Super Sentai
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Super Sentai Series (スーパー戦隊シリーズ Sūpā Sentai Shirīzu) is the name given to the long running Japanese superhero team genre of shows produced by Toei Company Ltd., Toei Agency and Bandai, and aired by TV Asahi ("Super" refers to their use of mecha, and "sentai" is the Japanese word for "task force" or, literally, "fighting squadron" and was also a term used for Japanese squadrons in WWII). The shows are of the tokusatsu genre, featuring live action characters and colorful special effects, and are aimed mainly at children. This series is one of the most prominent tokusatsu productions in Japan, alongside the Ultra Series, the Kamen Rider Series, and the Metal Hero Series and was adapted in the United States as Power Rangers.
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[edit] Series overview
In every Sentai series, the fight between good and evil is illustrated, with the good side winning most of the time. The basic premise of the series is that a group of five (in some cases fewer) people gain special powers (magical or technological), wear colored outfits, and use advanced weapons and martial arts skills to battle powerful beings from other planets and/or dimensions threatening to take over the Earth. In most of the episodes, after the team has beaten an army of evil creatures ("grunts") and the "monster of the week", they call for huge robotic vehicles/animals ("mechas") that can combine to form one giant robot to fight an enlarged version of the monster. Sentai series with the giant robot element are specifically known as Super Sentai. Each Sentai series is set in a different fictional universe, with the exception of specials that feature a teaming up with the previous Sentai.
The first Sentai series, Himitsu Sentai Goranger, was created by the late Shotaro Ishinomori, creator of Kamen Rider and Cyborg 009 in 1975. He did not create any further Sentai series after his second, J.A.K.Q. Dengekitai, was not received well. These two series were not a part of the Super Sentai series until 1994 when Toei decided to include them with the series that followed.
The third Sentai series, Battle Fever J (1979), is the first Super Sentai show (on account of it being the first to have a giant robot that the heroes pilot - the past two shows only had vehicles).
The term sentai is also occasionally used to describe shows with similar premises, such as Voltron, or even the magical girl team in Sailor Moon, as Naoko Takeuchi deliberately used Sentai ideas.[1] In 2003, Sailor Moon was retold in a fashion somewhat similar to Sentai shows in the form of Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon. While not officially Sentai, some fans of the genre have accepted it as such.
[edit] Distribution
Although the series originated in Japan, they were imported and dubbed in several other countries. Choudenshi Bioman and Hikari Sentai Maskman were very popular in France and in the Philippines in the 1980s.[2] Additionally, Choujuu Sentai Liveman and Kousoku Sentai Turboranger were aired in Spain and Portugal. Denshi Sentai Denziman and Dai Sentai Goggle V were aired in Italy. In Brazil, the first Super Sentai series to air was Dengeki Sentai Changeman, in 1988, and made a tremendous impact at the time, being considered a cult classic. Due to the success of Changeman, other series were imported, such as Choushinsei Flashman, Hikari Sentai Maskman and the unsuccessful Dai Sentai Goggle V. There were also plans to import newer series, but were cancelled due to reduced popularity of recent series. Various Sentai series were also broadcast in Malaysia sometime in the 1990s.
[edit] Super Sentai in the U.S.
After Honolulu, Hawaii's KIKU-TV had success with Android Kikaider (called Kikaida) and Kamen Rider V3 in the 1970s, multiple Super Sentai shows, including Himitsu Sentai Goranger and Battle Fever J, were brought to the Hawaiian market (all broadcast in Japanese with English subtitles by JN Productions).[3] Himitsu Sentai Goranger was also broadcast on Japanese-language stations in Sacramento, San Francisco and Los Angeles, California in 1976–77. J.A.K.Q. Dengekitai was also broadcast in Los Angeles, California following Himitsu Sentai Goranger. Kagaku Sentai Dynaman was dubbed and aired as a parody on the USA Network television show Night Flight in 1987. In 1993, Haim Saban produced the first installment of the Power Rangers franchise by dubbing the action sequences from 1992's Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger and filming new footage with American actors for the story sequences. This trend has continued, with each successive Sentai show contributing the action sequences to the Power Rangers series the following year.[4]
[edit] Super Sentai in Korea
Super Sentai has also been broadcast in South Korea dubbed from Japanese to Korean, starting as early as Choushinsei Flashman titled Earth Protector Flashman. Recently, Tooniverse, JEI-TV, CHAMP TV/ANIONE TV, and Cartoon Network Korea have broadcast Bakuryuu Sentai Abaranger, Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger, Mahou Sentai Magiranger, GoGo Sentai Boukenger and Juken Sentai Gekiranger under the titles of Power Rangers: Dino Thunder, S.P.D., Magic Force, Treasure Force and Wild Spirits, respectively.[5]
[edit] The series of Super Sentai
Each of the series of Super Sentai has their own unique values and motifs.
