The New Old School of Super Sentai Revisited
Well here's a time to remember the "new old school" as it's been more than ten years since the entry of the year 2000. Now how's the kids who watched these growing up? I'm a 28 year old guy writing this hee hee and I am yet to see all of them completely but here's some critiques:
Mirai Sentai Timeranger (2000)
This show basically opened a new era of Super Sentai and what better way than a time themed Sentai? Fiveman opened it with the end of Soda's era, Timeranger was Yasuko Kobayashi's second headwriting job after Gingaman. This was the 24th series. This also introduced the concept of time travel, first not to really kill the monsters, the detective concept and after the final episode, you get a flashback of all 23 Super Sentai prior to this one which included Goranger and JAKQ in the documentary. My favorite here is Tatsuya/Time Red. Yuuri is also one of my favorite female rangers ever due to how badass she really is.
Hyajukyu Sentai Gaoranger (2001)
The hundred beast task force! Well it was the 25th anniversary, introduced the newer combination method called multi-gattai. I admit at first I wasn't very friendly at the idea but hey, it managed to work well. In fact, this series managed to be a "prototype season" that was pretty good in itself as the concept of the three Org Highnesses was well written but too bad Rasetsu wasn't as good as Ura. It also felt like a Pokemon season because of Yabaiba and Tsuetsue being like James and Jessie accomplices or the "Team Rocket". The twist of not having a stable big bad is kinda new in itself. I did like the characters but I was mostly interested only in Shirogane/Gaosilver my personal favorite though I still say Sae is still one of my favorite female rangers.
Ninpu Sentai Hurricanger (2002)
Probably the season that brought me interest to watch Sentai again, ha ha bad and I'll confess it was due to Nanami! Well the series seemed to copy both Liveman and Kakuranger elements. The Liveman elements were the first three animals, the academy under attack and the three plus two formula. Pretty much I wished this series had all the drama Liveman had incorporated into the ninja school plot or I really wanted Tao Zanto to be as cruel as Bias was but sigh overall I could only look at Nanami here. My favorite here is Yousuke just as my favorite Liveman is Yuusuke.
Bakuryu Sentai Abaranger (2003)
I'll have to see more of this. My thoughts was that I was pretty close minded at this Super Sentai series due to Zyuranger and thought that bah, it's another Dinosaur season. Wow I missed a lot of stuff. My favorite here is Asuka/Abare Black though I'd honorably say Ranru/Abarae Yellow is one of my favorite female rangers who's more than eye candy here.
Tokosou Sentai Dekaranger (2004)
The first to be finished in fansubbing, Mr. Smith's favorite and well perhaps my favorite 2000s Sentai though it can never replace Jetman in my heart. The detective theme was revived from Timeranger but no time travel, aliens ravage the Earth and this time they are deleted whenever approved by the court for high crimes. My guilty pleasure here was Jasmine (and now a lot of fanboys must be crying over Ayumi Kinoshita's wedding). My favorite here? Hard to decide but I'd go for Hoji though Ban and Tetsu are still my favorites. My favorite female here is Jasmine. I'll confess I had a hard time picking my favorite!
Mahou Sentai Magiranger (2005)
The third sibling team though with some twists like they use magic instead of technology, like Gogo V they do fight agaisnt demons but this series is nowhere scary (the Saima clan can kick the asses of Infershia and N-Ma's gonna lose against Grandienne for me). I would say that the magical stuff here is pretty much the gimmick of kid's shows or Kai's development as the youngest is something that's not easy for me to adopt to. My favorite here is Hikaru/Magishine. From the girls it'd be Urara/Magi Blue.
Gougou Sentai Boukenger (2006)
It's the 30th anniversary of Super Sentai and this show has a lot of nostalgia to the past. I've tried comparing it with Jetman done in a lighter and softer way, the treasure drive for me is just amazing. I have rewatched this at least three times and it doesn't bore me. However this series also introduced the removal of the use of Japanese texts to introduce stuff or characters which was later re-used in the current Kyoryuger. My favorite here is Eiji/Bouken Silver from the guys and Sakura/Bouken Pink from the girls.
