"You'll never win with such a frightened sword!"
-Yuusuke Amamiya, Gaoranger Vs. Super Sentai
As Yuusuke Amamiya once taught Gaku Washio, a real swordsman is one who overcomes their fears, and fights to the death.
Swordsmen in super sentai are not only characterized by their primary use of the sword, but also the courage to face the toughest adversaries.
Therefore, in this article, I'd like to share my personal favorite swordsmen in the Super Sentai franchise.
These will not come in a particular order. I will also not limit myself to one entry per season, meaning that two or more rangers from the same team may possibly appear on this list.
These will not come in a particular order. I will also not limit myself to one entry per season, meaning that two or more rangers from the same team may possibly appear on this list.
1. Takeru Shiba/Shinken Red
Takeru may be the best sentai swordsman of all time. Born and raised in the samurai tradition, he spent his entire life to the art of swordsmanship. He won almost all of his battles with his sword. His duel with Juuzo proved that not only was he willing to risk his life for victory, but also proving that he was the better swordsman.
2. Ryu Higashi/Dia Jack
Ryu, being the very first swordsman in the franchise deserves a lot of respect for paving the way for sword-wielding fighters to follow. Despite the sword being mostly associated with the red rangers, Dia Jack proves that you don't have to be red to wield a sword.
3. Yuusuke Amamiya/Red Falcon
As one of my favorite red rangers, Yuusuke is also one of my favorite swordsmen of all time. As you've read in the introduction of this article, he was the man who taught Gaku Washio/Gao Yellow about the true meaning of swordsmanship, and his quote is also something that I live by, until today.
4. Gaku Washio/Gao Yellow
Being the first recruited Gaoranger, Gao Yellow was also the most experienced among the five members. He however fails his first mission as a Gaoranger when he was defeated by the Scooter Org, who returns a year later, now evolved into Bike Org. Gaku however overcame his failure to defeat the org. Also, he learns about the true meaning of swordsmanship from Yuusuke Amamiya/Red Falcon, to regain his warrior's spirit and defeat Rakushaasa.
5. Gai Yuuki/Black Condor
My favorite black ranger of all time, his swordsmanship is also my reason for putting him in this list. He does not shy away from using dirty tactics, making him a unique fighter. His rivalry with Gray made for amazing duels, especially when it almost cost Gai his life, but he still ends up victorious. Plus badass points for his broken helmet scene. That one's a classic.
6. Utsusemimaru/Kyoryu Gold
Being a samurai meant laying your life down for your lord, and Ucchi, as he is affectionately called by the other Kyoryuugers, follows it down to the T. Once you get his loyalty, he will fight for you to the death, and that's exactly what happened in his final duel with Dogold. Luckily, he was given a second chance when he was revived with the melody of the Earth.
7. Souji Rippuukan/Kyoryu Green
Raised by his father who was a Kenjutsu expert, Souji knew his way with the sword. However, he wanted to prove to his father that he can be strong on his own, by creating his own style of fighting. He gains the respect and approval of his father, but decides to also keep the traditional Rippuukan style of Musou Ken to honor his family. Inheriting Torin's Feather Edge Made him a more formidable fighter. Souji was also one of the rare sentai swordsmen to use a backhand grip, making his fighting style unique from most sentai swordsmen.
8. Yamato Kazakiri/Zyuoh Eagle
Yamato is the only Zyuohger who gets a personal weapon among the five core members, namely the Eagrizer (Bud/Zyuoh Bird later gets his own copy). Unique for being a sword-whip, Yamato efficiently uses his Eagrizer to bind and slash opponents in place. When using The Eagrizer in conjunction with the Zyuoh Buster Sword Mode, Yamato proved to be a fierce swordsman, even causing difficulties for the more veteran Captain Marvelous/Gokai Red in their Duel.
9 Captain Marvelous/Gokai Red
Despite utilizing the Gokai Gun a lot often, Marvelous also uses the Gokai Saber efectively, especially in conjunction of the Gokai Gun. However, in the final duel against basco, Marvelous makes a high gamble by stepping on Basco's foot, and stabbing them in place using Basco's own swordto prevent neither of them from running away. Thus, keeping them close enough for Marvelous to deliver one final slash. This is a duel that I appreciate because it ended while both combatants were out of suit.
