KI, KI, AURA POWER! TRAIN YOUR AURA POWER! Hikari Sentai Maskman review (Super Sentai 40th 2nd epic review)

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56K BEWARE!

Unknown Power rests inside the human body, The more that power is trained, the more it can be unleashed!!!! Life Burns by the golden aura, Humanity enshrines mysterious powers, Listen carefully to the whispers of one's heart! Ah, Ah, your body! It's a mysterious source sent down to earth, The planet where gods live!!!!!! KI, KI, AURA POWER! TRAIN YOUR AURA POWER! KI, KI, AURA POWER! SHOW THEM YOUR AURA POWER! You are so beautiful when you fight! AHHHHHHHH, HIKARI SENTAI MASKMAN!!!!!!!!!!





Time to end Toku Month with my Long awaited Light Squadron Maskman review...





The series begins with the catchy song seen above, played to the tune of Gerudo Valley... and We begin in a race in spring of 1987... Do Do Do Do Do Do, DAYTONA, DAYTONA, LET'S GO AWAY!!!! A mysterious woman tries to stop Takeru, she then has a flashback. Then we go underground to see...

Wow; Youtube has sure gone to hell ever since the TPP Was passed...

also... once we get introduced our villains they kneel down like...

Heil Grimlord, master of both worlds...

Zeba comes down, and back on the surface world, we get product placement for Namco, the woman explains what's going on. we then get introduced to the McFarlane worthy monsters of the series, Dogler's, which come in two... The fighter jets come out, and the war has begun, but not before another flashback... Mio (the woman), falls into a trap, and goes to the underground... The villains attack and...

It's official, we elected Donald Trump as President...

A helicopter, drill tank, fighter jet, and tank fight Tube. and the Maskmen roll call with their superman logo emblem... another jet appears, and it has red mask inside, Red Mask exits his plane, and the maskmen fight to 80s toku tunes, with great martial arts choreography... The villains are just too strong to fight, the finish the monster off with their cannon with backpack for red mask. The episode ends with the Maskmen learning about aura power. The next episode begins with some weird aura voodoo. The aura power is very similar to the ch'i From Dairanger, we then get a martial arts montage. We cut to the villains then back to the heroes. Mio is communicating telepathically... Mio turns into princess, and gets trapped in ice... Takeru has another flashback, and the Maskmen go fight Baraba... Okelampa makes the monster from last episode grow... Red Mask fights Igam... and He gets Turboranger Ready. The rangers get their mechs ready, and combine. The monster and mech fight for a little and as a finisher, the great five uses i's sword to make the monster bleed... I'm not kidding, The episode ends with Great five attacking the Tube castle, and failing. The episode after that, has the maskman training. we then get a woman talking to the team in english. The Maskmen mediate, but Takeru is still thinking of Mio, and tube gets their next plan ready. Mio seems to be calling, but it was all a trap by Tube. They fight and go back to base to explain their failure. But the base is attacked... The Rangers Meditate again, but only successfully. The fight the fighters in the form of a snake. The Mechs are summoned. They fight for a little more before combining. The mech does it finisher but now with aura power, they then send the sword to the castle... The team celebrates their victory, ending the episode. The Next episode's basically a Toy Commercial for the Spin Cruiser, a vehicle for Red Mask... The next significant episode happens after a sea of fillers... That episode begins with Momoko training some kids, and a mysterious woman fights her.. Momoko follows the kids to the mountain. The Maskmen come and help her and transform... The woman transforms into Dokuro Dogler. The monster and Momoko fight. Pink Mask Henshins, and a big fight scene ensues. She's to exhausted to fight and dehenshins after the cannon is used. The monster grows and the monster is too strong for Great Five. The monster is eventually defeated, but the great five goes underground fro being so beaten up... Tube celebrates their victory and momoko reunites with her friends... and the episode ends with momoko relieving for her students saved lives. The Next Episode has the commander find a dormant robot. We learn more about the great five and so to be Revealed Galaxy Robo... Igam gets ready to attack, and we get a slow moving emotional scene before going back to the action... The maskmen use their aura power, and before detransforming, revive Galaxy Robo. The Galaxy robo falls on our heroes, and hey get into the mech... we get another emotional scene, and the villains attack. The Rangers try to control the robot, but it keeps falling, The Robot seems to be controlling fine and uses it's various weapons and attacks. The monster grows, and fights the mech. It just ends badly for Galaxy Robo, ending the episode. The robot turns into a truck, and the monster separates to chase after the truck... It takes control of Great Five. Galaxy Robo goes out of control, The Maskmen think they're defeated until they learn more about Galaxy Robo... They head to galaxy robo and fight in order to save it. The Truck Transforms. The Maskman use their aura power on Galaxy Robo, at first it fails, but it works the second time. The monster attacks the mech, but that hardly startles the Maskmen. The robot is revived, and saves Great Five, and it goes for the finisher...

