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Friday, June 5, 2009

Power Ranger Toys: Who is this???

Many kids who bought villains or other toys may wonder, 'Who is this?' with some figures. Here I explain who they were.

In 1998, with Power Rangers in Space, the Craterites (They only appeared in one episode of Power Rangers in Space) came with an extra figure. The Craterites, known as the Kunekunes were the main footsoldiers in Megaranger and the creature is Bibidebi, one of the villains in Megaranger. Maybe Bandai America thought it would appear on the show but it didn't.

Bibidebi would bite the monster of the day to make him grow.


In 2003 Power Rangers Ninja Storm, Kelzak Fury were an American power-up version of the Kelzaks that did not appear in the original Hurricanger. The Kelzak Fury toys came with a 'bonus figure.' They are based on Manmuraba, a villain in Hurricanger that later became the villain we know as Motordrone and then Eyezak.

Manmuraba was the larval state, first state of three that Manmuraba had.


2008: While the Pink Time Force Ranger and Camille came with extra figures (Circuit the digital owl and Flit the fly) were actually on the show, the Jungle Fury Cheetah Ranger came with a character that did not appear on the show. The orange thing is actually RoboTough, a battling punching robot in Gekiranger, the original show.

RoboTough was what the Gekiranger would use as target practice.

Behind the Scenes: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers The Movie

Even though the website What REALLY Happened - the first MMPR Movie is still online, I thought I'd also cover the behind the scenes of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers The Movie. Still there are not a lot of fans that know about these things. For those who know all about Mariska Hargitay as Dulcea, the rat monsters and the script, then this is not for you. I'll start by saying that the movie contained 100% American footage and no Japanese footage was used. For a new 'movie' look, they made new suits, heavy armor-looking ones and all the sets were re-designed. Each of the Power Rangers' new movie costumes weighed 40 pounds and the actors had to film sometimes as long as ten hours a day in their Power Ranger uniforms.

First off, the original plan was to have no black visors and silver mouth plates in order to see the actor's faces and eyes to emote emotion. Lots of footage was shot this way, this was later ditched. As you can see, the belts were different too, they were Ranger-colored. "The Power Rangers in Morphed Mode are not supposed to show emotion- they are supposed to be a powerful unforgiving fighting force. The dailies looked horrible- something was terribly wrong." ~ZordMaker.

Here is a picture of the original footage. Originally the Rangers fought Rat monsters that were later used in the show, Season 2 episodes "Return of the Green Ranger" three-parter. Rumor is that Saban loved them and thought they would be great. They were ditched when Director Bryan Spicer wisely informed him to get rid of them. Then the Oozemen were created and the footage had to be re-shot. Even when the rat monsters came out on the show, I remember thinking they were real lame.

There are deleted scenes that have not be released on DVD. Here is a picture from stuntwoman Sophia Crawford's website of a deleted scene. The teens were to train with Dulcea, this was in the original script. In the original script, they were to be visited by their animal spirits at night (they slept in ranger-color sleeping bags).

Snoogle
Also, Dulcea was suppose to have a little green anteater-like friend called Snoggle. He looked more like an elephant to me. He wasn't much, it is understandable why he was removed.

From the above link, this a rare picture of Dulcea's compound, which I would have love to seen but all of this footage was not used because it was shot with Mariska Hargitay...

Mariska Hargitay, who had substituted Gabrielle Fitzpatrick, who was diagnosed with an ovarian cyst. When Fitzpatrick came back, they had no time to re-film this. When the crew thought that Hargitay didn't seem right for the role after filming her scenes, she was fired and Fitzpatrick had recovered from her operation.
Update 10/7/09: Better pictures

I remember all the hype when the movie was coming out, I read everything I could on it. I received promotional things from the fan club and magazine on it but I lost it through the passage of time unfortunately. I was excited to see episodes shot in Australia, as I knew they shot the movie in Australia. It was obvious when the Rangers couldn't shoot stuff for the show like the infamous mansion in "The Wedding" two-parter and how the Rangers walked around in areas that did not look like the usual stomping grounds in "Return of the Green Ranger."

To the left is Steven Cardenas at one of the movie premieres and it seems the movie gloves and boots were not available and he had to use the regular boots from the show. On ZordMaker's page, you can also see picture of the White Ranger's crotch area ripped as well. According to Henshin Vault: Stick and stones rented the movie suit molds to a company that was to mass-produced the suits for appearances and advertising of the film, worldwide. The makers of the tour suits cut a lot of corners and got away with replacing a lot of the armored parts with flexible foam sheets that came apart, off the base suit, easily. These were worn by the cast at the premiere.