- Himitsu Sentai Goranger (秘密戦隊ゴレンジャー Himitsu Sentai Gorenjā, translated as Secret Squadron Goranger), aired from 1975-1977, was the first Sentai. The Gorangers were a super-technology spy team that fought against a secret terrorist monster force.
- J.A.K.Q. Dengekitai (ジャッカー電撃隊 Jakkā Dengekitai, translated as J.A.K.Q. Blitzkrieg Squad) aired in 1977. It featured a team of cyborgs based on a playing card motif - Jack, Ace, King and Queen. It had the first non-red leader (although he was the leader until later in the story), and it was the first Super Sentai Series to team-up with the previous Super Sentai team (J.A.K.Q. vs. Goranger), a special feature that would not repeat until Ohranger vs. Kakuranger, when it became an annual tradition.
- Battle Fever J (バトルフィーバーJ Batoru Fībā Jei) aired in 1979. Its members were themed around nation-states (Japan, Soviet Union, Kenya, France and the United States), the countries where its members were originally stationed. The series also featured a regular and active member, Battle Cossack, getting killed in battle. The female character, Miss America, was designed by reference in Marvel's Miss America; in addition, her male counterparts vaguely resembled Marvel's Captain America. This fact is influenced by the cooperative relation built when Marvel and Toei made the tokusatsu Spider-Man series. All other characters were original designs from Toei.
- Denshi Sentai Denziman (電子戦隊デンジマン Denshi Sentai Denjiman, translated as Electronic Squadron Denziman) aired in 1980. The team's powers centered around electricity. It was the first Super Sentai Series to have opaque visors, and a transforming giant robot.
- Taiyou Sentai Sun Vulcan (太陽戦隊サンバルカン Taiyō Sentai San Barukan, translated as Solar Squadron Sun Vulcan) aired in 1981. It was the only series to be a sequel to the previous one. Each of the team members represented a different part of the Earth; land, sea, and air. It was also the first Super Sentai Series to feature an all-male team, and the first to have a combining robot with two units forming into one. San, the Japanese pronunciation for "sun", also means "three," since there are three Sun Vulcans (it is also in the series' second ending theme song "One [Ichi] + Two [Ni] + Three [San] Vulcans"). It was the first Super Sentai Series to have a combining robot.
- Dai Sentai Goggle V (大戦隊ゴーグルファイブ Dai Sentai Gōguru Faibu, translated as Great Squadron Goggle V) aired in 1982. The team's powers came from jewels of ancient civilizations and their weapons were based on items used in rhythmic gymnastics. Goggle V made a huge impact in Indonesia.
- Kagaku Sentai Dynaman (科学戦隊ダイナマン Kagaku Sentai Dainaman, translated as Science Squadron Dynaman) aired in 1983. It was the first Super Sentai Series to feature heroes wearing spandex and to forgo wearing scarves. The team was a group of scientist inventors. Several episodes of this series were later dubbed into English as the comedic parody series Dynaman, which was briefly seen on the USA Network's Night Flight programming block.
- Choudenshi Bioman (超電子バイオマン Chōdenshi Baioman, translated as Super Electronic Bioman) aired in 1984. The powers of the Biomen came from "Bio Particles" being passed on to new generations. It was the first Super Sentai Series to have two female members as well as the first female in yellow, and the first series not to feature monsters that start at human-sized. The yellow female died, making Bioman the first series to feature a regular and active female member getting killed in action. The character was immediately replaced later on in the series. Bioman is also notable for having multiple team finishing moves, as opposed to others, which had just one. Bioman had a huge impact in the Philippines and France (especially the Philippines).
