Most Favorite Super Sentai Opening Theme

The new super sentai, Kyuranger is about to launch in couple of weeks, so let's refresh our memories with my list of favorite super sentai opening songs and themes. I only listed the opening songs, there are zillions of end songs, in between songs and others that enriched the world of super sentai.


10. Susume Goranger - Go Ranger 1975
This is where it's all begin. The opening song of Go Ranger 1972 is true classic. It's so '70s Japan with toku style brass, funky guitar. Sings by Isao Sasaki who get very tenor voice and Mitsuko Horie as the female counter part.

09. Dai Sentai Goggle V - Goggle V 1982
Lyric : Koike Kazuo Composer / Arranger : Watanabe Michiaki Singer : MoJo, Koorogi '73, Goggle V is the first recognized sentai in Indonesia and South East Asia. The song is also memorable with still lots of brass and pumping bass line.

08. Choudenshi Bioman - Bioman 1984
Choudenshi Bioman (超電子バイオマン) is also most popular sentai in the '80, worldwide! This opening song sing by Takayuki Miyauchi. The chorus is epic and required strong spirit to shout it out.

07. Choujin Sentai Jetman - Jetman 1991
Performed by Hironobu Kageyama, the Jetman opening song is rather the turn point to classic '80 sound. Jetman's opening song is modern by the time performed by singer that having more pop voices and less brass. It's has heavy metal with shredding electric guitar solos.

06. Secret Kakuranger - Kakuranger 1994
Performed by Tu Chee Chen. And we arrived in Kakuranger opening theme. As the revolution in Tokusatsu soundtrack song begin, the music for Kakuranger is extremely different that its past. Secret Kakuranger has thick Japanese music elements. Fit with Kakuranger ninja theme. It's also sing by singer with J-Pop voice rather than the tenor singer in the '80s.

05. Mirai Sentai Timeranger - Timeranger 2000
Performed by JIKU. Talking about revolution in super sentai opening song, Timeranger wins big time. This opening song is so extremely future feel. The singer is fully taken by female voices. The music is combination of crazy jazz feel and rock. The chromatic down notes in the chorus is strange to be in super sentai song. See this one live and you can feel how powerful this song is.

04. Mahou Sentai Magiranger - Magiranger 2005
Performed by Takafumi Iwasaki. The song is composed with thick orchestra to echo the soundtrack of magical world. It's influenced by Harry Potter world, Magiranger opening song successly brings us to the magical world.

Listen to the violin version :

03. Go Go Sentai Boukenger - Boukenger 20006
Performed by  NoB (Yamada Nobuo). By now, the opening song of super sentai is already quite standarized. Still Boukenger opening song is pretty neat and spiritful. The style is heavy metal with full power chord guitar. Chorus are memorable.

Hear it with piano version, which is very fit with the instrument:

02. Hurricaneger Calling - Hurricaneger 2002
Performed by Hideaki Takatori. Hurricaneger incorportaed Japanese elements to their opening song. You can feel the Japanese scale in the song and it's epic. The song is greatly videographed in the clip with Hurricaneger using the umbrellas.

It's work nice for flute version  :

01. Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger - Dekaranger 2004
Performed by Psychic Lover. Yes, Dekaranger opening song with it's epic opening guitar riff is the no.1 super sentai song. This is the household song for super sentai, this is how super sentai show should be started. The style is full metal band setting, Psychic Lover got it super right.

It's the best song to do cover with guitar :

Notable mentioned :
Juken Sentai Gekiranger 2007 
Performed by Takayoshi Tanimoto, this song fall in between Dekaranger and Hurricaneger. It's still following Dekaranger and Boukenger style which is metal with big power chord but now with exotic scale to reflected Gekiranger kungfu style. Very nice one indeed.

