Seijuu Sentai Gingaman
Seijuu Sentai Gingaman is a Japanese tokusatsu television series. It is Toei's 22nd entry of the Super Sentai metaseries. The series aired from February 22, 1998 to February 14, 1999. Its footage was used in the adaptation of Power Rangers Lost Galaxy. The lead screenwriter for the series is Yasuko Kobayashi.
This series is not to be confused with the one-time villainous but humorous Sentai from Chikyu Sentai Fiveman, the Ginga Sentai Gingaman.
At the 2017 San Diego Comic-Con, Shout! Factory announced that they would be releasing the entire Starbeast Squadron Gingaman series, UNCUT in Japanese with English subtitles on DVD in North America. It was released on January 30, 2018. This is the 7th Super Sentai Series released on Region 1 DVD in North America. In July 2018, Shout! streamed the series on their website.
Plot
Three thousand years ago, the Space Pirates Balban invaded Earth. The Starbeasts and the first Gingamen, warriors of the Ginga Forest, fought them with a mystical power known as Earth and eventually imprisoned them. The Ginga people later cloaked their forest within marked boundaries and passed on the duty of the Ginga warriors through generations.In the present day, Hyuuga, Hayate, Gouki, Hikaru and Saya are chosen as the 133rd warriors of the Starbeast Swords. Ryouma is very happy that his elder brother Hyuuga succeeds to the title. When Orghi holds the succession ceremony of the Starbeast Swords, an earthquake breaks the seal on the Balban.
Orghi orders the 133rd warriors to get the Ginga Braces hidden in Roaring Mountain. However, the Balban attacks them to prevent the birth of the new Gingamen. During the battle, Hyuuga is swallowed into a crack in the ground created by the Balban's leader, Captain Zahab. Enraged, Ryouma activates his hidden Earth power and awakens the Ginga Braces. The Gingamen fight together with the Starbeasts against the Balban, who desire to revive the Demon Beast Daitanix, on whose corpse they built their castle.
Characters
Gingamen
The Gingamen are descendants of the original Gingamen from the Ginga Forest who use a fighting style originating 3,000 years ago and are chosen at a ceremony to become the current Gingamen. Before battle, the team announces their arrival by saying "We pierce through the Galaxy with legendary blades! Seijuu Sentai Gingaman!".;Fire Warrior Ryouma: A 22-year-old man who becomes Ginga Red with Ginga Leon as his partner to fulfill his older brother Hyuuga's last wish. He is bright, optimistic and hardworking. With his Earth power being fire, he can perform the Mane of Fire elemental technique and the Flame Flash and Two Swords Flash. In his civilian form, Ryouma wields a boomerang. With the Lights of Ginga, Ryouma can become Super Armor Shine Ginga Red. While as Super Armor Shine Ginga Red, he can perform Power Seal and Beast Fire Flash.
;Wind Warrior Hayate: A 22-year-old man who fights as Ginga Green with Gingalcon as his partner. He is cool and quick-witted. He is an expert flute player and is the second-in-command. He has a weakness for tomatoes and honey. He is engaged to Miharu and always carries the flute and amulet she gave him before leaving the Ginga Forest. With his Earth power being wind, he can perform the Fluttering of a Storm elemental technique and Hurricane Gust and Two Swords Gust. As he is a Wind Warrior, he has the power to eliminate evil sounds whenever he plays his flute. He is rivals with Shelinda after she destroys his flute and has a sword fight with her on the day Hayate and Miharu would have been married. He makes a new flute with similar materials on Moon Mountain. He can also use his flute as a pea-shooter. Later, with the Lights of Ginga, Hayate can become Super Armor Shine Ginga Green. After the final battle, Hayate is reunited with Miharu.
;Water Warrior Gouki: A 22-year-old man who fights as Ginga Blue with Gingarilla as his partner. Gouki is strong, shy and slightly nervous, as well as a lover of forests and wildlife. He is good at cooking. In the show, he believes this aspect of his personality would not let him be a good Gingaman, but at the end, he manages to win the love of Suzuko Miyasawa. With his Earth power being water, he can perform the Pulse of the Stream elemental technique and the Rapids Strike. He wields a whip in civilian form. Later, with the Lights of Ginga, Gouki can become Super Armor Shine Ginga Blue. In Gaoranger vs. Super Sentai, he lectures Soutarou Ushigome on the many strong warriors of the Super Sentai franchise. He later offers his assistance in the fight against Rakushassa alongside the other Dream Sentai warriors.
