Shout Factory Announces Super Sentai DVD Sequel and Kamen Rider Kuuga Blu-ray
scream plant announced the Blu-ray release of Kamen Rider Kuuga and the DVD sequel to the Super Sentai series, starting with Fiveman. Sentai releases previously stopped when Hasbro secured the rights to the Power Rangers brand, but now releases continue beginning with Chikyuu Sentai Fiveman. Sentai’s 14th release will also be joined by the 10th installment in the Kamen Rider series, which kicked off the Heisei period of Riders. Both versions were revealed at Anime Expo 2022, with the release date revealed for that year.
Chikyuu Sentai Fiveman is one of the first Super Sentai series that Power Rangers did not adapt into a television series. The show was originally released in 1990 and aired 48 episodes before Choujin Sentai Jetman started the following year. Although Power Rangers only adapted shows from 16e Sentai, Zyuranger, the 5 rangers of Fiveman were seen in Power Rangers Super Megaforce and adapted into the comics as Supersonic Rangers, for Psycho Green’s origins. This adaptation also included a Green 6e Ranger, who was a Power Rangers exclusive character created for the villainous Ranger story. Shout Factory started releasing Super Sentai shows, with English subtitles, in 2015 and started with the season that started Power Rangers, Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger. 16e Sentai was later followed by other Super Sentai DVD releases until Hasbro purchased the Power Rangers franchise from Saban. Here are the other Super Sentai seasons that have been released as complete series DVDs.
- 15e Sentai. Jetman Chojin Sentai
- 17e Sentai. Gosei Sentai Dairanger
- 18e Sentai. Ninja Sentai Kakuranger
- 19e Sentai. Chouriki Sentai Ohranger
- 20e Sentai. Gekisou Sentai Carranger
- 21st Sentai. Denji Sentai Megaranger
- 22n/a Sentai. Seijuu Sentai Gingaman
- 23rd Sentai. Kyuukyuu Sentai GoGoFive
- 24e Sentai. Mirai Sentai Timeranger
- 25e Sentai. Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger
- 26e Sentai. Hurricaneger Ninpuu Sentai
As for Kamen Rider, Kamen Rider Kuuga began a new era for the franchise as the Heisei Riders began their run. It was the first standalone Rider television series, since Kamen Rider Black RX, and the first series of the revived series. As the era’s first Rider, Kamen Rider Kuuga was seen in many anniversary events that followed, including a major character in the Heisei 10.e anniversary season, Kamen Rider Decade. The show first aired in Japan in 2000 and aired alongside Mirai Sentai Timeranger for the Superhero Time slot on TV Asahi. The show was never adapted outside of Japan, however, the Rider received various product releases after the series ended. This includes the Henshin belt released in the Complete Selection Modification line and the recently revealed Complete Style Gigantic line, which includes Kuuga’s Titan Sword. Shout Factory only released one Kamen Rider series before, which was Kamen Rider Zero-One on Blu-ray earlier this year. It was the 30th series in the franchise, the first series from the Reiwa period, and was released in 2019, meaning it was a recent installment.
Fans relieved by continued Super Sentai releases
The 14the Sentai, Chikyuu Sentai Fiveman, is the final DVD of the complete series which continues the availability of the Super Sentai series in the west. The DVD releases include official English subtitles, which were previously only available through fan-subtitled content. All 48 episodes are included in the 7 DVD set but will only be available in the US and Canada. Here are the released images for the Ckikuu Sentai Fiveman: Complete series DVD.
Fiveman Synopsis
Find out where the global phenomenon began with the original Japanese series that inspired the Power Rangers franchise!
Twenty years after their planet was attacked by the brutal Zone Empire, the five Hoshikawa children, who escaped and grew up on Earth, must prepare for an all-new war. This time, however, they’re ready…having developed the powerful Fiveman technology that will help them defend Earth against the same empire that conquered their homeworld.
Many fans are going to be extremely thrilled and grateful that Super Sentai’s DVD releases are continuing. The concern is that they would stop before fans could see the release of newer, fan-favorite Sentai series, such as Gokaiger and Kirameiger, which were never officially released. The copyright seen at the Anime Expo booth suggests that Shout Factory has a direct contract with Toei, which will secure releases for the future if demand continues. Given the pattern of exits, it’s possible that Abaranger is next, as he follows after 26e Sentai, Hurricanegerwhich was released previously but the next Sentai DVD has yet to be confirmed.
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scream plant Kamen Rider Kuuga Kicking North America with the Complete Series Blu-ray
The Blu-ray version of Kamen Rider Kuuga allows fans to get the famous Rider series, with official English subtitles. The complete series includes all 49 episodes of the series and even includes optional subtitles for the Grongi, who are the antagonists of the series. The Blu-ray will also come with an exclusive 18″ x 24″ rolled poster (while supplies last) if ordered through the Shout Factory website. Here are the images from the Blu-ray release and the limited-edition poster.
Kamen Rider Synopsis of Kuuga
Kamen Rider Kuuga is the first episode of the franchise’s television series set in the Heisei era. When a group of archaeologists discover the tomb of a legendary warrior, they unearth Kuuga’s belt, accidentally releasing an ancient race of monsters called Grongi, bent on destroying humanity. Enter Yusuke Godai, a neighbor type guy, who learns that he is telepathically linked to the mysterious stone belt. Through his power, he transforms into the legendary warrior known as Kuuga, humanity’s only defense against the murderous monsters of Grongi.
This release couldn’t come at a better time as a Manga release was only recently announced for Kamen Rider Kuuga. The demand for the full style Gigantic Titan sword will also increase once fans get the full set. The popularity of the Kamen Rider Zero-One release proved that there is a strong demand for the Kamen Rider franchise in the west, which had previously attempted to adapt specific shows. It will be curious to see which Rider series will be released next on Blu-ray as the released Super Sentai DVDs jump between before and after. Zyuranger.
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Chikyuu Sentai Fiveman: The DVD of the complete series will be released on September 6e and will be available through Shout! Factory directly. Pre-orders are currently open for release and can be purchased through the following sites link. The show will not be on Shout! Factory TV when it was released.
Kamen Rider Kuuga: The complete series Blu-ray is also available now for pre-order and will be released on September 20e. It will be available at various retailers but if you want the exclusive poster, pre-order on Shout! Factory before stock runs out using this link. The complete series will be available on Shout! Factory TV upon release for viewers to stream.
What do you think of these releases of scream plant? Are you happy that the Super Sentai DVD releases are continuing? Will you get the Fiveman DVD and Kamen Rider Kuuga Blu-ray? Let us know on social media or in the comments below, and keep following us on Twitter Where Facebook for more information on Tokusatsu.
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