- Dengeki Sentai Changeman (電撃戦隊チェンジマン Dengeki Sentai Chenjiman, translated as Blitzkrieg Squadron Changeman) aired in 1985. The team's motif was that of European mythological animals: the dragon, griffin, pegasus, mermaid and phoenix. It was the first Super Sentai Series to feature the use of a team cannon. Changeman was unique in the fact that the team fought with various signature military formations. Changeman had a huge impact in Brazil.
- Choushinsei Flashman (超新星フラッシュマン Chōshinsei Furasshuman, translated as Supernova Flashman) aired in 1986. Each of the different Flashmen was raised on a different planet that gave them different powers. It was the first Super Sentai Series to have a second robot. Like Changeman before it, Flashman also had a huge impact in Brazil.
- Hikari Sentai Maskman (光戦隊マスクマン Hikari Sentai Masukuman, translated as Light Squadron Maskman) aired in 1987. Each Maskman used a different martial arts technique and all had a connection to a mystical "Aura Power" energy. It was the first Super Sentai Series to have a sixth team member (albeit for one episode only), and the first to have a five-piece component robot. The theme of Maskman is forbidden love. Like Bioman before it, Maskman also had a huge impact in the Philippines and France.
- Choujuu Sentai Liveman (超獣戦隊ライブマン Chōjū Sentai Raibuman, translated as Super-Beast Squadron Liveman) aired in 1988. Its motif was that of animals (falcon, lion, dolphin, bison, and rhino). It was the first Super Sentai Series to have a female in blue, and the first to initially have three members, with two members joining later on. It was also the first to feature Black and Green as members of the core team. It was also the first series to have animal-based mecha and the first to have two giant robots combine to form one powerful robot. The theme of Liveman is revenge.
- Kousoku Sentai Turboranger (高速戦隊ターボレンジャー Kōsoku Sentai Tāborenjā, translated as High-Speed Squadron TurboRanger) aired in 1989. It was themed around automobiles. This was the 10th anniversary series (by Toei's official count until Goranger & J.A.K.Q. were re-included) and the first to feature a reunion with previous Super Sentai teams. It was the first series to have a command base that could be combined with other giant robots to create a more powerful robot. It was also the first in which the main villains were killed in the middle of the series as well as the first to feature half-human enemies. This series also marked the first use of the word "ranger" since the original Goranger. The theme of Turboranger is living youth to the fullest, friendship, juggling the responsibility with school, and the transition of youth to adult.
- Chikyuu Sentai Fiveman (地球戦隊ファイブマン Chikyū Sentai Faibuman, translated as Earth Squadron Fiveman) aired in 1990. Each of the Fivemen was a teacher who taught a different academic subject (science, athletics, language, music, and mathematics) and fought in a different martial arts style. It was the first Super Sentai Series to feature an all-sibling team. It was also the first Super Sentai Series to hide the real enemy until near the finale. It was also the first to feature an Evil Sentai group to contend with the heroes, as well as the first Sentai to start the tradition of having the team receive a "super mode" or "power up" in which their suits transform or have attachments in order to increase their abilities.
- Choujin Sentai Jetman (鳥人戦隊ジェットマン Chōjin Sentai Jettoman, translated as Birdman Squadron Jetman) aired in 1991. Its motif was various birds, inspired by the anime Science Ninja Team Gatchaman. Jetman brought intense drama to the Super Sentai franchise, making it one of the more popular Super Sentai Series. It was the first series to have a third giant robot, and a female mentor. It was the first Super Sentai Series with a member apparently getting killed after the war by a random incident, and a new character introduced in a manga epilogue.
- Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger (恐竜戦隊ジュウレンジャー Kyōryū Sentai Jūrenjā, translated as Dinosaur Squadron Zyuranger) aired in 1992. It was themed around prehistoric beasts. It was the first Super Sentai to introduce sentient mecha and feature the first regular sixth team member. It was also the first Super Sentai Series to be adapted as an installment of the American Power Rangers franchise as the first season of Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers. It is also the first series in which the main villains are not killed.
- Gosei Sentai Dairanger (五星戦隊ダイレンジャー Gosei Sentai Dairenjā, translated as Five-Star Squadron Dairanger) aired in 1993. Its motif was Chinese mythological animals (the Chinese dragon, Shishi, Pegasus, Qilin, and Fenghuang) and each of the Dairangers practiced a different martial arts style.