Jyuken Sentai Gekiranger (2007)
I'd say this is one season that gets me to gush over the tributes of the Fist Saints, I don't treat this series superficially for the girls and despite a lack of girls who are my type of hot, I sat through this proudly because the story is so awesome! My favorite here is Retsu/Geki Violet though I'd also say Ran is one of my favorite Sentai heroines though she's no Haruka/Yellow Mask.
Engine Sentai Go-onger (2008)
Perhaps viewed by many as the "suckiest season ever" or "really bad", I would say it's a so-so season which I watch just for the blatant silliness. Hardly anything happens in here! If I'm to talk this is really Disney's Cars being driven by downright silly characters, feels too much like a Nicktoon to me and if it wasn't for the blatant silliness, I'll confess I would have dropped this show. For a favorite I'd probably just say Renn/Go-on Blue. For the girls I could probably say I like Miu since Saki's kinda airheaded.
Samurai Sentai Shinkenger (2009)
Second to the last show for the decade. This is probably Kobayashi's last best work. I'll say I like this season but rewatching it, I've praised it too much and two I realize I've been shallow-minded at times whenever it's Mako's focus episodes (just kept staring at her sometimes). Looking at the Japanese theme done well in classic samurai storytelling with a couple of humor, or the running gag that the monsters dry up and of course the right balance of seriousness and comedy makes this a good series I'd recommend to start with for those who are new to Super Sentai. My favorite male here is Takeru Shiba/Shinken Red and my favorite female here is Mako/Shinken Pink.
Tensou Sentai Goseiger (2010)
The decade closer. For me it's a pretty bland season for me. I just thought that this series I'll probably give a second chance after it bored me, maybe I was just being too biased. But for starters, I'd really say that this series wasn't really my type either. I can't even name my favorite here, not even Gosei Knight. If I have to pick I'd probably say Hyde for the boys and Moune for the girls. Fortunately the next season Gokaiger is better.
What's your thoughts? Comment!
Mirai Sentai Timeranger (2000)
This show basically opened a new era of Super Sentai and what better way than a time themed Sentai? Fiveman opened it with the end of Soda's era, Timeranger was Yasuko Kobayashi's second headwriting job after Gingaman. This was the 24th series. This also introduced the concept of time travel, first not to really kill the monsters, the detective concept and after the final episode, you get a flashback of all 23 Super Sentai prior to this one which included Goranger and JAKQ in the documentary. My favorite here is Tatsuya/Time Red. Yuuri is also one of my favorite female rangers ever due to how badass she really is.
Hyajukyu Sentai Gaoranger (2001)
The hundred beast task force! Well it was the 25th anniversary, introduced the newer combination method called multi-gattai. I admit at first I wasn't very friendly at the idea but hey, it managed to work well. In fact, this series managed to be a "prototype season" that was pretty good in itself as the concept of the three Org Highnesses was well written but too bad Rasetsu wasn't as good as Ura. It also felt like a Pokemon season because of Yabaiba and Tsuetsue being like James and Jessie accomplices or the "Team Rocket". The twist of not having a stable big bad is kinda new in itself. I did like the characters but I was mostly interested only in Shirogane/Gaosilver my personal favorite though I still say Sae is still one of my favorite female rangers.
Ninpu Sentai Hurricanger (2002)
Probably the season that brought me interest to watch Sentai again, ha ha bad and I'll confess it was due to Nanami! Well the series seemed to copy both Liveman and Kakuranger elements. The Liveman elements were the first three animals, the academy under attack and the three plus two formula. Pretty much I wished this series had all the drama Liveman had incorporated into the ninja school plot or I really wanted Tao Zanto to be as cruel as Bias was but sigh overall I could only look at Nanami here. My favorite here is Yousuke just as my favorite Liveman is Yuusuke.
Bakuryu Sentai Abaranger (2003)
I'll have to see more of this. My thoughts was that I was pretty close minded at this Super Sentai series due to Zyuranger and thought that bah, it's another Dinosaur season. Wow I missed a lot of stuff. My favorite here is Asuka/Abare Black though I'd honorably say Ranru/Abarae Yellow is one of my favorite female rangers who's more than eye candy here.
