My Top Ten Favorite Hurricanger Episodes

I can't deny that Hurricanger is one of my favorite last decade series. While I do prefer Liveman over it but I prefer it over Kakuranger at the same time. It's time for some throwback to what I believe to be one of the most fun Super Sentai series. Let's get started with the episodes shall we?

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This episode is a pretty funny one involving Shurikenger and Isshu falling for Nanami due to some love spell. Is it me or am I a sucker for these? I thought Ohranger and Zyuranger made it funny. Zyuranger had both Dan and Boi in a temporarily love triangle for Mei and were locked up. In this episode, Shurikenger having assumed the form of a popular singer fights for Nanami. Isshu reveals that love can also make you strong. IMO, the Isshu/Nanami shipping should have been developed.

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This is one reason why I actually ended up having Yousuke as my favorite member of the Hurricangers. He's headstrong, he's somewhat stupid but he actually develops as a character. I could relate to him in this episode because I used to belittle menial tasks. This is where Yousuke realizes that every simple task counts towards something big.

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Perhaps another episode where I could relate to Yousuke. Kouta becomes the new "leader" which is all but part of the training. I could relate to this episode considering that I do have the tendency to get jealous of my teammates. This episode shows the importance of teamwork and responsibility. It also shows what it means to be a true leader.

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Ikkou is still stuck with the scorpion egg problems and knows it would only be a matter of time before he dies. Sargain decides to launch his latest creation Metagume to take advantage of the situation. Ikkou decides that he will use his remaining hours fighting for the Earth. Should I mention Toshiya Fuji also acts as the great Yuusaku. Sidenote, why didn't Fuji resume his role in Gaoranger vs. Super Sentai instead?

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The arrival of Sandaaru creates a new story arc. Sandaaru is the most dangerous of Jakanja's spears as later episodes will show. He's treacherous and he's the greatest spear that the Hurricangers have ever fought. My favorite dilemma also involves Shurikenger as he's tested between his boss and the Hurricangers. I also love how Sandaru shows he's not someone to be joked with. The plot to turn people into gold. There's also a lesson as they learn why certain orders that seem out of place are given. Sometimes, you need to follow orders now and ask questions later.

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I couldn't state how much I enjoyed how the Gouraigers developed from villains to anti-heroes to heroes. It even made me wish Liveman's Black Bison and Green Rhino started out as antagonists turned protagonists. The four part arc develops the two schools and how they get together. This is also pretty much a good way to write Chuzubo off. The two combine their two robots realizing that both schools can become one. The Hurricangers are still somewhat hesitant to join though which makes it a bit more realistic.

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I think Hurricanger has one of the strongest finale arcs ever. I wouldn't talk too much about how I think it's better written than Ninja Storm's considering some Super Sentai seasons I like better than this don't have very strong finales. This also helps us see through Gousen and what she is. I also like how the Hurricangers and Gouraigers placed their lives at the risk to destroy the enemy. What was also interesting is to see how both teams work together to destroy Tao Zanto's master plan. This also reveals a deep dark secret on Tao Zanto that wouldn't be too surprising for many viewers.

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This is yet another tough decision for Yousuke. As much as yes, Yousuke is an idiot but he does learn to become less of one in this episode. He meets an old friend Taisho of his who asks him to quit Hurricanger. This also puts a time when sometimes you need to bend over backwards to become a true hero.

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I felt like that Ikkou's problem of having a scorpion egg should have been built into a series of continuous episodes rather than let the plot stall every now and then. This episode would prove one's tenacity to survive such an ordeal as Ikku proves it. Situation looks hopeless but he got out of it. Yousuke takes the risk and matures in this episode so Ikku can be saved.

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Anyway, I'll be working on the Gekiranger favorite episodes when I can. 

What are your top ten favorite Hurricanger episodes?

Kyuranger 31: Welcome Back Naga

Images taken from Nihon Hero this time round

This week's Kyuranger made me happy that the trip to the past didn't make an easy restoration. Don Armage's still around. He still rules the Universe. The benefit of Don Armage's survival (for some reason) is that we get this really good episode that wraps up Naga's brainwashed and crazy state. It shows the bond of the Kyurangers with Naga.

This episode manages to flesh things out between Echidna (who may always be a guest character) and the Kyurangers. Echidna would learn an important lesson in this episode. She sees how Naga may have become better after his redemption. 

