Following on the unexpected success of the original, Yuichi Fukada shot a sequel, this time having a rather bigger budget in his hands, since Toei got involved in the production, replacing T-Joy, thus giving the opportunity to the Masked Pervert to flaunt his abilities in an even more impressive way.
HK2: The Abnormal Crisis is screening at Fantasia 2020
Kyosuke is now in college, but his relationship with Aiko is going through a rough patch, since the girl cannot understand his obsession with women's underwear, even asking for her own back, thus stripping Hentai Kamen from his main source of strength. At the same time, Kyosuke's superhero “work” has caused his manager in the pizza delivery shop he worked to fire him, putting even more strain on his relationship with Aiko, who does not want him putting his life in danger. However, his archrival Ogane seems to be back along a new set of cronies, while a colleague, Makoto, seems to target Aiko romantically, as a teacher does the same with Kyosuke, who now has to find the strength to deal with all his issues.
Yuichi Fukuda, having a rather bigger budget in his hands, manages to present a much better work in the SFX department, with particularly the robotic crab-man being utterly impressive (also parodying Doctor Octopus). The result is much more impressive visually, but at the same time, it does not seem to work as adequately narrative-wise, since the low-budget nature of the prequel was actually a big part of its appeal. At the same time, the lack of the surprise element regarding the character also tones down the overall impression of the movie, while at 118 minutes, it definitely overextends its welcome somewhat.
On the other hand, the preposterousness of the original is back in all its glory, with the most perverse super hero ever to appear shamelessly mocking Marvel comics and particularly Spiderman (even the intro seems to mock the MCU one), Kamen Rider, and the obsession Japanese men have with used underwear. Particularly the concept of the Vacuum Man and the villains sucking all female underwear from the whole of Japan highlights the aforementioned approach in the eloquent fashion, as always, through a combination of comedy and absurdity. A number of social comments, regarding the difficulties of relationships, working environments, mentorship and identity, are also here once more, but again drowned in the nonsensicality of the story. Also of note is that the film appears somewhat sexier and not just perversely sultry, particularly through the presence of Ayame Misaki in the role of the teacher.
“HK2: The Abnormal Crisis” is on a lower level than its predecessor, but at the same time, is more impressive and as it carries most of the original's aesthetics, it is bound to satisfy all fans of absurd and in essence, inappropriate comedy.
