Crayon Shin-chan: Action Mask vs. Leotard Devil

Crayon Shin-chan: Action Mask vs. Leotard Devil is the 9th anime film installment of the Crayon Shin-chan franchise. The movie was released in 1993 and is a continuation of the series, blending humor with fantastical elements. The story begins with the arrival of Action Mask, also known as Kuroobaa, in the Kasukabe city, where Shin-chan and his family live. Action Mask is a popular TV superhero who fights against evil and protects the people. He is well-known for his bravery and kindness. Upon his arrival, everyone is thrilled to see Action Mask, and many children gather to catch a glimpse of their hero. The real plot kicks in when Action Mask shows up at Shin-chan's house, and he's seen as a threat to the family's daily life. He requests Shin-chan's help to find his lost mask, but what Action Mask doesn't know is that the mask has been stolen by a villainous character named Leotard Devil. Leotard Devil is a malevolent character with the face of a woman and is dressed in women's clothing. His actual name is Hana-chan, a female high school student, who is secretly obsessed with Action Mask and the attention he gets from the people. He steals Action Mask's powers for himself, turning him into Leotard Devil. Leotard Devil now possesses powers that are similar to the ones of Action Mask and seeks to take over the city, using his newfound powers against the citizens. When Leotard Devil emerges as the real villain of the story, the citizens of Kasukabe are initially confused because of Leotard Devil's powers and because of the similarity in his physical appearance to Hana-chan. This confusion initially gives Leotard Devil an upper hand in wreaking havoc across the city. Meanwhile, Shin-chan and Action Mask form an unlikely partnership to find Action Mask's lost mask. Along the way, Action Mask starts to suspect that Leotard Devil might be a person from Kasukabe. Their search for Action Mask's lost mask and the battle against Leotard Devil creates a thrilling adventure for the residents of Kasukabe. As they progress on their quest, they eventually gather evidence that leads them to Hana-chan, who, as a result of a freak accident involving a costume and a television, turned into Leotard Devil. Upon finding Hana-chan, Shin-chan uses his wit to outsmart her and recover Action Mask's powers. However, Leotard Devil's transformation back to Hana-chan is short-lived. Upon his realization that he could still possess Leotard Devil's powers without wearing the costume, he decides to use it one more time. Leotard Devil attempts to wreak havoc on Kasukabe again, but this time, the people have realized the true identity of the villain. A combined effort from the people and Action Mask eventually leads to Hana-chan surrendering, and Leotard Devil's powers are neutralized, bringing peace back to Kasukabe. The film concludes with a sense of closure, as Shin-chan and Action Mask have saved the day. The residents of Kasukabe celebrate their hero and the return of peace in their city, and Shin-chan returns to his normal life, unaware that there will be other battles to be fought in the future. Throughout the movie, the series' trademark humor continues to shine through, showcasing its ability to entertain children and adults alike with its slapstick humor and satirical take on everyday life in urban Japan.