Signalman
Number of Episode Appearances:
- "I, the one who raises space traffic control, am here to capture the Intergalactic Bowzock Biker Gang. An intergalactic policeman from Police Planet! I've come to Earth... I've come here alone! Let's protect the traffic rules of justice! My name! Signalman Police Coburn!"
- ―Signalman's introduction[src]
Signalman (シグナルマン, Shigunaruman) is an intergalactic police officer from Planet Police who was assigned to Earth, and something of a Sixth Ranger figure to the Carrangers.
Character History
Carranger
- "Upholding the traffic rules of justice! My name is... Signalman!"
- ―Signalman's roll call[src]
Signalman turned into a child
Signalman is a Space Police officer from the Planet Police, where he left behind his wife Sigue, and his son Sigtaro, to pursue the Universal Reckless Driving Tribe Bowzock. He can sometimes be more of a hindrance than a help to the Carrangers. Because of his intense training in the rules of traffic, he never breaks traffic rules in any case, even if it conflicts with his sense of justice (like in one instance, when Ichitarou Tenma was kidnapped by the Gorotsuki CC Chakkoo, and Signalman gave chase until he came across a red crossing light; while Chakkoo managed to escape. Signalman could not give chase because if he did, he would be breaking a traffic law Ep. 22: The Tragic Traffic Rule Habit).
Because of his own relations with his son, he has a good friendship with Ichitarou, who he commonly helps with homework (while likewise making sure he goes to school even during the summer) and leaves responsibility of watching his station to. Said station, the Kobaan Base (コバーンベース, Kobān Bēsu, Police box Base), is a small Police booth, which can be nearly everywhere in Japan, except places where people might actually pass it. For this reason, Signalman rarely catches any activity, and is usually introduced into most episodes casually observing what is outside his station, stating that no one is around. This is usually before he ends up dragged into an incident involving the Carrangers and/or the Bowzock.
After receiving a letter from his son Sigtarou regarding an upcoming athletics meet on Police, Signalman departs Earth after much debate and deliberation (which was not helped by him having to singlehandedly save the Carrangers after they had been baked into a giant pizza by another Gorotsuki, XX Mileno) Ep. 27: The Crossroads of Transferring Away From Home..., ultimately choosing to do so due to finally trusting the Carranger enough to leave Earth in their hands. Yet some time after his return, the planet is mysteriously coated in a five-way colored gas (unknowingly distributed by Reckless Dash Emperor Exhaus) which ends up making Sigtarou sick and warps Signalman's mind, making him believe the Carranger were behind it. Deceived, he went back to Earth to take them down for what they've done to Sigtarou and himself while becoming an ally of the Universal Reckless Driving Tribe Bowzock. Fortunately, the Carrangers managed to restore their friend to normal by tricking him into drinking cider after a hard battle with them, which they likewise have him contact to Police to save Sigtarou.
Signalman remains on Earth for the remainder of the series to protect it, and assist the Carranger in stopping the Bowzock and Exhaus's plans, aside from a brief period during New Year's when he brings his wife and son to his station planet for vacation. During Exhaus' final plan, he tries to assist Ichitarou to protect the Carranger during their greatest crisis. He ends up saving the Earth from being blown up by the Bowzock's out-of-control Baribarian when it is sent by the tyrant to destroy the planet and eliminate the minions he had been using all along. After Exhaus' defeat, Signalman returns to Police to partake in a proper education beyond traffic rules and to become a detective.
Gokaiger
Legend War
Signalman and Extra Heroes in Super Sentai 199
- "Signalman, reporting for duty! I am ready to protect the Earf!"