- Ninja Sentai Kakuranger (忍者戦隊カクレンジャー Ninja Sentai Kakurenjā, translated as Ninja Squadron Kakuranger) aired in 1994. Its motif was the art of ninjutsu and based on five legendary ninjas, loosely based on characters from the Chinese classic Journey to the West. The series officially featured the first non-red leader. This series also saw the first multi-Super Sentai team-up; Super Sentai World, where the previous four teams joined in the action. It was also the first Super Sentai Series to have a second five-piece giant robot, as well as the first set of non-combining separate mecha.
- Chouriki Sentai Ohranger (超力戦隊オーレンジャー Chōriki Sentai Ōrenjā, translated as Super-Power Squadron Ohranger) aired in 1995. Its team had a motif of geometric symbols and they had control of ancient mystical technology. Ohranger began the annual tradition of the VS Series: a V-Cinema release that features a team-up between the current and previous Super Sentai teams (this began with J.A.K.Q. Dengekitai vs. Goranger, but Chouriki Sentai Ohranger vs. Kakuranger was the first annual release).
- Gekisou Sentai Carranger (激走戦隊カーレンジャー Gekisō Sentai Kārenjā, translated as Racing Squadron Carranger) aired in 1996. Like Turboranger before it, its was themed around automobiles. It was the 20th anniversary Sentai with the helmets closely resembling those of Turboranger's except that there were two females and they fought against aliens instead of demons. This season was a parody of the Super Sentai Series while being an actual series itself, lacking the seriousness present in previous series.
- Denji Sentai Megaranger (電磁戦隊メガレンジャー Denji Sentai Megarenjā, translated as Electromagnetic Squadron Megaranger) aired in 1997. As the Megarangers are originally video game characters within the Megaranger universe, the series' theme was that of electronics equipment. It was the first Super Sentai Series to have a member in silver. Megaranger was also notable for being the first to face the first official evil sentai team, the Nejirangers throughout an entire stroy arc. Megaranger was considered as the season to modernize the franchise.
- Seijuu Sentai Gingaman (星獣戦隊ギンガマン Seijū Sentai Gingaman, translated as Star-Beast Squadron Gingaman) aired in 1998. The team's power was elemental and derived from benevolent "Star Beasts" that have aided mankind through the centuries. It was the first Super Sentai Series to have only one combining robot with assisting robots not driven by the original five. Gingaman was a return to old school elements.
- Kyuukyuu Sentai GoGo-V (救急戦隊ゴーゴーファイブ Kyūkyū Sentai GōGō Faibu, translated as Rescue Squadron GoGo-V) aired in 1999. The members of GoGo-V each specialized in a different type of emergency rescue service (hazardous rescue, firefighter, helicopter pilot, police officer, and paramedic). It featured the second sibling team. For the first time since Jetman, the series featured only five heroes, with additional heroes appearing in one of its V-Cinema productions.
- Mirai Sentai Timeranger (未来戦隊タイムレンジャー Mirai Sentai Taimurenjā, translated as Future Squadron Timeranger) aired in 2000. It featured time-travelling police officers from the year 3000. It was the first Super Sentai Series to have the sixth team member's costume color the same as a regular team member (red). The theme of Timeranger is if one cannot change their destiny, they can always change tomorrow.
- Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger (百獣戦隊ガオレンジャー Hyakujū Sentai Gaorenjā, translated as Hundred Beast Squadron Gaoranger) aired in 2001. The series featured powers arising from sentient beasts, of which there were one-hundred different sentient animal mecha (only twenty-two were featured in the series, with another one appearing on a drama CD, another exclusive to the series' movie, and four that only appeared in the final episode). It was the 25th anniversary Super Sentai Series, which had the honor of starting a trend for the team-up special of having the anniversary team join forces with past Super Sentai members from various teams rather than with the prior team in the V-Cinema Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger vs. Super Sentai. It was also the first Super Sentai Series to present multiple mecha combinations.
