Sean Akizuki's Super Sentai Blog

Some time ago, I decided to watch Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers: Once and Always and I used Robo Rita's situation to explain that Gara of the Gorma could've been . There will be spoilers if you haven't watched Gosei Sentai Dairanger so be very careful. If not, read ahead, or if you don't mind being spoiled. I tend to be a spoiler addict myself. As the Chinese Ghost Month ends today and with all the Chinese influences in Dairanger - it would be a good nostalgic post to write this on. What I probably never wanted to mention was some subtle horror movie references in Dairanger . Killers in hockey masks may remind some of Jason Voorhees. Though, what I've ignored for years was this... Episode 3 featured what would never be approved by Fox Kids. There was a movie called Child's Play that was released in 1988 - the same year as Chojuu Sentai Liveman . There's a certain level where I could tolerate blood and violence. The Key Jester would steal the souls of peo...

  I decided to watch Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers: Once and Always for the heck of it. I may dislike (or hate, take your pick) Power Rangers but I'll always acknowledge that it's also Toei's fault that the franchise became a worldwide sensation. Both Toei and Saban have had a longtime working partnership, and even resumed their working relationship, all before Toei went with Hasbro (and Toei once provided animation for Hasbro during the 1980s). Toei also managed to pay Hasbro so they can create the Takara Transformers Trilogy based on Hasbro's hit franchise, The Transformers .  At first, I thought Rita had reverted back to evil. However, like the "Lord Zedd" of Power Rangers Dino Fury  (and I'm NOT watching it), this Rita is an evil clone. Billy tried to restore Zordon only to realize that Rita's evil particles haven't been eliminated. I guess Zordon's sacrifice was only worth destroying the active evil of that time than all the evil of th...

  It's been 30 years since 1993, right? I guess the 1990s can be filled with several daring turns for Toei Ltd. A rewatch of The Toys That Made Us episode about the Power Rangers franchise is there. Yes, that episode featured Toei executives, the origins based on some Japanese show (and I believe the budget got that high hence higher royalty fees), and how I still feel 1993 was a champion year for Toei's bank account . Now, it's time to do another rant which I feel doing with Toei's daring direction. Yes, we've got a lot of stuff going on! Janperson: Serve the public trust, protect the innocent, uphold the law The Kamen Rider series was pretty much on a halt. Yes, only a movie called Kamen Rider ZO came out on April 14, 1993, of that year. The now-defunct but never forgotten Metal Hero series started to experment on new stuff in the early 1990s. That's all before the formula started to return back to the Metal Heroes vs. Monster of the Week. We had the Rescue Po...

It's no secret that Toei itself has had its ups and down moments. This time would be the celebration of Toei's financial champion year with three shows -- Tokosou Robo Janperson, Gosei Sentai Dairanger and Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers. It was that big moment when they hit a pot of gold in both Japan and the United States. The Metal Hero series was entering a good period for some time during the early 90s and its decline during the late 90s. The success of the Rescue Police series trilogy (Winspector, Janperson and Exceedraft) gave in to a new hero called Janperson. What does Janperson have in common with the Rescue Police heroes? Most of the episodes focus on crimes of the week -- though unlike them he fought three criminal organizations that also rivaled each other. Also, he's the second Robocop-inspired hero after Jiban. Jiban may have been Robocop in the sense he was a dead police officer revived as a cyborg. However, it was Janperson who gave a show more of a R...

After writing on the champion years post for Tokusatsu  post, I included 1993 as one of those champion years for Toei's brand of Tokusatsu. Toei released its huge hit Gosei Sentai Dairanger. On August 31 1993 we saw Toei make its triumphant entry to the American market with Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers with the help of Saban Entertainment. It was a champion year for Tokusatsu with more toy sales in both the Asian and American market. But I'd also call 1993 as a champion year for shallow minded fanboys!

Happy Chinese New Year! It's time for me to talk about Chinese-based Super Sentai. You might be wondering why Hikari Sentai Maskman isn't here. Maskman used mixed martial arts from both Chinese and Japanese influence. What's so strange about Super Sentai is that while it's a Japanese series, it utilizes more foreign themes. After so many Western themes, they also decided to do Chinese themes. Gosei Sentai Dairanger Dairanger happens to be the first Chinese-themed Super Sentai . Compared to Maskman, the Dairangers used Chinese style fighting. These fighting styles happen to be based on Chinese martial arts namely Ryou uses Dragon Fist, Daigo uses Hung Ga, Shoji uses Long Fist, Kazu uses Drunken Fist and Rin uses Eagle Fist Style. Although most of the Dairangers were presumably Japanese but we have both Ryou and Rin as the first half-Chinese members of a Super Sentai team. Rin spoke a few lines in mandarin but it's obviously memorized. Ryou hasn't spoken any ...

