Himitsu Sentai Gorenger

Plot

When world peace is threatened by the emergence of a terrorist group called the Black Cross Army, EAGLE (The Earth Guard League) is formed to combat the threat. The Black Cross Army sends five operatives to destroy each EAGLE branch in Japan, killing all but five members. These surviving members are summoned to a secret base located underneath the snack shop "Gon", where they are recruited by EAGLE Japan's commander, Gonpachi Edogawa. They become the Himitsu Sentai Gorengers and are given electronic battlesuits that endow them with superhuman strength and speed. The five dedicate themselves to stopping the Black Cross Army and its leader, the Black Cross Führer.

Characters

Gorengers

Tsuyoshi Kaijo (海城 剛, Kaijō Tsuyoshi): The 24-year-old younger brother of the Kantō EAGLE base captain, Tsuyoshi and his teammates were playing soccer when the Black Cross Army launched the attack that killed his brother. Tsuyoshi is trained in combat planning and strategy. As the red-colored Akarenger (アカレンジャー, Akarenjā), he is the team leader and coordinates group attacks such as the Gorenger Storm (ゴレンジャーストーム, Gorenjā Sutōmu) or Gorenger Hurricane (ゴレンジャーハリケーン, Gorenjā Harikēn). He wields the Red Vute (レッドビュート, Reddo Byūto), a multipurpose whip that can transform into other weapons such as the Spear Vute (ヤリビュート, Yari Byūto) or the Drill Vute (ドリルビュート, Doriru Byūto). He also carries the Silver Shot (シルバーショット, Shirubā Shotto) tranquilizer gun. Tsuyoshi appeared in the final episode of Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger, receiving his powers back in the form of the Akarenger Key as the Gokaigers left Earth.

Akira Shinmei (新命 明, Shinmei Akira): The oldest member of the Gorengers at 25-years-old, Akira was training in the snowy region of Tōhoku when the Black Cross Army attacked. He is a marksmanship instructor, skilled in archery and piloting. He wants to become a racing driver. As the blue-colored Aorenger (アオレンジャー, Aorenjā), he is the second-in-command. He pilots the Variblune, and later the Varidorin. He wields the Bluechery (ブルーチェリー, Burūcherī), and later the Ultra Bluechery (ウルトラブルーチェリー, Urutora Burūcherī), a bow that can fire specially designed arrows known as Blue Arrows and Blue Arrow Rockets.

Kirenger (キレンジャー, Kirenjā): The yellow-colored member of the Gorengers who wields the Ki Sticker (キーステッカー, Kī Sutekkā), a polearm whose head can be outfitted with various attachments such as a punching fist, and the YTC (YTC, Wai Tī Shī; Yellow Transceiver), a radio that can jam electronic circuitry. The moniker of Kirenger was utilized by its original user and his temporary successor.

Daita Oiwa (大岩 大太, Ōiwa Daita; 1–54, 67–84): Daita, nicknamed "Dai-chan" by Akira, Peggy, and Yoko, is a 23-year-old jovial engineering recruit at EAGLE's Kyushu branch who was training with his comrades when the Black Cross Army attacked. Adept in mechanics and mathematics, he has difficulty solving simple word puzzles and riddles. As a judo champion, Daita is physically strong. Daita was later promoted to Chief of EAGLE's Kyushu branch but soon returned to active duty with the Gorengers after his replacement is killed by the Black Cross Army.

Other EAGLE characters

Gonpachi Edogawa (江戸川 権八, Edogawa Gonpachi): Commander of EAGLE. When operating in public, Gonpachi disguises himself as the cook at the snack shop Gon (ゴン), which is the secret entrance to the Gorengers' headquarters. The shop later becomes the fruit parlor Gon.

EAGLE Agents (イーグル連絡員, Īguru Renrakuin): A trio of secretaries and secret agents who assists Commander Edogawa: Yoko Kato (加藤 陽子, Katō Yōko) (a.k.a. Agent 007), Tomoko Hayashi (林 友子, Hayashi Tomoko) (a.k.a. Agent 008), and Haruko Nakamura (中村 春子, Nakamura Haruko) (a.k.a. Agent 009). They act behind the scenes but occasionally help the Gorengers in the field.

