Why I Feel Super Sentai's Lack Of Throwbacks Is Actually A Good Thing

I could remember a couple of exchanges I had with Sentai Bandicoot aka Fantasy Leader in this blog. I couldn't forget these words which he wrote on a post I deleted. 

Toei said it themselves, that every sentai season are their own continuity, and that the team ups are considered non-canon.

However, after reading this post, now I'm starting to question, "Does Toei actually know this themselves?"

Ugh. My head hurts. I didn't know this was such a big matter of debate among fans.

This made me write about how I came to accept there was NO Super Sentai timeline. It's pretty much like how the now-defunct Super Robot Anime series aren't connected except if they were connected like how Mazinger Z gets connected to Great Mazinger and UFO Grendizer. Try to connect Combattler V with Voltes V, Golion, and Dairugger XV and you'll see how your head will hurt. Interestingly, World Events Productions didn't adapt Combattler V and Voltes V into the Voltron franchise. I guess the artworks of both Golion and Dairugger XV were far better, right? But we know how Dairugger XV takes place in 2200 AD and the Earth is still INTACT. Golion had Earth decimated in 1999 AD. Pretty much, the Super Robot Anime by Toei Ltd. should be a good example.

This also reminded me of how I'm not too impressed with the Power Rangers Cosmic Fury updates. Billy and Zack returning? Is Lord Zedd leading the villains again? I feel like Power Rangers is really overly relying on a timeline. That's something I feel Super Sentai doesn't do as much. Sure, some shows were direct sequels to last year. The formula wasn't really overused that much. Power Rangers' singular timeline reminds me also of why I didn't like most Showa-era Kamen Rider entries due to how they made too many throwbacks more often than not. 

Now for a big rant...

SPOILERS AHEAD! READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!

A look back at the pre-Soda era before anything else...

So, let's just assume that all Super Sentai took place in ONE TIMELINE. Let's assume that Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger wasn't its own what-if alternate timeline where the 34 other series were part of it. Let's think about what if everything threw back from Himitsu Sentai Goranger and landed in the current series, Avatar Sentai Donbrothers. We know how things went when Goranger ran for 84 episodes (which makes me fidgetty watching it) and Dengekitai JAKQ got rushed by merely 35 episodes - it's five episodes shorter than a typical Power Rangers season and three episodes longer than the rushed Disney Power Rangers seasons. I even felt JAKQ's finale was just... WEIRD! The two had a crossover which hinted that most of the series by the late Shotaro Ishinomori took place in one Universe. That was pretty much until a reboot treatment was given to Kamen Rider BLACK which only got integrated later with Kamen Rider BLACK RX. Later, two Kotaros were created for Kamen Rider Decade.

I decided to watch some older Super Sentai series not ever since I felt a slump in quality in the franchise. I always think that newer isn't always better and that new can be better IF it delivers results. I felt that watching anything after Tokumei Sentai Go-Busters (for a time) was just hard to do. There were times I even wanted to call Doubotsu Sentai Zyuohger as an improvised Power Rangers Megaforce - pretty girls but it ended up not serving its purpose. I felt Shurken Sentai Ninninger was almost like Megaforce in some regard. Yeah, Ninninger is "better" because the girls are hotter and Takaharu isn't as stupid as Victor and Monty. Now back on topic... let's think about the problem of having a singular timeline.

Super Sentai never had a new season until 1979. I decided to watch Battle Fever J which I felt was too basic. Don't expect anything much when watching older Super Sentai. Many of the characters can be rather one-dimensional and you'll never get backstories. Nobody even tells us what kind of person Satan Egos is or how he created the Egos Cult. All we know is cult arrives, the group is created and that's it. Up until 1995, Battle Fever J was the first Super Sentai until the first two entries were RETROACTIVELY INCLUDED. The whole show was pretty much a reboot in a way. No connections to Goranger and JAKQ. No mention of Black Cross Fuehrer. Unlike the Not-So-Great Leader of the Kamen Rider franchise - Satan Egos was definitely NOT the Black Cross Fuehrer. 

