New to Super Sentai? Start Here
Favine here with a quick opinion piece.
This time I’m here to help anyone looking to get into SUPER SENTAI. With 47 years of shows, manga's, movies, and spin offs under its belt, Super Sentai may seem like a daunting task. Where do you start?
From the beginning?
The current show airing?
Maybe somewhere in the middle?
Well I’m here to give you a little help, and hopefully start you down the path to have you and a group of friends battling the weekly big bad.
Granted this piece will be full of my general opinions, so some of these shows may not be a hit for you. *Claps hands together* But enough of that, let's get right into.
Choujuu Sentai Liveman
Airing in 1988 Liveman featured an animal-based team motif. Red Falcon, Yellow Panther, and Blue Dolphin started off as your core team of three and would be joined by Black Bison and Green Sai (Rhino).
The Opening theme says it all: "Friends, why have you sold your soul to the devil!?" A show about a group of college students trying to save their friends that have gone to the dark side.
It may be an older show, but the story and writing is top tier in my opinion.
8.5/10
Choujin Sentai Jetman
Airing in 1991 Jetman featured a bird based team motif. Red Hawk, Black Condor, Yellow Owl, Blue Swallow, and White Swan. In the Jetman Manga you are introduced to Green Eagle.
The show follows the Jetman team as they protect Earth from the invading forces of the Dimensional War Party Vyram.
Very high impact show with a sad but memorable ending. A favorite of many Sentai fans.
8/10
Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger
Airing in 1992, Zyuranger used prehistoric creatures as the team's motif. TyrannoRanger, MammothRanger, TriceraRanger, TigerRanger, PteraRanger, and DragonRanger.
Yep, it's this one, the one that the first MMPR (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers) Is based off of. So why am I putting this on the list? Well, the story of Zyuranger is completely different. Based in mythology where the mechs are the Guardian beasts of Five ancient Human tribes. It’s wild, it’s crazy, it has dinosaurs.
9/10
Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger
Airing in 2011, Gokaiger did not use an animal theme but instead went with a pirate motif. Gokai is the 35th season and to mark the 35th anniversary, this show goes back over the past 34 shows. This gives you a good chance to see a little bit of the past shows and it even has past heroes showing up to help save the day.
In my book, this may be the best place to start. You get a little taste of all the past shows and can pick one of them if it peaks your fancy.
9.5/10
Gosei Sentai Dairanger
Airing in 1993, Dairanger used a mix of kung fu and traditional Chinese mythological creatures as a motif. RyuuRanger, ShishiRanger, TenmaRanger, KirinRanger, HououRanger, KibaRanger.
Show about an ongoing war between the Dai and Gorma Tribes, the show is full of amazing storylines between heroes and Villains, with villains becoming heroes at the end. The action, writing, and overall plot will keep you wanting to watch more.
In my opinion, Dairanger should be like your 5th or 6th Sentai show, for me I'm always comparing other sentai to it, it was just that good for me. From the opening theme that gets your blood flowing, to the action pact fights. It will have you yelling TENSHIN DAAA for no real reason.
In conclusion,these are just five shows. I didn't even touch on a lot of the newer ones since they are so new and easy for you to find and watch.
So get a couple friends, find a good Sentai to watch and save the day with a HENSHIN.