Recalling How Super Sentai Did Ranger History Lessons

 

There are many terminologies commonly used in Power Rangers that I still welcome. Tokumei Sentai Go-Busters used the terms "It's Morphin' Time" and Megazords. As the anniversary of Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers approaches - I feel like looking at the past Ranger History lessons that Super Sentai did even before Saban Entertainment got its green light. 

The first Ranger History lesson happened during Kosoku Sentai Turboranger's "first episode"

Turboranger can be a very strange season and I can understand why some people don't like it. Kaiju No Kami's review pointed out how Denji Sentai Megaranger made Recruit Teenagers with Attitude WAY MORE BELIEVABLE. I'd still say Turboranger is still unfairly maligned and it deserves some credit for ACTUALLY TRYING NEW THINGS. Sure, the Bouma main characters are lame personifications of wickedness (as they are pretty much Stupid Evil and For the Evulz). I even want to agree with Kaiju No Kami that Emperor Ragorn is boring. Yes, Emperor Exhaus in Gekisou Sentai Carranger is SO MUCH BETTER.

The Turboranger special episode is cleary a CLIP SHOW. The show begins with Rehda, Zulten, and Zimba (no Jarmin) trying to invade the Earth. The clip show has the 10 other Super Sentai series (minus Battle Fever J and Dengekitai JAKQ) in the clip show. The show features short summaries of each show and what they did to protect the Earth. The legacy of the Turborangers as the first group of teenagers with attitude is given.

However, the official episode totally ignores the clip show as just a clip show. The clip show was most likely done because Chojuu Sentai Liveman was the tenth Super Sentai entry. That all changed though in 1995 when Goranger and JAKQ were retroactively included. Yes, I'm glad that both shows were retroactively included!

Mirai Sentai Timeranger gave a special episode AFTER the show ended

I guess Ranger History Lessons happen whenever there's a milestone for either Goranger or for the 25th, 30th, 35th, 40th, 45th seasons, right? Timeranger took place when Goranger and JAKQ were retroactively included back in 1995. I guess it was only fair enough to give a Ranger History lesson through a non-canon final episode. The cast resumed their roles but they never discuss anything about the last episode. Instead, we have Tatsuya and the group simply act like it's a normal day. It did the reverse of Turboranger by being a post-finale special instead. 

The show featured Tac who talks about EACH AND EVERY SUPER SENTAI before them. There was a nod to Kyukyu Sentai GoGoFive though the events of VS. Movies are obviously NOT CANON. The show began to feature Goranger and up to GoGoFive. Each segment featured some important summaries. It was also funny to see Domon wish they had two females. The hilarious thing is Domon's counterpart in Power Rangers Time Force would be a woman. I laughed when Yuuri punched Domon for his tactless statement.

The show ends by welcoming Hyajakuu Sentai Gaoranger as the 25th entry. 

Hyajakuu Sentai Gaoranger has its crossover movie 

Gaoranger was the 25th entry of the Super Sentai franchise. It also felt like a massive reboot. The best Ranger History lesson that they did was Gaoranger vs. Super Sentai. The show featured four alumni namely Gouki/Ginga Blue, Miku Imamura/Mega Pink, Banba Soukichi/Big One, Yuusuke Amemiya/Red Falcon, and Domon Tatsumi/Go Yellow. Sadly, Go Yellow's actor Kenji Shibata has a brain tumor which is very much ready for the worst-case scenario.

The short movie managed to feature several ranger rangers who give encouragement to the Gaorangers. If I'm going to mention it - I think the big problem with Power Rangers Wild Force's "Forever Red" is that it should've been a two-parter. I wonder why the crew behind Wild Force didn't give their own special by extending it by an extra episode. Instead, any potential held was practically hampered by what I believe are unreasonable budget cuts. 

Series-wise, Gaoranger was pretty much self-contained. Sure, there are similarities here and there such as the red ranger having a lion or Gao Yellow would be a neat Jetman reference. Other than that, it was pretty much self-contained.

