movies/tv Proxy Champions in Anime

[Steel Accord 6,660]

So here's a question I'd like to ask for those wiser than me in such matters.

 

Why is it that in a lot of anime, the protagonist controls or somehow commands an external unit or a separate character to do their fighting? Pokemon, Digimon, Yu-Gi-Oh, Beyblade, Zatch Bell, Medabots, Gigantor, Hell if one is charitable about the idea of controlling any number of Mecha shows like Voltron, Gundam, and the Big O also qualify. Yes, I know it's not a universal, as we also have shows and magna like Dragon Ball Z, Inuyasha, One Piece, Yu Yu Hakasho, etc.

 

It just seems remarkable because such sentiments don't exist in as much western media that wasn't influenced by anime and even if you do have a character that fights through another like a beastmaster who commands animals or a mastermind with a legion of robots, they're often either A ) villains using their proxies as minions or B ) the exception rather than the rule with the rest of the cast fighting more conventionally.

 

So why is this? Is there a particular Japanese cultural concept that gives rise to this idea or is it just the nature of divergent creativity? 

Edited May 11, 2015 by Steel Accord

[Ziggy + Angel + Rain 11,302]

I've heard that "Pokemon" (which inspired eight thousand other things) was born of a love for collecting insects. xD  In the case of "Yu-Gi-Oh!" and (one you didn't name that maybe only technically qualifies) "Shaman King": Kazuki Takahashi and Hiroyuki Takei were supposedly inspired by Hirohiko Araki's manga "Jojo's Bizarre Adventure."  Wherein (beginning with Jotaro Kujo) characters would fight using "Stands."  Basically, some invisible-to-most embodiment of a character's power would stand next to them and be responsible for taking on an opponent's Stand.  Harm done to a person's Stand would similarly harm the Stand user.

 

I don't know of a recognizable link to something deep-seated in Japanese culture.  You've got monsters and robots who do your fighting and spirits who do your fighting.  The one thing that seems to be consistent is the connection between the actual fighter and their trainer / partner / what have you.  Ashley Ketchup's connection to Pikachuuuu.  Yugi Mutou's connection to his cards.  Yoh's connection to Amidamaru.  Jotaro's connection to his Star Platinum.  I just know that if one mangaka (etc.) has an idea that's successful, everyone under the sun will imitate what he or she or they had success with.  To freakin' death.  Sometimes you get derivative series that are nonetheless enjoyable.  Sometimes you get complete and utter crap.  Sometimes entire genres are born.

[moolbelppa 11]

Herculoids predates all of this biz. 

 

Most of the example series you mention have a common thread in that they are based around a collectable aspect (toys), which appears in american productions as well, japan just happens to be really good at it. Why settle for having one super power when you can harness a whole army of little guys who each have different ones.