Showing posts with label Power Rangers Samurai. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Power Rangers Samurai. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Rolling Review (Redux): Mini-Pla DaiKai Shinken-Oh Formation
Redux Review: DaiKai Shinken-Oh
They Are United! DaiKai Shinken-Oh and the IkaTenku Buster a display of awesomeness. The Origami have seemed to become a bulked up destoyer of royality with a turrent of instant death. The combination is easy and swift, allowing the combination to flow well. Overall it's a better display piece than an actual figure, but drives the point straight home.
Please rate, comment, subscribe and check out the following
Check out these stores for some good stuff
http://www.cstoysjapan.com/servlet/StoreFront
http://www.amiami.jp/shop/?set=english
check out the facebook group as well and JOIN!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/KamenRiderSuperSentaiToyCollectors/
Check out the Podcast blog for news or to listen to the podcast (its some entertaining stuff I tells ya)
http://tokuanimenews.blogspot.com/
and check out the following youtube channels
http://www.youtube.com/user/wheelchair21
http://www.youtube.com/user/projektrdm
http://www.youtube.com/user/Darkon633
http://www.youtube.com/user/GundamLegacyExtreme
http://www.youtube.com/user/visibleninjaprod
http://www.youtube.com/user/werewolffinder
Saturday, May 4, 2013
Rolling Review (Redux): Mini-Pla Ika DaiKai-Oh Set
Redux Review: Mini-Pla Ika DaiKai-Oh
Ebi Origami/DaiKai-Oh or Clawzord, is a popular Mecha among fans whether it be DX, RetroFire, or a Mini-Pla. This Mini-Pla set has it all! Ika Origami/ Octozord, is able to combine with the Shinken-Oh or DaiKai-Oh figures along with form the IkaTenku Buster with DaiTenku. As for the Ebi Origami/DaiKai-Oh, it has several points of articulation and is able to use all four face change modes, allowing to go North, South, East and West! It'll becoming the Ultimate Compass of Destruction!!
Please rate, comment, subscribe and check out the following
Check out these stores for some good stuff
http://www.cstoysjapan.com/servlet/StoreFront
http://www.amiami.jp/shop/?set=english
check out the facebook group as well and JOIN!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/KamenRiderSuperSentaiToyCollectors/
Check out the Podcast blog for news or to listen to the podcast (its some entertaining stuff I tells ya)
http://tokuanimenews.blogspot.com/
and check out the following youtube channels
http://www.youtube.com/user/wheelchair21
http://www.youtube.com/user/projektrdm
http://www.youtube.com/user/Darkon633
http://www.youtube.com/user/GundamLegacyExtreme
http://www.youtube.com/user/visibleninjaprod
http://www.youtube.com/user/werewolffinder
Thursday, November 29, 2012
VisibleNinja Classic Reviews - Samurai Training Gear
Ahh, it seems like yesterday that i made this review, and it has gone on to be one of my most popular reviews.
Enjoy a quick blast from the past!
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Video of the Week 11/8/12
Every Super Sentai and Power Ranger red ranger morph from Go- Ranger to Gokaiger Enjoy
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Toku 101: Samurai × Shinkenger III
Hello and welcome to another edition of Toku 101 with me your columnist, Wheelchair21. On today's Toku 101, we'll be continuing on the topic of Samurai × Shinkenger III. Where I'll layout the summaries of episode 11 - 14 of Power Rangers Samurai then compair it to Shinkenger. Many of you who wish to read this will then either agree or disagree on my opinions compairing the two and on how I view them. So please turn away if you wish to spare yourselves now!
Episode 11: Unexpected Arrival
Returning after what seemed to be a false detection of a Nighlok attack on the Gap Sensor, the Rangers find an arrow with a note on it that says "See You Soon." With Jayden sensing something from before within the house, it starts to haunt him. Deciding to investigate the Gap Sensor, the team encounter a fish-seller whose hand writing matches the note. After the seller gives them the slip, Kevin and Mia go to find Jayden while Mike and Emily track down the fish seller. Kevin and Mia find Jayden confronting the Nighlok named Vulpes who is spying on Jayden to find out the Shiba sealing character. With his mirror medium destroyed, the Nighlok overwhelms the 3 with his magic as Mike and Emily arrive with the fish seller following. But even all 5 Rangers are no match for the Nighlok as they revert to normal. The fish seller arrives to their aid, transforming into the Gold Samurai Ranger. After taking out the Moogers in blinding speed, the Gold Ranger battles the Nighlok and destroys him. When the Nighlok revives, he overpowers the Battlewing Megazord until the Gold Ranger enters the fight in the Octozord to weaken the Nighlok so the Battlewing Megazord can land the deathblow. After the fight, Jayden reveals he already knows the fish seller as his childhood friend Antonio.
Episode 12: Room for One More
As Antonio heads to the samurai mansion, the others listen to Jayden and Mentor talk of young Antonio-- How Jayden gave him the Octozord, how Jayden threatened to quit his training if Ji tried to take back the Octozord, etc.-- Antonio makes an entrance, fancy, then gets embarrassed when his fish hook rips his pants. Antonio explains that after moving away when he was a kid, he trained himself to be a samurai and built his Samurai-Morpher from a trashed cellphone to communicate with Octozord through text-- because the Zords understand the Rangers who were born into the Samurai heritage. Ji, feeling that Antonio lacks discipline and true samurai training confiscates Antonio's morpher, which he later doesn't react too well to. Jayden agrees with Mentor despite Antonio begging Jayden with memories of childhood friendship. As the Rangers fight the Nighlok Steeleto (who vows to avenge Vulpes), they're powerless to destroy it. Steeleto retreats when he starts to dry up and the team start to consider bringing Antonio along. Antonio, down at the fishing pier, angrily talks with Octozord about regretting meeting the Rangers. Mike and Emily go to ask him to join and go to the mansion. There, Jayden is convinced to give Antonio back his morpher just in time for the next attack by Steeleto. When the Rangers arrive, Antonio struggling to get in to a heroic position, they begin fighting and Steeleto is overpowered when Jayden and Antonio tag-team it. Once Steeleto mega-sizes, Antonio combines the Octozord with the Samurai Megazord and defeats Steeleto. To celebrate, Antonio cooks fish barbecue and everyone appreciates Antonio's membership.
Episode 13: The Blue and the Gold
Ji and Antonio announce that Antonio is fixing the Claw Zord that was damaged in battle long ago and Ji hid it. Kevin doesn't fully accept Antonio as a "true Samurai" and thinks he's just goofing around. The monster of the day steals kids' toys to make them cry and Octoroo trying to find another way to open the Sanzu River through a well. Bulk and Spike are sleeping and their toy panda is stolen and all that is left is slime. Dayu visits Deker outside the Sanzu River but around it, he's still injured. Dayu wonders if Deker really does remember anything from his past. Antonio follows Kevin's morning routine to learn what makes him a true samurai. The two end up in the forest finding Octoroo but their morpher signals are blocked. Antonio and Kevin eventually overcome their differences and fight together to defeat the Nighloks.
Episode 14: Team Spirit
While the Rangers, minus Emily are decorating for Emily's birthday, Splitface a Nighlok, who steals spirits, attacks the city. Splitface, easily takes down Mike, Antonio, Mia, Jayden, Kevin, and Emily. The Nighlok then takes Emily's spirit, putting her in a sleep. Splitface mocks the Rangers, telling them they only have twenty-four hours to defeat him, or Emily and the other people, who he stole spirits from will be asleep forever. Splitface then tells them he is leaving and never returning. While back in the Shiba house, Emily wakes up and tells the other Rangers she is sorry for letting him get her and she feels empty before falling asleep once more. Mike goes crazy and goes back where they fought Splitface, calling him a coward and demanding he comes out to fight. Deker suddenly appears and tells the Rangers the only way to get to the Netherworld is to betray their human life and become Nighloks. Just as they are going to give themselves up, Antonio appears saying he knows how to save Emily and everyone else. The Rangers use their symbol power to activate the Claw Zord, and summon the Nighlok. Splitface can't use his special power, Body Swarm, for Antonio marked him. Antonio uses the Claw Zord, with the help of the Battle Wing to defeat Splitface and return the spirits. Later the Rangers celebrate Emily's birthday, as well as the Claw Zord's.
Now it's time for us to once again have Samurai × Shinkenger, where they'll clash for supremacy. Anyways let's get this show on the road!
Power Rangers Samurai's Antonio is the american verison of Genta, who is less annoying in general but has an addiction to always be talking about his Ranger Color. Antonio practically tells the world he's Samurai Gold, by his ongoing spurts of saying "It's Golden!" and etc. Another difference between Antonio and Genta is the fact Antonio is an actual fisherman who sells his fish, while Genta is just a plain sushi seller with a sushi cart. I also like to add in the fact, that Antonio also seems to at least be a better cook too since Genta sells sushi which is raw fish. So I mean, at least you're getting your money's worth!! One of their common similarities is the fact they shared the same backstory; just Genta's verison lead to alot of Yaoi Fan-Fics, and they are hated by their respected Blue Rangers. Now when I'm asked which one is better I usually side with Antonio, since his characterists are a lot better and the character's represention is as a man proving his worth to the team by fixing the zords and such. Just when we get to Super Samurai, I go back to Genta as Antino's involvement varies more pending on how the episodes are editted and re-written to be centered around the main five later on.