Top 10 Favorite Super Sentai Heroines

This is a fun list to pick ten female super sentai girls and her actress. Firstable, the Showa era of super sentai (officially up to Liveman) were mostly left over because I barely remember them. Except for Momo Pink that I mostly remember because I watched the whole Goggle V series. Start in Jetman, super sentai included drama elements and that made up a good character for their female rangers also. In term of super pretty actress, we may argue it's start from Megaranger, TOEI were seriously hire young and good looking actress to played in super sentai since then. In trivial manner, most of the pretty sexy female were actually casted as the villains prior! So then, this list is based on my personal favorite for a combination of the character and her actresses.

Here is my top ten super sentai heroines actress combo, enjoy:

10. Mika Kikuchi / Umeko = Deka Pink
Umeko is memorable, in Dekaranger she paired with Jasmine, who played the cool  female, Umeko is the cheerful side. She got famous bath tub scenes also. In the future, Mika Kikuchi appeared in 199 Great Battle movie.

9. Haruka Suenaga / Sakura = Bouken Pink
Arguably one of most lovely female in post-2000s super sentai series. In Boukenger, Sakura become the faithful, loyalist, high discipline character that support the leader red ranger. She famous for her serious and cold blood execution, yet affection to other member. In the end Sakura closely related to Akashi. Haruka Suenaga is having a successful career in modeling.

8. Rin Takanashi / Mako Shiraishi = Shinken Pink
 Mako is Shinken Pink in Shinkenger, one of most successful sentai show in the 2000s era. Rin character in Mako is a mature girl who has a kind of darker background. She is less showing emotion but able to read other emotion well, as her story in Mako-Takeru arch. Mako is one of bad cook in super sentai though. Rin Takanashi herself is super pretty and sexy model. She has many photo shoot on famous magazine and album. See her gallery.

7. Tamao Sato / Momo Maruo = Oh Pink
The legend said that when Ohranger created, TOEI what to made this one serious and darker theme to marked their 20th anniversary. They also hired Tamao Sato where the fact was she already quite big name back there. Of course the young Tamao over powered the show and begin asking for more scenes. Then the critical moment in the island history happened, the terrorist Subway Sarin Incident and Kobe earthquake happened in this year. The show need to be altered to make a lighter tones than originally planed. Ohranger did suffered as the result. Of the show, we can always remember the two females character, one is typical serious and leading, Yuri. The other is Momo Maruo, who played by Tamao Sato, the cheerful one. Nonetheless her playing was memorable and lovely to watch. Momo is feminine and on going character. Tamao then returned in Gokaiger episodes, almost fifteen years later and still captivating.

6. Katsumura Mika / Yuri = Time Pink
Yuri of Time ranger is a historical moment in super sentai when the female ranger is the team leader. Played by Katsumura Mika, Yuri represented the mature side of sole female member of the team. Always cool and resourceful is her character. Nothing more to be found after the series about Mika Katsumura and Yuri.

5. Ayuri Konno / Ami = Kyoryu Pink
Although very new, Ayuri Konno stealth the attention of recent viewer of super sentai. She played Ami the pink Kyoryuger. As with other ranger in Kyoryuger, the character is well written. Ami character is very balance, she can become cheerful, intelligent, can go loveable and sentimentil also, especially in the late show. Raised with Western background, her fighting is kick specialized. Ayuri Konno is soon to be famous sentai alumni. See her photo collections.

4. Satomi Hirose / Tsuruhime = Ninja White
When thinking back to Kakuranger, I can only remember Tsuruhime action. The other four 'supporting' male cast are largely forgotten. Tsuruhime is played by Satomi Hirose. She was looking very young in the show, too cheerful to get believe she is a ninja. Satomi repraised her role as Tsuruhime in the Gokaiger tribute episodes.

