Super Sentai Sunday: GORANGER!

Welcome to Super Sentai Sunday!

Power Rangers of course, is based on the Japanese Toku sensation "Super Sentai Series" and without this material there would be no Power Rangers. Since we are all about Nostalgia and the Legacy of Power Rangers here at Morphin Legacy, each Sunday ill spotlight a different/new Sentai. When we reach Zyuranger (aka MMPR Season 1) there will be comparisons on story and Rangers!

Let's start with the father series, GORANGER!

Himitsu Sentai Goranger 

(秘密戦隊ゴレンジャー Himitsu Sentai Gorenjā, 

translated as Secret Squadron FiveRangers)

Play video for "Henshin, Roll Call & Theme Song

Goranger was the first in the long-running Super Sentai series of tokusatsu programs (although the series wouldn't be called by that specific name until release of Battle Fever J).

Himitsu Sentai Goranger was created by Shotaro Ishinomori, and was broadcast on NET (now TV Asahi) from April 5, 1975 to March 26, 1977, 

with a total of 84 episodes. 

When world peace is threatened by the emergence of an international secret society of evil called the "Black Cross Army/Black Crusaders" (黒十字軍 Kuro Juujigun), the United Nations sets up an "EAGLE" (EArth Guard LEague) (国際的平和組織イーグル Kokusaiteki Heiwa Soushiki Īguru) to combat the threat. This special army is distributed to various parts of the world (designated as "Blocks"). One of the largest "Blocks" is Japan.

The "Black Cross Army/Black Crusaders", fearful of this united threat against them, decides to launch a surprise attack against the Japan EAGLE Block and sends five of its most dangerous cyborg operatives to attack Japan's various EAGLE branches.

Across Japan the Kuro Juujigun decimates its targets, killing all those who oppose them.

Yet from the ashes of these destroyed bases, five young recruits miraculously survive and vow vengeance. Given a special interlocking "key", the various survivors are summoned to snackshop "Gon", secret gateway to EAGLE Japan's main command center by Japan's EAGLE Commander Edogawa Kenpachi. There they are given special formfitting electronic battlesuits, which empower its wearer with various superhuman abilities. Edogawa tells them that they are the Secret Squadron "Goranger", the world's best chance against the forces of the Kuro Juujigun. Armed with these battlesuits and other special weapons created by EAGLE scientists, they extract their revenge upon the Kuro Juujigun operatives who killed their comrades and dedicate themselves to crushing the remaining forces of the Kuro Juujigun and its sinister leader Kuro Juuji Soutou (Black Cross Fuhrer/Generalissimo). 

-- Power Rangers Wiki

The Gorangers transform into their costumes by spinning in place (with their costumed form appearing via a stationary camera cut), without using a transformation device as featured in later Super Sentai series. They have removable rockets ("Birdies") on the side of their belts (for flying), and can pull out their visor, which turns into their respective weapon. Their helmets are perforated to enable the wearer to see and breathe. Prior to battle, the team battlecry is "Five people assembled, Goranger!" (５人揃って、ゴレンジャー！, Gonin sorotte, Gorenjā!^?). According to the series finale, the first kana in the full name of each member (with the exception of Daigorou) spell out "Cassiopeia" (か・し・お・ペ・あ（カシオペア）, Ka-Shi-O-Pe-A (Kashiopea)^?), which is Black Cross Führer's detriment.


  "AkaRanger !"
Kaijou Tsuyoshi is the younger brother of the Kantou EAGLE base captain. He was undergoing special training in combat planning and strategy. He is a natural born leader and tactician. While still young and brash at times, he showed a maturity level well beyond his years. Was also the “Ace Striker” for the EAGLE Japan Soccer Team. He was a master of disguise and an expert sharpshooter. His brother died in the Kuro Jujigun’s attack on their base. 

