Throwing Back To The Showa Era In Gozyuger (Addressing OK Boomer Moments)

There are times Super Sentai COULD fuel one's curiosity on history -- just like any superhero show! Captain America may have fueled curiosity about World War 2, and the X-Men may have triggered research on Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. This week's No. 1 Sentai Gozyuger has a minor history lesson with the Showa Era. It may address those OK Boomer moments, though Kinjiro was born before the Boomer Era. The Boomer Era was in 1946-1964 -- which all fits the Showa Era which started on December 25, 1926, and ended on January 7, 1989. 

Toei's Showa era Super Sentai may be considered less appreciated by later generations. None of the Showa Era Super Sentai are getting Shout! Factory DVD releases (for now). Some Power Rangers fans may have witnessed a few shows (with the fansubs). A Power Rangers fan (and that took place during the Heisei era) may have watched Hikari Sentai Maskman (which was from the Showa era) then said, "It was a good history lesson. I still think Jyuken Sentai Gekiranger is much cooler than that!" In my case, I find it difficult to fully appreciate the Showa era Kamen Rider series. It's probably some preference. However, some Showa era Toku by Toei got some official releases. Discotek has the Space Sheriff Trilogy with their official release. 

The MOTW is called Showa No. 1. The TV screen almost reminds me of the old TV set my late paternal grandmother owned. It was interesting that Kaiketsu Zubat was portrayed as a fiction within a fiction. Avatar Sentai Donbrothers had a funny scene where they were watching Kamen Rider Revice as a fiction within a fiction. Power Rangers Time Force had a scene where Saban's Masked Rider was given that treatment. I laugh at the mini history lesson I got. Right now, the scene where Sumino's mobile phone got changed to a rotary phone (and mind you, I used a rotary phone ringtone due to how loud it is) reminded me how mobile phones went from seen as an unnecessary luxuries to a necessity. A PC was a luxury back then, but it became a necessity -- not ever since the typewriter got obsolete. However, the typewriter is still honored in the form of the keyboard's QWERTY arrangement. The obsolete diskette got honored in the form of the save icon.

This reminds me of why some businesses succeed and fail. I love classic aesthetics. I still prefer mostly old school music. I can't deny that I prefer the late Anita Mui's dance music over Jolin Tsai's dance music. Some people (like Showa No. 1) are resistant to change. Speaking of which -- the Classic Henshin website didn't like what's going on with the newer Kamen Rider series. Screw it really! Instead, whoever made the webpage needs to see this...

I could think of Kinjiro all over again. Kinjiro reminds me that I want to become a child again -- to relive my childhood and have a more carefree existence. One reason why I bought Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection is that. I find myself hugging a stuffed animal for that reason. However, the message given (above) makes me think, "I can enjoy the Showa like never before." Oh, speaking of which, now people can watch the Showa-era Space Sheriff Trilogy and Megabeast Investigator Juspion with official subs! Those shows were done during the Showa Era. Just imagine if someone who grew up watching Gavan can now order the DVD on Amazon. 

I was reminded of what happened from 2013-2016. I'd actually credit my getting "critical" with Super Sentai to taste fatigue. I was critical that Zyuden Sentai Kyoryuger was in the line of theme repetitions. I enjoyed Bakuryu Sentai Abaranger's storytelling better. I still think that Ressha Sentai ToQGer's crossover with Kamen Rider Gaim was FLAT OUT BORING. However, rewatching ToQGer years later made me enjoy it for what it is. Shuriken Sentai Ninninger is still FLAT OUT BAD when I ignore that Power Rangers Ninja Steel existed. Ninninger is only SLIGHTLY BETTER. Right now, I even thought that Dobotsu Sentai Zyuohger deserved that line in the crossover movie, "The history of Super Sentai! It's over." That line still makes me chuckle because I got critical about Super Sentai's results after Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger. Franchise fatigue and taste fatigue are inevitable! No amount of innovative thinking can prevent them from happening!

It was through the new technology of the Heisei and Reiwa era -- that I discover the best of Showa. It's like I discovered some good old tunes that my parents listened to -- through newer movies and YouTube. For example, Gozyuger episode 5 introduced me to the cool Showa era song "Omokage". Right now, it may not be on Spotify but I found it on YouTube. The Showa song is pretty cool. I don't think I'll ever hear of the wonderful song if it wasn't for technology in the Reiwa era. I'm now able to watch the best of Showa era classics. 

The power of innovation was shown yet again. Noriben is an evolving dish. Seeing the different types of Noriben reminds me of how cuisine evolves over time. It's like how certain types of Indian food went from being "dirty street food" to becoming a staple. One may think that Filipino "dirty ice cream" could now be eaten clean inside a Filipino restaurant. This part made me hungry for some Japanese bento boxes. 

