How to Watch Every Super Sentai Series in Order (2024)

90s kids in America grew up with the Power Rangers franchise, which has been going strong for 30 years already. However, in Japan, these shows' inspiration series had been making waves for a while: Super Sentai. While the first season of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers aired in 1993 in the West, the first Super Sentai show debuted in 1975.

The franchise has had its share of highs and lows and certainly isn't as popular as it once was. However, even now there's a new series airing in Japan, following in the footsteps of dozens that came before. For as many American fans who grew up with Power Rangers, a few more generations of Japanese fans grew up with Super Sentai. Nostalgia is a powerful force, and the hero team franchise has proven surprisingly tenacious.

Updated on February 27th, 2024, by Mayra García: Super Sentai is famously known for inspiring Power Rangers, but it is much more than that. This long-standing Japanese franchise has been around for almost 50 years and it has developed a cult following, so there's plenty to say about it. This list has been updated to adhere to CBR's current publication standards and to include more information on Bakuage Sentai Boonboomger, the newest Super Sentai season, which will premiere on March 3, 2024.

1 Himitsu Sentai Gorenger Is The Longest Franchise Entry (1975-1977)

IMDb Rating: 6.9

Himitsu Sentai Gorenger was the first Super Sentai tokusatsu series ever. Gorenger remains the longest, too, clocking in at 84 episodes. Himitsu Sentai Gorenger follows the Earth Guard League, aka EAGLE, as they fight the terrorist group Black Cross Army, led by the Black Cross Führer.

The Earth Guard League uses governmental technology that grants them superhuman strength and speed. At this time, Super Sentai was not yet an established brand, but Himitsu Sentai Gorenger's success allowed the franchise to expand in the following decades.

2 J.A.K.Q. Dengekitai Only Had Four Heroes (1977)

IMDb Rating: 6.6

J.A.K.Q. Dengekitai

TV-PG

Action

Adventure

Crime

Science Fiction

Cyborg warriors were created by the Special Science Investigation Squad to bear nuclear, gravitational, magnetic, and electrical forces. They fight the crime empire known as "Crime".

Release Date

April 2, 1977

Creator

Shotaro Ishinomori

Production Company

Toei Company

Main Cast

Yosh*taka Tanba, Tairayami Ito, Mitchi Love, Yûsuke Kazato, Masashi Ishibashi and Tôru Ôhira

While nearly every Super Sentai team begins with either three or five members, J.A.K.Q. Dengekitai featured only four, with a fifth member appearing later in the series. This would become a common trope in later series, where every team would get an extra member in the middle of the series — the Power Rangers franchise borrowed this trope too.

The title's initials referred to the character nicknames: Jack, Ace, King, and Queen, taken from playing cards. These superheroes were enhanced cybernetically and given abilities (such as X-ray vision and super strength) by the Japanese government to fight against "Crime," a generic mafia network.

3 Marvel Inspired Battle Fever J (1979-1980)

IMDb Rating: 7.1

Battle Fever J was a collaborative effort between Toei Animation and Marvel, and it was definitely inspired by the House of Ideas -- particularly, it was inspired by Captain America. In fact, the series followed a team with codenames based on different countries, Battle France, Battle Cossack (Soviet Union), Battle Kenya, Miss America (United States), and Battle Japan.

Battle Fever J stands out in the franchise because it was the first Super Sentai series to include mechas. This was first introduced on Toei's Spider-Man, where Takuya Yamashiro aka Spider-Man, also had a big robot to go against the bad guys. However, Battle Fever J cemented it. Even now, all Super Sentai teams have mechas.

4 Denshi Sentai Denziman Was Very Popular Outside Japan (1980-1981)

IMDb Rating: 7.6

In Denshi Sentai Denziman, the rangers learn they are descended from Denzi, an alien race that became stranded on Earth after losing to the Vader Clan. Since Earth is Vader Clan's new target, the rangers team up to stop them. While a generic good vs. evil story, Denziman became central to Super Sentai because it was the first series to introduce morphers -- which are still key tools in the franchise and in Power Rangers.

