Himitsu Sentai Gorenger

Himitsu Sentai Gorenger
Genre Tokusatsu
Created by Shotaro Ishinomori
Written by Shōzō Uehara
Susumu Takahisa
Hikaru Arai
Hirohisa Soda
Kimio Hirayama
Keisuke Fujikawa
Directed by Kōichi Takemoto
Minoru Yamada
Katsuhito Taguchi
Hidetoshi Kitamura
Michio Konishi
Starring Naoya Makoto
Hiroshi Miyauchi
Baku Hatakeyama
Lisa Komaki
Yukio Itō
Jirō Daruma
Narrated by Nobuo Tanaka
Tōru Ōhira
Opening theme "Proceed! Gorenger" by Isao Sasaki and Mitsuko Horie
Ending theme "Himitsu Sentai Gorenger" by Isao Sasaki
"Look!! Gorenger" by Isao Sasaki, Koorogi '73 & Wilbees
Composer(s) Michiaki Watanabe
Country of origin Japan
No. of episodes 84
Production
Producer(s) Takafumi Hagino
Tōru Hirayama
Michihisa Yanagisawa
Susumu Yoshikawa
Running time 30 minutes
Broadcast
Original channel TV Asahi
Original run April 5, 1975 – March 26, 1977
Chronology
Followed by J.A.K.Q. Dengekitai

Himitsu Sentai Gorenger (秘密戦隊ゴレンジャー Himitsu Sentai Gorenjā[Note 1]?) is a Japanese tokusatsu superhero television series. Gorenger, created by Shotaro Ishinomori, was the first in the long-running Super Sentai series of tokusatsu programming. Airing on NET (now TV Asahi) from April 5, 1975 to March 26, 1977, the series had a total of 84 episodes. The title Toei gives this series for international distribution is Five Rangers[1]

Contents

As a Super Sentai

The name "Super Sentai" was introduced in the 1979 series Battle Fever J. Originally, Gorenger and its successor JAKQ were not included as Super Sentai series. In episode 1 of the 1989 series Turboranger, when it honored the past ten Super Sentai series, Battle Fever J was listed as the first Sentai. It was not until the 1995 series Ohranger that Gorenger and JAKQ were included as the original first two series.

Storyline

When world peace is threatened by the emergence of an international secret society of evil called the Black Cross Army, the United Nations sets up the Earth Guard League EAGLE to combat the threat. This special army is distributed to various parts of the world (designated as "Blocks"). One of the largest "Blocks" is Japan.

The Black Cross Army, fearful of this united threat against them, decides to launch a surprise attack against the Japan EAGLE Block and sends five of its most dangerous cyborg operatives to attack Japan's various EAGLE branches.

Across Japan the Black Cross Army decimates its targets, killing all those who oppose them. Yet from the ashes of these destroyed bases, five young recruits miraculously survive and vow vengeance. Given a special interlocking "key", the various survivors are summoned to snackshop "Gon", secret gateway to EAGLE Japan's main command center by Japan's EAGLE Commander Edogawa Gonpachi. There they are given special formfitting electronic battlesuits, which empower its wearer with superhuman strength and speed. Edogawa tells them that they are the Himitsu Sentai Gorenger, the world's best chance against the forces of the Black Cross Army. Armed with these battlesuits and other special weapons created by EAGLE scientists, they exact their revenge upon the Black Cross Army operatives who killed their comrades and dedicate themselves to crushing the remaining forces of the Black Cross Army and its sinister leader, Black Cross Führer.

Characters

EAGLE

Earth Guard League EAGLE (国際的平和組織イーグル Kokusaiteki Heiwa Sōshiki Īguru?) is an international peacekeeping organization, devoted to protecting the world from the secret terrorist society calling itself Kuro Jujigun (Black Cross Army). EAGLE was organized by the United Nations and was assigned to protect various parts of the world designated as "Blocks" (there are ten world "blocks"). Japan's EAGLE scientists developed the unique technology incorporated by the Secret Squadron Gorenger. They developed the suits as a means of countering Kuro Jujigun's super cyborg technology.

Gorengers

The Gorengers transform into their costumes by spinning in place (with their costumed form appearing via a stationary camera cut), without using a transformation device as featured in later Super Sentai series. They have removable rockets ("Birdies") on the side of their belts (for flying), and can pull out their visor, which turns into their respective weapon. Their helmets are perforated to enable the wearer to see and breathe. Prior to battle, the team battlecry is "Five people assembled, Gorenger!" (5人揃って、ゴレンジャー! Gonin sorotte, Gorenjā!?). According to the series finale, Daita and Taro discovers who the first kana in the full name of each member (with the exception of Daigoro) spell out "Cassiopeia" (か・し・お・ペ・あ(カシオペア) Ka-Shi-O-Pe-A (Kashiopea)?), whose cosmic rays are detrimental to Black Cross Führer.

