[KamenRanger1997]

Kōfun Sentai Sportranger (Kōfun = Excitement)
Theme/Motif: Sports

Centuries ago, a group of demons called the Demetsu rose from deep within the earth to attack humanity as a test to determine if humanity was strong enough to be the earth's dominant species. The Demetsu were fought back by a powerful warrior named Takahashi, but swore they'd return every 50 years to test humanity. Takahashi dedicated his life to fighting these monsters and passed the duty to his descendants.

In modern day, the Demetsu are soon to return and the responsibility of fighting them has fallen to Yanagi Takahashi, the CEO of the sporting goods company Ace Athletics. Unfortunately, Yanagi has never been physically gifted and so has decided to recruit three athletes to fight the Demetsu in his stead, equipped with technology and weapons he created as the Kōfun Sentai Sportranger.

The Team
Koichi Matsuno
"Fiery Home Run! Red Batter!"

Mamoru Ikaruga
"Sonic Kick! Blue Striker"

Megumi Tsugami
"Tornado Swing! Yellow Serve!"

The Demetsu (Demon + Metsu, the Japanese word for destruction) generals are designed after earth materials and extinct animals:
Tyrock (Tyrannosaurus + Rock)
Tigiron (Sabre-toothed Tiger + Iron)
Dactoil (Pterodactyl + Oil)
Tricoal (Triceratops + Coal)

One of the Sportrangers allies is Hiroyuki Hino, a famous boxer who retired early because of a career ending injury. He acts as a mentor to the team before Yanagi helps him recover fully and convinces him to join the team as the "Full Power Punch! White Boxer!"

Despite the Sportrangers successes, Yanagi starts to doubt their efficiency and becomes worried about them getting hurt or dying because he asked them to fight the Demetsu instead of him. Because of this, and him thinking that humans have only ever stalled the Demetsu rather than defeated them, he disbands the team and replaces them with a pair of* motorsports-themed robot rangers: the Storm Engines

Auto
"Thunder Engine! Gold Racer!"

Moto
"Lightning Engine! Silver Biker!"

The Sportrangers of course refuse to give up and continue fighting, saying that humans have to defeat the Demetsu or else the centuries of fighting that Yanagi's ancestors did will be for nothing. The indomitable human spirit connects to the Storm Engines, inspiring them to fight alongside the Sportrangers and convinces Yanagi to give the Rangers their powers back.


Changer Device: Ball Changer, Glove Changer, Engine Changer

Side Arms: Fencing Épée, Shooter Pistol

Arsenal: Hockey Armour

Mecha: Batter Robo, Striker Robo, Serve Robo, Boxer Robo, Thunder Racer, Lightning Biker

Combined Mecha: Sport Kaiser (Striker Robo becomes the legs, Batter Robo and Serve Robo form the torso and arms, equipping it with a bat for a weapon and a racquet for a shield)

Boxer Kaiser (Boxer Robo combines with Sport Kaiser, becoming armour, boxing gloves and a new face)

Engine Kaiser (Thunder Racer becomes the main body and legs, Lightning Biker becomes the arms and head)

Allies: Yanagi Takahashi
Villians: Demetsu
Monsters: Clay-Metsu (Monsters of the Week), Fossildier (Foot Soldiers)