u/Classic_Contract7560

Sentai is probably the most non connected one amongst the 3 Tokusatsu so any order would've been fine as I have heard since I wanted to watch everything I might as well have made it fun and used a Randomizer.

Couple of caveats though:

Finished Kakuranger as my first Sentai and I am at episode 4 of Abaranger so those 2 are out.

Also I decided to have Gozyuger as no. 35 in the watchthrough and Gokaiger as last in the watchthrough so those 2 are not in the wheel.

Just thought it'd be funny though I promise I will watch this in this order if the mods do not delete the post I will be using this to keep track.

Bonus question: Did the Randomizer wheel actually line up with your actual non Randomized watch order?

Also are there any series that look weird next to each other that you can observe as more experienced watchers?

I was grateful for the opportunity to travel to China for a vacation with some relatives and as I have watched a bunch of Journey to the West adaptations.

1. Lego Monkie Kid

2. Overly Sarcastic Productions

3. Black Myth Wukong Gameplay

4. That Monkey King Trilogy and the unrelated Prequel movie with the Buddha Palm scene

5. Nezha 2 has the Monkeys King's staff I think.

I wanted to finally get a book. Sadly they only had this one in all the places I checked out I'm grateful to have it and I could read the audio books as I have seen in the subrrddit suggestions just now but I would like to read this book if I can.

Would anyone know of a method to translate the stories?

Any help would be appreciated.👏

I saw a discussion that Ursaluna perhaps won't be so bad if Weezing is around to counteract the Guts/Facade combo.

I'm only really used to Pokemon showdown calculating burn damage which is halving the base power of the move in the stat screen.

But apparently Facade is always 140 with a status effect so I was wondering with Guts being nullified by Neutralizing Gas how is the damage then calculated?

Okay so before I move on to my next Sentai I need some help from others who have seen Kakuranger.

Perhaps I didn't write enough notes or another translation helps answer this but I need some clarifications on perceived inconsistencies.

1. Zashiki Warashi and the meaning of Yokai.

So essentially this came from the sudden exposition in the last episode the True Nature of Yokai being humanities Anger and Hatred coalescing not just the cloud thing. With the demon King/DaiMaou specifically being "shards" of hatred.

The symbolism is then completed by having the Kakurangers creating the door of seals as everyone had the capability of creating one in order to seal hatred.

It's essentially an allegory of deciding when to open your bad thoughts to the world and having the control to not personify them.

Though now this is weird cuz why is there a pure good Yokai then. It kinda undercuts the episode a bit that even Yokai can choose to be good so I'm just asking for the better interpretation.

A. It's only the Demon King that is the pure personification of Hatred.

B. Yokai have enough sentence to choose to be good even if there source is from Hatred and Anger kinda like Kamen Rider.

C. I got a translation misinterpretation.

2. Nues powers

Okay this is a bit more simple of a question.

How did Nue heal Galis daughter before the events of the series?

This was clearly a flashback before Sasuke and Saizou undid the Door of Seals yet Nue had enough power to heal Galis daughter after the favor.

Its one thing to go to America since they could've traveled easily and I saw a Yokai disguise themselves even in episode 1 but that's full on healing magic wo how much power exactly was sealed away if Nue can just heal what's doctors couldn't heal?

So yeah great series overall I just need clarifications.

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I have previously written my thoughts on Kuuga and Agito and while I may not have as much to say I would like to say some of my thoughts with the first Sentai show I fully completed. First, we shall start with what I did not enjoy so I can just blaze through and give everything I loved about this show to end the review and also so it can be a quick skippable section as I do not like giving criticism.

CONS

In all honesty the big turning point is the switching of the “Main” villain after that point a lot of the show becomes slightly less interesting and develops habits that I do not quite enjoy.

Prince Junior or Young Noble Junior depending on what translation you had was a highlight of the show for me. This dude was just as interesting and as captivating as the Kakurangers due to the actor’s performance. He made a lot of great plans and even when he lost, he had a lot of personality. Him being defeated was also a highlight of the series it showed the Kakurangers strength progression and was personally really satisfying for that point in the series because of that absolutely amazing 5 scrolls arc. Then me have the Demon King who was the antagonist for the other half on the one hand you had great prosthetics work from the team but his writing and presence was never as cool to me as the rock and roll skeleton. He was most menacing in the 3-episode grand plan with his clone but that’s a testament to how well written that episode set is for me compared to the Demon King usually. 

