Kakurangers

Ninja Sentai Kakuranger (and Ninjaman)

The Kakurangers (カクレンジャー Kakurenjā) are the protagonists of the Super Sentai series, Ninja Sentai Kakuranger.

Kakurangers

Each member is named after a legendary ninja and master of the Hidden Style Ninjutsu (Kakureryū Ninjutsu). Before entering battle, they say "Hiding from the people and slashing evil! Ninja Sentai Kakuranger, revealed!" (人に隠れて悪を斬る! 忍者戦隊カクレンジャー見参! Hito ni kakurete aku o kiru! Ninja Sentai Kakurenjā, kenzan!). Then they give a thumb's down, saying "Judgment!" (成敗 Seibai!).

Sasuke

Sasuke/Ninja Red (サスケ/ニンジャレッド Sasuke/Ninja Reddo) is 26 years old and a descendant of Sarutobi Sasuke, the team's agile second-in-command. He is a dirty-minded, reckless hothead whose faults are outweighed by being good-hearted and loyal. While looking for his Shinobi Scroll, Sasuke's time with Reika allows him to gain a resolve to protect all life on Earth from the Yokai. He has a little cousin named Kosuke. He corresponds to Sun Wukong of Saiyuki.

Sasuke is portrayed by Teruaki Ogawa (小川 輝晃 Ogawa Teruaki).

Tsuruhime

Tsuruhime/Ninja White (鶴姫/ニンジャホワイト Tsuruhime/Ninja Howaito) is 15 years old and the first female leader of a Sentai, descended from the feudal lords who eagerly answered the call to fight the Yokai. The twenty-fourth protector of the Seal Door, Tsuruhime comes off a strong girl with a displeasure of her upbringing as a rich girl. She is looking for her missing father, Hakumenrou. She once fought alongside two other girls, Yukiyo & Tsukiyo, as one of the 'Punishment Sisters'. While searching for her Shinobi Scroll, Tsuruhime underwent a test of her character to understand her position as team leader. She corresponds to Xuanzang.

Tsuruhime is portrayed by Satomi Hirose (広瀬 仁美 Hirose Satomi). As a child, Tsuruhime is portrayed by Mao Inoue (井上 真央 Inoue Mao).

Saizou

Saizou/Ninja Blue (サイゾウ/ニンジャブルー Saizō/Ninja Burū) is a descendant of Kirigakure Saizo. 22 years old, he is constantly chattering and an easily flattered man who thinks he's a lot smarter than he really is. He likes to help other people, making him popular among children. He is unlucky in most things and His way of talking is a little feminine. He corresponds to Sha Wujing.

Saizou is portrayed by Hiroshi Tsuchida (土田 大 Tsuchida Hiroshi).

Seikai

Seikai/Ninja Yellow (セイカイ/ニンジャイエロー Seikai/Ninja Ierō) is 24 years old and a descendant of Miyoshi Seikai. He likes video games. He refuses to battle at the beginning, but when he saw Rokurokubi steal children, he changes his mind. He is driven by his desire for food, sleep and women. He is indecisive, but inherits an unusual strength from his ancestor. He corresponds to Zhu Bajie.

Seikai is portrayed by Shu Kawai (河合 秀 Kawai Shū).

