Best first episodes in Tokusatsu shows?

[MaxRebo120]

In your opinion, what tokusatsu shows have the strongest opening episodes? My pick for the all-time best starter would have to go to Kamen Rider V3. In fact, I almost think it's too good, as the rest of show, while very good, doesn't quite live up to it. The original Kamen Rider also has a great, classic first episode, as does Return of Ultraman. I was very impressed by Akumaizer-3's first episode as well.

 

[SentaiRiderFan]

I LOVED the first few episodes of Kamen Rider Black. So much so that most of the rest of the series was a bit of a letdown for me (kinda like you and V3). Kuuga and Kabuto have some pretty strong openings as well.

 

[HurricaneDragon]

Wizard comes to mind just in how it was a really solid introduction for a show that decidedly wasn't really solid. Actually, Fourze and OOO had first episodes that really grabbed me too, come to think of it.

 

[cobabooy]

My pick would be OOO, the first few episodes set up the show really well to me and I ended up love the show. As for Sentai, it would be Hurricanger, it was a truly memorable part of my childhood

 

[Toku Prime]

I always thought Liveman had a really interesting first episode. They introduce 6 characters and start setting one trio up as the villains and the other as the heroes...except they're not the trio of actors the opening credits show to be the rangers. They hold it just long enough for you to start wondering what's going on before the good trio get bumped off and they introduce the actual rangers, who are inspired to fight by the deaths of their friends.

Black RX had a pretty cool first episode too, with uber-powerful enemies and his 'rebirth'. And following on from the OPs comment about V3 having an opening episode greater than the series, Decade and Wizard certainly did the same thing.

 

[kakeru1986]

I always thought Liveman had a really interesting first episode. They introduce 6 characters and start setting one trio up as the villains and the other as the heroes...except they're not the trio of actors the opening credits show to be the rangers. They hold it just long enough for you to start wondering what's going on before the good trio get bumped off and they introduce the actual rangers, who are inspired to fight by the deaths of their friends.

Was going to write my POV about liveman, but you had it summed up already.
Yup, Liveman has a really good first episode. A shame the show was created in the 80s. Even though I think liveman is the first Sentai with ACTUAL character development, it mainly focuses on the villain trio. The Liveman change characters when needed by the scenario, so there is some lack of consistency.
But yeah, Liveman.

Let me pick up a Rider show then...

I'd say Hibiki. It was totally new, the episode started with a musical performance. And we had the beautiful forests of Japan.
That one had me hooked up after 5 minutes.

 

[Toku Prime]

I forgot to mention Ultraman Mebius. I'd tried to get into Ultraman a few times but nothing ever really grabbed me. Then I saw the first episode of Mebius and loved it and just devoured that show. I've seen a few Ultra shows since then but Mebius is still my favourite series in the franchise.