Hikari Sentai Maskman

**Hikari Sentai Maskman** (光戦隊マスクマン, *Hikari Sentai Masukuman*?, translated as **Light Squadron Maskman**) is the eleventh entry of the *Super Sentai* series.

It aired on TV Asahi from February 28, 1987 to February 20, 1988, with a total of 51 episodes. Its international English title as listed by Toei is simply *Maskman*.

It was the first Super Sentai series that showcased each members having their own individual vehicles that forms their robot, it also introduced non-Japanese martial arts discipline.

## Development

*Maskman* was a season that turned out to bring many changes to the franchise, even from development. The season was originally to have the name of *The Fiveman*, similar in name to the original Sentai *Himitsu Sentai Gorenger* and with the five reflective in many aspects including Great Five, the first five-piece mecha. However the costumes for the season blended in aspects from the recent Hirohisa Soda seasons (uniform leotards with color differences in areas for males and females) with the return of masks similar to those of *Battle Fever J*, including eyes, noses, and sculpted hair.

A prototype mask was made, but the concept was ultimately dropped; this prototype would ultimately be used in one episode as the hero X1 Mask, who would have the distinction of being a prototype of a future Sentai development: the sixth hero. One notable attribute to the costumes used was the return of the female skirt, which had been absent since DenziPink and would be utilized by nearly every female Sentai hero afterwards. The *Fiveman* name, although not used, would eventually be adopted by another Sentai three years later.

Another major development brought about by Maskman was stepping away from science fiction, which had been a major driving factor of all Sentai since *Denziman* and instead utilizing aspects of the Chinese concept of "kikou", an internal energy within the body that can be used and manipulated. Known as "aura power" in *Maskman*, it would lead to the first martial arts-driven Sentai and begin experimentations beyond Sentai's comfort zone into eventually embracing other concepts and ideas. The "kikou" concept would be further developed and used years later in the Chinese-themed *Dairanger*.

## Plot

"There is an unknown power hidden inside the human body. If you train as hard as you can, the power revealed will be unlimited!"
―Narrator**[src]**

Commander Sugata is a scientist and sage who excels in mental reinforcements and is a master of every martial arts discipline. He discovered the existence of the Underground Empire Tube, a once peaceful kingdom that has turned into a malignant force under the mysterious Zeba, who desires to conquer the surface. In order to stand against them and thwart their plans, Sugata recruits five young people to become the Maskmen. Each becomes specialized in a style of martial arts, and Sugata teaches them the ways of the mystical "Aura Power" energy.

A year after Sugata recruits and trains the Maskmen, the Underground Empire Tube is ready to strike. Princess Ial of the deposed Igam Royal Family, sent to spy above ground as Mio, falls in love with Takeru, and wishes for those underground and above ground to coexist. She is kidnapped and imprisoned in ice for her betrayal. As Takeru and the Maskmen battle Tube, they learn about Ial and Igam's relationship, and a terrible dark secret about Zeba, the Tube leader.

## Characters

### Allies

#### Light Squadron

* Commander Sanjuro Sugata
* Azuma
* Dr. Catherine (3)
* Doctor Akira Yamagata (21-22)
	+ Yumi Yamagata (21-22)
* Akaike (28-29)
* Kurokawa (29)

#### Underground Beings

* Underground Ninja Yu (11)
* Underground Ninja Ijin (11)
* Lelai (Movie)
* Hikaru (34)
* Ise (44-45)
* Seto (44-45)

