In my experience the people who talk down Gaoranger have never seen Wild Force, whereas those who've seen Wild Force like Gaoranger just fine.

(Wild Force is great by the way)

I think in a way I'm the opposite, even though Wild Force is a close adaptation on paper, in practice I mostly just like the teamups and the Merrick stuff whereas some of the things that annoyed me in Wild Force seemed somehow less obnoxious in Gaoranger e.g. you don't have characters like Cole or Max! Plus GaoSilver's debut scene was just so epically executed, I remember the first time I saw it on youtube in like late 05 or something lol! I'm not saying Gaoranger is like the best ever or anything, Timeranger was hard to live up to for me and maybe 3 years without a pink warrior was a bit long but it's surprisingly enjoyable for what it is and as always the soundtrack is on point.

Another notable thing is that it’s the first series where the sixth Ranger got his face in the title sequence. Zyuranger through Gingaman never treated the role as anything more than a glorified guest star, while Timeranger added their’s at too short a notice to modify the titles beyond adding the suit.

Ahh yes, Gaoranger. The first time where a pool cue was deadly and also could change into a gun. :lolol
Really the show is a milestone show at its core. Keep in mind this is 2001, the new millenium. And they did a lot of new things we take for granted or are fed up with at this point. The auxiliary mecha concept especially, that was quite the game changer compared to the 20th century. No longer did people need to play with the same set of vehicles or animals till the tsuika senshi or bangai senshi debuted at least months later, cause they constantly fed the consumers toy after toy in small doses. And it definitely boosted the play value I think. Made use of existing products too as demonstrated with Gao Muscle.
Also the Jetman palette was back after 7 years and was the first time the Jetman palette had a traditional hue for the blue ranger unlike Blue Swallow or Ninja Blue suits that used a lighter blue.

Just finished episode 32 of Ryusoulger and for some reason, I'm already feel like I need a break from watching this series and it's honestly a shame too since it did start off somewhat promising thanks to the appearances of Gaisorg and Ryusouls Black and Green during the events of the Super Sentai Strongest Battle mini-series. The latter two in particular have since ended up becoming my favorite rangers of this series.

I replaced my Blu Ray player yesterday so now I can get caught up to Kira Mage.

Right now having finished Go Busters I'm watching

Kyo Ryu
To Quger

as they're the next 2 series.

I'm on #25 of Ryu Soul as well actually.

I've actually liked the series dating back to Hurri.

I'll see Zen Kai Ranger in 2022 after they air the last week.

To Qu

I'm on #18 and Orange Ranger has joined the team but is kind of a lone wolf who fights and then is gone. Orange Ranger isn't the 1st one to change sides.

In Ninja Storm Blake and Hunter had become good. Did this happen in Hurri? I haven't gotten to that point quite yet.

Short answer: Yes.

Well then I'm happy to keep that trend going!

The thing is... auxiliary mecha are basically just form changes for Sentai robots? It worked for Tiga, and it worked for Kuuga, so it's not too surprising it worked for Gaoranger. Of course, it also helps that Gaoranger did it so well; people still hold its designs in such high esteem for a reason.

Oh, speaking of the colors! I learned from the usual Wikipedia reading I like to do now that in Gaoranger's case, the color line-up was pulled from colors that I guess are associated with the Five Phases, thus emphasizing the whole connection to nature the team has? I thought that was super neat, to find out this team I've been seeing for nearly two decades now can have some secret hidden in plain sight like that. Stuff like this is part of why I love toku so much.

Yes, for sure. But we gotta remember, this was 2001. And prior to Gaoranger interaction amongst DX robots would mostly be just more combining, but no interchangability really, at least not intentionally. That was the game changer right there. The DX power animals being form changes pretty much like you said for the robots elevated the play value at the time cause it also meant people can try out other combinations not shown on TV as well. Now people were able to try out things such as a Gao Muscle instead of the two bears it is tiger and shark, or a Gao Icarus which instead of giraffe and deers would be wolf and sawshark, etc.

I had gotten the Shout Factory sets then got the Malaysian releases to catch up to Kira Mage.

I'm almost half finished with To Qu at present. Half finished with Ryu Soul.

Apparently finishing my Kuuga rewatch was just not enough for me today, so I also wrapped up watching GoGoFive. Well, okay, technically I finished in the early hours of the next day, but still.

It was... pretty decent I guess? There were parts of it that were genuinely really excellent and others that were just... not. I loved the search and rescue theme, but it dropped off a lot later on in the show, which was definitely disappointing to me. Yet at the same time, it didn't do much that was explicitly awful either, so I had a pretty good time. I wanted to like the cast and enjoyed watching them a lot of the time, but I also felt like they rarely got to stand on their own as characters besides Matoi. It was a weird experience overall and I just feel conflicted on it.

Well I'm sorry to say I was not a fan of GoGoFive, I expected not to like it that much anyway which may have coloured my view but I was disappointed and basically the sole highlights for me were Kyoko Hayase and that GoYellow episode referenced in Gao v SS!

And we?re back with another instalment of?

Androzani?s Tsukai Detour

This one?s going up earlier than usual due to the length of both the movie and the finished review, so let?s begin our review of?

Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger vs Super Sentai

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-CuAcKW...jpg&name=small

?Demons that are born from evil hearts, the Orgs corrupt nature and tried to destroy all life. It's up to the Gaorangers to stop their schemes; five warriors chosen by the Power Animals who protect the Earth, the Gaorangers use Gao Soul and natural animal powers to fight the Orgs.?

There are those that destroy nature and try to destroy all life. The Hyakjujuu Sentai Gaoranger are five youths chosen by the holy power, Power Animals, that protect the Earth. Land, sky, sea. With various animal power movements, they fight the evil group Org. The Gaorangers' weapons hold the Power Animal's energy. When their five weapons combine, the giant finishing sword Haja HyakujuuKen is formed. It has the power to cut Orgs in half.

Gaoranger:

Kakeru Shishi/GaoRed: Known as the Blazing Lion, Red is a veterinarian chosen by GaoLion to lead the Gaorangers and become GaoRed. He is highly compassionate with the ability to talk to animals, and controls GaoLion and GaoGorilla.
Gaku Washio/GaoYellow: Known as the Noble Eagle, Yellow was the first Gaoranger recruited and spent a year working alone with Tetomu. He often clashes with Red because he resents being replaced as the team leader, though eventually their rivalry cools. Controls GaoEagle, GaoPolar and GaoBear.
Kai Samezu/GaoBlue: Known as the Surging Shark, Blue is the youngest male on the team and a former "freeter" who has a close friendship with Black. He controls GaoShark and GaoGiraffe.
Sotaro Ushigome/GaoBlack: Known as the Iron Bison, Black is a former sumo wrestler-turned-florist's assistant who is best friends with Blue. Despite being The Big Guy he is actually very sweet (unless you threaten the people he cares about) and scares easily. He controls GaoBison.
Sae Taiga/GaoWhite: Known as the Belle Tiger, White is the youngest team member and the only girl. She is a martial arts student from Kagoshima and the heiress to a dojo there. Controls GaoTiger and GaoElephant.

Legendary Super Sentai:
Yusuke Amamiya/Red Falcon: A poor student of Academia. When Kenji, Gou, and Rui had joined up with a terrorist unit called Brain Army Volt, Yuusuke swore to destroy them for the loss of two of his four friends, not to mention the destruction of the entire college.
Daimon Tatsumi/GoYellow: see here
Gouki/GingaBlue: see [ here
Miku Imamura/Mega Pink: see here
Banba Soukichi/Big One: see here

Allies:
Gao Priestess Tetom: the 1022-year-old Gao Priestess of the Animarium who serves as mentor to the current Gaoranger team, succeeding the role from her great-grandmother, Murasaki. She lives in Gao Rock and lies dormant within the holy spring when there is no mission. She has an abnormal ability to power electronics with only her touch.

Oni Tribe Org: A clan of demons born from the negative emotions of humans, who waged war with the Power Animals 3000 years ago. They have been rebirthed in the modern era by a statue known as the Org Master.

Duchess Org TsueTsue: one of two Duke Orgs that serve the Highness Dukes and an arrogant Org priestess who has powerful magical abilities. She developed an instant hatred of GaoWhite for calling her "Grandma" (「お祖母さん」 "Obāsan"). She and Yabaiba are often the comic relief. She is in charge of reviving and enlarging the Baron Orgs by using special soybeans called Org Seeds (オルグシード Orugu Shīdo) fired from her staff and chanting, Org Seeds, please allow the fallen to regain their enormous wicked power! Ogres Come in! Blessings go out!! (オルグシードよ、消 きmえゆかんとする邪悪 じゃあく に再 ふたた び巨大 きょだい なる力 ちから を！鬼 おに は内 うち！福 ふくは外そと‼ Orugu-shīdo yo, kieyukan to suru jāku ni futatabi kyodai naru chikara wo! Oni wa uchi! Fuku wa soto!!).
Duke Org Yabaiba: A crazed pierrot-like master of knives who claimed himself to be GaoYellow's greatest rival (Though the feeling wasn't mutual). He commonly blurts out That's yabai-bad! (これはヤバイバ！ Kore wa yabai-ba!) whenever things got wrong for him and the other Orgs. He is always seen with his partner Duchess Org Tsuetsue, always trying to impress his Highness Duke Org masters.

What do I think of Gaoranger? As one of the first seasons I watched (the fifth, to be precise), I?ve got a bit of a soft spot for it. Helps that it features some funny gags and interesting plot developments. And the fact that we don?t know the heroes? real names for much of the show makes their friendship moments stand out all the more.

As for the movie itself, the writer is Masanao Akahoshi, who wrote a few episodes of Gaoranger, but is better known for his work on a couple of obscure card game anime (Cardfight Vanguard, Duel Masters and Future Card Buddyfight), in addition to A Certain Magical Index. The directors chair is filled by Noboru Takemoto, who I can?t find any major credits for, beyond some other Sentai movies. With all of that said, it?s on with the review.

We open with a shot of the Earth with shots of every previous villain group (For the uninformed, and as listed by the extended ED, that?s KuroJuji Army, CRIME, Egos, the Vader Clan, Black Magma, Deathdark, Jashinka, Gear, Gozma, Mess, Tube, Volt, Bōma Hundred Tribes, Zone, Vyram, Bandora, Gorma, Youkai Army, Baranoia, Bowzock, Nezirejia, Barban, Psyma Clan and Londarz). The narrator explains that Earth has been attacked multiple times over the years, and every time, it has been defended. It then introduces us to the current conflict in the most epic way possible: the Gaoranger theme tune.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=gpR71GjM...HHY6XNkORiBSxh

Roar! Pounce at them!
Roar! Take a bite!
Roar! Shout! Roar! Defeat!
Roar! Roar! Graaahhh!!

The spirits of the beasts
Are spirits that resound together
Sharpen your five senses
To open up the sleeping power
Roar-rar, roar-rar
Roar-rar, roar-rar
(Gaoranger!)

Let the noble war cry rise!
In order to protect the lives of the Earth
Roar! More! Roar! Stronger!
Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger
Wraaahhh! Roar!!

As the Gaorangers fight their way through the Orgettes, Tsuetsue and Yabaiba realise that they?re close to their (conspicuously unnamed) objective. Sure enough, after the Orgettes have been dealt with, something begins to stir.

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The two Duke Orgs are filled with power, being granted golden horns.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-CuAcPX...jpg&name=small

And it?s not just them, as the Orgettes gain bigger horns through the same deal (No, I am not making that joke).

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-CuAcXX...jpg&name=small

A rematch ensues and? well, these two lines of dialogue should tell you how that goes.

Yellow: Impossible! Yabaiba?s sword? is stronger than mine?

Tsuetsue: Little Kitten, if you?d like to apologise, then now?s the time.

Red sees the others dying before him? which he quickly realises is an illusion and wakes up to see the others in a trance.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-Cudk_X...jpg&name=small

Tendrils appear and Red decides to play the role of heroic knight and save the girl (White). But he forgets the other rule of fairy tale heroes. He doesn?t slay the metaphorical dragon, who still attacks the other three.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-CudlAW...jpg&name=small

Said metaphorical dragon then reveals its existence (eagle eyed viewers may recognise it as the same costume used for Ultimate Org Hyakkimaru in the series proper (or for Wild Force fans, the original Master Org).

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-CudlDW...jpg&name=small

As Red realised he was the source of the illusions, Yabaiba and Tsuetsue introduce their new friend as the Fallen Highness, Rakusha (What, does he post online about how Megatron is the real hero of Transformers and the Autobots are the real villains?). As Tetom observes this and literally knocks herself out, the others (sans White) become uncharacteristically scared of their shadow.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-CudlSX...jpg&name=small

Tsuetsue explains that in the past, Rakusha absorbed too much power into his horn and fell into hibernation, requiring the warrior spirits of truly strong warriors to revive (So the Orgs think the Gaorangers are truly strong. Good to know). Red has White get the others to safety as Rakusha decides to devour his warrior?s spirit through more illusions of despair.

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As Red is attacked by the inhabitants of the illusionary city, White gets the others to a temple.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-CvIpMX...jpg&name=small

(Did you miss that part where Rakusha and Tsuetsue explained it? Good god, girl)

As White tries to think what to do next, everyone gets greeted by a monk.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-CvIpdX...jpg&name=small

The monk presents White with a rose, giving her a colourful metaphor as a bonus.

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The man explains to an impatient White that all of this is a metaphor for how over the last half a century, the world has been prevented from destruction from heroes of 5 colours. Unfortunately, the cowardly Blue, Black and Yellow take the wrong lesson from this.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-CwJ8_X...jpg&name=small

White gets even more annoyed with them and tries to take it out on the old monk? who has vanished.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-CwJ9MW...jpg&name=small

Then the G-Phones leap out of everyone?s pockets (even White?s), assume their animal forms and zoom off, with all 4 giving chase.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-Cz1i0X...jpg&name=small

Back in the illusion, Red is attacked by the police, who turn out to be Baron Orgs (the only police we SHOULD be defunding). Specifically, his old adversaries Signal Org (from Quest 8) and Turbine Org (from Quest 1).

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-Cz1iuW...jpg&name=small

The citizens then turn out to be Plugma Org (also from Quest 1), Tire Org (from Quest 5) and Bulldozer Org (from Quest 10).

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-Cz1jBX...jpg&name=small

As Red gets beaten up further, White chases her G-Phone (pleading that she can still fight) to an arcade, where it gets picked up by a woman exiting (and the soundtrack switches from Kotaro Nakagawa?s jazzy tunes to Keiichi Oku?s score for Megaranger)

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-Cz1jKW...jpg&name=small

Blue meanwhile pursues his to a police station, where he sees an irate police officer and runs forward? causing the officer to judo throw him.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-CwzyFW...jpg&name=small

Blue is impressed enough to request that the officer teach him his ways, to which the man shows confusion, but ultimately accepts. (And the soundtrack shifts to an orchestral fanfare, courtesy of Toshiyuki Watanabe). Meanwhile, Yellow?s G-Phone takes him to an island where a lone visitor sits at 4 gravestones (don?t get the wrong idea. These are all secondary characters, not his teammates).

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-CwzyIW...jpg&name=small

Yabaiba and his Orgettes show up, with the former mocking his rival over the fact they?re at a graveyard? which angers the visitor, who unfortunately for Yabaiba and co is Yusuke Amamiya of Choujuu Sentai Liveman (cue Tatsumi Yano?s Liveman transformation theme)

Yusuke: Red! Falcon!

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-CwzySX...jpg&name=small

As Yusuke?s swordsmanship drives off the intruders, Yellow asks to learn from him, to which Yusuke accepts more readily. As Black gets cornered by Orgettes in the woods, Toshihiko Sahashi?s orchestral themes kick in as Gouki of Seijuu Sentai Gingaman, transformed as GingaBlue, saves him.

