Discover Top Posts Tagged with #6th heroes

In my opinion, the best thing the 1990s did for Super Sentai was introduce the 6th hero for real. We had hints of the 6th Hero going back to 1984′s Choudenshi Bioman when Shota Yamamori became the Magne Warrior for a VERY brief time (two episodes).

And then again in 1987 When X1 Mask briefly aided the team in Hikari Sentai Maskman.

But it wouldn’t be until 1992 when we finally got a real 6th Hero who would stick around (ok he didn’t make it to the end but Death will do that to a guy) in the form of Dragon Ranger in Kyoryu Sentai Zyuranger.

It is almost impossible to overstate how important the arrival of Burai was to the franchise. A sixth hero added a new character to shake up the status quo, to change existing team dynamics and to add a shot of fresh, new plots to a show to kick things up and renew interest. It didn’t hurt that Burai had a cool plotline and a fantastic mecha of his own.

With the success of adding a sixth man, the formula for Super Sentai as we know it today was set. Every year we have at least one new hero joining a team and while some come and go, some stay and become valued members.

Heck, a good 6th man can even save a flagging show. In my opinion, the things that kept me watching 2015′s Shuriken Sentai NinNinger (other than Pink who was AMAZING) was the introduction of the Cowboy Ninja from America, StarNinger!

And even now, we get the amazingly over the top and flamboyant Zox Goldtsuika a.k.a. TwoKaiser in this year’s show. I was enjoying Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger but his introduction (right after the introduction of the amazing new villain Stacey) really cemented it as a must watch each week for me.

And while not EVERY 6th Hero is fantastic (looking at you SignalMan and NinjaMan) I would say that their addition was the best thing to come out of the Sentai in the 1990s!

#Super Sentai #6th Heroes #Magne Warrior #X1 Mask #Dragon Ranger #StarNinger #Twokaiser

Hey, Himitsu! Super Duper Secret Anon Here XD Have you ever done a list of your favorite Sixth Person team members? How about least favorite?

No, I have not and it has been WAY too long since I have done a proper list!

Let me start by saying I love the concept of the 6th Hero. It was one of the best things introduced to Super Sentai in the early 1990s and honestly gives a boost to the middle episodes of a series that can drag a bit. It breaks up the formula of monster of the week a bit and gives us a new character to get to know after the other main cast get their focus episodes. When done well, it can breath new life into a good show or even make a less than great series suddenly more watchable (we’re looking at you Shuriken Sentai Ninninger).

So, without further ado, here are my Top 5, no Top 6 favorite 6th Heroes!

6. Eiji Takaoka a.k.a. Bouken Silver from 2006′s GoGo Sentai Boukenger.

Eiji is a half-demon from the Ashu Tribe lineage, his Father having been human and his Mother one of the Ashu. He initially struggles with his dual nature but it eventually becomes a strength for him. His internal conflict made him a fascinating character and one I came to really, really like.

5. Akira Nijino a.k.a. ToQ 6gou from 2014′s Ressha Sentai ToQger

Much like Eiji above, Akira started out as someone less than heroic. He was actually part of the Shadow line but defected to the Rainbow Line because he was sick of his evil nature ruining people’s fun. Thus, he became the chief maintenance worker for the Rainbow Line, fixing the tracks and working the switches. He eventually became a member of the ToQger team and found his real place to live. He goes from angsty former villain to heroic cinnamon roll over the course of the series and that makes him a winner to me.

4. Kou a.k.a. Kiba Ranger from 1993′s Gosei Sentai Dairanger

Kou is special for two reasons. 1) He started out as an annoying kid character I wanted to see punted but became someone I was honestly invested in. 2) His story arc and backstory are so horribly tragic and filled with angst that you would barely believe a 10 year old could deal with it. His young actor was amazing for his age and actually made a child hero make sense.

3. Burai a.k.a. Dragon Ranger from 1992′s Kyoryu Sentai Zyuranger

The first true and perhaps the most tragic 6th Hero in the franchise, Burai was a great character. He began as more or less and antagonist with a deep and actually pretty reasonable grudge against Geki, the Tyranno Ranger. He became a valuable, if rarely present, ally of the team once his beef was resolved and eventually gave his life for his teammates. Plus, he piloted what was basically MechaGodzilla with a magic flute/dagger and that’s just nine shades of awesome.

2. Genta Umemori a.k.a Shinken Gold from 2009′s Samurai Sentai Shinkenger

Ok, I love Genta. He’s the Non-Samurai Samurai with the sheer willpower, charisma and skill to actually get accepted into the group. Plus, his gimmick of being a Mojikara Master using modern technology and Sushi is just the best. I love everything about his aesthetic and his sword being called Sakanamaru makes me laugh to no end. He also has some of the best facial expressions of all time in Sentai.

1. Gai Ikari a.k.a. Gokai Silver from 2011′s Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger

Ok, this may not be the most popular choice but for me, Gai is the best. He’s a Sentai otaku which makes me identify with him right off the bat and a wellspring of background on the various teams that his team desperately needs to accomplish their goals. He’s also just a bouncing bundle of enthusiasm and can do attitude that wears down grumps like Captain Marvelous and Joe into embracing him as one of their own.

So, there’s my top 6 personal favorite 6th heroes! Thanks for the question and happy viewing!

Edit: Oh and for least favorite of all time, I have to go with Signalman from Gekisou Sentai Carranger. He’s such a wet blanket and a stickler for the rules, even in a show LITERALLY about traffic safety he comes across as a stick in the mud.

He is good for a laugh now and then though.

I would have mentioned Noel from Kaitou Sentai Lupinranger vs. Keisatsu Sentai Patoranger because he’s kind of annoying and seems to be hiding things but I am going to wait to see how his story plays out before I pass final judgement.