Ten Harsh Realities Of Watching Super Sentai

I may not like the Power Rangers franchise but I felt that the shows have common "screw logic" situations. So, I decided to write this post about the harsh realities while watching Super Sentai. Having watched a lot of old-school entries and new-school entries (and some older Super Sentai series just get dropped off due to generation gaps) means I could observe it. I think these are realities that Super Sentai fans really need to face. The inspiration for this post is based on CBR's "Ten Harsh Realities of Watching Power Rangers". 

The tendency to have an uneven distribution of development in some seasons

There's really the truth that the Red Ranger is the star of the show, right? Why do you think Aka Red got created for the VS. Movies and Gokaiger, to begin with? Some shows tend to focus on the Red Ranger A LOT. I mean, A LOT. I think Maskman (even if it's a favorite of mine) tends to focus TOO MUCH on Takeru in terms of moving the plot. Sure, we had developments for the other Maskmen but every Takeru-focused episode is usually what moves the plot forward! Just think about it that Takeru's focus puts him at odds with Prince(ss) Igam, Kiros, and his desire to rescue Princess Ial are usually what MOVES THE PLOT. The others didn't get much. The episode of Momoko's childhood is just one development - she's usually there just to be there. Haruka did have her past explored but other episodes of her no longer developed it. Maskman!Akira does have his past focused but the Fencer Unas plot was wasted potential. Maskman!Kenta does also feel underdeveloped and there's not much to explain except his failed romances. 

This one tends to be a problem when you're writing a team. Sometimes, writers tend to have favorites and it usually goes to the red. Toshiki Inoue's favorite was Gai Yuki which may be why he treated Gai Ikari so cruelly in his guest-writing for Gokaiger. Hirohisa Soda did have some favorite female yellow rangers like what he did with Mika Koizumi (who really had to be written off all thanks to Yuki Yajima's contractual dispute) and Jun Yabuki in Bioman, Sara in Flashman, and Remi Hoshikawa in Fiveman. I still feel that uneven distribution of development is something almost impossible to avoid.

I think later seasons such as Jetman, Zyuranger, Kyoryuger, Ninninger, Kyuranger (which tends to focus TOO MUCH ON LUCKY), and Ryusoulger had it to a certain extent. I think Kyuranger is probably the biggest culprit. It had nine rangers (and eventually became 12) which most of the lot revolves in LUCKY. Though, ironically I enjoyed Kyuranger while I still dislike Kyoryuger and Dino Charge at the same time. Weird huh?

Role calls and introductions are REDUNDANT

I don't exactly get the logic behind the role calls. It's been there since Goranger and it hasn't stopped up to the present. I remembered how I actually (and eventually) got annoyed by how Mighty Morphin' had its classic "MASTADON! PTERODACTYL! TRICERATOPS! SABERTOOTH TIGER! TYRANNOSAURS!" morph sequence played OVER AND OVER AGAIN. I felt the crew behind Mighty Morphin' could've copied the whole simultaneous morphing sequence than have the same sequence all over again. However, who can ever forget how Bioman had the "Red One! Green Two! Blue Three! Yellow Four! Pink Five! Bio Team Fight! Bioman!" in the English dub? Though, that's "One! Two! Three! Four! Five! Chodenshi Bioman" in Japanese.

I can't get the logic of the role calls done before wrapping up the day. It's funny how the enemy DOESN'T take advantage of the situation either. Why not let the monster-of-the-week fire a shot or something? Then again most Super Sentai villains are just downright stupid in almost every situation. Watching Zyuranger made me think that while Wirch Bandora was crueler than Rita Repulsa - her plans are not any better either for most of the show's run. I felt that Bandora's scheme to poison Mei was no less poorly executed as Rita's plan to poison Kimberly's uncle. Why not just poison both pink rangers and KILL THEM DIRECTLY? Again, you know how stupid Super Sentai villains are. The role call could've been the PERFECT OPPORTUNITY to win the day.

