How to Say "Superhero" in Japanese

スーパーヒーロー

sūpāhīrō[sɨːpa̠ːçiːɾo̞ː]

The Japanese word for "superhero" is スーパーヒーロー (sūpāhīrō).

スーパーヒーロー is used to refer to a fictional crime-fighting character with superpowers.

Meaning: a fictional crime-fighting character with superpowers (noun)

What does it mean word for word?

This word is a loanword from English, combining スーパー (super) and ヒーロー (hero).

sūpāhīrō

Japanese fans often categorize superheroes by their 'transformation' sequence, known as henshin, which is a ritualistic process of changing into their hero form.
In Japan, the concept of a superhero is often linked to the sentai (task force) trope, where heroes fight as a color-coded team rather than as solitary vigilantes.
Many Japanese superheroes use a specific phrase, 必殺技 (hissatsu-waza), to describe their 'special move' or finishing attack used to defeat a villain.

あなたのお気に入りのスーパーヒーローは誰ですか。
Who's your favourite superhero?
This sentence is useful for asking about someone's favorite スーパーヒーロー.
Tatoeba #1050562 by bunbuku, translation #12223744 by sundown
トムが一番好きなスーパーヒーローは、スーパーマンなんだ。
Tom's favorite superhero is Superman.
This sentence is useful for stating that Tom's favorite スーパーヒーロー is Superman.
Tatoeba #9203652 by small_snow, translation #5827776 by Hybrid
彼はスーパーヒーローのような存在だ。
He is like a superhero.
彼はスーパーヒーローになりたいと思っている。
Kare wa suupaahiiroo ni naritai to omotte iru.
He wants to become a superhero.

Two friends are talking about movies at a cafe.

美咲 Misaki

最近、面白いスーパーヒーローの映画を見た？
Saikin, omoshiroi suupaahiiroo no eiga o mita?
Have you seen any interesting superhero movies lately?
蓮 Ren

うん、新しいスーパーヒーローの映画がすごく良かったよ。
Un, atarashii suupaahiiroo no eiga ga sugoku yokatta yo.
Yeah, the new superhero movie was really good.
美咲 Misaki

蓮くんも、その映画が好きになったんだね。
Ren-kun mo, sono eiga ga suki ni natta ndane.
So you liked that movie too, Ren.
蓮 Ren

ああ、アクションがとてもかっこよかったよ。
Aa, akushon ga totemo kakko yokatta yo.
Yeah, the action was very cool.

Sources

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