And so, I need a new USB flash drive for me to save hard disk space since there are no low quality encodes available (namely, files which file size is at least 50-80mb). Anyways, years ago, 34 groups of spandex clad Japanese superheroes and some of them ended in America protected the Earth from the Space Empire Zangyack, which led them to the very end; sacrifice their own powers for the safety of the entire world. Years later, a group of space pirates, wanted by the said empire came to Earth to look for the Greatest Treasure of the Entire Universe, rumored to be found here in Earth. Thus, the adventure of five pirates begins.
Many fans kept on wondering, how the heck all 34 teams with that never exist in the same universe fought one team of bad guys with no proper means of doing a crossover? Answer, the Super Sentai Versus movies actually made it possible because it is established that there is a possibility for them to do a proper crossover with unknown methods! Anyways, the Legendary Great War scene is somewhat similar to Kamen Rider Decade’s Great Rider War opening scene except that there are no random lasers and they are not fighting each other.
Overall, the opening battle is epic. My only problem with it is that they never highlight much on every known Super Sentai team known to man. But hey, they need to maximize the time they have! One of the best parts of this scene is that teams with similar themes such as Gekiranger and Dairanger (Chinese martial arts), Turboranger and Carranger (vehicles, and a possible indirect reference to Power Rangers Turbo, which was based from Carranger) and Kakuranger and Hurricanger (ninjas) and they gave each team with similar themes proper highlight!
My only disappointment is that we never see Zyuranger and Abaranger do a team-up fight… I guess they want to highlight Zyuranger more considering that, if you like it or not, they made an impact with the franchise overseas. Another favorite scene of mine is the part where the Jetmen appeared! It was only brief but still, it was epic as a guy who grew up watching them.
As for my thoughts for the opening theme, go here. Now back to the show, I was wrong with most of my first impressions of each member. At first I thought Don aka Doc is more like Ziggy from Power Rangers RPM but he is not like that. He is more of that guy who worries to much and likes to panic a lot when they know that they are in big trouble.
Another one is with Ahim, yes, she is like every princess I know but it is pretty rare to see a prim and proper princess call some random bystander a peasant! That was unexpected of her. As for Luka, as expected, the chick who loves money, jewels and anything shiny. I like Luka. As for Joe, he is the serious one in the group and if I do a bit of One Piece comparison, he is similar to Zoro. As for Marvelous, he is 60% similar to Luffy with more angst.
For the overall episode, I find it well balanced between humor, seriousness and action. Speaking of action, I find it descending in the first half of the episode. From epic all Super Sentai battle to the epic outer space battle with the advance Zangyack fleet. More about it, the space battle really screams something you can associate with pirates! Just imagine the Zangyack fleet as the navy against one small pirate galleon ship. If you understand what I mean, then you would really agree that I am actually watching a show with space pirates. Now, they question is, we will see it again in the following episodes? Plus, the minimal use of CGI with the Gokai Galleon scenes is an added plus for me. For more on the second half of the action and my thoughts with their henshin sequence, go here.
As for the seriousness in this episode, it is revealed when the Gokaigers walked around the ruined city that there is a possibility that Earth will end up like their home planet as one of their colonies, it seems that these pirates have every reason to stay on earth not just for the sake of treasure. This is when the show gets serious which caused Marvelous to shoot a couple of foot soldiers.
For the humor, as long as Luka and Don are in it, it is funny. Also, the scene while they try to eat curry coming from Snack Safari, the place where the members of the Sun Vulcan team used to hang out (Now subbed courtesy of Gao Soul Forever!), was funny especially when the place was blasted by the invading Space Empire! Their reactions are the cherry on top of this ice cream.
Also, the scene after they beat the Zanyacks in the second half was hilarious. So the reason why they fought those guys is because of not eating curry rice?! What a lame excuse to save a couple of humans!
Overall, this is a great start for an anniversary show and I kinda agree with most fans say, this is beyond what is expected for them to do. Let’s just hope that they will be consistent with the quality of the episodes and not end up with Kamen Rider Decade that left quite a mess in terms of the story (which I was able to figure out the proper sequence of events after a few months).