Jreece23
10-07-2008, 01:47 PM
This is a notion that has just previously hit me. I didn't readily recognize it before but there is usually a connection between the concept of "the spirit" and super sentai. It is sometimes presented in such an abstract manner that you have to dig a little deeper than usual to find it. Other times however, it's so literal that you'd have to be blind to miss it. It also seems that at times it's a big part of the series, and other times, it's not so big. So, in order to further explain myself, I'll try to present some of the ones of this decade so far. Keep in mind though, that not every series has this connection, or plot device. (Typically the more "mechanized" seasons.) And I'm not simply referring to the "oh he/she has a great "spirit" thing. If that were the case, this would hold true for every season. I'm not speaking in such simple terms. Anyway, let me begin.(Note, I'm merely trying to present the idea, so this won't be complex at all. lol.)
Timeranger: Timeranger didn't appear to have any indicators of this. Either that or I'm not looking hard enough.
Gaoranger: Well, first off, the Gaorangers were chosen by their perspective Power Animals, who themselves, had a spiritual connection to the earth. As a matter of fact, if I recall, they were the physical manifestations of the planet's life force. GaoKing is generally referred to as the spirit king,(thought this is probably not a really big indication of the concept) Let's not forget about GaoGod, whose spirit was inside of Futaro. Well, he was Futaro. Even after being killed many, many years ago, it was his spirit that remained and guided the Gaorangers. Now, back to the individual Power Animals. Each animal retained a spiritual link with a perspective member, which would explain why only that member could communicate with the animal(s). It was found that the orge's don't have souls, effectively making them demons. It is also worth nothing that this series in particular introduced "Super Sentai Tamashii". (I could be mistaken though.)
Hurricanger: The Hurricangers represent the concept, or "mythology", of the mystical ninja. In most forms of media where the mystical ninja is represented, they borrow from the essence of the earth, utilizing it's features as weapons against their enemies. This is generally controlled and regulated by the ninja's ki. (and we all know what that is) In addition, it is used to perform certain "spells", or magic. Also, in the movie, Princess Laiina came to earth, and un-willingly became a candidate for jakanja's "soul-eating" ceremony.
Abaranger: I didn't watch much Abaranger, partly because I thought it wasn't so great, but that's beside the point. However, I did watch enough to know that "dino-guts" were in part, used the evoke the spirits/power of their perspective dinosaur. Though it is not explicitly stated, this is more or less what it is. In a sense, kinda the same premise behind the Gaorangers and the power animals. Each member retains a bond with their perspective dinosaur. Now as far as dino guts go, it almost seems to be a synonym for ki, chi, soul, spirit, or however you wanna see it. That's just what I take from it anyway. Also, from what I understand, there was a "Evolien" god who is referred to as an entitiy.
Dekaranger: I got nothing. Lol
Magiranger: "Doing things earnestly" Lol. Well, I guess it can be debated weather or not you consider courage in this series to be synonymous with the "power of the spirit". So for that reason, I won't even touch on that. But, the first thing that jumps out at me here is magitopia. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that this is heaven. This also just happens to be where the "heavenly saints" (key in on that) reside. This is also a place where humans don't normally stay. I think Uraha is the first. It should also be noted that Magimother used her spirit to stay in contact with her children before she was inevitably found.
Boukenger: Well, Akashi is always babbling about "endless bouken spirits" and stuff. Eiji jumps out at me here. First of all, he eradicates the souls of the ashu, and I think that the interactions that he has with his mother are through her spirit. I suppose it should also be noted that during his confinement in stone, his soul was trapped in some sort of limbo. And lets not forget Akared, who is pretty much a combination of the spirits of all red warriors.
Gekiranger: Geki borrows heavily from the notion of Ki. In fact, this is what gives birth to an individual's beast power. Jan can effectively use this to sense others. In fact, Rio used it to sense Jan's Beast fist. Also, while Rio searched for the three kenma, each of their souls called out, and communicated to him, despite their individual bodies being sealed. Dan, Jan's father, had his Geki soul manipulated by Ron until he broke free of his control and went on to the next life. Brusa E became Jyuken's God and his spirit entered SaiDain. His spirit also guided Ken during his training. He gave way to Beast Power Blooming, a blessing bestowed onto Jyuken users. The gekiranger's animals were basically manifestations of their Ki (geki soul)
Go-Onger: This one doesn't seem to have as much importance as other series but it should still be worth nothing that in order for the engines to stay on earth, they have to let go of their "engine souls". Perhaps this is why they appear the way they do when not at full size. I also think Urameshimedes' spirit lingered around a while after his death. I don't really know more. I kinda stopped watching. lol.