There have been several brainwashed and crazy Sentai warriors in the past. If my memory serves me right we have Akira as Fencer Unas in Maskman, Fumiya under the control of Dordora, the Ohrangers under the control of Bara Clothes and Misao Mondo prior to joining the Zyuohgers. This one goes to the extremes as both Lucky and Naga shrink themselves to invade Naga's body. They meet the real Naga's personality. 

While Kyuranger is mostly lighthearted but there's always the emotional side of things. Hammy tries to reach out to Naga as well. Balance inside Naga's body tries to destroy the dark personality. This emotional moment is one of the best episodes ever. I'm just glad Akenba escaped since it'd be a waste to get rid of her too soon. This frees Kotaro and Garu who were both previously held by this guy.

The monster within Naga's body becomes a clone of Naga. It's easily discarded by the Kyurangers. The Kyurangers discover what could be possibly Don Armage's location but they can't get reckless. The Orion is still not repaired and they're still incomplete. As said, it's too early to end the evil space emperor.

Next week would be a modernized rehash of Kamen Rider Black RX's episode "Rebellion of Scrap" which may have given some children nightmares back in the late 80s. Yup, appliances will be attacking the Kyurangers and from what the preview shows, we'll have Raptor in doubt. I wonder how the episode would work against Super Sentai warriors.

On the other hand, I've also heard of the latest Bandai Merchandise that may appear soon. But I won't make any comments until I see it in action.

Wishful Thinking: Liveman's Two Additional Warriors As Initial Antagonists Turned Protagonists

After I've been reading through Them's Fightin' Words, I decided to make my own wishful thinking. I'm also doing some Hurricanger rewatching right now for my planned top ten favorite Hurricanger posts (which might be canceled anytime soon because of real life issues) which has affected what I wanted to happen. On the other hand, I keep in mind that 2002 and 1988 are 13 years apart so this may not make any sense.


Image taken from Thems Fightin' Words

So I read of Shogo's blog posts and he thinks that Liveman's weaknesses are the two additional warriors. Here's what he said and I'd present my side of the story:

When I picture in my head what Takuji and Mari's siblings as new heroes could have meant for the show, I get so mad, man. It certainly should have caused a bigger splash than it did. It's just no big deal to the characters, to the show, to the fandom. The big scene when the five transform and fight for the first time -- besides creating a meme out of Kemp's "There's five Liveman members!" line -- is handled in such an underwhelming fashion. It's like...Toei demanded the addition of two more heroes, to get to the status quo and to be able to have more merchandising. Someone -- most likely Soda -- had the brilliant idea to make the two new heroes the siblings, but they didn't think beyond that. Other than Tetsuya having a shit-fit for a minute, neither seems all that angry at Kemp here, and Kemp has zero reaction to facing the family members of people he killed. So, there's no real drama or tension there.

And to top it all off, this three-parter about the Giga Plan, which is...just Volt getting an ugly mecha. Bias watched some Bioman reruns and decided Volt needed a mecha, so he builds the Giga Volt, which was doomed from the start because it couldn't move because he gave it platform boots like some glam rock star, which ensured that Giga Volt couldn't move beyond the shitty dirt mountain where the entire three-parter was inexplicably filmed.

And what really pisses me off about this three-parter? We take an instant hatred to Tetsuya and Jun'ichi, their bad acting, their bad attitudes. When the two dumb-dumbs continue to ignore the Liveman's advice, they blow out the Live Boxer, and they need to endanger Koron in order to get it to function again. We've spent most of the show with Koron. She's a weird Moonwalking robot, but she's proven herself. She's awesome. We like her. Yuusuke just learned to like her. And she's awesome again, offering to harm herself to help these two new assholes we hate. And they're completely ungrateful, like they deserve Koron's sacrifice. There's a moment where she's exploding and crying out and Jun'ichi whines for her to keep going and it's just like...shut up, Jun'ichi. I think the wrong Aikawa died.

Look. I know I've bitched about these two a lot. And it would be one thing if they were just bland or not used to their full potential. But between the casting and the way they're written in their introductory episodes, you just immediately hate them. They're aggressively unlikable. And to top it all off, they throw off the chemistry of the main three, which was one of the show's strongest elements. (Daisuke Shima's even hinted at the main three not liking that two new cast members were brought on and screwed with their dynamic.)