This unique detail made Denshi Sentai Denziman one of the most successful Super Sentai series. Its success in Japan led to the show being broadcast in other countries, such as Thailand, where it was all the rage. This would be just the beginning of Super Sentai's eventual globalization.

5 Taiyo Sentai Sun Vulcan Had A Film (1981-1982)

IMDb Rating: 6.0

Taiyo Sentai Sun Vulcan serves as a sequel to Denshi Sentai Denziman and is the only Super Sentai sequel series to date. It was the first show to feature rangers associated with elemental themes: air, land, and water. This theme would repeat in future series, but never with Taiyo Sentai as inspiration.

Taiyo Sentai Sun Vulcan stands out from other series because it was the first series to feature only male rangers. This series was fairly beloved, but it only had 50 episodes. Additionally, a film by Shozo Uehara was released in 1981 with a plot taking place around episode 23.

6 Dai Sentai Goggle-V Was The Last Scarfed Team (1982-1983)

IMDb Rating: 7.2

Dai Sentai Goggle-V

TV-PG

Action

Adventure

Drama

Fantasy

Science Fiction

The Dark Science Empire Desdark launches its scheme for world conquest from their Destopia Castle in Germany. Dr. Hideki Hongo, founder of the Future Science Laboratory, is saved from one of their attacks by world class explorer Kenichi Akama. Using his Computer Boys and Girls, Hongo recruits five people, including Kenichi, to form the Dai Sentai Goggle-V (Goggle 5), the only force capable of stopping Desdark.

Release Date

February 6, 1982

Production Company

Toei Company

Main Cast

Ryouji Akagi, Jun'ichi Haruta, Shigeki Ishii, Sanpei Godai and Megumi Ogawa

When the Dark Science Empire Desdark makes its first attempt to conquer the world, the Future Science Laboratory recruits five exceptional individuals to form the Goggle 5. This technologically-enhanced team -- with great fashion sense -- is the only chance for Earth's salvation.

Dai Sentai Goggle V is only the sixth Super Sentai series, but it marked the end of an era: it was the last show to incorporate neck scarves into the costumes. As of 2023, this unique accessory hasn't been used again, but hardcore fans are eager to see it back. Not even the Power Rangers franchise has tried to incorporate it.

7 Kagaku Sentai Dynaman Was Supposed To Be A Sport Series (1983-1984)

IMDb Rating: 6.8

Kagaku Sentai Dynaman was originally slated to be a baseball-themed sentai series, very similar to current sports anime. In fact, every hero is an expert at a different sport, such as martial arts, swimming, and fencing. However, as the series went by, it ended up leaning toward the more traditional "science" themed storytelling.

The series followed five teenagers who transformed into the Dynamen thanks to the inventions of Dr. Kyutaro Yumeno. Perhaps the first Super Sentai to make waves in the US, six episodes of the series received a parody dub, airing on USA Network under the name of Dynaman. If Denziman kicked off the franchise's international success, Dynaman surely cemented it.

8 Choudenshi Bioman Was The First Series To Include Two Female Rangers (1984-1985)

IMDb Rating: 6.5

Based on science fiction, Choudenshi Bioman incorporated more dramatic character elements than most previous series. It was also the first Super Sentai to feature two female rangers. This would become the norm both in Super Sentai and in Power Rangers -- with more recent seasons including even more. For instance, Power Rangers Cosmic Fury has three: Amelia, Izzy, and Fern.

The five heroes were descendants of people who had been in contact with Bio-Particles. This gave them the ability to transform into Biomen. Contrary to most of its predecessors, Choudenshi Bioman was translated into English, but not for America. Instead, Choudenshi Bioman was marketed to the Philippines. This would be yet another step into Super Sentai's world conquest.

9 Dengeki Sentai Changeman Had The First White Female Ranger (1985-1986)

IMDb Rating: 8.3

The second-longest Super Sentai series, Dengeki Sentai Changeman reached 55 episodes. This season stood out because its was inspired by mythical animals from European folklore, such as Dragons, Pegasi, and Mermaids. This mythological motif has never been used again in the franchise -- nor in Power Rangers.