As for the episode plots in general, they're barely changed and altered as they're episodes to mostly introduce the Gold Ranger. Now in the Samurai line-up we did skip Shinkenger episodes, but they were all mostly filler leading up to these important character developing episodes. Just in America this is viewed as very rushed since they had just recieved the new Megazord form in the previous episode to Antonio's debut so it was questionable for the removal of 4 to 6 episodes. Luckily for Saban, it did work out as I and fans were enjoying this rushed rewrite. Espcially to how Antonio's invovlement seemed to prove a little better and more useful in my opinion. Some changes that did quickly occur was Antonio's Samuraizer wasn't the SushiChanger, he didn't create the Clawzord, and his Mega Mode helmet was the same as his normal one; All were justifable changes too, in my honest opinion.
Now while the Gold Ranger story didn't change too much, neither did the Gedoushu/Nighlok story change either. The only new features added was more hints of Dayu and Deker were once in an actual relationship, which wasn't in Shinkenger originally. Ironically thou I've continued to think this was Saban's way of getting to the Shinkenger fans, to be more pleased with the actual adaptation, rather than hating it. Yet as Samurai continued to succeed and gathering its fandom, people really still didn't care to watch it too much. Antonio became everyone's favorite, pulling a JDF, Emily and Mia were still only eye candy and people still want to destroy either Jayden or Kevin. I mean seriously Jayden's last name is Shiba, he sounds like a Weeaboo! And don't get me started on Kevin, again. Anyways during the rest of the season mostly all eyes would remain on mostly Antonio and the new plot changes Saban's team threw in to edit the story to fit their needs. As for now this has been Toku 101: Samurai × Shinkenger III and we'll see you next time!
Summaries were provide by Wikipedia.org: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Power_Rangers_Samurai_episodes
Images provided by:
http://www.nick.com/
http://www.supersentai.com/
Episode 11: Unexpected Arrival
Returning after what seemed to be a false detection of a Nighlok attack on the Gap Sensor, the Rangers find an arrow with a note on it that says "See You Soon." With Jayden sensing something from before within the house, it starts to haunt him. Deciding to investigate the Gap Sensor, the team encounter a fish-seller whose hand writing matches the note. After the seller gives them the slip, Kevin and Mia go to find Jayden while Mike and Emily track down the fish seller. Kevin and Mia find Jayden confronting the Nighlok named Vulpes who is spying on Jayden to find out the Shiba sealing character. With his mirror medium destroyed, the Nighlok overwhelms the 3 with his magic as Mike and Emily arrive with the fish seller following. But even all 5 Rangers are no match for the Nighlok as they revert to normal. The fish seller arrives to their aid, transforming into the Gold Samurai Ranger. After taking out the Moogers in blinding speed, the Gold Ranger battles the Nighlok and destroys him. When the Nighlok revives, he overpowers the Battlewing Megazord until the Gold Ranger enters the fight in the Octozord to weaken the Nighlok so the Battlewing Megazord can land the deathblow. After the fight, Jayden reveals he already knows the fish seller as his childhood friend Antonio.
Episode 12: Room for One More
As Antonio heads to the samurai mansion, the others listen to Jayden and Mentor talk of young Antonio-- How Jayden gave him the Octozord, how Jayden threatened to quit his training if Ji tried to take back the Octozord, etc.-- Antonio makes an entrance, fancy, then gets embarrassed when his fish hook rips his pants. Antonio explains that after moving away when he was a kid, he trained himself to be a samurai and built his Samurai-Morpher from a trashed cellphone to communicate with Octozord through text-- because the Zords understand the Rangers who were born into the Samurai heritage. Ji, feeling that Antonio lacks discipline and true samurai training confiscates Antonio's morpher, which he later doesn't react too well to. Jayden agrees with Mentor despite Antonio begging Jayden with memories of childhood friendship. As the Rangers fight the Nighlok Steeleto (who vows to avenge Vulpes), they're powerless to destroy it. Steeleto retreats when he starts to dry up and the team start to consider bringing Antonio along. Antonio, down at the fishing pier, angrily talks with Octozord about regretting meeting the Rangers. Mike and Emily go to ask him to join and go to the mansion. There, Jayden is convinced to give Antonio back his morpher just in time for the next attack by Steeleto. When the Rangers arrive, Antonio struggling to get in to a heroic position, they begin fighting and Steeleto is overpowered when Jayden and Antonio tag-team it. Once Steeleto mega-sizes, Antonio combines the Octozord with the Samurai Megazord and defeats Steeleto. To celebrate, Antonio cooks fish barbecue and everyone appreciates Antonio's membership.
Episode 13: The Blue and the Gold
Ji and Antonio announce that Antonio is fixing the Claw Zord that was damaged in battle long ago and Ji hid it. Kevin doesn't fully accept Antonio as a "true Samurai" and thinks he's just goofing around. The monster of the day steals kids' toys to make them cry and Octoroo trying to find another way to open the Sanzu River through a well. Bulk and Spike are sleeping and their toy panda is stolen and all that is left is slime. Dayu visits Deker outside the Sanzu River but around it, he's still injured. Dayu wonders if Deker really does remember anything from his past. Antonio follows Kevin's morning routine to learn what makes him a true samurai. The two end up in the forest finding Octoroo but their morpher signals are blocked. Antonio and Kevin eventually overcome their differences and fight together to defeat the Nighloks.
While the Rangers, minus Emily are decorating for Emily's birthday, Splitface a Nighlok, who steals spirits, attacks the city. Splitface, easily takes down Mike, Antonio, Mia, Jayden, Kevin, and Emily. The Nighlok then takes Emily's spirit, putting her in a sleep. Splitface mocks the Rangers, telling them they only have twenty-four hours to defeat him, or Emily and the other people, who he stole spirits from will be asleep forever. Splitface then tells them he is leaving and never returning. While back in the Shiba house, Emily wakes up and tells the other Rangers she is sorry for letting him get her and she feels empty before falling asleep once more. Mike goes crazy and goes back where they fought Splitface, calling him a coward and demanding he comes out to fight. Deker suddenly appears and tells the Rangers the only way to get to the Netherworld is to betray their human life and become Nighloks. Just as they are going to give themselves up, Antonio appears saying he knows how to save Emily and everyone else. The Rangers use their symbol power to activate the Claw Zord, and summon the Nighlok. Splitface can't use his special power, Body Swarm, for Antonio marked him. Antonio uses the Claw Zord, with the help of the Battle Wing to defeat Splitface and return the spirits. Later the Rangers celebrate Emily's birthday, as well as the Claw Zord's.
Now it's time for us to once again have Samurai × Shinkenger, where they'll clash for supremacy. Anyways let's get this show on the road!
Power Rangers Samurai's Antonio is the american verison of Genta, who is less annoying in general but has an addiction to always be talking about his Ranger Color. Antonio practically tells the world he's Samurai Gold, by his ongoing spurts of saying "It's Golden!" and etc. Another difference between Antonio and Genta is the fact Antonio is an actual fisherman who sells his fish, while Genta is just a plain sushi seller with a sushi cart. I also like to add in the fact, that Antonio also seems to at least be a better cook too since Genta sells sushi which is raw fish. So I mean, at least you're getting your money's worth!! One of their common similarities is the fact they shared the same backstory; just Genta's verison lead to alot of Yaoi Fan-Fics, and they are hated by their respected Blue Rangers. Now when I'm asked which one is better I usually side with Antonio, since his characterists are a lot better and the character's represention is as a man proving his worth to the team by fixing the zords and such. Just when we get to Super Samurai, I go back to Genta as Antino's involvement varies more pending on how the episodes are editted and re-written to be centered around the main five later on.
As for the episode plots in general, they're barely changed and altered as they're episodes to mostly introduce the Gold Ranger. Now in the Samurai line-up we did skip Shinkenger episodes, but they were all mostly filler leading up to these important character developing episodes. Just in America this is viewed as very rushed since they had just recieved the new Megazord form in the previous episode to Antonio's debut so it was questionable for the removal of 4 to 6 episodes. Luckily for Saban, it did work out as I and fans were enjoying this rushed rewrite. Espcially to how Antonio's invovlement seemed to prove a little better and more useful in my opinion. Some changes that did quickly occur was Antonio's Samuraizer wasn't the SushiChanger, he didn't create the Clawzord, and his Mega Mode helmet was the same as his normal one; All were justifable changes too, in my honest opinion.
Now while the Gold Ranger story didn't change too much, neither did the Gedoushu/Nighlok story change either. The only new features added was more hints of Dayu and Deker were once in an actual relationship, which wasn't in Shinkenger originally. Ironically thou I've continued to think this was Saban's way of getting to the Shinkenger fans, to be more pleased with the actual adaptation, rather than hating it. Yet as Samurai continued to succeed and gathering its fandom, people really still didn't care to watch it too much. Antonio became everyone's favorite, pulling a JDF, Emily and Mia were still only eye candy and people still want to destroy either Jayden or Kevin. I mean seriously Jayden's last name is Shiba, he sounds like a Weeaboo! And don't get me started on Kevin, again. Anyways during the rest of the season mostly all eyes would remain on mostly Antonio and the new plot changes Saban's team threw in to edit the story to fit their needs. As for now this has been Toku 101: Samurai × Shinkenger III and we'll see you next time!
Summaries were provide by Wikipedia.org: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Power_Rangers_Samurai_episodes
Images provided by:
http://www.nick.com/
http://www.supersentai.com/
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Toku 101: Power Morphicon 3
Hello and welcome to the return of Toku 101; I'm your columnist, Wheelchair21. After being on vacation and attending Power Morphicon 3, I'm here to bring you some cool details and news! So let's get back on track and get some coverage on this amazing event.
