Not Rated; 996 minutes; $59.97; Shout! Factory; Amazon

Believe it or not, but the Power Rangers franchise wouldn't exist if it wasn't the for the long-running Japanese series Super Sentai. Saban Brands (the creator/owner of the Power Rangers) used costumes, props, zords and footage from the Super Sentai series to make the Power Rangers seasons, which the tradition continues today.

The first Super Sentai series, titled Himitsu Sentai Gorenger, debuted in 1975, which involved five twenty-somethings that transform into superheros. Each new series that followed had a new cast, costumes, zords, and villains. The franchise is currently in it's 40th season (series). There are also over fifty feature films.

For the first time ever, the Super Sentai: Ninja Sentai Kakuranger: The Complete Series is now available in the United States thanks to Shout! Factory, featuring all 53 episodes. There are no special features or extras on the 10 disc set.

Originally airing in Japan from February 1994 to 1995, the Ninja Sentai Kakuranger is set about a hundred years after the war between the Youkai and the ninjas. The war ended when the Youkai Commander Nurarihyon and all their energies were sealed away by Sarutobi Sasuke and the ninjas. A few of the Youkais survived by living as humans for centuries, well that is until they tricked Saizou and Sasuke (descendants of Kirigakure Saizo) into opening the sealed door and releasing all the energies, giving the Youkai the ability to transform into their original form.

Due to the new threat on Earth, the ninjas give Saizou and Sasuke strong powers and the ability to transform into Ninja Blue and Ninja Red. Three other Saizo descendants are summoned as well - Tsuruhime (Ninja White), Seikai (Ninja Yellow) and Jiraiya (Ninja Black). Together, they must battle the Youkai army with their Ninja powers, weapons and zords.

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!