Huge DISREGARD for property damage during giant mecha battles

I was looking at some older Super Sentai footage. If you've seen Dairanger -- maybe you saw Daimugen go giant and the cars could've been CRUSHED. If you've watched Dekaranger then think of all the emergency evacuations. I even felt neither GoGoFive nor Lightspeed Rescue ever gave a good explanation of how they managed to minimize CIVILIAN CASUALTIES. Spielban did introduce a teleportation concept to prevent collateral damage. Donbrothers does the same thing with mecha battles. Seriously, most Super Sentai series just failed to ACCOUNT FOR ALL THAT!

The collateral damage at the end of the day is something. News reports can go from minimal damage to fewer people getting hurt to even higher. How is it explained away? Well, take a look at the next episode or a few episodes later. How in the world did Japan ever rebuild the collateral damage so fast? I was looking at one mecha battle after the other. I guess Japan (at least, in the Super Sentai reality) has a VERY ORDERLY civilian evacuation order every time a giant monster battle happens. 

 

Though, let's not think about the earlier episode of Kiramager. Two students stupidly wanted to take pictures of the giant monster attack. That scene alone made me question the harm the two placed themselves into. How could we even ignore this one? I guess good advice is to know when NOT TO question Tokusatsu's logic, right? 

The tendency to lose easily against villainous new tactics (whether the usual dumb plan or getting serious)

Super Sentai were meant to be, more often than not, ordinary people doing extraordinary things. They are a team but the monsters seem to possess the strength capable of handling them all or defeat them if they're incomplete. Until now, I feel it's kind of unexplained why it takes a complete team to usually defeat the monster of the week. Then again, there are also footsoldiers of the enemy faction. The ranger of the week usually fights the monster of the week ALONE before a team finisher is carried out. Weird logic, right? Before that, we see the rangers getting their asses handed over to them early on aside from the enemy retreating for some reason. They usually retreat when things fall out of their favor.

As stupid as Super Sentai villains can get - the stupid villain plot of the week shouldn't be underestimated. Sure, both Bookback at Tottobatto are VERY STUPID but Dora Tortoise nearly spelled the end of the Zyurangers. Zulten may be an annoying fat villain but Youehi getting poisoned by Poison Bouma is NO JOKE. These plans can have the rangers getting caught unprepared. The rangers have to retreat, rethink, and come up with solutions. When villains start to get serious - this is even a bigger reality we create a story arc. Zylpheeza's use of feather bombs scattered throughout the city placed the Tatsumi siblings of GoGoFive in a BIG PREDICAMENT. Gurail's use of human shields in Megaranger made Kenta Date rethink his strategy when a child got accidentally injured. You know those predicaments as some enemies (especially game changers) can get serious. 

When humor gets SO POORLY TIMED at times

I could rant ON AND ON at how I dislike Power Rangers humor. Sure, I had fond memories of laughing at Bulk and Skull when their antics FAILED. However, after watching Zyuranger - I just felt like "SCREW IT!" Dan and Boi did better with humor than Bulk and Skull because it was plot-relevant. I find the humor of Samurai so annoying (such as Bulk and Spike who should've just left for Japan) that the rumor it became "more popular" than Shinkenger is way more unbelievable than the Lost Galaxy rumor. Though, I'm not goi ng to spare a moment at some things worth mentioning NAMELY...

Go-Onger really is a mess. I went from not hating it to hating it.  I initially enjoyed Go-Onger's comedy but after watching Carranger - I hate Go-Onger now. Watching Carranger made me think that the insane humor is more well-tined. Sure, ratings didb't return back to normal but I understand the excessive praise that older fans gave Carranger. Everything about Carranger is way better than what Go-Onger has to offer. All the childish humor in Go-Onger may be another reason why Carranger deserves its praise. I felt like I ignored its Power Rangers counterpart RPM though that's until Go-Busters came in last 2012. 

