[Sh Ranger]

My sixth time!

Favorite New Show of 2025: No.1 Sentai Gozyuger

While it's hard to deny its problems, like the messy structure and problems beyond its control, I enjoy the playful yet serious spirit of this show and the valuable messages it strives to convey.

Favorite New-to-You Show of 2025: Seijyu Sentai Gingaman

My last Heisei Sentai and one that I rank highly! While not flawless, it did a lot of things right and had a likable team of heroes and intriguing competing villain factions.

Favorite Miniseries or Special of 2025: Formation Lap Cleaners of the Galaxy

Doesn't seem like there were many to talk about this year, so it was between this and Halloween Party and ultimately I decided the spectacle of Forever Sixth featuring Draco Commander was a pretty epic event!

Favorite (Sparkling) Rewatch of 2025: Machine Sentai Kiramager

Totally gave me the clarity to appreciate this show in a way I couldn't have done before. If anybody else feels like giving it a rewatch in this brighter sparkling time, I would recommend it for sure!

Favorite Movie of 2025: Gotchard Future Daybreak

While I wasn't sure of the plot at first when this orange Gotchard appeared in the show, the movie is an awesome payoff that answers many questions about the show's lore and has strong development for both Houtarous and Rinne. My favorite Reiwa Rider summer movie so far.

Favorite Male Lead Character: Tono Hoeru

An outcast to society, who knows he's an outcast, yet always tries his best at whatever he does. As something of an outcast myself, I think Hoeru is a great unconventional role model in the sense that even losers can draw strength from him. He teaches us that even without self-confidence, we can still win if we have ambition to succeed and rely on friends to help us.

Favorite Female Lead Character: Nem

Mostly by process of elimination, as she hasn't had much focus so far, but her first impression is good. The prison arc made her sympathetic and her variety of outfits is fun to see, with her roles in dreams making her like a female Kadoya Tsukasa.

Favorite Male Supporting Character: Dente Stomach

Literally the only character in the show who genuinely wants his family to get along and never gives up on them, even when it seems futile. Dude deserved a better family.

Favorite Female Supporting Character: Nagumo Nasuka

Maybe a little biased as a Lopo fan, but I think Nasuka is a good character in her own right. While she can be stubborn in her skepticism about Black Cases, she's not dismissive and recent episodes show how her rationality is an important balance to Fujimi's brashness.

Favorite Villain: Fire Candle

The evil counterpart of Kisaragi Gentarou. I enjoy the passion that Fire Candle brings to the fights and how much he cares about his fellow Bridans. Like I said in another thread, I totally think this guy deserves a Yodonna-like spin-off!

Favorite Returning Past Character: Sutou Siblings

I'm a big Go-Onger fan of course, so it shouldn't be surprising that I'd be excited to see the Go-On Wings once more. I'm curious how they knew Shou Ronpou though.

Favorite Actor: Imai Ryoutarou

He puts a lot of effort in to distinguishing between Baku and his Seven alter ego, while still making them seem like the same person deep down. Him practicing English to sound authentic totally sells it!

Favorite Actress: Marupi

She showed a lot of strong emotions in the Battle Japan arc, where Fire Candle was trying to get Bouquet to snap out of the brainwashing. One of her most memorable performances for sure.

Favorite Writer: Inoue Akiko (again)

I feel bad for her since it's her first time as head writer and she had to work with all that behind the scenes drama, but even that doesn't stop her from hitting me in the heart with those emotional moments. She deserves to write a non-anniversary show, so we can see more of her potential!

Favorite Suit Design: Wild Gozyu Wolf

I thought Gozyu Wolf was already the coolest looking Red in the Reiwa Era, but the sharp edges of Wild really brings out Hoeru's unbreakable free spirit.

Favorite Weapon: Tega Sword

IYASAKA!

Favorite Vehicle: CODE Zeroider

Reminds me of Auto Vajin, if he was the cunning boss of an organization of agents.

Favorite Mecha: Tega Sword Akatsuki

Orca Booster is already an awesome weapon and mecha on its own, but the Gattai with Tega Sword looking like a bad*ss samurai is even better!

Favorite Fight Scene:

Gavv and Valen VS Bitter Gavv Sparkingummy in Episode 22. That show in general has excellent use of the environment that keeps fights unpredictable.

Favorite Dramatic Scene:

Hanto accepting Shouma as a Granute and saving him from falling after the Bitter Gavv Sparkingummy fight.

Favorite Comedic Scene:

The butler battle between Butler Lonely Wolf and Butler Fire Candle.

Biggest "WTF did I just watch?" Moment:

Kuon: "Hoeru, let's get married!"

Favorite Song: Visions

I love how mysterious it sounds and how the lyrics tie so aptly to Baku's personal feelings.

Favorite Piece of Merchandise: Bandai's DX Tega Sword

A morpher, hand, sword and mecha all in one with electronics and a clean design. IYASAKA!

Biggest Surprise of 2025:

Metal Heroes are coming back, hell yeah!

Biggest Disappointment of 2025:

The mediocrity of Gavv's last 2 episodes. Even Boonboomger at least managed to have a good final arc with a moral about the danger of capitalism in the hands of evil.

Most Anticipated Tokusatsu Project and/or Merch of 2026: Chou Uchuu Keiji Gavan Infinity

The staff announcement has me feeling skeptical, but as the first in a new franchise, I want to give it the benefit of the doubt.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Switchblade

[to the deeply beloved tune of "Power Rangers Mystic Force"]
There's still no Power Rangers! (No!)
There's still no Power Rangers! (No!)
There's still no Power Rangers! (No!)

On a break now!
There's still no Power Rangers! (No!)
There's still no Power Rangers! (No!)
There's still no Power Rangers! (No!)
Still on hiatus, yeah!

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoldenXtreme

Favorite Rewatch of 2025

The tail end of my Kamen Rider Fourze rewatch was in 2025. It's a show that always cheers me up and is nonstop fun. I got to watch it with a friend this time and he absolutely loved it, which made it even better.

I'm planning to rewatch Fourze once more soon as well, along with several others on this forum, probably.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoldenXtreme

The Onari Memorial Award for Single Worst Thing in Tokusatsu, 2025 Edition:
I still can't believe Yuuya Takahashi was made head writer for Kamen Rider AGAIN. This must have been what is was like when Toei wouldn't stop hiring Toshiki Inoue in the 2000s.

While I had this reaction at first as well, hearing about the writer for Gavan Infinity makes me feel more grateful for Takahashi. Zeztz is doing good so far, so I can only hope it keeps the momentum.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kiwami

Favorite Villain

He may not be the best written character ever but I have a soft spot for Fire Candle. The actor gives 200% every time, so much fun to see, and his rivalry with GoyzuWolf is very entertaining to watch.

This for sure! Honestly, one of my main complaints about the show is that the Hoeru and Fire Candle rivalry doesn't get as much time as it deserves. Anytime these two interact, it's No.1!