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Tokusatsu Sequel/Follow-Up Series: Better or Not?
Throughout Tokusatsu history, there have been those series which are considered so good that they get a sequel series which follows the world-building set forth by the original. A sequel series will introduce new characters and villains and, eventually at least, bring back the original stars. Occasionally, the new show will star the same hero(es) and introduce a power-up.
Examples to speak of: Kamen Rider Black RX, Kikaider 01, B-Fighter Kabuto, Ultraman Ginga S, etc. A sequel series (which could also be considered a spin-off or simple follow-up depending on the circumstances) isn't always the same as a franchise that brings back older characters, but a sequel series can result from the success of an original show and help make it a franchise, unintentionally or otherwise. Kamen Rider V3 was, as I understand it, originally conceived of as an extension of the original show before being made into something of a sequel/spin-off, inevitably leading to the Kamen Rider franchise as a whole. The success of Winspector led to the "Rescue Heroes" Trilogy, a sub-section of the Metal Heroes franchise. The question here is: Are these newer shows which follow a trend-setting predecessor as good, better, or a futile attempt to recapture earlier magic? The responses are likely to be diverse, so there is no right or wrong answer here. |
It depends really.
Black RX was not good at all IMO. Some fun can be had, some episodes are very well done ("Robo Riders Birth" comes to mind) but the majority of it is so run-of-the-mill and boring that it hurts. Especially coming off of Black, which is by no means perfect, but so much better. It's a prime example of a sequel that tries to cash in on the success of a popular show without keeping anything that made said show so enjoyable in the first place. You could rename the main character, change the name of the Rider and the show would still work, that's how bad of a follow-up it is. The only thing that clashes with that would be the episodes were Shadow Moon returns as he's the only character from Black to come back besides Kotaro himself, but that’s all really. Ginga S on the other hand? That show is awesome. It follows up a small, experimental entry in the series with a better budget yet keeps all the charm of the original and adds some of its own. The characters and world they live in are evolved based on the events of Ginga: New characters, heroes and villains are added like missing puzzle pieces into a new, bigger picture. The new Ultraman, Victory, his origin and motives clash wonderfully with the main hero without being too obnoxious and the new villain is delightfully evil. Plus, most if not all important characters from the predecessor return. Ginga S really is a sequel done right. Not only because it’s arguably better than the original, but because it also features some of the best single Toku episodes I've ever seen. "The Tears of Gan-Q" is always worth being mentioned, it's so typically weird yet full of charm which is what I love about Toku. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvLz...ature=youtu.be The bottom line is: As with other media, a sequel can vary from perfection to being absolutely awful. Most Toku sequel shows (and movies) I've seen are rather bad, but some like Ginga S prove that it can be done right. |
I think Sentai could done the same thing, but is not gonna happen.
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I have heard that "The Tears of Gan-Q" (also referred to as "Gan-Q's Tears") is not only good, but one of the best episodes of Toku that can be found ANYWHERE! I am nearing that point, so I'll come back to this one... |
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It's ironic what you had to say about changing the main character to make it a unique show, though, because that's exactly the opposite of what happened. Black RX originally was a distinct show; it only became a sequel to Black fairly late in the day after the original series proved to be so popular. Quote:
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While not an official Sentai, Tomica Heroes Rescue Force is not far off and it got an even better sequel in Tomica Hero Rescue Fire.
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So, so variable. Ginga S was much better than Ginga and kind of elevated it - the continuing presence of Victory suggests Tsuburaya knows.
Some are obvious cash-ins, regardless of how good they actually end up being. Dino Force Brave jumps out here - I'm still not over how weird it is (an original footage sequel to a dub, and from Sentai fans' perspective a notable gap). I think it can work - easier way to carry things on than the anthology/metaseries format a lot of Toku shows have - but doing a sequel randomly after not doing one will always feel kind of forced. |
I always viewed Ginga S as Tusburaya's apology for Ginga being a miss and a short season, so that's why they made a sequel.
Also does prequels count? I'm still amazed Orb got his own prequel show. Kinda jealous really since Orb's popularity overshadowed X. |
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I always thought they wanted to start small and one Ginga proofed successful they ramped up the production with Ginga S. |
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