10. Takayuki Hiba/Vul Eagle 2
A master swordsman himself before joining Sun Vulcan, Takayuki proves himself to be a valuable member, and a worthy leader to replace Ryuusuke Oowashi as Vul Eagle. Interestingly, his Vul Stick is the only one capable of transforming into another weapon, namely a katana. Using the Hiba Gaeshi technique, Takayuki won his battles as Vul Eagle. He also deserves a spot for being the first red ranger to be associated with swords and swordsmanship.
Other Honorable Mentions:
Joe Gibken/Gokai Blue
Wise God Torin/Kyoryu Silver 1
Tsurugi Ootri/Houou Soldier
Koshinsei Kou/Kibaranger
Naoto Takizawa/Time Fire
Note: I used Gokaiger-based shots for Red Falcon, Black Condor, and Vul Eagle because I couldn't find better quality images of the original Red Falcon/Black Condor/Vul Eagle.
So who's your favorite sentai swordsman/swordsmen? Let us know in the comments.
All images and videos here are property of their respective owners and used for reference purpose only. We claim no rights to it unless otherwise stated.
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Great list. In a personal opinion, I'd take out Red Falcon (I hate Liveman) and put on Gokai Blue.
Wolzard magirangers
Déjà masters,dekarangers
Gosei Red!
Alata/Gosei Red
Thinks I would change in this list
1. Yamato Tribe Prince Geki over Yamato because he used his sword unmorphed as well unlike Yamato
2. Joe over Captain Marvelous
Other than that great list
I agree with most of the list, but Gao Yellow never struck me as more than above average with a sword compared to other Sentai warriors. I've always felt that Joe would easily be in the Top 10 of swordsmen, better than several Red Rangers on his own.
Honorable mention to Zuban from Boukenger for being a literal Sword Man
For me Sentai Swordsman is rated by the ability to do a finishing Slash and be able to have a unique personal weapon that is that character.
They are...
10.Riki Honoo/Red Turbo- not a experienced Kendo/Kenjutsu Master but a baseball player. He does kick ass with his GT Sword.
9.Burai/Dragon Ranger- yes the Zyusouken dagger is his primary Weapon. But for 6 episode and when he was mad and evil he wielded the Hellfriede saber like it was his own. He is the first to combine the Ryuken sword and dagger to create the Kyoryu Blast. Burai was a true swordsman maybe better then Geki!!!
8.Hyuuga/Black Knight- before Ryoma, Hyuuga was meant to wear the Gingaman Red suit. Because of fate, he loses it to his brother and is bequeathed the suit and sword from Bull Black. In a homage to He-Man the black sword is his powers of transformation.
7.Ryusuke Aamamiya- his combat training is never shown or mention as most Sentai Warriors would have scenes of them training for combat. But he is known to have knowledge of Sword combat as he lost his Falcon Sword from Kemp's Zuno Ju's blade.
6. Gaku Hoshikawa/Five Red- seeing the opening scene that he is hard at work with his swordsmanship.
He definitely makes good use of the Five Sword with the skill he refined of years of practice especially in the worse weather.
5. Takeru/Red Mask- besides Okinawan Tai Karate. Takeru holds and continues the Red and the Sword.
5.Goro Hoshino/Oh Red- another Red Karate master who also swings the sword as he is doing a karate chop. Though he has only one Super Power attack. His Star Riser slash is proof that a long line Red Sword Master is still around.
3. Ninja Red/Sasuke- a Ninja that is deadly with his KakureMaru he is such a force that he wielded the Flaming Shogun Sword which belongs to a giant robot and the first Red Sentai Warrior to do so!!!
2. Dan Hokuto/Dyna Red- TOEI did not stop with Vul Eagle II as the Red Sword Warrior. They really add a strong emphasis of Dyna Red as a Sword Master. He had the Dyna Sword and Dagger which his two signature moves of Wings of Dream and Dream Return.
1.Kazuo Niibori- not a character but the ultimate actor. He has portrayed every Red Ranger to date from 1975-1991 during his retirement. From Go Ranger to Jetman. He was for sure a pre Saban actor. Though there are more then 1 suit actors during the era he was in. He however refine the Sword action and made it all happen. If it wasn't for this talented stuntman. Super Sentai would not have the culture that it has today!!!!
This list should include 'Jigoku no Banken' Dekamaster