I'm so going to hell for this, but... Yu Mo Gui Gwai Fai Di Zao...

I hope you liked this fight, because Spoiler: It's as close as you're getting to a Great Five/Galaxy Robo Team up... #SucksDontIt...

The episode ends with a bitter sweet victory scene... and a new ending sequence... The next part of this series has a man on a horse riding into the night..., The Maskmen chase after him, and get attacked. The man turns out to be Theif Knight Kiros, and a mysterious man who's motives are unknown, this man has a crush on Princess Ial...We learn his backstory and the 2 factions fight. The villain is so powerful he destroys the Shot Bomber, damn... He's got balls. the horse turns into a monster, and helps destroy the cannon... Later Kiros demands Ial, and has a chance to kill the maskmen and gets his reward... the Maskmen arrive at his demand and fight. The Maskmen use a powerful aura based attack, it kills the monster, but it grows. Maskmen use their mech Land Galaxy, transform it to Galaxy Robo, and kill the monster. The Episode ends with the Maskmen relieving over their temporary victory, and Kiros plotting. The next episode begins with our heroes developing a weapon, as a monster is terrorizing the humans... The Maskmen are forced to stay, but Takeru comes and fights the the monster and out comes Kiros... once again, Kiros is too strong for Red Mask to fight. Takeru and Kiros end up in a feud, and learn that Ial and Mio are the same person... the two men fight some more. Kiros is pretty much killing Takeru. The other Maskmen join fight the monster, Takeru later joins the other Maskmen. Red and black mask henshin, and the fight continues powered to the second verse of the Maskman theme... Takeru Kills the monster with a powerful sword attack. the maskmen combine their mechs, and fight the now grown monster. The mech uses it's finisher. The Episode ends with Kiros getting beaten up, and Takeru moping... we now get the maskmen testing out their new weapon., but it just doesn't work out for them. Tube gets out a new monster, and the Maskmen try to save people from the plague, The new monster destroys their weapons... The Maskmen fight but are just too weak... We learn about the scientists childhood. and The Maskmen get more motivated to stop the gas. Takeru powers up the new weapon. Kiros strikes the rest of the Maskmen, and once again the Maskmen are screwed until the Jet Cannon arrives... The Maskmen fight the monster for a little while longer and use their new jet cannon...

Pyramid POWAAAA!!!!!!

The monster grows, and the rangers get out Galaxy Robo, which continues the fight, and destroys the monster... The episode ends with celebration, before we get to the finale arc, we get some pretty significant plot points, First Baraba gets a more powerful sword in the very next episode, Second Igam gets out her Guardian Dragon in the episode after that, and a few episodes later, we learn more about Zeba's story. Finally we get a a really great episode with the debut of a soon to be staple later in Sentai, the sixth ranger, I'll be explaining that to you right now...



The Episode starts with the Maskmen fighting a new monster. The destruction angers a biker and gang man named... I'unno, But he's X1 Mask, who's armed to the teeth. He turns out to be Ryo Asuka, Yes this is the Sixth Ranger episode. He's a martial arts master who was the first Maskman. We then cut to Ryo in a bar, and then a fight with him and Takeru... The two bump into each other a couple more times, and while Tube gets their next attack ready, Takeru and Ryo Fight some more, then we learn about Ryo's backstory, It;'s rather Depressing. The two bump into tube, and the others join them... The 6 fight tube together using their various attacks. Ryo Makes a sacrifice, to save his friends. The cannon is used, The monster grows, The mech is summoned, They fight. and the mech wins. Ryo says goodbye, and that ends the episode... now onto the finale arc...



The finale begins with Kiros exploring the underground for gold, Releasing a ton of bricks, We get Zeba weakened,, Akira finds the pyramid that Kiros released, They fight, and The bricks of the Pyramid are thrown at akira when the Maskmen show up. Akira Hears the KKK Chanting, Yes The Ku Klux Klan appears in this series when Kamen Rider Black aired around the same time...

I'm not even Joking, I guess 1987 was a popular year for The KKK in Toku. I wonder if Metalder had KKK Lookalikes in the series.

