# Super Sentai

The Super Sentai Series (スーパー戦隊シリーズ, Sūpā Sentai Shirīzu) is a Japanese superhero team media franchise consisting of television series and films produced by Toei Company and Bandai, and aired by TV Asahi. The shows are of the tokusatsu genre, featuring live action characters and colorful special effects, and are aimed at children. Super Sentai airs alongside the Kamen Rider series in the Super Hero Time programming block on Sunday mornings. In North America, the Super Sentai series is best known as the source material for the Power Rangers series.

## 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 super robot mecha. For a time Sentai series chose to set in themselves in their own unique fictional universes; however, beginning in the 1990's, incarnations have retroactively made it so nearly every Sentai Series has occurred within the same Universe with rare exceptions, and modern series now maintain that nearly all Sentai series (as well as a majority ot Toei's other Tokusatsu hero series) occur in the same setting, just with the other series not commonly referenced when unneeded to allow a running series to tell the story its creators wish to without the need to actively factor decades of continuity in. Beginning with J.A.K.Q. Dengekitai vs. Gorenger, Various TV, video, and film specials as well as in-canon storyline episodes feature a team-up among two or more teams, often clarifying and maintaining the now-commonplace inter-series continuity, which makes it difficult to dis-associate the greater franchise's entries from each-other unless a specific entry detaches itself from the greater majority. The Sentai Series Zenkaiger proposed that both a standalone and unified perspective of Sentai Continuity is simultaneously true; that there are worlds where just any sentai series occurs in a standalone format, as well as the main timeline in which Toei's series collectively occur; generally seen as a way for Toei to acknowledge their own longstanding inconsistencies and continuity errors with regards to the writing of teamup events and the changing expectations of storytelling over time.
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, released in 1977. Toei Company put the franchise on hiatus in 1978, collaborating with Marvel Comics to produce a live-action Spider-Man series, which added giant robots to the concept of tokusatsu shows. The giant robot concept was carried over to Toei and Marvel's next show, Battle Fever J, released in 1979, and was then used throughout the Super Sentai series. The next two series Denshi Sentai Denjiman and Taiyo Sentai Sun Vulcan had Marvel copyrights and co-productions, despite no influence. Subsequently, the remainder of the series has been solely produced by Toei Company.

