[Androzani84]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fish Sandwich

~Fish's Zenkai Tour!~

Episode 18: Ninja Sentai Kakuranger

And that?s my cue to start this in full.

Androzani?s Twokai Detour

And we start this for real (after an early preview a few weeks ago and a three-part Let?s Read on my YouTube channel.

First off, I?ll talk about the characters that will appear in? (edited to remove major spoilers, of course).

Super Sentai World

Ninja Sentai Kakuranger:
Sasuke/NinjaRed: The 24th descendant of Sarutobi Sasuke, who, along with 5 other legendary ninjas, sealed away the Yokai Army Corps. In 1994, their descendants formed the Ninja Sentai Kakuranger to prevent the return of the Yokai from destroying the world.
Tsuruhime/NinjaWhite: The twenty-fourth protector of the Seal Door, which held the Youkai and is more knowledgeable of the Youkai and their ancestors than her other team members. Tsuruhime is a strong girl who is looking for her missing father. Despite not being the Red Ranger, she is the real leader of Kakuranger because of her greater leadership skills than Sasuke. Despite frequent scoldings, Tsuruhime seems to gain respect for Sasuke as the series progresses. Before becoming a Kakuranger, she once fought alongside two other girls, Yukiyo & Tsukiyo, as one of the 'Punishment Sailor Sisters?.
Saizou/NinjaBlue: He and Sasuke were tricked by Kappa into opening the Gate of Seals, releasing the Youkai into the human world. Sandayu tracked them down and brought the two of them to where their ancestor's swords were placed in the Earth, where they met Tsuruhime. Upon pulling out his sword, the spirit of The original Saizou Kirigakure appeared before him, gave him a lecture, and entrusted him with a Doron Changer, allowing Saizou to become NinjaBlue. Saizou is a constantly chattering, easily flattered man who thinks he's a lot smarter than he really is. He is a loud worrywart, often jumping to immediate conclusions, as well as being the first to panic. Due to their similar flaws and personalities, he and Seikai are often found lazing about together. Despite his less-outstanding traits, he likes to help other people, making him popular among children. Unfortunately, his bad luck is often his greatest weakness.
Seikai/NinjaYellow: first encountered the Youkai when a friend of his was kidnapped by Rokurokubi, who thought he was her deceased son. Seikai likes video games. He is driven by desire for food, sleep, and especially women. While all the Kakurangers seek to impress Tsuruhime, Seikai in particular expresses the greatest admiration for her, often putting himself in great danger to protect or save her.
Jiraiya/NinjaBlack: a Japanese-American ninja from Los Angeles trained by his guardian Gali after his father was killed. Jiraiya stands out among the characters because he speaks English frequently (which at first caused both teasing and confusion with the other team members when he speaks in English), his native language, but he learns Japanese as the show progresses. He is the pure fighter of the group and although he is skilled in Earth based ninja arts he prefers to fight utilizing his martial art skills, and is portrayed with a combination of the stereotypical cowboy and surfer persona. Unlike the other Kakuranger however, Jiraiya is at times a loner, and will often venture out to battle an enemy on his own. He is very fond of television, often becoming obsessed with fighting-based shows to the point he'll mindlessly emulate them in a fit of enthusiasm.

Gosei Sentai Dairanger:
TenKaSei Ryo/RyuuRanger: In his daily life, he was an apprentice-cook at a Chinese restaurant in Yokohama's Chinatown. His dream was to be the number-one Gyoza cook in all of Japan. He was a direct descendant of the Dai tribe. Ryo had an eight year old sister, Youko, who was born around the same time their father supposedly died. Ryo was taking out the garbage at work one day when the Gorma Baron String captured Yoko, and he gave chase. It was then he encountered the Kidenju RyuseiOh, who chose him as the next RyuuRanger. As RyuRanger, Ryo uses a variation of Southern Dragon Kung Fu*that enables him to control fire and lightning. After training with a special suit of steel springs to defeat Jin Matoba, he gained the ability to use his Kiryoku to enhance his speed to unleash an overwhelming barrage of punches.
TenGenSei Daigo/ShishiRanger: The most gentle member of the team, as well as the most serious of the group, he works at a pet shop and becomes romantically involved with the Peacock Buddha Kujaku. He was scouted to be a Dairanger after Master Kaku?s discovery of his Qi connection with Kujaku. He specializes in the Kung Fu form of Hung Ga and utilizes illusions in combat.
TenJuuSei Shoji/TenmaRanger: His greatest dream in life was to become a world boxing champion. He is very playful and comical, but he also has a very strong sense of fair play. He could only apply his competitiveness to Kazu because the others weren't interested in such. He wears his emotions on his sleeves and is never afraid to fight. He specializes in the Long Fist
TenJiSei Kazu/KirinRanger: A stylish hairdresser and dancer who ran away from home at age 15 and came to Tokyo. As KirinRanger, Kazu uses a variation of Drunken Fist called Kirin-Fist which enables him to manipulate time, slowing it down to analyze an opponents attack, or even reversing it to avoid taking damage if he makes a mistake in battle. He can also channel his Kiryoku into his fist, enlarging them in order to increase the force of his punches.
TenPuSei Rin/HououRanger: Of the Dairangers, she has the most powerful psychic senses. She has mastered deadly wind power. At the heart a gentle, kind soul, Rin is also terribly shy. Rin's heart was fierce and strong. She was very intelligent and difficult to con because one would have to be very sneaky to get past her. She loved her teammates, her Uncle Kaku, her family, with the warmth and strength most people do not have to spare. As HououRanger, Rin uses a variation of Eagle Claw which enables her to control wind.