;Thunder Warrior Hikaru: A 17-year-old man who fights as Ginga Yellow with GingaVerick as his partner. With his Earth power being thunder, he can perform the Howl of Lightning elemental technique, Ancestor Burst and the Thunder Sweep, Severe Burn Lava. Although he is portrayed as being childish at times, he dislikes for others to treat like a kid. Hikaru is a gluttonous prankster. His favorite food is Mister Donut's donut. After the appearance of Biznella, they often fight each other. Later, with the Lights of Ginga, Hikaru can become Super Armor Shine Ginga Yellow.
;Flower Warrior Saya: A 17-year girl who fights as Ginga Pink with Gingat as her partner. Her admiration for Hyuuga gives her the courage to fight. She is always playing and competing with Hikaru. She loves climbing trees. Saya is strong but introverted. With her Earth power being flowers, she can perform the Claws of Petals and the Flower Heart. In civilian form, Saya can wield a slingshot. Later, with the Lights of Ginga, Saya can become Super Armor Shine Ginga Pink.
;Fire Warrior Hyuuga: Ryouma's 27-year-old brother. He was chosen to become the 133rd Ginga Red but fell into a crack in the ground caused by Zahab. He is saved by Bull Black, who possesses Hyuuga's body for a while before discarding him. Soon after, Hyuuga is given the power to become the new Black Knight and his partner becomes Gou Taurus. With his Earth power also being fire, he can perform the Mane of Fire and the Black Chop. When Gou Taurus is wounded during the battle against Evil Empress Iliess, he is captured by Pucrates who blackmails Hyuuga to work for him so he could sever his connection to the Earth to wield the cursed Knight Axe, the only thing that can shatter Zahab's Star Soul Jewel. Hyuuga agrees to give up his Earth power in hopes of using the Knight Axe to kill Zahab. Hyuuga regains his Earth power in the finale after the Knight Axe is destroyed and fights as the Black Knight alongside the Gingaman to finally kill Zehab.
Allies
;Elder Orghi: The leader of the Ginga people. When the Ginga Forest is attacked by Shelinda to use its energy to revive Daitanix, Orghi casts a petrification spell on himself and everything in the forest to prevent her from absorbing its energy, submerging it into the lake. Before becoming fully petrified, Orghi leaves a pendant with a seed to the Gingamen. In the finale after Zahab's death, the Ginga Forest resurfaces and Orghi as well as the rest of the Ginga people are restored, much to the Gingamen's surprise.;Wisdom Tree Moak: Orghi's final gift to the Gingamen before he is turned to stone and is located outside the Silver Star Equestrian Club. Moak senses all the events that happen near any forest or wood, such as Barban's presence. He gives new weapons to the Gingamen. He has knowledge of all Ginga legends. Near the finale, he sacrifices himself to prevent the birth of the Earth Beast and remove the traces of the Extreme Growth Extract which is affecting the Earth and the Gingamen's Earth powers, but he leaves behind a seed. After the Ginga Forest is restored in the finale, Moak is revived when Orghi plants his seed in the Ginga Forest.
;Fairy Bokku: A distracted fairy with an acorn-shaped helmet. He is always with Moak and ends every phrase saying "bokku!".
;Haruhiko Aoyama: A writer of children's stories, who believes in the existence of the legendary Ginga Forest. He offers the Gingaman his ranch for them to live in after their forest home is petrified and records their adventures.
;Yuuta Aoyama: Haruhiko's 9-year-old son. He does not believe the legend until he witnesses the birth of the 133rd Gingamen. In episode 6, he is given Ginga Leon's planet stone, which he used in the next episode to stop the Balban from trying to collect the energy the Gingamen was using to revive the Star Beasts.
