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File:Supersentaiserieslogo.jpg
The official logo of the Super Sentai Series introduced in 2000 during the run of Mirai Sentai Timeranger

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.

Series Overview

The official poster for the 25th Anniversary crossover movie, Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger vs. Super Sentai (2001)

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 evolution of the Super Sentai Series from its roots in Goranger

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.

Following J.A.K.Q., Toei chose to work with Marvel Comics to produce the live action adaptation of Spider-Man (1978), which included the first giant robot in a Toei Superhero show. This concept was used in Toei and Marvel's project Battle Fever J (1979) and was deemed the first Super Sentai Series. The following production of Denshi Sentai Denziman was the first production solely by Toei and written by "Saburo Yatsude".

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.


Super Sentai Series

File:Sentai 30th Anniversary.jpg
The 30th Anniversary logo introduced in the opening sequence for GoGo Sentai Boukenger
File:30 Sentai.jpg
The 30 Super Sentai from Himitsu Sentai Goranger to GoGo Sentai Boukenger

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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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 killed in action. The character was immediately replaced later on in the series.
  • 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 a team cannon. Changeman was unique in the fact that the team fought with various signature military formations.
  • 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.
  • 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 5-piece component robot.
  • 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, as well as betrayal and redemption.
  • 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. 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 series in which the main villains are not killed.
  • 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 4 teams joined in the action. It was also the first Super Sentai Series to have a second 5-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 Oh Ranger vs. Kaku Ranger 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, it was themed around automobiles. It was the 20th anniversary Sentai with the helmets closely resembling those of Turboranger's except that the team had 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 story arc.
  • 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 GoGoFive (救急戦隊ゴーゴーファイブ, Kyūkyū Sentai GōGō Faibu, translated as Rescue Squadron GoGoFive) aired in 1999. The members of GoGoFive 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, he or she 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 Stealthy 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. 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 for and corruption of power. 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.
  • 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 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.[2] The series also featured the most mecha to combine into a single robot: 12.
  • 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.

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.

# Series Red Blue Yellow Pink Green Black White Silver Gold Violet Other
1 Himitsu Sentai Goranger ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
2 J.A.K.Q. Dengekitai ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔(refactored from [[[α]|Big One]])
3 Battle Fever J ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔(refactored from [[[β]|Battle Cossack]])
4 Denshi Sentai Denziman ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
5 Taiyou Sentai Sun Vulcan ✔ ✔ ✔
6 Dai Sentai Goggle V ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
7 Kagaku Sentai Dynaman ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
8 Choudenshi Bioman ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
9 Dengeki Sentai Changeman ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
10 Choushinsei Flashman ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
11 Hikari Sentai Maskman ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ (refactored from [[[γ]|X-1Mask]]) ✔
12 Choujuu Sentai Liveman ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
13 Kousoku Sentai Turboranger ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
14 Chikyuu Sentai Fiveman ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
15 Choujin Sentai Jetman ✔ ✔ ✔ (refactored from [[[δ]|Green Eagle]]) ✔ ✔
16 Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
17 Gosei Sentai Dairanger ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
18 Ninja Sentai Kakuranger ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
19 Chouriki Sentai Ohranger ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
20 Gekisou Sentai Carranger ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
21 Denji Sentai Megaranger ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
22 Seijuu Sentai Gingaman ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
23 Kyuukyuu Sentai GoGoFive ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
24 Mirai Sentai Timeranger (refactored from [[[ε]|TimeFire]]) ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
25 Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
26 Ninpuu Sentai Hurricaneger ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔(refactored from [[[ζ]|Gouraiger]])
27 Bakuryuu Sentai Abaranger ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
28 Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger (refactored from [[[η]|Dekaranger]]) ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
29 Mahou Sentai Magiranger (refactored from [[[θ]|Magiranger]]) ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
30 GoGo Sentai Boukenger ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
31 Juken Sentai Gekiranger ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
32 Engine Sentai Go-onger ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
33 Samurai Sentai Shinkenger ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔

Template:Ent J.A.K.Q.'s Big One has a mostly white suit with multicolored accents. Template:Ent Battle Fever J's Battle Cossack has an orange suit. Template:Ent Maskman has the first sixth team member, X-1 Mask. However, he appears only in one episode. Template:Ent Jetman also has a sixth member, Green Eagle, in a non-canon manga epilogue. Template:Ent Timeranger is unique in that there are six warriors, but the sixth warrior, TimeFire, has a red-colored suit that is only distinguishable from TimeRed's suit by its black accents and jagged arrows. Template:Ent Hurricaneger has the Kabuto and Kuwaga Raigers who wear suits of maroon and navy, respectively. Template:Ent Dekaranger has five additional warriors, a final count of ten warriors. Both DekaBreak (who wears a white suit) and DekaMaster (who wears a primarily black suit with metallic blue accents) are regular characters. DekaSwan (wearing a primarily orange suit with white accents) and DekaBright (wearing a silver suit) are only seen for one episode each and DekaGold is exclusive to Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger The Movie: Full Blast Action where she is only seen for a split second in her suit before having her transformation disrupted by a hostile attack. Template:Ent Magiranger has two additional warriors who do not fall under the basic color schemes. MagiShine wears gold armor over navy blue spandex and Wolzard Fire wears dark red armor.

Robos

What differentiated the Super Sentai Series from other tokusatsu produced by Toei, Toho, and Tsuburaya was that the Super Sentai featured giant robots (often referred to in the series as Robos) piloted by the series' protagonists. The Toei/Marvel Comics 1978 production of Spider-Man featured Spider-Man's giant robot Leopardon. Spider-Man was followed by Battle Fever J which also had a giant robot and began the tradition of the Super Sentai Series programs and the giant robots prominently featured in nearly every episode. Himitsu Sentai Goranger in 1975—1977 and J.A.K.Q. Dengekitai in 1977 did not have giant robots, and were not considered Super Sentai until the broadcast of 1995's Chouriki Sentai Ohranger to promote it as the 20th anniversary series.

Since the introduction of the Robo, their complexity and number have varied throughout the Super Sentai Series' history. Battle Fever Robo in Battle Fever J was simply a giant robot, whereas DaiDenzin in Denshi Sentai Denziman transformed from a large vehicle into a robot. This was followed by the first combining, or "gattai" (合体), robot Sun Vulcan Robo in 1981's Taiyou Sentai Sun Vulcan. Over the course of broadcasting the series, additional robots were available to the heroes, beginning with two individual robots in 1986's Choushinsei Flashman with the most at five in 2008's Engine Sentai Go-onger. The number of individual mecha combining into a larger robot has also changed, from the two-piece Sun Vulcan Robo to the seven-piece Ultimate DaiZyujin in 1992's Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger to the twelve-piece Engine-Oh G12. The concept of multiple combinations was introduced in 2001's Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger with different arm, leg, and torso combinations producing twenty-two different robots that appeared in the series' broadcast.

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:

There have also been direct parody series such as the Filipino movies Biokids[3] and Kabayokids[4], 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.[5] The most recent series is the French online series Jushi Sentai France Five[6] (now Shin Kenjushi France Five) which became so popular in Japan that anison singer Akira Kushida sang its opening theme.[7]

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, a running joke would involve people referring to him as SpaPurple).[8]

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).

References

  1. ^ McCarter, Charles. "Public Interview with Takeuchi Naoko" (Q & A Interview). EX:CLUSIVE. www.ex.org. Retrieved 2006-11-30.
  2. ^ "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". Retrieved 2008-03-25.
  3. ^ Biokids at IMDb Edit this at Wikidata. Retrieved on 2007-03-27.
  4. ^ Kabayo kids (1990) at IMDb Edit this at Wikidata. Retrieved on 2007-03-27
  5. ^ GAINAX Co., Ltd. (2006-01-05). "GAINAX NET｜Works｜Animation & Films｜DAICON FILM｜愛國戦隊大日本[[Category:Articles containing Japanese-language text]] (Aikoku Sentai Dai-Nippon あい こく せん たい だい にっ ぽん[[Category:Articles containing Japanese-language text]], literally "Patriotic Squadron Great Japan")". GAINAX NET (in Japanese). GAINAX Co., Ltd. p. 1. Retrieved 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") {{cite web}}: URL–wikilink conflict (help)
  6. ^ [Webmaster|pilotalex] (2004-11-17). "France Five". France Five (in English, French, and and Japanese). France Five. p. 1. Retrieved 2007-03-26. http://www.francefive.com/img_choix_langue.jpg Jushi Sentai FRANCE FIVE {{cite web}}: External link in |quote= (help)CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  7. ^ [Webmaster|pilotalex] (2005-02-25). "オープニング＆エンディング[[Category:Articles containing Japanese-language text]]". France Five (in Japanese). France Five. p. 1. Retrieved 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。 {{cite web}}: URL–wikilink conflict (help)
  8. ^ "美肌泉隊 SPAレンジャー". Retrieved 2007-10-18.

External links

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