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Dengeki Sentai Changeman

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Dengeki Sentai Changeman (電撃戦隊チェンジマン Dengeki Sentai Chenjiman), translated as Blitzkrieg Squadron Changeman, was a Japanese TV series, being the 9th Show in the Super Sentai franchise. It was originally aired between 1985 and 1986 and it ran for 55 episodes. This is the first sentai based of European mythological animals. Template:Spoiler

Plot

After already conquering hundreds of planets, the Great Star League Gozma sets its sights onto Earth. To defend the lands in such a great crisis, the military begins a special branch known as the Earth Defense Force, comprised of elite members from all areas of the military. Under the supervision of Commander Ibuki, the numerous gathered soldiers of the Earth Defense Force begin a harsh training.

As their first action, the Gozma decide to eliminate those who pose the greatest risk of interfering with their invasion -- the military. After a particularly brutal day of training, the Earth Defense Force are fed up with Ibuki's cruel ways and abandon the training session. Soon afterwards they're met with an attack by numerous Gozma troops. Five surviving officers gather together, beaten and exhausted, but refusing to step down from this threat. Just then, the earth shakes and it empowers the five with the Earth Force, enabling them to possess the power of mythological beasts. With the mystical power of the Earth Force and the technology of the military, the Changeman begin their war against Gozma...

Characters

Dengeki Sentai Changeman

"Blitzkrieg Squadron Changeman!"

Colors: Red, Black, Blue, White, Pink.

  • Hiryuu Tsurugi (剣　飛竜 Tsurugi Hiryuu) /Change Dragon (チェンジドラゴン Chenji Doragon): The Protagonist Type. 24. Former officer of the Earth Defense Force Air Force branch. Sharpshooter and star baseball pitcher in high-school, an accident resulting in his quick "Dragonball" pitching technique led him to quit and put his past behind him. A courageous and responsible leader, he often lets his emotions get the best of him, getting emotionally involved in cases and when his mind is set on something, he won't let anyone get in his way (even if it's his own teammates). Develops a strong bond with Nana and an attraction to Shiima. His specialty is airborn attacks, shooting and sword skills.
    • Attacks/Weapons: Dragon Attack, Dragon Thunder, Dragon Kick
  • Shou Hayate (疾風　翔 Hayate Shou) /Change Griffin/Gryphon (チェンジグリフォン Chenji Gurifon): The Rival Type. 23. Formerly a Ranger of the Earth Defense Force branch. A dandy womanizer, Shou actually has a soft side that he keeps mostly hidden behind his cool exterior. Originally joined the army just to get attention from women, but is actually a strong and dependable soldier. His trademark is to fix his hair in the midst of battle. Hayate is frequently set traps by various Gozma opponents posing as women in peril. He fell head over heels for Sakura, the angelic girl from Meruru Star. His unique fighting attribute is his agility.
    • Attacks/Weapons: Griffin Attack, Griffin Magma Galaxy
      • Note: While most sites translate this character's name as Gryphon, the kana are read as "Gu-ri-fo-n" (griffin).
  • Yuuma Oozura (大空勇馬 Oozora Yuuma) /Change Pegasus (チェンジペガサス Chenji Pegasasu): The Child Type. 20. Former Earth Defense Force army officer. Expert in the building and constructions of mechanisms, able to design such classified weapons as the Bombball once used by Hiryuu. Loves food, even stopping in the middle of his army training for a quick bite. Smart-aleck and comedic. As the youngest male member of the team, often doesn't care for the nagging of superiors. His wish is to open a pork-cutlet (yonkatsu) shop once he's finished with the Dengeki Sentai, stealing an alien crystal to use as finances, only to be arrested by military police. Is also tone-deaf, making him the worst singer in rec-time history of the Earth Defense Force. His youthful outlook on life helps him bond with various lifeforms that go ignored and children. His unique fighting trait is his incredible physical strength.
    • Attacks/Weapons: Pegasus Attack, Pegasus Lightning Spark
  • Sayaka Nagisa (渚さやか Nagisa Sayaka) /Change Mermaid (チェンジマーメイド Chenji Maameido): The Heroine Type. 20. Former Strategic Branch officer with the Earth Defense Force. A genius with the "brain of a computer," Sayaka is also an inventor. A stickler for manners and etiquette, her perfectionist attitude frequently clashes with Mai's rough and tomboyish nature. A loving and caring person in a motherly way, Sayaka, like Hiryuu, often becomes more emotionally attached to cases than she should, which is why the two most likely share a good rapport. Loves animals. Frequently comes up with the plans to be rid of or discover the Gozma's attacks, she always gladly works with Hiryuu, who always shows constant faith in her, as was shown when her invention of the Antigravity Belt to combat a flying Uchuujuushi initially failed, injuring and angering the others on the team, while Tsurugi remained with her to continue its testing. Her unique fighting attribute is the grace in which she moves, while being able to calculate her opponents' next moves and possible weak points.
    • Attacks/Weapons: Mermaid Attack, Mermaid Typhoon Wave, Mermaid Big Wave
  • Mai Tsubasa (翼　麻衣 Tsubasa Mai) /Change Phoenix (チェンジフェニックス Chenji Fenikusu): The Power Type. 20. Former reconnaissance officer with the Earth Defense Force. Bright and tomboyish, Mai is a caring individual, but people are often put off by her tough appearance. Motorcyclist, Mai once took Helichanger 2 out for a joyride. Good friends with Sayaka, but Sayaka's prim and proper air often gets on Mai's nerves, as does her enforcing of the rules. Has a knack of knowing when people are telling the truth and hates cowardice. Fell in love for the first time with Dr. Masato, who briefly worked in the medical lab of the Dengeki Sentai, only to leave on a mission to space and breaking her heart. Her unique combat attribute is her fierce strength, often underestimated because of her sex. In addition, another trait in her favor is her lightness, which helps her move faster than the men.
    • Attacks/Weapons: Phoenix Attack, Phoenix Fire, Phoenix Fire Bomber

