The Sentai Series Manual Version 2.0 95.10.8.19:45.12.30.20:11-1.4.16:55 (c) 1995 Marc H. Miyake miyake@Hawaii.Edu This copyright applies only to this Manual and not to the sentai and/or any other properties of Ishimori Productions, Toei, Marvel Comics Group, or TV Asahi. This document may be distributed in part or in whole as long as this copyright notice is preserved. What's new in this edition: Too much to list. Every section has been expanded. The Ohranger section has been updated. My sources (in case you're wondering), in no particular order... (1) Books Too many to list, but most helpful are... Himitsu sentai gorenjaa daizenshuu (Kodansha) Suupaa sentai daizenshuu (Kodansha) Perfect Manual 2: Dengeki sentai chenjiman (Tokuma shoten) Perfect Manual 4: Choushinsei furasshuman (Tokuma shoten) Suupaa sentai chouzenshuu (Shogakukan, 1991 edition) Choujin sentai jettoman: suupaa sentai chouzenshuu (Shougakukan) (I should be receiving the Suupaa sentai chouzenshuu for Zyu through Kaku this summer by sea mail [sigh]. Expect even bigger sections for those shows then as well as updated Ohranger and Carranger sections.) (2) Magazines Terebi magajin (Kodansha) Terebi rando (Tokuma shoten) B-Club (Bandai) (3) My videotape collection (4) My memories of shows I don't have on tape (Goranger, Battle Fever J, Turboranger, Jetman) (5) The Internet: fans like Dairenn Lombard, Terri Ann Guingab, Mark Oxman (sources of my MMPR info), Seiya Otaku (source of full Carranger title), and the newsgroup fj.rec.tokusatsu (some of the Carranger info) Some warnings: Only a small percentage of the information available to me is listed here, for three reasons: (1) I simply do not have the time to translate all of it. Hence I have not given episode titles and monster lists for the vast majority of shows. Anyone who wants to know to know what monster was in an episode of sentai X, and wants to know the English translation of the episode title is free to e- mail me; there is a 95% chance I will know the answer. (I am much more knowledgeable about.70s and 80s shows than 90s shows--be warned!) Anyone who has any question that isn't answered here can e-mail me. (2) I get the impression that English-speaking tokusatsu fans are much more interested into the 90s sentais. Hence the most coverage has been given to Zyuranger, Dairanger, Kakuranger, and Ohranger. But why does Jetman, ignored by English-speaking tokusatsu fans, get so much coverage? Read (3) below. (3) Shows which I believe to be important and/or interesting to me get more coverage than others. Thus Goranger, JAKQ, Battle Fever J, and Jetman get the same extended treatment as Zyuranger, Dairanger, Kakuranger, and Ohranger. I would put many of the 80s sentai into the 'important and/or interesting' category, but I don't have the time to give them extended treatment yet. Contents 0. Introduction. Defining 'sentai'. Origins of the sentai concept. The Super Century Sentai: The Plain Sentai: 1. Himitsu Sentai Gorenjaa / Secret Task Force Goranger (1975-77) 2. Jakkaa Dengekitai / JAKQ Blitzkrieg Squad (1977) (Toei's almost-sentai, Ninja Captor [1976-77], included in the earlier edition of this Manual, will one day be treated separately in a Tokusatsu File. Ditto for Toho's almost-sentais, Saucer Wars Bankid [1976-77] and Computer Police Cybercop [1988-89].) The Super Sentai: 3. Batoru Fiibaa Jei / Battle Fever J (1979-80) 4. Denshi Sentai Denjiman / Electronic Task Force Denziman (1980-81) 5. Taiyou Sentai Sanbarukan / Solar Task Force Sunvulcan (1981-82) 6. Dai Sentai Googuru Faibu / Great Task Force Goggle Five (1982-83) 7. Kagaku Sentai Dainaman / Science Task Force Dynaman (1983-84) 8. Choudenshi Baioman / Super Electron Bioman (1984-85) 9. Dengeki Sentai Chenjiman / Blitzkrieg Task Force Changeman (1985-86) 10. Choushinsei Furasshuman / Supernova Flashman (1986-87) 11. Hikari Sentai Masukuman / Light Task Force Maskman (1987-88) 12. Choujuu Sentai Raibuman / Super Beast Task Force Liveman (1988-89) 13. Kousoku Sentai Taaborenjaa / High Speed Task Force Turboranger (1989-90) 14. Chikyuu Sentai Faibuman / Earth Task Force Fiveman (1990-91) 15. Choujin Sentai Jettoman / Birdman Task Force Jetman (1991-92) 16. Kyouryuu Sentai Juurenjaa / Dinosaur Task Force Zyuranger (1992-93) 17. Gosei Sentai Dairenjaa / Five Star Task Force Dairanger (1993-94) 18. Ninja Sentai Kakurenjaa / Ninja Task Force Kakuranger (1994-95) 19. Chouriki Sentai Oorenjaa / Superpower Task Force Ohranger (1995-96) 20. Bakusou Sentai Kaarenjaa / Explosive Dash Task Force Carranger (1996-97?) 0. Introduction The word 'sentai' is composed of two parts, 'sen' ('battle') and 'tai' ('team'). I think it is best left untranslated, since there is no single English word that denotes the same concept (other than the phrase 'Task Force', or worse yet, 'something like Mighty Morphin Power Rangers'). The word itself is originaly a prewar Japanese military term meaning 'naval squadron'. Its first use in Japanese SF/fantasy TV may have been in Ishi(no)mori Shoutarou and Fujiko Fujio's Rainbow Sentai Robin (1966), a Toei Animation cartoon about a boy named Robin and his six robots. This cartoon bore little or no resemblance to what we know today as 'sentai.' (For anime predecessors of sentai, read on.) The term 'sentai' in the narrow sense (as opposed to the broader sense; see Joe Sewell's alt.tv.sentai FAQ) refers to Toei live action television series involving teams of superheroes wearing similar costumes distinguished primarily by color. The term 'Super Sentai' is used to refer to the sentai series from 1979 onward, which have giant robots, unlike the pre- 1979 sentai series. The rarely used term 'Super Century Sentai' may be used to encompass both pre- and post-1979 sentai series. The 'sentai' concept long predates Goranger (1975). Perhaps the earliest TV series containing sentai elements was Ninja Corps Moonlight (1964), a live-action show about a team of several ninjas. Membership of the team varied, but Moonlight was always the leader. Other members included the child Halfmoon, the female Evening Moon, and the men Autumn Moon (played by Yamaguchi Akatsuki, better known to tokusatsu fans as Yuuki Jouji/Riderman and Daimon Yutaka in Electric Man Zaboga), Flowing Moon, and Moon Ring. Unlike modern sentai, they wore varying paramilitary uniforms depending on the season and mission. Ninja Corps Moonlight was created by manga artist Yoshida Tatsuo, founder of Tatsunoko Productions (which did not make the show). Yoshida later created the anime sentai forerunner, Gatchaman (see below). (Despite the title, this show has nothing to do with Moonlight Mask [1958].) Another early TV series containing sentai elements was Kawasaki Noboru's Skyers Five (1967), a cartoon by TCJ concerning the international police team Skyers Five, composed of four costumed humans (three men and a woman), their pet cat (?), and their noncostumed commander. The Skyers' motifs were from playing cards: spades (the team leader), diamonds (a short, balding old man), clubs (the team strongman), and hearts (the woman, of course). (Cf. JAKQ for a true sentai based on the playing cards motif.) Unlike modern sentai, the Skyers did not wear helmets or different colors--they all wore more or less than same uniform. They appear to be more like an Ultraman science patrol than a sentai. Skyers Five bombed and was cancelled after 13 episodes. The sequel, New Skyers Five (1971-72), fared little better, lasting only 26 episodes. The first truly sentai-like series was Tatsunoko's Science Ninja Team Gatchaman (1972), known in North America as Battle of the Planets (1978) or G-Force (1986). This series established the multicolored costumes and the five basic team member personalities: the upright team leader (G-1 Washio Ken the Eagle/Mark/Ace Goodheart) the rebellious second-in-command (G-2 Asakura Joe/Jason/Dirk Daring) the woman (G-3 Jun/Princess/Agatha June) the kid (G-4 Jinpei/Keyop/Pee Wee) the big guy (G-5 Nakanishi Ryuu/Hooter) (Trivia: Pee Wee's voice was Barbara Goodson, known to MMPR fans as the voice of Rita Repulsa and to viewers of Teknoman as the voice of Star Summers.) Furthermore, each member had their own super vehicle (the G-1 through G-5) and a shared super vehicle (the God Phoenix). Finally, they fought against a monster a week. Hints of live-action sentai to come might be found in the various 'Science Patrols' of Ultraman and its sequels and imitators, all of which featured team uniforms (multicolored in the case of Fireman's SAF) and the stock personalities. But these teams were second bananas next to the giant heroes of their series. Other live-action precedents might be the motorcycle team Wild Seven (1972), based on Mochizuki Mikiya's manga, and the TV original Blitzkrieg! Strada Five (1974) The latter came closer to sentai than the former with its superhero costumes (without helmets or colors though) and super cars such as the Red Fox. Each changed by throwing a attache case into an air, causing their costumes to fly out. Thus the 'henshin' element lacking in all previous TV teams (Gatchaman aside) was introduced. Strada Five was a failure in the age of the solo live action hero, running only one cours (13 episodes). But the time for true sentai was just around the corner... Toei producers Yoshikawa Susumu and Hirayama Tooru, NET (today's TV Asahi) producer Ogino Takashi, and Ishimori (now Ishinomori Shoutarou) assembled in 1974 to create the first true sentai. The first resulting proposal was for Red One, a series featuring five warriors named Re Mask, Green Mask, etc. (cf. Maskman). Next came Five Rangers, with Red Ranger, Green Ranger, etc. (Note that 'Red Ranger' etc. were entirely in Japanized English--i.e., 'Reddorenjaa,' not 'Akarenjaa.') By the end of 1974, the overly long name 'Five Rangers' (Faiburenjaa) was shortened to Gorangers. ('Go' is 'five' in Japanese.) The near-final draft for 'Secret Sentai Gorangers' featured Red Mask, Blue Mask, Yellow Mask, White (not Pink!) Mask, and Green Mask in their jet helicopter, the Red Bloon, against the Black Cross. The final draft featured the heroes as we know them now... 1. Secret Task Force Goranger The first sentai series. The longest of the sentai series. (Among non-sentai team shows in general, only Science Ninja Team Gatchaman, Ninja Corps Moonlight, and Mighty Morphin Power Rangers have longer runs.) 75.4.5-77.3.26 (84 episodes) Black Cross sent five of its Mask Monsters to destroy Eagle's Japanese bases: Golden Mask: Eagle Kanto Base Warrior Mask: Tohoku Base Bronze Mask: Kyushu Base Jade Mask: Hokkaido Base Poison Gas Mask: Osaka Base The survivors of the attacks were reorganized under Commander Edogawa in Tokyo to form the Secret Task Force Goranger, armed with Goranger Suits that gave them superhuman abilities. The Gorangers avenged their fallen comrades by defeating Black Cross' first five monsters and the others that followed. Characters and mecha EAGLE (Earth Guard League) An international peacekeeping organization whose mission is to defend the world from the Black Cross Army. The Gorangers belong to the Japan Block (division) of EAGLE. Red Ranger (Kaijou Tsuyoshi) 24. Leader of the Gorangers. Expert with guns and whips. Fought many battles to the death with Masked Generals as well as Masked Monsters and Zolders. A cool and calm tactician with a strong sense of responsibility. In many cases, he let himself be captured in order to infiltrate Black Cross bases. Originally a secret agent of the Kantou branch of the Japan Block of EAGLE. Lost his elder brother during the destruction of the Kantou branch. For that reason, strongly loathes evil. Fully trusts his teammates. Since he was once good at soccer, his kicking abilities are the best in the team. (Small wonder that he is the last to kick the ball in the Goranger Storm and Hurricane attacks.) Also good at disguise. [The actor who played Kaijou Tsuyoshi, Makoto Naoya, also appears in Fireman and Special Investigation Frontline.] Blue Ranger (Shinmei Akira) 25. Second in command of the Gorangers. Wields the Blue Cherry (later, the Ultra Blue Cherry) bow. Is unsurpassed at archery. A cool and capable decision maker, he has saved the team from many Black Cross traps. Skilled at piloting mecha such as the Variblune. Formerly a marksmanship instructor at the Tohoku branch of the Japan Block of EAGLE. [Played by the great Miyauchi Hiroshi, also in Keyhunter, G-Men '75, Kamen Rider V3, Zbat, JAKQ, the film The War in Space, Winspector, Solbrain, and most recently, Ohranger.] Yellow Ranger (Ooiwa Daita [1-54, 68-84]) 23. Strongest of the Gorangers. Originally 'armed' with the YTC radio; later acquired the Keysticker pole. Formerly a engineering researcher at the Kyushu branch of the Japan Block of EAGLE. Really likes curry rice. [The actor who played Ooiwa Daita, Hatakeyama Baku, passed away sometime before 1987.] Yellow Ranger (Kumano Daigorou [55-67]) Replaced Ooiwa Daita, who became the commander of the Kyushu branch for a time. Dies when he is struck in the stomach by Can Opener Mask's Can Opener Cutter. Pink Ranger (Peggy Matsuyama) 18. Expert at explosives. Armed with earring bombs, Pink Mirrors, and Pink Cards. Formerly a chemical analyst at the Hokkaido branch of the Japan Block of EAGLE. Has a Swiss father and a Japanese mother. [The actress who played Peggy Matsuyama, Lisa Komaki, also played Miss America in costume in Battle Fever J.] Green Ranger (Asuka Kenji) 17. Youngest of the Gorangers. Armed with Greenmerang boomerangs. Originally from the Kansai branch of the Japan Block of EAGLE. [The actor who played Asuka Kenji, Itou Yukio, currently Shoudou Takeshi, also played the original Battle Cossack in Battle Fever J.] The five defeat Mask Monsters with the Goranger Storm soccer-ball kicking technique or the later Gorranger Hurricane football-kicking technique. The balls in many cases transform into whatever the particular Mask Monster is least fond of. Commander Edogawa Kenpachi The highest ranking person in EAGLE's Japan Block. The only person who can take direct command of the Goranger team. Also commands secret agents such as 007, et al. Normally poses as the manager of Snack Gon. Agent 007 of Eagle (Katou Youko) One of EAGLE's secret agents. Normally a waitress at Snack Gon. Other agents include 008 (Hayashi Tomoko) and 009 (Nakamura Haruko). Katou Tarou (younger brother of 007) Boy who hangs out at Snack Gon, asking Ooiwa questions. Snack Gon Small restaurant that serves as the secret entrance to Goranger headquarters. Destroyed in episode 44. Red, Blue, and Green Machines (1-54) Motorcycles driven by the Red, Blue, and Green Rangers. The Yellow and Pink Rangers ride in the sidecars of the Blue and Green Machines; the Red Machine has no sidecar. Armed with explosed and sent to the Navarone Fortress, which exploded, taking them (but not the Gorangers) with it. Red, Blue, and Green Stars (55-84) Replacements for the Red, Blue, and Green Machines. Variblune (1-42) Early flying fortress, propelled by helicopter blades under the craft. Blew up with Iron Man Mask Temujin aboard (but not the Gorangers, fortunately). Varidreen (43-84) Birdlike replacement for the Varibloon. Varitank (43-84) Six-wheeled tank with claw arms that rolls out of the 'beak' of the Varidreen. Variccune (passenger-carrying balloon; 69-84) Black Cross Army An army of cyborgs whose goals are world conquest and the extinction of the human race. Black Cross Fuehrer Mysterious leader of the organization who resembles a KKK member. Turns out to be the Black Cross Castle himself (!). [Originally played by Andou Mitsuo, who also did villainous roles in the original Giant Robo, Kikaider, and Spider-Man.] (General) Sunring Mask (15-20) First of the generals. From Africa. General Iron Mask Temujin (21-42) Second general. The 'Demon of the Mongols' from the Gobi desert. Died taking the Variblune with him. General Firemountain Mask Magman (42-54) Third general. From the Ekra (sp?) voclcano of Iceland. Great General Golden Mask (55-84) Final general. From Africa, of course. Resembles a pharaoh. Brought back to life by the Black Cross Fuehrer himself. Has his own personal guards. Into magic and astrology. Turned himself into gold dust as a final gesture to tell the Fuehrer where the Goranger headquarters was. Mask Monsters Monsters of the week. 1. Golden Mask 1/2. Warrior Mask 1/3. Bronze Mask 1/4. Jade Mask 1/5. Poison Gas mask 6. Iron Ring Mask 7. Crescent Mask 8. Poison Fang Mask 9. Witch Mask 10. Wing Mask 11. Boat Ear Mask 12. Silver Heat Mask 13. Horn Mask 14. Skull Mask 15. Rainbow Mask 16. Mirror Mask 17. Black Hair Mask 18. Cyclops Mask 19. Sword Mask 21. Cannonball Mask 22. Tooth Gear Mask 23. Wire Mask 24. Razor Mask 25. Eight-Eyed Mask 26. Blue Vein Mask 27. Iron Claw Mask 28. Iron Comb Mask 29. Door Mask 30. Mine Mask 31. Iron Tube Mask 32. Big Hatchet Mask 33. Iron Princess Mask 34. Red Faced Mask 35. Steel Mask 36. Warship Mask 37. Fork Mask 38. Pirate Mask 39. Stoneface Mask 40. Ironcage Mask 41. Iron Lion Mask 43. Diamond Mask 44. Electric Mask 45. Sword Shark Mask 46. Locomotive Mask 47. Bird Fang Mask 48. Camera Mask 49. Horn Bone Mask 50. Iron Trap Mask 51. Gunman Mask 52. Telephone Mask 53. Baseball Mask 54. Big Ear Mask 56. Faucet Mask 57. Coxcomb Mask 58. Parabola Mask 59. Deathbird Mask 60. Apparition Mask 61. Cowshoe Mask 62. Rib Mask 63. Television Mask 64. Clock Mask 65. Fallen Leaf Mask 66. Windwheel Mask 67. Can Opener Mask 68. Injection Mask 69. Pineapple Mask 70. Tire Mask 71. Piano Mask 72. Anchor Mask 73. Kendo Mask 74. Eyeglasses Mask 75. Stove Mask 76. Iron Spider Mask 77. Iron Snake Mask 78. Mammoth Mask 79. Skate Mask 80. Steel Tiger Mask 81. Iron Bottle Mask 82. Yo-Yo Mask 83. Tiger Mask Zolders Grunts in black. Battlers and Condlers Bat-winged fighter planes. Mobile Fortress Navarone (43-54) Earthen pyramid that can open up to reveal cannons, the 'Guns of Navarone'. Appears suddenly from under the Earth and can burrow anywhere. Black Cross Castle (64-84) Gigantic flying battleship shaped like a black cross with its bridge tower at its center. Film: Bomb Hurricane (76.7.16) (See the next section for the JAKQ crossover film.) 2. Blitzkrieg Squad JAKQ The second sentai series. 