INSTALL - MEGARANGER! The Discussion Thread

[Smilodon]

Megaranger's first episode had excellent miniature work with the whole science center and all that. It must be a pretty common filming location too, Timeranger used it for the Asami Corporations lab.

But yeah, Megaranger's first episode was kickass. I loved how the Nejirejia just warped everything and raided the base. Pure badass.

 

[areaseven]

Watching this show makes me hungry for some yakiniku. :laugh:

 

[Black Fang]

But yeah, Megaranger's first episode was kickass. I loved how the Nejirejia just warped everything and raided the base. Pure badass.

I thought the first couple of episodes were terrible, almost like Dairanger's. The first episode itself is rushed (that seems to be common in Sentai) and the performances in later episodes is shoddy with missed opportunities. But later on the show does pick up and by the time you're reaching the 40s (like I am) it's much more fun. Episode 16 is one of the best pre-Guirail episodes, and 19-21 (Guirail and Delta Mega's debut) is a good arc that starts off with a nice Kenta focus.

I think I like Kouichiro and Yuusaku the most out of the heroes. Kouichiro not so much because I act just like him, but rather his sense of idealism of how the world should be. You especially see that in episode 12 about him and his teacher, and in Yuusaku's early appearances. With Yuusaku, I like the idea of the "genius" who doesn't take himself so seriously. He's almost like a kid himself with his relationship to Kubota (who by the way bears an uncanny resemblance to Jason Alexander). I also like how Kubota rarely scolds the kids for their antics, even Kenta's, but rather takes it all in stride.

Regarding Guirail's death, is it me or did Hinelar's trickery and later treason against Javious hint at his secret? Did Guirail say that by almost killing Yugande he was simply carrying out Javious's orders by any means necessary, and Hinelar took offense? Did he see both Shibolena and Yugande as his children, hence the additional grudge? If so, then why didn't he feel the same about the Nejirangers whom he was using as pawns?

 

[Smilodon]

Admittedly, the first episode was very rushed. It was really bombastic and dynamic for a first episode. The 'first episode invasion' took a lot of the episode really, and they tried to do a lot in the first episode for sure, from showcasing the villains, to introducing Kubota, to the kids and then showing off the new suits.

But I liked it. It was dynamic and at a breakneck pace. I like Kouichiro too. I can definitely relate to him the most, though not so much the idealism, but the uptight and school oriented nature of Kouichiro :laugh:

Oshiba Hayato hasn't aged a single day from 1997 to 2011.

 

[Black Fang]

There are times I've felt the same way toward certain teachers and adults I've known that Kouichiro does with Ooiwa. Yet on the other hand I like that Ooiwa can put things in perspective.

By the way, did anyone notice that Hinelar is playing a piano or organ the first time we see a Psycho Nejilar being created? A nod to Lee Keflen from Flashman, perhaps?

 

[Shougo B'Stard]

I do think Hinelar was supposed to be a throwback to Keflen, maybe even Dr. Man, but...he doesn't come close to either of them, IMO.

And even the revelation about Shiborena is close to the revelation about Neferu.

 

[Black Fang]

Why do you say that? And what was Nefel's secret? I thought it was known she was created by Keflen.

 

[Shougo B'Stard]

Why do you say that? And what was Nefel's secret? I thought it was known she was created by Keflen.

Why do I say that Hinelar doesn't compare to the other two? It seemed to me like Megaranger's writers never thought the villains were important enough to focus on, so they're all never given that much attention. Maybe the time-slot switch from PM to AM had something to do with it...:shrug:

And Neferu and Shiborena are both "daughters." Shiborena's calling out for her father while she takes her last steps is a little reminiscent of Neferu's calling out for Keflen after she takes a fatal hit, IMO.

 

[Black Fang]

Regarding the finale, they make a big deal about Hinelar discovering the heroes' identities and exposing them. Yet in earlier episodes the villains saw who they were, so why was he shocked only now? Why didn't he expose them sooner? And what about Yuusuke? They knew who he was much earlier and yet they only expose the main team.

In episode 47, what did Kubota give Kouichiro and Chisato? Did he pull some strings and give them another chance to take that entrance exam (I'm assuming that's what it was), or did he outright get them in?

 

[Black Fang]

More finale comments

- The big reveal in episode 49 was a bit underwhelming. It seemed like the whole thing from Hell Nejilar appearing to the heroes getting thrown out took place in the morning, and school just goes on as usual. They don't even take their stuff with them.

- The final episode itself: This may sound morbid, but I think the show could have ended with Mega Voyager and Grand Nejiros exploding together in that Challenger fashion. The music playing and the memorial the school starts to give at graduation was just a great montage. Their surprise Tom Sawyer-style appearance felt tacked on frankly, for the sake of a happy ending. (Like Phillip's resurrection in W.) The first Sentai where the whole team goes down fighting. It could have come to par with Ohranger's "villains win" finale.

Speaking of that graduation, is that really how it goes in Japanese schools? Just one class in a gym in their regular uniforms? Is their a more formal ceremony later more akin to American schools? Or was it just done for filming convenience? How much time passed between the last battle and the graduation? What was the team doing all that time?