So what's my thought? I looked at Hurricangers and felt that the Gouraigers were far more developed than the additional two Liveman warriors. Let me get it straight: I do like Liveman better than Hurricanger while I like both shows. It's just like I still like Black better than Black RX but I like both shows. So what's my proposal and what idea could have been done? Simple: I would make Great Professor Bias play the role of Tao Zanto and let both Junichi and Tetsuya be his newest dupes. I'd probably still keep the whole sibling plot but I'd actually do a more sinister twist.

If I were to actually write it, I'd actually have Great Professor Bias deceive both Junichi and Tatsuya into believing that the Livemen were responsible for the death of their siblings. I would probably have the two members of Academia use the Liveman mecha against the the Liveman Robo. That thought came into my head while watching Hurricanger. If Gouraijin fought against Senpuujin then I felt like it should have happened in Liveman. I think that Junichi and Tetsuya could have served that role for the three plus two formula.

This would result to a story arc that would feature the redemption of the two warriors. The two warriors eventually discover that Great Professor Bias had deceived them. He only intends to use them as disposables during the Giga Volt. The two will eventually discover that Volt and not the Livemen killed their siblings. This would result to another argument as the principles from each side clash. I wouldn't let them easily blend in either but I'd let them be distant at first. They eventually grow closer as the series progresses.

What do you think of this idea? What do you suggest should have been done for both Liveman's two additional warriors?

Kyuranger 30: The Miraculous Kyutama

It's time for another weekly Kyuranger review. I'd probably slow things down here for now (or not) depending on how I feel. Anyway, this episode may catch you by surprise or it won't. 

Lucky's in a desperate situation and Tsurugi is willing to risk his life for Lucky. This also reveals something about Tsurugi's past 300 years ago.

So maybe in September 7, 2017 it was the time that Tsurugi was afloat into space and met the Phoenix Kyutama. He was about to die in space but he soon acquired its power to become the first legend against Don Armage.

It was interesting to see Tsurugi risk his life and reveal the power of the phoenix within. I was afraid he was going to die in this episode. Fortunately he didn't and I guess that's somewhat predictable for some.

It's amazing to see how Don Armage himself leads the army for the first time. He leads with his three generals who are supposedly destroyed but later, we find out they're not taken down to easily. He's got what he believes is his own territory to defend and it's only normal he does what he does. 

Don Armage carrying a sickle is no surprise. With his cloak, he looks like the Grim Reaper. In this form, he looks like some demon mixed with Mars Attack. He shows he's not so easy to defeat and he's not someone you should mess around with.

What's not surprising is that Orion is actually Lucky's many times great-grandfather. Lucky also has the blood of Orion and Leo which is also not surprising. I wonder how does it feel to meet your distant ancestor or descendant? Too bad though he doesn't make it and history starts to change for the worse.

It was interesting to see Lucky take on the new form as Leo Red Orion. Okay, it's mostly white and I think Lucky is getting most of the cool stuff. I hope that this form can be used by the others but again isn't red the star of the show? This scene left me nervous because the idea of Don Armage dying so easily would be a waste of time. I mean, just look at how badass he is and how he's not so easily killed by heroes. Who wouldn't want a villain like that to stay?

We get some dramatic effect of rain. But it's also an omen of what could happen next. Somehow, your day can get from bad to worse.

How did Orion's death affect things? They discover it wouldn't be so good. They're all excited to return to the future but their expectation is ruined.

Newsflash: Don Armage is still alive and kicking. He's still the ruler of the Universe. Naga is still with the Jark Matter Space Shogunate. The Universe is still under the rule of the merciless tyrant. Destroying the three shoguns and Don Armage in the past didn't change anything. Is it me or does Don Armage have back-up bodies that would house his dark soul whenever his body is destroyed? He may have transferred bodies from the time Tsurugi defeated him and maybe he did it again. I was glad to see he's still alive because he's one badass villain who should never be allowed to go down easily.

Next week, I'm glad we'll see the Kyurangers try to rescue Naga. I was afraid that the victory in the past would get rid of an interesting story arc. It would be a waste to get rid of the Dark Naga storyline so easily by just going back to the past.

Do You Still Feel Your Kiddie Show Sunday Spirit When You Hear The Catchphrase "Super Hero Time"?

