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Hikari Sentai Maskman

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Logo-supersentaiThis article is about a series entry (the 11th) in the Super Sentai series.

Hikari Sentai Maskman (光戦隊マスクマン Hikari Sentai Masukuman), is the 11th entry of Toei's Super Sentai Series. It aired on TV Asahi from February 28, 1987 to February 20, 1988, with a total of 51 episodes. The show was also distributed internationally, where it achieved great popularity in countries such as the Philippines, France, and Brazil. The Philippine dub was released as Laser Squadron Maskman, the French dub as Bioman 2: Maskman and the South Korean dub as Light Warrior Maskman (빛의전사 마스크맨 Bichui Jeonsa Maseukeumaen?).

The average ratings of the series was 11.4%.[1]

Production[]

The original "Fiveman" suit designs, alongside eventual user X1 Mask

The original "Fiveman" suit designs, alongside eventual user X1 Mask

Maskman was a season that turned out to bring many changes to the franchise, even from development. The season was originally to have the name of The Fiveman, similar in name to the original Sentai Himitsu Sentai Gorenger and with the five reflective in many aspects including Great Five, the first five-piece mecha. However the costumes for the season blended in aspects from the recent Hirohisa Soda seasons (uniform leotards with color differences in areas for males and females) with the return of masks similar to those of Battle Fever J, including eyes, noses, and sculpted hair. A prototype mask was made, but the concept was ultimately dropped; this prototype would ultimately be used in one episode as the hero X1 Mask, who would have the distinction of being a prototype of a future Sentai development: the sixth hero. One notable attribute to the costumes used was the return of the female skirt, which had been absent since DenziPink and would be utilized by nearly every female Sentai hero afterwards. The Fiveman name, although not used, would eventually be adopted by another Sentai three years later.

Another major development brought about by Maskman was stepping away from science fiction, which had been a major driving factor of all Sentai since Denziman and instead utilizing aspects of the Chinese concept of "kikou", an internal energy within the body that can be used and manipulated. Known as "aura power" in Maskman, it would lead to the first martial arts-driven Sentai and begin experimentations beyond Sentai's comfort zone into eventually embracing other concepts and ideas. The "kikou" concept would be further developed and used six years later in the Chinese-themed Dairanger.

Plot[]

"There is an unknown power hidden inside the human body. If you train as hard as you can, the power revealed will be unlimited!"
―Narrator[src]

Everything starts with Commander Sugata, a scientist and sage who excelled in mental reinforcements and is a master of every martial art. He discovered the existence of the Royal Underground Empire Tube, a malignant force that desires to dominate the land, which is based underneath Japan. In the beginning, Tube was centered on pacifism. However, when Zeba assumed the throne, Tube began planning to conquer the world. The new goal of Tube had become turning the world into a cold and shady planet, conditions that would need to be achieved so that the citizens of Tube could live on the surface. In order to stand against them and thwart their plans, Sugata recruited five young people, each one specializing in a style of martial arts, and taught them in the ways of the mystical "Aura Power" energy.

A year after Sugata recruited and trained the Maskmen, Tube is ready to strike. The Tube's Princess Iaul, sent as a spy above ground under the assumed name Mio, has fallen in love with Takeru and now wishes for those living under and above ground to coexist. She is kidnapped and imprisoned in ice for her betrayal.

Characters[]

Rangers[]

Maskmen[]

Maskmen

Maskmen

Civilian Maskmen

Civilian Maskmen

Main article: Maskmen
Designation Name Actor
Red Mask Takeru Ryousuke Kaizu
Black Mask Kenta Koichi Kusakari
Blue Mask Akira Issei Hirota
Yellow Mask Haruka Yuki Nagata
Pink Mask Momoko Kanako Maeda

Other Rangers[]

Designation Name Actor
X1 Mask Ryo Asuka (39) Shinji Azuma

Allies[]

Light Squadron[]

Main article: Light Squadron

Underground Beings[]

