Super Sentai

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Template:Short description Template:Original research Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox media franchise

The Template:Nihongo is a Japanese superhero team media franchise consisting of multiple television series and films produced by Toei Company and aired by TV Asahi. The shows are of the tokusatsu genre, featuring live action characters and colorful special effects. Super Sentai airs alongside the Kamen Rider series in the Super Hero Time programming block on Sunday mornings on TV Asahi. In North America, the Super Sentai series is best known as the source material for the Power Rangers series.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Template:TOC limit

Series overview

Template:More citations needed section In every Super Sentai series, the protagonists are a team of people who – using either 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 once again when the heroes fight it with their mecha. Each Super Sentai is set within its own fictional universe; various TV, video, and film specials feature a team-up among two or more teams.

It is common for teams to announce their names and titles both prior to and after transforming, often referred to as a "roll call". This is inspired by Shiranami Gonin Otoko, a kabuki play first performed in 1862. Elements of kabuki were carried over into 20th century television with the jidaigeki genre.Template:Sfn Kazutoshi Takahashi, a stunt coordinator of Himitsu Sentai Gorenger, is credited with introducing the roll call to the first Super Sentai.Template:Sfn

Production

Template:Overly detailed 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, which released in 1977. Toei put the franchise on hiatus in 1978, collaborating with Marvel Comics to produce a live-action Spider-Man series, which is regarded as the introduction of giant robots to tokusatsu hero shows. This concept was carried over to Toei and Marvel's next co-produced series, Battle Fever J in 1979, which was originally developed as a series based around Captain America.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The next two series, Denshi Sentai Denjiman and Taiyo Sentai Sun Vulcan, were also considered co-productions, with the remainder of the series has been solely produced by Toei Company.Template:Citation needed

One of the earliest uses of the name Super Sentai to refer to the franchise was published in the Super Sentai Zukan, a series encyclopedia published by Tokuma Shoten in 1981 during the airing of Taiyo Sentai Sun Vulcan.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It has been widely debated which Toei tokusatsu series could be considered a Super Sentai series. Whilst the first episode of Kousoku Sentai Turboranger, which celebrated the alleged first ten teams, excluded the original two Ishinomori series and recognised Battle Fever J as the first, earlier releases such as the 1981 Super Sentai Zukan included them. Several early Super Sentai releases such as guidebooks and soundtrack collections have also included Ninja Captor, Kikaider, Daitetsujin 17, Space Sheriff Gavan, and others despite having no established links to Super Sentai.<ref>Template:Cite AV media</ref> In 1993, the name Super Century All Sentai was introduced during the airing of Gosei Sentai Dairanger, recognising the two Ishinomori series and the Super Sentai series under one banner.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> During the airing of Mirai Sentai Timeranger in 2000, the franchise was officially rebranded as Super Sentai Series, with Himitsu Sentai Gorenger and J.A.K.Q. Dengekitai being formally classified under Super Sentai.Template:Citation needed

Multiple spin-off series have also been produced that exist outside of the main continuity, but using familiar elements and concepts. Unofficial Sentai Akibaranger, a parody series produced by Toei and airing on BS Asahi, ran for two seasons between 2012 and 2013.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2021, The High School Heroes mini-series aired on TV Asahi, starring Johnny's Entertainment unit Bishounen.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Both productions are set in world where Super Sentai exists as a television series, with the protagonists being fans who became heroes themselves. They also feature cameo appearances by characters from the main series, but characters originating from the spin-offs have not been included in the main series or any official line-ups.

On 30 October 2025, a report from Kyodo News stated that Super Sentai would come to an end with the finale of No.1 Sentai Gozyuger.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> No official statements have yet been made by TV Asahi or Toei.

Releases

Main series

The following is a list of the Super Sentai series and their years of broadcast:

No. Title Episodes Originally aired Korean Power Rangers title Power Rangers adaptation
First aired Last aired
Showa era

<section begin="Showa" era="" />

1 Himitsu Sentai Gorenger 84 5 April 1975 26 March 1977 rowspan="12" Template:N/A rowspan="12" Template:N/A
2 J.A.K.Q. Dengekitai 35 9 April 1977 24 December 1977
3 Battle Fever J 52 3 February 1979 26 January 1980
4 Denshi Sentai Denjiman 51 2 February 1980 31 January 1981
5 Taiyo Sentai Sun Vulcan 50 7 February 1981 30 January 1982
6 Dai Sentai Goggle-V 50 6 February 1982 20 January 1983
7 Kagaku Sentai Dynaman 51 5 February 1983 28 January 1984
8 Choudenshi Bioman 51 4 February 1984 26 January 1985
9 Dengeki Sentai Changeman 55 2 February 1985 22 February 1986
10 Choushinsei Flashman 50 1 March 1986 21 February 1987
11 Hikari Sentai Maskman 51 28 February 1987 20 February 1988
12 Choujyu Sentai Liveman 49 27 February 1988 18 February 1989
Heisei era

