Arkvoodle
Member
The GaoRanger series was a special anniversary season (25th year in Japan, 10th year in America). Both series' celebrated with special team-up episodes featuring all previous Red Rangers in an awesome tribute.
The Mecha for GaoRanger are somewhat unique; they are not manmade vehicles or magically conjured spirits, but an actual species of highly-evolved "Power Animals." Because of their shared origin, the Power Animals share a degree of connectivity the likes of which have never been seen before (or since).
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/Paladin4221/Gao04.jpg
These are the first five: GaoLion, GaoShark, GaoTiger, GaoEagle and GaoBison. All pretty typical totem-animals seen before in Sentai (with the arguable exception of Bison).
They unite to form GAOKING, a wild but undersized fighter. The Shark's tail can be removed and wielded as a dagger-like weapon. Its got a lot of diecast, something that was shockingly KEPT for the American series.
The GaoKing members were first thought to be the only surviving Power Animals. But as the series went on, other survivors were uncovered and added to the Gao's arsenal.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/Paladin4221/Gao02.jpg
First new Power Animal to join the team was GaoElephant, another staple animal in Sentai. Elephant is the ONLY one of the Power Animals who did not receive an American release, for whatever stupid reason.
GaoElephant forms weapons for GaoKing, in a combination affectionately known as "GaoKing Sword & Shield."
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/Paladin4221/Gao06.jpg
The next Power Animal to be unlocked is something of an unusual entry- its GaoGiraffe. Not exactly the typical animal chosen for Sentai Heroes, but whatever.
Giraffe replaces GaoShark & creates another weapon, GaoKing Spear.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/Paladin4221/Gao10.jpg
The Rangers were soon joined by GaoBear & GaoPolar, twin brothers who use fire & ice powers in a very effective yin/yang setup.
The Bear Brothers form new arms, a configuration called "GaoKing Double Knuckle."
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/Paladin4221/Gao08.jpg
GaoGorilla was next to join the group, found while the GaoLion was incapacitated. So, naturally- Gorilla took his place.
This setup-affectionately called "GaoCracker" was originally the planned method for introducing Gorilla. But it was decided that this just wasn't unique enough compared to GaoKing. Thus, the Bear Brothers were called back out-
and GaoMuscle was born! This warrior uses a powerful anchor against enemies.
Then came the Majuu, three corrupted Animals-GaoHammerhead, GaoLigator & GaoWolf respectively- tamed by the GaoRanger's enemy.
These guys unite to create GAOHUNTER. I'm a really big fan of this design, it just looks great.
Interesting fact about GaoHunter's head: When he first shows up as an enemy it has this look-
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/Paladin4221/Gao15.jpg
"GaoHunter Evil." But when they reform and switch sides, the design changes-
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/Paladin4221/Gao14.jpg
"GaoHunter Justice." Nice gimmick. Once they start to get along, GaoKing & GaoHunter are able to unite
in a configuration called "GaoKing Another Arm."
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/Paladin4221/Gao18.jpg
Gao Rhino & Gao Armadillo join the Rangers in an attempt to take down the Majuu.
They enable the GaoKing Striker, which uses the Armadillo as a soccer ball weapon/finisher.
Striker formation was actually used more often by GaoMuscle than GaoKing:
But, if you look carefully you'll notice that the GaoMuscle's torso can't fully contract for Striker configuration. A special adapter-
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/Paladin4221/Gao22.jpg
is needed to fill the gap between torso & legs.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/Paladin4221/Gao20.jpg
GaoDeer has to be the most bizzare creature added to a Sentai arsenal, even weirder than Giraffe from the same line.
Deer forms a special weapon known as the Cross Horn, which traps enemies rather than destroying them.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/Paladin4221/Gao24.jpg
The massive GaoFalcon rounds out the lineup, dwelling within a volcano until summoned by GaoRed.
GaoFalcon enables the most powerful Mecha-
GaoIcarus! A powerful and amazingly designed combination with a massive wingspan. The huge wings can also be closed-
for a sort of "Defense Mode."
GaoGod is the ancestor of the other Power Animals, brought back from the afterlife to save the Earth. He's armed with a bow & arrow instead of a sword.
GaoGod functions differently from the other combos; the united form is considered his "true" self and the components-
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/Paladin4221/Gao26.jpg
GaoLeon, GaoSawShark, GaoBuffalo, GaoCondor & GaoJaguar only appear sparingly when he's weakened.
Finally, towards the end of the series the GaoLion was given super-powered food-with a surprising result.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/Paladin4221/Gao25.jpg
The DX Red Lion didn't stay around long, but it did allow one more combo:
GaoKentaurus, the Great Hero & last line of defense.
Now, the more observant fans will note that the literal translation of this years' series is "Hundred Beast Task Force." It seems like an anachronism because the toyline only goes up to 25 at best. Well, the truth is that the creative minds behind this project actually thought up and designed 100 different Power Animals; only a small fraction of them were put into production because of budget & time limitations.
