Himitsu Sentai Gorenger

Did You Know?

• In the United States, the original Japanese version aired in Hawaii on KIKU-TV with English subtitles from 1975 through 1976, and actors made personal appearances to promote the series.
• An unsubtitled version was broadcast in California on Sacramento's KMUV-TV in 1976 and San Francisco's KOFY-TV in 1977.

Plot

When world peace is threatened by the terrorist group Black Cross Army, EAGLE (The Earth Guard League) is formed. The Black Cross Army sends five operatives to destroy each EAGLE branch in Japan, killing all but five members. These survivors are summoned to a secret base under the snack shop "Gon" and recruited by commander Gonpachi Edogawa. They become the Himitsu Sentai Gorengers, given electronic battlesuits with superhuman strength and speed, and dedicate themselves to stopping the Black Cross Führer.

Characters

Tsuyoshi Kaijo, the 24-year-old younger brother of the Kantō EAGLE base captain, was playing soccer when the Black Cross Army killed his brother. As the red Akarenger, he is team leader and coordinates group attacks like the Gorenger Storm or Gorenger Hurricane, wielding the Red Vute whip and the Silver Shot tranquilizer gun. He appeared in the final episode of Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger, receiving the Akarenger Key. Akira Shinmei, the oldest at 25, was training in Tōhoku when attacked. As blue Aorenger, he is second-in-command, pilots the Variblune and later Varidorin, and wields the Bluechery bow. Kirenger, the yellow member, uses the Ki Sticker polearm and the YTC radio jammer; the moniker was used by its original user and a temporary successor. Daita Oiwa, nicknamed "Dai-chan," is a 23-year-old engineering recruit from Kyushu, a judo champion strong in mechanics and mathematics but poor at word puzzles. He briefly became Chief of EAGLE's Kyushu branch before returning to active duty. Daigoro Kumano replaced Daita during that time but was killed by a flying blade from Can Opener Mask.

Films

Himitsu Sentai Gorenger: The Movie (July 26, 1975) adapts episode 6. Himitsu Sentai Gorenger: The Blue Fortress (December 20, 1975) adapts episode 15. Himitsu Sentai Gorenger: The Red Death Match (March 20, 1976) adapts episode 36. Himitsu Sentai Gorenger: Fire Mountain's Final Explosion (December 19, 1976) adapts episode 54. Himitsu Sentai Gorenger: The Bomb Hurricane (July 18, 1976) was directed by Minoru Yamada and written by Shōzō Uehara. J.A.K.Q. Dengekitai vs. Gorenger (March 18, 1978) was directed by Katsuhiko Taguchi and written by Shōzō Uehara.