Sean Akizuki's Super Sentai Blog

  With GoGoFive's 25th anniversary - I'm writing this entry while I'm SNAILSPEEDING on Boonboomger . Maybe, I want to keep saying that the power of Lightspeed is TOO GREAT to be handled by "unremarkable civilians". This movie has some inconsistencies that wouldn't make it canon. This movie has some bizarre scenes. One can ask, "Do they even show this to kids in Japan?" Warning: This movie has some scenes of blood that can't make it past TV-Y7-FV. This movie can be terrifying even if it's supposedly aimed at children.  The introduction of non-canon villainous family members may have started here. Other non-canon crossovers gave villains a non-canon extended family like in Hurricanger vs. Gaoranger with Chuzubo's brother Chubozu, Bacchus Gill in Go-Busters vs. Gokaiger (which the latter still had their powers), and would Hizumira from Gingaman vs. Megaranger even count? This film gave us Darkness King Gill - a villain introduced as Grand Bi...

This might sound really biased because I dislike Power Rangers . However, I can understand if there are Power Rangers fans who check out Super Sentai and conclude they still like the American localization namely  Power Rangers Lost Galaxy better. The rumor that Lost Galaxy is more popular than Gingaman has been disproven. Meanwhile, it can be proven that the American fandom thinks Lost Galaxy is better than Gingaman  even without citing the disproven rumor.  Gingaman continues to be as So Okay It's Average with or without Lost Galaxy in the picture. I watched Gingaman without thinking about Lost Galaxy . The same couldn't be said about Choshinsei Flashman where I dropped Lost Galaxy like a hot potato. Weird but it happened! The show finally got a licensed DVD release. Is the show considered enjoyable but never excellent? In my case, I've enjoyed a few watchable messes like Kamen Rider BLACK RX and B-Fighter Kabuto . Some shows do well but may have never gotten beyond that...

After seeing Zyuohger's first episode, I felt writing this one. Why did the producers name Gingaman as Gingaman when the show doesn't have a space theme at all? I feel mixed about the show's title and even if I do love the series, there's part of me that says that Power Rangers Lost Galaxy lived up to its title better due to the series taking place in space. Gingaman as a series itself pretty much has the tree hugging theme or tribal themes but there's still the "lost galaxy" element in it. But the whole series ends up using mystical powers from another galaxy than having a technological theme. Lost Galaxy had the space theme going on but it wasn't really all that well-implemented. The mecha were not Earth-born but they came from another galaxy. It's safe to assume that the Gingamen were probably descendants of aliens themselves who fought the galactic pirate group called the Balban 3,000 years ago. Plus, they were fighting a group of intergalac...

I decided I'll do some backtrack with Gingaman considering I haven't written that much posts. After watching the series twice, I thought this would be a good entry. Again, this isn't a news blog compared to JEFusion or Ukiyaseed so don't expect this blog to be updated with every episode. Ryouma/Ginga Red While he wasn't supposed to be the 133rd Ginga Red since he wasn't the firstborn but events on the first episode altered his fate. When he saw his brother Hyuga supposedly perish before his very eyes, he has no choice but to take the Star Beast Sword to become the 133rd Gingared. Although he does seem immature at first but it was fun to watch him mature as a leader. In spite of his victories against Sanbash and Budoh, he had doubts because by birthright, he wasn't supposed to be Gingared. He wanted to return the Starbeast Sword to his brother during the latter's return, he discovered along the way he was really picked by fate to be Ginga Red and he ...

I felt like rambling about two popular shows. While the Lost Galaxy rumor in Japan is just a complete rumor or a myth at best, but I cannot deny how Lost Galaxy and Gingaman are series that got popular to their respective audiences. I could actually to ramble on the popularity of Gingaman and Lost Galaxy! Each show has their similarities and differences. So I was thinking about the popularity of both sides. Remember I am biased on this one considering that I prefer Super Sentai over Power Rangers for most of its run. However Lost Galaxy itself is also a good season for many fans. Moving on, it's time to compare both beloved seasons. Remember there might some cultural differences that actually influenced both writing style and production of both series. Remember that there will be spoilers so read at your own risk!

It's been some time since I did some reviews or write-ups on Sentai crossovers. As said, the Super Sentai crossovers DO NOT happen in the mainstream universe but in the VS. Universe . This is because the norm of writing Super Sentai is to start everything from scratch in a self-contained continuity compared to the norm of Power Rangers of attempting to link them one by one. Both writing styles have their merits and demerits. Now I'd like to share my thoughts on the Mega-Crossovers what what I thought about them. What's also funny for Carranger, Megaranger and Gingaman all my favorites are the RED RANGERS. Both crossovers were written by Naruhisa Arakawa. Megaranger vs. Carranger The movie's crossover plot involves Picot who travels from one planet after the other granting wishes. I felt this movie may have tried to reference throughout the Hirohisa Soda era with with what may be incidental references such as the Carrangers dressing up as high schoolers (t...