Others

Mecha

Finishing Attacks

The Black Cross Army

The Black Cross Army (黒十字軍 Kuro Jūjigun?) are the primary villains of the series. An international terrorist society led by the supernatural entity known as the Black Cross Führer, their goals are the total eradication of the human race and the absolute domination of the world. They utilize advanced technology and magic to create an army of superhuman operatives to attack EAGLE and Gorenger. Most of the Black Cross operatives are "remodeled" humans who have been enhanced through surgery. They had various secret bases across the globe, the main headquarters being the flying Black Cross Castle (黒十字城 Kuro Jūjijō?) which orbited high above the Earth.

Episodes

  1. The Crimson Sun! The Invincible Gorengers (真っ赤な太陽! 無敵のゴレンジャー Makka na Taiyō! Muteki no Gorenjā?)
  2. The Blue Earth! The Deforestation Plan of Death (青い地球! 死の砂漠化計画 Aoi Chikyū! Shi no Sabakuka Keikaku?)
  3. Big Counterattack! A Yellow Whirlwind (大逆襲! 黄色いつむじ風 Dai Gyakushū! Kiiroi Tsumujikaze?)
  4. A Crimson Kick! Smash the Micro Big Plan (紅のキック! 砕けミクロ大作戦 Kurenai no Kikku! Kudake Mikuro Dai Sakusen?)
  5. Green Anger, Immortal Gas-Person (みどり色の怒り 不死身ガス人間 Midori-iro no Ikari Fujimi Gasu Ningen?)
  6. Red Riddle! Chase the Spy Route to the Sea (赤い謎! スパイルートを海に追え Akai Nazo! Supai Rūto o Umi ni Oe?)
  7. Pink Moonlight! Wolf Corps (ピンクの月光! オオカミ部隊 Pinku no Gekkō! Ookami Butai?)
  8. Black Fear! The Murderous Poison Fang (黒い恐怖! 殺しの毒牙 Kuroi Kyōfu! Koroshi no Dokuga?)
  9. Blue Shadow, Variblune Secret Strategy (青い影法師 バリブルーン秘密戦略 Aoi Kagebōshi Bariburūn Himitsu Senryaku?)
  10. The Red Balloon! Wind Speed at 100 Meters (赤い風船! 風速100メートル Akai Fūsen! Fūsoku Hyaku Mētoru?)
  11. Green Shudder! The Escape From Ear Hell (みどり色の戦慄! 耳地獄からの脱出 Midori-iro no Senritsu! Mimi Jigoku Kara no Dasshutsu?)
  12. Super Energy of Silver! Burning Hell (銀色の超エネルギー! 焦熱地獄 Gin'iro no Chō Enerugī! Shōnetsu Jigoku?)
  13. The Pink Secret! Defeat the Human Bomb (ピンクの秘密! 人間爆弾を倒せ Pinku no Himitsu! Ningen Bakudan o Taose?)
  14. The Red Coffin! The Mysterious Skull Mansion (赤い棺桶! ドクロ屋敷の怪 Akai Kan'oke! Dokuro Yashiki no Kai?)
  15. The Big Blue Fortress! Big Raging Variblune (青い大要塞! 大暴れバリブルーン Aoi Dai Yōsai! Dai Abareru Bariburūn?)
  16. White Weirdness! The Eye in the Mirror (白い怪奇! 鏡の中の目 Shiroi Kaiki! Kagami no Naka no Me?)
  17. The Purple Theme Park! A Demonic Cemetery (むらさき色の遊園地! 悪魔の墓場 Murasaki-iro no Yūenchi! Akuma no Hakaba?)
  18. Horrible Black Crusaders! Attack According to the (Secret) Plan (戦慄の黒十字軍!㊙作戦で攻撃せよ Senritsu no Kuro Jūjigun! (Hiso) Sakusen de Kōgeki Seyo?)
  19. A Blue Spark! The Spy Front That Floats in the Sea (青い火花! 海に浮かぶスパイ戦線 Aoi Hibana! Umi ni Ukabu Supai Sensen?)