The next two shows were somewhat linked. They were Denji Sentai Denziman and Taiyo Sentai Sun Vulcan. I really wonder what was the reason why the late Soga Machiko resumed her role as Queen Hedrian. I guess her role as Queen Hedrian will always be more iconic than Bandora from Kyoryu Sentai Zyuranger. Though I guess it's going to be different as Power Rangers fans may forever associate her with Bandora as the footage was used for Rita Repulsa in Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers. Queen Hedrian appeared in the two series as a villain who was cruel to the heroes but rather kind to her minions. Both series never had an in-series crossover for some reason. Sadly, Asao Kobayashi was later arrested and it seems Toei Ltd. wouldn't want him in either. 

Why Hirohisa Soda's era (and Toshiki Inoue's one-shot) was most likely self-contained stories that can't fit in to later shows similar to it

I think Soda himself has to be that great writer that didn't get much appreciation UNTIL later. Sure, one can always say, "Are you kidding? Gekiranger is better than Maskman!" Maybe, some people saw Jyuken Sentai Gekiranger first before Hikari Sentai Maskman. Then again one can think Gekiranger isn't as serious as one makes it out to be. Granted, I've seen all of the Super Sentai series where Soda served as the head writer. I'd like to give my thoughts on why these stories are really, obviously independent from each other.

Chodenshi Bioman was my first Super Sentai. I did watch the really bad English dub and now I don't feel any nostalgic attachment to it. Sure, I could go ahead and watch Saban's other adaptations while I ended up disliking Power Rangers out of preference. I still think about how Bioman had its storyline that obviously made it impossible to take place in a singular timeline. The first episode dropped its clue already. The Bio Robo would awaken when the Earth was in danger it couldn't handle on its own. Why didn't the Bio Robo awaken in 1975 of all times? Obviously, Bioman was its very own continuity. 

I did watch the other series, but not in their sequence. I rewatched Maskman and there was ZERO references to past seasons. Back then, I always wondered why Samurai Sentai Shinkenger never had Jii mention he was friends with Director Sugata AT ALL. No references to Doukoku being born as a result of Lethal Dobler's violent reactions. It's because they're all in different continuities. Maskman could've been mentioned in Gekiranger (which I think became the easy fan favorite among Power Rangers fans, can't blame them). You have no references made to Choshinsei Flashman within the series. The UFO episode never had a reference to Flashman

Changeman was the very series that made me think that Power Rangers in Space is an overrated mess that saved a franchise and gave Toei Ltd. more money. Changeman did mention that the Earth Force would only awaken in the case of a threat Earth couldn't handle on its own. In short, like Bio Robo, the two events are best treated as mutually exclusive. It's like you can't link Golion to Combattler V because Earth was destroyed in one and still intact in the other. The only way for the characters to meet will always be in a what-if scenario. I did wish that Changeman and Flashman had a crossover but whatever.

Flashman was another series that was obviously ignoring the other series. A good example is how Mag himself is in no way part of a Peebo group of robots. Unlike Alpha Six from Power Rangers Lost Galaxy - Mag was pretty much his own and has no relation to Peebo. It'd be VERY FUNNY if Mag would mention Peebo. It'd be hard to connect events such as the destruction of Planet Bio and the Flash Solar System located in some distant lost galaxy. Yeah, that's why Flashman kept me thinking about Lost Galaxy a lot. 

I still think about the first two series Dai Sentai Goggle V and Kagaku Sentai Dynaman. True, they had one actor, Junichi Haruta. Junichi played TWO DIFFERENT BLACK RANGERS. It's actually a lot more welcome than what Space did after Power Rangers Turbo had a midseason cast change. Another thing worth pointing is how Dynaman makes no mention of the Deathdark. It would been funny if Emperor Aton had a rivalry with Fuehrer Taboo. Instead, none of that is mentioned. No mention of Professor Hongo having a friendship with Professor Yumeno. I think it was a relief that audiences were free to establish the connections. I still want to pretend that the rivalry existed. Instead, it was probably a good choice not to make them directly connected. Though, I wish they were then Bioman would be its own timeline as well as most entries.