Well I haven't thought of how to carry out a what if Doug Walker did a review for other Super Sentai series, well it's on to review Dairanger, Nostalgia Critic style since the DVD is coming out soon. Before that, you might want to check out my joke of a  Doug Walker/Zyuranger post . Well I don't think he'll really keep saying too much about it at first until he realizes that the show's unusually violent. That is he might say, "So really, what's up with all these violent scenes and wow, it's really brutal!" type of reaction. He might actually start to say, "Well this wasn't the regular show you grew up with, you might as well be ready to be shocked and be amazed at the world of Gosei Sentai Dairanger!" I guess he might want to poke fun at the Gorma or their weird ceremonies. Or better, he might actually say, "Really? We're having a Star Wars moment here?" when it comes to Ryou's meeting with his father Zhang Li...

Since it's near Chinese New Year, I felt like writing this. Gosei Sentai Dairanger is a tribute to Chinese mythology. Now let's tackle on each area on how they were a tribute to Chinese mythology. Gosei Sentai Darianger is the first Chinese-themed Sentai. While Hikari Sentai Maskman had some Chinese martial arts, it was a combination of Chinese and Japanese martial arts. Gosei Sentai Dairanger's mythology is very much Chinese in this way. Dairanger's martial arts are all based on Chinese martial arts. Ryou uses dragon fist, Daigo uses Chinese karate, Shouji uses long fist, Kazu uses drunken fist and Lin uses eagle fist. The Chi Beasts are representative to Chinese mythology. Ryuseioh is based on a Chinese dragon, the Shishi is a Chinese mythical lion, Tenma or pegasus well as both Greek and Chinese versions, Kirin is a mythical Chinese beast and the Houou or phoenix has a place in both Greek and Chinese myths. The Ryuseioh would be Seiryu and Houou would be Suzaku...

Dairanger's mystery was its own ending... why were they all clay ? I just thought of how Zaidos, the fake Gara and Gorma XV all crumbled into dust. So what was Shadam really planning? How did he set the whole stage for Gorma? Now here's my speculation based on the events of Gosei Sentai Dairanger. First, let's talk about that senile emperor, Gorma XV So let's just say Shadam was a master sorcerer of sorts. He knew spirit transfer. I guess that could explain why the clay Shadam was like the real Shadam because they were just one person, except the spirit was no longer in his original body. Dairanger's finale arc also revealed Shadam creating a clay puppet out of Gorma XV. But one has to think how did the clay copy even have the memories of the real one? One may think of spirit transfer as a possible solution. Remember the Gorma Senate complained there was no emperor. So I guess spirit transfer would explain why Gorma XV though existing as a clay puppet acted like ...

Dairanger's ending for me sadly can get in a confusing direction. Now I'd like to cite what I really wish happened during Dairanger's finale arc. Here are some of the stuff that I thought needed to be worked out. I am writing this wishful thinking based on my speculation of the clay Gorma . There should have been some kind of explanation along the way like how can a clay dummy of Gorma XV possess memories of the real emperor? In my case, I might have it where Shadam might say something like, "Your majesty, your real body already perished long ago! I recreated you a body of clay so I can use you until my true plans were revealed. You were an idiot to think I was serving you! I transferred your spirit right into a clay body for that purpose!" Then we can have a bit of explanation to why Zaidos turned into dust. Gara asks Shadam, Shadam refuses to reveal his master plan. He thinks and says, Well, I had to revive a few dead Gorma. At this point, I can get my pos...

Mei are Lin are two of my favorite pink rangers .  So far 90s were the best era of Super Sentai for me.  Now to make a comparison of two pink rangers who had Kimberly counterparts.  Now for my humble opinions. Rishiya Princess Mei is Sugimura's first pink.  Character-wise, I find her better written than Kimberly Hart even if I like them both as characters.  Moving on, Mei's combat techniques are usually bordered on wit over strength.  The bow and arrow fits her pretty well since she's an expert mostly at long range combat.  People know I don't take her all for stupid reasons I had with other pinks.  I've discussed about her earlier comparing her with Kimberly .  Just read the entry on her and Kimberly Hart to find my opinion about her. For Lin of the Heavenly Wind Star, I'll compare her with Mei.  So what's the effect between her and Mei?  At first, I just didn't take her all that seriously.  Unlike Mei, I would admit tha...

Episode 27 of Dairanger features Ryou finally getting even with Jin Matoba and the Pot Taoist. Earlier on, the Pot Taoist kidnapped the other Dairangers. Ryou undergoes a severe training to defeat Jin Matoba. Now for more action! The two are fated to battle. Ryou is agitated by Jin Matoba's actions! The battle is about to begin after Ryou's intense training. Water battle... Inoue style. At the end of the episode, Jin Matoba falls into the ocean! It's a huge leap... we NEVER see this out of suit in Dairanger! Both are serious with their battles! Now Ryou reveals he's been training hard. He has springs over his body, possibly a symbol of SPRINGING BACK INTO ACTION!

