Yeah but his "fair share of appearances" consist of:

- JAKQ (y'know, the shortest Sentai series to date)
- JAKQ vs Goranger (which is essentially a JAKQ movie anyway)
- Gaoranger vs Super Sentai (in which he's one of many cameos)
- Gokaiger (in which he's one of many cameos)
- Suit appearances in huge crossovers

So all you're really left with is that he became the leader once he became Big One...which was in episode 23 of a 35 episode series. So while the circumstances might be comparable, the popularity level really isn't.

Which was the question in the first place. If you HAD to make a comparison I'd be more likely to still say Akaranger (cliche as it may be), since he still tends to be a big face of the franchise 40 years later appearing on all sorts of merchandise etc.

Problem is, Akaranger led during the Legend War, and famously led the charge to discharge the full energy of the 34 to finish the invading ships. During the Black Cross revival in 199, he appeared before Gokaiger and Goseiger and his Key gave a disembodied nod to Marvelous. He later appeared during the Gokaiger finale when he got his Key back and again during Ninninger during the Red Ninja Team-up. Ultimately, it's easy to say that the first is always the best (many franchises would claim the same), but also better to say "stalemate".

Why does ninja sentai always feel goofy & worse? Like the zords & weapons. I mean the swords are good, but there aren't any sais, nunchucks & bo staves in them!

Because Japan thinks Ninjas are fun and casual.

You've already got Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles if you want to see any of those weapons. :p

Watch Dairanger. It has two of those three weapons and the martial arts action is really good. It's a *little* less goofy than Kakuranger, though not for Shoji's lack of trying.

I thought dairanger was about monks.

You would be mistaken.

Because not all ninjas are the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Staffs and nunchucks are more general martial arts than ninja tools, anyway.

Watch Gekiranger. They have swords, nunchucks, and staffs.

Well, there is always this if you are not so satisfied with what Toei has put out so far.
http://mutantooze.org/wiki/wp-conten...o1_r1_5001.jpg

Because Ninjas didn't use those. Those are martial arts weapons, not traditional Ninja weapons.