Super Sentai | |
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Created by | Shotaro Ishinomori |
Original work | Himitsu Sentai Gorenger |
Owner | Toei Company |
Years | 1975–present |
Films and television | |
Television series | See below |
Games | |
Traditional | Rangers Strike |
Video game(s) | Super Sentai Battle: Dice-O |
Audio | |
Original music | Project.R |
Miscellaneous | |
Toy(s) | S.H. Figuarts Soul of Chogokin Super Robot Chogokin |
The Super Sentai Series (スーパー戦隊シリーズ, Sūpā Sentai Shirīzu) is a Japanese superhero team metaseries and media franchise consisting of television series and films produced by Toei Company and Bandai, and aired by TV Asahi. The shows are of the tokusatsu genre, featuring live action characters and colorful special effects, and are aimed at children. Super Sentai airs alongside the Kamen Rider series in the Super Hero Time programming block on Sunday mornings. In North America, the Super Sentai series is best known as the source material for the Power Rangers series.[1]
In every Super Sentai series, the protagonists are a team of people who – using wrist-worn or hand-held devices – transform into superheroes and gain superpowers – color-coded uniforms, signature weapons, sidearms, and fighting skills – to battle a group of otherworldly supervillains that threaten to take over the Earth. In a typical episode, the heroes thwart the enemies' plans and defeat an army of enemy soldiers and the monster of the week before an enlarged version of the monster confronts them, only to be defeated again when the heroes fight it with their mecha. Each Sentai series is set in its own unique fictional universe; various TV, video, and film specials feature a team-up among two or more teams.
The first two Super Sentai series were created by Shotaro Ishinomori, then known for the 1971–1973 Kamen Rider TV series and the long-running manga Cyborg 009. He developed Himitsu Sentai Gorenger, which ran from 1975 to 1977, and J.A.K.Q. Dengekitai, released in 1977. Toei Company put the franchise on hiatus in 1978, collaborating with Marvel Comics to produce a live-action Spider-Man series, which added giant robots to the concept of tokusatsu shows. The giant robot concept was carried over to Toei and Marvel's next show, Battle Fever J, released in 1979, and was then used throughout the Super Sentai series. The next two series Denshi Sentai Denjiman and Taiyo Sentai Sun Vulcan had Marvel Comics copyrights and co-productions, despite no influence. Subsequently, the remainder of the series has been solely produced by Toei Company.
The following is a list of the Super Sentai series and their years of broadcast:
No. | Title | Episodes | Originally aired | Notes
This section contains a list of miscellaneous information. Please relocate any relevant information into other sections or articles. (December 2023)
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First aired | Last aired | ||||
1 | Himitsu Sentai Gorenger | 84 | 5 April 1975 | 26 March 1977 |
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2 | J.A.K.Q. Dengekitai | 35 | 9 April 1977 | 24 December 1977 |
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3 | Battle Fever J | 52 | 3 February 1979 | 26 January 1980 |
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4 | Denshi Sentai Denjiman | 51 | 2 February 1980 | 31 January 1981 |
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5 | Taiyo Sentai Sun Vulcan | 50 | 7 February 1981 | 30 January 1982 |
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6 | Dai Sentai Goggle-V | 50 | 6 February 1982 | 20 January 1983 |
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7 | Kagaku Sentai Dynaman | 51 | 5 February 1983 | 28 January 1984 |
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8 | Choudenshi Bioman | 51 | 4 February 1984 | 26 January 1985 |
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9 | Dengeki Sentai Changeman | 55 | 2 February 1985 | 22 February 1986 |
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10 | Choushinsei Flashman | 50 | 1 March 1986 | 21 February 1987 |
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11 | Hikari Sentai Maskman | 51 | 28 February 1987 | 20 February 1988 |
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12 | Choujyu Sentai Liveman | 49 | 27 February 1988 | 18 February 1989 |
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No. | Title | Episodes | Originally aired | Power Rangers adaptation | Korean Power Rangers title | Notes
This section contains a list of miscellaneous information. Please relocate any relevant information into other sections or articles. (December 2023)
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First aired | Last aired | ||||||
13 | Kousoku Sentai Turboranger | 50 + 1 sp. | 4 March 1989 | 23 February 1990 | — | — |
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14 | Chikyu Sentai Fiveman | 48 | 2 March 1990 | 8 February 1991 |
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15 | Chōjin Sentai Jetman | 51 | 15 February 1991 | 14 February 1992 |
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16 | Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger | 50 | 21 February 1992 | 12 February 1993 | Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (Season 1) Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always |
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17 | Gosei Sentai Dairanger | 50 | 19 February 1993 | 11 February 1994 | Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (Season 2) Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie |
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18 | Ninja Sentai Kakuranger | 53 | 18 February 1994 | 24 February 1995 | Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (Season 3) Mighty Morphin Alien Rangers Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie |
