Sean Akizuki's Super Sentai Blog

This is one post I couldn't write immediately. It's hard for me NOT to connect the GREED and No. 1 Sentai Gozyuger . Next year should've been the 50th Super Sentai series. What may have NEVER surprised me was that there would be no Super Sentai series in line -- or the first time from 1979 up to 2025! After all, there was a ONE-YEAR hiatus between Dengekitai JAKQ (which rushed everything in just 35 episodes and Battle Fever J (where Super Sentai became the annual tradition). I'm still watching Gozyuger,  but there's a nagging thought -- there wouldn't be Super Sentai next year. I wouldn't be surprised if there's a clearance sale for some Super Sentai items now to recover from losses! At first, I thought that  Universe Heroes  was merely a rebranding. However, I had a mixture of relief and anxiety.   Instead, we're getting  Project RED: Super Space Sheriff Gavan Infinity . Instead, Universe Heroes is a new franchise! This reminds me of what went on wh...

People can say that I'm against innovation or Draconian. Innovation is wonderful but it can also be mismanaged. As Toei plans to either go on hiatus or perhaps close the book on Super Sentai (I prefer to believe the hiatus, and hopefully Japan will have a population boom once the old gens like myself, inevitably leave this world) -- Super Sentai may start anew! Now, I'd like to look into the latest episode which introduces Sumino Ichikawa's new form -- acted by Kohaku Shida ! There were other alternatives that could've and SHOULD'VE been considered. IMHO the most logical step was to turn Oto Ichikawa into the new Gozyu Unicorn! Maya Imamori's DISMISSAL (instead of work suspension) felt super unfair IMHO . Instead, the "new solution" was to keep Sumiko BUT give a magical explanation after Kohaku replaced Maya. It all feels WTF as it replaces the more serious Sumino with the more mischievous Kohaku. The approach just feels way too OUT OF PLACE IMHO.  Thi...

It's no secret that I've lost my fervor for No. 1 Sentai Gozyuger despite its innovative thinking. I was looking forward to what it could do -- such as how the Tega Sword concept, the Battle Royale theme, etc. could work out in Super Sentai . However, late last month, it was the news that Super Sentai would any any time soon . Other reports say Super Sentai might be rebranded as Universe Heroes or Universe Heroes would be a totally different franchise. In my case, I'm actually OPEN to see what Universe Heroes could do after Gozyuger ends. Now, I'd like to address one problem -- THE GREED!   Let's do a bit of a history lesson. Super Sentai anniversaries are usually celebrated by ENTRY NUMBER . What's also interesting to see is how Super Sentai seems to honor Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers' anniversary every decade since 1993 . That means there are some festival seasons and some "basic palate cleanser seasons" like last year's Bakuage Sentai B...

I must admit that I've been left SPEECHLESS and perhaps NOT IN A GOOD WAY! It turns out that Kohaku Shida is GOING TO BECOME SUMINO ICHIKAWA! This information from UkiyaSeed made me WTF through and through: Shida will replace Maya Imamori for the role of Sumino Ichikawa/Gozyu Unicorn starting on the show's 40th episode, which will air on November 30th. As previously reported, Imamori stepped down from the role due to her agency dropping her because of underage drinking.  My reaction to this is like, "WTF are we thinking Toei?" Kohaku was previous cast as Haruka Kito in Avatar Sentai Donbrothers . This was a reaction to Maya Imamori's termination because of underaged drinking . This casting makes me raise the concern. Was this solely done because of whatever charm and impact that Kohaku had while she was in Donbrothers ? Maybe yes, maybe no. I should still wonder how Gozyuger's creative crew will explain Sumino's SUDDEN FACE CHANGE since Kohaku will FREAKI...

