[CookSux]

Episode 01
-If you've followed my toku episode commentaries, I'm sure you have a good grasp of what my tastes are like. Gosei Sentai Dairanger belonged to an era where my interest in Super Sentai was at an all time high. The look and feel of these shows hit all the right notes for me. Dairanger, especially, started off with a fantastic theme song. It sounded old, it sounded Japanese, and it sounded mysterious at the same time. It even opened with a glorious shot of the RyuuSeiOu flying through the sky. Is it coincidence that we're watching Kamen Rider Ryuki as well? This opening sequence showcases the series' fantastic suits and actors speeding through a construction yard on their bikes. It's strange, but I love it.

-For the late bloomers, I'm well aware that this show looks and feels dated. You have to remember that this originally aired in 1994; that's 18 years ago! This is the stuff I grew up with. The film grain, the dubbed dialogue, the creative special effects... these all add to the show's character. How can you not feel nostalgic? The "crappy" effects heighten are more convincing than any of the new CGI crap that happens in newer Super Sentai shows. The scene where Baron String's tentacle dragged Yumi-chan across the street was clearly a manmade contraption... but it still felt real enough. When she got sucked into the sinkhole, I literally got the chills. If I was a child, I'd be sitting on the edge of my seat. If these same effects were on a modern show, I can definitely laugh at its sheer absurdity.

-When watching Super Sentai shows, I'm able to suspend a level of disbelief with low-budget productions. With Dairanger, I was never able to take the HQ seriously; it's the Ninja Turtles' sewer lair. It's boring, hardly dressed, and there isn't much going on. This place isn't special, and I'm glad that Toei's production value has gotten better over time.
The first episode introduces us to the Gouma Tribe. I always loved it when an over-dressed human was a bad guy. There's something very eerie when an enemy has a real face instead of a costumed one. The Kotto Potoro are even a force to be reckoned with. How fun was it when the army of bikers revealed their true identities? These guys are not only funny, but they're also freaky; better than the devolved cannon fodder from newer shows. The show maintains a level of urgency that the newer shows don't. The Gouma don't relegate into becoming jokes. The monster of the week, Baron String, is first introduced as a creepy kid, then turns into a dude in a gold leotard. As lame as it sounds, Dairanger makes it work.

-Dairanger throws a great action scene at us; it's thrilling and shows off each character's different styles of wushu. The pace is quick and there isn't much lull time. The roll call has a level of passion that we rarely see these days, and you have to choice but to love it. Even the suits are among my favorite. This is overall a fun first episode.
The only problem that I had with this episode was the lack of how Ryou got his Aura Changer. We're cut straight into the action, but there's a lack of explanation. It's later revealed to us that this all happened within a half-day, so I suppose it'll be a mystery. I understand that the first story arc is set as the group's origin story, but I'd like to see heroes earn their powers for once.

Episode 02
-I'd like to say that after all these years, RyuuSeiOu's transformation and robot mode is still pretty damn cool. Don't you guys miss when big battle mecha fights were actually fights? Men in costumes, crumbling buildings, and a lack of cheap CGI was always exciting. This makes me even more upset with Go-Buster's masturbatory instant gratification GoBusterOh nonsense.

-The Purse Monk, by today's standards, is a conceptually a dumb looking monster. It's just a coin purse with a body attached to it. Despite its stupidity, it's still a weird creature. The dude slam dunks Buddha heads on people! It also disguises himself as a hockey mask wielding death guy.

-Throughout the series, and this episode especially, we're peppered with Chinese philosophies on Qi. I love learning!

-The Dairanger have a wide array of abilities and weapons at their disposal. This episode displays some of their special moves. KirinRanger's Time Reversal attack must be very similar to what happens with Prince of Persia. Until I played that game, I didn't understand why KirinRanger didn't maintain the damage he took. Don't get me wrong, I still don't really get it... but I can just shut my brain off when it happens.

-I believe this is one of the few moments in Super Sentai history when a monster is stopped from enlarging himself. Though the Sentai are invincible and have ample time to change, the monsters are free game. Unfair…

Episode 03
-Kazu, the KirinRanger, is so stylish. Like Kamen Rider Drake, I suppose beauticians are really hot stuff in Japan. If this show was brought over stateside, I suppose Billy could have integrated himself into this character eh? #amirite?

-Once again, this episode introduces another creepy monster. Watching the Key Clown doing his thing in the middle of the night with roller blades is borderline disturbing. The eye liner and mascara definitely doesn't help sooth the soul. There are also terrifying puppets rampaging about too. I really want to know how many kids got nightmares from this show.

-Something that I didn't understand is how the Dairanger were able to detect the Gouma; they communicate with Master Kaku with a CB radio! In this episode, we find out that children have been abducted. It's only by freak chance did these guys find out about it. The Gouma truly is a threat.

-I'd also like to throw out that Daigo is just too passionate for a grown man.

Episode 04
-We continue the Key Clown story with a full-scale puppet attack. I find it funny that all of these people are running away from a few puppets; then again I probably would too. The lawn gnome brandishing that pistol especially.

-If you thought that you saw everything that the Dairanger had to offer, you're in for a treat. Not only do they have their Dai Busters and Dairen Rods... they have their own wushu weapons! KirinRanger's 9-part whip and TenmaRanger's Pegasus Nunchaku's are friggen sweet.

Episode 05
-I never understood why this episode started off with Megumi running up to Rin and forcing her into a friendship. If that happened to me, I'd wonder if she was a stalker... waitaminute...

-Lipstick songstress was another freak. Her obsession with her beauty and mastery over her Devil Choir was just disturbing.