It's Been A Decade Since Gokaiger Aired

 
It was 2011 when Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger aired and now it's 2021, right? The series had its celebration when Super Sentai hit its 2000th episode on the year of its 5th anniversary. Right now, I'm even thinking that I do regret saying that I enjoyed Doubotsu Sentai Zyuohger over Gokaiger. I'd say that Gokaiger probably still stands the test of time though I'd still hate it when people think it's a cheat sheet. Nope, it shouldn't be treated like a cheat sheet. Rather, it should be treated like some kind of invitation to watch older Super Sentai series or to give tribute to the longest franchise by Toei Ltd. for all its ups and downs. The series in itself is what I'd call Toei Ltd.'s most ambitious anniversary season ever.

One could think of the major milestones with anniversary seasons. This year is also Hyajakuu Sentai Gaoranger's 20th anniversary and Gougou Sentai Boukenger's 15th anniversary. Both series are regarded as anniversaries with some tributes. In Gaoranger's case - I choose to view it as a reboot for Super Sentai after Mirai Sentai Timeranger ended. Timeranger really felt like a finale especially with its obviously non-canon TV special where the heroes featured all their predecessors. Gaoranger had the cool Gaoranger vs. Super Sentai movie. Boukenger had its rather weird Boukenger vs. Super Sentai. Heroes from the previous series made their guest appearances in the movies. However, Gokaiger ended up doing a daring direction by making a whole year crossover (with a crossover movie with the underrated Tensou Sentai Goseiger). That's no easy job when you consider the amount of money and effort that should be put into it! Getting as many guest stars as possible is not easy especially that others simply moved into more private life. 

How does Gokaiger try to be radically different yet again? Well, the idea of rangers not from Earth is worked into again. Its predecessor, the rather lackluster Goseiger had angels from Gosei World. In this case, they're space pirates. Heroes from space have been a very long trope from science fiction - something Super Sentai is part of. The heroes are space pirates so they're not exactly very clean cut. Captain Marvelous is pretty much of an anti-hero when you think about it. Luka is pretty much a rebel in her own right. Joe is a former member of the Zangyack and my favorite character. Though Doc and Ahim are more clean-cut. Later on, Gai Ikari joins symbolizing the dream that Sentai fans will never have - to wear the spandex (ahem) that gives one the powers to fight the bad guys!

I'd say it was even a challenge to write the tribute episodes since it was something that wasn't done yet for Super Sentai. It's obvious that Super Sentai doesn't have that timeline like Power Rangers. You can see that Super Sentai series do have that Super Robot Anime feel. Remember how Hyajakuu Golion and Kiko Kantai Dairugger XV are actually NOT connected in contrast to the American Voltron series? Uchuu Sentai Kyuranger's 18th episode proves that it's another universe after all. It's crossing across various dimensions that really happens. Besides, many Super Sentai crossovers really show stuff that contradicts the series' proper timelines. The series was trying to reconcile them such as the events of Tensou Sentai Goseiger vs. Samurai Sentai Shinkenger during the Timeranger tribute arc. The series felt like it was going to be another grand finale for Super Sentai. Then the expected reboot treatment happened.

Gokaiger's legacy after it aired

Toei really announced Tokumei Sentai Go-Busters - a series I felt was initially underappreciated because of the hype with Gokaiger last year. Trying to stay afloat after Gokaiger can be a really big challenge. Go-Busters was really trying to go back to serious roots one way or another. Go-Busters for me was a breath of fresh air though I was initially disliking it by riding a bandwagon. Eventually, I ended up saying that the series in itself is kind of a decent attempt though I'd never call it Yasuko Kobayashi's Magnum Opus. I still think Timeranger is the best Super Sentai series with Kobayashi as the head writer. Go-Busters came and it just had to struggle then it got vindicated by history. Basco did make a non-canon return because he's probably another villain we just love to show up. It did have a decent crossover with Gokaiger though I'd still say its crossover with Zyuden Sentai Kyoryuger was a glorified mess.

When did Gokaiger resurface yet again? Well, who can ever forget the big MESS of a movie called Super Hero Taisen? I still really want to call it as the mess that was written by Patrick Star. It felt more like calling a fanfiction writer to write it than having a professional writer to do it. The Gokaigers played a big role but were reduced to near sob story characters. Until now, I still can't stop badmouthing Super Hero Taisen calling it as a really bad movie. The whole idea of Marvelous and Tsukasa clashing with each other was because both heroes could use the powers of their predecessors. It was followed by Super Hero Taisen Z where the Kyoryugers and Kamen Rider Wizard played the bigger role. Yet, Gai Ikari was still featured in the second film.

The Gokaigers ended up making yet another appearance in Zyuohger. The two-part crossover really was probalby a sign that Zyuohger just doesn't have what Gokaiger has. Eventually, I felt Zyuohger was really just beautifu desperation with Haruka Tateshi and Miki Yanagi. I even felt that that 2015-2018 was a time of two beautifully pointless series followed by two beautifully innovative ones. After that, I felt like, "Should I really rewatch Gokaiger?" Though I was also watching other old school Super Sentai series which I haven't seen yet or other older Toku I'm yet to watch. I felt that their appearance was more of a fanservice for the 2,000th episode. Then again, who doesn't want that kind of throwback?

Further kicking down Megafail down to another level of low even until today

I guess nobody can still forget the biggest Power Rangers fiasco with Power Rangers Megaforce or should we still call it MegaFAIL. Did Megafail well, ruin, Gokaiger? Instead, the fiasco actually ends up making Gokaiger look better than ever. I felt that Gokaiger even makes the already super unwatchable Megafail even more, unwatchable. Sure, MegaFAIL had loads of eye candy but you're better off watching Shinkenger instead for that. MegaFAIL really was nothing more than a rushed disaster. Gokaiger didn't get ruined. Instead, it was proven to be a superior product that I can watch and enjoy it while the mess that's Megafail can blow itself up.  

What made Gokaiger better than Megafail was handling the nostalgia. Gokaiger didn't try to become Himitsu Sentai Goranger all over again. Megafail was trying to be Mighty Morphin' all over again - something I'd call the Mighty Morphine Hype. Sure, the Gokaiger Hero 199 movie had the return of Black Cross Fuehrer but no hype riding on a series way back in 1975. Besides, Megafail's attempt to do it in just 20+ episodes was plain STUPID. The good looks of the cast can't save it from fan criticism or even why some Power Rangers fans still HATE the season. Gokaiger is still going to do so even after some time. 

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Anyway, Gokaiger may now be hitting towards its 10th year. I'd say that while I hate it when people say it's the best ever without checking out other seasons - it's still a good season nonetheless!