Kyoryuu Sentai Zyuranger TV Series Review

Kyoryuu Sentai Zyuranger is the 16th entry of the Super Sentai franchise that lasted for 50 episodes. Western fans best remembered this show as the first series to be adapted into Power Rangers called Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers.

Five warriors are awakened in the present day after 170 million years in suspended animation to fight the evil Witch Bandora who is to turn Earth into a barren wasteland. With the help of their partner Guardian Beasts and their wise mentor Sage Barza, they save the Earth week after week. Later in the series, we meet Dragon Ranger Burai, Geki's older brother who made things a bit complicated. In addition, one of Bandora's aims is to destroy the last two dinosaur eggs that are about to hatch in the near future.

Zyuranger started a bit slow as the kid of the week drags the series, the series started to pick up its pace around the time they are done with DaiZyuJin's introduction as they started to focus more on the Zyurangers more and try to integrate it with the kid of the week. The biggest turning point of the series is the Dragon Ranger arc, it's the first time Super Sentai had a recurring sixth hero and they did a really good job in introducing him. This is when the series started to become more engaging every episode. Each of the character stereotypes that I have established the first time I watched the first episode is slowly getting destroyed in front of my eyes. Until now, I can't believe that Mei is one badass Pink hero.

There are three elements that tied Zyuranger as a TV series, namely the dinosaur eggs, Geki and Burai's relationship and Bandora. First are the dinosaur eggs, at first I thought that these eggs were just there just for them to have a filler arc involving dinosaurs and for us to learn more about DaiZyuJin's personality. But as the series progressed, the eggs turned out to be a major plot device in the series that I can't believe that the fate of the world lies on these eggs. Thinking about it, they foreshadowed the importance of the eggs in one episode and I fail to notice it until now.

Geki and Burai's relationship is something that made Zyuranger really memorable, Geki is not aware about his brother's existence at first until Burai made his appearance and fight them! Though it started a bit rocky, it ended up quite well after Burai realized his mistakes and that he only has hours to live. This is when the story now rides on how many hours Burai has left to live, which is being foreshadowed that someday, Burai will die and even though we wanted him to last a lot longer, his fate is sealed till the end. This is when we saw more on Geki's personality as a younger brother who will do everything for the sake of his older brother. The family drama is so intense that it gives me chills every time they will have a scene, which shows us that Burai's life is like a candle.

Finally, Bandora, all I can say is, she is one engaging villain as she gives quite an impression every time you see her on screen. She can be over the top, sometimes a bit ridiculous but if she is serious, she is indeed serious. The final arcs of the series gave us a better look behind the witch that she is a tragic character as she sold her soul to the devil just to have revenge on the dinosaurs that killed her son. It is because of her love as a mother that turned her into a witch and that's really tragic. It didn't help that her deal with the devil comes with the price as her son is now the demon's son and that she can't hug him till the last episode happened. Even though she went with that kind of crap, at the end, she had her happy ending inside the urn, which is a bit ironic.

The Zyuranger suits and mechas are really fantastic; the symmetrical design of the overall suit is one of the reasons why I like it. As for the mecha, each individual Guardian Beasts stand out on its own and the combinations are really fantastic. DaiZyuJin, GouRyuJin and Ultimate DaiZyuJin are really great mecha designs. As for the Sovereign DaiZyuJin, I find it a bit lazy because like I said in one review, it's just the Dragon Caesar being worn as a jacket and that's it.

Zyuranger is the first series that expanded the idea of sentient mecha, in this case, we have talking dinosaur mecha! To those who are not aware, years ago, Choudenshi Bioman started the idea of having sentient mecha but never expanded much to it. In the case of Zyuranger, each Guardian Beasts has their own personality and that once they are combined, they will have a distinct personality from the rest. To those who are reading my reviews for weeks now, you notice how much I hate DaiZyuJin as a character and like him as a mecha. You also see that there is one point that I pity Dragon Caesar after Burai's death. In short, these machines, much to my surprise, became endearing characters that you root for.

