[Matrixbeast]

I really can't think of other series that I'd call a bad intro series, though. While shows like Jetman and Dekaranger I wouldn't call good for a newcomer, they're not too bad for someone first getting into Sentai to watch...

[EpsilonX]

Really, the only reason I could see Jetman not being a great series for a newcomer is the fact that the team constantly seems like they're gonna fall apart. I probably wouldn't recommend it as a starting place, but if somebody wanted to watch it I wouldn't tell them not too.

While I haven't seen it, I've heard lots of people suggest Shinkenger to newbies. Thoughts on that one?

[Matrixbeast]

I dunno about Jetman. People say that, but unless it's a Gai/Black Condor episode, the team is actually super solid.

I can't comment on Shinkenger since that series almost bored me as much as Sun Vulcan...Apparently there is a lot that people like about it, but I just couldn't see it.

[Suzu]

I think it's really something that depends on the person. I mean, an action-filled show is great and stuff, but if a person is more up for an intriguing story or just flat-out comedy, you might recommend different stuff based on that.

I always recommend to people the shows that got me started (Magiranger and Shinkenger), but I do show them some other stuff and let them pick what catches their interest.
Because honestly, when I got into Kamen Rider from Sentai, I just couldn't get into W at first despite people recommending it and me liking the show later on.

Magiranger and Shinkenger both had themes I was interested in, designs and music that worked well with me and characters I realte to. While I do enjoy the action, I'm more of a story person and that shows had some pretty neat overall plots that drew me in. Granted though, when I watched Shinkenger, I already had a fond memory of Magiranger from some years ago, so I was already used to mech battles and other toku tropes. That made it easier to look over the summer slump (because honestly, the Ushi Origami episodes were pretty boring) and the monsters growing big at the end of every. single. episode.

[Red5]

Shinkenger was my first series and I loved it. Still my favorite overall. I think it has a story and action that are enjoyable and can catch the attention of a newcomer. Although, Matrixbeast, I will argue that Shinkenger is in no way as boring/terrible/godawful as Sun Vulcan.

[Kamen Rider Lucha]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matrixbeast

I dunno about Jetman. People say that, but unless it's a Gai/Black Condor episode, the team is actually super solid.

I can't comment on Shinkenger since that series almost bored me as much as Sun Vulcan...Apparently there is a lot that people like about it, but I just couldn't see it.

Jetman is my hands-down favorite Sentai, but it is not at all indicative of what the vast majority of Sentai is actually like. That's the only reason I wouldn't recommend watching it first. It may set up expectations the rest of the series have no interest in fulfilling.

Shinkenger's problem is that it packs 90% of its plot into the last 10 episodes, resulting in an interminable middle 30 episodes. But hooboy, what a last ten episodes! That is some of the most dramatic and emotionally intense Sentai I've ever seen, and it is definitely worth marching through the boring stuff to get to. I'd still put Shinkenger high on a "intro series" list because maybe newcomers wouldn't be quite as bored by the filler, having never been previously exposed to the many toku tropes on display.


As far as creating an "intro series" list... I don't think that's very productive. I pretty much think that a newcomer is best served by watching the show that sounds most interesting to him/her. Perhaps an "avoid watching these series until you've seen a few" list would be more helpful.

[Matrixbeast]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red5

Shinkenger was my first series and I loved it. Still my favorite overall. I think it has a story and action that are enjoyable and can catch the attention of a newcomer. Although, Matrixbeast, I will argue that Shinkenger is in no way as boring/terrible/godawful as Sun Vulcan.

It's impossible to be as boring as Sun Vulcan, but Shinkenger certainly tried~

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Lucha

Jetman is my hands-down favorite Sentai, but it is not at all indicative of what the vast majority of Sentai is actually like. That's the only reason I wouldn't recommend watching it first. It may set up expectations the rest of the series have no interest in fulfilling.

Hilariously, that's why I haven't brought up Gekiranger. While it only really did one thing differently, the dual focus on hero and villain, it changed things so much that it can be jarring for someone first coming in.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Lucha

Shinkenger's problem is that it packs 90% of its plot into the last 10 episodes, resulting in an interminable middle 30 episodes. But hooboy, what a last ten episodes! That is some of the most dramatic and emotionally intense Sentai I've ever seen, and it is definitely worth marching through the boring stuff to get to. I'd still put Shinkenger high on a "intro series" list because maybe newcomers wouldn't be quite as bored by the filler, having never been previously exposed to the many toku tropes on display.

My issue is just that I couldn't make it through those 30 episodes of absolute nothing.
But I didn't finish it, and perhaps others with more patience would have more to enjoy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Lucha

As far as creating an "intro series" list... I don't think that's very productive. I pretty much think that a newcomer is best served by watching the show that sounds most interesting to him/her. Perhaps an "avoid watching these series until you've seen a few" list would be more helpful.

That's one way to go about it.

[TimeCrimson]

Shinkenger was also my first sentai(I was out of the fanbase for like three years and it moved to the back of my head, and I literally forgot I watched it until I read something about it. I have a terrible memory )

I think it was good, but it wasn't the best. There were times when I found it kinda slow paced and boring, but the cast was very enjoyable and the endgame really made it worth watching the series.

I agree that a newcomer should watch the series that sounds the most interesting to him/her.

[Kamen Rider Lucha]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matrixbeast

My issue is just that I couldn't make it through those 30 episodes of absolute nothing.
But I didn't finish it, and perhaps others with more patience would have more to enjoy.

If you're ever up for it, I'd say give the last 10 episodes of Shinkenger a shot and skip everything else. That is actually how I watched Shinkenger the first time-- I watched the first 15, got bored, and skipped ahead to Episode 39 and loved it. I felt like I didn't miss anything I wasn't able to quickly pick up on, and only after seeing how well the ending played out was I able to force myself through the insufferable filler in the middle.

It may not change your mind on the show as a whole, but you'll understand why so many people sing its praises.

[Matrixbeast]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimeCrimson

I agree that a newcomer should watch the series that sounds the most interesting to him/her.

The biggest failing is that someone might just not know what they want. I would've never thought Gekiranger would be my favorite series based on a 3 sentence synopsis and images of the suits, for example

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Lucha

If you're ever up for it, I'd say give the last 10 episodes of Shinkenger a shot and skip everything else. That is actually how I watched Shinkenger the first time-- I watched the first 15, got bored, and skipped ahead to Episode 39 and loved it. I felt like I didn't miss anything I wasn't able to quickly pick up on, and only after seeing how well the ending played out was I able to force myself through the insufferable filler in the middle.

It may not change your mind on the show as a whole, but you'll understand why so many people sing its praises.

I might just give that a shot. It'll certainly save me a lot of time