[Kurona]

I think this is trying a bit too hard to find a reason for all these shows being pretty bad; though I will admit there are some problems of over-reliance on tropes and such that has pervaded through each series; not to mention the ever-rising amount of toys to promote that's become an issue in Kamen Rider as well.

Go-Busters I'll agree that the core cast weren't terribly interesting characters on their own; looking back I think that is the biggest problem and it does harm some of the series' themes. But overall there's a lot to like about the season and there are some very good unique things about it; especially in how the mech fights are handled. Mech fights imo are always the worst part of Sentai since they more or less always ended up being shoehorned in; just a pointless extra fight on top of the previous one that ends up being not as impressive because the bulky suits are simply not as capable of some of the more impressive stunts the rangers themselves can pull off. But Go-Busters actually had a great way of getting around these problems by being a lot more creative in when they happened; in giving them a sense of tension and build-up with that countdown; in actually making the previous fight with the rangers a lot more suspenseful; not just going with the most recent most powerful mech all the time and actually saving the 'ultimate gattai' for particular occassions -- I don't wanna go on about this longer because it'd be better served in an actual Go-Busters thread, but it's a good example for me of how Go-Busters was really good. And that's not even getting into Enter, Beet J. Stag, the connection stressed with the Buddyroids, the fantastic ranger suits and everything else. It was a good series.

Kyoryuger is worse on reflection than when I just came out of it, but I could actually stand Daigo a lot more as a 'screaming red' because it fit in much more with the series going for a very wild and out-there approach than somber and serious like Go-Busters. I don't think it succeeded in these goals as well as it could have, but for what it was I still found myself having fun and there's still some things to like here. Torin in particular is a VERY good character and easily my favourite mentor so far.

Toqger is just damn good fun. There's problems but a lot of what this series does just makes it work -- its music constantly hits just the right tone and upbeat cheerfulness; its overall plot is fairly interesting; the respective aesthetics of the heroes and villains are extremely well executed... I really couldn't help falling in love. Its sixth ranger is also a joy to behold and I love how persistent the rangers are in getting him to join the team; a persistence and optimism which makes so much sense when it's revealed that they're [SPOILERS] and it works so well with the series' themes of imagination. I admit I've also just really loved trains my whole life so that certainly helped, but it was honestly good in its own right.

Yeah no I'm not defending Ninninger. I'll say I liked Starninger; I'll say I liked Kyuemon; and I'll even say that I think the legacy stuff is integrated far better than most series and works its way into its themes to the extent it's more than just a "hey these guys are here now isn't this cool" thing.
But it's still sooooooo bad, oh my god. I don't even want to get into how bad it is, I'm just-- I'll let y'all have this one. Worst Sentai so far for me.

Zyuohger was nice. Had a brilliant Red, some nice rangers and supporting characters, and honestly some fairly interesting villains. Kuval (or Qubald or however your subs translate his name) had an incredible design by Sentai standards and seeing his story unfold was really cool, especially when we got to Bangray. Zyuoh The World was a great way to celebrate the franchise's sixth rangers by going back to their roots with the whole possessed-by-evil thing, and then the arc he DOES go on is great just to see how they handle themes of depression and survivor's guilt... even if it is a little too rough and ham-fisted. That's not how depression works, Leo, stop being an asshole
Still, good series. I think it and Kamen Rider OOO are great examples of how you can do an anniversary season by not just throwing in cameos and references every chance you get, but just by using your experience and your accrued themes to make a damn good season. That's the sort of anniversary celebration I like seeing every once in a while.

Kyuranger was ech. This post has already gone on so long I'm not gonna say much but there is a LOT I could say about Kyuranger, believe me. Overall not a series I ended up enjoying a lot, thanks Lucky.