<section begin="Heisei" era="" />

13 Kousoku Sentai Turboranger 51 4 March 1989 23 February 1990 rowspan="13" Template:N/A rowspan="3" Template:N/A
14 Chikyu Sentai Fiveman 48 2 March 1990 8 February 1991
15 Chōjin Sentai Jetman 51 15 February 1991 14 February 1992
16 Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger 50 21 February 1992 12 February 1993 Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
Template:Small
17 Gosei Sentai Dairanger 50 19 February 1993 11 February 1994
18 Ninja Sentai Kakuranger 53 18 February 1994 24 February 1995
Mighty Morphin Alien Rangers
19 Chouriki Sentai Ohranger 48 3 March 1995 23 February 1996 Power Rangers Zeo
20 Gekisou Sentai Carranger 48 1 March 1996 7 February 1997 Power Rangers Turbo
Template:Small
21 Denji Sentai Megaranger 51 14 February 1997 15 February 1998 Power Rangers in Space
22 Seijuu Sentai Gingaman 50 22 February 1998 14 February 1999 Power Rangers Lost Galaxy
23 Kyuukyuu Sentai GoGoFive 50 21 February 1999 6 February 2000 Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue
24 Mirai Sentai Timeranger 50 + 1 sp. 13 February 2000 4 February 2001 Power Rangers Time Force
25 Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger 51 18 February 2001 10 February 2002 Power Rangers Jungle Force Power Rangers Wild Force
26 Ninpu Sentai Hurricanger 51 17 February 2002 9 February 2003 Template:N/A Power Rangers Ninja Storm
27 Bakuryū Sentai Abaranger 50 16 February 2003 8 February 2004 Power Rangers Dino Thunder Power Rangers Dino Thunder
28 Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger 50 15 February 2004 6 February 2005 Power Rangers S.P.D. Power Rangers S.P.D.
29 Mahō Sentai Magiranger 49 13 February 2005 12 February 2006 Power Rangers Magic Force Power Rangers Mystic Force
30 GoGo Sentai Boukenger 49 19 February 2006 11 February 2007 Power Rangers Treasure Force Power Rangers Operation Overdrive
31 Juken Sentai Gekiranger 49 18 February 2007 10 February 2008 Power Rangers Wild Spirits Power Rangers Jungle Fury
32 Engine Sentai Go-onger 50 17 February 2008 8 February 2009 Power Rangers Engine Force Power Rangers RPM
33 Samurai Sentai Shinkenger 49 15 February 2009 7 February 2010 Template:N/A Power Rangers Samurai
Power Rangers Super Samurai
34 Tensou Sentai Goseiger 50 14 February 2010 6 February 2011 Power Rangers Miracle Force Power Rangers Megaforce
Power Rangers Super Megaforce
35 Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger 51 13 February 2011 19 February 2012 Power Rangers Space Captains Power Rangers Super Megaforce
36 Tokumei Sentai Go-Busters 50 26 February 2012 10 February 2013 Power Rangers Go-Busters Power Rangers Beast Morphers
37 Zyuden Sentai Kyoryuger 48 17 February 2013 9 February 2014 Power Rangers Dino Force Power Rangers Dino Charge
Power Rangers Dino Super Charge
38 Ressha Sentai ToQger 47 16 February 2014 15 February 2015 Power Rangers Train Force Template:N/A
39 Shuriken Sentai Ninninger 47 22 February 2015 7 February 2016 Power Rangers Ninja Force Power Rangers Ninja Steel
Power Rangers Super Ninja Steel
40 Doubutsu Sentai Zyuohger 48 14 February 2016 5 February 2017 Power Rangers Animal Force Template:N/A
41 Uchu Sentai Kyuranger 48 12 February 2017 4 February 2018 Power Rangers Galaxy Force Power Rangers Cosmic Fury
42 Kaitou Sentai Lupinranger VS Keisatsu Sentai Patranger 51 11 February 2018 10 February 2019 Power Rangers Lupin Force vs Patrol Force rowspan="2" Template:N/A
— Super Sentai Strongest Battle 4 17 February 2019 10 March 2019 Template:N/A
43 Kishiryu Sentai Ryusoulger 48 17 March 2019 1 March 2020 Power Rangers Dino Soul Power Rangers Dino Fury
Power Rangers Cosmic Fury
Reiwa era