Power Morphicon 3
The event lasted for three days, in Pasadena California at the Sheraton Convention Center. It was from August 17th to the 19th, and was sponsored by Bandai. This was to comemorate the 20th anniversary of Power Rangers by closing out Samurai and promoting Mega Force. Along with that we had Johnny Yong Bosch and his band Eyeshine as the guests of honor, followed up by the special appearance of David Yost! The convention was amazing and worth the trip, but will I do it again well that all matters on what will happen and occur at the next Power Morphicon. Just as for this one there was alot to with not so much time to get it all done!
On Saturday, when the cast of Power Rangers Samurai was at the convention everything was a buzz due to the looming appearance of David Yost. Well the Samurai cast caused huge lines to form up, for the meet and greet/signing before and after their panel. It was so long of a line that people were practically blocking all the entrances to the panels. Then when it came time to the David Yost, event/panel his signing actually almost caused the convention to be shutdown, due to fire hazards as the line had three paths within the center leading all the way to outside entrance. Finally to end Saturday was the Paul Schrier's Ice Cream Truckers and Eyeshine Concert, which was amazing. That was Saturday thou, practically all about waiting on lines for autographs and photos. While Friday and Sunday were come and go days as the thing was starting/ending on those certain days.
Friday was mostly people walking around the merchant room, and people going around getting autographs. Along with that people were busy trying to get the Power Morphicon exclusive Samurai 2 Pack with Shark Attack Red Ranger and Super Mooger, while waiting for the '+18 Panel' with Johnny Yong Bosch, Walter Jones, Catherine Sutherland, Jason Narvy, Tony Oliver, Ron Regge, Dan Southworth and Jason Faunt. The plus '+18 Panel' was problem the utter most show stealing panel at the whole entire convention since people were just asking questions you wouldn't get at the actual panels meant for the show. Other than that Friday was just for fans becoming aware of their surroundings.
Sunday though didn't do much better than Friday, until Rick Medina, and other members of the Samurai Cast appeared for signings. Medina came with full force as he came bringing his Blazing Lion jacket for people to while for photos with him, along with cool on set photos of him on set of Wild Force. So mostly he got over the most with fans for just bring his old Wild Force things with him. The other Samurai Rangers, held their quite while except for Najee "Kevin the Blue Ranger" because I believe he's the least liked Ranger on the entire show. Hector and Brittany (Mike & Emily) got alot of the attention out of the returning Samurai Rangers for the last day of the convention. (Me with Medina up-top)
One cool aspect while attending the convention was the filming of the web-series "No Nerds Here" starring Jessica Rey (Wild Force White), Jason Faunt (Time Force Red) and Nika Burrise (Zeo/Turbo Yellow). I along with TokuAnimeNews co-host Projektrdm and Reviewtopia's EZ Rider took part in this filming. We found it to be entertaining while, yet cheesy, corny and boring as some of the takes weren't too exciting. The Cast and Crew thou that were hired on, were quite nice and interacted with us extras. I along with Projektrdm and a few selected PMC attendee extras really warmed up to specifically the director of the series, Skylar who was a really cool individual. Anyways that was a great convention, and panels of the convention are all over the web by now so go check them out. Along with the panels is the trailer for Mega Force, along with the demos of the Mega Force toy line such as 4" Figures, Retro Fires, Deluxe Megazords and Roleplay toys. So we got a lot cool news, while enjoying some witty panels while being forced to wait for the upcoming finale of Super Samurai...
As for this has been my partial coverage on Power Morphicon 3, to see more go check out TokuAnimeNews at http://www.tokuanimesnews.blogspot.com/ or wait for next week's Toku 101! That's when I'm actually allowed to go into full details on my experience at PMC, since I'm contractionally obligated to first release all stories there first. Just here's my highlighted listing of the Panels from Friday to Sunday:
Friday August 17th
5:00 PM Panel A
"Behind the Scenes: Power Rangers Feature Film Retrospetive"
Join cast and crew from MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS: THE MOVIE and TURBO: A POWER RANGERS MOVIE as they look back and reminise on their favorite experiences from the feature film adventures of the Power Rangers!
5:00 PM Panel B
"Power Morphicon Trivia Contest 2012 w/ Database Ranger"
Join host Database Ranger in a fast-paced battle of wits against your fellow fans!
6:00 PM Panel A
"Behind the Scenes: Design and Development w/ Tsuyoshi Nonaka"
Tsuyoshi Nonaka describes the design history of ZYURANGER, POWER RANGERS SAMURAI/SUPER SAMURAI, and more!
6:00 PM Panel B
"Unsung Heroes"
Celebrating some of the show's most morphinominal cast and crew!
7:00 PM Panel A
"Spotlight: Power Rangers Turbo"
The cast and crew of POWER RANGERS TURBO discuss their experiences working on the hit series on its 15th anniversary
7:00 PM Panel B
"Behind the Scenes: The Music of Power Rangers w/ Ron Wasserman" Musician Ron Wasserman (The Mighty RAW) discusses his musical history throughout the series
8:00 PM Panel A
"Friday Night Feature: TURBO - A POWER RANGERS MOVIE"
w/ live commentary from cast and crew
8:30 PM Panel B
"Power Rangers After Dark"
This 18+ panel allows guests to let down their guard with their adults fans. No video recording equipment is permitted at this event.
Saturday August 18th
10:00 AM Panel A
"Spotlight: Where it All Began"
A look back on the start of the series with the casts of MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS through POWER RANGERS TURBO.
11:00 AM Panel A
"Spotlight: Johny Yong Bosch and Eyeshine"
Q&A with the hit band
12:30 PM Panel A
Saban's Mega Power Panel
1:00 PM Panel B
"Pretty and Powerful"
A look back on the women who shaped POWER RANGERS
1:30 PM Panel A
"Spotlight: Bulk and Skull-a-thon"
A look back on the laughs and legacy of Bulk and Skull.
2:00 PM Panel B
"Behind the Scenes: Design and Development w/ Tsuyoshi Nonaka"
Tsuyoshi Nonaka describes the design history of ZYURANGER, POWER RANGERS SAMURAI/SUPER SAMURAI, and more!
2:30 PM Panel A
"Forever Red(s)"
Honoring the Red Rangers throughout the series history!
3:30 PM Panel A
"David Yost Charity Event and Q&A" *Ticketed Event
In this special, ticketed event, David will be hosting a Q&A and giving away some of his Power Rangers paraphernalia throughout the panel. As well as raffling his Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie signed script with proceeds going to Trevor Project.
7:30 PM Panel A & B
"Saturday Night Concert Event: Ice Cream Truckers and Eyeshine Live!" *Ticketed Event
Sunday August 19th
10:00 AM Panel A
"Gold Ranger Member Event: Take a Stance!"
*Gold only pre sold event
11:00 AM Panel B
"Gold Ranger Member Event: Acoustic Concert w/ Eyeshine" Gold Only
12:00 Noon Panel B
"Behind the Scenes: Voice Actors"
The voice actors behind POWER RANGERS and her sister programs give insight into their work.
1:00 PM Panel B
"Spotlight: Villains"
The vilest villains of POWER RANGERS and her sister programs unite to destroy Power Morphicon once and for all!
2:00 PM Panel A
"Spotlight: Ameritoku"
Cast and crew from POWER RANGERS' sister shows, BEETLEBORGS, VR TROOPERS, and MASKED RIDER discuss heir experiences working on their hit shows!
2:00 PM Panel B
"Spotloght: Digimon"
The some of the cast of DIGIMON look back and discuss their experiences working on the hit series!
3:00 PM Panel A
Costume Contest Check-In
3:30 PM Panel A
"Power Morphicon 2012 Costume Ball Contest"
For PMC's final event of the year, the attendees are the stars! Mingle with your fellow fans dressed as your favorite PR characters, or whatever Tokusatsu or Ameritoku theme might strike your fancy!
4:30 PM Panel A and B
Closing Ceremony
Power Morphicon 3
The event lasted for three days, in Pasadena California at the Sheraton Convention Center. It was from August 17th to the 19th, and was sponsored by Bandai. This was to comemorate the 20th anniversary of Power Rangers by closing out Samurai and promoting Mega Force. Along with that we had Johnny Yong Bosch and his band Eyeshine as the guests of honor, followed up by the special appearance of David Yost! The convention was amazing and worth the trip, but will I do it again well that all matters on what will happen and occur at the next Power Morphicon. Just as for this one there was alot to with not so much time to get it all done!
On Saturday, when the cast of Power Rangers Samurai was at the convention everything was a buzz due to the looming appearance of David Yost. Well the Samurai cast caused huge lines to form up, for the meet and greet/signing before and after their panel. It was so long of a line that people were practically blocking all the entrances to the panels. Then when it came time to the David Yost, event/panel his signing actually almost caused the convention to be shutdown, due to fire hazards as the line had three paths within the center leading all the way to outside entrance. Finally to end Saturday was the Paul Schrier's Ice Cream Truckers and Eyeshine Concert, which was amazing. That was Saturday thou, practically all about waiting on lines for autographs and photos. While Friday and Sunday were come and go days as the thing was starting/ending on those certain days.
Friday was mostly people walking around the merchant room, and people going around getting autographs. Along with that people were busy trying to get the Power Morphicon exclusive Samurai 2 Pack with Shark Attack Red Ranger and Super Mooger, while waiting for the '+18 Panel' with Johnny Yong Bosch, Walter Jones, Catherine Sutherland, Jason Narvy, Tony Oliver, Ron Regge, Dan Southworth and Jason Faunt. The plus '+18 Panel' was problem the utter most show stealing panel at the whole entire convention since people were just asking questions you wouldn't get at the actual panels meant for the show. Other than that Friday was just for fans becoming aware of their surroundings.
