Last year saw the conclusion of a number of popular tokusatsu series. Join Jay as he reviews the tokusatsu that aired and ended in the year 2023.
Avataro Sentai DonBrothers
Merely uttering the name of the infamous and iconic Toshiki Inoue can send shivers down the spine of any tokusatsu fan. As a prominent figure in the toku writing realm, he has given us iconic series such as Chojin Sentai Jetman, Kamen Rider Agito, Kamen Rider 555, Kamen Rider Kiva and even more outside of the tokusatsu genre. Yet, while his portfolio boasts several celebrated shows, fans are well aware that Inoue’s works often defy expectations. Thus, when news broke that he would helm the script for Avataro Sentai Donbrothers, a new chapter in the Super Sentai saga, the fandom brimmed with anticipation. This 46th Super Sentai instalment distinguishes itself by intertwining narratives from its predecessor, Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger, while also drawing inspiration from the Japanese folklore tale of Momotaro.
Two decades ago, Jin Momoi discovered an infant within a peach like capsule and named him Taro, raising him as his kin. Fast forward to the present, where individuals morph into creatures known as Hitotsuki when their desires overwhelm them. Taro, now leading the Donbrothers, collaborates with an eclectic team: the high school manga artist Haruka Kito, the quirky Shinichi Saruhara, the fugitive Tsubasa Inuzuka, and the dedicated family man Tsuyoshi Kijino. The group later welcomes Jiro Momotani, another capsule found individual with aspirations of heroism.
The Donbrothers’ adversaries, the Noto, operate from a higher dimension and seem intent on containing the Hitotsuki, rather than redeeming them. Amidst this conflict, both groups confront the enigmatic Beastials, further complicating their dynamics.
While Super Sentai has long thrived on familiar motifs such as the “monster of the week” and iconic mecha battles, Avataro Sentai Donbrothers reimagines these elements, offering a fresh perspective on the classic team dynamic. The series often delves into the personal struggles and relationships of its characters, grounding its narrative in their growth and connections. The team, flawed yet endearing, navigates challenges ranging from Haruka’s plagiarism controversy to the intricate interpersonal dramas between Tsubasa and Tsuyoshi.
Jiro’s dual identity as Don Doragoku and Don Torabolt adds another layer of complexity, intertwining his quest for heroism with the overarching narrative. The show’s reduced emphasis on the weekly monster battles allows for deeper exploration of character dynamics, particularly the evolving relationships between the Donbrothers and the Noto.
Avataro Sentai Donbrothers also incorporates nods to previous Sentai series, adding a nostalgic touch for longtime fans. However, these elements, while entertaining, sometimes feel extraneous to the core narrative, emphasising the series’ unpredictable and eclectic nature.
Mecha battles, a staple of Super Sentai, receive a unique twist in Donbrothers. The series integrates these sequences with humor and creativity, resulting in visually striking and entertaining confrontations. Whether rendered in CGI or featuring physical suits, the mecha designs, especially Don Onitaijin, stand out as remarkable additions to the franchise.
In essence, Avataro Sentai Donbrothers transcends traditional Super Sentai conventions, offering a captivating blend of heartwarming character arcs, exhilarating action, and whimsical storytelling. Toshiki Inoue’s distinct vision has crafted a series that, despite its quirks and deviations, resonates with the essence of Super Sentai, ensuring its place as a memorable entry in the franchise’s storied history.
Kamen Rider Geats
As the Kamen Rider franchise boldly ventures into the Reiwa era, my experience with Kamen Rider Geats has been less than satisfying. Despite the general popularity among fans, this season has left me unimpressed and, frankly, bored. The 37th instalment in the franchise, following Kamen Rider Revice, fails to capture my interest, even with the seasoned writer Yuya Takahashi at the helm.
Geats revolves around the Desire Grand Prix, a survival game competition where participants, armed with unique ID cores and Desire Drivers, compete to protect the city from the enigmatic threat known as the Jyamato. The show introduces characters like Ace Ukiyo, the undefeated champion, and other Riders with their own wishes and motivations. However, the concept of a “Kamen Rider Battle Royale” inspired by survival games feels boring and fails to engage me. This may contrast the fandom’s general opinion on Geats as for the most part people have enjoyed the series.