Anyhow, that's about it. I'd like some feedback on what you guys think.
Timeranger: Timeranger didn't appear to have any indicators of this. Either that or I'm not looking hard enough.
Gaoranger: Well, first off, the Gaorangers were chosen by their perspective Power Animals, who themselves, had a spiritual connection to the earth. As a matter of fact, if I recall, they were the physical manifestations of the planet's life force. GaoKing is generally referred to as the spirit king,(thought this is probably not a really big indication of the concept) Let's not forget about GaoGod, whose spirit was inside of Futaro. Well, he was Futaro. Even after being killed many, many years ago, it was his spirit that remained and guided the Gaorangers. Now, back to the individual Power Animals. Each animal retained a spiritual link with a perspective member, which would explain why only that member could communicate with the animal(s). It was found that the orge's don't have souls, effectively making them demons. It is also worth nothing that this series in particular introduced "Super Sentai Tamashii". (I could be mistaken though.)
Hurricanger: The Hurricangers represent the concept, or "mythology", of the mystical ninja. In most forms of media where the mystical ninja is represented, they borrow from the essence of the earth, utilizing it's features as weapons against their enemies. This is generally controlled and regulated by the ninja's ki. (and we all know what that is) In addition, it is used to perform certain "spells", or magic. Also, in the movie, Princess Laiina came to earth, and un-willingly became a candidate for jakanja's "soul-eating" ceremony.
Abaranger: I didn't watch much Abaranger, partly because I thought it wasn't so great, but that's beside the point. However, I did watch enough to know that "dino-guts" were in part, used the evoke the spirits/power of their perspective dinosaur. Though it is not explicitly stated, this is more or less what it is. In a sense, kinda the same premise behind the Gaorangers and the power animals. Each member retains a bond with their perspective dinosaur. Now as far as dino guts go, it almost seems to be a synonym for ki, chi, soul, spirit, or however you wanna see it. That's just what I take from it anyway. Also, from what I understand, there was a "Evolien" god who is referred to as an entitiy.
Dekaranger: I got nothing. Lol
Magiranger: "Doing things earnestly" Lol. Well, I guess it can be debated weather or not you consider courage in this series to be synonymous with the "power of the spirit". So for that reason, I won't even touch on that. But, the first thing that jumps out at me here is magitopia. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that this is heaven. This also just happens to be where the "heavenly saints" (key in on that) reside. This is also a place where humans don't normally stay. I think Uraha is the first. It should also be noted that Magimother used her spirit to stay in contact with her children before she was inevitably found.
Boukenger: Well, Akashi is always babbling about "endless bouken spirits" and stuff. Eiji jumps out at me here. First of all, he eradicates the souls of the ashu, and I think that the interactions that he has with his mother are through her spirit. I suppose it should also be noted that during his confinement in stone, his soul was trapped in some sort of limbo. And lets not forget Akared, who is pretty much a combination of the spirits of all red warriors.
Gekiranger: Geki borrows heavily from the notion of Ki. In fact, this is what gives birth to an individual's beast power. Jan can effectively use this to sense others. In fact, Rio used it to sense Jan's Beast fist. Also, while Rio searched for the three kenma, each of their souls called out, and communicated to him, despite their individual bodies being sealed. Dan, Jan's father, had his Geki soul manipulated by Ron until he broke free of his control and went on to the next life. Brusa E became Jyuken's God and his spirit entered SaiDain. His spirit also guided Ken during his training. He gave way to Beast Power Blooming, a blessing bestowed onto Jyuken users. The gekiranger's animals were basically manifestations of their Ki (geki soul)
Go-Onger: This one doesn't seem to have as much importance as other series but it should still be worth nothing that in order for the engines to stay on earth, they have to let go of their "engine souls". Perhaps this is why they appear the way they do when not at full size. I also think Urameshimedes' spirit lingered around a while after his death. I don't really know more. I kinda stopped watching. lol.
Anyhow, that's about it. I'd like some feedback on what you guys think.