The Super Sentai Series (スーパー戦隊シリーズ) is a Japanese superhero team media franchise consisting of multiple television series and films produced by Toei Company and aired by TV Asahi.The shows are of the tokusatsu genre, featuring live action characters and colorful special effects.Prior to its conclusion in 2026, Super Sentai aired alongside the Kamen Rider series in the Super Hero Time programming block on Sunday mornings on TV Asahi.In North America, the Super Sentai series is best known as the source material for the Power Rangers series.[1]
The series went on a hiatus following the conclusion of the 49th season, No.1 Sentai Gozyuger, with a new Toei tokusatsu franchise, Project R.E.D. (Records of Extraordinary Dimensions), taking its timeslot in 2026.[2][3]
toys
S.H. Figuarts
Soul of Chogokin
Super Robot Chogokin
website
https://www.super-sentai-friends.com
Series overview
In every Super Sentai series, the protagonists are a team of people who – using either wrist-worn or hand-held devices – transform into superheroes and gain superpowers – color-coded uniforms, signature weapons, sidearms, and fighting skills – to battle a group of otherworldly supervillains that threaten to take over the Earth.In a typical episode, the heroes thwart the enemies' plans and defeat an army of enemy soldiers and the monster of the week before an enlarged version of the monster confronts them, only to be defeated once again when the heroes fight it with their mecha.
Each Super Sentai is set within its own fictional universe.The fourth series, Denshi Sentai Denjiman, and the fifth series, Taiyo Sentai Sun Vulcan, are exceptional in that they share the same fictional universe, but there is only one cast member who appears in both works. However, on special occasions such as the Super Sentai VS series, where two Sentai teams appear together, or for some kind of memorial year project, previous Sentai teams will appear without being concerned about the consistency of the settings for each work.
It is common for teams to announce their names and titles both prior to and after transforming, often referred to as a "roll call". This is inspired by Shiranami Gonin Otoko, a kabuki play first performed in 1862.Elements of kabuki were carried over into 20th century television with the jidaigeki genre.Kazutoshi Takahashi, a stunt coordinator of Himitsu Sentai Gorenger, is credited with introducing the roll call to the first Super Sentai.
Production
The first two Super Sentai series were created by Shotaro Ishinomori, then known for the 1971–1973 Kamen Rider TV series and the long-running manga Cyborg 009.He developed Himitsu Sentai Gorenger, which ran from 1975 to 1977, and J.A.K.Q. Dengekitai, which released in 1977.Toei put the franchise on hiatus in 1978.Toei then collaborated with Marvel Comics to produce a live-action Spider-Man series, which is regarded as the introduction of giant robots to tokusatsu hero shows.This concept was carried over to Toei and Marvel's next co-produced series, Battle Fever J in 1979, which was originally developed as a series based around Captain America.[4] The next two series, Denshi Sentai Denjiman and Taiyo Sentai Sun Vulcan, were also considered co-productions, with the remainder of the series has been solely produced by Toei Company.
One of the earliest uses of the name Super Sentai to refer to the franchise was published in the Super Sentai Zukan, a series encyclopedia published by Tokuma Shoten in 1981 during the airing of Taiyo Sentai Sun Vulcan.[5] Whilst the first episode of Kousoku Sentai Turboranger, which celebrated the alleged first ten teams, excluded the original two Ishinomori series and recognised Battle Fever J as the first, earlier releases such as the 1981 Super Sentai Zukan included them.Several early Super Sentai releases such as guidebooks and soundtrack collections have also included Ninja Captor, Kikaider, Daitetsujin 17, Space Sheriff Gavan, and others despite having no established links to Super Sentai.[6] In 1993, the name Super Century All Sentai was introduced during the airing of Gosei Sentai Dairanger, recognising the two Ishinomori series and the Super Sentai series under one banner.[7] During the airing of Mirai Sentai Timeranger in 2000, the franchise was officially rebranded as Super Sentai Series, with Himitsu Sentai Gorenger and J.A.K.Q. Dengekitai being formally classified under Super Sentai.
Spin-off series using familiar elements and concepts from Super Sentai have also been produced by Toei. Unofficial Sentai Akibaranger, a parody series produced by Toei and airing on BS Asahi, ran for two seasons between 2012 and 2013.[8] In 2021, The High School Heroes mini-series aired on TV Asahi, starring Johnny's Entertainment unit Bishounen.[9] Both productions are set in worlds where Super Sentai exists as a television series, with the protagonists being fans who become heroes themselves.