It's been something that bothers my mind every now and then. Part of me tends to think that I was "too old" for Super Sentai whenever I'm looking at other new school stuff worth checking out. I just think of the "Super Hero Time" sound and I'm somehow taken back to the 90s at least in my mind. But this time, I feel like every time I hear "Super Hero Time" my inner child still wants to shout out loud like I did in the 90s, "IT'S KIDDIE SHOW SUNDAY!" or "Kiddie show Sunday! Kiddie show Sunday!". While I don't do it openly but I still feel like doing it. Okay, that's just gone too far if I still do it right? I mean, what's wrong with being an adult who still watches Super Sentai and Kamen Rider as long as they're responsible citizens? That would be better than teenagers who think they know everything, want to act like they're adults but they are wrecking themselves one way or another. 

So why do I feel the urge to write this post though I wasn't able to complete it immediately? It's not just because of Keisuke Minami a 32 year old Japanese Drama actor but also because Yukari Taki who is turning 30 years old is also part of the Kamen Rider Build cast. I thought I turned "too old" for Super Sentai after Go-Busters but boy was I just so dead wrong. For one, even if I did feel momentarily bored with new school Super Sentai while i was still enjoying most new school Kamen Rider after Fourze. Kamen Rider Wizard was somewhat entertaining though next year's Kamen Rider Gaim is pretty good. Kamen Rider Drive is part of my wish come true to have a police-themed Kamen Rider but when am I going to get a Spiderman-themed one or a ninja Kamen Rider series? Kamen Rider Ghost does make you want to learn history even as an adult. Kamen Rider EX-AID is fun. 

How's Kyuranger as a Super Sentai for me? Well I was afraid I wasn't going to enjoy it due to the character overload. But if I could actually enjoy Dairugger XV over Golion (while I preferred Lion Voltron over Vehicle Voltron as a child) then why not Kyuranger? It was going to be a very different Super Sentai in some way. I felt like it as a "breath of fresh air" to have a more different direction than usual. Sure, Lucky may be stupid but I think he's better carried out than Takaharu in Ninninger. I think Lucky is tolerable considering I could actually endure some idiot characters like  Kenta Date in Megaranger, Yousuke Shina in Hurricanger or Kyousuke Jinnai in Carranger (both my favorites from their respective series). I think Lucky's mantra does actually help him cope up while Tsurugi Ootori is pretty much different. Right now, my favorite is "old man" Tsurugi after my favorite used to be Stinger. 

You may ask what do I mean by a "way more different direction". Most of the time, Super Sentai always has an invading army that always fails because of their lack of common sense. In the case of Kyuranger, it's almost like Star Wars where the villains won before the show even started. Don Armage succeeded in conquering the Universe beforehand. The show also seems to take place in the year 2317. So while it's still 2017 but Kyuranger is most likely in the year 2317 judging by Tsurugi's hibernation period. The series doesn't focus on half-brained plots but on space travel and seeking to overthrow an empire that has already ruled the world. They must seek to liberate not just Earth but an entire Universe. Though it's not the first time Super Sentai had a "different direction" considering much has happened from 1975 up to 2317 errrr 2017.

I don't think I'd be easily get bored with new school Kamen Rider for a reason compared to how I think it's a chore to watch most Showa era Rider shows. While Heisei Kamen Rider isn't getting better all the time but it tries to get better all the time. Even if next year may not be as good as last year but what's important is to continuously seek to improve and try new stuff. I thought Kamen Rider EX-AID was a fun show in itself with some medical drama kicked in. This time, we have a genius physicist who's got amnesia and what could be a more serious setting. Japan Info even thinks that Kamen Rider these days may appeal to older audiences and children at the same time. For me, I can't view Heisei era Kamen Rider seasons to be all that "kiddie" even with all the lighthearted seasons involved. A good example is that Kamen Rider Fourze feels more like it's written for teenagers instead of seven year olds.

I'm expecting great things from Kamen Rider Build though I feel I should put a low bar for now. The reason why I think Build is interesting in its first two episodes is built on the science fiction elements. One is the interesting Sky Wall phenomenon which divided Japan into three. The other is how the main hero actually collects materials from the Smash. Sento Kiryu does the experiments all the while he seeks to know his past. He doesn't even know what happened last ten years. I have a hunch he may have caused the whole chaos in the first place. It's just a hunch but who knows. It could have been an agent of the Smash who started the whole problem Japan in their continuity is now facing. 