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Black then requests Gouki teach him, as we cut back to Red struggling with the illusionary Orgs, managing to overpower them and get away? only to run into Wedding Dress Org (from Quest 6), Ship Org (from Quest 7) and Cellphone Org (from Quest 9). Meanwhile, White?s new friend, Miku from Denji Sentai Megaranger, doesn?t immediately return the G-Phone, instead taking her on a wild ride as they escape from Tsuetsue by sneaking into a girls-only high school dressed as students.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-CxBjhW...jpg&name=small

Unfortunately, Tsuetsue finds them easily, forcing Miku to drag them into a girls-only swimming pool (which they have time to get to because someone throws a monk?s staff at Tsuetsue to trip her), dressed as swimmers. White finally manages to get a word, asking what the heck is with these instant clothes changes.

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Miku then gives us a montage of previous female warriors doing costume changes (did I mention this movie was also a clip show?)

Peggy Matsuyama explains the disguises she assumed to fool Bird Comb Kamen (Himitsu Sentai Gorenger episode 57: The Black Encircling Net! Five-faced Peggy).

Akira Momoi engages in a costume changing battle with Deathmaskular (Denshi Sentai Denziman episode 43: The Puzzling Spectrum Lady).

Miki Momozono tricks Cactus Mozoo, dressed as a flamenco dancer (Dai Sentai Goggle V episode 20: The Flower of Death: Poison Cactus). She later dresses up as various dolls. (Episode 22: Attack of the Cursed Dolls).

Rei Tachibana infiltrates Toad Shinka?s captured brides (Kagaku Sentai Dynaman episode 13: The Kidnapped Brides).

Hikaru Katsuragi and Jun Yabuki distract Monster and Zyuoh dressed as a policewoman and a cowgirl respectively (Choudenshi Bioman episode 45: Escape! The Town of Traps!).

Sayaka Nagisa and Mai Tsubasa dress as schoolgirls to thwart the plans of Space Beast-Warrior Marzo (Dengeki Sentai Changeman episode 6: The Targeted High School Girls).

Haruka and Momoko explain how they fooled Kiros by posing as his brainwashed servants and robbing banks (Hikari Sentai Maskman episode 41: Female Thieves Haruka and Momoko).

Haruna Morikawa reveals her deception to Zulten and Poison Bōma (Kousoku Sentai Turboranger episode 20: Haruna of the Bōma Tribe).

Mei and Lamie engage in a cosplay battle (Kyoryu Sentai Zyuranger episode 38: Princess Mei?s Seven Changes).

Tsuruhime fights Youkai Kamaitachi as part of the Punishment Sailor Sisters (Ninja Sentai Kakuranger episode 35: The Three Punishment Sisters).

Juri Nijou fights off Baros under the command of Bara-Clothes dressed in a bikini (Choriki Sentai Ohranger episode 23: The Last Swimsuit). Later, Momo Mario battles wearing a kimono (Episode 24: The Laughing Nostalgia Man).

Matsuri Tatsumi tests Death Warrior Beast Thanatos? fear of women (Kyukyu Sentai GoGoV episode 33: An Innocent Psyma Warrior).

Yuri deliberately increases her sex appeal to help Tatsuya Asami, Domon and Ayase escape the thrall of Marriage Swindler Barbara (Mirai Sentai Timeranger Case File 22: Pink Temptation, 16/07/2000)

It?s then that the narrator chimes in with his thoughts on all this arguable inappropriateness.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-CxBjiW...jpg&name=small

Miku then clarifies that female warriors actually have a variety of unique skills, in particular, their creativity in battle. Cue another montage, set to two legacy songs: Sexual Lady from Choudenshi Bioman and Seishun Circuit from Gekisou Sentai Carranger (I have no idea why they went with the latter, since it doesn?t fit with the montage).

https://youtube.com/watch?v=8dSM3MOu...ZZaT6hD_bMx2Es

https://youtube.com/watch?v=9vZ6SyaL...yKQp6LVFdntgp0

Highlights include:

DenziPink fences Deathmaskular (see above)

DynaPink defeats Toad Shinka with the Rose Finale (see above)

ChangeMermaid and ChangePhoenix blast Marzo with the Double Hurricane Sword (see above)

Sara/Yellow Flash and Lou/Pink Flash force the male Flashman to take on Beast Warrior the Gerzol (Choushinsei Flashman episode 5: In the Care of the Female Warriors)

Yellow Mask and Pink Mask defeat Hariga Doggler with their combined attacks (see above)

Pink Turbo and Youhei Hama/Blue Turbo take down Poison Bōma together (see above)

Remi Hoshikawa/FiveYellow takes down Tanukitsunegin (Chikyuu Sentai Fiveman episode 31: Dangerous Mother). Later, FivePink finds and defeats Chamelesarugin (episode 41: Scary Date)

Kaori Rolumeikan/White Swan uses her Swanny Attack to strike down Prediction Jigen (Chojin Sentai Jetman episode 19: I Can See). Later, Ako Hayasaka confuses Maria with her Swallow Acrobatics (Episode 21: Walking Garbage)

PteraRanger saves Boi/TigerRanger from the fake PteraRanger (Kyoryu Sentai Zyuranger episode 46: Presenting! The Vicious Sentai)

Ninja White defeats Kamaitachi (see above)

OhPink blasts BaraMagma with her Senko: Miracle Sekoudan (Choriki Sentai Ohranger episode 13: Illusions! Dog of the Gods!)

Yoko Yagami/Pink Racer overpowers PP Rappa (Gekisou Sentai Carranger episode 11: The Overweight of Fury). Later, Natsumi Shinohara/Yellow Racer takes her wrench back from MM Shurisuki (Episode 44: The Persistent Chicken Violent Dash Chase!)

Chisato Jougasaki/Mega Yellow and Koichiro Endo/Mega Black team up against Stingray Nezire (Denji Sentai Megaranger episode 2: Look! Our Galaxy Mega!)

Saya/GingaPink takes down Fudasoujou (Seijuu Sentai Gingaman Chapter 14: Two Sayas?)

And TimePink defeats Barbara (see above).

Miku then explains the moral of this montage.

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As the two girls decide to swim, Tsuetsue stands up (was she sitting there throughout those two montages?) with a counter-moral.

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The other swimmers then turn out to be Orgettes.

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Miku and White make their escape as Tsuetsue is tripped up when a monk?s hat is thrown at her. Elsewhere, Red makes an observation about his opponents.

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As he transforms to fight them, Gouki refuses to train Black, pointing out there are other strong Sentai warriors that are better teachers than him, with a montage set to ?Blue Togetherness? from Bioman.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=ukwnjJq4...k1DS7gNQHlSEcc

Highlights include:

Ken Hoshikawa/FiveBlue attacks his Gingaman (not that Gingaman, a different one) counterpart with the Rolling Array (Chikyuu Sentai Fiveman episode 9: Gingaman Appear)

Raita Ooshi/Yellow Owl beats down Fashion Jigen with a boulder (Chojin Sentai Jetman episode 9: Muddy Love)

Goushi/MammothRanger beats down Dora Chimera with his Moth Breaker (Kyoryu Sentai Zyuranger episode 44: Swordswoman! Japan?s Best)

Shouhei Yokkaichi/OhGreen beats down Baros under the command of BaraDevil (Choriki Sentai Ohranger episode 16: Naughty! The Future Child)

And TimeYellow swings Serial Kidnapper Nabal into the wall (Mirai Sentai Timeranger Case File 4: The Hostage is an Alien, 15/03/2000).

Gouki then calls himself immature compared to them, thinking back on his reluctance to leave the Ginga Forest (as seen in Gingaman episode 2).

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-CxkkDX...jpg&name=small

After hearing out Black?s problems, Gouki walks away and almost haphazardly steps on a flower. And since saving a flower is the mark of a true hero in Tokusatsu, Black rushes to stop him? which is what Gouki was banking on.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-Cxkj9X...jpg&name=small

Back in the illusion world, Red de-powers Wedding Dress Org by throwing water onto his candle-sword, so it won?t light, like Black did last time.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-Cx4U7W...jpg&name=small

In the middle of training with Daimon Tatsumi of Kyukyu Sentai GoGoV to learn Banda-Ryu martial arts, Blue learns that milk is at the centre of learning the style, with Daimon recounting the time the style?s greatest technique was used against him by the Psyma beast Spartan (as seen in episode 36 of GoGoV).

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-Cx4VKW...jpg&name=small

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Daimon then explains to Blue that his techniques failing against the enemy is not just because they?ve gotten stronger, but because Blue has become weaker. Cue a montage of warriors using different techniques, set to ?My Heart is Dreaming? from Kagaku Sentai Dynaman and ?Let Your Heart Dance Gracefully? from Kousoku Sentai Turboranger.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=36jLDSSu...jbNMvBdqEwwv1R

https://youtube.com/watch?v=6zTDcs3V...8b4tFzAeoYb3j1

Highlights include:

Blue Turbo and Pink Turbo simultaneously kick Zulten (same episode as the girls montages)

Fumiya Hoshikawa/FiveBlack takes on his Gingaman counterpart (same episode as the strength montage)

TigerRanger uses his newly developed Tiger Bunshin to defeat Dora Ninja (Kyoryu Sentai Zyuranger episode 35: Ninja Warrior, Boi)

While Kazu/KirinRanger and Shouji/TenmaRanger fight off the Cotpotros, Daigo/ShishiRanger takes down Key Jester (Gosei Sentai Dairanger episode 4: We Were Naive!!)

Yuji Mita/OhBlue weakens BaraRevenger with his Gekitotsu: Rolling Bomber (Choriki Sentai Ohranger episode 15: O Friend, Sleep Hotly!!)

And Naoki Domon/Blue Racer outmanoeuvres LL Onene (Gekisou Sentai Carranger episode 10: A Great Reversal!! Bicycle Training)

Daimon explains that every warrior has a heart that?s been trained, so they can use their body. Blue doesn?t understand, so he puts it in layman?s terms.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-Cx4VOW...jpg&name=small

Having realised his faults, Blue redoubles his resolve and takes a swig of milk straight from the carton (well that?s just disgusting). Meanwhile, Red uses Blue?s diving technique to take out Ship Org.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-CyeXdX...jpg&name=small

Back at Academy Island, as Yellow struggles with Yusuke?s training, his teacher gets annoyed, telling him that he needs to get over his fear of dying, speaking from his own experience with Ken Zuno (as seen in episode 23 of Liveman)

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

And after that, it?s time for one more montage, set to ?Wings of Dreams? from Taiyou Sentai Sun Vulcan. This time, it?s about sword fighters.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=414LMDyA...6mxGQOpyNpXZ9v

Highlights include:

Hiryu Tsurugi/Change Dragon defeats Adjutant Booba at sunset (Dengeki Sentai Changeman episode 52: Booba Dies on Earth)

Jin/Red Mask takes down The Zeragill with his Prism Seiken (Choushinsei Flashman episode 38: The Day Jin Dies?!)

Takeru/Red Mask takes down Igua Doggler with his Masky Blade (Hikari Sentai Maskman episode 1: The Mysterious, Beautiful Runaway)

Daichi Yamagata/Black Tubro outmanoeuvres and overcomes Minokasa Bōma with his Turbo Laser (Kousoku Sentai Turboranger episode 5: The Samurai Town)

Super FiveRed takes down Galaxy Swordsman Billion with his Five Tector/V-Sword Attack combo (Chikyuu Sentai Fiveman episode 46: The Whereabouts of Our Parents)

Gai Yuki/Black Condor slashes at Grey with his Bringer Sword (Chojin Sentai Jetman episode 39: Spin, Roulette of Life)

Armored TyrannoRanger uses the Zyusouken with the Ryugekiken to cut off Dora Unicorn?s horn (Kyoryu Sentai Zyuranger episode 45: The Foolish Boy)

Kou/KibaRanger takes down Lady Earringg with the Byakkoshinken (Gosei Sentai Dairanger episode 18: Himitsu no Byakko-chan)

Saizou/Ninja Blue confronts and defeats Youkai Amikiri with his Kakuremaru (Ninja Sentai Kakuranger episode 17: The Demon Sword and Underwear)

Kyosuke Jinnai/Red Racer faces ZZ Gyuri with his Fender Sword on top of RV Robo (Gekisou Sentai Carranger episode 32: RV Robo?s Wrong Way Reversal)

Yusaku Hayakawa/Mega Silver takes down Moray Nezire with the Silver Blazer (Denji Sentai Megaranger: Made It! Time Limit: 2.5 Minutes!)

Ryouma/GingaRed uses his SenkouSeijuuKen: Honoo Issen to finish off Sword General Budoh (Seijuu Sentai Gingaman Chapter 24: The Tenacity of Budoh)

And Naoto Takizawa/TimeFire captures Arms Smuggler Hammer with his DV Defender?s DV Refreezer attack. (Mirai Sentai Timeranger Case File 29: The New Fiery Warrior, 28/08/2000)

As the montage ends, Red defeats the illusion of Cellphone Org the way Yellow beat the real one.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-CyeYbX...jpg&name=small

Back in the forest, Gouki reveals he ignored the flower on purpose to teach this lesson.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-CyeYmW...jpg&name=small

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-CyocqX...jpg&name=small

Black then realises he has something to protect: All life on Earth under threat from the Orgs. As Blue manages to overpower Daimon and gain the confidence to take on the Orgettes as GaoBlue, Yellow regains his spine and takes on Red Falcon in a real sword fight.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-Cyoc4X...jpg&name=small

The fight ends with Yellow the victor, with Yusuke proud of him. Back with Red, Rakusha realises that he?s impossible to break psychologically, so he just settles for killing him and the others (with the others going first to fill him with despair). Meanwhile, Miku has more words of wisdom to impart to White.

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She thinks back to the time she developed super intelligence and decided she was a bother both with and without it (see Megaranger episode 17 for more details)

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-CyoczW...jpg&name=small

As Miku finally returns White?s G-Phone, Tsuetsue catches up with them, with Yabaiba joining them.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-CyzddW...jpg&name=small

But they get interrupted by the arrival of the monk from earlier.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-CyzdkW...jpg&name=small

After beating up the Orgettes handily, someone asks who he is. To which the man takes off his disguise and the BGM switches to the jazzy tunes of Chuumei Watanabe (Toshiyuki?s father).

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-CyzdoX...jpg&name=small

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-CyzdwX...jpg&name=small

As Banba manages to outwit the Duke Orgs (which isn?t hard), we cut to the pair preparing to execute Red on Rakusha?s behalf. At which point a second pair come running onto the scene.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-Cy9K6X...jpg&name=small

The first pair dismiss the second as fakes.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-Cy9LFX...jpg&name=small

It then turns out the first pair were Banba and Miku in disguise, distracting Rakusha so White could free Red (but why the disguises? Surely anything else would?ve worked just as well). The other three then come running, having regained their warrior?s spirits, with all 5 prepared to fight. After beating their way through the Orgettes, the other three legends then join the fray, at which point it?s time for the group transformation team.

Yusuke: Red Falcon!

Gouki: Ginga Tensei, Ha!

Miku: Install, Megaranger!

Daimon: Chakusou!

Banba: Big One!

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-Cy9LKX...jpg&name=small

Gaorangers: Gao Access, Ha! Summon, Spirit of the Earth!

Yusuke: Red Falcon!

Gouki: GingaBlue, Gouki!

Miku: Mega Pink!

Daimon: GoYellow!

Banba: Big One!

Red: The Blazing Lion, GaoRed!

Yellow: The Noble Eagle, GaoYellow!

Blue: The Surging Shark, GaoBlue!

Black: The Iron Bison, GaoBlack!

White: The Belle Tiger, GaoWhite!

Red: Where there is life, there is the roar of justice! Hyakujuu Sentai?

Gaorangers: Gaoranger!

Banba: We are?

All: Super Sentai!