- Ninpuu Sentai Hurricaneger (忍風戦隊ハリケンジャー Ninpū Sentai Harikenjā, translated as Stealth-Wind Squadron Hurricaneger) aired in 2002. The series combined elements from Kakuranger and with the animals used in Liveman. The Hurricanegers, Gouraigers, and the Shurikenger were all users of ninjitsu, with the Hurricangers having the same animals as the original Livemen. The Gouraigers are the first Sentai warriors to have an insect motif and the first group to be heroes that have a different name than the title. Hurricanger is the second Super Sentai Series to start with three members and it also featured a unique mecha weapon system in which a series of semi-sentient animal-themed weapons were used. The theme of Hurricaneger, is about growing up.
- Bakuryuu Sentai Abaranger (爆竜戦隊アバレンジャー Bakuryū Sentai Abarenjā, translated as Burstosaur Squadron Abaranger) aired in 2003. Its motif was dinosaurs, closely resembling 1992's Zyuranger. It was the first Super Sentai Series to feature a member (Red) having an alternative form. It was also the first series to feature the first sole evil sentai warrior (White), who later became the first evil warrior to join the main heroes. The theme of Abaranger is the lust of power, and power corrupting. The season also focuses on human weaknesses as another theme.
- Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger (特捜戦隊デカレンジャー Tokusō Sentai Dekarenjā, translated as Special Investigation Squadron Dekaranger) aired in 2004. The Special Police Dekaranger are an intergalactic police force division stationed on Earth to handle extraterrestrial criminals who enter Earth illegally and wreak havoc. It was the first Super Sentai Series to have a semi-regular seventh team member, with three more Rangers who appear once each throughout the series: DekaSwan (36), DekaBright (40), and DekaGold (Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger The Movie: Full Blast Action). Deka is Japanese slang for detective.
- Mahou Sentai Magiranger (魔法戦隊マジレンジャー Mahō Sentai Majirenjā, translated as Magic Squadron Magiranger) aired in 2005. Its theme was magic and elemental powers with a motif of mythological creatures linked to those elemental powers. It is the first Super Sentai to feature a full family fighting together, with two married couples and an all-sibling core team. It is also the first Super Sentai to have rarely used seventh and eighth team members. The theme of Magiranger is courage and family.
- GoGo Sentai Boukenger (轟轟戦隊ボウケンジャー GōGō Sentai Bōkenjā, translated as Rumbling Squadron Boukenger) aired in 2006. Its theme was adventure and treasure hunting. It is the thirtieth anniversary of Super Sentai. At the end of each episode (Task), starting with the fourth, Boukenger had a short featurette at the end to commemorate the previous 30 years of Super Sentai entitled the 30 Sentai Encyclopedia. It was the first Super Sentai Series to be filmed and broadcast in high definition. Its anniversary V-Cinema GoGo Sentai Boukenger vs. Super Sentai had the first hero that did not belong to a previous team, but had the ability to assume the form of a previous red warrior. Boukenger is notable for having multiple villainous factions within the season. Like Gingaman, Hurricaneger, and Dekaranger before it, Boukenger was a nod to old school sentai.
- Juken Sentai Gekiranger (獣拳戦隊ゲキレンジャー Jūken Sentai Gekirenjā, translated as Beast-Fist Squadron Gekiranger) aired in 2007. Its theme was Chinese martial arts (eventually incorporating Muay Thai and karate in its additional warriors) with a wild animal motif, beginning with large cats such as the tiger, cheetah, and jaguar. The mecha of Gekiranger are unique in that they are manifestations of the Gekirangers' qi (気 ki). It was the first Super Sentai Series where the story is not only focused on the the heroes, the Gekirangers, but also the series primary antagonists, Rio and Mele, who later evolve into anti-heroes. Gekiranger also contains the first Super Sentai team to have a new color (violet) in ten years. The theme of Gekiranger is about choosing one's path and destiny.
- Engine Sentai Go-onger (炎神戦隊ゴーオンジャー Enjin Sentai Gōonjā, translated as Engine Squadron Go-onger) aired in 2008. It had an ecological theme with an animal and automobile motif. It was the first Super Sentai Series to have a female regular seventh warrior, having arrived in the series with the sixth. Go-onger was also the first Super Sentai Series to have its theme song single reach the top-ten of the Oricon charts at #4, after selling 22,000 records in its first week of being released.[6] The series also featured the most mecha to combine into a single robot: twelve.
