Shotaro Ishinomori (1938–1998)

Shotaro Ishinomori’s Super Sentai: Himitsu Sentai Gorenger retells the events of Himitsu Sentai Gorenger, a series that originally aired between April 1975–March 1977 in Japan. Battle Fever J originated the term “Super Sentai” in 1979, which was retroactively applied to this franchise, effectively making it the first Super Sentai franchise.

Unlike some of the later Super Sentai stories, Himitsu Sentai Gorenger has more elements of a spy story. It follows members of the Earth Guard show more League, or “EAGLE,” who work to combat the Black Cross Army, a group that works to steal government secrets for sale to the highest bidder and sow chaos à la SPECTRE in the James Bond franchise. The Gorengers are five teenagers who wear suits with advanced robotics that grant them enhanced abilities to fight the Black Cross Army on behalf of EAGLE. Their ages differentiate the manga from the television series, in which the characters were older, with some appearing to be in their late 20s. Further, Ishinomori’s manga changes the Tsyyoshi Kaijō’s origin so that his father grants Kaijō the Akarenger (Red Gorenger) suit before agents of Black Cross Army murder him. This helps to inform Kaijō’s motive as he seeks to avenge his father’s death. Later, Akira Shinmei, the Aorenger, mustface a traitor and the possibility of his own death. Ishinomori’s story has great character moments and a real sense of the stakes his characters face in fighting the Black Cross Army. Further, his art is stunning, with lavish splash pages.

This edition collects both the original manga and the serialized version that appeared in Weekly Shōnen Sunday magazine. They have slightly different introductions for the characters and EAGLE, but EAGLE and the Gorengers missions vary from there as they battle the Black Cross Army. Haim Saban later got the idea to adapt elements of the Super Sentai franchises when he made Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. Though this particular series has not been adapted in the west, this book will interest Power Rangers fans looking to see where it all began. show less

(also reviewed at No Flying, No Tights)

Probably my first manga experience at five years old and holds up strong in spite of some heaping helpings of deus ex machinas and narrative fast-forwarding.

Cyborg 009 is definitely old-school, but it is good! There's so many manga out there today, most of them lackluster, but this is a manga that is thought-provoking and enjoyable, set in (and written by the author) during the Cold War. The storyline is overall smooth and easy to follow. Some might be turned off by the artwork style, but I actually rather like it - the story is more focused on and you're not distracted by any OMGKAWAIIDESU art style.

It wasn't until after I saw 009 on the Cartoon Network that I learned of the existence of this lovely manga. SO many people today prefer modern-day manga by Clamp or whatever (not that I have a problem with that - I do enjoy Clamp) but I also like the oldies. I'm a huge fan of Osamu Tezuka, and I was struck with the similarity in art and later learned that Ishinomori was a fan of Tezuka. 009 is a interesting idea (it might seem a bit dated now, but it's still great) If you're a fan of show more old-school manga, you should enjoy this. The first volume drew me in quickly with the plot, and I was very eager to buy the next one.

I only wish that the manga would be re-published, as I am missing several and they're no longer available from Amazon and the marketplace sellers are selling them at exorbitant prices. Please, re-release this manga so I can buy the missing ones to fill my set! show less