First Impressions On Gozyuger (What One May Expect)

I must admit I belong to the same age group as the 1980s babies Super Sentai veterans. Some of them are still acting and others aren't. It's understandable that some of my favorites barely show up because some are already married and have families. I watched No. 1 Sentai Gozyuger to get a glimpse of how Akiko Inoue (Toshiki Inoue's daughter) may contribute to Super Sentai. Honestly, why wasn't Akiko given some episodes in Ohsama Sentai King-Ohger to practice on?! 

The opening has the plot of the Universe War

This site is almost symbolic of different generations of Super Sentai toys. Who can remember the 1990s and why some things from that era are no longer cool today? Who can remember some old toys that they wish they still had? I look at this scene and think of the times I went to Toy Kingdom. It also reminds me of the Toys R Us song that says, "I don't wanna grow up... I'm a Toys R Us kid." The various Megazords fought in the Universe War from different continuities fight against what may be the Big Bad of the series. The Megazords all pile up while Tega Sword stands up on that pile. The Universe War might remind some of Dragon Ball Super's tournaments.

What's interesting is the naming scheme in Power Rangers. If I recall correctly, the name Zord was a play on the word Sword. Zordon's original name was Zoltar but they changed it into Zordon. What's kind of funny is how every mecha in Power Rangers is still called Zord and every combination is still called a MEGAZORD -- despite not being linked to Zordon! I'd like to disagree with IGN with the five areas where Power Rangers is slighty better than its source material. The article may need to be renamed as five areas Power Rangers is better for Americans than the source material. One of the reasons is about "Mighty Mighty Zords". I may discuss the naming scheme though. Was Tega Sword on top of the Megazords. Is it supposed to be a PLAY ON THAT? The term Megazords became a generic term in Tokumei Sentai Go-Busters.

There may be a tournament going on

The tournament format was used in Super Sentai Strongest Battle. The title with "No. 1" written implies a tournament between the villain teams, some people who could access other ranger powers, AND the heroes themselves. The first episode only showed the red ranger Hoeru Tonu in action. Fire Candle and Bouquet are the first of the One World Buraidan to be introduced. So far, the Big Bad's still unknown.

There are also rivals collecting the rings. It's a battle for the Sentai Rings! This Super Sentai may be the first Battle Royale type. Kamen Rider paid homage to the Battle Royale format with Kamen Rider such as with Kamen Rider Ryuki, Kamen Rider Gaim, and Kamen Rider Geats. IMHO the release of the second season of Squid Game may have inspired this Super Sentai entry. Take note that I'm someone who dropped Squid Game like a hot potato. There may be a grand prize when all the rings are gathered. 

However, the show itself celebrates the 50th anniversary of Himitsu Sentai Goranger instead of the 50th entry for the franchise

It's interesting that the trend beyond Himitsu Sentai Gokaiger was what may be a two-year anniversary. Shuriken Sentai Ninninger had Ranger History lessons in its entire run. Mashin Sentai Kiramager even implies that it's in the same Universe as Jyuken Sentai Gekiranger. Both are the 40th and 45th birthdays of Goranger. They were followed by the actual anniversary such as Doubotsu Sentai Zyuohger was the 40th Super Sentai series and Kikou Sentai Zenkaiger the 45th entry. This year is the 50th anniversary for Goranger -- not the 50th entry!

However, the series decided to have  Ranger History Lessons or references. This brings the temptation to force all the Super Sentai entries into one timeline. I've tried it many times and it creates way more plotholes than Power Rangers could do from 1993-2025. It's because it's from 1975-2025 meaning that connecting everything to Goranger would create hilarious results. The way events unfold shows that they had to take place in their own Universe. Power Rangers did create different Universes (eventually) such as how Power Rangers RPM and Power Rangers Dino Charge unfolded. However, most Super Sentai tend to be self-contained. That hasn't stopped some fans from trying to cram everything though!

It might worry me how Toei would try to arrange Ranger History Lessons. Ohsama Sentai King-Ohger threw itself back to Zyuden Sentai Kyoryuger. Last year's Bakuage Sentai Boonboomger had throwbacks to Engine Sentai Go-Onger (but showing it's another Universe) while it may actually take place in the same continuity as Ressha Sentai ToQGer. The special appearance of Joe Gibken from Kaizoku Sentia Gokaiger was already a hint, "It's almost time for an anniversary." It can get worrisome if Super Sentai tries to focus on rose-tinted spectacles -- which it shouldn't. Ranger History Lessons are often reserved during milestones -- not every entry! The show may reference older entries without otherwise sticking too much on them. That means chances of Black Cross Fuhrer from Goranger returning like Lord Zedd in Mighty Morphin' might be TOO SLIM. I've had issues with Power Rangers'  OVERLY RELYING on Mighty Morphin' -- another reason why I dislike the franchise further! However, Gozyuger is probably just using the Ranger History Lessons as a sideline and not to call on super old fans (who are probably buying toys for grandchildren now) wearing rose-tinted glasses!

This may be tempting to try and view Super Sentai entries in the same way as most Power Rangers entries. However, I'd like to say Power Rangers' use of a singular continuity may make it better for the American audience. People may still try and cram Super Sentai series because of the Megazord graveyard. I'm going to have fun trying to fit everything again and see it collapse!