Hikari Sentai Maskman Discussion

[Mr. CD]

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i319/RangersRule/MASKMANLOGO.png

Hikari Sentai Maskman

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i319/RangersRule/MASKMANSSSBS.png

(February 28, 1987 - February 20, 1988)

Cast:

Takeru/Red Mask - Ryousuke Kaizu
Kenta/Black Mask - Kouichi Kusakari
Akira/Blue Mask - Issei Hirota
Haruka/Yellow Mask - Yuki Nagata
Momoko/Pink Mask - Kanako Maeda
Commander Sanjuurou Sugata - Hayato Tani

Season Summary:
Maskman is the eleventh installment of the Super Sentai franchise. Coming from so many space inspired, tech-oriented, and sci-fi sentais, Maskman was a pretty big change within the franchise as the show was darker, with a more mystical theme, staying a bit more grounded, and the focus was on the main hero in love with a major villain's sister. Maskman's theme was about "Forbidden Love." Maskman is unique for being the first Sentai to introduced the concept of a Sixth Warrior in the form of X1 Mask. Another interesting fact about X1 Mask is that his design was based on a unused suit design back when the series was going to be called The Fiveman, making X1 Mask a Maskman prototype both in-universe and in real life.

Commander Sugata is a scientist and sage who excels in mental reinforcements and is a master of every martial art. He discovered the existence of the Underground Empire Tube, a once peaceful kingdom that has turned into a malignant force under the mysterious Zeba, who desires to conquer the surface. In order to stand against them and thwart their plans, Sugata recruits five young people to become the Maskmen. Each becomes specialized in a style of martial arts, and Sugata teaches them the ways of the mystical "Aura Power" energy. A year after Sugata recruits and trains the Maskmen, the Underground Empire Tube is ready to strike. Princess Ial of the deposed Igam Royal Family, sent to spy above ground as Mio, falls in love with Takeru, and wishes for those underground and above ground to coexist. She is kidnapped and imprisoned in ice for her betrayal. As Takeru and the Maskmen battle Tube, they learn about Ial and Igam's relationship, and a terrible dark secret about Zeba, the Tube leader.

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In order to celebrate the premiere of the 35th season of Super Sentai, Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger, RangerCrew will be hosting monthly, seasonal discussions. A new month means two new seasons. Throughout the month, we'll post questions to the fans to get their input on various topics regarding the particular seasons. Feel free to share your favorite episodes and moments, as well as your personal critiques about the seasons.

We ask that the monthly, seasonal discussions stay on topic.

Each month, a mod will create two threads like this and sticky them.

[Mr. CD]

What did you think of the suits?

[YellowAccel]

^I Love them. Especially Takeru, Haruka & Momoko's suits. I like the mix of white and their personal color.

[Ryan Steele]

I also loved the suits. Takeru's and Kenta's are two of my favourite sentai suits of all time

[KyoryuRed]

The suits are awesome! especially Takeru's, Haruka's and Akira's

[cypsiman2]

The suits were pretty nice, though I found the earrings on Pink and Yellow to be weird; wouldn't those things rattle against the helmet in battle and be really distracting?

[Ryan Steele]

Indeed that thing was weird and unique

[Mr. CD]

What did you think of the cast?

[KyoryuRed]

they are fantastic.

[YellowAccel]

I don't really like them. Exept Takeru and Kenta i don't find them interisting. I like Takeru's backstory and his determination and Kenta is really bad-***. Akira is cool when he is a bad guy but that's all. The only thing I like about Haruka is her scream. It is very realistic. Momoko impress me in one épisode but most of the time i don't notice her.

[KyoryuRed]

^eh? i don't see Haruka crying.. it was the Princess.. she did it twice- in 2nd episode and nearly end of Maskman

[YellowAccel]

^I mean scream. Sorry in french the traduction for scream is "Cri" so I made a mix XD

[KyoryuRed]

^don't know that. awesome XD

[Ryan Steele]

What did you think of the cast?
Amazing the cast of maskman and perfect character development. All had their focused episodes. Maybe Takeru and Kenta more than the rest but it's ok. As for the cast of the villains or Commander Sugata were also spectacular. A top class cast!
Even X-1 with only one episode stole the show!