Allies

  • Commander Ibuki: Commander and organizer of the Dengeki Sentai. Has an extensive intellect in science, space and lifeforms. Excellent soldier, readily joining in combat. Likes public bathhouses, therefore had one installed within the Dengeki Base (!). Ordinarily gets along well with the other officers, but as a sargeant, is incredibly harsh and ruthless, often seeming heartless -- for reason. His true identity is Yui Ibuki, from the Heath Star. Gozma conquered his planet and he vowed to put a stop to them and prevent them from doing to another planet and their people what they did to his. Ibuki came to Earth to prevent their takeover, which is why his training in finding the suitable candidates for the Dengeki Sentai and members to inherit Earth Force was fierce. He didn't care for the lack of dedication shown by most of the soldiers in the training, knowing all too well what would happen if Earth wasn't prepared. When the battle becomes harsher with Gozma, he reveals his true form in an attempt to protect the Changeman. From then on, he occasionally joins them in battle. Yui Ibuki's prayer is for universal peace.
  • Nana: A young girl from the technologically advanced planet Rigeru. Of high intelligence with telepathic abilities, eight year old Nana was led to believe that a man named Kumazawa was her father. Kumazawa assisted Gozma, first working with them to help Gyodai. They came to Earth with her pet Kukku, but Kumazawa has holographs created to make Nana believe they're still on Rigeru. Hiryuu unmasks the lies, saving her from Gozma's grasp, but she eventually runs away, later to take shelter with and be hidden by the Tamura family. Gozma's interest in her is that it is learned that girls from the planet Rigeru reach a certain point where they'll unleash an unimaginable energy and power known as the Rigeru Aura, which once unleashed causes the girl to age several years. A power struggle begins between Guiluke and Ahames over who will be the one to find Nana and bathe in the Rigeru Aura to obtain this wonderful power. Nana is again discovered as the time for her powers to unleash near. Ahames ultimately ends up bathing in the Rigeru Aura, a furious Guiluke being defeated by the Changeman and damned to the graveyard of space by Bazu for his continuous failure. Due to Nana's growth as a result of the Aura spreading, she is forced to leave the Tamura family, deeply saddened over her disappearance. Tries to live a regular life as a schoolgirl, but is captured by Ghost Guiluke, who performs a traditional Girasu black-mass to extract even more Rigeru Aura out of her, turning himself into Super Guiluke. From then on, Nana assists the team. She develops a strong attachment to Hiryuu and has the ability to sometimes contact him telepathically. Armed with a belt built with Rigeru science that can project a beam, she also has the ability to jump extreme heights and become light. Her faithful pet Kukku died in an attempt helping the Changeman.
  • Soldier Group: A massive group of soldiers who work in the Earth Defense Force under Ibuki's orders. Their focus is usually in areas such as combat strategy for the Changeman, intelligence, weapons development, collecting of data, science, maintenance, medicine, mechanics and much more. Located in the Dengeki Base, which is hidden underground in the vicinity of Mount Fuji. Often participate in morale activities such as karaoke evening. Highly reliable experts, the soldiers hold a strong bond with the Changeman. A few of the more recurring officers is Officer Suzuki, who is the operator of the command room and Ibuki's personal assistant; Officer Shoji, Officer Watanabe, Officer Nomoto and Officer Kikuchi. These five stepped in as replacement soldiers when the Changeman lost their powers due to Ahames' attacks; they once were contenders trained under Ibuki in hopes of receiving the Earth Force.