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So I gave a thought maybe, I have taken a backseat with Tokusatsu in general because there's still a lot of new school stuff worth exploring. But it doesn't mean my Kiddie Show Sunday spirit has been totally extinguished. It's still there, it can be ignited but as said there's always a time for everything. I can take a short break from what I like when I get taste fatigue then come back to it later. But that Kiddie Show Sunday spirit isn't as strong as it used to be but somehow, it's still there. I still feel the urge to shout it out loud even when I feel I shouldn't. Even if I don't talk about it in public but I still feel I want to do it at the privacy of my house. 

Then again some of my favorites tend to encourage me I'm not too old. Maybe one of them is my imaginary "onee-san" or big sister Nao Nagasawa who's now a family woman complete with a son and a daughter. I can't deny how she still remembers her Tokusatsu days and she's somehow an inspiration for me in that area. The Dekaranger cast members grouped together not just for 10 Years After  but also for Gavan vs. Dekaranger. I think how Ryuji Sainei's now a married man and Ayumi Kinoshita got married before him. Somehow, last decade's celebrities tend to indirectly encourage me in some way to still feel that inner child that wants to say "Kiddie Show Sunday" when the catchphrase "Super Hero Time" is made. 

What about you, do you still feel the urge to shout "KIDDIE SHOW SUNDAY!" when you hear the catchphrase "Super Hero Time!"?

Wishful Thinking: Which Old School Toku Actor Do You Think Should Have Played As Orion In Kyuranger?

I'm fine with Kyuranger and all but as always, I just love to nitpick on just anything. Come on, I've already wished for something like Megumi Mori should have been Oboro in Hurricanger or that Kazunori Inaba should have guest-starred as Takeru's father in Shinkenger for obvious reasons. Now let's get straight to business to who I felt should have played as Orion.


First it's Kenji Ohba. Granted, the Kyurangers didn't meet Retsu Ichijouji in Space 18 so I don't see any reason why it could cause confusion. I think it should be a dream come true for the Kyurangers and more importantly 32-year old Keisuke Minami to run into Ohba himself. Ohba as Orion could have been a good thing.


Another choice for Orion is Hiroshi Watari who played both Sharivan and Spielban. If Watari could return himself as the promoted Den Iga I think he could have made a cool Orion for Kyuranger. He made a short appearance in Boukenger as Eiji's father. Now why can't he appear in Kyuranger?

Haruki Hamada is another good alternative for Orion. He was pretty good under the role of Change Dragon. I don't see any reason why he can't play a good Orion. Though pun intended, he could also play as Tsurugi Ootori's father in a flashback.

Not to mention, I also had Tota Tarumi who played Jin/Red Flash in mind. Oh I could remember this guy guest-starring in Janperson as a father and in Winspector as an insane criminal who lost his daughter to gangsters. He's badass and he would have made a good Orion.

Did you have any other wishful casting for the character of Orion?

Kyuranger 29: Back To The Past 300 Years Ago

This week's episode continues with last week. The Argo gets destroyed in the present because of what happened in the past. As the other heroes traveled 300 years ago, the timeline shifted. Boy, is it me or is time travel truly a dangerous thing? Try watching Timeranger and Kamen Rider Den-O (or any time-traveling themed show) if you haven't when you have the time.

So using the Orphiuchus Kyu Globe, Lucky travels back into time but it disappears. What sees isn't even pleasant. So how are they going to get back in time then? I have my suspicions that they'll find a new way to travel back home. Meanwhile...

Yes, Lucky finds out that they are attacked. Just who did it? It's not a pretty sight and if this doesn't change, the Kyurangers will go extinct.

A man named Orion appears and connects with everyone. This is the first time Orion shows up to at least some of our heroes. Lucky does show some cool out-of-suit scenes. Takumi Kizu is able to pull it off.

Yes, the Argo is in shambles. I wonder how this ship will be repaired back in the past. The one who did the attack was...

Yup, it turns out to be that while it looked like Houou Soldier destroyed him back in the war but he didn't. So how in the world did Don Armage survive? It's possible that he's using decoys or he's using some bizarre magic. Don Armage shows he's one evl a**hole without any hesitation. He blew up the ship and attacked our heroes before the episode began. Like WTF? Then again, villains are supposed to do that and we love to hate them don't we?