77.4.2-77.12.24 (35 episodes) In order to stop Crime, ISSIS Commander Kujirai assembled the following young people to undergo operations that would transform them into superhuman cyborgs: Sakurai Gorou, Olympic pentathlon medalist HIgashi Ryuu, welterweight expatriate boxer framed for murder Karen Mizuki, detective whose father was murdered by Crime Daichi Bunta, who died exploring the sea Together, the Jack, Ace, King, and Queen formed JAKQ. This was initially a much darker series than the humorous Gorangers (or any of the Super Sentai), with storylines addressing issues such as drug use (though in a juvenile manner). However, the dark approach failed to appeal to children, and so beginning with episode 23, a much lighter approach was tried with the introduction of the comedic characters Big One and Hime Tamasaburou. This 'new' JAKQ failed to complete its third cours (run of 39 episodes), and so the sentai series went into oblivion for the next year. This was Ishi(no)mori Shoutarou's last sentai series. Characters and mecha International Science Special Investigation Squad A worldwide organization opposing organized crime and terrorism, based in New York. Has bases worldwide, including one in Shinjuku, where JAKQ is headquartered. Takes on whatever ordinary police cannot handle, such as Crime [the organization, not the phenomenon]. Spade Ace (Sakurai Gorou) 24. Team leader. Powered by atomic energy. Wielder of the Spade Arts bow and whip. Fires the deadly Spade Artas Atom (Multiple) Shot. Has a gold medal in the modern Olympic pentathlon. Originally turned down membership in JAKQ, so he could aim for the next Olympics, but changed his mind when saved by Karen Mizuki. Developed a romance with Karen toward the end of the series. [Played by Tanba Yoshitaka, son of actor and New Age enthusiast Tanba Tetsurou.] Dia Jack (Higashi Ryuu) 25. Powered by electricity. Master of the Electrisword. Former junior welterweight boxer with many successive wins who turned down fixed matches and got involved with hustlers and a murder case in Las Vegas before returning to Japan. Joined JAKQ after being arrested at the airport. Heart Queen (Karen Mizuki) 18. Powered by magnetism. Master of the Heartcute magnetic shield. Originally a detective investigating narcotics routes. Lost her arms when the taxi with her and her father abroad was smashed by a truck. Joined JAKQ to avenge her dead father and the loss of her arms and was reborn with mechanical arms as a cyborg. Fell for Gorou toward the end of the series. [Karen Mizuki is a half-American, half-Okinawan Japan Action Club member who also appears in the Return of Sister Streetfighter.] Clover King (Daichi Bunta) 23. Powered by gravity. Master of the Club Megaton detachable hand on a chain. Originally a oceanographer who died of oxygen deprivation in a submarine acident. Was brought back to life as a cyborg. Lost his family in an airplane accident five years earlier. All four defeat Machine Monsters by surrounding them, injecting their four energies into it, kicking it away, and firing their energies at it to cause it to explode. This is the JAKQ Covack technique. Joker (Commander Kujirai Daisuke; 1-23, 35) 45. Brought his plans for a cyborg squad to fruitition and became its leader. Left to become the head of engineering at ISSIS headquarters in episode 23, but returned in 35. Has a wife and daughter. Big One (Banba Soukichi; 23-35) Replacement for Joker. Dandy dressed entirely in white who is a master of disguise. Powered by all four forms of energy (atomic, electric, magnetic, gravitational) and has the power of flight. Armed with a stick. Loads the Big Bomber cannon assembled by the other team members. (The Big Bomber replaces the JAKQ Covack from episode 23 onward.) [Played by Miyauchi Hiroshi; see more on him in the Blue Ranger entry.] ISSIS Agents 7 (Hayashi Keiko), 8 (Yamamoto Junko), 9 (Iijima Yoshiko), and 10 (unnamed) Female assistants of JAKQ sans costumes. Commander Robert (1) ISSIS New York headquarters head. Approved of Kujirai's cyborg project. Hime Tamasaburou (23-35) ISSIS member who poses as a cook in traditional bathing wear on a bicycle. From Matsuyama in Shikoku. Specializes in ramen, but can only make the instant kind. The ISSIS Hamster Kujirai's pet, a cyborg that talks! Stayed behind even when Kujirai went to New York. Spade Machine Spade Ace's modified Fiat X1/9. Mach Dia Dia Jack's Formula 2 race car. Heart Buggy Heart Queen's modified Morris Mini Moke. Auto Clover Clover King's motorcycle. Strengthening Capsules JAKQ members enter these to henshin. Also called 'Strengthening Boxes' despite their cylindrical shape. Stored in a detachable blue container in the midsection of the Sky Ace. Showers the members with their respective types of energy to cause the change. Supposedly eight such capsules exist. Sky Ace Flying fortress piloted either by Ace or Jack. Jack Tank Tank aboard Sky Ace. Armed with a twin cannon turret and a mechanical arm. Crime An international crime syndicate. Shine (23-35) Alien from Shine Star and true ruler of Crime. Iron Claw (1-35) Silver robed Crime leader with an enormous black hat. Good at disguise. Can transform into Warrior Iron Claw. Iron Mask Baron (film only) Fought Kamen Rider V3 off-screen. General Sahara (film only) Fought Gorangers off-screen. UFO Captain (film only) Hell Boxer (film only) Fought Kikaider off-screen. Four Deva Kings Robo Combination of film only villains. Mechanical Monsters (1-22) Early monsters of the week. 1. Devil Killer 2. Devil Drill 3. Devil 'Mite 4. Devil Gun 5. Devil Wrestler 6. Devil Amazon 7. Devil Electric 8. Devil Flower 9. Devil Spider 10. Devil Cane 11. Devil Gang 12. Devil Sphinx 13. Devil Goo 14. Devil Wolf 15. Devil Mummy 16. Devil Ball 17. Devil Devil 18. Devil Fishing 19. Devil Athletic 20. Devil BEM 21. Devil Batter 22. Devil Scrap Invader Robots (23-35) Later monsters of the week. 23. Atomic Witch 24. Hell's Angel 25. General Antongam 26. Captain Ghost 27. Fuehrer Crocodile 28. Tentacles Lay Priest 29. Chief Mantis 30. Great Priest Cobra 31. Shachira Khan 32. Battalion Leader Chamelean (sic) 33. Admiral Buffalo 34. Great King Icarus Crime Bosses (generally one per episode; 1-18, 20) Humans sans costumes who oversee specific regions and/or operations. Crimers Grunts in grey and black, armed with Sten Mk 2s. Devil Sharks Fighter planes with disk-like wings. Crime Fortress Island Headquarters of the organization. Film: JAKQ Blitzkrieg Squad vs. Secret Task Force Goranger (78.3.18) 3. Battle Fever J The first Super Sentai. Toei's second co-production with Marvel. 79.2.3-80.1.26 (52 episodes) Following the success of Spider-Man (1978), the first live action series with the hero defeating the same monster on both human and giant scales on a regular basis, Toei set off to do a second co-production with Marvel Comics Group. Intially, the show was to be 'Captain Japan,' a Japanization of Marvel's Captain America. Captain Japan (Major Den) would fight alongside Ms. (!) America (Perry [!] McBride), Captain France (Shiji Kyousuke), Captain Russia (Shirakawa Kensaku), and Captain Kenya (Akebono Shirou). With Dr. Onijiro's submarine, Captain Baser, and the giant robot Nelson, they would fight against the demon Veda and his organization 'B.' Compare that with the series that resulted... The secret society Egos began assassinating top people of the National Defense Ministry. General Kurama assembles four young agents who had been dispatched around the world for training. They are joined by FBI investigator Diane Martin, whose father was murdered by Egos. The five don powered suits to become the Battle Fever team. (The word 'fever' was trendy at the time.) The Battle Fever team's trump card is the Battle Fever Robo. Egos tries to stop the construction of the Robo, but the monsters they send to perform this task are defeated one by one by the Fever team. Egos then unleashes the 'younger brother' of the Buffalo Monster, a giant robot replica of its 'older brother'. The Robo, fortunately, is finished in time. Aboard it, the Fever team defeats the Buffalo Monster and its successors. The Fever team never stops, even when it lost two of its membes (the original Miss America Battle Cossack). With new members, the team defeats Hedder, now the Hedder Monster, and breaks into Egos' headquarters, where they are fed into the Egos Monster Making Machine so that they may be used as material for a Battle Fever Monster. The team destroys the machine and with the Lightning Light Sword Rocketter sword-throwing move, slays the mysterious deity Satan Egos himself. The new format with giant robots took off, and the Super Sentai series hasn't ended since... Characters and mecha National Defense Ministry: Battle Japan (Den Masao) Former National Defense Ministry officer. Good at judo and karate. Armed with a spear. Does a 'kung fu' [sic] dance. Battle France (Shida Kyousuke) Trained in France. Normally a beautician. A dandy and playboy. Armed with a fencing sword. Does a Spanish dance. Battle Cossack (Shiraishi Kensaku; 1-33) Good at science as well as war. Wielded twin sais. Did a Cossack dance. Died in battle with the Eagle Monster. Battle Cossack (Jin Makoto; 34-52) Silent cowboy. A man of action, not words. [Played by Ban Naoya, also of Kikaider, Inazuman (Flash), Captor, and Liveman.] Battle Kenya (Akebono Shirou) Trained in Kenya. Wild child who can talk to animals. Armed with a whip. Does a tropical dance. Miss America (Diane Martin; 1-24) FBI agent who joined the Fever team to avenge her father Bosner [what a name!], who was slain by Egos. Wielded throwing knives. Wounded by the Dracula Monster, she returned to America. Has a sister, Catherine. [Diane Martin was played by...Diane Martin! However, Miss America was played by Lisa Komaki; see the entry on Pink Ranger.] Miss America (Maria Nagisa; 25-52) FBI agent who took over for the fallen Diane. Each Fever member has a Command Bat. Command Bats transform into their individual weapons and combine to form the Penta Force cannon or five-pointed boomerang. The team rides around in the Battle Fever Car (a stock green Savanna RX-7 for Japan and America) and the Three Machines (stock bikes for the other three). General Kurama Tetsuzan Chief of the special science office of the National Defense Ministry who established the Fever team. Master of traditional Japanese swordsmanship. Battle Fever Robo (5-52) Armament: Lightning Light Sword (Chinese Bamboo Cut, Rocketter techniques), Sword Fever throwing knives, Stick Lancer, Chain Crusher, Attack Lancer trident, Fever Axe. Battle Shark (5-52) Flying battleship that launches from the Big Bazer and splits in two to release the Battle Fever Robo. Armed with Tail, Wing, and Vulcan Missiles, Guns of Navarone, and depth bombs. Big Bazer Underwater mobile base resembling a gigantic blue box. Egos A religion of mad egocentrists who intend to plunge the world into chaos. Satan Egos The mysterious head, entirely draped in black. Commander Hedder (1-51) High priest of Egos. Later becomes the Hedder Monster. Salome (19-52) Egos American branch officer who came to Japan to aid Hedder with her super strength. Egos monsters Divine children of Egos created by the heart-like Egos Monster Making Machine. Many from episode 5 onward have 'little brother' giant robot doubles. 1. Bat Monster 2. Fang Lion Monster 3. Death Mask Monster 4. Psychokinesis Monster 5. Buffalo Monster 6. Doguu Monster 7. Fireball Monster 8. Sports Monster 9. Icicle Monster 10. Nauman Monster 11. Cobra Monster 12. Monster Roselinka 13. Egg Monster 14. Galactic Monster 15. Snail Monster 16. Hand-to-Hand Combat Monster 17. Blue Vein Monster 18. Magnet Monster 20. Notch Tooth Monster 21. Dinosaur Monster 23. Ghost Monster 24. Dracula Monster 25. Magic Monster 26. Bandage Monster 27. Black Mask Monster 28. Jellyfish Urchin Monster 29. Mouthcut Monster 30. Strange Food Monster 31. Money Violence Monster 32. Earthworm Monster 33. Eagle Monster 34. Cicada Killer Monster 35. Ancient Fish Monster 36. Bomb Monster 37. Four Faced Monster 38. Skull Mushroom Monster 39. Hyde Monster 40. Study Monster 41. Mechanical Doll Monster 42. Electric Monster 43. Rolling Monster 44. Illusion Monster 45. Heart Monster 46. Curse Monster 47. Left Hand Monster 48. Great Thief Monster 49. Fly Trap Monster 50. Ogre Beard Monster 51. Hedder Monster Cutmen Grunts in grey and black armed with MP40 machineguns. Egos Fighters Black fighter planes with bat wings. 4. Electronic Task Force Denziman (Denzi, also romanizable as 'Denji' = electromagnetic) The second Super Sentai. Toei's third series with a Marvel copyright (but apparently no Marvel involvement this time). First sentai with the familiar goggle masks. First sentai with hero designs by Bandai. Compare with Bioman. 80.2.2-81.1.31 (51 episodes) 3000 years ago, the Vader Clan devastated Denzi Star. Denziland, an island from Denzi Star, landed on Earth. In modern times, the computer of Denziland awoke the Denzidog IC when it detected the Vader Clan approaching Earth. IC found five young people (who may or may not be descendants of the Denzi people) to become the Denzimen in order to defend Earth, the Vader Clan's next target. The Denzimen begin a long record of success with the defeat of Vader Monster number 00, Flying Squirreler. As the battle escalates, they realize that they themselves may be descendants of the Denzi people. If so, they are not alone; other descendants do exist, scattered around the Earth. Queen Hedrian, struggling in her attempts to make the world a living nightmare, receives an offer of assistance from the space wanderer Omnipotent Demon King. She accepts it, not realizing that ODK's real goal is the conquest of Earth for himself. He captures the Vader Castle, and torments the Denzimen with his Omnipotent Monse. Hedrer goes into battle himself giant-sized, only to die a tragic death. The Denzimen find themselves helpless against ODK and his monster until IC sacrifices himself to become a circuit for the Daidenzin. ODK and his monster are defeated. Hedrian escapes to the North Pole, where she sleeps, encased in ice, seemingly defeated for good...or is she? Characters and mecha Denzired (Akaki Ippei) Teacher of karate and other sports to children at the Athletic Club. Special move: Denzi Vaccum Kick. Denziblue (Oume Daigorou) Circus acrobat who teaches yoga and gymnastics at the Athletic Club. Special moves: Blue Rocket, Blue Screw Kick, Blue Snake Denziyellow (Kiyama Jun) Inventor and space researcher. Coaches calisthenics. Special moves: Denzi Suplex, Flying Attack, Hammer Punch. Denzigreen (Midorikawa Tatsuya) Detective who lost his father to a Vader attack. Coaches boxing. Special move: Denzi Spin Kick. Denzipink (Momoi Akira) Former tennis player who teaches swimming at the Athletic Club. Special move: Denzi Thunder Throw. (Note that all their last names contain kanji for their colors.) Each Denziman is armed with a Denzistick. These combine into the Denziboomerang and are all used in the Electronic Lightning Fall. Other team attacks, not involving the sticks, include the Shot Gun, Blitzkrieg Attack, Denzi Circle, Denzi Shower, Dragonfly, Scramble Chain, and Denzi Tower. IC the Denzidog Intelligent robot dog that came from Denzi Star 3000 years ago to assemble the Denziman team. Denzi Princess (26, 29, film) Survivor of Denzi Star who visited Earth 3000 years ago, ordering a servant girl to defend the Earth with the rainbow stones. Left Earth to patrol the universe. Denzi Machine Sidecar motorcycle for Denzired. Denzi Buggy Jeep for Denziblue through Denzipink. Denzitiger Flying fortress carrying the Denzifighter that launches from Denziland. Denzifighter > Daidenjin (Giant Electric Man; first transforming sentai robot) Armament: Denzi Sword (Full Moon Cut), Denzi Ball, Daidenjin Boomerang Denziland (island headquarters) The Vader Clan Invaders from another dimension with warped (to us) concepts of beauty. Intends to pollute and corrupt the Earth and its inhabitants to fit its unusual aesthetic. Queen Hedrian Machiko Soga, MMPR's original 'Rita'. Hates beauty and wants to pollute the world. Find happiness in human suffering. General Hedrer Field commander. Played by Kayama Kousuke/Toudou Shinji, a.k.a. Spider-Man. Mirror and Keller Female spies in gold and slver, respectively. Omnipotent Demon King (37-51) Half-naked, musclebound space wanderer. Vader Monsters Appear first as eggs from an incubator. Hatched in the Monster Making Range. Can enlarge themselves at will. Asymmetrical. Usually wear numbers. Dastlers Grunts in black tights with skeletal designs. Armed with sickles. Vader Fighters Yet more batwinged bad guy planes. Vader Castle Flying fortress hidden in another dimension. Film: Electronic Task Force Denziman (80.7.12) 5. Solar Task Force Sunvulcan The third sentai series and last Toei series with a Marvel copyright (but apparently no Marvel involvement) to date. Smallest team to date. Compare with Liveman. The only series with a change in team leader. 