Arsenal

  • Change Brace: The Changemen's henshin brace. Transformation call is "Let's Change! Changeman!" ("Let's Change! Change (animal)!" if a single Changeman is transforming) Can also shoot a Change Laser from.
  • Change Sword: The Changemen's sidearm. Has two modes: blaster, and sword and shield.
  • Power Shoot: A blast of energy coming from the mark on each Changeman's helmet.
  • Double Hurricane Sword: Sayaka and Mai attack with their Change Swords in melée mode.
  • Double Sword Aurora Shooting: Sayaka and Mai attack with their Change Swords in blaster mode.
  • Dengeki Flash: The Changemen attack with the power of their respective animals.
  • Dengeki Victory Bean: The Changemen attack with their Change Swords in blaster mode.
  • Dengeki Cross Hurricane: The Changemen combine their Change Swords (in melée mode) into a star formation and attack with its combined power.
  • Penta Formation: The Changemen attack with the Change Swords in blaster mode, forming a pentagon.
  • Power Bazooka: Change Dragon's Dragon-Zooka, Griffin's Griffin-Zooka, Pegasus' Pegasus-Zooka, Mermaid's Mermaid-Zooka (the only Zooka with a scope), and Phoenix's Phoenix-Zooka form this bazooka. Dragon supplies the shell, while Mermaid aims the weapon. On one occasion in Episode 7, it received a power-up. In Episode 36, the Earth Force went inside the shell.

Mecha

  • Auto Changers: Each Changeman rides on of these motorcycles.
  • Auto Cruiser: 4WD for the entire quintet.
  • Shuttle Base: This is the shuttle that transports the team's mecha to the danger zone, and is the first Terran-made carrier to travel into space.
  • Change Robo The team's robot. Change Dragon yells "Earth Conversion Start!" to begin the mecha's conversion, and then "Combine! Earth Conversion" to combine them. Weapons/Attacks: Blitzkrieg Sword (Super Thunderbolt, Pinwheel Cut, Swallowtail Return), Change Shield, Change Robo Missile, Change Vulcans.
    • Jet Changer I: Change Dragon's mecha, which forms Change Robo's head, pelvis, and sword and shield.
    • Helichanger II: Helicopter piloted by Change Griffin and Change Mermaid. Forms Change Robo's torso and arms. Mai once took it for a joyride.
    • Land Changer III: Cruiser piloted by Change Pegasus and Change Phoenix. Forms Change Robo's legs.

Great Star League Gozma

An empire that devastates planets and uses the survivors as warriors trying to invade their planets.

