The long-running Japanese Super Sentai action series, which served as the source material for the equally popular Power Rangers series in the United States, is rumoured to end with the current No.1 Sentai Gozyuger show after 50 years.
A leading force in the tokusatsu sci-fi fantasy genre, following a colourful team of super characters and colourful special effects, the iconic franchise, which started with Himitsu Sentai Gorenger in 1975, is reportedly ending due to the show’s high cost of production, which exceeds the earnings brought in from merchandising, events and films.
Japanese media outlet Sankei Shimbun, quoting sources from the show’s broadcaster TV Asahi familiar with the matter, is reporting the show’s end when the current series concludes, although series owner Toei and TV Asahi have not provided official comments on the reports.
The end of Super Sentai comes on the heels of the recent conclusion of the Power Rangers TV series in the U.S, which originally used footage from the Japanese TV show spliced with Western actors in new recorded scenes.
It was reported earlier this year that streaming service Disney+ is looking to revive the Power Rangers with a new live-action series, with Percy Jackson and the Olympians showrunners Jonathan E. Steinberg and Dan Shotz serving as writers, producers, and showrunners.
Meanwhile, Super Sentai fans are speculating that the franchise itself is not ending as it is too popular, but instead, Toei wants to drop the Super Sentai name to distance itself from the Power Rangers licensing that it co-owns with Hasbro, thereby allowing Toei to market the original series outside of Japan and in Western markets.
Hsals needs more space in his house, and more money in his bank account to pay for all the toys, collectibles and other geek related items that companies are churning out. Free-time? Girlfriend? Who’s got time for those?
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