3. Nao Nagasawa / Nanami = Hurricane Blue
Nao Nagasawa is quite big name post her super sentai year. She played Nanami, a very determined character in Hurricanger. Nanami is resourceful, strong will, quite masculine as she must accompaniment the other four 'ninja' character. Nao Nagasawa make many comeback in super sentai, she is in Gokaiger tribute episodes and then the special movie, Hurricanger 10 years later. See her photos

2. Mao Ichimichi / Luka = Gokai Yellow
Gokaiger is a special super sentai year with all his tribute elements to marked the 35th anniversary of the show. The writer do a lot of works and put in one of most memorable super sentai team. When Luka appeared she amazed many fans and quickly became very strong character in the show. The success of this also part of Mao Ichimichi excellent play. Luka became the brave, fearless, rebellious member that really suit the pirate theme. She quickly became the new bad girl of super sentai. Contrasting with Yui Koike character of 'generic' princess side.  Mao Ichimichi continued her career in other modeling path. See her photo

1. Ayumi Kinoshita / Jasmine = Deka Yellow
Dekaranger, although come as quite 'generic' super sentai show with space police theme, they have one of the best characterization of each ranger. The five of the team have a strong individual concept and Jasmine is stand out as super sentai heroine that will last in memory for very long time. Ayumi Kinoshita perfectly suit Jasmine character. Jasmine is the thinker girl, fully equipped with her esper skill, mature, calm, have a good humor. With a dark background, Jasmine become a bit of back off girl. Ayumi Kinoshita is pretty as well. She and Mika Kikuchi raised the famous twin-angel musical theme in super sentai. Ayumi then comeback in Gokaiger episodes. She is a famous model and a mother by the time of writing!

Concise History of Super Sentai (Part 2)

This very concise notes and also history of Super Sentai is mainly taken from old Wikipedia article about Super Sentai. The old article gives us brief description of each show in one paragraph, but the current version of article just trimmed this paragraph off. I also take several notes from powerrangers.wikia.com to find interesting facts.
Whenever I can, I added one or two trivias to let us reminded to the series. So, here it is, A Very Concise History of Super Sentai once published in Wikipedia.

This compilation will divided into three parts:
Part 1 - Gorenger to Fiveman (14 titles)
Part 2 - Jetman to Dekaranger (14 titles)
Part 3 - Magiranger to Kyoryuger (10 titles + Akibaranger)

read part 1

Chōjin Sentai Jetman (鳥人戦隊ジェットマン Chōjin Sentai Jettoman):
Year 1991. Motif is based on various birds, an homage to the anime and manga Science Ninja Team Gatchaman. Home base organization is Skyforce and villains is Vyram.
- the first to feature a marriage of two members of the team and overall a series with strong romance theme
- the first to have 3rd level giant robo
- Jetman have a manga epilogue that introduced a new member.
- the first to have core member killed
- the first and only sentai team that literally can fly
- the first to have a female mentor  red-white-sentai.blogspot.com
- the first five member sentai to not have pink color, to be repeated again in Gaoranger and Go-onger
- the last super sentai without western conversion, aka Power Ranger counterpart.
- Colors: Red, Black, Blue, Yellow, White

Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger (恐竜戦隊ジュウレンジャー Kyōryū Sentai Jūrenjā):
Year 1992. Motif is based on dinosaurs and mega fauna. Ranger's team is lead by the Guardian Beast and villains is by Bandora the Witch.
- the first regular sixth team member
- the first seven mecha combination.
- the first Super Sentai adapted into Mighty Morphin Power Rangers for American audiences, beginning the Power Rangers franchise.
- Witch Bandora , the evil queen is the first main villain not to be killed in the end, she was only sealed by Zyuranger. Along with Zonnette, Lila (Timeranger) and Lamie (Zyuranger), they are villains minion that not killed in the end. new update
- the first series to have a mystical supreme leader, as opposed to a living person or technology.
- Colors: Red, Black, Blue, Yellow, Pink and Green as sixth ranger