Well years ago, I learned that Seijuu Sentai Gingaman is Fantasy Leader's favorite Sentai (hence this post is primarily  dedicated to him) and I am proud to announce that I have completely watched the series. Gingaman itself would be Yasuko Kobayashi's first headwriting work and a masterpiece at that. So I can't really make a comparison similar to Fantasy Leader but I'll give my own tidbits. This would be the second production (or third considering Kamen Rider Kuuga was his production too and I saw Kuuga from start to end BEFORE Megaranger) by Shigenori Takatera that I would see from start to end. So after watching the series, while I can say that I do like Timeranger  (spoilers ahead) better than Seijuu Sentai Gingaman, but I am happy that I watched this series. Again, people know that my top favorite Super Sentai is Chojin Sentai Jetman . Based on series I've watched from start to end vs. those I have read about, Gingaman felt like it was mixing a lot of stuf...

Super Sentai had factions that destroyed planets namely... Great Star League Gozma The Great Star League Gozma from Dengeki Sentai Changeman were destroying planets. Its ruler Bazoo had a habit of conquering planets while keeping some people at his command. He has Giluke as his captain from the Planet Girath, Ahames was from the planet Amazo, Shiima was from Planet Amanga, Gator was from Planet Navi and Booba was a space pirate. Bazoo would threaten his followers with destruction of their home planets if he failed them. Silver Imperial Army Zone Silver Imperial Army Zone from Chikyu Sentai Fiveman had the same trend as Great Star League Gozma. Their ruler Empress Meadow ordered them to conquer one planet after the other. Many planets were declared dead as they conquered one world after the other. Sidon was one of the many planets they destroyed. During that time, Chevalier had also led in the conquest of the 999 planets that Zone had destroyed. If the 1,000th planet were dest...

Although the Balban's four generals appeared all at once but these guys weren't taking turns like most regular Sentai villains.  Instead, when one died, another took place.  Here's my opinion on them and now I'm updating this entry considering that I've finished the series. Sanbash (1-13)- He's the first Balban general and somehow very insect inspired and so are most of his monsters.  He's a reckless gunslinger who recklessly fires just anywhere.  It was his mission to find anything that could revive the Daitanix.   Before he died, his death bridged towards the Lights of Ginga arc.  He died when his motorcycle exploded in mid-air after his duel with Ginga Red. Budo (1, 13-24)- He's a samurai themed villain with samurai-themed monsters.   His team was planning to grab the Lights of Ginga.  He always used the scrolls to find to any possible object that the Lights of Ginga could be inside.  In short, his whole term as a field command...

Here's Yasuko Kobayashi's different red rangers after I wrote about her different shades of pink rangers .  Now I'd share my opinion on them. Ryoma/Ginga Red- So I've seen at least 36 episodes of Gingaman (subbed) and I'm yet to bring in my overall critique.  However, he has given me some reasons to like him.  I like the plot where he is a stand-in red ranger, he does everything to fill in his supposedly dead brother's shoes and to do everything to uphold his duty as the current Ginga Red.  He has a strong sense of responsibility and wants to do everything to uphold honor.  I also like the idea where he wanted to return his powers to his brother Hyuga. Tatsuya Asami/Time Red- Yet another "stand-in red".  In the Year 3000, one of his descendants namely Ryuya was the Time Red of that era.  When Yuuri, Ayase, Domon and Sion came in they had no choice but to make him Time Red.  I enjoy his trying to fight destiny itself especially against his fa...

While watching Gingaman (hopefully I'll see more subs soon), I have noticed the following similarities between both series aside from Yasuko Kobayashi being their head writer, the color arrangement of the first five rangers and the animal motif.  So what's in common between them even if there's some character uniqueness? Both the Gingamen and Shinkenger inherit their legacy by lineage.  Shinkenger has 18 Generations and Gingaman has 133 Generations of ancient warriors who protect the Earth with elemental powers.  It's lineage based for both teams who use the inner energy within them.  The Gingamen have Earth Power, the Shinkengers have Mojikara.  They are also a team of swordsmen. Now to take a look at other similarities: Stand-in Red Rangers for the real red rangers.  Shinkenger had Takeru Shiba as a stand-in decoy for the real 18th head, Kaoru Shiba who is the true Shinken Red, he is a decoy Shinken Red.  Gingaman had Ryoma standing in the p...