- ―Signalman[src]
Signalman fought in the Great Legend War, along with the first 34 Super Sentai teams. He, along with everyone else, sacrificed their powers to destroy the Zangyack armada. Gokaiger Goseiger Super Sentai 199 Hero Great Battle Signalman's Ranger Key, along with those of the 9 other Extra Heroes, ended up in the hands of Basco ta Jolokia. Ep. 16: Clash! Sentai vs. Sentai
Interim
The copy of Signalman appeared when Basco united his nine remaining Extra Hero copies, his Black Knight key having been taking by Gai in his failed attempt to gain the greater power of Gingaman, Ep. 20: The Lost Forest when he was confronted by Goro Hoshino (OhRed†). The Extra Heroes would then fight the Gokaigers again, who wished to take the Ohranger's greater power rather than just be given it. Signalman fought Don (Gokai Green). The Extra Heroes were taken down by the Olé Bazooka. Signalman's key, along with the rest of the Extra Heroes was claimed by Gai. Ep. 31: Crash!! Secret Operations
When the Gokaigers first transformed into Extra Heroes, in their fight against the Dogormin, Don became Signalman. Ep. 37: The Strongest Fighting Machine
Farewell Space Pirates
Signalman in Gokaiger 51
After the final battle with the end of the Zangyack, Signalman joins with S.P.D. officer Doggie Kruger after getting his key back to see the Gokaigers off. Final Ep.: Farewell Space Pirates
Chou Super Hero Taisen
Super Sentai Strongest Battle
Signalman joined the Super Sentai Strongest Battle as a member of Curveball Team, where he partnered with Shurikenger and Ninjaman and fought in a three-way match against Bouken Yellow, Green Sai and GaoBlack of Super Strong Team in the first round of the competition, but lost the match. Battle1: Who is the Strongest in History!?
30 Sentai Encyclopedia
Signalman is acknowledged as an Extra Hero (番外ヒーロー, Bangai Hīrō) in the 30 Sentai Encyclopedia Special Files entry shown at the end of Task 44 of GoGo Sentai Boukenger.
Video Game appearances
Super Sentai Battle Base
Signalman is among the vast pantheon of heroes which are available in the mobile game Super Sentai Battle Base.
Personality
to be added
Signalman
Signalman
Mecha
Arsenal
Evil Signalman
Mecha
Arsenal
Ranger Key
The Signalman Ranger Key.
The Signalman Ranger Key (シグナルマンレンジャーキー, Shigunaruman Renjā Kī) is Signalman's personal Ranger Key and what became of his powers after he along with the rest of the 34 Super Sentai sacrificed their powers to end the Great Legend War.
This key, along with the other nine extra hero keys and the fifteen sixth ranger keys, were initally acquired by Basco ta Jolokia and later used by the Gokaigers. Like all of his Ranger Keys, Basco used his trumpet, the Rapparatta, to turn the Signalman key into a puppet to do his bidding. Basco united his nine remaining Ranger Keys, the Black Knight key being taken by the Gokaigers before hand, when he was confronted by Goro Hoshino (OhRed†). The Extra Heroes would then fight the Gokaigers again, who wished to take the Ohrangers' greater power rather than just be given it. Signalman fought Don Dogoier (Gokai Green), who fought as OhGreen. The Extra Heroes were taken down by the Olé Bazooka. Signalman's key, along with the rest of the Extra Heroes was claimed by the Gokaiger.
While in the possession of the Gokaigers, the Signalman Ranger Key was used by Don Dogoier (Gokai Green) and Gai Ikari (Gokai Silver) on one occasion each.
After Zangyack were finally defeated, the Gokaigers gave the Ranger Keys back to their rightful owners. Signalman received his key back, restoring him to his normal form.
Powers and Abilities
Behind the scenes
Portrayal
Signalman was voiced by Hōchū Ōtsuka. His main suit actor was Yoshinori Okamoto (credited as O-Bitoh), his sub was Kenji Takechi.
Notes
- Signalman is the very first official Sentai hero of extraterrestrial origins.
- It would take four years before an alien becomes a main team hero; and fifteen more before a team of aliens would exist in Sentai.
- Although the Flashman technically "came" from other worlds and the Fiveman were born on another planet, they were all humans of Earth.
- As seen in Gokaiger's final episode, Signalman could be an ally of Doggie Kruger and S.P.D., or even a staff of this organization.
- According to Tetsu Inada, who voices Doggie Kruger, the director told him that the reason Doggie and Signalman were together is because since Signalman gave up his actual body after the Legend War (as unlike nearly all the other heroes, Signalman's fighting form is his normal form and thus he doesn't transform), whatever inanimate form he did turn into was kept under the care of the S.P.D. Earth Branch.
- Signalman is the first Sentai Ranger (or Ranger-esque Sentai ally) who is a parent.
- If one can count VRV Master as a Ranger, then there are two associated with the Carranger, as VRV Master is the father of Dappu.
- Despite being married, Signalman showed some attraction towards Beauty Zonnette under the guise of a human woman named "Zonko". Later on, in Episode 36, when Signalman had turned evil due to the effects of the Carranger-colored gas, the afflicted Signalman expressed his desire to be with Zonnette, even going so far as to declare that he would legally seperate himself from his current wife to be with her.
Appearances
See Also
