In every Sentai show, the fight between good and evil is illustrated, with the good side winning most of the time. The basic premise of the series is that a group of (usually) five people gain special powers (magical or technological), wear colored outfits, and use advanced weapons and martial arts skills to battle powerful beings from other planets and/or dimensions threatening to take over the Earth. In most of the episodes, after the team has beaten an army of evil creatures ("grunts") and the "monster of the week", they call for huge robotic vehicles/animals (" Mecha s") that can combine to form one giant robot to fight an enlarged version of the monster. Sentai series with the giant robot element are specifically known as ''Super Sentai''. Each Sentai is set in a different fictional universe, with the exception of teamups.
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The first Sentai series, '' Himitsu Sentai Goranger '', was created by the late Shotaro Ishinomori , creator of Kamen Rider and Cyborg 009 in 1975 . He did not create any further sentai series after his second, ''JAKQ Dengekitai'', was poorly received.
The third Sentai series, ''Battle Fever J'' ( 1979 ), is the first Super Sentai show (on account of it being the first to have a giant robot that the heroes ride - the past two shows only had vehicles).
The term ''sentai'' is also occasionally used to describe shows with similar premises, such as '' Voltron '', or even the magical girl team in '' Sailor Moon ''. However, this definition was never official for these types of shows. Recently (in 2003/2004), '' Sailor Moon '' has been retold in a fashion somewhat similar to Sentai shows in the form of '' Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon ''. While not officially Sentai, some fans of the genre have accepted it as such.
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Although the series' originated in Japan, they were imported and , due in large part to the previous success of '' Kamen Rider V3 '' and '' Kikaida '' there. Additionally, ''Bioman'' & '' Kousoku Sentai Turboranger '' were aired in Spain .
'' Himitsu Sentai Goranger '' was also aired briefly in Sacramento and San Francisco, California . '' Kagaku Sentai Dynaman '' was dubbed and aired as a parody on the USA Network television show '' Night Flight '' in 1987. In 1993, Haim Saban produced the first installment of the '' Power Rangers '' series by dubbing the action sequences from 1992's '' Kyoryuu Sentai ZyuRanger '' and filming new footage with American actors for the story sequences. This trend has continued, with each successive Sentai show contributing the action sequences to the ''Power Rangers'' series the following year.
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- The color pallette for Super Sentai has grown over the years, beginning with Red, Blue, Yellow, Pink, and Green in Goranger.
- --- Red is in all Sentai; TimeFire in Timeranger is the first Ranger to share the same color as a core member (TimeRed). So far, all red warriors have been male.
-- Crimson was introduced in Hurricanger with Tsunonin KabutoRaiger; Tenkuu Yuusha Wolzard Fire in Magiranger also wore crimson.
- --- Blue is in all Sentai; Liveman (Blue Dolphin), Jetman (Blue Swallow), Hurricanger (Hurricane Blue), and Magiranger (MagiBlue) had blue heroines.
-- Light Blue is worn by Blue Swallow, Hurricane Blue, and MagiBlue.
-- Navy Blue first appeared in Kakurenger, with Ninjaman wearing it predominantly. It also appeared in Carranger (Signalman wore it predominantly) and Hurricanger (Kibanin KuwagaRaiger).
--DekaMaster, from Dekaranger, wore Metallic Blue armor.
- --- Yellow is in all Sentai with the exceptions of JAKQ (although Big One has yellow accents), Battle Fever, & Changeman; Bioman (Yellow Four), Flashman (Yellow Flash), Maskman (Yellow Mask), Fiveman (Five Yellow), Ohranger (OhYellow), Carranger (Yellow Racer), Megaranger (MegaYellow), Abaranger (AbareYellow), Dekaranger (DekaYellow), and Boukenger (BoukenYellow) had yellow heroines.
- --- Pink is in Goranger (Momoranger), JAKQ (Heart Queen), Battle Fever (Miss America), Denjiman (Denjipink), Goggle V (Goggle Pink), Dynaman (DynaPink), Bioman (Pink Five), Changeman (Change Phoenix), Flashman (Pink Flash), Maskman (Pink Mask), Turboranger (Pink Turbo), Fiveman (Five Pink), Zyuranger (PteraRanger), Dairanger (HououRanger), OHRanger (OHPink), Carranger (Pink Racer), Megaranger (MegaPink), Gingaman (GingaPink), GoGo V (GoPink), Timeranger (TimePink), Abaranger (AbarePink, or "AbarePig" in the minds of some fans), Dekaranger (DekaPink), Magiranger (MagiPink), and Boukenger (BoukenPink). White Rose Mask in Sun/Three Vulcan, Change Mermaid in Changeman, White Swan in Jetman, and GaoWhite in Gaoranger all had pink accents. So far, all pink warriors have been female.
