So, both Zyuohger and Kyuranger have, for the most part, eschewed transformation sequences and have them happen in real time (Though they keep the long role calls).
How does everyone feel about that? I know there have been other Sentai without transformation sequences too (Jetman and Go Busters come to mind). Does everyone prefer Sentai possibly cutting out another chunk of stock footage, and want it to be a permanent change?

I like the lack of sequences. Makes it quicker to get to the fight. Which, I mean let's admit it, is what we watch the show for. :lolol

I generally prefer it. It just... it kind of helps sell the idea that the characters are really in the suits, ya know? Plus, the stock footage is usually too long to not beg the "Why are their opponents waiting?" line of thought and not cool enough to make me not care.

The main reason was because of the whole "It's part of the legacy!" complaint I hear in lots of fandoms (Not towards Sentai, mind you, but just changes in long running franchises as a whole).

I personally prefer it. I agree that it does help sell that it's the actors in the suit (And I like that it keeps them from morphing on a grassy field, but then spontaneously being on a street corner post transformation).

It doesn't quite get to the fights that quicker, though, since the role calls are still a minute long :lol

Eh, I find it depends on the change and the fandom. I don't think most people minded Power Rangers shying away from the teenage sitcom aspect of MMPR over the years, for example.

Usually it's when the changes are made to aspects of the franchise that form a large part of the core identity of it in people's minds, like how people decried Drive having a car instead of a bike or how most people would respond to not having a humanoid mecha in Sentai, I presume.

To be fair, I think Sentai and Rider's fandoms are generally more relaxed on this matter due to the annual nature of the shows. No point getting too bent out of shape about something that might not happen again, right?

I think part of what helps is it's annual reboots. Unlike long running franchises like Doctor Who or TMNT, which has tenures of 2-5 years per series before a refresh, Sentai and PR have a bit more of a rigid start and end time period.
I actually didn't consider that, though thinking of it, it does easily explain the more lax nature.

I do find it kind of odd that people found Drive using a car to be a major shift, considering by that point, you could generally count the appearances of any given post-Den-O Rider's bike on two hands...

So, would you consider one of Sentai's "Core identities" tied to either the transformation sequence or role call? And would there be more of an outcry if they cut role calls in the next series?

Incidentally, the only Sentai I have watched are Zyuohger, Kyuranger, and Go-Busters, so I really hadn't thought anything of the lack of extended transformation sequences. I guess it's not standard, then?

I do plan to watch other series...wonder how I'll feel about those things. I'm pretty content with the quick henshins though, personally.

Most of them aren't too long, but there are a couple that take their time (Kyoryuger's, for example).
But even the shortest ones still feel like bringing you into the void just to watch their suit appear on them.

Are transformation sequences really used that sparingly? I thought they were used pretty often in both shows. Maybe I'm confusing transformation sequence for roll call now that I think about it...

They are used pretty often. I can only think of Zyuoh, Jet, GoBus, Kyu, and (Maybe) Zyu not having an actual transformation sequence (Though, it is a big franchise, so there is the possibility that I've missed a couple).
I can't think of any series that didn't feature a role call.

Zyuohger did have a transformation sequence. It wasn't used very often now that I think about it but they certainly had one. I remember because Misao looked like an absolute badass. Go Busters had one but it was only used in, like, one episode.

Yeah, but it was used sparingly.
As for Kyuranger, they also have a TF sequence, but it's only been used twice in six episodes, so I don't think we'll see it often.

This is a good question.

I really love henshin sequences, in general. I do also think that the shoehorned stock footage interrupts the flow of the story, more often than not.

I guess, as long as henshin sequences exist in a series, I'm cool with them being used sparingly. It may actually make the rare instances where they are shown feel more special.

(Though honestly, I suspect we'll start seeing these sequences more often when the show shifts into budget conservation mode.)

Yeah, I think the annual reboots make it easier for each series to have its own, unique identity. Some series can skip henshin sequences and less people throw a fit because we understand that "oh, this is one of the shows that doesn't do those."

I would actually be pretty disappointed if there was no role call, so I guess that means-- for me-- role calls are more tied to the show's identity than henshin sequences.

is the kyoryuger movie mandatory viewing?

Would you recommend Zyouhger to me? I heard both good and bad things about it.

I would definitely recommend at least checking it out. It's very much done by the books so you won't find anything new that no Sentai show has ever done before, or at least not feel like you're watching something brand new, but what Zyuohger lacks in innovation is balanced out by the sheer quality of the show.

The characters are great (especially the Red and the Sixth Ranger), the comedy is usually on point, it's not overly annoying, action is good, it has serious moments as well as goofy ones, and the subplots are entertaining. It does have a rather weak cast of villains but even those have their moments and they introduce a new one around the half-point of the show that mixes thing up a bit.

It's just an overall really solid show, I enjoyed it a lot.

Yes. Make sure to learn the song and dance too, for the ultimate experience.

What do you think makes Dragon Ranger Burai the best?

He had a samurai mecha Godzilla, his weapons were awesome, his chest shield deflects laser blasts, and he had a pretty awesome fight with Geki.

What's everyone's favourite opening?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8qZt0zRwDs

This decimates all.
Plus The actor who plays Red Turbo, Kenta Sato, sings the song and does it well. Best part is He wears his character's civilian clothes for most of his performances.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58MzL6KAgJ4

That is fan service at its finest right there.

I like Goseiger; it is catchy as hell

Gekiranger's!
Followed by Secret Kakuranger

I love the majority of them but Dairanger, Dekaranger and Gokaiger are among my favorites.

who is the oldest main team member on any sentai team?

We have a couple century old rangers. Perhaps Torin or Utchy?
I'm certain there are older members, but I haven't seen every series.

I believe Kyoryuger's Nobuharu is the oldest. He was 32 years old when he become a ranger.

There are all six of the Zyurangers and Riki/Kingranger but they hibernated so not sure if that counts.
If hibernation can be overruled then those seven I guess. :)

So...What are the chances of the film rangers being added into next year's Super Hero Taisen?

I know they're not Sentai, but still, Toei has made weird choices before.

GoGoV has the best opening.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sva-YWikHoo

I was looking for the show's opening but this video's pretty cool!

Honestly, that seems weird even for them. I think the chances of that happening are pretty low...then again, the Amazons riders appeared in Cho Super Hero Taisen so...

I think the core problem is the suits do not match super sentai and importing the suits probably would be a pain in the butt. If what I heard is true, the suits from Power Rangers are a mixbag of practical + CGI when filming so production-wise it can be a pain in the neck to work with for Toei.
Amazons can work despite the gore since it matches up nicely aesthetically and getting the suits do not demand a lot of resources probably.

That had crossed my mind as well. I didn't really think about it when I watched the movie, but the movie ranger suits kind of looked like they would been a pain in the ass to shoot complicated action sequences with.

Adding to your reply resource management and meeting the quotas is what it boils down to in the end. Efficiency is key especially when you have to film the weekly episodes and on top of that film movie specials on spring(Super Hero Taisen) and summer(Double Feature) AND winter(Sentai VS Sentai).

Don't forget all the little extra stuff in between. The youtube shorts, the character focused spin offs, and everything else in between. Toei really has a lot going on year round.

That too. :)

KingRanger was like 900 years old....so...yeah.

I believe the question was asking about core team members, not sixth rangers or auxiliary rangers. Besides, Riki is 600 million years old. He's literally the oldest ranger in Sentai.

In that case Goranger, duh :p

does the Rakugo guy ever go away in Kakuranger? He is really tarnishing my enjoyment of the show