Villains can be THAT SCARY, especially in  the older entries

Super Sentai during the past never shied away from some serious nightmare fuel. I guess it's obvious why Count Radiguet of Jetman is just right above. Count Radiguet is probably regarded by many fans of the franchise as the best Super Sentai villain ever. I'm among them since the guy is totally cruel, dumps every chance of redemption he gets (and he gets proud of it), even thinks of Maria as nothing more than a plaything (and I'm among those who believe he lusted after her), and he's practically one of the best villains ever. Radiguet has the scare factor especially when he becomes Raguem, when he betrays Juuza and later murders her in cold blood, when he spares no thought to murder others, or he's practically my favorite Super Sentai villain with how well-implemented he is. Though, there were others before him and after him too. 

I was looking at some other older villains. I personally think Black Cross Fuhrer is rather scary that he deserves to return during the Gokaiger 199 Movie. Star King Bazoo in Changeman is one of the most cruel monarchs to the point I call him the One True Dark Specter. Ra Deus of Flashman is one incredibly scarier version of Scorpius from Lost Galaxy IMHO. Emperor Zeba in Maskman is one MOFO of a walking spoiler who really spares no thought to be as dastardly as possible. Just seeing Zeba bleed green ooze, torture Baraba whenever his identity gets close to getting discovered, and just all that is scary. Great Professor Bias of Liveman is one professor you don't want to be your professor. Emperor Ragorn in Turboranger is also rather scary. Zyuranger has Dai Satan who just feeds on nightmare fuel. Lt. Col. Shadam in Dairanger is basically another Radiguet. I feel that the late Masaki Tachi probably refused the role after feeling disgusted for Radiguet's Moral Even Horizon. Emperor Exhaus of Carranger balances the odds as there's NOTHING FUNNY about the guy. Heck, I even expected Exhaus to sentence the Bowzock Trio to do-or-die tactics since he's basically Carranger's version of Emperor Ragorn. Grand Bitch Grandienne of GoGoFive is one horrible parent whose plots had to be watered down (to a certain extent) when dealing with Queen Bansheera of Lightspeed Rescue.

Sure, Super Sentai has been toned down AFTER Timeranger. I feel most of the villains (these days) can be plain silly or cartoony depending on the season. Though, some villains in the post-Timeranger seasons are still scary. Tao Zanto in Hurricanger is absolutely disgusting as he had no qualms sacrificing his own generals or carrying out The Evil Will. The Evorian God Dezumozorlya is also one incredibly disturbing foe. I think Mikoto himself in Abaranger was also that scary. Agent Abrella also has some nightmare fuel in Dekaranger since his actions caused wars from one world after the other. Gekiranger also had Long who surely caused a long line of sufferings even before he showed up. I still think that Don Armage in Kyuranger is nightmare fuel with how he manipulated people. Though, most of these villains are toned down. I feel they're more or less in the same footing as the scarier Power Rangers villains such as the Second Master Org (who is NO LAUGHING MATTER but the potential was hindered by American TV standards) or Trakeena. Speaking of Trakenna, maybe Yodonna of Kiramager can also count as being scary but not too scary. Both Yodonna and Trakeena have displayed attractive civilian forms and became fan favorites. I guess that's why Trakeena was brought back in Lightspeed Rescue under a different actress for some reason. Yodonna later had a sequel in HER HONOR. 

The weight of the world is also felt by non-adult rangers

Some Super Sentai series never shied away from putting NON-ADULT members in a team of adults. Maskman had Akira in a team of adults. Jetman had Ako in a team of adults and she's too unfortunate to get an upskirt. Fuuka in Ninninger is practically underaged in contrast to her comrades. Super Sentai also attempted the teens with attitude motif with Turboranger and later Megaranger. Okay, I think Megaranger might be another reason why Turboranger is less appreciated. Dairanger and Ohranger featured child rangers in Kou and Riki. I felt these are cool concepts but when you think of reality - it can be VERY HARSH! Though, I'm afraid Power Rangers has overly used the formula during the Neo-Saban era. Heck, I felt Ninja Steel was much worse trying to do Mighty Morphin' all over again. Plus, Victor and Monty make the dumb Takaharu look smart. Though, take Ninja Steel away and I'm going to berate Ninninger all over again.