- --- Green is in Goranger (Midoranger), JAKQ (Clover King), Denjiman (DenjiGreen), Bioman (Green Two), Flashman (Green Flash), Maskman (X1 Mask), Liveman (Green Bison), the Jetman manga (Green Eagle replaces Black Condor), Zyuranger (Dragon Ranger), Dairanger (ShishiRanger), Ohranger (OhGreen), Carranger (Green Racer), Gingaman (GingaGreen), GoGo V (GoGreen), Timeranger (TimeGreen), Hurricanger (Tenkuu Ninja Shurikenger), Dekaranger (DekaGreen), and Magiranger (MagiGreen). Battle Kenya in Battle Fever has green accents. So far, all green warriors have been male.
- --- White was introduced in JAKQ (however, many see Big One as a " Rainbow Ranger" rather than a white ranger, since he has accents of green, blue, red, and yellow), which, along with Dairanger (KibaRanger), Abaranger (AbareKiller), and Dekaranger (DekaBreak had a strip of Indigo as well), have male warriors in white, and Signalman in Carranger also had white accents; Sun/Three Vulcan (White Rose Mask), Changeman (Change Mermaid), Jetman (White Swan), Kakuranger (Ninja White), Carranger (White Racer), Gaoranger (GaoWhite), Dekaranger (DekaSwan also has orange accents), and Magiranger (MagiMother) have white heroines.
- --- Orange was introduced in Battle Fever (Battle Cossack), the only series, to date, with a regular member in orange; DekaSwan from Dekaranger has orange accents.
- --- Black was introduced in Battle Fever (Battle Kenya has green accents, however), and also appeared in Goggle V (GoggleBlack), Dynaman (DynaBlack), Changeman (Change Gryphon), Maskman (Black Mask), Liveman (Black Bison), Turboranger (Black Turbo), Fiveman (Five Black), Jetman (Black Condor), Zyuranger (Mammoth Ranger), Kakuranger (Ninja Black), Ohranger (Kingranger wore gold armor on top of black spandex), Carranger (VRV (ictory '''R'''anger ehicle) Master), Megaranger (MegaBlack), Gingaman (Black Knights BullBlack and Hyuuga), Gaoranger (GaoBlack), Abaranger (AbareBlack), and Boukenger (BoukenBlack). So far, all black warriors have been male.
- --- Gold was introduced in Ohranger (Kingranger) and also appeared in the GoGo V movie (Beast-Demon Hunter Sieg and Sieg-Jeanne), Dekaranger (DekaGold), and Magiranger (Tenkuu Yuusha MagiShine wore gold armor plating on top of indigo spandex). Joker, in JAKQ, also wore a gold tuxedo.
- --- Silver appeared for the first time in Megaranger (MegaSilver) and was used again in Gaoranger (GaoSilver) and Dekaranger (DekaBright has a strip of Dark Blue as well).
- ---On top of those, DenjiPrincess, from Denjiman, wore a Purple dress.
- Technically speaking, the Super Sentai Series starts with Battle Fever J. If you watch episode 1 of Turboranger, where they have a reunion of "all" past Super Sentai teams, Goranger and JAKQ are notably absent. Goranger and JAKQ are today officially part of the broader Sentai series.
- Due to the previous reason, all decade anniversary seasons had been car-themed. First, it was Turboranger in 1989, with the team motif being car models. Later, after the recount, was Carranger in 1996, focusing more in the vehicles and giving the series a comical air. The next would be Boukenger in 2006, featuring different exploration vehicles. Gaoranger, which celebrated the 25th Anniversary, is the first (and so far, only) Anniversary Super Sentai that is not vehicle-themed (it had an animal and environmentally-conscious theme instead).
- The longest Sentai series is Goranger, with a 84-episode run over three years. The shortest, JAKQ, only lasted 35 episodes due to lack of popularity and didn't reach the end of the broadcast year. Ironically, both shows were conceived by Shotaro Ishinomori . All other incarnations had lasted around 48-53 episodes (Changeman lasted 55); on average 49-50. Also, Battle Fever J to Sun/Three Vulcan are classified as the Marvel Super Sentai.
- The story of the Super Sentai mecha is very long:
- ---Goranger had the first aircraft carriers (Variblune and Varidreen), the first Tank (Varitank), and the first (and so far, only) Hot-air Balloon mecha (Variccune).
- ---JAKQ had the first Jet mecha (Sky Ace).
- ---Battle Fever J featured the first giant robot (Battle Fever Robo).
- ---Denjiman added the transforming feature (Denjifighter becomes Daidenjin, the first giant robot to engage in swordplay without a shield in its arsenal).
- ---Sun/Three Vulcan made the first combining mecha (Cosmo Vulcan (Red) + Bull Vulcan (Blue and Yellow) = Sun/Three Vulcan Robo).