Momoko impress me in one épisode but most of the time i don't notice her.
Indeed she had few episodes focused on her, but I just can't forget the episode where she was like Chun li ^_^

[Digifiend]

What is it about green rangers stealing the show? Tommy in MMPR. Magis in Goseiger (that spawned return rumours for the rest of the series!). Shurikenger too (thanks to returning alumni - if only Hurricanger had been a year earlier, because that would've been a good anniversary gimmick, similar to Gokaiger's).

[cypsiman2]

Akira was the best, hands down. Haruka and Momoko were distant runner-ups, while Takeru was a big disappointment since his "tragic love" for Miyo/Iyal was never properly developed, and Kenta was just forgettable.

[Ryan Steele]

Wow Takeru is my favourite Red Sentai of all time and Kenta my second favourite black after Gai of Jetman
Akira was really badass as villain but generally he had low profile in the show and only a few good episodes about him. Indeed Takeru didn't have a good ending, but come on disappointment? He killed so many generals!
How come Kenta was forgettable? All the focused episodes about him were superb

[Mr. CD]

Akira had a "low profile" in the show? Wha, Akira had the second most highest focus on the due to his actor becoming Boyband level popular at the time.

[cypsiman2]

Akira was my favorite because his character focus episodes actually built on one another. The best example of this was with the faux martial-arts tournament episode revealing his momma's-boy tendencies, followed up with the episode with Baraba's mother and him wanting to help her. The others generally didn't get that sort of treatment.

My disappointment with Takeru as a character has nothing to do with the ending of the series or how many generals he killed; his love for Miyo was never developed or given a reason, all they did was repeat the same tired clip of the two of them running on the beach being all "tee hee hee, we are so whimsical and happy" or the bit where Miyo is oh so tragically torn away from Takeru. Miyo herself is never developed so I was unable to form an attachment to her or the relationship Takeru had with her, which prevented me from being able to be emotionally invested in it. Outside that, Takeru was mostly just typical 80's Red, nothing to write home about.

The majority of Kenta's focus episodes were centered around him falling in love with the girl-of-the-week who would be swiftly forgotten by the next episode. Otherwise it was stuff like him helping a friend renew his love for racing or getting his courage stolen, nothing special. None of it gave him any new dimension or revealed anything special about his character, so none of it really registered with me.

[Mr. CD]

What did you of Tube?

[YellowAccel]

^They are ok. I like Fuumin and Baraba. Prince Igam's story is so predicable XD.

[cypsiman2]

Well, after I got over my initial "Seriously? Tube? That's what we're calling the Evil Empire this year?", they were okay. Zeba's outfit was ridiculously overburdened, while the "twist" with Igam might have been one if they hadn't had him be played by the same actress playing his twin sister.

[KyoryuRed]

The Tube are all right but i don't like Anagmas.

[Ryan Steele]

Τhe Tube was awesome. Underground empire, how cool was that. They reminded a lot of the underground empire of Shao Kahn. Tube is one of my favourite villains of all time

[Digifiend]

It predates Mortal Kombat, Ryan. Maybe the developers watched Maskman?

[Ryan Steele]

That's exactly what I thought when watching it:)

[Mr. CD]

What did you think of the concept of 'Aura Power'?

[YellowAccel]

^It's interisting. I don't especially like the combination of Aura and technology though. But it was original.

[Ryan Steele]

Αura power was awesome and cool-looking when they were using the power. Reminded me a lot Chi Power of Dairanger

[KyoryuRed]

Aura Power was amazing! especially Takeru, Akira and Haruka's aura. i wish Mask X-1 had one.

[cypsiman2]

It was a nice idea, but outside of a few early episodes it was mostly Takeru tossing laser swords, making laser rope ladders, or fueling finishing moves. Nothing all that impressive or creative.

[Ryan Steele]

^Galaxy Robo was using the Aura energy to attack, that was very important use don't you think?

[cypsiman2]

^Galaxy Robo was using the Aura energy to attack, that was very important use don't you think?

Like I said finishing moves. The Galaxy Robo's attack was just another one of those, and it was never presented as being more powerful than the Great Five's finisher.