Chojuu Sentai Liveman has to be another science-based series. The whole show explored the sciences of previous seasons. Robotics vs. life, manipulating life, and the misuse of science. We had Goggle V and Dynaman deal with evil science though the villains were pretty much like Dr. Evil. In the case of Great Professor Bias, he's truly a terrifying foe as his kindness is nothing more than a farce. The show never bothered to mention anything about Bioman and Flashman. No mention of Professor Bias being someone like Doctor Man in some way. No mention of the incident in Flashman. I was even wondering if the artificial aliens were supposed to be a throwback to Flashman but were later written off as robots as a convenient plot twist. I guess Liveman was better off intended to be its own continuity. It'd be VERY FUNNY if Ninpou Sentai Hurricanger threw back to Liveman way back in 1988!

Kosoku Sentai Turboranger had a special clip show. Personally, I think the Mirai Sentai Timeranger clip show was more entertaining. Maybe, I'm just being shallow thinking Yuuri punching Domon was a good idea or how Domon's statement was ironic since his counterpart in Power Rangers Time Force was a FEMALE named Katie. I even wonder if Yasuko Kobayashi subconsciously copied Katie's strength into Hinata for Kamen Rider OOO? The episodes made no connection whatsoever to previous shows whatsoever. The Nagare Bouma characters were half-demon and half-human characters. The incident wasn't mentioned at all. Eiji in Gougou Sentai Boukenger was half-Ashu, half-human yet no direct reference was ever made. Later on, Gekisou Sentai Carranger made no mention of Turboranger at all in any form.

We would later have Chikyu Sentai Fiveman. The plot involved the Imperial Army of Zone conquering planets so its ruler Empress Meadow (actually Vulgyre) will gain eternal life. The whole plot of destroying 1,000 planets wouldn't fit into every other Soda series. For example, if it was, then Planet Flash and Planet Bio would be included. Instead, we have zero references to the past seasons AGAIN. Besides, its superior successor, Kyukyu Sentai GoGoFive, made ZERO references to the Hoshikawas. Nothing with a scene where Professor Mondo Tatsumi would say, "I'm glad the Hoshikawas are out there restoring life on other planets. Meanwhile, we must stay here." No scene where Nagare would remember Ken or no scene of the Hoshikawas helping the GoGoFive destroy the giant comet. Instead, it's all focused on the Tatsumi family. Besides, 1990 to 1999 is quite a huge leap. Having to watch Fiveman to understand GoGoFive can be a real chore. 

Chojin Sentai Jetman served as some intermission. Yes, it'd be the last of what I love to call the "pure era" - all before Toei Ltd. decided to finally let Haim Saban produce Power Rangers. Once again, Jetman had never made references to previous seasons. You had two guest actors from previous shows playing as DIFFERENT CHARACTERS. You even had two cast members from Zyuranger playing different characters on different episodes. The whole show never made a reference to the past seasons. You never had Kanako Maeda return as Pink Mask. Yuuta Mochizuki's character of J1 is definitely NOT Geki in Zyuranger. You get the drill. That means the crossover in the short-flick Super Sentai World (where Shiro Izumi was a photographer) definitely was not canon judged by many elements. It's nothing more than a what-if scenario.

A look back at the 1990s to 2000 for references

The next big thing was when Power Rangers finally hit overseas. It would be interesting to see how both shows operated. One of the reasons why I dislike Power Rangers was because of the Zordon era. I couldn't watch any of the entries in any order without getting confused. Before that, we had the Rescue Police Trilogy which Winspector had a direct sequel called Solbrain. Later, Exceedraft was retconned in the finale where it actually belongs in the same continuity as Winspector. The difference was that Exceedraft's throwback was probably meant to make it a wrap-up. The next year had Janperson enter as a totally different show. I guess that's why zero references were made to the Rescue Police. I guess that's why Hiroshi Miyauchi never guest-starred as Captain Masaki yet again. Until now, I felt Hiroshi should've appeared in GoGoFive as a guest character along with other Metal Hero alumni. 