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-Cy9LHX...jpg&name=small

Rakusha iis interested, summoning the first 5 Orgs that appeared earlier back to life, with the Legends stepping in to fight them.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-CzI8aX...jpg&name=small

Cue Liveman?s theme.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=-nR-tbG_...xM6IlXbEfbwKQG

Can?t you hear the whisper of the raging wind?
That lightning bolt of scorching love should strike you too.

Look up at the sky and crush the darkness
Grab a star and become a hero of life.

Use your youth to fight with brilliance, Liveman
Show them how wonderful life can be
Continue to shine brightly towards the future, Liveman
The exploding fire of youth.
The bursting fire of youth.
Choujuu Sentai Liveman

After beating the tar out of the 5, the Legends then use their finishers.

Banba: Big One Finish!

Gouki: SenkouSeijuuKen: Geki-Ryu Ittou!

Miku: Capture Sniper, shoot!

Daimon: V-Lancer, V-Slash!

Yusuke: Falcon Break!

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-CzI8XW...jpg&name=small

The Gaorangers then get their rematch, set to the second and third verses of their theme song.

Roar! Race swiftly!
Roar! Face up to them!
Roar! Howl! Roar! Burn!
Roar! Roar! Graaahhh!!

When the cruel battle
Is left behind, you can be stronger
As the courage rages on
Reach out for the miraculous power
Roar-rar, roar-rar
Roar-rar, roar-rar
(Gaoranger!)

Let the instinct of a wild beast run free!
For every single living creature
Roar! Not yet! Roar! Hotter!
Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger
Wraaahhh! Roar!!

(Gaoranger!)

Let the noble war cry rise!
In order to protect the lives of the Earth
Roar! More! Roar! Stronger!
Roar! Not yet! Roar! Hotter!
Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger
Wraaahhh! Roar!!

Yellow gets the upper hand on Yabaiba and beats him back with his Noble Slash, White manages to get the better of Tsuetsue and hen they help the other three manage to pool their learned skills to overcome Rakusha, before destroying him with the Haja HyakujuuKen. But his power allows him to increase to giant size, at which point they face him with GaoMuscle.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=FC-23shKK9k

But when that proves not enough, GaoLion appears, flanked by every Red hero mecha ever up to that point (Varidorin, Sky Ace, Battle Shark, Denzi Fighter, Cosmo Vulcan, Goggle Jet, Dyna Jet, Bio Jet Ichigou, Jet Changer 1, Flash Tank, Masky Fighter, Jet Falcon, Turbo GT, Sky Alpha, Jet Hawk, Shugojuu Tyrannosaurus, Qidenjuu RyuseiOh, God Saruder, Sky Phoenix, V-Fire, Delta Mega, GingaLeon, Red Ladder and V-Rex)

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-CzI8jX...jpg&name=small

As Ohranger?s Staff Officer Miura and Gorenger?s Akira Shinmei/Aorenger (who doesn?t appear to have aged a day in the 24 years since Gorenger ended) give the order to attack, this music starts playing.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=JP9NciSPuKw

Rakusha takes attacks from every Mecha?

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-CzI8jW...jpg&name=small

? but manages to tank all of them, requiring the Gaorangers to form Hyakujuu Sentai GaoKing.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=SJJVEXrdE20

https://youtube.com/watch?v=PGuMpNM4ka0

Using the powers of every Sentai Robo, GaoKing destroys Rakusha.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-CzdUlW...jpg&name=small

Unfortunately, he?s able to revive using the power he gave to Tsuetsue and Yabaiba earlier.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-CzdUoX...jpg&name=small

But since hope isn?t yet lost, Yusuke calls in some aid. Namely?

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-CzdU3X...jpg&name=small

They show up, having disembarked their Mechas (given how Bio Jet Ichigo works, Pink Five is sitting this one out in the jet, it seems).

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-CzdU6X...jpg&name=small

They then all do their roll calls, all of which are stock footage mixed with new shots of suit actors (poorly) doing the poses. All except for the one who?s actually on set?

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-CznX1X...jpg&name=small

And the one who doesn?t have a stock footage roll call and has an actor who is incredibly willing to associate with the franchise (Red Mask doesn?t have a stock footage roll call either, but they cocked one up in editing).

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-CznX9X...jpg&name=small

All of them then loan their powers to GaoRed in the form of a ball, which he uses to execute the Gaoranger Storm, vanquishing Rakusha for good (should?ve given your power to more people, Rakusha).

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-CznYGX...jpg&name=small

As the Gaorangers celebrate, they notice that everyone else is gone. (They?re behind the cliff, obviously)

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-CznYKW...jpg&name=small

The 5 return to Gao Rock just in time for Tetom to come to and laugh off their story of having defeated the Fallen Higness as impossible.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-CzunrX...jpg&name=small

And for those of you who hate the ?it was all a dream? ending, the narrator assures us that it wasn?t a dream.

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On the Sky Island, White presents Red with a rose (though he doesn?t get the reference) and the latter vows to GaoLion that they will defend the Earth, leading the others in reciting his catchphrase.

?I?m getting pumped up!?

And for the credits, we?ve got another montage, with an original song by anime song legends Ichiro Mizuki and Mitsuko Horie, ?Moero Super Sentai Damashii? (I translated the lyrics myself)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=KKmCSe8c5-8

The five coloured, masked warriors,
Burn up, Super Sentai Spirits!

(Hear the legends of the burning souls who love justice)

The beginning of history, Gorenger. (Gorenger)
The trump marks of JAKQ (JAKQ)
From the countries of the world, Battle Fever (Battle Fever)
The universal super science, Denziman.
Land, Sea and Sky, Sun Vulcan (Sun Vulcan)
New gymnastics moves, Goggle V (Goggle V)
They are explosive, Dynaman (Dynaman)
The particles of life, Bioman.

(Changeman), Legend-beast Power,
(Flashman) Prism Power,
(Maskman) It?s Aura Power,
The Youthful Power of Liveman!
(Turboranger) Vehicle Power,
(Fiveman) Sibling Power,
(Jetman) Sky-jumping Power,
The ?Saurus power of Zyuranger!

Breakthrough with cool martial arts, (Dairanger)
Finish it with ninjutsu, (Kakuranger)
Let?s show our Choriki, (Ohranger)
Speed off with the fast machines, Carranger.
Digital transformation, Mega! (Megaranger)
Legend of galaxy, Gigin! (Gingaman)
Let?s go to the rescue, Go! (GoGoV)
Go over time and space, Timeranger!

And then, it?s the miraculous G-G-G-Gaoranger, arrive before you.
Five coloured, masked, warriors. Burn up, Super Sentai Spirits!

Final thoughts: At risk of this post becoming too long, I?ll just say I would definitely recommend this movie. Sure there?s some shaky editing and minor hiccups (Gouki using the Ginga no Senkou by himself? Miku with a Battle Riser?), but it?s heart is in the right place.

The challenge: If you could replace one of the songs used for the montages with any other song, what would it be? For me, I?d replace Seishun Circuit with Cutie Turbo Lady.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=2LPGNwnf...TZ2TANv-JZABIo

Or as I like to call her Asuka senpai because she really is the voice behind Asuka in Evangelion. :lolol
And yes MILK TORNADO DROP FTW indeed.

As for Gaoranger VS Super Sentai the dream team palette consisting of white, red, yellow, pink, and blue would later be used in Ninninger first and later on the current show Zenkaiger.

Even though a lot of it is just stock footage, Gao v SS is still very good although of course I think it could have done with a Timeranger and it would have been nice to do it when GaoSilver had come into it and have 6-for-6 but funnily enough I like it more than Boukenger vs Super Sentai which I was actually a bit disappointed by! The fight with all the red mecha I also found pretty cool, even if probably the human characters in the stock footage would have looked older by then but there's only so many ways of doing these things!

~Fish's Zenkai Tour!~

Scroll Twenty-Six – Ninpuu Sentai Hurricaneger

https://i.imgur.com/3r3pRkB.png

One thing I know for sure about Hurricaneger is that the people who worked on the show must've been immensely fond of the experience. Even going to make this post, I found out the show's main director, Katsuya Watanabe, was so attached to it he actively turned down the chance to handle the first episodes of the following year's series just so he could handle the final episodes of this one. Hurricaneger is also notable for getting an anniversary V-Cinema made 10 years after the show, a trend which did not at all exist prior, and something that only happened because the cast and staff get together regularly enough that the thought of doing something like that just kind of came up in conversation one day, and then they actually went and did it. I may not be that familiar with Hurricane Blue not having seen the show, but I sure as heck already know Nao Nagasawa from the abundance of random roles she pops up playing in later Toei shows... not to mention the entire team's appearance in Gokaiger, which, even despite it being a smaller team to begin with, was a pretty notable occasion for that series.

I get the impression that among viewers, too, Hurricaneger is something of a cult classic, with plenty of devoted fans, even if it isn't quite as popular as some other Sentai out there. Not that I know for sure what I'm talking about here, mind you. Like I said, that's just my impression! I don't always hear about Hurricaneger, but whenever I do, it's generally spoken of rather fondly. It's always just seemed to me like this cool show that's also sort of hiding out of the spotlight a lot of the time, only making itself known when the moment is right? Kinda fits the ninja theme, when I put it like that!

And uh, yeah, first impressions here are pretty dang positive! The most telling thing I can say is that this is very much a case where I would've immediately started the next episode without hesitation, were it not for that defying the purpose of the tour. Truth be told, I sort of vaguely planned to watch Hurricaneger not too long after finishing Kakuranger, to keep that ninja vibe going, but I didn't end up feeling quite enough of a spark right then and there, I guess. Which is a shame, because I'm pretty sure I'm going to be all over this show whenever I do give it the time of day. Although part of the problem there is that Hurricaneger isn't the first show I've said that about...

Well, anyway, this was a pretty awesome premiere. A bit of trend (that's since been broken) which started with this show was following up an anniversary series with a smaller, three person team, and I've always been way into that idea of trimming down the cast to focus on a trio of characters who can hypothetically benefit from that reduced size by gaining deeper characterization and a more focused, fleshed out dynamic with one another than can easily be done with two extra people to worry about. I stress that this is all hypothetical, because there are certainly Sentai that can pull off developing six or so unique characters, and all of these post-anniversary shows with trios ended up with at least five heroes by the end anyway, but I do think, especially in the early stages of a series, when everything is being built up, it can be a real blessing to keep things so simple. (Plus, you know, it's the return of that classic Sun Vulcan land and sea and air combo that always works, complete with a distinctly Liveman flavored giant robot.)

While I obviously can't speak to how everything shakes out for Hurricaneger in the long run, it certainly seems to be setting itself up for success on that front, with a group composed of lovable underdogs – slacker students of the ninja arts who end up receiving their powers to fight off evil space ninjas(!) who attacked their school... for the sole reason that they were the only ones lazy enough to not bother showing up at all that day. But like, they've got potential too! Their teacher believes it, stern as he is! So it's like an accident and destiny at the same time, for this kind of mix that's the best of both worlds. There's a sense of urgency to the group's mission, and you get enough a sense for the youthful bond the three of them share that it's hard not to root for these goofballs to step up and save the day. The moment they actually receive their transformation devices really sums it all up. Their resolve is highlighted by a series of epic shots, zooming in on their determined faces before sweeping heroic movements of the camera perfectly capture the grandeur of their new status as Earth's protectors (Watanabe really gave this show his all)... and then they almost walk off before actually grabbing the things, because they were just so darn fired up they forgot.

It's great stuff, and the style of the following fight scene is impeccable. Do I even need to explain that ninjas are cool? It feels pretty obvious, but just in case, beyond the theatrical lighting of the roll call, you've got the team using all sorts of awesome ninja techniques you'd expect, plus all the awesome Sentai staples you'd expect, like a big bazooka to finish off the monster and everything. And then it all ends with an exciting cliffhanger as a bunch of the villains emerge menacingly out of the darkness from unsettling red smoke on a cliff overlooking the heroes. (Watanabe REALLY gave this show his all.) It shouldn't be too surprising that I was ready for more with an ending like that, and that's how I know Hurricaneger nailed its first outing. I'd say I can't wait to get around to finishing this one, but unfortunately for me, I'd be lying. Really though, I'm pretty sure that's my loss!

you have summoned androzani to the thread

Indeed, I have reviewed this episode (and indeed, the whole series, plus significant post series appearances) earlier this year. Twice even. As I stated in both those reviews, the first episode does a good job establishing the heroes and the world they live in, with the worst I can say is that most of the villains don’t get any real characterisation, which is something the show spends the next four episodes rectifying. Heck, Manmarva’s development takes him from being the most uninteresting of the bunch (to the point I didn’t commit his name to memory at first, going with a nickname ala Die) to my favourite villain in the series (though his last two episodes suck).

It also provided me with a signature photograph (I originally took it to make a joke mocking people who hate filler episodes, but nobody picked up on the humour, and instead asked if I was using the Shout Factory subs. I live and post things from in the UK. How would I be using the Shout Factory subs?)

Oh look honey! It's Ninja Liveman! :lolol

Oh! Yeah, that makes a lot more sense now that I know what "that" is! ...Er, well, I mean, I don't actually know what "that" is, but... you know, I know that it's "that" now, and there's nothing at all confusing about that! :p

Hey, it's two great tastes that go great together!

Oh yeah. And people miss this detail, but Hurricanger is the 10th anniversary of the tsuika senshi. And we know Toei is celebrating cause what else is green and wears a lot of gold other than Burai? Shuri-freakin-kenger. But yeah Hurricanger really did a good job in re-using the plot for Liveman and give it a ninja flavor. And Gouraigers were the best thing to come out of this show for sure. I also love the alumnis playing the many disguises of Shurikenger.

After 8 covered movies, I have reached my optimum point. My passion, research, knowledge and style, for the sake of covering this movie again, I will put these skills to good use. I will bring ?this? to you.

Androzani?s Tsukai Detour

And this week, we?re back where I started the year.

Ninpuu Sentai Hurricaneger vs Gaoranger

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0PUXrX...jpg&name=small

?Rivals since the Sengoku era, two ninja schools are wiped out by the Space Ninja Army Jakanja. However, three Hayate Way survivors become the Hurricanegers; they fight alongside the Ikazuchi Way brothers, the Gouraigers, to protect the Earth.?

?Wandering space, the Space Ninja Army Jakanja come to Earth. Protecting the Earth from the evil space ninja is the Ninpu Sentai Hurricaneger. The three ninja warriors use Chou Ninpo to fight the out of control space ninja. The giant Ninja Commanders face the Karakuri Giant Senpuujin. When its body duplicates, it cuts one after another. Bunshin Maboroshi Giri is an invincible attack that only ninjas can do.?

Ninpuu Sentai Hurricaneger: the Hayate Way?s Legendary Successors.

Yosuke Shina/HurricaneRed: a Sky Ninja student who is part of the 507th class. While the school was active, he was one of its poorest students, yet also the one with the most potential. Of the three, he cares the most about defeating the Jakanja and avenging their school. His signature move is Chou Ninpo: Soragake, which allows him walk on the air. In his day job, he ostensibly works as a window cleaner, but his boss has him put to work doing other jobs.
Nanami Nono/HurricaneBlue: a Water Ninja student from the 507th class. While dedicated to doing well as a Ninja, she also aims to be famous. Her signature move is Chou Ninpo: Suiryuha, which allows her to fire a beam of concentrated water. In her day job, she is an enka performer, whose manager is slowly giving her bigger jobs to pacify her.
Kouta Bitou/HurricaneYellow: a Land Ninja student from the 507th class. Of the three, he cares the most about helping others, which extends to his day job as a physical therapist, having been motivated by his sister being rendered temporarily disabled below the waist. His signature move is Chou Ninpo: Mai Jishi, which splits him into multiple copies.

Denkosekka Gouraiger: The Ikazuchi Way?s Legendary Champions.

