Galactic Sentinels Multiportals Issue 18

https://www.patreon.com/posts/galactic-issue-19803328

Villains Week: Non-Power Rangers Ameritoku Main Villain Figures

 

Commanding Count Dregon (Saban's Masked Rider)

Came with Sword

Bandai also did a small collectible figure.

Vexor (Big Bad Beetleborgs)

The main villain of the first season of Big Bad Beetleborgs, one figure was made by Bandai.

 Evil Crustacean Nukus (Beetleborgs Metallix)

The main villain of the second season, it was also repackaged with some other figures in a set.

 Kilokahn (Superhuman Samurai Syber Squad)

Came with a variety of figures. The Superhuman Samurai Syber Squad line came from Playmates, who do Ninja Turtles

Grimlord (VR Troopers)

Apparently there was this bendy figure but I don't remember Grimlord being part dinosaur.

http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/sabans-vr-troopers-grimlord-bendy-16127289\

 

This is a prototype of a Grimlord figure that never came to be, it is also half dino/lizard.

Superhuman Samurai Syber Squad Series Review

I bought Superhuman Samurai Syber Squad Volume 1 & 2 DVDs from Miller Creek. I have not seen the whole series since 1994. For those who do not know, this series was not produced by Saban. Tsuburaya Productions who created Ultraman had a 38 episode series called Gridman in Japan. The footage was used for this series along with help from DiC, Playmates and Ultracom. Superhuman Samurai Syber Squad had 53 episodes, some had continuity and the majority were stand-alone episodes. It had an announcer that sounded like SNL's Don Pardo or it was Don Pardo uncredited. It not only had one but two Christmas episodes.

 Both Gridman and SSSS dealt with teens watching a hero on the computer fight viruses online. In both series, a teenager could become Servo/Gridman. In SSSS, his friends entered the syberworld through the vehicles and in Gridman, they observed him. Kahn Digifer/Kilokahn both had control over a sullen rich kid who deisgned monsters for him. Syd was the tech/brains, she was like Billy of MMPR. Amp was the weird one, like the Screech of Saved by the Bell. Tanker was the jock/drummer who was like Slater of Saved by the Bell. Tanker liked Syd and Syd kind of harbored feelings for him as well. Amp's actor (Troy Slaten) left for unknown reasons and off-screen they said he was an alien and went home and he was replaced by Lucky. "Hasta La Virus Baby" is a clip-show reminiscing on Amp and introduces Lucky (Rembrandt Sabelis). "Little Ditch, Big Glitch" was his last episode.

DiC created two Tokusatsu programs, Superhuman Samurai Syber Squad and Tattooed Teenage Alien Fighters from Beverly Hills (Episode One available as an extra in the Volume Two First DVD) at the same time. Major difference is that SSSS used Gridman footage. While TTAFBH suffered bad acting and bad writing and bad special effects, SSSS had good writing and good acting. Tim Curry played the voice of Kilokahn and Matthew Lawrence (Hot Chick, Ms. Doubtfire, Boy Meets World) played Sam/Servo. It had its arc where Sam wanted Jennifer and finally got her and they were dating. It was an on/off relationship but mostly on. Sam was often teased for his height. His little sister Elizabeth (the brilliant Kath Soucie who was Phil and Lil in Rugrats) is an off-screen character that we hear from a laundry shoot.

In the episode "Kilokahn Is Coming to Town" is the second Christmas episode and shakes things up. It is the 38th episode and seems to use footage from the last episode of Gridman, 38th episode. Kilokahn is out to destroy Malcolm and tracked down the Team Samurai. He 'zaps' the team except for Sam and reveals Malcolm has been helping him so he goes to Malcolm and recruits him and even Jen comes down to his basement and she finds out the truth about Sam. Since there was only 38 Gridman episodes, they use limited footage and plotlines to not use footage like with "Hide and Servo." Also it looks like since Matthew Lawrence was 14 at the time, they limited his appearances as child labor laws.

 

In "Kilokahn Is Coming to Town," Kilokahn looks strange, like his clothes are too big for him. It could be possible this is his only American version. Could be they had the suit but had an American actor play him and the suit didn't fit well. Also, Sam gives Malcolm his digitzer. In Tokusatsu magazines it was revealed Malcolm's Japanese counterpart Takeshi Todo was going to become Gridman Sigma in a sequel series. It is hinted in this episode as Sam gives him his digitizer. Also worth mentioning is "Ashes to Ashes Disk to Disk," Jennifer is tired of being treated like a "sex object." Malcolm is also alludes to a sexual advance to her.