81.2.7-82.1.30 (50 episodes) The threat machine empire Black Magma causes the EPDS to decide to establish the Solar Task Force at a summit. From the EPDS's air force, navy, and rangers, Commander Arashiyama assembles three specialists to become Sunvulcan. Harsh training begins. Learning of this, Black Magma attacks the EPDS base, but the Sunvulcan debuts in time to save it. Hellsaturn prays to the Black Solar God and is rewarded with a revived Queen Hedrian, now a cyborg with a mechanical heart and a metallic afro. But plot after plot of Black Magma, even with Hedrian's aid, fails. Following the death of Zeroone, Amazon Killer, a Vader, arrives from space, destroying the Sunvulcan base. A new Vulcanbase is built. The original Vuleagle, Oowashi Ryuusuke, is replaced by a friend and master of the sword, Hiba Takayuki. The team successfully defends the psychic descendant of the Denzi, the nun Himiko, from Black Magma. Shortly after this, Lightning Galaxer shows up. Sunvulcan devises the New Vulcan Ball, but their attacks are no use against Lightning Galaxer until he becomes the gigantic Lightning Monger. Finally, the trio and their commander go to the North Pole to rescue Arashiyama Miki, and succeed not only in doing so (despite a fake Miki to confuse them), but also in defeating the Omnipotent God, the true leader of Black Magma, by feigning surrender and striking when it lowers its guard. Characters and mecha Earth Peace Defense Squad (a.k.a. Guardians of World Peace) Vuleagle (Oowashi Ryuusuke; 1-23) EPDS air force officer. Left to pursue space shuttle research for NASA in America. Special moves: Eagle Wings, Eagle Diving, Eagle Fire. Vuleagle (Hiba Takayuki; 23-50) Colleague of Oowashi. Master of kendo. Special moves: Hiba Return sword technique, Secret Sword Style Cross Cut. [Played by Godai Takayuki, also of Western Police and more recently, Kakuranger, as Tsuruhime's father Hakumenrou.] Vulshark (Samejima Kinya) EPDS naval officer. Special moves: Shark Washer, Shark Diving, Shark Rolling, Shark Jaws. Vulpanther (Hyou Asao) EPDS army officer. Special moves: Panther Galaxy, Panther Claw, Panther Bomber, Panther Mole, Rolling Panther, Panther Throw. (Note that Ryuusuke, Kinya, and Asao were played by actors with those same names!) The three can defeat monsters with the Vulcan Ball (soccer ball-shaped), the New Vulcan Balls (football-shaped), and the combined Vulcan Sticks. Other team attacks include the Sky Jetter, Scram Hurricane, Solar Kicks, and Vulcan Shoot. Commander Arashiyama Commander of the EPDS. Expert at robotics. Designer of the team's mecha. [Played by the late Kishida Shin of Operation: Mystery, Return of Ultraman, and Fireman.] Arashiyama Miki The Commander's daughter. Sandvulcan Vuleagle's jeep. Sharkmachine Vulshark's bike. Panthermachine Vulpanther's bike. Jaguar Vulcan Flying fortress. Its jaws open to let the components of the Sunvulcanrobo launch. Cosmo Vulcan (Vuleagle) + Bullvulcan (Vulshark and Vulpanther) > Sunvulcanrobo (first combining sentai robo) Armament: Solar Sword (Aurora Plasma Return), Vulshield, Vultonfa, Vulhand, Vulcansun, Vulcan Cannons. Machine Empire Black Magma An organization worshipping the Black Solar God based at the Iron Claw Castle at the North Pole. Intends to have its Mechahumans rule the world. Fuehrer Hellsaturn Mechahuman leader of Black Magma, draped in black. Nothing more in the end than an underling of Black Magma's true leader, the Omnipotent God. Queen Hedrian (5-50) Soga Machiko's back, in one of several crossovers in Sunvulcan between that series and Denziman. Such cross-sentai crossovers in the regular TV series continuity have never been tried since. Amazon Killer (23-50) Vader field officer who came from space. Lightning Galaxer (45-49) Space pirate known as the 'Invincible Electric Man of the Galaxy'. Sought by the Galactic Police. Ends up as the Lightning Monger. Dark Q Spy robot able to change its appearance; reminds me of Friday the 13th's Jason. Zero Girls (Zeroone through Zerofour) Female spies; cf. the similar girl team in Shaider Machine Life Forms/Mega Mongers (monsters of the week) Combinations of lifeforms and machine elements. Created by a monster-making machine. Have enlarging devices built into them. Machinemen Grunts in black with the red insignia of Black Magma on their faces. Film: Solar Task Force Sunvulcan (81.7.18) 6. Great Task Force Goggle V (Five) Fourth Super Sentai. Neither Ishi(no)mori nor Marvel was involved with this team or any others that followed. (Did Marvel have a contract with Toei that expired in 1982?) Got the highest ratings of all sentai (at least up to 1988), but is least popular among Japanese fans (as opposed to Japanese children). Cf. Ultraman Taro, another series unpopular with fans though popular with children. 82.2.6-83.1.29 (50 episodes) Dr. Hongou, founder of the Future Science Laboratory, confirms that Deathdark has begun its nefarious activities at Wolfborg Castle in Germany. Attacked by Deathdark, he is saved by Akama Ken'ichi and returns to Japan, where he has the Comboyputer select five people, including Akama, to become the Great Task Force Goggle V. The team succeeds in their first mission against Shell Mozoo and the giant robot Fankong. After numerous defeats, Fuehrer Taboo revives Grand Marshal Deathmark from a long sleep. To reorganize Deathdark, Deathmark sentences Doctors Zazoriya and Igaana to death. Deathdark creates seemingly indestructible Super Synthetic Beasts, but the team copes with this by devising the Goggle Golden Spear attack. In the end, Deathmark discovers the super energy 'Hightron', which they use to create their final weapon, the Dark Cannon. At the same time, Deathdark discovers the location of Goggle V's base and destroys it. Deathmark sends the Hightron-powered Cheetah and Bear Mozoo/Kongs after the team, but they, like their lesser Mozoo and Kong predecessors fail, even though Deathgiller pilots Bear Kong himself. Dr. Hongou builds the team a new base, from which they set off to break into Deathtopia and defeat Taboo, who reveals and enlarges himself at last, with the eye-poking Earth Sword Electron Galactic missile move. Characters and mecha The Future Science Laboratory The Goggle V team was chosen by this lab's Comboyputer. Gogglered (Akama Ken'ichi) World class explorer and mountain climber. By saving Dr. Hongou from Deathdark's Madaramen, he came to realize what peril the world was in. His forehead jewel is the ruby, symbolizing Atlantis. Armed with the Red Ruby Whip and the Red Rope. Goggleblack (Kuroda Kanpei) President of the chess club at Touto University. Specializes in strategy. Normally a janitor of Kourakuen Stadium. His forehead jewel is the emerald, symbolizing Asia. Armed with the Black Clubs, Black Emerald Nunchakus, Dynamite Clubs, the Black Shadow technique, and the Black Wind Wheel Whirlwind technique. [Played by Haruta Jun'ichi, a.k.a. Dynablack and Mad Galant--both 'black' characters!] Goggleblue (Aoyama Saburou) Ice hockey player and would-be inventor. His forehead jewel is the sapphire, symbolizing Egypt. Armed with the Blue Ring, Blue Sapphire Jet Ring, the Ring Waist Break technique, and the Blue Jet Dash technique. Goggleyellow (Kijima Futoshi) Works at a zoo. His forehead jewel is the opal, symbolizing Mu (Lemuria). Armed with the Yellow Ball, Lightning Light Ball, Yellow Opal Megaton Ball, Yellow Hammer, Yellow Holedigging technique, and the Yellow Mole Strike technique. Gogglepink (Momozono Miki) Gymnast who works as an announcer at Kourakuen Stadium. Her forehead jewel is the diamond, symbolizing the Mayans and Incas. Armed with the Pink Ribbon, Pink Diamond Baton, Pink Mirror, Pink Ribbon Bind technique, and the Pink Heart Hypnosis technique. (All the members, like those of Denziman, have kanji for their respective colors in their names. Aka = red, kuro = black, ao = blue, ki = yellow, momo = pink.) The team has many combination attacks, such as the Lightning Ropes, the Dynamite Clubs, the Ring Spin Typhoons, the Lightning Light Balls, the Ribbon Sparks, the Goggle Victory Flash, the Goggle Bomber, the Sabre Attack, and the Goggle Golden Spear. All are armed wih Goggle Sabres. Dr. Hongou (1, 2, 49, 50) Doctor belonging to the Future Science Lab; founder of Goggle V. Computer Boys & Girls ('Comboy') Five kids in blue tights who comprise the junior Goggle V and support the team proper with the Comboyputer. Each follows a specific team member: Ueda Tatsuya (Red), Takenaka Makoto (Black), Shimada Haruo (Blue), Ooyama Daisuke (Yellow), and Aizawa Akane (Pink). Gogglemachine Gogglered's motorcycle. Gogglecougar 4WD truck for the other Goggle team members. Goggle Jet (Red) + Tank (Blue and Black) + Dump (Yellow and Pink) > Gogglerobo Armed with the Earth Sword (Electron Galaxy Cut), Goggle Hand, hand Missile, Goggle Flash beam, and Goggle Spin top. Gogglecaesar Flying fortress which launches from a pad beneath Kourakuen Stadium. The three components of Goggle Robo launch from its numbered 'drawers'. Kourakuen is an amusement park that features Toei heroes. The Dark Science Empire Deathdark From the time when iron was discovered in ancient Turkey, the 'Dark Scientists' have existed to move the world in the shadows. United by Fuehrer Taboo, they are Deathdark. Fuehrer Taboo A one-eyed 'super gene' product of genetic engineering that hides behind a translucent wall until emerging, giant-sized, for the finale. General Deathgiller Swordsman field commander in black. Piloted the last of the Kongs, Bear Kong. Grand Marshal Deathmark (15-50) Pharaoh-like commander brought back to life by Taboo. Bella and Beth (Deathmark's twin handmaidens) Faceless warriors in purple and blue tights who assume human forms. Dr. Zazoriya (1-18; sasori = scorpion) A Dark Scientist scorpion-woman who builds mecha-motif robots. Rival of Dr. Igaana. Put to death by Deathmark. Dr. Igaana (1-18) A Dark Scientist iguana-man who builds beast-motif robots. Put to death by Deathmark. Synthetic Beasts (Mozoos) Monsters of the week. Combinations of animal genes and metal atoms. When defeated, the Refresh Power ray gives them enough energy to enable them to pilot their Kongs. Later superceded by Super Synthetic Beasts made of Neometal from Crocodile Mozoo onward. Giant robots (Kongs) Usually modelled after the Mozoos who pilot them (but exceptions exist). Have blue cockpits on their heads and disproportionately large legs, presumably to support their enormous weight. Madaramen (madara = spot, referring to their spotted outfits) Android grunts in camoufalage-colored tights. Dark Giant Castle Deathtopia Mobile castle-shaped fortress that launches giant robots from its gate. Usually underwater but can fly. Film: Great Task Force Goggle Five (82.3.13) 7. Science Task Force Dynaman Fifth Super Sentai. Shown on USA Network in 1987-88 as a dubbed parody, Dynaman. 83.2.5-84.1.28 (51 episodes) Five inventors with dreams assembled at the Yumeno Invention Laboratory to pursue their dreams with the aid of Dr. Yumeno. ('Yume' is Japanese for 'dream.') There, Dr. Yumeno told them of the Evilution menace, gave them the Dynasuits he invented, and sent them off as Dynaman to stop the Evilution Empire. They defeat Evilution Monsters in quick succession, forcing General Kar to come up with Mechavolution monsters. They respond to this latest threat with the New Super Dynamite attack. The Empire awakens Zenobia, who destroys the Dynastation. The failure Megiddo is sentenced to be imprisoned in the Millennium Cave. A mysterious masked swordsman, Darkknight, appears shortly thereafter to menace both Dynaman and the Empire. The Empire seeks the Retro Gene which can increase the number of their tails. It turns out that the Retro Gene was a creation of Dr. Yumeno, whom the Empire hunts down. Zenobia teams up with Darkknight to get ahold of the Retro Gene, but dies after using it to get ten tails. Darkknight defeats Aton to reveal himself as Emperor Megiddo. Megiddo and Chimera die aboard the exploding Grangizmo. Notable for its character designs by Izubuchi Yutaka (of Dairugger XV [Voltron] and Dunbine, his prominent works at the time). Dark Knight added a 'Hakaider' element to the show. The (relatively) complex villain storylines and improved character designs were to get better in Bioman. Characters and mecha Yumeno Invention Center A playground for children that is in reality the Dynastation. Dynared (Dan Hokuto) Dreams of inventing a non-polluting engine. Motorcycle racer and kendo master from Hokkaido. Wields the double Dynaswords. Dynarod can fire the Red Fire. Dynablack (Hoshikawa Ryuu) Astronomer who dreams of contacting aliens. Descendant of Iga ninjas. Armed with the Battletector armor, the Cross Cutter boomerangs, and the Strong Shower webbing. Dynarod can fire the Black Star Flash. [Played by Haruta Jun'ichi, a.k.a. Goggle Black and Mad Galant.] Dynablue (Shima Yousuke) Dreams of inventing artificial gills. Master of water sports from Ishigaki Island. Armed with the Surf Jet vehicle, the Attack Board, and the Blue Frisbees. Dynarod fires the Blue Water Whirlpool. Dynayellow (Nangou Kousaku) Dreams of improving plant breeds. From Kyushu. Armed with the Chain Crushers. Dynarod fires the Yellow Thunderlight Fall. Dynapink (Tachibana Rei) Dreams of talking with animals. Armed with the Rose Sabre, Flower Shield, and rose bombs. Dynarod fires the Pink Shocking Melody. [Ogiwara Sayoko also appears in Flashman as Nefelura.] Team attacks include the Super Dynamite, New Super Dynamite, Mach Dash, and consecutive Dynakicks. Each is armed with a Dynarod gun. Dr./Supreme Commander Yumeno Kyuutarou Founder of the team who doubles as the head of the Yumeno Invention Center. Kendo Robot (1-37) Mascot of the Yumeno Invention Center invented by Dr. Yumeno. Destroyed with the center in episode 37. Dynafalcon Dynared's motorcycle. Dynamachine The 4WD truck for the other four Dynamen. Dyna Mach (Red) + Mobile (Black, Blue) + Garry (Yellow, Pink) > Dynarobo Armed with the Science Sword (Lightning Gravitational Fall), Dynaknuckles, Dynashield, Dynaboomerang, and Beat Hammer. Dyjupiter Mothership carrying the components of the Dynarobo. The Evilution (Jashinka) Empire An underground race of humans ranked by number of tails. Emperor Aton (9 tails) Dreams of getting 10 tails. General Kar (7 tails) A.k.a. 'God of War'. Scientist. Played by 'Milton' Ishibashi of Toei's Streetfighter films. Prince Megiddo/Dark Knight/Emperor Megiddo (5 > 4 > 0tails) Loses a tail to Dynared early on. Loses his standing, period, and reemerges as the masked Darkknight, master of the 'Dance of Darkness' sword technique. Ultimately claims the throne for himself. Kira and Geel (Megiddo's bodyguards; 1-8; 1 tail?) Look like common Tail Soldiers except for their clothing and berets. Princess Chimera (8-50; 4 tails) Megiddo's cousin. A witch. General Zenobia (37-50; 7 tails) Awakened from the Millennium Cave, soon taking Megiddo's place in the Empire. Evilution Beasts and Mechavolutions Monsters of the week. 