I heard about the shocking incident a few days ago. However, I had NO ENERGY to write about it. It totally caught me OFF GUARD at that really happened! Y es, it's official that Maya Imamori was actually FIRED after her underage drinking incident . That means NO new No. 1 Sentai Gozyuger episode to be aired UNTIL. FURTHER. NOTICE. Imamori’s talent agency also released a statement on its official site: “It has been confirmed that our talent, Maya Imamori, engaged in underage drinking despite being under 20 years old. As this constitutes a serious breach of contract, we have decided to terminate her management contract as of today after careful deliberation.” The agency offered its apologies to fans and those concerned and pledged to strengthen compliance education and management systems to prevent similar incidents in the future. Born in Miyazaki Prefecture, Imamori won the Grand Prix at Miss Magazine 2023 and gained popularity as a gravure model. Her role as Sumino Ichikawa / Gozyu ...

It's been some time since I did a Gozyuger react on the update. I'm watching Gozyuger while  Super Sentai hasn't been high on my leisure list. Right now, the plot involving Rei Gushima slowly reveals more layers in Gozyuger's unorthodox innovative world-building. The layers of tragedy get darker. Super Sentai may have been toned down since 2001. However, that hasn't stopped Super Sentai from adding plots NOT ALLOWABLE in Power Rangers. This is one flashback that gets too disturbing. Rikuo Byakuya was revealed to have been friends with Rei in an earlier episode. The flashback where Rikuo was nearly stabbed by a fake fangirl (who was jealous of Rikuo, actually). It's revealed that Rei has some degree of goodness (back then) and maybe, that's what Rikuo is trying to reach. Apparently, Rei saving Rikuo from a stab attack was a genuine act! This kind ofs cene wouldn't be allowed in Power Rangers ! Super Sentai for all its toning down -- still allowed a stabbi...

It's been some time since I reacted to Gozyuger . The reason why I stopped writing episode reviews is that I want to watch shows ON MY OWN PACE. This week's Gozyuger episode has me LMAO. Toei Company Ltd. makes a fictionalized version of ITSELF in Gozyuger . This almost reminds me of when what might be a fictionalized version of Saban HQ -- was put into X-Men: The Animated Series . That wasn't all to funny compared to this! The site may actually be one of Toei's actual locations -- except with a new modifications to differentiate the show's version vs. the real deal.  Hoeru Tonu is about to get a full job at TOEI? What has Toei gotten itself into? Toei manages to put itself into this episode. This would be funny since Super Sentai is one of Toei's many properties. I could accept having Kamen Rider Revice as a Fiction Within a Fiction in Donbrothers . This one is just PLAIN FUNNY if you ask me. Tomokazi Seki plays the fictional character Toei Producer, Sekimoto K...

It's nice to see Ryoma Baba playing another character? We've had Hiroya Matsumoto returning to play different characters. Hiroya returned in Tokumei Sentai Go-Busters playing as Masato Jin -- years after he played Tsubasa Ozu in Mahou Sentai Magiranger (still dislike it). Ryoma plays as the gray-eyed creep Rei Gushima -- a character that's giving me crime drama vibes. This character's allegiance isn't known yet. Ryoma was previously Ryuji Iwasaki in Go-Busters too.   It turns out that Rei wasn't just responsible for Oto Ichikawa's disappearance. Reading through Dryed Mangoez's   review , this gives me the creeps: And then I forgot Ryoma Baba was playing Rei-san. So I was cheering when he popped up. But then cringing when it turns out Rei-san is a creep. Lol. First, kidnapping Oto. And then that strange dynamic with Rikuo. Was he grooming the poor kid? WTF? And then the pill popping too. Not even gummy Dark Treats to stand in for drugs. But actual pills! ...

  Some narratives tend to stretch for too long. Thankfully, Gozyuger decided not to do this with Oto Ichikawa -- Sumino Ichikawa's sister. Mayu was looking for her sister even before the series started. Oto went missing as a child and returned as a teenager. It's not explained (or did I miss something) how old Oto is. The actress Alice Hiyama is 17, turning 18 this year. The actress Maaya Imamori is 19 years old. Funny enough, Maaya's playing an older character. Alice may be playing a middle school student instead of a high school student! There's a bad catch. Oto must wear the Shinkenger Universe Ring or she'd fall into a comatose-like state. The ring was later snatched away by Fire Candle at the end of the episode. Talk about having to wear that ring ALL THE TIME just to stay awake. Oto had an accident when she was little. What was this accident then? This would create some world-building here! Sumino later talks about a gray-eyed man from the past. Just who is th...