If there's the Zordon Era, there's also the Not-So-Great Leader era. I'm personally glad that Zordon was written off for good. I'm also glad to see that the Not-So-Great Leader has been reduced to a movie-only character for years and years to come. I felt not seeing the Not-So-Great Leader in the recent installments is a breath of fresh air. I'm afraid that Power Rangers has been making too many throwbacks. I watched the Kamen Rider ZX movie and found it had a Rider History lesson. I even felt that maybe BLACK RX wasn't so well-accepted back then due to the sudden Rider History lesson in the finale. Though, the appearance of the 10 Kamen Rider Warriors was intentional to show the new generation the long history. I think BLACK RX had a more valid reason to do that if the show was meant to be a closure of the franchise before a reboot. I guess that's why BLACK RX had its 47-episode run as intended huh? A meltdown was in purpose so Toei Ltd. can wipe the slate clean? Maybe, maybe not.

Let's look at the differences between the Super Sentai shows and the Power Rangers counterparts in terms of timeline. Trying to connect Zyuranger up to Choriki Sentai Ohranger or even up to Denji Sentai Megaranger or Gingaman will not work. It's too obvious. Lost Galaxy had Skull getting left behind, had Bulk and Professor Phenomenus work at the Comet Cafe, and the link was still there. Not so much if you think about how Power Rangers put so much on our faces that most series take place in a singular timeline. Turbo ended with the protagonists losing their powers. Space quickly took place where Turbo left off. It's very much unlike how Megaranger started out with a clean slate WITHOUT Turbo at all. The crossovers were mostly non-canon. Besides, even Ohranger vs. Kakuranger was too obviously NOT CANON at all.

I remembered one time I was still watching Mighty Morphin' up to the third season. I did drop Power Rangers Zeo (eventually). One of the many things I disliked about Zeo was that stupid Dear John letter. Now, back on topic, I thought about how overcrowded the villains in Mighty Morphin' became. Lord Zedd arrived in Season 2 and even later married Rita Repulsa. Later, Rita introduces her brother Rito Revolto with Squatt making a reaction that the audience would make. Master Vile appeared and it was practically overcrowded until he left. I also felt Zeo having remains from Mighty Morphin' left it overcrowded. Meanwhile, Ohranger started the usual clean slate focusing only on the Machine Empire Baranoia with ZERO references to any older entries. Sure, there are similarities but that's just it.

Pretty much, plots like Bandora being siblings with Prince Junior are plain impossible. Time-lapse between 65 million years ago (exactly the time when Bandora and her minions were trapped in that dumpster) and the time the Youkai came is too far. That means Daimaou only had one child who was written off for some reason. We never have the Machine Empire Baranoia attack the Bandora Palace and that. Instead, Machine Empire Baranoia took over the moon where there haven't been any occupants as of that time. 

That also means many plots throwing back to the pre-Zyuranger era don't fit in. Carranger never made a reference to Turboranger either. Dappu never mentioned Seelon and Ragorn. Instead, Dappu talked about the show's main plot all throughout. Later, Megaranger never had a single mention of Turboranger or any previous seasons. The Megarangers were pretty much their own continuity. Sure, Mashin Sentai Kiramager did make an easter egg but it's only because certain seasons seem to take place in the Crossover Universe more than their own. Other than that, the Megarangers never mentioned a word about Turboranger or even New Empire Gear or any past seasons. No mention of stuff like, "These suits are improved versions from Bioman." We don't even have Peebo assisting Dr. Kubota. We don't even have Peebo in Zyuranger to keep Barza's senile tendencies in check.

Gingaman was also pretty much its own continuity in contrast to Lost Galaxy. Gingaman never made mention of any other series before it. Sure, there was a crossover with Megaranger but the events would be more like another What If scenario. The whole show had the Balban attacking planets and turning them into crystals. There's no mention of this and that. Instead, we have the Balban carry out its tasks as it should. I still laugh thinking at how things would be stupid IF Gingaman kept mentioning this and that. It'd be very tiring if the Gingamen discussed Ranger History lessons and it's not even an anniversary.

