Samurai Sentai Shinkenger: Unadaptable? Too Japanese?

Ever since Samurai Sentai Shinkenger (the 2009 Super Sentai) came out, fans believed it was too eastern or Japanese to be adapted into Power Rangers. And now that it won't be adapted for 2010, has caused fans to believe the reason was to not adapt Shinkenger and may never adapt it. But what is too Japanese? How is Shinkenger too Japanese? Let's dissect it.

Kanji
Kanji are the Chinese characters that are used in the modern Japanese logographic writing system, much like letters. They are used throughout the series, they are on the helmets, mecha, and all other graphics. Bandai America had a questionnaire in some of the Super Legend Megazords in early 2009 and they asked fans if they would be okay with Japanese characters. But what people don't realize, is that American kids don't have to know they are Kanji. The producers and toy makers can say they are just made-up symbols.

Look at Bakugan, they commonly uses Japanese symbols. The Kanji can be excused. And the appearance of it can inadvertently teach kids some Japanese--the elements at least.

Kuroko

The other thing that is 'too Japanese' are the helpers of the Shinkenger. In real life, they are the Japanese theater stage hands. For Power Rangers, they can easily be edited out or said are mystery men. For Ninja Storm, they edited out the Hurricanger's cloaked robots and they were around everywhere, so the Kuroko can be easily edited out and new footage made to replace footage containing them.

The banner in the background
Every-time the Shinkenger arrive, there is a banner behind them, put by the Kuroko. Again, they can easily be edited out, new footage can be made. Remember Saki/Go-On Yellow's pose in Go-Onger? It was never used in RPM.



Conclusion
Hurricanger was also deemed 'too Japanese' but it got adapted into Ninja Storm and lots of things were taken off---the robots previously mentioned, the blankets and umbrellas used in the roll-call, cherry blossoms used in roll-call and other little things. Just because Shinkenger uses Kanji doesn't mean it is the end of the world. And I think Bandai and Disney would do have decided to do the new MMPR regardless what series was next to be adapted, even if it was Dekaranger or Boukenger. I think they did it because it is year 2010. But we will see if Shinkenger will be adapted, I think there is still a chance. And some fans invent things like "Toei made Shinkenger more Japanese to get back at Disney for not staying closer to Super Sentai origins," which is just a speculation and is not the truth. It's never too late to adapt this series, look at Kamen Rider Ryuki.