[Ryan Steele]

Without Aura Power it couldn't be controled. Yeah I also never saw it as more powerful. They just had options with it, to not get bored using the same mecha,lol

[Mr. CD]

What did you think of the Opening Theme?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCKar9f-9fU

[YellowAccel]

At first i didn't like it but it grown in me. It's ok.

[Ryan Steele]

It's one of my favourite themes

[cypsiman2]

It's a good theme.

[Mr. CD]

What did you think of the Ending theme?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRD9iU6IEkE

[Ryan Steele]

Well I've listened it only once because the CSCentral had cut the intro and outro. It's OK, not something special

[YellowAccel]

Like the opening theme it's ok. I prefer the ending though.

[KyoryuRed]

Maskman opening was awesome but ending was okay.

[cypsiman2]

It's decent.

[Mr. CD]

What did you think of Turbo Ranger, Masky Fighter, Masky Drill, Masky Tank, Masky Jet, Masky Gyro, and Great Five?

[YellowAccel]

^They are ok. Like i already said i'm not a fan of the 80's mecha. But i like Masky Jet and Great Five is not the worst mecha of that era.

[cypsiman2]

^They are ok. Like i already said i'm not a fan of the 90's mecha. But i like Masky Jet and Great Five is not the worst mecha of that era.

But Maskman is from 1987. In any event, the Great Five is notable for being the first five piece mecha, though I do wonder how it took so long for them to get to that point.

[YellowAccel]

^Sorry i don't why i always say 80's instead of 90's lol

[KyoryuRed]

They are awesome. funny thing is two years after Maskman- 1989 Sentai was Turboranger!

[Ryan Steele]

Great Five is on of my favourite Robo ever. The mecha were cool generally. It was big irony to have a mecha called Turbo Ranger or Great Five, lol

[Mr. CD]

What did you think of Zeba having humans a slave workers?

[YellowAccel]

^It's a good idea. It makes them more threatening

[cypsiman2]

Logistical and timing issues aside, it made for a good Akira episode.

[KyoryuRed]

awesome story. i agree with MisterYellowFour, Vickram and cypsiman about that

[Mr. CD]

What did you think of the movie?

[KyoryuRed]

since i watch Maskman movie with english sub, it was okay but very short.. CSCENTRL removed the opening and ending credits.. i now know why

[YellowAccel]

I didn't like the movie. I was bored in fact. It's more an episode of the series shown in theaters as the sentai movie of that time and since I already disliked the series in general is the same for the film. The fight was ok though.

[cypsiman2]

Well, it was mildly amusing watching Igam seduce the mermaid given the "big twist" near the end of the series, but otherwise it left no impression on me.

[Digifiend]

since i watch Maskman movie with english sub, it was okay but very short.. CSCENTRL removed the opening and ending credits.. i now know whyMusic copyright I suppose? It's annoying though. Movie credits are usually unique, not the same as the ones for the series.

[Mr. CD]

What did you think of Land Galaxy and Galaxy Robo?

[YellowAccel]

^I really don't like it. The design is awful IMO.

[cypsiman2]

I liked it; it was basically a giant robot Buddha and it even did a little prayer after it finished the monster off. I just wish there was rhyme or reason for why they used it over Great Five, as opposed to just flipping the coin.

[KyoryuRed]

i agree with Mister YellowFour. that design indeed look bad...

[Mr. CD]

What did you think of new villain Kiros?

[YellowAccel]

^He is better than the Empire Tube anyway. I like him.

[KyoryuRed]

^agreed! i like him, too! XD he and Takeru are only two characters that were fight over Princess Iyal! lol

[cypsiman2]

He was okay. I found it weird that he was able to call upon Okerampa despite not being a member of the Tube Imperial Court. Also, I would have appreciated it if he'd "loved" Iyal for more than just her body, if only because that would have indirectly fleshed out her character a little.

[Mr. CD]

Eh, I always looked at Iyal as similar to Magiranger Miyuki in that she's just a plot device. Something to motivate the characters, start the plot, and keep them going.

[Mr. CD]

What did you think of the destruction of the Shot Bomber and their new weapon, the Jet Cannon?