'Life soup' artificially undergoes evolution in the Progressor machine, emerging as Evilution Beasts. When in a pinch, they can undergo the Big Bang Process to enlarge to giant size (often with disproportionately large legs). Later superceded by Mechavolutions with implanted weapons, rather like early Destron monsters in Kamen Rider V3. Grangizmo Mobile fortress, looking like a giant flying fish. Tail Soldiers (1 tail) Naked lizards with red eyes and green and black skin. Film: Science Task Force Dynaman (83.3.12; reshown as episode 32) 8. Super Electron Bioman Sixth Super Sentai. Considered by some to be the best. Unusual in its lack of human-sized monsters of the week. 84.2.4-85.1.26 (51 episodes) Dr. Kageyama transformed himself into a Mecha Human, renamed himself Doctor Man, and leading the New Empire Gear from his base of Neograd at the South Pole, plans to rule the world through his Mechahumans. The Biorobo awakes from five centuries of sleep to find the five descendants of humans who had been showered with Bioparticles 500 years ago. Under the direction of Peebo, who had accompanied the Biorobo to Earth, the five don Biosuits to become the Biomen. Early on, Doctor Man invents the Biokiller Gun to kill Yellow Four. A new Yellow Four join the team. Man's supercomputer Brain and his android Prince turns out to have quite human hearts which bring about their downfall. Prince is based on Man's son Shuuichi, who appears before the Biomen. The Big Three learn of Shuuichi's existence, realize that Man is a mere human, and revolt. They fail, and Doctor Man brainwashes and modifies them. The Biohunter Silva comes from space to hunt them down. The Biomen meet a mysterious scientist intending to build a conscience circuit (shades of Kikaider!), Dr. Shibata, who turns out to be both Red's father and a friend of Man. In the end, the Biomen defeat Silva and his robot Balzion and enter the fortress Neograd itself... Characters and mecha Bioman Red One (Gou Shirou) Former space shuttle pilot. Weapons and/or attacks: Fire Sword, Super Electron Radar, Spark Sword, Diving Attack. Green Two (Takasugi Shingo) Former car racer. Team strongman. Weapons and/or attacks: Hurricane Sword, Super Electron Scope, Break (Dance) Action, Super Jump, Green Boomerang. Blue Three (Nanbara Ryuuta) Water sports ace. Weapons and/or attacks: Electric Sword, Super Electron Ear, Super Sky Diving. Yellow Four (Koizumi Mika; 1-10) Former photographer. Weapons and/or attacks: Thunder Sword, Super Electron Holography, Action Shooting. Yellow Four (Yabuki Jun; 11-51) Former Olympic archer. Weapons and/or attacks unique to her: Bioarrow. Pink Five (Katsuragi Hikaru) Former flutist. Weapons and/or attacks: Laser Sword, Spin Chops, Pink Barrier. Team attacks include the Bioelecttron, Super Electron, Bio Big Arrow, Bioelectro Beam, Biorevolver, Pentabeams, Circus Loops, Miracle Bombers, Miracle Laser, and Bio Super Electron. All Biomen are aremed with Bioswords which have three modes: sword, short sword, and gun. Peebo Robot advisor; cf. MMPR's Alpha 5. Biomach 1, 2 Motorcycles for Red and Yellow. Bioturbo Car for Green, Blue, and Pink. Biodragon Flying fortress which opens up to be a runway for... Biojet 1 (Red, Pink) + 2 (the rest) > Biorobo Weapons and/or attacks: Super Maser sword (Concentration, Comet Cutter, Break Attack, Cross Cut, Great Attack, Chainsaw Cutter, Straight Flash, Reverse Cross Cut, Pinball Shooting, Dashing Beam, Shadow Cutter, Bio Particle Cut, Super Flash). The New Empire Gear A mechanical empire based at the Neograd fortress at the South Pole (cf. Black Magma) which plots world conquest. Doctor Man Formerly scientist Kageyama Hideo, now a Mecha Human and boss of Gear. Prince An android modelled after Shuuichi, Dr. Man's son The Big Three: Mason the leader Farrah the woman Monster the strongman The Five Beastnoids (recurring monsters of the week): Psygorn the psychic Messerbeast the flyer Aquaiger the underwater warrior Metzler the spy Beastking, Monster's underling Metzler and Aquaiger die in mid-series while the others are powered up. Farrahcat, Farrah's bodyguard Mecha Gigans and Neo Mecha Gigans Giant robots of the week. Mechaclones Grunts in black with silver heads and red eyes. Silva Hakaider/Dark Knight-like Biohunter; a robot from Bio Star programmed to kill anything with Bioparticles, like the Biomen, with his Biobuster gun. Balzion Silva's giant robot. Film: Super Electron Bioman (84.7.14) 9. Blitzkrieg Task Force Changeman Seventh Super Sentai. 85.2.2-86.2.22 (55 episodes) When Earth was invaded by Gozma, the planet reacted by showering five officers of the Earth Defense Squad with the mysterious power of the Earthforce, giving them the abilities of mythological beasts as the Changemen. Compare the premise with Sunvulcan, Dairanger, and Ohranger. This series took the epic scale of Bioman and reached even further into space... Characters and mecha Earth Defense Squad Change Dragon (Tsurugi Hiryuu) Originally an EDS air force officer. Good at baseball. Weapons and/or attacks: Dragon Attack, Dragon Thunder, Dragon Kick. Change Griffin/Gryphon (Hayate Shou) Originally an EDS Ranger. A dandy who has a weakness for women. Weapons and/or attacks: Griffin Attack, Griffin Magma Galaxy. Change Pegasus (Oozora Yuuma) Originally an EDS army officer. Comedic lover of food who wants to open his own tonkatsu restaurant. Weapons and/or attacks: Pegasus Attack, Pegasus Lightning Spark. Change Mermaid (Nagisa Sayaka) Originally an EDS Strategic Corps officer. An inventor. Weapons and/or attacks: Mermaid Attack, Mermaid Typhoon Wave, Mermaid Big Wave. Change Phoenix (Tsubasa Mai) Originally an EDS reconnaissance officer. Motorcyclist and tomboy. Weapons and/or attacks: Phoenix Attack, Phoenix Fire, Phoenix Fire Bomber. Shared weapons: Changeswords with two modes: gun or sword plus shield. Team attacks: Power Bazooka (made up from five separate bazookas), Blitzkrieg Flash, Power Shoot, Cross Hurricane, Blitzkrieg Victory Beam, Earthforce Blitzkrieg Sword, Penta Formation. Commander Ibuki Actually Yui Ibuki of Heath Star. Autochangers Motorcycles of the five Changemen. Changecruiser 4WD Toyota Hilux pickup for the five Changement. Jet Changer 1 (Dragon) + Helichanger 2 (Griffin, Mermaid) + Landchanger 3 (Pegasus, Phoenix) > Changerobo Weapons and/or attacks: Blitzkrieg Sword (Super Thunderbolt, Swallow Reversal, Wind Wheel Cut), Changerobo Missile, Change Vulcans. Shuttlebase Flying fortress resembling a space shuttle. Great Star League Gozma An empire that devastates planets and uses the survivors as warriors to invade yet more planets. Star King Bazoo Actually a projection of the living planet Gozmastar. Commander Giluke In charge of the invasion of Earth. From Girath. Once plotted against Bazoo. Dies and retuns as Ghost Giluke (later Super Giluke and the Space Beast Warrior Giluke). Vice-Commander Booba Former space pirate armed with the Buldobas sickle. Vice-Commander Seema Princess of Amanga with a man's voice (until she defects to the Changemen). Queen Ahameth of Amazo and her pet dragon, Jangeran Navigator Gator of Nabi Has a wife and child. Gyodaai ('kyodai' = 'giant') One-eyed monster enlarging creature from Gyodai. Space Beast Warriors Monsters of the week--either captured beasts from conquered alien worlds or aliens mutated into monsters. Hidrer Soliders Grunts in blue tights with blonde hair and odd bulges born from eggs. Films: Blitzkrieg Task Force Changeman (85.3.16) Blitzkrieg Task Force Changeman: Shuttle Base! The Critical Moment! (85.7.13) 10. Supernova Flashman Eighth Super Sentai. 1986.3.1-87.2.21 (50 episodes) Twenty years ago, five infants kidnapped by aliens were saved and raised by the alien Flash race on five planets, gaining special abilities that they use to fight Mess, the organization whose alien hunters had captured them in the first place. The Flashmen return to their homeworld of Earth, now utterly foreign to them, in search of their real parents while operating under a time limit. They can stay on Earth no longer than a year, lest they suffer from the Anti- Flash Phenomenon. My vote for one of the best sentai ever. Excellent monster designs and overall continuing storyline. Characters and mecha The Flashmen Red Flash (Jin) Learned science on Flash Star, main planet of the Flash solar system, inhabited by people vaguely resembling Ultramen. Weapons and/or attacks: Prism Holy Sword, Fire Thunder. Green Flash (Dai) Gained great strength on rocky Green Star. Weapons and/or attacks: Prism Kaiser gloves. Blue Flash (Bun) Gained speed and agility on the deserts of Blue Star. Youngest of the five. Weapons and/or attacks: Prism Ball, Star Darts. Yellow Flash (Sara) Developed a sharp mind on the cold planet Yellow Star. Actually the kidnapped daughter of Dr. Tokimura. Weapons and/or attacks: Prism Batons, Mach Blizzard. Pink Flash (Lou) Developed great jumping abilities on the high gravity planet Pink Star. Weapons and/or attacks: Prism Boots, Jet Kick Shared weapons: Prism Shooters with two modes: gun or sword + shield. Team attacks: Rolling Vulcan (five guns in one), Combination Super Spear, Combination Cross Boomerang. Mag The team's robot assistant. Cf. Alpha 5. Flashhawks The team's five motorcycles. Tank Command (Red) + Jet Delta (Green, Yellow) + Jet Seeker (Blue, Pink) > Flashking Weapons and/or attacks: Cosmo Sword (Super Cosmo Flash), King Missiles, King Knuckles. Titanboy (truck/robot) + Flash Titan (trailer) > Great Titan (1st 2nd robot in sentai) Weapons and/or attacks: Radial Cutters, Boy Cannons (both Titanboy only), Titan Nova. Star Condor Plane-like flying fortress. Round Base Boxlike flying fortress capable of space travel. Brought the Flashmen to Earth. Reconstructive Experiment Empire Mess ('Mesu' is Japanese for 'scalpel,' through Dutch?) The Empire takes over planets, using their lifeforms as fodder for its experiments, whose goal is the transformation of Great Emperor Lar Deus into the strongest being in the universe. Great Emperor Lar Deus Leader of Mess. Ends up as the monster Za Deusoola. Great Doctor Lee Keflen Geneticist. Creator of the Beast Warriors. Originally from Earth. Ley Wanda/Wandarla Winged zebra-like field commander who can transform into the utterly bestial Wandarla. Ley Nefel/Nefelura Catlike field commander who can transform into utterly bestial Nefelura. Ley Garus (1-28) White-furred, blue-skinned brute field commander. Ulk and Kilt Nefelura's feline assistants. Sir Cowler (15-48) Boss of the Alien Hunters, armed wih a whip. Kidnapped the five Earth babies who would grow up to be the Flashmen twenty years ago. Bo Gardan (43-48) Second in command of the Alien Hunters. The Alien Hunters (3; 15-) Baura, Hag, Kerao, Hou, and one unnamed member. Kraagen Monster-enlarging jellyfish. Beast Warriors and Deus Beast Warriors Monsters of the week. Hybrids of Earth and alien genes. Deus Beast Warriors have the genes of Lar Deus himself. Zorors Green-eyed, red-skinned insectoid grunts. Reconstructive Experiment Base Labor Flying saucer headquarters of the Empire. Films: Supernova Flashman (86.3.15) Supernova Flashman: Great Reversal! Titan Boy (86.7.14 Compilation of episodes 15-18) 11. Light Task Force Maskman Ninth Super Sentai. 87.2.28-88.2.20 (51 episodes) Tube sent Princess Ial as 'Mio' to spy on the surface world. Mio became Takeru's girlfriend. Tube kidnapped Mio back, sentencing her to imprisonment in ice for loving a human. Driven to find Ial/Mio, Takeru became Red Mask of the Maskmen, a group of martial artists who use their 'Aura Power' under Commander Sugata's direction to defeat the Tube. Another strong drama with surprisingly good character designs by Ichigo House and Ogiwara Naoki. (Izubuchi left after Flashman to work on the Gundam film Char's Counterattack.) Compare concept with Ohranger. Characters and mecha Maskman Red Mask (Takeru) 23. Formula 1 racer and karate expert. Weapons and/or attacks: Masky Blade, Laser Arrow. Black Mask (Kenta) 21. Kung fu expert. Weapons and/or attacks: Masky Rod. Blue Mask (Akira) 16. Chinese boxing and broadsword expert. Weapons and/or attacks: Masky Tonfas. Yellow Mask (Haruka) 19. Ninja. Weapons and/or attacks: Mask Rotor yoyos, Shadow Split Bodies. Pink Mask (Momoko) 19. Tai ch'i ch'uan expert. Weapons and/or attacks: Masky Ribbon. Shared weapons: Laser Magnums with two modes: gun or sword. Team attacks: Shot Bomber, Jet Cannon. X1 Mask (Asuka Ryoo; 39 only) Prototype Maskman in green. An early precusor to the sixth member concept exploited from Zyuranger onward. Commander Sugata Sanjuurou (cf. Sugata Sanshirou) Scientist and martial artist who founded the team. Spin Cruiser Red's modified Formula 1 car, now a buggy. Mask Loaders Motorcycles for Black through Pink. Masky Fighter + Drill + Tank + Jet + Gyro > Great Five Weapons and/or attacks: Photon Lizer Sword (Final Aura Burst), Gyro Cutters, Great Gun. Land Galaxy (trailer truck) > Galaxy Robo Weapons and/or attacks: Iron Fist Aura Galaxy, Galaxy Drill, Galaxy Anchor, Galaxy Bazooka. Turbo Ranger (not the sentai) Flying fortress carrying the five components of Great Five. Underground Empire Tube Once a peaceful empire, it was corrupted by the usurper Zehba, who now intends to rule the surface world as well. Earth Emperor Zehba Usurped the Tube throne. Hates all human beings, below or above the Earth, because he secretly isn't human at all. In reality is the child of the Lethal Dogler monster slain by the original Tube royal family. Prince Igam True heir to the throne. A woman raised as a man. Ends up a nun after realizing the error of his/her ways. Princess Ial, alias Mio Igam's twin. Falls for Takeru. Commander Baraba Buff swordsman of the Baluga Tribe. Earth Imperial Ninja Oyobur Red-skinned, pointy-eared ninja of the Buyon Tribe. Earth Imperial Ninja Fuumin Female ninja of the Fu Tribe who serves Prince Igam. Anagmas Elderly, overweight beast who knows all. Thief Knight Kiros (27-49) Equestrian who loves Ial. Armed with a knife and sickle. Special attack: Crescent Screw. Okelampa Insectoid that fires a monster enlarging beam. Angler Soldiers Black-skinned grunts with brown vines growing down from their heads. Earth Empire Beasts Underground creatures released from a freezing cave. Many are composed of Dogler beasts plus parasites. Angramon Fighters Fighter planes that untie into a centipede-like monster, the Angramon Snake. Earth Imperial Castle Tube headquarters which rose to the Earth's surface in the finale. Film: Light Task Force Maskman (87.7.18) 12. Super Beast Task Force Liveman Tenth anniversary Super Sentai series. 88.2.27-89.2.18 (49 episodes) Academia was a school for scientists located on Academia Island. One day, Academia's three best students, Tsukikage, Senda, and Omura, were captured by Bias. In the process, Academia students Yano Takuji and Aikawa Mari were killed by Tsukikage. Two years later, during the destruction of Academia by volt, the surviving students--Yuusuke, Jou, and Megumi--discovered that the three captives had lived--as Kempu, Mazenda, and Obular! As Liveman, Yuusuke, Jou, and Megumi must now fight against their former friends. Later in the series, they are joined by Tetsuya and Jun'ichi, younger brothers of the late Takuji and Mari. The last of the great eighties sentai series? Definitely worthy of being the tenth anniversary entry. Characters and mecha The Livemen Red Falcon (Amamiya Yuusuke) A poor student at Academia, but a strong leader. [Played by Shima Daisuke, who sings the theme song.] Weapons and/or attacks: Falcon Sword, Falcon Sabre. Yellow Lion (Oohara Jou) Like Yuusuke, at the bottom of the class at Academia. Sportsman and skateboarder. Weapons and/or attacks: Lion Bazooka, Lion Punch, Skateboard Attack Blue Dolphin (Misaki Megumi) A top class student at Academia who got involved with Yuusuke and Jou for some reason and did powered suit research with them and the late Yano Takuji and Aikawa Mari (whom I suspect would have been the other two Livemen had they lived). Good at swimming. Weapons and/or attacks: Dolphin Arrow. Black Bison (Yano Tetsuya) Younger brother of Takuji. Boxer. Weapons and/or attacks: Bison Rod. Green Rhino (Aikawa Jun'ichi) Younger brother of Mari. Rugby player. Weapons and/or attacks: RhinoCutters. Shared weapons: Liblasters which have two modes: gun or sword. Team attacks: Triple Bazooka, Bimotion Buster. Motofalcon, Motodolphin, Motolion Individual motorcycles for the original trio. Livecougar 4WD truck for the entire team. Dr. Hoshi (1-2) Prncipal of Academia. Made the Liveman mecha before dying. Played by Ban Naoya (Kikaider, Inazuman, and Captor). Colon Female robot built by Dr. Hoshi in charge of the Gran Tortoise. Assists the team. Jet Falcon + Land Lion + Aqua Dolphin > Liverobo Weapons and/or attacks: Super Beast Sword (Super Live Crash), Liverobo Beam, Double Cannons. Bison Liner + Rhino Fire > Live Boxer Weapons and/or attacks: Miracle Big Blow. Liverobo + Liveboxer > Super Liverobo Weapons and/or attacks: Super Big Burst. Machine Buffalo Last of the flying fortresses that transport the robot components. Gran Tortoise Liveman secret headquarters resembling a turtle that rises from the sea. Armed Brain Army Volt (or Bolt) Believing most of humanity to be inferior, Volt intends to create a new world ruled only by superior beings. Life has no value to them; only brains do. Great Professor Bias Lead of Volt, who believes in no one but himself and controls his trio of officers with the allure of evil science. Looks down upon the Earth and its inhabitants with contempt aboard the orbiting space station Brainbase. Doctor Kempu/Beauty Beast Kempu (1-35) > Fearbeast Kempu (36-46) Formerly Tsukikata Kenji, Yuusuke's rival at Academia. Doctor Mazenda (1-37) > Machine Mazenda (38-47) > Robo Mazenda (47) Formerly Senda Rui, Megumi's rival at Academia. Doctor Obular (1-21) Formerly Omura Gou, Jou's rival at Academia. Has an inferior complex that led him to become the monster Obular. Eventually quit Volt. (Note how their new names are derived from their surnames.) Doctor Ashura (12-46) and the Shurer Three (14-46) Formerly Busujima Arashi, underworld figure, who became a super genius after receiving an evil education from Bias. Gained the ability to 'Cyber Body Split' and generate the Shurer Three. Guardnoid Gash Bias' robot bodyguard, who wields the Gigaphantom monster-enlarging cannon Gildos of Gild Green robot secretly built by Bias to spur on Kempu et al. Butchy of Chibuchi Orange piglike robot secretly built by Bias to spur on Kempu et al. Brain Beasts Monsters born out of a mixture of 'Kaos', the fiery remnants of life in wastelands, and brain cores. Jinmers Green-skinned android soldiers with mohawk 'haircuts'. Brainbase Orbiting space station headquarters of Volt. 13. High Speed Task Force Turboranger Eleventh Super Sentai series. Bears quite a resemblance to Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. 