Choujin Sentai Jetman (Birdman Squadron Jetman) (1991-92) was the 15th installment of Super Sentai. It's a tribute to a 1970's anime series, Gatchaman. The motif seems to be one of an air force squadron, and reminds me somewhat of the American tv show Pensacola: Wings of Gold. Jetman is a dark and very violent season, which came before they toned down the violence after Dairanger. Jetman is one of the more popular (if not the most popular) Sentai's around. It even received a sequel manga series.
The Good
Jetman is one of the more complete seasons of Sentai with a strong combination of excellent villains, good cast, and solid storyline. The Vyram may be the strongest set of villains ever in Sentai. Radiguet is pure badass, although I kinda like Rio and Wolzard more. Tranza and Maria are also excellent villains. What I really liked was the rivalry between Grey and Gai, especially the mutual respect they had for each other and the last fight between them. Among the cast members the most popular is Gai, and it's easy to see why with his strong character development. However, my favorite character was Ryuu. I liked the tragic aspects of his character, with his girlfriend Rie, and how it helps him grow throughout the series. Gai and Ryuu compliment each other really well. I also like Ako and Kaori as well, finding them both to be lively characters. I also love the opening theme song, one of my favorites among 90's sentais.
The Bad
Raita's development was kinda pushed aside in the mix of the Ryuu/Maria plot and the Ryuu/Kaori/Gai love triangle. The only real big gripe I have is how unrealistic the fight scenes are. I mean seriously, how many times is Ryuu going to get shot and not come away with a scratch, or how long it takes for them to henshin sometimes when they're clearly outmatched? Also, the ending with Gai being killed was out of the air and totally unnecessary, imo.
The Ugly
There's nothing terrible about this series.
My Rating
B+/A-: I'm kinda conflicted about this series, in a good way. On one hand I like Timeranger a little better among the dark and gritty seasons, but on the other hand I think this is one of the more well made seasons. Either way, it's still a great series.
The "my favorite episodes" section will have to wait a while. I saw the last 33 episodes a few months after watching the first 18, and I don't have an episode guide to follow. I'll edit this section after I rewatch it probably during the summer.
Whoa, I think this is the first time you've reviewed a Sentai from the 90s. Awesome =D
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm not really sure what to say to start a discussion, since there's so much to talk about. xD
Haha, yeah it's the first 90's Sentai I've completed. Other than Jetman, I've watched half of Zyuranger, but thats about it. I'm planning on watching Liveman when the subs are finished.
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome! Gee, maybe I should have a review of some oldie 80s Sentai?
ReplyDeleteStill, one of the best things of Jetman is because Radiguet is not only badass, he's pure evil personified, the evilest of all Sentai villains. He makes you clench your fist and say "God, I hope this S.O.B bites it painfully!" Which is pretty awesome for a villain.
I like Jetman. It's a great show, but I think it's a tad overrated, especially in Japan, where it was a huge, huge hit (more than it deserved). I do think you nailed all the great things about it, it has one of the more unique characterization in the franchise. IMO, Liveman and Changeman have a stronger combination of well-developed heroes, great villains (and by great, I mean threatening and well-acted villains that you do not want to meet anytime), and deep stories, but Jetman was indeed strong at that as well. Yutaka Hirose playing as Tranza? Awesome, he just needed a better villain design. I thought Maskman's love story between Takeru and Miyo was a bit more dramatic and grounded than Jetman's, but it is still good. As for negatives, I'm not extremely fond of the whole triangle love thing, but I won't get into that. It seems that we can agree about the ending. Huh... I liked the idea behind it; however, the way it was written was frustrating. It's the reason that keeps Jetman from being the best sentai of the 90s. Oh, and most of their monsters were ridiculously designed. Anyway, I might say that Jetman is one of my favorite sentai shows, but I wouldn't call it the best.
ReplyDeleteYou should just go ahead and watch Liveman. It's an awesome show, and IMO, better than all sentai from the 00s and 90s (except GoGo V). It has the best group of first episodes in the entire franchise. And Volt is one of the more interesting sentai villain groups out there (They get the edge over the Vyram due to having cooler designs).
I think the only bad thing I could say about Jetman are the hideous monster designs and the way the love triangle ended. Seriously Ryu, if you weren't interested in Kaori for 50 episodes, then you aren't going to be interested in her now but I find it hard to believe that that time in the shack manage to make him finally accept Kaori's love.
ReplyDelete