[YellowAccel]

I prefer the Jet Cannon and it's always interisting to see a new weapon during the show.

[KyoryuRed]

I like the Jet Cannon the best as well.

[cypsiman2]

I didn't care for either bazooka, as this is supposed to be a martial-arts themed series.

[Mr. CD]

What did you think of Ryo/X1 Mask?

[YellowAccel]

^I don't really have a opinion about him. It was cool to see a new hero but he didn't stay long enough to appreciate him (or not). This is not a character that will remain in my memory.

[KyoryuRed]

^agreed. too bad that he only appears in one episode. that explained there is no X1 ranger key in Gokaiger

[cypsiman2]

He was pretty boring to me, just a moodier version of Takeru.

[Mr. CD]

What did you think of the Unas arc and the reveal that Igam was a woman?

[KyoryuRed]

it was very surprised! i know that Igam was a woman for the whole time because it was played by the same actress who does Mio/Iyal

[cypsiman2]

I liked the Unas arc, and am amused by the idea that the fact that Igam was a woman was supposed to be a reveal of any sort. I mean, she doesn't disguise her face, she doesn't change her voice, and she looks exactly like her twin sister, yet it isn't until her long flowing hair is revealed that everyone realizes that she is, in fact, a woman.

[YellowAccel]

The Unas arc was the only part i found really interisting. I didn't see that coming. Akira is more interisting as a villain. For Igam that was boring and predictable. It's not like the long hair is the only way to see the difference betwenn a man and a woman. *Faceplam* lol

[Mr. CD]

I liked the Unas arc, and am amused by the idea that the fact that Igam was a woman was supposed to be a reveal of any sort. I mean, she doesn't disguise her face, she doesn't change her voice, and she looks exactly like her twin sister, yet it isn't until her long flowing hair is revealed that everyone realizes that she is, in fact, a woman.


The Unas arc was the only part i found really interisting. I didn't see that coming. Akira is more interisting as a villain. For Igam that was boring and predictable. It's not like the long hair is the only way to see the difference betwenn a man and a woman. *Faceplam*

Well, Igam was suppose to be one of those Effeminate Dandy Prince types.

[cypsiman2]

But Igam didn't act like "an effeminate dandy"; she didn't preen, she didn't worry about her appearance, she didn't overreact to minor injuries, she didn't play up to how "cultured" she was, she just looked like a woman. Because she was one.

[Mr. CD]

What did you think of the concept of the Lethal Doggler?

[YellowAccel]

For me that part wasn't really interisting. The fact he eating his parents was unexpected though

[KyoryuRed]

^same here. cannibalism is wrong and gross!

[cypsiman2]

I found the whole thing of the current Lethal Doggler who wasn't the original but ate his parent which gave him all the memories of the original, or something like that, unnecessarily convoluted.

[Mr. CD]

Well, you know how Soda just loves throwing in some kind of twist with his main villains

[Mr. CD]

What did you think of the death of Baraba?

[cypsiman2]

Eh. I would have much preferred for Akira to have been the one to finish him off like they indicated he would back in episode 30 with Baraba's mother and all that.

[YellowAccel]

What did you think of the death of Baraba?

I didn't find it very interesting.

[Mr. CD]

What did you think of Iyal getting freed and Kiros's death?

Man, Kiros's death. Talk about acting Insult to Injury.

[YellowAccel]

For Iyal it was obvious she would be released. It was ok. And strangly i can't remember Kiro's death. I assume it wasn't really interesting if I don't even remember XD

[Mr. CD]

The poor guy got stab by a sword, impaled by an icicle, had the whole place cave in on him, then how pathetically he says, as he reaches out to Iyal, "The only thing I could never have..." right before dying. Ouch.

[YellowAccel]

Oh yes I remember now. And I also remember why I choosed to forget it lol

[cypsiman2]

I didn't particularly care for/about Iyal and Kiros, so her rescue and his death were not notable for me.

[KyoryuRed]

Kiros' demise was strange to do.. but rescue Iyal was heartwarming.. kinda

[Mr. CD]

What did you of the death of Anagmas?

[cypsiman2]

And another one bites the dust. Not much more to say really.