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19 | Chouriki Sentai Ohranger | 48 | 3 March 1995 | 23 February 1996 | Power Rangers Zeo |
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20 | Gekisou Sentai Carranger | 48 | 1 March 1996 | 7 February 1997 | Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie Power Rangers Turbo |
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21 | Denji Sentai Megaranger | 51 | 14 February 1997 | 15 February 1998 | Power Rangers in Space |
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22 | Seijuu Sentai Gingaman | 50 | 22 February 1998 | 14 February 1999 | Power Rangers Lost Galaxy |
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23 | Kyuukyuu Sentai GoGoFive | 50 | 21 February 1999 | 6 February 2000 | Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue |
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24 | Mirai Sentai Timeranger | 50 + 1 sp. | 13 February 2000 | 4 February 2001 | Power Rangers Time Force |
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25 | Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger | 51 | 18 February 2001 | 10 February 2002 | Power Rangers Wild Force | Power Rangers Jungle Force |
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26 | Ninpu Sentai Hurricanger | 51 | 17 February 2002 | 9 February 2003 | Power Rangers Ninja Storm | — |
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27 | Bakuryū Sentai Abaranger | 50 | 16 February 2003 | 8 February 2004 | Power Rangers Dino Thunder | Power Rangers Dino Thunder |
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28 | Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger | 50 | 15 February 2004 | 6 February 2005 | Power Rangers S.P.D. | Power Rangers S.P.D. |
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29 | Mahō Sentai Magiranger | 49 | 13 February 2005 | 12 February 2006 | Power Rangers Mystic Force | Power Rangers Magic Force |
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30 | GoGo Sentai Boukenger | 49 | 19 February 2006 | 11 February 2007 | Power Rangers Operation Overdrive | Power Rangers Treasure Force |
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31 | Juken Sentai Gekiranger | 49 | 18 February 2007 | 10 February 2008 | Power Rangers Jungle Fury | Power Rangers Wild Spirits |
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32 | Engine Sentai Go-onger | 50 | 17 February 2008 | 8 February 2009 | Power Rangers RPM | Power Rangers Engine Force |
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33 | Samurai Sentai Shinkenger | 49 | 15 February 2009 | 7 February 2010 | Power Rangers Samurai Power Rangers Super Samurai |
— |
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34 | Tensou Sentai Goseiger | 50 | 14 February 2010 | 6 February 2011 | Power Rangers Megaforce | Power Rangers Miracle Force |
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35 | Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger | 51 | 13 February 2011 | 19 February 2012 | Power Rangers Super Megaforce | Power Rangers Captain Force |
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36 | Tokumei Sentai Go-Busters | 50 | 26 February 2012 | 10 February 2013 | Power Rangers Beast Morphers | Power Rangers Go-Busters |
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37 | Zyuden Sentai Kyoryuger | 48 | 17 February 2013 | 9 February 2014 | Power Rangers Dino Charge Power Rangers Dino Super Charge |
Power Rangers Dino Force |
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38 | Ressha Sentai ToQger | 47 | 16 February 2014 | 15 February 2015 | — | Power Rangers Train Force |
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39 | Shuriken Sentai Ninninger | 47 | 22 February 2015 | 7 February 2016 | Power Rangers Ninja Steel Power Rangers Super Ninja Steel |
Power Rangers Ninja Force |
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40 | Doubutsu Sentai Zyuohger | 48 | 14 February 2016 | 5 February 2017 | — | Power Rangers Animal Force |
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41 | Uchu Sentai Kyuranger | 48 | 12 February 2017 | 4 February 2018 | Power Rangers Cosmic Fury | Power Rangers Galaxy Force |
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42 | Kaitou Sentai Lupinranger VS Keisatsu Sentai Patranger | 51 | 11 February 2018 | 10 February 2019 | — | Power Rangers Lupin Force vs Patrol Force |
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SP | Super Sentai Strongest Battle | 4 | February 17, 2019 | March 10, 2019 | — |
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43 | Kishiryu Sentai Ryusoulger | 48 | 17 March 2019 | 1 March 2020 | Power Rangers Dino Fury Power Rangers Cosmic Fury |
Power Rangers Dino Soul |
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No. | Title | Episodes | Originally aired | Power Rangers adaptation | Korean Power Rangers title | Notes
This section contains a list of miscellaneous information. Please relocate any relevant information into other sections or articles. (December 2023)
| |
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First aired | Last aired | ||||||
44 | Mashin Sentai Kiramager | 45 | 8 March 2020 | 28 February 2021 | — | — |
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45 | Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger | 49 | 7 March 2021 | 27 February 2022[2] | Power Rangers Zenkaiger |
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46 | Avataro Sentai Donbrothers | 50 | 6 March 2022[2] | 26 February 2023 | Power Rangers Donbrothers |
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47 | Ohsama Sentai King-Ohger | 50 | 5 March 2023 | 25 February 2024 | Power Rangers Kingdom Force |
| |
48 | Bakuage Sentai Boonboomger | TBA | 3 March 2024 | 2025 | — |
Although the Super Sentai series originated in Japan, various Sentai series have been imported and dubbed in other languages for broadcast in several other countries.