I did mention that GoGoFive was in no way connected to Chikyu Sentai Fiveman. The time placement of Grand Witch Grandienne will also contradict that of Great Satan in Zyuranger. Instead, no mention of Dai Satan or Vulgyre is ever made. Grandienne is pretty much feeding on negative energy to empower herself. It could've been cool (on paper only) if they mentioned the Hoshikawas. Instead, there's none and the New Town School apparently doesn't exist there. Nothing of Professor Hoshikawa and Professor Tatsumi being pals and all. Instead, it was pretty much its own continuity. That means that Zylpheeza is the true firstborn in the canon. Darkness King Gill is obviously not canon as he appeared in GoGoFive vs. Gingaman. Darkness King Gill is just as non-canon as Cooler as he was only in the Dragon Ball Z what-if movies. 

I think one issue I had with Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue was well, the timeline. Sure, it's got great characters but I felt that the crossovers are best kept non-canon. I feel Bansheera's existence would simply contradict the whole event of Zordon's sacrifice. I still find it weird that Saban Entertainment can't truly provide a reconciliation. Though, I think accepting that Zordon's sacrifice only destroyed the ACTIVE EVIL of that time may still work. Later, Power Rangers Time Force had crossover episodes with Lightspeed Rescue. I felt Vypra's sudden return was just as weird as Pierre's survival in Timeranger vs. GoGoFive. The advantage though is that the non-canon crossover doesn't have to explain too many things. Meanwhile, I think Vypra's return as a canon element can create a plot hole IMHO.

How the 2000s really could've also been 

Eventually, we had the Disney era. Saban did sell the rights of Power Rangers to Disney. Yeah, I've been having issues with Disney ever since Hanna Montana. It's good thing that Miley Cyrus wasn't Syd in Power Rangers SPD. The Disney era kept the shows mostly in one singular timeline except for Power Rangers RPM. Later, RPM made it where there was a cross between dimensions to be able to get into the plot.

I think about the comparison of Hyajakuu Sentai Gaoranger and Power Rangers Wild Force. Some people tend to pick Gaoranger due to better acting (though I don't find the Wild Force acting THAT BAD). I still think Rick Medina did a lot of inappropriate stuff back then (though his offense was more on manslaughter and not murder). The big difference is how Gaoranger vs. Super Sentai was nothing more than a what-if scenario. Org Highness Rakusha was nothing but a non-canon villain. Other than that, Gaoranger NEVER made a single reference to any other series. Instead, Gaoranger kept its crossover non-canon. Meanwhile, I find Wild Force's crossovers to be somewhat out of place. Sure, it was cool to have Time Force and Wild Force fill the gap. However, I think Forever Red was really a cramped crossover. I even felt it shouldn't have existed if it wasn't going to be a two-parter. 

I think I had some appreciation for Power Rangers Ninja Storm. Sure, I'm going to watch Ninpuu Sentai Hurricanger over it. However, it was nice to see how Ninja Storm (which sadly was just 38 episodes) wasn't making too many throwbacks. I did still get annoyed at Mara and Kapri in contrast to Wendinu and Furaibiju. I did enjoy Ninja Storm for a bit until Hurricanger. However, the beginning episodes of Power Rangers Dino Thunder did start with Ninja Storm in it. Even worse, I felt that Dino Thunder having TOMMY return was another thing. It's very much like Abaranger which actually didn't associate itself with Ranger History lessons. Instead, Abaranger presented a different case scenario that will totally contradict Bandora's genocide. Heck, other seasons even give you different reasons why dinosaurs died! 

It was cool to see how Special Police Dekaranger was mostly on its own. So yeah, I want to consider Dekaranger Ten Years after as a not canon film since the events leading to Dekaranger vs. Gavan in more than one way. Obviously, Space Squad is nothing more than a what-if scenario of sorts. The events of Magiranger vs. Dekaranger as well as Dekaranger vs. Abaranger all have non-canon elements. Even Abaranger vs. Hurricanger had Lije as a child yet Max-Ryu-Oh appears. We know how these elements are what-ifs. Besides, it's a relief that Mahou Sentai Magiranger NEVER made a single reference to the Hoshikawas or the Asamis.

