Ninpu Sentai Hurricanger (2002-2003)
Production: Toei Corporation
Episodes: 51
By Kamui Shiro

Introduction

In the wake of Gaoranger, the Super Sentai program to celebrate the series' 25th anniversary, some fans, both Japanese and Americans were left dissatisfied with the series as a whole, citing lack of characterization and the almost-relentless promotion of its Power Animals toy line as the show's major flaws. So Toei Productions decided to return to its roots, so to speak, and revived the ninja theme first used 1994's Ninja Sentai Kakuranger, but this time they gave the show a technological influence rather than a supernatural one. The result: The 26th Super Sentai series entry , Ninpu Sentai Hurricanger.

The Story

The series opened with 3 young people from the Hayate Ninja School, each of them undergoing special ninja training. Yousuke (Shun Shioya), Nanami (Nao Nagasawa), and Kouta (Kouhei Yamamoto) were a tight-knit group of friends, who also just happened to be at the bottom of their class in their ninja training. But ironically enough, it's precisely that flaw which saved them later on as a clan of alien ninjas known as the Jajanka, led by the monstrous Tao Zanto, attacked and destroyed the Hayate School and took its students captive.

Mugensai (Ken Nishida), ninja master and the head of the Hayate school managed to escape this fate by turning himself into a hamster, the only problem with this being that he couldn't change back. Mugensai's daughter, Oboro (Seiko Takada) rescued the trio and brought them to her underground base where she presented them with the Hurricane Gyros, which were originallt intended for the school's top three students, enabling them to become the more technologically advanced Hurricangers.

Early in the series, the Gouraijer, Ikkou and Ishuu Kasumi (Yujiro Shirikawa and Kyo Nabuo) were introduced as students of the rival Ikazuchi Ninja Academy, who wanted to prove their academy is the superior one by defeating the Hurricangers. Adding to the mix later on wasthe arrival of the mysterious Gozen (Hitomi Miwa) and her enigmatic protector, Shurikenger, who has become one of sentai's most popular 6th Rangers.

Review

I really had no idea what to expect from this series. After seeing numerous clips and scattered information here and there, I wasn't holding out much hope. But I have to say Hurricanger surprised me.

The fight scenes, in and out of costume were some of the best ever choreographed. The characters themselves were an interesting mix; Shun Shioya, Nao Nagasawa, and Kouhei Yamamoto brought a diverse and deeply-likeable air to their characters, while Yujiro Shirikawa and Kyo Nabou played the more restrained straight-men, but not to the point where even they weren't moved by the show's more light-hearted moments. Seiko Takada added a good deal of humor to the show as Oboro, but the real scene-stealer among the good guys was Shurikenger, who spoke in both Japanese and humorously mangled English.

The concept of bringing in former sentai actors as secret identites for him was an extremely innovative one, bringing in actors like Kunihiko Oshiba and Masaya Matsukaze (MegaRed and MegaBlue of Megaranger), Kenji Ooba, (Battle Kenya of Battle Fever J), Masaro Shishino (OhRed of Ohranger) among others to play the roles.

The villains were an excellent mix as well ranging from the comic relief of Wendinu and Furabijou ( Mio Fukuzumi and Asuza Yamamoto) to the merciless evil of Sandaru.

The series maintained a perfect balance of both humor and drama throughout, one element never overpowering the other (Although the final eps of the series were undoubtedly the most powerful in sheer shock value and drama).

Conclusion

While not the ground-breaking series Kakuranger was in terms of introducing ninjas to sentai, Hurricanger had plenty of its own merits to stand on. With an engaging cast, a solid and highy enjoyable story, excellent characterization, & fight cheoregraphy, and a healthy dose of CG thrown in for good measure, Hurricanger was one of the genre's best offerings. But if you REALLY want to see the humble beginnings of Toei's Super Sentai's ninja theme, track down Kakuranger first, then Hurricanger. Either way, you'll enjoy them both thouroughly.

Kamui Shiro