What was interesting to see is that the Three Vice Shoguns are in the past. I don't know if destroying them back in the past will save Naga. Speaking of Naga, I still want to see how the hold Akenba has on him will be broken. But would destroying Akenba back in the past have results.

Call me crazy but I do have suspicions here. So Orion talks with Tsurugi who he supposedly sealed away to recover from injuries for 300 years. Granted that time may run differently in different planets (ex. in Dekaranger, one episode had it where an alien with a longer lifespan in Earth years met Ban's ancestor and later Ban) so it's possible that Orion could be Lucky's father. Orion hasn't met his newborn son who's in the Leo System so he could also be Lucky's ancestor. I don't know what to think but I have a feeling we'll get a Darth Vader villain soon.

The impact of Orion and Lucky is in this episode. Okay, I wonder would this confirm the two are actually related?

Don Armage reveals he can't be easily taken down. Using whatever magic he has, he puts Lucky in a dangerous situation.

Don Armage shows what he is behind all that clothing. He does freaking look like a bizarre mix of Yuuzhan Vong clan members and Emperor Palpatine. I dunno if this is a decoy or what or has he found some way to cheat death? But I hope he survives to become the final villain since he's pretty badass. I really miss having designs like this. Is this guy crazy or what? I feel like he's darker, more sinister version of the Martian Leader from Mars Attack so don't expect him to be destroyed by oldies music such as the Indian Love Call. 

Next wee, we'll see Lucky get a new power-up. Okay, looks like were' having another Red-Centric season with Lucky. I'm already seeing that we'll see Don Armage in battle. I doubt it that it'd be the last we'd seen of him.

My Top Ten Favorite Zyuranger Episodes

Here's Kyoryu Sentai Zyuranger for its 20th anniversary. Here's my top ten favorite episodes which I thought were really good for the series. Here's the list from bottom to top:

10. Episode 13

While I certainly feel Reiko Chiba's acting is so-so considered her having no prior experience in the theater but I thought this was one cool episode. The nightmare fuel involved with Bandora trying to eat children as apples makes her real nightmare fuel. It did make sense for Bandora (in some way but she lacks common sense) to actually have Mei poisoned because that would get the other Zyurangers defenseless without the arrow. Mei learns to conquer her fears so she can help the others.

9. Episode 15

Bandora plans to build an evil sword using a child who will turn ten under a full moon. It was interesting for Goushi to try and save the same boy from Bandora's rather cruel and half-brained scheme. I love how the plan actually the boy couldn't be harmed by the Durandol, the evil sword which nearly destroyed the Zyurangers.

8. Episode 32

Geki is a great and mighty warrior but he's now confronted by a decision that could change the whole world. This means would he choose his dying brother Burai or would he choose the world? This also has Bandora exploiting Geki at his weakest moment. I always like it whenever a hero must face such tough challenges whether it's going to be their personal feelings or the fate of humanity. Goushi does everything he can to bring Geki back to his senses.

7. Episode 43

Burai's dead and it's a hard decision. Geki must try to bring Dragon Caesar's spirits back because the world is in danger. I always felt sad for Geki after the episodes which involve Burai's death. I love how Geki manages to help Dragon Caesar overcome the crisis of losing its partner.

6. Episodes 1-6

The six-part introduction of Zyuranger is pretty cool. The episode features the return of the Witch Bandora and the Zyurangers from their slumber. It gives a good introduction to the Zyurangers as well as the Bandora Gang. The Zyurangers awaken from the stone age to find themselves in modern times are now having a difficult time adjusting. The way that the introduction of character weapons and the mecha is different than its predecessors. Unlike how the weapons are usually handed over by their mentors the Zyurangers must find them. Also, how Daizyjujin gets introduced and how the Zyurangers must learn to work together was also pretty cool. Makes it feel more real as the guys have been from the stone age and are having a hard time adjusting to modern times.

5. Episodes 28-31

This is best called the "Dai Satan arc" though the Bigger Bad of Zyuranger only appears for a very few episodes. Bandora herself knows the odds are against her so she not only upgrades her monsters with Dokeeta clay but she also plans to summon her god Dai Satan. The nightmare fuel in this arc is undeniably crazy. Bandora kidnaps thirteen children and plans to use them to summon Dai Satan. It also features more of Burai's origins revealing he was only temporarily revived and that he's been dead all along. This also introduces the Ultimate Daizyujin to temporarily drive away Dai Satan.