## Productions
### Main series

The following is a list of the Super Sentai series and their years of broadcast:
| No. | Title | Episodes | Originally aired | Originally aired | Korean Power Rangers title | Power Rangers adaptation |
| No. | Title | Episodes | First aired | Last aired | Korean Power Rangers title | Power Rangers adaptation |
| Showa era |||||||
| 1 | Himitsu Sentai Gorenger | 84 | April 5, 1975 | March 26, 1977 | — | — |
| 2 | J.A.K.Q. Dengekitai | 35 | April 9, 1977 | December 24, 1977 | — | — |
| 3 | Battle Fever J | 52 | February 3, 1979 | January 26, 1980 | — | — |
| 4 | Denshi Sentai Denjiman | 51 | February 2, 1980 | January 31, 1981 | — | — |
| 5 | Taiyo Sentai Sun Vulcan | 50 | February 7, 1981 | January 30, 1982 | — | — |
| 6 | Dai Sentai Goggle-V | 50 | February 6, 1982 | January 20, 1983 | — | — |
| 7 | Kagaku Sentai Dynaman | 51 | February 5, 1983 | January 28, 1984 | — | — |
| 8 | Choudenshi Bioman | 51 | February 4, 1984 | January 26, 1985 | — | — |
| 9 | Dengeki Sentai Changeman | 55 | February 2, 1985 | February 22, 1986 | — | — |
| 10 | Choushinsei Flashman | 50 | March 1, 1986 | February 21, 1987 | — | — |
| 11 | Hikari Sentai Maskman | 51 | February 28, 1987 | February 20, 1988 | — | — |
| 12 | Choujyu Sentai Liveman | 49 | February 27, 1988 | February 8, 1989 | — | — |
| Heisei era |||||||
| 13 | Kousoku Sentai Turboranger | 50 + 1 sp. | March 4, 1989 | February 23, 1990 | — | — |
| 14 | Chikyu Sentai Fiveman | 48 | March 2, 1990 | February 8, 1991 | — | — |
| 15 | Chōjin Sentai Jetman | 51 | February 15, 1991 | February 14, 1992 | — | — |
| 16 | Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger | 50 | February 21, 1992 | February 12, 1993 | — | Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (Season 1) Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always |
| 17 | Gosei Sentai Dairanger | 50 | February 19, 1993 | February 11, 1994 | — | Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (Season 2) Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie |
| 18 | Ninja Sentai Kakuranger | 53 | February 18, 1994 | February 24, 1995 | — | Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (Season 3) Mighty Morphin Alien Rangers Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie |
| 19 | Chouriki Sentai Ohranger | 48 | March 3, 1995 | February 23, 1996 | — | Power Rangers Zeo |
| 20 | Gekisou Sentai Carranger | 48 | March 1, 1996 | February 7, 1997 | — | Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie Power Rangers Turbo |
| 21 | Denji Sentai Megaranger | 51 | February 14, 1997 | February 15, 1998 | — | Power Rangers in Space |
| 22 | Seijuu Sentai Gingaman | 50 | February 22, 1998 | February 14, 1999 | — | Power Rangers Lost Galaxy |
| 23 | Kyuukyuu Sentai GoGoFive | 50 | February 21, 1999 | February 6, 2000 | — | Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue |
| 24 | Mirai Sentai Timeranger | 50 + 1 sp. | February 13, 2000 | February 4, 2001 | — | Power Rangers Time Force |
| 25 | Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger | 51 | February 18, 2001 | February 10, 2002 | Power Rangers Jungle Force | Power Rangers Wild Force |
| 26 | Ninpu Sentai Hurricanger | 51 | February 17, 2002 | February 9, 2003 | — | Power Rangers Ninja Storm |
| 27 | Bakuryū Sentai Abaranger | 50 | February 16, 2003 | February 8, 2004 | Power Rangers Dino Thunder | Power Rangers Dino Thunder |
| 28 | Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger | 50 | February 15, 2004 | February 6, 2005 | Power Rangers S.P.D. | Power Rangers S.P.D. |
| 29 | Mahō Sentai Magiranger | 49 | February 13, 2005 | February 12, 2006 | Power Rangers Magic Force | Power Rangers Mystic Force |
| 30 | GoGo Sentai Boukenger | 49 | February 19, 2006 | February 11, 2007 | Power Rangers Treasure Force | Power Rangers Operation Overdrive |
| 31 | Juken Sentai Gekiranger | 49 | February 18, 2007 | February 10, 2008 | Power Rangers Wild Spirits | Power Rangers Jungle Fury |
| 32 | Engine Sentai Go-onger | 50 | February 17, 2008 | February 8, 2009 | Power Rangers Engine Force | Power Rangers RPM |
| 33 | Samurai Sentai Shinkenger | 49 | February 15, 2009 | February 7, 2010 | — | Power Rangers Samurai Power Rangers Super Samurai |
| 34 | Tensou Sentai Goseiger | 50 | February 14, 2010 | February 6, 2011 | Power Rangers Miracle Force | Power Rangers Megaforce |
| 35 | Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger | 51 | February 13, 2011 | February 19, 2012 | Power Rangers Captain Force | Power Rangers Super Megaforce |
| 36 | Tokumei Sentai Go-Busters | 50 | February 26, 2012 | February 10, 2013 | Power Rangers Go-Busters | Power Rangers Beast Morphers |
| 37 | Zyuden Sentai Kyoryuger | 48 | February 17, 2013 | February 9, 2014 | Power Rangers Dino Force | Power Rangers Dino Charge Power Rangers Dino Super Charge |
| 38 | Ressha Sentai ToQger | 47 | February 16, 2014 | February 15, 2015 | Power Rangers Train Force | — |
| 39 | Shuriken Sentai Ninninger | 47 | February 22, 2015 | February 7, 2016 | Power Rangers Ninja Force | Power Rangers Ninja Steel Power Rangers Super Ninja Steel |
| 40 | Doubutsu Sentai Zyuohger | 48 | February 14, 2016 | February 5, 2017 | Power Rangers Animal Force | — |
| 41 | Uchu Sentai Kyuranger | 48 | February 12, 2017 | February 4, 2018 | Power Rangers Galaxy Force | Power Rangers Cosmic Fury |
| 42 | Kaitou Sentai Lupinranger VS Keisatsu Sentai Patranger | 51 | February 11, 2018 | February 10, 2019 | Power Rangers Lupin Force vs Patrol Force | — |
| 43 | Kishiryu Sentai Ryusoulger | 48 | March 17, 2019 | March 1, 2020 | Power Rangers Dino Soul | — | Power Rangers Dino Fury Power Rangers Cosmic Fury |
| Reiwa era |||||||
| 44 | Mashin Sentai Kiramager | 45 + 5 sp. | March 8, 2020 | February 28, 2021 | — | — |
| 45 | Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger | 49 | March 7, 2021 | February 27, 2022 | Power Rangers Zenkaiger | — |
| 46 | Avataro Sentai Donbrothers | 50 | March 6, 2022 | February 26, 2023 | Power Rangers Donbrothers | — |
| 47 | Ohsama Sentai King-Ohger | 50 | March 5, 2023 | February 25, 2024 | Power Rangers Kingdom Force | — |
| 48 | Bakuage Sentai Boonboomger | 48 | March 3, 2024 | February 9, 2025 | — | — |
| 49 | No.1 Sentai Gozyuger | TBA | February 16, 2025 | TBA | — | — |