Gosei Sentai Dairanger (五星戦隊ダイレンジャー Gosei Sentai Dairenjā):
Year 1993. Motif is based on Kung fu and traditional Chinese mythological creatures. Rangers are powered with 'chi' as descendent of Dai tribe and to fight villains group Dorma.
- the first to have child member, but when transformed, to have adult body, called Kibaranger
- the only super sentai after Power Ranger franchise that did not used for its costume. Power Ranger Season 2 in fact continued using Zyuranger costume. However, Kibaranger costume was used.
- Colors: Red, Blue, Yellow, Green, Pink and White

Ninja Sentai Kakuranger (忍者戦隊カクレンジャー Ninja Sentai Kakurenjā):
Year 1994. Motif is based on ninjas and one loosely based on the classic Journey to the West. Five descendant of ninjas to fight villain group Youkai. As another anniversary series, the crossover "Super Sentai World" movie was produced featuring characters from Fiveman, Jetman, Zyuranger, Dairanger and Kakuranger.
- the first female acting as leader
- the first five-piece secondary robot.
- the first sixth ranger that not using variant of main costume. Instead sixth ranger, Ninjaman, is different design, costume and theme wise.When angry Ninjaman turn into Samuraiman in giant form.
- Ninjaman also the first full sixth member to not have human form
- the first to use anime-style character flash to add in effect when the ranger do an attack
- the first series to not have all five member appeared physically right from episode 1. The full team only appear in episode 3.
- Footage used in Power Ranger Season 3 and Alien Ranger
- Colors: Red, Blue, Yellow, Black, White and Ninjaman colored as Gold Blue

Chōriki Sentai Ohranger (超力戦隊オーレンジャー Chōriki Sentai Ōrenjā):
Year 1995. Motif is based on geometric shapes. The series back to formal organization theme, named UAOH to fight villain Baranoia of Pangaea ancient civilization.
- Ohranger began the annual VS Series movie releases with Chōriki Sentai Ohranger vs. Kakuranger.
- Only in Ohranger season that the first two show, Gorenger and J.A.K.Q, acknowledged as part of Super Sentai franchise by Toei.
- The return of military theme super sentai 
- Ohranger marked a very low rating in Japan and almost put the franchise into cancellation, only the next Carranger managed to pulled up the popularity, thus saving the whole series from dismissed by Toei.
- Footage used in Power Ranger Zeo
-  Colors: Red, Green, Blue, Yellow, Pink and Black

Gekisou Sentai Carranger (激走戦隊カーレンジャー Gekisō Sentai Kārenjā):
Year 1996. Motif is based on automobiles, serving as a parody of Turboranger and the Super Sentai Series as a whole. The ranger is gathered in the shop called Pegasus, their auto repair center. Villain is called Space Bosozoku Bowzock.
- the first full parody of Super Sentai, the series try to lower the seriousness of previous Ohranger with comedy elements, but actually gone too extreme.
- the first loosely connection between Super Sentai and Space Sheriff franchise, as the sixth and seventh ranger , Signalman and VRV Ranger is designed as Space Sheriff, rather than as Super Sentai.
- the first to have villain member attracted seriously to the rangers
- the first sentai, known, to openly cast adult actress to play, as a villain. Later there will be more.
- Footage used in Power Ranger Turbo
- Colors; Red, Blue, Green, Yellow, Pink and Signalman colored as Silver and VRV Master as Black.

