What's rather amusing about this is this is sometime after the show's re-tool that's brought upon due to the unfortunate real life events that happened in Japan while the show was airing at the time. It is easily one of the best episodes from that came out of Ohranger and while the series is obviously not one of the best Sentai seasons we got, especially in the 90's, there are aspects to Ohranger I find to be vastly underrated that sadly rarely gets talked about, if at all, whenever this series gets brought up into any conversation in regarding the franchise.

Watched episode 3 of Gokaigers and episode 1 of Zenkaiger last night. Really fun shows! Between the two of them, I’m definitely seeing the appeal of Super Sentai. You get the same sort of flashy fun and excitement you get in Rider but without all the melodrama. It’s more relaxing, though I imagine even in Sentai things still get more intense near the end, and I know some seasons like Jetman and Timeranger are known for having a fair share of drama. Still though, I’m happy to give it a try

~Fish's Zenkai Tour!~

Episode 18 – Ninja Sentai Kakuranger

https://i.imgur.com/iYEU1kx.png

(Hey wait, I think we're missing some people again!)

Dude, Kakuranger is so freakin' cool. Like, right upfront, this is the first Sentai on the tour I've already seen in full. Plus, it's also the most recent "backlog" Sentai I've seen, and even though it's been a year and a half since then, it's still pretty fresh in my mind. I've been so pumped to write this week's post, you don't even know. There's naturally going to be a different feel to the ones about shows I've seen already, and I couldn't ask for a better show to figure that new style out with. Talking about Kakuranger is easy; I've already done it once, after all. Episode by episode, even, if you feel like digging back through the thread a ways. And yet, that still isn't enough for me, so let's get to this, shall we?

Kakuranger is— no wait I said cool already ...Kakuranger is the other exceptionally beloved Sugimura Sentai, and I have a feeling it will always kinda be "my" Sugimura show even once I've seen the others. It was my first, and while that choice was made entirely on a fickle whim, I couldn't be happier I made it. It's a show that is overflowing with creativity and style, to the point I don't think any brief summary I can give will get across the extent of it. A series that effortlessly blends the traditional Japanese concepts it draws its motifs from with the Western-influenced reality of the nation's present, resulting in a Sentai with an undercurrent of socially-conscious postmodernism to its storytelling... while also still standing totally on its own as just a darn fun show!

That last part is something that might need stressing, if you're unfamiliar with Kakuranger. My description of it probably makes it sound super highbrow or something, but part of what makes the thought put into Kakuranger so impressive to me, and part of why I describe it as having a postmodern flair, is that it's the kind of show that would never admit to being "smart". On the contrary, the real heart of the show from the outset was its emphasis on outrageous comedy scenarios. This is even one of Kakuranger's biggest innovations, going rather against the grain. I mean, how many times have I talked about a show paving the way for more complex drama up to this point? Kakuranger instead took all that freedom to tell new and different stories in the opposite direction, applying it to the offbeat tale of a group of misfit descendants of legendary ninja, who travel around in a bus that is also a cat, exterminating Youkai all around Japan while selling crepes on the side, because no cool organization is going to cover the expenses of these guys.

The Kakurangers are very much underdogs, if not outright terrible heroes at first, and the story centers on their growth, as they go from a bickering bunch of bumblers to a finely-tuned engine of justice with unshakable faith in each other and their cause. It's the kind of arc that never gets old no matter how many times you see it, and in Kakuranger's case, it coincides with a gradual shift to a more straightforward dramatic tone, complete with an explicit midway turning point, and it's to the show's credit how natural it all feels. I mean, I could go on about this show for so much longer, if I wanted. Jiraiya's not even in the first episode! It hurts not having a real excuse to talk about him in great detail, but unfortunately, I am technically here specifically to talk about that premiere.

I remember it feeling like a lot to take in, the first time. It's maybe worth mentioning that. The show's twist on a narrator, especially; that took some getting used to. I know why he's there now, though, and I honestly really appreciate the crazy old geezer? Learning that his whole bit is to talk about this flashy modern TV show in the form of traditional oral storytelling was all it took to turn me around. He's emblematic of the deliberate old/new clash that defines the show's style, and those lectures about the Youkai in each episode are genuinely quite helpful!

And going back to this episode a second time, with that in mind, it didn't feel like too much at all? It's mostly just an awesome premiere that does a lot to get across the appeal of the show? It starts off with a recounting of a battle in the distant past between ninja and Youkai, which is rad as heck world-building, because it involves ninja. And then from there, you're introduced to Sasuke and Saizou, two buds who are immediately arguing over what kind of cheap junk food they should get with the borderline nonexistent cash they have on them, which really says a ton about the characterization of the heroes in this show right away. They get to show a bit of a heroic side as well, readily intervening to stop a mugging, but that's merely the beginning of a fateful chain of events involving tons of awesome monsters getting revived in the modern age, ninja ancestors giving their successors hygiene tips as well as transformation devices, and a castle that stands up to become a giant robot, with a huge sword that's also on real fire. Does anything about this not sound like the coolest, craziest show out there?

And what's even crazier is that this is actually a rather restrained first outing, all things considered, as can be gathered from it being another one without the full team. The show just climbs up and up from this starting point. You get all the stuff you see here, and then so much more added on, as the show constantly refines its style. Again, it is actively painful not being able to talk about all that stuff, too. Jiraiya is one thing, but if you haven't seen the show, you have no idea how cool Tsuruhime becomes after these early days of everyone constantly disrespecting her authority. And Sasuke, too! That dude's got heroic guts like you'd never imagine from him whining about lunch!

It's easy for me talk about Kakuranger; it's a lot harder for me to stop, evidently. I haven't even directly touched on some of the other notable firsts, like the whole explicitly Japanese theme; or the aforementioned Tsuruhime, Ninja White, being the official leader of the team, smashing right the heck through that glass ceiling, and without even being red; or how Ninja Red's suit actor was Seiji Takaiwa's first big lead role, which should mean something to fans of both Kamen Rider and some of the later 90's Sentai. (He even married Ninja White's suit actor later!) I could go on about random things relating to this show all day, pretty much. The designs and action are endlessly stylish, the writing feels subtly ahead of its time in a lot of ways, the theme song is amazing, the ending theme is a bop in its own right... it's freakin' cool, like I said! Up until now I've been ending these things by saying how excited I am to watch these shows myself one day, but in this case, and probably quite a few more to follow, I'm more hoping I can get somebody else excited to watch it. Maybe you'll think Kakuranger is cool yourself, if you don't already!

The one sentai that embraced the trends of its time and made the rangers wear grunge fashion. :lolol
As we all know, Teruaki Ogawa who played Sasuke went on to be Hyuga in Gingaman, Hiroshi Tsuchida because of this show got to be pals with Ninjaman voice actor Kazuki Yao(Franky for One Piece fans) and switched from regular acting to voice acting(he was the Japanese voice of Donatello in the 2012 Nickelodeon TMNT animation), and Kane Kosugi blew up as a celebrity post-Kakuranger. Gashadokuro's actor ​Kenichi Endo also hit it big after this show(One of his many roles was the dad of Masaki Suda's character in Wise and Foolish, a Freaky Friday type drama where Endo's character, a prime minister, and his son have their bodies swapped with each other). I have mentioned this before but the show is roughly based on Journey to the West in its setup and character dynamics.

Sasuke/Ninja Red is Sun Wukong/Monkey, the protagonist that served as the basis for Goku in Dragon Ball
Tsuruhime/Ninja White is Tang Sanzang/Tripitaka the monk who leads the team
Seikai/Ninja Yellow is Zhu Bajie/Pigsy the anthropomorphic pig
Saizou/Ninja Blue is Sha Wujing/Sandy the water creature
Jiraiya/Ninja Black is Bai Long Ma/White Dragon Horse, the steed Tripitaka rides

And of course, who can forget the cat van. :lolol
What is interesting is that Ninja Blue's suit uses a lighter hue of blue, more of an azure color like Blue Swallow from Jetman, which has been used mostly for female blue rangers so far. I also like the Batman 66-esque special effects being used. And the ending theme is awesome. :lolol
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nawP6aH_TMc

Why this was never flashmobbed in Powermorphicon I don't know. Seriously, if Powermorphicon happens again after COVID is no longer a concern, and one of the Kakuranger cast members get invited, they should have people flashmob this with said actor because internet. :lolol

Oh yeah, notable alumni guest appearance that I can think of right off the bat is Reiko Chiba who was Mei/Ptera Ranger in Zyuranger and Ryo Narushima(then Keiko Hayase) who was Remi/Five Yellow in Fiveman as one of the Hanarangers.

I can thank Kakuranger for my favorite moment in Alien Rangers.

https://i.imgur.com/vYGy4Up.png

When I did a PR re-watch years ago, I couldn't help but be endlessly amazed at how the fairly reserved Alien Rangers instantly became the cockiest bastards in the universe as soon as they morphed.

Just finished episode 40 of Zyuohger. Only 8 episodes to go.

Kakuranger is the best series that tricks you into thinking it's juvenile and stupid. A trio of heroes that are basically chucklefucks with ninja powers, a bitchy princess who is in way over her head, and a cowboy. Add in the perverted and juvenile humor, and it's easy to be seen as a parody series.
And then you keep watching, and it just flips it all over on it's head. Add in that Japanese weirdness along with just how freaking weird some yokai mythology can be, and it's just so out there it's amazing.
Hell, other Sentai themes are about how cool they are and their powers and how they'll save the day? Kakuranger's is about a ninja interrupting a romantic evening.

Also, as an aside. Kakuranger has the cleanest suits out of all the other ninja themed series.

I hope you're enjoying! Zyuohger is so great! It's endgame was rather weak compared to other series', but I feel Zyuohger's characters is what made the show worthwhile, rather than the stakes.

I think I first saw that episode on a DVD that was free with Jetix magazine in late 05/early 06 that also had the Zeo episode Mean Screen and the Turbo episode Shadow Rangers, I quite liked that actually lol

And that?s my cue to start this in full.

Androzani?s Twokai Detour

And we start this for real (after an early preview a few weeks ago and a three-part Let?s Read on my YouTube channel.

First off, I?ll talk about the characters that will appear in? (edited to remove major spoilers, of course).