On 23 November 2025, TV Asahi announced that Super Sentai would go on hiatus after the finale of No.1 Sentai Gozyuger.A new tokusatsu franchise, Project R.E.D. (Records of Extraordinary Dimensions), took its place in the Super Hero Time programming block in February 2026.[2][3][10][11]
Releases
Main series
The following is a list of the Super Sentai series and their years of broadcast:
Theatrical releases
1975: Himitsu Sentai Gorenger (Movie version of episode 6)
1975: Himitsu Sentai Gorenger: The Blue Fortress (Movie version of episode 15)
1976: Himitsu Sentai Gorenger: The Red Death Match (Movie version of episode 36)
1976: Himitsu Sentai Gorenger: The Bomb Hurricane
1976: Himitsu Sentai Gorenger: Fire Mountain's Final Explosion (Movie version of episode 54)
1977: J.A.K.Q. Dengekitai (Movie version of episode 7)
1987: Choushinsei Flashman: Big Rally! Titan Boy!! (Movie version of episodes 15–18)
1987: Hikari Sentai Maskman
1989: Kousoku Sentai Turboranger
1993: Gosei Sentai Dairanger
1994: Ninja Sentai Kakuranger
1994: Super Sentai World
1994: Toei Hero Daishugō
1995: Chouriki Sentai Ohranger
2001: Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger: The Fire Mountain Roars
2002: Ninpu Sentai Hurricanger: Shushutto The Movie
2003: Bakuryū Sentai Abaranger DELUXE: Abare Summer is Freezing Cold!
2004: Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger The Movie: Full Blast Action
2005: Mahō Sentai Magiranger The Movie: Bride of Infershia ~Maagi Magi Giruma Jinga~
2006: GoGo Sentai Boukenger The Movie: The Greatest Precious
2007: Juken Sentai Gekiranger: Nei-Nei! Hou-Hou! Hong Kong Decisive Battle
2008: Engine Sentai Go-onger: Boom Boom! Bang Bang! GekijōBang!!
2009: Engine Sentai Go-onger vs. Gekiranger
2009: Samurai Sentai Shinkenger the Movie: The Fateful War
2010: Samurai Sentai Shinkenger vs. Go-onger: GinmakuBang!!
2010: Tensou Sentai Goseiger: Epic on the Movie
2011: Tensou Sentai Goseiger vs. Shinkenger: Epic on Ginmaku
2011: Gokaiger Goseiger Super Sentai 199 Hero Great Battle
2011: Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger the Movie: The Flying Ghost Ship
2012: Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger vs. Space Sheriff Gavan: The Movie
2012: Kamen Rider × Super Sentai: Super Hero Taisen
2012: Tokumei Sentai Go-Busters the Movie: Protect the Tokyo Enetower!
2013: Tokumei Sentai Go-Busters vs. Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger: The Movie
2013: Kamen Rider × Super Sentai × Space Sheriff: Super Hero Taisen Z
2013: Zyuden Sentai Kyoryuger: Gaburincho of Music
2014: Zyuden Sentai Kyoryuger vs. Go-Busters: The Great Dinosaur Battle! Farewell Our Eternal Friends
2014: Heisei Riders vs. Shōwa Riders: Kamen Rider Taisen feat. Super Sentai
2014: Ressha Sentai ToQger the Movie: Galaxy Line S.O.S.
2015: Ressha Sentai ToQger vs. Kyoryuger: The Movie
2015: Super Hero Taisen GP: Kamen Rider 3
2015: Shuriken Sentai Ninninger the Movie: The Dinosaur Lord's Splendid Ninja Scroll!
2016: Shuriken Sentai Ninninger vs. ToQger the Movie: Ninja in Wonderland
2016: Doubutsu Sentai Zyuohger the Movie: The Exciting Circus Panic!
2017: Doubutsu Sentai Zyuohger vs. Ninninger the Movie: Super Sentai's Message from the Future
2017: Kamen Rider × Super Sentai: Ultra Super Hero Taisen
2017: Uchu Sentai Kyuranger the Movie: Gase Indaver Strikes Back
2018: Kaitou Sentai Lupinranger VS Keisatsu Sentai Patranger en Film
2019: Kishiryu Sentai Ryusoulger the Movie: Time Slip! Dinosaur Panic
2020: Kishiryu Sentai Ryusoulger VS Lupinranger VS Patranger
2020: Mashin Sentai Kiramager: Episode Zero
2021: Kishiryu Sentai Ryusoulger Special Chapter: Memory of Soulmates
2021: Mashin Sentai Kiramager the Movie: Bee-Bop Dream
2021: Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger the Movie: Red Battle! All Sentai Rally!!