Turboranger and Megaranger featured the pressures of teen life and SAVING THE WORLD? Turboranger may have felt out-of-place when Seelon recruits teenagers with fairy energies of ALL PEOPLE to fight the Hundred Beast Tribes Bouma. Megaranger later had the teenagers chosen through some random incident. Kenta Date was recruited by the arcade machine. Meanwhile, the other four got dragged along. Stuff like homework and exams are well-explored. Turboranger's homeroom teacher Misa manages to play it better than Ms. Appleby ever will in character development. I felt that Misa wanting to know what the Turboranger were up to and then discovering their secret identities was something. In-between, the Turborangers even complained about having to do extra work because they kept cutting classes to fight the Bouma. Kenta Date also had to deal with his bad grades even before the battle with Nezire began.

The generation gap problem 

I really can understand if newer fans don't want to watch older entries and older fans just left the series altogether. Personally, I decided to old school for some time (2013-2015) then watched more newer ones. However, I find Goranger and JAKQ that DIFFICULT to watch. Heck, I even don't like most of the Showa-era Kamen Riders. It's like someone could watch Maskman or any older series but anything too old can be a bore-fest. I experienced that trying to watch some older Taiwanese series - most of them just BORE ME. A blurry line may just be there.

Right now, Super Sentai has 46 seasons and most of them aren't connected together. Most of the VS. Movies are comparable to the Dragon Ball Z movies where events contradict the show canon. Trying to fit them all into one timeline would be a tedious task. This makes you wonder how many older or newer series do you want to watch COMPLETELY? I even feel like I'm more than ready to actually salute some newer fans who dropped some older series after a few episodes to focus on the newer series. I still feel the urge to leave Super Sentai completely and last year gave me that urge. Ugh, I really felt Zenkaiger was cool on paper but I feel Junko Komura SUCKS with anniversaries. Heck, I even feel Zyuohger is not much worth a rewatch compared to the massive fest that was Gokaiger. Yet, Go-Busters kept me interested than almost everything else after it got me disinterested. I still respect ToQGer fans, and recognize it deserves its award but I'm not not going to shy away from saying I'm not really fond of the show either. Though, I felt ToQGer did have imaginative concepts that could easily catch up with the children so I'll give it some praise in that regard.

I was thinking about one tip for navigating the generation gap. It might be asking questions like, "Will you sit through Goranger's 84 episodes long mark?" I'm just reminded why I'm NOT even watching Dragon Ball Super or rewatching all of Dragon Ball Z or any Anime that's SUPER LONG. Meanwhile, JAKQ has a really rushed pace of 35 episodes which I dare compare to how rushed most of the Disney-era Power Rangers seasons were. It may even ask, "How far will I go back?" or "How far will I go forward?" I even wonder why I'm watching Donbrothers even after I felt Zenkaiger was meh. 

Theme repetition can be SUPER ANNOYING in the long run

I was thinking about how some themes are repeated after some time. Think about how Maskman, Dairanger, and Gekiranger are all martial arts themed except executed with other themes. Dairanger was mythical animals while Gekiranger used wild animals. Some themes have been overly used to the point it's actually THAT ABSURD. Theme repetition can be good IF you know how to improve a concept.

