Ninja Sentai Kaku Ranger
By JC

Overview

I love ninjas, and who the hell doesn't! I doubt anyone knows were their love affair with ninjas started, but for me it's something that's always been there.

They move through the night, wear slick costumes, and will not forgive anyone who stands in their path. From Jubei Kibagami of Ninja Scroll fame to the beautifully horrible American Ninja movies from the 80's to everyone's favorite Turtles, ninja's just can't seem to miss! I remember when the Mighty Morphing Alien Rangers hit the scene and as they morphed I was like, "Oh my god!!! What has Power Rangers done!" Clearly the Alien Ranger's from Aquitar's morphed forms were some wasted and wondrous series made in the land that has now become the best friend of every fanboy around the globe, Japan. Some series that combined the hyper kinetic, high flying, drop kicking monster fighting element of what I new Rangers to be and.... NINJAS! I watched in sadness as the Alien Rangers rushed to find their next source of water to replenish their powers, and how awful they looked inAmerican footage.

I had to find out what the original vision that had been wasted was.... and after cutting through the internet jungle with my machete of Google.Com I found it. And I found it fansubbed by our savior Ctenosaur.Com

Ninja Sentai Kaku Ranger (Ninja Taskforce Hidden Ranger)!!!!!

Summary

The Arch Demon, Daimiou has arisen from the spirit world to turn our planet into a land of darkness, demons and destruction. Only five good looking teenagers, decendants of ancient ninja clans stand in his way. In his latest plot, Daimiou duplicates himself in the form of a new demon, Dara Dara who can steal pure mystic energy itself. First on its list the the Kakuranger's friend, Ninja Man, then next the Kakurangers themselves! Soon Sasuke, Ninja Red, is the last Ranger standing and it's up to him to figure out how to defeat Dara Dara AND save all his friends. How does he do it? Well, let's just say it involves a whole lotta old fashion ninja ass kicking, help from dog warriors, and the once thought evil father of the Princess Ninja White, the White Faced Dragon himself!

My Opinion

This series is a bit older than you're Gingaman vs Megaranger fare, but if there's one thing the Japanese always seemed to know hot to do in spades, is direct the hell outta martial art flicks and shows. Kakuranger is no exception to the rule. The cheese special effects where characters suddenly wink out of existence to appear somewhere else are easily excused in the overall narrative is carried off at never let up break neck pacing and always stellar choreography.

I'd beg and plead someone to subtitle more, but I dunno who to turn to. Whoever it was who subtitled this, picked a good story arch, except for the final episode on the tape, which I don't know why the subber saw it fit to make sure an audience saw it. But I'll get to that bonus episode later.

This arch has any and everything you need. A set up, a resolution... drama, betrayal, transforming dogs, fast and high kicking ninja fighting scenes, a guy named White Faced Dragon, Kakuranger's giant robots the Three God Generals and my favorites...... hot ninja chicks in short skirts! Hoo-AH!!! ^_^

Let's not forget hot and steamy, giant city smashing robot fighting monster action!

The characters are a great group. You don't really get to know any of them on an individual basis, and no one really sticks out; it's more as a unit that you get to know and love the Kakurangers. The four guys look over their leader the Ninja Princess as if she were their little sister. Ninja Man's a good sixth hero and not nearly the hammed out jackass Ninjor, his American incarnation, was. Ending that sentence with a preposition, I'm going to wrap this up.

Final Word

If you want to find out what its like to catch a couple episodes of Sentai and not have it be in one big movie sha-bang this is a good place to start. Action's hot, ninja chicks are hot, and the delivery is pretty powerful down to the tragic outcome of the White Faced Dragon(I just love that name!) Only odd thing about this set of episodes is that the subber decided to add just one more episode.

A Christmas Episode?

We quick shift gears from watching Sasuke's ninja sword slash through demons and the Kakurangers on the brink of death..... to an episode where they all dress up like Santa Clause, storm Santa Central in an attempt to save Christmas!?!?! Why not put that time into subbing the introduction episodes... or the one where I think Ninja Black confronts the man who killed his father?

Ah well, whatta ya gonna do? Sentai and Tokusatsu have a little way to go before it can reach the popularity of Anime. Hopefully with this review, talented guys like Jeff here and..... you(gasp!); we all can someday enjoy all the series and episodes we missed in all their subtitled glory.

That's it for my latest review. I'm JohnCrichton(an astronaut!) and I'm coming out so you BETTER get this party started. 0_o'

Next up... I don't know about you, but I feel a "Sudden Shock" comin' on. ^_^\/

<< Keith "JC" Hayward >>