;Suzuko Mizusawa: Yuuta's teacher at Wakatake Elementary School. Mizusawa is Gouki's secret love. Gouki had a rivalry with Shunsuke Kishimoto, a teacher from another school, for Suzuko's affections. In the end, Suzuko chooses Gouki and proves it by showing him the bracelet Gouki had made for her.
;Misaki Hoshino: An acting idol who looks like Saya, excpet that she has a mole. She is selfish until she talks with Saya. She helps Saya against the Balban.
Arsenal
- Ginga Brace: The Gingamen's transformation devices, which are activated by turning a dial to a specific color on the brace. The Ginga Braces were given to the original Gingamen by the Star Beasts 3,000 years ago and passed down through the centuries. The transformation call is "Ginga Reincarnation".
- Star Beast Sword: The team's sidearms, which can be used to perform the Gingamen's individual special attacks or be shortened into a dagger when not in use.
- Beast Racehorses: Horses that serve as transportation.
- *Red Spark: A white horse ridden by Ginga Red.
- *Green Wind: A black horse ridden by Ginga Green.
- *Blue Horizon: A beige horse ridden by Ginga Blue.
- *Yellow Thunder: A bay horse ridden by Ginga Yellow.
- *Pink Flower: A bay horse ridden by Ginga Pink.
- Mechanical Blade Kiba: Fang-shaped blades that have varied shapes from member to member. When these five come together, they combine to become a finishing weapon, with the attack "Kiba Imperial Wrath". The Kibas draw power from the Star Beasts' planets. The Gingamen channel their Earth power into them to call upon the Star Beasts' power and later to revive them when they were petrified, also obtaining "newly born" power. They help in the five main Star Beasts' transformation into Silver Star Beasts. They can transform into any weapon the Gingamen choose:
- *Kiba Cutter: Used by Ginga Red, with its technique Fire Cut.
- *Kiba Shot: Used by Ginga Green, with its technique Blast Shoot.
- *Kiba Claw: Used by Ginga Blue, with its technique Tsunami Hit.
- *Kiba Knives: Used by Ginga Yellow, with their technique Lightning Cut.
- *Kiba Arrow: Used by Ginga Pink.
- Juugekibos: Created by Moak, they are rods that can be shortened into bazookas by the command, Juugekiha, so the Gingamen can perform the Ginga Juugekidan team attack. Ginga Red uses his Rod in the Blazing Flames Juugeki attack. Moak creates more advanced rods in episode 47 to fight the Earth Demon Beast. These Rods can be used with the Beast Armor Shine or by the Gingamen in human form. They can perform an attack called the Senkou Juugekidan.
- Bull Riot: Hyuuga's sword that functions as his transformation device, using it to transform into the Black Knight by using the transformation call "Knight Reincarnation". Originally belonging to Bull Black, the Bull Riot can be changed into a laser rifle mode. Attacks with multiple slash attacks; including "Black Chop" and "Black Attack".
- Shining Beast Armor: An armor upgrade the team receives from the power of the Lights of Ginga. It is summoned by the command "Roar! Lights of Ginga!", but all five Gingamen need to be present for it to work. Their team attack is the "Galaxy War Radiance".
- *Flashing Star Beast Sword: Upgraded from the Star Beast Swords.
- *Beast Armor Claw: A brace with two claw-like blades that is worn on the left forearm.
- *Mobile Steed Galeo Pulsar: With the knowledge from the deceased Bull Black that the Lights of Ginga can change shape depending on the user's will, the Gingaman, while in Shining Beast Armor form, can gather the Lights of Ginga to create the Galeo Pulsar, a motorcycle that is themed after Ginga Red's Star Beast Ginga Leon. When summoned, it temporarily removes the Beast Armor enhancements from the Gingamen. Attacks include "Lion War Blast", as well as its finishing move, "Lion Shining Armor", in which it attacks by ramming into its target with the flaming Lights of Ginga energy. After a Majin is defeated, the Galeo Pulsar changes back into the Gingamans' Beast Armor enhancements, which are then returned to them.
