Welcome back to another top 10 list! It's been a while since I made a list, and in this article, I'd like to share my personal top 10 Super Sentai shows.
For this list, I'll be including the the shows that I've personally watched and enjoyed. The list will not come in a particular order, and as always, as a disclaimer, these are purely based on personal preference/opinion.
I will not provide spoilers as much as possible, for people who haven't watched these shows yet.
1. Samurai Sentai Shinkenger
Nothing screams 'JAPAN!' like Shinkenger. Other than the dynamics of the samurai and bushido, the enemies are also rooted in Japanese folklore. And for a sword fan like me, the Shinkengers are the best team of sword specialists out there.
Despite most of the story revolving around Takeru/Shinkenred, the show's defining trait in terms of characters, is Takeru's interaction with his vassals. When the other Shinkenger's loyalties are tested, their bonds with Takeru only served to strengthen the team even further.
Shinkenger is also memorable for having crossovers with Kamen Rider Decade, a trend that would be followed much later.
2. Kousoku Sentai Turboranger
Turboranger is the first Super Sentai to feature a group of high school students under the suits. This makes them a bit more relatable to the target demograhic of children. Though most teams before were composed of a team of adults/young adults (though an exception would be Akira/Blue Mask, who appears to be around 16-17), Turboranger is a team completely composed of teenagers.
And also, while the previous red rangers were relatively more serious, Riki/Red Turbo is likely the first red to be more laid back, sometimes goofier, compared to his predecessors, making him enjoyable to people who like more lighthearted characters.
3. Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger
Of all the Super Sentai Anniversary seasons, Gokaiger has the best execution. Bringing back actors from previous seasons to reprise their roles is every Sentai fan's wildest dream. Having this show revolve around gathering the powers of past Sentai, and seeing old suits once again makes this show the definition of a Super Sentai tribute.
Other than the massive fanservice brought on by cameos of past actors, some episodes or arcs that do not involve looking for Sentai powers are also amazing. Backstories for most of the main characters are enjoyable. Although Don's is the least interesting, and Gai doesn't actually have any backstory other than being a Sentai fanboy, there's still a decent focus on each character.
4. Choujuu Sentai Liveman
What makes for better enemies? You closest friends! This is basically what forms the bulk of Liveman's drama. The struggle between the Livemen and their former friends remained constant throughout the entire series.
Although a drama-heavy show, Liveman still has room for lighthearted, even heartwarming episodes, such as the time when Junichi/Sai Green gives birth to a monster, but takes care of it as his own child, giving Junichi a newfound repect for mothers and motherhood, despite being a man.
5. Gosei Sentai Dairanger
Dairanger has some of the best fight choreography I've ever seen. Heavily influenced by kung-fu films, Dairanger heavily features Chinese motifs and martial art styles not typically used in Super Sentai (though Maskman featured Wushu and Tai'chi quan users in Blue Mask and Pink Mask, respectively).
Character focused episodes are decent, but my favorite arcs involve Kou/Kibaranger and hist struggle with his own heritage.
6. Mirai Sentai Timeranger
I love Timeranger for the fact that IT HAS 2 REDS! But besides that, I love Timeranger for its suit and mecha designs. Even with the premise of time travel and its effects on the future are present, the show also deals with the other Timerangers trying to adapt to life in the year 2000.
With 2 red rangers on the team, it's natural that they'll have a rivalry, which is one of the driving forces of the show. There's also a touch of love stories in the show for those looking for a bit of romance.
7. Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger
This show brought me back to the Super Sentai fandom, in a time when I thought I was done with such stuff. Though I was a power rangers fan when I saw this show in 2007, it brought back not only nostalgia, but a whole lot more.
A whole lot of action, comedy, drama, and even romance. Basically EVERYTHING! Plus, most of my favorite Super Sentai songs, I found here, thanks to Phychic lover. Dekaranger has some of the best character songs I've heard. I personally recommend Sen-chan, Jasmine, and Umeko's character songs.
Dekaranger's return years later, and it's recent integration with the Space Sheriff series is proof of the show's great popularity.