Tokosou Sentai Dekaranger (2004)
The first to be finished in fansubbing, Mr. Smith's favorite and well perhaps my favorite 2000s Sentai though it can never replace Jetman in my heart. The detective theme was revived from Timeranger but no time travel, aliens ravage the Earth and this time they are deleted whenever approved by the court for high crimes. My guilty pleasure here was Jasmine (and now a lot of fanboys must be crying over Ayumi Kinoshita's wedding). My favorite here? Hard to decide but I'd go for Hoji though Ban and Tetsu are still my favorites. My favorite female here is Jasmine. I'll confess I had a hard time picking my favorite!
Mahou Sentai Magiranger (2005)
The third sibling team though with some twists like they use magic instead of technology, like Gogo V they do fight agaisnt demons but this series is nowhere scary (the Saima clan can kick the asses of Infershia and N-Ma's gonna lose against Grandienne for me). I would say that the magical stuff here is pretty much the gimmick of kid's shows or Kai's development as the youngest is something that's not easy for me to adopt to. My favorite here is Hikaru/Magishine. From the girls it'd be Urara/Magi Blue.
Gougou Sentai Boukenger (2006)
It's the 30th anniversary of Super Sentai and this show has a lot of nostalgia to the past. I've tried comparing it with Jetman done in a lighter and softer way, the treasure drive for me is just amazing. I have rewatched this at least three times and it doesn't bore me. However this series also introduced the removal of the use of Japanese texts to introduce stuff or characters which was later re-used in the current Kyoryuger. My favorite here is Eiji/Bouken Silver from the guys and Sakura/Bouken Pink from the girls.
Jyuken Sentai Gekiranger (2007)
I'd say this is one season that gets me to gush over the tributes of the Fist Saints, I don't treat this series superficially for the girls and despite a lack of girls who are my type of hot, I sat through this proudly because the story is so awesome! My favorite here is Retsu/Geki Violet though I'd also say Ran is one of my favorite Sentai heroines though she's no Haruka/Yellow Mask.
Engine Sentai Go-onger (2008)
Perhaps viewed by many as the "suckiest season ever" or "really bad", I would say it's a so-so season which I watch just for the blatant silliness. Hardly anything happens in here! If I'm to talk this is really Disney's Cars being driven by downright silly characters, feels too much like a Nicktoon to me and if it wasn't for the blatant silliness, I'll confess I would have dropped this show. For a favorite I'd probably just say Renn/Go-on Blue. For the girls I could probably say I like Miu since Saki's kinda airheaded.
Samurai Sentai Shinkenger (2009)
Second to the last show for the decade. This is probably Kobayashi's last best work. I'll say I like this season but rewatching it, I've praised it too much and two I realize I've been shallow-minded at times whenever it's Mako's focus episodes (just kept staring at her sometimes). Looking at the Japanese theme done well in classic samurai storytelling with a couple of humor, or the running gag that the monsters dry up and of course the right balance of seriousness and comedy makes this a good series I'd recommend to start with for those who are new to Super Sentai. My favorite male here is Takeru Shiba/Shinken Red and my favorite female here is Mako/Shinken Pink.
Tensou Sentai Goseiger (2010)
The decade closer. For me it's a pretty bland season for me. I just thought that this series I'll probably give a second chance after it bored me, maybe I was just being too biased. But for starters, I'd really say that this series wasn't really my type either. I can't even name my favorite here, not even Gosei Knight. If I have to pick I'd probably say Hyde for the boys and Moune for the girls. Fortunately the next season Gokaiger is better.
What's your thoughts? Comment!
This list right now makes me feel very old, we just feel old already! Well personally for me , the actual Sentai series that I concentrated is Kakurangers. And that is when I started the series annual countdown!
ReplyDeleteWOW,the millenium series was Time Ranger and I remember it when it was fresh and new. Most of those series was fresh and new.
Well as Gokaigers already help exploited the past series from the Gorangers to up. For me a child of both the 80s and 90s when they used the Man/Rangers powers and lets not forget Gokai Silver exploit of both the 90s and 2000s.
Super Sentai has saved my life when I had personal downs.
Keep it comming for our children and grandchildren.
I don't HATE any sentai. Go-Onger and Goseiger aren't great,there's a lot of series I'd rather watch but even they have their moments.
ReplyDelete