groundbreaking seasons of the Super Sentai franchise

[Fantasy Leader]

I think Takeyuki Suzuki should be mentioned along with them. He oversaw Goggle V through Ohranger, and look how many noteworthy shows and moments come out of his run. He always wanted each show to do something different, and he was savvy enough to keep an eye on different trends that each show could put to use and stand out from one another. He was also smart in that he knew when something wasn't working -- he's the one who foresaw Sentai's possible demise after shows like Turboranger and Fiveman underperformed, so he took risks by scrapping that style and bringing in fresh blood on staff and helping bring in fresh concepts to try to make sure that the franchise keeps kicking, and he knew when to just get out of the way and let smart writers do their thing.

Very good point :thumbs:

 

[Lynxara]

My big issue with Go-Busters was that I don't think a single one of it's stories was ever original, and copied a lot of plots that had already been done before.

I really feel like the plan for Go-Busters was to use its tone and style to set it apart from what came before... basically, to do familiar Sentai stories in a new way. So once Toei very clearly asked the staff to revert to a more conventional writing style, the show just... really didn't have a point anymore, at least in terms of the story.

 

[bowspearer]

except for perhaps the small handful of absolute worst seasons (Bouken, Go-on

For starters, this is purely subjective. Personally I think Boukenger is a brilliant Sentai series with great characterisations of each of the heroes that truly makes you care about the characters (unlike say, Goseiger, which should have been more appropriately named "Douchebagger"); Go-Onger walks a brilliant line between having a credible plot and being a Sentai parody at the same time (by your logic here, Akibaranger is a complete train wreck of a series).

Furthermore, Boukenger was the first series to have a 10-mecha-fusion, while Go-Onger topped that by being the first to go with a 12-mecha-fusion. So let's stop pretending that just because you personally dislike them that they've brought nothing new to the franchise.

 

[Painted_Outlaw]

Personally I think Boukenger is a brilliant Sentai series with great characterisations of each of the heroes that truly makes you care about the characters (unlike say, Goseiger, which should have been more appropriately named "Douchebagger");

Out of all the critisicms and complaints I may toss Goseiger's way, I can't say that'd be one of them. Any chance you care to explain; if only to satisfy my curiosity.

Go-Onger walks a brilliant line between having a credible plot and being a Sentai parody at the same time (by your logic here, Akibaranger is a complete train wreck of a series).

Difference is that the people who work(ed) on Akibaranger actually seem to know how to be funny while Go-Onger couldn't quite piece it together and failed imo.

Furthermore, Boukenger was the first series to have a 10-mecha-fusion, while Go-Onger topped that by being the first to go with a 12-mecha-fusion.

How is that a good thing? I mean, it might, might seem okay on paper but, I'm sure if you've seen it in action, you can agree that it looks ridiculous.

 

[kuroihikari]

Maybe fortress-type mechs (Like Macross's SDF-1) are his thing? Also, they may not look good on screen, but I imagine they would make great toys.

I'm not particularly fond of the idea, myself though. Takes all the action away from mech action.

At least some fortress-type combinations try to look busy (like Geki's final formation with those animals jumping around). That, though, was quite uncreative, much like Go-Ongers which was basically just adding up new mechs to whatever available space it had, or Goseigers which mostly tried to cram as much Headers in whatever space was left.

 

[bowspearer]

Out of all the critisicms and complaints I may toss Goseiger's way, I can't say that'd be one of them. Any chance you care to explain; if only to satisfy my curiosity.

Sure, I first encountered the Goseigers in the 199 Sentai movie and they came across as complete douchbags. Currently forcing myself though the series, and with the exception of Datas and the possible exception of Eri, this would have to be the first Sentai series I've seen where I really don't care about the characters.

Difference is that the people who work(ed) on Akibaranger actually seem to know how to be funny while Go-Onger couldn't quite piece it together and failed imo.

I guess we have different tastes. I have yet to see Abaranger, but I thought GO-Onger had plenty of moments of comic brilliance - largely because of how well each of the Go-Ongers were cast. The only one who didn't make me laugh was Renn and that's because his role seemed to be the "straight man" role (as opposed to Gunpei who played the "I'm so serious that you can't help but laugh at me" role).

How is that a good thing? I mean, it might, might seem okay on paper but, I'm sure if you've seen it in action, you can agree that it looks ridiculous.

Again, different tastes I guess. I actually didn't have a problem with how G12 formation looked - might not have screamed awesome, but I was hardly dousing my head in a bucket of water to stop my eyes from burning either. As for Ultimate Daibouken and Voyager Daibouken, I only have 1 word for them - awesomesauce

 

[Shougo B'Stard]

I have no love for Goseiger, but those characters were all such happy-happy do-gooders that I have no idea how one can get the impression that they're d-bags, while at the same time defending a team like Boukenger. The Boukenger team was jam-packed with uncaring, unlikable, selfish, sociopathic, psychotic, sourpuss, soulless, heartless, lifeless jerk-faces. (Cripes, do any of them have a redeeming quality?)

 

[bowspearer]

I have no love for Goseiger, but those characters were all such happy-happy do-gooders that I have no idea how one can get the impression that they're d-bags, while at the same time defending a team like Boukenger. The Boukenger team was jam-packed with uncaring, unlikable, selfish, sociopathic, psychotic, sourpuss, soulless, heartless, lifeless jerk-faces. (Cripes, do any of them have a redeeming quality?)

On the contrary, the Boukengers are either happy and innocent like Natsuki (heck, Zuban manages to be completely child like) or deeply wounded individuals. Masumi quite literally in the end, was always battling his demons, Akashi was driven by the loss of his former comrades to redeem himself, Eija had to struggle with being half-demon (while at the same time his vegetable eating contests were great comic relief), whilst Sakura turned her back on an easy life of wealth to make a difference. They're certainly flawed heroes, but honestly, that's what makes them so relatable.

As for the criticism of Goseiger, maybe it'll improve as I get later into the series, but Alata has been a real d-bag on occassion, the Landick tribe have shown themselves to be complete snobs, Hyde has shown he's capable of selling-out if it means a ride back home and then there's Goseiknight. Honestly the 2 words which seem to best sum him up after episode 19 would be "psycho ecoterrorist".

As I said, the only 2 characters who have really endeared themselves with me are Eri and Datas, although Hyde and Agri are slowly growing on me- slowly being the operative term.

 

[Aoi Kurenai]

Despite his history, Akashi strikes me as a very selfserving leader. I was wary towards him early on, but during the episodes leading to DaiBouken's power up being introduced, I knew he was going to be someone I greatly disliked. This is the guy that allowed his team's robot to be stolen and played at being a hardass while giving his team no explanation. This is very different from other crazy schemes leaders have had in the past where they ask their team to blindly believe in them because there's that level of trust. Akashi has a total change of character and in the end, the big reason for it all? Because he wanted an even bigger adventure! That makes him such a detestable leader and friend.

I mean, yeah, sure, every member of the team has their own personal history that gives their characters a little more depth, but it's not to such an extent that it ever feels like the prime driving motivation to what they do - with the exception of Eiji, who I think is the only well written character in Boukenger.

 

[MagiShineDX]

Maskman - The raw prototype for a 6th team member, X-1 Mask