What would you do to make Super Sentai amazing again
 

Alternate title was going to be "Why is Super Sentai failing" but it's moot because we all know the obvious answer. Also, Kiramager will be left out of this discussion as it is still ongoing and while I personally enjoyed it immensely, there's still risk of it going bad.

Let's be honest: Sentai is in a pinch for a long time now. It didn't help that the last few seasons would always divide people. Not to mention Kamen Rider, and even Ultraman now is more popular. I didn't know if that old rumor about Ryusoulger being a potential last season and if it didn't perform well Sentai will be cancelled/go on hiatus is true or not (though Kiramager exists would prove it false, but others would argue that it's because Ryusoulger used dinosaurs to make money and play it safe), but you can't deny the rumor did shook the fandom.

And it's not like Sentai didn't try new things. They always did ever since Gokaiger. Each season would have a different gimmick (different colors for the core team, or even new things like 9 Rangers instead of 5) but majority of them aren't that successful, and in some cases have abysmal toy sales. Yes, one could argue that these gimmicks work if they were written better. They even tried that with Ryusoulger by having a fresh writer, but it didn't work as well.

So I would like to ask: What would you do to make Super Sentai a powerhouse again?

Don't hard focus on the toys.

I know it's a toy commercial at it's root, but by focusing exclusively on pushing toys, it ends up down the same path as always.
Children connect with characters, which helps establish favorites to perhaps could lead to stronger sales in different areas.

Going to LuPat as an example, perhaps if they gave kids a reason to care about the Patrangers, their merch would've moved more. Instead, they saw the Q1 sales favoring Lupins, and exclusively focused on that. Maybe if they gave the Pats time to shine, and give kids the chance to see them as cool, it could've been salvaged...

Also, better mechs. This is just coming from my crotchety old man perspective, but too many figures have been "Stand up the chonky red figure, and turn the others into the arms"
I know since Sentai is aimed at a younger demographic, complicated transformations aren't exactly what they want, but some compromise would be nice. Give me more Shinken Oh, and less Kyuren Oh, at the very least.

Funny, I think KyurenOh is one of the better example of mecha system, and it's basically ShinkenOh. Also speaking of toys, I'd argue that Ultraman nowadays is even more toyetic especially with how they literally show you how to use the toys every episode. But it gets glossed over as Ultraman feature great storytelling and action scenes.

And that's what Sentai also suffers. Half of its merchandise are toys, but in most of Sentai seasons, the mecha fights felt like an afterthought as well as rushed. This shows even in Ryusoulger, a show where I praised the mecha fights for being like Ultraman-ish.

So far Kiramager seems to avert this, but that's mostly because the Zords are sentient, giving them a priority

Stop introducing new toys every episode (or damn near it).

I'm not the target audience here, not by a longshot, I'm not 6 years old, I'm not Japanese and I don't buy toys at all so my opinion is entirely moot. But my theory is that when you introduce toys every episode and kids catch on to that, they stop buying it. Even worse, once parents catch on that there's something new every week, it'll be that much harder to sell. Compare that to how it used to be, where a mid-season reveal of a new mecha would be huge news and all the kids had to have it.

If I got to wish entirely upon a star with considering anyone else, bigger focus on narrative and better transformation sequences. Feel free to build up the reveal of the main mecha for a few episodes, make it feel like the teams needed to work a bit to get the mech instead of just being handed to them because they're dressed in spandex all of a sudden.
As for the transformation sequences, maybe I was just weird as a kid but that was the best part. The anticipation and the ultimate climax of the complete mech was brilliant every week. The more detailed and/or action there was, the better. The first transformation in Zyuranger or GoGoV are still some of the best. And as an adult I really appreciate if thought has gone together into how it all fits together rather than just handwaving it, bright flash then "Magic! It's a whole robot now... somehow." Oh, and feel free to make things a bit more unique, maybe not every season needs every ranger to start out with their own vehicle.