### Underground Empire Tube

* Earth Emperor Zeba
* Earth Imperial Commander Baraba
* Earth Imperial Ninja Oyobu
* Earth Imperial Prince/Princess Igam
* Earth Imperial Ninja Fumin
* Earth Curiosities Beast Anagmas
* Thief Knight Kiros
* Energy Beast Okelampa
* Princess Ial
* Laraba (30)
* Ungler Soldiers
* Unglermon Fighters
* Earth Imperial Beasts Doggler
	+ Igua Doggler (1-2)
	+ Capila Doggler (4)
	+ Skull Doggler (5)
	+ Drilla Doggler (6)
	+ Doll Doggler (7)
	+ Saber Doggler (8)
	+ Magne Doggler (9)
	+ Bagil Doggler (10)
	+ Zora Doggler (11)
	+ Shinobi Doggler (12)
	+ Garaga Doggler (13)
	+ Akame Doggler (14)
	+ Geruge Doggler (15)
	+ Gamaro Doggler (16)
	+ Giba Doggler (17)
	+ Garubo Doggler (18)
	+ Igara Doggler (19)
	+ Horn Doggler (Movie)
	+ Dokuro Doggler (20)
	+ Kimen Doggler (21-22)
	+ Majin Doggler (23)
	+ Ryu Doggler (24)
	+ Henge Doggler (25)
	+ Jiruga Doggler (26)
		- Parasite Seira
	+ Beam Doggler (27)
	+ Rock Doggler (28)
	+ Deathga Doggler (29)
	+ Devil Doggler (30)
	+ Ragon Doggler (31)
	+ Lens Doggler (32)
	+ Gra Doggler (33)
	+ Gigira Doggler (33)
	+ Guron Doggler (34)
	+ Haniwa Doggler (35)
	+ Nimen Doggler (36)
	+ Mezume Doggler (37)
	+ Time Doggler (38)
	+ Magma Doggler (39)
	+ Bard Doggler (40)
	+ Hariga Doggler (41)
	+ Kinoga Doggler (42)
	+ Gizee Doggler (43)
	+ Yoroi Doggler (44)
	+ Gamesu Doggler (45)
	+ Godai Doggler (46)
		- Lethal Doggler (35, 42, 46, 50)
	+ Spin Doggler (47)
	+ Baruga Doggler (48)
	+ Jigoku Doggler (49)

## Arsenal

### Individual Weapons

* Masky Blade ◆
* Masky Rod ◆
* Masky Tonfas ◆
* Masky Rotor ◆
* Masky Ribbon ◆
* Lightning Whip ◆
* Gas Buckle ◆

### Team Cannons

* Shot Bomber
* Jet Cannon

### Vehicles

* Spin Cruiser ◆
* Mask Roaders ◆◆◆◆

## Mecha

*Legend*:◆ piloted mecha, ✶ team-piloted mecha, ➲ carrier mecha
* Turbo Ranger ➲
* Great Five ◆◆◆◆◆
	+ Masky Fighter ◆
	+ Masky Drill ◆
	+ Masky Tank ◆
	+ Masky Jet ◆
	+ Masky Gyro ◆
* Land Galaxy / Galaxy Robo ✶