Black Cross Army

The Black Cross Army (黒十字軍, Kuro Jūjigun) is a terrorist group led by the Black Cross Führer whose goal is the eradication of the human race and the absolute domination of the world. They use advanced technology and magic to create an army of superhuman operatives to attack EAGLE and the Gorengers. Most of the Black Cross operatives are humans who have been enhanced through surgery. They had various secret bases across the globe. The main headquarters was the flying Black Cross Castle (黒十字城, Kuro Jūjijō), which orbited high above the ground.

Black Cross Führer (黒十字総統, Kuro Jūji Sōtō): The leader of the Black Cross Army, often referred to as the "Machine Monster", and a highly intelligent being with supernatural powers who hides his identity even from his generals, occasionally disguising himself as a human. He is eventually revealed as the Black Cross Castle itself, controlled by a sentient alien AI, and defeated by the Gorengers' Five-Star Cassiopea Attack.

Sun Mask (日輪仮面, Nichirin Kamen): The so-called "Star of Africa" (アフリカの星, Afurika no Hoshi) who wears a sun mask. A ruthless tyrant renowned for his successive victories in Africa, he is called to Japan to eliminate the Gorengers, but his plans are frequently hampered by his own cowardice.

Iron Man Mask General Temujin (鉄人仮面テムジン将軍, Tetsujin Kamen Temujin Shōgun): The so-called "Mongol Demon" (モンゴルの鬼, Mongoru no Oni). A cold and sadistic, yet overly prideful recruit from the Black Cross Army's Gobi Desert operations, he is a master tactician who leads his own army in the Steel Brigade (鋼鉄軍団, Kōtetsu Gundan).

Volcano Mask General Magman (火の山仮面マグマン将軍, Hinoyama Kamen Maguman Shōgun): Hailing from the Eldgjá region in Iceland, he is the volcano-masked leader of the ruthless Eruption Battalion (噴火軍団, Funka Gundan) and commander of his own mobile battle station, the Moving Fortress Navarone (移動要塞ナバローン, Idō Yōsai Nabarōn). He is able to fire napalm missiles from the top of his mask, and is impervious to the Gorengers' weapons.

Commander-in-Chief Golden Mask (ゴールデン仮面大将軍, Gōruden Kamen Daishōgun): Black Cross Army's top general, a supernatural Great Sphinx of Giza-masked entity awoken through black magic and the Black Cross Führer's powers. A well-versed sorcerer with an interest in astrology, Golden Mask takes command of Black Cross Army's elite Africa Troopers (アフリカ軍団, Afurika Gundan). He can repel most of the Gorengers' attacks.

Films

Himitsu Sentai Gorenger: The Movie (秘密戦隊ゴレンジャー, Himitsu Sentai Gorenjā): Released on July 26, 1975. The movie version of episode 6.

Himitsu Sentai Gorenger: The Blue Fortress (秘密戦隊ゴレンジャー　青い大要塞, Himitsu Sentai Gorenjā Aoi Daiyōsai): Released on December 20, 1975. The movie version of episode 15.

Himitsu Sentai Gorenger: The Red Death Match (秘密戦隊ゴレンジャー 真赤な猛進撃！, Himitsu Sentai Gorenjā Makka na Mōshingeki!): Released on March 20, 1976. The movie version of episode 36.

Himitsu Sentai Gorenger: Fire Mountain's Final Explosion (秘密戦隊ゴレンジャー 火の山最後の大噴火, Himitsu Sentai Gorenjā Hi no Yama Saigo no Daifunka): Released on December 19, 1976. The movie version of episode 54.

Himitsu Sentai Gorenger: The Bomb Hurricane (秘密戦隊ゴレンジャー　爆弾ハリケーン, Himitsu Sentai Gorenjā Bakudan Harikēn): Released on July 18, 1976.

J.A.K.Q. Dengekitai vs. Gorenger (ジャッカー電撃隊VSゴレンジャー, Jakkā Dengekitai Tai Gorenjā): Released on March 18, 1978.

Hitmitsu Sentai Gorenger: The Bomb Hurricane, Directed by Minoru Yamada, Written by Shōzō Uehara.