Others[]

Civilians[]

Main article: Minor Characters (Maskman)

Villains[]

Arsenal[]

Main article: Arsenal (Maskman)

Transformation Devices[]

Sidearms[]

Individual Weapons[]

Team Cannons[]

Vehicles[]

Mecha[]

Main article: Mecha (Maskman)
Legend:◆ piloted mecha, ✶ team-piloted mecha, ➲ carrier mecha; see Style Guide for rules on icon colors

Episodes[]

Main article: Hikari Sentai Maskman Episodes
  1. Ep. 1: The Mysterious, Beautiful Runaway (美しき謎の逃亡者 Utsukishiki Nazo no Tōbōsha)
  2. Ep. 2: Strange! The Dark Underground Castle (怪奇！闇の地底城 Kaiki! Yami no Chitei Jō)
  3. Ep. 3: The First Step into the Unknown (未知への第一歩！ Michi e no Daiippo)
  4. Ep. 4: Burn! F1 Spirits! (燃やせ！F1魂！ Moyase! Efu Wan Tamashī!)
  5. Ep. 5: The Small Swordsman, Blue (小さな剣士ブルー Chiisa na Kenshi Burū)
  6. Ep. 6: The God Hand of Dreams (夢のゴッドハンド Yume no Goddo Hando)
  7. Ep. 7: Explode! Kenta's Love (爆発！ケンタの愛 Bakuhatsu! Kenta no Ai)
  8. Ep. 8: Burn! The Flower's Sword (燃えろ！花の剣！ Moero! Hana no Ken!)
  9. Ep. 9: Combine! Aura of Life (合体！命のオーラ Gattai! Inochi no Ōra)
  10. Ep. 10: Igum vs. Takeru (イガムVSタケル Igamu Tai Takeru)
  11. Ep. 11: The Refugee From Underground (地底からの亡命者 Chitei Kara no Bōmeisha)
  12. Ep. 12: A Challenge! The Pride of a Shinobi (挑戦！忍びの誇り Chōsen! Shinobi no Hokori)
  13. Ep. 13: Chase the Idol! (アイドルを追え！ Aidoru o Oe!)
  14. Ep. 14: The Great Escape to the Blue Sky! (青空への大脱出！ Aozora e no Dai Dasshutsu!)
  15. Ep. 15: Farewell, Dear Flower! (さらば愛しき花よ Saraba Itoshiki Hana yo)
  16. Ep. 16: Deadly! Blazing Baraba (必殺！炎のバラバ Hissatsu! Honō no Baraba)
  17. Ep. 17: Smash it! The Maze of Hell (破れ！地獄の迷宮 Yabure! Jigoku no Meikyū)
  18. Ep. 18: The Dear Bloodsucking Doll! (愛しの吸血人形！ Itoshi no Kyūketsu Ningyō!)
  19. Ep. 19: Phantom Magic! Anagumas (妖魔！アナグマス Yōma! Anagumasu)
  20. Ep. 20: A Trap! The Sinking Giant Robot (罠！沈む巨大ロボ Wana! Shizumu Kyodai Robo)
  21. Ep. 21: The Black Shadow of the Misty Valley (霧の谷の黒い影 Kiri no Tani no Kuroi Kage)
  22. Ep. 22: The Winds and Clouds of an Aura Storm! (風雲オーラの嵐! Fūun Ōra no Arashi!)
  23. Ep. 23: Mio Who Has Become a Demon (悪魔になった美緒 Akuma ni Natta Mio)
  24. Ep. 24: The Grotto of the Young Monster (鍾乳洞の少年怪獣 Shōnyūdō no Shōnen Kaijū)
  25. Ep. 25: Akira's Lover!? (アキラの恋人!? Akira no Koibito!?)
  26. Ep. 26: A Life That Disappeared on the Hot Sand! (熱砂に消えた命! Nessa ni Kieta Inochi!)
  27. Ep. 27: Thief Knight Kiros! (盗賊騎士キロス！ Tōzoku Kishi Kirosu!)
