Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger

[areaseven]

Toei and TV Asahi premiered Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger today in Japan. It celebrates 35 years of the Super Sentai franchise. For the series, the characters use a pirate motif. An interesting twist is the team's ability to use the powers of the previous 34 Super Sentai groups.

I'd love to see how that plays out (at least before Haim Saban rapes and pillages this series). In the meantime, here's the preview. I don't know about you guys, but the costumes look badass. Hope the show is as good as Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger.

TV Asahi's Official Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger Homepage

[areaseven]

Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger (海賊戦隊ゴーカイジャー)
TV Asahi/Toei Co., Ltd., 2011-2012
Exploited by Haim Saban as Power Rangers Super Megaforce
Directed by Shojiro Nakazawa (Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger, Samurai Sentai Shinkenger) and Katsuya Watanabe (Gosei Sentai Dairanger, Ninpuu Sentai Hurricaneger)
Written by Naruhisa Arakawa (Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger, Steel Angel Kurumi), Junko Komura (Engine Sentai Go-onger, Honey x Honey Drops), Yoshio Urasawa (Gekisou Sentai Carranger), Kento Shimoyama (Blue Dragon, To Love-ru), Toshiki Inoue (Kamen Rider 555, Devil May Cry) and Daisuke Ishibashi (Samurai Sentai Shinkenger, Tensou Sentai Goseiger)
Based on original concepts by Saburo Yatsude (Toei staff pen name) and Shotaro Ishinomori (Kamen Rider, Cyborg 009)
Running Time: 25 minutes per episode
Not Rated (Suggested TV-PG). Contains violence and mild language.

Cast
Ryota Ozawa as Captain Marvelous/Gokai Red
Yuki Yamada as Joe Gibken/Gokai Blue
Mao Ichimichi as Luka Millfy/Gokai Yellow
Kazuki Shimizu as Don "Doc" Dogoier/Gokai Green
Yui Koike as Ahim de Famille/Gokai Pink
Junya Ikeda as Gai Ikari/Gokai Silver
Yukari Tamura (Mai in Kanon, Ranpha in Galaxy Angel) as Navi (voice)
Hirofumi Nojima (Overman King Gainer, Hayato in Shakugan no Shana) as Walz Gil (voice)
Koji Ishii (Kimura-sensei in Azumanga Daioh, Garterbelt in Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt) as Damaras (voice)
Kikuko Inoue (Grace in Macross Frontier, Belldandy in Ah! My Goddess) as Insarn (voice)
Gaku Shindo (Ad/Eagle Sazer in Chousei Kantai Sazer-X) as Barizorg (voice)
Kei Hosogai as Basco ta Jolokia
Shinji Ogawa (Fukushima in Mobile Police Patlabor) as Akudos Gill (voice)
Tomokazu Seki (Van in Escaflowne, Beyond the Grave in Gungrave) as the narrator/Gokai weapon voice

"Gokai Change! GOOOOO-KAIGER!!!"

Episode 1: "The Space Pirates Appear" (宇宙海賊現る)
Legend of the Week: Naoya Makoto as Aka Ranger (voice)
Villain of the Week: Action Commander Shikabanen
Gokai Color of the Week: N/A
Past Sentai of the Week: Himitsu Sentai Goranger (way too old for Power Rangers fans to remember), Samurai Sentai Shinkenger (Power Rangers Samurai) and Mahou Sentai Magiranger (Power Rangers Mystic Force)

In what is known as the Legendary Great War, the evil Zangyack Empire invade Earth, but are thwarted by the combined might of the 34 Super Sentai. Consequently, all of the Super Sentai members exhaust their energy and their powers are scattered in space. Several years later, a band of space pirates known as the Gokaigers arrive on Earth in search for the greatest treasure in the universe. But when the Zangyack Empire once again launches an invasion, the Gaokaigers must harness the powers of the 34 Sentai to protect Earth and continue their treasure hunt.

Lowdown
2011 marks the 35th anniversary of Toei's Super Sentai franchise. And what better way to celebrate a slice of Japanese culture than with a show that pays tribute to the past 34 shows. Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger has just about everything you want out of a Super Sentai show: cheesy acting, flashy special effects and over-the-top action. This year's team, however, uses the pirate motif, borrowing elements from Captain Harlock and One Piece.

