'''Hikonin Sentai Akibaranger'''<ref>[http://www.akibaranger.jp/ Official Website]</ref> (非公認戦隊アキバレンジャー, translated as '''Unofficial Squadron Akibaranger''') is being named the "unofficial installment" of the Super Sentai series. Its theme is based on the Akihabara (AKA "Electric Town") section of Tokyo, Japan. The series started airing in April 6, 2012, but unlike the usual Super Sentai series it will be airing on Tokyo MX and BS Asahi. Another notable difference from usual Super Sentai is that this series is geared towards teenagers and Otaku, while the normal series is geared towards young children and families. [[Hikonin Sentai Akibaranger Season 2]] will start airing on April 6, 2013. <ref>http://www.tokunation.com/showthread.php?s=6b766f4db83c9d5afbad52fbf1c5bb0f&t=28881</ref>
+
{{nihongo|'''''Hikonin Sentai Akibaranger'''''|非公認戦隊アキバレンジャー||translated as '''Unofficial Squadron Akibaranger'''}} is being named the "unofficial installment" of the Super Sentai series. Its theme is based on the Akihabara (AKA "Electric Town") section of Tokyo, Japan. The series started airing in April 6, 2012, but unlike the usual Super Sentai series it will be airing on Tokyo MX and BS Asahi. Another notable difference from usual Super Sentai is that this series is geared towards teenagers and Otaku, while the normal series is geared towards young children and families. [[Hikonin Sentai Akibaranger Season 2]] started airing on April 6, 2013. <ref>http://www.tokunation.com/showthread.php?s=6b766f4db83c9d5afbad52fbf1c5bb0f&t=28881</ref>
==Plot==
==Plot==
−
''{{quote|A tiny paradise amongst a sea of skyscrapers: Akihabara. There we find three warriors who believe pain is power and who fight battles that exist entirely in their heads. They are...Hikonin Sentai Akibaranger!|Narrator}}''
+
{{quote|A tiny paradise amongst a sea of skyscrapers: Akihabara. There we find three warriors who believe pain is power and who fight battles that exist entirely in their heads. They are...Hikonin Sentai Akibaranger!|Hiroyo Hakase|Narrator}}
Akibaranger tells the story of three people being part of an otaku club and living in the new "Electric-Town" Akihabara. They have to fight a mysterious malevolent entity that swore to conquer Earth with cool gadgets created by a brilliant genius. However, the Akibarangers' ultimate goal is to become an "official" sentai team.
Akibaranger tells the story of three people being part of an otaku club and living in the new "Electric-Town" Akihabara. They have to fight a mysterious malevolent entity that swore toconquer Earth with cool gadgets created by a brilliant genius. However, the Akibarangers' ultimate goal is to become an "official" sentai team.
*'''[[Machine Itashar]]''': The team's car and robo.
+
*'''[[Machine Itasha]]''': The team's car and robo.
==Episodes==
==Episodes==
Line 131:
Line 133:
At Tamashii Nation 2012, the Akibaranger booth were showing multiple posters and advanced ticket gifts for the fake movie, ''Akibaranger the Movie: Treasure of the Maid Empire''.
At Tamashii Nation 2012, the Akibaranger booth were showing multiple posters and advanced ticket gifts for the fake movie, ''Akibaranger the Movie: Treasure of the Maid Empire''.
−
The Akibaranger staff decided to take a joke from twitter to the next level by making it seem like a movie was being released. Even going as far as making posters, fake tickets and the limited edition ticket gift, Akiba Red Special Color version as pictured below. <ref>http://henshinjustice.com/2012/11/07/akibaranger-the-movie/</ref>
+
The Akibaranger staff decided to take a joke from twitter to the next level by making it seem like a movie was being released. Even going as far as making posters, fake tickets and the limited edition ticket gift, AkibaRed Special Color version as pictured below. <ref>http://henshinjustice.com/2012/11/07/akibaranger-the-movie/</ref>
*The previews for series in the website showcase cartoon silhouettes, similar to when Sailor Luna was first previewed for the liveaction version of ''[[Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon]]''.
+
*The previews for series on the website showcase anime silhouettes, similar to when {{TK|Sailor Luna}} was first previewed for the live-action version of ''[[Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon]]''.
+
**Ironically, the overall tradition of previewing new heroes via silhouettes would later be referred to be [[Nobuo Akagi]] as a technique known as [[Area Fill 80 percent]], in [[Ep. 12: Delusional Apostle|episode 12]] of ''[[Hikonin Sentai Akibaranger: Season Two]]''.
*The series logo is based on that of ''[[Himitsu Sentai Gorenger]]''.
*The series logo is based on that of ''[[Himitsu Sentai Gorenger]]''.
−
*Even though this is an unofficial series, it is the first Sentai series in which both the Blue and Yellow Ranger are females.