## Episodes

*Main article: Hikari Sentai Maskman Episodes*
1. Ep. 1: The Mysterious, Beautiful Runaway (美しき謎の逃亡者, *Utsukishiki Nazo no Tōbōsha*?)
2. Ep. 2: Strange! The Dark Underground Castle (怪奇! 闇の地底城, *Kaiki! Yami no Chitei Jō*?)
3. Ep. 3: The First Step into the Unknown (未知への第一歩!, *Michi e no Daiippo*?)
4. Ep. 4: Burn! F1 Spirits! (燃やせ! F1魂!, *Moyase! Efu Wan Tamashii!*?)
5. Ep. 5: The Small Swordsman, Blue (小さな剣士ブルー, *Chiisa na Kenshi Burū*?)
6. Ep. 6: The God Hand of Dreams (夢のゴッドハンド, *Yume no Goddo Hando*?)
7. Ep. 7: Explode! Kenta's Love (爆発! ケンタの愛, *Bakuhatsu! Kenta no Ai*?)
8. Ep. 8: Burn! The Flower's Sword (燃えろ! 花の剣!, *Moero! Hana no Ken!*?)
9. Ep. 9: Combine! Aura of Life (合体! 命のオーラ, *Gattai! Inochi no Ōra*?)
10. Ep. 10: Igam vs. Takeru (イガムVSタケル, *Igamu Tai Takeru*?)
11. Ep. 11: The Refugee From Underground (地底からの亡命者, *Chitei Kara no Bōmeisha*?)
12. Ep. 12: A Challenge! The Pride of a Shinobi (挑戦! 忍びの誇り, *Chōsen! Shinobi no Hokori*?)
13. Ep. 13: Chase the Idol! (アイドルを追え!, *Aidoru o Oe!*?)
14. Ep. 14: The Great Escape to the Blue Sky! (青空への大脱出!, *Aozora e no Dai Dasshutsu!*?)
15. Ep. 15: Farewell, Dear Flower! (さらば愛しき花よ, *Saraba Itoshiki Hana yo*?)
16. Ep. 16: Deadly! Blazing Baraba (必殺! 炎のバラバ, *Hissatsu! Honō no Baraba*?)
17. Ep. 17: Smash it! The Maze of Hell (破れ! 地獄の迷宮, *Yabure! Jigoku no Meikyū*?)
18. Ep. 18: The Dear Bloodsucking Doll! (愛しの吸血人形!, *Itoshi no Kyūketsu Ningyō!*?)
19. Ep. 19: Phantom Magic! Anagumas (妖魔! アナグマス, *Yōma! Anagumasu*?)
20. Ep. 20: A Trap! The Sinking Giant Robot (罠! 沈む巨大ロボ, *Wana! Shizumu Kyodai Robo*?)
21. Ep. 21: The Black Shadow of the Misty Valley (霧の谷の黒い影, *Kiri no Tani no Kuroi Kage*?)
22. Ep. 22: The Winds and Clouds of an Aura Storm! (風雲オーラの嵐!, *Fūun Ōra no Arashi!*?)
23. Ep. 23: Mio Who Has Become a Demon (悪魔になった美緒, *Akuma ni Natta Mio*?)
24. Ep. 24: The Grotto of the Young Monster (鍾乳洞の少年怪獣, *Shōnyūdō no Shōnen Kaijū*?)
25. Ep. 25: Akira's Lover!? (アキラの恋人!?, *Akira no Koibito!?*?)
26. Ep. 26: A Life That Disappeared on the Hot Sand! (熱砂に消えた命!, *Nessa ni Kieta Inochi!*?)
27. Ep. 27: Thief Knight Kiros! (盗賊騎士キロス!, *Tōzoku Kishi Kirosu!*?)
28. Ep. 28: Mio is Princess Ial!? (美緒がイアル姫!?, *Mio ga Iaru-hime!?*?)
29. Ep. 29: The New Lethal Weapon of Friendship (友情の新必殺武器, *Yūjō no Shin Hissatsu Buki*?)
30. Ep. 30: Mama!! Baraba's Scream! (ママ!! バラバの絶叫!, *Mama!! Baraba no Zekkyō!*?)
31. Ep. 31: It Appears! The Guardian Deity Igam Dragon (出現! 守護神イガム竜, *Shutsugen! Shugoshin Igamu Ryū*?)
32. Ep. 32: Oyobu's Lethal Dash (オヨブー必殺走り, *Oyobū Hissatsu Hashiri*?)
33. Ep. 33: Takeru!! Cut Through Love! (タケルよ! 愛を斬れ!, *Takeru yo! Ai o Kire!*?)
34. Ep. 34: Blues of Love and Murderous Intent (愛と殺意のブルース, *Ai to Satsui no Burū*?)
35. Ep. 35: The Mystery of Zeba! The Forbidden Tomb (ゼーバの謎! 禁断の墓, *Zēba no Nazo! Kindan no Haka*?)
36. Ep. 36: Elimination! The Destructive Twin Girls (消滅! 双子の破壊少女, *Shōmetsu! Futago no Hakai Shōjo*?)
37. Ep. 37: Soldiers Who Bet on Their Dreams (夢に賭ける戦士たち, *Yume ni Kakeru Senshitachi*?)
38. Ep. 38: The Time to Erase Takeru (タケルが消される時間, *Takeru ga Kesareru Jikan*?)
39. Ep. 39: Revival! The Mysterious X1 Mask (復活! 謎のX1マスク, *Fukkatsu! Nazo no Ekkusu Wan Masuku*?)
40. Ep. 40: Resurrect! The Melody of Love (甦れ! 愛のメロディー, *Yomigaere! Ai no Merodī*?)
41. Ep. 41: Female Thieves Haruka & Momoko (女強盗ハルカ&モモコ, *Onna Gōtō Haruka to Momoko*?)
42. Ep. 42: Fly! The Poem of a Timid Boy (翔べ! いじけ少年の詩, *Kakebe! Ijike Shōnen no Shi*?)
43. Ep. 43: Akira Loses His Eyesight! The Mysterious Spell (アキラ失明! 謎の呪文, *Akira Shutsumei! Nazo no Jumon*?)
44. Ep. 44: Transform! Underground Empire Swordsman Akira (変身! 地帝剣士アキラ, *Henshin! Chitei Kenshi Akira*?)
45. Ep. 45: Prince Igam! You're a Woman! (イガム王子! 君は女!, *Igamu-ōji! Kimi wa Onna!*?)
46. Ep. 46: Counterattack! The Secret of the Demon Pond (逆襲! 血の池の秘密, *Gyakushū! Chi no Ike no Himitsu*?)
47. Ep. 47: The Night Prior to the Attack! The Dance of Death (出撃前夜! 死の踊り, *Shutsugeki Zen'ya! Shi no Odori*?)
48. Ep. 48: Baraba! Death for Treason (バラバ! 裏切りに死す, *Baraba! Uragiri ni Shisu*?)
49. Ep. 49: The Revived Princess Ial (よみがえったイアル姫, *Yomigaetta Iaru-hime*?)
50. Ep. 50: Zeba! His Hair-Raising Secret Identity (ゼーバ! 戦慄の正体, *Zēba! Senritsu no Shōtai*?)
51. Final Ep.: The Great Destruction of the Underground Empire Castle! (地帝城大崩壊!, *Chitei Shiro Dai Hōkai!*?)