J.A.K.Q. Dengekitai vs. Gorenger, Directed by Katsuhiko Taguchi, Written by Shōzō Uehara.

International broadcast

In the United States, the original Japanese version was broadcast in Hawaii on Honolulu's KIKU-TV with English subtitles from 1975 through 1976, and the actors made personal appearances to promote the series. An unsubtitled version was also broadcast in California, on Sacramento, California's KMUV-TV in 1976, San Francisco's KOFY-TV in 1977.

Manga

The series was adapted into a manga written and drawn by Ishinomori and published in Weekly Shōnen Sunday magazine from May 4, 1975, to August 17, 1975 and a second manga was published in Shogaku Gonensei magazine for fifth graders between April and July, 1975. In 2021, Seven Seas Entertainment licensed both manga outside Japan for North American territories.

Cast

Tsuyoshi Kaijo: Naoya Makoto (誠 直也, Makoto Naoya)

Akira Shinmei: Hiroshi Miyauchi (宮内 洋, Miyauchi Hiroshi)

Daita Oiwa: Baku Hatakeyama (畠山 麦, Hatakeyama Baku)

Daigoro Kumano: Jirō Daruma (だるま 二郎, Daruma Jirō)

Peggy Matsuyama: Lisa Komaki (小牧 りさ, Komaki Risa)

Kenji Asuka: Yukio Itō (伊藤 幸雄, Itō Yukio)

Yoko Kato: Eri Kanuma (鹿沼 えり, Kanuma Eri)

Tomoko Hayashi: Emi Shirakawa (白川 恵美, Shirakawa Emi)

Haruko Nakamura: Miki Honda (本田 みき, Honda Miki)

Taro Kato (加藤 太郎, Katō Tarō): Hiroyuki Konuma (小沼 宏之, Konuma Hiroyuki)

Black Cross Führer: Mitsuo Andō (安藤 三男, Andō Mitsuo; 1–55), Nobuo Yana (八名 信夫, Yana Nobuo; 56–84)

Gonpachi Edogawa: Toshio Takahara (高原 駿雄, Takahara Toshio)

Voice actors

Gon (ゴン): Hisako Kyōda (京田 尚子, Kyōda Hisako)

Sun Mask (日輪仮面, Nichirin Kamen): Hiroshi Masuoka (増岡 弘, Masuoka Hiroshi)

General Iron Mask Temujin (鉄人仮面テムジン将軍, Tetsujin Kamen Temujin Shōgun): Shōzō Iizuka (飯塚 昭三, Iizuka Shōzō)

General Fire Mountain Mask Magman (火の山仮面マグマン将軍, Hinoyama Kamen Maguman Shōgun): Eisuke Yoda (依田英助, Yoda Eisuke; 42–44), Shōzō Iizuka (45–54)

Great General Golden Mask (ゴールデン仮面大将軍, Gōruden Kamen Daishōgun): Shōzō Iizuka

Narrator: Nobuo Tanaka (田中 信夫, Tanaka Nobuo; 1–14): Tōru Ōhira (大平 透, Ōhira Tōru; 15–84)

Songs

Opening theme

"Susume! Gorenger" (進め！ゴレンジャー, Susume! Gorenjā; "Proceed! Gorenger")

Lyrics: Shotaro Ishinomori

Composition & arrangement: Chumei Watanabe

Artists: Isao Sasaki, Mitsuko Horie, & Columbia Yurikago Kai

Ending themes

"Himitsu Sentai Gorenger" (秘密戦隊ゴレンジャー, Himitsu Sentai Gorenjā; "Secret Squadron Gorenger")

Lyrics: Saburo Yatsude

Composition & Arrangement: Chumei Watanabe

Artist: Isao Sasaki & Koorogi '73

Episodes: 1–63

"Mi yo!! Gorenger" (見よ!!ゴレンジャー, Mi yo!! Gorenjā; "Look!! Gorenger")

Lyrics: Shotaro Ishinomori

Composition & Arrangement: Chumei Watanabe

Artists: Isao Sasaki, Koorogi '73, & Wilbees

Episodes: 64–84