Super Sentai Sunday: JAKQ!

"We are the J.A.K.Q. Dengekitai!"

J.A.K.Q. Dengekitai (ジャッカー電撃隊, Jakkā Dengekitai^?, 

J.A.K.Q. Blitzkrieg Squad, pronounced "Jacker")

-- all info take from Power Ranger Wiki

J.A.K.Q. is the second Super Sentai series. It aired from April 9, 1977 to December 24, 1977. It was not nearly as popular as its predecessor Goranger, only running for 35 episodes, and was also created by Shotaro Ishinomori. The title given to this series for international distribution by Toei is The Jackers.

Iron Claw is the "Crime Czar" of a global criminal empire known simply as "Crime". With a network of wealthy and influential sympathizers and employing an army of faceless, leather- masked thugs (Crimers) and cyborg/robot assassins, "Crime" seeks to become the most powerful mafia organization in the world.

 

To combat this threat, INTERPOL organizes a special taskforce to spearhead the efforts to bring Crime to justice. Based in New York, ISSIS (International Science Special Investigation Squad [Kokusai Kagaku Tokusou Tai]) begins to organize its forces around the world to battle Crime. Tokyo ISSIS branch commander, Kujirai Daisuke, proposes a radical experiment to aid his forces in Japan. Taking the codename “Joker”, he recruits four young test subjects to undergo his cyborg enhancement project – multitalented athlete and Olympic Gold medalist Sakurai Gorou, disgraced Junior Walter Weight Champion boxer Higashi Ryuu, critically injured Police Woman Karen Mizuki and clinically dead and cryogenically sustained Oceanographer Daichi Bunta. Surgically altered and given various energy manipulation powers and bionic enhancements, the four youths begin their mission to destroy Crime as the crime-busting quartet code-named "JAKQ – Dengekitai". Later on, uber cyborg and master of disguise Banba Soukichi is added to the team to strengthen their number and step up their attack on Crime.

 Gorou Sakurai (桜井五郎, Sakurai Gorō)/ 

Spade Ace (スペードエース, Supēdo Ēsu) 

A Japanese pentathlon athlete and Olympic Gold Medalist. In addition to being a champion in Karate, Archery and Judo, he was also a skilled equestrian and all around top athlete. Originally turned down Joker’s offer to join JAKQ, but later had a change of heart when he was save Karen Mizuki. He had a romantic involvement with Karen towards the end of the series. His bionic enhancements allowed him to manipulate Atomic Energy in a wide variety of ways. Using these energies, Sakurai is able to see through walls and other barriers using his X-ray vision (Chu Seishi [Neutron] Scope) and to move at super speed by activating his “Kosouku [Acceleration] Switch”. Sakurai is also able to hear sounds at a distance at superhuman levels using his “Enkaku Shuon Souchi [Ultra Sound Device]”. As Spade Ace, Sakurai wields a number of specially designed weapons, chief among which is his “Spade Arts” power bow. With the Spade Art, Sakurai is able to shoot “atomic charged” arrows which can puncture and bore through most substances. The Spade Arts bow can also be converted into a whip which can bind an opponent. Sakurai is a born leader and uses his abilities to seek out the weak points of his enemies. His atomic based powers also give him incredible power when kicking and striking his opponents.

Ryu Higashi (東竜, Higashi Ryū)/ 

Diamond Jack (ダイヤジャック, Daiya Jakku) 

A former Welter Weight Boxing Champion of Japan. He was falsely accused of murder by greedy boxing promoters in Las Vegas when he refused to rig a Championship fight. He was intercepted by Joker when he was being extradited to Japan for prosecution. Joker offered him the choice of working for ISSIS as part of JAKQ or serving his prison sentence. Higashi reluctantly accepted Joker’s offer albeit with reservations. His bionic enhancements allowed him to manipulate electric currents. From his right second finger he is able to pull out his “Eleki Cutter” [Electric Cutter] which he can use to cut through dense objects. From his left ring finger he is able to pull out his “Dia Laser” which can fire a laser beam that can shear through most materials. As Dia Jack, Higashi wields the powerful “Dia Sword” which he can imbue with his electrical powers to strike with deadly effect. The sword can slash and cut through solid steel and other dense metals. It can also be used to focus and fire electrical bolts of energy. Higashi is a rough and gruff individual who is at times very head strong. A bit of a loner, he does tend to prefer working alone. Continues to keep in touch with his former boxing partners. Higashi loves jazz music and fast cars.