2021: Saber + Zenkaiger: Superhero Senki
2022: Avataro Sentai Donbrothers the Movie: New First Love Hero
2023: Ohsama Sentai King-Ohger the Movie: Adventure Heaven
2024: Bakuage Sentai Boonboomger: GekijōBoon! Promise the Circuit
2025: No.1 Sentai Gozyuger: Tega Sword of Resurrection
V-Cinema releases
1996: Chōriki Sentai Ohranger: Ohré vs. Kakuranger
1997: Gekisou Sentai Carranger vs. Ohranger
1998: Denji Sentai Megaranger vs. Carranger
1999: Seijuu Sentai Gingaman vs. Megaranger
1999: Kyuukyuu Sentai GoGoFive: Sudden Shock! A New Warrior!
2000: Kyuukyuu Sentai GoGoFive vs. Gingaman
2001: Mirai Sentai Timeranger vs. GoGoFive
2001: Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger vs. Super Sentai
2003: Ninpu Sentai Hurricanger vs. Gaoranger
2004: Bakuryū Sentai Abaranger vs. Hurricanger
2005: Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger vs. Abaranger
2006: Mahō Sentai Magiranger vs. Dekaranger
2007: GoGo Sentai Boukenger vs. Super Sentai
Extras
2010: Super Sentai Versus Series Theater
2012-2013: Unofficial Sentai Akibaranger
2021: The High School Heroes
Others
2017: Zyuden Sentai Kyoryuger Brave (South Korea)
Distribution and overseas adaptations
Although the Super Sentai series originated in Japan, various Sentai series have been imported and dubbed in other languages for broadcast in several different countries.
United States
After Honolulu's KIKU-TV had success with Android Kikaider (marketed as Kikaida) and Kamen Rider V3 in the 1970s, multiple Super Sentai series, including Himitsu Sentai Gorenger and Battle Fever J, were brought to the Hawaiian market, broadcast in Japanese with English subtitles by JN Productions.In 1985, Marvel Comics produced a pilot for an American adaptation of Super Sentai, but the show was rejected by the major American TV networks.[12] In 1986, Saban Productions produced a pilot for an American adaptation of Choudenshi Bioman titled Bio Man.[13][14] In 1987, some episodes of Kagaku Sentai Dynaman were dubbed and aired as a parody on the USA Network television show Night Flight.[15]
In 1993, American production company Saban Entertainment adapted 1992's Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger into Mighty Morphin Power Rangers for the Fox Kids programming block, combining the original Japanese action footage with new footage featuring American actors for the story sequences. Since then, nearly every Super Sentai series that followed became a new season of Power Rangers. In 2002, Saban sold the Power Rangers franchise to Disney's Buena Vista division,[16] who owned it until 2010, broadcasting Power Rangers on ABC Kids, ABC Family, Jetix, and Toon Disney.On 12 May 2010, Saban bought the franchise back from Disney, moving the show to the Nickelodeon network for 2011 with Power Rangers Samurai.[17]
On 25 July 2014, Shout! Factory announced that they would release Zyuranger on DVD in the United States.[18] They have since been the official distributor of Super Sentai in North America, and as of 2024 have released all subsequent series up to Dekaranger, plus Jetman and Fiveman. Shout! also provides episodes on demand via Shout!TV since 2016.[19] Super Sentai episodes are also available to watch on the free streaming service, Tubi.
On 1 May 2018, toy company Hasbro announced they had acquired the Power Rangers franchise from Saban Capital Group for $522 million.[20] In 2023, Power Rangers Cosmic Fury was released on Netflix, and was the first Power Rangers series to not be a direct adaptation of a Super Sentai series.Instead, the production used mostly original costumes that were adapted from Kishiryu Sentai Ryusoulger, the basis of its previous season, Power Rangers Dino Fury.[21]
On April 2, 2025, Toei Company president and CEO Fumio Yoshimura revealed that Toei Company would not be involved in the production of an upcoming live-action Power Rangers reboot series being produced by Hasbro and 20th Century Television.[22]
South Korea
Super Sentai has been broadcast in South Korea, dubbed in Korean. The first such series was Choushinsei Flashman which aired as Jigu Bangwidae Flash Man (Earth Defence Squadron Flashman), released in video format in 1989 by the Daeyung Panda video company; this was followed by Hikari Sentai Maskman and Chodenshi Bioman. Throughout the 1990s, Dai Sentai Goggle Five, Dengeki Sentai Changeman, Choujyu Sentai Liveman, and Kousoku Sentai Turboranger were also released in video format. In the 2000s and early 2010s, Tooniverse (formerly Orion Cartoon Network), JEI-TV (Jaeneung Television), Champ TV/Anione TV (Daewon Broadcasting), Cartoon Network South Korea, and Nickelodeon South Korea have broadcast Super Sentai series a year following their original Japanese broadcast, but have changed the titles to "Power Rangers".[23][24][25]
Vietnam
In Vietnam, the Super Sentai series were released with voice-over dubs for years. In 2003, Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger was the first Super Sentai season to be released in VCD and DVD, and became a hit in the country. Later Super Sentai seasons were broadcast on local and cable TV. Recently, the most recent Super Sentai seasons are subbed by fans and shared online.