Gah, I'm rambling and on a phone so maybe it doesn't make sense.

I felt the opposite. Since Kyuranger had 9 rangers from the get-go, it's mecha system had to have tons of compromises. And since it also wanted every mech to have the Kyutama gimmick as well, I just felt that it was a disappointment.

Shinken Oh and Kyuren Oh both had their mechs pulling double duty in some way (The Origami modes and Kyuren having any mech become arms or legs), but Kyuranger just fell completely flat.

Maybe have the narrative not be as dumbed down. Yes, I know it's a kid show, but so Is Rider and it's plot aren't dumbed down and are compelling.

I would make a moderate CG special effects, i would make better mechas, better fight scenes and i would improve the plots influence action-adventure sci fi/fanatsy Hollywood tv shows/movies.

I think Sentai should consider adopting a more serialized storyline. Outside of the occasional two-parter, most Sentai series are full of standalone, done-in-one episodes. I think this fact, especially when coupled with Sentai's willingness to go back to a lot of stock plots and situations, leaves the shows feeling like they lack much direction beyond the current monster of the week. Going with something more like Gaim (structurally, not tonally) would do Sentai a world of good. Have an ongoing main plot that continues across at least a good portion of the entire season and use that as the primary tool to develop the characters. I think it would really help the show to break out of the pattern of spotlight episodes scattered between new toy episodes.

I would make more robotic-looking mechas like the 80's and 90's.

Comparing the Super Sentai od the past to the Super Sentai of the now, I would push for a more consistent plot rather than mondter of the week fiascos that we got in LuPat and Ryusoulger (plot was one of the biggest reasons I enjoyed Kyurabger; it had slightly more plot than the series that followed it).

I'm not saying monster of the week is bad. I'm just saying its overused. At least insert some more plot into the story instead of trying to push for merchandise.

Everyone says "New toys every other episode is damaging", and while there is legitimacy behind that theory, there are also questions.

Gokaiger did the same thing, and Go-Busters didn't and had terrible toy sales (though Go-Busters was more experimental and could have had terrible toy sales for far different reasons cause the show and its story and characters didn't completely do it for kids).

A buddy of mine was unimpressed with the Ryusoulger Dinos (I've mentioned this before) and praised Daizyujin for having a more seamless form where everything went together precisely; every creature had a part and role to play and the final form was whole and beautiful.

Having a combination that looks and pops as seamless and intentional is better than the "slapping-things-together-haphazardly-and-calling-it-a-day" Mecha!

If new vehicles/animals appear, they should appear more infrequently.

To compensate, experiment by having a Main Mecha which can adopt multiple forms on its own. For example, Shurikenjin could switch Shinobimaru out in favor of Dragomaru to form Shurikenjin Drago.

Another compensation would be a Main Mecha which has multiple attacks and more than one finisher! I'm in the middle of Bioman and Bio Robo has multiple sword-themed attacks...and Bioman was back in '84 when formula was everything!

If an Auxiliary Mecha should appear, it should appear much later and be a seamless addition/replacement to the Main Mecha rather than just arm-swapping.

Another idea is to be more experimental with formula. Make it so there is a reason for the Mecha and Giant Monsters to be there and not just a random element meant to push some toys.

Experimentation can also come in the form of more role-play items rather than just Auxiliary Mecha. Having a figures or weapons might be nice addition rather than just focusing on Mecha. It might also be a benefit if a new team weapon could be used by the Main Mecha in some fashion. If a Ranger can use a new sword, why not a "Megazord"!?

Also, don't make villains so predictable. Not all threats have to come from space. Straddle a line between origins and don't hesitate to make a villain sympathetic (if only up to a certain point).

Rangers don't have to follow a standard color pattern. Sure, there will always be a Red, but can't we have a Gold or White take over for Yellow and Pink!? When has there been a truly Blue Sixth Ranger? Some would argue this is similar to Kyuranger, and that isn't totally wrong, but Kyuranger naturally had a large number and could be considered an exception to the rule based solely on that naturally large number.