Gougou Sentai Boukenger was the 30th entry. The show had references in the form of villain designs. However, it was pretty much its own continuity. Why I tend to (at times) think Boukenger can be better than Gokaiger is fewer references to past seasons. Boukenger did feature a Ranger History lesson but not on the episodes. I just love how Boukenger never gave it within the episodes. It was still on its own. Sure, some people dislike it now. I'm still a fan and I love how these guys go bonkers. I no longer think it's that great but it's still enjoyable. Meanwhile, Power Rangers Operation Overdrive did have a crossover arc that served as episodes. The format was later done in Doubotsu Sentai Zyuohger when the two shows collided for a reason. It's pretty much similar to how Winspector had a crossover arc in Solbrain. Later, Ryoma returned as Knight Fire as a background ally that somehow stole the show unintentionally.

It might seem that Gekiranger may not have its own continuity (at times). Kiramager did have an episode where SCRTC made an appearance. It was probably intentional because Kiramager is aired on the 45th anniversary of Goranger. I guess that explains why the monsters all appear like Masked Monsters from the said series. The events of Gekiranger vs. Boukenger seem to harmonize with the ending of Boukenger. Then again it's like Toei may be trolling viewers or setting them up for debate. But with Boukenger's dinosaur extinction by Hyde Gene - just stop forcing that to connect with every other dinosaur extinction in Super Sentai

Now, it's time to discuss a series that I once didn't hate but I probably dislike now. It's Engine Sentai Go-Onger. Yeah, watching Carranger and later Go-Busters made me think it's a colossal mess but nowhere near as Seiunn Machineman which I don't hold dear to my heart. The series was more or less its own continuity. Its finale felt like it could be connected to the Shinkenger vs. Go-onger movie. However, I feel there are still contradictions since Shinkenger never mentioned anything about Gaiarc except in the crossover. Shinkenger never had references to past seasons either except in the form of similar plots. That means Jii and Director Sugata were never friends even if Goro Ibuki and Hayato Tani are in the same age group. It would be cool only in a fan fic but not in actual canon. 

This reminds me of other issues I had with Power Rangers Samurai. It was pretty much a series that didn't know what to do. I feel the series could've gotten rid of the lineage thing entirely. Have an Asian mentor training a white guy to be the red ranger. Remove as many references as possible. Instead, we had the return of Bulk and Spike. Spike just becomes a useless character who's better off packing his things and training in Japan than getting wasted. It's pretty much, "Let's do Mighty Morphin' all over again." I think I could take the whole Mr. Brown episode better than Bulk's rather random return. 

The 2010s to the early 2020s compared

That also means Tensou Sentai Goseiger is pretty much self-contained. I felt that events in Goseiger would surely not fit in too well. The Warstar began its invasion. We have events that would clearly not allow anything to fit. I did watch the Goseiger vs. Shinkenger movie and none of it could fit in the two timelines. That means the Goseiger crossover with Gokaiger is nothing more than a what-if scenario. Heck, Gokaiger is a year-long crossover series full of what-if scenarios. The following crossover with Go-Busters even had events that clearly can't mix and match them. 

I felt Gokaiger wasn't all too reliant on FANSERVICE THROWBACKS. True, we had guest stars in several episodes. You had some tribute episodes when they were due. What made it stand out for me IMHO is that the Gokaigers were introduced without many throwbacks. I think one problem Megaforce had also had to do with Gosei. Gosei wasn't supposed to awaken and was a poor Zordon knockout. Tensou was a poor man's Alpha Five but still better than what Power Rangers (2017) offered. It was understandable to have Ranger History lessons in Gokaiger since its an anniversary season. The key phrase is ANNIVERSARY SEASON. Still, it was good to have the Gokaigers discover the Super Sentai Legacy WITHOUT them being linked to it directly. They were traveling into space then they crash land into its legacy. I felt that's another thing that made it a good anniversary season. I also felt the throwbacks were brilliantly a Ranger History lesson that would still fit with the new generations.