Super Sentai could be compared to the evolving Noriben -- or just any cuisine. Before, it could be a challenge to get a Japanese bento box. I remember having to walk a certain distance or drive a certain distance. However, thanks to food delivery services, I could get a ramen or bento box, when I'm too stick to walk or drive! The same goes for the shows. The fansubs could help me rewatch some of my childhood shows -- at my OWN PACE. Before, I remember whining over missing episodes of my favorite shows. Now, one could just focus on their busy tasks then watch them later during breaks! That would be the power of combining Showa and Reiwa.

It's like learning from the success of what made something successful -- then opening one's mind to improvement. I got critical about some Super Sentai that relied on theme repetition. That's why I got critical of Kishinryu Sentai Ryusoulger because it was too soon to have another dino-themed Super Sentai. What happened to the promise of dragons?! The same went for Ninninger, though it was also moving forward in some way -- unlike Ninja Steel trying to become Mighty Morphin' all over again. However, I'm glad Super Sentai chose to learn from the Showa era --NOT stick to the Showa era. It'd be unimaginable if it was, "Hey rememember the Showa era?" all too many times. For example, Black Cross Fuhrer's guest role in Gokaiger: Hero 199 Movie was merely a throwback. Gokaiger focused on the Gokaigers while the rest were what they are -- guest roles! 

Meguru is confirmed alive -- in contrast to what I thought. Apparently, a lot of decisions regarding Super Sentai's toning down since 2001 are about fitting the times. I seriously missed those times when I could say, "Is this for kids?!" The real bullets and blood were scary fun for me. Okay, I'm getting out of line! However, Meguru surviving that critical shot is like, "HUH?!" It's probably still more believable for Eric Myers to survive that gunshot in Power Rangers Time Force than Meguru's survival! Meanwhile, it was interesting that the Black Daizyujin toy (featured way back in Kyoryu Sentai Zyuranger as a gift to a child of the week) became a short-term mecha. 

The episode gives a respectful nod to the Showa era -- talking about the importance of innovative thinking. Then again, what I'm critical isn't against innovation as a concept BUT when innovative concepts aren't implemented properly. It's like Mighty No. 9 has some cool ideas BUT it's so badly done. 

Special notes: This episode also reminds me of why I ended up disliking Power Rangers

Right now, it's hard NOT to put to ignore Power Rangers because of Meguru's role. Meguru is donning the Tyrano Ranger suit -- the very first suit adapted for the American audience. The Tega Sword is found on top of the Megazord Graveyard. Daizyujin is the very first Megazord to get out of the Megazord Graveyard -- not Battle Fever Robo. Daizyujin was also adapted into Dino Megazord -- the very first Power Rangers Megazord. Tega Sword also sounds like MEGAZORD. The word Zord was a play on Sword -- though Zoids may have also played a role too. The term Megazord was used for ALL ROBOTS in Tokumei Sentai Go-Busters -- which almost felt like a direct follow-up for Power Rangers RPM. 

It's not because Super Sentai came first that made it better. It's all about the creative direction that Power Rangers got itself into. It's annoying but true, and this video tells a lot. I could talk about how I feel Power Rangers rushes its pace too much (32-40 episodes at most) or how I didn't like Mighty Morphin' overextending beyond the first season (Toei's to blame too, for making the Zyu2 footage), and the Nickelodeon era's summer break DELAYS THINGS TOO MUCH. A good thing to tackle is the creative direction or innovation. Power Rangers is still clinging on to Mighty Morphin'. Trying to revive the franchise with more of Mighty Morphin' is living in the past!

I wrote a rant comparing creative thinking between the source material and the adaptation. Honestly, it just got worse. Power Rangers Samurai brought back Bulk and introduced us to Spike -- Skull's son. Power Rangers Megaforce decided to go "Let's MMPR all over again!" with the cast. Power Rangers Dino Charge could've started to throw things in a new direction. Unfortunately, Power Rangers Ninja Steel decided to go back to Mighty Morphin' -- adding stuff that somehow "saved" Ninninger -- a show that I still dislike. Power Rangers Dino Fury bringing back Lord Zedd out of the blue (and it was a blue ranger-focused episode) is, "Well, are we out of ideas?" Ranger History Lessons are best ONLY FOR ANNIVERSARIES! Unfortunately, Power Rangers is still clinging to past seasons.

Super Sentai had its mistakes like theme repetitions. However, it was fortunate that Kyoryuger only brought back the two teams for a messy non-canon crossover. I may not like Ryusoulger BUT I'll give them credit for NOT bringing back the Black Cross Fuhrer out of the blue. Goranger is remembered but not milked out. The franchise sought to evolve, and there will be mistakes. Super Sentai isn't perfect, but it's still evolving. I couldn't imagine if Gokaiger was trying to be Goranger all over again. It honored Goranger without becoming Goranger. Kinda like the issues that Dryed Mangoez's rant -- which got me out of the closet to confess, "It's official, I don't like Power Rangers." I can dislike Power Rangers for all I care while defending my stance MATURELY. 

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We learn from past successes -- not cling to them. We learn from last failures -- not dwell on them.