Sentai

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sentai ( Japanese 戦 隊 , task force ) refers to a specific category of Japanese tokusatsu and anime series in which the main characters form a team working together to fight a hostile organization, generally consisting of demons or aliens .

Sentai groups usually consist of five (less often four) people who can transform themselves into a new alter ego with special abilities in combat situations . Each figure is assigned a characteristic color and symbol. Often, a certain color also has a certain element from which the fighter draws his strength.

The first Sentai anime series was Kagaku Ninjatai Gatchaman from 1972. Other well-known representatives are Saber Rider and the Star Sheriffs and the magical girl series Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon . Some of these anime even have "Sentai" in their name, such as Chojin Sentai Balatack or Gasshin Sentai Mechander Robot .

The first Real Sentai series was Himitsu Sentai Goranger ( Secret Task Force Goranger ) from 1975, which is based on a manga by Shōtarō Ishinomori (including Cyborg 009 ). Probably the best-known Sentai series in the western world is the version of the Super Sentai series , which is heavily Americanized under the title Power Rangers .

See also