?The rivalry between the Hayate and Ikazuchi styles began in the Sengoku era. After much struggling, it was our Hayate Way that reigned supreme. While our rivals, the defeated Ikazuchi, remains shrouded in mystery to this day.?
- Headmaster Mugensai Hinata.

Ikkou Kasumi/KabutoRaiger: One of the two survivors of the Ikazuchi way. Since childhood, he and his brother Isshu were raised by their father Ikki to fight with only rage and hatred, so that when the time came, one would kill the other and claim the mysterious power known as ?that?. Ikkou, not realising the full means to obtain ?that?, planned to use it to make the Gouraigers the greatest ninjas in the universe, even if Earth was destroyed in the process. Eventually, after being exposed to Girigiri Gas and losing his mind, Ikkou realised that ?that? was worth the sacrifice and vowed to take down Jakanja in revenge for tricking him. But as a result, Manmarva has implanted within his heart a space scorpion egg, which will kill him when it hatches and can?t be removed through conventional means. His signature move is Ikazuchi-Ryu Kengi: Raigeki-Zan, wherein he slashes his opponent with the elemental power of thunder.
Isshu Kasumi/KuwagaRaiger: The younger of the two brothers. Isshu loathes the Ikazuchi style for how they hid in the shadows for 500 years instead of fighting to reclaim their glory and he hates his father for treating him and Ikkou like sacrificial pawns (considering him worse than Jakanja). Though he no longer seeks ?that? to do so, Isshu intends to rebuild the Ikazuchi Way better than it was before. His signature move is Chou Ninpo: Kiba Inazuma, wherein he fires Lightning from the fangs on his helmet.

Allies:
Shurikenger:

?I am ninja of ninja. The ninja amongst ninja. The green light bullet, Tenkuu Ninja Shurikenger!? - Shurikenger introducing himself.

A mysterious masked ninja who claims to represent the ?Space Union Ninja Way?. His identity is unknown except by his master Gozen (who only Mugensai is aware exists). Whenever he appears untransformed, it is always as someone who?s likeness he has copied. Can transform into a slimmer appearance known as Fire Mode. His signature move is Chou Ninpo: Hidan Senbon Knock, wherein he fires multiple baseballs at his enemy to defeat them.
Mugensai Hinata: Formerly headmaster of the Hayate Style, he was stuck in the body of a hamster (leading to everyone dubbing him ?Hamster Headmaster?) due to mispronouncing a transformation spell. As such, he spends most of his time in the Hayate headquarters, providing the Hurricanegers with his wisdom and missions (while also maintaining regular contact with the mysterious Gozen).
Oboro Hinata: Mugensai?s daughter and a graduate of the Hayate Style?s 487th class. She develops the Hurricaneger gear based on an ancient ninja secret.

Gaorangers:

Tsukumaro Ogami/GaoSilver: A 1,062-year-old GaoWarrior who was sealed away a thousand years ago after becoming possessed by the demon Rouki. After being defeated by the Gaorangers, he is physically separated from Rouki and joins the team as GaoSilver, the Sparking Wolf. He controls GaoWolf, GaoHammerhead, and GaoLigator.

Space Ninja Army Jakanja:

?After 500 years, one of our space probes has finally activated. Your malice, bloodlust, wrath and Ninpo, for the sake of conquering that bloated wealthy planet, I will put those evil powers to good use. You will bring ?that? to me.?
- Tau Zant spells out the mission statement for Jakanja.
Tau Zant: the Boss of Jakanja who has been searching for ?that? for 500 years. He possesses 100 legs like a centipede. He leads Jakanja in landing on planets and corrupting them to try and bring out ?that?.
First Spear, Furabijo (Friday - bee -bijou [beauty]): Jakanja?s evaluator, who grades the performances of everyone who goes out either to corrupt the planet or to do another job.
Second Spear, Chuzoobo (derived from ?Tuesday?)m Commander of the Bio Ninja Corps. He developed a rivalry with the Gouraigers due to their knowledge of ?that? eclipsing that of Jakanja?s. This led to him trying to fulfil a prophecy that would sacrifice the two of them to create ?that?. But this ultimately failed, resulting in the Gouraigers leaving Jakanja, forming an uneasy alliance with the Hurricanegers and Chuzoobo?s death at the hands of the newly created GouraiSenpuujin.
Third Spear, Manmarva (Monday, maru [sphere] and larva): Jakanja?s prophet, who is never wrong in his predictions. He discovered the Gouraigers, believing they were the Sixth and Seventh Spears, and brought them into Jakanja?s fold. But after they left, he transformed into a humanoid ?imago? form and vowed revenge on them, planting a a space scorpion egg in Ikkou?s heart and manipulating it so that it will hatch sooner.
Fourth Spear, Wendinu (Wednesday and Undine): Jakanja?s resident seductress and sword-master. She is in charge of growing the Ninja Commanders.
Fifth Spear, Sargain (derived from ?Thursday?): A tiny ant-like alien piloting a robotic suit who leads the Mecha Ninja Corps.. His Ninja Commanders are mechanical ?puppets? he creates himself. He is a technical genius, creating his own Karakuri Giant, Megatagame, based on copying the plans for the Karakuri Giants used by the Earth Ninjas.
Sixth Spear, Satarakura (Saturday and Sakura [cherry blossoms]): The newest addition to Jakanja?s attack on Earth and leader of the Masked Ninja Corps. He prefers to have fun with his battles, thinking that life is boring if you can?t have fun. Though that being said, he has some sadistic ideas of fun (namely, trapping the Earth Ninjas on a rigged game show where they would be lowered closer to a pit of lava after every question).

What do I think about Hurricaneger? Well I have that written here.

As for the movie, it?s the first to be co-produced by Hideaki Tsukuda (now better known as the producer for W and Fourze), the script comes courtesy of Naoyuki Sakai (I suggest you check out my Hurricaneger thread for more on who he is), while the director is the same guy as last time, Noboru Takemoto. With all that said, let?s get on with the re-review.

We open with the Hurricanegers defeating a whole army of Magerappas, through the use of stock footage (which is fairly obvious, as they go from a forest, to a lake, to a quarry and finally to the coast). As they call out for the Jakanja to send them someone good, they get blown back (be careful what you wish for) by these guys.

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https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0PKbgW...jpg&name=small

As the Hurricanegers are shocked, GaoRed says this. (Followed by ?Hurricanegers, prepare yourself.?)

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0PKbnX...jpg&name=small

Cue titles, which come with a one off modification with the Gaorangers added to the opening shots.

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https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0PUXqW...jpg&name=small

https://youtube.com/watch?v=FDItdZdo...Wot9cKwgWOngEP

Whoosh and arrive (arrive)
With a whoosh, there are ninjas.
Create a hurricane of courage.

Though you feel as if you are overwhelmed
If you change these feelings to a smile.
You can run towards new days, looking only forward.
For the sake of protecting this planet, we?ve inherited this secret power.
Three hearts gathered as one, believing in a future to work hard for.

Whoosh and arrive (arrive)
With a whoosh there are ninjas
Get ready, get ready, absolutely get ready.
Whoosh and arrive (arrive)
Whoosh through today, go go.
Burn up the hurricane of justice
Ninpuu Sentai Hurricaneger. Become the wind.

A fight breaks out, with the Hurricanegers being beaten down, with GaoWhite pushing Nanami into the water where GaoBlue has the advantage, GaoYellow avoids Kouta?s Earth-based techniques with his wings and Yosuke?s techniques and weapons are outmatched by GaoRed and GaoBlack.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0PUXsX...jpg&name=small

Oboro bids the three retreat, which they do just as they get his with a blast from the Gaorangers? JuuOhKen (Don?t ask how a sword can fire a laser). At Ninja Base, Oboro and Hamster Headmaster explain that the 5 Gaorangers - Kakeru Shishi, Gaku Washio, Kai Samezu, Sotaro Ushigome and Sae Taiga - defended Earth from Org while the three were training at the Ninpuukan (Nice to see them explain why the current heroes haven?t heard of the last ones, rather than just have that be a thing that happens).

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0PUXrW...jpg&name=small

As the heroes wonder why heroes of justice would turn evil, we cut to the Centipede, where the Seven Spears (still two short) celebrate having overpowered the Hurricanegers, with Manmarva giving praise to the Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger?s power. This victory turns out to have been brought on a new member, Chubozoo (No title, he?s just Chubozoo).

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As Satarakura praises ?Chubo? (coming from him, that?s not nothing), Sargain suggests a different reason for his success.

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As we see that all of the regulars now have a glowing pendant around their necks, Chubozoo asks to inherit his brother Chuzoobo?s place as the Second Dark Spear, to which Tau Zant agrees, provided the plan succeeds. Elsewhere, the Gaorangers have begun to attack the Gouraigers, with the Hurricanegers catching word and running in to help them. They stop Ikkou from shooting the Gaorangers with the Double Gadget, before asking the Gaorangers why they?ve joined the Jakanja, to which the 5 detransform, revealing that at least, they look like the real thing.

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The Gaorangers then explain themselves while passive-aggressively insulting the Hurricanegers. It then turns out the whole thing was just an excuse to make colour puns (hmm, who else likes making bad jokes?). Yosuke of course, isn?t amused.

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GaoRed then explains that they?re evil for a very good reason: They sold their souls to the devil (Finally, a simple explanation for villainy). They then transform back and restate their desire to destroy the Hurricanegers, calling the Gao Jewels to return to them.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0Po9eX...jpg&name=small

The Gaorangers then use the Gao Jewels to summon the Power Animals, forming GaoKing. The Hurricanegers and Gouraigers summon their Shinobi Machines to form Senpuujin and Gouraijin.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0Po9fX...jpg&name=small

The Gaorangers then escalate by summoning GaoGiraffe, combining with it to form GaoKing Spear, which defeats Gouraijin with its Neck Thrust attack.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0Po9YX...jpg&name=small

This causes Yosuke to get dangerous and transform Senpuujin into Senpuujin Hurrier to fight in earnest. We then see the male Gaorangers and the Gao Miko Tetom tied up in a cave, watching the scene helplessly.

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But where is their sole female member, Sae? She escaped and runs towards the battlefield, where GaoKing defeats Senpuujin with the Super Animal Heart.

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Sae yelling causes GaoTiger to block GaoShark from destroying Senpuujin. When Sae explains the ruse, the Power Animals disengage the combination and eject the fake Gaorangers, who dodge an attack with a ninja dash (curiouser and curiouser). At Ninja Base, Sae explains that they were captured by a Jakanja monster (Chubozoo) who stole their G-Phones and attached talismans to them that limit their movement.

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https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0PxcdW...jpg&name=small

After a closer examination, Oboro and Hamster Headmaster have determined that the talismans are transmitting a copy of their victim?s biological data somewhere (which they surmise to be the fake Gaorangers), but Ikkou wonders how the Jakanja found out about the Gaoranger. The answer reveals itself when the captive Gaorangers ask the same question: the Duke Orgs Yabaiba and Tsuetsue, who survived being crushed to death in the destruction of the Org Temple (as seen in Quest 50). They then proceed to torture the Gaorangers in revenge for their defeat.

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The heroes and Sae make their way to the cave where Chubozoo is keeping the Gaorangers (One wonders why he doesn?t just imprison them on the Centipede). Then the fake Gaorangers appear, no longer acting as the Gaorangers and displaying familiar behaviours.

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Sure enough, the fakes turn out to be the Jakanja?s Seven Dark Spears (still two short), who have the G-Phones.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0QBDIW...jpg&name=small

They then proceed to transform into the Gaorangers, complete with transformation sequence, before they do a corrupted version of the Gaorangers? roll call.

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Shurikenger then shows up, having been informed of the situation, to help the Gouraigers face the Jakanja-as-Gaorangers while the others go on, where they end up facing Magerappas untransformed (and Yosuke?s actor Shun Shioya breaks his arm. That?ll be important later) and Chubozoo. Unfortunately for the former three, it turns out that the Jakanja-with-Gaoranger-powers are still Jakanja, abilities and all.

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And to make matters worse, the talismans kick in, draining Sae of her energy mid-fight. Elsewhere, a mysterious figure feels the wind calling.

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Then Kouta notes that they?re controlled by the device on Chubozoo?s chest.

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A series of flashy combos later, the device gets hit and the talismans are destroyed (or more accurately, the Hurricanegers hit Chubozoo in a random area and the device stops working). Seeing that their easy prey can fight back, Yabaiba and Tsuetsue summon the Magerappas (apparently, none of the Orgettes survived the destruction of the Org Temple) and flee. The heroes all reunite, but the Gaorangers still don?t have their powers back, which the Jakanja take advantage of, with Tsuetsue and Yabaiba saying some variant of ?this is for Masters Shuten, Ura and Rasetsu? (but not Senki). It?s then that the man in the shroud appears and reveals himself: he?s the last member of the Gaorangers, Tsukumaro Oogami.

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Tetom gives Tsukumaro his G-Brace Phone, which he uses to communicate with the Power Animals to strip the powers of the Gaorangers from the fakes.

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As the fakes are weakened, the Hurricanegers perform a Kage no Mai to detransform them, allowing the G-Phones to return to their rightful owners.

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Tetom then restores the jackets to the Gaorangers, causing them to start referring to each other by colour, like the good old days. (For reference, Kakeru is Red, Gaku is Yellow, Kai is Blue, Sotaro is Black, Sae is White and Tsukumaro is Silver).

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We then get an extended transformation sequence and roll call for everyone (Shurikenger goes into Fire Mode), ending in a group shot (not this one, a different one), with ?Kaze yo, Mizu yo, Daichi yo? playing in the background.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=ZoX04a_Ku0Q

Gaorangers: Gao Access, Ha! Summon, Spirit of the Earth!

Hurricanegers: Ninpuu, Shinobi Change!

Ikkou: Jinrai,?

Isshu: Shinobi Change!

Shurikenger: Great Reversal! Face Change!

Red: The Blazing Lion, GaoRed!

Yellow: The Noble Eagle, GaoYellow!

Blue: The Surging Shark, GaoBlue!

Black: The Iron Bison, GaoBlack!

White: The Belle Tiger, GaoWhite!

Silver: The Sparkling Wolf, GaoSilver!

Red: Where there is life, there is the roar of justice! Hyakujuu Sentai…

All: Gaoranger!

Shurikenger: The Green Light Bullet, Tenkuu Ninja Shurikenger! In Fire Mode!

Ikkou: The Crimson Lightning! Horned Ninja, KabutoRaiger!

Isshu: The Azure Thunder! Fanged Ninja, KuwagaRaiger!

Ikkou: I face the dark, I slash the dark!

Isshu: I face the light, I slash the light!

Both: Denkousekka Gouraiger, revealed!

Yosuke: The wind blows and the sky rages; Sky Ninja, HurricaneRed!

Nanami: The water dances and the waves crash; Water Ninja, HurricaneBlue!

Kouta: The land trembles and the flowers sing; Land Ninja, HurricaneYellow!

Yosuke: Unknown to the people,?

Nanami: Unknown to the world,?

Kouta: We become shadows to combat evil.

Hurricanegers: Ninpuu Sentai Hurricaneger?

Yosuke:?has aaaarrived!

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The villains then charge into battle? except for Satarakura, who has to be dragged in.

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And so a fight breaks out. Yosuke and Red take on Chubozoo, breaking his inherited Kyodai Ni no Yari, Ikkou and Silver have a bike duel with Manmarva, Kouta and Yellow beat up Yabaiba, Blue helps Isshu take down Sargain and in a battle with all the girls, White gives Wendinu what Nanami considers a flattering new look, before defeating the three wit a combination Tiger Baton: Byakko Jumonji Giri/Ninpo: Midare Giri.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0QjMbX...jpg&name=small

After Shurikenger and Black beat up Satarakura, the former teams up with Silver to defeat all 5 Jakanja regulars with the Shuriken Zubat and the HajaSeijuu Cue.