 "What a Rad Universe" is one of my favorites, where Sam enters another dimension where Yolanda or Yoli is one helping Kilokahn. Tanker is the Rainman, Syd is clueless as Kelly Bundy, Lucky is a sophisticate snub, Malcolm is as nice as Sam and Yoli and Jennifer is the brains. Ultimately Malcolm and Jennifer help Sam become Servo and fight a virus to return home. Funny part of the episode is Tanker says, "Oh right, like there is an alternative universe where we all Japanese." And yes, Tank, there is. What I do like about the show is that the Team Samurai got along so well. The Tattooed Teenagers did not. At least they had Malcolm to be grumpy and gloomy.

Does this show age well? No. Syd has a "Blossom" hat. They talk about topical stuff back then like New Kids on the Block. It also has timeless stuff like Anthrax, Bill Gates, etc. It has computers that are now 'old school' but deals with the digital world which can now be more fun with iPads, Smart Phones and the like. Both SSSS and TTAFBH had limited sets. TTAFBH had 5 sets: Drew's pool/backyard, Nimbar's command center, a high school hallway, coffee house and bad guy headquarters. SSSS had less with 4: Sam's basement, high school cafeteria, high school hallway, and Malcolm's bedroom but it wasn't as noticeable as TTAFBH.

Worth the watch: YES
Series Grade: B-, not gold but a fun series

Superhuman Samurai Syber-Squad on DVD!

Some fans might even think that Superhuman Samurai Syber-Squad was from Saban but it was actually DiC and the source footage was from Gridman, which was made by Tsuburaya Productions and not Toei Productions. Most shows from DiC are now owned by Cookie Jar. And Mill Creek Entertainment (the distributor of Cookie Jar) will release it EARLY 2013.  The above picture is from a book. Anyway, the releases from Cookie Jar and relatively cheap and can be found in the $5 bin.

RRR Otaku:

http://rrrotoku.com/2012/09/19/superhuman-samurai-syber-squad-coming-to-dvd-in-2013/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

http://www.facebook.com/MillCreekEnt/posts/10151075922769773

Kevin Castro of Superhuman Samurai Syber Squad guest starred on Tattooed Teenage Alien Fighters from Beverly Hills as Rick/Orion

"The Universal Hitchicker"

This has to be for me the best episode of Tattooed Teenage Alien Fighters from Beverly Hills because it challenges the conventions. Orion is a sixth Ranger of sorts but the ultimate bad boy, he doesn't want to be part of the team. He had his own team and felt betrayed by Nimbar. I liked how the Sentinels, especially Drew challenged Nimbar and Rick gave her reasons to beware. No one ever questioned or resented Zordon. And not that Zordon gave any reason to, but Nimbar certainly did as he kept people in the dark. He only appeared in 1 episode, I wished he had appeared more. His teammates were Leo (Lion), Draco (Dragon) and Ursa (Bear).

 

Villain Profile: Kilokahn

Kilokahn stood for Kilometric Knowledge-base Animate Human Nullity. In Superhuamn Samurai Syber-Squad, he was a military artificial intelligence program who unleashes computer viruses to attack major computer systems. He derisively refers to humans as "meat-things." Kilokahn considered himself the ruler of the digital world and also wishes to take over the world starting with the world's computer network. He was voiced by Tim Curry. Many fans wonder how DiC convinced Tim Curry to provide the voice, I think voice acting is much easier compared to standing in front of a camera in a goofy costume and he just took a paycheck for 53 odd episodes. Kilokahn was just footage of Digifier from Gridman. Most of his evil plots were sucking people into computers, effecting bank computers, freezing people and other computer-related mayhem.

American Tokusatsu during MMPR Hey-Day

In 1994, because of the success of Power Rangers, the next fall season of 1994 had many imitators, some from Saban, some that weren't. I'll start with those that were not from Saban. I am not covering Kamen Rider Dragon Knight because I am only covering the 90's.