Kyoryu Sentai Zyuranger:
Geki/Tyranno Ranger: The Prince of the Yamato Tribe, "Warrior of Justice". He was raised believing that the King of the Yamato Tribe was his father, until it turns out he was adopted from the King's sworn enemy, the Black Knight. His natural brother Burai antagonised him for being raised by their real father's old enemy, but Geki eventually successfully convinced him to bury the hatchet. He wields the Ryugekiken, and after Burai's death, he dual-wields it with Burai's Zyusouken.
Goushi/ Mammoth Ranger: A Knight of the Sharma Tribe and Warrior of Wisdom. Was once Geki's companion before being sealed. Raised with his sister Otome, who eventually died fighting aba Dora, inspiring him further.
Dan/Tricera Ranger: A Knight from the Etoffe Tribe and the Warrior of Courage. A happy-go-lucky jokester guy who's hot-blooded and likes to slack off, though once he set his sight on something noble, he'd never stop pursuing it.
Boi/Tiger Ranger: A Knight of the Dime Tribe and Warrior of Hope. The youngest of the team, though mentally more mature than Dan. Excels in high-speed attacks. Due to his youth, he's popular with kids.
Mei/Ptera Ranger: The Princess of the Lithia Tribe and 'Warrior of Love'. Kind, loving, but has an iron-will.

Choujin Sentai Jetman:
Ryu Tendo/Red Hawk: Member of the Skyforce who was given the Birdonic Waves to become the first Jetman. Too bad right after that, the Back Dimension Party Vyram attacked and he lost his girlfriend Rie Aoi. Ryū went on to lead the Jetmen, but was pretty hung up with Rie's death.
Gai Yuki/Black Condor: A rebellious lone wolf who's just out to enjoy his life before his death. While accidentally struck with Birdonic Wave and being called to become a Jetman, Gai refused being ordered around, especially from someone like Ryū, but his sense of justice got over him and he ends up joining and developing that sense. He makes advances on Kaori, and while at first refused, his persistence paid off... only for him to break it up due to different lifestyles. In the end, he decided to let Kaori marry Ryū, now his best friend.
Raita Oishi/Yellow Owl: A fat farmer who at first really doesn't like fighting, even after he's struck with Birdonic Waves. until the Vyram trample his farm and he ends up fighting anyway. Has a childhood friend named Satsuki whom he eventually married in the end of the series. Despite so, he used to have a crush to Kaori, but decided that she's too good for him and settles with 'being able to protect her.
Kaori Rokumeikan/White Swan: Heiress to the Rokumeikan family, at first horribly spoiled, but eventually, she evolved into a nicer character, thanks to Ryū's guidance. While at first repulsed at Gai, she ended up with him after discovering his good side, but he broke up with her after introducing him to her high-class family which... pissed him off.
Ako Hayasaka/Blue Swallow: A regular high-school student that accidentally got hit with Birdonic Waves and became a star athlete in instant. A bit of materialistic, demanding money here and there, but she instantly got over it, realizing her own sense of justice after the first encounter with the Vyram, joining the Jetman. She's the tomboy of the team.

Chikyuu Sentai Fiveman:
Gaku Hoshikawa/Five Red: The eldest of the Hoshikawa siblings, when he was a kid, he shot Garoa on the face out of fear, instigating their rivalry. As of the present day, he's a science teacher, mostly dabbling in plant life/biology. Calm and responsible, he serves not only as a big brother, but also as a fatherly figure to his siblings. Is scared of ghosts.
Ken Hoshikawa/Five Blue: Second eldest of the Hoshikawa siblings and the closest Gaku could get for a friendly rival/second in command. He teaches physical education (swimming), making him the strongest fighter on the team, relying more in hand-to-hand combat than weaponry.
Fumiya Hoshikawa/Five Black: The twin brother of Remi and the youngest of the Hoshikawa siblings. Eventually became a language teacher, which grants him a lot of linguistic abilities and the ability to understand alien languages. Tends to be childish and reckless.
Kazumi Hoshikawa/Five Pink: Third-born and oldest daughter of the Hoshikawa Family. Has a computer-like brain which enables her to quickly analyze enemy weakness. This kind-hearted woman is a math teacher.
Remi Hoshikawa/Five Yellow: The fourth-born and the older twin sister of Fumiya. She teaches music, but is also the bonafide badass of the siblings. Knows Kung Fu and would teach it to children in her spare time.

