Henshin Grid

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

New Kamen Rider Fourze and Gokaiger scans from NewType TheLive Magazine

Scans are from the FANS TOKUSATSU INDONESIA website

PGSM Retrospective:

Sunday, October 9, 2011

More 2012 Super Sentai Gobusters Rumors

Rumors collected by Dukemon22....

The team is composed of Red, Blue, and Yellow.
The team is expected to start out with three, and then progress to five.
The Gobusters will first appear in Gokaiger VS Space Sheriff Gavan. They seem to be linked to the 30th anniversary of Metal Hero.
Even though the team starts at three, the Gobusters have Partners. The original poster relates this to Den-o, so it would be my guess the partners are partner spirits or youkai. I, Lavender Ranger, would imagine this like a more extended relationship of the Sky Saints of Magiranger.
The henshin device, at this point in time, is rumored to be a smart phone type. The device may actually have an interactive panel display, but to what ends is unknown, but it sounds cool none the less.
Potential Color Scheme #1: There is a lot of speculation that the color scheme will be Jetman-esque. With Red, Yellow, Black being male, Blue and White being female.
Potential Color Scheme #2: There is speculation that the team will be colored according to the olympic colors, like Go-onger and Liveman were (Red, Blue, Yellow, Black, Green)
Takebe Naomi (Kamen Rider Den-O, Decade, etc.) seems to be serving as Producer.
Kobayashi Yasuko (B-Fighter, PGSM, KR Den-O) seems to be serving as Head Writer.

Gavan

Gavan rumors commenced here: http://henshingrid.blogspot.com/2011/09/gokaiger-rumored-episodes-33-41.html

Super Sentai 1990-2000: Series by Series

I did Power Rangers Season By Season but never really thought it through to make a post about Super Sentai series, I decided to divide it by decades, but I won't be doing 1975-1989 because I haven't seen enough of those series nor do I have the time nor interest, maybe Sean Akizuki will do it. Hint Hint.

Fiveman (1990)

I've only seen the first episodes and not the end, it is a fun series. I liked the action sequences, especially does in the desert. Siblings who are all teachers but were in Space once with their parents, who they thought to be dead. The most memorable episode is when the bad guys made the water into alcohol and Yellow got drunk and did a special drunk fighting style. Themes are Family, Destiny, Teamwork, Memories, Dedication and Responsibility.

Jetman (1991)

A beloved series by fans, many Japanese call it 'Trendy' because it was inspired by trendy soap operas. When you watch it, it just sucks you in. Gai is such an awesome character, bad boy lancer. Basically the story is about airforce military types that had to be sprayed by birdwaves but it got sprayed on 4 normal people. Red had to fight his old lover. White was a priss, Blue a teenage girl, Yellow was portly and Black was a badboy. Themes include Love, Responsibility, Redemption, the Past, and Acceptance.

Zyuranger (1992)

Many people who didn't grow up with MMPR says it is a bad series, a muddled mess, but for some reason, I and many other MMPR fans find it intriguing, as much of the footage brings up positive memories. This series often has narrator, some scenes have obvious little budget and the others have great effects. It deals with Gods and Devils with giant metal robots and old hags in brown rags. Plus the great hero Burai wants revenge on his brother, who doesn't know why and naively and blindly wants to be buddy buddy with his bro. There is some screwed up stuff like Elf attacking his own son, to sotp him from awakening Burai. Eventually Burai dies and Gai inherits his shield and Dragon Ceasar. At the end, Bandora is trapped again and the Zyuranger ascend to heaven. Themes include Revenge, Redemption, Family, Destiny, Sacrifice, Taking risks and Facing your fears.