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https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0QjMdX...jpg&name=small

The two then launch their attacks in tandem, with Silver delivering his iconic ?Evil, die gloriously!?, blowing up the Jakanja (but this being a V-Cinema released near the end of the season where 3 of them were still alive and 2 had had death episodes, they survive).

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The main teams then confront Chubozoo and the two Duke Orgs with the Victory Gadget and the Haja HyakujuuKen.

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The two attacks hit the three targets with both teams giving their post-victory lines (?Say bye bye? for the Hurricanegers and Gouraigers, ?Evil, disperse? for the Gaorangers). As the Duke Orgs state they?ll be together in death, Chubozoo uses the Yami Majin Damashii Shokan no Jutsu to revive himself.

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He then calls forth Island Ninja Girigirigaishi (Or as I call him, ?Papa G?. Anyone who?s read my thread will know why) (from Scrolls 17 and 18), Disaster Ninja Kangaroulette (from Scroll 20) and Mirage Ninja Jin-Giron (from Scrolls 21-22). The heroes respond by summoning their robots.

Red: Hyakujuu Gattai!

https://youtube.com/watch?v=PspDnaaN4mE

Gaorangers: Birth, GaoKing Sword and Shield!

Silver: Hyakujuu Gattai!

https://youtube.com/watch?v=0Y150wIhNfQ

?Advent, GaoHunter!?

Shurikenger: Hishou Henkei! (Soaring Transformation)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=mGOeC1tqT2U

?Tenkuujin, on stage!?

Ikkou: Ikazuchi Gattai! (Lightning Combination)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=zVPC_Zv4TrE

Gouraigers: Gouraijin, on stage!

Hurricanegers: Ninpuu Gattai! (Ninja Wind Combination)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=xw2u5Il07q4

?Senpuujin, on stage!?

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In the ensuing fight, Tenkuujin re-enacts its last showdown with Jin-Giron and GaoHunter hits Papa G with the Revolver Phantom, before combining its Beast Hurricane with GaoKing Sword and Shield?s Evil Crusher to destroy Kangaroulette (so much for fair play). As Gouraijin wielding Karakuri Ball 04: Plant Axe hits Chubozoo with the Kyukyoku Ougi: Daikaiten Todoroke Giri, he uses Uchuu Ninpo: Aniki Damashii Shokan no Jutsu, which, as the name implies, summons Chuzoobo to attack Senpuujin and Gouraijin.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0Qyl3W...jpg&name=small

To counter this, Yosuke and Ikkou activate Karakuri Balls 07 and 08, to create Karakuri Senshi Furaimaru, who gives a different speech to his usual one.

Furaimaru: We cannot let the Gaorangers down. Let us go, everyone! Fu! Rai! Go! Ha!

Yosuke: Ryuuhachoetsu? (Pathway Transcendence)

All: Furai Gattai! (Wind-Thunder Combination)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=HNKY4eAsWLU

Furaimaru: GouraiSenpuujin, on stage!

GouraiSenpuujin finishes off Chuzoobo with one punch (apparently, not even death prevents villain decay). Chubozoo then combines his power with his remaining two monsters, releasing an energy wave that knocks GouraiSenpuujin?s arm off and knocks the others out of the fight. And for added symbolism, Yosuke?s broken his arm (a script change resulting from the injury I noted earlier).

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GaoRed then suggests going into GaoMuscle Striker so they can rejoin the fight, but GaoLion has other ideas. GaoRed then appears in Yosuke?s cockpit (Don?t ask how), with the idea GaoLion gave him.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0Q63iX...jpg&name=small

Yosuke accepts the idea, with the other half of Gourai Stag detaching so that GaoShark and GaoTiger can take their place, before GaoElephant joins in, forming GouraiSenpuujin Sword and Shield.

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https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0Q63kW...jpg&name=small

Hamster Headmaster is surprised, but Oboro isn?t. (Because she knows Hurricane Dolphin, Hurricane Leon, Gourai Stag and Tenkuujin were designed to be backwards compatible with the Power Animals due to how well they sold).

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0RAYfX...jpg&name=small

After destroying the two monsters with Hissatsu Ougi: Furai Hyakujuu Giri, all that?s left is Chubozoo. Luckily, Shurikenger and GaoSilver are on hand with another idea.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0RAYaX...jpg&name=small

Shurikenger: Tenkuu Busou! (Heavenly Armament)

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

All: TenkuuGouraiSenpuujin, on stage!

And they then channel the power of the Power Animals into their ultimate attack.

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https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0RAYhW...jpg&name=small

The full power of this attack destroys Chubozoo. As GaoRed formally passes on the Earth?s safety to Yosuke, every duo celebrates? except one (Its not Kouta and GaoYellow. They were celebrating, but I didn?t have a picture of them).

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Tsukumaro returns his jacket and Brace to Tetom before mounting his bike. He tells Shurikenger that it would be harder if he said goodbye to everyone?s faces, and refuses to answer where he?s going clearly. Shurikenger calls him a snob for his non-answer (this coming from a guy who never reveals his face?).

Cue credits.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=WCc1gP_n...d3axq048Ym8jAv

You too
Can you hear it?
The song of the sky
The waves of the sea
The voice of the earth

This irreplaceable
Blue planet's
Signs of pain
Are an S.O.S. for us

We want to receive
The pulsation of these souls
We want to embrace it
With the whole of our bodies

We become even stronger
Now that we are inside the wind
When it's time to stand up to the future
The energy is born
We become even gentler
Now that we are inside the wind
Only the true courage
Is the energy we know

As the credits role, Tetom screws up Oboro?s computer, Ikkou and Sotaro wrestle (This is exactly how JUNretsu got started), Nanami and Sae go shopping, Kouta spars with Gaku, Kai draws in a crowd of women - to Isshu and Yosuke takes Hamster Headmaster to Kakeru for examination. Turns out being a vet doesn?t include courses on turning hamsters back into humans.

After the credits, we get one last scene with the Gaorangers signing off to the Hurricanegers and Gouraigers to end on.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0RQhyX...jpg&name=small

Uchuu Ninja File: Candidate for the Second Spear, Chubozoo: He?s a bit of a cocky rookie.

Final thoughts: A fairly good crossover with a very unique application of the ?vs? part of ?vs movie?. I also like that they explained how the current Sentai was unaware of the older one, unlike how some crossovers just gloss all of that over (Goseiger vs Shinkenger is another favourite for similar reasons).

The challenge: In this movie, the Jakanja pulled off a reasonable impression of a Sentai group. So I ask what other villain group do you feel could pass as a Sentai?

There?ll be something different next week, as I?ve already reviewed Abaranger vs Hurricaneger. So I?ll be skipping ahead to do ?Dekaranger vs Abaranger?, which is considered by some circles to be the best Sentai VS movie. Will I agree? Let?s see.

I'mma real quick snipe the really obvious choice and say the Greeed from OOO.

Anyway, still sad that this never got adapted for Ninja Storm. Seems like alot of fun!

~Fish's Zenkai Tour!~

Episode 27 – Bakuryuu Sentai Abaranger

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Abaranger has a real way of staying off my radar, for whatever reason. I know stuff about it, but not that much, and I know people seem to like it, but I don't hear it talked about enough to really gauge how much. I have a feeling this is once again down more to my own ignorance than anything. And I do mean ignorance! Like, it wasn't until embarrassingly recently that I figured out this was the first Sentai that Naruhisa Arakawa was main writer on. I mean, I've definitely seen that information before, but when I think of a mid 2000's Arakawa Sentai, there's always been a certain show I think of, and it isn't this one. It's like the fact he was the lead on more than one Sentai that decade was utterly incomprehensible to me for the longest time, and I have no idea why. You'd think I'd be well aware of all the juicy details of the first Sentai show helmed by Arakawa, a lifelong toku nerd, long-time episode writer for Sentai even back then, and the guy who had, only a few years prior to Abaranger, played a huge part in revitalizing the Kamen Rider franchise as the main writer for Kuuga, a show I'm rather fond of, to say the least. The guy's got passion and talent in abundance, so surely I've been missing out on something pretty awesome ignoring Abaranger for so long, right?

Well, if Abaranger's first episode is any indication, I have definitely been missing out. Like I said, Arakawa knows his stuff, and he applies that here to create a debut that subtly breaks the mold in a lot of places, and feels so much fresher for it. You can tell it was written by someone who knows the rules well enough to know which ones he could disregard.

Right away, the show is living up to that abare mentality, because this premiere is on a rampage out of the gate! Hurricaneger introduced cold opens to Sentai midway through its run, which freed Abaranger up to not even bother with a title sequence here. Instead, you've got the team's first additional member, Abare Black, throwing down with bad guys on another world as the theme song plays, which is rad as heck. It reminds me of when a video game starts you with all the power-ups you're going to get before taking them away to dole them out gradually later. It's a great way to generate a sort of intrigue by teasing you with the prospect of all this cool stuff you'll be seeing, presented in such a deliberately overwhelming fashion that you've just gotta stick around to see where this is all going. I didn't call Abare Black the team's first "additional" member by mistake! He won't properly be fighting again for a good while after this intro, but before he loses his ability to transform, he demonstrates a bunch of powers and abilities that will all be relevant down the line. The writing here is very conscious of this being the viewer's introduction to this world in a way that felt significantly more clever than usual to me.

The rampage just keeps on going as three giant robot dinosaurs start, well, rampaging all around Tokyo, because this episode just needed to be even cooler, I guess. But wait! This is a show about dinosaur-themed heroes! So naturally, these guys aren't actually the bad guys, but merely under the control of the real villains. Unable to become Abare Black for the time being, it's up to our courageous hero from another world, Asuka, to find people on our Earth who have the Dino Guts needed to become Abarangers and get this situation under control. Fortunately for him, things are looking promising, with five people who have the power to hear the dinosaurs' cries for help. But wait! This is a Sentai with three people again! See, this is where not having the usual opening pays off, because the episode gets to do the most dumb, amazing, ridiculous, impossibly clever thing imaginable by having Asuka's first recruits be some klutzy girl and an elderly man. And they get to wear the transformation devices and everything! And try to transform with them! And the stock footage even starts going! The episode seriously waits until the last possible moment to admit the trick it's playing, and I can't help but admire the commitment it has. It's definitely more purposeful than just a wacky gag, which helps its case, but even if it was done entirely for the sake of it, it'd still be so much weird fun.

Again, Arakawa knows exactly the right ways to play around with the formula. And of course, the episode does all this while still giving a decent taste of what the actual main trio are like, establishing the partner dynamic between each of them and their dino of choice (taking Gaoranger's ideas a step further by having the robots speak this time), and even dropping hints of some epic lore surrounding one of the big bads for the series, all done succinctly enough to leave time for another fight set to the teme song, the team officially receiving their name, AND a cliffhanger to top it all off. (!)

I really can't stress enough how much raw swagger this episode has. I'm a little blown away by it, but I guess I shouldn't be, because, Arakawa! They put this one in safe hands! There are premieres I've covered as part of this tour that make me want to go watch the rest of the show right away, and then there are ones that make me upset I haven't already done that. Abaranger is most certainly in the latter category.

Abaranger is... it's an insane show, to put it mildly. It's perhaps one of the most perfectly Sentai Sentais in existence for how it has a very clear heart to it all but it's communicated in the most crazy, wild, over-the-top ways possible. It's definitely a show you'd never get bored watching!

The Yodonna TTFC was fun. Even though I'm watching it context-less. I came for Sakamoto Saikawa and he didn't disappoint.

Sounds like Dino Thunder's' early episodes in terms of pacing, but like, the exact opposite in terms of everything else.

Abaranger is great if you feel like pigging out on curry rice while watching toku.

Due to scheduling issues in my future, I?m moving this feature to Friday now. So let get on with, at it?s new time?

Andozani?s Tsukai Detour

And this week, skipping over Abaranger vs Hurricaneger, we?re doing?

Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger vs Abaranger

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

?S.P.D.. Special Police Dekaranger. Five detectives who fight cool with burning hearts. Their mission: To combat space criminals who invaded Earth. They will protect the peace and safety of all humanity.?

?Agent Abrella profits off space criminals called Alienizers with powerful mecha known as Kaijuuki. Standing in the way of Alienizer crimes is the Space Police's Earth branch S.P.D., Special Police Dekaranger.
?

Dekaranger:
Banban ?Ban? Akaza/DekaRed: The newest recruit to the S.P.D Earth Branch, sent to them from planet Chambeena. While the descendent of a swordsman, he has invented his own for of gun-based martial arts, known as Akaza Juu-kundo.
Houji ?Hoji? Tomasu/DekaBlue: The most senior member of the Earth Branch team and the resident sniper. The most professional member of the team and second-in-command, Houji tends to be arrogant of his skills, and is extremely stubborn. He also does not allow his emotions and personal life to interfere with his job as a detective. Prone to blurting out English phrases, his catchphrases are "Perfect!" and "Super cool!", commonly said after finishing a criminal. He also tends to say "Unbelievable!" at things out of the ordinary, and when shocked or dismayed has yelled "Oh my God!". He has a standoffish relationship with Ban, due to the latter constantly calling him ?partner?.
Sen?ichi ?Sen-chan? Enari/DekaGreen: He brains of the main team. Born in a poor family as one of seven siblings, he is the brains of the team with a remarkable ability to think things through. Oddly, he does his best thinking when he's upside down, calling this pose the "Thinking Pose." He has a fear of dark, enclosed spaces that was caused by an incident of falling into a well when he was younger. He was rescued by a policeman, who inspired him to work for the police department. Sen-chan usually maintains a calm, eccentric composure, but he is said to be pretty scary when he is angered.
Marika ?Jasmine? Reimon/DekaYellow: Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger?s DekaYellow. A psychic (ESPer), as she can pick up sensory impressions of others through handling an object or visiting a location her target has touched or been to, although she can get exhausted if she overuses them. Jasmine wears gloves to help control her powers when she doesn't need to use them.
Koume ?Umeko? Kodou/DekaPink: the self-proclaimed leader who was the last one to join before Ban. She tends to be a ditz, but she has a good heart, and can often bring the team together under the direst of circumstances with her perkiness. She spends every moment she can in a bubble bath with her three rubber ducks, whom she calls Umeyo, Umenosuke, and Umegoro.
Aira ?Tetsu? Tekkan/DekaBreak: An officer from the elite division of the space police known as ?Tokyou?, who was assigned to Earth to delete the Hells siblings. After seeing the Earth Branch?s belief that justice would always win prove stronger than his detached professionalism, he decided to stay on and learn from them. When he was a child, his parents were murdered by the Alienizer Genio from the planet Speckion. As a Tokyou officer, he is a master of a unique martial arts style known as Seiken Accel Blow.

Allies:
Doggie Boss? Kruger/DekaMaster: The commander in chief of S.P.D?s Earth Branch from the planet Anubis. In his younger days, he was known as ?the Guard-dog from Hell? due to his relentless pursuit of criminals. During his more active days as a Dekaranger in his youth, he was quite feared to be faced in combat, due to his sword style being one of the strongest in the universe. Doggie is a tough leader and being honorable, he will do anything to save the ones he cares about. He seems to have feelings for his assistant Cignian Swan Shiratori, panicking whenever he hears that Swan has an admirer. He also occasionally assists the Dekarangers as DekaMaster, wielding the powerful D-Sword Vega. His fighting style is the Galaxy Single Sword Style (銀河一刀流 Ginga Ittoryu), chosen by his Sensei to learn the style's secret technique, Vega Impulse.
Swan Shiratori: Kruger's assistant from the Planet Cigno. She's the one who provides the Dekarangers with their arsenal, and constantly amazes the others with her amazing intellect. It has been suggested that Doggie and Swan may be "more than just friends", but they both would hastily deny it.
Trinoid 12: Yatsudenwani (Yatsude [fats plant] + denwa [telephone] + wani [crocodile]): A powerful Trinoid who was seemingly killed by AbareKiller before he could do any harm. But in reality, he was captured and forced to be Mikoto's manservant, making Yatsudenwani a disgrace to his "dad", Mikela. To redeem himself, he decided to capture the other Abarangers, resulting with his crush on Ranru Itsuki and stalking her on occasion via phone. But soon, after the Killer Giganoid incident, Yatsudenwani moved into Dino House and became a member of its staff.