- Knight Axe: A cursed weapon that Hyuuga receives from Bucrates that has the power to destroy the Star Soul Jewel that sustains Zahab. As Hyuuga had sacrificed his Earth power, only he can wield it as Ryouma once tried to pick it up in Episode 41, only for the energy feedback from the Axe caused him great pain. The Knight Axe is destroyed by Zahab in the finale, but not before damaging his Star Soul Jewel.
Space Pirates Balban
- Captain Zahab: The leader of the Balban. Cruel and violent but at the same time a great strategist and expert warrior who became immortal thanks to a Star Soul Jewel created by Daitanix, using the monster to gather a crew by offering them long life. Zahab's left hand is missing, as a result of the battle sustained with the first generation Ginga Red three thousand years earlier. He has replaced it with a cannon integrated hook. As a result, Zahab has a grudge against those who take the mantle of Ginga Red, including Ryouma. Hearing the death of an underling does not seem to affect him, but deep inside he suffers in private. Eventually, having known of Shelinda's death, Zahab can not take it anymore and falls apart in grief. In the final battle he uses the castle to take control of the Earth Demon Beast, but Zahab is forced to flee from his castle when it is destroyed by Bull Taurus. After losing the Earth Beast, Zahab fights and beats the tar out of the Gingamen, until Ginga Red and Black Knight use their fire ability to destroy his Star Soul Jewel. He is then killed by the Black Knight's Black Chop, the Gingamens' Galaxy War Radiance, and finally by Super Armor Shine Ginga Red's Beast Fire Flash attack as the final blow. He is later resurrected by Gregory, only to be killed once again by the Gingamen in the Galaxy Lights armor in Seijuu Sentai Gingaman vs. Megaranger.
- Captain Gregory: An old friend of Zahab's who came to Earth to revive the Barban, with the aid of Hizumina, Dr. Hinelar's second "daughter". He had his own personal Majin, Ghelmadix, which was originally a second Daitanix. According to Moku, Gregory was sealed by the Starbeasts long before the Balban, feared as much as they were, all on his own. He could make himself grow without the aid of an enchanted liquid. Eventually revived every Barban member along with almost every Majin. He was killed by Galaxy Mega & Super Armor Shine Gingaioh.
- Steerwoman Shelinda: The cruel and selfish second-in-command and the navigator of the Balban. A warrior with a sword and shell-themed armor, Shelinda had romantic feelings for Budoh though never forgave him for saving her life sometime in the past. During the Sutoiji incident, Shelinda destroys Hayate's flute before later attempting to stop him from making a new one. After finding him as Sutoiji is defeated, Shelinda duels Ginga Green with it ending with her forearm scarred as she vows a vendetta on him to the point of not allowing her own comrades to deny her killing Hayate. The most anxious to see Daitanix revived as her position of Steerwoman was pointless without Daitanix to steer often going to the aid of a Majin in order to speed along the revival. Shelinda is eventually killed in a final duel with Hayate in episode 49, where only her sword remained, to which the Yartots deliver it to Zahab to inform him of Shelinda's death. The sword itself was later destroyed along with Zahab's castle. Shelinda is later revived by Gregory, and is killed once again by the Gingaman in the Galaxy Lights armor in Seijuu Sentai Gingaman vs. Megaranger.
- Barreled Scholar Bucrates: A stout little being with a barrel-shaped body, Bucrates lacks battle skills, though he makes up for it with his extensive knowledge. He is called "Mentor" by Zahab and is the one who gave Zahab an immortal body. Prior to Sambash named acting general, Bucrates supported his niece Illiess in taking on the position from the start. While Budoh was acting general, Bucrates felt humiliated by the general after his numerous attempts to upstage Budoh. He proceeds to conspire with Iliess to frame Budou so she can become acting general. Though it seemed they got away with it, it turned out Zahab knew of the plot yet allowed Bucrates to remain until Illiess's death. Attempting to resurrect Illiess in secret, Bucrates is mortally wounded by Zahab and wrapped in chains as he is sent to a watery grave. However, his newfound hatred for Zahab allowed Bucrates to survive the ocean pressure while changing into a new form called Barreled Scholar of Revenge Bucrates. Escaping his binds, Bucrates vows revenge on the Balban, capturing the wounded Gou Taurus in a small barrel to get Hyuuga's assistance. Bucrates later let Gou Taurus out temporarily to have Hyuuga aid the Gingamen against Daitanix in episode 42, before drawing them both back when the battle was over. However, Bucrates is mortally wounded in episode 48, by Shelinda for his betrayal, before he can see his revenge fulfilled and subsequently commits suicide in episode 49 with a bomb to give Hyuuga a chance to escape with Gou Taurus after giving the barrel back to Hyuuga.