Additionally, Change Mermaid was the first female ranger to wear white, a tradition that would repeat on different occasions in the future, with the white color becoming a unisex option in Super Sentai. Funnily enough, although Changeman used many references to European folklore, it was never broadcast outside Asia.

10 Choushinsei Flashman Was Successful In Latin America (1986-1987)

IMDb Rating: 8.0

Choushinsei Flashman

TV-PG

Action

Adventure

Science Fiction

In Choushinsei Flashman, five children are kidnapped by aliens. As adults, they return to Earth to protect the planet.

Release Date

March 1, 1986

Production Company

Toei Company

Main Cast

Touta Tarumi, Kihachiro Uemura, Yasuhiro Ishiwata, Youko Nakamura and Mayumi Yoshida

Choushinsei Flashman was the tenth official Super Sentai series. While other shows sometimes showcased characters descended from aliens, this series' heroes were human beings who didn't grow up on Earth under different circ*mstances, such as being kidnapped by aliens. This gave them superior knowledge and incredible abilities to become rangers, like superhuman resistence or super strength.

While past Super Sentai series had become part of American television, this one didn't. However, it aired in different countries in Latin America. Choushinsei Flashman was dubbed in Spanish and Portuguese for Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru, and Brazil.

11 Hikari Sentai Maskman Included The First Zord Combination (1987-1988)

IMDb Rating: 7.1

Hikari Sentai Maskman, the 11th Super Sentai series, centered on a group of heroes, each of whom was an expert in a different martial art. Each had their own mecha, which could combine with the others to create an even bigger robot. This became a common trope in the following series.

Hikari Sentai Maskman proved popular both in Japan and abroad and found success in Korea, Brazil, the Philippines, and France. The series lasted 51 episodes and it didn't do great, but fans remember it fondly and Power Rangers owes it the Megazord trope, which the fandom adores.

12 Choujuu Sentai Liveman Had Some Controversial Moments (1988-1989)

IMDb Rating: 7.2

The first Super Sentai to include a blue female ranger, Choujuu Sentai Liveman was the last series produced during Japan's Showa period, which officially ended in 1989. Choujuu Sentai Liveman was also the first to use animal-themed mechas -- this would become basically the norm for the Power Rangers series.

The team was formed by Red Falcon, Yellow Lion, Blue Dolphin, Black Bison, and Green Rhino. The Green Rhino ranger was eventually impregnated by one of the villains, which led her to consider an abortion. For such a lighthearted show, this was a controversial moment.

13 Kousoku Sentai Turboranger Had Only High Schoolers (1989-1990)

IMDb Rating: 7.2

20,000 years after the Fairies helped humans against the Bouma Tribe, these villains escaped to destroy the world. To avoid this, Dr. Dazai and Seelon, the last fairy alive, form a team of five young heroes to become the Turborangers. The first series of the Heisei era, Kousoku Sentai Turboranger proved slightly less successful than its predecessor, due perhaps in part to featuring rangers powered by fairy magic.

Besides, by this point, every ranger was a high schooler, suggesting the franchise was leaning toward a younger demographic. Although now it has a cult following, now both Super Sentai and Power Rangers are aimed to kids. At the time, this was a big change.

14 Chikyu Sentai Fiveman Did Poorly (1990-1991)

IMDb Rating: 7.5

Chikyu Sentai Fiveman

Action

Adventure

Science Fiction

Fantasy

Five siblings are chosen to protect the world from the evil Zone Empire.

Release Date

March 2, 1990

Production Company

Toei Company

Main Cast

Toshiya Fuji, Kei Sindachiya, Ryouhei Kobayashi, Kazuko Miyata and Megumi Sakita.

Chikyu Sentai Fiveman focuses on the Hoshikawa siblings, five high-school teachers at the Newtown Elementary School who live a double life as superheroes. The siblings fight together against the Galactic Imperial Army Zone led by Empress Meadow and Captain Garoa, in order to prevent these villains from conquering the world.

Originally, this was supposed to be the penultimate Super Sentai series. In fact, Chikyu Sentai Fiveman fared poorly in both ratings and toy sales, signaling that the franchise had run its course. However, Toei found a way to make it work again after revamping it for Power Rangers.