Space Criminals Alienizer: A special priority criminal group who S.P.D is charged with dealing with.
Agent Abrella: An intergalactic arms dealer, providing Alienizers with robotic foot-soldiers known as Anaroids, Mecha Humans and Igaroids, in addition to giant robotic Kaijuuki.

What do I think of Dekaranger? While I like it decently, I can?t say a lot of it stuck with me. There?s a lot I only know about through pop cultural osmosis than anything in the show. I ended up preferring both shows either side of it.

Now as for this movie, it?s the first with Hideaki Tsukuda as the sole producer, with Jun Hikasa having gone onto work on Kamen Rider Blade. The crossover itself is written by Naruhisa Arakawa, who was, unusually for a VS movie, head writer for both shows (All of Abaranger?s secondary writers went onto other projects, so he was the only real candidate), while the director is Tarou Sakamoto (see the Carranger vs Ohranger post for his major credits). With all that said, on with the review.

We open with Dekaranger open route to an in-progress crime scene.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E_Kml9ZX...jpg&name=small

They arrive on the scene to find three spiky suspects on a RAMPAGE.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E_Kml-CX...jpg&name=small

So what does Jasmine choose to dub this trio after everyone transforms?

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After a quick fight, during which the Abarangers make it clear they want the ?Sentai wannabes? out of the way so they can focus on the real culprit: a bird carrying a jewel.

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

But since Dekaranger doesn?t believe them, the Abaranger trio steal their car to give chase, doing an impossible jump in the process.

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

But then reality gets off the bus after they get a few shots in (both with their Abalasers and with a camera), causing the car to bounce off the Tokyo Dome and it?s occupants to get taken in. One cutaway later, Sen-chan isn?t impressed with their story, nor the etymology of their names.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E_KpbY9X...jpg&name=small

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Though their claim it?s fated coincidence doesn?t help their case.

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

So Jasmine decides to use her special power to get to the bottom of it.

?Jasmine is an ESper. She can read the memories of anything she touches.?

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

And mercifully, there are no side effects to the process.

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

Umeko: Uh, what?s that?

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

Now free to go, Ranru shares the evidence she gathered with Boss, who analyses the footage to find out that the bird is actually a shapeshifting Alienizer.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E_Kpn3dW...jpg&name=small

And there is one matching his description and powers on file.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E_Kpn35X...jpg&name=small

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The Abarangers reveal that he?s been tailing a friend of theirs who runs a curry house for some time, which is how they found out about him. Boss then decides to question the curry house owner, which leads to an argument between Ban and Ryouga about how crazy the latter?s methods are (Ban is pot calling the kettle black in this situation). As Boss puts a stop to it, Sanjou gets occupied with his chiropractic senses.

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

And he decides that this is more important than going along to investigate.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E_KpsS8W...jpg&name=small

And it turns out Ranru is also distracted by her hobbies.

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

As Ban and Ryouga go off on their own, Abrella and Kazack revive the jewel?s occupant, Trinoid 0: Saunaginkgo (sauna + unagi [electric eel] + ginkgo).

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

Abrella provides some explanation on how there?s a Trinoid 0.

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

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

Kazack promises violence if he finds out that Abrella is conning him, to which Abrella promises that this will work.

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

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

Saunaginkgo then demonstrates his powers by reviving Succubus Hells from the planet Reversia (seen in episodes 21-23) and Genio from the planet Speckion (seen in episodes 29-30).

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E_Kp250X...jpg&name=small

But the Revived Alienizers have taken more out of him than expected, for reasons that soon become obvious.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E_Kp256X...jpg&name=small

Abrella realises that they?ve been separated from the jewel, which Kazack doesn?t mind, since he can still hand out fragments of the jewels to the Revived Alienizers. We then cut to Dino Curry, which has found a way around the set being demolished.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E_Kp254W...jpg&name=small

Ban and Ryouga then meet up with Ryounouske Sugita, who inquires as to why Ryouga?s niece Mai hasn?t appeared since he left for America in Abaranger?s finale.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E_Kp25_X...jpg&name=small

(That doesn?t sound like a good thing, but what do I know?)

It then turns out that Ryounouske isn?t the president of Dino House anymore: Yatsudenwani is. And he?s not happy to find that Ryouga?s guest isn?t Ranru.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E_Kp8XwX...jpg&name=small

Ban gets back on topic, asking what he called the Abarangers in for.

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The big question of how he happened to have the jewel is then answered.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E_Kp8YyX...jpg&name=small

But he?s not a complete idiot, as he stored the ginkgo batteries separately.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E_Kp8ZrW...jpg&name=small

But then Kazack reveals himself, having shapeshifted into the carpet (now how did he get in there?), and takes the batteries. Ryouga and Ban then transform and give chase, but the fight gets derailed by Ryouga noticing a clock and running off.

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

It turns out he?s placing a phone call to Mai in Hollywood.

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

But much to Ban?s further annoyance, this gives Kazack the opening he needs to beat down both and proclaim his plan to revive Dezumozorlya (watch me misspell this throughout the rest of this). Ban is confused, so Ryouga exposits.

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

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Kazack explains that once he revives Devomixup, he?ll set up the Kazack family on Earth (So he?s planning to revive what is basically Satan? to commit organised crime. Talk about your lack of ambition). Elsewhere, Hoji, Sen-chan and Tetsu find Genio and think defeating him again will be a cinch.

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

But unfortunately, this plan isn?t feasible this time, as Sanjou tries to warn them. Elsewhere, the three girls find Succubus, who Jasmine can tell is oozing bloodlust compared to last time (the last time where she planned to make Earth the 80th planet she and her brothers destroyed?). Their attempts to fight her off are derailed when Succubus spits mucus onto their Dino Brace and SP Licences, sealing them shut (Funny how both Abaranger vs movies have some loss of power for the heroes).

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After a hasty retreat, Ranru takes a sample and then comes up with an idea.

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One cut to the zero set later, all three ladies surround Succubus wearing kimonos and carrying parasols.

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

Ranru: If you look down on us?

Jasmine:?you might just?

Umeko:?lose your head.

After each of them get a hit in with the parasols, they throw them away and show off their back tattooes.

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

They then pull out guns from nowhere and shoot her. (I assume there?s a kabuki reference in this scene that I?m missing)

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

Everyone then returns to reality (um, what the heck was that?), where Ranru has finished analysing the mucus and applies an acidic substance to dissolve it from her jacket. They then transform and kill her again with the Triple Girls Tatsumaki Candles Attack (I don?t get the name either), leaving behind nothing but a crystal fragment.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E_KqSn4W...jpg&name=small

Elsewhere, Ban and Ryouga catch up with Kazack? and Ban still hasn?t forgiven Ryouga for bailing out on the last fight (and to be honest, neither have I. The excuse he gives does not cut it for me).

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E_KqSn8X...jpg&name=small

This distraction allows Kazack to summon some Anaroids as a distraction and escape. As the two reds are distracted by their arguments, the two get overpowered by Kazack. Back with Hoji?s group, Sanjou figures out Genio?s weak point and has everyone hit him there to destroy him, leaving another crystal behind. Back with the two Reds, as all seems lost, a familiar harmonica song plays. (So this is his place to? oh wait, wrong show)

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

Asuka then transforms into AbareBlack and does a combo attack with the other two (who have worked out their beef remarkably quickly, probably because Arakawa couldn?t take it any further without dragging out the runtime): Dino Thruster: Fire Inferno Special Gorgeous Deluxe (These names are getting more bizarre).

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

With Kazack forced back after dropping the last jewel fragment, Asuka explains how he came to be back on Another Earth.

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(If you haven?t seen Abaranger?s last few episodes, you will get lost at this point)l

Back with Saunaginkgo, things are now perfect for him to commence his ritual, covering the entire Earth in steam using the jewel fragments.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E_Kqco0X...jpg&name=small

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

With the extra energy this generates, Saunaginkgo dry runs the resurrection of Dizzymethsea by bringing back Ben-G from the planet Kajimeri. (See episode 13) (apparently his cybernetics were resurrected instead of the limbs he replaced with them)

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

Millibar from the planet Barege (see episode 27)

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And Succubus? younger brother Bon Goblin (from the first two episodes she appeared in).

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

The heroes all arrive, a fight breaks out and I?ll call attention to this line from Kazack.

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

(Why am I calling attention to it? Because a) it?s at odds with his prior characterisation, given that he?s seemed more focused on killing Ryouga than Ban, b) it comes entirely out of nowhere and c) it has no bearing on the rest of the movie).

During the fight, SPD?s Supreme Commander Numa-O shows up to help Ban? only for it to turn out to be Kazack in disguise, who ambushes him.

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

He then pulls the same stunt on the Abarangers, disguising himself as HurricaneRed, even down to having a Hayatemaru (but his voice gives him away before his attack).

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E_Kqmv4X...jpg&name=small

As all seems lost, with the heroes being detransformed, Saunaginkgo opens the portal to hell? out of which flies Bakuryuu TopGaler.

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

And where you find TopGaler, you?ll find his partner, Mikoto Nakadai, alias AbareKiller (both died in episode 48 of Abaranger).

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

And now we come to the exchange that got Twitter hyped up when I uploaded these pictures in preparation for this.

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

(Ah Mikoto, you were definitely the best thing to come out of Abaranger)

Before Saunaginkgo can try again, Boss shows up to shoot him down. And now it?s time for everyone to bring their powers together.

Boos: Emergency?

Dekaranger: Dekaranger!

Abarangers: Bakuryuu Change!

(And Mikoto still doesn?t get a sequence. And I wouldn?t have it any other way)

Dekarangers: Face On!

Ryouga: Explosive Energy, AbaRed!

Sanjou: Exploding Seriously, AbareBlue!

Ranru: Explosive Dash of Courage, AbareYellow!

Asuka: The Invincible Ryuujin Spirit, AbareBlack!

Mikoto: Excellent Excitement, AbareKiller!

Ryouga: The Savage Dino Guts?

All: Bakuryuu Sentai Abaranger!

Ban: One! To hate cruel wickedness?

Hoji: Two! To pursue mysterious cases?

Sen-chan: Three! For the future of scientific investigation?

Jasmine: Four! Find the evils of space?

Umeko: Five: ?and with immediate speed, punish them!

All: Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger!

Tetsu: Facing outrageous evil! Smashing the terrifying darkness! The Daybreak Detective! DekaBreak!

Boss: Cutting down one-hundred evil doers! The Guard Dog of Hell! DekaMaster!

Ban: When professionals and amateurs work together?

Ryouga: A new power is born!

Ban: We are?

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

Cue the theme for Dekaranger (It?s like Zubat. No. 1 in Japan)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=dJZ-v__I8QM

Oh, light, reach out for the angels of the city
Like you could make the brightest dreams come true
With the sirens' wail, it is the time to dispatch
We will not let the stench of evil go free

One! Emergency
Two! Dekaranger
Three! Action
Four! Perfect!
Five! Get on!

Ready to go! Pursuing to the ends of the galaxy
Hitting the gas with the souls coursing within our bodies
Ready to get! Five powers coming together wherever our enemies are
In order to bring back the silent stars, so...
Get up! It's our chance (Get up! Dekaranger!)
Wow-wow, judgement! Decide it! (Judgement! Dekaranger!)
Special Investigation Squadron Dekaranger

Since the numbers aren?t even, they do a shuffle to decide who faces who. Group one is Asuka, Ryouga, Jasmine and Sanjou against Bon Goblin, which is fairly straightforward as fights go.

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

Group 2: Ban, Sen-chan, Hoji and Ranru vs Millibar.

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Ranru swaps weapons with Hoji, causing major damage.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E_Kqvd0X...jpg&name=small

Ban and Sen-chan then try it, but this only results in bullet dancing.

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After everyone swaps back, they defeat Millibar by throwing Ranru at him.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E_Kq0j6W...jpg&name=small

Group 3: Tetsu, Boss, Umeko and Mikoto vs Ben-G.

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Umeko ain?t happy with this arrangement.

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Boss: Does it really matter?

Umeko: A leader cares about coordination.

Mikoto: You?re the leader, huh? You?re cute

Umeko: Eh? You really think so?

Tetsu: Nonsense.

After another fairly unremarkable battle follows, wherein Mikoto does most of the work, before Boss finishes it. Everyone then faces down Kazack and Saunaginkgo.

Ban: Ginjif Seijin Kazack! For the crime of murder on 179 planets, among various other criminal acts, Judgement! (I guess trying to revive the devil can?t be pinned on him)

SP License: Judgement Time!

?For Alienizers, Dekaranger can request judgement from the universe?s highest court, located at the ends of the universe.?

(Red X)

Ban: Delete* approved!

(*Delete: the act of executing an especially heinous criminal and then destroying their body utterly, so that they cannot be reanimated or cloned)

Saunaginkgo is then destroyed by a combined shot from the D-Bazooka and the Superior Dino Bomber (well he didn?t amount to much), while Kazack leaps out of the way and gets into his Kaijuuki, which isn?t named.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E_Kq0mQX...jpg&name=small

And then Saunaginkgo revives as a giant, forcing the Dekarangers to call in the DekaMachines, forming Dekaranger Robo and DekaBike Robo.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=3QhD2ZSyRac

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

In the ensuing fight, the two robots have the upper hand against their enemies. But that doesn?t stop TopGaler from suggesting the Abarangers but in.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E_Kq6QUW...jpg&name=small

Mikoto agrees, at which point it?s revealed that Brachio has found his way back to Another Earth, with Tyranno, Ptera and Tricera in tow. And he has a quote for the occasion.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E_Kq6QWX...jpg&name=small

The 4 Bakuryuu then combine to form KillerAbarenOh, as the two Dekaranger robots combine into Super Dekaranger Robo (the last such combination where one of them is a glorified suit of armour for the main robot).

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E_Kq6RjW...jpg&name=small

As the fight continues to go in the heroes? favour, Umeko realises that if they delete Saunaginkgo, then Mikoto will go back to being dead. For the record, the man himself doesn?t care about this.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E_Kq6S2X...jpg&name=small

With these words taken to heart, the two robots march in and defeat their opponents by having Super Dekaranger Robo launch KillerAbarenOh at the two enemies, wherein it destroys both with its drill. With the fight over, Mikoto gives everyone a sincere (for him) goodbye, before fading away.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E_Kq-9dX...jpg&name=small

But who cares, because it?s time for a big celebratory party set to the ED.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=A8EuI396...rO3VhRv2huzgbr

Deka! Deka! Deka! Deka! Ranger!
Deka! Deka! Deka! Deka! Ranger!

Their hearts are always dazzling, hard-boiled? and (bang!) fiery.
Under the thundering skies is a car chase
Once we catch you... (vroom!) you won't escape

On the highway at night, the stars are black
Engines (nice!) at full throttle! (judge!)
The perfect, flawless patrollers!

Deka! Deka! Deka! Deka! Dekaranger!
We will not let evil acts unfold.
Deka! Deka! Deka! Deka! Dekaranger!
Judgment Time! Dekaranger!

During all this, it turns out that Boss used to be Ryounouske?s best customer (that must?ve caused a stir)

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The girls have a bath scene (which Yatsudenwani tries to crash)

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Ryouga notes something familiar about the two waitresses.

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Asuka?s wife and daughter catch up with him.

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And it all ends with everyone taking a photo.

