Fiveman's And Winspector's 30th Year And Lightspeed Rescue's 20th Year
Is it me or are there a dozen coincidences just everywhere? Come to think about it Kyukyu Sentai GoGoFive turned 20 last year and Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue is turning 20 this year. Yet, both shows somehow owe two more shows (and I think they get underappreciated) namely Chikyu Sentai Fiveman and Tokkei Winspector which celebrate their 30th anniversary this year The Metal Hero franchise has been long plugged though its spirit somehow lives on in Heisei era Kamen Rider up to the present. However, I don't want to deny how Winspector and Fiveman were aired on the same year - something that we'd like to acknowledge whether we like it or not!
Fiveman and Winspector can be viewed as a clash IMHO. Fiveman (like it or not) was notorious for being known as Hirohisa Soda's burnout, and as the series that nearly ended Super Sentai (and I was shocked to learn that years later). Winspector was a brave turn from Jiban. The Rescue Police Trilogy (or tetralogy if you count Tokosou Robo Janperson) tried to imitate some American-style shows and added Japanese flavor to it. Winspector may be inspired by Knight Rider and Automan. The Rescue Police Trilogy becomes the Tokusatsu version of Rescue 911. Winspector had no central villain nor monsters of the week - just rescue cases that may appeal to older audiences. Fiveman, however, may have failed to impress both older and younger fans due to the mess it was known to be. Winspector was also hugely ambitious as the plot takes place nine years after its actual year of airing. Fortunately, Chojin Sentai Jetman saved Super Sentai from cancellation during the 1990s.
Ideas from both sides were somewhat mixed for 1999. One reason why I don't really compare GoGoFive with Lightspeed Rescue that much is the setting. GoGoFive's team is handled by siblings making Matoi and Carter just as hard to compare as Jason with Geki. Matoi's leadership is that of an older brother while Carter is your typical Avengers or Justice League type of leader. Instead, Gaku and Matoi are more comparable due to their status as the oldest brother of their respective shows. GoGoFive was focused on the family rescue theme while battling the Saima Clan. I don't think it's even a coincidence that the 90s ended with GoGoFive while it opened up with Fiveman and Winspector. Then their 30th anniversary hits on the same year as Lightspeed Rescue's 20th anniversary. I think Winspector will eventually get the appreciation it deserves. However, I don't think the same can be said with Fiveman - especially if you've watched GoGoFive first!
Power Rangers during the 90s became a yearly thing. Power Rangers started the 2000s with Lightspeed Rescue which was based on GoGoFive. That would be the tenth anniversary of both Fiveman and Winspector. Coincidence? Well, I think so but I can't deny how GoGoFive is obviously taking inspiration from Winspector and Fiveman. Also, what's amazing is that Lightspeed Rescue has a rescue team captain for a mentor. Captain Mitchell from Lightspeed Rescue also made me wish Hiroshi Miyauchi appeared in GoGoFive as a guest star. Lightspeed Rescue though may have a similar problem with Chojinki Metalder - writers had to wrap things faster because of the episode count they're given to work with!
Anyway, these coincidences are something to think about, right?
Fiveman and Winspector can be viewed as a clash IMHO. Fiveman (like it or not) was notorious for being known as Hirohisa Soda's burnout, and as the series that nearly ended Super Sentai (and I was shocked to learn that years later). Winspector was a brave turn from Jiban. The Rescue Police Trilogy (or tetralogy if you count Tokosou Robo Janperson) tried to imitate some American-style shows and added Japanese flavor to it. Winspector may be inspired by Knight Rider and Automan. The Rescue Police Trilogy becomes the Tokusatsu version of Rescue 911. Winspector had no central villain nor monsters of the week - just rescue cases that may appeal to older audiences. Fiveman, however, may have failed to impress both older and younger fans due to the mess it was known to be. Winspector was also hugely ambitious as the plot takes place nine years after its actual year of airing. Fortunately, Chojin Sentai Jetman saved Super Sentai from cancellation during the 1990s.
Ideas from both sides were somewhat mixed for 1999. One reason why I don't really compare GoGoFive with Lightspeed Rescue that much is the setting. GoGoFive's team is handled by siblings making Matoi and Carter just as hard to compare as Jason with Geki. Matoi's leadership is that of an older brother while Carter is your typical Avengers or Justice League type of leader. Instead, Gaku and Matoi are more comparable due to their status as the oldest brother of their respective shows. GoGoFive was focused on the family rescue theme while battling the Saima Clan. I don't think it's even a coincidence that the 90s ended with GoGoFive while it opened up with Fiveman and Winspector. Then their 30th anniversary hits on the same year as Lightspeed Rescue's 20th anniversary. I think Winspector will eventually get the appreciation it deserves. However, I don't think the same can be said with Fiveman - especially if you've watched GoGoFive first!
Power Rangers during the 90s became a yearly thing. Power Rangers started the 2000s with Lightspeed Rescue which was based on GoGoFive. That would be the tenth anniversary of both Fiveman and Winspector. Coincidence? Well, I think so but I can't deny how GoGoFive is obviously taking inspiration from Winspector and Fiveman. Also, what's amazing is that Lightspeed Rescue has a rescue team captain for a mentor. Captain Mitchell from Lightspeed Rescue also made me wish Hiroshi Miyauchi appeared in GoGoFive as a guest star. Lightspeed Rescue though may have a similar problem with Chojinki Metalder - writers had to wrap things faster because of the episode count they're given to work with!
Anyway, these coincidences are something to think about, right?
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