- ---In Goggle V, only three of the Rangers piloted mecha which combined (Goggle Jet (Red) + Goggle TanTank (Blue) + Goggle Dump (Yellow) = Goggle Robo); GoggleBlack and GogglePink stayed behind in GoggleCeaser to supervise the battle.
- ---Dynaman had the first giant robot with a combined auxiliary form (DynaMach (Red) + DynaMobile (Black and Blue) + DynaGarry (Yellow and Pink) = either DynaRobo or DynaTrailer).
- ---Flashman featured the first secondary robo (Flash Titan).
- ---Maskman featured the first personal mecha for each team member (Masky Fighter (Red) + Masky Drill (Black) + Masky Tank (Blue) + Masky Jet (Yellow) + Masky Gyro (Pink) = Great Five).
- ---Liveman saw the first combining robots (Live Robo (Red, Yellow, and Blue) + Live Boxer (Black and Green) = Super Live Robo).
- ---Turboranger had the first mecha not to be transported to the battlefield via aircraft carrier (Turbo Machines and Rugger Fighter). It also had the first transforming base (Turbo Builder).
- ---Fiveman was the first instance in which a giant robot (Five Robot) rides another mecha (Star Carrier).
- ---Jetman featured the first mecha-cum-weapon for other mecha, Tetra Boy, which became the Tetrabuster cannon.
- ---Zyuranger introduced the living (and talking) mecha (Shugozyu).
- ---Dairanger had the first abnormally large mecha: Daijinryuu, a neutral mecha on neither side of the Dairanger-Gorma war.
- ---Kakuranger was the first to show heroes growing giant-size (Ninjaman) or becoming their mecha (Beast Generals). It was also the first to feature humanoid personal mecha (Beast Generals and Beast General Fighters) for the main team and the first to have a second five-pieced robot (Kakure Dai Shogun).
- ---Ohranger was the first (and currently only) series to feature a robot with interchangeable helmets (Ohranger Robo), with each helmet having different use and powers. It was also the first series to feature an auxillary mecha for one of the core members.
- ---Gingaman featured mecha that transformed from living creatures (Seijuu) and, for the first time the "warrior + mecha" combination, as was the case with Black Knight, who transformed into Heavy Knight (Heavy Knight + GouTaurus = BullTaurus). It was also the first to feature combined robots acting independently (Giga Rhinos and Giga Phoenix) and a third five-pieced robot (Giga Phoenix).
- ---GoGoV saw the first abnormally large humanoid robot (Grand Liner), also the first to separate and transform into an electric train.
- ---Timeranger had the concept of the same mecha (Time Jets) combine in three different combinations (a la Getter Robo ).
- ---Gaoranger was the first to feature a wide line of mecha able to form different combinations rather than formations by default as in previous seasons (Power Animals). Although this feature was a bit unpopular, due to all of the numerous possible combinations, a more simplified version that was used for later Sentai such as Abaranger (Bakuryuu) and Boukenger (GouGou Vehicles) would just have the additional mecha replacing the primary robot's arms rather than completely changing the robot formation around. It was also the first to have a centaur formation (GaoCentaurus).
- ---Hurricanger had the concept of the primary robots (Senpuujin, Gouraijin, and Tenkuujin) wielding (and at times, sharing) multiple collapsible weapons (Karakuri Balls).
- ---Dekaranger saw the first giant robot with a motorcycle transformation (DekaBike Robo) and the first set of mecha designed specifically for the primary Ranger's power-up form ( S.W.A.T. Mode Dekarangers' Patrol Wings 1~5 become DekaWing Robo becomes DekaWing Cannon).
- ---Magiranger saw the fact that the principal Rangers could only form one of their two main robos (MagiKing and MagiLegend) at any one time, but not both (as the Rangers themselves transform into their mecha rather than piloting them). When the Rangers are in Legend Form, they have to form MagiLegend (MagiFirebird + MagiLion, both Majuu), while outside of Legend Form, they can only form MagiKing (MagiPhoenix + MagiGaruda + MagiMermaid + MagiFairy + MagiTaurus, all Majin). It also saw the first giant robot to transform into a steam locomotive (Mahou Tokkyuu Travelion Express becomes Mahou Tetsujin Travelion). The Magiranger robot toys revolved around the concept of interchangeable cores.
- Only a few actors who played roles on a Sentai series have been recalled to play other characters. One of the most notable is Hiroshi Miyauchi , who played Akira Shinmei/Ao Ranger in Goranger, Soukichi Banba/Big One in JAKQ, and Chief Counselor Miura in Ohranger. Another recurring actress is Machiko Soga , who not only played Bandora/Rita Repulsa in Zyuranger/Power Rangers, but also played Queen Hedrian in Denjiman and Sun/Three Vulcan, and Magiel in Magiranger the Movie and the final episodes of Mahou Sentai Magiranger. Another good example of returns is Shurikenger, whose disguises were played by 10 different ex-Sentai actors and actresses.