89.2.25-90.2.23 (51 episodes) Twenty thousand years ago, the Faerie race had fought against the Violent Demon Tribes and sealed them away. (Cf. Zyuranger and Kakuranger, both examples of 'sealed' enemies who fought in ancient wars.) But now the Tribes were on the loose again. With Dr. Dazai, Seelon, the last of the Faeries summoned five high school seniors. In childhood, these five had been showered with the 'flames of spirit' of the fallen Faeries in a forest. This incident enabled them to hear Seelon's summons. Donning powered suits, the product of a collaboration between Seelon's magic and Dr. Dazai's science, the five become the Turborangers to fight the Tribes. (Beats me what cars have to do with magic. Maybe that was Dr. Dazai's idea?) Characters and mecha The Turborangers Red Turbo (Honoo Riki) Brave high school baseball team captain. Weapon: GT Sword. Combines with Turbolaser sword mode for GT Crash move. Black Turbo (Yamagata Daichi) Patient. Enjoys running. Weapon: T Hammer. Blue Turbo (Hama Youhei) Swimmer and high jumper. Weapon: J Gun. Can combine with Turbolaser gun mode. Yellow Turbo (Hino Shunsuke) Gymnast. Comedic. Weapon: B Bowgun. Pink Turbo (Morikawa Haruna) Student body president and brightest student in the school. Team weapons: Turbolaser with two modes: gun and sword. Team attacks: Combination Attack, Plasma Shoot, V Turbo Bazooka. Team vehicles: Each Ranger has a Mach Turbo, numbered 01 through 05. Red alone has the Turboattacker buggy. Yamaguchi Sensei and Third Year, A Class Homeroom of the Turborangers. Dr. Dazai Scientist who invented the mecha for the team. Seelon the Faerie 18 cm tall, she is the last surviving Faerie and can only be seen with the naked eye by the Turborangers. Teamed with Dr. Dazai to stop the Tribes. Rakia White-maned, winged holy beast defender of Earth Turbo GT (Red) + Truck (Black) + Jeep (Blue) + Buggy (Yellow) + Wagon (Pink) > Turborobo Weapons and/or attacks: High Speed Sword, Turbo Crash, Turbon Cannons, Turbo Punch. Ruggerfighter > Turborugger Weapons and/or attacks: Battleball, Screw Rugger Kick, Big Rugger Guns. Turborobo + Turborugger > Super Turbo Robo Weapons and/or attacks: Super Mirage Beam. Turbobuilder + Super Turbo Robo > robot mode Weapons and/or attacks: Super Turbo Builder Beam. Note that the Turborangers are the first to lack a flying fortress. Violent Demon Hundred Tribes Having lost to a Human-Faerie coalition, these races of monsters had been sealed up for 20,000 years. But on today's tainted Earth, the power of Faerie magic has weakened, allowing the seal to be undone and the Tribes to go free. The Tribes intend to conquer the Earth and eliminate humanity with its Violent Demon Beasts. Great Emperor Ragorn Immobile at the start of the series, he 'dies' and returns as the golden-skinned, fully mobile Neoragorn, who enlarges himself to giant size in the finale. Dr. Rehda Bearded, aged genius mystic. Zimba Samurai-like masked warrior in black armor. Princess Jarmin Magician able to change herself into a snake-faced form. Zulten Fat creature able to turn into a golf cart-like vehicle for Jarmin. Wu, Lar, and the Wulars Wu and Lar are the red-skinned captains of the Wulars, black-skinned creatures able to merge into ball-shaped Wular Dumplings. Yamimaru the Wandering Violent Demon (Nagareboshi Hikaru) Plots the downfall of Ragorn wth Kirika. Changes into student Nagareboshi Hikaru. Originally shaggy-haired, he later gains flashy red and black armor. Weapons: Shooting Star Gun, Darkknife, Darkaxe, Darkbow, Shooting Star Sword, Darksticks, Darkspear, Darkshuriken, Darkspider. Rides the giant bat Dragras. Kirika (Tsukikage Sayoko) Half-human, half Violent Demon. Changes into student Tsukikage Sayoko. Armed with the five-pointed Ringknife. Can combine with Armor Violent Demon to become Armored Kirika. Violent Demon Beasts Monsters of the week. Film: High Speed Task Force Turboranger (89.3.18) 14. Earth Task Force Fiveman Twelfth Super Sentai. Compare with Flashman. 90.3.2-91.2.8 (48 episodes) Dr. Hoshikawa was researching how to transform the planet Sedon into a green world. But during a Zone attack, he and his wife were separated from their five children. Arthur G6 raised the five to become the Fivemen, who returned to Earth to save it from the Zone. (No, don't worry: after succeeding in defeating the Zone, the Fivemen leave Earth to find their parents.) Characters and mecha Five Red (Hoshikawa Gaku) Science teacher skilled in kendo. Weapons and/or attacks: V Sword with optional V Power Grip; shortens into the V Shuttler. Five Blue (Hoshikawa Ken) Phys ed teacher skilled in judo. Weapons and/or attacks: Twin Arrays, Twin Yoyos, Twin 'Risbees. Five Black (Hoshikawa Fumiya) Japanese teacher skilled in karate. Weapons and/or attacks: Power Cutter, Black Jaws, Cutter Disks. Five Pink (Hoshikawa Kazumi) Math teacher skilled in fencing. Weapons and/or attacks: Cutie Circle, Circle 'Puter. Five Yellow (Hoshikawa Remi) Music teacher skilled in kung fu. Weapons and/or attacks: Melody Tact, Yellow Flute. Team weapons: Fiblasters with two modes: sword and gun. Five Tector armor composed of Shoulder Guards, Arm Shields, and Power Leggers. All this increases strength fivefold. Team attacks: Brother Atack, Super Five Ball, Earth Cannon (see below). Arthur G6 Support robo who raised the orphaned five siblings to become fine wariors. When the Fivemen get in a pinch, he flies out from their base to transform into the Earth Cannon, a large bazooka firing a 100,000 degree super fire beam that fries any enemy. Sky Alpha (Red) + Carrier Beta (Black and Yellow) + Land Gamma (Blue and Pink) > Five Trailer > Fiverobo Weapons and/or attacks: Super Dimension Sword (single and double sword attacks), Twin Cannons, Sure Kill Kick. Star Carrier > Starfive, brought to Earth by the mysterious alien warrior Gunther and built by Dr. Hoshikawa. (How Gunther got ahold of the mecha is unclear.) Weapons and/or attacks: Star Gun, Star Hang Beam. Fiverobo + Starfive > Super Fiverobo Weapons and/or attacks: Jet Knuckles, Super Vector Punch. Magmabase + Super Fiverobo > Maxmagma Weapons and/or attacks: Diamond Max--the firing of all guns on the body. Silver Imperial Army Zone An alien army plotting to rule the entire Milky Way. Flies across the universe in the galactic battleship Vulgyre, attacking worlds with its Galactic Warriors. So far, it has destroyed 999 planets. Earth is about to be the 1000th. When the Zone succeeds in destroyed their 1000th planet, its ruler, Medor, will gain eternal life. Milky Way Emperor Medor White-skinned, silver-maned, purple-lipped, golden-eyed mystery ruler of the Zone. Garoa Captain of the battleship Vulgyre in black and grey armor over red clothes. Armed with a sword. Doldora Female scientist in gold armor over black tights. Zaza Doldora's underling in black tights with purple armor. Billion Best swordsman in the galaxy. White-maned in white armor over blue tights. Dongoros Grotesque, short, and fat space merchant who enjoys making money (Dolyen bills, to be exact) and carries an abacus around. Shubalie Former captain of the Vulgyre. Weapons: Barok Stick, Barok Fencer, Barok Shoot, Barok Byoot. Controls a black Gorlin. Batzler Soldiers Black-skinned grunts with red heads, armed with crab claws. Galactic Warriors Alien monsters of the week named after (but not based on) Earth animals. Later hybrid monsters, Combined Galactic Warriors, have the attributes of two species. Gorlin Giant white-skinned cyborg alien that absorbs and mimics human-size monsters. 15. Birdman Task Force Jetman Thirteenth Super Sentai. This series had many similarities to Science Ninja Team Gatchaman--the parallels in the members are too obvious to go into here; compare the characters listed here with the Gatchaman cast in section 0 of this Manual. But instead of being an empty imitation (as some view Gatchaman's own sequels, II and F), Jetman was a high- quality tribute that ranks with Dairanger as the top 90s Super Sentai. Note that the word 'choujin' ('birdman') is homophonous with 'choujin' ('superman'). 91.2.15-92.2.14 (51 episodes) Vyram began its invasion of Earth by destroying the Skyforce's base Earth Ship. Ryuu's beloved, Aoi Rie, was sucked out in the chaos. Ryuu escaped with Commander Odagiri. Earth Ship had been the site for the J Project, which was intended to create superhuman Jetman by exposing subjects to Birdonic Waves fired from the Force Gun. Ryuu and four other Skyforce officers were to have become the Jetmen. During the explosion of the Earth Ship, four Birdonic Waves shot forth as bolts of lightning, striking four civilians. Using the Birdonic Wave radar, Ryuu and Odagiri gathered the four civilians, including an initially less than willing Gai, to form Jetman. Ryuu now had to fight his beloved Rie, now Maria of Vyram. And if that ain't tragic enough for you, things get really depressing after this. The Dimensians give the Jetmen a new super weapon, the Jet Garuda, but are all killed. A parasitic starfish born from the blood of Radiguet leeches off of Rie, turning her into a vampiric creature. Radiguet kills her with his sword, telling her, "You can never return to the past." Ryuu goes off to avenge his beloved alone, engaging in a sword duel with Radiguet. The four other Jetman chase after him. Grey gets in their way, and Gai duels him. Grey falls, but Radiguet lives to enlarge himself into the monster Raguem, merging with the mothership Vylock for even more power. Raguem wrecks the Titan Boy, but finally falls to the Birdonic Sabre of the Great Icarus. The war is over, but the tragedy isn't. Three years later, on the wedding day of Ryuu and Kaori, Gai is stabbed by a thug on the way and dies, just as his Gatchaman fascimile, Condor Joe Asakura, died in the series finale after suffering in silence for some time from an old wound. (But at least Joe died in battle! His death saved the other team members, whereas Gai's death was senseless and random. Was this intended to make us think about the vulnerability of 'invulnerable' heroes? Or was it just bad writing by Inoue Toshiki, chief scripter for Jetman? You decide.) Characters and mecha Earth Defense Army Skyforce A global defense organization watching over the world from the Earth Ship, reacting to crime and disaster with its Skyforcer agens on Earth. Red Hawk (Tendou Ryuu; literally 'Heaven Hall Dragon') Height: 180 cm Weight: 79 kg Running speed: 100 m/9.0 secs 26. Originally a 'Skyforcer' codenamed 'W6'. Became a Jetman by being showered with Birdonic Waves as a member of the J Project. Leader with a sense of justice stronger than anyone else's. Suffers from the knowledge that the girlfriend whom he believed to be dead, Aoi Rie, lived as Vyram officer Maria. Likes hot milk without sugar. (Why do the Japanese care about this?) Marries Kaori three years after the fall of Vyram. Weapons and/or attacks: Wing Punch, various Bringer Sword moves. Tendou Kinuyo Ryuu's grandmother. Wants Ryuu to marry to continue the family tsukemono business. Black Condor (Yuuki Gai) Height: 183 cm Weight: 73 kg Running speed: 100 m/9.5 secs 25. Lone wolf who hates being ordered around. Loves fighting, but deep down inside is a nice guy. Initially fought a lot with Ryuu, but in battle became friends with him. Interests include motorcycling, saxophone playing, gambling, and womanizing. Hates nattou and other men. Cares for Kaori. Murdered by a thug three years after the final battle with Vyram. Weapons and/or attacks: Condor Finish, Flying Kick, Condor/Owl Towering Attack. Yellow Owl (Ooishi Raita) Height: 176 cm Weight: 89 kg Running speed: 100 m/11.4 secs 22. Nature-lover who enjoys growing vegetables. Hates Vyram for its destruction of nature. Eats a lot but is very strong. Good at cooking. Looks after Kaori. Three years after the final battle, runs a farm with childhood friend Satsuki. As Yellow Owl, throws giant rocks as if they were pebbles and specializes in head butt, body blows, throwing techniques, and sumo-based attacks. Weapons and/or attacks: Rock Drop, Sure Kill Thrust, Condor/Owl Towering Attack. Ooishi Kiyo Raita's grandmother who raised him because his parents were too budsy. White Swan (Rokumeikan Kaori) Height: 163 cm Weight: 51 kg Running speed: 100 m/10.2 secs 22. A rich girl who joined Jetman to escape days of boredom. Since her parents live in New York, she is taken care of by her butler Jiiya. Good at kendo. Later marries Ryuu. Best shot of the Jetmen, despite an initial dislike for mecha. Weapons and/or attacks: Swan Wing, Swannie Attack, Double Kick (with Yellow Owl). Blue Swallow (Hayasaka Ako) Height: 159 cm Weight: 52 kg Running speed: 100 m/9.8 secs 18. Senior at Miharakita High School. Bright and cheery. Wants to get tied to a rich man. First thought of Jetman as a part time job paying 1500 yen an hour. (That's all she wanted for defending Earth!? I'd ask for more!) But her first battle awakened her sense of justice and made her realize that she must fight as a warrior (for free--it goes without saying). Best friends with classmate Kyouko. Debuts as an idol singer three years after the war. Team weapons: Bird Blaster guns, Bringer Swords--both combine into Jet Hand Cannons which combine with the Beak Smasher guns to form the Smashbomber rifles. Wing Gauntlets which generate shockwaves of 150 Gs. Team attacks: Bird Bomber, Fire Bazooka. Commander Odagiri Aya First woman commander of a sentai. Good at martial arts. Invents mecha. The Back Dimension Dimensians: Dan, Kanna, and Rei The last three warriors of Dimensia, a realm destroyed by Vyram. Chasing Vyram, they came to Earth with the Bird Garuda. Dan was able to transform himself into a winged 'birdman'. Neojetmen J1 through J5 This black-garbed team was set up by Supreme Commander Ichijou in opposition to the Jetmen. Receive their powers from Birdonic Reactors implanted in their bodies. J1 is armed with the Neosword. J2 is armed with the Neostinger scythe. J4 is armed with the Neoslicer boomerang. All five have Neoshooter guns and Neomine grenades. Together, they fire the Flarebuster twin cannon. Gave their Birdonic energies to the Jetmen, who at the time couldn't henshin. Jet Striker Red Condor's buggy. Top speed 500 km/h. Transforms into the Fire Bazooka. Jet Vancer. Yellow and White's Toyota 4WD. Top speed 400 km/h. Jet Speeders Black and Blue's bikes. Top speed 360 km/h. Jet Hawk (Red) Length: 29.0 m Weight: 15 t Top speed: Mach 7 Weapons: Plasma Hawk Cannon Jet Condor (Black) Length: 35.2 m Weight: 20 t Top speed: Mach 10 Weapons: Condor Vulcan Jet Owl (Yellow) Length: 24.9 m Weight: 21 t Top speed: Mach 2 Weapons: Owl Smasher Jet Swallow (Blue) Length: 24.9 m Weight: 14 t Top speed: Mach 8.5 Weapons: Swallow Shower Jet Swan (White) Length: 35.2 m Weight: 24 t Top speed: Mach 4 Weapons: Swan Pulsar The above can combine into the giant plane... Icarus Haken Length: 43.3 m Weight: 94 t Cruising speed: Mach 12 Top speed: Mach 15 Weapons and/or attacks: Harken Buster, Jet Phoenix (Cf. the God Phoenix's Firebird attack in Gatchaman.) or can combine into the robot... Jet Icarus Height: 52.8 m Weight: 94 t Flight speed: Mach 1 Weapons and/or attacks: Birdonic Sabre, Shot Puncher, Icarus Axe, Icarus Puncher, Icarus Magna, Jet Lancer, Jet Dagger, Wing Shield Bird Garuda > Jet Garuda A mecha brought to Earth by the Dimensians. Height (robot mode): 60.8 m Lenght (plane mode): 54 m Weight: 105 t Flight speed (robot mode): Mach 6 Flight speed (plane mode): Mach 20 Weapons and/or attacks: Garuda Burst, Garuda Searcher, Garuda Claw, Garudo Vulcans, Dia Blizzard, Garudo Beam. Jet Icarus + Jet Garuda > Great Icarus Height: 77.5 m Weight: 199 t Flight speed: Mach 2.5 Weapons and/or attacks: Bird Maser, Great Beam. Icarus Haken + Bird Garuda > Hyper Haken Length: 88.6 m Weight: 199 t Flight speed: Near light speed Weapons and/or attacks: Hyper Buster, Hyper G Attack. Tetraboy > Tetrabuster cannon Height: 40 m Weight: 32 t Flight speed: Mach 0.8 Weapons and/or attacks: Tetra Punch, Tetra Kick. Skycamp The Skyforce's high-tech base for the Jetmen, with hangars for their mecha. Dimensional Battle Party Vyram Conquered the Back Dimension and is now moving on to the Front Dimension--our dimension. Its four leaders compete to see who will defeat Jetman. The winner will become the leader of Vyram. Emperor Tranza/Tran 9. Psychokinetic who later grows up to become Emperor Tranza. As Tranza, builds the giant robot Veronica, which drains life force from human captives. Count Radiguet/Radigan/Raguem (pronounced Ra-dee-geh, Ra-dee-gahn, Ra-gehm; the name Radiguet is a reference to French writer Raymond Radiguet) 25. Cold-hearted officer who will do anything to defeat an enemy. Absorbs Veronica's energy to power himself up. Defeats Tranzer to become Vyram's leader. When enraged, turns into the monstrous Radigan. In the end, became the giant monster Raguem, capable of merging with the ship Vylock. Armed with the Bloodygade sword. Murderer of Dan and Rie. Maria, formerly Aoi Rie 22. Formerly Skyforcer W3. Armed with the Necrod, which has three modes: electromagnetic whip, sword, and beam gun. Killed by Radiguet. Grey Robot who is almost human, with a love of wine, music, and cigarettes. Armed with the Grey Cannon. Feels for Maria and uses his body as a shield to protect her. Dies in a duel with Gai. Empress/Demon Beast Juuza Previous ruler of Vyram. Radiguet was once her underling. Awakens after a long sleep and comes to Earth via a meteroite. Turns humans into pillars of crystal so she can feed off their suffering. Fires bullets from her fingers and shock waves and beams from her mouth. Gave birth to... Demon Beast Semimaru (semi = cicada) The ultimate beast of destruction--a bat-winged red insectoid. Demon Gods Mu, Ramon, and Gorg Natural enemies of humanity who awoke from a long sleep. Feed off humans transformed into fruits. Ramon and Gorg can merge into a single being. Dimensional Beasts Monsters of the week which result from the combination of Dimensional Bug parasites and Earth objects, listed below by episode. (Contact me directly for monsters from specific episodes of pre-Jetman sentai--I could name them all in this Manual, if only I had time.) 1. Dimensional Bug Mother 2. Fighter Dimension 3. Faucet Dimension 4. Road Dimension 6. House Dimension 7. Mirror Dimension 8. Dia Dimension 9. Fashion Dimension 10. Noodle Dimension 11. Vending Machine Dimension 12. Bus Dimension 13. Camera Dimension 15. Voice Dimension 16. Spirit Dimension 19. Fortunetelling Dimension 20. Vacuum Cleaner Dimension 21. Trash Dimension Bio Dimension Beasts Created using Bio Dimension Bugs, these creatures combine Terran animal genes with Terran weapons. Cf. similar monsters in Kamen Rider V3 and Dynaman. 