  28. Ep. 28: Mio is Princess Iaul!? (美緒がイアル姫!? Mio ga Iaru-hime!?)
  29. Ep. 29: The New Lethal Weapon of Friendship (友情の新必殺武器 Yūjō no Shin Hissatsu Buki)
  30. Ep. 30: Mama!! Baraba's Scream! (ママ!! バラバの絶叫！ Mama!! Baraba no Zekkyō!)
  31. Ep. 31: It Appears! The Guardian Deity Igum Dragon (出現! 守護神イガム竜 Shutsugen! Shugoshin Igamu Ryū)
  32. Ep. 32: Oyoboo's Lethal Dash (オヨブー必殺走り Oyobū Hissatsu Hashiri)
  33. Ep. 33: Takeru!! Cut Through Love! (タケルよ！愛を斬れ！ Takeru yo! Ai o Kire!)
  34. Ep. 34: Blues of Love and Murderous Intent (愛と殺意のブルース Ai to Satsui no Burū)
  35. Ep. 35: The Mystery of Zeba! The Forbidden Tomb (ゼーバの謎！禁断の墓 Zēba no Nazo! Kindan no Haka)
  36. Ep. 36: Elimination! The Destructive Twin Girls (消滅！双子の破壊少女 Shōmetsu! Futago no Hakai Shōjo)
  37. Ep. 37: Soldiers Who Bet on Their Dreams (夢に賭ける戦士たち Yume ni Kakeru Senshi-tachi)
  38. Ep. 38: The Time to Erase Takeru (タケルが消される時間 Takeru ga Kesareru Jikan)
  39. Ep. 39: Revival! The Mysterious X1 Mask (復活！謎のX1(エックスワン)マスク Fukkatsu! Nazo no Ekkusu Wan Masuku)
  40. Ep. 40: Resurrect! The Melody of Love (甦れ！愛のメロディー Yomigaere! Ai no Merodī)
  41. Ep. 41: Female Thieves Haruka & Momoko (女強盗ハルカ&モモコ Onna Gōtō Haruka to Momoko)
  42. Ep. 42: Fly! The Poem of a Timid Boy (翔べ！いじけ少年の詩 Kakebe! Ijike Shōnen no Shi)
  43. Ep. 43: Akira Loses His Eyesight! The Mysterious Spell (アキラ失明！謎の呪文 Akira Shutsumei! Nazo no Jumon)
  44. Ep. 44: Transform! Underground Empire Swordsman Akira (変身！地帝剣士アキラ Henshin! Chitei Kenshi Akira)
  45. Ep. 45: Prince Igum! You're a Woman! (イガム王子！君は女！ Igamu-ōji! Kimi wa Onna!)
  46. Ep. 46: Counterattack! The Secret of the Demon Pond (逆襲！血の池の秘密 Gyakushū! Chi no Ike no Himitsu)
  47. Ep. 47: The Night Prior to the Attack! The Dance of Death (出撃前夜！死の踊り Shutsugeki Zen'ya! Shi no Odori)
  48. Ep. 48: Baraba! Death for Treason (バラバ！裏切りに死す Baraba! Uragiri ni Shisu)
  49. Ep. 49: The Revived Princess Iaul (よみがえったイアル姫 Yomigaetta Iaru-hime)
  50. Ep. 50: Zeba! His Hair-Raising Secret Identity (ゼーバ！戦慄の正体 Zēba! Senritsu no Shōtai)
  51. Final Ep.: Great Destruction of Underground Empire Castle! (地帝城大崩壊！ Chitei Shiro Dai Hōkai!)

Movies

  1. Hikari Sentai Maskman: The Movie (光戦隊マスクマン Hikari Sentai Masukuman)

Stage Shows

  1. Maskman Stage Show at 5 Heroes Korakuen Yuenchi
  2. Maskman Stage Show at Super Hero Korakuen Yuenchi


Cast[]

Suit Actors[]

Tagalog Voice Cast[]

Several characters' names were changed in the Philippine dub, which also changed Prince Igum to a female.