Dairanger (1993)

I saw the whole series dozens of times, I think it stills holds up. It is a solid arc of drama and strife. Sure there are plot holes and many questions to be answered, but I think it is part of its quality. This series also holds up the mantle of being the bloodiest Sentai ever, and after this, the following series had less blood. Most of the blood shed was between Ryou and Jin Matoba, the assassin turned Gorma. Sometimes it gets repeative, like with the Kujaku arc, but other than that, it is pretty solid. The only character who doesn't get much development is Kazu. Themes include Responsibility, Family, Redemption, One's Past, Love, Revenge, and Sacrifice.

Kakuranger (1994)

The series would try to be serious but has a colorful commentator and wild onamonapia graphics. The villains Youkai have modern inspirations, given them an exaggerated look. Some don't like it and some others kind of like it, I haven't heard of anyone truly loving it completely. But it's not a bad series. Tsuruhime is the unspoken leader, Sasuke is still seen as the token leader. Themes are Not judging books by their covers, Teamwork, Family, Truth, Responsibility and Love.

Ohranger (1995)

I found this series sort of boring, and that is just me. It is serious and slow moving tale. Rumors are that because of a disaster in Japan having to do with Violence, the series was drastically changed in mood and tone. A lot happens to the villains, but it is not exactly character development, they don't change in personality. Themes are Adversary, Facing one's past, Betrayal, Acceptance, Truth, Deception, Dedication, and Teamwork.

Carranger (1996)

I've seen a big chunk of the series but not the whole thing, it is not as goofy as people might think. There is slapstick humor and satire elements but the Carranger fighting evil is taking seriously and the actors don't act like their duty is a joke. The 'goofy' elements are the exaggerated looking villains, the insane campy plots and Dappu the alien of course. Themes include Respect, Confidence, Believing in one's self, Dedication, Truth, Acceptance, Fish out of water, and Teamwork.

Megaranger (1997)

Teenagers fighting evil doesn't often happen in Super Sentai as a whole team, usually it is just one teen or so. It is a fun series, many fans have mention to me it is a great series, I haven't seen the whole thing to be honest. Themes include growing up, responsibility, trust, acceptance and discipline.

Gingaman (1998)

Some people might not like it but it is a pretty straight-forward fairy tale-like story with themes of fantasy, family, destiny, love, revenge, understanding and deflection. I admit I haven't seen the whole series. Ryouma has doubts about being leader, when Hyuga was meant to be Gingared, but was believed to be dead.

GoGoV (1999)

I found this series pretty boring but that is my own opinion. It is mostly serious and stand-alone episodes. The villains have characterization but don't seem that fleshed out. It has themes of Family obviously, Never Give up, connections, Dedication, Betrayal, Redemption, Secrets and Love. I admit I haven't seen the whole series.

Timeranger (2000)

A solid serious but fun series, it brings up relevant questions like destiny versus free will. Tatsuya is a modern-day philosopher, rallying together four strangers from the future. Naoto is a tragic story and an anti-hero, he wants all the glory and when he grows a heart and sacrifices others, he dies. Themes include Death, Destiny, Self Worth, One's Past, Betrayal, Selfishness, Responsibility, Truth, Love, Understanding and Teamwork.

Super Sentai 2001-2011: Series by Series

Gaoranger (2001)

While it seemed to go somewhere with promised, it seemed to loose itself. If Power Ranger fans complain of the repeativeness of "Never Give Up," Soutarou and Kai said it in English and just as much. It was the first series to have more than just core mecha and had multiple auxilary mecha, and probably more than we got lately. The series was to tell us to be kind to our enviroment and so on, but it came preachy and didn't really have solutions and didn't scratch the service. And god being a little kid really didn't help either. Themes: Redemption, Rash decisions, Forgetting the Past, Unrequited Love, Perseving life and the past, Soul Searching.

Hurricanger (2002)

I saw this whole series and I loved it, it is not as concise as Shinkenger nor jam-packed as Gokaiger, it is a bit un-even. It is about growing up, with the trio of lazy happy-go-luckies and the gloomy guses Goraijer who were sent to kill each other by their father and the mysterious Shinkenger, who lost his human face to be the best ninja. Also, Oboro who had to escape her father's shadow. The villains are various, somewhat developed but some came out not as fully realized. Kouta and Isshu didn't seem to be that developed Themes: Death, Maturity, Freedom, Father's shadow, Teamwork, Acceptance, and Love.