25. Light Armadillo 26. Dimensional Mammoth 28. Dryer Dimension 29. Armor Snake 34. Hell Medusa (not actually a BD Beast) 36. Ant Bazooka 37. Torpedo Piranha 38. Hammer Chameleon 39. Sniper Cat 40. Meteorite BEM (not actually a BD Beast) 43. Leech Drill 46. Great King Tomato (not actually a BD Beast) (No BD Beasts in 44-51.) Grinam Soldiers Black-skinned warriors born from Grinam Seeds. Vylock Brain-shaped castle capable of traversing dimensions. Episode titles (Contact me directly for specific episode titles for the other series--I have them all but have no time to list them. Jetman deserves the extended treatment many of the others don't.) 1. Seek The Warriors 2. The Third Warrior 3. The Power of Five! 4. The Bride Who Fights 5. Fall for Me 6. Rage, Robo! 7. Ryuu's Marriage!? 8. The Diamond That Laughs 9. Muddy Love 10. Cup Noodles 11. A Dangerous Game 12. Bus to Hell 13. Maze of Love 14. Sure Kill Cannon of Love 15. High School Student Warrior 16. Revolt of Paper 17. The Revived Empress 18. Gai Dies! 19. I Can See! 20. Marriage Vacuum Cleaner 21. The Trash That Walks 22. Exploding Love 23. A New Task Force Debuts 24. Sally Forth, Super Robo 25. The Shadow Humans Who Laugh 26. I Am a Primitive 27. Great Escape from the World of Demons 28. The Founding Dimensional Beast 29. The Last Battle 30. The Three Demon Gods Stand 31. The Task Force Disbands! 32. Wings Again! 33. A Cockroach! 34. Traitor Ryuu 35. The Fighting Courage Given by a Pigeon 36. The Hunger That Walks! Ant Humans 37. Born! Emperor Tranza 38. Sudden Hammer! 39. Spin, Roulette of Life! 40. Command! Switch the Task Forces 41. Transformation Impossible! The Base Annhilated 42. Sleep on My Chest 43. Enter the Commander's Body! 44. Demon God Robo! Veronica 45. The Hot Milk of Victory 46. The Great Demon God of the Tomato Field 47. The Glory of Emperor Tranza 48. A Kiss That Calls for Death 49. Maria...Her Love and Death 50. Respective Battles to the Death 51. Spread Your Wings, Birdmen! 16. Dinosaur Task Force Zyuranger (Some logos spell 'renjaa' with kanji 'renja' for 'connected people') Fourteenth Super Sentai. The basis for Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Season One and the hero costumes (White Ranger aside) for the entire Power Rangers series. 92.2.21-93.2.12 (50 episodes) The Zyurangers awaken from their 170 million years of sleep to stop Bandora, who had awakened on planet Nemesis. After selling her soul to Great Satan and wiping out the dinosaurs in retribution for her son Kai, killed by a dinosaur, the former Queen of the Dal Tribe had been imprisoned by the Protector Beasts, until now... (You can tell if I don't like a show if the summary is really short!) Characters and mecha The Zyurangers All the Zyurangers are members of Ancient Mankind, a race of humans evolved from dinosaurs 170 million years ago. They have speed and strength twice that of humans. They can use their life energies to transform into Zyurangers, multiplying their already superhuman abilities eightfold. They are further strengthend by a mysterious form of energy called 'Gaiatron.' Their base is an underground shrine for the five beast gods located 2000 meters below an apartment building, the Sakura Mansion, managed by Barza. (But note that mammoths and tigers, much less humanoids, did not exist on Earth 170 million years ago! Learn your science from sentai shows at your own risk.) Tyranno Ranger (Geki 'attack') Prince of Ancient Mankind's Yamato Kingdom. Protector Beast: Tyrannosaurus Height: 27 m Length: 45 m Weight: 96 t Weapon: Dragon Attack Sword (Ryuugekiken) Attacks: Jump Cut, Straight Cut, V Crash Later dons Burai's armor and gets the Beast Playing Sword. Mammoth Ranger (Goushi) Knight of the Sharma Tribe. Protector Beast: Zoomammoth ('Juu' might be 'heavy') Height: 15 m Length: 24.7 m Weight: 108 t Weapon: Mothbreaker Attacks: Power Crush, Mothbreaker Change Attack Tricera Ranger (Dan) Knight of the Etof tribe. Protector Beast: Triceratops Height: 11 m Length: 37.3 m Weight: 141 t Weapon: Triceralance Attacks: Jump Attack, Triceralance Typhoon Tiger Ranger (Boy) Knight of the Daim Tribe. Protector Beast: Saber Tiger Height: 13.3 m Length: 37.3 m Weight: 141 t Weapon: Saber Daggers Attacks: Pinpoint Thrust, Saber Daggers Lightning Shoot Ptera Ranger (Mei) Princess of the Risha Tribe. Protector Beast: Pteranodon Length: 21 m Wingspan: 25.5 m Weight: 84 t Speed: Mach 2.5 Weapon: Ptera Arrow Attakcs: Turn Off Attack, Rolling Arrows Dragon Ranger (Burai 'villain') Elder brother of Geki. Protector Beast: Dragon Caesar Height: 38 m Weight: 170 t Running speed: 140 km/h Weapon: Beast Play Sword (Juusouken; 'play' as in 'play a musical instrument') Son of the Black Knight. Originally envied his younger brother Geki, who had been adopted by the King and Queen of Yamato to be their heir. Thus, he was initially an enemy of the Zyurangers with ambitions for world conquest. Had been sleeping in the Forest of the Norm faeries. With only so long left to live, he then fought on Geki's side. Geki later acquired his elder brother's chest armor and wore it as Tyranno Ranger. He also gained Burai's Juusouken. Five Protector Beasts > Dinotanker > Daijuujin (Great Beast God), armed with the Dinosaur Sword Godhorn and the Super Legend Thunder Light Cut technique. The Dinotanker is armed with the Power Charge, Beast Tank Cannons, and Beast Tank Storm attacks. Height: 41.7 m Weight: 570 t Dragon Caesar + Mammoth/Triceratops/Tiger > Gouryuujin (Strong Dragon God), armed with the Dragon Antler drill and the Dragon God Thrust technique. Height: 43 m Weight: 560 t All these avatars combine into the Beast Emperor Great Beast God, which combines with King Brachion > King Tanker tank to form the Ultimate Great Beast God, capable of the ultimate attack: the Gran Vanisher. Length (Brachion): 116 m Height (Brachion): 62 m Weight (Brachion): 510 t Length (UGB God): 100 m Height (UGB God): 81 m Weight (UGB God): 1250 t Technically, none of these are mecha; rather, they are all avatars of the gods. The Zyurangers ride the Road Saurer 1 (Tyranno) and Side Saurers 2 (Mammoth/Tiger) and 3 (Tricera and Ptera) motorcycles, which combined, perform the Saurer Buster attac. Each Zyuranger is armed with a Ranger Stick/Gun/Sword. The sticks may be used together in the Babel (as in tower) Attack. Later, each Ranger gets a Thunderslinger which combines with the Ranger Gun to form the Rangerslinger. Their individual weapons combine to form the Howling Cannon. They are aided by the white magician Barza, who protected their sleeping bodies over the last 170 million years and now poses as an apartment manager. Bandora's nameless forces Witch Bandora (MMPR: Rita Repulsa) Queen of the Dal Tribe who turned to magic to avenge her son Kai. Played by Soga Machiko; see Denziman and Sunvulcan. Can fly through the sky on a magical bicycle. Has seemingly unlimited magical abilities. Griforther (MMPR: Goldar) Wields the Grifocaliber IV sword. Married to Lamie. Puripurikan (MMPR: Finster) Creates monsters out of clay. Totpat (MMPR: Baboo) Wingless vampire bat monster. A scatterbrain. Bookback (MMPR: Squatt) Leisury partner of Totpat. Quite strong. Armed with the Bookkrapper pistol. Lamie/Lamie Scorpion (MMPR: Scorpina) Human-looking officer who can change into the monstrous Lamie Scorpion. Wife of Griforther. Golems (MMPR: Putty Patroller) Warriors made out of mud. Their hands can change into varying shapes. Two Captain Golems with clay armor in place of the usual spandex expanses also exist. Bandora Palace (the minature is labelle 'Bandra Palace' [sic]) Bandora's base on the moon; briefly was on Earth in the series opener. Kai (did not appear in MMPR) Bandora's dead son; prince of the Dal Tribe. Great Satan (MMPR: Lokar) Floating blue-skinned head. Teamed with Bandora to try to lay the Earth to waste 170 million years ago. Brought Kai back to life. Was defeated along with Dora Talos. A listing of Dora Monsters by episode (first appearances only; MMPR equivalents supplied by Mark Oxman): 1. Dora Titan Giant from "High Five" 2. Dora Skelton Bones from "High Five" 3. Dora Minotaurus Minotaur from "Teamwork" 5. Dora Sphinx King Sphinx from "A Pressing Engagement" 7. Dora Goblin Gnarly Gnome from "Different Drum" 8. Dora Cork Pudgy Pig from "Food Fight" and "A Pig Surprise" 9. Dora Cockatrice Chunky Chicken from "Big Sisters" 10. Dora Cockatrice 2 Chunky Chicken from "Big Sisters" 11. Dora Jin Genie from "Switching Places" 12. Dora Algos Eye Guy from "I, Eye Guy" 13. Dora Radun Snizard from "Foul Play in the Sky" 14. Faerie Dondon [Mr.] Ticklesneezer from "For Whom The Bell Trolls" 15. Dora Knight Knasty Knight from "Happy Birthday, Zack" 16. Dora Endos Pineoctopus from "No Clowning Around" 17-22: no new monsters (Dragonranger debut episodes) 23. Dora Pigsy Babe Ruthless from "A Star Is Born" 24. Dora Tortoise Shellshock [Turtle] from "The Trouble With Shellshock" 25. Dora Tarantula Spidertron from "Itsy Bitsy Spider" 26. Dora Bugaranan Terror Toad from "Power Ranger Punks" 27. Dora Guzzler The Spit Flower from "The Spit Flower" 28. Dora Franke Frankenstein from "Life's A Masquerade" 29. Zombi Franke Mutaytus from "Isle of Illusions I/II" 30./31. No new monsters. 32. Dora Narcissus Octoplant from "Rita's Seed of Evil" 33. Dora Reiger Madame Woe from "Peace, Love, and Woe" 34. Magic Spinning Wheel Wheel of Destruction from "Wheel of Misfortune" 35. Dora Ninja Dark Warrior from "Dark Warrior" 36. Dora Ganrock The Rockstar from "The Rockstar" 37. Dora Goldcorner Samurai Fan Man from "Calamity Kimberly" 38. Dora Silkis Scorpina's Pet Worm from "A Star Is Born" 39. Monster Goda Goo Fish from "Something Fishy" 40. Dora Fake Cyclops from "The Green Candle Part I and II" 41./42. No monsters. Death of Dragonranger. 43. Dora Antios Fang from "The Yolk's On You!" 44. Dora Chimera Gotan from "Lions and Blizzards" 45. Dora Unicorn Polluticorn from "Clean-Up Club" 46. Dora Mirage Mirror Man/Twin Man from "A Bad Reflection On You" 47. Dora Talos Cyclopsis from "Doomsday Part I and II" No new monsters after 47. The following MMPR monsters are, to the best of my knowledge NOT Zyuranger (or Dairanger) monsters, but they do sometimes appear in MMPR footage shot for Saban by Toei: Thus, they may appear "authentic" (in other words, on film as opposed to videotape), but don't be fooled. Season 1 MMPR: Fighting Flea ("To Flea or Not to Flea") Jellyfish ("Reign of the Jellyfish") Praying Mantis ("Plague of the Mantis") Dramomonster ("Return of an Old Friend, Part II") Two Headed Parrot Monster ("Two Heads are Better than One") Grumble Bee ("Grumble Bee") The Peckster ("Fowl Play") The Lizzinator ("Enter...The Lizzinator") Pumpkin Rapper ("Trick or Treat") Slippery Shark ("On Fins and Needles") Soccerdillo ("Second Chance") Rhinoblaster ("Football Season") Commander Crayfish ("Mighty Morphin' Mutants") Oysterizer ("An Oyster Stew") Season 2 MMPR: Pirhantishead ("The Mutiny") Primator ("The Wanna-Be Ranger") Saliguana ("Putty on the Brain") Bloom of Doom ("Bloom of Doom") Robogoat ("The Green Dream") Octophantom ("The Power Stealer") Stag Beetle ("The Beetle Invasion") The Invenusable Fly Trap ("Welcome to Venus Island") Guitardo ("The Song of Guitardo") Turban Shell ("Green No More I/II") MMPR: The Movie Hornitor Scorpitron Episode titles 1. Birth 2. Rebirth 3. Fight! On the Land of Despair 4. Live Again! Weapons of Legend 5. Sca-ry Mysteries 6. Stand! Great Beast God 7. I Can See, I Can See 8. Fear! The Time-Eater 9. Run! Prince of Eggs 10. I Hate Monkeys! 11. Master! 12. Papa's a Vampire!? 13. Fire! The Golden Arrow 14. Become Small! 15. Destroy! The Darkness Super Sword 16. The Great Sneeze Plot 17. The Sixth Hero 18. The Brothers' Sword of Tragedy 19. Woman Warrior Scorpion! 20. Last Day for the Great Beast God 21. The Guardian Beasts Go Wild 22. Combine! Strong Dragon God 23. I Like the Super Demon Ball 24. Turtles Forever 25. The Park Where the Demons Dwell 26. Watch out for Shaved Ice 27. I Want to Eat Mei 28. Great Modification! Clay Beast 29. Mystery? Attack of the Beast Mounted God 30. Satan Comes!! 31. Reborn! The Ultimate God 32. Geki! Stop Your Tears! 33. Teach Me! The Jewel of Bravery 34. Live, Burai! 35. Ninja Warrior Boy 36. Take That! Mirror of Death 37. A Dinosaur Is Born 38. Princess Mei's Seven Metamorphoses 39. Tears of a Subterranean Beast 40. Burai's Departure of Death 41. Blaze, Burai! 42. Burai Dies... 43. Live Again! Beast Playing Sword 44. Swordswoman! Japan's Best 45. Fool Boys 46. Present! The Evil Task Force 47. Enter! The Final Strategy 48. Son from Darkness 49. The Gods Lost! 50. Dinosaurs Banzai 17. Five Star Task Force Dairanger (Dai = 'great') Fifteenth anniversary Super Sentai. A tie with Jetman, if not _the_ best 1990s sentai so far. Too bad both shows' good storylines were marred by silly monster designs. 93.2.19-94.2.11 (50 episodes) The story is so good that I have to tell it all... 6050 years ago, the Daos civilization flourished in China. The Gorma Tribe tried to take it over. Thus began the war between the Gorma and the Dai Tribe. The battle continued for decades, led by the Gorma Triumvirate. The Chi Transmitting Beasts appeared to oppose the Gorma, whose magical powers had increased to the point where they could turn themselves into monsters. Five Dai warriors' chi powers had increased to the point where they could conrol the Chi Transmitting Beasts. These were the predecessors of the Dairangers of today. 