[Mr. CD]

What did you think of the finale?

While I like the finale itself, I've always found the final battle kinda disappointing. For the last couple of episodes, they hype up the Lethal Doggler as one of the most powerful Doggler out there, yet when we finally meet him, he's really no different than your average run-of-the-mill Doggler Monster. Even the final mecha battle was your average Maskman flair.

[YellowAccel]

Anagmas's death was boring. They killed him like a normal monster. The final was ok but, like Anagmas's death, the final battle was like a battle against a MOTW. It wasn't really epic.

[KyoryuRed]

i agree with Mister YellowFour about Anagmas' fate. but, the finale was all right however, i was disappointed that Takeru and Iyal don't stay together

[cypsiman2]

You know, I really don't understand why Takeru and Iyal couldn't stay together in the ending. The people who would object and have the power to make that matter are all dead, and for the common people of the underground, Takeru is the great hero who deposed an evil tyrant who'd ground them all into the grime. Plus, Iyal still has to get married and have heirs, so now she's going to have to enter into a loveless relationship and that's no fair to her. It just feels tragic for the sake of tragedy.

[Mr. CD]

Forgot to ask this earlier

What did you think of Commander Sugata?

[KyoryuRed]

He was awesome mentor.

[cypsiman2]

I always wondered why he waited until after the Underground Tube Empire began its invasion to tell the team about Aura Power; somehow, that seems more important to me than running an F-1 Racecar Crew. Aside from that, I didn't have much feeling about him one way or the other.

[YellowAccel]

^Yes i'm agree with you.

[Mr. CD]

What did you think of the OST?

[Mr. CD]

Final thoughts on the series? Would you recommend this season to anyone? Why or why not?

[YellowAccel]

Not a fan of the OST I only like 2 songs.

My final thoughts on the serie: It's one of my least favorite season. I don't especially like the casting, the villain ,the mecha, and the story is too predictable (especially Igam's story). Morover i was tired to see every 2 épisodes the scene where Takeru can't save Iyal. Kiros was a great addition to the serie but like the final, his death was dull. I like the suit,the Unas's arc and the fight though.

[KyoryuRed]

it was a okay show. despite it was subbed by CSCENTRL. i wish it was subbed by GUIS or other fansub groups.

[cypsiman2]

I never paid too much attention to the OST so I can't say one way or the other.

On the whole, Maskman was a series with a lot of potential that went unfulfilled for me. There were the little things like how at first the monsters were two creatures in one which made the fight scenes much more interesting and unique, but that was abandoned pretty quickly, and the big things like the failure to characterize Iyal and thus form an attachment to the central tragic romance. Plus, there was a generally morose, lifeless feel to the show that left me bored and unengaged with everything. Overall, there are a lot of other shows, even from the 80's, that I would recommend ahead of Maskman.

[Ryan Steele]

What did you think of Zeba having humans a slave workers?
It was very interesting seeing people living underground. plus being slaves was more dramatic


What did you think of the movie?
The movie was nice but forgettable


What did you think of Land Galaxy and Galaxy Robo?
Bad looking but cool in combat


What did you think of new villain Kiros?
One of the most badass villains of all time. Forever in my top 5


What did you think of the destruction of the Shot Bomber and their new weapon, the Jet Cannon?
Nice story about it


What did you think of Ryo/X1 Mask?
Wow, just wow. I am so sad the don't count him as sentai and I am pissed off he stayed only for one episode. So awesome character!!!
Technilly he was the first maskman and not the 6th as many say, but for sure he was Maskman and not extra hero...onore Toei...


What did you think of the Unas arc and the reveal that Igam was a woman?
Seriously it was like a joke that we knew she was a girl and nobody else had noticed in the show. Very very beautiful without the helmet. Loved the story of her tribe


What did you think of the concept of the Lethal Doggler?
Such big mystery about it. Awesome what happened in the end!!!


What did you think of the death of Baraba?
Poor Baraba, I liked him. Plus his mother was the Machiko Soga(Rita Repulsa). Another reason to never forget him


What did you think of Iyal getting freed and Kiros's death?
I was pissed off that Takeru didn't continue his relationship with Iyal. That was an epic fail finale. For the whole show he was fighting for her and let her go...
As for Kiros it was something expected to come.