15 A Ranger Died In Choujin Sentai Jetman (1991-1992)

IMDb Rating: 8.3

Inspired by Gatchaman, Choujin Sentai Jetman marked the end of an era. It was the last Super Sentai series to grace screens before the franchise was reborn abroad as Power Rangers. Given this, it was the last series not to get a Power Rangers counterpart.

Choujin Sentai Jetman was considered too dark to adapt by Saban, in part because one of the core rangers died. A ranger death hasn't happened in a Super Sentai show since. Ironically, Power Rangers has featured a couple of deaths, showing that it has evolved and that, maybe, Choujin Sentai Jetman could've been a great inspiration.

16 Kyoryu Sentai Zyuranger Inspired Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Season 1 (1992-1993)

IMDb Rating: 8.0

Kyoryu Sentai Zyuranger

TV-PG

Action

Adventure

Fantasy

Science Fiction

Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger is a Japanese tokusatsu television series and the sixteenth installment in the long-running Super Sentai franchise of superhero programs.

Release Date

February 21, 1992

Production Company

Toei Company

Main Cast

Yuuta Mochizuki, Seiju Umon, Hideki Fujiwara, Takumi Hashimoto, Reiko Chiba, Machiko Soga and Shirô Izumi

Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger was the first property whose footage was used to create a Mighty Morphin Power Rangers series abroad. Contrary to Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger followed a group of humans who evolved from dinosaurs, not a group of "teenagers with attitude."

Beyond this, Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger was remarkable in many ways. The series featured a prehistoric animal motif, a villainess that hasn't been forgotten, and fantasy rather than science-fiction elements. No wonder it was the first to become an international success.

IMDb Rating: 8.0

Gosei Sentai Dairanger, which focused on Qi powers Dai warriors from Chinese culture, wasn't adapted for Power Rangers even if some footage was used. In fact, it proved a bumpy ride when it came to adapting material for Power Rangers, instead.

The Dairangers themselves weren't part of the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers adaptation, but the monsters they battled sometimes were. Because of this, any adapted fight scenes had to be cropped to exclude the unfamiliar ranger suits, and the result often felt makeshift.

18 Ninja Sentai Kakuranger Inspired Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Season 3 (1994-1995)

IMDb Rating: 7.7

Ninja Sentai Kakuranger brought the franchise back to more traditional Japanese themes, with a story about ninja rangers fighting yokai. This move was intentional as they were supposed to serve as a counterpart to the previous Dairanger series, which featured Chinese themes.

Regarding its influence in the Power Rangers franchise, the Ninja Sentai Kakuranger suits were used for Mighty Morphin Alien Rangers. The adaptation was mostly regarding footage since Power Rangers didn't take much from Kakuranger. For instance, instead of going for the ninja motif, Saban turned them into aliens

19 Power Rangers Zeo Is Based On Chouriki Sentai Ohranger (1995-1996)

IMDb Rating: 6.9

Chouriki Sentai Ohranger, like Dai Sentai Goggle-V, showcased a storyline inspired by ancient civilizations. Each ranger of this team was a pilot of the United Air Force with special abilities thanks to the Chouriki, a type of energy dating back to Pangaea.

Its Power Rangers counterpart, Power Rangers Zeo, had little in common with the plot of Ohranger. Instead, it served as an offshoot sequel to Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, which carried over most of its lore -- as well as its characters. This series marked the first time Tommy Oliver, a fan favorite character, lead a team.

20 Gekisou Sentai Carranger Didn't Do As Great As Power Rangers Turbo (1996-1997)

IMDb Rating: 6.7

Gekisou Sentai Carranger was the only Super Sentai show to serve as a parody of other Super Sentai series, but people once believed it saved Super Sentai from cancellation because it shook things up. Since then, this has been refuted: Carranger didn't sell as much merchandise as its predecessor. However, it has an important place in the history of the franchise for not taking itself seriously enough, so it was simply fun to watch.

Ironically, fans believe Power Rangers Turbo, its American counterpart, is one of the best generations ever. First, because it kickstarted the post-Mighty Morphin era for good by having a team full of new blood, but also, because Divatox, the main villain, is one of the best on the franchise.