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Logo-supersentaiThis article is about a series entry (the 11th) in the Super Sentai series.

Hikari Sentai Maskman (光戦隊マスクマン, Hikari Sentai Masukuman, translated into English as Light Squadron Maskman) is the 11th entry of Toei's Super Sentai Series. It aired on TV Asahi from February 28, 1987 to February 20, 1988, with a total of 51 episodes. The show was also distributed internationally, where it achieved great popularity in countries such as the Philippines, France, and Brazil. The Philippine dub was released as Laser Squadron Maskman, the French dub as Bioman 2: Maskman and the South Korean dub as Light Warrior Maskman (빛의전사 마스크맨 Bichui Jeonsa Maseukeumaen).

The average ratings of the series was 11.4%.[1]

Production[]

X1 mask design

The original "Fiveman" suit designs, alongside eventual user X1 Mask

Maskman was a season that turned out to bring many changes to the franchise, even from development. The season was originally to have the name of The Fiveman, similar in name to the original Sentai Himitsu Sentai Gorenger and with the five reflective in many aspects including Great Five, the first five-piece mecha. However the costumes for the season blended in aspects from the recent Hirohisa Soda seasons (uniform leotards with color differences in areas for males and females) with the return of masks similar to those of Battle Fever J, including eyes, noses, and sculpted hair. A prototype mask was made, but the concept was ultimately dropped; this prototype would ultimately be used in one episode as the hero X1 Mask, who would have the distinction of being a prototype of a future Sentai development: the sixth hero. One notable attribute to the costumes used was the return of the female skirt, which had been absent since DenziPink and would be utilized by nearly every female Sentai hero afterwards. The Fiveman name, although not used, would eventually be adopted by another Sentai three years later.

Another major development brought about by Maskman was stepping away from science fiction, which had been a major driving factor of all Sentai since Denziman and instead utilizing aspects of the Chinese concept of "kikou", an internal energy within the body that can be used and manipulated. Known as "aura power" in Maskman, it would lead to the first martial arts-driven Sentai and begin experimentations beyond Sentai's comfort zone into eventually embracing other concepts and ideas. The "kikou" concept would be further developed and used six years later in the Chinese-themed Dairanger.

Plot[]

"There is an unknown power hidden inside the human body. If you train as hard as you can, the power revealed will be unlimited!"
―Narrator[src]

Everything starts with Commander Sugata, a scientist and sage who excelled in mental reinforcements and is a master of every martial art. He discovered the existence of the Royal Underground Empire Tube, a malignant force that desires to dominate the land, which is based underneath Japan. In the beginning, Tube was centered on pacifism. However, when Zeba assumed the throne, Tube began planning to conquer the world. The new goal of Tube had become turning the world into a cold and shady planet, conditions that would need to be achieved so that the citizens of Tube could live on the surface. In order to stand against them and thwart their plans, Sugata recruited five young people, each one specializing in a style of martial arts, and taught them in the ways of the mystical "Aura Power" energy.

A year after Sugate recruited and trained the Maskmen, Tube is ready to strike. The Tube's Princess Ial, sent as a spy above ground under the assumed name Mio, has fallen in love with Takeru and now wishes for those living under and above ground to coexist. She is kidnapped and imprisoned in ice for her betrayal.

Characters[]

Rangers[]

Maskmen[]

Maskmen

Maskmen

Maskmen Unhenshined

Civilian Maskmen

Main article: Maskmen
Designation Name Actor
Red Mask Takeru Ryousuke Kaizu
Black Mask Kenta Koichi Kusakari
Blue Mask Akira Issei Hirota
Yellow Mask Haruka Yuki Nagata
Pink Mask Momoko Kanako Maeda

Other Rangers[]

Designation Name Actor
X1 Mask Ryo Asuka (39) Shinji Azuma

Allies[]

Light Squadron[]

Underground Beings[]

Other Allies[]

Kamen Rider Black Kohtaro MinamiIcon-crosswiki

Villains[]

Arsenal[]

Main article: Arsenal (Maskman)

Transformation Devices[]

Sidearms[]

Individual Weapons[]

Team Cannons[]

Vehicles[]

Mecha[]