I felt Super Sentai in itself had reboots. It seemed that Gaoranger was pretty much a reboot while Timeranger was a finale. Go-Busters had a reboot feel. Everything felt fresh. There were NO Ranger History lessons. I think the Ranger History lessons totally wrecked Power Rangers Beast Morphers. Sure, Go-Busters isn't perfect. I still feel the crossover episodes with Gavan were very out-of-place and should've been a promotional movie instead. Still, I felt that rewatching Go-Busters made me realize that Beast Morphers failed to live its potential. It also made me think that I'm glad that the Messiah Virus wasn't Yogoschrimaten from Go-onger or even the Black Cross Fuehrer from Goranger.

I could also talk about the dinosaur quadrilogy. I think Zyuden Sentai Kyoryuger is one big messy show. I now think Kishinryu Sentai Ryusoulger is also a messy show. The only thing that prevented me from beating them up (further) was how, in series, there were no frequent throwbacks. I still felt Lord Zedd's return in Power Rangers Dino Fury makes the character the lord of poor fanservice. I felt the same way when Frieza made a return in Dragon Ball Super as well as in Frieza's non-canonical movie appearances. I felt that the only redeeming factor I could easily name is not having the same timeline. Dinosaur extinction stories in the two shows were anything but could be reconciled with every dinosaur extinction plot in Super Sentai.

It was good that Ressha Sentai ToQGer was pretty much standalone. For all the flake I initially had towards it - I was glad the Imagination Power was pretty much self-contained. It's a good thing that the power of imagination operates within a self-contained reality. However, it didn't last long until Shuriken Sentai Ninninger which most likely exists in the VS Movie timeline. The appearance of certain characters from other series maybe because it was the anniversary to Goranger last 2015. Yes, it was the 40th season so I guess Ranger History lessons were appropriate. Other than that, Ninninger didn't do it all too often. Kiramager did also have Gekiranger's SCRTC linked into it on Goranger's 45th anniversary. For Zyuohger, well it's understandable to do a Gokaiger crossover because it's an anniversary season. The same can go for Kikou Sentai Zenkaiger though it kept it at a very bare minimum. 

Watching Ucchu Sentai Kyuranger will tell you it's a very different time and place. I felt like it was in a very time period where I'd be too old to be alive. Granted, Tsurugi slept for at least 300 years or more so it'd be the year 2317 A.D. when Jark Matter ruled the Universe. The episode in which it existed was obviously self-contained. Even the events of Kaito Sentai Lupinranger vs. Keisatsu Sentai Patranger clearly are self-contained. It was a good thing for these shows to have no blatant Ranger History lessons. Otherwise, it'd actually derail the said entries. It wouldn't create a new story.

Closing words

Any changes that a franchise makes should focus on the primary market. I felt that Power Rangers should avoid doing too many throwbacks when it's not an anniversary season. Instead, it drove me dizzy just thinking how Power Rangers is still making too many throwbacks like having episodes with Beast Morphers involved or even Lord Zedd's return. It's like as I said - it would totally be more bonkers if Ryusoulger (a show I dislike) would've brought back Black Cross Fuehrer in an episode. It would be also bonkers if Ryusoulger also had an episode with conversations from Go-Busters

I think I could agree with what Lester Jeff of Dryed Mangoez said. Produce a good season with ZERO references to other seasons. Don't have too many Ranger History lessons to the point it's just throwing back to the older audience. Sure, Ranger History lessons can be fun but reserve them only for ANNIVERSARIES. Also, the way Ranger History lessons should be done should be more of an introduction to older entries than assuming that the older fans will always watch it. I believe some older fans no longer watch Super Sentai. Even I feel I'm going to stop blogging here soon. I tend to rant like it might be my final entry. 

Pretty much, just another rant which might be my rehearsal to finally exit Super Sentai

Comments

  1. Update: Zack and Billy will be in the Power Rangers Special, which is separated from Cosmic Fury.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for clarifying though I already long ended up disliking Power Rangers. Yeah, I still acknowledge Toei's involvement but it's never been my kind of show from their inventory.

      Delete

Post a Comment