Mordant
Ah, Mordant. I like him for some reason. Not many fans thought much about it. But in the original script, he was to be a little creature and the Tengas were to carry him. Evidence for this is in the coloring book, with the Tengas carrying the large Mordant we know from the movie. In the script, promotional stuff and aforementioned coloring book (I lost), it was stated that he was Goldar's cousin and I was always took it as such. The voice actors for Baboo and Squatt recently mentioned in a fan interview that they were not approached to be in the movie and were disappointed that the characters were not in the movie. I think Mordant was created to in order to save money and merge three characters (including Finster) into one.

I personally believe the final result was pretty great considering all the mayhem behind the scenes but it wouldn't be Power Rangers without drama.

Related Topic: What REALLY Happened - the first MMPR Movie

Why Jason, Trini and Zack Left



I didn't interview anyone or ask anyone, but I thought this was already common knowledge. Now it has become an urban legend and 'rumors.' In 1994, Austin St. John (Jason), Thuy Trang (Trini), and Walter Jones (Zack) asked for more money at the height of the Power Ranger popularity and were then fired. Power Rangers was not in the Screen Actor's Guild, a union and the three actors wanted to them to be part of the union. Saban did go to the union around Lost Galaxy or Lightspeed. It then Saban started Samurai, they are no longer with the union. Amy Jo Johnson said in an interview with No Pink Spandex, she didn't understand stuff like unions back then when she was younger, if she did, she would had supported the other three. This was discussed and confirmed in a number of interviews and articles. Then the other three replaced them. What some fans didn't notice was that the actors were not even present for the 'Power Transfer' episode and they had been absent for several episodes before that and recycled footage was used. I was 12 at the time and I noticed this. It was obvious since Zack's hair had changed from its dreads to flat hair. Also, auxiliary characters Richie (Trini's love interest) and Curtis (Zack's cousin) were not seen again either, without being 'written out' of the show.

Episodes:
Episode 76 - Beauty and the Beasts (10/10/1994)
Austin St. John (Jason) was not present in this episode and Jason's voice was done by an uncredited person other than Austin.

Episode 77-78 - White Light Part 1 & 2 (10/17 to 10/18/1994)
There is now a new rumor, which I am taking as a rumor, but that the Zordon line that Tommy is the new leader was a new line that Austin St. John did not know about. This would make sense because when it aired, I wondered why Jason did not react when Zordon said this. And in a later episode, Jason lead the morph instead of Tommy, leading some to believe it had not be decided Tommy was the leader when that was shot. This is when we see the new morph of Tommy in a tanktop, we don't see Billy and Kimberly's until "Goldar's Vice Versa," meaning Jason Frank probably didn't shoot this until the new three actors came in.

Episode 79 - Two For One (10/24/1994)
The three appear in this episode but Jason and Trini have very little lines in the scenes they appear in.

Episode 80 - Opposites Attract (10/25/1994)
This is the last episode the three actors appear in and is the last episode Curtis and Richie appear in as well. In this episode, Jason leads the morph; This is because Jason was originally was going to remain the leader of the team even though Tommy became the White Ranger, but the plans and references for this were cut out when St. John was no longer filming episodes on the show.

Episode 81 - Zedd's Monster Mash (10/28/1994)
This is the first episode in which the trio did not appear. No footage of them was used, it was said Trini, Zack and Jason were looking over kids that were trick or treating. This is an episode that for me established that Tommy, Kimberly and Billy had to hold the show on their own in order to distract the fact that the other three are missing.

Episode 82-84 - The Ninja Encounter Part 1-3 (11/2-4/1994)
This episode introduced Aisha, Rocky, and Adam, but the actor credits were not showed until "Goldar's Vice Versa." I think the reason the Hatchasaurus was used was because of this fiasco, I think if the trio didn't leave, this footage would have not been used. Even though the martial arts competition is not long after the picnic in the park, Trini & Jason were wearing different clothes. In the 1st part, footage of St. John, Trang, and Jones for this episode were recycled from "The Song Of Guitardo" and "Two Heads Are Better Than One". In the third part, footage was recycled from "Two Heads Are Better Than One". Also, the 'Jetting' was invented, I think to excuse why the trio were in their suits and a second excuse not to see the actors was when the trio were frozen by the cherry blossom tree monster. Also, laughable part was when Billy, Kim, and Tommy go to the competition, they say hi to stand-ins for the original 3 and they went to sit in another area. They always usually sit in the same place, and no reason was given why they sit in two different places. In the end of the three-parter, Aisha, Rocky and Adam were sworn in by Zordon, becoming 'friends' that know their identities.
Stand-ins who fans still haven't been able to identify.

