TV Review: Mashin Sentai Kiramager
And then there was one... more review for the semester. In this review, I will be looking at the franchise that is paired with Kamen Rider, both literally and figuratively, Super Sentai. More specifically, one of Kamen Rider Zero-One's two Super Hero Time (this is what they call the period when new episodes air) Sentai counterparts.
As with my review for Zero-One, I will provide the answer to the question, “What is Super Sentai?” to anyone unfamiliar. As opposed to Kamen Rider, Super Sentai consists of a set team of titular heroes, rather than multiple separated heroes that only work together sometimes. As such, each Sentai focuses on its team, and each team has one general theme in terms of design. Each member of the team follows their respective design, but they all succeed in looking different from each other. So even if they do look similar, no two Sentai members are exactly the same. To pair with the teams of heroes comes the patented giant robots, or Mecha. Like the Sentai teams, these giant robots also fit into the design theme of the show. Now I know what you might be thinking, “Giant robots? What is this, Power Rangers?”, and you would technically be correct. Power Rangers is directly adapted from Super Sentai, with the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers being an adaptation of Kyoryu Sentai Zyuranger. But that show is not the one being reviewed here today. What I will be looking at is the Super Sentai series of 2020, (and the aforementioned counterpart to Zero-One), Mashin Sentai Kiramager.
The story follows a princess from a faraway planet named Crystalia, who travels to Earth after her planet gets destroyed by the Yodon, an imperial army of darkness. With her, she brings five special sentient crystals called Kiramai Stones. These stones will seek out candidates who have strong spirits known as Kiramental. These chosen people will form together as the Mashin Sentai Kiramager to fight the Yodon Empire, for Earth is also one of their targets...
Super Sentai is not particularly known for its storytelling. Plot and story development is certainly there, but most Sentais are usually character-driven. With that being said, Kiramager’s characters are amazing. They are all unique in their own ways and they all receive equal amounts of focus and development across the season. Their unique characteristics are one of the main things that make the show as good as it is, and I found myself loving all of them (this also extends to the villains of the show as well). Another thing Kiramager can be praised for is its simplicity. From the plot to the characters to the Mecha, the show is a lot simpler compared to its predecessors. It is not trying to be any more than it physically (and financially) can be, and its “less is more” mindset works in its favor immensely. Speaking of the Mecha, the giant robots are always one of the most exciting things to see when a new Sentai gets revealed, and Kiramager’s are great. They incorporate the show’s gem and crystal aesthetic into the Mecha both when separated and combined. Pair that with the multiple nighttime Mecha battles they have with them shining as they fight, and you have yourself some pretty damn good robots.
With all this praise I can give the show, the same factor for Zero-One comes in: the COVID-19 pandemic. The show began in March 2020, which is the exact moment the pandemic “started” and was at its worst. Kiramager had everything stacked against it from the beginning compared to Zero-One being affected in the second half. So, with that in mind, Kiramager was an absolute success all the way through. I don’t know how it did it, but I can certainly say that it did. In a time when the world and its people are crazier than ever, Kiramager managed to hold its own and be consistently great.
Mashin Sentai Kiramager has themes of imagination and shining at your brightest. Not only did it present those themes in its story and characters, but they also can be applied to the show itself. This show shined so brightly in what was and still is a dark time for the world, and I am both very confused about how it did it, but also very satisfied that it managed to. I loved Kiramager from the moment it started, and it only added to the enjoyment of my own personal Super Hero Time every week. Just like with Zero-One, I can also recommend this show to newcomers who might be interested in checking out the franchise. You’ll surely be in for a shining experience.