If there is one thing that disappointed me in the series are the earlier episodes of the series, the Zyurangers are not engaging heroes since I find them too generic but as the series progressed, each Zyuranger started to stand on its own, to be more specific, Geki, Goushi and Mei started to really stand out from the rest. Though Dan and Boi have their own moments, those moments didn't make much impact to me in my opinion less the episode were Boi is a ninja for one day. As for Burai, his presence alone and him having a kickass introduction story arc made him stand above the Zyurangers.

The only problem I have with Burai is that he feels a bit left out with the Zyurangers, he only appears if Dragon Caesar is needed, we barely have episodes were he interacted with the Zyurangers and it kinda sucks considering that he is the first sixth recurring hero in Super Sentai. I mean, it will be interesting if he had an episode were he teams up with Goushi or Mei. Guess they are still in the experimental stage on how they will handle the sixth hero properly.

Another problem I have with the series are some of the kid guests, they range from annoying to stupid in the earlier episodes, it gets better when the series progressed as they were able to integrate the kids well with the story. I still remember like it was yesterday on story arc involving the Legendary Weapons and we have a kid who hates his mom and cries that she lost her mom in the Land of Despair. The kid is so annoying that it sometimes ruined the tension being built on the quest for the Legendary Weapons.

Overall, Kyoryuu Sentai Zyuranger as what Lynxara have noted is quite a revolutionary series since for years, most Sentai teams are strictly science-based teams, though Turboranger tried it with high school kids and fairies, but their arsenal are basically, cars and the like. Zyuranger is the first series that tried to have fantasy themes and it worked for the kids but hated by some hardcore Sentai fans during that time who thinks that Sentai is strictly about the science and the like. But without Zyuranger, we will not have TV shows like Dairanger, Gingaman and Abaranger. Heck, without Zyuranger, producers might be stuck with the same type of Sentai every year since it paved the way in revolutionizing the franchise in terms of themes!

To put it simply, Zyuranger as a whole is a fantastic series and you might say, it is one of my personal favorites. Coming from the kid who grew up watching Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers, I am quite blown away that the show were Power Rangers got its footage has a lot more depth and that the show is more than just that show used as stock footage for that 90's wonder. Zyuranger stands on its own that it is hard to compare it to MMPR in terms of quality of storytelling and in terms of writing. It is one of the reasons why I don't do comparisons between Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers and Zyuranger, they are two complete different animals and it is like comparing a dog with a wolf!

If you grew up watching Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers, I highly recommend that you watch Zyuranger. If you are a bit xenophobic about watching Japanese Power Rangers, you are missing a lot in your life. Thank you Kyoryuu Sentai Zyuranger for the new memories! Long live the dinosaurs, till we meet again, Kyoryuu Sentai Zyuranger!

Kamen Rider Decade Live&Show Event [SUBBED]

Last March 2011, KITsubs released the English subs for the Kamen Rider Decade Live&Show Musical but because of the Megaupload take down, it is now gone... until someone uploaded it on YouTube!


The cast of Kamen Rider Decade appeared in the event that happened last June 28 and 29, 2009. You can also hear some familiar voices in this musical and it's quite fun watching this event!

Kamen Rider Wizard Filming: A Blonde Guy

Someone claims that he spotted a recent filming for Kamen Rider Wizard. Based on the info, it seems that it is related to Kamen Rider Beast's upcoming TV debut.

Take this info with a grain of salt.

I saw Kamen Rider being filmed in my neighborhood. There was a blonde actor I had never seen before. His hair reminded me of Super Saiyans. He seemed to be in his late teens/early twenties. I think he's half Japanese. Not sure if this guy is a Gate, Phantom or Beast.

Source: DecaEnd of HJU

Kamen Rider Super Climax Heroes Finisher Compilation

With the recent release of Kamen Rider Super Climax Heroes, here's the compilation of all the finishers of the newly included Riders in the said game. This also includes the newly included voice acting of some actors.


