40th Super Sentai Idea (Need help!)
 

Hello, TokuNation! As my first post on TokuNation, I wanted to share an idea for a 40th anniversary Sentai. As a prediction of the next Sentai, I predict that it will be a Cowboy/Western theme. Since we've seen a Western themed mecha, a sixth Ranger who plays the harmonica and looks like a cowboy in monster form, and a Cowboy Ninja with a cheeseburger cellphone morpher (God, I can't believe those words just left my mouth), they're practically rubbing the motif in our faces. Though, I have a general idea, I need some help with other things. Let's begin.

The name isn't full, but the translation is Calvary Squadron Gunmanger, the last word a combination of Gunman and Ranger. The idea is mostly inspired by Gokaiger, with the team having the ability to not turn into past Sentai, but actually MAKE temporary carbon copies of past Sentai to fight alongside them! They are a Sentai from another planet, on the tail of an intergalactic bandit, known for draining planet's of their currency and valuables, who arrives on Earth to do the same. When they arrive on Earth, they inherit the power of all 39 Sentai from the newer variation of Akared.

The team colors are as follows: Red, Blue, Yellow, Green, Pink, and Silver. The core five would be regular cowboys, while the Silver Ranger has a steampunk motif.

I had plans for following colors: Black, Gold, White, and Brown. However, part of me felt adding extra colors would mess the dynamic of the previous anniversary Sentai.

There was plans for the mecha of the team to either be animals based on wild west animals, with one or two being a horse that becomes humanoid and combines with the others, much like Dairanger, or just all core mecha based on horses that become humanoid mecha that combine into a big one, like in Kakuranger.

Then, there is the way the create the Sentai copies: Ranger Bullets or Sentai Coins. The bullets would have the name of the Sentai and placed into a cellphone morpher, like a combo of Gokaiger and Kyoryuger, or as coins that are placed in the center of the morpher, strictly like Gokaiger.

Then, there is the Silver Ranger weapon. Since the anniversary Silver Ranger always has a 3-in-1 weapon, but I'm having trouble thinking of one. All I can think is a steampunk type pistol that turns into a shotgun or rifle, and then can turn into a sword.

And, the big one, the mecha that are created from the Coins/Bullets. The idea is either mecha based on the five recurring mecha themes of Sentai: Lion, T-Rex, Ninja, Racecar, and Dragon. The idea is either mecha once used in the respective sentai, or merely new mecha that resemble said motifs.

As I'm sure you all can tell, I REALLY need help with this, so any and all help would be much appreciated! You can either post a comment with ideas, or simply vote in the poll above.

I want something classic not western cowboy i would perfer a martial arts theme

I really like that idea, smt. I think the coins would work better than bullets, though. The coins could have the emblem of their sentai on the face, but it wouldn't be as easy to make the bullets unique to the sentai they're for. Perhaps the morpher could be a revolver, with a slot at the back of the drum for the coin. You put in the coin, then spin the drum like Kyoryuger. I love the idea of a steampunk Sixth, too. I don't think he necessarily needs a 3-in-1 weapon, though, it's OK to break the pattern sometimes. I'm thinking some kind of shotgun, I just can't think of a gimmick for it. A sword mode would be too obvious, y'know? Maybe it could turn into some oddball kind of weapon, like a pickaxe. Just a thought.

i want see 5 heroes with 1 single robo like battle j and denjiman

I think to continue on the coin or bullet idea, just have bullets (this way, the ranger can do a cool coin flip thing for kids to imitate) and have that be the bullets for their guns. The gun can be oversized and holds six coins (like a six shooter).

Being an anniversary season, I don't think we would get more than 6 rangers and I would like to see white as the sixth, but other than those things, it is a very good idea.

I also wouldn't mind another Chinese Martial Arts theme to go along with Dairanger and Gekiranger (don't know if Maskman fits in there, since martial arts from Japan and China were used)

Thanks for your replies and suggestions! Before I reply myself, about the martial arts thing: I admit, it'd be nice to see that motif again, but I doubt they'd do a martial arts series after a ninja one, especially for the anniversary, since that's when they usually try newer things.

The coins seem to be the most popular choice so far (BTW, did you mean to say coins in place of bullets, since you listed the bullets twice), but as for the oversized gun, I just feel that may be a bit silly. Probably not Kyoryuger silly, but still. Though, I do like the idea of putting the coin inside the part of the gun where you put bullets (sorry, not too gun savvy).

Also, while I admit, breaking the mold is good (and there'll be plenty), I wanna keep some of the basic anniversary things: Cellphone morpher, 6 core members, Silver Sixth Ranger, and a 3-in-1 weapon for said Ranger. I do like the idea of the pickax, but I don't think pickaxes are common in steampunk lore and culture. Perhaps I could do a pistol that becomes a rifle, or a walking cane (which can act like a staff) that becomes a gun, which becomes something like an ax, just to add to that idea. I'm not too up and up on steampunk weapons, so any help with that is much appreciated.