Denji Sentai Megaranger (電磁戦隊メガレンジャー Denji Sentai Megarenjā):
Year 1997. Motif is based on electronics devices, video gaming and space travel, with several elements of similar to Bioman.  Homebase organization is called INET, villains is Nejiranger.
- the first silver-colored hero
- the first using cell phone based transformation by Mega Silver's Keitaizer, which would be standard in many later Super Sentai titles.
- the return of school students as ranger member
- Footage used in Power Ranger In Space, and due to its all high school member making this the closest resembling of its Power Ranger counter parts.
- Colors: Red, Black, Blue, Yellow, Pink and Silver
red-white-sentai.blogspot.com
Seijuu Sentai Gingaman (星獣戦隊ギンガマン Seijū Sentai Gingaman):
Year 1998. Motif is based on classical elements (Fire, Earth, Water, Thunder, Flower) and bestial animals. Gingaman team stayed in Ginga Forest fighting villains called Space Pirate Barban.
- the first two additional combining robots in addition to the primary robot used by the Gingaman.
- the last show to use "-man" for the name
- earliest sentai to use exterior place as their working head quarter, as opposed to a building.
-  Footage used in Power Ranger Lost Galaxy
- Colors: Red, Green, Blue, Yellow, Pink and Black

Kyuukyuu Sentai GoGo-V (救急戦隊ゴーゴーファイブ Kyūkyū Sentai GōGō Faibu):
Year 1999. Motif is based on emergency services, fire fighter, paramedic, helicopter pilot and police man. The Tatsumi family to fight against villains Psyma family organization called Calamity Demon Family.
- This was the first series since Jetman to only feature five heroes. Additional heroes appear in one of its movie but not in regular episodes.
- the return of all siblings theme after Fiveman
- the sentai's name Gogo-V can be read as 555, Japan's emergency called number
- Footage used in Power Ranger Lightspeed Rescue
- Colors: Red, Blue, Green, Yellow, Pink

Mirai Sentai Timeranger (未来戦隊タイムレンジャー Mirai Sentai Taimurenjā):
Year 2000. Motif is based on time travel (four of the five main heroes are police officers from the year 3000). Home base organization is The Time Protection Deparment, villains is from Londerz Family led by prisoner Don Dolnero.
- the first series to feature the sixth hero in Red color.
- The direct-to-video Timeranger Special features the Timerangers taking a time-travel tour to all of the past Super Sentai series.
- the first to use colorful visor, repeated again in Go-busters
- the second series to have female ranger as leader (Pink)
- Footage used in Power Ranger Time Force
- Colors: Red, Pink, Blue, Yellow, Green and Red

Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger (百獣戦隊ガオレンジャー Hyakujū Sentai Gaorenjā):
Year 2001. Motif is based on wild animals. No formal protagonist organization, villains is called Demon Tribe Org. Gaoranger also served as the 25th Anniversary series, featuring the Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger vs. Super Sentai crossover movie.
- the first series to utilize multiple possible mecha combinations from a planned total of one-hundred mecha (only 22 were utilized in the series run).
- the first to begin tradition of a film adaptation as a double bill with that year's Kamen Rider Series film.
- the first to have sixth ranger mentioned in opening credit
- the first to begin traditional 5 year anniversary and to have a movie with summoned past Super Sentai member
- Gaoranger once got all member killed but later revived
- the first to use cellphone tranformation device for all members
- the second series to use Kanji character flash in their attack, after Kakuranger
- Footage used in Power Ranger Wild Force
- Colors: Red, Yellow, Blue, Black, White and Silver

Ninpuu Sentai Hurricaneger (忍風戦隊ハリケンジャー Ninpū Sentai Harikenjā):
Year 2002. Motif is based on ninjutsu with elemental powers, combining elements from Kakuranger and Liveman. They formed the official Hurricaneger ninja school to fight villains Universal Ninja Group Jakanja.
- the first three pieces ranger since Liveman as starting member
- the first to have rival ranger team, Gouraiger team with insect-themed powers, but later joined together
- the free ranger agent Shurikenger, making this counted as sixth ranger, the second to have member without human form, actually Shurikenger can disguised into several human form through-out the series.
- as announced on April 2013, Hurricaneger will has a new V-Cinema movie. This is to celebrated their 10th anniversary of the series. All original casts are reprising their roles. To be released on August 2013. The title is "Ninpuu Sentai Hurricanger: 10 YEARS AFTER"
- the first to use of smaller mecha that serve as weapons for the teams' robots.
- the first season since Gorenger whose name ends with "-ger" but not "-ranger".
- Footage used in Power Ranger Ninja Storm
- Colors: Red, Blue, Yellow, then Red and Blue, and Green