The narrative attempts to weave a complex story involving time travel, reincarnation, and god like powers, but it often feels overwhelming. The seven distinct story arcs, each corresponding to a different “season” of the Desire Grand Prix, struggle to maintain coherence. The show’s attempt at world building, while commendable, comes close to collapsing under its own weight. The characters, including the confident protagonist Ace Ukiyo, lack the charisma to make the unfolding events truly compelling.
The supporting cast, including Keiwa (Kamen Rider Tycoon), Michinaga (Kamen Rider Buffa), and Neon (Kamen Rider Na-Go), falls short of making a significant impact. The additional Riders introduced from the future add unnecessary layers, and their critiques on fandom through social commentary feel forced. The villains, represented by the Desire Grand Prix itself and its administrators, fail to leave a lasting impression.
While the show attempts to offer a visually stunning experience, the spectacle falls flat for me. The use of interchangeable armour and the “revolve” gimmick, while interesting, fails to make up for the lackluster plot. The incorporation of roleplay toys into the show’s aesthetics feels more like a marketing strategy than an enhancement of the viewing experience.
In conclusion, Kamen Rider Geats, despite its ambitious narrative and visual elements, falls short of delivering an engaging and enjoyable viewing experience. The attempt to cater to a broad audience with an ensemble cast and intricate plot lines results in a season that lacks the spark and excitement that fans often associate with the Kamen Rider franchise.
Power Rangers Cosmic Fury
The Power Rangers franchise has experienced a series of changes, beginning with Hasbro’s acquisition in 2018 and its recent shift to Netflix as an exclusive streaming platform. Amidst ongoing teases of a reboot, the show has persistently marched forward, notably with Beast Morphers and Dino Fury airing under Hasbro’s leadership. Now, in celebration of its 30th Anniversary, the franchise introduces Power Rangers Cosmic Fury – a ten episode miniseries and a direct sequel to Dino Fury. While it incorporates mecha footage from Uchu Sentai Kyuranger, the suits take on a refreshed look inspired by the Dino Fury suits. However, this instalment could potentially signal the end of an era for Power Rangers, concluding not only the Dino Fury narrative but also potentially wrapping up three decades of continuity.
Upon receiving word from Zayto and the Morphin Masters about the return of Lord Zedd, the Rangers find themselves transported to the planet Zordnia, where they reunite with Billy Cranston and Mick Kanic. Facing the challenge of one of their own turning to the side of evil, the Rangers manage to shift the tide by unlocking ancient Zords concealed on Zordnia. In response, Zedd retaliates by returning to Earth and demolishing Dino Henge, effectively severing the Rangers’ powers. Forced to retreat into space, the Rangers must now harness new powers to thwart Zedd’s conquest. Equipped with fresh suits, weapons, and allies, the Cosmic Fury Rangers embark on their journey back to Earth, determined to defeat the self proclaimed Emperor of Evil.
Despite the condensed ten episode format, Power Rangers Cosmic Fury still struggles to make a lasting impact. Becca Barnes and Alywn Dale’s narrative may move briskly but it fails to escape the clutches of mediocrity, offering little respite from the lacklustre storytelling. The attempt to avoid filler episodes and side quests only underscores the show’s inability to provide depth or complexity to its overarching storyline.
While the format may claim to keep the focus on the main narrative, it doesn’t alter the fundamental essence of the show. Morphing time and Zord fights remain predictable elements, offering little innovation or excitement. The inclusion of typical shenanigans and humorous beats, such as a monster metal band, only adds a superficial layer of entertainment, unable to compensate for the overall lack of substance.
When it comes to action, Power Rangers Cosmic Fury seamlessly embraces the classic and budget friendly formula that has been a hallmark of the franchise for years. This familiarity serves as a comforting nod to longtime fans, creating a sense of nostalgia while staying true to the essence of Power Rangers. The effects, while not groundbreaking, skilfully deliver what viewers have come to appreciate in these productions, maintaining the beloved visual style that defines the series.
