Speculation: Where Kakuranger Possibly Stands Among Power Rangers Fans

 

There are always cultural differences between Super Sentai and Power Rangers. My dislike for Power Rangers is partly cultural. I want to launch a speculation about where Ninja Sentai Kakuranger stands among Power Rangers fans. We've had the DVD releases starting with Kyoryu Sentai Zyuranger. Kakuranger had its DVD release and it seems there's no news yet of a Mahou Sentai Magiranger DVD. I tried watching Kakuranger and I feel the series could be more of So Okay It's Average (like Seijuu Sentai Gingaman) among Power Rangers fans. That's okay because I think most Power Rangers fans may actually enjoy anything after Mirai Sentai Timeranger. 

The 1980s to 1990s Super Sentai era can be characterized by stuff that makes you, "What? They show this to children?" After watching Zyuranger, I simply started to understand more why Saban Entertainment (or Fox Kids) didn't just dub it over. Zyuranger has heavy amounts of violence that may no longer be allowed in Japanese children's shows today. Heck, who can even remember Hyajakuu Golion (the basis for Lion Voltron) for its gratuitous violence that beat many of its predecessors? That's part of my enjoyment of Super Sentai over Power Rangers. The fact that many of the older seasons just can't slip past American censors!

Kakuranger footage was used in the third season of Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers. There was even the mini-series called Mighty Morphin' Alien Rangers. That's why I wasn't get surprised to learn that the Alien Rangers were based on the Kakurangers, Master Vile was based on Daimaou, and Rito Revolto was based on Prince Junior/Gasha Dokuro. Did the series get almost the same treatment as Mighty Morphin' Season 3 where it started to be overshadowed? Not to mention, Kakuranger is the first heavily Japanese-themed Super Sentai season. 

Some stuff that can get fans mixed about

Part of me still calls Prince Junior "Rito Revolto". Kenichi Endo had a few guest roles before he landed the role then left midseason. Some Filipino fans may remember him in a guest role in Tokosou Robo Janperson. It was interesting to see a hammy villain that was also scarier at the same time. Like Bandora in Zyuranger, Prince Junior proved to be funnier while being more dangerous than the American counterpart. Unlike Rito Revolto, Prince Junior had a human form and a skeleton form. I wonder why Mighty Morphin' didn't take that option with Rito since there was more original footage on the American side? 

Rito entered starting out as a genuine threat (since he destroyed the Thunderzords after all) but became a bumbling oaf. Rito kept calling Lord Zedd as "Ed". The footage of Prince Junior's demise at the hands of Kakure Daishogun was used to depict Rito's defeat. Like WUT? After that, Rito just went downhill after he was introduced as a genuine threat. Also, it should be noted that Muteki Daishogun (Shogun Megazord) showed up before Kakure Daishogun (Ninja Megazord). I still feel Kakure Daishogun had that "inferior design". I almost feel like the second combining Megazord came out because people weren't too keen on the way Muteki Daishogun was composed of five humanoid components. 

I wonder what fans thought of Prince Junior leaving midseason. I found the guy cooler than Rito could ever be. Rito only became more of a comic relief. It's also said that the American-based Rito costume fell apart. I only pretend that Rito's purified form looks like Kenichi. Maybe, Rito's running a Pizza Black store somewhere in the Power Rangers continuity. 

The introduction of Daimaou (Great Demon King) was something. It could've been great if both father and son wreaked havoc together. Prince Junior's departure lacked the dynamics that the midseason game-changer brought. Sure, Daimaou had his own cat ninjas to assist him. However, Daimaou does have moments when he lacks the charm that his son has. Daimaou himself did plan to avenge his son nonetheless. 

The final episode did try something new. I do love how they tried a different approach. Instead of destroying Daimaou, they decided to seal him away. The reason is that Daimaou is the very embodiment of evil energy in their continuity. Destroy him and it could be the end of the world. The concept was later transported into Kyukyu Sentai GoGoFive five years later. Daimaou was later sealed away and it was no easy challenge either. I wonder how people reacted to the way Daimaou was finally defeated? IMHO, I still feel it was probably some kind of copout when Bandora and her minions were simply sealed away again in Zyuranger. 

Other Super Sentai entries can play a role as well

I did mention the possibility that any series after Timeranger might get more mileage. I'd say the dawn of fansubs was just one thing. Power Rangers fans checking out the Tokosou Sentai Dekaranger fanmade subs back then wanted more. There were other fansubbers back then too but they were more focused on the newer Super Sentai series. Some older series got fansubbed (while some do have an official sub now). Some of the older series (and newer series) may be viewed to be better than Kakuranger. 

I think Ninpuu Sentai Hurricanger may just be one. If I'm not wrong, there was a sh*tty fansub of Hurricanger. GUIS did a better job subbing Kakuranger. However, some people might find Hurricanger more entertaining than Kakuranger or maybe even Liveman. I do find the choreography of Kakuranger way better given the 1990s setting. However, it seems some people think Hurricanger would be more fun. 

I think Kakuranger also had to deal with the Tough Act to Follow trope. Maybe, it only got better recognition a year later. Choriki Sentai Ohranger got into a huge mess when Real Life Writes Plot. Sure, I can gloat all day why I think Ohranger is way better than Power Rangers Zeo. However, Ohranger was pretty much a messy series when the series got hit by the Sarin Gas incident. The show became a messy toy commercial instead of a well-scripted one. 

Pretty much, I think Kakuranger does get its recognition. In the long run, I think Power Rangers fans may treat it as So Okay It's Average. Maybe, they've seen more series before and after it. The might treat it as some important series or stepping down. It's not underappreciated, It's probably just less appreciated because other Super Sentai entries are just better.