- Samurai Sentai Shinkenger (侍戦隊シンケンジャー Samurai Sentai Shinkenjā, translated as Samurai Squadron Shinkenger) is the title of the current series for 2009. As its title suggests, it has a samurai theme with an animal, elemental, and kanji motif for the individual Shinkengers' powers. Shinkenger is heavily Japan influenced.
[edit] Colors
The color palette for Super Sentai has grown over the years, beginning with Red, Blue, Yellow, Pink, and Green in Goranger. The leader of the team is traditionally Red, although there have been some exceptions. Red and Blue are the only colors to appear in all the series.
[edit] Mecha
The main theme that makes a Super Sentai series are the various mecha that the teams use. The two original teams, Goranger and J.A.K.Q. solely had vehicles, which is what designated them originally as "Sentai." What originally denoted a "Sentai" from a "Super Sentai" was the use of a giant robot. The first series to have such was Battle Fever J with its Battle Fever Robo. This was followed by the first giant robot that transformed from a vehicle, Denshi Sentai Denziman and its DaiDenjin, and then by the first combining, or "gattai" (合体 ) robot, Sun Vulcan Robo. The first time a team had a second robot occurred in Choushinsei Flashman with Flash King and Flash Titan. The first combination of two robots, or "Super Gattai" (スーパー合体 Sūpā Gattai) occurred in Choujuu Sentai Liveman with Live Robo and Live Boxer combining into Super Live Robo. Kousoku Sentai Turboranger featured the first transforming base robot, Turbo Builder. The first third robot was Tetraboy in Choujin Sentai Jetman alongside JetIcarus and JetGaruda. The first seven-piece combination was Ultimate DaiZyujin in Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger, a number only recently surpassed by Super DaiBouken and Ultimate DaiBouken in GoGo Sentai Boukenger, which are comprised of nine and ten mecha, respectively. This limit, too, was surpassed by the twelve-piece Engine-Oh G12 of Engine Sentai Go-onger. The first multiple combination mecha appeared in Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger, with all of the Power Animals being interchangeable with each other in the main combinations. Juken Sentai Gekiranger introduced the first mecha from the villain group that could combine with the heroes' robot, RinLion and RinChameleon combining with GekiTohja to form GekiRinTohja. Go-onger, in addition to having a 12-piece combination robot, introduced the first independent fourth robot, Kyoretsu-Oh.
[edit] Homages and parodies in popular culture
The Super Sentai series have been airing in Japan for the past thirty years, and have been parodied as well as emulated in various ways throughout the world. Some of the anime and video games that reference or parody are:
- Bleach (Karakura Superheroes (カラクラ防衛隊 Karakura Bōeitai, Karakura Self-Defense Troop))
- Disgaea: Hour of Darkness (NijiRanger/Prism Rangers)
- Dragon Ball Z (the Ginyu Force (ギニュー特戦隊 Ginyū Tokusentai))
- Excel Saga (Municipal Force Daitenzin (市立戦隊ダイテンジン Shiritsu Sentai Daitenjin))
- Negima!: Magister Negi Magi (Mahora Sentai Bakaranger (まほら戦隊バカレンジャー Mahora Sentai Bakarenjā)), dubbed the "Dummy Force" in the English dub. In the second anime series, a set of shorts features turns the study group into an actual Super Sentai, complete with color-coded uniforms and role call, the latter copies that of Sun Vulcan's for three of its members with the same color. The Bakarangers were also featured in the tokusatsu adaptation MAGISTER NEGI MAGI: Mahou Sensei Negima!.
- Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars (Axem Rangers/Kajioh Squadron Onoranger (カジオー戦隊オノレンジャー Kajiō Sentai Onorenjā))
There have also been direct parody series such as the Filipino movies Biokids[7] and Kabayokids[8], the French series Bioumen, and the Japanese series Special Duty Combat Unit Shinesman (特務戦隊シャインズマン Tokumu Sentai Shainsuman).