  20. Crimson Fight to the Death! Sunring Mask vs. Red Ranger (真っ赤な死闘! 日輪仮面対アカレンジャー Makka na Shitō! Nichirin Kamen Tai Akarenjā?)
  21. Blue Miracle! The Mysterious Airship That Came From Antiquity (青い驚異! 古代から来た怪飛行船 Aoi Kyōi! Kodai Kara Kita Kai Hikōsen?)
  22. Yellow Air Raid! Nightmares of Atlantis (黄色い空襲! アトランティスの悪夢 Kiiroi Kūshū! Atorantisu no Akuma?)
  23. Green Dogfight! The End of the Mysterious Airship (みどりの空中戦! 怪飛行船の最期 Midori no Kūshūsen! Kai Hikōsen no Saigo?)
  24. Blue Anger! Strong Greenmerang, Big Counterattack (青い怒り! 強烈ミドメラン大逆襲 Aoi Ikari! Kyōretsu Midomeran Dai Gyakushū?)
  25. Crimson Fuse! The Eighth Torpedo Attack (真赤な導火線! 八ツ目の魚雷攻撃 Makka na Dōkasen! Yattsume no Gyorai Kōgeki?)
  26. Seven Vein Changes! The Dreadful Poison Expert (青すじ七変化! 恐怖の毒薬博士 Aosuji Shichi Henka! Kyōfu no Dokuyaku Hakase?)
  27. Yellow Object Q! FiveRanger Base S.O.S. (黄色い物体Q! ゴレンジャー基地SOS Kiiroi Buttai Kyū! Gorenjā Kichi Esu Ō Esu?)
  28. Big Red Eruption! Infiltrate the Underground Base (赤い大噴火! 地底基地に潜入せよ Akai Dai Funka! Chitei Kichi ni Sennyū Seyo?)
  29. Red Pursuit! The Mysterious Seal Train (赤い追撃! なぞの封印列車 Akai Tsuigeki! Nazo no Fūin Ressha?)
  30. Golden Columns of Fire! Consecutive Mines, Big Explosions (金色の火柱! 機雷連続大爆発 Kin'iro no Hibashira! Kirai Renzoku Dai Bakuhatsu?)
  31. The Black Challenge! Enrage, Five Stars of Justice (黒い挑戦状! 怒れ五つの正義の星 Kuroi Chōsenjō! Ikare Itsutsu no Seigi no Hoshi?)
  32. Hot Blue Wind! No Response from Variblune (青い熱風! バリブルーン応答なし Aoi Neppū! Bariburūn Ōtō-nashi?)
  33. The Red Target! A Fake FiveRanger Appears (赤い標的! にせものゴレンジャー出現 Akai Hyōteki! Nisemono Gorenjā Shutsugen?)
  34. The Yellow Spy Battle! You Saw the Power of YTC (黄色いスパイ戦! 見たかYTCの威力 Kiiroi Supai Ikusa! Mita ka Wai Tī Shī no Iryoku?)
  35. Big Strange Black Bird! Gondola - War Bomber Fleet (黒い大怪鳥! コンドラー戦斗爆撃隊 Kuroi Dai Kai Tori! Kondorā Sentō Bakugeki Tai?)
  36. The Fierce Crimson Charge! The Mobile Fortress Invincible Battleship (真赤な猛進撃! 動く要塞無敵戦艦 Makka na Mō Shingeki! Ugoku Yōsai Muteki Senkan?)
  37. A Pure White Flash! The Black Cross Führer's True Form (真白い閃光! 黒十字総統の正体 Masshiroi Senkō! Kuro Jūji Sōtō no Shōtai?)
  38. The Blue Cliff! The Search for Demonic Pirate Treasure (青い断崖! 悪魔の海賊宝さがし Aoi Dangai! Akuma no Kaizoku Takara Sagashi?)
  39. Crimson Sea of Japan! The Mysterious Meteorite's ESP (真赤な日本海! 怪隕石の超能力 Makka na Nihonkai! Kai Inseki no Chōnōryoku?)
  40. The Crimson Vengeance Demon! The Pink Ranger From Hell (紅の復讐鬼! 地獄のモモレンジャー Kurenai no Fukushū Oni! Jigoku no Momorenjā?)
  41. Big Black Counterattack! The Battle of Tottori Dune (黒い大逆転! 鳥取砂丘の攻防戦 Kuroi Dai Gyakushū! Tottori Sakkyū no Kōbōsen?)
  42. The Black Ironman Dies! Farewell, Variblune (黒の鉄人死す! さらばバリブルーン Kuroi Tetsujin Shisu! Saraba Bariburūn?)
  43. The Crimson Phoenix! Enter, the Invincible Varidorin (真赤な不死鳥! 無敵バリドリーン登場 Makka na Fushichō! Muteki Baridorīn Tōjō?)