The number of Rangers doesn't have to stop at six, either. Seven or eight Rangers wouldn't be a bad thing in the slightest, especially if you have less Auxiliary Mecha.

As I type this, a thought occurs: It's been too long since we had an Armored Extra Hero, like Ninjaman or Gunmajin. I don't mean a Robotic Ranger like Beet J. Stag or Balance, I literally mean an Armored Extra like the ones who saved Goseiger in the 199 and who's Ranger Keys were later used as drones by Basco. Lupin Magnum had all the appearance of an Extra Hero, but wasn't sentient. Gaisorg/Nada was close to the idea, but not involved or on-screen enough to really qualify. Armored Extra Heroes can transform as needed and enlarge themselves at will. This will necessitate a figure and compensate for the lack of Auxiliary Mecha.

Being mindful about plot could also mean that one should look inward at the Sentai formula and perhaps ask questions: Should Rangers be fighting these villains? Are the villains in the right (again, up to a point)? Should a team of youngsters be trusted with high-tech vehicles or armored animals which unite? Can the Mentor be truly trusted? Could public trust be swayed by a sudden revelation and not because a monster is manipulating people? Could a Sentai become so maligned and concerning that the other Sentai are actively trying to stop them, prompting a Sentai VS. Sentai conflict not unlike the Heisei Riders VS. Showa Riders Movie?

One more thing: Should there come a point when the entire team as to fight the obligatory Red, possibly leading to a stage when someone has to take his power and use it as a newer and different Red?

These are my questions and pecking points as of now. I don't know if they would make Sentai "amazing again", but I would like to think they could make it truly interesting again. I don't want to make Sentai too dark and incapable of inspiring people, but challenging the mythos and taking chances make for interesting storytelling.

IMO Tone down the Red focus make the Red more like Shinkenger/Gokaiger/Zuyohger where he's not an idiot (I view Sentai as the brighter show and Kamen Rider as the darker show like even before the 2010's and that's fine by me)

I'd argue Rider is getting toyetic where it's felt like in EVERY SEASON after Wizard(even if Gaim/Ex-Aid are my two favorite rider series they are guilty of doing this each) A new toy is shown off to some degree in the first 15-25 episodes in fact a problem I have with BOTH EX-AID AND BUILD (Ghost does this too but by that point unless the second half of the show so like say after Greatful's debut was amazing I doubt it'd been able to redeem it)is there is a stretch in the middle where it feels like the show is stalling JUST SO IT DOESN'T GET AHEAD OF IT'S TOY RELEASE SCHEDULE I Feel like Zi O kinda was smart enough to release most of it's non updgrade stuff relatively early so that way they can space the showing of this stuff out and have the plot ALWAYS Be moving and have things happen (WHILE YES Zero-One kinda does this too but the thing is most of it's stalling was building Gai up to be an asshole and then seeing him get his just deserts so it's not as noticable)

pretty much took the words out of my mouth plot may poke it's head in and out but things heat up and shit happens near the end of the show format is a big reason why I haven't like Sentai that much that much anymore in the past 5 years is that after each member's inital focus episodes only things you REALLY NEED TO WATCH are new members debuts and them joining the team/upgrade/ultimate mech until the last 6 or so episodes to get the gist of it TBF Sentai has an ensamble cast typically EVEN IF The last four Rider series have more of an ensamble cast they still are outnumbered by the amount of characters in a sentai show (THOUGH TBF this does allow the writers to spend more time letting the audience get to know the characters/see their development )

this too I Am fine with Sentai being the brighter alternative to Kamen Rider but now we're getting to the point where Ultraman is starting to overtake Sentai in that department it used to be Sentai were the big boys of Toku then Kamen Rider then Ultraman now it's Kamen Rider then Sentai but Ultaman is catching up AND FAST characters don't need annoying quirks/tics to be memorable (I'm not saying you CAN'T HAVE them But the problem is they overdo them case and point the ammount of Yosha Lucky moments that pretty much exist for no reason other than filling air time)

