Intro to Super Sentai

If you grow up in America, you probably would know Power Rangers. Teenagers with attitude fighting against evil wearing spandex with snazzy helmets. However, years before there was Power Rangers, there was... Super Sentai, in Japan.



Sentai means 'task force', this is more or less referred in the show as a group of men banding together to fight for a common cause, usually defending justice in a way or another, while wearing colorful outfits. This series is heavily inspired by the anime Science Ninja Team Gatchaman. See, this franchise was at first not called Super Sentai, but just Sentai.

After the success of Kamen Rider franchise, Shotaro Ishinomori decided to give another go in costumed heroes, this time taking homage to Gatchaman, thus creating the show Himitsu Sentai Goranger. It was successful, spawning over 80 episodes (not as much as the first Kamen Rider, but still, you know it's successful). Later, Ishinomori decided to create another Sentai show named JAKQ Dengekitai. However, the show ended up cancelled due to some unfortunate situations (theme too dark for kids, etc). It only aired 35 episodes. Though there's also a team-up movie with Goranger, which would become a staple of the franchise once they get considered into the franchise.

Later, Toei co-worked with Marvel to create a Toku show based on the super hero Spider-Man, only that the only thing the show had in common with the comic book hero was just Spider-Man and his costume, the rest is completely original. For instance, Spidey has a giant robot! It's a crazy concept, but it inspired Toei to pitch in another idea for a new Sentai show.

The show is called Battle Fever J, planning to capture the feel of Captain America in Japan, basically trying to create 'Captain Japan' or sorts, but it grew on its own. The giant robot element from Spider-Man is implemented in Battle Fever J, thus the series finally got a new name: Super Sentai.

After Battle Fever J, more Super Sentai shows were released, and it wasn't until years later that Toei decided to add in Goranger and JAKQ as part of the franchise.



Me, while Super Sentai was part of my childhood, it wasn't until now thanks to some of my friends and some well-known Sentai bloggers here like Sean Akizuki and Fantasy Leader that my interest to Sentai grew and grew. Just remember that while I will talk a lot about Sentai, I also have the right to speak about other topics.

At any rate, here's the list of Super Sentai shows that have aired, along with which ones I have finished watching and which ones I am currently watching (so we know what Sentai shows I would cover):
-Himitsu Sentai Goranger (1975-1977)
-JAKQ Dengekitai (1977)
-Battle Fever J (1979)
-Denshi Sentai Denziman (1980)
-Taiyou Sentai Sun Vulcan (1981)
-Dai Sentai Goggle Five (1982) - FINISHED
-Kagaku Sentai Dynaman (1983) - FINISHED
-Choudenshi Bioman (1984) - In Progress
-Dengeki Sentai Changeman (1985) - FINISHED
-Choushinsei Flashman (1986) - FINISHED
-Hikari Sentai Maskman (1987) - FINISHED
-Choujuu Sentai Liveman (1988) - FINISHED
-Kousoku Sentai Turboranger (1989) - FINISHED
-Chikyuu Sentai Fiveman (1990) - FINISHED
-Choujin Sentai Jetman (1991) - FINISHED
-Kyoryu Sentai Zyuranger (1992) - FINISHED (rewatching TV-Nihon's sub)
-Gosei Sentai Dairanger (1993) - In Progress
-Ninja Sentai Kakuranger (1994) - FINISHED
-Chouriki Sentai Ohranger (1995)
-Gekisou Sentai Carranger (1996)
-Denji Sentai Megaranger (1997) - FINISHED
-Seijuu Sentai Gingaman (1998) - In Progress
-Rescue Sentai GoGoFive (1999)
-Mirai Sentai Timeranger (2000) - In Progress
-Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger (2001)
-Ninpuu Sentai Hurricaneger (2002) - FINISHED
-Bakuryuu Sentai Abaranger (2003) - FINISHED
-Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger (2004) - FINISHED
-Mahou Sentai Magiranger (2005)
-Go Go Sentai Boukenger (2006) - FINISHED
-Juken Sentai Gekiranger (2007) - FINISHED
-Engine Sentai Go-onger (2008)
-Samurai Sentai Shinkenger (2009) - FINISHED
-Tensou Sentai Goseiger (2010)
-Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger (2011) - In Progress

This list will be updated occasionally.

And yes, before you go on, please know that I have nothing against the Power Rangers franchise. I don't hate it, but I don't really follow it. I may know some things about Power Rangers, but don't expect me to know a lot (or even spew hatred! That's beyond me!)