Super Sentai World

Ninja Sentai Kakuranger:
Sasuke/NinjaRed: The 24th descendant of Sarutobi Sasuke, who, along with 5 other legendary ninjas, sealed away the Yokai Army Corps. In 1994, their descendants formed the Ninja Sentai Kakuranger to prevent the return of the Yokai from destroying the world.
Tsuruhime/NinjaWhite: The twenty-fourth protector of the Seal Door, which held the Youkai and is more knowledgeable of the Youkai and their ancestors than her other team members. Tsuruhime is a strong girl who is looking for her missing father. Despite not being the Red Ranger, she is the real leader of Kakuranger because of her greater leadership skills than Sasuke. Despite frequent scoldings, Tsuruhime seems to gain respect for Sasuke as the series progresses. Before becoming a Kakuranger, she once fought alongside two other girls, Yukiyo & Tsukiyo, as one of the 'Punishment Sailor Sisters?.
Saizou/NinjaBlue: He and Sasuke were tricked by Kappa into opening the Gate of Seals, releasing the Youkai into the human world. Sandayu tracked them down and brought the two of them to where their ancestor's swords were placed in the Earth, where they met Tsuruhime. Upon pulling out his sword, the spirit of The original Saizou Kirigakure appeared before him, gave him a lecture, and entrusted him with a Doron Changer, allowing Saizou to become NinjaBlue. Saizou is a constantly chattering, easily flattered man who thinks he's a lot smarter than he really is. He is a loud worrywart, often jumping to immediate conclusions, as well as being the first to panic. Due to their similar flaws and personalities, he and Seikai are often found lazing about together. Despite his less-outstanding traits, he likes to help other people, making him popular among children. Unfortunately, his bad luck is often his greatest weakness.
Seikai/NinjaYellow: first encountered the Youkai when a friend of his was kidnapped by Rokurokubi, who thought he was her deceased son. Seikai likes video games. He is driven by desire for food, sleep, and especially women. While all the Kakurangers seek to impress Tsuruhime, Seikai in particular expresses the greatest admiration for her, often putting himself in great danger to protect or save her.
Jiraiya/NinjaBlack: a Japanese-American ninja from Los Angeles trained by his guardian Gali after his father was killed. Jiraiya stands out among the characters because he speaks English frequently (which at first caused both teasing and confusion with the other team members when he speaks in English), his native language, but he learns Japanese as the show progresses. He is the pure fighter of the group and although he is skilled in Earth based ninja arts he prefers to fight utilizing his martial art skills, and is portrayed with a combination of the stereotypical cowboy and surfer persona. Unlike the other Kakuranger however, Jiraiya is at times a loner, and will often venture out to battle an enemy on his own. He is very fond of television, often becoming obsessed with fighting-based shows to the point he'll mindlessly emulate them in a fit of enthusiasm.

Gosei Sentai Dairanger:
TenKaSei Ryo/RyuuRanger: In his daily life, he was an apprentice-cook at a Chinese restaurant in Yokohama's Chinatown. His dream was to be the number-one Gyoza cook in all of Japan. He was a direct descendant of the Dai tribe. Ryo had an eight year old sister, Youko, who was born around the same time their father supposedly died. Ryo was taking out the garbage at work one day when the Gorma Baron String captured Yoko, and he gave chase. It was then he encountered the Kidenju RyuseiOh, who chose him as the next RyuuRanger. As RyuRanger, Ryo uses a variation of Southern Dragon Kung Fu*that enables him to control fire and lightning. After training with a special suit of steel springs to defeat Jin Matoba, he gained the ability to use his Kiryoku to enhance his speed to unleash an overwhelming barrage of punches.
TenGenSei Daigo/ShishiRanger: The most gentle member of the team, as well as the most serious of the group, he works at a pet shop and becomes romantically involved with the Peacock Buddha Kujaku. He was scouted to be a Dairanger after Master Kaku?s discovery of his Qi connection with Kujaku. He specializes in the Kung Fu form of Hung Ga and utilizes illusions in combat.
TenJuuSei Shoji/TenmaRanger: His greatest dream in life was to become a world boxing champion. He is very playful and comical, but he also has a very strong sense of fair play. He could only apply his competitiveness to Kazu because the others weren't interested in such. He wears his emotions on his sleeves and is never afraid to fight. He specializes in the Long Fist
TenJiSei Kazu/KirinRanger: A stylish hairdresser and dancer who ran away from home at age 15 and came to Tokyo. As KirinRanger, Kazu uses a variation of Drunken Fist called Kirin-Fist which enables him to manipulate time, slowing it down to analyze an opponents attack, or even reversing it to avoid taking damage if he makes a mistake in battle. He can also channel his Kiryoku into his fist, enlarging them in order to increase the force of his punches.
TenPuSei Rin/HououRanger: Of the Dairangers, she has the most powerful psychic senses. She has mastered deadly wind power. At the heart a gentle, kind soul, Rin is also terribly shy. Rin's heart was fierce and strong. She was very intelligent and difficult to con because one would have to be very sneaky to get past her. She loved her teammates, her Uncle Kaku, her family, with the warmth and strength most people do not have to spare. As HououRanger, Rin uses a variation of Eagle Claw which enables her to control wind.

Kyoryu Sentai Zyuranger:
Geki/Tyranno Ranger: The Prince of the Yamato Tribe, "Warrior of Justice". He was raised believing that the King of the Yamato Tribe was his father, until it turns out he was adopted from the King's sworn enemy, the Black Knight. His natural brother Burai antagonised him for being raised by their real father's old enemy, but Geki eventually successfully convinced him to bury the hatchet. He wields the Ryugekiken, and after Burai's death, he dual-wields it with Burai's Zyusouken.
Goushi/ Mammoth Ranger: A Knight of the Sharma Tribe and Warrior of Wisdom. Was once Geki's companion before being sealed. Raised with his sister Otome, who eventually died fighting aba Dora, inspiring him further.
Dan/Tricera Ranger: A Knight from the Etoffe Tribe and the Warrior of Courage. A happy-go-lucky jokester guy who's hot-blooded and likes to slack off, though once he set his sight on something noble, he'd never stop pursuing it.
Boi/Tiger Ranger: A Knight of the Dime Tribe and Warrior of Hope. The youngest of the team, though mentally more mature than Dan. Excels in high-speed attacks. Due to his youth, he's popular with kids.
Mei/Ptera Ranger: The Princess of the Lithia Tribe and 'Warrior of Love'. Kind, loving, but has an iron-will.

Choujin Sentai Jetman:
Ryu Tendo/Red Hawk: Member of the Skyforce who was given the Birdonic Waves to become the first Jetman. Too bad right after that, the Back Dimension Party Vyram attacked and he lost his girlfriend Rie Aoi. Ryū went on to lead the Jetmen, but was pretty hung up with Rie's death.
Gai Yuki/Black Condor: A rebellious lone wolf who's just out to enjoy his life before his death. While accidentally struck with Birdonic Wave and being called to become a Jetman, Gai refused being ordered around, especially from someone like Ryū, but his sense of justice got over him and he ends up joining and developing that sense. He makes advances on Kaori, and while at first refused, his persistence paid off... only for him to break it up due to different lifestyles. In the end, he decided to let Kaori marry Ryū, now his best friend.
Raita Oishi/Yellow Owl: A fat farmer who at first really doesn't like fighting, even after he's struck with Birdonic Waves. until the Vyram trample his farm and he ends up fighting anyway. Has a childhood friend named Satsuki whom he eventually married in the end of the series. Despite so, he used to have a crush to Kaori, but decided that she's too good for him and settles with 'being able to protect her.
Kaori Rokumeikan/White Swan: Heiress to the Rokumeikan family, at first horribly spoiled, but eventually, she evolved into a nicer character, thanks to Ryū's guidance. While at first repulsed at Gai, she ended up with him after discovering his good side, but he broke up with her after introducing him to her high-class family which... pissed him off.
Ako Hayasaka/Blue Swallow: A regular high-school student that accidentally got hit with Birdonic Waves and became a star athlete in instant. A bit of materialistic, demanding money here and there, but she instantly got over it, realizing her own sense of justice after the first encounter with the Vyram, joining the Jetman. She's the tomboy of the team.

Chikyuu Sentai Fiveman:
Gaku Hoshikawa/Five Red: The eldest of the Hoshikawa siblings, when he was a kid, he shot Garoa on the face out of fear, instigating their rivalry. As of the present day, he's a science teacher, mostly dabbling in plant life/biology. Calm and responsible, he serves not only as a big brother, but also as a fatherly figure to his siblings. Is scared of ghosts.
Ken Hoshikawa/Five Blue: Second eldest of the Hoshikawa siblings and the closest Gaku could get for a friendly rival/second in command. He teaches physical education (swimming), making him the strongest fighter on the team, relying more in hand-to-hand combat than weaponry.
Fumiya Hoshikawa/Five Black: The twin brother of Remi and the youngest of the Hoshikawa siblings. Eventually became a language teacher, which grants him a lot of linguistic abilities and the ability to understand alien languages. Tends to be childish and reckless.
Kazumi Hoshikawa/Five Pink: Third-born and oldest daughter of the Hoshikawa Family. Has a computer-like brain which enables her to quickly analyze enemy weakness. This kind-hearted woman is a math teacher.
Remi Hoshikawa/Five Yellow: The fourth-born and the older twin sister of Fumiya. She teaches music, but is also the bonafide badass of the siblings. Knows Kung Fu and would teach it to children in her spare time.

Did you get all that? Good, now forget it. It?s not important to this feature.

And now for part two, discuss my opinion on the ?current? season:

Kakuranger was my first full series (alongside Lupinranger vs Patranger), so I do have a bit of a soft spot. That said, I kind of lost interest with the less episodic plots (mostly since they stopped being fun) and I?ve seen said episodic plots? tone done better elsewhere. The costumes not having aged well doesn?t help.

And now, the BTS information for this:

Our writer is Kyoko Sagiyama, whose previous Sentai credits include episodes of Dynaman, Changeman and Zyuranger, and who is better for the Resident Evil 2 prequel, BIOHAZARD 2 DRAMA ALBUM ~The Little Runaway Sherry~. And it seems that I can?t escape the shadow of Hurricaneger, since aside from the main team right now being a ninja team, this short has the same director (Katsuya Watanabe) and narrator (Hironori Miyata).

With all that out of the way, on with the review.

We open with an abridged version of Kakuranger?s OP, wherein the lyrics are omitted so the aforementioned narrator can give the cliffs notes version of the 5 featured Super Sentai.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E5TvlHNW...jpg&name=small

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E5TvlHSW...jpg&name=small

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E5TvlHYX...jpg&name=small

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E5TvlHYW...jpg&name=small

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E5TvtF9X...jpg&name=small

(That told us absolutely nothing about them)

After some stock footage of Muteki Shogun?s finishing move, the plot proper (such as it is), starts with a sister and brother (the latter of whom is played by Shirou Izumi, better known as Yuma Oozora/Change Pegasus and Yamato Prince Burai/Dragon Ranger) walking through the woods taking photos, when the spot the gigantic Emperor Daidas summoning his army of recycled costume minions, Zaigan, Bango and Damaru (I did not name any of these), to invade Earth.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E5TvtGcX...jpg&name=small

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E5TvtG3X...jpg&name=small

(I can?t identify what costumes are being reused, beyond the centre guy being a hybrid of Turboranger villains Zimba and Yamimaru and Dairanger monster Iron-Face Chouryu)

One of the villains then decides the two humans are a threat, since they saw the secret of Daidas?s third eye (what secret? That it can create minions?) and thus are a liability. But before he can kill them, he gets interrupted.