Gougou Sentai Boukenger really does some big budget there

I still think Boukenger might be pretty overrated AFTER seeing more Super Sentai. I think the only reason why Power Rangers Operation Overdrive is berated is because Boukenger has more episodes, better acting, better crossover specials, and some episodes are written by the likes of Naruhisa Arakawa and Yasuko Kobayashi. Other than that, I did feel Boukenger isn't that great and the heroes are a group of drunkards. Several events seem to suggest that the Boukengers are drunk WTF was Sakura Nishihori thinking handing over a gun to Natsuki Mamiya? 

The show obviously operates in a self-contained continuity. The events of Boukenger: The Greatest Precious show that Hyde Gene caused the death of the dinosaurs. We have the Boukenger vs. Super Sentai special movie which for me was a fun crossover. Again, Abaranger's explanation of the dinosaurs' deaths can't mix up with the Hyde Gene plot. It was what it was - a random Ranger History lesson that doesn't fit into the actualy continuity.

Later episodes would have random Ranger History tidbits. These tidbits are nothing more than fun clips that otherwise don't affect the show's continuity. Another edge that I'll bring up that Boukenger has over Operation Overdrive (which did get Vindicated by History) is being self-contained. Power Rangers' tendency to rely too much on a timeline can only result in more inconsistencies. Meanwhile, trying to force all 47 Super Sentai series into one long timeline can theoretically create a timeline where it's even gonna be messier than what Power Rangers has. 

What's also more interesting is that many foes and monsters of the week are blatant tributes. High Priest Gajah is obviously a tribute to Black Cross Fuehrer. Creator King Ryuon's design is based on Daizyujin. Many of the monsters of the week are loosely based on several mecha from past series too. Any older fan could notice those blatant tributes. Younger fans can watch it without getting lost.

The big-budget Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger is the most blatant one

Okay, before anything else just remember that trying to fit Gokaiger into each and every predecessor will give you a choppy timeline. It's best to treat Gokaiger the same way you treat the Super Robot Wars franchise - a huge crossover that manages to change certain elements. Several elements from past shows will show why they can't fit into Gokaiger. Now, it's time to tackle what I believe is the most overrated Super Sentai ever. NEVER use this show as a cheat sheet because a cheat sheet it ain't!

The series did what later Super Sentai just couldn't do. Get a lot of guest characters to resume their roles. The beginning episode had several dead characters arrive as ghosts to stop the Zangyack's grand invasion scheme. The past 34 Super Sentai teams have given up their powers to destroy the Armada. The Gokaigers did eventually return the 34 powers. The plot revolved around the 34 Super Sentai teams before them. Heck, even the Greatest Treasure of the Universe hinted that history can be rewritten. A pretty big hint actually that Super Sentai could get rebooted any time soon for the nth time. 

Several episodes gave us guests. I remember complaining that Jasmine didn't get enough screen time. I had mixed feelings with Toshiki Inoue penning the 28th episode and calling it "Inoue's most cruel episode." Sorry for those who don't think it but I still feel Gai Ikari not seeing Gai Yuuki was just cruel. That's why I decided to write my amateurish story where the two actually met. There were several episodes that gave a lot of guest roles. There was also a crossover movie with the Goseigers. Goseiger remains a low-tier series and only gets Vindicated by History because Power Rangers Megaforce is that plain dreadful. 

Each and every tribute episode probably served two purposes. It was to bring nostalgia to older audiences while introducing older Super Sentai to children. Fortunately, none of the episodes required people to watch everything from Goranger up to Goseiger just to understand the events. It was better done than what Megaforce could ever do. It was a good thing that Gokaiger wrote its unique timeline pretending all the previous series existed in it. It was easy to watch it even if I didn't see enough older Super Sentai at that time.

Fortunately, Go-Busters never bothered to make any unnecessary Ranger History lessons. Instead, the Enetron was purely on its own and not from some magnificent Morphin' Grid. Theoretically, Gokaiger has a Morphin' Grid. However, it's best kept in Crossover Movies than to apply it to EACH AND EVERY SUPER SENTAI ENTRY.