Bakuryū Sentai Abaranger (爆竜戦隊アバレンジャー Bakuryū Sentai Abarenjā):
Year 2003. Motif is based on dinosaurs (as with Zyuranger). Abaranger are to fight villains group Evolians.
- the first series to present an alternate transformation for one of its members (Aba Red into Abare Max),
- the return only four core member in majority of the show, before a White color ranger join in. The first since J.A.K.Q.
- the first to have the allies mecha able to talk
- the first to have a parody extra member, as seventh member by AbarePink
- introducing Abaranger's home head quarter, which is a curry shop, the place to be a refered many times in the future show
- Footage used in  Power Ranger Dino Thunder
- Colors: Red, Blue, Yellow, Black and White

Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger (特捜戦隊デカレンジャー Tokusō Sentai Dekarenjā):
Year 2004. Motif is based on a police/detective theme with its ranger fighting extraterrestrial criminals. Home base organization is Special Police Dekarangers and to fight random villains from outer space.
- the first semi-regular seventh hero (Deka Master)
- the first to have theoretically unlimited number of ranger as Special Police Dekaranger (similar to Time Ranger). And three additional heroines who appear once each throughout the series: Deka Swan (episode 36), Deka Bright (episode 40), and Deka Gold (Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger The Movie: Full Blast Action)
- thus the first series to have the most number of rangers, up to ten (Deka)
- this series started the tradition of a "passing the torch" segment after the ending credits of the series finale: the red warrior of the series that has just ended interacts with the red warrior of the upcoming series.
- the first series to have no organized villains, as the monster of the week is fighting in his own act, only loosely control by master villain, Agent Abrella
- the second Sentai series where the female ranger's uniforms do not have skirts, since Fiveman.
- the first series to feature more than one female on a core team since Denji Sentai Megaranger.
- The opening sequence is different with every episode, with the villain(s) for each episodes previewed in opening sequences
- the first to have all member upgraded suit
- Footage used in Power Ranger SPD 
- Colors: Red, Blue, Green, Yellow, Pink, sixth is White (Deka Break), Black (Deka Master). Then White (Deka Swan), Gold (Deka Gold) and White/Silver (Deka Bright)
red-white-sentai.blogspot.com
Continue to PART 3

Total 37 Super Sentai + 1 Unofficial per 2013

I compiled these articles in quite a rush, so if there are corrections please give in "comments" below. Not all details necessary included here, but interesting facts are welcome. Article compiled from Wikipedia and Powerranger Wikia.

Gobuster vs Gokaiger - Photos

The annual versus movie, this time Gobuster vs Gokaiger was released by TV-Nihon with English subtitle. This is still not our last farewell to Gokaiger, Marvelous, Joe, Don, Luka and Ahim as they were suppose to return in movie Super Hero Taisen Z. Kyoryuger is also making cameo in a clever way.

The movie also inserted out last impression of Goggle V in 2013 version, as well Timeranger and many others cameo. Please see the photos impression below for the Tokumei Sentai Go-Busters vs. Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger: The Movie!

Gokaiger Team 2013

Gobuster Team 2013

Both Red Ranger from Gokaiger and Gobuster

11 rangers - Gokaiger + Silver and Gobuster

Beet Buster

Blue Buster

Stag Buster

Yellow Buster

and the man... Red Buster

Goggle V, after 30 years , they also do Sun Vulcan

Timeranger after 13 years

Red Go-onger, Magi Red, Liveman Red, Dyna Red, Denji Red and Geki Red

Timeranger Fansub by Red Rogue Ranger

So the earthquake and tsunami in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture March 11 2011 now turns to another headache crisis, the Nuclear Power Plant failure crisis. We hope it's all going well soon.

