Super Sentai

The 2010 Sentai, Goseiger

The Super Sentai Series' (スーパー戦隊シリーズ) is a franchise of Japanese sci-fi shows, usually involving three to seven main characters in brightly colored suits and robots. The shows are part of the tokusatsu special effects genre and have been a mainstay of Japanese pop culture since the 70s. A new show is produced every year, with a show generally not receiving any more material beyond its air time outside of the VS special, though Samurai Sentai Shinkenger will be the first series to have a semi-sequel in the form of a direct to video feature.

Synopsis

Each series deals with an overall theme or motif that is represented in the suits and mecha of the team of characters, often called rangers or senshi. A typical series will run 50 episodes and involving a year-long plot, often segmented into four arcs, with each arc being made up of many character building episodes. The shows were originally created to add a superhero flair to the typical secret agent stories popular in the 70s and 60s, though more recent shows have dived into mystical and magical elements for story purposes.

Main Characters

Characters can usually have their personality derived from the characteristics of the colors of their individual suits. Though a common misconception, red is not always the leader of a team, but the main character of the series. In addition to the core set of characters, there might be an older or younger character who acts as a mentor to the team, as well as comic relief characters. The series will often involve the introduction of one or more extra rangers later on in their run.

Music

Super Sentai music often uses popular anisong artists, with a major group called Project.R made in recent years to be the official Super Sentai band.

Series

1. Himitisu Sentai Goranger - "Secret Sentai Goranger" - 84 episodes
2. J.A.K.Q. Dengeki-tai - "J.A.K.Q. Electric Team" - 35 episodes
3. Battle Fever J - 52 episodes
4. Denshi Sentai Denjiman - "Electronic Sentai Denjiman" - 51 episodes
5. Taiyou Sentai Sun Vulcan - "Solar Sentai Sun Vulcan" - 50 episodes
6. Dai Sentai Goggle-V - "Super Sentai Goggle-V" - 50 episodes
7. Kagaku Sentai Dynaman - "Science Sentai Dynaman" - 51 episodes
8. Choudenshi Bioman - "Super Electronic Bioman" - 51 episodes
9. Dengeki Sentai Changeman - "Electric Sentai Changeman" - 55 episodes
10. Choushinsei Flashman - "Supernova Flashman" - 50 episodes
11. Hikari Sentai Maskman - "Light Sentai Maskman" - 51 episodes
12. Choujuu Sentai Liveman - "Ultra Beast Sentai Liveman" - 49 episodes
13. Kousoku Sentai Turboranger - "High Speed Sentai Turboranger" - 51 episodes
14. Chikyuu Sentai Fiveman - "Earth's Sentai, Fiveman" - 51 episodes
15. Choujin Sentai Jetman - "Birdman Sentai Jetman" - 51 episodes
16. Kyouryuu Sentai Zyuranger - "Dinosaur Sentai Zyuranger"- 50 episodes
17. Gosei Sentai Dairanger - "Five Star Sentai Dairanger" - 50 episodes
18. Ninja Sentai Kakuranger - 53 episodes
19. Chouriki Sentai Ohranger - "Superpower Sentai Ohranger" - 48 episodes
20. Gekisou Sentai Carranger - "Racing Sentai Carranger" - 48 episodes
21. Denji Sentai Megaranger - "Electric Sentai Megaranger" - 51 episodes
22. Seijuu Sentai Gingaman - "Galactic Beast Sentai Gingaman" - 50 episodes
23. Kyuukyuu Sentai GoGoFive "99 Sentai GoGoFive" - 50 episodes
24. Mirai Sentai Timeranger - "Future Sentai Timeranger" - 51 episodes
25. Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger - "Hundred Beast Sentai Gaoranger" - 51 episodes
26. Ninpu Sentai Hurricanger - "Hidden Wind Sentai Hurricanger" - 51 episodes
27. Bakuryuu Sentai Abaranger - "Blast Dragon Sentai Abaranger" - 50 episodes
28. Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger - "Special Investigation Sentai Dekaranger" - 50 episodes
29. Mahou Sentai Magiranger - "Magic Sentai Magiranger" - 49 episodes
30. GouGou Sentai Boukenger - "Rumbling Sentai Boukenger" - 49 episodes
31. Juuken Sentai Gekiranger - "Beast Fist Sentai Gekiranger" - 49 episodes
32. Engine Sentai Go-Onger - 50 episodes
33. Samurai Sentai Shinkenger - 49 episodes
34. Tensou Sentai Goseiger - "Heavenly Armored Sentai Goseiger" -

Movies

Since 2001, there has been a yearly movie in the franchise every year, these movies are typically short, lasting only 20 to 35 minutes in length and are double-billed with the yearly Kamen Rider movie, the films in another franchise of sci-fi created by the same company.

1. Himitsu Sentai Goranger
2. Goranger: The Blue Fortress
3. Goranger: The Red Death Match
4. Goranger: Fire Mountai's Final Explosion
5. Himitsu Sentai Goranger: The Bomb Hurricane
6. J.A.K.Q. Dengeki-tai
7. J.A.K.Q. vs Goranger
8. Denji Sentai Denjiman: Bells of Hope
9. Choudenshi Bioman the Movie
10. Changeman the Movie
11. Dengeki Sentai Changeman: Shuttle Base! Near Miss
12. Choushinsei Flashman
13. Flashman: Big Rally! Titan Boy!
14. Hikari Sentai Maskman the Movie
15. Kousoku Sentai Turboranger
16. Gosei Sentai Dairanger
17. Ninja Sentai Kakuranger
18. Ohranger the Movie
19. Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger the Movie: Fire Mountain Roars
20. Ninpu Sentai Hurricanger: Shushuuto the Movie
21. Bakuryuu Sentai Abaranger DELUXE: Abare Summer is Freezing!
22. Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger the Movie: Full Blast Action
23. Mahou Sentai Magiranger the Movie: Bride of Infershia
24. GouGou Sentai Boukenger the Movie: The Strongest Precious
25. Juuken Sentai Gekiranger Movie Edition: Nei-Nei! Hou-Hou! Hong Kong Decisive Battle
26. Boom Boom! Bang Bang! GekijouBANG!!
27. Samurai Sentai Shinkenger (silver screen): The Fateful War

V-Cinema

Direct to video/DVD films have also been a staple of Super Sentai, often called the "V-Cinema" series by Toei, the production company, these will run slightly longer than the theatrical films (anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour) and serve as side-stories.

External Links

http://www.super-sentai.net/