Tuesday, June 28, 2011

ChrisX's Top 11 Super Sentai Opening

Hello again after a longass time not posting at all. This is pretty simple. I'm going to sort out what I think to be my favorite opening pieces of Super Sentai. For shows mostly aimed at kids, they have a lot of awesome songs. So I'm gonna count down my Top 11 Super Sentai openings. Why top 11? Because, again, in the immortal words of the Nostalgia Critic, we have to take one step beyond.

11. Dai Sentai Goggle V

Despite this being my fave nostalgia Sentai ever, I realize that this is where they pick up the tempo and intensity of the song, despite being considered a 'disco' song. The Sun Vulcan song is catchy, but Goggle V managed to be both catchy and fast-paced in the same time, while still adhering to the limits. This will be perfected later in Dynaman, so it's on the 11th spot.

10. Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger

New song and it's already cool, it does convey liveliness and free spirit that the Gokaiger embodies. I don't find myself bored with the tunes like "Let's Go, Let's Go-kaiger!", in fact I find it... inspiring to move forward. Awesome.

9. Juken Sentai Gekiranger

It opens with some Chinese instrument, until it explodes with great fast pace. The repetitive 'Geki! Geki!' eventually catch on, as in imagining you punching while it's said. But I guess it is pretty spot-on for the characteristic of Jan, who tends to make up words from his head...

8. Kagaku Sentai Dynaman

This is what I call an improvement over Goggle V's song. Rather than disco, we get more rocking tunes and it's fast-paced and great. In regards, I also find it funny that the song lyrics, if we take it too literally, sounds a bit hilarious. It's as if the singer is saying "DIE DIE DIE DIE DYNAMAN". So... the singer wants the Dynaman dead?

*Ba Dum Tsh!*

Well to be honest, it can also be spelled as "DAI DAI DAI DAI DAINAMAN", in which Dai = Great. So yeah. Still the previous one just sound hilarious, but since it's also catchy, it's number 8.

7. Kousoku Sentai Turboranger

This breezily catchy song accompanies the high school road of the Turborangers. Uncovering mysteries to the world, and kicking Bouma ass. I like the song, but when turned to instrument, this gets really kickass. Turborangers' instruments, IMO, are one of my personal faves.

6. Choujuu Sentai Liveman

Well many people agree this is one of the more kickass Sentai songs and I have to agree. It has explosiveness, youth, fire (err...) and the feel of drama in spite of that. I dunno, I just feel that way. Just too bad that Daisuke Shima's singing tune is only limited to the opening, not with Yuusuke actually singing.

5. Samurai Sentai Shinkenger

Well what can I say? Psychic Lover kicks ass. This song combines a lot from Japanese instruments and rocking pieces that makes Samurai stuffs epic. Starting from the "Chan-chan-bara" to the actual lyrics itself, it is a real fast pace and awesome piece.

4. Choujin Sentai Jetman

This is the last opening of Sentai to be ever sung by the legendary Hironobu Kageyama of the JAM Project. While it wasn't as rocking/epic as the further entry below, it still has the catchy and the fast pace typical to Hironobu Kageyama, and still managed to be epic. "Jetto, Jetto, Jettoman!" Catchy as hell.

3. Mirai Sentai Timeranger

Yes, the one hailed as the most fave opening ever mostly, is just at 3rd place. It's a real kickass piece, I know. And has a lot of epic tunes here. But... well, everyone's different. I love the song and female vocal, but thus far, I have other faves.

2. Hikari Sentai Maskman

Aah yes, I think this is the most epic, kickass, rocking piece Hironobu Kageyama did to Sentai. Punctuated in style of fighting, the electric guitar of this piece are conveyed to be really epic style you won't even believe. Overall, for old school Sentai music, this is probably my fave. But still on number 2. Which one is the number one?

1. Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger

Oh yeah, now we're talking. This is a real epic, fast paced, rocking song that also combines the Engrish in Dekaranger in a good way. After the police siren went off, the epic electric guitar riffs commence and accompanied with the lyrics, it stays on top all the way. When this becomes an instrument, the jazz trumpet also sounds good. This beats out every one of the Sentai songs, IMO, and I really never get tired of listening of this over and over. Bravo, Psychic Lover. Bravo.

Yep, that's all from me. I hope you have a good read. And don't lambast me, though. Everyone is entitled to their opinions.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

TV Tropes Five Man Band inconsistence - Timeranger and Time Force

I'll be honest that I haven't watched both Timeranger and Time Force. But communications between Sentai goers over there is pretty scarce, I may as well bring it here. Plus FL and Mr. Smith do occasionally trope. So anyway, this is one headscratcher that REALLY BUGS ME to the point of ripping my hair off.



So according to the Timeranger article, the spot of The Chick goes to Yuuri/Time Pink and The Lancer goes to Ayase/Time Blue. Sounds fine... considering Yuuri is the token girl and Ayase is the token 'cool guy'. However, the catch is that she is also the leader, making her also taking shots at The Lancer (kinda like Koichiro from Megaranger).



Cue Power Rangers Time Force, which can be said as a real close adaptation to Timeranger. There, it's blatantly said that Jen (Yuuri counterpart) is The Lancer, while Lucas (Ayase counterpart) is The Chick. Jen because she's the actual leader, Lucas because... he's an Ill Man. Same like Ayase!

What went wrong here? If Ayase was also an Ill Man and Yuuri was also the actual leader of Timeranger, wouldn't it make sense that Yuuri IS the Lancer and Ayase IS the Chick, not the other way around? Or the reverse in Time Force, Jen IS the Chick while Lucas IS the Lancer. Where's the difference here?? I do hope Timeranger/Time Force watchers can clear things up about this...

