10 Outrageous Japanese Films Hollywood Wouldn't Dare Remake

Shot as a mockumentary, Big Man Japan tells the story of Masaru (Hitoshi Matsumoto, who also co-wrote and directed), a seemingly ordinary citizen who transforms into a giant whenever he zaps himself with electricity. You see, Masaru is the country’s sole protector against the monsters that keep attacking, but most people consider him an overweight buffoon who does more harm than good.

Despite keeping his country safe from such kaiju as The Strangling Monster (who can uproot buildings with the band it has instead of hands) and The Staring Monster (an eyeball on a long stalk), Masaru’s popularity plummets after he kills The Child Monster, an oversized baby he defeats by dropping on its head. Now perceived as a child murderer, Masaru finds himself cold-shouldered by the people he once swore to protect.

A parody of Japanese superhero and giant monster movies, Big Man Japan is so deadpan that as the movie begins you could be forgiven for thinking you’re watching an actual documentary. Then Masaru transforms in order to fight such creatures as The Hopping Monster (a giant head on top of a single leg) and the insanity spirals from there.