The Balban Army Generals
- Gun Boss Sambash: A hot-headed gunman who carries a pistol and rides a motorcycle with cannons. His Majin are based on insects. 3,000 years ago, Bull Black had come to Earth to hide the Galaxy Lights and Sambash cornered him in order to learn where they were hidden. Bull Black gave him the key of an empty chest and a fake location in Cape Kagerou, with Sambash keeping this information from Zahab. Being the first general chosen to revive it, Sambash attempts to find ways of providing energy for Daitanix to revive. After continuous failures to revive Daitanix and defeat the Gingamen, Sambash decided to go after the Galaxy Lights by first having Neikaa open up the cave at Cape Kagerou where the box containing the lights was hidden. Unable to open the entrance without an Earth user, Sambash has Gurinjii assume Hyuga's form to trick Ryouma into fetching it for him. As Gurinjii is destroyed by Gingaioh, heavily wounded from his fight with Ginga Red, Sambash opens the box to use the Lights of Ginga on himself to even the odds. However, finding it empty and with nothing to lose, a crazed Sambash climbs onto his bike to run over Ginga Red. In the process, after being hit by Ginga Red's attack, Sambash drives off a cliff as his motorcycle explodes, destroying both itself and him. He is later resurrected by Gregory, only to be killed once again by the Gingamen in the Galaxy Lights armor in Seijuu Sentai Gingaman vs. Megaranger.
- Sword General Budoh: A calm swordsman who became the second Barban General-in-command chosen. Budoh has a mostly white and blue outfit with manta ray-like wings as a partial cape bearing his army's emblem. He possesses the Girasame sword, with which he can perform his "Girasame Cruel Sword" attack. Budoh has a strong sense of honor and loyalty that even Zahab recognized despite being unpredictable. His Majin are traditional Japanese Samurai culture and sea creature based. Budoh was always well-mannered and thanked his fallen Majin, who called him "My Grand General". He takes over the search for the Galaxy Light to revive Daitanix after Sambash dies, using a scroll of potential hosts that might contain the Light. With only one entry left, with his life endanged, Budoh sends his most powerful servant, Dotoumusha, to retrieve the Galaxy Light with success. However, Budoh is set up by Bucrates and Iliess to be made as a treasonous cur wanting the Light for himself. Placed in the brig, unable to perform Seppuku for an act he never even did, Budoh escapes to clear his name and kill the Gingamen to reclaim the Galaxy Light. But once learning the truth of Iliess framing him, seeing that nothing would ever clear his name, Budoh kills Medoumedou before arriving to his ninjas' aid to fight Juusoukou GingaRed to the death. After being mortally wounded by Juusoukou GingaRed's Juukasen, attempting to resist his injuries, Budoh meets his end and dies in a blaze of glory with Girasame landing near the riverbed. In Seijuu Sentai Gingaman vs. Megaranger, he is revived and killed once again by the Gingaman in the Galaxy Lights armor.
