[Mesnick]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TokuKnight89

So, why do some Sentai like to make a certain arm gesture when announcing their attacks (usually while in cockpits)?

Granted, it's more a compliment to a dramatic announcement given that stunt actors can't visually emote using facial expressions while their faces are covered, but it still comes across as... questionable.

This is most obvious in Zyuranger and Dairanger, and by default, the early days of Mighty Morphin'.

https://sirstack.db-destiny.net/morphylogeny/127.htm

It could be because the gesture doesn't have the same amount of cultural/sociopolitical significance in Japanese society, but even that feels off cause the Shocker grunts of Kamen Rider would do a variation of the same gesture given Shocker's origins/affiliations.

Personally, I think it's just part of the continuity that makes the show more recognizable and, at the same time, allows you to save money by using the same footage in repeat episodes. With the change in media, such elements gradually died out/changed. Plus, the gesture is not identical, so it's essentially just a salute. Scouts and even Vulcans from Star Trek have this, because the inspiration is not identical. And in general, people should cling not to gestures and symbols, but to the meaning that is put into them. As Churchill/Cilone/Long/whoever said: "The fascists of the future will call themselves anti-fascists."