Jiraiya

Jiraiya/Ninja Black (ジライヤ/ニンジャブラック Jiraiya/Ninja Burakku) is a descendant of Jiraiya. 20 years old, he is a Japanese-American ninja from Los Angeles trained by his guardian Gali after his father, who was a police officer, was killed by the Youkai (but was later revealed to by Gali himself). Jiraiya stands out among the characters because he speaks English frequently (which at first caused both teasing and confusion with the other team members) He learns Japanese as the show progresses. He is a big fan of Japanese ninja movies. During his first appearance, he was helping the Youkai. In reality, he did so to steal four scrolls, previously stolen by Azukiarai, to allow him and the other three Kakurangers (besides Sasuke, who already had his) to become Juushou. He expresses combination of a cowboy/surfer persona. He is the pure fighter of the group. Although he knows Earth-based Ninja Arts, he prefers to fight with his martial art skills. While finding his Shinobi Scroll, Jiraiya was forced to battle Gali, who revealed himself as the man who killed his father and served the Youkai. After the bloody battle between them, Jiraiya learned why Gali did it, as well as hoping Jiraiya would kill him. Both the deaths of Zashiki-warashi and the two men he had known since childhood gave Jiraiya a reason to fight the Youkai. He is the only member with no "Journey to the West" corresponding character, but Yulong the horse also has no "Kakuranger" corresponding character.

Jiraiya is portrayed by Kane Kosugi (ケイン・コスギ Kein Kosugi).

Ninjaman

Ninjaman (ニンジャマン Ninjaman, 36-50, 52 & 53), despite being a bit of a high-strong klutz, is the pupil of the Sanshinshou who battles the Youkai a millennium ago. However, tricked by Daimaoh into hurting humans on the notion that they were Youkai in disguise, Ninjaman gets sent into space within a Jar of Seals that only those of the Tsuruhime line can shatter. Once returning to Earth, Ninjaman is found by Junichi and his sister Mitsuko before the three find themselves attacked by the Youkai Bakuki under orders from Daimaoh to capture Ninjaman to become the Youkai leader's retainer. Luckily, once freed by Tsuruhime, Ninjaman becomes an ally to the Kakurangers. After Daimaoh's defeat, Ninjaman departs with his masters and says goodbye to the Kakurangers. However, this time resulting from not holding back, Ninjaman is sealed again for a few decades before being freed by the Gokaigers and helping them receive the Greater power of his Kakuranger friends.

As a ninja master, Ninjaman wields a katana, the Ninja Sword (ニンジャソード Ninja Sōdo), and had a wide array of Ninja Arts at his command, including the "Art of Fire Escape", and size manipulation to aid his mentors and the Kakurangers in their fights. He can ride on a cloud called the Kintou Cloud. Whenever a Youkai calls him a "Novice" (青二才 Ao Nisai), Ninjaman gets angry enough to change into his true form, Samuraiman (サムライマン Samuraiman), by the command "Anger Explosion!!" (悪女爆烈 Ikari Bakuretsu). In this form, connecting his katana with its sheath to form the powerful Samurai Javelin (サムライジャベリン Samurai Jaberin), Samuraiman creates explosive energy spheres formed from his rage in his ultimate attack, Samurai Rage Bomber (サムライ激怒ボンバー Samurai Gekido Bonbā), or the Samurai Rage Slash (Samurai Gekido Giri) with the Samurai Javelin.

Before entering battle, he says "Ally of Justice, Ninjaman!".

Ninjaman is voiced by Kazuki Yao (矢尾 一樹 Yao Kazuki).

Friends and allies

Koshakushi

Kōshakushi (講釈師 1-24, 39) is a kimono-wearing anchorman who served as the series narrator. During episode 39, Kōshakushi and his news crew wanted to know more about the Kakurangers, getting into their personal lives. But they followed a pair of Dorodoros to Junior's mansion, learning of Nopperabo's revival ability until Daimou sensed them and sicced the Dorodoros on them. While the others escaped, Kōshakushi was caught and thrown off a bridge, though he managed to survive.

Kōshakushi is portrayed by Enjō Sanyūtei.