**Movies**

1. *Hikari Sentai Maskman Movie* (光戦隊マスクマン, *Hikari Sentai Masukuman*?)

## Cast

* Takeru (タケル, *Takeru*?): Ryousuke Kaizu (海津 亮介, *Kaizu Ryōsuke*?)
* Kenta (ケンタ, *Kenta*?): Koichi Kusakari (草刈 滉一, *Kusakari Kōichi*?)
* Akira (アキラ, *Akira*?): Issei Hirota (廣田 一成, *Hirota Issei*?)
* Haruka (ハルカ, *Haruka*?): Yuki Nagata (永田由紀, *Nagata Yuki*?)
* Momoko (モモコ, *Momoko*?): Kanako Maeda (前田 夏菜子, *Maeda Kanako*?)
* Commander Sanjuro Sugata (姿 三十郎 長官, *Sugata Sanjūrō-chōkan*?): Hayato Tani (谷 隼人, *Tani Hayato*?)
* Ryo Asuka (飛鳥 リョー, *Asuka Ryō*?, 39): Shinji Higashi (東真司, *Higashi Shinji*?)
* Earth Emperor Zeba (地帝王ゼーバ, *Chiteiō Zēba*?): Hideaki Kusaka (日下 秀昭, *Kusaka Hideaki*?)
	+ Earth Emperor Zeba (voice): Seizo Kato (加藤 精三, *Katō Seizō*?)
* Earth Imperial Prince Igam (地帝王子イガム, *Chiteiōshi Igamu*?), Princess Ial (イアル姫, *Iaru-hime*?): Mina Asami (浅見 美那, *Asami Mina*?)
* Earth Imperial Commander Baraba (地帝指令バラバ, *Chitei Shirei Baraba*?): Keijiro Shiga (志賀圭二郎, *Shiga Keijirō*?)
* Earth Imperial Ninja Oyobu (地帝忍オヨブー, *Chiteinin Oyobū*?): Yoshinori Okamoto (岡本義則, *Okamoto Yoshinori*?)
* Thief Knight Kiros (盗賊騎士キロス, *Tōzoku Kishi Kirosu*?): Shunta Fuchino (渕野俊太, *Fuchino Shūnta*?)
* Earth Imperial Ninja Fumin (地帝忍フーミン, *Chiteinin Fūmin*?): Kaori Kubota (久保田香織, *Kubota Kaori*?)
* Hikari (ひかり, *Hikari*?): Yoshiro Iwata (岩田義郎, *Iwata Yoshirō*?)
* Earth Curiosities Beast Anagmas (地奇地奇獣アナグマス, *Chiki Chikijū Anagumasu*?): Takuzo Kamiyama (神山 卓三, *Kamiyama Takuzō*?)
* Energy Beast Okelampa (エネルギー獣オケランパ, *Enerugījū Okeranpa*?): Nobu Shinoda (篠田ノブ, *Shinoda Nobu*?)
* Dr. Catherine (ドクター・カトリーヌ, *Dokutā Katorīnu*?): Mimi Bruce
* Laraba (ララバ, *Raraba*?): Machiko Soga (曽我 町子, *Soga Machiko*?)
* Shinya (真也, *Shin'ya*?): Toru Sakai (坂井徹, *Sakai Tōru*?)
* Lelai (レライ, *Rerai*?): Tomoko Ikeda (池田智子, *Ikeda Tomoko*?)
* Narrator: Hiroshi Takeda (武田宏, *Takeda Hiroshi*?)