Merchandise
As of March 2021, Bandai Namco has sold 30.89 million Super Sentai shape-changing model robots since 1979.[26]
Parody and homage
The Super Sentai Series has been parodied and emulated in various ways throughout the world. The term "Sentai" is also occasionally used to describe shows with premises like the Super Sentai Series.
Dai-Nippon
Gainax produced a Japanese fan film called Patriotic Squadron Great Japan (愛國戰隊大日本) in 1982 as a homage to the Super Sentai franchise.[48]
Sport Ranger
The Thai television series Sport Ranger, another homage to Super Sentai, aired in 2006.[49]
France Five
Jushi Sentai France Five (later known as Shin Kenjushi France Five) is a French online mini-series that was released in six instalments from 2000 to 2013.
Legendary Armor Samurai Troopers
Known as Ronin Warriors in the English dub, this anime involved five young warriors each in possession of mystical armor and weapons which allowed them to transform into more powerful forms, similar to Super Sentai.
Sailor Moon
Naoko Takeuchi used Super Sentai as inspiration for the creation of the Sailor Soldiers in Sailor Moon.[50][51]
Digimon Frontier
The fourth entry of the Digimon anime involved five young kids (eventually six) to gain Digivices known as D-tectors which contained the spirits of ancient heroes known as the Ten Legendary Warriors that allowed them to transform into Digimon forms to fight off monsters in a manner reminiscent of Super Sentai.
Jeanne d'Arc
The Jeanne d'Arc PSP game made by Level 5 which depicts the title character (voiced by Maaya Sakamoto in Japanese and Kari Wahlgren in English respectively) in a fantasy universe based on the historical story has her and certain others with the power to transform into armored warriors akin to Super Sentai.
Kingdom Hearts
The PSP prequel entry to the Kingdom Hearts video game franchise made by Square-Enix involves the main characters (Terra, Aqua, and Ventus) transforming into magical armor akin to Super Sentai.
Sparanger
As part of the ''Omoikkiri Ii!! TV'' television program, a series of features was produced on various spas and onsen around Japan titled Bihada Sentai Sparanger (美肌泉隊ＳＰＡレンジャー).This featured tokusatsu and drama actors Takashi Hagino (Changéríon of Choukou Senshi Changéríon and Kamen Rider Ouja of Kamen Rider Ryuki) as Spa Red (ＳＰＡレッド), Kento Handa (Kamen Rider Faiz of Kamen Rider 555) as Spa Blue (ＳＰＡブルー), Kengo Ohkuchi (Emperor Z of Ressha Sentai ToQger) as Spa Green (ＳＰＡグリーン), Masashi Mikami (Bouken Blue in GoGo Sentai Boukenger) as Spa Yellow (ＳＰＡイエロー), and Kohei Murakami (Kamen Rider Kaixa in Kamen Rider 555) as Spa Murasaki (ＳＰＡムラサキ（紫）).[52]
EA's Rock
In 2013, Gainax produced EA's Rock (エアーズロック), a 13-episode miniseries of live-action shorts which parodied the Super Sentai Series. The series' characters are all former members of a fighting group called Sensation Warriors Gokan Five (感覚戦士ゴカンファイブ). EA's Rock is broadcast on the Tōmeihan Net 6 Japanese Association of Independent Television Stations as well as Nico Nico Douga.[53][54]
Love After World Domination
The manga/anime series Love After World Domination is a satire on the tokusatsu genre, with a team of multi-colored heroes wearing spandex suits to fight against an organization bent on world domination, similar to the various Super Sentai series.
Dragon Ball
Akira Toriyama was inspired to create the Ginyu Force for the Dragon Ball manga after seeing his children watch Super Sentai.[55]
The Red Ranger Becomes an Adventurer in Another World
The manga/anime series The Red Ranger Becomes an Adventurer in Another World is about the leader of a team of heroes called Adhesive Squadron Kizuna Five (絆創戦隊キズナファイブ), getting transported to another world after sacrificing himself in their final battle.Additionally, the series frequently flashbacks to Red's time leading the Kizuna Five, with veteran Sentai actors voicing the other members of the team in the anime.[56][57]