Akira's made blind by these MFs. Akira goes out of control, Kiros attacks, and detransforms the Maskmen, Akira then gets trapped when a train comes. he escapes, but he's badly wounded.Akira shows his blindman badassery., and learn about Lethal Dogler's whereabouts. The maskmen henshin and fight Kiros and the monster, The Monster is killed and grows. The Mech is summoned, the two giants fight, The monster is finished in like a couple Minutes. The Chants continue. and the episode ends with a cliffhanger for both sides,.. The next episode begin with Akira training for his blindness, only to hear those chants again. Tube interferes with the ritual, and summons a monster to look for the underground knight Unas. The Maskmen fight the monster and some foot soldiers. The monster takes over Akira, turns him to his original underground form, Unas.and fights the Maskmen. A girl tries to convert him, but he's still out of control, We then learn about Unas' Backstory. and the monster fights the Maskmen some more, and successfully defeat him. the monster grows and a mech fight ensues. The monster is just to strong for the mech, but it eventually wins, and the episode ends with a cry for Akira... The two factions fight, and a boy wishes for Unas to go back to the good side... Until hey learn the truth about Unas. They pray to get him to turn back good, but a Turtle monster comes in at the heat of the fight... The good guys decide to retreat, and find the underground kids chanting... The kids are sent to the river and all 6 people are crucified. as they are about to be executed by Unas, They use their meditation to save Akira...it works and reveals that Igam is a Woman. I bet this twist shocked audiences in the 1980s. Once Akira is back to normal, all 5 henshin. The beat the monster and it grows.... The mech is summoned, fights and defeats the monster, and the Maskmen say goodbye to the kids, and the Maskmen are onto a new adventure ending the episode. The next episode continues this arc with more info on Lethal Dogler, and Igam's backstory, the episode after that is a filler that shows the Maskmen's dancing ability, so the story continues to come to a close at episode 48... Baraba is being executed, but he's given one last chance by Zeba. He teams up with Kiros, and they try to release Ial. Oyobu tries to stop him, but ends up getting frozen. Baraba triggers a flash back in Takeru with Mio He heads to Baraba's location, and fights him with a monster. The other Maskmen join him, and henshin when they bump into Kiros. The Maskmen are all getting beaten up. Kiros comes in and attempts to Kill Baraba when Oyobu appears. Kiros leaves with Ial, Baraba gets mad, and a fight scene ensues when Red Mask Henshins. Red Mask Kills Baraba. The team uses their cannon, The Monster Grows, and enjoy this Mech fight while you can, because it's the last time you're seeing Great Five...The episode ends with Kiros getting away with Ial, and Takeru getting into a fit of rage... Takeru is mad he couldn't save Mio, but Kenta decides to take him underground to Stop Kiros, Kiros and Red Mask fight for a little, Then get stopped by a monster. The fight against Takeru and the monster continues, above ground as Igam Joins. Ial is taken to Kiros' Hideout and Oyobu is sent to melt Ial's ice. Kiros and tube get into a fight, and Kiros is severely wounded, The monster breaks Ial's ice, and Takeru breaks it further, Killing Kiros. Takeru takes Ial to safety, Henshins and fight scene powered to the Second verse of the Maskman theme happens. The cannon appears, and used to kill the monster while the Maskmen are desperate. The Monster grows, and Galaxy Robo is summoned. The Mech finishes off the monster and the episode ends with yet another bittersweet victory. Ial ig given back her pendant from Takeru, who got it at the beginning of the series. Zeba reveals his final evil plan to block out the light of the world. Igam appears and fights the Maskmen, but Her Igam Dragon gives up when Ial takes it's metal ball. Zeba is turning into a monster, Anagmas is sent to deal with the Maskmen, and once everyone reaches the underground, We have the metal ball put in reflective Water, And we learn more about Lethal Dogler, who's actually Zeba. Anagmas takes the metal ball, and destroys it. He attacks the heroes, and the heroes escape, when Igam Dragon creates an exit for them. The Maskmen henshin and fight Anagmas. The Rangers use their cannon, and kill Anagmas. Anagmas grows, and the mech is summoned. The 2 fight, and Anagmas is gone for good after the finisher. The epiode ends with the Castle rising to the surface. yobu is sacrificing his life to Bring the Castle to the surface. The Maskmen arrive just in time. The Castle rises, and Oyobu and Fumin lose their lives and Igam loses her helmet. The world gets covered in this evil gas, and The Maskmen get ready for the final battle against Zeba. he beats them up, and Ial tries to convince Igam to go the side of good. The Maskmen use their Aura Power, and along with the magic from 2 princesses, Light is brought back to the world. but The Battle has only begun...

