Originally Posted by Monsoon (Post 615666)

My thoughts on some of my favorite seasons:

Gokaiger (2011, space pirates theme) - it's similar to Kamen Rider Decade in that they use the powers of past series as a main gimmick. It's not similar to Decade in that it has great characters and is one of the most consistently entertaining seasons.

Gekiranger (2007, animal martial arts theme) - the red ranger in Gekiranger is a jungle man whose personality can get a little annoying, but beyond that it's one of the best seasons. Awesome combat both in suits and in mechs, and a GREAT villain group. The Gekirangers' enemies grow stronger as the Gekirangers do, which is awesome.

Shinkenger (2009, samurai theme) - main cast is appealing, and the individual episodes are usually very good, but the story drags in the middle third of the show. I love the suit combat in Shinkenger, but the mecha combat isn't as good. The final twist in Shinkenger's plot is well-known / pretty cool.

Jetman (1991, birds and air force theme) - very popular early 90s show for a lot of reasons. The main characters (both heroes and villains) are awesome. The action in suits is sort of generic by modern standards, but the mecha stuff is great and the individual episodes are really good. Very strong Sentai series for characters and story.

Dairanger (1993, Chinese martial arts theme) - I *love* the suit designs and mecha designs in Dairanger, and the action is really well-choreographed. The main five Dairangers and their mentor Master Kaku are awesome, but the sixth ranger is a shitbag who gets too much story shine (IMHO, of course). The story is mostly good, and gets bonkers at the end.

Dekaranger (2004, space police theme) - I really like Dekaranger's gimmicks and setup (influenced by police procedurals, lots of 2-part episodes) and the characters are mostly likeable. The plot is a little disjointed and isn't a slow build like the best Sentai stories, though.

Zyuohger (2016, animals and cubes theme) - I don't know where the plot's going (of course) but I think very highly of the current series. Really likeable cast, great action in suits, okay action in mechs, and cool story ideas. I would at least recommend you watch the first episode and decide if you want to keep going with the current weekly Sentai joint.

Maybe avoid these:

Goseiger (2010, angels and cards theme) - I really dislike the Goseiger cast and was constantly annoyed watching them in the crossover movies with Shinkenger and Gokaiger. Couldn't watch more than three episodes of the show. Cool helmet designs, though.

Ninninger (2015, ninjas theme) - I've only seen the first few episodes (didn't love it, didn't hate it), but it's probably the most disliked recent season of Super Sentai. It has some fans, but the most common reaction to its finale earlier this year was "thank goodness it's over."

Ohranger (1995, modern military and ancient civilization theme) - I didn't like the first few episodes of this show, and I've heard that it had to undergo major rewrites partway through the series that really mess with the show's tone. I also think the suits and mecha designs look silly, personally.

Originally Posted by Monsoon (Post 625130)

A few weeks ago someone on this forum asked a similar question and I posted a fairly detailed response. I'll just quote myself:

Really though, just do a little research and try watching the first episodes of a few you think look cool. Look like you're already almost doing that!

Originally Posted by Dr Kain (Post 625144)

Go with what has been released officially on DVD first.

Originally Posted by Dr Kain (Post 625144)

Go with what has been released officially on DVD first.

Originally Posted by Annuga (Post 625146)

That really narrowed down the choices a lot :p

Decided Zyuoger. Didn't expect the Kuuga-like blatant murders

Originally Posted by Aoi Kurenai (Post 625159)

He probably means in the US - Zyuranger, Dairanger, Kakuranger, and Ohranger (this fall) are currently available on DVD via Shout! Factory.

Also, Zyuohger is nothing special in regard to its violence - most tokusatsu have no problem with showing people die. Though if you want something that'll really surprise you, the second episode of Shinkenger always stands out to me because of the way Takeru (ShinkenRed) treats an injured member of the team.

And just to contest something that was posted earlier: Goseiger's a pretty great series. That cast are definitely not the strongest you'll ever see in Sentai, that's absolutely true, but it's got so much more going for itself. You've got arcs with the team facing different villain factions, an interesting communal set up (the Rangers are from different "tribes") and the one outstanding actor on the cast, Chiba Yudai, who plays GoseiRed, is absolutely one of the best Reds Sentai has ever seen. He's soft spoken and very flighty at times but in desperate situations, he dials up the intensity to 11. If something seriously bad is happening to someone he cares about, you can see the anguish it puts him in.


I wouldn't think so. I mean, it's still perfectly reasonable for a person to enjoy both, but SPD and Dekaranger have pretty unique tones to each other.

Originally Posted by Annuga (Post 625146)

That really narrowed down the choices a lot :p

Decided Zyuoger. Didn't expect the Kuuga-like blatant murders

Originally Posted by Monsoon (Post 625452)

The above poster basically recommended every Sentai from 1984 to the present, skipping only 6 out of 33: Fiveman, GoGoV ("go go five"), Gaoranger, Abaranger, Goseiger, and Ninninger. Dunno what his problem with GoGoV or Abaranger is. I thought those two were decent.

Originally Posted by Matrixbeast (Post 625158)

While I can understand the mentality, I can't really recommend it. It's someone asking if Sentai is good and wanting to know a good starting point, and your answer is to drop $35+shipping just to dip their toe into the pool?

Originally Posted by Annuga (Post 625181)

not to mention I live in the PAL region and DVDs apparently are region locked.

Originally Posted by Smozz (Post 625816)

Usually when someone asks for a recommendation on which Sentai to watch, they end up getting suggested every bloody show by everyone. So just go with the one that you think looks the most interesting. Go-Busters rules. Watch that.

Originally Posted by Dr Kain (Post 625825)

It depends on the series. The shows over the last 10 years have gotten way more kiddy than the ones before it. Gekiranger is probably the most adult in that time period, but even that has its childish moments.

Originally Posted by EpsilonX (Post 625836)

In Dairanger, they're like "hey you're a team now" and everybody says "cool" and starts fighting like they've been doing it forever.

Originally Posted by Dr Kain (Post 625850)

Did you only watch the first two episodes? You forgot about the whole not working as a team and arguing that occurs in the next few episodes.

Originally Posted by Aoi Kurenai (Post 625159)

Also, Zyuohger is nothing special in regard to its violence - most tokusatsu have no problem with showing people die. Though if you want something that'll really surprise you, the second episode of Shinkenger always stands out to me because of the way Takeru (ShinkenRed) treats an injured member of the team.

Originally Posted by EpsilonX (Post 625901)

Welp...

I still personally wouldn't do it lol.