I finished Zyuranger last night. Here's the short version of my reactions:

- Bandora is a great villain that was consistently entertaining the whole series.
- the fantasy elements of Zyuranger's plot are solid and a net positive.
- rescuing children every week feels retro, but ultimately I don't like it as much as more generalized tokusatsu evil plots.
- the Zyuranger cast are decent actors, but their characters were written too blandly and ultimately are just okay.
- I think the suits and mecha look fabulous, but that might be informed by some of my MMPR nostalgia.
- the opening theme song is pretty great, but the ending theme song is goofy and the video with it doesn't make any goddamn sense.

After this I'm going to watch some more Kamen Rider (finished OOO, around episode 30 in Fourze and episode 15 in Gaim) and maybe pick up Gingaman or Abaranger again (around episode 35 for Gingaman and episode 18-20 in Abaranger). And I need to write some more toku reviews on my blog, which hasn't had an update in almost two months (eep!).

Most of the Sentai I've seen kind of lets one or two with the less focus, but for a three member team initially, I felt they definitely could've done more with them. Sure, the villain focus kind of compromises that and it goes for something different, and I absolutely loved how the villains were growing along side the heroes, but still, Sentai's a franchise all about the heroes still; it's categorized as a superhero show, it was just kind of annoying for me for Ran and Retsu to just be basically "dedicated" students and get development which basically just already shows the qualities that they have.

Their likable personalities really did help however, even Gou and Ken with their opposite dynamic help make it a well rounded team.

Also, I dunno about the proving "Yes, Sentai can actually be good." part lol. There's been better Sentai in the 2000's and before.

I disagree. I think it was more after Gokaiger that it happened. Shinkenger was so different culturally, aesthetically and thematically, and it took risks like the infamous ending arc. It's more when Asahi and Toei decided that the gimmicks should more so dictate the show when it happend.

It's problematic, and it does kind of suck that they didn't get the development they should have.
I guess I'm not impartial, since I found Gekiranger sticking a lot closer to the story from the 2nd quarter onward a lot more interesting than a series of vignettes with a final dramatic story during the last 10 episodes, so I'm willing to forgive Retsu and Ran's lesser impact.

I really haven't been able to find any. The big hitters of Jetman and Liveman were only average (Livemen being so average I didn't care to finish it), while the other 2000s Sentai I've been graced to watch were Shinkenger, Goseiger, Dekaranger, Boukenger, and Magiranger, because I make good choices like that (Since I apparently danced around the good ones :lol)

Gekiranger proved to me that Sentai wasn't a waste of time. Where things happen that's worth listening to because the plot was actually more important than the fight scenes, and even early on you could see the characters growing from their initial one note traits.
You don't have to agree with me or even like Gekiranger, but after suffering through Shinkenger and about half of Boukenger (I dare someone to find a blander team), Gekiranger set a mile marker that no series has yet reached for me~

Well it really just comes down to an opinion on this part lol. We all find that one series that sticks to our hearts better than any show, and for you that seems like Gekiranger. I just think there are better shows that have done more for me in that decade.

Also, I found the Gekiranger cast to be quite blander than the Boukenger cast personally :p

If you found Geki's cast to be bland, then I think our best option is medically induced coma. One day we can save you! :p

Shinkenger was definitely part of the safe zone. They were getting new mechs like every 2-3 episodes. Dokoku did absolutely nothing for 40 episodes and he didn't build as a character at all. Yes, they did something with Dayuu, but it was like 4 episodes worth of the entire show. Juuzo even got nerfed into generic goon when the eel dude showed up.

The rangers never felt like they were in any true danger because there was always a mech around the corner to save them.

They weren't bland, but I wouldn't say they were among the best either.

I liked Gekiranger's cast for most of the run of the show, but they were rendered useless for the final arc. Gou's special attack that he learned just to take down Rio ends up not even denting him. Ultimately I think Gekiranger's cast is average other than Jan, who's an interesting take on a Red, even if the show gives a little too much shine to Red.

Rio and Mele, though, are two of the best Sentai villains ever and I love both of them. Long is a good final boss, but really the key bad guys of the show are Rio and Mele. Absolutely top-notch.

It doesn't? I thought it was about the Zyurangers trying way too hard to fit into modern society.

I buy that to a point, with Boi's dagger-influenced batting stance and Goushi learning to ride a bicycle, but the video is totally bizarre. Geki and Dan's facial expressions, Mei in a wedding dress being chased around, and the goofy lyrics - I think the video is bonkers.