Sunday, February 15, 2015

DVD Review - Super Sentai Zyuranger: The Complete Series


Super Sentai Zyuranger: The Complete Series
Starring: Yūta Mochizuki, Aohisa Takayasu, Hideki Fujiwara, Takumi Hashimoto, Reiko Chiba, Shiro Izumi, Machiko Soga
Studio: Shout! Factory
Release Date: February 17, 2015
Retail: $54.99
ASIN: B00P9UVC0I
Running Time: 1020 minutes
Rating: Not Rated
Buy Link: Amazon, Shout! Factory

Review:

One of the longest-running American children series is the Saban's Power Rangers, but not everyone knows that the franchise is an adaptation of the Japanese Super Sentai series; using the same costumes and weapons, as well as using stock footage. The Japanese version has never been officially released in United States, well, that is until this Tuesday, when Shout! Factory will release Super Sendai Zyuranger: The Complete Series, featuring all 50 episodes from the Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger series. There is also a bonus feature - "Power Progenitors: Super Sentai Zyuranger" Power Morphicon 2014 Panel.

Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger is the 16th installment of the Super Sentai series (1992-1993). It was later adapted as the first season of the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, which explains why the Yellow Ranger never wore a skirt. Despite some name changes, the villains are the same, though the American version dubbed the voices.

170 million years ago, five ancient human tribes coexisted with the dinosaurs, thanks to the protection that was provided by the Guardian Beasts, that is until the witch known as Bandora (MMPR's Rita Repulsa) starts a war with the dinosaurs to avenge the death of her son. She summons the Great Satan to help her kill off the dinosaurs and all the tribes. The Guardian Beasts was able to seal Bandora and her minions on the planet Nemesis.


Jump to the year 1992, when Japanese astronauts accidentally releases Bandora and her minions from their prison. Bandora invades Earth with her minions (Grifforzer (MMPR's Goldar), Tottpatt (MMPR's Baboo), Bookback (MMPR's Squatt) and Pleprechuan (MMPR's Finster)) and the Golem Soliders (MMPR's Putty Patrollers).


Upon the invasion, Mysterious Wizard Barza goes below ground and awakens the five Holy Warriors of Justice (Geki - TyrannoRanger, Goushi - MammothRanger, Dan - TriceraRanger, Boi - TigerRanger and Mei - PteraRanger) whom have been in suspended animation for over 170 million years. With the help from the Guardian Beasts (MMPR's Megazord), these five warriors become the Zyurangers and they will do anything to help save the world from Bandora.

Just as they start to adjust to life in the year 1992, Geki's long-lost brother, Burai - the DragonRanger, returns and is bent on destroying the Zyurangers!

Disc 1
The Birth
The Revival
Fight In The Land Of Despair
Reawaken, Legendary Weapons
Scary Riddles
Disc 2
Arise, Daizyuzin!
I Can See! I Can See!
Terror! Eaten In An Instant
Run! Prince Of The Eggs
Monkeys No More!


Disc 3
My Master!
Papa's A Vampire!?
Fire! The Golden Arrow
Become Small!
Destory! The Dark Super Sword
Disc 4
The Great Sneeze Plot
The Sixth Hero!
The Hate-Filled Brother's Sword
Female Warrior Scorpion!
Daizyuzin's Last Day


Disc 5
The Guardian Beast's Great Riot
Combine! Gouryuzin
The Knuckleball Of Infatuation
Hope Spring A-Turtle
The Park Where Demons Dwell
Disc 6
Be Careful Of Shaved Ice
I Want To Eath Mei
Great Upgrade! Clay Monsters
A Mystery!? The Attacking Beast Knight God
Satan Comes!!


Disc 7
Reborn! The Ultimate God
Geki! Kill Your Tears
Teach Me! The Jewel Of Bravery
Stay Alive, Burai!
Ninja Warrior, Boi
Disc 8
Smash It! The Mirror Of Death
A Dinosaur Is Born
Princess Mei's Seven Metamorphoses!!
Tears Of A Subterranean Beast
Burai's Deathly Depature


Disc 9
Blaze, Burai!!
Burai Dies!
Live Again, Zyuzouken!
Japan's Best Swordswoman
The Foolish Boy
Disc 10
Presenting The Vicious Squadron!
Break In! The Final Deciding Battle
The Son From Darkness
The Gods Lost!!
Lonb Live The Dionsaurs!!




Die-hard Power Rangers fans have been patiently waiting for the Super Sentai series to be released on DVD in the United States and now they can finally watch entire 50 episodes of the Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger, the series the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers is based on. Besides from watching a few clips on YouTube, this has been the first time I have watched a full Super Sentai episode. Well, technically I did watch more than one episode over the weekend as the series gets very addicting. There are fives episodes per disc and each disc has an English subtitles option.

The Super Sentia Zyuranger is a lot darker compared to the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and features a completely different plot. The main baddie, Witch Bandora, is eviler than the MMPR's Rita Repulsa. While I've always loved the Green Ranger storyline from MMPR, the DragonRanger storyline is better written. At the core, the Zyuranger series is a show made for kids, but the tone is suited for older viewers, especially with the mild language and not to mention that there is more violence in Zyuranger than what was shown in MMPR. The film quality is pretty decent; actually it is slightly better than the MMPR DVD releases due to the fact that there are less episodes per disc. It would have been nice if there were more extras on the set. Overall, I had a blast watching Super Sentai Zyuranger: The Complete Series and I recommend it to others. 



*Disclaimer - I received a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.


1 comment:

  1. If you dig a bit deeper in the internet, most Super Sentai shows from the 90's-present are fansubbed by hardcore Super Sentai fans. 75-80's barely gets any love.

    ReplyDelete

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