As always, NEVER expect me to do episode reviews. I've probably exhausted myself with Ohsama Sentai King-Ohger . However, I'll react to updates when I feel like it. It's because blogging is only a sideline hustle! Masahiro Kumade (whose name is meaningful, as Kuma means "bear," which I learned from Tekken ) is the anti-hero. Sure, I may have taken a liking to Kinjiro Takehara (because I have the silly wish of becoming a child again, at least until No. 1 Sentai Gozyuger ends). However, I could relate to Ryugi Bakugami in another way. Ryugi's devotion to Lord Tegasword (apparently the kami-sama of this continuity) helps me get over my wish to become a child again until Gozyuger ends. So my favorite now is Ryugi!  Masahiro Kumade feels like Sun Wukong in some way. The statement, "There's God, there's Buddha, and then there's the great Kumade! I am the reforming Godness who saved the world, Gozyu Polar! Don't forget your offerings to me,"...

So okay, the recent episode is Queen Tega June attempting to MARRY Tega Sword -- something that could spell the END OF THE WORLD! Next week would be the appearance of the Sixth Ranger. Yes, I'm lagging behind. I prefer to react to updates than give updates. It's also no secret that I prefer to watch Super Sentai at my own pace. I'm also having some taste fatigue with Kamen Rider for the nth time. Taste fatigue is a reality! Right now, I could relate to Kinjiro Takehara. Kinjiro's actually an 87 year old man turned back into a teenager -- but needs ot eat eggs to maintain his youthful vigor. This time, we get to see more of the Bakugami's family heir -- Ryugi! Ryugi became a devotee monk to Lord Tega Sword -- a Megazord that could alter its size in many ways. In fact, it was also Lord Tega Sword that stood on top of that DEPRESSING MEGAZORD GRAVEYARD!  An interesting guest star is Shoko Yamori. Yes, the first female Universe Warrior. It's interesting that Shoko d...

As said, I'm NOT going to do episode reviews. I REACT to updates -- NOT give updates! Should I be surprised that Sumiko Ichikawa's actress Maya Imamori (currently 18 years old, born in 2006) is half-Filipino? There are several actresses in Japan born to Filipino mothers. Sayaka Akimoto (who's just that OBVIOUS due to her Malay features). Yu Takahashi who was in Kamen Rider Kiva . I once thought Rin Takanashi was half-Pinay back in 2009, but never admitted that speculation. Apparently, Maya is the first half-Pinay to be cast as a ranger in Super Sentai .  Exploring the racial diversity of both Japan and America I wrote an article explaining Power Rangers' multiracial diversity . Power Rangers is an AMERICAN franchise. Being an American isn't dictated by one's ethnic group but by one's nationality. It's time to look at American as A RACE. In short, Power Rangers is still an all-American team as even the Asian members usually speak with an American accent. ...

No. 1 Sentai Gozyuger has been slowly reviving Megazords. The first Megazord brought back was Daizyujin . Now, it's Gao King from the ANNIVERSARY series Hyajakuu Sentai Gaoranger . They could've brought back Battle Fever Robo from Battle Fever J first. Instead, we had Daizyujin followed by Gao King. Gaoranger was localized ( which is still a form of adaptation, business-wise ) into Power Rangers Wild Force .  The recent Universe Warrior Red Ranger is Gaia Todoroki -- an ANIMAL PROTECTION OFFICER. I did some research realizing that while Gaia is supposedly a feminine name -- Japanese tend to use the name GAIYA. So I'll call Todoroki here as GAIYA NOT GAIA. It's a sob story with Luna -- who SPOILER ALERT -- DOESN'T MAKE IT! Super Sentai may have been hit with censorship since 2001 (and yes, Gaoranger was getting tame and blood has been ridiculously LOW), BUT it hasn't spared the show from rather heartwrenching moments! Luna is a veterinarian whom he developed a bo...

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 ...