8. Hikari Sentai Maskman
As the very first Super Sentai series I've ever seen in my life, Maskman has a special place in my heart (as well as the hearts of Filipino children who were born and raised in the late 1980's-early 1990's). Maskman is the first Sentai to feature various styles of martial arts used by the Maskmen.
Maskman mostly focused on Takeru/Red Mask and his search for his lover Mio/Ial, but there are other character episodes that I've enjoyed, particularly those involving Akira/Blue Mask. Also, as the first Sentai show to feature the prototype for the 6th ranger, that episode is definitely a must-watch.
9. Uchuu Sentai Kyuuranger
Having the biggest number of members, Kyuuranger is definitely the most colorful bunch. With a wide variety of suit design patterns, Kyuuranger offers great visuals. With many members also come many opportunities for character backstories.
Although Kyuuranger is one of those red-centric seasons, once you get past Lucky/Shishi Red and his annoying catchphrases (if you so choose to get past them), there are other character arcs that come in multiple episodes, such as Stinger/Sasori Orange and Naga/Hebitsukai Silver's stories. Overall, Kyuuranger is enjoyable, just don't focus on Lucky too much.
10. Choujin Sentai Jetman
Jetman is the most mature Sentai I've ever seen. With scenes involving alcohol and smoking, this is one Sentai that I really wouldn't recommend for a younger audience. The series contains really heavy drama, and convoluted love stories.
Despite the aforementioned contents of the show, they're actually what make Jetman unique, and the epic yet bittersweet ending makes Jetman more memorable to its fans.
Honorable Mentions:
Chikyuu Sentai Fiveman
Ninja Sentai Kakuranger
Denji Sentai Megaranger
Mahou Sentai Magiranger
Gougou Sentai Boukenger
Do you have a favorite Super Sentai show not included in the list? Let us know your favorites in the comments.
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Okay, a few things I want to say.
1- Stinger, Naga and Champ are the ONLY ones to have a story arc, most other characters don't even have origins that they have to fill in with a manga.
2- we can't just 'ignore' Lucky and his catchphrase as he is the focus of almost every episode, even if it shouldn't be about him.
3.... Fiveman nearly killed Sentai only for Jetman to save it, I would not put it on a top list.
watched only Sentai shows from 2000 onwards.
Best:
1st: Gekiranger + Dekaranger
2nd: Shinkenger
3rd: Go-buster
4th: Gokaiger
5th: Boukenger
6th: Abaranger
7th: ToQger (my first show)
Worst:
Go-onger
Gaoranger
Goseiger
Ninninger
My list :
1 º Flashman
2 º Liveman
3 º Shinkenger
4 º Bioman
5 º Changeman
6 º Kyoryuger
7 º Zyu Ranger
8 º Akiba Ranger
9 º Jetman
10º Gokaiger
I don't agree that you should have included a current run series, what if in the next few episodes it does a u-turn. Of course it's your list so fair play but it's a little risky right?
Nice list. Here are mine:
Top 10
1 - Dairanger
2 - GoGo V
3 - Maskman
4 - Gekiranger
5 - Shinkenger
6 - Gokaiger
7 - Timeranger
8 - Dekaranger
9 - Magiranger
10 - Changeman
Bottom 10
1 - Liveman
2 - Bioman
3 - ToQger
4 - Kyuranger
5 - Carranger
6 - Turboranger
7 - Zyuranger
8 - Ohranger
9 - Gaoranger
10 - Zyuohger
I remember reading a criticism of maskman in that the team's individual stories doesn't even connect to the main plot. Now that i'm older, i'll have to agree. Only Takeru's arc were really relevant to the main story. Akira's transformation to Fencer Unas later on and his implied Tube lineage could have also been, but they dropped the storyline too suddenly. The others' were more like sidestories.
You know, you could at least wait until Kyuranger before you consider putting it on your favorites list. Also, simply ignoring Lucky is easier said than done considering how much the show pushes him to the forefront. Lastly, while the backstories and arcs may have some interesting ideas, the characters stop being interesting once their arcs are complete. But, even then, many of the characters remain flat or underdeveloped due to having such a large cast.
Jetman is hugely overrated, and no where as mature and well written as its made out to be...
No l think you're talking about Gokaiger.