My Thoughts On "King-Ohger In Space" Update From Deka Blue's Actor

Amid the airing of Bakuage Sentai Boonboomger -- we have this update on what's probably rightfully delayed. I confess that I'm still stuffed from the Ohsama Sentai King-Ohger hype and I feel there's a lot of them. An update from Tyuyoshi Hasashi has an unsurprising twist -- the actor will be voicing the main villain Donking -- a possible reference to the boxing promoter Donald King. Capcom already created its controversy when Balrog's Japanese name was actually MIKE Bison -- a clear reference to MIKE Tyson. Donald King was a notorious figure and Tyuyoshi also had a boxing role in one episode of Tokosou Sentai Dekaranger. However, it doesn't seem that Tyuyoshi will show up in the flesh and will just be there to voice the notorious kingpin. Toei also shows its bad habit of recycling props a lot -- any fan of Tokosou Sentai Dekaranger will know the design was from a guest villain named Tylerian Durden -- the main antagonist of the Fight Club series.

It would be interesting that a new Space Squad-exclusive villain is Ihab -- played by Yuki Mamiya (if I'm not wrong, she's Yuki Masuda now and she's married sometime and never noticed it). Yes, this reminds me of the awkwardness that Seijuu Sentai Gingaman might bring ot the Western fans. I dismiss the rumor that Gingaman was overshadowed by Power Rangers Lost Galaxy. However, it's a fact that most Power Rangers fans watching Super Sentai prefer the Americanized version -- something I respect even if I dislike Power Rangers. What's with Toei putting a Gingaman reference? Is it to acknowledge that Lost Galaxy was the renewal of their ties with Saban Entertainment? I feel that Ihab was created because Kei Mituzani is probably not avaiable to reprise Shelinda. However, I wouldn't mind Yuki portraying Shelinda and give some convoluted writing for it! Trakeena's return in Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue was done by Jennifer Burns instead of the OG Amy Miller. 

Even funnier, we have Riki and Dorin from Choriki Sentai Ohranger. However, the original actor Shoji Yamaguchi (who was 13 at the time of his debut) isn't returning. Instead, we have Shinta Taikawa taking over the role of an adult Riki. Alisa Sonohara will be playing Dorin. Presumably, Liza Wada (who was 10 years old in 1995) may no longer be acting and might've disappeared from the public eye -- having a family somewhere. With this in mind, I feel it's weird to create Ihab with Yuki but let two characters from Ohranger get played by new actors instead. This reminds me that Trey of Triforia, the original Gold Ranger in Power Rangers ZEO was also involved in Power Rangers in Space. Yes, that entry saved Power Rangers hence allowing Toei to renew its business ties with Saban. 

Given how Space Squad went -- the movies don't lean towards a kiddie atmosphere. A good example is how Gavan vs. Dekaranger was definitely NOT going to get past the TV-Y7-FV radar. Having Shelly beaten up like that isn't child friendly. The Dekarangers facing enemies more dangerous than they had in 2004 is there. I even feel Abrella was limited by newer Japanese censorship laws for TV shows. However, given that the King-Ohger cast is involved -- it might need to tone down. I feel Gavan vs. Dekaranger may have raised eyebrows because of Shelly getting beaten up. 

An additional update by UkiyaSeed gives this detail:

Taking place after Ohsama Sentai King-Ohger's final episode, the OhgerCrown, the symbol of Gira Husty's kingship, has been stolen by Donking, a member of an Alienizer gang and his subordinate, Ihab. Gira and Prince join a battle fight to recover the OhgerCrown, which was the prize. Prince is winning steadily, but he meets a boy who is determined not to lose in order to save his sister, he senses something wrong. 

As far as the Space Squad series goes -- it's really something that the movie series went silent after Kyuranger vs. Space Squad. Keisuke Minami is reprising his role as Tsurugi the OG hero of Ucchu Sentai Kyuranger. I wonder what crazy What-If scenario will Toei cook up? Most VS. Movies are obviously just What-if scenarios. I confess I get nitpicky and there are times I felt like yelling at Toei's writing staff saying, "WTF it's so contradictory to CANON!" I can also expect the whole guilty pleasure of forcing Super Sentai entires (though some people tend to prefer to use season instead, which feels AWKWARD) into one massive timeline -- something I love to do myself. After all, many events in Super Sentai would really contradict most entries anyway!