Random Throwback: I've Watched All The Space-Themed Toku Toei Offered From Showa Era-2025

A few years ago, I wrote a question asking how many space-themed Toku by Toei have you watched. Rather than update an old post -- I decided to write this ramble. Take note that some of the shows have been licensed by Discotek such as the contents of the Space Sheriff Trilogy and Megabeast Investigator Juspion. Metal Hero is pretty much canceled but never forgotten -- as evidenced by the memorial shows. Space Sheriff Gavan got dragged into Super Sentai more than once. The space theme was probably in response to the popularity of Star Wars and Star Trek. I felt writing this show because of Dengeki Sentai Changeman -- a series that was military-based but had a space theme hanging on its duration. It was followed by the more space-y Choshinsei Flashman in 1986.

Note: There will be some spoilers ahead, so proceed at your own risk!

The popularity of the space-themed shows in the 1980s

Star Wars was something that started in 1977. Sure, I don't like Disney's iteration, but I loved the Legends continuity more than the Disney continuity. One could see how Toei gives tribute to American pop culture. Himitsu Sentai Goranger gave some references to James Bond movies. The Ku Klux Klan didn't only inspire American villains but also Japanese villains. One may notice the KKK being "tributed" with villains like the first incarnation of the Great Leader of The First Kamen Rider (1971) and Black Cross Fuhrer in Goranger. Toei would somehow start riding the popularity of space-themed shows -- something that Saban Entertainment would do with Power Rangers.

The Space Sheriff Trilogy took place from 1982-1984 -- all before Juspion took place. Apparently, Gavan became more popular than the direct sequels, namely Ucchu Keiji Sharivan and Ucchu Keiji Shaider. Only Gavan and Shaider were aired in the Philippines -- with Shaider apparently not finishing its airing on IBC-13. Yes, IBC-13's scheduling is D*MN HORRID that I had to find other ways to find out how the shows ended! The pop culture influence was there. Take note though, that Robocop WASN'T inspired by Gavan but by Hajime Soroyama's Sexy Robot Book. Gavan was called Sky Ranger Gavan back in my day -- probably because it sounded better for Filipino viewers?! The influence 

It would be interesting that Chodenshi Bioman had some turn of events. Hikaru Kurosaki made a guest appearance in Bioman episodes 35-36 -- a testing ground for the sixth ranger. However, Hikaru's character Shota Yamamori was just a guest. Amazingly, Hikaru developed a romance with the late Yoko Asuka -- who played Farah in the same show. Hikaru's been long-retired from acting and chose to focus his life as a scuba-driving instructor. Sadly, Yoko died at only 56 years old -- events like these make me wonder if there's really a curse in superhero franchises. What was noteworthy was that Peebo in Bioman looked like a crossbreed between a Kamen Rider and C3PO -- all the while bearing a personality similar to Alpha 5 in Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers. Heck, the OG Mighty Morphin' plot was to use Bioman but that was snobbed by the networks!

The Space Sheriff Trilogy ended and gave way to Juspion. Hikaru became the main hero. It took place in space for the first few episodes -- all before taking the battle to Earth. Was there a budget constraint or what? It should be interesting that it was said Changeman was supposed to be called Ucchu Sentai Cosmoman. Was it because of the budget that they decided to go with the military and put things ON EARTH? However, the space influence couldn't be avoided. Come on, Star King Bazoo rules a United Alliance of Evil across the known Universe! The Changemen's Carrierzord is in the form of a SPACE SHUTTLE! I watched the two shows on two separate occasions. I didn't find Juspion all too amazing. Juspion has a giant Megazord called Daileon -- a trend that was continued from the Japanese Supaida-Man.

Watching Changeman made me think that Power Rangers in Space (which took place in 1998) was an overhyped franchise saver. Changeman had a military theme, but it was fighting an evil space empire called Great Star League Gozma. It's not fully explained whether everyone was evil before they were forcibly drafted into Gozma or not. However, Gator was revealed to be simply forced into evil. Meanwhile, it seems both Giluke and Ahames were already evil before they were forced into Gozma. Bazoo is pretty much the Dark Specter of the series -- a great, terrible being feared across the Universe! Ahames made me think of Trakeena in Power Rangers Lost Galaxy -- both villains are manipulative and cunning. Funny enough, Lost Galaxy was based on a show that was nature themed called Seijuu Sentai Gingaman. Like WTF was Toei thinking when they named a nature-themed show Gingaman? The Lost Galaxy rumor was dismissed long ago. However, I'm still thinking WTF Toei over the title. 

Flashman came in and this show made me think of Lost Galaxy. Sure, it was still the 1980s and there's probably some budget issues. Was Flashman supposed to take place in space for the whole year? Maybe, as the show features the five rangers growing in some lost galaxy and returning to Earth when Reconstructive Empire Mess heads there. The show takes place on Earth, while the plot involves the Planet Flash -- a planet located in some lost galaxy. Planet Flash made me think of Mirinoi. Ra Deus made me think of Scorpius. All the while, Great Doctor Keflen was a precursor to the hybrid mad scientist Dr. Hinelar -- who also had characteristics similar to Doctor Man from Bioman. Keflen played the organ to create the MOTW -- something Dr. Hinelar would do later. It was like seeing Dr. Hinelar as Scorpius' right hand.

The 1990s show that was space theme, sort of...

Kamen Rider was put on hiatus. It was probably due to Toei choosing to focus on Metal Hero -- which may have gained more popularity at that time. One needs to acknowledge that Kamen Rider was a shaky franchise back in the Showa era. Take note of the gaps that happened, such as Kamen Rider Stronger and Kamen Rider Skyrider had a four-year gap. Even more, Kamen Rider Super-1 (which its lead star Shunsuke Takasugi was involved in some scam and may have been arrested) and Kamen Rider BLACK had a six-year age gap. Kamen Rider BLACK RX had poor reception, though it got Vindicated by History -- presumably because Saban's Masked Rider was SUPER UNWATCHABLE. Not even trying to ride on the hype of Mighty Morphin' did wonders. 

