I'll agree with LJ that Japan's entertainment products share similar themes, including the stupid "Man With A Past" one.
I shamefully admit, I was sucked into it: I remember guys like in Vampire Hunter: D, who, to me, were so cool, with capes and cool shadows and sillouettes, with a dark and mysterious "Past" they were trying to redeem themselves of. To be truthful, however, such a profile, put together from bits and pieces of sound psychology, is really psychologically inconsistent. While certain elements are indeed, truthful, such as the seriousness and reluctancy to talk, these realistic traits conflict with another little piece they throw in, the guilt over having a bad past. In truth, a mind realistically guilty cannot be confident of itself, and these brave characters almost always portray confidence in their quests. Additionally, it is very, very hard to always feel guilt--too much guilt can stress the mind into acting out. Being brave, silent, and virtuous is one thing--this whole "Past" nonsense is quite another.