  44. Blue Multi-Purpose Tank! Varitank Launches (青い万能戦車! バリタンク発進 Aoi Bannō Sensha! Baritanku Hasshin?)
  45. Dark Sword Shark! Attack of Marine Hitmen (暗黒の剣鮫! 海の殺し屋襲来 Ankoku no Ken Same! Umi no Koroshiya Shūrai?)
  46. Black Super Express! Locomotive Mask's Big Rampage (黒い超特急! 機関車仮面大暴走 Kuroi Chōtokkyū! Kikansha Kamen Dai Bōsō?)
  47. Big Red Counterattack! Angry FiveRanger (赤い大逆襲! 怒りのゴレンジャー Akai Dai Gyakushū! Ikari no Gorenjā?)
  48. The Black Supply Depot! Close Call at the Theme Park (黒い補給基地! 遊園地危機一髪 Kuroi Hokkyū Kichi! Yūenchi Kikiippatsu?)
  49. The Big Green Escape! The Swastika's Trick Play (みどりの大脱走! 卍のトリックプレイ Midori no Dai Dassō! Manji no Torikku Purei?)
  50. The Blue-Winged Secret! Dangerous Varidorin (青い翼の秘密! 危うしバリドリーン Aoi Tsubasa no Himitsu! Ayaui Shi Baridorīn?)
  51. The Making of Blue Counterfeit Money! The Sunset Gunman (青いニセ札づくり! 夕陽のガンマン Aoi Nisesatsu-dzukuri! Sekiyō no Ganman?)
  52. The Pink Telephone Demon! The Murderous Dial (ピンクの電話鬼! 殺しのダイヤル Pinku no Denwa Oni! Koroshi no Daiyaru?)
  53. The Red Home Run King! The Deadly Number 1 (赤いホームラン王! 必殺の背番号1 Akai Hōmu Ran Ō! Hissatsu no Sebangō Ichi?)
  54. Crimson Challenge! Fire Mountain's Last Big Eruption (真赤な挑戦! 火の山最期の大噴火 Makka na Chōsen! Hi no Yama Saigo no Dai Funka?)
  55. The Colored Daishogun! Tutankamen's Curse (色の大将軍! ツタンカーメンの呪い Iro no Daishōgun! Tsutankāmen no Noroi?)
  56. Blue Summer Vacation! A Demon's Killing Beach (青い夏休み! 魔の殺人海岸 Aoi Natsuyasumi! Ma no Satsujin Kaigan?)
  57. The Black Encircling Net! Five-Faced Peggy (黒い包囲網! 五つの顔のペギー Kuroi Hōi Ami! Itsutsu no Kao no Pegī?)
  58. Crimson Ambition! His Excellency the Führer's Gold Castle (真赤な野望! 総統閣下の黄金城 Makka na Yabō! Sōtō Kakka no Ōgon Shiro?)
  59. The Crimson South! The Mysterious Big Gold Plan (真赤な南国! 謎のゴールド大作戦 Makka na Nankoku! Nazo no Gōrudo Dai Sakusen?)
  60. Blue Inland Sea! The Floating Secret Fortress Island (青い瀬戸内海! 浮かぶ秘密要塞島 Aoi Setonaikai! Ukabu Himitsu Yōsai Shima?)
  61. The Pink KO Punch! End Ball Game (桃色のKOパンチ! エンドボール勝負 Momoiro no Kei Ō Panchi! Endo Bōru Shōbu?)
  62. The White Mystery! The Trap of the Grim Reaper's Mansion (白い怪奇! 死神館の罠 Shiroi Kaiki! Shinigami Kan no Wana?)
  63. A Flash of Black Lightning! The Protruding Cannon (黒い電光石火! 飛び出す大砲 Kuroi Denkōsekka! Tobidasu Taihō?)
  64. Blue UFO!! The Space Army's Big Invasion (青いUFO!! 宇宙軍団大襲来 Aoi Yūfō!! Uchū Gundan Dai Shūrai?)
  65. The Crimson Suicide Squad!! The Crowded Fight at Black Cross Castle (真赤な決死隊!! 殴りこみ黒十字城 Makka na Kesshitai!! Naguri Komi Kuro Jūji Shiro?)
  66. The Red Hostage Exchange!! Battlers' Big Charge (赤い人質交換!! バットラー大襲撃 Akai Hitojichi Kōkan!! Battorā Dai Shūgeki?)
  67. Crimson Special Attack!! Yellow Ranger Dies at Sunset (真赤な特攻!! キレンジャー夕陽に死す Makka na Tokkō!! Kirenjā Sekiyō ni Shisu?)