Now I'd like to share my opinion on what is one of the best moments in Super Sentai.  While watching some Gingaman, I am now about to put Ryoma/Ginga Red as my second favorite Kobayashi Red... while I still think Tatsuya is her best red ranger.  I'm looking at you Fantasy Leader. =)     In this episode, Sanbash seeks to recreate the Dark Sword so they an free Daitanix from its seal.  Rigorou was stealing some weapons and he wanted to also keep the Starbeast Swords for himself.  In this episode, it's revealed that he stole the Kiba Blades too. What makes this a badass moment in Super Sentai is this.  He struggles not to let the sword go.  I can understand why he feels that way.  After all, his brother supposedly died in the first episode.  I would also do the same if I were in his place. Hmmm being caught into a monster... how crazy is that?  And he shows he's not easily taken down.  The next scene just gets even ...

Another thing I have observed about Yasuko Kobayashi that except for Gobusters (where her producer was Takebe and it started with a red/blue/yellow combination) is that producers tend to give her the colors red, green, blue, yellow and pink to work with.  Now for how it went: In 1998, Seijuu Sentai Gingaman was her first headwriting work.  It had the red, green, blue, yellow, pink lineup.  She was assigned to Shigenori Takatera that time. In 2000, she was assigned to be the head writer of Mirai Sentai Timeranger.  It's also the first time she was assigned to write a pink ranger who is technically the team leader.  She was assigned to Jun Hikasa during that time. In 2009, she was assigned with Samurai Sentai Shinkenger.  The only series to break the streak was Gobusters which only had red, blue and yellow.  She was assigned to Takaaki Utsunomiya. Now she is assigned to ToQGers with the same color combination for the first five rangers! ...

Yasuko Kobayashi was the head writer for Gingaman, Timeranger and Shinkenger and recently, ToQGer (which looks like a series that she's trying to regain her success like Inoue did with Kiva).  Whether or not executives had made her write them in a certain way... is unknown.  Now let's take a look at her different shades of pink: Saya/Ginga Pink- Now I've only seen 35 subbed episodes of Gingaman to know her well.  But as far as observation goes, Saya is a strong but shy girl.  The Gingamen were badass in their own way, Saya was no exception to that rule.  So she tried to hold back her tears many times, trying to toughen up (but I'd dare believe she cries off-screen, some people prefer to cry alone as not to get bothered by others) but remains sweet and feminine, while being able to kick ass making her very balanced.  Now feel free to correct me about her... since I've only seen 35 episodes to make a concrete judgment. Yuuri/Time Pink- Now this is...

While watching Gingaman (hopefully it gets FULLY SUBBED soon, I have seen raws beyond episode 35), I just thinking about these mecha.  They were first known to me as the Galactabeasts in Lost Galaxy.  Both versions made them self-operating which makes me boggle why the gattai sequence?!  But again, Saban and Toei are probably more for the profits.  And I also hate to think how these guys were converted into cyborgs by Biznella... OUCH! The GigaRhinos which was erroneously named as Centaurus Megazord when it doesn't look like a Centaur.  I just thought I love its main design and its blaster. The GigaPhoenix's design for me is pretty badass as well.  Love its boomerang.  At least Lost Galaxy gave it a suitable name as Stratoforce Megazord. And I can't believe that Bitus used to be a whale starbeast... how cruel Biznella was to totally re-alter these Starbeasts. =( Also, I can praise Lost Galaxy's how they managed to use the PR counterparts to ...

I've just watched up to 20 episodes of Gingaman subbed (I viewed some raw before so yeah, I can't understand since I'm more of  an English speaker and I can hardly speak Mandarin and Cantonese which is supposedly my birth language), so really I'm sounding more American than Asian at times.  Now for my first impressions on Fantasy Sentai Gingaman ahem Seijuu Sentai Gingaman!  It's sad to see them leave the forest and they have to face the Balban.  And the Balban for some reason love to turn planets into jewels. Now for the characters: So here's Fantasy Leader ahem... Ryouma.  So I thought about this that I did know his brother is still alive (from reading about it) but the show does a good job in making it look like Hyuga is dead.  I mean, the voices Ryouma hears are just like some kind of imagination.  For me, I'm really liking him from Kobayashi's red rangers though it's too early for me to say he's my favorite Kobayashi Red. Hayate... ...

Well it's an intense episode really.  Here's a little bit of what's going on... Despite the obvious signs of time passing by, we can still recognize the two actors Kazuri Meihara and Teruaki Ogara showed up.  Well, it was kind of nice of Kazuri Meihara to appear here while he didn't in Gaoranger vs. Super Sentai.  Hmmm... I wonder what these guys are doing now? Another fan-service- Gingaman!!!!  Well, a little "shout out" IMO is that since the Gokaigers come from some "lost galaxy", so it's also a "Power Rangers Lost Galaxy" shout out for me.  Anyway, Ryouma does get to see his suit put to good use after he's lost his powers.  Please note that some things are merely my opinions. Basco is a villain we do love to hate don't we?  He has the other sixth ranger powers and I wonder when will they be retrieved.  I get reminded of Ura's appearance in Gaoranger.  It would be cool to create a chimera monster out of those k...