Thanks for letting me rant a bit.

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Sentai Females Who I Think Are My Fave Amongst The Team



Based on Mr Smith's post over here, I am inspired to make up my own list. Just as a warning, this is completely opinion based and you probably won't agree (and you probably will). But I am a man entitled to my own opinions.

1. Miki Momozono

Well OF COURSE this has to happen. Miki is overall my favorite Sentai lady ever. She may be physically weak, but she makes it up with her intelligence, cunningness and personality, as well as taking multiple levels of great competence (especially that Episode 39). Yeah, I do officially believe she is my fave Goggle V ever.

2. Sayaka Nagisa

Thus far, the finest White Sentai warrior that I've watched (haven't gotten to Gaoranger yet, sorry). I liked her prim and proper attitude combined with her brains. Plus her voice's really cute and stands out. I also like that despite being the token girly girl, she held her emotion in check better (no offense to Yuuma who freaked out at that time).

3. Megumi Misaki

Well as of Liveman, taking out the factor about how Yuusuke is the one more known to public due to reappearance in Gaoranger vs Super Sentai, I'd say Megumi is one of my faves in Liveman. Not because of her being the first female Blue ever, but let's face it... most of the dramatic tensions of Liveman came from her, and when she cried, it hits right on the intended parts.

4. Remi Hoshikawa

Well if anyone stands out in Fiveman (And you pretty much would agree), it's her. Remi's is pretty fiery and cheery, but she's more known for her martial arts skill. Her drunken fist is nice, but I like it when she shows off her cunningness, especially that panty flashing episode. And she still remains cheery despite not knowing the face of her parents.

5. Mei

Okay, in most people's eyes, probably Zyuranger is viewed as bland, and so is Mei. Well... I don't think so. She's a really nice addition to the team and I find myself liking her episodes more than the Burai arcs. I see her having a lot of potentials that would be overshadowed with Burai, but I don't really mind. She's dedicated, she's sweet, she's determined as hell, tough and girly in the same time. And she's so cute, she practically defines Sentai Moe (I think).

6. Chisato Jougasaki

People probably remember Miku more, but I like the composed Chisato better. She's sweet, but also sometimes prone to some witty, sarcastic comments. And she's a real good singer too, and aside of that, she's also the one girl who is not only smart but is also good at games (the middle road between Kenta and Kouichirou!)

7. Sakura Nishihori

Ah, Sakura-neesan. I will DEFINITELY agree and brofist with Sean when I say 'Sakura is hot'. But hotness isn't the only thing I like about her, she's hard-ass, tough and really different from the usual girly pinks out there. She developed a lot from someone who only cared about her missions, as Satoru said, she has a great smile that only she possesses, and when it shows, it was beautiful. There's also an emotional moment when she genuinely cried on Eiji's apparent demise and subsequently delivered a cathartic beatdown to Gai. Yeah, we know about the 'armed with guns' episode, but Sakura does stand out the most as one of my fave Pinks.

8. Mele

Yeah, she's just an extra ranger and starts out villain even. But hell, Mele is one of the more developed villains and it keeps the Gekiranger interesting. Since she starts out villain, she's able to get a sexy outfit from get-go, but aside of that, I like her bipolar attitude of starting out cold hearted with other minions, but is a complete fangirl on Rio-sama, one that was genuine and proves great for her character development. Her eventual road to redemption and sacrificing her life for the Gekirangers are really great, and not swaying over her loyalty on Rio, so it was all great.

You probably are wondering why I did not include some, but here's some honorable mentions, when females just got on second place because I like another guy more. Or other reasons.

1. Rei Tachibana

She may be rather deep-sounding, but for deep-sounds, it sounds cute enough. Plus, I think Rei sets the standard about 'girls as tough as guys' what with her carrying rapier everywhere. Her unresolved fear of cats are also hilarious. But she's here because she had to compete with Ryu Hoshikawa for my fave Dynaman.

2. Saya

I just heard her from other information, haven't watched Gingaman fully. But from what I see about her, she looks great and on the way to be my favorite Gingaman. She's strong, losing her boyfriend like that and not even blaming anyone and keeping a normal face most of the time. And aside of her toughness of mentality, she can also be sweet. So yeah, if only I finished Gingaman, she might've been on the above list.

3. Marika 'Jasmine' Reimon

Everyone pretty much listed why they love Jasmine. Tall, sexy, sarcastic, witty, dark past... need we say more? I'll not say much about Jasmine, not because I don't have any, but everyone else have spoken for her. But she's not amongst the above girls because if I have a favorite Dekaranger, that'd be Houji.

4. Mako Shiraishi

Mako somehow defines what I see the best at female characters these days. Aside of tough, she's also nurturing, caring, a big sister figure to all. Even Takeru. (Do I have a siscon or something? Then again, I have no real life big sis). Aside of looking really stunning and beautiful, there's also the hilarity that is her horrid cooking (Yeah, look at that knife she's holding in the pic...). Again, she's not amongst the main list because I equally like Takeru as well.

5. Ahim de Famille

Everyone is on and on about Luka, but Ahim always held a special spot in my opinion (not that I think Luka is bad, she's awesome, just not on my fave list). Sweet, cute and kind, while being a badass princess at the same time. That kidnapper episode really seals the deal on her awesomeness. Again, she's not in the main place because she has a competition for favorite. No, not Marvelous or Luka, but Joe.

Well that'll be all from me, hope you got a good read!