In mean time, I'ved continued search and rescue all Super Sentai fansubbed can be found on net. One of its is Timeranger fansub. Timeranger is popular however the show still in lack of proper translation. TV Nihon actually has effort on this, but what more rare is a completed fansub by a single person known as Red Rogue Ranger.  I've randomly check and these Megaupload links are working. This timeranger subtitling however, some say less accurate.

Case File 1 -The Time Fugitives

Case File 2 -The Unsees Future

Case File 3 -A Dream of Acceleration

Case File 4 -The Hostage is an Alien

Case File 5 -The Third Combination

Case File 6 -The Fabricated Invitee

Case File 7 -Domon Hospitalized

Case File 8 -An Explosion in Art

Case File 9 -The Don's Depression

Case File 10 -Escape to Tomorrow

Case File 11 -The City of Struggle for Life and Death

Case File 12 -Wish Upon a Star

Case File 13 -Battle Casino

Case File 14 -Dead Heat

Case File 15 -Search for the Sniper

Case File 16 -A Dream of Noodles

Case File 17 -The Twisted Holy Fist

Case File 18 -Premonition of Shadow

Case File 19 -The Moonlight Knight

Case File 20 -The Renewed Bond

Case File 21 -Sion's Way

Case File 22 -Amormous Temptation

Case File 23 -Beat Up

Case File 24 -Yellow, and sometimes Blue

Case File 25 -Broken Trust

Case File 26 -Countdown of Trust

Case File 27 -Little Hometown

Case File 28 -Meeting Time

Case File 29 -New Warrior of Fire

Case File 30 -Register Fire's Cry

Case File 31 -The Lost Idea Game

Case File 32 -Save the Criminal

Case File 33 -Little Lady

Case File 34 -Assassin

Case File 35 -Tomorrow Isn't Coming

Case File 36 -Stay in Your True Face  

Case File 37 -Aimed at Power

Case File 38 -Good Night

Case File 39 -A Lie Soaked in Rain

Case File 40 -Ayase Withdraws

Case File 41 -Expose the Prophet

Case File 42 -The Fallen Angel of Destruction

Case File 43 -An Order to Revise History

Case File 44 -Revolt Against Time

Case File 45 -The End of Tomorrow Research

Case File 46 -The Future's Alienation

Case File 47 -The End of the Don

Case File 48 -Return to the Future

Case File 49 -Beyond a Millennium...

Case File 50 -To An Infinite Tomorrow

Special

for list of Sentai fansub see here.

Best Super Sentai of the 2000s

Let’s have some fun to do a super sentai best list ....again. There is of course subjectivity in the list since I can’t remember all detail of super sentai series I've watched. Which is why I just list all the 2000s era Super Sentai. I base the list mostly on character casting, since this is what actually we enjoyed in the series, and second point is the storyline. And again, the term "best" here is just for provocative purposes since actually it is mean as "my favorite" ;P 

1.       Boukenger 2006:
Using a very suitable motif for super sentai, the Adventure theme. The storyline decorate with many past stories, revealed one by one thru the series, such as Natsuki’s story. The characterization went superb with all the cast looks very charming in their respective role. The female are lovable (Haruka Suenaga!). Theme song and costume design is great. The villains also done in creative way with three-side organization design.

2.       Dekaranger 2005:
Dekaranger is a little anomaly in super sentai. It is mostly come with mature storyline with Space Police theme. The motif is simple and repetitive (taken from Timeranger and even copy from Metal Series motif), but its main strength is in their one-shot episode. Every episode written in creative storyline and it is enjoyable for mature audience because of how excellent it is. Characterization is the strongest in super sentai with all characters get their unique-ness, Banban is hyper sanguine police, Hyoga is Choleric and competitive, Shen-chan is their brain and thinker, Jasmine is an Esper and Umeko is the team’s kawaii member. The series also dare in exposing mature romance. Having best sixth and seventh (and more) member . The villain design also unique for it is almost a non-organization,unpredicatable enemy until the very end.