I also thought of this: The Sentai would use their team coins inside a cellphone morpher to morph, but would use their teamfire as the means of making Sentai copies.

Anymore comments, criticisms, concerns, and ideas, just let me know. Thank you all for your ideas so far!

Dairanger was a martial arts motif and even that kakuranger was released later so i think there's no problem about that.

Yeah I meant have the coins be the bullets for the guns. I think the cowboy idea could work, but creating something that everyone will gobble up is important to Toei and Bandai. the coins could be as successful as the keys; imagine a coin for every sentai team (or even every ranger) and a big old western style money bag with a huge "$" on the front for the team to keep them in at their base. And something else that stands out about coins is that they can be small and portable. Something that I have seen people complain about the shurikens is that they are too big. The zyudenchi, keys, and even the resshas could easily fit in a pocket to be carried around, but the shurikens are a little bulky. A coin is compact and can feature the team logo on one side and the ranger face or emblem on the other. They could make them translucent so colors could shine through when they are loaded into the gun. I could go on and on.

I really think the coins are a very solid idea and I think it has been enough time since KR used coins as a gimmick for sentai to use them.

Thanks! I really do like your idea for the coin thing! Though, when you mean translucent so colors could shine through, what did you mean?

Also, the money bag: You are reading my mind! I had the same idea, albeit a bit different; instead of a dollar sign, it'd have the symbol of a sheriff's star with the letter "XL", the roman numeral for 40, on it.

Also, any other suggestions for the other things: The extra Rangers, the Sixth's 3-in-1 weapon, and the horse mecha.

Speaking of mecha, I had two ideas for the personal transportation of the Gunmenger: Since the 1 horse mecha seems like the most liked idea, it'd be similar Go-onger: A small horse and buggy that turns into a giant one, or simply 5 horse based cycles for each member to ride.

Also, I had the idea of the Sixth Ranger mecha being a steam train with 3 boxcars attached, that could not only summon three mecha based off the last 3 anniversary Sixth Rangers (similar to how GokaiSilver's mecha worked), but could also use two boxcars as legs, the front, or pilot, forming the head and torso, and the last car splitting in two to form the arms. I had an idea for an airship, given the steampunk motif, but I figured since Gokaiger already had that, I decided to not go with it.

Again, any comments, criticisms, concerns, just let me know. I do appreciate all the help I'm getting with this!

I love the idea of the horse cycles. They'd be great simply as cycles, even if they aren't sue for the mecha.

I'm thinking something along the lines of a fusion sentai. Three members (red, blue, yellow) have the power to fuse with each other into one warrior. Red+Blue=Violet, Red+Yellow=Orange, and Blue+Yellow=Green. They'll battle some force with the ability to fuse kaijin from previous series. The mecha of the series will be kinda different: each ranger gets two mecha, which can mix and match with each other into 3 Ace-Buster-like mecha, which can furthermore combine into one giant mecha. Throughout the series, they'll unlock the ability to fuse previous Sentai powers and mecha with their own powers.

The gun can have a clear light in it and when the transparent coins (colored differently) are placed, different colors will shine through

That's a pretty good idea. Also, any ideas for a 3-in-1 Silver Ranger weapon? That is the ONE place I'm having trouble.

shotgun-sword-double axe

That could work! Though, could I have a little more detail about it? I'm thinking just a steampunk shotgun that has the option of becoming a sword, but then as an ax in a secondary form, but what did YOU have in mind?

tell me if you want a more detailed sketch

Thanks! I can't tell you how much that helps! Appreciate it! That is a pretty cool idea. Wherever did you get that idea from?

Also, a more detailed sketch would be much appreciated. I can't believe you went to the trouble of sketching out for me. I was thinking you'd just describe it, but the sketch helps SO much more!

hey, no problem. only took me a minute.
and I don't know where the idea came from.

Really? Wow! If that only took you a minute, then a pic with more detail would probably look amazing!

Also, not to tie your hands, but are you gonna be adding in any steampunk elements into it? If not, it's cool. I just wanted to know.

I could try.
I also have design ideas for the changers if you want that as well.

That'd be great! I wish I could give you something for all the trouble you're going through for this.

hey, I like coming up With this kind of Things. btw I have gotten ideas for the helmets of the main five, and silvers mech in robot mode.

Cool! Like I said, just send it all via PM, and I'll take a look see. Again, thanks!

I like coming up with ideas too. But you seemed to already have all the help you needed. So I just stayed quiet. :)

Well, thanks, all the same. ;)

If you ever want help with anything else, lemme know. :)

Well, outside of the horse mecha, I've been looking for mecha for the other core members (not counting the Sixth/Extras), but can't think of other Old West animals that could work for each color.

Any ideas?