Did you get all that? Good, now forget it. It?s not important to this feature.

And now for part two, discuss my opinion on the ?current? season:

Kakuranger was my first full series (alongside Lupinranger vs Patranger), so I do have a bit of a soft spot. That said, I kind of lost interest with the less episodic plots (mostly since they stopped being fun) and I?ve seen said episodic plots? tone done better elsewhere. The costumes not having aged well doesn?t help.

And now, the BTS information for this:

Our writer is Kyoko Sagiyama, whose previous Sentai credits include episodes of Dynaman, Changeman and Zyuranger, and who is better for the Resident Evil 2 prequel, BIOHAZARD 2 DRAMA ALBUM ~The Little Runaway Sherry~. And it seems that I can?t escape the shadow of Hurricaneger, since aside from the main team right now being a ninja team, this short has the same director (Katsuya Watanabe) and narrator (Hironori Miyata).

With all that out of the way, on with the review.

We open with an abridged version of Kakuranger?s OP, wherein the lyrics are omitted so the aforementioned narrator can give the cliffs notes version of the 5 featured Super Sentai.











(That told us absolutely nothing about them)

After some stock footage of Muteki Shogun?s finishing move, the plot proper (such as it is), starts with a sister and brother (the latter of whom is played by Shirou Izumi, better known as Yuma Oozora/Change Pegasus and Yamato Prince Burai/Dragon Ranger) walking through the woods taking photos, when the spot the gigantic Emperor Daidas summoning his army of recycled costume minions, Zaigan, Bango and Damaru (I did not name any of these), to invade Earth.





(I can?t identify what costumes are being reused, beyond the centre guy being a hybrid of Turboranger villains Zimba and Yamimaru and Dairanger monster Iron-Face Chouryu)

One of the villains then decides the two humans are a threat, since they saw the secret of Daidas?s third eye (what secret? That it can create minions?) and thus are a liability. But before he can kill them, he gets interrupted.

Jiraiya: NinjaBlack!

Saizou: NinjaBlue!

Sasuke: NinjaRed!

Tsuruhime: NinjaWhite!

Seikai: NinjaYellow!

All: Slashing at evil, hidden from the world, Ninja Sentai Kakuranger, revealed!

As the Kakurangers engage the 3 in battle, (And Jiraiya feels the need to clarify ?Who are you??) two more minions (recycled from Fiveman villains Ginga Sentai Gingaman, not to be confused) show up with the siblings as hostages.



Luckily, help soon arrives in the form of the previous 4 Super Sentai, Dairanger, Zyuranger, Jetman and Fiveman. (With only RyuuRanger, ShishiRanger, Tyranno Ranger and Ptera Ranger having their original VAs. The rest are impersonated? poorly)



But the bad guys turn things around by summoning the enemies of those Sentai: Batzlers, Grinams, Golems and Cottpotros (No, don?t expect an explanation of how they have access to 4 different grunts with 4 different origins)



After a fight that was shot so they could market this as a 3D feature, Daidas enters the battle.



To counter this threat, all 5 Reds summon their respective Mecha: Five Robo, Jet Icarus, Shinka Gattai DaiZyuJin (Evolutionary Combination Great Beast God), Gosei Gattai Dairenoh (5-Star Combination Great Unified Lord) and Ninja Gattai Muteki Shogun (Hidden Spy Combination Invincible General).

The 5 robots fight Daidas, with none of them getting an advantage, until the brother points out that his weakness is his third eye (having figured it out from how protective his minions were of said information), allowing them to win by hitting him there, before Muteki Shogun destroys Daidas (so the other 4 robots weren?t particularly necessary). And so the Super Sentai return to defending the Earth, while the brother and sisters? adventures aren?t over, as they soon stumble across a giant Shadow Moon and an army of revived monsters from Golgom, Crisis, the Foundation, Dr. Mochizuki?s experiments and the Fog Mother?s children. But that?s another story?

Final thoughts: So yeah, this is just a brief short meant to show off a 3D gimmick. It handles that premise fairly well, but it does leave me wanting more. Which leads me to the final part of this thread:

The Challenge: This week?s challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to expand this into a full storyline and PM me the results. Though make sure whatever you use to write it is something I can share a link to, since I?m going to announce a winner next week, when I cover the REAL beginning of these things: Choriki Sentai Ohranger: Ohre vs Kakuranger.