A Complete Analysis of the First Episode of "Perman"! ~Mitsuo's Declaration of Determination~ / Perman Analysis Part 1 (Second Half)
"The Birth of Perman"
"Weekly Shonen Sunday" Issue 2, 1967 / Fujiko F. Fujio Complete Works Vol. 1
Today, I will take a detailed look starting from page 8 of the version of the first episode, "The Birth of Perman," included in the Complete Works.
Mitsuo, who has had nothing but unpleasant things happen since the start of the New Year, is sulking on top of a concrete pipe when Superman (Birdman) appears and suddenly tells him to become Perman, leaving him bewildered, and that is where we begin.
First, a long-standing question.
Superman is a superhuman who came from space, but is his power thanks to the mask and cape he wears? I wonder if he becomes an ordinary person when he takes off his mask, like Perman.
In this work, Superman says, "We have maintained peace in the universe with our superior intellect and physical strength," so I think he is likely an alien endowed with superhuman abilities, but on the planet of Superman depicted, they wear capes and ride flying saucers. It also seems that his abilities might be thanks to scientific power.
Whether his scientific power is superior or his raw physical body is strong is not entirely clear, is my own opinion.
Mitsuo cannot believe a word of Superman's story. He tries to leave, saying, "You're just teasing me." The dialogue here was slightly discriminatory in the initial publication, and this was later altered.
Superman, seeing that it's no use, forcibly makes Mitsuo put on the mask and cape, and tells him that he can fly just by wanting to fly. When he reluctantly thinks about wanting to fly, he floats up into the air. Continuing, Superman throws a broken car at Mitsuo, but he shatters it with a single punch.
He is taught that the cape has a speed of 91 km/h, and the mask's power is 6,600 times that of normal. Let's consider this speed of 91 km/h to be slightly slower than the maximum speed of current private railway lines in Tokyo.
As for 6,600 times, in terms of simple lifting power, if a 4th or 5th-grade elementary school student can lift 25 kg, it is calculated that he can lift up to 165 tons. Speaking of 165 tons, that corresponds to the weight of a jumbo jet or the maximum takeoff weight of an Airbus. There is a depiction of him lifting a jet plane later, and you can see that it is quite a stretch.
The mask, the cape, and finally the copy robot are handed over. It is explained that when you press the button on the nose of the copy robot, it becomes identical to the person who pressed it, including their appearance, personality, and abilities. It is an excellent item that allows the experiences of the copy robot to be transmitted directly to the brain when you touch your foreheads together.
The existence of this copy robot is an essential item for boys and girls to be active as heroes. Unlike adult heroes, children have to go to school and must sleep properly at night. To continue a double life as a hero and an elementary school student for a long time, it would not be possible without an existence that can act as a substitute for their daily life.
In that sense, I think this idea of the copy robot is actually the most important thing for "Perman" to be established.
Next, Superman says emphatically, "You must not reveal the secret of Perman to your family. If the secret is known to others, I'm sorry, but..." and that he will "turn you into an animal with the cell conversion gun."
It is well known that the setting and dialogue about turning into an animal if the secret is revealed were also later altered. In the initial setting, it was to turn them into a "kuru-kuru-pa" (idiot). Unfortunately, regarding this line, the Complete Works includes the altered version, but well, in this day and age, it might be unavoidable.
However, due to this change in setting, for example, in "Perman All Assemble!!", there are parts where the flow of the story becomes awkward, and questions arise such as what happens to Booby, who is originally an animal, a monkey? (Although works that sort out the interpretation of the latter question were created later...)
Now, Mitsuo has obtained superpowers and a copy robot. First, he uses Perman's power for his own selfish interests. This feels like a realistic child's reaction to the question of what would you do if you became Perman, and it is very likable.
First, he sends the copy robot as a substitute to get scolded for dirtying his clothes. Next, he uses his power to get revenge on Kabao and Sabu to get back the New Year's card that was taken earlier. And then, he shows off his power to be fawned over by Michan.
And after using his power for selfish interests, it is time for his highlight as a hero of justice.
The other day, I discussed the similarities between "Perman" and "Spider-Man," and the flow of both works is exactly the same: after obtaining power, the protagonist first satisfies their personal desires, and then moves toward contributing to society.
"Spider-Man" was created in 1962, and the first episode of "Perman" was in 1966, so it is not impossible that Fujiko F. Fujio-sensei knew about the Spider-Man story. However, unlike today, it would have taken time for American comics to arrive, so it is a mystery how accurately F-sensei grasped the plot.
While having a fun conversation with Micchan, he discovers a jet plane on fire falling from the sky toward the town. Amidst the chaos in the town, he shouts, "This is the time for Perman to work!" and flies off.
Perman supports the falling plane and carries it to the sea. Assuming it was a jet of that time, based on the previous analysis, I imagine it was just barely within the weight he could lift. As the flames close in on him, he manages to land it on the water. He cuts a hole in the roof to rescue the passengers. For his first big job, his calm and collected performance makes me strongly feel that he is indeed a bit different from Nobita in "Doraemon".
By the way, in the commentary at the end of the first volume of the Complete Collection, there is a discussion by Katsue Miwa, who played the voice of Mitsuo, and there was an interesting part there. I have excerpted it below.
Fujiko-sensei often said, "Nobita is me," but "Mitsuo is also me myself." he once told me. Perhaps the sensei was being considerate of me, though. (Bold text is by the author)
Even if there was a part of him being considerate to Miwa-san, who played Mitsuo, it means that F-sensei projected himself onto both Nobita and Mitsuo. Although Nobita has become famous now, since Mitsuo was drawn first, I think he drew Perman as his own alter ego.
After finishing his work, Perman mutters to himself on a tree. "Perman... I've become Perman." "Now that I have, I have to do my best." "Within the scope of what I can do" "I'll do it! Starting tomorrow."
I really like this declaration of resolve that includes humility, and I feel it is a message from F-sensei. Don't be overly tense, but use the power you've gained to be truly useful to society. That humility, strength, and a positive attitude are important. This part of the declaration of resolve has become something very important that strongly pushes me forward when I am about to start something.
After the declaration of resolve, Mitsuo rolls up the Perman set, puts it in his pocket, and returns to his daily life. When that happens, Mitsuo hasn't gotten his New Year's cards back, hasn't saved the plane crash, and is just a boy in dirty clothes. He wants to be recognized and wants to brag about what he has accomplished, but he is forbidden from revealing that he is Perman, so he cannot.
In the end, while being lectured by his mom, Mitsuo thinks, "The duties of a Perman are tough.". It is the excellent ending of the first episode that reveals the essence of a hero story, where he is already caught between his daily life and his heroic activities.
"Perman," especially the Shonen Sunday version, is a group of works that stands out even among Fujiko's works. They are all works that have greatly influenced me, and there is still so much more to talk about. Therefore, I would like to continue to introduce each episode as a [Complete Analysis] on a regular basis.