Bakuryû sentai Abaranger

Yup, contrary to the rest of the (scarce) previous reviewers I have NOT watched this because of its crappy american downgrade (which I watched years and years ago when I still cared about normal TV broadcasting, TBH) but because I was absolutely, totally horrified by the previous product that I experienced with the seiyuu in the title - of whom I'm a fan, as I'm a fan of all the seiyuus of the 90's Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon - by the name of Ninja Scroll and I wanted to check out something that gave justice to her, her beautiful voice and what she deserves. And I've found it thanks to her personal posts on twitter, advertising the twenty years since this series - in which she had the role of the robot pterodactyl - was released. And it's simply excellent, entertaining to start to finish and, incredibly enough, very remininescent of the anime that last year changed my life forever, the one in which Emi acted in the sailor suit of Kino Makoto/Sailor Jupiter. Awesome, just awesome. If you're a moonie like me, I can't stress enough that I URGE you to watch this as soon as possible, then we can have a nice chat concerning the IP on what was also sentai-based or not (spoiler: The 90's Masterpiece was). P. S. Episode 34 with Emi Shinohara's personal cameo in it is simply PERFECTION, no questions attached.

BakuRyuu Sentai Abaranger is a task force show which was made into Power Rangers DinoThunder. While PRDT was definitely good, Abaranger was incredibly different, and in many ways, better. In this version, "Dr. Oliver" is a lone warrior from an alternate Earth. "Conner" has an adorable niece and becomes more and more of a father to her as the series goes on. "Kira" is a little more girly and somewhat of a technical expert. "Ethan" is a chiropractor who has the attitude of a typical 6th ranger. "Trent" is a power hungry yet apathetic evil doctor and stays evil for a majority of the series, his Dino Morpher set to explode and destroy Tokyo. Things are much more hardcore and/or humorous in this version. (I actually saw Connor's Tyrano Staff EAT a Triptoid! TWICE!) The music is one of my favorite parts. The show begins with a theme that gets you psyched up for the episode and ends with a bouncy upbeat singalong. Elsa and Zeltrax are the same character, yet their rivalry with the Black Ranger remains. Also, the DinoZords can talk and have personalities of their own. If you liked Power Rangers DinoThunder, you'll love this one just as much, if not more. The featured team-ups, Hurricanger vs. Abaranger and Abaranger vs. Dekaranger, are far better than their PR versions with plots somehow unworthy of Disney programming. Bottom line: This is a great Sentai series and should satisfy fans of PR and Sentai alike.

"Bakuryuu Sentai Abarenja" is an incredibly addictive series. I personally believe that it is far better than the American Power Rangers Dino Thunder because of the complexities and background stories of each character and the intense action that is packed into every half hour. The characters have distinct differences between those of the common hero-types of the American series, with darker histories, deeper human flaws, and unique issues that delve deeper into the human nature; at the same time, it discusses issues that can easily be connected to its audience (i.e., the issue of pollution in the episode of exhaust-bombing monster and associated illness). Every action scene incorporates a bizarre sense of reality, where each strength and weakness becomes a factor and the monsters they fight learn, adapt, and develop to fight them. The music is strangely lovable and can turn into a song that repeats in the head for days on end. Overall, Abaranja is too good to pass up if you loved Dino Thunder.

This is just a taste of things to come for next years Power Ranger series. The story revolves around Ryouga/Abared, a very optimistic and slap happy character. Sanjo/Abablue, a somewhat arrogant chiropracter. Ranru/Abayellow, a mechanic whose obssessed with cars. And finally, Asuka, a warrior from Dino Earth, an alternate dimension of Earth. Together, they are the Abarangers whose mission is to fight off the Evorians, invaders from Dino Earth. They team is assisted by the Blast Dragons, evolved bio-mechanical Dinosaurs. Each of them teamed with a specific Blast Dragons.

Tyranno is the Red Blast Dragon. He's serious about everything and is very short tempered. A contrast to the Ryouga's slap happy attitude.

Cera is the Blue Blast Dragon. He's a bit immature and an ease dropper.

Ptera is the Yellow Blast Dragon. She's is very kind and sweet dino.

Brachio is the Black Blast Dragon. He's a wise dino, but is somewhat of a pacifist and doesn't want to fight.

The rangers are also assisted by Ryuunosuke, an old man, Emiko, a ditzy "geek" girl, and Mai, Ryouga's niece.

There is a lot of dramatic and comedic elements in the series. Some drama includes Ryouga being Mai's sole gaurdian after her parents die. Unfortunately, Ryouga is somewhat irresponsible and is clueless about being a father figure. Some comedic elements include Ryouga and Tyranno arguing, one incident was when Tyranno got mad at Ryouga, bit his head, thrashed him around like a rag doll, and threw him half way across the city.

I am hoping by the time Doug Sloan is done with Power Rangers Ninja Storm and moves on to this series that he adopts some of these story ideas and doesn't screw it up in the process.