Super Sentai ending after a 50-year run in Japan, making No. 1 Sentai Gozyuger the final entry in the storied franchise.
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Amidst declining toy sales, reduced live-show attendance, and films not bringing in fans as they once did, the Super Sentai series is coming to an end. TV Asahi, the current network of the franchise, has not released an official statement, but has been making comments at various events, and the fact that an entire new franchise has been copyrighted – Project R.E.D. (Records of Extraordinary Dimensions) – the news is pretty official.
The Sentai – Japanese for some form of a military unit like a squadron – series has been running for five decades in Japan now. It launched on April 5, 1975 with Himitsu Sentai Gorenger. The 16th series, Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger, was the one that came to the United States and launched the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers franchise.
The U.S. continued to adapt properties up through the 43rd installment, Kishiryu Sentai Ryusoulger, which was known as Power Rangers Cosmic Fury. This was the last series produced by Hasbro, and the toy line was licensed to Playmates, ending a major revenue stream for the Japanese production company.
It is not unheard of for Japanese properties to take a hiatus before returning. This happened with both Ultraman and Kamen Rider over the years, both of which are back at this time.
Kamen Rider is currently airing Kamen Rider ZEZTZ globally, and the belief is this may be the model we see going forward with Project R.E.D. (Records of Extraordinary Dimensions). By moving away from the Super Sentai name, some baggage can be left behind about the formula, and we’ll just have to see which, if any, aspects Project R.E.D. retains.