So how do the past Sentai come to play in this series? The Gokaigers have small Playmobil-like figurines of themselves that become keys for their Henshin Cellphone Mobirates that activate their costumes. They also have other keys that transform them into past Sentai such as GoRanger (the very first group), Shinkenger (Power Rangers Samurai) or Magiranger (Power Rangers Mystic Force). Moreover, they're not limited to switching to one particular group at a time; as seen in the episode 2 preview, all five members can change into Red Rangers of different eras.

As for the members themselves, they're an interesting bunch. They first appear not to care about the Earth's population, but they quickly thwart the Zangyack's initial invasion of Tokyo - simply because their curry rice lunch was ruined. And in the end, they remind a group of kids that they are not heroes and there is no reason to thank them.

The action is just outrageously awesome. Long-time Super Sentai fans will simply get an orgasm over seeing their favorite teams in the beginning of the first episode. The Gokaigers themselves use a mixture of wire-fu, dual sword-wielding and gun-fu to dish out the pain on any thug around them. The fight choreography is the most impressive I've seen since 2004's Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger.

Of course, no Super Sentai show is complete without a man in the suit as their giant robot. Unfortunately, that does not happen in the first episode, as the Gokaioh is a CG model. So those itching for some cheesy giant robot action will probably have to wait until the next episode.

In short, Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger takes the best elements from past Super Sentai titles and gives fans an awesome 35th anniversary treat.

Rating: A

Easter Eggs
1. The Gokaigers have their lunch at Snack Safari, a reference to the restaurant of the same name in the 1981 Super Sentai series Taiyo Sentai Sun Vulcan.

Links
Super Sentai's Official Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger Homepage
Toei's Official Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger Homepage
TV Asahi's Official Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger Homepage
Columbia Music Entertainment's Official Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger Homepage
Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger Official YouTube Channel

References
Wikipedia
JEFusion

Edited March 1, 2014 by areaseven

[Gubaba]

Feh. Everyone knows the only good super sentai show was Battle Fever J.

[Dangard Ace]

Bloody Pirates!

[areaseven]

What's a Super Sentai show without some toys to go with it?

Edited August 19, 2015 by areaseven

[Graham]

My 6 1/2 year would probably be interested in this, if it gets an English dub.

Graham

[areaseven]

Here's a review of the Mobirates in English.

Edited February 22, 2011 by areaseven

[areaseven]

On this week's episode of Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger:


Episode 2: "This Planet's Worth" (この星の価値)
Legends of the Week: Tohru Furuya (Ribbons in Mobile Suit Gundam 00, Daisuke in Space Battleship Yamato) as Aka Red (voice) and Atsushi Hashimoto as Kai Ozu
Villain of the Week: Action Commander Bongan
Gokai Color of the Week: Red
Past Sentai of the Week: Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger (Power Rangers SPD) and Ninpuu Sentai Hurricaneger (Power Rangers Ninja Storm)

On their neverending search for the greatest treasure in the universe, the Gokaigers are told by Navi to look for someone dressed in black. They meet a middle-school student who steals Marvelous' Shinken Red Ranger Key. Marvelous puts the kid to the test by having him transform into Shinken Red and fight the Zangyack thugs all by himself.

This series is really picking up now. We get some backstory on why Captain Marvelous is a space pirate. Plus, the Gokaigers slowly understand the value of Earth after a long argument with the kid. For this episode, the Gokaigers change into Dekaranger (Power Rangers SPD) and Hurricaneger (Power Rangers Ninja Storm). In an interesting twist, the Gokaigers also change into the Red Rangers of Shinkenger, Gaoranger (Power Rangers Wild Force), Magiranger, Goseiger (Power Rangers Megaforce) and Gekiranger (Power Rangers Jungle Fury).

And finally, the mighty Gokaioh comes out to play in full form!

My wallet's really gonna hurt this year...

Easter Eggs
1. In the scene where the Gokaigers look for someone dressed in black, a Kuroko from Samurai Sentai Shinkenger can be seen in the background sweeping the ground.

Next week on Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger:

Episode 3: "Changing Courage into Magic ~ Maagi Magi Go Gokai ~" (勇気を魔法に変えて～マージ・マジ・ゴー・ゴーカイ～)
The Gokaigers encounter the former Magi Red. Edited March 1, 2014 by areaseven

[azrael]

Didn't Kamen Rider Decade (DI-KEI-DO!!!!) do that motif of changing into previous years characters? I just find it silly that Sentai does it as well.

