It must be one of those Japanese cultural values, subconsciously woven into their pop culture. Just like "the power of friendship". I remember in college when a friend began to laugh at Yu Yu Hakusho for seeming to use such a "hackneyed trope". But I have heard that one of the big Japanese cultural values is "the group" or "group identity". Practically every anime from Sailormoon to Summer Wars, does not grant the Hero success until they are aided by the full unity of their group. In contrast, one convention panelist noted how Cowboy Bebop, though revered by American audiences, was fairly unpopular in Japan, with its very individualistic Hero who tended to function solo, speaking more to American values and ideals, more than to the Japanese. What did that same convention panelist note as the most popular series in Japan? One Piece. A series that speaks to the Japanese about a sense of family, camaraderie, and group.
Every story or author subconsciously weaves in their culture's values. It's why there's a niche geek culture of Japanese who love American superhero comics (AmeriComi) and a niche geek culture of Americans who love Japanese anime. As Crispin Freeman suggested, sometimes a person's individual values can coincide more with another society's values, more than the ideals of their native environment. That's why I was disturbed when American comics once tried to emulate anime, as it became more popular, and they were losing ground (in the 1990's I think). If a genre loses it's inherent themes, then where will its fans go? ;~; As long as there's something for everybody, then we all have a chance to be happy with something.
...On the other hand, a nice niche homage to a foreign genre, every once in a while, is fun. Whether it be Tiger and Bunny or High School of the Dead, or even Kill Bill. ^_~
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