And that concludes GaoRanger, one of the most creative series ever to come out of Toei.
The Mecha for GaoRanger are somewhat unique; they are not manmade vehicles or magically conjured spirits, but an actual species of highly-evolved "Power Animals." Because of their shared origin, the Power Animals share a degree of connectivity the likes of which have never been seen before (or since).
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/Paladin4221/Gao04.jpg
These are the first five: GaoLion, GaoShark, GaoTiger, GaoEagle and GaoBison. All pretty typical totem-animals seen before in Sentai (with the arguable exception of Bison).
They unite to form GAOKING, a wild but undersized fighter. The Shark's tail can be removed and wielded as a dagger-like weapon. Its got a lot of diecast, something that was shockingly KEPT for the American series.
The GaoKing members were first thought to be the only surviving Power Animals. But as the series went on, other survivors were uncovered and added to the Gao's arsenal.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/Paladin4221/Gao02.jpg
First new Power Animal to join the team was GaoElephant, another staple animal in Sentai. Elephant is the ONLY one of the Power Animals who did not receive an American release, for whatever stupid reason.
GaoElephant forms weapons for GaoKing, in a combination affectionately known as "GaoKing Sword & Shield."
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/Paladin4221/Gao06.jpg
The next Power Animal to be unlocked is something of an unusual entry- its GaoGiraffe. Not exactly the typical animal chosen for Sentai Heroes, but whatever.
Giraffe replaces GaoShark & creates another weapon, GaoKing Spear.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/Paladin4221/Gao10.jpg
The Rangers were soon joined by GaoBear & GaoPolar, twin brothers who use fire & ice powers in a very effective yin/yang setup.
The Bear Brothers form new arms, a configuration called "GaoKing Double Knuckle."
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/Paladin4221/Gao08.jpg
GaoGorilla was next to join the group, found while the GaoLion was incapacitated. So, naturally- Gorilla took his place.
This setup-affectionately called "GaoCracker" was originally the planned method for introducing Gorilla. But it was decided that this just wasn't unique enough compared to GaoKing. Thus, the Bear Brothers were called back out-
and GaoMuscle was born! This warrior uses a powerful anchor against enemies.
Then came the Majuu, three corrupted Animals-GaoHammerhead, GaoLigator & GaoWolf respectively- tamed by the GaoRanger's enemy.
These guys unite to create GAOHUNTER. I'm a really big fan of this design, it just looks great.
Interesting fact about GaoHunter's head: When he first shows up as an enemy it has this look-
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/Paladin4221/Gao15.jpg
"GaoHunter Evil." But when they reform and switch sides, the design changes-
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/Paladin4221/Gao14.jpg
"GaoHunter Justice." Nice gimmick. Once they start to get along, GaoKing & GaoHunter are able to unite
in a configuration called "GaoKing Another Arm."
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/Paladin4221/Gao18.jpg
Gao Rhino & Gao Armadillo join the Rangers in an attempt to take down the Majuu.
They enable the GaoKing Striker, which uses the Armadillo as a soccer ball weapon/finisher.
Striker formation was actually used more often by GaoMuscle than GaoKing:
But, if you look carefully you'll notice that the GaoMuscle's torso can't fully contract for Striker configuration. A special adapter-
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/Paladin4221/Gao22.jpg
is needed to fill the gap between torso & legs.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/Paladin4221/Gao20.jpg
GaoDeer has to be the most bizzare creature added to a Sentai arsenal, even weirder than Giraffe from the same line.
Deer forms a special weapon known as the Cross Horn, which traps enemies rather than destroying them.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/Paladin4221/Gao24.jpg
The massive GaoFalcon rounds out the lineup, dwelling within a volcano until summoned by GaoRed.
GaoFalcon enables the most powerful Mecha-
GaoIcarus! A powerful and amazingly designed combination with a massive wingspan. The huge wings can also be closed-
for a sort of "Defense Mode."
GaoGod is the ancestor of the other Power Animals, brought back from the afterlife to save the Earth. He's armed with a bow & arrow instead of a sword.
GaoGod functions differently from the other combos; the united form is considered his "true" self and the components-
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/Paladin4221/Gao26.jpg
GaoLeon, GaoSawShark, GaoBuffalo, GaoCondor & GaoJaguar only appear sparingly when he's weakened.
Finally, towards the end of the series the GaoLion was given super-powered food-with a surprising result.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/Paladin4221/Gao25.jpg
The DX Red Lion didn't stay around long, but it did allow one more combo:
GaoKentaurus, the Great Hero & last line of defense.
Now, the more observant fans will note that the literal translation of this years' series is "Hundred Beast Task Force." It seems like an anachronism because the toyline only goes up to 25 at best. Well, the truth is that the creative minds behind this project actually thought up and designed 100 different Power Animals; only a small fraction of them were put into production because of budget & time limitations.
And that concludes GaoRanger, one of the most creative series ever to come out of Toei.