Abaranger (2003)

What a complex series! Some people just dismiss the series for being 'goofy' (talking dinos) but, it is actually very dark. Some that love the series believe the goofiness help excuse the darkness. I mean, for god's sake, Mahoro gets raped by the evil big boss, well in a magical way. I like the double-entredees it served but the series did tip-toe a thin tightrope line for taste. There was cartoon effects, some surreal moments and then some creepy and adult moments. Creepy as in Rije hanging with Mikoto with a little girl crush and then growing up and having to be betrothed to him. It was indeed uneven and sometimes seem to not be logic with its own logic (Like Mikoto witnessing the first episode events or Ryota having to be in charge of his niece while fighting evil).

Dekaranger (2004)

For a while of not having a Pink Ranger, we got one and about 10 Rangers, even if some were guests. "Deka" means 10 but also nickname for detective. Ban is the most controversial Red Ranger of recent times for US fans because of his behavior, a rash childish and arrogant de facto leader. This series served more of a single-episode format and less of an arc-feel. For one, there was no main lair for the villains nor a long-standing villainess. It had fuzzy and furry aliens and some goofy elements but was still serious and fun. They had catchy 70's-retro music as well. Themes include Maturity, Selfishness, Teamwork, Acceptance, Forgiveness, Beliving in one's self, Dependence, Not judging books by covers, and Recognition.

Magiranger (2005)

I saw the whole series and even though I liked it, I feel it was a bit uneven. The series was about growing up and family, each Magiranger bringing their own flavor. Houka, I felt, was upbeat and dismissive of dire events and had her own world but did care for her family. Mikoto sacrificed much of his personal life for the family, feeling responsibility as the eldest. Kai was just rash and had lots to learn. Urara was the sensible one and Tsubasa seemed to be cold and tough but he was a softy inside. I felt some of the Wolzard-Kai drama was heavy-handed and the excuse given for MagiMother not being dead a little thin. Also, I felt that the Urara-Hikaru romance should had been explored more. Themes include Growing up, Death, Acceptance, Responsiblity, Family, and Restraint.

Boukenger (2006)

I saw the whole series twice and even though it was a 30th anniversary series, it didn't have a lot of obvious elements of past series like Gokaiger but to the keen observer, it kept the spirit of the whole Super Sentai series in themes and motifs. I feel the whole series is concise and very organized and cleaned. It is a very well-tought out series and if even though there is a whole gallery of villains, they are all explored and fleshed out, except for Gahja who seemes to be a bit one-note, even for the villain who stayed the longest. Akashi was a stalwart brave leader, high contrast to current leaders and a call-back to old leaders. Eiji as the sixth had a highly complicated storyline, probably the most complicated for a sixth at the time, rivaling with Burai, GaoSilver, and Shurikenger. Themes are Darkness, Adventure, One's Past, Coldness, Crushes, Speaking out emotions, and taking Risks.

Gekiranger (2007)

A series to have a lot of firsts (Villains to be main focus, villainess to have a 'zord', heroes with no belts, first violet hero, etc.), it is very arc-y and a very complex emotional story. Many fans believe it is very Anime-influenced, as many of the writers were former Anime writers. I saw the whole series, I loved it but I have to admit it is a bit drawn out and uneven, the first half has good pace but the second half, it is either rushed or too crammed in. I hate saying this but maybe it would had served better without Violet and Chopper, so it could unravel its tangles of the main 5. Some of the characters were nicely fleshed out but suffered very little characterization, if that makes sense. Themes include Darkness, One's Past, Teamwork, Acceptance, Love, Responsibility, Redemption, Training, Patience, Hardwork and Destiny.