I think Hurricanger is one amazing series. No, it's got NOTHING to do with Nanami being hotter than Tori. I can name reasons like better episode count for development, better fight scenes, Wendinu and Furaibiju being better than Mara and Kapri, and better humor. Hurricanger managed to combine ninjas with Liveman one way or another. However, Ninninger truly is what I'd call a trash dump if it wasn't for the bigger trash dump that's Ninja Steel. Still, I wouldn't rewatch Ninninger and it truly JUST PASSED the bare minimum with the civilian fight scenes. They happen but Hurricanger and Kakuranger just defeat them. Not even the presence of Jiraiya as a guest star (which I felt was nothing more than a lame gimmick) could save Ninninger. Yoshi was better off taking selfies with Hong Kong martial artists (such as Donnie Yen) instead!

I think the same may have happened with automobiles. Turboranger started it and we later had the comedy series Carranger. Carranger didn't do well in its initial run but ended up receiving excessive praise to the point some say it "saved" the franchise. No, it never did and that was debunked. Yet, some people will still keep saying Carranger is better than Turobranger.

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I think one of the worst seasons IMHO is Ryusoulger. I even wonder why I decided to finish when I could just have dropped it like I did with Megaforce ahem MegaFAIL. Even stranger, I ended up watching more of Beast Morphers AND Ryusoulger when I enjoyed neither one of them. Until now, I still feel that Kyoryuger is a BAD SEASON IMHO and that Abaranger's writing is spot on. TBH, I still feel I wanted to lose respect for Yoshi Sudarso for taking a selfie with those Ninningers who I considered ninnies at that time. I still feel Dino Charge hasn't been worth my time either even after checking it out. I can understand people who can talk about how good the civilian fight scenes of Kyoryuger and Dino Charge are. However, I felt those amazing fight scenes from both shows can't change my mind what I think about them. Enjoy both shows if you want but don't force me to enjoy them!

The terrible event of a writer's burnout

One reason why I didn't have much excitement with the return of Toshiki Inoue for Donbrothers is the event a writer burns out. I could enjoy Kamen Rider Kiva but I must agree it's the lowest point in his career. I could enjoy ToQGer now but no one can deny Yasuko Kobayashi was burnt out. Besides, one should NEVER FORGET the great Hirohisa Soda - the big contributor who I feel gets less appreciated because people probably talk too much about Kobayashi and Judd Lynn more often than not. You've probably seen Lost Galaxy and Gingaman first before Flashman. Soda wrote several episodes of Super Sentai, was involved in video games, and is very good at coming up with new imaginative concepts. That's until he was overworked.

Rewatching Turboranger and Fiveman made me understand Soda's burnout. Watching Kaiju No Kami's review on Turboranger was really funny even if I dislike the score he gave at the end. Turboranger really had some issues like how the original villains are basically poor personifications of wickedness. Only Yamimaru and Kirika were interesting enough so the three generals getting written off may have not been so bad after all. Watching the late Masashi Ishibashi in previous shows made me realize he was wasted as Bouma Professor Rehda. Fiveman eventually suffered from bad ratings (that's until First Captain Chevalier came in), and poor toy sales, and it almost felt like next year would be the last. I feel Toei just never bothers to check the event of when writers burn out. Soda was just one example and sadly - they tend to DO THAT A LOT. 

I could remember how Go-Busters was interesting yet no one can deny Kobayashi was starting to lose charge in the series. I felt that ToQGer was where Kobayashi was literally overworked. Junki Takegami has been working on many good series but ended up blowing it up with Go-Onger. I feel Naruhisa Arakawa didn't do so well with Kiramager either. Writers are but human beings that need to rest. I wonder if Inoue is truly rested up or does he need some extra help? I wouldn't suggest putting Kobayashi as a secondary writer for Donbrothers unless she's well-rested.

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As said, I'm always a guy who likes to be critical about things. I think Toei Ltd. needs to actually put ENGLISH SUBTITLES in ALL THEIR SHOWS on their official YouTube channel or be more aggressive in the world market. I can understand a few changes here and there. However, some changes and decisions need to be questioned from time to time. Being critical is part of good innovative thinking in the long run.