NOT SABAN

Superhuman Samurai Syber-Squad
Not made by Saban, it was produced by DiC, best known for animated fare like Inspector Gadget, Rainbow Brite and dubbing Sailor Moon. It starred Joey Lawrence's younger brother Matthew Lawrence. It aired from September 1994 to Summer 1995 syndicated (meaning it aired off network on local channels). A couple episodes did air in the summer of 1995 on ABC. There were 52 episodes and it was based on the Japanese series Gridman, which had a similar plot. This show has its followers, it may have had a second season if Gridman had a second season, one was planned but never happened. Gridman was not from Toei--which most of the tokusatsu was bought by Saban and the SSSS toys were made by Playmates toys (best known for Ninja Turtles).
Plot: Sam and his rock band tap into cyberspace to fight evil viruses. Kilokahn (voiced by Tim Curry) wanted to take over the world and used the young British outsider Malcolm to do this evil deeds. I covered the differences with Gridman on this post.

Tattooed Teenage Alien Fighters from Beverly Hills
It aired on the USA Network from October 1994 to later in 1995 with 40 episodes, produced partly by DiC and the USA Network. Rumor was that they were supposed to get footage from a Japanese show, but they were forced to go low-budget and make their own footage. At the time, I thought the show was cheap and rude, but in reality the show was much like a parody. The four didn't quite like each other, they weren't friends before and were rude to each other. The bird cohort of Gorganus seemed to be re-used from the Flintstones movie (The Dictabird). This show wasn't popular at all in ratings, it had no toys and almost zero promotion.
Plot: Four spoiled teenagers (not friends) from Beverly Hills transformed into muscle-building Sentinels and fought the same monsters day in and day out from the evil Emperor Gorganus.
My post about the show.

SABAN PRODUCTIONS
VR Troopers
Saban wanted to build on the success of Power Rangers, but not share with FOX Kids, so he made another deal with Toei to use the footage from Metalder, which was part of the Metal Hero series. He got Jason David Frank, after filming "Green Candle" and shot the pilot called Cybertron with a catchy theme song by Ron W. But because of the success of the Green Ranger, they decided to bring Tommy back. Brad Hawkins was hired to be the White Ranger but switched and offered this show that was named VR Troopers, with footage of Speilban and two other actors. It aired from 1994 to 1996, two seasons, it was popular but it is unknown why it was canceled. The toys were made by Kenner (best known for Star Wars), not Bandai America.
Plot: Ryan Steele sought his father, who was taken prisoner by Grimlord, a evil being bent on taking over our world, from his virtual reality. Ryan and his friends, using technology from his father, save the world.

Saban's Masked Rider
Premiered in 1995, spin-off from Power Rangers in Season 3. The show itself severed any connections with Power Rangers. This was based on Kamen Rider Black RX, which as produced by Toei and it upset the creator, so much that they no longer wanted Kamen Rider to be tied to Saban. Toei would try again with Kamen RIder Dragon Knight with Adness in 2009. It aired for one year 1995 to 1996 on FOX Kids and then in syndication under Saban's syndication block years later, but in repeats of course. From 1995-1996, it was the only time Saban productions had 3 series like this filming and airing at the same time. Toys were made by Bandai America like Power Rangers.
Plot: Prince Dex came from the planet Edenoi to stop his evil Uncle Dregon from conquering the Earth and lived with a mixed-race family.

Big Bad Beetleborgs
This aired after Masked Rider and VR Troopers ended. It aired from 1996 to 1998 on FOX Kids, it aired for two seasons, it had 53 episodes. Based on another Toei series B-Fighter and B-Fighter Kabuto. It was popular and would have had a third season, but they had no more footage, they had plans to do a third season without the footage but didn't happen. By this point, only Power Rangers and Beetleborgs were in production. Toys were made by Bandai America like Power Rangers and Masked Rider.
Plot: Three kids happen by a haunted mansion and are granted a wish by a genie to become their favorite comic book superheroes.

Mystic Knights of Tir Na Nog
This aired after Beetleborgs ended. This was Saban's first attempt at an action series with no Toei footage or any Japanese footage as it was. It aired from 1998 to 1999, 50 episodes. A second season (Mystic Knights: Battle Thunder) was planned but it never happened. It was shot in Ireland but had little to do with real Irish mythology. It was a bit popular. FOX Kids blamed this show for the Young Hercules series not succeeding. This was Saban's last attempt at a sibling series for Power Rangers. When Mystic Knights ended, its budget went to PR, giving Lost Galaxy a bigger budget. Toys were made by Bandai America like Power Rangers, Masked Rider and Beetleborgs.
Plot: Four warriors fight Queen Maeve of Temra from ruling the kingdom of Kells with the help of fairies and dragons.