Episode 85 - A Monster of Global Proportions (11/5/94)
Footage of the trio for this episode is recycled from "The Wanna-Be Ranger". The Power Cannon was not introduced yet but the monster from Dairanger, the cannon was used. The Power Blaster was used instead but we see the effect of the Power Cannon. The Peace Conference is established in this episode as well.

Episode 86 - Zedd Waves (11/7/94)
The trio were seen in their suits and manipulated by the waves. Aisha, Rocky and Adam help once again and I guess the reason there were two episodes until they got the powers was to ease fans into these characters.

Episode 87-88 - The Power Transfer Part 1 & 2 (11/8-9/1994)
Footage of St. John, Trang, and Jones for this episode was recycled from both parts of "Green No More". Tommy wears absolutely no white in the two episodes, due to the footage recycling, which makes me believe they had to match up with the footage of the missing three. If you notice the Command Center scenes, they were arranged it so the old three would appear on one side and Billy, Kimberly and Tommy in another. It is also the final credited appearance of Romy J. Sharf as Alpha 5's suit actress. The most obvious sign that Austin St. John, Thuy Trang and Walter Jones were not present were when there was an unnamed brunette playing Trini and there is a noticeable shift in her voice. They use the new lady's voice in the first half of the sentence and old Trini footage at the end and reaction shots from Zack and Jason. Reportedly, Jason's voice was done by associate producer Paul Rosenthal and Zack's voice was done by Joel Rogers, Bob Manahan's second engineer.

Episode 89 - Goldar's Vice Versa
We now see all the Rangers in their tanktops in the morph sequence, bringing on to believe Jason Frank shot his along with the new three actors OR the other five shot it in order to look like Tommy's.

Three Stages
I can't believe all these things happened in behind the scenes, also with the new news I got that Brad Hawkins was supposed to be the original White Ranger. So there was all these stages. Stage One: It was supposed to be Jason, Trini, Billy, Zack, Kimberly and unnamed new guy White Ranger (played by Brad Hawkins) for the whole season. Tommy was too popular so they brought him back (since he shot the Cybertron pilot) and Jason Frank and Brad Hawkins switched places. Stage Two: The original trio were dumped and once 'White Light' was already shot, Tommy was made the leader. Stage Three: Episodes were shot with used footage of the old trio and the new trio were introduced. So, there is such a thing known as 'Murphy's Law' that when things can go wrong... they do. Nothing comes out how one expects it to. Season 2 of Power Rangers sure was a doozy, with mixing footage of new monsters with another megazord and then using old footage of actors that were gone. I remember an interview with Jason Frank in TV Guide when the movie came out and he said he was happy to stay and that on the set, the crew would joke, "You better be good or we will send you to a peace conference."

UPDATED 12/21/13:
Luckily, when Kimberly left it was pleasant and she got a proper farewell and the character left to train as a Gymnast, that being her dream. And Aisha had a complicated send-off, Karen Ashley wanted a proper farewell, she was promised one but there wasn't enough time to do so. And as Rocky did get a proper farewell as well, the reason was a back injury. Billy didn't get a proper farewell, two actors filled in for him--an actor playing the 'older' Billy and another in a 'garbled' message. But those four actors didn't leave because of money. Amy Jo, Karen, and Steven all left because they wanted to move on with their lives. And rumors say David Yost had creative differences with the crew. In late 2009, David Yost revealed to No Pink Spandex that he had to deal with anti-gay slurs from the crew.

Kamen Riders to appear physically in Kamen Rider Decade

UPDATED AUGUST 26, 2009
This is a list of Kamen Rider that physically appear in Kamen Rider Decade and I am not counting the ones in a dream or in a newspaper. And these are supposedly in order of appearance but some are out of order. I put the ones that appear in the movie All Riders vs. Great Shocker on the bottom.