- Spectral Empress Illiess is an Egyptian-themed, spiteful, and ambitious sorceress, motivated by her greed and demanding monetary compensation upon a successful plan. Her majin are based around entities from different cultural mythologies. Illiess is also immortal as she can resurrect herself no matter the number of times she is killed as long as her Soul Gem is unharmed. Having become impatient with waiting, Illiess conspired with her uncle Bucrates to depose Budoh so she can become the new active general. Having succeeded, Illiess intended to revive Daitanix through various forms of sorcery and mass sacrifices so she can obtain the riches Zahab offered for the monster's resurrection. However, after losing the Koseijuu, Illiess is given additional incentive to revive Daitanix when Zaihab decides to reduce her earnings for each day she fails her objective. After the death of her younger brother Desphias, Illiess is forced to take matters into her own hands. Erecting a tower in the city's plaza, Illiess conjures lizards to suck the blood of 9,999 people to revive Daitanix. When the Gingamen arrive, Illiess absorbs the souls of her fallen Majin to assume a powerful chimera-like fighting form called Evil Empress Illiess. As the other Gingamen and Hyuga fight copies of Morgumorgu, Hielahiela, Garagara, Wangawanga, and Burakiburaki, Ryouma battles Illiess and destroys the tower. Defeated by the Supershine Gingamen and Black Knight, Iliess refuses to stand down and uses her magic to enlarge herself. Illiess then overpowers Super Armor Shine Gingaioh and Bull Taurus before the Kouseiju's interference leads to her death by the Seijuu. Though Bucrates attempts to revive her, Iliess's soul gem is shattered by Batobas and used to resurrect Daitanix.
- Destruction King Battobas: The strongest among the four generals and a weapons specialist as well. He is considered by Zahab to be "his right arm" which suggests a longer relationship between them than the rest of the generals. His Majin are based on weapons and machines. Revealing Daitanix's condition and using Iliess's soul to delay the rotting, Battobas is last general chosen to fight the Gingaman with the mission to gain enough energy to fully revive Daitanix, sometimes having Biznella plot the plan while he would provide the Majin and Yartots. Battobas succeeded, but upon Daitanix's destruction, he is later sent to find the Earth Beast to mature and/or empower it fully with a Extreme Growth Extract. He succeeds, but ends up being eaten alive by the monster in episode 49. He is revived and killed once again by the Gingaman in the Galaxy Lights armor in Seijuu Sentai Gingaman vs. Megaranger.
- Dark Merchant Biznella: An evil Black Marketeer. He captured three Starbeasts and turned them into cyborgs, before selling them to the Balban for a payment of five boys of gold coins. After his merchandise fails, Biznella is recruited into Balban, as a consultant of sorts under the service of Battobas, who he had been acquainted with previously. During one of their attempts to find the Demon Earth Beast, Biznella is thrown into the Extreme Growth Extract by accident and mutates into Majin Biznella who overpowers the Gingamen until they defeated him with their upgraded Beast Attack Rods. He is then betrayed and enlarged by Battobas and is killed by Giga Rhinos, Giga Phoenix and Super Armor Shine Gingaioh in episode 47.
- The Pirate Soldier Yartots: Balban's foot soldiers, orange with striped shorts and wielding sabers. When fighting, they would only say "Yartot!" but can speak when talking to their superiors.
Episodes
| No. | Title | Director | Writer | Original air date |
Cast
- Ryouma: Kazuki Maehara
- Hayate: Koji
- Gouki: Shōei
- Hikaru: Nobuaki Takahashi
- Saya, Misaki Hoshino : Juri Miyazawa
- Hyuuga: Teruaki Ogawa
- Haruhiko Aoyama: Yoshihiko Takamoku
- Yuuta Aoyama: Shogo Hayakawa
- Suzuko Mizusawa: Makiko Yoshida
- Shunsuke Kishimoto: Yuji Kishi
- Orghi: Hiroshi Arikawa
- Miharu: Noriko Tanaka
- Krantz: Masanori Ōtani
- Shelinda: Kei Mizutani
- Moak: Rokurō Naya
- Bokku: Sanae Miyuki
- BullBlack: Kōji Ochiai
- Zahab: Hidekatsu Shibata
- Bucrates: Chafurin
- Sambash: Nobuyuki Hiyama
- Budoh: Kazuo Hayashi
- Iliess: Gara Takashima
- Battobas: Takeshi Watabe
- Biznella: Kaneto Shiozawa
- Narrator: Norio Wakamoto
Songs
- "Seijuu Sentai Gingaman"
- *Lyrics: Shoko Fujibayashi
- *Composition & Arrangement: Toshihiko Sahashi
- *Artist: Ryū Kisami
- "Free Mind"
- *Lyrics: Shoko Fujibayashi
- *Composition: Masao Ideguchi
- *Arrangement: Kōichirō Kameyama
- *Artist: Ryū Kisami