Last month, it was announced that Japan’s legendary Super Sentai series would be ending. Given that the franchise has been running for a whopping 50 years, the news was pretty devastating for fans of the tokusatsu genre (which features heavy use of practical special effects in a live-action setting). Recently, TV Asahi’s president Arata Nishi shared some comments about the decision during a press conference held on November 25.
While officially confirming that the long-running Super Sentai series will finally come to an end with the conclusion of No.1 Sentai Gozyuger on November 30 (source: Sponichi Annex), Nishi expressed gratitude to longtime fans. He commented that after 50 years of the franchise, TV Asahi wants “to use this as an opportunity to create new heroes.” According to Nishi, the network intends to keep bringing new tokusatsu series to viewers.
One such example is the upcoming Super Space Sheriff Gavan Infinity, which will directly replace Super Sentai’s slot on TV Asahi. This is the first installment in Toei’s new Project Records of Extraordinary Dimensions (Project R.E.D.) multi-media franchise. Based on the original series that aired from 1982 to 1983, Super Space Sheriff Gavan Infinity features “cutting-edge visual expression and production techniques” while retaining the franchise’s “unique hero visuals and space-based sci-fi elements.”
When asked about a future revival of the Super Sentai Franchise, Nishi acknowledged that “there is a possibility,” but cautioned that he cannot be sure at this point.
