King-Ohger's Role With Other Super Sentai Series, Examined

I watched King-Ohger in Space. It was just another "special episode" instead of an hour-long movie. Yes, the whole web special was only 17 minutes and 49 seconds long. It would've probably been better to save it for next year or put it into the Space Squad movies -- something that's probably in Development Hell now. I watched the short film and I'd like to give my thoughts. Watching King-Ohger from start to end last 2023 was something. I still have that hangover feeling. It was like attending a party every Sunday from March 5, 2023, to February 25, 2024. So festive that it decided to even stretch things out by being part of the same continuity as Zyuden Sentai Kyoryuger.

It's usually established that unless specified -- most Super Sentai entries (or seasons as Power Rangers fans call it) usually take place in their own Universe (or continuity). Ucchu Sentai Kyuranger verified the existence of different Universes. Several events tend to contradict each other like how dinosaurs died per Super Sentai entry. If one can point out some continuity errors in Power Rangers -- take note that trying to link everything back to Himitsu Sentai Goranger will create hilariously funny results. Kikou Sentai Zenkaiger says that most Super Sentai series belong to their own worlds. Power Rangers later had a few self-contained seasons such as Power Rangers Dino Charge (presumably out of respect for the source material) and Power Rangers RPM. 

As I watched King-Ohger -- I assumed that Chikyu was just some Alternate Earth. Instead, it turns out that Chikyu was a planet where some Earth humans migrated. I had mixed feelings about linking it to Kyoryuger. Kyoryuger's explanation for dinosaur extinction can NEVER be harmonized with the other events.  It's Kyoryuger's 10th anniversary which is understandable. It was a relief that there weren't too many Ranger History Lessons. Fortunately, Dugdead (or Dugded) wasn't countered with legendary Sentai weapons from the past seasons. However, I still get mixed feelings no matter how Koichi Sakamoto pushed the main cast to perform more unmorphed fight scenes. I felt there was hardly an explanation as to why this link happened. 

Ohsama Sentai King-Ohger vs. Avatar Sentai Donbrothers got cut short. It was because Toei gave more space for Ohsama Sentai King-Ohger vs. Zyuden Sentai Kyoryuger. I'm just thankful that Bakuryu Sentai Abaranger's 20 years later movie didn't get linked into King-Ohger. King-Ohger would still be fresh nostalgia in 10 years. It's probably meant to get 17 year olds to feel young -- while watching Super Sentai with a younger sibling or nephew/niece. King-Ohger vs. Donbrothers may easily be non-canon since most Super Sentai VS. Films are meant to be non-canon. They also contain several contradictory events that prevent them from fitting into the series canon. However, King-Ohger treats Kyoryuger as part of its UNIVERSE.

King-Ohger in Space moved to add some other characters. Was the short film meant to be just another non-canon crossover or not? Toei might be trolling viewers. Adding Riki and Dorin (played by different celebrities) from Choriki Sentai Ohranger feels (and can be) contradictory. Doggie Kruger from Tokosou Sentai Dekaranger and Tsurugi Ootori into the mix is another. Apparently, Kyuranger takes place in 2,317 A.D. and not in 2017 judging by Tsurugi's hibernation story. Tsurugi probably used multiverse travel. Adding Dekaranger into the equation can also be that funny. It seems the whole thing was created for theatrical amusement instead.

Right now, I feel Power Rangers fans might be collecting more evidence for an "expanding Universe". Retcons have become a popular and controversial tool in writing fiction. Some retcons can be good but others can be bad. Toei's no different than Saban, Hasbro, Marvel, Disney, Warner Bros. etc. Toei might be doing  massive retcon. However, it seems Toei does reboot some ongoing franchises whenever there's a need or wish to do so.