Kamen Rider Super Climax Heroes was released on the PSP and the Nintendo Wii, on November 29th for 6,280 yen. You can get your copy for the PSP and Nintendo Wii versions of the game are now available on Play-Asia!

Kamen Rider Wizard Land Dragon Appears in Kamen Rider Ganbaride Arcade Game

Before Kamen Rider Wizard Water Dragon can make his TV series debut, the Kamen Rider Wizard Land Dragon already made his debut in the Ganbaride arcade game!


In the video, he is seen teaming up with Kamen Rider OOO. The only thing to note about the video is the first clear appearance of Kamen Rider Wizard Land Dragon. This form is likely to debut in the TV series on January.

Kamen Rider W Novel Info: Kamen Rider Cyclone Origins

Just recently, the first three Heisei Kamen Rider novels were released and someone has posted the info about the Kamen Rider W: The One Who Comes After Z novel.

Spoiler alert! Read at your own risk!

The novel is set after the debut of Kamen Rider Double CycloneJoker Xtreme and before they found out that Philip is Raito Sonozaki. Shotaro catches a cold, Philip acts as Shotaro and keeps on taking requests.

Initially, he uses Double FangJoker to fight, but with Shotaro being sick he can't use full power. Shotaro's condition grows worse and Philip has a hard time keeping up with the Dopants. Shroud shows up to help and gives him the Lost Driver. Phillip transforms into Cyclone. At the end he keeps the belt and it's the very same belt he gives Shotaro at the end of the series.

This novel is likely set between 32 and 33 and just like the TV show, it follows the same episode naming format. The first part is called 'The One After Z/Great Detective's Substitute' and the second part is called 'The One After Z/Mother Nature’s Messenger'

Source: DecaEnd of HJU, Henshin Justice

Go-Busters December Episode Guide

Tokumei Sentai Go-Busters only has one month left and here are the episode summaries for the month of December! The month will feature the debut of Messiah Reboot and the anniversary of the Christmas that changed the lives of the Go-Busters.

Mission 41: Phantom Thief Pink Buster! (12/2/12)
A mysterious woman in a combat suit and sunglasses appears before the Go-Busters and calls herself Pink Buster! She steals the Messiah Card, and fights off both the Go-Busters and the Vaglass. The Go-Getter thief's true identity is that of Reika Saionji (played by Yua Shinkawa) and somehow, she seems to be pleased with Hiromu....

Louperoid and Loupezord appears in this episode.

Mission 42: Attack! To the Inside of the Megazord (12/9/12)
Megazord Zeta, (the new female type with a red skull for a torso), a Megazord only for Escape, appears. Also appearing in the episode are TrainRoid 2 and TrainZord 2.

Mission 43: Christmas of Determination! (12/16/12)
The Messiah Cards, the seeds of Messiah's rebirth, have been gathering data-
Excellent Youthful Intelligence, Body Composition, Strength, Love, Aggresive Instinct, and Go-Buster Ace's own data. Messiah, who had been collecting this data, accomplishes growth at last!

Meanwhile, the day of fate has come. It was 13 years ago to the day that Messiah appeared. Starting those 13 years ago, Kuroki and Ryuji have been throwing a Christmas Party for orphans. Taking place in the juvenile center, it is the Go-Busters' current mission to go help with the party, helping out the teachers there, including one named Namie Kawai.

However, Vaglass also begin to move ahead with their plans on Christmas! For her Papa, Messiah, what is Escape planning to do...?! The Day of Fate has come, and as Messiah stands, could the final battle be at hand?

Kentateroid, Kenzord, Tatezord and once again, Megazord Zeta appears in this episode. Kentate can be translated to Sword and Shield.

Mission 44: Christmas Eve - The Time to Accomplish our Mission (12/23/12)
Megazord Zeta appears once again, as does Messiah's new form, Messiah Reboot. This new form is formed from 4 Megazords, including Zeta, an Enetron Tank, and Messiah's essence.

As expected, both Tokumei Sentai Go-Busters and Kamen Rider Wizard will be out on December 30 for the New Year's celebration.

Source: dukemon22 of Rangerboard