Dengeki Sentai Changeman: Series review and overall thoughts

[Black Fang]

I think your problem is...the shows where being a Sentai is the character's job doesn't really give you a peek into their off-duty personal lives, so you have to pick up clues here and there. It's like a cop show that's all business like Law & Order versus a soapy hospital drama. I think Changeman works better than most because of the cast chemistry, and the subtle things the actors provide.

I don't know, I thought Timeranger's characters for example (as long as we're talking about Sentai being their job) were a little more distinct from each other and unique. Even Ohranger, which didn't really do much of anything, seemed to have a cast that was fun to watch. Not to say that the Changeman cast was bad, but I don't think I ever found anything special about them. Maybe I sould go back and look for what you're talking about.

And I do like that the heroes go through a maturation during the series from their experience in the "war." I said this on my site, but I can't think of another Sentai show where even the cast looks so visibly aged from the start of the series to the end.

This too I should take a look at.

And your suggestion that the show has potential to be Goseiger-y generic is just f$*#ng appalling, man. :shakefist Goseiger is just soulless junk.

I only meant that if it weren't for the multi-dimensionality of Gozma, the focus on the horrors of war, or such arcs like the aforementioned Rigel Aura and the finale, there might not be anything to write home about. When you summarize Changeman's premise, it looks very simple and straightforward compared to other shows.

When Goseiger first came out I thought Warstar seemed to echo Gozma with how everyone was from a different planet. And look how they turned out...

 

[Forever Knight]

Best Sentai series of ALL time.

Some of Kazuo Niibori's best work as Red Ranger and the fight scenes blew me away. Especially Dragon vs. Booba. My God was that fucking epic.

 

[Sage Shinigami]

I've loved this show ever since I was a kid. I sucks that there isn't an english sub of it but whatever, the show doesn't definately need them for you to enjoy it.

It certainly is one of the best sentais ever made and in my top ten. there's a few nitpicks I have about the series I understand if someone has about it: they could have done better with the theming (you're change dragon! why don't you do something, ya know, dragony!), the action with the MOTW were always the same (monster shoots laser, they to technique to disrupt said laser, here comes the bigass cannon!) and the names of the villians are somewhat wonky (guuba, Bazoo, Buuba, seriously, was Soba drunk when he named them?).

Otherwise this is a fantastic season and should be watched by anyone who wants to say they're a Sentai fan.

- The first eight episodes have been subbed by TV-Nihon. DeadFishFansubs also did about 20 episodes as well.

- Yeah, I noticed that's a trend with most of the 80's Sentai I've seen. They don't really BATTLE the Monster of the Week. They just kinda, get knocked around, then summon their cannon to blow it up. It's not just Changeman--it's Maskman and Liveman too.

I know that's completely gone by the time Dairanger rolls around, but what's the first series to not do that?

 

[bigone]

one of the best Toku ever imo well written good music good villains good music

 

[Oedipus 3000]

- The first eight episodes have been subbed by TV-Nihon. DeadFishFansubs also did about 20 episodes as well.

- Yeah, I noticed that's a trend with most of the 80's Sentai I've seen. They don't really BATTLE the Monster of the Week. They just kinda, get knocked around, then summon their cannon to blow it up. It's not just Changeman--it's Maskman and Liveman too.

I know that's completely gone by the time Dairanger rolls around, but what's the first series to not do that?

Well, to be fair, Changemans action set-pieces revolved mostly around the battles with the hidra which were spectacular. the monster of the week seemed more to fuel the plot rather then anything else.

the combat between the team and the MOTW slowly evolved over time, Flashman had a bit more physical combat and so did maskman.

I believe, IIRC, the first sentai to have straight up regular fights between teams and MOTW was Fiveman, though I'm not totally positive at the moment since it's been extremely long since I've seen the show.

 

[Sage Shinigami]

Well, to be fair, Changemans action set-pieces revolved mostly around the battles with the hidra which were spectacular. the monster of the week seemed more to fuel the plot rather then anything else.

the combat between the team and the MOTW slowly evolved over time, Flashman had a bit more physical combat and so did maskman.

I believe, IIRC, the first sentai to have straight up regular fights between teams and MOTW was Fiveman, though I'm not totally positive at the moment since it's been extremely long since I've seen the show.

Yeah, Flashman did have a bit more physical combat. Maskman on the other hand...along with Liveman (what I've seen), see previous comment about: Get knocked around, fire cannon.

I think 80's Sentai made up for the last of fights between the Senshi and MotW by having enemy "generals" show up and duel with the heroes.

I kind of which they'd bring that back, but keep the fights between the heroes and the MOTW.

 

[Ultraman_Meta777]

Yeah, Flashman did have a bit more physical combat. Maskman on the other hand...along with Liveman (what I've seen), see previous comment about: Get knocked around, fire cannon.

I think 80's Sentai made up for the last of fights between the Senshi and MotW by having enemy "generals" show up and duel with the heroes.

I kind of which they'd bring that back, but keep the fights between the heroes and the MOTW.

that's true. in some cases, the MOTW usually poses a threat to innocent civilians, and rather than engage in a lengthy fight, our heroes try to dispatch the monster in the most expedient fashion available. which probably why they decide to break out the cannon and blast them, even though it then leads to the monster becoming gigantic.

one of the things I think I love best about say a series like 'Bioman', is that they had a large contingent of recurring generals, and the Mecha Gigans were the giant monsters they utilized.

 

[Kivat]

*Watches preview for ep. 45* Y-Y-Y-Ye-Yell-Yellow-F-Fla-Flash *Man faint*

 

[Fantasy Leader]

*Watches preview for ep. 45* Y-Y-Y-Ye-Yell-Yellow-F-Fla-Flash *Man faint*

Dude, Yutaka Hirose appears in the ep as well! :thumbs:

 

[Kivat]

Dude, Yutaka Hirose appears in the ep as well! :thumbs:

:O_O: Not surprised honestly. This guy is a beast when it comes to Sentai appearances and roles. Just shows how much he loves Sentai and/or wanted to be a Senshi.