<section begin="Reiwa" era="" />

44 Mashin Sentai Kiramager 45 + 5 sp. 8 March 2020 28 February 2021 Template:N/A rowspan="6" Template:N/A
45 Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger 49 7 March 2021 27 February 2022 Power Rangers Zenkai Robots
46 Avataro Sentai Donbrothers 50 6 March 2022 26 February 2023 Power Rangers Donbrothers
47 Ohsama Sentai King-Ohger 50 5 March 2023 25 February 2024 Power Rangers Kingdom Force
48 Bakuage Sentai Boonboomger 48 3 March 2024 9 February 2025 Power Rangers Boomboom Force
49 No.1 Sentai Gozyuger TBA 16 February 2025 2026

Theatrical releases

V-Cinema releases

Extras

  • 2010: Super Sentai Versus Series Theater
  • 2012-2013: Unofficial Sentai Akibaranger
  • 2019: 4 Week Continuous Special Super Sentai Strongest Battle!!
  • 2021: The High School Heroes

Others

Distribution and overseas adaptations

Template:Multiple issues Although the Super Sentai series originated in Japan, various Sentai series have been imported and dubbed in other languages for broadcast in several different countries.

United States

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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.Template:Citation needed In 1985, Marvel Comics produced a pilot for an American adaptation of Super Sentai, but the show was rejected by the major American TV networks.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 1986, Saban Productions produced a pilot for an American adaptation of Choudenshi Bioman titled Bio Man.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 1987, some episodes of Kagaku Sentai Dynaman were dubbed and aired as a parody on the USA Network television show Night Flight.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

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,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> who owned it until 2010, broadcasting Power Rangers on ABC Kids, ABC Family, Jetix, and Toon Disney.Template: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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On 25 July 2014, Shout! Factory announced that they would release Zyuranger on DVD in the United States.<ref>Template:Cite tweet</ref> They have since been the official distributor of Super Sentai in North America, and as of 2024 have released all subsequent series up to Dekaranger, plus Jetman and Fiveman. Shout! also provides episodes on demand via Shout! TV since 2016.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2023, Power Rangers Cosmic Fury was released on Netflix, and was the first Power Rangers series to not be a direct adaptation of a Super Sentai series. Instead, the production used mostly original costumes that were adapted from Kishiryu Sentai Ryusoulger, the basis of its previous season, Power Rangers Dino Fury.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

South Korea

Template:Anchor 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".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Vietnam

In Vietnam, the Super Sentai series were released with voice-over dubs for years. In 2003, Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger was the first Super Sentai season to be released in VCD and DVD, and became a hit in the country. Later Super Sentai seasons were broadcast on local and cable TV. Recently, the most recent Super Sentai seasons are subbed by fans and shared online.Template:Fact

Merchandise

Template:As of, Bandai Namco has sold Template:Nowrap Super Sentai shape-changing model robots since 1979.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Bandai Namco Super Sentai retail sales
Fiscal period Net sales Notes Template:Abbr
Template:Dts to December 2005 Template:¥ Bandai sales <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Template:Dts to March 2007 Template:¥ Toy sales <ref name="bandai2007">Template:Cite web</ref>
Template:Dts to March 2012 Template:¥ <ref name="bandai2008">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="bandai2011">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="bandai2013">Template:Cite web</ref>
April 2002 to Template:Dts Template:¥ (Template:US$)
Template:Dts to March 2013 Template:¥ (Template:US$) <ref name="bandai2013"/>
Template:Dts to March 2014 Template:¥ (Template:US$) <ref name="bandai2015">Template:Cite web</ref>
Template:Dts to December 2020 Template:¥ (Template:US$) <ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
April 2002 to December 2020 Template:¥ (Template:US$)
Super Sentai licensed merchandise in Japan
Year Retail sales Template:Abbr
2003 Template:¥ <ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
2008 Template:¥ <ref name="charabiz2008">Template:Cite news</ref>
2010 Template:¥ <ref name="charabiz2010">Template:Cite book</ref>
2012 Template:¥ <ref name="charabiz2012">Template:Cite journal</ref>
2013 Template:¥ <ref name="charabiz2013">Template:Cite book</ref>
2014 Template:¥ <ref name="charabiz2014">Template:Cite book</ref>
2003 to 2014 Template:¥+ (Template:US$+)
Sentai licensed merchandise outside Japan
Year(s) Retail sales Template:Abbr
1993 to 1999 $6 billion <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2005 Template:US$ <ref name="NPD2006">Template:Cite book</ref>
2006 $131 million <ref name="NPD2006"/>
2012 $300 million <ref name="tll2013">Template:Cite news</ref>
2013 $333 million
2014 $326 million <ref name="tll2014">Template:Cite news</ref>
2015 $330 million <ref name="tll2016">Template:Cite news</ref>
2016 $361 million
2017 $548 million <ref name="tll2017">Template:Cite news</ref>
2018 $281 million <ref name="tll2018list">Template:Cite news</ref>
1993 to 2018 Template:US$+