  68. The Pink Rebellion!! The Big Attack of Needle-Needle-Needle (ピンクの反乱!! 針・針・針の大攻撃 Pinku no Hanran!! Hari-hari-hari no Dai Kōgeki?)
  69. The New Multicolored Vehicle!! Varikyūn Launches (五色新兵器!! バリキキューン発進 Goshiki Shinpei Utuswa!! Barikkyūn Hasshin?)
  70. Blue Counterattack!! Stop the Space Express (青い逆襲!! 宇宙特急をストップせよ Aoi Gyakushū!! Uchū Tokkyū o Sutoppu Seyo?)
  71. Big Crimson Decisive Battle!! The Earth Migration Plan (真赤な大決戦!! 地球移動計画 Makka na Dai Kessen!! Chikyū Itō Keikaku?)
  72. Blue Secrecy!! Baridreen Left to be Dismantled (青い機密!! 解体されたバリドリーン Aoi Kimitsu!! Kaitai Sareta Baridorīn?)
  73. Black Whirlwind!! It's a Contest! A Straight Line (黒いつむじ風!! 勝負だ! 一直線 Kuroi Tsumujikaze!! Shōbu da! Itchokusen?)
  74. Freezing Blue Wave!! The Plan to Freeze Earth (青い大寒波!! 地球氷づけ作戦 Aoi Daikan Nami!! Chikyū Kōridzuke Sakusen?)
  75. Fiery Crimson Hell!! Stove Mask's Conspiracy (真赤な火炎地獄!! ストーブ仮面の陰謀 Makka na Kaen Jigoku!! Sutōbu Kamen no Inbō?)
  76. Crimson Infiltration!! Did You See Tsuyoshi Kaijou? (真赤な潜入!! 君は海城剛を見たか? Makka na Sannyū!! Kimi wa Kaijō Tsuyoshi o Mita ka??)
  77. Black Fear!! The Bloodsucking Snake-Woman (黒い恐怖!! 吸血ヘビ女 Kuroi Kyōfu!! Kyūketsu Hebi Onna?)
  78. Black Jamming!! A Primeval Roar (黒い妨害電波!! 原始の雄叫び Kuroi Hōgaidenpa!! Genshi no Osakebi?)
  79. Crimson Pursuit!! The Formless Assassin's True Form (真赤な追跡!! 姿なき暗殺者の正体 Makka na Tsuiseki!! Sugata-naki Ansatsusha no Shōtai?)
  80. Crimson Crossing in Enemy Territory! Escape to Hope (真赤な敵中横断! 希望への脱出 Makka na Tekichō Ōdan! Kibō e no Dasshutsu?)
  81. Black Doubt!! The Murder Spy's Trap (黒い疑惑!! 殺人スパイの罠 Kuroi Giwaku!! Satsujin Supai no Wana?)
  82. Black Magician!! Mystery of the Dollhouse?! (黒い魔術師!! 人形館の怪?! Kuroi Majutsushi!! Ningyōkan no Kai?!?)
  83. Orange First Love!! The Roaring Megalopolis (オレンジ色の初恋!! 吼える大都会 Orenji-iro no Hatsukoi!! Hoeru Daitokai?)
  84. Great Crimson Victory!! Shine Forever, Five Stars (真赤な大勝利!! 永久に輝け五つ星 Makka na Daishōri!! Towa ni Kagayake Itsutsu Boshi?)

Movies

Manga

Ishinomori released a manga along with the series on Weekly Shōnen Sunday.[2]

Cast

Main cast

Stunt Actors

Songs

Opening Theme

Ending Themes

In other countries

In the Philippines, Gorenger was released as Star Rangers between 1978 and 1979 on Saturday afternoon on RPN-9. In this version, aside from their color designations, the Gorengers also had numeric designations, in order of their introduction to the enemy prior to battle: Akarenger = Star 1, Aorenger = Star 2, Kirenger = Star 3, Momorenger = Star 4, and Midorenger = Star 5. The series was also broadcasted in Thailand on Channel 7.

Notes

  1. ^ Himitsu (秘密?) literally translates as "Secret".

References

External links

New television show Super Sentai
1975 – 1977
Succeeded by
J.A.K.Q.