Space Squad Gavan vs Dekaranger (2017) Photo Review

If you are fans of the '80s Space Sheriff or Metal Heroes series (Gavan, Sharivan, Shaider etc), here comes a very great news. TOEI Company is doing a huge remake on their metal heroes franchise and that culminated in Space Squad movie.  Gavan had making appearances since 2011 with Gokaiger as their super sentai comrades. The trio space sheriff, Gavan, Sharivan and Shaider then got their respective movie for each. Gavan had also scripted in Kyuuranger series, as Kyuuranger is a Space theme super sentai.

However, the biggest surprise comes to this movie, Space Squad : Gavan vs Dekaranger. This crossover finally confirmed that, after all, the two big universe of super sentai and space sheriff are connected. Dekaranger is a space police and Gavan too. Logically, when a mega villains arise, the two world will need to works together.

Space Squad Gavan vs Dekaranger put together the new , Gavan Type G, to fight along Dekaranger and team to stop a new Genmako Space Criminal Organization. The movie went quite well. This crossover successfully integrated the two team with all their trademark to give super sentai and metal heroes fans a big joy to watch. Here my photo review to the movie :

The Casts:

Doggie Krueger is now the Earth Branch Chief - voice by Tetsu Inada

Deka Green - Enari "Senchan" Senichi - portrait ed by Yousuke Hayashi

and Deka Pink Kodou "Umeko" Koume (Mika Kikuchi). The two lover are getting married , happened in this movie. Senchan and Umeko love story had been lasting in many movies before.

Shiratori Swan is now Earth Branch Chief Mechanic for Dekaranger. Actress by Mako Ishino

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 Super Sentai Headquarter - Military / Laboratory Category

In year of 2016 we celebrated the 40th anniversary of super sentai series. I will bring together trivial fun fact about super sentai in "Top 10 Super Sentai..... " posting. Our first Top Ten is the design of headquarter of the series. The headquarter play important part on the series. They are designed following the main theme of the series. The most common headquarter theme, and the most being used in the first decades of super sentai is the Laboratory style. The super sentai will reside in very advance technology laboratory, usually with military backup. Here are the top ten to remember :

Top 10 Super Sentai Headquarter - Military / Laboratory Category

10. Google V - Future Science Laboratory

From the first super sentai series (Goranger), the futuristic style headquarter is used by each team. Google V's Future Science Laboratory is the most memorable milestone. It got very hi-tech design, fully operated by Computer Boys and Girls, and head by Dr. Hideki Hongo. The Google V team brainstormed and analysis strategy in this headquarter

9. Bioman - Biobase

It is a very hi tech headquarter located near Mt Fuji. The laboratory is also the launchpad for BioDragon and BioRobo. It is hidden in the cave complex.

Dekaranger 10 Years After - Captured Images and Comments

Dekaranger 10 Years After is V-Cinema that celebrate the 28th Super Sentai, Tokusau Sentai Dekaranger that run on tv in 2004. This is the second of such movie in Super Sentai franchise. The previous one similar to this is Hurricaneger 10 Years After, which set the (hopefully) new super sentai tradition on releasing 10 years anniversary movie of related super sentai show.

Dekaranger 10 Years After really bring back the nostalgic, almost 10 years ago when I hooked into Super Sentai, largely thanks to Dekaranger. Jasmine, Umeko, Ban, Hoji and Senchan is back. The storyline is quite good, in short (spoiler) , the Earth branch is changed. Tetsu is now the acting leader of Earth branch because Doggie Kruger is set into trouble, forged by villain.

Here are some of the images on that movie:

Yes, Jasmine is the one of popular ESP handler in Super Sentai world

Jasmine (Marika Reimon): Ayumi Kinoshita (木下 あゆ美 Kinoshita Ayumi)

Carrie: Rino Kobayashi (小林 里乃 Kobayashi Rino) 

can you forget Sen-chan?

Sen-chan (Senichi Enari): Yousuke Ito (伊藤 陽佑 Itō Yōsuke)

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!

Super Sentai in Super Hero Taisen Z 2013

In fitting out the canon of Super Sentai world, here are the teams that make it into Super Hero Taisen Z timeline. Super Hero Taisen (Great War) Z is a crossover movie between Kamen Rider X Space Sheriff X Super Sentai in 2013. Most of notable Kamen Riders were present, as well the Metal Heroes. They are fighting resurgences of Space Magic Madou who trying to conquered the universe.

Super Sentai team that make appearances to the battle:

Boukenger

supposed to be a big problem in Space enforcements that bring Dekaranger in

Denziman, Jetman and Hurricanger, Red representatives

Flashman, they are from other planet as well

Gai Silver and Geki Gavan

Gekiranger

Gingaman, rarely we seen them in this time

Core Go-busters team

Gokaiger, whom transformed with Metal Heroes key here

of course, "No battle on Earth can be done without us.." Gorenger Red and Kamen Rider

Liveman

Metal Heroes representatives:

Janperson, Jiraiya, Jiban, Exceedraft, Juukou B-Fighters

Shinken Yellow Kohoka is helping unlocking the Metal Suit activators 

Shinkenger

and of course the current Sentai in charge, Kyouryugers

and Metal Hero trilogy, Space Sheriff Sharivan, Gavan and Shaider

and a super rare cameo of  Inazuman

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.