Parody and homage

Template:More citations needed section The Super Sentai Series has been parodied and emulated in various ways throughout the world.Template:Citation needed The term "Sentai" is also occasionally used to describe shows with premises like the Super Sentai Series.Template:Citation needed

Dai-Nippon

Template:Main

Gainax produced a Japanese fan film called Template:Nihongo in 1982 as a homage to the Super Sentai franchise.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Sport Ranger

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The Thai television series Sport Ranger, another homage to Super Sentai, aired in 2006.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

France Five

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Jushi Sentai France Five (later known as Shin Kenjushi France Five) is a French online mini-series that was released in six instalments from 2000 to 2013.Template:Citation needed

Legendary Armor Samurai Troopers

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Known as Ronin Warriors in the English dub, this anime involved five young warriors each in possession of mystical armor and weapons which allowed them to transform into more powerful forms, similar to Super Sentai.

Sailor Moon

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Naoko Takeuchi used Super Sentai as inspiration for the creation of the Sailor Soldiers in Sailor Moon.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Digimon Frontier

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The fourth entry of the Digimon anime involved five young kids (eventually six) to gain Digivices known as D-tectors which contained the spirits of ancient heroes known as the Ten Legendary Warriors that allowed them to transform into Digimon forms to fight off monsters in a manner reminiscent of Super Sentai.

Jeanne d'Arc

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The Jeanne d'Arc PSP game made by Level 5 which depicts the title character (voiced by Maaya Sakamoto in Japanese and Kari Wahlgren in English respectively) in a fantasy universe based on the historical story has her and certain others with the power to transform into armored warriors akin to Super Sentai.

Kingdom Hearts

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The PSP prequel entry to the Kingdom Hearts video game franchise made by Square-Enix involves the main characters (Terra, Aqua, and Ventus) transforming into magical armor akin to Super Sentai.

Sparanger

As part of the Omoikkiri Ii!! TV television program, a series of features was produced on various spas and onsen around Japan titled Template:Nihongo. This featured tokusatsu and drama actors Takashi Hagino (Changéríon of Choukou Senshi Changéríon and Kamen Rider Ouja of Kamen Rider Ryuki) as Template:Nihongo, Kento Handa (Kamen Rider Faiz of Kamen Rider 555) as Template:Nihongo, Kengo Ohkuchi (Emperor Z of Ressha Sentai ToQger) as Template:Nihongo, Masashi Mikami (Bouken Blue in GoGo Sentai Boukenger) as Template:Nihongo, and Kohei Murakami (Kamen Rider Kaixa in Kamen Rider 555) as Template:Nihongo.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

EA's Rock

In 2013, Gainax produced Template:Nihongo, a 13-episode miniseries of live-action shorts which parodied the Super Sentai Series. The series' characters are all former members of a fighting group called Template:Nihongo.Template:Citation needed EA's Rock is broadcast on the Tōmeihan Net 6 Japanese Association of Independent Television Stations as well as Nico Nico Douga.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Love After World Domination

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The manga/anime series Love After World Domination is a satire on the tokusatsu genre, with a team of multi-colored heroes wear spandex suits to fight against an organization bent on world domination, similar to the various Super Sentai series.

Dragon Ball

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Akira Toriyama was inspired to create the Ginyu Force for the Dragon Ball manga after seeing his children watch Super Sentai.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Notes

Template:Notelist

References

Template:Reflist

Sources

Template:Update

Template:Super Sentai Template:Shotaro Ishinomori Template:Power Rangers Template:Subject bar

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