Shuriken Sentai Ninninger had some Ranger History lessons as an anniversary to Goranger

One of my older entries asked if an anniversary should be by year or by entry number. Wild Force is listed as the 10th entry for Power Rangers. However, Megaforce celebrates 20 years of Mighty Morphin' in contrast to what Power Rangers Ninja Storm did. I could say that Ninninger CAN still be entertaining. As much as I love to troll people by saying, "It's better because the girls are hotter." I could say that several elements like Takaharu Igasaki are nowhere near as stupid as Victor and Monty is a plus. I could also say that it had better guesting and better references. etc.

Ninninger may not be its own timeline because of several factors. There were some random guests left and right. Heck, even an earlier episode has it already been blatantly done. Yousuke Shiina from Ninpuu Sentai Hurricanger and Sasuke from Ninja Sentai Kakuranger? I berated Ninninger because the action scenes aren't as good as the other two shows. Then again Super Sentai action scenes have almost reached PG-7 levels since Gaoranger up to the present. I feel Ninninger can be very hard to watch on its own. I could only thank Ninja Steel for making it more "watchable".

The show does manage to do guesting WITHOUT otherwise requiring to watch previous seasons. Instead, it's a very nice invitation to children to try watching more older Super Sentai. Maybe, even try checking out Sekai Ninja Sen Jiraiaya which I'm yet to watch. Maybe, I should give it a shot because I want to see if it did inspire Kamen Rider Gaim. It also had a cool crossover with Kamen Rider Drive. Yeah, I dislike Ninninger but I do love Drive. 

Fortunately, this series may have a Cult Following after all. I think it does deserve some Vindication by History. However, I won't shy away hitting on this one without thinking about Ninja Steel. Ninninger is only SLIGHTLY BETTER than Ninja Steel.

Doubotsu Sentai Zyuohger did give a short Ranger History lesson

A considerable milestone, isn't it? Back then, Carranger did fail to celebrate the milestone. Zyuohger managed to finally give a good celebration with the return of the Gokaigers after five years. The history lesson was there with some references. I'd say it was rather hurriedly done. I almost feel the two episodes can be treated as another milestone.

Trying to get everything AFTER Gokaiger and before Zyuohger is a challenge. It was cramming it such as how Mondo Misao must get the other powers to help out the Gokaigers. A new villain named Golgos Gill shows up and is potentially deadlier than Ginis himself. I kind of wonder why Toei likes making one-shot potentially deadlier villains then they end up killing them off after that? Just think that the Dragon Ball Z movies had cooler-than-canon villains like Cooler and Broly. Yet, Cooler and Broly are obviously not gonna fit into the series. 

The crossover movie with Ninninger did almost hint at the end of Super Sentai. Part of me was almost happy with the phrase, "The history of Sentai - it's over!" Meanwhile, that might not sit too well with different types of fans. It was probably a trolling done. Then we ended up getting Ucchu Sentai Kyuranger which probably saved Super Sentai like Power Rangers in Space saved Power Rangers. Hmmm... I could be wrong but I think Kyuranger saved the franchise after all!

Mashin Sentai Kiramager has one episode that I feel was "out of place"

I think it can be excusable BECAUSE Kiramager is an anniversary season to Goranger. However, Seiju Umon's guest role ISN'T Goushi from Kyoryu Sentai Zyuranger. However, we had an episode where Sena Hayami was on focus. I really didn't find it too special. Sure, I'm a fan of Jyuken Sentai Gekiranger but why this random episode? The mother-daughter tandem of Miki Masaki and her daughter Natsume is just right there. Gekiranger was in 2007 and Kiramager is practically in 2020. 

Most of the episodes in Kiramager are pretty much not throwbacks. So why did this random Ranger History Lesson just hit? I guess there were more plans of guest stars BUT you know how the Legacy Virus affected the whole world. Some people even died from the Legacy Virus - Delta Variant. I think there were more planned but it was halted. 

 

Both Kikou Sentai Zenkaiger followed up by Avatar Sentai Donbrother dropped off Ranger History lessons 

I guess Toei was already running out of ideas huh? I found myself rather bored with Zenkaiger and fascinated by Inoue's return with Donbrothers. Still, I don't want to deny that Zenkaiger's atypical team formation of four non-humanoids and ONE human was an interesting concept. I was excited about Zenkaiger that's until I realized one thing. Junko Komura isn't good with anniversary seasons! I felt almost every part of Zenkaiger just fell off. Everything was trying to sell too many toys at once on my face. If I were a child, I'd be fascinated by all the toys. However, as a choosy toy buyer, I usually only get the toys I want and FORGET THE REST. 