  • General Guiluke: General leading the Earth invasion sector of Gozma. A veteran in combat who once fought against Bazu with Ahames in an attempt, as the final survivor, to save his home planet Girasu which was being destroyed by Bazu. Recognizing his talent as a warrior, Bazuu offered to employ him with the promise to keep his planet if he became the General of missions to invade planets. Guiluke obliges, and has conquered many planets with Bazuu since. Cruel, he's an expert in sword duel, wielding the Girasu Sword in which he's able to perform the Guiluke Bomber technique. Although an expert swordsman, he's mostly stationed above in the Gozmard. Engages in a struggle for the Rigeru Aura with Ahames, jeopardizing his stance with Gozma by going against orders. After this final failure, Bazuu sentences him to the graveyard of space. While in the graveyard, he merges himself with another of the banished, Space Beast Soldier Zadosu, returning as Ghost Guiluke. Highly dangerous, Ghost Guiluke's weakness is that he can only take a physical shape on Earth for a short period of time. Kidnaps Nana, performing a black mass from Girasu to unnaturally extract Rigeru Aura from her, bathing in it and becoming Super Guiluke. As Super Guiluke, he becomes possessive of extreme abilities, his power far exceeding Ahames'. Crueler than ever before, Super Guiluke holds a grudge against Gozma, while vowing to finally be rid of Changeman. Attempts to turn Shiima and Ahames into Space Beast Soldiers out of his new hatred for his former allies. Attacks enemies with the "Space Buster," which launching flaming meteorites which cause massive explosions, an electric wave ejected from his eyes and a powerful red beam that he can launch from an amulet on his chest, which also has the ability to turn beings into Space Beast Soldiers. In a last-ditch effort to defeat the Changeman, he turns himself into Space Beast Soldier Girasu, whose arms are integrated with the Girasu Swords, while maintaining all of his old maneuevers. Has a weak spot from an injury, given to him earlier by Change Dragon, which is used to finally kill him.
  • Adjutant Buuba: Former space pirate who conquered space with partners Jiiru, Gigara and Bubuka before recruitment. A violent and vulgar character, Buuba was defeated by Bazuu and recruited and appointed Guiluke's aide, leading the Space Beast Soldiers into battle. Change Dragon is his ultimate rival. Good with any arms and machinery, can disguise himself and is virtually an expert in any martial art. Armed with the Bullbadosu, his left arm is iron and can deflect shots from Change Sword. Can project a beam from his iron fingertips and a red ball of flame from his chest. Meets with former partner Jiiru again after Super Guiluke had attempted to make him a Space Beast Soldier. After her death, his rebellious sense as a pirate reignites. Unlike most other Gozma, Buuba is unaffected by Waraji's whistle, as he has always been a thief and wanderer, never having a real home. Cheats Gozma in order to save Shiima and break her from her curse, he fights to the death with Change Dragon so he could die without any interference by Gozma, a loner and pirate to the end...before his death, he attempts to attack Ahames, but is too far gone and stumbles backward, his final steps...
  • Adjutant Shiima: Raised as a princess on Amanga Star, which was conquered by Bazuu. Works in hopes to restore Amanga. Taken away from her mother to be raised a princess, Shiima was raised by Space Beast Soldier Uuba, brought up on her milk since being a child. Due to that, she began to grow cold emotionally, going from loving to full of hate. With unique Amanga-Energy and telepathic abilities, Shiima mostly takes part in espionage. Armed with the Shiba staff in which she can attribute her telepathy, her fighting technique consists of kicking maneuvers. Was turned into the Space Beast Soldier Zuune, only to separate herself upon recalling her native star as a result of hearing Waraji's flute. From then on, begins questioning herself and her stance with Gozma, able to defect with the help of Buuba and fight alongside Changeman. While under Gozma's influence, she speaks in the voice of a man, but her voice becomes female once she breaks free. Was a big fan of Space Beast Soldier Boruta.
  • Star King Bazuu: Ruler of all of Daiseidan Gozma and its various officers. Has completely destroyed and conquered hundreds of planets, his next conquest to be Earth in a goal to become ruler and authority of the entire galaxy. Usually appears as a massive holograph before the Gozmard. Extremely cruel and callous to his officers, he fires a "ray of damnation" onto them whenever they fail or displease him. Has the ability to banish failures into the graveyard of space. Enslaves any of the survivors of the planets he's conquered. Bazuu's true identity is the massive Gozma Star, a living planet with its own intelligence and will. The planet has atmosphere, but the skies are colored yellow. Seemingly births Hidora, the Gozma Star also has the ability to absorb or "eat" any intruders and digest it. In a last ditch effort to take Earth upon Changeman's near destruction of Gozma, Gozma Star stages its final plan -- to hide behind Halley's Comet and make its way to Earth.
  • Queen Ahames: Queen of Amazo Star, Ahames once worked alongside Guiluke and his army in an attempt to rebel against Bazu. Once defeated in battle, she fled, searched for a long period of time by Bazu as she wandered the galaxy. Has acquired many Space Beast Soldiers to work beneath her as a result of her traveling. She reforms, returning to seek a position within Gozma. Bazu is still furious with her, so she vows to defeat the Changeman in recompense, for even a level of subordinance. From then on, the Changeman find themselves being attacked by mysterious and strong Space Beast Soldiers, under Ahames' orders. Initially poses as a beautiful woman to lure Hayate, later managing to kidnap Sayaka. Receives a power-up when she beats out Guiluke for Nana's Rigeru Aura. Soon afterwards, Guiluke is banished, and Ahames becomes commander of Gozma. Is betrayed by Shiima and is turned into the Space Beast Soldier Meezu by Bazu and Super Guiluke for her continuous failure. She manages to separate herself from Meezu once the Dengeki Base is located, invading and destroy it, all while falling into madness with a continuous plea to Bazu to be taken back to Amazo and made Queen again. Is armed with a wand in which she can eject electric waves from. Ahames rides on the two-headed dragon-like Jangeran, one head uses ice related attacks while the other uses fire based attacks. Jangeran is able to create a massive storm by flapping its wings. Is separated and turned into two separate Space Beast Soldiers. Her attacks include the Hard Wall and Hard Attack.
  • Hidora Soldiers: Combat soldiers who are born from massive eggs. Seemingly of high intelligence, the Hidora work wonderfully in groups and their appearances are often unpredictable due to their abilities to sneak and attack by the numbers. Armed with chakrams and their natural claws and fangs.
  • Navigator Gator: From the Nabi Star, an expert in navigation who controls the Gozmard and Gozma Fighters. Funny, but weak willed yes-man, joining Gozma to work away from home, he's actually a pacifist. Always smokes a pipe. His tail is his weak point and he discharges smoke from his head when excited. The horrific sight of Bazuu often makes him lose control of his bodily functions. When on Earth, "disguises" himself in a dandy fashion. Not a very skilled fighter, his attacks are limited to firing a beam from his mouth and emitting a foul odor. Left behind his family on Nabi Star to work for Gozma, his wife Zoorii and son Waraji track him down to Earth after three years of searching, breaking a code of Gozma to not interact or be distracted by loved ones. Forced to choose between his family and Gozma, Gator ulimately chooses his family once learning that Zoorii is pregnant and defects, fighting alongside Shiima and Changeman against Gozma. Handcrafted Waraji's flute as a present, the flute in which Warajii performs the "Song Remembering the Home Star" that causes the various aliens under Gozma's rule to briefly break free and think fondly of their origins. After Gozma is destroyed, Gator and his family, with newborn daughter Kukku, return to Nabi Star for a peaceful life.
  • Gyodai: Gozma's monster enlargerer of the Gyodai Star. Has the size of brain and intelligence of a cow. Because of the power and force of the enlarging beam he projects, he sleeps for 23 hours a day. Possesses great physical power. Responds automatically to the sound of Power Bazooka, the ray of enlargement being fired automatically out of reflex. Homesick.
  • Daiseidan GOZMA MECHANICS: They are Gozmard, Gozma Pod and Gozma Sentuki. Each creatures have either captured beasts from conquered alien worlds or aliens mutated into monsters.