Bunta Daichi (大地文太, Daichi Bunta)/ 

Clover (Club) King (クローバーキング, Kurōbā Kingu)

  A oceanographer who died of oxygen deprivation in a freak submarine accident. Years earlier his beloved younger sister Nami died in an airplane crash. Daichi’s body was cryogenically sustained in a medical facility for research until Joker found him. Using bionic technology Joker was able to revive Daichi as a cyborg. His bionic enhancements allowed him to manipulate gravitational forces. By increasing his body’s weight and density Daichi is able gain superhuman strength. With his power cycling in the range of 700 horsepower, he is able to use his “Juroku Energy” (Superpower Energy) to punch and kick opponents with devastating effect. Daichi can throw opponents across great distances with his “Juroku Nage” (Power Throw) and can take down dozens of opponents with his flying jump attack (“King Juroku Press” ). His left hand can be converted into his “Club Megaton” weapon. His Club Megaton can become a ball and chain which can be used to strike and hit enemies as well as bind them.

 Karen Mizuki (カレン水木, Karen Mizuki)/ 

Heart Queen(ハートクイン, Hāto Kuin)

 A half Japanese/half Caucasian former Japanese Policewoman. She was assigned to investigating illegal drug/narcotics trafficking routes into Japan. During her investigations, Karen uncovered that Crime controlled a majority of these routes and was going to assist ISSIS in destroying these routes. Crime attempted to kill Karen by arranging a fatal car accident. Miraculously, Karen survived the accident but lost her right arm. Her father, a fellow police officer, was also killed in the crash. Enraged and seeking revenge, Karen willingly accepted Joker’s offer to undergo his bionic process and join JAKQ. Fell in love with Gorou towards the end of the series. Her bionic enhancements allowed her to control magnetism. Her magnetic based powers, which she dubbed her “Heart Cute Jiki Power” (Heart Cute Magnet Power) allowed her to attract and repel metallic objects at will. She often used her powers to literally stop bullets in mid-air. Her powers can be further augmented by using her Q-shaped ”Heart Cute” weapon. Using the Heart Cute, Karen is able to send out waves of magnetic/kinetic energy that can bowl over opponents or force them into erratic behaviors (which she gleefully enjoys and asks afterwards "Do you want another?" (もう一つ、いかがですか, "Mō hitotsu, ikaga desu ka?")). The Heart Cute can also be used as a blunt impact weapon which she uses to strike opponents. From her right index finger she is able to pull out her “Magnetic Counter” which can send out a magnetic detection pulse which she can then use to pinpoint and identify objects (both metal and organic) in a way similar to radar. Karen is a skilled martial artist and is proficient in a number of fighting methods. For a time she was part of the Kono Karate School where she befriended Kono Natsuko (Shihomi Etsuko) who was also a skilled martial artist. Karen has a flair for fashion and often sported tight red leather ‘hot pants’ and red long boots.

 Sokichi Banba (番場壮吉, Banba Sōkichi)/ 

Big One (ビッグワン, Biggu Wan):

A flamboyant playboy and master of disguise. He is the ISSIS officer who was called in to take over operations in Tokyo for Joker. Helped Joker implement the JAKQ project. He is himself a cyborg and is in fact considered the ultimate “super cyborg” for his bionic implants allowed him to harness and manipulate all four cosmic powers (atomic, magnetic, electric and gravity). His nickname was the “Shiroi Chojin” (The White Flying Ace). Can direct his powers to perform a variety of incredible feats including flying, superhuman strength and super speed. Banba wields a fighting baton called the “Big Baton” which he can use to strike and hit opponents with great force and impact. He is a cool-headed leader and masterful tactician who can come up with the most brilliant of battle plans to defeat Crime’s cyborgs. Soukichi can transform at will without the use of the Kyouka Capsules, instead taking a sniff out of a magic red rose, then leaping and transforming in mid-air. 24 years after the fall of CRIME, he returned in Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger vs. Super Sentai as the leader of the "Dream Sentai" team. He usually does not shout a 'henshin' phrase, but did shout "Big One!" in Gaoranger vs. Super Sentai. He also used "Big Finish" which is a spectrum slash with the Big Baton.