This leads to my next criticism of the Demon King. On a thematic level the “big” reveal of what he represents is good its interesting. Human hatred personified in a big bad but if you defeat him that same hatred is redistributed to humanity. Idea-wise its cool but it being in the last episode is really frustrating there should have been more foreshadowing and build up like the Hakumenro conclusion. In a sense there’s shards of a good idea but because the Demon King isn’t very interesting for me and because that reveal is literally in the last episode the conclusion falls flat on the execution level despite the interesting aspects on the technical level. This also leads to a thematic inconsistency or perhaps an issue with translation please enlighten me if I got the interpretation wrong. Due to Zashiki Warashi being the good guy Yokai the race of Yokai being the embodiment of humanities hatred kind of conflicts with this. Perhaps then it is a lesson Yokai despite their origins still being Sapient and capable of making their own moral choices but again another reason why such a reveal may not have been good for the final episode.

Next up is Ninjaman. The Sentai member that comes in later in the series, sixth ranger, extra warrior these types have many names. Ninjaman has a place as one of the first 3 in this franchise after the Dragon Zyuranger and White Tiger Dairanger iirc. He is also sadly a part that I do not really enjoy in the second half. The best aspect of the second half of the series is that the Kakurangers chemistry and dynamics is already fully formed. They truly feel like friends by this point leading Ninjaman to be on the backfoot in terms of interactions he really feels like a guy that joined the already established friend group. It does not help as well that for a lot of episodes the guy is just in the mech fight and there’s hardly character stuff in the mech fights. He has good moments especially when you pair him with children like the comic book episode not to mention again that 3-episode arc with Demon Kings clone but everyone is well written there so it isn’t quite surprising but even then, the Heavenly Triad/ 3 God generals somehow got more development than him here because they had a serious conversation with the Kakurangers. Especially at the end that he suddenly disappears with the Triad and the Kakurangers are not really sad this guy feels more like a toy than a friend to me regrettably. Also, the Amateur/Novice joke got old by the 4th time they did it.

Unto more minor nitpicks. So, in the series if Tsuruhime is the little sister then Sasuke is the Reliable Older Brother. I would not say there’s an immediate favoritism towards him I would say the screentime of the 5 Kakurangers in the 53 episodes is pretty even but between him being the only one to use Muteki Shoguns thunder sword and there being 2 multi episode arcs where it’s basically a Sasuke rescue, I Kinda wish we had one with Tsuruhime because she’s the leader. Then again in Jiraiya’s episode in the scroll arc he ends up saving Sasuke. Theres also another rescue with Karakasa but that’s them rescuing Saizou and Seikai rather than an individual Rescuing. I would not say it’s a flaw and he is clearly the strongest but 1 multiparter with Tsuruhime doing the rescuing would’ve been cool to me I really hope I am not forgetting something technically she gets focus with Hakumenro but that is a different kind of emotional challenge than rescuing your team.

Next nitpick is also related to Tsuruhime. I love all the Kakuranger Scrolls arc focus episode. It develops them and each actor gives it their all and after their struggles and separations they do not only become better friends but more well-rounded characters. It’s just the conclusion to Tsuruhimes episode that might’ve missed the mark slightly. Sandayuu essentially saying because she is a woman that she cannot really keep up with the people she is leading and why she must become a better leader in spite of that just irks me because only really Sasuke and sometimes Jiraiya are shown to be that much better in combat skills. I am very surprised he considers Tsuruhime worse than Saizou and Seikai. I do not like rewrites but can I suggest that he should’ve said that because she is 14/15, she cannot keep up with the others who are adults because that makes way more sense. The seal was unlocked when she could not be in her physical prime hence why she struggles compared to the boys that feels more appropriate considering what’s presented since she feels like the middle in terms of strength rather than last place. 

	

***NOW I AM GOING TO SAY ALL THE STUFF I LOVE.***

PROS

Going through reactions and memes to figure out what series I would check out first made me pick Kakuranger and yes while moments like American Ninja and today is Friday in California are even funnier in context what really sells this show are the characters. I think I saw a post once that Sentai are either one of 2 things. A group of friends that need to learn to be a team or a team that grow to become friends and Kakuranger is definitely the latter. It is through a sense of duty from either their familial history (Jiraiya, Tsuruhime) or their responsibility to undo their mistakes (Saizou, Sasuke) do they come together. These guys lowkey do not vibe with each other until much later on but their growth as individuals and their growing closeness as friends is some of the best parts of the series. 