There have been many tribute series that pay homage to the long running franchise, starting with the Japanese series Patriotic Squadron Great Japan (愛國戰隊大日本 Aikoku Sentai Dai-Nippon) created by what is now Gainax.[9] The most recent series is the French online series Jushi Sentai France Five[10] (now Shin Kenjushi France Five) which became so popular in Japan that anison singer Akira Kushida sang its opening theme.[11]
Toei has also parodied their work by using it in a series of short features on various spas and onsen around Japan as Bihada Sentai Sparanger (美肌泉隊ＳＰＡレンジャー Bihada Sentai Suparenjā, Handsome Muscle Spring Corps Sparanger). This series features tokusatsu and drama actors Takashi Hagino (Changéríon of Choukou Senshi Changéríon and Kamen Rider Ouja of Kamen Rider Ryuki) as SpaRed (ＳＰＡレッド SupaReddo), Kento Handa (Kamen Rider Faiz of Kamen Rider 555) as SpaBlue (ＳＰＡブルー SupaBurū), Kengo Ohkuchi (the trapped subway worker Kazushi Mizuno in Kamen Rider 555) as SpaGreen (ＳＰＡグリーン SupaGurīn), Masashi Mikami (BoukenBlue in GoGo Sentai Boukenger) as SpaYellow (ＳＰＡイエロー SupaIerō), and Kohei Murakami (Kamen Rider Kaixa in Kamen Rider 555) as SpaMurasaki (ＳＰＡムラサキ（紫） SupaMurasaki, "purple" or "violet" in Japanese).[12]
Since 2005, the Japanese musical group Kanjani Eight have created a series of performances at their concerts where they dress in different colored outfits and call themselves Kanjani Sentai Eight Ranger (関ジャニ戦隊∞レンジャー Kanjani Sentai Eitorenjā).
[edit] References
- ^ McCarter, Charles. "Public Interview with Takeuchi Naoko" (Q & A Interview). EX:CLUSIVE. www.ex.org. http://www.ex.org/3.6/13-feature_takeuchi.html. Retrieved on 2006-11-30.
- ^ "Japan Hero > Cho Denshi Bioman review". http://www.japanhero.com/sentai%20review%20pages/bioman.htm. Retrieved on 2006-12-03.
- ^ http://www.battlefever.com
- ^ "tokusatsu-l". http://www.artist-bros.org/dlombard/tokusatsu/faq2.htm. Retrieved on 2006-12-03.
- ^ "파워레인저와일드스피릿 (Power Rangers: Wild Spirits)". http://www.powerranger.co.kr/. Retrieved on 2009-01-21. (Korean)
- ^ "炎神戦隊ゴーオンジャー：主題歌が戦隊シリーズ初のオリコン4位 33年目の快挙". http://mainichi.jp/enta/mantan/news/20080325mog00m200028000c.html. Retrieved on 2008-03-25.
- ^ Biokids at the Internet Movie Database. Retrieved on 2007-03-27.
- ^ Kabayo kids (1990) at the Internet Movie Database. Retrieved on 2007-03-27
- ^ GAINAX Co., Ltd. (2006-01-05). "GAINAX NET｜Works｜Animation & Films｜DAICON FILM｜愛國戦隊大日本 (Aikoku Sentai Dai-Nippon あい こく せん たい だい にっ ぽん, literally "Patriotic Squadron Great Japan")" (in Japanese). GAINAX NET. GAINAX Co., Ltd.. 1. http://www.gainax.co.jp/anime/daicon/dai.html. Retrieved on 2007-03-26. "愛國戦隊大日本 (Aikoku Sentai Dai-Nippon あい こく せん たい だい にっ ぽん, literally "Patriotic Squadron Great Japan")"
- ^ [Webmaster |pilotalex] (2004-11-17). "France Five" (in English, French, and Japanese). France Five. France Five. 1. http://www.francefive.com/. Retrieved on 2007-03-26. "http://www.francefive.com/img_choix_langue.jpg Jushi Sentai FRANCE FIVE"
- ^ [Webmaster |pilotalex] (2005-02-25). "オープニング＆エンディング" (in Japanese). France Five. France Five. 1. http://www.francefive.com/newsite/html_jp/musique_generiques.html. Retrieved on 2007-03-26. "フランスファイブを見た串田氏のほうから、主題歌を歌ってみたい！との友情にとんだ申し出があり、氏みずからフランスファイブのために曲を作詞・作曲してくださった。"
- ^ "美肌泉隊 SPAレンジャー". http://www.ntv.co.jp/omoii-tv/old_omoii/spa/index.html. Retrieved on 2007-10-18.
[edit] External links
- Official Super Sentai Website (Japanese)
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