Sandayu

Sandayu Momochi (百地三太夫 Momochi Sandayū, 1-3, 5, 9, 23, 24, 26, 28, 30, 31) is a ninja master who instructs the Kakurangers on their abilities and is considered dangerous by the Youkai. Being a former student of Hakamenrou, Sandayu aided the Kakurangers when Gasha Dokuro set up the beginning phase of Daimaou's resurrection, warning the Kakurangers they are not ready to face him. But the Kakurangers refused to accept that and are quickly defeated before Sandayuu had Tsubasamaru bring them the Wind Illusion Castle to see the Sanshinshou, revealing their origins and that obtaining the Shinobi Scrolls are needed to stop Daimaoh. While Tsuruhime was looking for her Shinobi Scroll, she is found by Sandayuu and taken to her family's mansion. There, Sandayuu uses her quest as a test to prove her worth as the Kakurangers' leader and heir to her family legacy, providing her with karakuri replicas of her teammates. He briefly meets with Hakamenrou, whom he was working with, to rescue Tsuruhime when Hakamenrou fought her. However, Junior learned of this and impaled Sandayuu with his own katana. Sandayuu lived long enough from the wound to tell the team to form Kakure Daishogun during their final fight with Gashadokuro and give them his final words.

Sandayu Momochi is portrayed by Akira Sakamoto.

Reika

Reika (25) was a butterfly given human form by Sasuke's Shinobi Scroll to find him as he arrives to Nasukogen, tending to his wounds after he was attacked by Junior. However, wanting to experience being human, Reika ends up going on a detour to Rindo Lake Family Farm while trying to get Sasuke to lighten up. But when mortally wounded by Ittanmomen while trying to get a bunny to safety, Reika directs Sasuke to the scroll's location before dying and reverting to her true form as she dissolves.

Reika is portrayed by Reiko Chiba, who previously portrayed Mei in Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger.

Bun

Bun (ブン Bun, 26, 30, 31, 42-44 & 51-53) is a Youkai who despises the Youkai way due to being teased by other Youkai. Said to be Sandayuu's apprentice, Bun has been helping Hakamenrou in secret, rescuing Sasuke and company when they are blasted into the raging river. In the end of series, he remains with Hakamenrou after he is finally freed of Daimaou's control.

Tarou and Jirou

Tarou & Jirou (太郎と次郎 Tarō to Jirō, 26, 30, 31, 42-44 & 52) are the twin sons of vassals to Tsuruhime's family, becoming her adopted brothers when their parents, who were once vassals of the Tsuruhime house, had died. When Tsuruhime's father Yoshiteru learned of Daimaoh, the brothers accompanied him into the Yokai World to kill the demon before he could be fully revived. However, Taro and Jiro were captured and turned into German Shepherds after Yoshiteru agreed to serve Daimaou in return for their lives spared. However, though the brothers can temporary regain human form, they can only do it once with a second time killing them. As a result, after escaping back to their world with Bun, Tarou and Jirou looked after Tsuruhime in their master's place before revealing their true nature to Sasuke in order to give him Hakamenro's findings on Daradara while asking him to tell Tsuruhime that they will protect her from the shadows. The two eventually return and sacrifice themselves to free Hakamenrou from the Youkai.

Tarou is portrayed by Daisuke Tsuchiya and Jirou is portrayed by Keisuke Tsuchiya, the latter previously portraying Kazu of Gosei Sentai Dairanger.

Gali

Gali (Gari, 28 & 29) was a Japanese American karate teacher who is an old friend of Jiraiya's father, but also an indentured servant of Nue who is infused with Yokai energy and armed with a claw weapon. Gali's servitude started in 1986 when his daughter is mortally wounded after a car crash, accepting Nue's offer to save his child in return to murder Jiraiya's father. Though he committed the deed, Gali realized the consequences of orphaning Jiraiya. As penance, black mailed into continuing Nue's dirty work, Gali becomes Jiraiya's guardian and taught him martial arts with the hope that his student might kill him. Gali's intent was achieved when Nue sends him after Jiraiya when he was looking for his Shinobi Scroll, revealing truth of his father's murder to have Jiraiya fight him without restraint. Though Jiraiya could not kill him at the last minute, a mortally wounded Gali reveals the truth behind the murder and, in his final words, asks his student to defeat those who use others from the shadows. Soon after, Gali later buried by Jiraiya out of respect.