Jiraiya: NinjaBlack!

Saizou: NinjaBlue!

Sasuke: NinjaRed!

Tsuruhime: NinjaWhite!

Seikai: NinjaYellow!

All: Slashing at evil, hidden from the world, Ninja Sentai Kakuranger, revealed!

As the Kakurangers engage the 3 in battle, (And Jiraiya feels the need to clarify ?Who are you??) two more minions (recycled from Fiveman villains Ginga Sentai Gingaman, not to be confused) show up with the siblings as hostages.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E5TvtHRW...jpg&name=small

Luckily, help soon arrives in the form of the previous 4 Super Sentai, Dairanger, Zyuranger, Jetman and Fiveman. (With only RyuuRanger, ShishiRanger, Tyranno Ranger and Ptera Ranger having their original VAs. The rest are impersonated? poorly)

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E5Tv1I9X...jpg&name=small

But the bad guys turn things around by summoning the enemies of those Sentai: Batzlers, Grinams, Golems and Cottpotros (No, don?t expect an explanation of how they have access to 4 different grunts with 4 different origins)

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E5Tv1JmX...jpg&name=small

After a fight that was shot so they could market this as a 3D feature, Daidas enters the battle.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E5Tv1KOW...jpg&name=small

To counter this threat, all 5 Reds summon their respective Mecha: Five Robo, Jet Icarus, Shinka Gattai DaiZyuJin (Evolutionary Combination Great Beast God), Gosei Gattai Dairenoh (5-Star Combination Great Unified Lord) and Ninja Gattai Muteki Shogun (Hidden Spy Combination Invincible General).

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Igz2cdtL09k

https://youtube.com/watch?v=VBK-Uhj47cw

https://youtube.com/watch?v=27jBktAhneo

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E5Tv1KyX...jpg&name=small

The 5 robots fight Daidas, with none of them getting an advantage, until the brother points out that his weakness is his third eye (having figured it out from how protective his minions were of said information), allowing them to win by hitting him there, before Muteki Shogun destroys Daidas (so the other 4 robots weren?t particularly necessary). And so the Super Sentai return to defending the Earth, while the brother and sisters? adventures aren?t over, as they soon stumble across a giant Shadow Moon and an army of revived monsters from Golgom, Crisis, the Foundation, Dr. Mochizuki?s experiments and the Fog Mother?s children. But that?s another story?

Final thoughts: So yeah, this is just a brief short meant to show off a 3D gimmick. It handles that premise fairly well, but it does leave me wanting more. Which leads me to the final part of this thread:

The Challenge: This week?s challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to expand this into a full storyline and PM me the results. Though make sure whatever you use to write it is something I can share a link to, since I?m going to announce a winner next week, when I cover the REAL beginning of these things: Choriki Sentai Ohranger: Ohre vs Kakuranger.

Truly a team you can trust to protect you from evil spirits! :lol

I feel so much safer!

Kiramager’s movie has been subbed by “an anonymous group”.

It’s a pretty fun flick. And I’m glad they didn’t think that because this was coming out after the show, it had to take place after the show. Looking at you, Zero-One.

They make kickass crepes. Fine by me. :lolol

I finally finished Zyuohger. Now, it's onward to Uchu Sentai Kyuranger.

Have fun with Sentai Wars IV, V, VI. :lolol

Thanks. :lol

Hello an welcome to this special instalment of

Androzani’s Tsukai Detour

As I promised earlier, here’s my full review of…

Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger the Movie: All Reds Great Assembly

"Countless worlds found themselves....trapped within small machines, unable to resist. And the last world to be targeted........"

The Machine Dynasty Tojitendo, rulers of the parallel world known as Kikaitopia, where life is mechanical rather than biological, has invented technology that allows them to seal off every parallel world in existence. But when it came time to seal the last one, it merged with a portion of Kikaitopia, rendering the sealing impossible. So they’ve decided to conquer the last world the old-fashioned way. But this world is not without defences. One human and 4 Kikainoids, using the powers of 45 Super Sentai from across the parallel worlds, will fight back to try and free the trapped worlds.

Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger:

Kaito Goshikalda/Zenkaiser: The kindhearted leader of the Zenkaigers who aims to be "Number One" at everything. His parents invented the Zenkaiger tech before they went missing. He currently lives with his grandmother Yatsude and toy bird Secchan.

Juran/ZenkaiJuran: The oldest of the Kikainoids who thinks he's a Cool Old Guy, but is actually more of a Grumpy Old Man. Despite this, he's got a good heart and heroic sense of justice, as well as being pretty easy to get along with. He also really likes parties.

Gaon/ZenkaiGaon: An Animal Lover Kikainoid who is the Team Chef. He also considers humans as animals and doesn't get along with the Kikainoids, as such he acts like a Jerkass to other mechanical lifeforms. Because of his love for animals, he joins the fight against the Tojitendo to protect them.

Magine/ZenkaiMagine: The only girl (well, female mechanical lifeform) of the team. She claims herself to be introverted but in reality, she's a brazen fantasy Otaku who doesn't like cleaning at all. She's particularly fond of fortune-telling.

Vroon/ZenkaiVroon: A Constantly Curious Kikainoid who's also a Neat Freak because of his previous profession as a garbageman. He initially served the Tojitendo as their janitor before he became a Zenkaiger after becoming fed up with Ijirude's treatment of him

Allies:

Secchan: A toy bird that Kaito's parents built before they disappeared. He acts as the mascot for Colorful and is deeply loved by both Kaito and Yatsude. He supports the team with his encyclopedic knowledge of past Sentai teams.

Isao and Mitsuko Goshikalda: Kaito's parents who invented the Zenkaiger technology before their disappearance. They are particularly well-known for proposing the theory of parallel worlds, which was proven true when Kikaitopia merged with Earth

Tojitendo: The tyrannical overlords of the alternate world of Kikaitopia, who have silently and swiftly conquered various realities throughout the multiverse — including the first 44 Super Sentai worlds — via sealing them within Tojiru Gears. However a glitch occured in sealing the very last World, the Zenkaigers’ World, resulting in part of Kikaitopia merging with it, thus forcing them to manually and physically conquer the merged World instead to expand their territory

Great Emperor Boccowaus: The leader of the Tojitendo and king of Kikaitopia. He rules his empire with an iron fist (literally), needing no more than sheer presence and notoriety to command his minions. His goal is to bring all of the worlds under his empire.

Mobile Captain Barashitara: The field captain of the Tojitendo. Due to his strength, he’s the most active one in the field, enjoying the exhilaration that comes with invading worlds and crushing his enemies into scrap. Despite his overwhelming power, he’s rather mischievous when fighting the Zenkaigers.

Mechanical Officer Ijirude: The mechanic and scientist of the Tojitendo. He looks fairly reserved, but he’s actually the most zealous of the empire. It is said that he took the skills of a certain scientist and perfected them for himself.

Gege: A robotic toucan that sits on Boccowaus’s shoulder. While he looks innocent, he’s actually the most capable member, using his position and the tyrant’s doting to enact his own plans with his silver tongue.

Kudakkus: The Tojitendo’s footsoldiers. They wield Plug Lancers, spear with two-pronged plugs at the end.

Kudaiters: The elite footsoldiers of the Tojitendo. Unlike the Kudakkus, they are fully capable of speech. They serve as a template for the Walds.

Wales: Mechanical beings formed from Toziru Gears, which are created when the Tojitendo successfully seals a parallel world. When defeated, the parallel world they represent will be freed.

Other villains:

Basco ta Jolokia: A former member of the Red Pirates that proceeded the Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger in their search for the Greatest Treasure in the Universe, he betrayed the others to the Space Empire Zangyack, before striking out on his own to find the treasure himself.

Sally: Basco’s monkey-like alien assistant, who stores a set of Giant Battle Super-Lifeforms known as “roids”.

Kyuemon Izayoi Kibaoni: The son and retainer of Gengetsu Kibaoni, who led his father armies in facing the Shuriken Sentai Ninninger over the Owari no Shuriken. Is the creator and master of Izayoi-style Yojutsu, which he copied from Igasaki-style Nintality.

Bangray: A mega beast hunter who got caught up in Doubutsu Sentai Zyuohger’s battle with the Deathgalien during his search for the legendary Cube Whale. He has the ability to read people’s memories by touching them and then create copies of people he sees.

Zamigo Delma: A member of the Interdimensional Criminal organisation Gangler, selling skins of humans he had captured as disguises to other Ganglers. Unfortunately for him, three of those victims had relatives who saw him seemingly killing them and became the Kaitou Sentai Lupinranger to avenge their loved ones. He has a Lupin Collection that gives him the ability to produce unlimited bullets that can instantly freeze anything they hit.

It’s a little too early for me to give a full opinion on Zenkaiger, but it’s been good so far.

This movie comes courtesy of Zenkaiger’s main writer/director team, Junko Komura and Shojiro Nakazawa. With all that said, on with the review.

We start with a little introduction to the main premise of the show (since this came out before it).

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Cut to the present, where the Tojitendo are launching a full on attack.

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But…

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The Kudaiter then asks who kicked him, to which his assailant and his company introduce themselves.

“Himitsu no Power, Zenkaiser!”

“Kyoryu Power, ZenkaiJuran!”

“Hyakujuu Power, ZenkaiGaon!

“Mahou Power, ZenkaiMagine!”

“GoGo Power, ZenkaiVroon!”

Zenkaiser: The five of us are…

All: Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger!

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As the people cheer them on, after a long fight with the Kudakkus full of public safety tips (And knowing is half the battle), Kaito defeats the Kudaiter with a ball attack (which never appears elsewhere in the series). After the battle, everyone detransforms and goes back to what they were doing.

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(Well, almost everyone)

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Kaito and Juran are now all alone.

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As the two can’t decide on whether to have pizza or sukiyaki to celebrate (they eventually decide to hybridise the two into “pizzasukiyaki”), a lone Kudakku watches them go.

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Back at the Tojitendo palace, both Boccowaus and Ijirude are frustrated, with Barashitara annoyed that all they have to show for their efforts is a lone cowardly Kudakku, a Toziru gear is knocked to the floor.

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Before it can be replaced, Gege has an idea for a punishment.

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The Kudakku is reluctant (for some reason), but the Gear is inserted regardless.

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The Kudakku transforms into the Super Warumono Wald (Warumono = bad guy). (Who for some reason, sounds like classic Rider villain VA Goro Naya than any Sentai Big Bad actor)

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While out shopping, Juran notices something falling out of Kaito’s wallet.

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Kaito explains that it was given to him by his parent when he was a kid.

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They promised to explain what it was when they’d completed the project… and then they disappeared. Meanwhile, Super Warumono Wald does his fusing the worlds Schlick, causing a collage of Sentai villain lairs to appear (points to anyone who can recognise more than the 5 I did, 1 of which was due to the wiki).

