[GuardianAngel87]

I am now up to episode 43 of my Shinkenger rewatch and while it's most likely still nowhere near among my top favorite seasons in all of Super Sentai, I do, at the very least, have a better understanding on why the series is a considerable fan favorite on which I even ended up having a better appreciation for. That plus better English subtitles as done by OverTime. I should be able to finish my second viewing of the series either over this weekend or sometime next week.

[Sunred]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GuardianAngel87

I am now up to episode 43 of my Shinkenger rewatch and while it's most likely still nowhere near among my top favorite seasons in all of Super Sentai, I do, at the very least, have a better understanding on why the series is a considerable fan favorite on which I even ended up having a better appreciation for. That plus better English subtitles as done by OverTime. I should be able to finish my second viewing of the series either over this weekend or sometime next week.

Shinkenger is one of the best Heisei sentai shows around. Great casting, story, aesthetics, Genta, the Kobayashi twist that we get later, and so on.

[Mesnick]

I'm watching Maskman. Definitely the show with the coolest character transformation. Overall, although it may be due to my viewing order, I feel like the show is an evolution of the Dynaman idea. The enemy is again the underground empire, a mentor with secrets who has assembled a team of the best of the best. Even a ninja who can create clones is on both teams. Both shows also feature a completely unexpected mermaid. And here, as in Dynaman, the showdowns of the villains sometimes overshadow the protagonists. However, this coincidence does not bother me, since there are also enough differences.
Perhaps I would say that Maskman is an even more romantic show than Jetman. The cross-cutting plot is dedicated to the love of Takeru and the princess of the underground empire, and most of Kenta's episodes are dedicated to his interaction with various girls with romantic overtones. So this is the perfect show to write about ahead of Valentine's Day.
Maskman obviously falls into the category of Sentai: Red and Others, but to its credit, the show tries to right that wrong. The other characters are interesting and get their own adventures, it's just that Takeru is so important to the plot that it can't be outweighed. I won’t say that I like it or don’t like it, I’m just stating a fact.
I also can’t help but mention Akira, who fights superbly with two swords without a suit. Watching his fights is pure pleasure, so the episode about the tournament gave me incredible pleasure, even despite its simplicity.
I would also like to highlight the twelfth episode, which clearly showed that even if villains fight with each other, this does not mean anything good. Dangerous alliances have become common in today's Kamen Riders, so it was nice for a change to see an alternative view, where the conflict between the villains is not a lucky opportunity or a new ally, but a lot of problems. For villains are not just antagonists or enemies of heroes. These are creatures that sow destruction, suffering and death around themselves.
Also, the movie Maskman is simply beautiful. Starting with a special opening and ending with real underwater filming, and not, as was common then, filmed through an aquarium. A small masterpiece, the best of its kind, which I will definitely review.
Overall, I really like it. A good show that manages to stay interesting without making much effort.
I continue watching and recommend it to everyone who hasn’t seen it.
P.S. Also, for a team of martial artists, I think they love shooting too much.

[GuardianAngel87]

I managed to finish my Shinkenger rewatch today and I have already started on my rewatch of Goseiger.

[Sunred]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mesnick

I'm watching Maskman.

The first episode was confusing because it wasn't a typical origin story and kind of starts in the middle almost. Other than that, loved the whole tragic romance angle they went with. If you have someone who loved or still loves Naruto, and you want them to see 80s Super Sentai, show them the intro. Them ninjutsu hand signs.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GuardianAngel87

I managed to finish my Shinkenger rewatch today and I have already started on my rewatch of Goseiger.

Fun fact, Louis Yamada LIII who plays Dr. Amachi was the voice of Lord Vamp in Astro Fighter Sunred.

[Daikaijuman54]

Little late, but I just wanted to say, I have recently finished Chojin Sentai Jetman.

Boy, this one was a trip. It wasn't really at all what I was expecting, but that's not a bad thing!

From Love Triangles to Villains betraying each other, from initially finding Gai to be a piece of work with rare moments where he shines to absolutely missing this guy in particular (though Raita or Ako might have been my top favorite). This show went places I wasn't prepared for, but I enjoyed it, nonetheless.