* - Seen out of suit
^ - Not seen out of suit
Ω - exclusive to the series

  1. Decade*Ω
  2. Kuuga*
  3. Kick Hopper^ (In Episode 2 and 3)
  4. Punch Hopper^ (In Episode 2 and 3, and later by Diend)
  5. Kiva*
  6. Kaixa^ (In Episode 4 and 5)
  7. Ryuki*
  8. Knight* (In Ryuki World)
  9. Zolda^ (In Ryuki World)
  10. Scissors^ (In Ryuki World, later by Diend in Shinkenger World)
  11. Odin^ (In Ryuki World)
  12. Imperer^ (In Ryuki World)
  13. Tiger^ (In Ryuki World)
  14. Verde* (In Ryuki World)
  15. Abyss*Ω (In Ryuki World)
  16. Blade*
  17. Garren* (In Blade World)
  18. Chalice* (In Blade World)
  19. Leangle* (In Blade World)
  20. Kabuki^ (Thanks to Diend)
  21. Rey^ (Thanks to Diend)
  22. Faiz*
  23. Diend*Ω
  24. Ryuga (In Episode 11^ and Negative World*)
  25. Agito
  26. G3^ (In flashback in Episode 13)
  27. G3-X* (In Agito World)
  28. Gills (In Agito World)
  29. Drake^ (Thanks to Diend)
  30. Delta^ (Thanks to Diend)
  31. Den-O Sword Form*
  32. Den-O Rod Form* (Den-O World)
  33. Den-O Axe Form* (Den-O World)
  34. Den-O Gun Form* (Den-O World)
  35. Sasword^ (Thanks to Diend)
  36. Saga^ (Thanks to Diend)
  37. Gatack* (Kabuto World)
  38. TheBee* (Kabuto World)
  39. Kabuto*
  40. Ixa^ (Thanks to Diend)
  41. Psyga^ (Thanks to Diend)
  42. Caucasus^ (Thanks to Diend)
  43. Hibiki*
  44. Ibuki* (Hibiki World, and later by Diend)
  45. Todoroki* (In Episode 9^ and Hibiki World)
  46. Zanki* (Hibiki World, and later by Diend)
  47. Amaki*Ω (Hibiki World)
  48. Ohja^ (Thanks to Diend and then Kivara)
  49. Alternative* (Negative World)
  50. Orga* (Negative World)
  51. Dark Kiva* (Negative World)
  52. Dark Kabuto* (Negative World)
  53. Glaive* (Diend World)
  54. Larc* (Diend World)
  55. Lance* (Diend World)

  56. Raia^ (Shinkenger World, Thanks to Diend)
  57. Black RX/Robo Rider/Bio Rider* (Black RX World)
    Caucasus^ (Thanks to Diend)--again
  58. Hercus^ (Thanks to Diend)
  59. Ketaros^ (Thanks to Diend)
  60. Femme^ (Thanks to Diend)
  61. Black* (Thanks to Diend)
  62. Amazon* (Amazon World)
  63. Gai* (Thanks to Diend, All Riders vs. Great Shocker)
  64. Kamen Rider 1^ (All Riders vs. Great Shocker)
  65. Kamen Rider 2^ (All Riders vs. Great Shocker)
  66. V3 ^ (All Riders vs. Great Shocker)
  67. X^ (All Riders vs. Great Shocker)
  68. Riderman^ (All Riders vs. Great Shocker)
  69. Stronger^ (All Riders vs. Great Shocker)
  70. Skyrider^ (All Riders vs. Great Shocker)
  71. Super-1^ (All Riders vs. Great Shocker)
  72. ZX^ (All Riders vs. Great Shocker)
  73. Shadow Moon* (All Riders vs. Great Shocker)
  74. Shin^ (All Riders vs. Great Shocker)
  75. ZO^ (All Riders vs. Great Shocker)
  76. J^ (All Riders vs. Great Shocker)

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Chief Differences between Kamen Rider and Super Sentai

Why Watch Kamen Rider?
I always tell friends that Kamen Rider is like Super Sentai's violent and alcoholic emotionally-disturbed older brother.
  1. More Serious?
    You could say that. The overall tone of most of the Kamen Rider series are serious. Kamen Rider Den-O is a comedy, but not as goofy as let's say Carranger; even though both were slapstick. It's different levels of camp. As for Kamen Rider series from the Showa era, they dealt more with the dark. While Sentai from the Showa era also was serious, it had more free-spirit, bright colors and storylines with children. Kamen Rider do include children but in a less heart-felt manner.

  2. No Big Monsters or Big Robots
    While one of the Kamen Riders did become big, I think; but for the majority, the Kamen Rider franchise does not have the custom of having big robots or big monsters. When their monsters die, they don't become bigger. Now, Kamen Rider have had robots but not big ones like in Super Sentai.

