I remember reading IGN's article on Super Sentai. I can understand why IGN thinks in that certain way -- even when I DISAGREE. There are cultural differences. I addressed that issue when I guest-wrote for JEFusion but decided to stop any form of guest writing for personal reasons. I'd like to address these stuff that would be better for the AMERICAN audience. It's because cultural differences play a crucial role in international marketing -- which includes LOCALIZATION of a product or REMAKING IT for a different demographic! Those are still considered ADAPTATIONS when it comes to business!
Power Rangers' has that good old diversity
I wrote an article talking about Power Rangers showing what it means to be truly American. America is a multiracial country -- making it easier to have a diverse group. Japan lacks that kind of diversity plus language barriers. Non-Japanese cast members in Super Sentai are as rare as diamonds. The diversity of the American audience would end up with a multiracial AMERICAN team. A lot of superhero shows in America have multiracial elements -- all before Power Rangers came into existence.
The use of a continuity or timeline
Super Sentai is known that most of its entries are meant to be self-contained. Events in VS. Movies will directly tell us that they're not meant to be canon. Cultural differences may be the reason why Power Rangers uses this "solid continuity" concept. However, Power Rangers ends up having continuity errors. It's because the parent show never had its entries meant to be in a timeline. Only a few Super Sentai series ever bother to be part of that Crossover Universe in Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger.
Power Rangers continues to be part of that timeline. A good example is how Hyajakuu Sentai Gaoranger and Power Rangers Wild Force handled the Forever Red crossovers. Gaoranger made it just to be ANOTHER non-canon crossover movie. Wild Force integrated it as a regular episode. The crossovers between the two teams are episodes -- not non-canon movies. This might be because Americans find connecting all the shows in one timeline better than several self-contained stories. It's probably how familiarity is developed over time.
What I didn't like about Power Rangers Zeo was how it just carried over everything from Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers Season 3. Choriki Sentai Ohranger had a fresh new cast. I felt the carrying over the cast members was wonky. Americans were probably fine with it until it got stale. Power Rangers Dino Thunder brought Tommy Oliver back yet again. Tommy donned several identities -- something I feel overused the character! The same went for the whole era from Mighty Morphin' to Power Rangers in Space. Space saved the franchise but I feel like having to watch every season in sequence can be annoying. Americans are probably fine with that though!
Meanwhile, some Power Rangers fans might still force the Super Sentai timeline narrative. But if only they realize that connecting everything from Himitsu Sentai Goranger will create an incredibly laughable narrative!
Some Power Rangers exclusive villains would serve the American audience better
Some Power Rangers only villains are a genuine threat to superhero shows. I looked at some of the American-only villains like Lord Zedd, Ransik, and the Second Master Org. Some American villains were probably created because the Super Sentai villain may not be appealing to the audiences.
Power Rangers Time Force and Mirai Sentai Timeranger have a lot of HUGE differences. My preference for the source material is just a personal choice. However, Don Dolnero's rather wonky design may not be in the best interest of American audiences. Gluto's design looks utterly comedic! Some Power Rangers fans may have raised eyebrows that Don Dolnero managed to be that dangerous. Looks can be deceiving though. I bet that's why Ransik was created for Time Force. I like Ransik's design -- looking like a mutated Shredder. Ransik is a man full of hate and bitterness -- similar to Dr. Giba from Mobile Cop Jiban. The difference is Ransik has comedic moments and a somehow forced-redemption for some reason. I bet Ransik was supposed to die but was spared by executive meddling!
The Second Master Org was another American-exclusive villain. Gaoranger featured no real main villain. The Big Bad kept getting replaced at some point. Shuten was replaced by Ura. Ura was replaced by Rasetsu. Later, all three Org Highnesses became the Ultimate Org Highness Senki. The concept was never tried again -- presumably due to backlash in Japan. The Second Master Org's presence was a plus for me. The Second Master Org's development might be the most fleshed-out thing in the show. Sure, Cole has a cool backstory (and I feel Rick Medina's acting wasn't as bad as some paint it out) but the Second Master Org steals the show -- acting-wise! I feel Gaoranger dared to try something new. However, that something new was quickly dismissed. No other Super Sentai attempted the plot twist in Gaoranger.
Not killing off certain characters whose counterparts died in Super Sentai
I wasn't surprised to learn that Kyoryu Sentai Zyuranger killed off Burai. Meanwhile, I'm afraid that Tommy Oliver was overly used. Tommy should've just been RETIRED like most rangers! Meanwhile, my favorite example would come from Time Force again. Time Force introduced Eric Myers as the sixth ranger. Eric's more tolerable than Naoto (in some way). Naoto died when he was shot off by a FOOT SOLDIER at a distance. It's as anti-climatic as Gai Yuuki's stabbing in Chojin Sentai Jetman. Meanwhile, Eric got injured and managed to live. I felt Eric's survival made some sense. Maybe, Eric was wearing some proper protective equipment. Eric got injured after protecting Wes and his father from getting shot by a foot soldier.
Sure, both the OG Bullblack and the OG Magna Defender DIED. Both their powers got passed to the older brothers of the red rangers. Power Rangers also spared Shurikenger's counterpart Samurai Ranger (and Cam Watanabe's death would be TOO TRAUMATIC). Jarrod and Camille managed to survive unlike their Jyuken Sentai Gekiranger counterparts -- Rio and Mele. I felt Jarrod and Camille having a second chance in life might've worked better. Speaking of which, I still feel Wild Force gave Jindrax and Toxica some real development towards the finale.
This may have been caused because of the backlash Transformers: The Movie caused. Optimus Prime's death may have been that traumatic. Burai's death caused a failed postcard campaign to brig him back. Killing off heroic characters would be a real trauma.
Unmorphed fight scenes not being Up to Eleven
Most Super Sentai unmorphed fight scenes since Gaoranger would be almost TV-Y7-FV in quality. Back then, some Super Sentai unmorphed fight scenes are Up to Eleven. Compare the fight scenes of Zyuranger and Mighty Morphin'. Zyuranger does things Up to Eleven. Gosei Sentai Dairanger was also doing a lot of Up to Eleven unmorphed fight scenes. Power Rangers does fight scenes in what might be best called "a more natural way". It would be because of the TV-Y7-FV ratings!
I remember talking with someone about action scenes in American films and Chinese films. The person said that action scenes in Chinese films are OVER THE TOP. The same goes for several Japanese films. It's probably why Super Sentai suitless fight scenes from Himitsu Sentai Goranger up to Timeranger are OVER THE TOP. I usually enjoy exaggerated fight scenes. So IMHO the Super Sentai fight scenes up to Timeranger are better than the TV-Y7-FV Power Rangers fight scenes.
The use of comic book continuity
I don't care about comics in general -- not even Manga! I don't know what to say about this. Power Rangers having the Boom Studios comic series might be more welcome to American fans. Sure, I've been skipping them like I skip Manga. Adding a comic book franchise for Power Rangers might appeal to American viewers more than having none.
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I may not like Power Rangers but understanding international marketing is crucial. Fortunately, understanding these cultural differences isn't as hard as it used to be. I finally understood why Power Rangers exists with Toei's permission. Super Sentai cast members have been attending the Power Morphicon events. Ignorance of cultural differences should become more inexcusable now!
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