>MC sacrifices himself to show society that being a hero is more than just wanting fame and power

>Japanese reader: Beautiful.

>American reader: Why didn't the MC end up famous and powerful? Wasn't he supposed to be the greatest hero of all? And where's his wife? Is he a cuck?

The fact that the Japanese loved the ending and the Americans did not is directly linked to the notion of success and heroism that each has.

For the Japanese, success is helping society. For Americans, success is being famous, powerful and getting the hot girl. You see this all the time in Hollywood. That's why the idea of the greatest hero of all being the one who sacrifices himself for others doesn't make sense to them. On the other hand, they think it's completely valid to compare a professor (from the most prestigious university in the world) with a fast food employee.

Their problem with the ending is not artistic, it's personal.