  As Aka Ranger, he was team leader of the group and often helped coordinate the group attacks such as the “Goranger Storm” or “Goranger Hurricane”. Carried a number of special weapons such as a blaster (Silver Shot) and a multi-purpose whip (Red Vute) whose end could transform into a number of different weapons such as a drill or claw (Red Hunter).  He rides the supercharged motorcycle “Red Machine” which can race at high speeds and was later replaced by the “Red Star” super cycle. 

 "AoRanger!"
Akira Shinme was training in the snow draped Touhoku region when the Kuro Jujigun attacked. He is the oldest member of the Goranger team who fancied American cowboy outfits. He was a marksmanship instructor skilled in archery and mecha piloting. He had aspirations of being a racecar driver. As Ao Ranger he is the designated second-in-command. He pilots most of the Goranger sky vehicles such as “Varibloom” and “Varidreen”. He is armed with the super bow “Blue Cherry” and “Ultra Blue Cherry” which can fire specially designed arrows (Blue Arrows and Blue Arrow Rockets). He also drove the super motorcycle “Blue Machine” and later the “Blue Star.” 

"KiRanger!"
Daita Ooiwa is a jovial engineering recruit at EAGLE’s Kyushu branch. While adapt in mechanics and mathematics, he had a very hard time solving simple word puzzles and riddles. Being a Judo Champion, Daita was very strong and tough. He had a voracious appetite and often ordered “Omori” (big portions) of everything especially curry rice which was his favorite. He is said to have ten siblings. As Ki Ranger, he was armed with the “Ki Sticker” which was a fighting pole whose head can be outfitted with various attachments such as a punching fist. He also utilized the “YTC” radio which could jam electronic circuitry. Ooiwa was later promoted to Chief of the Kyushu EAGLE branch. Daigorou Kumano was recruited from among EAGLE’s other trainees to fill his position. Daigorou, however fell in battle while battling a Kuro Jujigun operative. Daita soon returned to active duty again with the Goranger team. He rode in the “Blue Machine / Blue Star” sidecar. He also copiloted the “Varibloom” and “Varidreen” sky vehicles. 

 "MomoRanger!"

Peggy Matsuyama is an Eurasian beauty (her father was a Swiss national and her mother was Japanese). She was assigned to EAGLE’s Hokkaido branch as a chemical analyst and special weapons engineer specializing in explosives. She also had equestrian training. Fashionable, she often wore go-go boots and short hip-hugging “hot pants”. As Momo Ranger, she was armed with an assortment of uniquely “feminine” weapons. Her heart-shaped earrings doubled as high impact bombs which she would hurl with a curt taunt -- "Are you ready?... Here we go!" (Ii wa ne... Iku wa yo!, "Are you ready?... Here we go!"^?). She also carried heart-shaped “Momo Card” throwing shurikens, and a “Momo Mirror” jamming device which would confuse and confound her opponents. She also had the “Momo Ceceli” which could be used to track down and spy on opponents. And ultimately, she carried the "Ranger Ball", the Gorangers' ultimate finisher weapon that would destroy the Masked Monster of the day, which the team members would pass around to each other like a soccer ball before Aka Ranger would deliver the finishing kick to the Masked Monster causing it to explode. She rides in the “Green Machine / Green Star” sidecar. She's the only Goranger to appear out of costume in Goranger vs. JAKQ. 

"MidoRanger!"

Kenji is the youngest member of the team who was training at EAGLE’s Kansai branch. He is a happy-go-lucky teen, who can sometimes be a bit brash and temperamental. As Mido Ranger, he was armed with a number of unique weapons. His signature weapon was the razor-sharp “Midomerang” (Green-boomerang) which can be flung at enemies. He could also use it as a handheld weapon to cut and slash his opponents. His “Midomerang” was later upgraded to the “New Midomerang” which was a bit bigger. He also carried the “Mido Puncher” which was an updated slingshot weapon which can be used to fire “pachinko-ball” pellets and sometimes explosives. Asuka drove the super motorcycle “Green Machine” and later the “Green Star.”