One of the things, Dear Readers, that I’ve been watching for the last decade is something you’ve seen with American footage and American actors and actresses in between the footage of (dare I say) powerful mechas, battles and villains.
From an American aspect, it’s been known as Power Rangers, but the original source, collectively known as Super Sentai. I have a friend of mine to thank for this, since he told me about it every chance he had. It was only later on that I finally checked it out and I’ve never looked back.
The characters are fantastic and have story arcs, the source material (like the things we might find comical in the United States) make much more sense, culturally speaking. There are a lot of examples I could give that I can see in my own life, like Kando Jan from Gekiranger and his “Jan-ish” language much like the way I use my game show lingo to friends who “get” me.
Another example comes from Shinkenger, Takeru Shiba and how he has to mask whom he really is for a role he’s playing much like I “mask” my real feelings to others.
Another example would be the Lupinrangers’ Kairi Yano, who does things in an unconventional manner, but it gets the results he needs, which mirrors my actions and how I do things as an artist.
Speaking of, that leads me to another recent example of a character that stands out to me, Juru Asuta, from Kirameiger whom is an artist who gets sparks of inspiration, much like I do when a new poem comes into focus. Those who know me know the sparkle in my eyes when I get an idea for a new poem.
These are only a few characters, but these are just some of many that stand out to me as strong characters which I bring up to give you all the impact that Super Sentai has had on me. I’m thinking of doing a post of all the Sentai themes that I listen to.
I might just do a similar post for its sister series, Kamen Rider, but I feel like doing a post like this is a good way to test the waters to something like this to you all.
So, find those characters that stand out to you, that inspire you to be whom you are unsure and let their example help you to always…
Shine On!!