Sunday though didn't do much better than Friday, until Rick Medina, and other members of the Samurai Cast appeared for signings. Medina came with full force as he came bringing his Blazing Lion jacket for people to while for photos with him, along with cool on set photos of him on set of Wild Force. So mostly he got over the most with fans for just bring his old Wild Force things with him. The other Samurai Rangers, held their quite while except for Najee "Kevin the Blue Ranger" because I believe he's the least liked Ranger on the entire show. Hector and Brittany (Mike & Emily) got alot of the attention out of the returning Samurai Rangers for the last day of the convention. (Me with Medina up-top)
One cool aspect while attending the convention was the filming of the web-series "No Nerds Here" starring Jessica Rey (Wild Force White), Jason Faunt (Time Force Red) and Nika Burrise (Zeo/Turbo Yellow). I along with TokuAnimeNews co-host Projektrdm and Reviewtopia's EZ Rider took part in this filming. We found it to be entertaining while, yet cheesy, corny and boring as some of the takes weren't too exciting. The Cast and Crew thou that were hired on, were quite nice and interacted with us extras. I along with Projektrdm and a few selected PMC attendee extras really warmed up to specifically the director of the series, Skylar who was a really cool individual. Anyways that was a great convention, and panels of the convention are all over the web by now so go check them out. Along with the panels is the trailer for Mega Force, along with the demos of the Mega Force toy line such as 4" Figures, Retro Fires, Deluxe Megazords and Roleplay toys. So we got a lot cool news, while enjoying some witty panels while being forced to wait for the upcoming finale of Super Samurai...
As for this has been my partial coverage on Power Morphicon 3, to see more go check out TokuAnimeNews at http://www.tokuanimesnews.blogspot.com/ or wait for next week's Toku 101! That's when I'm actually allowed to go into full details on my experience at PMC, since I'm contractionally obligated to first release all stories there first. Just here's my highlighted listing of the Panels from Friday to Sunday:
Friday August 17th
5:00 PM Panel A
"Behind the Scenes: Power Rangers Feature Film Retrospetive"
Join cast and crew from MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS: THE MOVIE and TURBO: A POWER RANGERS MOVIE as they look back and reminise on their favorite experiences from the feature film adventures of the Power Rangers!
5:00 PM Panel B
"Power Morphicon Trivia Contest 2012 w/ Database Ranger"
Join host Database Ranger in a fast-paced battle of wits against your fellow fans!
6:00 PM Panel A
"Behind the Scenes: Design and Development w/ Tsuyoshi Nonaka"
Tsuyoshi Nonaka describes the design history of ZYURANGER, POWER RANGERS SAMURAI/SUPER SAMURAI, and more!
6:00 PM Panel B
"Unsung Heroes"
Celebrating some of the show's most morphinominal cast and crew!
7:00 PM Panel A
"Spotlight: Power Rangers Turbo"
The cast and crew of POWER RANGERS TURBO discuss their experiences working on the hit series on its 15th anniversary
7:00 PM Panel B
"Behind the Scenes: The Music of Power Rangers w/ Ron Wasserman" Musician Ron Wasserman (The Mighty RAW) discusses his musical history throughout the series
8:00 PM Panel A
"Friday Night Feature: TURBO - A POWER RANGERS MOVIE"
w/ live commentary from cast and crew
8:30 PM Panel B
"Power Rangers After Dark"
This 18+ panel allows guests to let down their guard with their adults fans. No video recording equipment is permitted at this event.
Saturday August 18th
10:00 AM Panel A
"Spotlight: Where it All Began"
A look back on the start of the series with the casts of MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS through POWER RANGERS TURBO.
11:00 AM Panel A
"Spotlight: Johny Yong Bosch and Eyeshine"
Q&A with the hit band
12:30 PM Panel A
Saban's Mega Power Panel
1:00 PM Panel B
"Pretty and Powerful"
A look back on the women who shaped POWER RANGERS
1:30 PM Panel A
"Spotlight: Bulk and Skull-a-thon"
A look back on the laughs and legacy of Bulk and Skull.
2:00 PM Panel B
"Behind the Scenes: Design and Development w/ Tsuyoshi Nonaka"
Tsuyoshi Nonaka describes the design history of ZYURANGER, POWER RANGERS SAMURAI/SUPER SAMURAI, and more!
2:30 PM Panel A
"Forever Red(s)"
Honoring the Red Rangers throughout the series history!
3:30 PM Panel A
"David Yost Charity Event and Q&A" *Ticketed Event
In this special, ticketed event, David will be hosting a Q&A and giving away some of his Power Rangers paraphernalia throughout the panel. As well as raffling his Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie signed script with proceeds going to Trevor Project.
7:30 PM Panel A & B
"Saturday Night Concert Event: Ice Cream Truckers and Eyeshine Live!" *Ticketed Event
Sunday August 19th
10:00 AM Panel A
"Gold Ranger Member Event: Take a Stance!"
*Gold only pre sold event
11:00 AM Panel B
"Gold Ranger Member Event: Acoustic Concert w/ Eyeshine" Gold Only
12:00 Noon Panel B
"Behind the Scenes: Voice Actors"
The voice actors behind POWER RANGERS and her sister programs give insight into their work.
1:00 PM Panel B
"Spotlight: Villains"
The vilest villains of POWER RANGERS and her sister programs unite to destroy Power Morphicon once and for all!
2:00 PM Panel A
"Spotlight: Ameritoku"
Cast and crew from POWER RANGERS' sister shows, BEETLEBORGS, VR TROOPERS, and MASKED RIDER discuss heir experiences working on their hit shows!
2:00 PM Panel B
"Spotloght: Digimon"
The some of the cast of DIGIMON look back and discuss their experiences working on the hit series!
3:00 PM Panel A
Costume Contest Check-In
3:30 PM Panel A
"Power Morphicon 2012 Costume Ball Contest"
For PMC's final event of the year, the attendees are the stars! Mingle with your fellow fans dressed as your favorite PR characters, or whatever Tokusatsu or Ameritoku theme might strike your fancy!
4:30 PM Panel A and B
Closing Ceremony
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Toku 101: Power Morphicon
Hello, and welcome to another one of Wheelchair21's Toku 101! In today's segment of Toku 101, I'll be talking about the Power Ranger convention Power Morphicon. The reason it's the subject of the column this week is the fact it's tomorrow and I'm already in California to attend! So anyways let me de-brief you on what Power Morphicon is, when it started and some of the cool things that have happened at past conventions, along with what's to come!
POWER MORPHICON
POWER MORPHICON
Back in either 2007 or 2008, Saban went to most likely Disney at the time to make this convention. The reason for PMC, was to celebrate Power Rangers' 15th Anniversary. Its location Pasedena, California where has stayed there since then. At the actual first ever convention it seemed to have barely been promoted; for the fact I didn't discover it till months after it took place. Along with what seemed to be small promoted convention for Power Rangers we had several guests and unusual panels. For example guests were Austin St John(Jason/MMPR), Johnny Yong Bosh(Adam/MMPR-Turbo), selective Red Rangers, selective Disney-Era Rangers and the cast of Operation Overdrive. Some of the more memoriable panels however contained "Forever Red", "MMPR", "Unsung Heroes", "PROO Cast" and a trending one, the "Bulk & Skull" panel!! Some of these panels are on youtube, so please check those out.
Power Morphicon 2, was held almost two years later and from what I heard it was to celebrate the MMPR Movie and Saban buying back Power Rangers. As for PMC 2, that was an amazingly larger success from what I had personally noticed. There were more Cast members on hand attending the event along several new panels leading to a better varity. New guests including the 2nd Set of Turbo Rangers, Erin Cahill(Jen/PRTF), Vernon Wells(Ransik/PRTF), Robert Axelrod(Lord Zedd), and Jason David Frank(Tommy/MMPR-Turbo,DT) along with some members of Kamen Rider Dragon Knights' cast. Newer panels were Dragon Knight, Turbo/in Space, Time Force, Voice Actors and a JDF panel that Jason Narvy(Skull) crashed...Just like Unsung Heroes at the 1st PMC.
And finally we come to Power Morphicon 3, which will be held this very weekend! This one is to celebrate, the Turbo Movie, the announcement of MegaForce and preparations for Power Rangers' 20th Anniversary. Just as for this year's event some Cast Attendees will not be returning for this event; like JDF, some of the Turbo cast, Erin Cahill, and the Dragon Knight cast. The new/returning guests are Johnny Yong Bosh with Eyeshine, David Yost(Billy/MMPR-Zeo), members of the Wild Force cast, the Samurai Cast, the debut of the MegaForce cast and members from Saban's other adaptions. Along with these guest members several "Gold Ranger" Events are being held like concerts, and the exclusive David Yost panel. These "Gold Ranger" Events are for members who decided on buying the VIP Ranked tickets...Which I personally stupidly chose to get and damn glad I did seeing the results it got me!
However I rather not wish to list the current schedule of panels and events at this time. My reason for this is because the schedule can change by the time I've finished this post prior to leave to attend. Anyways I for one say, PMC is overrated at this time for it has barely had enough time to mature. It's worth going because it's pretty much buyer beware. Reason I say that is I bought my ticket back last September, guests didn't start getting announced until March or April and it costs a lot of cash pending on where you live to get there. So for now look forward to news and updates from PMC3! To check out more info on Power Morphicon please go to: http://officialpowermorphicon.com/
Friday, August 3, 2012
A Rolling Review: SH Figuarts Shinken Red
The long awaited SH Figuarts Shinken Red review! It's almost been like 2 months since I got this and I'm in love with the Figuart. This Figuart is pretty amazing for being the 1st Sentai SHF, the only issue is the fact that the figure has that shoulder issue. The shoulders have broken on several other people so I'm aware to be careful with it. Shinken Red, comes with alot hands a Shodophone in Brush Mode, Shishi Origami, and Shishi Emblem along with the Shinkenmaru and Rekka Daizanto. The Disks are removable from the weapons but they aren't able to be switched about. Anyways the Kuroko is pretty useless but I plan on keeping it!