+
*Even though this is an unofficial series, it is the first Sentai series in which both the [[Sentai Blue|Blue]] and [[Sentai Yellow|Yellow Ranger]] are [[:Category:Sentai Female Rangers|females]].
**This is also the first season in which there are more female rangers than there are male rangers.
**This is also the first season in which there are more female rangers than there are male rangers.
***Nobuo actually points out those two irregularities in the first episode.
***Nobuo actually points out those two irregularities in the first episode.
−
*This is the first Sentai series to have three kanji preceding the "sentai" kanji, as opposed to the usual one or two.
+
*This is the first Sentai series to have three kanji preceding the "sentai" kanji, as opposed to the usual one or two, which would later have an official successor in the 39th entry of the Super Sentai Series, ''[[Shuriken Sentai Ninninger]]''.
−
*The helmets having "sculpted hair" as opposed to more traditional rounded helmets is similar to the helmets used in ''[[Battle Fever J]]''; in particular, the helmet for [[Battle Japan]].
+
*The helmets having "sculpted hair" as opposed to more traditional rounded helmets are similar to the helmets used in ''[[Battle Fever J]]''; in particular, the helmet of [[Battle Japan]].
*This is the first Sentai parody series meant for mature audiences.
*This is the first Sentai parody series meant for mature audiences.
−
*This is the first Sentai to have a female Blue Ranger with a dark blue suit since ''[[Choujuu Sentai Liveman]]'''s [[Blue Dolphin]].
+
*This is the first Sentai to have a female Blue Ranger with a normal blue suit since ''[[Choujuu Sentai Liveman]]'''s [[Blue Dolphin]].
+
*The first season of ''Akibaranger'' was broadcast concurrent with ''[[Tokumei Sentai Go-Busters]]'', as well as ''{{KR|Kamen Rider Fourze}}''.
−
*Nobuo refers to the team as "the 37th" Super Sentai. When [[Hiroyo Hakase]] points out they are''' unofficial''', he makes it his goal to make the Akibarangers to be recognized as the 37th Super Sentai. However, thereisnowa [[Zyuden Sentai Kyoryuger|37th Sentai Series]].
+
*Nobuo refers to the team as "the 37th" Super Sentai. When [[Hiroyo Hakase]] points out they are''' unofficial''', he makes it his goal to make the Akibarangers to be recognized as the 37th Super Sentai. Next year, however, with [[Hikonin Sentai Akibaranger: Season Two|Season Two]] airing concurrent with the official [[Zyuden Sentai Kyoryuger|37th Sentai Series]], the Akibarangers' goal is changed to fixing the history of ''[[Super Sentai]]'' series which is being constantly tampered with.
−
*Akibaranger is the first Sentai series since ''[[Taiyou Sentai Sun Vulcan]]'' to feature only three rangers.
+
*Akibaranger is the first Sentai series since ''[[Taiyo Sentai Sun Vulcan]]'' to feature only three rangers. Though Akibaranger had two replacements for rangers, technically bringing it up to five while Sun Vulcan replaced one ranger, bringing them up to four.
*This is currently shorter than any of the official Sentai series, with only 13 episodes. However, a second season has been announced.
*This is currently shorter than any of the official Sentai series, with only 13 episodes. However, a second season has been announced.
*This is the first Sentai series to break the fourth wall as a plot point.
*This is the first Sentai series to break the fourth wall as a plot point.
−
*The series was originally intended to be a Gokaiger spin-off called Kaizoku-ban Sentai Gokaiger (Pirate Copy Sentai Gokaiger).<ref>http://rrrotoku.com/2012/08/13/akibaranger-web-radio-temp-episode-3-summary/4/</ref>
+
*The series was originally intended to be a ''[[Gokaiger]]'' spin-off called Kaizoku-ban Sentai Gokaiger (Pirate Copy Sentai Gokaiger).<ref>http://rrrotoku.com/2012/08/13/akibaranger-web-radio-temp-episode-3-summary/4/</ref>
*This is the first Sentai series to have a second season.
*This is the first Sentai series to have a second season.
+
*This series can be seen as the equivalent to ''{{KR|Kamen Rider Amazons}}''.
+
**Both are unofficial entries in their respective series made by [[Toei Company|Toei]].
+
**Both are aimed at older audiences.
+
**Both consist of two seasons with 13 episodes per season.
+
**Neither series take place in their respective franchises' main universe.
+
***Despite this, both have been referenced multiple times by their official series. For example, ''Akibaranger'' was mentioned in ''{{TK|Uchuu Keiji Gavan vs. Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger}}'', while alternate world counterparts to the main Riders of ''Amazons'' appear in ''{{TK|Kamen Rider × Super Sentai: Chou Super Hero Taisen}}''.