Sorry I couldn't quote you guys directly for simplicity's sake but

@TokuKnight89

I've been wanting to mention this for a long time now, since you said that Sentai should have more Extra Hero. Well considering that Kamen Rider now has at least 3 Riders per show and Third Riders are a guarantee, do you think Sentai should properly introduce an official 7th Ranger or something? It could help that sonce 6th Rangers nowadays are usually gold and silver, so they could have the 7th Ranger to be a random color.

@Mmicb0b

Ohhh I would to complain about Riders shoving toys. Remember when form changes are cool and each serve their own purpose? Nowadays they tend to shove so many forms onto the main Rider only for them to become moot when the Riders obtain the first upgrade.

Also yeah, it seems like what Sentai needs to do to he amazing again is to make more serialized storyline. The Hebitsukai Metal story arc was pretty good and slightly redeem Kyuranger. Even Ryusoulger was praised because it's final arc was a continuous story arc.

And to top it off, Gaim become a fan favorite because they became serialized, up till then the shows are often two parter, and by Wizard people are tired of it due to the two parters being excuse for filler style writing. Even Drive didn't become amazing up till they properly start to do serialized storytelling.

But all in all, it doesn't need to be completely serialized. You need some episodic content, and it is why Ultraman nowadays is a success because they have a balance of serialized and episodic format.

I'm honestly not sure why they don't introduce more rangers much more regularly. There's multiple major upgrade mechas, so introducing a new ranger would work out naturally.

The trifecta of a strong Japanese property is TV show, toys, & video games.

Super Sentai and even Kamen Rider have always lacked on that third one. Franchises like Pokemon, Yokai Watch, and Beyblade have been able to push endless amounts of toys and accessories because there's enough in the show and games to keep people interested consistently.

Narratively, I'm not personally into the idea, but a stronger connective tie between each season ensures people don't feel left out in the cold after a season ends and we move on to the next series and the next wave of toys. You can only do that a few series in a row before you burn out and stare at your toy collection that ceases to have meaning and relevance.

Ultraman does a good job at keeping each series connected and feeling relevant. Zero was a popular ultra and he still makes appearances that are more than shallow cameos.

Again on a personal note, I think smaller teams are better. There's just not enough time to build character and have growth and adequate arcs when there are more than like 6 rangers.

Exactly, Riders keep introducing multiple Riders, Sentai should do it as well. Although to be fair, they need to tone down the Red focus significantly and focus on the ensemble nature of Sentai before they can do that. Because what makes multiple Riders successful is that even the non-primary Riders have their own arcs that contribute to the story.

Because in Sentai we all know that Red and 6th gets the focus, while the other 4 are sadly cheerleaders and only gets focus in am episodic format.

Also another problem is I feel like Sentai's gotten WAY TOO MUCH COMPLACENT most shows have idiot red 4 people who become cheerleaders gold/silver is introduced since 2013 so it's this videohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKMMCPeiQoc

Take a break with excessive members.

Well, I’ve been patient long enough. Time for my two cents. Namely, I disagree with some of the ideas put forth.

A more serialised show isn’t always a good idea. Yes Gaminator was a serialised show and it did well, but Dragon Knight was also a serialised show aimed at kids. And that’s cited as one reason the show failed (because each episode required you to have watched the last few, and most people don’t have the memory to retain the necessary information if they have seen it).

Also, I disagree with the concept of more Rangers. Having more characters for EVERY toy that comes out seems more like it belongs in a fanfiction than in a professionally made tv show. Plus I REALLY hat the idea. Jetman didn’t bring in a new Ranger for each mecha. Gekiranger didn’t bring in a new Ranger for each mecha, Gokaiger didn’t bring in a new Ranger for each mecha and modern shows CERTAINLY don’t need a new Ranger for every mecha.