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While Gaon is on his date, which turns out to be with a cat (dude’s got some made game), he feels the air growing colder, as a mysterious man appears behind him.

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Magine’s fortune telling business gets scared away by a large monster asking if there’s any big prey around.

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Vroom finds his library has become noisier than recommended, with the reason soon presenting himself.

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And back at the shopping mall, Kaito and Juran find an unusual monkey.

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Whose master soon shows up.

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The two ask who he is, as Basco reveals himself.

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Back with Gaon, he notices his new acquaintance is unusually cold and suggests he heat up somewhere (chill out there, Kaji. You’re not playing Soulburner anymore), to which Zamigo points a gun at him and assumes his true form.

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Before Gaon can transform, Zamigo shoots the Geartlinger out of his hands. Bangray and Kyuemon do likewise with Magine and Vroon. As Basco calls in Gormin to attack the people, Kaito tries asking Secchan for his knowledge to see if he knows who these guys are.

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Kaito then gets mocked for this by Basco.

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The latter then assumes his true form, as he and Sally then manage to get both Geartlingers and Kaito’s Gear away from the two Zenkaigers.

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We then cut to a quarry, where more villains have assembled. (I’d challenge you to name them all, but we already did that months ago, when this movie was announced)

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The chained-together Zenkaigers then meet Super Warumono Wald. (And in between this, Gaon complains about Juran’s sweating. Remember that)

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As he explains his plan to turn this world into one full of villains, Secchan realises just who all these assembled bad guys are.

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Magine is shocked that he can control all these villains, while Gaon is shocked that “Cold Dude” is a bad guy.

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Kaito, reflecting upon the peace that’s been disturbed, vows to defeat the villains, to which Super Warumono Wald laughs.

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Kaito then takes a stand, revealing he’s free of the chains (turns out they were loosened by Juran’s sweating earlier)

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Kaito then charges towards Sally to grab his Geartlinger back, then using the Gear his parents gave him in it.

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A red tornado appears, blowing all the bad guys back, as Secchan reveals just what that gear does.

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Kaito then has his gear handed to him by a familiar face.

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At the same time, the others receive their Geartlingers from a set of equally familiar faces.

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After Akarenger gives a speech about how the Zenkaigers’ powers are needed to defend their world, Kaito makes a declaration.

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After the big transformation scene, Akarenger spawns what was a minor meme from the trailer (and gives Kaito nightmares that lead to a special)

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We then see how many Reds have appeared: namely, all of them.

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Secchan then begins reciting the names of all the Sentai, faster than the audio can record.

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Akarenger: We are…

All: Super Sentai!

With the past Reds holding off the villains (what were you expecting from a 30 minute film made during COVID? An epic battle of the ages?), the Zenkaigers battle Super Warumono Wald, who uses the power of Underground Empire Tube’ Emperor Zeba.

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After Vroon gets them out of the cave-in, he combines the power of Vader Clan’s Queen Hadrian with Witch Bandora.

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But after Magine protects them from the blast, he uses that same combo to pull a Metal Heroes.

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But Gaon slashes through this, so he changes track to Shadow Line’s Emperor of Darkness Zed Shin, trapping them in the darkness.

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Which Juran defeats with… flaming pee? (He’s probably supposed to be breathing fire from the mouth on his chest, but the mouth isn’t open, so my imagination filled in the gap)

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As a final gambit, Super Warumono Wald unleashes the powers of Barbaric Machine Clan Gaiark’s Prime Minister Yogosmacritein.

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But Kaito counters this simply by running forward, which the others find fishy (while dismissing the idea that it was “koncho”, dissing GekiYellow in the process).

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The 5 then use their usual finisher to destroy Super Warumono Wald, which is unusually powerful this time, as it destroys the Toziru Gear in the process.

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With the worlds separated, the bad guys dissolve back into the Super Warumono World.

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Akarenger then detransforms into Kaijo to pass on his approval for the Zenkaigers.

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As the Reds return to their worlds, the spectres of Super Warumono Wald’s army appears in the sky, also thanking them.

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As the Zenkaigers realise the horrific implications of this, Secchan reassures them as best as he can.

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Relieved, the Zenkaigers vow to continue protecting their world as best as they can.

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The movie ends with everyone preparing to party once more.

Final thoughts: Overall, a pretty good introduction to the world of Zenkaiger. The returning characters don’t particularly overshadow the new guys and our monster has a good gimmick to justify this being considered a movie. Definitely rounding out the three strong instalments in the Super Sentai Movie Ranger 2021.

The challenge: there’s no challenge this time. Just carry on with the last challenge I set until the next regular instalment.

Is it okay if like... you cut down on the pictures, a little?

A few pictures here and there is fine but you have one for every single line you write, which makes both your posts and the thread as a whole hard to read

This is the cut down version of the pictures. I always make sure to eliminate any that I can just recap the appropriate plot points or tell whatever jokes I want to tell without pictures. The ones I keep are either a) plot important pictures, b) damn cool shots that words don’t do justice or c) ones I can get a joke out of that doesn’t work if I just describe it or quote the dialogue.

Well... alright then

Watched episode 2 of Zenkaiger. The Kikainoids continue to be so wonderfully loveable. Chill old man who just wants to party and dumb gay robophobic catboy. They're both so good. Can't wait to meet Magine and Vroom. Oh, also Zyuran's dancing to the Geartlinger convinced me to buy it. Just need to try and get the other three's gears without buying the belt

~Fish's Zenkai Tour!~

Episode 19 – Chouriki Sentai Ohranger

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(I know it looks like more people than ever are missing, but trust me: this is all we need.)

Ohranger was a bit of a turning point for Super Sentai. A lot of them are, in their own ways, of course, but this particular show represents a few particularly notable shifts for the franchise. It was the big 20th anniversary series... and only a couple years after Dairanger was the 15th too, as this marks the point where Toei simplified the way they categorized everything so that Goranger and JAKQ were officially part of the same big family as everyone else, with no further distinction. As such, the overall concept for Ohranger was to go back to the roots, with professional heroes working for a cool organization that stands against an intimidating evil.

The staff for the series consisted of a lot of veteran talent as well, such as long-time producer Takeyuki Suzuki, and a team of five writers (Noboru Sugimura, Toshiki Inoue, Hirohisa Soda, Shouzou Uehara, and Susumu Takaku) who ALL had been a main writer for at least one show each (although Takaku shares the credit for Battle Fever J with Uehara). It's worth noting that those last three had also been writing for Sentai as far back as Goranger itself, with Uehara coming back to Sentai for the first time since Sun Vulcan. The turn in this turning point comes in that this would also be the final Sentai for many of these people, including Sugimura, who would make this his last outing as main writer after a brief but memorable run, and Suzuki, who ended a very long and important run as producer here.

Clearly they were aiming to make Ohranger something of an event, but while the series did end up being extraordinarily successful financially, moving historically large amounts of merchandise (to this day, few Sentai even come close), the show's critical legacy is often dominated by the subject of how its tone underwent a notable shift away from its serious roots as a reaction to rather grim real life events going on in Japan at the time. The result is that Ohranger tends to be considered the black sheep of the Sugimura era, often being perceived as an underwhelming Sentai that lacks meaningful direction.

I can't speak to how fair that perception is or is not, since I haven't watched the show in full, but this is another one I've already seen the first episode of beforehand, so I can at least offer that much. Although, even more than with Bioman, I couldn't tell you why or even when exactly I watched it? I only know that I did, that it didn't go any further than that, and that ever since, I have remembered one thing in particular from this premiere very well.

Let me tell you all about a man named Gorou Hoshino.

Gorou is just about the baddest dude ever? He's so cool, he only takes his sunglasses off when he's getting ready to fly his awesome super jet plane. He's so rad, his plane launches him out onto the battlefield already on a motorcycle. He's so tough, once he transforms into Oh Red, he handles the entire fight scene without the rest of the team joining him. He's so metal, his suit actor was literally working on the Metal Hero Series prior to Ohranger.

I said Ohranger was trying to take things back to the roots, and they arguably overcompensated a bit with making a Red who is unmistakably the team's reliable and heroic leader. What Dairanger and Kakuranger were doing by trying to make everyone truly equal was pretty commendable, and it's not hard to make the case it's an ideal format for a franchise with the core appeal of having a group of similar but different heroes. Ohranger, I mean, man, they just walk it in *completely* the opposite direction at the outset. Not only is Gorou the only one who gets introduced by himself in the opening, he's the only proper Ohranger you see see at all in Ohranger's premiere. His face is literally a star. If you're judging by the same logic that would consider those previous few shows' format an objective upgrade, Ohranger's first episode might even be an outright failure as a Sentai premiere?

The thing is though – he's SO cool you guys! So what if this episode doesn't at all convince me there's value in these people being a team? Did you not catch the part where Gorou has a jet plane that spits out motorcycles? The raw cool factor of Oh Red totally overpowers any complaints I could have. Maybe it says something that I never watched more than one episode of Ohranger, but if it does, it should also say something that I've so vividly remembered how absurdly awesome Gorou is for so long. If anything, what I did forget was that, despite everything else I'm saying, the episode does effectively demonstrate the other four as being fairly capable and cool even before getting their powers. It's just... Gorou! You can't compete with that guy!

He's the epitome of everything Ohranger was going for in the portrayal of serious, stalwart heroes refusing to yield to a serious, overwhelming threat, and the episode does a great job of communicating that. There's no doubt, hesitation, or real heartache to be found here. Much like in the premieres of old, Gorou knows what needs to be done, and he's ready and willing to do it. In that sense, it's exactly the more modern version of the earlier Sentai concepts they were shooting for, and I can't help but love it for that. I mean, they even called the bad guys "Baranoia", which is one of my favorite villain group names in all of Sentai, by the way. Of course measured stoicism is going to be their greatest weakness, and that makes a guy like Gorou their biggest threat.

Even if I were to one day watch Ohranger and end up agreeing with the consensus, I'll probably always have a real soft spot for this one little episode and its one big star player. Say what you will about the show as a whole, but this is definitely a premiere that left a lasting impression on me.

Also, this is completely unrelated to the shows themselves, so I'm mentioning it separately, but it's maybe worth noting that right from the theme song lyrics, I found myself unusually impressed by how natural and nice the subtitles were... which made it REALLY hilarious to find out afterwards that Shout's subs for Ohranger are taken directly from MillionFold Curiosity's releases of the show. Like, no wonder I was thinking they were as good as a really high-tier fansub: it's literally just a high-tier fansub! From one of my favorite groups out there, no less!

So uh, I'm willing to say even without seeing the rest of the series that Ohranger's official subs get my approval, but it's important to note who actually deserves the credit for that.

There we go then! It's really annoying to see it outright stolen with no credit especially when they're making money off these sets, but... well, at least we end up with a high quality product, I guess...