Sure, at times it felt repetitive and a little predictable, but I think it's because I came off Jyuranger (and Hurricanger if you want to count it, even though it's more "modern") which was kind of silly (I say despite the fact that there was the plotline about someone dying and stayed dead), to this being more serious and dark. I mean, I know I should have anticipated that given how it starts or that I used to get this one confused with Liveman, but it still had plenty of light-hearted and goofy moments like how ridiculous some of the Dimension Beasts plans are the Tomato King (that was certainly something), but also killing off or depowering every potential "new Ranger" (I know they didn't seriously start doing this until Jyuranger, but I can barely keep track of what order Sentai Series debuted since I'm still getting into past shows), and introducing one of my favorite mechs, Tetraboy. I love that hyperactive himbo bot.

Vyram was also quite a unique group of backstabbers. I kind of enjoyed how absolutely despicable Radiguet was (also his name is fun to say) and was surprised he had that semi-wholesome relationship after he got kicked out. But Grey might take the top spot (though I'd say they're tied) given how imposing and just plain intriguing this guy was. Like every time he took interest in something, it felt big, since this guy just sits back and smokes (seriously, why does a robot smoking a cigar look cool?).

And yes, having seen this season, I now fully understand the Jetman Gear scene from Zenkaiger. But again, while that scene was absolutely hilarious (and still is), seeing it here felt like kind of a bummer, especially after it seemed like things were mostly fine. Overall, it's been fun watching older Sentai Shows. My next watches will either be Kakuranger, Gokaiger, or Akibaranger depending on which I make better time for.

[Sunred]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daikaijuman54

Vyram was also quite a unique group of backstabbers. I kind of enjoyed how absolutely despicable Radiguet was (also his name is fun to say) and was surprised he had that semi-wholesome relationship after he got kicked out. But Grey might take the top spot (though I'd say they're tied) given how imposing and just plain intriguing this guy was. Like every time he took interest in something, it felt big, since this guy just sits back and smokes (seriously, why does a robot smoking a cigar look cool?).

A part of me does wonder if Akiko Inoue checked out Jetman for research and looked at the Vyram and went "There's something to this" when she started brainstorming for Gozyuger.

[Sh Ranger]

I just watched GekijoBoon Promise The Circuit in preparation for Gozyuger tomorrow.

This is the story of Planet Trickle's Princess Nicola, whose pendant is vital for reviving Bundorio in the show's final arc. After the importance of Haakabaaka to defeating Dugded's army, I guess Toei are trying to make Sentai summer movies more relevant to the shows.

Other than Nicola, Mira is the Boonboomgers' focus character of this movie. Taiya talks about handles, much to Demon Thunder's frustration. As the princess of a world taken over by the Hashiliens, Nicola might have more in common with Genba, but this was before Genba's secret was revealed, so Mira is in a better place mentally and in the narrative to deliver this moral. It's not really a new spin on the usual autonomy moral or anything, which I guess is adequate for a Sentai movie. Furthermore, Boonboomger is about cars and Mira is the team's driver, which is shown here in a way that you won't see in the show. It's great to see her taking the handle literally and delivering Nicola to her destination and the speech she gives is one of the better insights in to her motivations.

Overall, I enjoyed it. Despite my turbulent experience with the show, I'm glad I could say one more good thing about Boonboomger before moving on to the next Sentai. Not as spectacular as Adventure Heaven, but honestly, I thought it was better than Bebop Dream and All Sentai Rally. Maybe on the same level as New First Love Hero. And we finally got to see Sakito and Byundy joining in the Kotsu Kotsu Pon Pon dance in physical capacity!

Another pleasant surprise was the subs I used actually sticking to the official romanizations for the individual heroes (Bun Red, Bundorio, etc.), which is a small thing but it subtly enriched my enjoyment.

[Switchblade]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sh Ranger

Not as spectacular as Adventure Heaven, but honestly, I thought it was better than Bebop Dream and All Sentai Rally. Maybe on the same level as New First Love Hero.

I know you're making up some of these names, but I don't know which ones.

[GuardianAngel87]

Started my Goseiger rewatch not too long ago and I have already reached the point in the series where Gosei Knight, which is episode 17 to be precise, is officially introduced. Aw, Yeah!