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Thursday, August 2, 2012
Toku 101: Samurai × Shinkenger II
Hello and welcome to another edition of Toku 101 with me your columnist, Wheelchair21. On today's Toku 101, we'll be continuing on the topic of Samurai × Shinkenger II. Where I'll layout the summaries of episode 5 - 10 of Power Rangers Samurai then compair it to Shinkenger. Many of you who wish to read this will then either agree or disagree on my opinions compairing the two and on how I view them. So please turn away if you wish to spare yourselves now!
PRS Ep. 5: A Fish Out of Water
While having breakfast, the Rangers learn that the Swordfish Zord has been sighted off the coast as the poisonous Nighlok Yamiror appears. While the others go after Yamiror, poisoned as a result, Kevin is sent to acquire the Zord by fishing for it. But after failed attempts to catch it, Kevin receives the aid of a fisherman before being contacted by Ji and being told that the others got poisoned and the Swordfish Zord is needed to cure them. As Jayden slows Yamiror down in spite of the pain from the poison, Kevin finally manages to fish the Zord out with the fisherman's help. After curing his teammates of Yamiror's poison before they change to use the Fire Smasher's 5-Disc Swordfish Cannon mode to defeat the Nighlok, Kevin summons the Swordfish Zord to battle the enlarged mega monster before having it combine with the Samurai Megazord to form the Swordfish Fencer Megazord to destroy Yamiror. As the Rangers spent a day at the beach, a mysterious figure who witnessed the Rangers' fight with Yamiror walks off into the night.
PRS Ep. 6: There Go the Brides
Dayu and the Moogers start kidnapping brides, so the Samurai Rangers use a fake wedding to try to trap her. After she doesn't show, they make Jayden and Mia pose as another couple at a wedding, which leads to Mia being kidnapped. However, Dayu noticed the trap and also kidnaps the "real" bride, whom turns out to be Emily in a disguise. After almost sending the Rangers into an ambush, the Rangers challenge Dayu to a battle in the nearby forest and quarry. After trying to destroy her however, a new Nighlok named Deker shows up, and Jayden catches his attention. After a sinister comment, Deker and Dayu return to the Netherworld.
PRS Ep. 7: I've Got a Spell on Blue
Nighlok Madimot, shows Master Xandred that he found and possessed the Red Rangers Tiger Zord and claims it as his pet. Madimot attacks in the forest and the samurai Rangers rush towards the Nighlok. Madimot fires a blast at Mike but Kevin gets in the way and takes the blast. Kevin becomes possessed and Madimot orders him to attack the others. Kevin fights Jayden and Jayden rushes towards Madimot but he is forced to get Mike, Emily, and Mia out of there. Madimot and Kevin attack a construction site and the Rangers arrive. Deker returns to his human form and watches the fight between Kevin and Jayden with the other Rangers commenting on Jayden's abilities. during the fight, Jayden frees Kevin from Madimot's control and the 5 then attack Madimot and destroy the Nighlok. Madimot returns enlarged and summons the Tiger Zord, the Rangers get into their zords and Jayden's Lion Foldingzord battles the tiger zord and frees it. With the megazord fused with the Tiger Zord. They finish Madimot once and for all.
PRS Ep. 8: Forest for the Trees
Jayden and Ji tell the others that the Tiger Zord, the Swordfish Zord, and the Beetle Zord can combine into the Samurai Battlewing, a bird-like Megazord and they try to find a fitting pilot for each support zord. Jayden keeps the Tiger Disc, Kevin keeps the Swordfish Disc, and the Beetle Disc is given to Mia, much to the dismay of Mike. Mike starts to train harder than usual, but he thinks he can't catch up to Jayden and Kevin's progress. Then, when the Rangers face a new Nighlok named Desperaino who uses the "loss of hope", Kevin attaches his Swordfish Disc onto the Hydro Bow to try to stop it. When Mia tries to attach the Beetle Disc onto her Sky Fan, the Nighlok knocks it away, and the disc is caught by Mike. Mike attaches the Beetle Disc onto his Forest Spear, but when Kevin and Mike try to launch attacks onto the Nighlok, the Forest Spear doesn't work and the Nighlok gets away. After the battle, Ji scolds Mike for acting so foolish and jeopardizing the team's mission. Subsequently, after locating Mike at an arcade, Ji leads him to a clearing and tries to teach him about harnessing the Forest Symbol. Then, after another encounter with the Nighlok, Mike destroys it. After a final offensive on the enlarged monster by employment of the Samurai Battlewing auxiliary Zord combination, the Rangers celebrate victory. Mia allows Mike to keep the Beetle disc. Mike creates a plant for Ji to symbolize their growing "friendship".
PRS Ep. 9: Test of the Leader
Master Xandred is troubled by how much Deker knows about his past and about the Seal that brought him to his defeat centuries ago. Furious, he called upon giant and standard Moogers to attack the city destroying everything. Bulk and Spike encounter the Moogers and tried to put up a fight but end up running for life instead. Spike is rescued by the Pink Ranger and begins to develop a crush on her. The 2 female Rangers battle the standard Moogers while the male trio take on the giant Moogers in the Samurai Battlewing. Later, a new Nighlok named Robtish appears in a form of a swordsman and challenges Jayden to a duel. The other Rangers follow on and are defeated by the Nighlok's power. When the Nighlok takes aim at the Red Ranger, Deker appears, announcing that Red Ranger is his opponent. The trio then fight in a triple threat match when the Nighlok end up losing and retreating back to the Sanzu river. Deker and Jayden continue to fight but Jayden is defeated and takes a minor blow. Mike calls for Ji to bring help so that Emily and Kevin can be brought back to the Shiba house. Back at the Shiba house, Jayden secretly leaves his comrades and goes on a journey alone in order to protect them.
PRS Ep. 10: Jayden's Challenge
Jayden leaves the Shiba House to keep the other Rangers out of danger. Meanwhile, Emily and Kevin start to feel better, and they worry about Jayden. Kevin tells the group that he had an idea of combining the Samurai Battlewing with the Megazord. Back in the Sanzu River junk, Octoroo says Master Xandred won't be happy when he finds out Jayden is still alive. Robtish replies he couldn't finish Jayden off because of a half-human and Dayu (who is also half-human) thinks it is Deker. Xandred awakens, angered by the fact Deker is helping the Rangers and sends his Moogers to fight Deker. This leads him into getting into a fight with Deker himself. Jayden wanders around the city at night and the next day, he finds a boy crying because he misses his father, who is currently at work. Jayden says he misses his father, who is presumed dead. Jayden creates a paper airplane for the boy like his father did with him, and soon, the other children playing around make airplanes as well. Jayden says in his mind it should always be monster-free, until Robtish and some more Moogers arrive. He fights them, and is soon helped out by the other Rangers. Jayden now believes he needs his team to succeed and when Robtish grows bigger, they destroy him with Kevin's new idea for the Battlewing Megazord.
Now it's time for us to once again have Samurai × Shinkenger, where they'll clash for supremacy. Anyways let's get this show on the road!
Well to start off this week, in these 6 Episodes of Samurai some of the plots change during its adaptation from the Shinkenger storyline. First of all in episode 5 a 'Fish Out of Water' the mysterious fisherman Kevin meets is just some random fisherman, instead of being a Shiba Clan Kuroko. The reason behind this is, unlike in last week's segment I had forgot to mention the removal of the Kuroko for its American adaptation, so to address it now. The Kuroko are mysterious nameless shadow guards that did several of the severant like work for the Shiba Clan. In Samurai they were removed most likely for the fact they barely had characters for just doing background work for the Shiba Clan, and the fact is their attire would just completely stand out in a modern american outlook on things, since they say the Nighlok used to attack Japan and now they're attack the US West Coast. Ironically thou since the Shiba Clan is supposed to have its own servants or so, they'd have guys dresses as Secret Service to be modern Kurokos rather than just relocating to Chinatown.
The next changes occur in 'There Go the Brides' one is a minor change due to probably the whole crossdressing issue that occured in the original Sentai footage. In the original footage Ryunosuke was actually the second Bride captured in the Rangers sting operation to rescue all the captured brides. Where in American instead of Kevin to put on the dress they got the beautifully cute Emily to take that spot. It's not a huge issue to complain about seeing Kevin's actor doesn't seem to know how to be funny or act, but that's an entire ongoing issue with that guy!
The final change is a huge game changer that has become an entire new possible plotline for the American adaptation completely all centered around Juzo now called Deker. Deker is played by Ranger Alumni Rick Medina (Wild Force Red: Cole Evans) who seems to actually do better in this role wielding Uramasa. Now what I'm about to say is major Spoiler Alert for those who've avoided Samurai nor watched Shinkenger completely, so don't get mad at me! In Samurai Sentai Shinkenger, Juzo was only similar lost soul that Dayu found as her only companion where in Samurai they're comfirmed to be married by the early 20s. So just by knowing the plot change by hints in the show from 'There Go the Brides' and up, it's easy to notice the whole change in the second half of the series which is Super Samurai. Just those plot changes will have to wait for now...
As for these changes, the show begins to lag for the fact the American Actors don't seem to know how to act and it's just like they're reading off cards. The other thing is the horrible voices for several of the 'Nighlok' they somewhat just don't seem to fit the suits. Then you have these odd 'Bulk & Spike' segments; yea I said Bulk and Spike(Son of Skull, but more annoying and very hated); Anyways these segments seem to hurt the series too as their connection to the actual plot is minimal, they barely interact with the cast and just go on about trying to be samurais. This actually annoys me, while some of its comedic parts actually work when Bulk tries to get him and Spike to fight the Nighlok or just seemingly miss their chances to actually do something important.