Songs[]

Main article: Hikari Sentai Maskman Soundtracks
Opening theme
Ending theme
Mecha theme
Insert themes
  • "Moeru ze Fire" (燃えるぜファイヤー Moeru ze faiyā, "Burn, Fire")
  • "Ore-Tachi Ungler" (俺たちアングラー Oretachi angurā, "We Are the Unglers")
    • Artist: The Unglers (ジ・アングラーズ Ji Angurāzu)
  • "Lady Action Kimetara Oshare" (レディアクションきめたらおしゃれ Redi akushon kimetara oshare, "Settled Stylishly by Lady Action")
    • Artist: Satoko Yamano (山野 さと子 Yamano Satoko)
  • "Action Fantasy" (アクション・ファンタジー)
    • Artist: Miracle Bombers (ミラクル・ボンバーズ Mirakuru Bonbāzu)
  • "Telepathize Shite Kure" (テレパサイズしてくれ Terepasaizu shite kure, "Let's Telepathize")
    • Artist: Katsuya Miura (三浦 克也 Miura Katsuya)

Releases[]

Broadcast[]

  • Maskman was aired on TV Asahi from February 28, 1987 to February 20, 1988, airing every Saturday on 6.00 p.m..[2]
  • In France, it was broadcast on TF1 in France on June 8, 1988, under the name Bioman 2: Maskman and marketed as a sequel to Chodenshi Bioman to capitalize on its success. AB Groupe produced and license the series' French dub with dubbing work by Studio Dovidis. This was the second series to be shown in the region as they also aired Choshinsei Flashman around the same year as Maskman.[Citation needed]
  • In the Chinese speaking countries, both Mandarin (Taiwan dialect) and Cantonese dubs were made. But, the later aired first with the former airing several years later.[Citation needed]
    • In Hong Kong, the series aired with a Cantonese Chinese dub on TVB Jade from September 9, 1989, until September 22, 1990, with all 51 episodes dubbed. Airing as Chāonéng Zhànshì (超能戰士 meaning Super Warriors).[Citation needed]
    • In Taiwan, the series aired with a Taiwanese Mandarin dub on Shouhua Cartoon Station around 1997 with all 51 episodes dubbed. Airing as Guāng Zhànduì Méng Miàn Zhànshì (光戰隊蒙面戰士 meaning Light Sentai Masked Warrior), being a direct translation from the Japanese original title.[Citation needed]
  • It was aired in Thailand with a Thai dub from 1989 to 1990 on Channel 3, currently owned by TIGA Company. Video Square produced a separate dub for home video.[Citation needed]
  • In the Philippines, it aired on IBC-13 from 1991 to 2000 under the title Laser Squadron Maskman and it gained popularity mainly for being the very Second Super Sentai series with a full Tagalog dub. Much like in France, it was also marketed as a direct sequel to Bioman, thus it was marketed as "Bioman 2: Maskman".[Citation needed]
  • In Malaysia, it aired on TV3 from 1990 to 1991. This was also the first Super Sentai series to be given a full Malay dub.[Citation needed]
  • It was aired in Brazil with a Brazilian Portuguese dub debuting on April 22, 1991, under Defensores da Luz Maskman (Maskman - Defenders of Light) on Rede Manchete and came out around the same time as two other Toei Tokusatsu shows on the same channel which was Zikusensi SpielbanIcon-crosswiki and Kamen Rider BlackIcon-crosswiki. It was the fourth and final Super Sentai to air on the country (the other three that aired before were Dengeki Sentai Changeman, Choshinsei Flashman and Dai Sentai Goggle-V) before they decided to dub for Power Rangers adaptations starting with Mighty Morphin Power Rangers in 1994, due to the decline of interest of Japanese tokusatsu in the region and also due to financial and bureaucratic issues. Although there were more plans to bring more Super Sentai into Brazil as Choju Sentai Liveman and Kousoku Sentai Turboranger were already licensed and were set to be shown in Brazil, but went unaired followed by the decision to air Power Rangers, as it was getting very popular and Saban was weighing competition in most international markets.[Citation needed]
  • It was shown in South Korea from 1990 to 1991 with a Korean dub under Warriors of the Light: Maskman (빛의 전사 마스크맨 Bichui Jeonsadeul: Maseukeumaen?). As of the Korean dub of Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger, it was officially renamed Power Rangers Maskman (파워레인저 마스크맨 Pawo Leinjeo Maseukeumaen?).[Citation needed]
  • In Indonesia, the series was first aired on RCTI in 1990 and later re-aired on SCTV from June 7, 1996, until May 23, 1997, with an Indonesian dub covering all episodes. Then it re-aired again from May 30, 1997, until March 6, 1998. But the re-run went unfinished with not all episodes shown again due to the impact of the 1997 Asian financial crisis.[Citation needed]