6006 years ago, Kujaku falls into the trap of the Mirror Make-Up Master, and never emerges until 1993. Gara, though then a Dai at that point, hates Kujaku and joins Gorma. Six years later, Zhang Liao (Chou Ryou), one of the masters of the Chi Transmitting Beasts, defects to Gorma, causing the defeat of the proto-Dairanger team. The war ends with the disappearance of both the Dai and Gorma tribes. Super Chi Transmitting Beast Daimugen takes on the form of the human Kameo. Zhang Liao lives on, residing in Japan from 1969 to 1974. During this period, he fathers Ryou, who will become Dragon Ranger. In 1989, Kou's mother, a member of the Dai Tribe, takes Kou, son of Shadam, away from the Gorma and disappears. But after marking Kou with the sign of the tiger, she is captured by the Gorma. In 1993, the Gorma Tribe, one of its two branches, revived to take over the world. To counter them, Master Kaku assembled a team of five youths with high levels of chi--the Dairangers, the warriors of the Dai Tribe! (Note that although they fight for the Dai Tribe, only Ryou and Lin are really of Dai heritage.) Dragon Star King (Ryuuseiou) is the first of the five Chi Transmitting Beasts to be revived. When the Dairangers obtain the Heavenly Treasure Lai Lai (Tianbaolailai / Tenhourairai) jewels, the other four CT Beasts awaken. At this point, Zhang Liao, knowing Ryou is his son, saves him from Archbishop Liege. Wounded in the process, he sacrifices his chi in order to power the Tianbaolailai jewels for the combination of the five CT Beasts into Dairen'ou and dies. Soon thereafter, Lion Ranger defeats the Mirror Make-Up Master and releases Kujaku from 6006 years of imprisonment. Kaku's (Jiaxu's) master, Guhon (Wufan), returns to China, leaving behind the White Tiger True Sword (Byakko Shinken/Baihu Zhenjian) in preparation for Kiba's return. Indeed, Kibaranger (Fangranger) does return. Kou, drawn to the WT True Sword by telepathy, draws it out from a rock. He becomes the sixth Kakuranger, despite interference by his evil twin brother Akomaru. Gorma XV finally appears to order Shadam around (if this is what's really happening...it isn't). The Wontiger and the Kiba Daiou, the combination of 4 CT Beasts and Wontiger, debut. The Dairangers develop new chi techniques such as the Shooting Star Lightning Flash to counter ever stronger Gorma monsters. Matoba Jin, beaten by Ryou in a duel, returns as the Demon Boxer Jin, powered by Zydos' Black Crystal, for revenge. The team becomes increasingly powerful when Guhon (Wufan) completes the Super Chi Power Bazooka and Kameo remembers after 6000 years that he actually is Daimugen. Daimugen combines with the BT Beasts to form the Heavy Armor Chi Palace for the first time to defeat the Combined Four Deva Kings. However, on the very day Daimugen goes into action, Gorma XV revives Kou's twin Akomaru from the depths of hell. Jin returns to duel Ryou. This time, he has mastered the Demon Way Wicked Fist Spider Dance style. Zydos and Sergeant Big Pipe try to defeat both of them, but Jin uses his own body as a shield to protect Ryou. Count Kaleidoscope goes after a weakened Kujaku, trying to lure her with fake 'Tears of the Holy Peacock' which would heal her, but the Rangers defend her. The gigantic Great God Dragon comes down from space to attack both the Rangers and Gorma in order to bring an end to the war. The Rangers cease to fight Gorma...for now. Zydos turns Jin into the Hunger Demon, but Jin's friendship with Ryou enables him to get the Hunger Demon out of him and revert to normal. Zydos then kills Jin. Gara uses a wrathful spirit incarnation of herself to attack Kujaku. Kujaku finally finds the true 'Tears of the Holy Peacock', saves Gara, and rises to heaven as the Mahamayuri Vidyaraja (Kujaku Myouou). Kou is about to become a Gorma on his birthday, 24 December. As the date grows close, Kibaranger lashes out at his fellow Rangers, who do not want to fight him. Kou's twin Akomaru appears, riding his loyal monster, the blue-armored, one-eyed insectoid Ikazuchi (Thunder) to challenge a Kibaranger-less Dairanger team. Finally the truth is revealed: Kou and Akomaru are the younger and older twin sons of Shadam himself! Kou's mother returns, adding her jade ring to the WT True Sword, enabling it to find its lost master. Kou's mother prays to heaven, performing a baptism to purify Kou. It works, and Kou rejoins the Rangers. Unfortunately, Kaku (Jiaxu) leaves the Rangers to...rejoin Gorma!? Kaku wanted to bring an end to the war between the Rangers and Gorma. He dispatches Lieutenant Shiryuu to force the Rangers to break up. But the Rangers refuse, believing that war is the way to peace [!], even though Shadam promised Kaku that he would stop fighting in exchange for the dissolution of the Rangers. The Rangers defeat Shiryuu with Dairen'ou, forcing Kaku to take matters into his own hands. The Rangers are no match for their own master, now garbed in red armor. Kaku strips them of their Aurachangers and Heavenly Treasure Lailai jewels. Kaku also takes on Shadam. The winner of the fight will become the new emperor Gorma XVI. If Kaku wins, he will insure that Gorma will be at peace. But having the sources of his power (the Towers of Wicked Power and Chi Power, staffs planted by Shiryuu which transmit energy) destroyed by Zydos and Gara, he is defeated by Shadam's sword and dies in the arms of the Rangers. Zydos grows to giant size and turns into an earthen figure--a fitting fate for such scum, but why? Meanwhile, General Field Plentiful spots Shadam doing something funny to Gorma XV. Shadam kills him. What is Shadam hiding? Shadam ultimately becomes Gorma XVI when he steals of the Great Earthshaking Jewel from Gorma XV. It turns out that Gara and Gorma XV had died 6000 years ago and had been revived by Shadam's magic as mud figures. (I suppose Zydos too had also died long ago.) The Rangers pursue Gorma XVI into the Gorma Palace, where they struggle against the power of the Great Earthshaking Jewel. But merging the light of their Heavenly Treasure Lailai jewels, they stands up to Gorma XVI. The Great God Dragon returns to wreck the Gorma Palace. Ryou and Shadam duel in human form. Shadam loses and reverts to an earthen figure...was his life also magically prolonged? The war ends. Or does it? Fifty years later, Gorma returns again, and a new Dairanger team debuts to replace the elderly original team. The new team, the grandchildren of the old, fight againt a repainted Baron String aboard the Dairen'ou. The story goes on, but Bandai needs to sell more toys, so the series must end here. (This ending reflects Asian cyclical as opposed to Western linear views, IMO. Nothing really ends. Everything that was, will be again.) Characters and mecha Except for Ryou, Lin, and Kou, the Dairangers are all ordinary humans who transform (tenshin; literally 'turn-body') using Aurachangers that spark their chi powers and generate their Dairensuits of Daimetal and Daifibers that increase their abilities from eight to ten times. Ryuurenjaa / Dragon Ranger of the Heaven Fire Star (Ryou) 23. Son of Zhang Liao (Chou Ryou), who had been one of the five Dai tribe warrior pilots of the Chi Transmitting Beasts 6000 years ago, and a human woman. Was not aware of this until recently. Has a younger sister Youko. Wanted to be the best gyoza cook in Japan. Worked in Yokohama's Chinatown. Captured by Baron String, he was saved by Master Kaku and recruited into the Dairangers. Chi Transmitting Beast: Dragon Star King > Chi Transmitting Warrior, armed with the Flying Dragon Staff and the Great Wind Wheel staff-spinning technique. Length (dragon): 82 m Height (humanoid): 34.5 m Weight: 102 t Weapons/techniques: Red Dragon Fist, Red Dragon Double Dragon Swords, Heaven Fire Star Lightning Flames Destruction, Shooting Star Lightning Flash. Dairenrod: halberd Shishirenjaa / Lion Ranger of the Heaven Phantom Star (Daigo) 24. Worked at a pet shop. Chi Transmitting Beast: Star Lion. Length: 21 m Weight: 47 t Weapons/techniques: Lion Fist, Lion Staff, Heaven Phantom Star Mist Concealment Dairenrod: fork Tenmarenjaa / Pegasus Ranger of the Heaven Weight Star (Shouji) 19. Dreamed of becoming a world boxing champion. Chi Transmitting Beast: Star Pegasus. Length: 24.5 m Weight: 52 t Weapons/techniques: Pegasus Fist, Pegasus Nunchakus, Pegasus High Speed Spinning Kicks, Heaven Weight Star Gravity Inversion Destruction Dairenrod: axe Kirinrenjaa / Kirin Ranger of the Heaven Time Star (Kazu) 20. A stylish beautician who escaped his home at age 15 and came to Tokyo. Chi Transmitting Beast: Star Kirin Length: 24.5 m Weight: 52 t Weapons/techniques: the drunken fist style-like Kirin Fist, Kirin Nine Section Staff, Heaven Time Star Time Reversal, Rod Arrow Dairenrod: conical spear Houourenjaa / Phoenix Ranger of the Heaven Wind Star (Lin) Kaku's niece. Came to Japan as an exchange student from China. Hates living with Kou. Once fell in love with Takamura Shouichirou, a.k.a. the Media Magician. Chi Transmitting Beast: Star Phoenix Length: 24 m Weight: 35 t Weapons/techniques: Phoenix Fist, Spear Phoenix, Heaven Straight Line Whirlwind Dairenrod: multi-blade spear Kibarenjaa / Fang Ranger of the Howling New Star (Kou) 9. Son of Shadam and a woman of the Dai tribe. Twin brother of Akomaru. The only one who could pull out the sword of Guhon (Yufan), the White Tiger True Sword. New to fighting, he is not particularsly strong. Uses the Kibachanger created by Guhon (Yufan) to change to adult size as Kibaranger. Chi Transmitting Beast: Won Tiger, armed with Fireballs and the Golden Sword. The Chi Transmitting Treasure Pearls behind Kibaranger in the Won Tiger's cockpit represent the seven powers of Moon, Fire, Water, Wood, Metal, Earth, and Sun. (Compare the seven days of the Japanese week or the Sailor Soldiers.) Length: 48 m Height (humanoid): 46.5 m Weight: 150 t Weapons/techniques: White Tiger True Sword, Howling New Star Chaos Echo, Fang Punch, White Tiger Bolt of Lightning Master Kaku (Daoshi Jiaxu) Originally a member of Gorma, he formed the Dairangers to oppose Gorma in the present day. But when the Great God Dragon appeared, he returned to Gorma, hoping he could defeat Shadam, reign as Gorma XVI, cease Gorma's invasion of Earth, and bring about true peace. But he lost against Shadam and died. In the VR Troopers miniseries "Quest for Power", there is a scene where Tyler Steele is being watched over by an unnamed Grimlord minion wearing Kaku's red body armor. Kujaku ('Peacock') Incarnation of the Mahamayuri Vidyaraja, a Buddhist 'deity.' Sucked into the Mirror Make-Up Master's mirror 6006 years ago and released in the present when the Dairangers defeated the Make-Up Master. Wanted revenge on Gara for her imprisonment until she encountered Daigo and had a change of heart. Died and became the Mahamayuri Vidyaraja. The five main Rangers are armed with Starcutters/Starswords/ Daibusters, which can be combined in the Chi Power Bomber. Later, Guhon (Yufan) creates the Super Chi Power Bazooka. The five ride motorcycles called Kiber Machines ('Kiber'--a pun on 'kiba' [fang]): Red Kiber 1, Green Kiber 2, Blue Kiber 3, Yellow Kiber 4, Pink Kiber 5. The four Chi Transmitting Beasts other than the Dragon Star King form the Heaven Chi Palace, a mount for the Chi Transmitting Warrior. Height: 31 m Weight: 186 t The five Chi Transmitting Beasts combine into the Great Union King (Dairen'ou), armed with the Chi Bomber-like Chi Kung Shot, the Dai Javelin, and the Great King Sword with the Gale Rage Waves technique. Height: 54 m Weight: 288 t Won Tiger combines with the Lion, Pegasus, and Kirin to form the Fang Great King, armed with the Great Chi Power Punch and the Flying Sword Splinters and Dust attack (this latter with the aid of the Star Phoenix). Height: 63 m Weight: 336 t Daimugen (Great Infinity), normally disguised as Kameo, who speaks with a Nagoya acent, is actually a Super Chi Transmitting Beast resembling a giant tortoise. Combines with the other mecha to form the Heavy Armor Chi Palace. Length (Daimugen turtle): 110 m Height (Daimugen humanoid): 95 m Weight (Daimugen): 1500 t Height (HAC Palace): 62.5 m Weight (HAC Palace): 1788 t The Gorma Tribe (the other branch of the Daos civilization) Gorma XV The Emperor of Gorma. Actually nothing more than a puppet ruler revived from the dead by Shadam. The Gorma Triumvirate Lt. Colonel Shadam Monocled, he is the real ruler of Gorma. Later Gorma XVI. Lt. Colonel Gara Originally a Dai Tribe member. After being wounded in an accident, she thought Kujaku was being cold to her and sold her soul to Gorma. Major Zydos The strongman of the trio. Demon Boxer (Matoba) Jin Ryou's rival. Sold his soul to Gorma to become stronger. Cotpotros Gorma grunts in black tights with lipped but otherwise blank black and white faces. Great God Dragon Not Gorma at all; but a mysterious, all-powerful neutral force treated in MMPR as 'evil'. An incomplete listing of Gorma monsters by episode (first appearances only; MMPR equivalents supplied by Mark Oxman. Additions/corrections needed): 1. Baron String Pipe Brain from "Missing Green" 3. Key Sorcerer Master Key from "Zedd's Monster Mash" 5. Lipstick Song Princess Lipsynch from "Two For One" 7. Zhang Liao, Archbishop Liege 8. Saw Archbishop Jaws of Destruction from "Forever Friends" 9. Mirror Make-Up Master Mirror Maniac Monster from "Beauty and the Beast" 10. Cherry Blossom Viscount Terror Blossom from "The Ninja Encounter Part I and II" 11. Father Magnet Polarizer from "Opposites Attract" 12. Tofu Hermit 13. Kabuki Priestling Bookala from "The Great Bookala Escape" 15. General Kamikaze, President Tombstone, Telephone Teacher President Tombstone is from "Zedd's Monster Mash" 16. Haniwa Bellytalk Master Sculpthead from "Blue Ranger Gone Bad" 17. Ring Officer, Necklace Officer, Earring Officer Nimrod the Scarlet Sentinel, Pursehead, and Lipstick Monster (order?) from "White Light" 21? Ghost Ring/Necklace/Earring Officers 22? Shimmer Hood 23? Copy Empress Wizard of Deception from "Return of the Green Ranger" 25? Pot Taoist 29? Combined Four Deva Kings 30? Birdcage Wanderer 32? General Cactus Needlenose from "Wild West Rangers Part I and II" 33? Sergeant Big Pipe Cannontop from "Scavenger head" 34? Count Kaleidoscope Scatterbrain from "When Is A Ranger Not A Ranger?" 35? Pachinko Master Pachinko Head from "Rocky Just Wants To Have Fun" 36? Starvation Demon ??? Fastmouthed Wanderer ??? Thunder Repainted green as Repellator in "A Friend in Need"; appeared in its original blue color scheme in "The Power Transfer II". ??? Shiryuu Episode titles (Can someone give me all the Japanese titles for 19-27 and 32-48 and help me with translating 6 and 14?) 1. Traaansform 2. Chi Pooower!! 3. Give Me Your Spirit! 4. We're Sweet!! 5. Aaah, a Jewel Has Cooome 6. [?] Wind (Kazeyo butchigire) 7. Traaaitor! 8. Daaad!! 9. Don't Be Vain 10. Aaaah, Goddess of Revenge 11. Gauss with a Magnet! 12. Druuunk on Tofu 13. K-Kabuzi Priestling 14. [?] Wedding (Iyo-[small tsu] kekkon ja) 15. Three Idiots' Soccer 16. Rolling Child Stones 17. A New Warrior Emerges 18. The Top Secret White Tiger Kid 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. Everybody Shows Up! 29. The Top Secret Story behind a Mother's Tears 30. Sure Kill Fast Mouthed Worker (a reference to the series Hissatsu shigotonin) 31. A New Warrior Debuts Again 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. It's the Laaast Decisive Battle 50. Let's Gooo Film: Five Star Task Force Dairangers (93.4.17) Gorma monsters Duke Cards Great King Ojaru Baron String Purse Priest Key Sorcerer Lipstick Song Princess Theme song 'Gosei Sentai Dairanger' Lyrics: Hatte Saburou (a pseudonym for anyone at Toei) Music: Ono Katsuo Arrangement: Yamamoto Kenji Vocals: New Jack Takurou Tenshin daaa! Kiryoku daaa! (Transform! Chi power!) Tsurugi yo mae! Kobushi yo unare! (Swords dance, fists roar!) Ryuu Ranger, Shishi Ranger, Tenma, Kirin, Houou Ranger... Kiryoku Tenshin! Hengen jizai (Chi Power Transformation! Free to change at will) Naiteru kimi no hohoemi mitakute (Wanting to see the smile of you who's crying) Kiryoku tenshin! Hengen jizai (Chi Power Transformation! Free to change at will) Moyashitsukusuze makkana honoo (Burning out--crimson flames) Ten ni kagayake! Itsusuboshi (Shine in the heavens! Five stars) Gosei Sentai, Gosei Sentai Dairanger! Dairanger! (This happens to be one of my favorite sentai songs, and I've been a sentai fan since 1975. E-mail me for the lyrics to Goranger through Zyuranger. I can try to get the lyrics to Kakuranger and Ohranger off my tapes, but I'd rather not try.) 18. Ninja Task Force Kakuranger ('Kakure' = 'hide') Sixteenth Super Sentai. Also the twentieth anniversary sentai, counting 20 years from 1975 onward. 