[Dangard Ace]

Pretty interesting first couple of episodes. What gets me most is that usually in Sentai shows bystanders are mostly shown running in terror (GODZILLA!!) but this time hordes of people are shown getting gunned down, slashed, beat up etc. Despite no gore or splatters of blood I'm not sure this is kiddy-fun fare anymore.

[areaseven]

Pretty interesting first couple of episodes. What gets me most is that usually in Sentai shows bystanders are mostly shown running in terror (GODZILLA!!) but this time hordes of people are shown getting gunned down, slashed, beat up etc. Despite no gore or splatters of blood I'm not sure this is kiddy-fun fare anymore.

Bystanders have also been killed on-screen in Timeranger and Dekaranger, so I somewhat got used to that. Yes, the show's classification as a children's show is very questionable, but I think it's trying to give kids a more realistic approach to an alien attack. Besides, kids know that not every innocent bystander is gonna get out of an attack alive.

EDIT: I just picked up a bootleg DVD set of Choudenshi Bioman (1984), and Gokaiger's violence level is absolutely nothing compared to this. In the first episode alone, blood splatters when bystanders are shot by mecha clones.

Edited April 1, 2011 by areaseven

[Dangard Ace]

Bystanders have also been killed on-screen in Timeranger and Dekaranger, so I somewhat got used to that. Yes, the show's classification as a children's show is very questionable, but I think it's trying to give kids a more realistic approach to an alien attack.

Don't know about Timeranger but Dekaranger never had the mass cullings that Gokaiger is showing. Implied violence yes, never visually depicted. People being herded up and shot, laughing while killing groups of people in the back, torturing those women trying to protect those school kids in the first episode? This is definitely not a children show, more aimed at older kids/tweens and older sentai fans. More along the lines of Power Rangers in Space/Megaranger but even that series wasn't this brutal.

Besides, kids know that not every innocent bystander is gonna get out of an attack alive.

Do you have kids, babysat kids? Young kids definitely do not know that innocent bystanders don't get out of attacks alive.

[areaseven]

Now this is beyond excellent news: according to this blog, Ryuji Sainei and Ayumi Kinoshita will reprise their roles as Banban Akaza/Deka Red and Jasmine/Deka Yellow, respectively, in episode 5. SPD Chief Doggie Kruger/Deka Master (voiced by Tetsu Inada) will also make an appearance as well.

And for those unfamiliar, Ayumi Kinoshita is one of the main reasons to watch Dekaranger.

Edited February 23, 2011 by areaseven

[azrael]

Aka Red showed up. I'm sure he survived to make it to the series finale or Gokaiger vs. Super Sentai.

[areaseven]

On this week's episode of Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger:


Episode 3: "Changing Courage into Magic ~ Maagi Magi Go Gokai ~" (勇気を魔法に変えて～マージ・マジ・ゴー・ゴーカイ～)
Legend of the Week: Atsushi Hashimoto as Kai Ozu
Villain of the Week: Action Commander Salamandam
Gokai Colors of the Week: Black and White
Past Sentai of the Week: Mahou Sentai Magiranger (Power Rangers Mystic Force)

The Gokaigers are ambushed by a Zangyack Empire fleet, led by Action Commander Salamandam. When Marvelous and Don are separated by the attack, they meet a man dressed in a black cloak, who tells them to follow him if they want to continue their quest for the greatest treasure in the universe.

Gokaiger just gets better every week, with loads of interesting developments between the characters and the mystery of the 34 Sentai. This week, we learn that while Don is an excellent tactician, he is simply a coward. And just like in every video game, the Gokaigers unlock secret power-ups from a past Sentai - this week, they get upgrades from Magiranger.

Also in this episode, Joe, Luka and Ahim change into the Black Rangers of Kakuranger (Mighty Morphin' Alien Rangers), Abaranger (Power Rangers Dino Thunder) and Go-onger (Power Rangers RPM) before changing into the White Rangers of JAKQ (too old for Power Rangers fans to know), Gaoranger (Power Rangers Wild Force) and Jetman (one team in the '90s that Saban didn't exploit).

Next week on Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger:

Episode 4: "Friends to What End?" (何のための仲間)
Has Joe always been an Emo Ranger?