3.       Magiranger 2005:
Magiranger strength is in their storyline. It is written in a concept of continuously story right from beginning. The character’s casting is a bit weak, it was take time for me to accustomed with all male actors (and it was even hard after you just watched Dekaranger), and the females are look too look-alike (well, they supposed to be... sister). The villain put it the anti-villain theme with Wolzard. The series use harry potter-like magic motif that will very unlikely to be repeated again.

4.       Shinkenger 2009:
 Because there already two Ninja motif in Super sentai, Shinkenger using a variant of it, a Samurai motif. The storyline is also interesting and arguably super sentai's most intrique storyline ever. But this did not make me higher this series as the top three, as I more into light but interesting episodes rather than a chain of heavily written episodes. Character casting is in good chemistry as a team, with Red character back to melancholy-type ala Boukenger (which I prefer more). Females cast is loveable beauty vs kawaii combo. For its lack of “wildness” Shinkenger add in Genta/Shinken Gold to lighten up a bit. This is also the first series introduce pure female Red ranger.

5.       Timeranger 2000:
I remembered little about this series but what I love is the idea of its motif, time travel police. Celebrating the conversion from 19xx to 20xx it is the best time to use this motif. Character are still quite carry on from “classic” sentai, where their acting are  very “Japanese” (screaming and emotional expression most of time, compare to Dekaranger's "cool" acting).

6.       Hurricanger 2002:
I love this series mostly for their home base setting, which is very Japanese and contradict with the Super Sentai that suppose to be high tech environment. Their three piece member are use to maximum for providing enough storyline. Additional two Goraiger and Shurikenger is interesting motif. Have two loveable female villain, maybe to compensated the lack of female casting in their core team. And some of episodes are really humorous.

7.       Abaranger 2003:
Reproduction of Dinosaur motif after Zyuranger, improved and the dino theme fit in nicely to their costume, some of the best super sentai costume, imho. Again it is a three piece but since Hurricanger already a three piece sentai, Abaranger is suffered for I-want-more at the time of release. The characterization is great but I found it’s less develop and the story quickly turn to Asuka. The first episodes is great in storyline, and maybe the only super sentai that featured "mis-recruit" ranger in first episode where a grandpa and hyper active girl being given Abaranger changer.

8.       Go-onger 2008:
Actually a loveable light theme sentai, and actually I enjoy most of their episodes. The episodes are consistent from beginning even after the arrival of Go-on Wings, making you can expected from what you want to watch in random pick. Characterization is okay, all male actors are fit in their rule and the Saki / Rina Aizawa just excellent.

9.       Gekiranger 2007:
A Chinese martial art motif. The storyline cannot be taken lightly and actually a very promising one. This is because the present of Rio as anti-villain / anti-heroes is a promising script. What make me avoid this series is the weak character casting, Geki-red is too wild most of time while Geki-blue is too cool. Only after the arrival of rest of two Gekis that the series become “eye-friendly”.

10.   Gaoranger 2001:
Gaoranger is the series quite below average of the rest 2000s sentai. It is somehow too dark and too serious where you feel a depressed rangers most of time. Even the movie Hurri vs Gao was premised with the Gaos being captured and tortured. The animal theme is okay, but then overly done with too many mechas tranformations.  Character casting also take time to get familiar with, since their acting still following classic Japanese style. Opening song is also too experimental and side away from Super Sentai standard. Their body outfit costume are not match with their excellent helmet design. Luckily the series has a Super Sentai vs movie, which bring in more interesting theme and memorable battle.


So far Goseiger is still developing in my watching. The first episodes are not that deep in storyline, but the casting and costume is all ok to me. Gokaiger, is even promising as the moment of writing and I super like the character casting so far.