Gali is portrayed by Sho Kosugi.

Hakumenrou

Tactician Hakumenrou (白面郎 Hakumenrō, White Masked Man) is an armored samurai who is revealed to be Tsuruhime's father Yoshiteru. Ten years prior, Yoshiteru researched the Youkai and learned of Daimaoh's existence. Fearing the danger that would occur if Daimaoh is revived, Yoshiteru is forced to leave his young daughter behind as he attempted to destroy Daimaoh before he could return. However, with Taro and Jiro captured, Yoshiteru was forced to aid Daimaoh as his tactician Hakumenrou. However, Hakumenrou uses his servitude as a ruse to uncover Daimaoh's weakness. Upon arriving to oversee the final steps of Daimaoh's arrival, with the Youkai's son Gashadokuro distrustful of him, Hakumenrou is forced to fight his own daughter to keep face while arranging for her safety by his former student, Sandayu, with orders to make the Kakurangers believe that he is beyond redemption. However, due to Daradara's creation as he attempts to find out the clone's weakness, Hakumenrou learns that Daimaoh knew of his true intentions yet allowed his presence until he served his purpose. Before being capture by Daimaoh, he left a clue for Sasuke that showed him how to defeat Daradara, as well as a map Daimaoh's hideout. Though turned into stone by a furious Daimaoh over his role in the Youkai's defeat, Daimaoh gave Hakumenrou to Yamauba as her trump card against the Kakurangers. However, after Tarou and Jirou sacrificed themselves to save him, Yoshiteru is reunited with his daughter. Hakumenrou is portrayed by Takayuki Godai, which previously portrayed Takayuki Hiba/VulEagle II from Taiyo Sentai Sun Vulcan

Yamazaki Sisters

Yukiyo and Tsukiyo Yamazaki (35) are a pair of sisters who are Tsuruhime's childhood friends and are of a ninja family. As a result, treating Tsuruhime as family, the three of them formed a Sukeban Deka-like group called the Punishment Sailor Sisters who put bullies in their place. When their little sister Hanayo told them of strange events going on at her school, Yukiyo and Tsukiyo are reunited with Tsuruhime as they reformed the Punishment Sailor Sisters to go after Kamaitachi. Soon after, the Yamazaki Sisters thank Tsuruhime for helping them while asking her to call if she ever gets in trouble.

The Punishment Sailor Sisters is a parody of Tokusatsu Show "Yūgenjikkō Shisutāzu Shushutorian" 有言実行三姉妹シュシュトリアン, Three Sisters of Action, the last entry in the Toei Fushigi Comedy Series with references to Sailor Moon and Crayon Shin-Chan.

Arsenal

Giant Juushou

The Kakurangers can transform into the five Giant Juushou (巨大獣将 Kyodai Jūshō, Giant Beast Generals) by the command "Hidden Style: Giant Juushou Jutsu!" (隠流巨大獣将の術 Kakureryū Kyodai Jūshō no Jutsu). The Juushou's group attacks include the Vacuum Hurricane (真空ハリケーン Shinkū Harikēn) and Hidden Style: Secret, Big Bang (隠流奥義ビッグバン Kakureryū Ōgi Biggu Ban).

Juushou Fighters

Juushou Fighters (獣将ファイター Jūshō Faitā, Beast General Fighters) are lightly armored battle versions of the Juushou, summoned from each Kakuranger's Doron Changer medal when the "Hidden Style: Juushou Fighter Jutsu!" (Kakureryū Jūshō Faitā no Jutsu) is performed. While able to act on their own, the Kakurangers can fuse into their respective Juushou Fighter to increase their power by performing the "Art of Unification". Team attacks include the Fighter Crash (ファイタークラッシュ Faitā Kurasshu) and the Super Kakure Shoot (スーパーカクレシュート Sūpā Kakure Shūto).