Donbrothers made it clear that their Kaito is a different one. An episode though did almost suggest they were one the same but the crossover said otherwise. Zenkaiger made more blatant references to the 44 entries before it. Donbrothers made it more subtle that it will require more knowledge of the older seasons. Still, both shows didn't really require watching every previous Super Sentai entry just to understand both shows.

And now for some notes that I remembered...

Lester Jeff, a Power Rangers fan new to Super Sentai, ended up writing this scathing finale review on Beast Morphers which helps me justify why I prefer Super Sentai:

The basic premise of this episode is actually very sound. It’s a typical finale plotline. Sacrifices are made, everyone is in danger. But with the show being so opposed to a serialized storyline (which doesn’t mean Operation Overdrive-type cliffhangers every week and really only means a clear, season-long plot), there’s never an opportunity to truly bank the emotions and connections necessary to make such a climax meaningful and impactful.

I mentioned it last week with the big Evenjix reveal. And it’s the same here.

I had to go back and check the Go-Busters episode the zord battle is from and confirmed that it was from the climactic Christmas episode. I won’t spoil it for anyone who hasn’t watched. But it was a stunning episode and probably one of my all-time favorites. Knowing what that moment meant and was a climax for, knowing how meaningful it was for the season, it’s hard to then come into Beast Morphers and see those scenes play out here. And again, that’s on me. That’s my problem and preference.

But it’s an example of how amazing scenes and episodes like that can be when there’s a consistent build up and development to really form a strong foundation for such events and climaxes.

Beast Morphers as a whole does not do that. When the endgame has to do more with pandering to the older, rose-colored glasses-wearing fans by referencing a season that is considered today to be one of the best or most “mature” as opposed to a story that is developed over the course of 40 episodes here, it’s just not going to hit the mark.

Like I said in my apathy rant, I’d rather have a well-written, good season with ZERO references to past seasons over a poor season with MANY references to past seasons. I don’t need a history lesson every season. I don’t need random “Ranger Vaults” or “Ranger History” lessons or cameos. I just want a good show. And I think the smarter, more sophisticated children in today’s target demo deserve that as well, if not more so.

It’s not about pleasing us old fans. It’s about recognizing the potential in Power Rangers as a series that can appeal to a wide audience. No, it does not need to be grim!dark. No, it doesn’t have to be the second coming of RPM or Time Force or especially Mighty Morphin.

A good observation is that Super Sentai doesn't do too many Ranger History lessons. You get into a new entry and you get A DIFFERENT SHOW. It's a different setting. Right now, Ohsama Sentai King-Ohger obviously takes place in a totally different world. Kyuranger didn't bother to become a Hexagon and was pretty much self-contained. That's why I feel that Space is pretty overrated even if it did save Power Rangers from cancellation. Most Super Sentai series prefer not to keep writing with direct links to previous entries. Sure, there are similarities here and there BUT the stories are mostly self-contained. Ranger History Lessons are used only during certain seasons. Other than that, most Super Sentai series usually self-contained. I can watch the shows in any sequence without losing too much track. I can watch Gosei Sentai Dairanger first then Kyoryu Sentai Zyuranger next. It's not like I'm required to watch Mighty Morphin' by a sequence to understand the events. 

The problem I have with Power Rangers is all about the execution. No, it didn't cause people to ignore the source materials as some fools will suggest. Instead, Power Rangers, for most of its run, has been too comfortable with Ranger History lessons. I could easily accept that Wild Force and Operation Overdrive do so. However, after Saban bought back the rights, the Neo-Saban era up to the Hasbro era seemed to be too comfortable with too many of them. Maybe, I can give credit to some of the Disney era for not having crossover episodes such as how Power Rangers RPM did take place in some alternate dimension. For a rare moment, Dino Charge did have a huge plus that like Kyoryuger, both shows are self-contained and really try hard to make the best stunt scenes. Toei does earn money from Power Rangers but I do have my right to dislike it.