[QUOTE=Mr. CD;894547]What did you of the death of Anagmas?

I was happy about it. Never liked that disgusting creature

What did you think of Commander Sugata?

I already knew this actor from Takeshi's Castle. It was awesome to see him in Super Sentai. He was amazing. I only wish we had seen him fighting more


What did you think of the OST?
I loved it, one of the best


Final thoughts on the series? Would you recommend this season to anyone? Why or why not?
Of cource I recommend it, once you start watching you can't stop. I was watching 6-10 episodes in the row. So much I liked it. It's one of my favourite shows. Especially for being so dark and having such awesome villains

[Shirguis]

Alright, we're rounding up Maskman in the next few weeks (almost everything is ready for the final encodes). Might wanna start a little discussion about the show?

[Shirguis]

Questions I might want to ask:

- What did you think of the 2 Liveman actors' guest roles?

- Was I the only one who failed to notice that Ial and Igam were actually played by the same person?

- Was it a shock to everyone that Igam was actually a woman?

- Can anyone give me the telephone number of the actress who played Momoko?

[YellowAccel]

I don't remember the 2 Liveman actors cameos. It's been a while since i watched it. I didn't notice igam and ial were played by the same actress. As for Igam i don't think there is someone on this world who was surprised. I knew it since episode 1 :/

[Shirguis]

The guy who plays Jo/Yellow Lion is one of the engineers who made the Jet Cannon.
The guy who plays Go/Obler is Kenta's friend in episode 32 or 33.

It's a shame the actress who played Igam and Ial didn't continue her real acting career and just continued doing porn though :(

[KyoryuRed]

^according to her Wikipedia profile- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mina_Asami and http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%B5%85%E8%A6%8B%E7%BE%8E%E9%82%A3

she is now 54 and probably quit her career or retired from acting

[Shirguis]

^according to her Wikipedia profile- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mina_Asami and http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%B5%85%E8%A6%8B%E7%BE%8E%E9%82%A3

she is now 54 and probably quit her career or retired from acting

She quit. She did have a short porn carreer before she quit though... But hey... I'm getting older too... I don't mind them being a bit older.

I am sad about the fact that Shima Daisuke (red falcon) quit the showbizz a few days ago... Well at least we will still see him because he's into politics now...

[Galactus]

I had a wonderful childhood with maskman along with another sentais.

[Mr. CD]

Welp, GUIS finished up the series. Thoughts on it?

[ForeverBlue]

What did you think of the suits?

The suits were pretty cool.


What did you think of the cast?

They were great.


What did you think of Commander Sugata?

He was a great mentor.


What did you of Tube?

Pretty evil looking they were.


What did you think of the concept of 'Aura Power'?

Pretty cool.


What did you think of the Opening Theme?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCKar9f-9fU

Very good.


What did you think of the Ending theme?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRD9iU6IEkE

It was good.


What did you think of Turbo Ranger, Masky Fighter, Masky Drill, Masky Tank, Masky Jet, Masky Gyro, and Great Five?

They were pretty good looking mechas.


What did you think of Zeba having humans a slave workers?

It was pretty bad that he did that.


What did you think of Land Galaxy and Galaxy Robo?

I didn't really care much for Land Galaxy and Galaxy Robo...I liked Great Five better.


What did you think of new villain Kiros?

Pretty cool and evil looking.


What did you think of the destruction of the Shot Bomber and their new weapon, the Jet Cannon?

Shocking and the new weapon was pretty awesome.


What did you think of Ryo/X1 Mask?

Not much to say about him as he was only in that 1 episode. ok I guess.


What did you think of the Unas arc and the reveal that Igam was a woman?

It was shocking that Igam was a woman.


What did you think of the death of Baraba?

It was shocking.


What did you think of Iyal getting freed and Kiros's death?

It was great that Iyal got rescued and not much to say about Kiro's death.


What did you of the death of Anagmas?

Interesting.


What did you think of the finale?

It was very good.


Final thoughts on the series? Would you recommend this season to anyone? Why or why not?


That it was a really good series to watch.