Chounin Beasts

After finding the Shinobi Scrolls, which hold many of the Kakurangers' techniques and powers, the Kakurangers were able to call forth and pilot the mighty Chounin Beasts (超忍獣 Chōninjū, Super Stealth Beasts). These mighty creatures are called forth the Shinobi Scrolls with the command "Hidden Style: Chounin Beast Jutsu!" (隠流超忍獣の術 Kakureryū Chōninjū no Jutsu). Although very powerful as separate fighting units, the Beasts can combine to become the last of the God Generals.

Sanshinshou

The Sanshinshou (三神将 Sanshinshō, Three God Generals), despite the Kakurangers' earlier notions, are sentient mecha who were originally three divine sages that developed a shinobi spell that defeated Daimaoh and the Youkai two millennia ago. Having transcended their humanity, the Sanshinshou aided the Kakurangers' ancestors in their fight with the Youkai. Though the Kakurangers' ninpo allowed them to revive Muteki Shogun by combining their Juusho forms, they obtain the Shinobi Scrolls needed to freely summon him, Tsubasamaru, and Kakure Daishogun. The Sanshinshou represents the Shin-Gi-Tai (心技体 Heart, Technique, and Body) essence of Kakure Style ninpo, and love, hope, and courage which are the opposite of Daimaou who represents hatred.

Muteki Shogun

Ninja Combination Muteki Shogun (忍者合体無敵将軍 Ninja Gattai Muteki Shōgun, Invincible General) is the first of the Sanshinsho to be awakened, representing the "body" of Kakure Style ninpo and hibernating as the Wind Illusion Castle (風雲幻城 Fūun Maboroshijō) before the Kakurangers' ancestors give the Kakurangers their Doron Changers and give them the means to revive Muteki Shogun by combining their Giant Juushou forms. The castle also contains a stone altar of the Sanshinsho that the three beings can speak through. Muteki Shogun is armed with the mighty Flaming Shogun Sword (火炎将軍剣 Kaen Shōgun Ken), which can defeat nearly any Youkai with its flaming blade and has a hilt which resembles a shachihoko. The sword can be shrunk to human size for the Kakurangers to use in desperate situations. The "Shinobi" kanji medal on his chest can deflect certain youkai attacks. Some of Muteki Shogun's attacks are the Shogun Flower Spray (将軍花吹雪 Shōgun Hanafubuki) and the Flaming Shogun Wave (Kaen Shogunha). Whenever Muteki Shogun defeats a Youkai, he gives a salute and a nod while saying, "Rest in peace."

Tsubasamaru

Seinin Beast Tsubasamaru (聖忍獣ツバサマル Seininjū Tsubasamaru, Sacred Ninja Beast Tsubasamaru) is giant mythical white falcon with a 85.6 metres (281 ft) wingspan that represents the "heart" of Kakure Style ninpo and can combine with either Muteki Shogun or Kakure Daishogun to increase their power. Tsubasamaru first appeared to help the Kakuangers against Umibozu on his own whim before they obtain the Shinobi Scrolls needed to freely summon him. In episode 31, he spoke to Sasuke and gave him the thunder sword, Hikarimaru.

Kakure Daishogun

Five-God Combination Kakure Daishogun (五神合体隠大将軍 Goshin Gattai Kakure Daishōgun, Hidden Grand General), is the last of the Sanshinsho to be revealed, representing the "technique" of Kakure Style ninpo and composed of the five Chounin Beasts. His fists are weapons, performing the God Hammer Punch (ゴッドハンマーパンチ Goddo Hanmā Panchi) with the right arm and using the left arm for the God Burst Chop (ゴッドバーストチョップ Goddo Bāsuto Choppu). The Iron Fist God Finish (鉄拳ゴッドフィニッシュ Tekken Goddo Finisshu) is performed when the two attacks are used together.

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