  3. The 'I' in Team
    The most notable factor in the showa era was that Kamen Rider was solo, and it is still the case in most series. Kamen Rider is meant to be a loner and not part of a 'team.' Most of the other riders have to learn to 'team up' with the main one and have their own goals. And then you have the evil Riders, who just want to destroy the main one. Sometimes the Riders do team up but this is a rarity.

  4. Less cross-series teamups
    While teamups of the current team and last team is common in Super Sentai, it is not in Kamen Rider. It has happened maybe a handful of times but not as much as in Sentai. Most of the specials have actually be 'VS,' them against each other. Part of the reason they made more Riders and especially 13 for Ryuki, was to have more adversity like in the teamups.

  5. Boy's Club
    The majority of the Kamen Riders are male, there are only 4 female Riders (that their suits were meant for just them) in the canon and one female armored sidekick. All Kamen Rider series have a 'damsel-in-distress' or 'girl friday' sidekick to the Kamen Rider with no powers, she always ends up in the middle of the action for some reason.
I do like Kamen Rider, it is different from Super Sentai, albeit I have seen less of the series from Super Sentai. But as evidence from this blog, it does peak my interest.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

The Year's Super Sentai and Kamen Rider Comparison

I thought it would be interesting to compare the Super Sentai and Kamen Rider of their corresponding years, for example Hurricanger and Kamen Rider Ryuki that aired on the same year. According to an producer in a interview, the only time the Super Sentai team talks to the Kamen Rider production team talk is in the beginning to amke sure they are not doing the same theme. And that's it, then if they have corresponding things, it is not their fault.

There is not much in common between Kamen Rider Kuuga and Timeranger or Agito and Gaoranger...

2000
Timeranger and Kamen Rider Kuuga

Nothing in common, Timeranger had 6 members and Kuuga was just one guy. Well, they both dealt with police of a kind.

2001
Gaoranger and Kamen Rider Agito

Gaoranger was about nature and Agito had police force, so very different. Above is a little picture celebrating the two shows.

2002
Hurricanger and Kamen Rider Ryuki

Even though there was 6 warriors on Hurricanger and double that on Ryuki, what they had in common was in emotion, where there was one antagonizing another. Above is an advertisement for the video games.

2003
Abaranger and Kamen Rider 555

555 was more serious than Abaranger, but they both had ancient tribes (Orphnochs and the Ryuujin). And both series had one character that found a truth about themselves (Mikoto and Takumi). Above is an advertisement for the candy toys.

2004
Dekaranger and Kamen Rider Blade

Nothing really. One is the police and the other was not, Blade started in the middle and then we saw the past and future. Dekaranger was a single-episode sort of show, no real over-stretching arc, while Blade was very arc-y. Above is the poster for the movies.

2005
Magiranger and Kamen Rider Hibiki

Hibiki had some magicial infulence and Hibiki dealt with Oni/demons and Magiranger had demons from the underworld. Hibiki wasn't very popular with fans and Magiranger had some people divided. Movie poster above.

2006
Boukenger and Kamen Rider Kabuto

Both very popular, Boukenger was a symbol of the 30th anniversary of Super Sentai, while Kabuto was very true to its roots, dealing with insect-theme. Tokyo Dome City event picture above.

2007
Gekiranger and Kamen Rider Den-O

Den-O was definitely more popular than Gekiranger, but they had some things in common. Gekiranger had the color scheme of red, blue, yellow, violet and white/orange. Kamen Rider Den-O's main modes were red, blue, yellow and violet, with a white/olive-green mode in the movie. Above is the cover to a 2008 yearbook.

2008
Go-Onger and Kamen Rider Kiva

Kiva had more in common with Den-O, but both Go-Onger and Kiva had little buddies that helped the main heroes. For example, the Kivats and the Engines. Movie roadshow logo above.

2009
Shinkenger and Kamen Rider Decade

Nope, nothing in common.

2010
Goseiger and Kamen Rider Double
Well, Goseiger seems to have more in common with Decade as they both use cards. But Decade did end before Goseiger ended. Goseiger insert things on their guns like Double inserts things to his belt to change his image. And Shinkenger inputed things as well. So that's the one thing in common.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers The Movie / Season 3 - History Repeating



I made this video once before but because of copyright I couldn't post it anymore on another nameless site. This new video I spliced together footage from Mighty Morphin Power Rangers The Movie and Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Season Three (I know the video is pretty bad but it's all I have), comparing the two and how the story had to. I think this is an appropriate song. No copyright infringement intended.