Go-Onger (2008)

I don't know why American fans dismiss this series as 'goofy' or compare it to Carranger or Abaranger, because for me, it is not the same. Maybe because of the talking Engines, their flapping mouths and Anime holograms that appear out of the henshin devices. I feel the series is well fleshed-out, fun and not so 'goofy.' It has slapstick humor but it is played pretty straight-forward. Sousuke first comes out as rash, jump before looking but he learns from his mistakes and is a good leader. Some characters may have not got a lot of development but the creativity and merriment makes up for it. And the addition of Engines didn't feel like they didn't fit in like other mecha in past series when introduced but they all meshed well, as the Engines were characters as well. Themes include Growing Up, Friendship, 'The Only One,' Recognition, Redemption, and Teamwork.

Shinkenger (2009)

Many fans praise this series but some might not like it, but it is arguably a small group who don't like it. Some believe the series is serious, but some believe it is a homage to Japanese theater that everyone looks serious, but making fun of seriousness and it is suppose to be funny. I feel like the series is well-thought out, serious but also fun and has a lot of characterization for both the heroes and villains. The women are delightful characters. Maybe Doukoku didn't get a lot of development, but as the main villain, he might have to keep the air of mysteriousness. Seeing that Samurai is following Shinkenger to a tee, it definitely is not the same. if you just look at the writing and not focus on the acting, I think it is both a question of culture and tone. I don't think Samurai is achieving the same tone as Shinkenger. I think it is easier to accept delivery of tone from a Japanese actor than the same exact theme but slightly toned-down tone from an American actor. Themes include Tradition, Sacrifice, Love, Promises, Dreams, Destiny, Selfishness, Responsibility, and Dedication.

Goseiger (2010)

While I felt the Shinkenger team were on top of things and ahead of the curb and really sharp, I feel Goseiger got the short-end of the stick. I don't know if it was because they were suppose to be foreign to Earth but I always felt like the Goseiger took too long to figure out things. it is a solid series, but I personally found it boring.But just because I found it boring, doesn't mean it is a bad series. I always believe every season of Power Ranger and Super Sentai series should be seen on its own and not compared to previous seasons. Some of the Goseiger didn't get much characterization and since the villains didn't last long, it was hard to get development from them. Themes are Growing Up, Fish out of water, Seeing value of life, Responsibility, Acceptance, Sacrifice and Dedication.

Gokaiger (2011)

It's not finished yet but I felt I could speak about it as it is half-way done at 33 episodes. Everyone is already raving that it is a great series and of course there could be people that don't like it and that's fine. Gokaiger pays homage to past series but still maintains its own mythology and pathos and character development. Even though the villains haven't got that much development, I think that is forgivable because there is just so much the writers have to cram in. Imagine, they have to dedicate one or two episodes on a past series (that some writers had written for and others hadn't) and also cover everything else they usually have to do (six hero characterization, new arsenal introductions, monster of the day, villains and etc.). Themes include Determination, One's Past, Redemption, Sacrifice, Taking risks, Teamwork, Knowledge is power, Don't judge a book by its cover, Forgiveness, Never Give Up on someone, Dedication, and Responsibility.

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Monsters Pretending to be Rangers

Here I am talking about when a monster pretends to be one ranger but multiple at once at a time. I can't think of any more, post politely in the comments section.

MMPR (1994)

This is not from Zyuranger but Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, where Primator (from the 'Zyu2' footage) pretends to be Yellow Ranger, Green Ranger and various others.

Lost Galaxy (1999)

Mutantrum disguised as Mike in Lost Galaxy I don't know if he counterpart did so in Gingaman.

Dekaranger (2004) and SPD (2005)
Not exactly the same thing as they didn't copy the image but actually switch bodies. Wootox and Wojonian both switched bodies with the Blue Rangers in order to take control of the Deka Base Robo/Delta Base.

Gekiranger (2007)
Shiyuu hit Retsu and when he went to the mirror, his mirror self took his place. I don't really count it as the monster, he did transform into the monster but he was his offshoot.