Each character has a certain trait that gets in the way of a developing bond. Sasuke’s fierce temper, Saizou and Seikais alternating Greed, Selfishness and Hedonism, Tsuruhimes bossiness and desire to prove herself and of course a big language gap with Jiraiya. It is so great how slowly but surely besides the language gap these issues do not really fully go away but as with any friend group the Kakurangers are able to know each other better, understand each other’s personality tics and trust them even at their worst moments. Sasukes temper becomes a steadfast loyalty and passion. Tsuruhime becomes a leader worth obeying by treating the others as genuine comrades both in and out of the suit. Even Saizou and Seikai while still having their vices hardly have them come up after their scroll arc instead developing into funny guys that understood their childish ways and helped mentor children later on in the series. Even the plans that the Yokai create later on are not related to the Kakurangers shortcomings but by deliberately putting them in Unfair situations yet despite that they are always able to overcome them either through their bonds or showing the viewers that despite their flaws they will overcome them to be true heroes. 

Of course, the antagonists are also what sell the show even if the Demon King might not be the greatest the Yokai especially Young Noble/ Prince Junior always bring in good drama or a laugh. You have a menacing, intimidating and Rock N Rolling Yokai general he has a great presence from introduction to demise. What he did with Zashiki Warashi was especially despicable leading to one of the most dramatic episodes and endings in the series. 

The Yokai are great. It’s nice to see real world folklore creatures reinterpreted in that to the time contemporary 90s style. Theres a footballer centipede in Oumukade, Ushioni is a cowboy Cow Boy with a big ass gun not to mention Zashiki Warashi the kid yokai that’s a mushroom Game console. The antagonists also put the rangers in really funny situations that are no less dangerous. From Oumukade doing a whole elaborate Christmas escapade, Karakasas infinitely dancing fairy tale shoes, the Friday in California comic realm, and turning the rangers into a low budget Toei Tokusatsu show (wait a minute) …

The Yokai are also just as funny as the situations they put the rangers in. From Dorotabo going into a whole TV exhibition match with Jiraiya to Tengu only kidnapping children because he is no. 3 in the rankings, Gakitsuki got vored, Sunake Baba wanting to marry everybody and of course that whole trippy sequence with Mujina.

The way their vibes are balanced from funny to threatening is especially seen in Nue. You can have a silly episode where he turns Saizou and Seikai into bumbling Kappas while also showing the depth of their friendship and an episode later having that same Yokai manipulating a father into killing his dear friend and adoptive son to save his daughter. I really love these antagonists it’s a highlight from each lore introduction, to each yokais modus operandi and seeing how their plans crumble in a comedic or thematic way.

I would then like to highlight some of my favorite moments from the show. The show immediately showed me how funny it could be with Jiraiya’s introduction and the language gap jokes are thankfully not overused. Him saying see you again is an all-timer moment. Zashiki-Warashis episode showed off the potential of the series at well despite a fluffy beginning you truly cared about this Yokai at the end showing the stakes from Junior and of the Kakurangers mission though its kind of odd looking back with that hatred embodiment reveal. The episode 20s of course as most people would say are the highlight of the show. Splitting up a team for individual development is such a great idea wonder if this will be more common then later on. The tense moments, the stakes and the sweet character reveals and development. Sasuke becoming gentler after this due to his experiences with the butterfly girl, Saizou and Seikais deepening bond, Tsuruhime going deeper into her role and of course the best fight in the series with Jiraiya and his master. A bloody well-choreographed emotional masterpiece to test Jiraiyas resolve and recontextualizing the circumstances of the foreigner of the Kakurangers. All culminating in an epic new mech a glorious defeat for Junior and the turning over of another act of Kakuranger. Though the second half may not be as fun to me mostly because of the 2 characters in the con section there’s still a lot of moments to love and enjoy. Nuppefuhofus face stealing episode and the girl who wanted the manga face was pure nightmare fuel. Reexamining Jiraiyas journey in the Ushioni episode was great not to mention the gun battle in it. It was oh so satisfying finally seeing the Friday in California Scene the whole episode was a laugh riot. Thankfully there was still drama to be found with the Dara Dara and Yamanba story arcs. Great to see development from the mechs having them fight and make decisions in a difficult situation alongside the Rangers was great really made me enjoy the trio even more than Ninjaman. Tsuruhimes moments with her father where great no kid should have to go through that yet despite it, she was strong throughout but at our lowest moments we will have our friends even when we may need to face our family.