Ok, rant over. If you ask me, they’d do better if they look at the shows that did the best (Ohranger, Gaoranger, Kyoryuger) and figure out why they did so well, so they can replicate it.

I don't have that many big, series wide problems with Super Sentai as far as how they tell their stories. I mean, I have problems with a lot of the tropes they keep using that but that's less because the tropes themselves and more about how they use them. My biggest problem with Super Sentai as a series its entire business model.

OK, so Super Sentai is a team based TV show in which the biggest draw of the show merchandise wise are the mecha. There's nothing wrong with this set up in concept but the devil is in the details and Super Sentai, in my opinion, seems to go out of its way to downplay both of these aspects.

Starting with the team aspect of the show, one of the biggest problems I have with the show is the fact that the Red Ranger is that main character. Don't get me wrong, I understand that somebody has the be the face of the team, but it feels like the show does everything in its power to communicate to audiences that the red ranger is the only individual that matters in the team both narratively and commercially.

He's the main character of the show, all of the unique toys go to him, and only him, and if there are items that are used by the team as a whole, he's still the primary user. While none of this would be that big of a deal in a show like, say, Kamen Rider where the title very clearly states that there's somebody who's more important then everyone else, when a show called Super SENTAI does this, it kind of undermines the entire concept of the show and it makes you wonder why they even bothered naming the show after a team when one member matters so much more then the others.

I mean, isn't point of a team based show being able to see a bunch of unique individuals with unique talents working together to solve a problem? Why does the show assume that everybody wants to be the red ranger. What if somebody likes the blue ranger? or the yellow ranger? The show make so effort to appeal to anyone who isn't a red( or sixth) ranger fan that I can't help but wonder what's the point of having other rangers...

Now onto the mecha. Despite being probably the biggest draw of the series merchandise wise, It always baffled me as to why the mecha is so... inconsequentially to the show as a whole. In most shows, the mecha is nothing more then a giant weapon, used against a monster that's already been destroyed, in a battle that can usually be skipped without losing anything of value as far as either the story or the characters are concerned.

Some shows try and get around this through a few different methods, such as making them actual characters or having them grant the rangers a special ability that's usable outside of mecha battles, but those are either so rare that they feel like nothing more then one off gimmicks to make the show stand out in some way from other shows in the series or they're apply so selectively that if feels less like they're making that specific mecha better and more like they making other mecha worse by not having it.

Hell, most of the time they can't even be bother to make the additional mecha do something other then change one of the main mecha's arms or give them a different weapon. The few times the mecha has a gimmick other then 'changing arms' its almost completely ignored after the first quarter of the show.

To make a long story short, my biggest problem with Super Sentai as a franchise is that I feel like the show isn't very good at selling its concept. For all of the different experiments they've tried over the last ten or so years with the show, I feel like they've done very little to fix the core issues with how they sell the show.

I could go even further about my problems with the toys themselves, whoever decided that a tokusatsu in 2020 shouldn't have a collectible device deserves to sent to bed without dinner for the entirety of this show's run, but I think I'll save that for another day.

I mean it sounds like most of you just want Sentai to be more like Rider, and like, I get that because not only do I like Rider more too, but the latter is clearly the product that Toei pushes more to have an appeal to all age groups.

That's exactly why I don't expect that to happen though. As of now, Sentai still fills a specific niche. Featuring a team of colourful heroes and their (many) giant robots, that niche just happens to inevitably shrink more and more with time.

So the shows really don't have any reason ever to be particularly ambitious (and while I'm sure it's just a coincidence, the shows being ambitious in it's writing has never helped sales anyway. Look at Gekiranger and Go-Busters). Though personally, I've not really great desire for Sentai to change it's ways. It is what it is, and I've stuck around it because of what it is. If I wanted something more serialised or different, well... I would just tune into a different show. Which I can do because it also airs every week.

I just want to say that so far Kiramager is really good, and for the many of the reasons listed in this thread.

