[Aoi Kurenai]

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Originally Posted by Shin Henshin

Considering we went from a series with 12 rangers and a successful toyline to one with the standard 7 rangers, I highly doubt keeping up with characters is the problem.

Kyuranger's toy line did okay but considering how many Rangers there were, it probably wasn't the hit Bandai wanted it to be.

I don't for a second believe that Lupato was an attempt to "buy time", you don't really do that with a full scale TV production, especially not with something as formula changing as this one is.

Ninninger was the first series with a collectible gadget that failed to perform, Zyuohger comes along and I think that's Bandai trying to future proof the brand by not having a collectible widget and seeing how a show like that performs and it only just barely sold better. Kyuranger comes along with a pretty great looking line and it does better, but not at all great.

Lupato struck me as Toei once again trying to balance a more traditional toy line with the collectible widget formula. Only problem is when a toy line is as small as Lupato and the collectible widgets, which are your key item this year, are sold at mecha price point, you hurt your customers. Either they like them and can't collectible them all because they're not as affordable as Kyutama or Ressha or what have you or you don't like the mecha and you're left with very little else.

I'm thinking one of the biggest issues with Sentai lately is its reliance on mecha. Power Rangers and Sentai have always focused on two different elements - Power Rangers is more focused on figures and role play items while Sentai is more focused on mecha. A switch in focus might be what Sentai needs. The franchise hasn't had what I would consider to be a hit since ToQger and after nearly five years of under performers with literally your worst quarter ever, I think it's absolutely vital that Bandai takes a look at their strategy next year.

The show has nothing to do with it - Lupato is actually improving on last year's ratings, and is even beating Build on the regular, which is crazy for Sentai.

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Is this the state of Toei tokusatus now that a gimmick is considered an irremovable staple of their shows even by fans?

That's just the nature of toys these days. Zyuohger was the last one without a collectible widget and it was one of the worst performers in nearly two decades. (right down there with Ninninger, Gekiranger, and Timeranger)