Modern American pop media is written and directed by midwits with a very insular imagination and weak aesthetic vision.
There are exceptions like Kite Man, but on average, it's the Bubblegum Gentleman problem in practice.
Japan started very well with rapid agression but simply couldn't survive the onslaught of a superior foe and two deadly strikes
Germany dominated but couldn't break through a stubborn numerically superior defense
Italy didn't even show up
Don't worry about it. The Chinese also invented gunpowder, and then literally didn't invent guns because they were using it for fireworks. They love fireworks. They will always use technology for fireworks. They can't help themselves.