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Final thoughts: I?ll admit, I thought I wouldn?t like this one, given that it resurrects the ?two monsters? gimmick I didn?t like back in the Taketera-era VS films. But I think it was handled a lot better here. And while the story does have its weak points (why the hell did they try to insert a Mikoto/Umeko romance with no time to develop it), they don?t detract from the overall experience.

Join me next time when I?ll see just how well magic and cops go together.

~Fish's Zenkai Tour!~

Episode. 28 – Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger

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See, now this is the mid 2000's Sentai written by Naruhisa Arakawa I'm always thinking of. And it's not even like I've seen it already! No, sure enough, watching the premiere for the tour was the first proper episode of this show I've ever seen. But Dekaranger managed to leave one heck of a lasting impression on the franchise, and that wasn't really because it was influential or anything – it was just that *awesome*. People freakin' love Dekaranger, and it's even got the Seiun Award to prove it, a badge of honor for science fiction works in Japan that only a select few tokusatsu television series have ever received.

These five cool detectives with fiery hearts have gone on to appear in a bunch of post-series material, including a ton of crossovers I have seen, so it really didn't even feel like stepping into uncharted territory finally checking out a bit of the series. I mean, I even already checked out the movie on a whim years ago. Oh, and the theme song rules, if that needs saying. This show sorta just feels like home, you know? If I've got my fansub history right, this was even the very first Sentai TV-Nihon translated waaaay back as it was airing, so it would've been one of, if not the very first Sentai to be made pretty readily accessible to international fans online. (Not that I was aware of any of this at the time, of course.) Sometimes I feel like all of us are fans of Dekaranger; we just don't always know it yet.

But like, that's hyperbole, right? I'm probably just feeling way too fired up on account of Dekaranger's first episode being so full of that Arakawa swagger. This is another premiere that gets right to the action, with the very first thing that happens being an epic car chase scene on an alien planet, lovingly crafted entirely with miniatures, immediately establishing a conscious decision Dekaranger made to push in the opposite direction of all that fancy CG, bringing things back to basics for that raw feel you can only get with props. It's a glorious little sequence, thrilling, yet with a cute gag or two thrown in, and it gets you up to speed on the episode's titular Fireball Newcomer, Deka Red, who is all kinds of crazy. I mean, Reds by this point in the franchise already tended to be rather passionate, but Ban ramps it up to a whole new level. I said Dekaranger isn't particularly notable for directly influencing the franchise in the long-term, but Deka Red arguably codified a sort of new standard for that color that Toei goes back to all the time. I know a lot of these Reds rub some fans the wrong way, but I've always seen the sense in having the "main" hero be sort of a big kid, with uncomplicated and excitable outlooks that would generally be pretty relatable for the actual kids watching at home.

Relatable as his personality is though, it's certainly not very professional, which might create some friction once he heads to Earth to join his new team. There's a very effective contrast between Ban's introductory segment and the other four Dekarangers. While the former is wild, energetic, and leans heavily on fantasy elements; over on Earth, things are much more precise, methodical, and grounded. There's a bit of Kamen Rider Kuuga's style poking through as we see regular everyday cops and citizens reacting to some creature terrorizing the city. Although in this case the actual problem is merely a giant alien holding a bus full of people hostage. Well, I mean, "merely", but trust me, the Special Police have got it under control – rolling up in their oversized vehicles that are shown making their way through ordinary traffic, the kind of consideration for realism ordinarily reserved for GoGoFive. The trick here is that, as I mentioned, the show is also completely unconcerned with realism elsewhere, so on top of simply looking cool, this is establishing the uniquely varied tone and style of the setting. Dekaranger was a cop show all about those weekly cases, and it makes sure to create room in that world for all sorts of stories to be told. (Or at least, I assume based on what I have absorbed about this show over the years.)

The team heads back to base after wrapping things up (literally!), demonstrating yet more cool miniature and set design work, and also getting them hot on the trail of a much deeper case at the root of the one they just resolved. It's as cop show as can be as they hit the mean streets to track down leads, resulting in the obligatory confrontation with an obvious suspect – a shady robot in a trench coat. It's all pretty normal stuff, and the fight is cool... until Ban finally shows back up, and the fight becomes fiery. Dekaranger marks the first time in quite a while that Super Sentai got a new action director, and I'm going to assume that's part of why the climax to this one is so insane. Deka Red has a super distinctive fighting style, running around using his two handguns in all sorts of dynamic ways, only most of which actually involve firing them, and that means things get real intense when he's involved. It's such a delightful display, it's honestly hard to even care how right his new pals are about him being a showoff. Sure, Ban maybe has that punch to the face coming for blowing up their only lead, but, on the other hand, how cool was it when he blew up that robot!!!?

So uh, yeah, Dekaranger is pretty sweet, but I already knew that going in. I love cop stuff to begin with, and this is that plus Sentai plus sci-fi plus Arakawa, so it's only a matter of time before I finally sit down to watch this show in full, and become the huge fan I know I'm destined to be. It's got its target locked on my heart!

The indirect connection to Kuuga explains why I love SPD so much, I suppose.

I'm two episodes into Shinkenger and it's hitting all my weak points.

I do like Dekaranger but Ban is likely my least favourite Red, sorry, it's only Yousuke that's close in terms of unlistenability! Jack Landors on the other hand I always found pretty cool, it's funny how in Deka I don't like red and I do like blue and in SPD I do like red and I don't like blue!

Hello and welcome to another instalment of?

Androzani?s Tsukai Detour

And this week, we?re showing our courage with?

Mahou Sentai Magiranger vs Dekaranger

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?Magic, it is a sacred power. Magic, it is an adventure into the unknown. Magic, and it is the proof of courage?

?With a Heavenly Saint father from Magitopia and a human mother, five sibling warriors use the power of magic from Heavenly Saints to fight the Underground Hades Empire Infershia's Hades Beastmen.?

Magirangers:
Kai Ozu/MagiRed: The youngest child and third son of the Ozu Family. He uses his proficiency with alchemy and his power over the element of fire to fight evil. Kai is a Magician of the Red, a wizard who has power over the Burning Fire Element. His straightforward and impulsive behavior often leads to him making mistakes. But Kai is kind at heart and very brave for his age. He hates to be babied and wants to be treated like an adult. However, his frequent bouts of impulsiveness and naivete often bar him from being treated like a mature adult . He was most upset about his mother's death at the hands of Wolzard, and swore vengeance for it. His primary attack is "Magi Magika Red Fire Phoenix, where his body is engulfed in flame creating a Phoenix image which burns any adversary it flies through.
Tsubasa Ozu/MagiYellow: The second son and fourth child of the Ozu Family. He is a wizard who wields the power over the Galloping Thunder Element and is proficient in brewing potions. Tsubasa also boxes and even coaches boxers when not fighting as MagiYellow. He's intuitive, realistic and usually rational. He is also cynical, sarcastic, a bit closed in himself and looks at life with a slightly skewed sense. Tsubasa is generally the family?s rebel; he bickers a lot with his younger brother Kai and pays little heed to his older brother Makito?s bossiness. Nevertheless, he is quite close to his older sister Houka despite their vastly different personalities.
Urara Ozu/MagiBlue: The second daughter and third child of the Ozu Family. She is a sorceress with the power of the Shaking Water Element and a proficiency in fortune-telling. Urara has a gentle heart, often acting motherly, as shown in Stage 4 when she pushes Kai out of the way of a monster's attack and gets turned to stone herself. Smoky particularly considers her his mother figure. Especially after she cared to pay him to heed after he was unfairly blamed for various pranks pulled all over the city and ran away from home. Urara is good at cooking, and cooks for her family multiple times during the series. This is also a part of her motherly side, and she also sometimes makes her mother's recipes. Urara is also a passive sort of person, listening to the others and holding her tongue, hiding her own feelings of hurt and distress until they boil over and she explodes. Furthermore, a practical joke Kai played on her when they were children induced ranidaphobia (the fear of frogs). She had to overcome that fear to restore Hikaru to normalcy.
Houka Ozu/MagiPink: The second child and third daughter of the Ozu Family. She is a sorceress with power over the Blowing Wind Element and a proficiency in shapeshifting. Houka is cheerful and flighty, stringing along several boyfriends (as many as 15 at the same time). Her catchphrase is "Yahoo!". She has a narrow focus, and can be a troublemaker. However, she also sees everything in a positive light (except for the Infershia), which can sometimes steer her into arguments with her older brother. She also has a tendency to refer to herself in third person, calling herself 'Houka-chan'.
Makito Ozu/MagiGreen: The first son and oldest child of the Ozu Family, a wizard with the power of the Howling Earth Element. He has spent his life growing vegetables on his property, "Aniki Farm", and cooking delicious meals himself. Makito is usually a cheerful fellow and moves at his own pace. But he has a nasty temper and can get on people's nerves. He tends to be a father figure to his siblings. And even though he sometimes seems overemotional and overbearing, he is truly the linchpin of the team. His determination brought the family back together after they lost to Victory General Branken, and Hades Beastman King of Hell Shichijuurou the Samurai cut their familial bonds.
Hikaru/MagiShine: The human form of the Heavenly Saint Sungel, who was part of a group who battled Infershia 15 years ago. When the group was betrayed by Heavenly Saint Raigel, Sungel pursued him and the two had a clash that resulted in him becoming a frog, a state he stayed in until he received a kiss from the Magician of the Blue (Urara). Since then, he has served as the Ozu siblings? magic teacher, using his prowess in the Shining Sun Element. Though he is not related to the Ozu family by blood, he considered his mentor Heavenly Saint Blagel - their father - a father figure.

Allies:
Mandora Boy: A mandrake who lives in the Ozu house?s magic room. If he is removed from his pot forcefully, he will unleash a cry that will kill anyone who listens to it for too long. He will often give advice to the team, particularly Kai, and introduced their individual abilities to them (such as Urara's fortune telling) as well as inform them of what he knows of Magitopia as well as playing a Magitopian song. He is very emotional and easily excited and tends to bicker with Smoky when he and Hikaru joined the team. At the end of each episode when a new spell is introduced on the Magiranger's side, he explains the spell's ability.
Smoky the Magical Cat: Hikaru?s genie servant, who is cursed to remain in the MagiLamp until he grants the wishes of others. But Smoky prefers to grant only one wish to whoever awakens him from his slumber, and only if he is compensated for his services. He was discovered in the tomb where Sungel and Raigel had their final showdown, with the Ozu siblings wishing for him to defeat Infershia, which he declined due to his fear of them. He seems to have some limited magical powers as well, such as getting brief glimpses of the future and enlarging himself to help the gang out and by turning food into sand as a prank.
Miyuki Ozu/MagiMother: The mother of the Magirangers, who controlled the power of the Sparkling Ice Element. She raised her 5 children alone after her husband Isamu perished in battle with Infershia?s god, N Ma, telling her children that he had died on an expedition to a faraway land. When Infershia returned, she took up her mantle as the Magician of the White once more and granted magic powers to her children, only to fall in battle against Madou Knight Wolzard, leaving only her MagiStick. Since then, she has appeared to help her children in the form of a spirit.

Underground Hades Empire Infershia: underworld empire from the Kedomono Realm at the center of the Earth, which was ruled by the mysterious N Ma. Fifteen years ago, N Ma created the Hades Gate to send his entire army to Earth, but was stopped by the Heavenly Saint Blagel. Returning in the present day, N Ma uses his agents to break the seal so he can conquer the surface world.

Madou Priest Meemy: Formally, he was the Heavenly Saint Raigel. During this period of his life, he studied Magic under the Heavenly Saint Blagel alongside fellow disciple Sungel before pursuing selfish ambitions and joining the ranks of the Infershia. He betrayed his comrades by reporting their plans to Absolute God N Ma, leaving Blagel to the mercy of the Hades Beastman Four Kings of Hell, and sealing Heavenly Saint Lunagel's memories after she sealed the Hades Gate. Sungel, who had learned of Raigel's treachery, fought him and, upon being turned into a frog, sealed himself and the mummified Raigel in a cave, an event which Raigel swore undying revenge for. His lifeless body remained there until it was found by Nai & Mea, who took him to N Ma to be resurrected to replace Branken and so became one of the two magicians in the Infershia's ranks. He is conceited and arrogant, seeing himself as an Adonis-like figure , while he works hard to bring N Ma into the human world with his clever planning. Meemy is also a coward who on numerous occasions used dirty methods to ensure victory and also ensure his own personal survival. When he first fought against the Magiranger, he used a spell that made him grow to an outrageous size, more than one hundred times larger than MagiKing.
Madou Knight Wolzard: N Ma?s most important servant, who wields the Jagun Shield, containing the eye of N Ma. He has a strong sense of honour and courage, often voicing his objections to the more underhanded plans of his fellow Infershia generals. Wolzard follows N Ma without any question and later during Meemy's rule over Infershia, loyally does whatever Meemy desires due to the latter having "N Ma's word."
Phantom Spy Vancuria: the self-proclaimed Queen of the Vampires, who acts as a spy for Infershia. Despite being a vampire, she is not adversely affected by sunlight and thus, is virtually unkillable. However, though she was immortal, her existence was a lonely one and overtime developed an ability to split herself up into the Nightmare Sisters, Nia and Mea, as a remedy for it. As a result of her "special body", Vancuria is not constrained by the seal that kept the rest of Infershia underground and thus serves as an overseerer of her masters' plans. She has a tendency to develop crushes on her superiors, and has some admiration for Wolzard as he helps her sometimes.

What do I think of Magiranger? I think it?s definitely a fun series. Nothing entirely groundbreaking, but still perfectly recommendable.

As for the movie itself, this is the second one in a row for producer Hideaki Tsukuda, and from here on out, it?ll be someone new each year. We?ve got Arakawa in the writer?s chair and Watanabe in the director??s seat and with all that said, on with the review.

We open at a restaurant, where the Ozu family (and Hikaru) are doing lunch.

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Makito reminds everyone (and explains to us) that their Kaa-san put away a large amount of money so they can spend as much as they want here (Which raises the question of how she managed to support a family of 6 as a single mother). As the name of the day implies, it?s a day where they?re expected to be happy, that comes every 10 years (remember that now). Kai, being the youngest (for clarity, Makito is 24, while Kai is 17), barely remembers the last one, but Houka, (who is 22), remembers it better.

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Makito remembers what was said on that day (For the sake of being fair, I can remember the dialogue of a play I wrote when I was 10 exactly despite not having read it since then, so I can get her recall somewhat)

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They then get disturbed by a giant monster literally picking up the building and stealing it.

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Fortunately for their cover, there?s a professional in the building to handle the situation. (They?re doomed)

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After the opening titles, which basically write the names of the cast in romanji, we cut to Jasmine and Tetsu in the SPD Car (which one person took as proof of a ship, even though carpooling is a thing), with Doggie identifying the perp as Buildjick from the planet Chigukade, who?s wanted for kidnapping on several planets. And then Sen-chan shows up, despite the fact he was supposed to be on a date with Umeko.

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The 4 Deka pull up to the crime scene, where Jasmine does her thing (no, not the ESPer thing, the other one)

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Sen-chan then recognises the restaurant and decides to check on Umeko?s location. Unfortunately for him, she?s in the restaurant.

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As Buildjick begins trying to eat the building (are we sure this guy is a criminal mastermind?), Kai and Hikaru both realise that he?s saying ?Ozu? constantly (apparently, neither have played? oh, any multimedia card game). Umeko then decides to handle the evacuation by equipping her Deka suit.

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She then shoots at Buildjick?s toes to disorientate him, allowing Sen-chan and Jasmine to subdue him with their DekaMachines and DekaBike Robo to save the restaurant while Hoji puts handcuffs on Buildjick. But his is to the concern of a mysterious shadowy figure.