My final thoughts thou are these still seem to stay close to the original Shinkenger plot for now with its minor changes neccessary for the adaptation. The voices like I said before still don't fit at times for the 'Nighlok' of the Episode, and the Rangers' acting/characters get worse. As their characters got worse people began to hate the show fast and stopped watching it, just cause either they believe themselves to be Shinkenger/Sentai purests or the fact the Rangers just suck. I for one think being a 'Sentai' purest is just bull, it's like saying you're almost a weeaboo or in kinder terms a radical Otaku. I mean just take what's giving to me as Power Rangers and just deal with it, cause seriously since Disney had Power Rangers we had some give and take seasons. Ninja Storm, Dino Thunder, and Mystic Force, were seasons I liked completely; SPD and Jungle Fury were mixed, while Operation Overdrive and RPM are my most hated. Now openly stating that I hated RPM is a whole different story, so to stay on track like I said with Disney it was very mixed. However during Saban's original run alot of the series were great with no issues until I look back at them, so to comeback after 7 years I wasn't expecting a homerun on a series or one so early in the episode airrings.
Just I feel like if any hate should have been appearing towards the show it should appear in these radius of episodes, cause my god I only truly enjoyed 3 of these 6 episodes(6, 7, 9). The reason for liking those selected episodes are because Deker had involvment that quickly explained and defined him as a character. Personally Deker is one of my favorite characters in Samurai, and is honestly one of the only real reasons I continue to watch the show when I'm not eyeballin' Emily or Mia. This season has alot of issues but can be over looked easily understanding Power Rangers is for kids, when Sentai is like generally a family show meant for all ages. Then understanding this explains why teenagers or grown adults quickly turn away from Power Rangers or go in search of this 'Mythical' series known as Super Sentai. As for now this has been Toku 101: Samurai × Shinkenger II and we'll see you next time!
Summaries were provide by Wikipedia.org: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Power_Rangers_Samurai_episodes
Images provided by:
http://www.powerrangers.com/seasons-samurai.html
http://www.nick.com/
http://www.rangercentral.com/
http://www.tokutime.blogspot.com/
http://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/shinken/contents/news/0028/
PRS Ep. 5: A Fish Out of Water
While having breakfast, the Rangers learn that the Swordfish Zord has been sighted off the coast as the poisonous Nighlok Yamiror appears. While the others go after Yamiror, poisoned as a result, Kevin is sent to acquire the Zord by fishing for it. But after failed attempts to catch it, Kevin receives the aid of a fisherman before being contacted by Ji and being told that the others got poisoned and the Swordfish Zord is needed to cure them. As Jayden slows Yamiror down in spite of the pain from the poison, Kevin finally manages to fish the Zord out with the fisherman's help. After curing his teammates of Yamiror's poison before they change to use the Fire Smasher's 5-Disc Swordfish Cannon mode to defeat the Nighlok, Kevin summons the Swordfish Zord to battle the enlarged mega monster before having it combine with the Samurai Megazord to form the Swordfish Fencer Megazord to destroy Yamiror. As the Rangers spent a day at the beach, a mysterious figure who witnessed the Rangers' fight with Yamiror walks off into the night.
PRS Ep. 6: There Go the Brides
Dayu and the Moogers start kidnapping brides, so the Samurai Rangers use a fake wedding to try to trap her. After she doesn't show, they make Jayden and Mia pose as another couple at a wedding, which leads to Mia being kidnapped. However, Dayu noticed the trap and also kidnaps the "real" bride, whom turns out to be Emily in a disguise. After almost sending the Rangers into an ambush, the Rangers challenge Dayu to a battle in the nearby forest and quarry. After trying to destroy her however, a new Nighlok named Deker shows up, and Jayden catches his attention. After a sinister comment, Deker and Dayu return to the Netherworld.
PRS Ep. 7: I've Got a Spell on Blue
Nighlok Madimot, shows Master Xandred that he found and possessed the Red Rangers Tiger Zord and claims it as his pet. Madimot attacks in the forest and the samurai Rangers rush towards the Nighlok. Madimot fires a blast at Mike but Kevin gets in the way and takes the blast. Kevin becomes possessed and Madimot orders him to attack the others. Kevin fights Jayden and Jayden rushes towards Madimot but he is forced to get Mike, Emily, and Mia out of there. Madimot and Kevin attack a construction site and the Rangers arrive. Deker returns to his human form and watches the fight between Kevin and Jayden with the other Rangers commenting on Jayden's abilities. during the fight, Jayden frees Kevin from Madimot's control and the 5 then attack Madimot and destroy the Nighlok. Madimot returns enlarged and summons the Tiger Zord, the Rangers get into their zords and Jayden's Lion Foldingzord battles the tiger zord and frees it. With the megazord fused with the Tiger Zord. They finish Madimot once and for all.
PRS Ep. 8: Forest for the Trees
Jayden and Ji tell the others that the Tiger Zord, the Swordfish Zord, and the Beetle Zord can combine into the Samurai Battlewing, a bird-like Megazord and they try to find a fitting pilot for each support zord. Jayden keeps the Tiger Disc, Kevin keeps the Swordfish Disc, and the Beetle Disc is given to Mia, much to the dismay of Mike. Mike starts to train harder than usual, but he thinks he can't catch up to Jayden and Kevin's progress. Then, when the Rangers face a new Nighlok named Desperaino who uses the "loss of hope", Kevin attaches his Swordfish Disc onto the Hydro Bow to try to stop it. When Mia tries to attach the Beetle Disc onto her Sky Fan, the Nighlok knocks it away, and the disc is caught by Mike. Mike attaches the Beetle Disc onto his Forest Spear, but when Kevin and Mike try to launch attacks onto the Nighlok, the Forest Spear doesn't work and the Nighlok gets away. After the battle, Ji scolds Mike for acting so foolish and jeopardizing the team's mission. Subsequently, after locating Mike at an arcade, Ji leads him to a clearing and tries to teach him about harnessing the Forest Symbol. Then, after another encounter with the Nighlok, Mike destroys it. After a final offensive on the enlarged monster by employment of the Samurai Battlewing auxiliary Zord combination, the Rangers celebrate victory. Mia allows Mike to keep the Beetle disc. Mike creates a plant for Ji to symbolize their growing "friendship".
Master Xandred is troubled by how much Deker knows about his past and about the Seal that brought him to his defeat centuries ago. Furious, he called upon giant and standard Moogers to attack the city destroying everything. Bulk and Spike encounter the Moogers and tried to put up a fight but end up running for life instead. Spike is rescued by the Pink Ranger and begins to develop a crush on her. The 2 female Rangers battle the standard Moogers while the male trio take on the giant Moogers in the Samurai Battlewing. Later, a new Nighlok named Robtish appears in a form of a swordsman and challenges Jayden to a duel. The other Rangers follow on and are defeated by the Nighlok's power. When the Nighlok takes aim at the Red Ranger, Deker appears, announcing that Red Ranger is his opponent. The trio then fight in a triple threat match when the Nighlok end up losing and retreating back to the Sanzu river. Deker and Jayden continue to fight but Jayden is defeated and takes a minor blow. Mike calls for Ji to bring help so that Emily and Kevin can be brought back to the Shiba house. Back at the Shiba house, Jayden secretly leaves his comrades and goes on a journey alone in order to protect them.
PRS Ep. 10: Jayden's Challenge
Jayden leaves the Shiba House to keep the other Rangers out of danger. Meanwhile, Emily and Kevin start to feel better, and they worry about Jayden. Kevin tells the group that he had an idea of combining the Samurai Battlewing with the Megazord. Back in the Sanzu River junk, Octoroo says Master Xandred won't be happy when he finds out Jayden is still alive. Robtish replies he couldn't finish Jayden off because of a half-human and Dayu (who is also half-human) thinks it is Deker. Xandred awakens, angered by the fact Deker is helping the Rangers and sends his Moogers to fight Deker. This leads him into getting into a fight with Deker himself. Jayden wanders around the city at night and the next day, he finds a boy crying because he misses his father, who is currently at work. Jayden says he misses his father, who is presumed dead. Jayden creates a paper airplane for the boy like his father did with him, and soon, the other children playing around make airplanes as well. Jayden says in his mind it should always be monster-free, until Robtish and some more Moogers arrive. He fights them, and is soon helped out by the other Rangers. Jayden now believes he needs his team to succeed and when Robtish grows bigger, they destroy him with Kevin's new idea for the Battlewing Megazord.
Now it's time for us to once again have Samurai × Shinkenger, where they'll clash for supremacy. Anyways let's get this show on the road!
The next changes occur in 'There Go the Brides' one is a minor change due to probably the whole crossdressing issue that occured in the original Sentai footage. In the original footage Ryunosuke was actually the second Bride captured in the Rangers sting operation to rescue all the captured brides. Where in American instead of Kevin to put on the dress they got the beautifully cute Emily to take that spot. It's not a huge issue to complain about seeing Kevin's actor doesn't seem to know how to be funny or act, but that's an entire ongoing issue with that guy!
As for these changes, the show begins to lag for the fact the American Actors don't seem to know how to act and it's just like they're reading off cards. The other thing is the horrible voices for several of the 'Nighlok' they somewhat just don't seem to fit the suits. Then you have these odd 'Bulk & Spike' segments; yea I said Bulk and Spike(Son of Skull, but more annoying and very hated); Anyways these segments seem to hurt the series too as their connection to the actual plot is minimal, they barely interact with the cast and just go on about trying to be samurais. This actually annoys me, while some of its comedic parts actually work when Bulk tries to get him and Spike to fight the Nighlok or just seemingly miss their chances to actually do something important.
