So, you want to watch every single season of Super Sentai in order. It sounds simple enough on paper. You start with the guys in the colorful spandex from 1975 and work your way up to whatever crazy theme Toei is cooking up this year. But honestly? It’s a massive undertaking that spans half a century of Japanese pop culture. Most people think they can just marathon it like a Netflix show. They’re wrong.
The reality is that Super Sentai isn't just one long story. It’s a legacy. When Shotaro Ishinomori first sat down to create Himitsu Sentai Gorenger, he probably didn't realize he was laying the bricks for a franchise that would eventually outlast almost every other superhero show on the planet. If you're looking for a straight line, you're going to get a headache. The "order" changes depending on whether you're looking at release dates, the convoluted multiverse theory established in Gokaiger, or the weird retro-active canon shifts that happen every few years.
The Showa Era: Where It All Started
Everything kicks off with Gorenger. This wasn't just a show; it was a revolution in how Japan handled special effects (tokusatsu). You’ve got five heroes, distinct colors, and a giant machine. Well, technically, the "Giant Robot" trope didn't actually start until the second or third entry. Gorenger ran for a staggering 84 episodes. That’s unheard of today. If you're trying to watch Super Sentai in order, prepare to spend a long time in the 70s.
Then came JAKQ Dengeki Tai. It was darker, weirdly serious, and almost got the franchise cancelled. It only lasted 35 episodes. People often forget that Super Sentai almost died right there. It took a weird deal with Marvel Comics—yes, that Marvel—to save it. That’s how we got Battle Fever J. This is the first year we see a giant robot (Battle Fever Robo) that the team actually pilots. Without Spider-Man’s influence on Toei, Super Sentai as we know it wouldn't exist.
The 80s were basically the "Golden Age" of design experimentation. Shows like Denziman and Sun Vulcan (the only three-person team for a full season) solidified the formula. By the time we hit Bioman in 1984, the show started focusing more on complex villains and overarching plots rather than just "monster of the week" fluff. You start seeing these tragic backstories that honestly have no business being in a kid's show. It’s great.
The 90s and the Power Rangers Explosion
If you grew up in the West, this is where things get confusing. You probably know Kyoryu Sentai Zyuranger. To you, it's Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. To a Sentai purist, it’s the 16th entry in the series. Watching Super Sentai in order means seeing the source material for the first time, and let me tell you, it is nothing like the American edits. Zyuranger is a bizarre high-fantasy epic about ancient humans and dinosaur gods. There’s no "Teenagers with Attitude" here. Just warriors from a lost age trying to stop a witch from killing children.
The 90s pushed the envelope. Jetman (1991) is basically a soap opera with jetpacks. The director, Keita Amemiya, brought a dark, cinematic grit to the series that fans still talk about today. It almost feels like an anime. Then you have Dairanger, which has some of the best martial arts choreography ever put to film. Seriously. The suit actors were doing things that modern CGI struggles to replicate.
The Heisei Shift and the Multiverse Problem
As we moved into the 2000s, the production values skyrocketed. Gaoranger celebrated the 25th anniversary and introduced the idea that all these previous teams existed in the same world—sorta. This is where the Super Sentai in order quest gets tricky. Before the 25th anniversary, most seasons were treated as standalone universes. But Toei loves a good crossover movie. Suddenly, the Sun Vulcan guys are shaking hands with the Gaoranger crew.
How do you reconcile a world that’s been destroyed five times over by five different alien empires? You don't. You just enjoy the ride.
- Dekaranger (2004): A space-police procedural that is arguably one of the most "perfect" seasons ever made.
- Magiranger (2005): Family dynamics and heavy mysticism.
- Gekiranger (2007): A deep dive into Kung Fu cinema tropes.
- Shinkenger (2009): Samurai aesthetics that were so popular they basically saved the franchise's toy sales.
Then came the big one. Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger. If you are watching Super Sentai in order, this is your reward. It’s the 35th-anniversary season where the heroes can literally transform into any previous Ranger. It’s a love letter to the fans. It also canonized the idea that every single season happens on the same Earth, which makes the logistics of the previous 34 years a nightmare, but we move past it.
The Modern Era: Getting Weird with it
Lately, Toei has been throwing the rulebook out the window. Donbrothers (2022) is... well, it’s a fever dream. It’s less about fighting monsters and more about a group of deeply flawed people trying to manage their chaotic lives. It’s brilliant, but it’s a far cry from the military precision of Gorenger.
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Then you have King-Ohger, which takes place on an entirely different planet. It’s a high-budget political drama that just happens to have giant robots. It’s a reminder that this "kids' show" can actually handle complex themes of classism, war, and legacy when it wants to.
Why Bother Watching in Order?
You might think, "Can't I just skip to the cool looking ones?" Sure. You can. But you miss the evolution of the craft. Seeing the transition from practical miniatures and suit-mation to the heavy-handed (and sometimes questionable) CGI of the 2010s is a lesson in film history. You see how Japanese society’s fears changed—from the Cold War anxieties of the 70s to the tech-paranoia of the 2000s.
Common Misconceptions About the Timeline
One of the biggest lies on the internet is that there is a strict, unbreakable canon. There isn't. Toei plays fast and loose. In one movie, the Lupinranger and Patranger might be in a world where everyone knows about Sentai. In their own show, they're a secret. Don't stress the "how" too much.
Also, a lot of people think Akibaranger is part of the main list. It’s not. It’s an "unofficial" parody series. It’s hilarious, especially if you’ve watched a lot of the older stuff, but it doesn't count toward the official count.
Your Actionable Roadmap for the Sentai Journey
If you’re serious about tackling this monster of a franchise, don't just start at episode 1 of season 1 and hope for the best. You'll burn out by episode 40 of Gorenger.
- Use the "Era" Approach: Watch the first five episodes of Gorenger to see the roots. Then jump to Liveman to see the peak of the 80s.
- The Anniversary Markers: Make sure you hit Gaoranger (25th), Gokaiger (35th), and Zenkaiger (45th). These seasons act as summaries of what came before.
- Don't Ignore the Movies: The "VS" movies (like Shinkenger vs. Go-Onger) are usually where the real character development happens between different teams.
- Check the Credits: Pay attention to writers like Toshiki Inoue or Gen Urobuchi. If you find a writer you like, follow their seasons rather than just the numerical order.
The best way to experience Super Sentai in order is to treat it like a buffet. Start with the essentials, understand the history, and then fill in the gaps. You’re looking at over 2,000 episodes of television. Take your time. The suits might change, and the robots might get more legs, but the core idea—five people standing together against the odds—never does.
Start your journey with Gorenger for the history, but keep Shinkenger or Dekaranger on standby for when you need a dose of modern storytelling to keep the momentum going.