4. Episode 34

Burai is driven by the issue of living longer vs. dying. He feels his isolation is driving him crazy. He must stay in the Timeless Room to avoid dying but it just makes him go crazy thinking about it. This episode has Burai save both siblings from Bandora's evil scheme. He decides that he will face death but he will die in the best way possible. Truly Burai's magnificent focus!

3. Episodes 47-50

Zyuranger's "Doomsday Finale" does help put things into full circle to why Bandora's type of evil focuses on children. It's interesting to see how Prince Kai actually had it coming when he was cracking dinosaur eggs. It also established Bandora's relationship as a servant of the malevolent Dai Satan. Dai Satan finally wrecks havoc across the world leading to the true doomsday. It's interesting to see how the Zyurangers must face the world that's close to its destruction and how they must hang towards the finale. My favorite part is where Burai's ghost appears and guides the Zyurangers out of the spirit realm. My only beef is that couldn't Burai be available to welcome the Zyurangers into Heaven in the finale? But that's just a very small issue.

2. Episodes 17-22

"Go green go!" no it's Burai the true ultimate badass. I thought about how this six part "Green With Evil" in Zyuranger is one incredibly badass arc. I heard that Burai was supposed to be a six episode X-1 Mask but popularity made him the first official sixth ranger. I can't help but still think of X-1 Mask whenever I watch this six parter. What's interesting to think about is how Burai himself isn't someone you can't underestimate. He causes havoc the very moment he's released, he's evil at his own free will and he would even dare turn against Bandora. What was also interesting in this arc was that Geki discovers Burai is his biological brother. We learn that Geki did have a foster sister and now he learns he has a biological brother.

1. Episodes 40-42

I guess these are my favorite parts and why Burai is indeed that glorious warrior. It's not just about losing his powers but his life. This also makes Burai's death acceptable to why he left the series. He sees he's going to die but sees another young life that's going to die. He decides that he can't just die yet until Kota a child who could meet his death anytime will live instead. I love how Burai left the world with a smile on his face though it hurt Dragon Caesar that badly. These are three episodes that should further prove how Burai is indeed the greatest Zyuranger ever.

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Hopefully, I can get to work with the Hurricanger and Gekiranger ones.

My Top Ten Favorite Megaranger Episodes

Well I haven't done anything much for a 20th anniversary tribute to the One True Mega Series. Like the Maskman post in response to Sentai Bandicoot I will connect certain arcs as "one episode". Without much ado, I'll present my top ten favorite episodes not because they were the "best written" but with how they appeal to my personal preferences. Remember there will be some extreme favoritism and dumb shipping so be very wary while reading this post.

Episode 19

Kenta accidentally injures a child while in Mega Suit. It's sort of like the lesson that with great power comes great responsibility. It was a great way to introduce Gurail as the badass sinister villain who I thought should have stayed longer. I felt sorry for Kenta and how he wants to take responsibility. For me this is the best Kenta focus episode ever.

Episode 10

If Megaranger improved Bioman's first three episodes I think this episode ended up giving a shortcut version of the Satan Megas arc in Bioman. This episode involves Shun who befriends and possibly fell for an android girl. Dr. Hinelar shows how cruel he can get in this episode by trying to finish off what he considers a "failed experiment". The android girl develops feelings on her own in contrast to what happened to the android girl in Bioman.

Episode 15

I admit I didn't immediately warm up to Shun in the introductory arc but I really enjoyed what he did here. The plot has its nightmare fuel as it involves using genius students to build a weapon for Nezire. It almost feels like an upgrade to the episode of Kamen Rider Black where Gorgom was using talented people to work for Gorgom. In this one, Shun shows his strong mind as he foils the plot of the enemy.

Episode 34

A Kouichirou-focused episode. So he's everyone's ideal man and Chisato has a crush on him (though they're NOT dating). This is a focus of Kouichirou and his younger brother. I could feel the character flaw that makes Kouichirou as Kouichirou. Sure he seems perfect on the surface but he's also someone who has to deal with his younger brother.

Episode 11

This is a Chisato focus episode. Okay, everyone knows my extreme favoritism for her is that obvious. While I did like her focus episode in a singing contest or when her grandmother comes to town (which this one was probably done as a tribute to a similar episode in Jetman) but I thought this was her best. She was having a friendship with a little girl. To add, there seems to be some "chemistry" between her and Kenta in this episode even if neither has romantic feelings for each other.