## Songs

Opening theme
* "Hikari Sentai Maskman" (光戦隊マスクマン, *Hikari Sentai Masukuman*?)
	+ Lyrics: Masao Urino (売野 雅勇, *Urino Masao*?)
	+ Composition: Daisuke Inoue (井上 大輔, *Inoue Daisuke*?)
	+ Arrangement: Ohzuchi Fujita (藤田 大土, *Fujita Ōzuchi*?)
	+ Artist: Hironobu Kageyama

Movie opening theme
* "Shot Bomber Zenryoku Shuchu" (ショットボンバー全力集中, *Shot Bomber All Concentration Force*?)
	+ Lyricist: Kazunori Sonobe
	+ Composition: Takeshi Ike
	+ Arrangement: Daito Fujita
	+ Artist: Hironobu Kageyama

Ending theme
* "Ai no Soldier" (愛のソルジャー, *Ai no Sorujā*?, Soldier of Love)
	+ Lyrics: Masao Urino
	+ Composition: Daisuke Inoue
	+ Arrangement: Ohzuchi Fujita
	+ Artist: Hironobu Kageyama

Insert theme
* Aura ni Kagayake! Great Five
* Moeru ze Fire
* Ore-tachi Angula
* Action Fantasy
* Telepathize Shite Kure
* Lady Action Kimetara Oshare
* Ten Eyes ~5-nin no Hitome~
* Dashite Miyo ze! Aura Power

## International broadcasts

### France

Marketed as the direct sequel to *Choudenshi Bioman*, the series was dubbed in French and broadcast as *Bioman 2* in 1988.

### Brazil

The series was broadcast on Rede Manchete (now RedeTV!) as *Defensores da Luz Maskman* - **Maskman, Defenders of Light** from 1991 to 1993. The last rerun was between January and October 1999, until episode 36.

### Philippines

The series was dubbed in Tagalog as *Laser Squadron Maskman* and televised on ABS-CBN-2 in 1989 to 1991 and later on IBC-13 in 1991 to 1998. It was one of the highest rated programs in the Philippines. Like in France, it was also marketed as the sequel to *Choudenshi Bioman*, and became the first ever Sentai program to be broadcast with Filipino language dubbing, after the phenomenal airing of *Uchuu Keiji Shaider*, the country's first ever tokusatsu program to be aired in that language, in 1987-89.

### Indonesia

In Indonesia, the series was first broadcast on RCTI in mid-1994-1995, rerun on SCTV in 1996-1997. In September 2011, Indosiar planned to rerun the series.

### Thailand

Maskman was also broadcast in Thailand]] on Channel 3 during 1989-1990.

### Malaysia

The series was dubbed in Malay as *Maskman* on TV2 in the early 90's.

## Notes

* This is the first Sentai series to have a sixth Ranger, X1 Mask, albeit an unofficial sixth ranger since he appears only in episode 39. The first to officially feature a sixth hero is *Zyuranger*, which is also the first series to adapted into *Power Rangers*.
* This is the first series to feature an individual mecha for each core member, a motif that will be featured in every of of the show's successors with the exception of *Fiveman* wherein only the Red Ranger has his own Mecha while the other two mecha are both co-piloted by two of the other four core members.
* Maskman contains story elements and mecha designs meant to honor the Robot Romance Trilogy (both Galaxy Robo and Daimos transform from a trailer truck). One example of an homage is in Daimos as seen in Takeru falling for Mio who is later revealed to be a villain which is similar to that of Kazuya (Richard Hartford) and Erika, plus both Mio and Erika are blood related to one of the villains (Igam and Prince Richter). Also, in the finales of both series, both Takeru and Kazuya are reunited to Mio and Erika though had to split up as both the latter two are now rulers of their respective people. Plus both Igam and Richter Redeemed themselves in different ways. Igam became a Buddhist nun while Richter sacrificed himself. Another example is it is the first Super Sentai to have individuual Mechas for each of its Core Members, Similar to Combattler V and Voltes V. Coincidentally, Maskman, Combattler V, Voltes V and Daimos were both popular in Phillipines.
	+ A further connection: The Robot Romance trilogy aired at the time slot that Sentai had taken over after the end; with the final episode of Daimos followed the next week by the first episode of *Battle Fever J*.
* In the Filipino Dub of both opening and ending themes. It was composed by singer and composer, Norman Caraan.
* Their official counterparts in *Super Megaforce* are given the name Lightning.

## References

1. ↑ "Library -- English Titles -- TOEI TV Website". http://tvarc.toei.co.jp/tv/library/series-title.html. Retrieved 2011-03-26.

## External links

* *Hikari Sentai Maskman* at super-sentai.net
* *Hikari Sentai Maskman* at Wikipedia
* *Hikari Sentai Maskman* at Japanese Wikipedia