94.2.18-95.2.24? (53 episodes) Sasuke and Saizou wander around, assembling Tsuruhime, Jiraiya, and Seikai. Tsuruhime saves Sasuke and Saizou from the Apparitions. Furthermore, in the presence of their ancestors (such as Sarutobi Sasuke), the five gain the power to transform into the Kakurangers... (I'd rather not go into the rest, since this isn't my favorite sentai. Far from it...) Characters and mecha The Kakurangers (I talk too much about the ninja of old whom they're based on, since I don't really care for the modern characters, except for Jiraiya, who reminds me a lot of myself.) If you're lucky enough to be descended from ninja, have a Doron Changer wristband, and say the magic words, 'Super Henge Doron Changer!', you too can become one of the elite... Ninja Red (Sasuke; kanji literally mean 'assist-help') Named after Kouga ninja Sarutobi Sasuke of Shinshuu (modern Nagano Prefecture), leader of the Ten Braves of Sanada. The original Sasuke ranks with Hattori Hanzou as a representative ninja. Sarutobi 'Monkeyflight' is not a surname but a reference to his monkey-like agility. The modern Sasuke, agile leader of the team, is a reckless man who's hot to go out and drag his comrades into battle with the enemy. Hence, he messes up a lot. But he doesn't reflects on his errors. No matter how great the enemy, he won't budge. Can generate 'clones' (not quite the right word for 'bunshin') from his own hair. Symbol: Circle Weapons: Red Slicer, Fire Shogun Sword, Thunderclap Sword Hikarimaru Attacks: Kakure Style Full Moon Cut, Fire Whirl Art, Thunderclap Cut Skills: Bunshin (body-splitting or 'cloning') Art, Kinto Cloud (cf. Dragonball), Jet Transformation Ninja Black (Jiraiya 'the child is thunder') Named after Jiraiya, whose real namae was Ogata Shuuma Hiroyuki. Born in Higo to a powerful family, his house fell, and he ended up disguised as a peasant named Tarou in Sarashina-gun in Shinshuu (Nagano-ken). Upon adulthood, he went on a journey to avenge his clan and became the virtuous bandit 'Jiraiya', controlling a giant toad by magic. (This was not supposed to be funny.) The modern Jiraiya is a Japanese-American ninja from LA played by Kane Kosugi, son of Sho Kosugi, who played his master Gary. Gary murdered Jiraiya's policeman father in order to save the life of his daughter. He brought up Jiraiya and taught him the way of the ninja in atonement. Jiraiya was unaware of the identity of his father's murderer until years later, when Gary dueled Jiraiya in Japan, intending to die by Jiraiya's hand, which he does. Jiraiya stands out among the characters because he keeps blurting out things in English, his (and Kane Kosugi's) native language. His struggles to get along in Japan remind me of my own, though it's played up more for comedy than anything else.. Symbol: Pentagon Weapon: Black Bow Attacks: Kakure Style Shooting Star, Earth Grasp Skill: Earth Hiding Ar Ninja Blue (Saizou 'storehouse of talent') Named after Kirigakure 'mist-hidden' Saizou, second best of the Sanada Ten Braves and the original Sasuke's rival. The modern Saizou is a constantly chattering, easily flattered man who thinks he's a lot smarter than than he really is. If There's nothing to gain, he'll dump his comrades. Symbol: Square Weapon: Blue Shot (a water gun) Attacks: Kakure Style Square Formation, Wolf Attack Skills: Water-Crossing Art, Truck Transformation, Water Tower Art Ninja Yellow (Seikai 'pure sea') Named after lay bonze Miyoshi Seikai, strongest of the Sanada Ten Braves. The modern Seikai is anything but pure. He's driven by desire--for food, sleep, and women. He's indecisive, but like his predecessor, he has unusual strength. Symbol: Triangle Weapon: Yellow Claw (shades of Marvel!) Attacks: Kakure Style Triangle Cut, Echo Art Skill: Leaf Hiding Art Ninja White (Tsuruhime) Named after...nobody. Tsuruhime is a strong girl who is looking for her missing father (who turns out to be Hakumenrou). Has no interest in other males. Once fought injustice in a sailor suit with two other girls, Yukiyo and Tsukiyo, as the 'Punishment Sisters', as revealed in the 'Chouchoutorian reunion' episode. Yes, they really did say, "In the name of heaven, we will punish you!" Sounds familiar? Symbol: V-shaped arrow pointing leftward Weapon: White Beak Attacks: Kakure Style 'Ku' (Hiragana) Character Cut, Flower Snowstorm Skills: Folding (Paper) Crane Transformation, Paper (Crane) Control Art Shared weapons: Kakulasers/Laser Knives/Kakuremaru Secret Swords, Shinobi Knuckles, shuriken (individual shapes). Team attacks: Kakuranger Ball Kakure Shoot, Kakure Tower, Art of Invisibility, Thunder Light Destruction. Vehicles: The Shark Bridder, Shark Scrider, and Shark Launcher bikes, which togethe perform the Triple Shark Driver. Nekomaru, their incredibly silly-looking van base that looks like a cat (neko).. The Three God Generals: I. Invincible Shogun, armed with the Fire Shogun Sword Height: 58 m Weight: 7300 t The Invincible Shogun combines with Tsubasamaru (see below) to form the Super Invincible Shogun, armed with the eight Invincible Cannons.. It is composed of the Five Great Beast Generals: Red Saruder (monkey: saru) Height: 35 m Weight: 1500 t Weapon: Saruder Slicer Black Gammer (toad: gama) Height: 35 m Weight: 1500 t Weapon: Gammer Bow Blue Logan (wolf: rou/ookami) Height: 31 m Weight: 1200 t Weapon: Logan Shaft Yellow Kumard (bear: kuma) Height: 35 m Weight: 1500 t Weapon: Kumard Claws White Kark (crane: kaku/tsuru) Height: 30 m Weight: 1000 t Weapon: Kark Beak All the names are puns on Japanese animal names. Team attack: Vacuum Hurricane, Big Bang. Each has a 'Battle' or 'Beast General Fighter' equivalent--these lightly armored warriors are used whenever there are too many enemies, or the Art of the Giant General Fighters can't be used: I don't remember seeing any of them in MMPR. Battle Saruder (Red) Attack: Saruder Claw Battle Gammer (Black) Attack: Gammer Three Attacks Battle Logan (Blue) Attack: Logan Kicker Battle Kumard (Yellow) Attack: Kumard Head (Butt) Battle Kark (White) Attack: Kark Cut Team attack: Fighter Crash. II. Hidden Great General, armed with the God Finish, God Burst Chop, God Hammer Punch. Height: 58.5 m Weight: 7200 t Combines with Tsubasamaru (see below) to form the Super Hidden Great General, armed with the Flying Finish. Composed of the Five Super Ninja Beasts, obtained after each Kakuranger underwent an ordeal to get the 'Shinobi Scrolls': God Saruder (monkey) Height: 31.5 m Weight: 1300 t Weapon: Saruder Double Swords God Gammer (toad) Length: 31 m Weight: 2000 t God Logan (wolf) Length: 39 m Weight: 1300 t God Kumard (bear) Length: 30 m Weight: 2000 t God Kark (crane) Length: 15.6 m Weight: 600 t Speed: Mach 2 III. Tsubasamaru (who has no pilot in Kakurangers) Length: 43 m Wingspan: 85.6 m Other data: Never revealed Ninjaman/Samuraiman (MMPR: Ninjor) The pupil of the Three God Generals, awakened from a pot after a thousand years' sleep. Rides the Kinto Cloud (cf. the cloud used by Gokuu in Dragonball). Uses the Ninja Sword, Samurai Javelin, and the Samurai Infuriation Bomber technique. Whenever an Apparition calls him "Aonisai" ('little squirt'), he gets angry enough to change into Samuraiman. Height: 57.5 m (variable) Weight: 6000 t (variable) The Apparition Army Great Demon King (MMPR: Master Vile) 1200. (Not a typo.) Pushed back into the cave where the Apparitions are entombed in the finale. Hangs out in Skeleton castle, a giant flying skull with huge 'ears' or 'wings' (you decide). Gasha Skull (MMPR: Rito Repulsa) Able to change into Young Noble Prince (Prince is his name, not a title), a bleached blonde leather punk with a guitar. The Flower Kunoichi (female ninja) Team An all-female counter-Kakurangers. Yuri (Lily; orange) Suiren (Water lotus; green) Ayame (Sweet flag; blue) Sakura (Cherry blossom; pink) Ran (Orchid; purple) Nurarihyon Boss of the Apparitions 400 years ago; defeated by the ancestors of the Kakurangers. Hakumenrou ('White Masked Man') Armored mystery man who turns out to be Tsuruhime's father. Pretended to side with the Apparitions in order to find Great Demon King's weakness; when found out, he was turned to stone by the Great Demon King. Of course, he was restored by the series' end. Various supernatural creatures (need help with episode numbers and MMPR equivalents; I could check my Kaku and MMPR tapes, but I don't have the time, and no, I'm no MMPR expert) For the most part, I will not translate the names. Rokurokubi Kappa Oboroguruma Crabby Cabby in "Follow That Cab" Azukiarai Garbage Mouth in "A Different Shade of Pink II" Hitotsume kozou Oonyuudou Nurikabe Brick Bully in "Another Brick in the Wall" Mokumokuren In "Changing of the Zords III" Gakitsuki Ravenator in "Rita's Pita" Bakeneko Dorotabou Konaki jijii Shirouneri Tengu Dr. Yugami Replicas (Kappa, Azukiarai, Oboroguruma, Nurikabe, Mokumokuren) Kanedama Keukegen Shuten douji Amikiri Zashiki warashi Tsuchigumo Sarugami Sinister Simian in "Chimp in Charge" Enraenra Umibouzu Ittanmomen Kasabake Nue Hate Master in "Stop the Hate Master" Nuppehuhofu Face Stealer in "The Final Face-Off"? Amanojaku Sunakake babaa Kamaitachi Bakuki Vampirus in "Ninja Quest" Karakasa Ushioni Nopperabou Kyuubi no kitsune (a fox!) Kat (monster form) in "A Ranger Catastrophe II"? Chouchin kozou Lantera in "Passing the Lantern" Daradara Globbor in "Master Vile and the Metallic Armor"? Oomukade Centerback in "Fourth Down and Long" Mujina Artist Mole in "A Brush with Destiny" Kasha Yukionna Bimbougami Daidarabotchi (Great Demon King's younger brother) Yamanba (Great Demon King's younger sister) Dischordia in "The Sound of Dischordia"? More of the above Kakuranger monsters will probably be in MMPR this season. Dorodoros (doro = mud) Grunts in blue tights with disturbing faces and armor plates modelled after Munch's 'The Scream'--seriously! Dance in the ending title. (I have the titles of nearly all Kakuranger episodes, but have neither the time nor desire to list them. E-mail me if you must know what they are.) Films Ninja Task Force Kakuranger (94.4.16) Apparitions (none of which have appeared in MMPR...yet) Oonyuudou Hitotsume kozou (elder and younger brothers) Super Task Force World (shown 94.4.29-94.5.5 at the 'Super Task Force World' festival held at the Shin Takanawa Prince Hotel.) This 3D film teamed up Fiveman, Jetman, Zyuranger, Dairanger, and Kakuranger against an alien army composed of the grunts from Zone, Vyram, etc. and five mercenaries, Zoger, Ilvus, Zygan, Bango, and Damal, who are all hirelings of the gigantic Dydus. Not recommended if you want to see actual human beings out of costume. Recommended if you enjoy Kourakuen shows. 19. Superpower Task Force Ohranger (A pun on ou 'king' and aura.) Seventeenth Super Sentai. Also touted as a 20th Anniverrsary Sentai Series (counting somewhat differently). 95.3.3.-96.?.? 600 million years ago, Ancient Mankind (probably not the same race as in Zyuranger) created the rebel robot Bacchus Wrath, who was banished off Earth by Riki/King Ranger. In 1999, the machines of Baranoia now intend to wipe out humanity and bring about machine rule on Earth. Chief Counsellor Miura brought back to life the energies that had been given birth by the lost super civilization on the supercontinent of Pangaea 600 millions years ago. Putting together the pieces of a stone plane discovered three years ago, the secrets of 'superpower' became known. The Ohranger base was built in Japan's Southern Alps, where remnants of the lost super civilization were found. Miura built a pyramid that generated Tetrahedron Power--the power needed to give the five UA officers the ability to change into the Ohrangers. The legendary Riki/King Ranger reappears in modern times to aid the team. Characters and mecha UAOH (International Air Force Ohrangers) With their Power Braces, the Ohrangers don their OH Suits and via 'Superpower,' the collected energies of Earth, they can boost their abilities by 30 to 40 times. Ohred (Hoshino Gorou; hoshi = star, go = five) Ace pilot and team leader. Uses karate. Pilots Skyphoenix, Giant Roller, Red Puncher, and Red Blocker star robot. Weapon: Star Riser sword Attacks: Super Power Riser Ohgreen (Yotsukaichi Shouhei; yotsu = four) Second in command. Boxer. Pilots Grantaurus and Green Blocker square robot. Weapon: Square Crushers Attacks: Mirage Knuckles, Lightning Light Supe Power Crusher. Ohblue (Mita Yuuji; mi = three) Swift. Uses jumps and midair fighting tactics. Pilots Dash Leon and Blue Blocker triangle robot. Weapon: Delta Tonfas Attacks: Rolling Jump, Super Power Slide Attack. Ohyellow (Nijou Juri; ni = two) Uses martial arts researched in America. Pilots Dogu Lander (a rolling doguu figure; a doguu is a type of ancient Japanese earthen figure that some claim looks like an 'ancient astronaut'--von Daeniken fans, take note!) and Yellow Blocker two-bar robot. Weapon: Twin Baton nunchakus Attacks: Big Wheel Throw (cf. Kikaider). Ohpink (Maruo Momo; maru = circle) Uses Chinese boxing Pilots Moa Loader (a rolling Easter Island head) and Pink Blocker circle robot. Weapon: Circle Defenser shield Attacks: Vacuum Throw, Lightning Flash Miracle Qigong Shots.. (Each has a name that describes their symbols.) Kingranger (Riki) The legendary child (?) hero who chased Bacchus Wrath off Earth 600 millions years ago. Protector of Dorin, a mystery creature in the shape of a girl whose pet is the obviously fake green lizard Paku. His mask symbol is the kanji for 'king' (ou). Pilots King Pyramidder. Weapon: King Stick, with which he performs the King Victory Flash technique Chief Counsellor Miura Team commander, played by none other than Miyauchi Hiroshi, a.k.a. V3, Blue Ranger, Zbat, Big One, and Masaki of Winspector/Solbrain! Shared weapons: Battle Sticks/King Blasters/King Smashers. The King Smasher combined with the individual weapons forms the Big Bang Buster energy cannon. Thunderwing fighter planes and Jetter Machine motorcycles. Shared attacks: Battle Stick Hurricane, Ranger Item Attack. The first set of five robots combine into the Ohrangerrobo, equipped with five heads (Wing, Horn, Graviton, Vulcan, and Cannon). The Wing Head is the standard head. Each of the other heads has a special weapon (see below). Height: 78.5 m Weight: 8500 t Weapons and/or attacks: Super Crown Sword, Crown Final Crash, Leon Punch, Dogu Sky Kick, Super Power Jump Crash, Super Power Crown Sword Shoot, Super Power Crown Spark Shield, Super Power Taurus Thunder, Super Power Leon Beam, Super Power Dogu Vulcan, Super Power Moa Cannon. Skyphoenix Length: 30.4 m Wingspan: 54.6 m Weight: 1000 t Armament: Phoenix Beam x 2 Grantaurus Length: 30 m Height: 21 m Weight: 1500 t Armament: Taurus Beam Dash Leon Length: 29 m Height: 24 m Weight: 1800 t Armament: Leon Shot x 2 Dogu Lander Length: 31.5 m Height: 42.3 m Weight: 2100 t Armament: Dogu Vulcan x 2, Dogu Bazooka x 2, Dogu Searcher Moa Loader Length: 31.5 m Height: 47.7 m Weight: 2100 t Armament: Moa Cannon, Moa Launcher missile x 5 The boxing robot Red Puncher combines with the Ohrangerrobo to form the Buster Ohrrangerrobo. The Red Puncher went wild two years ago, killing its pilot. Height (RP): 70 m Weight (RP): 6000 t Weapons and/or attacks (RP): Magna Puncher, Puncher Gatling. Height (BO): 80 m Weight (BO): 14500 t Weapons and/or attacks (BO): Big Cannon Burst. The second set of five robots combines into the Ohblocker. Weapons and/or attacks (united): Blocken Fire (when five are apart), Twin Blocken Swords, Twin Blocken Crash. Height: 80 m Weight: 8000 t Red Blocker Height: 40 m Weight: 2000 t Weapons and/or attacks: Star Head Attack, Red Star Fire. Green Blocker Height: 40 m Weight: 2000 t Weapons and/or attacks: Green Body Tackle, Green Enclose Net. Blue Blocker Height: 35 m Weight: 1000 t Weapons and/or attacks: Blue Drop Kick, Blue Freezing Storm. Yellow Blocker Height: 35 m Weight: 1000 t Weapons and/or attacks: Yellow Spinning Kick, Yellow Lightning Flash. Pink Blocker Height: 35 m Weight: 2000 t Weapons and/or attacks: Pink Skyline Chopper, Pink Impact Wave. King Pyramider Has three 'formations': Pyramid, Carrier, and Battle (humanoid). The latter mode contains the Red Puncher and the Ohrangerrobo and can fire a Super Legend Beam from its belly. Height (Pyramid): 50 m Height (Battle Formation): 102 m Width (Pyramid): 75 m Weight: Immeasurable Speed (Battle Formation): 65 km/h Speed (Carrier Formation): 150 km/h Tackleboy A black robot that transforms into a tire that the Ohblocker flings at giant Machine Beasts--this move is called the 'Dynamite Tackle'. Height: 34 m Width: 28.5 m Weight: 2500 t Gunmazin (Ganmajin; Gun Demon God) Able to transform from a 50 cm sculpture of a head into a 90 m tall robot when opened with a key. Also able to assume human size. The 'Ninjaman' of Ohranger. Armed with the Majin Sabre, with which he employs the moves of the Majin One Sword Style. Height: 50 cm~90 m (variable) Weight: ?~20000 t (variable) Machine Empire Baranoia Emperor Bacchus Wrath (Fundo) Original ruler of Baranoia; later defeated by the Ohblocker. Empress Hysteria Hysteric wife of Bacchus Wrath. Prince Brudont Child strategist. Current ruler of Baranoia. Servants Acha and Kocha Together, they enlarge the Machine Beasts. Acha swings Kocha around, flinging him at the fallen Machine Beast. Kocha injects the Machine Beast with enough energy to revive and enlarge. Keris Female, human-looking field commander who rules over Machine Beasts with her whip. Can transform into a giant monster with huge breasts and thighs. Bomber the Great A walking bomb who once tried to take over Baranoia and failed. Now he's back. Claimed the Imperial throne for a while before being overthrown himself. Could transform into a missile. Princess Maruchiwa Rules Baranoia alongside Brudont. Barlo Soldiers Grey-skinned grunts with golden heads who pilot Takompas fighter plane/walking tanks (tako = octopus). Machine Beasts (Episode numbers are all by memory and hence open to question--I could just check my tapes, but I don't have the time. Corrections and additions welcomed. Power Ranger Zeo equivalents are, of course, unknown until fall 1996.) 1. Bara Drill 2. Bara Saucer 3. Bara Vanish 4. Bara Crusher 5. Bara Cactus 1 and 2 6. Bara Brain 7. Bara Separate 9. Bara Missiler 10. Bara Hacker 11. Bara Printer 12. Bara Baby 13. Bara Pinokiller 14. Bara Magma 15. Bara Revenger 16. Bara Devil 17. Bara Vacuum 18. Bara Ivy 19. Bara Builder 20. Bara Boxer 21. Bara Stick-and-Ball 22. Bara 'Madillo 23. Bara Clothes 24. Bara His Excellency 25. Bara Hungry 26. Bara Goblin 28. Bara King 29. Bara Tarantula 30. Bara Guska Bara Faucet Bara Nightmare Bara Mammoth Bara Skunk Bara Police Episode titles: I have all of them up to episode 31 (on tape, anyway); contact me directly if you know the Japanese titles from episode 32 onward or if you want to know the English translation of a title of an episode up to episode 31. Film: Superpower Task Force Ohranger (95.4.15) Machine Beasts Locker Knight Faucet Chuck Camera Trick Pumpkinpkin Cat Signal which all combine into... Steam Punk! 20. Explosive Dash Task Force Carranger Eighteenth Super Sentai (and twentieth sentai ever!). 96.?.?-97.?.? At least 40-something episodes. This show is currently being discussed on fj.rec.tokusatsu. If Toei is following its standard schedule, publicity photography and the shooting of the pilot episode(s) have already been completed by December 1995. I strongly suspect this to be a Turboranger recycling. (c) 1995 Marc H. Miyake miyake@Hawaii.Edu This copyright applies only to this Manual and not to the sentai and/or any other properties of Ishimori Productions, Toei, Marvel Comics Group, or TV Asahi. This document may be distributed in part or in whole as long as this copyright notice is preserved.