- ---Note: While Machiko Soga is credited as the suit actress for Rita Repulsa, she actually never traveled to America. Her footage as Bandora was used, with actress Barbara Goodson providing the voice.
- Special heroes clearly stated as non-"Rangers" have been featured in very few seasons. These heroes not only have a suit design almost completely different from the season's team, most of them also have heavy armor suits and their names almost never include the team's nominal scheme (for example, Signal Man doesn't end with "Racer"). Some of them don't even have another identity. In the Super Sentai specials, they are commonly forgotten or skipped (with a few exceptions).
- ---Sun/Three Vulcan was the first to have one, with Misa Arashiyama (the daughter of Commander Daisaburou Arashiyama) fighting along side the Sun/Three Vulcans in Episode 29 as "White Rose Mask".
- ---Later, Kakuranger had the first male and first regular non-Ranger, with NinjaMan.
- ---In Carranger, there was SignalMan (one of the rare married warriors in Sentai, he is separated from his wife, Sigue, and his son, Sigtarou), and later appeared VRV (ictory '''R'''anger ehicle) Master (who is Dappu's father and played a relatively minor role).
- ---In Gingaman, there was Black Knight (first the original without an alternate identity (BullBlack), later Hyuuga), who despite playing an important role throughout the series (and being the first henshin hero in this category), never got his own shot in the opening credits.
- ---Demon Hunter Sieg, in the GoGoV movie, also had a human form, and he later passed his powers to Kyoko Hayase, who transformed into Sieg-Jeanne, making her the second (and so far, the last) female non-Ranger warrior (after White Rose Mask).
- ---The last is Tenkuu Yuusha Wolzard Fire (Magiranger), the father of the principal Magirangers, the husband of MagiMother, and the father-in-law of MagiShine, although his position as a Ranger is arguable; due to black-magic brainwashing, he spent most of the season as a foe (Madou Kishi Wolzard) and his name doesn't include the team nominal scheme, but he shares part of the team's arsenal, such as a Majin form, a Majuu under his control, and a slightly different henshin device.
- Although most of the evil counterparts of the heroes are repainted versions of the originals, a few had their own designs:
- ---The Flowery Kunoichi Set (a.k.a. Hanarangers) in Kakuranger. They even had their own color scheme (deep blue ( Ayame ), orange ( Yuri ), olive green ( Suiren ), pink ( Sakura ), and purple ( Ran )), fitting with flowers instead of the traditional Super Sentai color scheme (red, blue, yellow, green/black, pink/white).
- ---Jaden Sentai Nejirenger in Megaranger, their true forms were those of monsters. Demon-like in appearance, they featured the same colours as their good counterparts. MegaSilver had no counterpart, but did wear a NejiSilver outfit to trick the real Nejirengers.
- ---Apart from those, Bousou Sentai Zokuranger in Carranger was a Sentai-like team of monsters. White Racer, who helped the Carrangers in defeating them, had no counterpart.
- As Of 2005 , five Video Game s based on separate Sentai shows have been released in Japan. Each of these games have been released every 5 years (sometimes 2 get released consecutively). Jetman for the Nintendo Famicom game console in 1991, Zyuranger also for the Famicom in 1992, Carranger for the Nintendo Super Famicom game console (requiring the Bandai Sufami Turbo cartridge) in 1996, Gaoranger for the Sony Playstation in 2001, and Hurricanger also for the Playstation in 2002. Beginning from the Carranger game release, all of them were designed by Bandai (The Jetman and Zyuranger games were designed by Angel Studios ) (On a side note: Bandai licenses most, if not all, of Toei's merchandise).
- ---Although there's a short amount of Sentai video game releases, some characters from the franchise make appearances in two Banpresto crossover games. Akaranger from Goranger makes appearances in '' Super Tokusatsu Taisen 2001 '' for the Playstation, and '' Tokusatsu Bouken Katsugeki Super Hero Retsuden '' for the Sega Dreamcast along with other Tokusatsu heroes such as Kamen Rider, Kikaider, and Inazuman.
- In honor of the 30th anniversary, Carddas released a Sentai-based trading card game titled " Rangers Strike ". Zyuranger, Gingaman, Gaoranger, and Abaranger are categorized as "Wild Beast" Sentai and are marked red; Denjiman, Bioman, Flashman, Carranger, Timeranger, and Dekaranger are blue "Over-Technology" cards; Maskman, Dairanger, Kakurenger, Ohranger, Hurricanger, and Magiranger are yellow "Mystic Arts" cards; all the rest are green "Earth Technology" cards. Each Sentai's enemies are also in the game: they are purple "Dark Alliance" cards.
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