Does the size of the mecha parts have to resemble the actual size of the animal? Like say a Roadrunner, does it have to be the smallest mecha because the actual animal is small?

Hmm. I haven't though of that. That's up to you, I suppose. Doesn't really matter to me.

Well, it just seemed like something I thought I should ask. I'm already thinking of some animals. I'll send you a list when I get them done.

Cool. Thanks!

I dont want to be a killjoy, spoiling or ruining your ideas, but in my humble opinion for the 40th sentai, they should go back to the original formula as follows:

1. Restoring traditional eye-catch during commercial breaks (no more Fiveman, Gokaiger, Go-busters, Toqger, Ninninger style)
   
2. Restoring -man suffix to the sentai name. You can be serious, show maturity and respect to the audience without compromising the fact that is a kids show. No more silly generic -ger, its like what they do now is just copy and paste whatever idea came from a brainstorming session during september-october.
   
3. Brace transforming device along with a sober but classy computer 3d grid transformation sequence.
   
4. Showing the villains during the ending credits.
   
5. More importantly, No more magic, mystic, supernatural, nature or anything along those lines.
   Bring back Earth-based technology! Is it Bandai and Toei began to lose confidence in human intellect?. Come on guys!, this is how sentai history began! and is more fitting for an anniversary plus makes the children to easily relate the character to something in the real world and the plethora of weapons, vehicles, communication devices is more diverse and easy to adapt.
   
6. A direct consequence of what was said above, a proper Team blaster which actually resembles a gun but not a toy. If its a team cannon it has to give the impression that it can inflict a serious damage when fired, plus a proper animation that goes with it, like an explosion as it was in the old days, not ridiculous objects being thrown to the villain or monster in a clearly deus ex machina way.
   
7. And finally but not least, cast better and mature looking actors. I dont have anything against young individuals, but what we have getting today are mostly young faces which dont look very 'heroic physique'. I say more live training sequences and the use of sidearms, we want to see real scenario combat experience.

Maybe i have over extended a bit, but that's what i think. You can agree or disagree, i just hope not be the one who's getting throw tomatoes and the end of this post.

Should bring back the same sense of justice from the 80's and 90's.

compleatly forgott about this, the drawing of silvers mech (steamohjin) is Complete. I'll send it when I get the chance.

You aren't. You're just sharing your opinion, and while that is a good idea, I hardly think they'd do that for the 40th anniversary. After all, the past 15 years since Gaoranger have gone with a certain pattern for seasons, and while that would be good for a later season, it probably won't be that. Why fix what isn't broken?

As for the ideas, I don't think they'd go over that well with the audience in Japan these days. Most of those ideas (most, not all) were used in Go-Busters, and we all know what a bust that season was. We may have liked it, but Japan sure didn't. It tried be like the classic Sentai, but its ratings and toy sales bombed. Badly.

I'm not trying to derail your ideas. I'm simply saying they wouldn't work for an anniversary season, especially with the trend they've been going with since Hurricanger. I could see them bringing back eyecatches, but kids like all that magic, supernatural, outer space stuff. Again, not saying it isn't a good idea. I'm simply saying it's just not a good idea for a 40th anniversary.

Ratings didn't bomb; it actually had a higher average than Kyoryuger, but the minimalistic approach to the toy line was it's ultimate downfall. The morphin brace did a ton, but without having a "Got to get all" collectible and the minimum amount of mech, there was no reason to go toy hunting after a certain point in the show. The movie exclusive mech and power-ups were lackluster. Go-Busters was a good season, but the toys (what drives the show, Bandai, and Toei) greatly lacked.

And I think kids and adults use Super Sentai for the same reason; an escape from their normal lives for 30 minutes. So the magic and all that other stuff may seem silly and act as a distractor from the show, but that stuff is what draws in the crowds. Is was is used for sentai any sillier than a fruit-themed samurai, donut-eating wizard, uber positive astronaut, or a tire-wearing cop that has a transient car and belt, all of which are loosely bug-themed? Not at all and KR kills it every year.

You just hit the nail on the head, there. It's the whole "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" metaphor.

Also, I guess "bombed" wasn't the right word. While the show did have better ratings than Kyoryuger, it's toy sales pale in comparison. And that's what KR and SS are: Just a 30 minute toy commercial. Even if the ratings aren't great, it's the toy sales that really prove its popularity. At least by today's standards. While ratings were important when Gorenger started, it's toys that really show if the series is popular enough. While I understand some people's want for a more 80's/90's feel Sentai, though I doubt that after Go-Buster's failure, we'll be seeing that anytime soon.

Not to mention the people wanting that are really adult and teenage Americans, where as the target audience is young and adult Japanese people. Pretty sure they want to stay with what THEY want, not what WE want. That's why they have Sentai, and we have Power Rangers.

Gunmanger? More police sentai? :D

Well, technically, space Cowboys, but yeah.