Man, no wonder Zeo Red's' stock footage fit Tommy so well...

So fun fact time. Hideki Fujiwara who was Dan in Jetman and Tricera Ranger Dan in Zyuranger was offered the role of Yuji/Oh Blue at one point. Of course that went to Masashi Goda(who played Retsudo Shiba in the summer Shinkenger movie) eventually. I do wonder what that would have been like though. Had he kept on acting and not go into management during the 2000s and 2010s maybe we could have gotten Tricera Ranger and Oh Blue taking down the zangyack together in the Legend Wars scene in Gokaiger.

That?s my cue.

Androzani?s Tsukai Detour

First off, since no-one entered last week?s challenge, there?s no winner. Now to begin what we?re here for, with a show and cast overview.

"Only those who have learned the power of the Super-Civilization will be able to save humanity from its greatest crisis: Baranoia, the Machine Empire, which plans to invade the Earth...!"

Choriki Sentai Ohranger:

Captain Goro Hoshino/OhRed: An ace pilot and the team leader, Goro was the first to receive his powers. He is a cool-headed and quick-thinking person. However, his stubbornness puts him and his teammates in trouble at crucial times. He is an expert in karate, kendo, and judo. Channels the power of Mesopotamia.
Lt. Shouhei Yokkaichi/OhGreen: The second-in-command, Shouhei is originally from the same division as Goro. He is cheerful, kind and popular with children but also serious and disciplined in work, being the oldest. Likes pork ramen and makes delicious gyouza dumplings. He is a boxer. Channels the power of Ancient Greece.
Lt. Yuji Mita/OhBlue: A swift person, Yuji is an expert in fencing and gymnastics. His recklessness, along with his way of speaking, makes him the most childish member. Yuji uses jumps and midair fighting tactics. Channels the power of Ancient Egypt.
Lt. Juri Nijou/OhYellow: Juri uses martial arts researched in the United States but she also likes dancing and aerobics, which she uses in battle with great results. She loves fashion and cute things, which has screwed the team over on more than one occasion. Channels the power of Ancient Japan.
Lt. Momo Maruo/OhPink: Uses Chinese boxing and aikido. She loves the city and Baranoia has used that against the Ohranger at times. Momo is best friends with Juri. Momo is the more feminine of the two female members and the team thinker. Channels the power of the Polynesians of Ancient Hawaii.

Allies:

Staff Officer Naoyuki Miura: the Ohranger's commander, a dedicated leader who refuses to give up no matter what. An anthropologist and scientist as well, he used his knowledge about ancient civilizations and technologies to create all the Ohrangers' arsenal and mecha, as well as their suits. He once defeated a Baranoia Soldier with his bare hands after a UAOH soldier couldn't do it with a gun.
Riki/KingRanger: The legendary child-like hero of Pangaea who chased Bacchsund off Earth 600 million years ago. He subsequently went into hibernation in space to protect the guardian of Choriki, Dorin, only to revive in the present day when Bacchsund returned to menace Earth with the forces of Baranoia. Channels the power of Pangaea.
Gunmazin: An ancient warrior sealed in a totem that can be unlocked by turning the key and reciting the spell ?Gunma Gunma Don Doku Gunma?. He is bound to obey the wish of whoever holds the key, unless he doesn?t find the wish fun or the wisher intends to bring harm.

Machine Empire Baranoia:

A race of machine-beasts created to conquer Earth, reverse-engineered from the super-technology of Pangaea.

Emperor Bacchsund: The founder and ruler of Baranoia. He was created 600 million years ago by the civilisation of Pangaea to serve and live alongside them. However when the machines rebelled against their masters, they were defeated and crushed by Riki, the legendary hero whose Choriki was enough to help the civilisation defeat the machines. Bacchus escaped from the rebellion?€™s destruction as its only mechanical survivor and spent millions of years rebuilding the machines, building a vast empire and many family members and servants on planet Baranoia. He looks down on humans and their fragile forms while he compares himself to the gods.
Empress Hysterrier: Bacchsund?s wife. As is typical of Baranoia philosophy, she believes that emotions are something that machines do not possess and thus, they are superior to humanity. She is active within the empire and does send down multiple Machine Beasts, usually using more devious tactics as opposed to violence, including using Bara Brain to discover information regarding the construction of Ohranger Robo or sending down Bara Gusuka to use its sleeping ability on the people of Earth to prevent it from bothering Baranoia, she even infamously sent down Bara Clothes out of jealousy after she caught her husband and son admiring female swimsuit catalogues from Earth.
Prince Buldont: the son of Bacchsund and Hysterrier. Mischievous and spoiled, he thinks of humans as simple toys.
Acha and Kocha: the butlers to the royal house of Baranoia. Acha is in charge of taking care of Buldont, while Kocha is in charge of enlarging defeated Machine-Beasts with her enlargement program.

About Ohranger: I pretty much love it. It?s my favourite Sentai from the 90s and I?m very happy that this feature?s namesake has an associated form. If I?m honest, despite what its detractors might say, there wasn?t a hugely notable change of tone, outside of two episodes. Most of the rest were still somewhat serious.

And now, let?s begin our review of this, the first Sentai VS movie, written by Hirohosa Soda and directed by Shohei Tojo, let?s get on with the review of

Choriki Sentai Ohranger: Ohre vs Kakuranger

The film opens with Bacchsund and Buldont arguing because? this plot had to start somehow.

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It all erupts (which is depicted as a bomb fuse burning down for some reason) into Buldont challenging his father to a contest to get rid of Ohranger.

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Cue the titles.

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(And because I?m practicing my Nihongo, I?ve translated he TV size version myself. Enjoy and criticise)

Dash, dash, Ohranger
Dash, dash, Ohranger
The pulse of the land is beginning to fade
Hurry! (Dash) Ohranger!

Steel machines with no warm blood flowing within,
Are crushing our dreams of peace.
But if we face tomorrow, with our courage burning bright,
Baranoia are nothing to fear at all.

Once we take off running, we never stop. (Ole)
Once we get worried, we never split apart. (Ole)
We?€™re running towards the biggest dream there is.
Ole, Ole, Ole, Ohranger!

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While Ohranger is out on patrol, their Jetter bikes go out of control on them, which turns out to be the work of Bacchsund?s latest Machine-Beast.

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Bara Gear?s um, gears turn out to have the additional effect of empowering Baro Soldiers so that they?re a match for the Ohrangers. He does exactly that and a battle breaks out.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E54VmDdW...jpg&name=small

During the battle, everyone gets washed over the edge of a waterfall. (Despite the fact they were in a quarry just before) Yuji soon stumbles upon an old temple.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E54VmCrW...jpg&name=small

He soon finds himself being terrified by a mysterious presence, which soon moves onto Shouhei when the others arrive (and also has a long tongue).

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E54VmDBX...jpg&name=small

When Bacchsund and Bara Gear show up, they?re just as terrified of the ghost as Ohranger.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E54Vsk_X...jpg&name=small

The ghost soon reveals itself to be the Youkai Onbo-Obake, or as the sub I?m watching calls it?

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E54Vsk9X...jpg&name=small

Who turns out to be the work of Buldont.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E54Vsk-X...jpg&name=small

He explains that he combined Baranoia?s technology with his research into black magic to create his ultimate warrior. Bacchsund isn?t impressed.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E54VsmXW...jpg&name=small

Buldont mocks his father for being simply old as dirt (which as you?ll see if you read above, is true), which just makes him angry.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E54V2NAW...jpg&name=small

As the two enemies start fighting, Ohranger makes their getaway, causing Hysterrier to intercede to derail the proceedings.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E54V2M-X...jpg&name=small

Onbu-Obake stops them by growing to giant size by undoing his zipper. Left with no choice, Ohranger transforms and forms Ohranger Robo. (A video will be provided for visual reference for the Mecha)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=IcjxLTOaE5E

But Ohranger Robo is unable to scratch Onbu-Obake with any of its attacks, forcing them to call in Red Puncher and combine into Buster Ohranger Robo. But when this doesn?t work either, Riki shows up in King Pyramidder, first forming Battle Formation (the robotic form), and then the seldom used Carrier Formation (the vehicle mode combination) when that fails. In the middle of this, Bara Gear places a ?control gear? in Ohranger Robo

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E54V2NCW...jpg&name=small

After the Ohrangers are narrowly saved from certain doom by Onbu-Obake going away (what a cop-out), Buldont gets scored for how good his plan was by Hysterrier, Acha and Kocha.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E54WDNDW...jpg&name=small

But Bacchsund isn?t out yet, beginning his own plan to destroy Ohranger. At UAOH HQ, Ohranger Robo goes on a rampage.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E54WDNwX...jpg&name=small

Miura, who is inside the robot, almost escapes as Bacchsund reveals his hand.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E54WDQSW...jpg&name=small

This effort nets him 600 points (even though it doesn?t sound any more impressive than what Buldont did). Ohranger then heads out to deal with their out of control robot using their other robot, OhBlocker (creating a slight continuity problem, as said robot only appeared in the episode where Bacchsund dies)

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E54YNjgX...jpg&name=small

But then , as Miura gets out, Onbu-Obake shows up and forces Ohranger out of their robot (which is what protective services should?ve done in Evangelion, but what do I know?)

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E54YNkAW...jpg&name=small

BaraGear then takes control of Ohranger Robo directly, leading to what this film was made to do: have Ohranger?s robots fight each other. (No really) Buldont then goes up to 900 points for this.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E54YNk0W...jpg&name=small

As the two robots demolish the city and trap a girl?s dog in a collapsing building, Yuji finds something useful.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E54YNlxX...jpg&name=small

(This causes another slight problem, as Gunmazin was introduced in the series AFTER Bacchsund died)

But before they can get him to stop the two robots, the girl?s brothers use him to rescue their dog from the collapsed building. Which he does by reassembling the building (that?s why Ohranger doesn?t have regular access to him. He could solve the plot easily if they did).

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E54W21lW...jpg&name=small

But before Yuji can wish for Gunmazin to stop the robot rumble, he gets distracted by the two brothers fighting each other, which crosses into his wish to Gunmazin.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E54W21aW...jpg&name=small

Not only does this just annoy the two, but Onbu-Obake terrifies him into leaving the movie.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E54W21kX...jpg&name=small

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E54W21kW...jpg&name=small

When all looks lost, Goro, Shouhei and Yuji are summoned to the western town in Tokyo (I have no idea why it?s there, but it is). And with every western comes cowboys.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E54XBQQW...jpg&name=small

But luckily Kaiketsu Zubat is there? oh wait, it?s just Miura.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E54XBUWX...jpg&name=small

And then another pair of gunslingers appear, shooting down the cowboys, who turn out to be Baros.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E54XBTeW...jpg&name=small

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E54XBR-W...jpg&name=small

The two then jump down and throw off the western ensemble to introduce themselves.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E54XLDNX...jpg&name=small

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E54XLDQW...jpg&name=small

And in case you haven?t figured out who they are yet, Juri spells it out.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E54XLExX...jpg&name=small

At the bar in the western town, while Shouhei and Yuji try to butter up Tsuruhime, Goro challenges Sasuke to arm-wrestling, which ends in there being no contest..