My final thoughts thou are these still seem to stay close to the original Shinkenger plot for now with its minor changes neccessary for the adaptation. The voices like I said before still don't fit at times for the 'Nighlok' of the Episode, and the Rangers' acting/characters get worse. As their characters got worse people began to hate the show fast and stopped watching it, just cause either they believe themselves to be Shinkenger/Sentai purests or the fact the Rangers just suck. I for one think being a 'Sentai' purest is just bull, it's like saying you're almost a weeaboo or in kinder terms a radical Otaku. I mean just take what's giving to me as Power Rangers and just deal with it, cause seriously since Disney had Power Rangers we had some give and take seasons. Ninja Storm, Dino Thunder, and Mystic Force, were seasons I liked completely; SPD and Jungle Fury were mixed, while Operation Overdrive and RPM are my most hated. Now openly stating that I hated RPM is a whole different story, so to stay on track like I said with Disney it was very mixed. However during Saban's original run alot of the series were great with no issues until I look back at them, so to comeback after 7 years I wasn't expecting a homerun on a series or one so early in the episode airrings.
Just I feel like if any hate should have been appearing towards the show it should appear in these radius of episodes, cause my god I only truly enjoyed 3 of these 6 episodes(6, 7, 9). The reason for liking those selected episodes are because Deker had involvment that quickly explained and defined him as a character. Personally Deker is one of my favorite characters in Samurai, and is honestly one of the only real reasons I continue to watch the show when I'm not eyeballin' Emily or Mia. This season has alot of issues but can be over looked easily understanding Power Rangers is for kids, when Sentai is like generally a family show meant for all ages. Then understanding this explains why teenagers or grown adults quickly turn away from Power Rangers or go in search of this 'Mythical' series known as Super Sentai. As for now this has been Toku 101: Samurai × Shinkenger II and we'll see you next time!
Summaries were provide by Wikipedia.org: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Power_Rangers_Samurai_episodes
Images provided by:
http://www.powerrangers.com/seasons-samurai.html
http://www.nick.com/
http://www.rangercentral.com/
http://www.tokutime.blogspot.com/
http://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/shinken/contents/news/0028/
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Toku 101: Samurai × Shinkenger
Hello and welcome to a new segment here on the Broken Infinite! I'm your columnist Wheelchair21, the Kamen Roller coming at you with my very first Toku 101. Toku 101 will feature either episode summaries and reviews of popular Tokusatsu series or comparisons between the original series and its adaptations or character analysis. In this segment today we're going to cover Power Rangers Samurai episodes 1 - 4, along with compairing it to its origins as Shinkenger.
PRS Ep. 1: The Team Unites
The Samurai Rangers are seen training, but Mike can't seem to sense Jayden or Kevin's attacks. Mike soon leaves practice to hang out with his friends, telling them of his struggles. However, the city is attacked by the Nighlok Rofer, sent by Xandred to raise the Sanzu River's water levels with human fear. Even in his Ranger form, Mike is no match for Rofer as the others arrive as the monster falls back to rehydrate. Jayden explains to Mike that being a Samurai Ranger is the ultimate sacrifice and must stay away from his friends and family to protect them. After giving it thought, Mike gets an idea and starts to train himself as Jayden undergoes his own training. The next day, when Rofer resumes his attack, Mike once again takes on the Nighlok on his own, tricking him into tangling up his arms. Mike then executes the finishing move. When Nighlok is revived and enlarged, despite Mike's intent to finish him off himself, the Rangers form their Megazord and use Jayden's training to finish the monster off.
PRS Ep. 2: Deal with a Nighlok
After confronting the Nighlok Doubletone, the Rangers search for the young boy whom the monster was talking to, a little leaguer named Ryan. Kevin and Mia find the boy, only for the boy to refused to answer them as he runs off. Following him to his home to learn whatever secret he has, the two get into a discussion of Kevin's personal regret of his life-long dream that he has been keeping to himself before Mia assures him he'll live his dream once Xandred is defeated. After an all-night stake out, Kevin and Mia find Ryan on the move as he suddenly disposes of his baseball stuff and calls Doubletone as he performs his end of the promise, hurting himself so he cannot play baseball in order to get his father back. However, as the garbage truck arrives to take out the trash, Doubletone revealed it to be a lie as part of his plan to make the boy cry to overflow the Sanzu River. Vowing to make the Nighlok pay, Kevin and Mia fight him as the others arrive, defeating Doubletone as he revives into a giant before Samurai Megazord destroys him. Later, the Rangers attend Ryan's game after the boy learns the garbage man saved his stuff and gave it to his coach, with Jayden using his Symbol Power to ease Ryan.
PRS Ep. 3: Day Off
While the other spend their leisure time at the Rainbow's End amusement park, Jayden remains behind to master the use of the Beetle Disk as the rest of the team encounter the Nighlok Dreadhead. whose flexible body and marksmanship overpower them. Even with the Red Ranger's arrival, the team are no match for Dreadhead before he falls back when he begins to dry up. After revealing the Beetle Disc to the others, Jayden resumes training into the night, nearly destroying himself in the process. The next day, a rehydrated Dreadhead resumes his attack with the other Rangers arriving to fight him as Jayden arrives and succeeds to using the Beetle Disc to have his Fire Smasher assume Cannon Blast Mode in order to destroy Dreadhead. When Dreadhead resurrects into a giant, he overwhelms Samurai Megazord until Jayden uses the Beetle Disc to summon the Beetle Zord. To counter the summoned giant Moogers, the Beetle Blaster Megazord is formed to take them out before destroying Dreadhead. After the fight, Jayden joins the others at the amusement park.
PRS Ep 4. Sticks & Stones
During battle training, Emily accidentally injures Mike in the arm, Emily's attempts to care for his arm making a mess of everything. The Nighlok Negatron appears and subjects his victims to insults that hurt their feelings so deeply that the verbal abuse actually becomes a physical assault. Confronting him all the Rangers are struck down by Negatron's attacks save for Emily who is unaffected as the Nighlok is forced to retreat. When her teammates wonder about her immunity to Negatron's attacks, Emily tells them how her sister Serena taught her to ignore insults and how you need to keep thinking that the person never even said it. When Negatron resumes his attack, Emily succeeds in weakening him with Mike's help as Jayden destroys him with the five disc Beetle Cannon. Negatron revives as a Mega Monster and the Rangers destroy him with the Beetle Blaster Megazord. Later, the Rangers are then seen walking along the sidewalk while Mike carries Emily who lose consciousness at the end of the fight. Mia hears an ice cream truck and Emily, who has been faking unconsciousness for a few minutes at least, pretends to wake up so they can all get ice cream.
Now it's time for Samurai × Shinkenger, where they'll clash for supremacy... Nah, not really just an average comparison between the two and its differences. Anyways let's get this show on the road!
Power Rangers Samurai starts off weird, since it was airred out of chronological order. It's first two episodes called Origins airred later so we get this rushed and off beat introduction to the cast in 'The Team Unites', unlike in Shinkenger. Eventually thou as these episodes progress we get to know our characters a little bit better. Mike the Green Ranger, is the Wild Child who plays video games and questions alot of thing similar to Chiaki; Mia the Pink Ranger is really caring for the team while being a horrible cook much like Mako and Emily is the last minute replacement for her sick sister who doubts herself much like Kotoha. While Kevin the Blue Ranger, is much more serious, less used for comedic scenes at this point in the series and was a former competitive swimmer unlike Ryunosuke. Along with that Jayden is just an 'Arian' Takeru Shiba, getting barely any character for the first few episodes.
As for the plot of the episodes, very little is changed or adapted. Alot of the Japanese story and footage is left intact while adjusted for American audiances and children. Stuff that was alter is names of the Gedoushu, Doukoku addiction to saké is referenced as Xandred's medicine, scenes where Nanashi/Mooger are killing civilains and the Rangers' Arsenal. Since in America, things can't be overly violent and such it's understandable to remove the monsters killing people along with adjust Doukoku/Xandred's addiction to saké to medicine. As for the Nanashi/Mooger, attack scenes they're somewhat noticible as due to the horrible American edits most noticible in episode 1 and 3. Luckily the reasons thou why the Nighlok attack the World of Living remains along with their realm, the 'Sanzu River'.
The Rangers' Arsenal they really hashed the names to mostly the translations. Using the term Kanji felt too Japanese so they use 'Symbol Power', Origami Mode for the Zords are called 'Emblem Mode' and the Rekka DaiZanto is literally called what it means 'Fire Smasher'. For the other Rangers their weapons went under small name changes like Heaven Fan to Sky Fan, Water Arrow to Hydro Bow, Wood Spear to Forest Spear, and Earth Slicer to Land Slicer. As for the Megazord all the zords are the same, they even use the final combination phrase "We are United!" upon the end of the formation.
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Just while in the Megazord the Samurai Rangers have a new form called Mega Mode, which is a cool cross between anime and battlizer-like design. Along with that the cockpit is completely different too, while still sort of using the same mechanic to pilot the zords as the Spin Sword evolve into the Mega Blade for the use of piloting. The only difference is the sword becomes collaspable, and used very joystick-like as if they were piloting fighter jets. Where in Shinkenger the cockpit was very colorful, the suits stayed the same and was honestly nothing was altered for them to just pilot their mechas.
