch every movie in the Kekko Kamen Universe: movie 4 of 12. The movie opens with a man playing the piano, his hands dramatically moving across the keys like he’s changing Daffy Duck’s diaper. Then it’s a hard cut to the middle of a fight between Kekko Kamen and some doofus security guards. It’s during this part that I realized, partially, why I disliked the first two movies so much. In this film, Kekko Kamen actually looks like she’s the martial arts threat that she should be and not just some girl the director hired to do naked twirls and punches. She’s no Cythnia Rothrock by any stretch, but at least she acts like she knows her…”
- hotsake – ★★☆☆☆
“This is the first of the trilogy where I could see just how tiny Chris Aoki (Kekko Kamen) was. The comedy was stupid, the nudity surprisingly absent, and the love story just unnecessarily pads the runtime.”
Meta Description:
“Kekko Kamen 3” (1993) is a Japanese action-comedy film directed by Yutaka Akiyama. The third installment in the series follows the masked heroine, Kekko Kamen, as she battles the corrupt authorities of Sparta Academy, continuing her crusade against oppression and perversion.