+
**Both series' designs pay homage to earlier seasons ([[Battle Fever J]] for ''Akibaranger'' and {{KR|Kamen Rider Amazon}} for ''Amazons'').
==References==
==References==
Line 218:
Line 239:
[[Category:Unofficial Sentai Series]]
[[Category:Unofficial Sentai Series]]
[[Category:Sentai Seasons that start with less than 5 Rangers]]
[[Category:Sentai Seasons that start with less than 5 Rangers]]
+
[[Category:Heisei Era]]
Revision as of 18:30, 3 January 2020
This article is about an additional unnumbered (EX) series entry in the Super Sentai series.
Hikonin Sentai Akibaranger (非公認戦隊アキバレンジャー,Hikonin Sentai Akibaranger translated as Unofficial Squadron Akibaranger) is being named the "unofficial installment" of the Super Sentai series. Its theme is based on the Akihabara (AKA "Electric Town") section of Tokyo, Japan. The series started airing in April 6, 2012, but unlike the usual Super Sentai series it will be airing on Tokyo MX and BS Asahi. Another notable difference from usual Super Sentai is that this series is geared towards teenagers and Otaku, while the normal series is geared towards young children and families. Hikonin Sentai Akibaranger Season 2 started airing on April 6, 2013. [1]
"A tiny paradise amongst a sea of skyscrapers: Akihabara. There we find three warriors who believe pain is power and who fight battles that exist entirely in their heads. They are...Hikonin Sentai Akibaranger!"
Akibaranger tells the story of three people being part of an otaku club and living in the new "Electric-Town" Akihabara. They have to fight a mysterious malevolent entity that swore to conquer Earth with cool gadgets created by a brilliant genius. However, the Akibarangers' ultimate goal is to become an "official" sentai team.
The Akibaranger's secret base/hideout is a "Sentai Cafe," a Super Sentai version of the popular maid cafes in Japan.
Production
The official website lists several tokusatsu and anime veterans, including director Ryuta Tazaki (Kamen Rider), director/character designer Keiichi Satou (Tiger & Bunny), writer Naruhisa Arakawa (Kamen Rider Kuuga), and composer Kenji Kawai (Ghost in the Shell).
Starting on July 6, Animate.tv will broadcast Unofficial Sentai Akibaranger Official Web Radio (Temporary) (非公認戦隊アキバレンジャー公認ＷＥＢラジオ（仮）,Hikōnin Sentai Akibarenjā Kōnin Uebu Rajio (Kari)). The bi-weekly web radio series will feature the voices of the TV series cast, as well as special guests in every show.[3]
Treasure of the Maid Empire hoax
At Tamashii Nation 2012, the Akibaranger booth were showing multiple posters and advanced ticket gifts for the fake movie, Akibaranger the Movie: Treasure of the Maid Empire.
The Akibaranger staff decided to take a joke from twitter to the next level by making it seem like a movie was being released. Even going as far as making posters, fake tickets and the limited edition ticket gift, AkibaRed Special Color version as pictured below. [4]
The previews for series on the website showcase anime silhouettes, similar to when Sailor Luna was first previewed for the live-action version of Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon.
Even though this is an unofficial series, it is the first Sentai series in which both the Blue and Yellow Ranger are females.
This is also the first season in which there are more female rangers than there are male rangers.
Nobuo actually points out those two irregularities in the first episode.
This is the first Sentai series to have three kanji preceding the "sentai" kanji, as opposed to the usual one or two, which would later have an official successor in the 39th entry of the Super Sentai Series, Shuriken Sentai Ninninger.
The helmets having "sculpted hair" as opposed to more traditional rounded helmets are similar to the helmets used in Battle Fever J; in particular, the helmet of Battle Japan.
This is the first Sentai parody series meant for mature audiences.
Nobuo refers to the team as "the 37th" Super Sentai. When Hiroyo Hakase points out they are unofficial, he makes it his goal to make the Akibarangers to be recognized as the 37th Super Sentai. Next year, however, with Season Two airing concurrent with the official 37th Sentai Series, the Akibarangers' goal is changed to fixing the history of Super Sentai series which is being constantly tampered with.
Akibaranger is the first Sentai series since Taiyo Sentai Sun Vulcan to feature only three rangers. Though Akibaranger had two replacements for rangers, technically bringing it up to five while Sun Vulcan replaced one ranger, bringing them up to four.
This is currently shorter than any of the official Sentai series, with only 13 episodes. However, a second season has been announced.
This is the first Sentai series to break the fourth wall as a plot point.
The series was originally intended to be a Gokaiger spin-off called Kaizoku-ban Sentai Gokaiger (Pirate Copy Sentai Gokaiger).[5]
This is the first Sentai series to have a second season.
This article is about an additional unnumbered (EX) series entry in the Super Sentai series.
was first previewed for the live-action version of Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon.
.