Episodes

Main article: List of Super Sentai episodes

Trivia

  • Third and last series to skip yellow in the team's color scheme.
  • Only series with pink and white together in the main team; usually white is an extra Ranger or replaces pink.
  • Seventh and last series with just one giant robot; starting with the next series, Choushinsei Flashman, there would be two or more.
  • Was the most popular Super Sentai in Brazil during the late 80s.
  • Shirō Izumi, who played Yūma, also guest starred as the kidnapped photographer in Super Sentai World. Izumi also made sentai history by playing the first regular 6th sentai hero team member, Burai/Dragon Ranger in Zyuranger. His last sentai appearance was in Ohranger, before retiring.
  • Second highest rated sentai series in Japan (the first being Goranger).
  • Shirō Izumi auditioned for the role of Tsurugi (Change Dragon), but once the producers realized his comedic talent, it was decided that he would make for the perfect Yuuma (Change Pegasus).
  • Action director Junji Yamaoka wanted the actors to do as many of their own out of suit stunts as possible.
  • Mai Ooishi was a member of the Japan Action Club, a group of stuntpeople/actors. Ooishi broke her arm performing an action scene near the end of the series.
  • Chief writer Hirohisa Soda says that Changeman is his personal favorite Sentai series out of the ones he wrote for. Soda also says that the major theme he was trying to convey with Changeman was the crisis of war and the sacrifices made by young soldiers.
  • The first Sentai series to display nudity (which is in Change Mermaid's symbol).
  • Changeman was the first TV series for which the now famous singer Hironobu Kageyama sung for (Specifically, he was the singer for both the opening, "Dengeki Sentai Changeman" and the ending theme, "NEVER STOP!! Changeman", as well as the Change Robo theme). Kageyama would later sing the opening and ending for Hikari Sentai Maskman and Choujin Sentai Jetman, as well as the ending theme for Ninpu Sentai Hurricanger, along with many insert songs for many Sentai series and Anime series.

Cast

Crew

Preceded by Super Sentai
1985 - 1986 		Succeeded by
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