### 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)
* 1978: J.A.K.Q. Dengekitai vs. Gorenger
* 1979: Battle Fever J (Movie version of episode 5)
* 1980: Denshi Sentai Denjiman
* 1981: Taiyo Sentai Sun Vulcan
* 1982: Dai Sentai Goggle-V
* 1983: Kagaku Sentai Dynaman
* 1984: Choudenshi Bioman
* 1985: Dengeki Sentai Changeman
* 1985: Dengeki Sentai Changeman: Shuttle Base! Crisis!
* 1986: Choushinsei Flashman
* 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

### 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
* 2008: Juken Sentai Gekiranger vs. Boukenger
* 2010: Samurai Sentai Shinkenger Returns
* 2011: Tensou Sentai Goseiger Returns
* 2013: Tokumei Sentai Go-Busters Returns vs. Dōbutsu Sentai Go-Busters
* 2013: Ninpu Sentai Hurricanger: 10 Years After
* 2014: Zyuden Sentai Kyoryuger: 100 Years After
* 2015: Ressha Sentai ToQger Returns
* 2015: Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger: 10 Years After
* 2016: Shuriken Sentai Ninninger Returns
* 2017: Doubutsu Sentai Zyuohger Returns: Give Me Your Life! Earth Champion Tournament
* 2017: Space Squad: Uchuu Keiji Gavan vs. Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger
* 2017: Uchu Sentai Kyuranger: Episode of Stinger
* 2018: Uchu Sentai Kyuranger vs. Space Squad
* 2018: Engine Sentai Go-Onger: 10 Years Grand Prix
* 2019: Lupinranger VS Patranger VS Kyuranger
* 2021: Kiramager VS Ryusoulger
* 2021: Kaizoku Sentai: Ten Gokaiger
* 2022: Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger vs. Kiramager vs. Senpaiger
* 2023: Avataro Sentai Donbrothers VS Zenkaiger
* 2023: Ninpu Sentai Hurricanger Degozaru! Shushuuto 20th Anniversary
* 2023: Bakuryu Sentai Abaranger 20th: The Unforgivable Abare
* 2024: Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger 20th: Fireball Booster
* 2024: Ohsama Sentai King-Ohger vs. Donbrothers
* 2024: Ohsama Sentai King-Ohger vs. Kyoryuger
* 2025: Bakuage Sentai Boonboomger vs. King-Ohger

### Spin offs / mini-series / extras

* 2012-2013: Unofficial Sentai Akibaranger
* 2017: Zyuden Sentai Kyoryuger Brave
* 2019: Super Sentai Strongest Battle
* 2021: The High School Heroes

## 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 other 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. In 1986, Saban Productions produced a pilot for an American adaptation of Choudenshi Bioman titled Bio Man. In 1987, some episodes of Kagaku Sentai Dynaman were dubbed and aired as a parody on the USA Network television show Night Flight.
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, 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.
On 25 July 2014, Shout! Factory announced that they would release Zyuranger on DVD in the United States. 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. 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.

### 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".

## Merchandise

As of March 2021, Bandai Namco has sold 30.89 million Super Sentai shape-changing model robots since 1979.
Bandai Namco Super Sentai retail sales :
| Fiscal period | Net sales | Notes |
| April 2002 to December 2005 | ¥108.9 billion | Bandai sales |
| April 2006 to March 2007 | ¥10.1 billion | Toy sales |
| April 2007 to March 2012 | ¥102.4 billion | |
| April 2002 to March 2012 | ¥221.4 billion ($2,775 million) | |
| April 2012 to March 2013 | ¥20.8 billion ($261 million) | |
| April 2013 to March 2014 | ¥25.3 billion ($259 million) | |
| April 2014 to December 2020 | ¥103.3 billion ($1,002 million) | |
| April 2002 to December 2020 | ¥370.8 billion ($4.298 billion) | |
Super Sentai licensed merchandise in Japan :
| Year | Retail sales |
| 2003 | ¥24 billion |
| 2008 | ¥37.28 billion |
| 2010 | ¥24.58 billion |
| 2012 | ¥40.96 billion |
| 2013 | ¥37.99 billion |
| 2014 | ¥39.21 billion |
| 2003 to 2014 | ¥204.02 billion+ ($2.349 billion+) |
Sentai licensed merchandise outside Japan :
| Year(s) | Retail sales |
| 1993 to 1999 | $6 billion |
| 2005 | $112 million |
| 2006 | $131 million |
| 2012 | $300 million |
| 2013 | $333 million |
| 2014 | $326 million |
| 2015 | $330 million |
| 2016 | $361 million |
| 2017 | $548 million |
| 2018 | $281 million |
| 1993 to 2018 | $8.722 billion+ |