Episode 23

Though the "official pairing" tends to be Kouichirou x Chisato though it was more of a writer's ship than anything but this episode cracks me up. The episode sort of presents some Kenta x Chisato chemistry which isn't really official. I really felt sorry for Kenta and the Angler Fish's "younger brother" who ended up in the same fate as New Neural Brain in Bioman. I appreciate a lot what Chisato did for Kenta in this episode hence I started crack-shipping them in this episode.

Episodes 1-3

What do you get when you mix teenagers with attitude in a war between good and evil science? Megaranger has an atypical way of how everyone got gathered. You have Kenta who's the first to be recruited while the others got trapped into the situation. It's one weird way to gather everyone and now their DNA is fixed to the Digitizer they have no choice but to fight. I did like how the first two episodes tried to improve what Bioman's three part introduction gave. My only "slight beef" was how I wish it was Chisato and not Shun who attempted to leave the team for silly reasons. =P

Episode 16

The Megarangers are faced with the very slim chances that they will live. What I like about this episode is how there's the struggle of life and death itself. They are going to die which means they will most likely give up on their dreams. Everyone in this episode developed into better characters as a result.

Episode 38-43

This has to be one of the most badass villain introduction and wrap-up of this evil Super Sentai team to counter the Megarangers. Okay, I still think Gurail could have been kept around since he's a troll and the Nezirangers are also a group of trolls. This episode presents what I'd call Dr. Hinelar's newest desperate countermeasures. The Nezirangers are the opposite of the Megarangers. While the Megarangers appear to be cooperative the Nezirangers end up getting destroyed by their lack of teamwork. This arc also deepens a season long version of the conflict between Dr. Shinichirou Gou and Doctor Man in Bioman in some way.

Episodes 45-48

The Nezirangers are defeated but they're not giving up without a fight. Dr. Hinelar now launches his plan to take over mankind now that he's taken over Nezire. What I like about the Hinelar City arc is that it shows me how technology gone wrong has its consequences or how as a child I wanted to reprogram everyone into data cards. This shows how humanity in spite of its flaws can still work together in contrast to Dr. Hinelar's warped views. This would bring in the finale which I think was good but not that good. =P

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Next I might prepare some top 10 Zyuranger episodes, top 10 Hurricanger episodes and top 10 Gekiranger episodes before the year is over.

Kyuranger 28: Naga Please Come Back

After last week's fun clip show, it's time to go back to the main plot. Naga is now a dangerous creature with all his repressed emotions showing up. This episode also has the sideplot of going back to the past to discover what truly happened.

It's about time that somebody from Naga's civilization shows up and her name is Echidna though you can tell she's also played by Naga's actor. According to Echidna, she must destroy Naga because he has gained emotions. They achieved peace at the cost of boredom. I guess there's an important lesson we have to learn in the next few episodes.


We also discover that Balance had something to do with Naga starting to yearn to escape the boring existence of the Orphicius system. If I were Naga I would have wanted to escape that dull, boring existence and I don't think I'd do anything different than Balance.


I find it WTF though why did the people buy into Akenba's lie that hurting Naga is the only way to hurt him. It's not like as if they haven't had history books to learn that villains do operate in that way. I feel sorry for Balance's broken expectations.

The other batch go back into the past where it's confirmed (or not) that Don Armage was truly defeated. But if Don Armage was defeated then why is he still alive? I have a lot of speculations right now that maybe the Don Armage they fought was nothing more than a decoy or an illusion. Maybe, the real Don Armage is still hiding somewhere or found some ancient magic that allowed him to cheat death. Now more questions are abounding in the show and I hope it will be a satisfying revelation. 

The Gemini Kyuglobe manages to create something really funny. You've got two Garus and two Hammys and we have this unusual combination...

Yup I find this a bit weird... but it was a good way to deal with the current situation. 

The Orion is destroyed in the present. Now it's time to go back into the past to fix things. So we're having time travel again. I wonder how dangerous is time travel anyway?

Next week, we'll meet the strongest warrior in the Orion system. Hopefully, Naga will get back to his senses and we'll see more history of what happened centuries prior to what could already be the year 2317 in Kyuranger's continuity.