After Honolulu's KIKU-TV had success with Android Kikaider (marketed as Kikaida) and Kamen Rider V3 in the 1970s, multiple Super Sentai series, including Himitsu Sentai Gorenger and Battle Fever J, were brought to the Hawaiian market, broadcast in Japanese with English subtitles by JN Productions.[citation needed] In 1985, Marvel Comics produced a pilot for an American adaptation of Super Sentai, but the show was rejected by the major US TV networks.[3] In 1986, Saban Productions produced a pilot for an American adaptation of Choudenshi Bioman titled Bio Man.[4][5] In 1987, some episodes of Kagaku Sentai Dynaman were dubbed and aired as a parody on the USA Network television show Night Flight.[6]
In 1993, American production company Saban Entertainment adapted 1992's Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger into Mighty Morphin Power Rangers for the Fox Kids programming block, combining the original Japanese action footage with new footage featuring American actors for the story sequences. Since then, nearly every Super Sentai series that followed became a new season of Power Rangers. In 2002, Saban sold the Power Rangers franchise to Disney's Buena Vista division,[7] who owned it until 2010, broadcasting Power Rangers on ABC Kids, ABC Family, Jetix, and Toon Disney.[citation needed] On 12 May 2010, Saban bought the franchise back from Disney, moving the show to the Nickelodeon network for 2011 with Power Rangers Samurai.[8]
On 25 July 2014, Shout! Factory announced that they would release Zyuranger on DVD in the United States.[9] Since then, Shout! has been the official distributor of Super Sentai DVDs in North America, and as of 2019 has released all subsequent series up to Hurricanger, plus Jetman. After Jetman, a release was announced of the series Fiveman, but was put on hiatus due to Hasbro's acquisition of the Power Rangers franchise. In June 2022, it was announced they would resume production/distribution of Super Sentai DVD sets in North America, beginning with Fiveman.
Beginning in 2016, Super Sentai episodes would be available on demand on ShoutFactoryTV.com. These episodes can only be viewed in North America.[10] Super Sentai episodes are also available to watch on the free streaming service, Tubi.
On 1 May 2018, toy company Hasbro announced they had acquired the Power Rangers franchise from Saban Capital Group for $522 million.[11]
Super Sentai has been broadcast in South Korea, dubbed in Korean. The first such series was Choushinsei Flashman which aired as Jigu Bangwidae Flash Man (Earth Defence Squadron Flashman), released in video format in 1989 by the Daeyung Panda video company; this was followed by Hikari Sentai Maskman and Chodenshi Bioman. Throughout the 1990s, Dai Sentai Goggle Five, Dengeki Sentai Changeman, Choujyu Sentai Liveman, and Kousoku Sentai Turboranger were also released in video format. In the 2000s and early 2010s, Tooniverse (formerly Orion Cartoon Network), JEI-TV (Jaeneung Television), Champ TV/Anione TV (Daewon Broadcasting), Cartoon Network South Korea, and Nickelodeon South Korea have broadcast Super Sentai series a year following their original Japanese broadcast, but have changed the titles to "Power Rangers".[12][13][14]
As of March 2021[update], Bandai Namco has sold 30.89 million Super Sentai shape-changing model robots since 1979.[15]
Fiscal period | Net sales | Notes | Ref |
---|---|---|---|
April 2002 to December 2005 | ¥108.9 billion | Bandai sales | [16] |
April 2006 to March 2007 | ¥10.1 billion | Toy sales | [17] |
April 2007 to March 2012 | ¥102.4 billion | [18][19][20] | |
April 2002 to March 2012 | ¥221.4 billion ($2,775 million) | ||
April 2012 to March 2013 | ¥20.8 billion ($261 million) | [20] | |
April 2013 to March 2014 | ¥25.3 billion ($259 million) | [21] | |
April 2014 to December 2020 | ¥103.3 billion ($1,002 million) | [22][23] | |
April 2002 to December 2020 | ¥370.8 billion ($4.298 billion) |
Year | Retail sales | Ref |
---|---|---|
2003 | ¥24 billion | [24] |
2008 | ¥37.28 billion | [25] |
2010 | ¥24.58 billion | [26] |
2012 | ¥40.96 billion | [27] |
2013 | ¥37.99 billion | [28] |
2014 | ¥39.21 billion | [29] |
2003 to 2014 | ¥204.02 billion+ ($2.349 billion+) |
Year(s) | Retail sales | Ref |
---|---|---|
1993 to 1999 | $6 billion | [30] |
2005 | $112 million | [31] |
2006 | $131 million | [31] |
2012 | $300 million | [32] |
2013 | $333 million | |
2014 | $326 million | [33] |
2015 | $330 million | [34] |
2016 | $361 million | |
2017 | $548 million | [35] |
2018 | $281 million | [36] |
1993 to 2018 | $8.722 billion+ |
9 | Combat Force Series | 240
Based on Himitsu Sentai Gorenger (1975–1977) by Shotaro Ishinomori | |
Shōwa era series | |
Heisei era series |
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Reiwa era series |
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Related media |
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See also | |