On Being an 'Old' Power Rangers Fan

[Actress Jamie Lee Curtis dressed as the Pink Lightspeed Ranger in 2000.]

There are different type of fans but I do not know how many there are. But there are those fans who watched Power Rangers when it first came out in 1993 and fans that grew up with Power Rangers and of course, those who are under 12 and are learning about the fandom. The other day I saw a curious post on a board about 'adult' fans, if there were older people who liked Power Rangers. I fall on the latter, where I was 11 when MMPR came out. I was a rather 'old' in age to be a fan, I was made fun of in middle school, all my fellow students felt PR was for little kids. Nowadays, not one second-grader would be caught dead with a PR bookbag or jacket, where as a kindergarten kid would proudly have one.

[Dearly departed Peter Boyle with the Dino Thunder Rangers in 2004.]
Update June 12, 2009: Peter Boyle was just at an event. I don't know for sure if he was a fan. I also have pictures of the Rangers with David Boreanaz, Michael Chiklis, Tony Hawk, Molly Sims, Jeff Probst and Rosie Perez.

I am open about other aspects of my life but not so open with new people or co-workers that I like Power Rangers. When I was 16 and was first into the internet fanbase, I was surprised to hear of 25 or 28 year-old fans. It did humble me though. I am now a 26-year-old fan and don't see anything wrong with it. I have met and spoken to Tokusatsu fans that are over 30 (of course because Tokusatsu has been around for more than 40 years). Most of the people I know around my age are not into it, but younger do, I have a friend that is 20 and grew up with PR and loves it. When I was about 20 or so I thought maybe my obsession with it wouldn't last (and working on my sites) but now I accept I will always like tokusatsu. I now accept that I will be working on my sites and blogs for a long while. Even if PR ends, I still have Kamen Rider and Super Sentai.


The Clock on the Corner


I have gotten asked about this and probably all Tokusatsu fans are tired of this, but maybe newcomers don't know about it. The first time I saw the clock was in Gingaman picture in 1998. The clock is common on Japanese television, it is for when a parent tells the kid to hurry up to get to church or school and the kid tells them it is not late or to keep up with the time. So if you see a clock in a Sentai picture, it is because the person got the picture off the TV. But now, there are different satelite channels that don't broadcast the clock.

Series Profile: Chouseishin Gransazer

In 2003, this new tokusatsu show started outside of Toei company (Super Sentai and Kamen Rider) and Ultraman, it was called Chouseishin Gransazer. It was made by Toho Company Ltd. (Godzilla), and Konami (the video game company). It was unique because it had a lot of heroes, 12 in total. What was smart was they made 4 teams, they called them 'tribes' and 3 in each one. They started out with two teams and later went on episodes later for the third and the last team by almost to the end of the series. The theme was Astrology, the 12 used in horoscopes.

I have seen the first half of the series and I liked it. It is the first in the "Seishin (Star God)," the second (Justirizer) only had three heroes (I also saw that one and it was pretty good) and the last one (Sazer-X) were three males (no girl)--I haven't seen it, but I heard it wasn't as great. The Seishin series was more like Super Sentai than Kamen Rider with their giant monsters and giant machines that changed and combined. I be a fan of the Tokusatsu heronies, I love that there are 4 heronies in Gransazer and they were all good characters.

My favorite was Sazer-Visuel (above), the girl from the Earth Tribe. She usually hanged out with the Flame Tribe, which was the main protagonists. I like how it had Tokusatsu mainstay characters like the shy one, the unsure one, the loner, the energetic one, etc. I loved the episode where surgeon Sazer-Remls (the leader of the wind tribe) had to operate on someone and Sazer-Tarious (the main protagonist) called his integrity into question as he was teamed up with an evil alien and didn't want to admit it.

Design-wise, I didn't like that green was not used, they could have had more diversity in the colors with the Water Tribe. Because Sazer-Gorbion and Sazer-Gans look like the same shade of blue, and officially close to the color of Sazer-Remls. I like the different shades of colors overall, where the Flame Tribe is red, Wind Tribe is purple-ish colors, Earth Tribe is orange and yellow, while Water Tribe was blue. Also, it was strange that the animals of the actual horoscope was not used sometimes and some other animal was used, like how Sazer-Gorbion was Scorpio but his theme was shark. And Sazer-Gans was Cancer (crab) but manta-ray-themed.