A Japanese superhero series that served as the inspiration for the US Power Rangers franchise is reportedly ending its run after five decades. Local media indicate the show, Super Sentai, will cease production due to challenges in covering production costs through merchandise and event sales. TV Asahi, the broadcaster, has not commented on its future programming, according to the Asahi newspaper.
Series Overview and Influence
Super Sentai premiered in 1975, establishing a formula involving a team of five teenagers who transform into colorful masked fighters to combat alien threats. This blueprint was later adapted for the Power Rangers series in the US, which began airing in the 1990s, and influenced other superhero programs across Asia. The show was a weekly broadcast that also functioned as a promotional vehicle for toys, clothing, costumes, and collectibles. For international fans, it offered an introduction to Japanese superhero culture.
The series typically featured a superhero team composed of three men and two women, led by a fighter in a red suit. Other team members were assigned specific colors, such as green or black for the second-in-command, followed by blue, yellow, and pink. Episodes generally followed a consistent sequence, incorporating martial arts and sword fights, and concluding with a battle between the team's robot spaceship and a giant alien.
Similar Japanese series, including Choudenshi Bioman and Hikari Sentai Maskman, were dubbed into English and gained a following in the Philippines.
Power Rangers Connection
The original Power Rangers series aired on US television from 1993 to 1996 and has since generated multiple spin-offs. Episodes are currently available for streaming on YouTube. Producer Haim Saban, who adapted Power Rangers from the Japanese original, stated in a 2017 interview with the LA Times that the concept initially faced resistance from networks. He described being "kicked out of the room" and told he was "crazy" when pitching the idea.
Reactions to the Conclusion
The reported end of Super Sentai has prompted responses from fans and individuals associated with the series. Actress Keiko Kitagawa reposted a news article about the reported cancellation on X, with a caption translated as "despair," and the post garnered 15 million views. Yasuhisa Furuhara, an actor who played a Super Sentai fighter, acknowledged the series' half-century run on X, stating his pride in being part of its history. Comments from fans on X included reflections on multi-generational viewership and inquiries about future viewing options for young audiences.