Upon watching these first four episodes, Samurai seems very rushed and corny for the fact it's made for kids, rather than being serious and plot driven like Shinkenger. The mannerisms of the monster are very corny too much to like the original Saban monsters, back in MMPR to PRiS. These monster don't take the job seriously or pretty much seem intelligent as there were depicted in Shinkenger. Along with that since this is/was Saban's first PR series since Wild Force it explains why he went back to basics for the villains, along with keeping to most of the original Sentai Storyline. Overall these first four aren't amazingly special, or glamourious as people seen them as in Shinkenger. Heck some people actually tend to had forgotten some of the early monsters by the time Samurai even began to air. So to have had many people automatically hating the series upon these first couple of episodes was uncalled for since its understandable Saban wouldn't be 100% at the start. I for one was just happy, to have a real Power Ranger series back on that had Saban branded all over it, the return of Paul Schrier as 'Bulk', the re-use/remix of the MMPR Theme and to just see Shinkenger footage air on my television on actual American networks. Because having Shinkenger footage air on our television helps brings more people to the Toku-community and opens the doors to several other amazing series like Kamen Rider, Metal Heroes, Ultraman and several others. By having more embrace these types of shows and series, brings more understanding of why people like me or you enjoy them. So until then, keep an eye out for the next, TOKU 101!!
Summaries were provide by Wikipedia.org: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Power_Rangers_Samurai_episodes
Images provided by:
http://www.powerrangers.com/seasons-samurai.html
http://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/shinken/contents/news/0028/
http://www.rangerboard.com/
PRS Ep. 1: The Team Unites
The Samurai Rangers are seen training, but Mike can't seem to sense Jayden or Kevin's attacks. Mike soon leaves practice to hang out with his friends, telling them of his struggles. However, the city is attacked by the Nighlok Rofer, sent by Xandred to raise the Sanzu River's water levels with human fear. Even in his Ranger form, Mike is no match for Rofer as the others arrive as the monster falls back to rehydrate. Jayden explains to Mike that being a Samurai Ranger is the ultimate sacrifice and must stay away from his friends and family to protect them. After giving it thought, Mike gets an idea and starts to train himself as Jayden undergoes his own training. The next day, when Rofer resumes his attack, Mike once again takes on the Nighlok on his own, tricking him into tangling up his arms. Mike then executes the finishing move. When Nighlok is revived and enlarged, despite Mike's intent to finish him off himself, the Rangers form their Megazord and use Jayden's training to finish the monster off.
PRS Ep. 2: Deal with a Nighlok
After confronting the Nighlok Doubletone, the Rangers search for the young boy whom the monster was talking to, a little leaguer named Ryan. Kevin and Mia find the boy, only for the boy to refused to answer them as he runs off. Following him to his home to learn whatever secret he has, the two get into a discussion of Kevin's personal regret of his life-long dream that he has been keeping to himself before Mia assures him he'll live his dream once Xandred is defeated. After an all-night stake out, Kevin and Mia find Ryan on the move as he suddenly disposes of his baseball stuff and calls Doubletone as he performs his end of the promise, hurting himself so he cannot play baseball in order to get his father back. However, as the garbage truck arrives to take out the trash, Doubletone revealed it to be a lie as part of his plan to make the boy cry to overflow the Sanzu River. Vowing to make the Nighlok pay, Kevin and Mia fight him as the others arrive, defeating Doubletone as he revives into a giant before Samurai Megazord destroys him. Later, the Rangers attend Ryan's game after the boy learns the garbage man saved his stuff and gave it to his coach, with Jayden using his Symbol Power to ease Ryan.
PRS Ep. 3: Day Off
While the other spend their leisure time at the Rainbow's End amusement park, Jayden remains behind to master the use of the Beetle Disk as the rest of the team encounter the Nighlok Dreadhead. whose flexible body and marksmanship overpower them. Even with the Red Ranger's arrival, the team are no match for Dreadhead before he falls back when he begins to dry up. After revealing the Beetle Disc to the others, Jayden resumes training into the night, nearly destroying himself in the process. The next day, a rehydrated Dreadhead resumes his attack with the other Rangers arriving to fight him as Jayden arrives and succeeds to using the Beetle Disc to have his Fire Smasher assume Cannon Blast Mode in order to destroy Dreadhead. When Dreadhead resurrects into a giant, he overwhelms Samurai Megazord until Jayden uses the Beetle Disc to summon the Beetle Zord. To counter the summoned giant Moogers, the Beetle Blaster Megazord is formed to take them out before destroying Dreadhead. After the fight, Jayden joins the others at the amusement park.
PRS Ep 4. Sticks & Stones
During battle training, Emily accidentally injures Mike in the arm, Emily's attempts to care for his arm making a mess of everything. The Nighlok Negatron appears and subjects his victims to insults that hurt their feelings so deeply that the verbal abuse actually becomes a physical assault. Confronting him all the Rangers are struck down by Negatron's attacks save for Emily who is unaffected as the Nighlok is forced to retreat. When her teammates wonder about her immunity to Negatron's attacks, Emily tells them how her sister Serena taught her to ignore insults and how you need to keep thinking that the person never even said it. When Negatron resumes his attack, Emily succeeds in weakening him with Mike's help as Jayden destroys him with the five disc Beetle Cannon. Negatron revives as a Mega Monster and the Rangers destroy him with the Beetle Blaster Megazord. Later, the Rangers are then seen walking along the sidewalk while Mike carries Emily who lose consciousness at the end of the fight. Mia hears an ice cream truck and Emily, who has been faking unconsciousness for a few minutes at least, pretends to wake up so they can all get ice cream.
Now it's time for Samurai × Shinkenger, where they'll clash for supremacy... Nah, not really just an average comparison between the two and its differences. Anyways let's get this show on the road!
Power Rangers Samurai starts off weird, since it was airred out of chronological order. It's first two episodes called Origins airred later so we get this rushed and off beat introduction to the cast in 'The Team Unites', unlike in Shinkenger. Eventually thou as these episodes progress we get to know our characters a little bit better. Mike the Green Ranger, is the Wild Child who plays video games and questions alot of thing similar to Chiaki; Mia the Pink Ranger is really caring for the team while being a horrible cook much like Mako and Emily is the last minute replacement for her sick sister who doubts herself much like Kotoha. While Kevin the Blue Ranger, is much more serious, less used for comedic scenes at this point in the series and was a former competitive swimmer unlike Ryunosuke. Along with that Jayden is just an 'Arian' Takeru Shiba, getting barely any character for the first few episodes.
As for the plot of the episodes, very little is changed or adapted. Alot of the Japanese story and footage is left intact while adjusted for American audiances and children. Stuff that was alter is names of the Gedoushu, Doukoku addiction to saké is referenced as Xandred's medicine, scenes where Nanashi/Mooger are killing civilains and the Rangers' Arsenal. Since in America, things can't be overly violent and such it's understandable to remove the monsters killing people along with adjust Doukoku/Xandred's addiction to saké to medicine. As for the Nanashi/Mooger, attack scenes they're somewhat noticible as due to the horrible American edits most noticible in episode 1 and 3. Luckily the reasons thou why the Nighlok attack the World of Living remains along with their realm, the 'Sanzu River'.
The Rangers' Arsenal they really hashed the names to mostly the translations. Using the term Kanji felt too Japanese so they use 'Symbol Power', Origami Mode for the Zords are called 'Emblem Mode' and the Rekka DaiZanto is literally called what it means 'Fire Smasher'. For the other Rangers their weapons went under small name changes like Heaven Fan to Sky Fan, Water Arrow to Hydro Bow, Wood Spear to Forest Spear, and Earth Slicer to Land Slicer. As for the Megazord all the zords are the same, they even use the final combination phrase "We are United!" upon the end of the formation.
.jpg)
Just while in the Megazord the Samurai Rangers have a new form called Mega Mode, which is a cool cross between anime and battlizer-like design. Along with that the cockpit is completely different too, while still sort of using the same mechanic to pilot the zords as the Spin Sword evolve into the Mega Blade for the use of piloting. The only difference is the sword becomes collaspable, and used very joystick-like as if they were piloting fighter jets. Where in Shinkenger the cockpit was very colorful, the suits stayed the same and was honestly nothing was altered for them to just pilot their mechas.
Upon watching these first four episodes, Samurai seems very rushed and corny for the fact it's made for kids, rather than being serious and plot driven like Shinkenger. The mannerisms of the monster are very corny too much to like the original Saban monsters, back in MMPR to PRiS. These monster don't take the job seriously or pretty much seem intelligent as there were depicted in Shinkenger. Along with that since this is/was Saban's first PR series since Wild Force it explains why he went back to basics for the villains, along with keeping to most of the original Sentai Storyline. Overall these first four aren't amazingly special, or glamourious as people seen them as in Shinkenger. Heck some people actually tend to had forgotten some of the early monsters by the time Samurai even began to air. So to have had many people automatically hating the series upon these first couple of episodes was uncalled for since its understandable Saban wouldn't be 100% at the start. I for one was just happy, to have a real Power Ranger series back on that had Saban branded all over it, the return of Paul Schrier as 'Bulk', the re-use/remix of the MMPR Theme and to just see Shinkenger footage air on my television on actual American networks. Because having Shinkenger footage air on our television helps brings more people to the Toku-community and opens the doors to several other amazing series like Kamen Rider, Metal Heroes, Ultraman and several others. By having more embrace these types of shows and series, brings more understanding of why people like me or you enjoy them. So until then, keep an eye out for the next, TOKU 101!!
Summaries were provide by Wikipedia.org: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Power_Rangers_Samurai_episodes
Images provided by:
http://www.powerrangers.com/seasons-samurai.html
http://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/shinken/contents/news/0028/
http://www.rangerboard.com/
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