That could change as the season progresses, but this is the first time I've really enjoyed a modern sentai series.

This is strictly from a toy perspective.
Give the Mecha the articulation that other combining robot toylines enjoy.

You know, hips, knees, elbows, etc.
I see no reason such things are limited to either SOC or Super Minipla.
There is no excuse for Bandai not to do it when the likes of Tobots are able to outmatch them.

Except that a) the mecha are already pricey as they are, adding articulation would make them too expensive for kids or parents buying for kids to consider and b) the main gimmick of the mecha is combination, not that they’re oversized action figures.

Well to be fair Kyoryuger introduced a new Ranger for every mecha they introduced and it sold well. Not saying that they should introduce a new Ranger for every mecha though.

I can't say for Ohranger, but Gaoranger gave birth to introducing auxillary mechas and it's a staple for every Sentai that comes after it. While I don't know if it contributed to sales (most likely not), but what I like about Gaoranger is that each Ranger would gain their own auxillary zords, increasing their importance as they are the one who is required to summon their respectibe auxillaries. The last time Sentai did this was..... Correct me if I'm wrong, Goseiger, I guess?

What I'm saying is that if you look at Ryusoulger, every time they introduce new zords and armor, Red would always be the one who receives it. If they actually distributed the auxillary zords to the other Rysuoulger, making it seem like it's their own power, it would drastically lessen the 'Red-focus' criticism.

This. Like I said, the mecha fights always felt like afterthought, like an obligatory need to do it just because it's a staple. It's also because the focus of the climax was on the ground fight, and when we get to mecha fights it's only brief.

I get that it's budget reasons because technically, Sentai had to juggle both the responsibilities that Kamen Rider and Ultraman had at the same time. I feel like Sentai needs to balance their mecha fights so that it seems important.

Yes, so far Kiramager seems to be doing that, and hopefully it makes them successful, but until then we'll see.

I guess I should say that I wasn't saying they should introduce more Rangers - I would much rather they figure out how to balance the cast they start with before introducing anyone else - and more that I'm surprised they don't do that. It just feels like an obvious easy to boost sales, so while I wouldn't exactly be enthused about it, it's just surprising to me.

I think they tried that with Kyuranger which did give a uptick in sales, but not to Toqger level of sales. So I don't know if more rangers would really help.

Maaaaannn Kyuranger could've been a fan favorite Sentai if they didn't make the obvious mistakes.

Stop focusing on the red rangers so much! It feels like ever since Kyoryuger, sentai has been hard focused on giving the reds all the power ups. I miss having team-wide power-ups like in Dekaranger, Magiranger, Gekiranger etc. I hope Kirameiger changes this

What about Ryusoulgers? Yeah Red may of gotten the power ups. But the whole team could use them.

I think if they fix the narrative structure of Sentai it would do them wonders.

I adore Kiramager right now, but until about episode 6/7 (I forgot which one) it played like a typical Sentai: introduce focus character, they have one point of drama for that one episode only, it gets resolved & the episode's over never to be looked back on again.

While Kiramager does that formula right IMO I think it did a good thing in having an episode end on the arrival of a mystery mecha be so early in the show. It makes me think of when Double & OOO had their 2-episode mini-arcs; one episode was the setup, the other was the conclusion. It gave kids a reason to stick around for next time & ensure they'd watch the following episode a week from then.

Essentially I say have more episodes lead into each other & have more over-arching stories that feel like they're gonna last a good amount of time so kids can be invested. I can't judge the last few series, but the fact that I didn't care enough to watch them is not a good sign. Especially when Kamen Rider is right there during the time-block.

If anything Toei needs to treat Sentai with the same respect & give it the same level of interest & investment they give Kamen Rider. I honestly don't understand how the same people can make 2 different series feel so distant from each other in terms of effort, but they play favorites with these 2 when they should be equals. When that's fixed then maybe Sentai will be more prominent.