Video Release[]

Toyline[]

Main article: Maskman (Toyline)

Notes[]

  • Maskman features a prototype Sixth Ranger, X1 Mask, a one-shot character that appears only in episode 39. This would lead to the first sixth hero debuting in Zyuranger.
  • Maskman is the first Sentai season where none of the core team members have known surnames (excluding Ryo Asuka/X1 Mask, who was a predecessor to the main Maskman team).
  • Maskman is the last Sentai season to have a full run in the Showa period. Its successor, Liveman, would air 43 of the 49 total episodes in the remainder of the Showa period, while episode 44 and onward would air during the very start of the Heisei period.
  • This is the first series to feature an individual mecha for each core member, a motif that will be featured in every one of the show's successors with the exception of Fiveman and Megaranger.
  • In the Filipino dub, the opening and closing themes were composed by singer and composer of the late Norman Caraan who is the main vocalist and frontman of the band, Bodjie's Law of Gravity. Caraan later composed both opening and closing themes in the Filipino dub of Space Sheriff ShaiderIcon-crosswiki until 1994. Prior on composing both opening and closing themes as mentioned above, Caraan initially composed the opening song of Chodenshi Bioman but was unused during the Philippine-English dub.
  • Their official counterparts in Super Megaforce are given the name Lightning.
  • This is the first Super Sentai season to feature a female Yellow Ranger that has a skirt on her suit.
  • This is the first Super Sentai season in which a skirted suit is worn by more than one female Ranger.

External Links[]

References[]

  1. ↑ https://www10.atwiki.jp/shichouseiko/pages/57.html
  2. ↑ 光戦隊マスクマンIcon-wikipedia at Japanese Wikipedia

Footnotes[]


Logo-supersentai Super Sentai Series
Showa Era (1975-1988)
Gorenger • J.A.K.Q. • Battle Fever J • Denziman • Sun Vulcan • Goggle-V • Dynaman • Bioman • Changeman • Flashman • Maskman • Liveman
Heisei Era (1989-2019)
Turboranger • Fiveman • Jetman • Zyuranger • Dairanger • Kakuranger • Ohranger • Carranger • Megaranger • Gingaman • GoGo-V • Timeranger • Gaoranger • Hurricaneger • Abaranger • Dekaranger • Magiranger • Boukenger • Gekiranger • Go-Onger • Shinkenger • Goseiger • Gokaiger • Go-Busters • Kyoryuger • ToQger • Ninninger • Zyuohger • Kyuranger • Lupinranger VS Patranger • Ryusoulger
Reiwa Era (2019-)
Kiramager • Zenkaiger • Donbrothers • King-Ohger • Boonboomger • Gozyuger
Spin-Offs and Other Series
Akibaranger • Akibaranger S2 • Dino Force Brave • Super Sentai Strongest Battle • The High School Heroes
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