Samurai Sentai Shinkenger


Samurai Sentai Shinkenger is the title of Toei Company's thirty-third entry in its long-running Super Sentai metaseries of Japanese tokusatsu television series. It aired from February 15, 2009, to February 7, 2010, replacing Engine Sentai Go-onger and was replaced by Tensou Sentai Goseiger. It joined Kamen Rider Decade as a program featured in TV Asahi's Super Hero Time programming block, and following Decades finale, it aired alongside Kamen Rider W. It incorporates elements from the Jidaigeki drama genre and Japanese themes and aesthetics. This is the first Super Sentai series to be filmed in HD with an HD camera having its resolution done at 720p.
Its footage and storyline was used for the American series Power Rangers Samurai and its follow up season, Super Samurai.
WWW Official Site

Story

For eighteen generations, samurai of the Shiba House have suppressed the evil intentions of the Gedoushu, malevolent spirits that enter the world of the living from gaps between buildings and other structures. Now, Takeru Shiba, the youngest head of the Shiba House must gather his four vassals in order to battle the [|Gedoushu] under the revived Doukoku Chimatsuri as the Shinkengers. However, as they are joined by his childhood friend Genta Umemori, the vassals slowly learn that there's a reason for Takeru's behavior that sets him apart from his predecessors.

Episodes

The episodes are numbered as Act and completely written in kanji. Episodes of Kamen Rider Decade on July 12 and July 19, 2009, as well as Shinkenger Act 21, featured a crossover between the two series.

Production

The trademark for the series was filed by Toei Company on August 12, 2008.

Films and Specials

Theatrical

''The Fateful War''

The film Samurai Sentai Shinkenger the Movie: The Fateful War opened in Japanese theaters on August 8, 2009, double-billed with Kamen Rider Decade: All Riders vs. Dai-Shocker. Unlike previous films, it was filmed in 3-D, and is the first film in Japan to be filmed digitally in 3-D. A normal 2-D version is being shown in most theaters in Japan. The events of the movie take place between Acts 24 and 25.

''Shinkenger vs. Go-onger''

The film Samurai Sentai Shinkenger vs. Go-onger: Ginmaku Bang!! was released in theaters on January 30, 2010, featuring a crossover between the Shinkenger and Go-onger casts and characters. The heroes of Tensou Sentai Goseiger make a cameo appearance in the film. The events of the movie take place between Acts 35 and 36.

''Goseiger vs. Shinkenger''

The film Tensou Sentai Goseiger vs. Shinkenger: Epic on Ginmaku was released in theaters on January 22, 2011, featuring a crossover between the Goseiger and Shinkenger casts and characters. The heroes of Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger make a cameo appearance in the film.

V-Cinema

''Samurai Sentai Shinkenger Returns''

In June 2010, the V-Cinema release Samurai Sentai Shinkenger Returns: Special Act was released. The Shinkengers are attacked by a remnant Gedoushu Ayakashi who traps them in various film genres. The events of the movie take place between Acts 43 and 44.

Kyuranger vs. Space Squad

is a V-Cinema release that features a crossover between Uchu Sentai Kyuranger and Space Squad. Aside from the main cast of Kyuranger, Yuma Ishigaki and Hiroaki Iwanaga, Yuka Hirata, Mitsuru Karahashi, Kei Hosogai and Ayame Misaki return to reprise their respective roles. The V-Cinema was released on DVD and Blu-ray on August 8, 2019.

Cast

Guest cast

Songs

;Opening theme
;Ending theme
  • "Shirokujimuchū Shinkenger"
  • * Lyrics: Shoko Fujibayashi
  • * Composition: Hideaki Takatori
  • * Arrangement: Project.R
  • * Artist: Hideaki Takatori
  • * Instruments: Zetki
  • * Episodes: 1-20, 29–48
  • "Shirokujimuchū Shinkenger ~Ginmakuban~"
  • * Lyrics: Shoko Fujibayashi
  • * Composition: Hideaki Takatori
  • * Arrangement: Project.R
  • * Artist: Shinkengers & Hideaki Takatori
  • * Episodes: 21–28
The opening and ending themes of Shinkenger are performed by Psychic Lover and Hideaki Takatori as part of Project.R, respectively. The opening is also featured as a playable song in Taiko no Tatsujin Wii: Do Don to 2 Daime.
Its opening theme song single ranked highly on the Oricon charts, reaching #4 on the Daily Ranking Charts on its day of release. and peaked at #6 on the weekly charts selling 20,130 copies within its first week of release and stayed in the top 30 ranks for 4 weeks straight.