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But he gets reassured by another shadowy figure (seriously, what is this? Shadowy figures day?), known as Agent X

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And so the first one blows up Buildjick with a laser, before confronting the Dekarangers (way to blow your cover, man)

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Enraged, the 5 fire on him, but it gets absorbed into a madou circle on his chest, as he states to Umeko that he has no interest in small women (remember that now). It?s at this point that the Magirangers show up to fight him, with Jasmine giving them a nickname. (And Umeko realises that they were at the restaurant)

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Hikaru then determines the the enemy?s weakness is none-energy attacks, given that they can hurt him with magic.

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The solution: Houka turns into a cannon and fires Kai at him.

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But this attempt gets derailed by the appearance of the Dekarangers? former leader, Ban, shows up to disrupt their attack, now wearing a new armour (developed by their American equivalent and built at the New Zealand office).

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Ban then identifies this guy as Barbon from the planet Algol (plays on ?bourbon? and ?alcohol?), and since he?s already approved for delete, defeats him with the Battlizer Fire Drive? a beam attack (um, oops). He then explains where the new armour came from.

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Sure enough, the armour comes off to reveal an old friend.

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It?s at this point that Ban is made aware of just how badly he messed up, as Barbon gets up.

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He then blasts everyone down, before capturing Urara, before vanishing into a madou circle generated by Meemy (though not before Jasmine leaps in).

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As everyone glares at Ban for messing up, with Kai choosing violence, everyone decides to go to the Magic Room at the Ozu residence to discuss things, with Mandora Boy and Smokey being shocked by the newcomers and vice versa.

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Tetsu: Nonsense.

Hoji: Unbelievable.

Then Ban gets a call from Boss (despite getting a new SP License when he joined the Fire Squad, he?s back to the original one here).

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As everyone is confused by there being a new Agent, Ban fills everyone in.

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As everyone wonders why Abrella?s successor is after them, the man himself calls them over the MagiPhone.

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Everyone is left wondering what he means by the ?Flower of Heaven?. At Infershia, Agent X appears to see Urara in a cage.

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And then Vancuria and Meemy casually reveal his name and backstory. (So much for mystery)

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Aboloth reveals that he learnt the art of business from Abrella and intends to take over his intergalactic trade (this is a very clunky sequence). Before Aboloth can reveal what he wants to do with the Flower of Heaven, Jasmine appears to stage a rescue. But unfortunately for her, Aboloth was genre-savvy enough to expect the Deka would show up.

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As he manages to defeat her, Jasmine tries using her ESPer powers to read his mind and find out his plans? they?re not pretty (she sees a pair of hands letting go and a robot out in space. Very terrifying)

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Back in the Magic Room, our heroes try to find some hint as to the Flower of Heaven? with no success.

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Luckily for them, Swan shows up to provide some exposition. Apparently, she?s an old friend of Miyuki?s.

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In a flashback, Miyuki explains to Swan and Doggie that the Flower of Heaven is a treasure of the Heavenly Arch Saint of Magitopia. It has the power to vanquish evil, but every ten years, unless filled with overwhelming happiness, it will freeze love and leave only hate. If it falls into the wrong hands, a world of chaos would be born. In case Miyuki wasn?t able to recharge it, she asked the two of them to recharge the Flower of Heaven for her.

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But Doggie and Swan refused it, as they were sure nothing would happen to Miyuki (mwah mwah) This gets Tsubasa in a mournful mood, along with the others, as they realise the meaning of ?Fantastic Happy Day?.

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As they release that the brooch from earlier is the Flower of Heaven and try to think of a way to save the hostages without giving Barbon and Aboloth their prize (not helping matters is Ban acting like an asshole), Sen-chan stands on his head, with Umeko playing the role of Dekaranger?s narrator.

Umeko: This is Sen-chan?s thinking pose. Doing this, he will have some sort of insight.

And sure enough, he remembers what Barbon said earlier.

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And rather than go with the obvious solution of using Houka as a dummy, he eyes Tetsu. And Hikaru.

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After a brief segment in which Urara and Jasmine have a heart-to heart about family, in which Jasmine explains that hers have only just contacted her again after throwing her out as a child for being ?different? (insert your own allegory here), we cut back to Travelion, arriving to Prison Island, where Hikaru is getting into character as a woman, while discussing the Mountain of Screams (sounds inviting, don?t it?)

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He then makes it clear that he finds this whole plan annoying (which again, makes me wonder why they didn?t just go with Houka as the attractive distraction). But Tetsu, who did this exact thing before (see Episodes 26 & 45 of Dekaranger), is okay with it.

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As every makes their way to the site, Sen-chan discusses his family with Makito (turns out, both families always fight, but the Ozus have stopped doing it since Miyuki died and Infershia showed up).

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Houka and Umeko discuss relationships, with Houka bringing up the time she cancelled her own wedding (as seen in Stage 15), while giving Umeko advice that starting families isn?t based on thought. Back with the main group of Ban, Kai, Hoji and Tsubasa, the third guy notes the first guy?s locket that he?s been wearing the whole movie.

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As Ban insists that it?s not her, Hoji says that he should just stop prevaricating and just propose to her. But Kai makes it clear that he doesn?t see a guy like Ban getting married, making it clear he still hasn?t forgiven Ban for getting Urara into this mess.

Hoji: He sure has a one track mind. Your brother too.

Tsubasa: Looks like your partner gives you a hard time too.

Hoji: Yet we both admire them.

Tsubasa: I understand. Somehow.

At the mountain, Barbon waits with his two hostages, at which point Tetsu and Hikaru show up in their lady disguises.

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Both girls are shocked by this development? but Jasmine less so.

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To quote TV Tropes for an explanation, ?Counting the teamup, Tetsu crossdressed a total of three times. In the eyes of fans, he pretty much lived in drag. Even Jasmine got caught up in this perception?

Amazingly, this works.

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(And that?s why I?m using the TV-Nihon sub. So I can share that lame joke).

But the love fest comes to an end when Barbon discovers their secrets. (Thankfully, just as the others have broken the chains and freed their comrades)

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Barbon gives chase, managing to blow the Flower of Heaven into his hands (and accomplishing the rare feat of blowing someone INTO their transformed states, with Hikaru and Tetsu).

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The two reds shoot him and get it back, only for Aboloth to show up and blow it out of their hands and into his own. Ban then reaches out for his locket, only for Kai to take it.

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But to his surprise, the photo is of an alien family.

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

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

Ban then reveals the reason he was acting standoffish was because he held himself responsible for the death of that family, as his Fire Squad was in charge of the case. As he tries fruitlessly to shoot Aboloth down, the latter manages to get his treasure and summons AbreTrailer (Abrella?s personal Kaijuuki, naturally) to commence his plan along with Barbon.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E_ue25ZX...jpg&name=small

But the two reds are saved from certain doom by the sudden appearance of Boss, who transforms to resolve this case himself.

Boss: Emergency: DekaMaster! Face On!(Transforms) Cutting down hundreds of villains, the Guard-dog of Hell, DekaMaster!

But then he finds himself facing down an appearing Wolzard (and because the two are played by the same suit actor, we get a mix of them not appearing in the same shot, CGI and a double in the DekaMaster suit for the rest of the scene).

Wolzard: Born from the darkness, and into the darkness I return. Madou Knight Wolzard!

As everyone else leaves, Wolzard and Boss have a sword fight pitting the D-Sword Vega against the Wolsabre, ending with their Vega Slash and Ankoku Madou Giri colliding.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E_ue25eX...jpg&name=small

As the island collapses with the destruction of the mountain, the two call it a draw and depart. In space, Aboloth transforms AbreTrailer into AbreTrex and commences with the plan to freeze love, by firing the light from the Flower of Heaven.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E_ue25jX...jpg&name=small

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E_ufR4pX...jpg&name=small

Earth begins to freeze as everyone makes it back.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E_ue25qW...jpg&name=small

Everyone decides that they can?t just sit back and leave it to the other side (with Ban labelling Kai his new ?Aibou?, to Hoji?s dismay [he?s now ?Former Aibou?].) resulting in our group transformation shot.

Magirangers: Heavenly Saints, grant us the power of magic! Mahou Henshin! Maagi Magi Magiiro!

Hikaru: Tenkuu Henshin! Goolu Golu Goldiiro!

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E_ufR4vW...jpg&name=small

Dekaranger: Change Standby! Emergency, Dekaranger! Face on!

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E_ufR42W...jpg&name=small

Out in space, Aboloth and Barbon get scuppered in their plans when MagiLegend wields DekaWing Robo in DekaWing Cannon mode to blast him out of the sky with the Magi Final Buster.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=0W9j0ovXE9o

https://youtube.com/watch?v=-tyTloGA8Es

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E_ufR47W...jpg&name=small

Falling to Earth, AbreTrex finds Dekaranger Robo, MagiKing, DekaBike Robo and Travelion standing in front of it. (Apparently, the two main teams made record time in returning from space)

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

https://youtube.com/watch?v=prA44BvZmZk

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

After tanking every shot launched at them, the four robots then combine their powers into one concentrated attack.

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

With AbreTrex destroyed, Aboloth lands on the ground with Barbon and he Flower of Heaven, planning to leave and start over on another planet. But unfortunately for him, the heroes are so keen to let him go.

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

Ban: 1: Hate cruel wickedness?

Hoji: 2: Pursue mysterious cases?

Sen-chan: 3: Investigate using futuristic technology?

Jasmine: 4: The malicious evil of space?

Umeko: 5: ?with immediate speed, eliminate them!

Tetsu: 6: It?s good to be invincible!

Ban: SPD! DekaRed!

Hoji: DekaBlue!

Sen-chan: DekaGreen!

Jasmine: DekaYellow!

Umeko: DekaPink!

Tetsu: DekaBreak!

All: Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger!

Makito: The howling Earth element, Magician of the Green: MagiGreen!

Houka: The blowing Wind element, Magician of the Pink: MagiPink!

Urara: The shaking Water element, Magician of the Blue: MagiBlue!

Tsubasa: The galloping Thunder element, Magician of the Yellow: MagiYellow!

Kai: The burining Fire element, Magician of the Red: MagiRed!

Hikaru: The shining Solar element, Heavenly Hero: Magishine!

All: Overflowing courage changes into magic, Mahou Sentai Magiranger!

Ban: The smiles of families?

Kai: The love in this world?

Ban: We are?

Kai: ?the invincible?

All: 12

Aboloth isn?t impressed, summoning a group of Zobils so he?ll win in numbers. (Wow, he is petty)

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E_ufcd4X...jpg&name=small

Vancuria then shows up to agree with me.

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

A fight breaks out, with Makito, Hoji, Sen-chan and Tsubasa dealing with the Zobils, before we cut to Tetsu and Hikaru trying to deal with Barbon, who still has the madou circle from earlier, with the latter part set to this song.

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

And since Hikaru lacks a projectile attack that can hit him head-on, he merely loads Tetsu into his MagiLamp Buster, to Smokey?s surprise.

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

The two then combine their skills in full to defeat Barbon.

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

And we then cut to the 4 girls facing off against Vancuria, set to Dekaranger?s second ED (which I won?t transcribe, since the amount of Engrish in it is hard to work around)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=v4JEkqZ_...AlLmraVFOmYzyp

The battle then turns into an untransformed fight in another dimension.

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

Nia and Mea then use their WolzaPhones (which creates a slight hiccup, since Wolzard was shown using his Madou powers earlier, which he didn?t have at the period where Nia and Mea had the WolzaPhones) to swap clothes with the Twin Cam Angels (ie. Dekarangers? girls)

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E_uf1k9X...jpg&name=small

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E_uf1lJW...jpg&name=small

Then the Magical Sisters, instead of helping, think that looks like fun and decide to swap clothes with Nia and Mea.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E_uf1lNX...jpg&name=small

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E_uf1lSX...jpg&name=small

It?s at this point, after everyone turns to the camera to criticise the writer for inserting this scene (rest assured, he won?t be writing the next VS movie) that everything returns to mostly normal? Vancuria is now in a bathtub with rubber ducks (presumably Umeko?s doing)

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

The 4 heroines then combine their weapons into the Magical D-Shot to perform the Magical Sisters/Twin Cam Angels: Miracle Twister, which literally blows Vancuria away.

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

And finally, we cut to Kai and Ban vs Aboloth, set to Magiranger?s theme song.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=tc5yM7ng18w

GO FIGHT! Magi (x2) Magiranger
Believe in the future
OK! All right! The courage is in your hands...
Take off!

What is it that you want to surpass?
The blue sky? The head-on winds? Your past self?
When the time comes to stand up for them
The power in your chest will burst out

Green Ground, Pink Storm
Blue Splash, Yellow Thunder
Red Fire!
This is the start of an adventure

GO FIGHT! Magi (x2) Magiranger
Limit challengers
You possess a magic called "courage"

GO FIGHT! Magi Magi Magiranger
Dream of the future
OK! All right! Tomorrow is in your hands...

Magic Squadron Magiranger!
Take off!

After swinging at Aboloth with the Magical Trapeze?

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

? the two don their respective super modes.

Kai: Chou Mahou Henshin! Maagi Magi Magi Magiiro!

MagiPhone: Maagi Magi Magi Magiiro! (Yes that?s right, the MagiPhone is the first to hop on Kamen Rider?s rails and have a full on talking transformation item. It doesn?t become a tradition until halfway through Shinkenger though)

Kai: The burning Fire element, Magician of the Red: Legend MagiRed!

Ban: Battlize Mode, on!

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

After combining their finishers to knock Aboloth down and take the Flower of Heaven back (after this, I?d destroy that thing. It?s not worth all this trouble), all 12 heroes then receive a new magic from the broach.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E_uhKV7X...jpg&name=small

Combining their attacks with this new power, Dekaranger and the Magirangers destroy Aboloth and Barbon, with the power of gratitude.

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

We then cut to everyone on both sides celebrating in the Magic Room, with Kai and Ban thinking about their respective girlfriends and starting their own families, with Ban passive-aggressively saying that Makito has no chance of getting a girlfriend. And then after all the discussion of families, the Flower of Heaven presents everyone with a flower that Miyuki?s voice beseeches them to share with someone else, which is what the credits consist of (that and a music box)

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

Final thoughts: The movie manages to deliver its message fairly well and while it does have a lot of moments that are obvious padding (the DekaMaster v Wolzard fight in particular), they didn?t detract from the action too much and the film is otherwise well-directed.

There won?t be anything next week, since I?ve already done Boukenger vs Super Sentai (click the link in my signature to check it out), so I?ll see you in two weeks for ?Juken Sentai Gekiranger vs Boukenger?.

I’m really not much of a Sentai fan, despite multiple attempts to get into the franchise. Dekaranger is still one of my all-time favorite tokusastu shows, though. Everything about it is just done so well and the cast is such a great mix of characters. Really, really love this one.

It’s a small thing, but I do also love that it’s one of the few Sentais to have one of the female characters as team leader. Definitely appreciated.

Deka Red's gunkata debut in episode 1 is definitely worth watching on repeat. :rock:

https://i.imgur.com/33is7fk.pnghttps://i.imgur.com/Slg6jIc.png

You can't fool me.

Oh wow. :lolol
With that out the way, your thoughts on the show so far?

I don't have the panel on hand nor the inclination to search for it, but basically, that one bit from Uzumaki with the guy screaming "This is my hole!".

That's pretty much where I'm at.

Oh, and since I've ended up recapping quite a bit of my personal history with Power Rangers as part of this lately, I might as well toss in a mention that SPD was the last series I was super invested in as it was airing. Between that and Time Force, I guess future cops was just the pinnacle of the franchise for me. And apparently a lot of people, given how enduringly popular both of those shows seem to be! Weird to think my tastes were apparently so refined, given I've unintentionally made loving "bad" toku shows into my shtick on this forum. :p

I feel like "I don't even like Sentai, but I love Dekaranger" is about as glowing as praise for it could be, so thank you for mentioning this. That's probably the exact kind of sentiment that won it that award back in the day. :lol