[HenshinTrouble]

I just want to say here (because it popped up in conversation on this thread) that part of what drew me to toku was the chance to share stories with my son that were about hope and, well, protecting smiles. Two pieces online elaborate on this quite well.

This one is written by an Anglican minister. Don't let that turn you off from reading the piece; if you aren't inclined towards religion, just skip the last paragraph. Before all that, it's just a pretty nice elaboration on why "protecting smiles" seems so important.

And then there's Chris Sims on Power Rangers: RPM (where he talks about how he loves it for being dark but not cynical) and on Kamen Rider Fourze. Both work well as companion pieces to each other, I think, and also explain what I got when I was younger and what I think kids today need from their entertainment as well.