TV Asahi has officially confirmed that Super Sentai will end following the conclusion of its 50th anniversary series No.1 Sentai Gozyuger. After five decades of colorful heroes, iconic roll calls, and genre defining action, the long running tokusatsu franchise that inspired Power Rangers is preparing to close out its historic run. Reports point to rising production costs and declining merchandise revenue as major reasons behind the decision, ending a tradition that has continued yearly since 1975.
While No.1 Sentai Gozyuger will serve as the final Super Sentai series under the classic format, TV Asahi is not stepping away from Sunday morning hero programming. The franchise will be succeeded by both a new Space Sheriff Gavan series and a completely new initiative titled Project R.E.D. (Records of Extraordinary Dimensions). The first show under this project is called Super Space Sheriff Gavan Infinity, which will take over Super Sentai’s long running time slot once Gozyuger concludes. This marks the first time in fifty years that a different tokusatsu production will occupy that position on the schedule.
This shift also has major implications for Power Rangers. Since the American series has traditionally adapted suits, mecha, and action footage directly from Super Sentai, ending the source material effectively cuts off the pipeline that the classic Power Rangers formula depends on. Hasbro is currently developing a rebooted take on the brand, but the long running adaptation model that pulled directly from Sentai footage would no longer be possible without new Super Sentai seasons. Unless Toei revives the series in the future, the traditional form of Power Rangers arrives at its natural endpoint alongside Super Sentai.
For now, fans are treating Gozyuger as the franchise’s final roll call, a monumental and bittersweet closing chapter to one of Japan’s most influential and beloved hero series.
Source: Livedoor News, Twitter