Edited March 1, 2014 by areaseven

[areaseven]

On this week's episode of Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger:


Episode 4: "Friends to What End?" (何のための仲間)
Special Guest: None
Villain of the Week: Action Commander Zodomas
Gokai Color of the Week: Blue
Past Sentai of the Week: Juken Sentai Gekiranger (Power Rangers Jungle Fury) and Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger (Power Rangers SPD)

After being disgraced by Action Commander Zodomas in a sword battle, Joe disappears into a forest in hopes of improving his skills. Ahim then begins to question why he is a Gokaiger.

For this episode, we learn that aside from being an Emo, Joe is a skilled swordsman. We also find out that Ahim has a thing for him. And for the Final Wave, Joe summons the powers of the Blue Rangers of Goseiger (Power Rangers Megaforce), Shinkenger (Power Rangers Samurai), Magiranger (Power Rangers Mystic Force), Hurricanger (Power Rangers Ninja Storm) and Gingaman (Power Rangers Lost Galaxy) to finish off this week's baddie. Unfortunately, this week's Gokaioh battle is a disappointment, as it is more of a squash match that relies too heavily on CG.

Easter Eggs
1. When Joe and Luka leave a shopping center, the center's sign board shows nine different stores; many of them are references to past Super Sentai shows. For example, the upper right panel is SCRTC (Jyuken Sentai Gekiranger), while the center panel is Tomorrow Research (Mirai Sentai Timeranger).

Next week on Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger:

Episode 5: "Judgment Pirates" (ジャッジメント･パイレーツ)
It's the return of Dekaranger!

Edited March 1, 2014 by areaseven

[areaseven]

Gokaiger episode 5 has been postponed this week due to ongoing coverage of the recent tsunami and earthquakes in Japan. In the meantime, check out this awesome stop-motion film of the Gokaioh candy toy being assembled.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5Vq8LwN7mM

Edited March 1, 2014 by areaseven

[areaseven]

Here's one reason to stay glued to this series:

Yui Koike (Ahim de Famille/Gokai Pink) Edited July 30, 2015 by areaseven

[RedWolf]

Heh Marvelous hasn't heard of Super Sentai before coming to Earth but he's heard of the Space Police before. He even identified what species Doggie is.

[areaseven]

A tradition in the Super Sentai series is the hand-off segment, where the previous series passes the torch to the next series. This began with the transition from Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger to Mahou Sentai Magiranger in 2005.

Edited March 1, 2014 by areaseven

[areaseven]

On this week's episode of Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger:

Episode 5: "Judgment Pirates" (ジャッジメント･パイレーツ)

Legends of the Week: Ayumi Kinoshita as Marika "Jasmine" Reimon , Tetsu Inada as Doggie Kruger (voice) and Ryuji Sainei as Banban Akaza

Villain of the Week: Triggar Seijin Buramudo

Gokai Color of the Week: N/A

Past Sentai of the Week: Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger (Power Rangers SPD), Engine Sentai Go-onger (Power Rangers RPM) and Gosei Sentai Dairanger (season 2 of Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers)

Following another prophecy from Navi on their quest for the greatest treasure in the universe, the Gokaigers go to the nearest police station. Unfortunately, this gets Marvelous arrested by Doggie Kruger and Jasmine of the SPD, as the police have been notified of the Gokaigers' galactic bounty. During their confrontation, Marvelous and Doggie encounter Triggar Seijin Buramudo of the Zangyack Empire, who plots to launch subterranean missiles and destroy several cities on Earth.

This episode already had me with Jasmine-chan's return appearance. Aside from that, this is the series' best episode yet, especially with some of the original cast of Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger - the best Super Sentai series of the 2000s. The use of Ranger Keys for Go-onger and Dairanger (season 2 of Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers) adds to the exciting fight scenes - from the race car sounds of Go-onger to Luka-chan using Qilin Ranger's drunken style kung-fu.

It's been said time and time again that there is no honor among pirates, but Marvelous proves everyone wrong by teaming up with Doggie in fighting the Zangyack. But perhaps the most defining moment in the episode is the use of the Dekaranger Keys. The epic Dekaranger theme is back, and DekaGokaioh is just tons of awesome. The giant robot fight is undoubtedly the best in Super Sentai history.

Easter Eggs

1. There is much debate on Gokai Yellow as Go-on Yellow using her tire cuffs on a Gormin, as they were used as weapons in Power Rangers RPM, not Engine Sentai Go-onger.

Next week on Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger:

Episode 6: "The Most Important Thing" (一番大事なもの)

Luka-chan in a maid outfit. How can you say no to that?

