After an OK season with Go-Onger, the folks over at Toei decided to make a Samurai themed Super Sentai series. With at least two series based on ninjas, it makes you wonder how they could have passed over the concept.
Thankfully, it works really well, and thanks in part to the writing skills of Yasuko Kobayashi and the excellent cast, Shinkenger is the best Super Sentai season of the first decade of the millennium, and one in my personal top five. This show is so full of awesome moments that it is totally a season worth watching.
The main plot is: the Shiba Clan has been protecting the world against an evil monster named Chimatsuri Dokoku for 18 generations. The last time Dokoku invaded, it was a total asskicking on the humans’ side: the Shiba Clan were decimated, the former Shinkengers (composed of the 17th head and his retainers) were severely injured or killed, and the world is saved at the last minute thanks to the special ability of the clan, sealing the enemy in the Sanzu river. The current 18th head of the clan is Takeru Shiba, who (in contrast to Red warriors of recent seasons) is level headed and stoic. He then summons four of his retainers as Dokoku slowly begins to revive.
I found the characterization of Takeru to be very refreshing. There haven’t been a lot of Reds like this in a long time (if at all) and Tori Matsuzaka does a very good job doing his thing. In fact, this season has a great range of characters that grow as the series goes on. This season has one of the best casts in recent memory, and it shows.
One very notable thing is that the last arc changes EVERYTHING. I won’t spoil it for you, but if you finish Shinkenger and watch it again after seeing the last 10 episodes, certain character nuances make sense in a different way than original. This is genius, as it adds replay value to the series. Imagine that!
There are various references to jidaigeki films (Zatoichi, Mito Komon, etc.) that you can see. Even if you’re just a casual fan and know nothing, it is still impressively cool seeing it. The series is structured like a long play that you would probably see in some Japanese traditional production or something, with each episode being one chapter or act in a play.
The mecha are decent with a number of transformations, though not as much as last season. The final form is so ridiculously bulky that it doesn’t walk – it rolls around the ground.
Anyways, watch it.
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