The 1990s Metal Hero series shifted towards a different view. Tokkei Winspector moved to a more mature, realistic direction. Its direct successors Tokyuu Shirei Solbrain and Tokosou Exceedraft were pretty much in that same direction. I even dare say that Winspector manages to explore superhero struggles better than Kyukyu Sentai GoGoFive and Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue were allowed to do. Tokosou Robo Janperson was next -- a show that clearly had Robocop influence. Later, Blue SWAT added. Blue SWAT may take place on Earth BUT they dealt with the Space Mafia in a more mature way. The show has had more moments that would make you ask, "What do you mean it's for kids?!" than the overly popular Tokosu Sentai Dekaranger." 

As I watched Blue SWAT -- it was hard not to think of Dekaranger. The difference was that Blue SWAT was a huge organization that got reduced. Meanwhile, Dekaranger gave tribute to the Space Sheriffs. All the while, Dekaranger somehow tried to mimic the storytelling techniques of the Rescue Police Trilogy. Blue SWAT was far better

The 2000s somehow didn't bother me except with Dekaranger

The 2010s and some return to the space theme with the obvious Dekaranger. Dekaranger is too popular that it had not one but TWO reunion films. There was even that Dekaranger vs. Gavan film -- which got more serious than what typical Super Sentai is allowed these days. Dekaranger had a near PG-7 like level -- even in the unmorphed fights! Hoji Tomasu's boxing match episode wasn't as intense as the 1990s. The show may have had scenes of alcohol. However, blood has been reduced thanks to newer censorship rules.

Dekaranger doesn't shy away from Metal Hero nostalgia. Come on, the SWAT Mode may have been an intentional throwback to Blue SWAT. They're all under some galactic police like the Space Sheriff Trilogy. The show may take place in Japan (and we know how Tokyo is the Center of the Universe in Super Sentai) but the events are interplanetary. The overarching villain Abrella takes conflicts to a whole new level. Sure, I enjoyed Takaoka in Solbrain better as the biggest villain. However, Abrella has launched wars like no other. Abrella was almost like Iwao Daimon in Exceedraft -- both villains causing genocides through cunning and manipulation.

Granted, I saw Dekaranger first, so it wasn't easy NOT to bring Blue SWAT up. The difference was that Dekaranger had no central organization to combat. Abrella was merely an overarching villain who rendered services to the criminal of the week. Dekaranger's MOTWs were criminals that sought to make a fortune out of illegal activities. Abrella wasn't always involved but was the greatest criminal in the story. The Blue SWAT team faced off against the Space Mafia as a central organization. Still, I don't want to deny that both are similar yet different!

The 2010s made "space the limit" all over again

The actor Sota Fukushi managed to establish his career through Kamen Rider Fourze. Apparently, the talk that Fourze wasn't popular is BS. Kamen Rider was fully revived during the Heisei era. It was that time when one could feel Super Sentai was about to have a finale moment, while another series restarted the era. Kamen Rider Kuuga began the new millennium while Mirai Sentai Timeranger was about to close another book. Yeah, Super Sentai tends to reboot itself. The 2010s began another era with some things.

Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger was also very finale-esque. It was amazing Gavan from 1982 had a crossover with the very young Gokaiger cast. Meanwhile, Fourze entered last September 4, 2011. Fourze did what Super-1 couldn't. I feel the Super-1 actor may have been bitter over Fourze. Fourze took place in high school -- the very first Kamen Rider to feature a teenager. The cyborg stories have been left in the Showa era. Instead, most Kamen Rider entries today have the heroes get their powers from the good guys -- unlike the dark twist of them being operated against their will. Fourze had teenagers with attitude meeting on some random moonbase. That was something similar to Megaranger back in 1997. Like WUT? IMHO Fourze managed to explore teenagers better than Megaranger ever did. I had some issues with Justin Tomimori's (and the guy kinda looks like Andrew Michael Gray) acting BUT he wasn't terrible -- just average. Thankfully, Justin's character Shun Daimonji was sidelined. The show still took place in school more than anything else. 

I could remember getting critical of Doubotsu Sentai Zyuohger. I wrote a post wishing for a space-themed Super Sentai. However, a space-themed show would be too expensive more often than not. Why do you think Dairugger XV was best left in animation? That show would be too expensive if it were LIVE. I had my wish with Ucchu Sentai Kyuranger -- a show that had most of the plots in space. It moved from planet to planet (at times) like Dekaranger. However, most of the events still happen on Earth. I'll disagree with Kaiju No Kami's negative assessment of this show -- even if I'm looking forward to more of his reviews. I'm a fan of Kosoku Sentai Turboranger but I found Kaiju no Kami's negative review, well-prepared.

Kyuranger was pretty much a fun series. However, I'm not going to lie that I didn't enjoy it as much as the older series -- story-telling-wise. Yes, innovation is important, but the implementation of ideas matters too. The series had fun references to famous works such as Star Wars and Spaceballs. There was even the Lucky Starr series by Isaac Asimov (under the name Paul French). I enjoyed how Don Armage was a hybrid of Emperor Palpatine while he was actually the embodiment of negative energy in the Universe. IMHO, Kyuranger is still a better watch than what the Disney Star Wars continuity could be. Sure, Lucky can be hyperactive but yeah, whatever. I could consider it a minor flaw overall given how I'm not happy with what Disney does these days.

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Just my random rant and nothing more!