Underground King

ZEBA

(AKA Lethal Dogler II)

We get a fight scene powered to the Maskman theme One Last time Before the Series ends. He just pulverizes them. He can take so much aura he a absorbs and grows. The rangers get out their mech, and he can take a lot of Galaxy Robo's attacks. But It manages to pull through and even destroys the Spirit of Lethal Dogler. I won't spoil the Ending, But once again It's Real Emotional... Also no special Ending This series, but for the next 17 years we will get just that.


That was one hell of a series, with an epic and engaging story, It's very much a Fairy Tale, and a much better one than Say Zyuranger or Gingaman, It feels like it wants to challenge it's viewership wit the theme of forbidden love. This'll probably never happen again in Sentai, Even if they darken the story for Kyuuranger, It won't seem as natural as the 80s sentai...



CHARACTERS:

Takeru/Red Mask is the hot headed leader, He may be hot headed, but he can't be selfish troublemaker forever, He got his motivation from Mio/Ial, but he stayed to defend the Surface world from Tube. Kenta/Black Mask is more laid back than Takeru, and a bit more of a ladies man, but he knows when to attack for the team. Akira/Blue Mask, is a the kid of the group, but he knows how to defend himself and has an excellent backstory. Haruka/Yellow Mask is a ninja, who has a secret girly side to her, but can pull both sides of the girl spectrum with flying colors. Momoko/Pink Mask is a calm yet womanly hero. She can also take quite the beating... Sanjuurou Sugata is the wise mentor who reminds me a lot of a more technology focused Master Kaku from Dairanger. Ryo Asuka/X1 Mask was interesting but could've used more of an arc/more episodes to him...

FAST FACT:

X1 Mask has the original Maskman design, with the carved mouthpiece, eyes and vest, also the series was originally known as Fiveman, a name that would be reused a few years later...

Princess Ial s interesting because while she's essentially a macguffin she works due to her relationship with Igam, Speaking of...

Zeba is epic villain and has a backstory hat fits with this fantasy epic. Igam is also interesting due to her twist in the finale and backstory. Baraba has a really good episode in the middle, andis super badass, Fumin and Oyobu are essentially their sidekicks. Anagmas Is Zeba's right hand man, and has the knowledge of thousands of years of the Underground dynasty. Okelampa says two things constantly through the entire series, his name, and That tires me... Kiros Is the type of Villain a really love in Sentai, Manipulative, Can pull a screw ball at both sides, and can handle the heroes on his own, Kind of like Bangrey from Zyuohger...



PRESENTATION:

This is once again a fairy tale, though if it had Dairanger's Filler to Significant episode ratio, It probably could've been more of a fantasy epic. It's also got martial arts bits, Sci-fi Elements, it's got a little something for everybody, all tied with a dark tone bow. Also this series had a lot of firsts, First Five Combining Mech, first sixth ranger (or at least a prototype), First heavy use of Martial Arts. It just has everything, but It didn't make me wow like Dairanger Did.



OVERALL:

This is arguably one of the best 80s Sentai, yes along with Liveman, It's a great watch from start to finish. If you don't like how toy/kid focused recent series have become, this is a great blast from the Past, I give this 3.75 Knockoff Superman Logos out of 4.




Well, That puts an end to Toku Month for another year, Let's see what I did over Halloween.


12:00 Midnight


Movie Theater Manager: Welcome to our first feature presentation of; King Kong vs Tarzan, a movie I made 30 Years ago...

*45 minutes in*

*King Kong's army arrives*

Tarzan: Oh No, King Kong army with Machinegun, What I do?

Joe Tokugawa: This movie sucks and I'm sweaty...

Can you please pause the movie so I can make an announcement?

Ladies and gents It is with great pleasure that... I TAKE OFF THIS GORILLA SUIT AND REVEAL MY BEAUTIFUL NAKEDNESS, HOORAY FOR ME!!!!!

Lady: Oh No It's a naked super sayian.

A. Yoshi: I Told him not to do his best Impression of The Flesh.

JT: *Jumps to the projector* FALCON PUNCH!!!!

*Projector is destroyed*

Manager: Oh Look at the time, you can go home now...

Yoshiette 1: Joe-San's such an Idiot...

Yoshiette 2: Not as much of an Idiot as me?

AY: Worst of all, I have to Bail Him Out, WITH MY OWN MONEY!!!!

Yoshiettes, Better start flipping burgers...