Related: Saban and his toys

Gridman / Superhuman Samurai Syber-Squad - Character Conversion - Heroes & Villains

Henshin Grid -- The Blog

Denkou Choujin Gridman aired in Japan from 1993 to 1994. Superhuman Samurai Syber-Squad ran from 1994 to 1996. Both shows had a similar plot, except in SSSS, there were four good kids, while in Gridman there were 3. The hero's friends piloted the other mecha in SSSS but the friends in Gridman didn't pilot anything. I will not be doing Ryuki/Dragon Knight until the series is finished.

Sam Collins / Naoto Sho
Naoto and Sam were both the lead characters of their respective shows. Only difference was that Gridman was a separate identity from Naoto, Naoto simply merged with Gridman when he used his Henshin device, which Sam used as well. Sam became Servo, one and only. Sam was your normal teenager, a good kid and had a crush on a pretty girl. Sam had a rock band and accessed the computer with his guitar. Naoto had no rock band but a computer club of sorts with his two friends. Gridman was a police officer of the Hyper World. Of course, we all know Sam was played by Matthew Lawrence.

Tanker / Ippei Baba
Ippei is a cheerful and talented artist. When their super computer Junk was first brought online, he used the painting program to design a superhero that would eventually become Gridman's body. He later used his skills to create the Barrier Shield. Tanker was a jock who is also the band's drummer. He wasn't a dumb jock, but he wasn't artistically creative like Ippei. He piloted a mecha and once became Servo when Sam couldn't. The actor Kevin Castro appeared in DiC's other live-action series Teenage Tattoo Alien Fighters from Beverly Hills as Orion.

Sydney Forrester / Yuka Inoue
Syndey was the girl of the group and helped maintain the Junk computer she and the gang made together. Yuka provides the team spirit and constantly encourages her friends to do their best. Sydney encouraged her team as well, she pilot one of the mecha and was part of the team. She was able to unlock various helper programs to help Sam and was very smart. The actress who played Sydney went on to be in "Saved By the Bell: The New Class."

Amp and Lucky
Amp was the goofy 'Screech' or 'Kramer' of the team, he had no counterpart in Gridman, as the friends didn't pilot the helper programs. Amp did. He mysteriously disappeared mid-way through the series and in one episode, the gang got a letter that he was an Alien and went back to his home planet. He got a replacement soon named a Lucky, a surfer dude. I could not find a picture of Lucky.

Liz Collins / Daichi Sho
Liz was Sam's unseen little sister whose voice was provided by Kath Soucie. Naoto had a younger brother named Daichi.

Malcolm Fink / Takeshi Todo
Malcolm and Takeshi were both creative loners and computer hackers that got put under Kilokahn/Kahn Digifer's control to make monsters. Takeshi was also rich, he also developed an unhealthy crush on Yuka, having some of his creations targeted her specifically. While Malcolm had a crush on Sam's girl Jennifer. Takeshi was eventually freed from his control and helped Naoto and his friends find a way to defeat Kahn Digifer. He was to become Gridman Sigma in the sequel. As for Malcolm, Kilokhan turned on him when he became more powerful, Malcom befriended Sam and helped him defeat the evil program as well. Unfortunately for Malcolm, his memories were soon erased when he restored his computer, which restored Kilokhan.

Kilokahn / Dark Lord Kahn Digifer
Digifer was a legendary 'Devil' of the Computer World that wished to wreak havoc on the Human World. Kilokahm was a military artificial intelligence program called the Kilometric Knowledge-base Animate Human Nullity, whom unleashed computer viruses to attack major computer systems. Both put loner boys under their control to create monsters. Digifer later upgraded himself into Gigantic Kahn Digifer for his final battle with Gridman, destroying Gridman's Helper Vehicles and overwhelming him. Kahn Digifer was ultimately destroyed. Malcom ended up helping Sam to defeat Kilokhan, but both lose their memories of the battle. Kilokhan is restored when Malcolm loads his computer back up files.

~Lavender Ranger
[Sidenote: The reason I have been labeling my latest posts as saying 'I wrote this for Henshin Grid' and '~Lavender Ranger' is because I noticed another blog (Power Ranger Pics) copying my posts and not giving me credit. All I ask for is credit or to link to me.]

UPDATED MAY 8, 2009 11:30AM EST

Superhuman Samurai & Alien Fighters -- Episodes Online

Tattooed Teenage Alien Fighters from Beverly Hills and Superhuman Samurai Syber Squad are both owned by DiC and now a lot of DiC episodes are available on KewlCartoons.com

Check four Tattooed Teenage Alien Fighter episodes here

Check five Superhuman Samurai episodes here