Edited June 1, 2011 by areaseven

[areaseven]

Not exactly late-breaking news, but weeks before the series premiered, scans from Bandai's catalog revealed this year's sixth ranger as Gokai Silver. His main weapon is the Gokai Spear, which has three modes: spear, gun and anchor. Unlike the main five, Gokai Silver's Mobirates phone is a slider type (as opposed to the standard clam-shell type), wherein he changes by placing an unfolded Ranger Key inside the phone's windowed compartment. In addition, Gokai Silver has a special Gold Anchor Key that enables him to transform into Gold mode. The chest armor on Gold mode has the faces of 15 sixth rangers of the past.

Impatience Rewarded: Presenting Gokai Silver

[azrael]

Not exactly late-breaking news, but weeks before the series premiered, scans from Bandai's catalog revealed this year's sixth ranger as Gokai Silver. His main weapon is the Gokai Spear, which has three modes: spear, gun and anchor. Unlike the main five, Gokai Silver's Mobirates phone is a slider type (as opposed to the standard clam-shell type), wherein he changes by placing an unfolded Ranger Key inside the phone's windowed compartment. In addition, Gokai Silver has a special Gold Anchor Key that enables him to transform into Gold mode. The chest armor on Gold mode has the faces of 15 sixth rangers of the past.

Teehee...He's gonna change into Go-On Silver...

[areaseven]

Teehee...He's gonna change into Go-On Silver...

As I've never seen Go-onger, I had to find out what the fuss was about. That's just wrong.

[Scream Man]

Is there anywhere to watch this subbed? The opening titles are awesome, which has made me want to watch it. I am an intermittent PR fan, I seem to enjoy the ones people don't (SPD, Jungle Fury, bits of Operation overdrive) but this seems cool.

[areaseven]

Is there anywhere to watch this subbed? The opening titles are awesome, which has made me want to watch it. I am an intermittent PR fan, I seem to enjoy the ones people don't (SPD, Jungle Fury, bits of Operation overdrive) but this seems cool.

I think the policy right now is that fansub and torrent links aren't allowed on the boards anymore, so I sent you a PM.

[areaseven]

On this week's episode of Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger:

Episode 6: "The Most Important Thing" (一番大事なもの)

Legend of the Week: None

Villain of the Week: Action Commander Nanonanoda

Gokai Color of the Week: Yellow

Past Sentai of the Week: JAKQ Dengekitai (Way too old for Power Rangers fans to know)

As a means of feeding her lust for jewelry, Luka works as a maid for a wealthy tycoon, hoping to score a major heist. At his mansion, she discovers his most-prized possession: A small tree that bears gold instead of fruits. It doesn't take long for Luka to know that the Zangyack want their hands on it. In addition, she notices an emotional rift between the tycoon and his daughter.

Luka-chan in a maid outfit. I think that sums it up. :wub:

But seriously, aside from majority of the episode being a comedy, you get to know a little bit about Luka-chan's unglamorous past. At the same time, we see a change of character in her, as she briefly drops the pirate stint and teaches both the tycoon and daughter the real value of family.

For this episode, Luka-chan transforms into the past Yellow Rangers of SunVulcan (another oldie the Power Rangers fans wouldn't know), Boukenger (Power Rangers: Operation Overdrive), GoGo Five (Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue) and Carranger (Power Rangers Turbo). Meanwhile, the other four go completely retro with the JAKQ keys. Of course, at the cost of having a comedic episode, we have quite possibly the weakest monster of the week in Super Sentai history.

Easter Eggs

1. Nanonanoda makes two references to Super Sentai songs. When Gokai Yellow changes to Vul Panther, Nanonanoda says, "Ichi tasu ni tasu..." ("One plus two plus..."), to which Gokai Yellow yells, "Sun Vulcan!" This is in reference to the second ending theme of Taiyo Sentai Sun Vulcan.

2. The second reference is when the Gokaigers as J.A.K.Q. Dengekitai execute the J.A.K.Q. Hurricane on him. He yells, "Spade, Diamond, Heart, Club, hey hey hey!", which is the first line of the J.A.K.Q. Dengekitai opening theme.

Next week on Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger:

Episode 7: "Niki-niki! Kenpo Lesson" (ニキニキ！拳法修行)

The next clue to the treasure leads to Gekiranger.

Edited May 3, 2011 by areaseven

[areaseven]

Here's a sneak peek at the largest Super Sentai movie in history:

First Look at Gokaiger Goseiger Super Sentai 199 Hero Great Battle

That's right: 199 Super Sentai members in one movie.