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E54XLEYW...jpg&name=small

Miura says that since none of Ohranger?s technology can affect the Youkai, he called in these two as experts to help out. (Nice to see there?s an explanation for that) When asked if there?s any information they can use to get Onbu-Obake out of OhBlocker, Sasuke asks this question.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E54XXOfW...jpg&name=small

After Juri and Momo both get a bad feeling, the other Kakurangers are shown en route (the BTS reason being that none of the Kakurangers were meant to be in this movie. It was meant to be an uneventful V-Cinema with Ohranger?s mecha duking it out and a Youkai getting involved. Then one of the producers pointed out that Kakuranger fought Youkai and added Sasuke and Tsuruhime into the script. And when one of the actors for those two told the other three, they asked to be put in. The finished movie is the result of this).

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E54XXM3X...jpg&name=small

We then cut to Momo and Juri frolicking in bikinis, while Sasuke and Tsuruhime watch through reed para scopes.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E54XXPYW...jpg&name=small

When Tsuruhime points out that Sasuke is getting perv-ey with the two Ohranger women, he says that he?s allowed to because they?re mature women.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E54XXQOW...jpg&name=small

(My answer, considering the actress was only 16: jailbait)

But the plan works, and Onbu-Obake leaves OhBlocker because he smells girls . This causes Momo and Juri to argue over who will attract him (Girls, girls, you?re both pretty. Can I go home now?)

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E54Xk_iX...jpg&name=small

The Obake goes after Juri, grabbing her with his tongue (ewww)

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E54XlAuX...jpg&name=small

As the Kakurangers cut her free, a transport arrives to take Momo to report back to the others.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E54XlBpW...jpg&name=small

It?s at this point the two Kakurangers transform.

Both: Super Henge! Doron Changer! Kakuranger, revealed!

Sasuke: Ninja Red, Sasuke!

Tsuruhime: Ninja White, Tsuruhime!

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E54XlCqW...jpg&name=small

Meanwhile, the male Ohrangers regain control of OhBlocker, which causes Buldont to lose 300 points. In the battle, Onbu-Obake turns out to be a fake. This causes Juri to realise that she wasn?t his real target, Momo was (mwa mwa)

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E54Xv7kX...jpg&name=small

Sure enough, the driver turns into the Obake?s human form. A freaky clown.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E54Xv9rW...jpg&name=small

But luckily, the girl from earlier reappears to save Momo by making herself more appealing.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E54Xv_OX...jpg&name=small

Astoundingly, it works (they should?ve named this Youkai ?Hentai-Obake?, amarite). But the girl explains she?s only doing this because Momo is an Ohranger.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E54Xv__X...jpg&name=small

But as the Kakuranger duo try and fail to save the girl, Hitomi, Momo and Juri manage to get inside Ohranger Robo and disable the gear, before forcing Bara Gear out.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E54X5oLX...jpg&name=small

Meanwhile, the Onbu-Obake has taken Hitomi to a Ferris wheel, where he can list after her as much as he wants. (It just gets worse)

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E54X5poX...jpg&name=small

As the Kakurangers manage to save Hitomi, Onbu-Obake turns his sight on Tsuruhime. Luckily, Seikai, Saizou and Jiraiya choose now to fully enter the movie.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E54X5qWX...jpg&name=small

The 5 Kakurangers, now assembled transform.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E54X5rJX...jpg&name=small

After a short fight with the Youkai, all the other parties in this movie (Ohranger, Bara Gear and Riki) appear and as Hitomi gets to safety, it?s time for the big battle.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E54YD0qX...jpg&name=small

And what better way to mark the occasion of battle first with a roll call.

Goro: OhRed!

Shouhei: OhGreen!

Yuji: OhBlue!

Juri: OhYellow!

Momo: OhPink!

All: Choriki Sentai Ohranger!

Riki: KingRanger!

Sasuke: Ninja Red, Sasuke!

Jiraiya: Ninja Black, Jiraiya!

Saizou: Ninja Blue, Saizou!

Seikai: Ninja Yellow, Seikai!

Tsuruhime: Ninja White, Tsuruhime!

All: Ninja Sentai Kakuranger, revealed!

And then the fight commences, set to an appropriate song for a fight like this.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=xqdV7J_O...5Y68YvLTGsxlYo

And it turns out that the Baros, even powered up, aren’t immune to the magic based attacks of the Kakurangers. Speaking of whom, as they get a chance to shine by battling and defeating Onbu-Obake, the music switches to something more appropriate.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=q6vpco9kGQU

As Ohranger defeats Bara Gear with the Ohre Bazooka,proceeded by the Dynamite Attack and the Giant Roller, while the Kakurangers do likewise to Onbu-Obake with the Kakuranger Ball, combined with Riki?s King Victory Flash. The two monsters are grown by Kocha and Buldont, with the Blocker Robos being deployed this time. Hysterrier steps in to end this competition and leave this finale focused.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E54YD2qX...jpg&name=small

The two agree, combining their monsters into the OnbuxHaguruma.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E54YD4qX...jpg&name=small

The Blocker Robos are combined into OhBlocker, as Ohranger Robo and Red Puncher arrive once OhBlocker?s Twin Blocken Crash only empowers the hybrid.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E54YJ6FW...jpg&name=small

They then summon Tackle Boy (opening the same problem as OhBlocker and Gunmazin) and begin throwing it around between the three robots.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E54YJ6DX...jpg&name=small

After building up massive amounts of energy by throwing it around, Tackle Boy charges at Onbu-Haguruma, destroying it and allowing the heroes to stand triumphant.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E54YJ66W...jpg&name=small

The story then concludes with the Kakurangers being seen off to their next escapade by Ohranger, cue the credits (which I will also try to amateurly sub)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=52vvu4TLew0

Scramble, Scramble, the siren is echoing (Ohranger)!
Take off, take off, thunder wing, emergency launch (Yes, Ranger)!
The vast sky, the dazzling sun,
The fickle wind has all the answers.
Why do they fly faster than the birds?
Why do they fly higher than the clouds?

Go, go, go, Ohranger!
Fight on until the flames are extinguished.
Go, go, go, Ohranger!
Fly on, Ohranger!

Final thoughts: For a first crack at a crossover, that went through a mid-development retool from a standard flick, it?s a pretty good start. Especially when you compare it to some of the next three. Boy will I have things to say about those. Yeah, the pervert Youkai may be problematic, but it?s well-written problematic, compared to some of the next three having scenes that are fine in terms of implications, but not well written.

The challenge: Ohranger?s technological arsenal failed to so much as dent the Onbu-Obake. So I ask you, what other Tokusatsu villain group do you think would be immune to a different hero?s arsenal and why?

Hmm yeah, I hate to be that person, but these posts are a little too picture heavy and not considerate of people browsing on phones with data plans.

You should really consider making your own blog and linking to it. That will preserve your thoughts a lot better too, as there really isn't any indexing on these forums. I'm sure this is a format many people would love to read for those who want to watch or rewatch the show without actually watching it.

Just finished episode 21 of Kyuranger and Phoenix Soldier already made a pretty good first impression.

Update

Ginga (Galaxy) Man - Aba <All episodes up to Aba VIA Shout Factory DVD>
Bouken <Brazil DVD>
Kyo Ryu Ranger - Kira Mage Ranger <Mylasian DVD>

Power Rangers

Beast Morphers (Episode 01 - 20 + Specials)
Dino Fury (Episode 01 - 11)

Completed

Zyu - Mega Ranger
Deka , Magi
Geki - Go Busters

Power Rangers

Completed

Mighty Morphin - Super Ninja Steel

I'm watching Power Rangers VIA Netflix starting with Power Rangers Beast Morphers on my I Pad. I've seen Mighty Morphin - Super Ninja Steel on DVD.

I'll see the current Toei series in 2022 after the final week airs on TV Asahi on DVD.

I have watched exactly one episode of GoGoFive and just *have* to ask a question now.

Does this show have a good reception? Do people generally actually like it? The first episode was just crazy and while it was amusing in its own way I’m dying of curiosity to know just what exactly I’ve gotten myself into.

Just finished episode 26 and I got to say the show is seriously getting better after each episode especially since it took a bit to really get going writing-wise outside of the first few episodes. I hope this series keeps it up. Also, like Zyuohger before it, Kyuranger could've easily make a pretty decent adaptation as a season of Power Rangers.

Yeah, this is early for me, but since I’m guessing Fish will also be early this week, I’m deciding to get ahead of the game for this instalment of

Androzani’s Tsukai Detour

And this time, we’re covering…

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E6bIfTqW...jpg&name=small

Gekisou Sentai Carranger vs Ohranger

“Running wild among many planets, Bowzock, having destroyed the planet Hazard, set their sights on Earth. Dappu, an alien from Hazard, uses the mysterious Kurumagic power to turn five youths into the Carrangers, proceeding to fight Bowzock so Earth doesn't go the way of Hazard.”

Carranger:

Kyousuke Jinnai/Red Racer: A test driver at Pegasus Garage, normally only assigned to odd jobs. Something of a self-centred jerk who would abandon his own friends to joyride his boss’s classic car. Has a crush on Zonette, but she only loves Red Racer.
Naoki Domon/Blue Racer: a car designer for Pegasus, who is talented enough to be sought out by various car manufacturers. Is also an animal lover who tends to get nervous and shy around girls, including his co-workers.
Minoru Uesugi/Green Racer: a bungling salesman from Osaka, who is a fan of the Henshin Tigers. Used to have a fear of lightning, but this was cured after eating electric eel.
Natsumi Shinohara/ Yellow Racer: A genius mechanic at Pegasus Garage, Natsumi is able to fix any machine in minutes. She uses a legendary wrench given to her by her grandfather, who owned a garage. She also has the ability of dismantling things with uncanny speed and accuracy, as she once did to Naoki's bike when LL Onene had him under control by one of her headbands, by simply lying down on the ground and readying her tools as he cycled past her. Youko thinks of her as tomboyish in swimsuits. She tries to have a big sister-little brother relationship with Naoki, even though the idea does not quite appeal to him. Also, Natsumi fights with Kyousuke a lot because he doesn't take his leadership role seriously.
Youko Yagami/Pink Racer: She is the secretary at Pegasus Garage, calculating the expenses and payroll. Youko is very self-conscious about her weight because she loves to eat sweets, and frequently consults magazine fortune-telling articles to predict her future. She dreams of becoming an idol someday and marrying a rich husband, and has a terrible sense of direction.