The shows balance of comedic timing, great stylized effects for the time as well as meaningful layered development for the 5 Kakurangers is a wonderful experience. Across 53 episodes the pace is breakneck and funny throughout but always takes time for serious moments and drama that highlight the core of the story which are the characters and at the end our friends. I am glad to have experienced this as my first Sentai.

My next 2 Sentai will be the roaring and rampaging Dinos in Abaranger and the protectors of the future in Timeranger. Then I will use a randomizer wheel with my 35th being Gozyuger and my final being Gokaiger. If anyone has made it this far you can suggest something different from Timeranger if you feel that is not good for my Number 3 Sentai. 

With Project Red being the inheritor for the time being of the Sentai Timeslot and with the confirmation that each project will be around 6 months what do you think is the long term plan for this project?

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The Long Term plan after the non-success of Ninninger was essentially the shaking up of the Sentai Formula in different ways in order to attract new audiences and regain back the old.

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From Massive Sentai teams to Sentais fighting each other, Mechanical Sentai and Game of Thrones Sentai but sadly the numbers never reached the ideal.

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With Project R.E.D. are there any interviews or discussions that could shine a light on what the producers, toy manufacturers and story writers are planning or perhaps your own hunches on the future of these projects?

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Personally I'm guessing we will get to 4-5 hero's aka 2 years of projects and then they'll release a movie with everybody in it to see Japan's opinion of if the project was a success what about you guys?

Specifically for The Above Series for the Long Time Tokusatsu fans in the server if one were to go Showa, Heisei Reiwa and not skip anything which franchise would be the best experience in your opinion?

Or in a way once everything is watched which one has the best grand/overarching narrative?

In a lot of memes and discussions of the show these are arguably the most famous lines.

Just wondering if there's someone or a wiki that counted these would be fun to know the exact number.

To add to the discussion as well whats your favorite of these moments and which our of the 3 do you look forward to hearing in one episode the most?

Saw this Ghost Collab from Twitter account @stsk0001.

Thought it would be fun to see some other Kamen Rider X Food related things.

Okay, so I'm not quite sure if this was the case in production order, but the more I thought about it, I feel like Promposal should've aired first.

Now, tbf these episodes aren't that far from each other, barely 3 eps apart, but if their airings were reversed or one chooses to watch Promposal first it feels more fitting for Penny's progression imo.

While I do enjoy The Amadain, I can also see the point of view that Penny's attitude towards Gumball might not mesh well with the previous depictions of their relationship.

Consider the last Penny/Gumball centric episode of The Amazing Series, which is The Transformation with Penny dragging Gumball into an argument with her parents, which is resolved at the end. Gumball is rightfully kinda miffed that he a kid is supposed to be the mediator rather than a counsellor or therapist. Makes sense why the dude does not want that nonsense anymore.

Then, the first of the Wonderful series is the usual Gumball taking a relationship concern too far like previous episodes to reestablish the status quo of Gumball being the misunderstanding yet caring boyfriend.

It's a weird flow of why she would feel the need to trick him if she knew from experience that these situations aren't fun for him either. As well as having the question of if Gumball defended her from the beginning, was the plan just being cancelled? If she didn't enjoy not being defended where did she have the time to plan with her family to do all the things/ act that way unless she knew Gumball wouldn't defend her in the first place which is still not good for her as she would know the family stuff isn't his strong suit cuz they're both kids.

Now consider if the flow was Promposal and then Amadain.

You'd have Gumball take the backseat to the Penny Centric Episode show her masterminding a plan for an awesome Promposal showing that for their relationship Penny can be just as unhinged as Gumball.

Then Amadain shows up it's less surprising at the end, but it's more satisfying, but now we know that hey Penny can do ridiculous stuff too. It would show that she could plan stuff to strengthen their relationship/act a certain way. Now putting Gumball throughout all that stuff because he wanted a karaoke machine initially is still probably not ideal since she did invite him, but if it's Promposal first it at least sets the precedent that she's almost as crazy as Gumball rather than her seeming like the more reasonable one in her relationship and doing a weird thing if you go Astrological>Amadain>Promposal rather than switching the latter 2.

Now that still would make the shell reveal kinda weird that the ENTIRE family became Semi Chill overtime/offscreen, but it's one less nitpick I'd have with the episode

After all, things like these are subjective. What are your thoughts on the 4 episodes above? Would you rearrange certain character arcs for development. That would make more sense/ better flow. Why or why not it would be a fun discussion?