[azrael]

Here's a sneak peek at the largest Super Sentai movie in history:

First Look at Gokaiger Goseiger Super Sentai 199 Hero Great Battle

That's right: 199 Super Sentai members in one movie.

Nice to see they're filling it up with the older and secondary characters; Magi Mother, Wolzard (FIRE MODE!), DekaMaster, DekaSwan, Hime Shinken Red, and of course, BIG ONE!

[Scream Man]

ok, Im up to date and this show is great! I dont always get the guest stars till they're revealed (Mainly the red magiranger, I got the SPD ones pretty quick.) and I havent seen all of the shows they copy, but it doesnt hugely matter because of the AWESOME!!!!!

[azrael]

Here's a sneak peek at the largest Super Sentai movie in history:

First Look at Gokaiger Goseiger Super Sentai 199 Hero Great Battle

That's right: 199 Super Sentai members in one movie.

More cast announcements:

http://henshinjustice.com/2011/03/31/ryu-ranger-returns-in-gokaiger-goseiger-199-hero-great-battle/

They're digging up some old of the older alumni with Ryu Ranger and DenjiBlue. They should dig deeper.

[areaseven]

More cast announcements:

http://henshinjustic...o-great-battle/

They're digging up some old of the older alumni with Ryu Ranger and DenjiBlue. They should dig deeper.

Even more good news. Also great to hear that Umeko-chan/ Deka Pink from Dekaranger will be there. This probably means her real-life husband - Yuji Kishi (Kyosuke Jinnai/Red Racer in Gekisou Sentai Carranger) - will be in the movie as well.

[Scream Man]

We need us some new episodes.

Also A7: Goddam u for making me like this show so much

[areaseven]

On this week's episode of Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger:

Episode 7: "Niki-niki! Kenpo Lesson" (ニキニキ！拳法修行)

Legends of the Week: Hiroki Suzuki (Shuichiro in The Prince of Tennis) as Jyan Kandou, Ichiro Nagai (Dr. Sado in Uchuu Senkan Yamato, Happosai in Ranma 1/2) as Master Xia Fu (voice)

Villain of the Week: Action Commander Pachacamac XIII

Gokai Color of the Week: None

Past Sentai of the Week: Jyuken Sentai Gekiranger (Power Rangers Jungle Fury), Taiyo Sentai Sun Vulcan (Power Rangers fans wouldn't know this) and Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger (Power Rangers Wild Force)

Navi's latest clue to the greatest treasure of the universe is the "tiger child". While trying to figure out the location of the tiger child, the Gokaigers encounter Action Commander Pachacamac XIII, son of Pachacamac XII and successor to the Cosmic Kenpo fighting style. When our heroes barely survive Pachacamac XIII's attack, Ahim and Don discover an outdoor Kenpo lesson being taught by Jyan Kandou, formerly known as GekiRed.

Today's episode wasn't a bad one; it's just that if I had watched all of Jyuken Sentai Gekiranger first, I'd appreciate it more. The fight scenes could have been longer and more intense, given the emphasis on Chinese martial arts. Jyan's interaction with the Gokaigers is the weakest among all of the legends so far. And the Gokaigers didn't seem to benefit from unlocking the potential of the Gekiranger keys; as a result, the Gokaioh battle was somewhat forced. Hopefully, next week's episode will be better.

Easter Eggs

1. Gokai Red as Vul Eagle fighting Pachacamax XIII in front of the sunrise is a reference to a camera angle commonly used in Taiyo Sentai Sun Vulcan.

Next week on Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger:

Episode 8: "Little Spy Tactics" (スパイ小作戦)

Gokaioh with a baseball bat. This I gotta see.

Edited June 1, 2011 by areaseven

[areaseven]

Here's a big rumor (or an April Fool's joke) that's been circulating around the Super Sentai fandom:

Johnny Yong Bosch (Vash the Stampede in Trigun, Kaneda in AKIRA), who played Adam/Black Ranger in season 2 of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, stated that he was going to Japan to "do some work". The rumor is that he will be in a future episode of Gokaiger, wherein he will give the Gokaigers and Gokai Silver the American Ranger Keys (maybe the Titanium Ranger from Lightspeed Rescue or the Spirit Rangers in Jungle Fury). In addition, the Gokaigers will change into Zyuranger in that episode.