Allies:

Dappu: An alien child from the planet Hazard, who holds a grudge against the Bowzock for destroying his planet, killing his mother and separating him from his father. Wields the mysterious Kurumagic power that empowers the Carrangers and serves as their mentor (which is important, since they’re all idiots and would likely fall apart without his guidance).
Signalman: An intergalactic officer, dispatched from the planet Police to deal with the Bowzock problem on Earth. He can sometimes be more of a hindrance than a help to the Carrangers. Because of his intense training in the rules of traffic, he never breaks traffic rules in any case, even if it conflicts with his sense of justice.

Biker Gang Bowzock: a band of thieves and whores who basically blow up planets for sh*ts and giggles. They want to destroy Earth (or as they call it, “Earf”) because they think it will make a nice fireworks show.

Reckless Dash Emperor Exhaus: An intergalactic biker lord, who has manipulated the Bowzock into destroying several planets under the alias of “Astrologer Suzugue” (pronounce it backwards, with the ‘e’ as a separate vowel). He intends Tod story the entire u fierce and build a Highway full of traffic violations.
President Gynamo: The leader of Bowzock who intends to destroy Earth, because his crush Zonette thinks destroying it would be beautiful. Among his powers include the ability to make vehicles sentient, which is one of the main means he is able to allow for the Bowzock to conquer many worlds through its mode of transportation.
Deputy Zelmoda: the second in command of the Bowzock and President Gynamo's friend. His main weapon is a sword made up of playing cards. He controls the Wumper minions for the Bowzock, generally releasing them from a jar whenever entering combat or employing them to drive the various vehicles alongside him when in driving combat with the Carranger.
Inventor Grotch: the technical genius (citation needed) of the Bowzock. He is responsible for many of the weapons used by the Bowzock such as the Fattening Spray and Forgetfulness Water-Gun, as well as for picking the imo-youkan, used to make the Bowzock grow. He was the one who discovered the imo-youkan by accident when making an investigation of Earth food alongside Ichitarou Tenma, the son of the owner of Pegasus Garage, and easily handled the Carranger by himself with little problem. Fortunately, the imo-youkan he ate had expired and wore off before either he or the Carrangers could do harm to each other.
Beauty Zonette: the sole female among Bowzock’s top brass. She often uses her feminine wiles and manipulative skills, and Gynamo's crush on her, for her own selfish pleasures. Zonnette instigated the events of the Carranger series by choosing Earth as the next planet to be destroyed by the Bowzock, wishing to see it explode like "a firework in space". This was shortly after the destruction of Planet Hazard, which had also been destroyed by the Bowzock. It was Zonnette's decision that ultimately lead a Hazardian survivor, Dapp, to find the five who would become the Carranger after sneaking onto their spacecraft. She fell madly in love with Red Racer at first sight after seeing him in action on a mission to Earth, but she thinks of Kyosuke (Red Racer's true form and identity) as an "ordinary, monkey-faced civilian", mostly due to how she believes that the Carrangers to whom they transform are their actual forms. Her true identity is that of Vanity Mirror Fanbelt, the elder of the princesses of Planet Fanbelt and big sister to Radietta.

What do I think of Carranger? Eh, I wasn’t that keen on its comedy most of the time. Most of the laughs I got were from some of the more lewder lines “Don’t play dumb. Licking Zonette’s ass is not important right now”) and premises (“This week, I’d like to suggest a clothing removal plan”). Sadly, they weren’t used much compared to the running gags, which got old quickly . And it doesn’t really help that other than Signalman, none of the characters have any memorable traits and are stuck with actors who don’t have much in the way of comedic chops.

As for the credits, this film, in what seems an unusual move in light of later VS movies seems like a bizarre choice, is handled by Carranger’s head writer Yoshio Urasawa (the guy who wrote that Abaranger episode that got dubbed into an episode of Dino Thunder) and producer Shigenori Taketera (who half seems intent on using this and his next two seasons as an audition tape to say “See, only I can successfully revive Kamen Rider.” Which he did, but that’s besides the point) Our director for this is Tarou Sakamoto, aka the only consistent part of the creative team throughout Kamen Rider Hibiki’s shelf life. With all that said, onto the movie.

We open with the usual opening titles. (Aside from some dialogue over the opening shot of the Carrangers running)

https://open.spotify.com/track/5eZYe...XQ&dl_branch=1

When you drive a car
with love in your heart
You can handle that curve,
this curve, or any curve
Da-da-da di-da-da du-da-da
With a roaring engine
Blow away your tears

Boy, don’t give up
And believe in yourself
You who dream and you who shine
Are the heroes of tomorrow

(Let’s go!)
Carranger! Carranger!
Let’s run towards the future
Step on the accelerator with courage! (Go! Go!)
Carranger! Carranger!
When we surpass our dreams
We will become the lights
Gekisou Sentai Carranger!

We open with our racing crew in the middle of another repair job (For all their faults, they’re at least dedicated to their work), while Kyosuke gets genre savvy with the ominous clouds.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E6bIfTxW...jpg&name=small

We cut to Bowzock’s lair, the Baribarian, where they aren’t planning to do anything at all, surprisingly enough. But Exhaus pops into view to change that.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E6bIfT8X...jpg&name=small

(Don’t ask why a biker gang uses cars. The show doesn’t explain it)

To rectify the problem, Exhaus provides them with a gasoline that will make anything filled with it run away from home, telling them to use it on ‘Earf’s’ cars. (Yes, it’s that kind of show).

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E6bIfT8X...jpg&name=small

To carry out the task, they call upon Bowzock’s number one gas station attendant (yeah, a lot of their monsters are number one in fields a biker gang doesn’t really require. It’s probably one of the few running gags that sticks), SS Satanzo.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E6bInP5W...jpg&name=small

Dapp receives an alert of a Bowzock appearance, dispatching the Carrangers to investigate. As they head off, Satanzo begins making cars run away from home (and gives them anti-physics powers in the process. Yes, it’s that kind of show).

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E6bInPjX...jpg&name=small

En route to the scene, the Carrangers disturb Signalman’s peace.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E6bInQBW...jpg&name=small

Luckily, they get him to focus on the more important matters.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E6bInP7X...jpg&name=small

As Satanzo reveals the whole plan and sends the Wumpers to attack, Signalman gets Red Racer to fly him into the air in the latter’s Pegasus Thunder car, whereupon Signalman calls upon his past experience with runaway kids to make the cars return home with his singing (I have no idea if he’s good or not, so I won’t make an obvious joke. But I will say “Yes, it’s that kind of show”). The plan foiled, the Carrangers return to their lives (Satanzo gets away before they can kill him) and as Satanzo receives punishment from Exhaus, Kyosuke returns the truck they were working on to its owner, walking home through a hot spring, where he sees a strange creature.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E6bIuxrW...jpg&name=small

After jumping to the logical conclusion that he’s not Bowzock because he isn’t setting the signal off, he sees two people (Goro and Yuji) walking through the woods.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E6bIuyHX...jpg&name=small

The pair’s scanner alerts them to the creature, who turns out to be Baranoia. As the Machine-Beast flees, Kyosuke gets knocked over by Goro and Yuji as they give chase.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E6bIux4X...jpg&name=small

The Baranoia gets chased to a beach, where Goro and Yuji corner him.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E6bIux9X...jpg&name=small

But before they can defeat Bara Mobile, Kyosuke barges in, shows ignorance of UAOH and Ohranger(How? They weren’t even a secret within the military) and decides to stand up for Bara Mobile because Goro and Yuji stepped on him, which Bara Mobile uses to get Kyosuke on his side, despite Yuji pointing out that he LOOKS evil. The other Carrangers show up to help out, as do Shouhei and Juri (Momo has been ordered to South America). And then Naoki gets a realisation.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E6bI4E-W...jpg&name=small

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E6bI4E9W...jpg&name=small

An argument soon breaks out between the two Sentai, resulting in both transforming to fight each other.

Carrangers: Gekisou! Accel Changer!

Ohranger: Choriki Henshin!

It’s at this point that Momo enters the movie, apparently breaking record speeds getting back to Japan.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E6bI4FnW...jpg&name=small

As she transforms to join the battle, the two do the abridged roll calls.

“Choriki Sentai Ohranger!”

“Fighting for Traffic Safety, Gekisou Sentai Caaaaarranger!”

At Baribarian, the Carranger alarm (that they have because… role reversal gag) sounds, which causes Satanzo to go and respond, in revenge for his earlier failed plot.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E6bI4FbX...jpg&name=small

But he’s not alone.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E6bJCtKX...jpg&name=small

Back on Earth, the two Sentai are fighting each other, set to Nijiro Crystal Sky, and Ohranger are winning (way to show off your own heroes, guys), which Bara Mobile uses as a chance to escape.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E6bJCtJX...jpg&name=small

Ohranger call in the Choriki Mobiles to form Ohranger Robo, to which the Carrangers call in the Ranger Vehicles to form RV Robo.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=GP6GH6SGGX8

In the ensuing fight, RV Robo gets whooped just as badly as the ground fight was going. And for added hilarity, they’re on the “bad guys” side of the fight (I guess not even the creative team are rooting for the Carrangers right now)

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E6bJCtDX...jpg&name=small

As the two robots’ swords prove evenly matched, the two Reds leave to go after Bara Mobile. During this fight, Bowzock show up, with Bara-Mobile wondering who’s side they’re on, to which Gynamo says this.

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Bara Mobile thus retreats behind Kyosuke, with Bowzock teaming up with Ohranger (this is certainly one of the most unique team ups, I’ll say that). And the chase is on.

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After getting a good way away, Kyosuke asks why Ohranger were chasing Bara Mobile.

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It turns out that Bara Mobile was working on combining cars with humans to create “car-humans” (or as my subs call them, car-sapiens). Why you ask?

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Kyosuke makes a call to ask Dapp what he thinks of this.

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He then stops the car, citing the moral lesson here.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E6bJWgUW...jpg&name=small

(That kindly Russian man living next door to you who looks semi-shady? He’s a spy. Turn him in)

He then has a moment of intelligence when Goro and the Bowzock show up.

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As Goro calls Kyosuke out on his lack of responsibility, Gynamo is now confused and asks if Bara Mobile is a bad guy or not?

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Exhaus thus decrees that “bad guys should help other bad guys”, giving his commands.

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The Bowzock thus begin attacking both Reds, much to Goro’s confusion.

Goro: These guys were helping me a while ago. Just who are they?

Kyosuke: They’re space bikers.

As the other Carrangers show up, Grotch tries to savagely grope the two girls (no, really. I’m only partially exaggerating), before Bara Mobile is forcefully dragged back to Baribarian. As Goro tries to give chase, his Red Jetter flies off on its own.

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And singing to it won’t work, since it’s too far away (if only one of them had a flying car).