Regrettably, not all characters receive equal development, once again highlighting the persisting issue of poor black representation in the Power Rangers franchise. Zayto becomes a casualty of this disparity. While the intention may be well meaning, the treatment of the team’s former leader raises concerns. Zayto’s resurrection after his demise in Dino Fury feels rushed and serves more as a plot device than a genuine character arc. His role in Cosmic Fury’s narrative might have a certain significance but the handling of his trajectory and screen time falls short, particularly for those who were invested in or identified with the character.
As a consequence of the questionable treatment of Zayto, Aiyon also experiences a downturn in his character development. Though not to the same extent, Aiyon’s narrative beyond his relationship with his fellow Rafkonian lacks direction and leaves the audience questioning the show’s understanding of his role. This raises broader concerns about the franchise’s ongoing struggle to provide substantial and meaningful representation for black characters, perpetuating a pattern seen throughout its history.
The treatment of the villains in the show raises significant concerns, particularly regarding their transformation into a source of amusement rather than formidable adversaries. This departure from the menacing presence of their Jark Matter counterparts, who were perceived as threatening dictators, is a drastic change that diminishes the overall impact of Power Rangers Cosmic Fury.
Such is the emphasis on story and character that some of the more staple elements of Power Rangers feel a lot more reserved this time around. New Zords should always be a major selling point but, as the only Super Sentai footage present in Cosmic Fury, their presence here feels more like an obligation. Kyuranger’s pantheon of constellation themed mecha look just as impressive here as they did in their source show but there’s a disconnect between them and the Rangers themselves. The Zords have no real introduction and, with so many of them immediately at the team’s disposal, there’s less colour coordination with what is being piloted. Zord fights will always make for some impressive eye candy but it’s strange that such eye catching robots can feel like the most forgettable element of the show. Then again, the newly filmed cockpit footage looks great.
Criticism abounds for the uninspired, lackluster suits in Cosmic Fury, which fail to embody the space theme and fall significantly short compared to the captivating Kyuranger suits. Not to mention that the reason as to why these suits were basic was to make action figures with similar moulds rather than Kyuranger which had different moulds for different rangers. (Spoiler Alert: No action figures were made.) The suits themselves become the focal point of disappointment, with Cosmic Fury’s outfits, while fundamentally sound, falling short on execution. Although they effectively blend Dino Fury helmets with a space like design, their onscreen presentation is inconsistent. The helmets and shoulder shields stand out positively but the suits’ material, an inexplicable foam like substance with moulded abs, gives an unfortunate impression of cheapness. This flaw becomes more evident during action sequences, where these moulded sections awkwardly bunch up with the actors’ movements. Additional perplexing decisions, such as the choice to make the Zenith Ranger champagne coloured, fail to capture the same impact as the franchise’s traditionally vibrant costumes.
Adding to the dissatisfaction, Zayto’s peculiar “champagne colour” in the Cosmic Fury suits raises eyebrows, highlighting another instance of a black lead receiving a downgraded role. This decision becomes even more perplexing when considering that executive producer Simon Bennett revealed the original intention for the Zenith Ranger was a white colour. However, Hasbro executives expressed concerns about potential offense to the black community if the black actor, Russell Curry, wore white. This incident underscores a troubling trend where Hasbro appears to overlook the concerns of black fans, further compounded by the fact that instances exist where a black actor has been cast as the White Ranger, adding a layer of inconsistency and confusion to the decision making process.
If this marks the conclusion of the franchise at this stage, Power Rangers Cosmic Fury serves as a lacklustre end to the Power Rangers universe. Despite its attempts, the series falls short in various aspects, struggling against constraints like budget limitations and restricted running time. The grandiosity and ambition are evident but the execution leaves much to be desired. Most notably, it underscores the franchise’s potential when not tethered to Super Sentai footage. However, even with this potential, the absence of the continuity built over the years is glaring, presenting a cautionary lesson for the franchise’s future if a reboot is ever realised.
As this article comes to a close; I would like to wish everyone reading a (albeit late!) happy new year! There is so much to come in 2024, such as various VS movies, BoonBoomger and other content! Keep your eyes peeled!
How did you feel about these 2023 toku offerings? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below!