TRANZA-SAMA!!!!!!! Jin Matoba is one awesome villain.  Now I personally think he's sort of a tribute to Tranza being a dangerous braggart.  He's got a prosthetic hand, he rivals the red ranger and he is a menace you can't discount.  But unlike Tranza, he has a more honorable rivalry with the red ranger.  Now here's why you can't mess up with Jin Matoba!  This happens in Dairanger episode 26! First introduction is really badass.  Ryou faces Jin who has been killing martial arts instructors.  The reason was that he lost his arm to his martial arts master.  Now he's become a madman wanting to have his revenge on EVERY martial arts master, while devoting himself to the dark side.  What makes him cooler than Tranza is that he doesn't need any Boltranza Sword and two, he really has got those moves.  We never saw Tranza vs. Red Hawk fight like this didn't we? What I really love about this scene is that Ryou shows some flash...

Both Zyuranger and Dairanger though having different stories shared some similarities considering the head writer was Noboru Sugimura.  Takeyuki Suzuki was the producer of both shows. Character settings- Although the Zyurangers and Dairangers were different personality-wise but one can see some of these similarities: Both Zyuranger and Dairange had a mentor with a history with the enemy faction.  Zyuranger had the wizard Barza, Dairanger had Master Kaku.  It's later revealed that Master Kaku had a past with the Gorma itself. Geki and Ryou are both the young leaders with humongous mecha than the rest of the group. Goushi and Daigo are the knowledgeable but not necessarily witty ones (most of the witty rangers are from the female rangers).

After writing about the vile Radiguet, another vile piece of scum I believe needed a little more explanation is Shadam. Yes him, who can't forget this complete monster whose vileness caused him to be estranged from his wife and two sons? The fact he takes pride he doesn't care for his twin sons Kou and Akomaru makes his death all the more satisfying. Yet I also thought he's another villain that deserves to be given a clearer backstory, especially with the issue of clay Gorma. So it made me think he has a grand conspiracy yet he was made of clay in the end. Now I really think another backstory could explain why the clay Gorma happened as Dairanger as awesome as the series is, left a hanging mystery and a rather confusing ending to the Gorma. I thought only if we would know why in the world did Shadam marry his wife in the first place? He's Gorma, she's Daos. And it made me think that an explanation of his past may try to explain why he's such a despicable SOB...

Dairanger itself is a very interesting series but has one plot that leaves us much to our imaginations that was the Gorma. So the Gorma, we understand their motives behind taking over the world and all. But one plot that practically was a mystery or at least, left us to our imagination is the concept of the Gorma made of clay. And I'd like to address it in detail. One of the most open-ended and somewhat confusing plots is Gara herself  So we have the backstory of Gara and Kujaku. It was nice watching the character development of Kujaku, her eventual death (expected and predictable) but in spite of predictability that Kujaku and Daigo will never be together, we learn of Gara. Gara was once the friend of Kujaku and that there was a grudge between them but later, we learn that the Gara that serves the Gorma is NOT the real Gara. So how did that happen? I personally want to speculate on that.  My only speculation on that, was that Gara's clay puppet version was Gara's hatred...

Dairanger for me is one of those rare masterpieces in Super Sentai which will be pretty hard to replicate.  Although Gekiranger does have a great story, but Dairanger for me had most of its charm. Noboru Sugimura (main writer) : 1-4, 7-8, 13-14, 17-18, 21-22, 28-32, 37-38, 42-46, 49-50 (26 eps) Episodes 1-2 is the focus of introducing the Dairangers and the Gorma.  The Gorma are introduced as a triumvirate of evil.  Ryou is hesitant to become a Dairanger at the first episode but realizes he's needed.  The Gorma are introduced as a trio that will menace the Dairangers throughout the series.  Also we know that the Gorma have their sick human sacrifice rituals as well. Episodes 3-4 is one nightmare fuel plot.  Souls of children are stolen by the Key Jester.  I really felt sorry for the kid whose younger brother's stole got stolen.  Fortunately the Dairangers were able to save the day.

If there are two villains worth comparing to are Radiguet and Shadam.  So far Radiguet is considered by many as the most vile piece of scum ever.  If anybody else had succeeded in being close (or maybe exceeded him), it was Shadam who some may consider is worse.  And yes Shadam, I really wanted Daisuke Tachi to act out the character since the closest character to come close to Radiguet is... Shadam.  Both of them started out as de-facto leaders of their group.  Radiguet was the most powerful of the Vyram's elite.  Shadam is the most powerful of the Gorma Triumvirate.  In their case, neither of them wants to be ruled by another.  Both are in my list of favorite villains. Both of them faced opposition from a child villain.  Radiguet had to deal with Tran (who later grew up to be Tranza).  Shadam had to deal with his own son Akomaru who he does not care about at all.  Obviously neither of them is ever child friendly.  Tran moc...