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Satanzo shows up to laugh at their misfortune and try to kill them via arson (no, really). Kyosuke remembers that his car can fly, only to use it to defeat Satanzo to the point he retreats. The other members of Ohranger show up, and after being filled in on Goro’s location, Momo is very quick to point fingers (she’s right, but still).

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And she then makes it clear this won’t be something that will be forgotten about by next episode, like that time Kyosuke got fired from Pegasus for insulting the boss to his face.

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As Goro has become Zonette’s new eye candy, Gynamo and Bara Mobile shake hands to confirm their alliance. As the Carrangers have once more returned to business as usual, Miura shows up, apparently having done in minutes what it took Bowzock 46 episodes to not bother doing, to offer a plea bargain.

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As Kyosuke accepts, the others refuse to help out at all (our heroes, ladies and gentlemen). Until Miura insists that ALL must go through special training.

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After a montage where Miura teaches them the meanings of teamwork and peace on Earth the hard way, all are cleared (though ironically, Kyosuke is the last to pass the class) and fly into space in Ohranger Robo.

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After they reach Baribarian, they split up to find Goro, who is about to become the first car-human. Though Exhaus is planning to turn the Carrangers into more, so he can force them to work as cheap labour on his highway.

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As the Carrangers are captured two-by-two, Kyosuke, the last to be captured, saves the others (which only exacerbates how irrelevant the others are. I’ve mentioned any of their names only once so far), as Gynamo is confident they can deal with one person (mwah mwah). The 6 then make their way back to Earth in Ohranger Robo.

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They soon meet up with Yuji, Shouhei, Juri and Momo, who are not only already suited (I guess they couldn’t get their actors to film more scene out of suit?), but have apparently decided to forgive and forget, given how amiable they are to the Carrangers.

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But then Bara Mobile and SS Satanzo show up, kicking off the big crossover finale with a double team roll call.

Goro: OhRed!

Shouhei: OhGreen!

Yuji: OhBlue!

Juri: OhYellow!

Momo: OhPink!

All: Choriki Sentai Ohranger!

Kyosuke: Red Racer!

Naoki: Blue Racer!

Minoru: Green Racer!

Natsumi: Yellow Racer!

Yoko: Pink Racer!

All: Fighting for traffic safety, Gekisou Sentai Carranger.

After a short fight with the Wumpers, Bara Mobile is blasted with the Ohre Bazooka, while SS Satanzo is finished with the Giga Booster. But neither are out, as Bara Mobile spins his wheel and SS Satanzo eats Imocho imo-yokan, causing both to grow giant. Ohranger boards Ohranger Robo, while Kyosuke summons Victrailer to deploy the VRV Machines and form VRV Robo (It’s too bad Ohranger aren’t piloting OhBlocker in this fight). But in the midst of battle, a new challenger appears out of freaking nowhere.

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A fighter Exhaus is keen to identify.

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(Yes, it’s that kind of show)

As Noroshiron Special beats the tar out of the Carrangers and Ohranger, Miura and Dapp meet with an annoyed Signalman.

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The galactic officer summons his car Sirender, transforming it into its robot mode to join the fight. Sirender defeats Noroshiron Special with the Siren Vulcan, Ohranger Robo defeats Bara Mobile with the Crown Final Crash and VRV Robo uses Victrailer’s cannons to destroy SS Satanzo with the Victory Twiser, ending the battle in victory for our heroes.

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The movie ends with the two teams, their mentors and Signalman having fun at the beach, set to Carranger’s ED. (Get used to this kind of ending, because the next few will replicate it)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=ZjmAlj96vCU

The big boss puts on a scary look
And yells 'Keep it up, keep going'
We're living beings too
If we don't rest, we'll be all worn out

Let's have fun dancing samba
When battle's over, it's paradise
We dance our miseries from defeat away with the samba
And we forget them right then and there wahhahha

Two pigeons on a power line, make that three, samba
When there is love, this world will be a paradise
Good job guys, samba
Next time, victory will surely be ours
Don't kick so hard, okay?
Sometimes you ought to lose too, okay?

Final thoughts: So this is the first crossover produced with the intent of being a crossover. It’s nothing particularly great, with SS Satanzo and Noroshiron Special in particular feeling tacked on. But I do find it hilarious that a movie made by the Carranger crew made Ohranger look better, given that the Carrangers not only don’t get much time to shine other than Kyosuke, but they’re pretty much the real bad guys here, let’s not kid ourselves. And I do like that Bara Mobile could legitimately fit into both series and not feel out of place in either.

And I’ll close this review by saying “Yes, it IS that kind of show”.

The challenge: Which villain group do you think would cross over with the hero from a different show?

Personally I think the first episode alone doesn't do the show justice. Not a matter of good or bad per se, but they don't showcase everything. Episode 2 is where the villains are introduced so definitely best to watch the first two as if it was a two-parter. And if you are an Evangelion fan, you are in for a treat cause the recurring guest character Kyoko is played by Yuko Miyamura aka the voice of Asuka in the original Japanese dub of Evangelion. She apparently is a huge toku fan.

I'm now up to episode 31 of Kyuranger and I think out of everyone among the main nine, Balance along with Naga and Champ are my favorite rangers of this series. I also really liked Kotaro and Xiao Longbao has pretty much grown on me ever since that two-parter where he becomes Draco Commander for the first time.

Commander Dumplings is one of the best commanders around. Suit is cool too. :rock:
And them dad jokes.

I’ve watched more since last time, and I’m actually really digging it now! I really like how this show emphasizes rescuing civilians, it is a really refreshing take for a Sentai show.

I'm now up to episode 42 of Kyuranger. I should be able to finish this series tomorrow if not today.

~Fish's Zenkai Tour!~

Episode 20 – Gekisou Sentai Carranger

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When I first got done watching Carranger a few years back, I said I'd recommend it to anyone with a pulse, and while that's an exaggeration, the statement still speaks to to how enthusiastic the series made me feel. So what's the appeal of this particular show, then, that I'd make such a bold claim about it like that? Carranger is popular enough that a lot of you won't need me explaining, but, to take things back to the starting line...

After Ohranger, Super Sentai was in the market for a new chief producer to helm the next show, and a guy who was already one of the producers on Ohranger was a natural choice for a promotion. Which meant that Carranger would be helmed by none other than Shigenori Takatera, a man who never met a tradition he wasn't willing to break for the sake of his artistic vision. An auteur, if you will. Fans of Kamen Rider will know him, by name or not, for the groundbreaking work he did on Kuuga, as well as the equally distinctive style he lent Hibiki prior to that series' infamous change in staff. But Carranger was the very first show he was in charge of, and while I'd never given it much thought before... you can tell it was him!

Carranger is well known and often highly regarded as a full-blown self-parody of Sentai. It goes way further into outlandish comedic territory than even Kakuranger did, and the sheer level of irreverence it displays is hard to imagine coming from anything other than a crew with so much fresh talent, and so little restraint. Yoshio Urasawa in particular, the guy Takatera picked as the show's main writer, was someone who hadn't even watched a Sentai before, let alone wrote for one, so he ended up just doing whatever he felt like. (Needless to say, Takatera deeply respects Urasawa.) And considering his background as a prolific writer for the Toei Fushigi Comedy Series, it should go without saying that he felt like writing some zany scripts! He was apparently especially proud of coming up with the whole "fighting for traffic safety!" catchphrase of the team.

Hard to blame him when that line is such a clear summation of everything Carranger is about. It's a real attention grabber, and a microcosm of how Urasawa's writing hides genuine brilliance behind equally genuine foolishness. A funny joke because of what an absurd thing that is for a team of superheroes to focus on, but also something that neatly reflects the duality of Carranger's style, in that there's nothing in there explicitly telling you it's meant to be silly. It's a line that's always delivered with utter seriousness, and the beauty of Carranger is how it can walk this fine line between "exposing" the ridiculous nature of hero tokusatsu and simply being the exact thing it's making fun of. Where exactly the irony begins and ends is often left to the viewer's interpretation.

For an example of what I'm talking about, the very first line of the entire series is narration introducing us to a peaceful and harmonious planet... named Hazard. The show doesn't make a comment on the irony of this, as it's far too busy giving a completely straight-faced fantasy prologue about a world under siege by villains, and a brave young survivor who will undertake a quest to unite five heroes of prophecy to put a stop to the evil that destroyed his home. Granted, I guess that planet sure became a hazard around the time it got blown up, but the name itself, it's part of this grand mythology the show establishes for itself... that just so happens to be themed exclusively around cars and traffic. There's a surprising level of detail and consistency to the world-building in Carranger that might feel familiar to fans of Takatera's other shows, it's just that here it's all completely nonsensical, and entirely in support of more nonsense. Cars aren't some contemporary, grounded and relatable motif for Carranger; they're literally magic.

And yet, on the flipside of all this, the protagonists and villains alike are as ordinary as can be. The bad guys for the season are nothing grander than a bunch of common street thugs (but from space), almost adorable in their ineptitude, despite posing a legitimate threat. And the heroes? Despite the destiny that awaits them, they're introduced griping about their boring ordinary jobs working at a garage together, and their fearless leader even complains that he isn't getting paid enough to protect peace in the universe on the side. In my favorite moment of the entire premiere, their mentor figure has to literally drag them onto the battlefield, tied up by a rope and everything, because they're all being *that* uncooperative. And they STILL need convincing to transform and fight. It's all pretty genius.

I remember this being another premiere that didn't leave the absolute best first impression, and it wasn't until a bit in that I started to realize how great the show was, but going back with all that knowledge, it's way easier to appreciate everything happening here. Carranger has enough layers that trying to paint a whole picture of it in one episode was going to be a difficult task, and I think they picked their priorities as well as they could have. The big sacrifice is the more thorough characterization that gradually takes shape from this point on, but in exchange, you get a great feel for the overall tone and atmosphere of the series. There's a lot of absurdity, a lot of chaos, a lot of destruction, and even a not insignificant amount of genuine heroic determination.

The last one in particular is greatly helped along by one of the other new people Takatera brought on to Sentai, composer Toshihiko Sahashi. His soundtracks excel at being at once grandiose, heart-pounding, and more than a little jazzy, while "merely" being fantastic at everything else, making him a natural fit for a show as varied as Carranger. Sahashi is one of several people I'm extremely grateful Takatera got involved with the franchise, and while my bias is showing as I say this, I completely understand why he went with him as the composer for nearly every show he was a producer on after this.

If it's tricky to sum up Carranger in one episode, then summing it up in one post isn't easy either. Again, I think it's a surprisingly complex series in a lot of ways, but I suppose the simplest thing to say about it is that it's rather charming. Or like, is "inviting" a good word, maybe? There's something easy to get into about a show that starts each episode with a genuinely uplifting heroic anthem, ends with a relaxing jam about the monsters partying away the humiliation of defeat, and can have any number of absurd(ly cool) happenings between. It kinda snuck up on me how much I actually liked Carranger as I was watching it, but its distinctive style has always had a fond place in my heart ever since.