Main article: Mecha (Maskman)
Legend:◆ piloted mecha, ✶ team-piloted mecha, ➲ carrier mecha

Episodes[]

Main article: Hikari Sentai Maskman Episodes
  1. Ep. 1: The Mysterious, Beautiful Runaway (美しき謎の逃亡者 Utsukishiki Nazo no Tōbōsha)
  2. Ep. 2: Strange! The Dark Underground Castle (怪奇! 闇の地底城 Kaiki! Yami no Chitei Jō)
  3. Ep. 3: The First Step into the Unknown (未知への第一歩! Michi e no Daiippo)
  4. Ep. 4: Burn! F1 Spirits! (燃やせ! F1魂! Moyase! Efu Wan Tamashii!)
  5. Ep. 5: The Small Swordsman, Blue (小さな剣士ブルー Chiisa na Kenshi Burū)
  6. Ep. 6: The God Hand of Dreams (夢のゴッドハンド Yume no Goddo Hando)
  7. Ep. 7: Explode! Kenta's Love (爆発! ケンタの愛 Bakuhatsu! Kenta no Ai)
  8. Ep. 8: Burn! The Flower's Sword (燃えろ! 花の剣! Moero! Hana no Ken!)
  9. Ep. 9: Combine! Aura of Life (合体! 命のオーラ Gattai! Inochi no Ōra)
  10. Ep. 10: Igam vs. Takeru (イガムVSタケル Igamu Tai Takeru)
  11. Ep. 11: The Refugee From Underground (地底からの亡命者 Chitei Kara no Bōmeisha)
  12. Ep. 12: A Challenge! The Pride of a Shinobi (挑戦! 忍びの誇り Chōsen! Shinobi no Hokori)
  13. Ep. 13: Chase the Idol! (アイドルを追え! Aidoru o Oe!)
  14. Ep. 14: The Great Escape to the Blue Sky! (青空への大脱出! Aozora e no Dai Dasshutsu!)
  15. Ep. 15: Farewell, Dear Flower! (さらば愛しき花よ Saraba Itoshiki Hana yo)
  16. Ep. 16: Deadly! Blazing Baraba (必殺! 炎のバラバ Hissatsu! Honō no Baraba)
  17. Ep. 17: Smash it! The Maze of Hell (破れ! 地獄の迷宮 Yabure! Jigoku no Meikyū)
  18. Ep. 18: The Dear Bloodsucking Doll! (愛しの吸血人形! Itoshi no Kyūketsu Ningyō!)
  19. Ep. 19: Phantom Magic! Anagumas (妖魔! アナグマス Yōma! Anagumasu)
  20. Ep. 20: A Trap! The Sinking Giant Robot (罠! 沈む巨大ロボ Wana! Shizumu Kyodai Robo)
  21. Ep. 21: The Black Shadow of the Misty Valley (霧の谷の黒い影 Kiri no Tani no Kuroi Kage)
  22. Ep. 22: The Winds and Clouds of an Aura Storm! (風雲オーラの嵐! Fūun Ōra no Arashi!)
  23. Ep. 23: Mio Who Has Become a Demon (悪魔になった美緒 Akuma ni Natta Mio)
  24. Ep. 24: The Grotto of the Young Monster (鍾乳洞の少年怪獣 Shōnyūdō no Shōnen Kaijū)
  25. Ep. 25: Akira's Lover!? (アキラの恋人!? Akira no Koibito!?)
  26. Ep. 26: A Life That Disappeared on the Hot Sand! (熱砂に消えた命! Nessa ni Kieta Inochi!)
  27. Ep. 27: Thief Knight Kiros! (盗賊騎士キロス! Tōzoku Kishi Kirosu!)
  28. Ep. 28: Mio is Princess Ial!? (美緒がイアル姫!? Mio ga Iaru-hime!?)
  29. Ep. 29: The New Lethal Weapon of Friendship (友情の新必殺武器 Yūjō no Shin Hissatsu Buki)
  30. Ep. 30: Mama!! Baraba's Scream! (ママ!! バラバの絶叫! Mama!! Baraba no Zekkyō!)
  31. Ep. 31: It Appears! The Guardian Deity Igam Dragon (出現! 守護神イガム竜 Shutsugen! Shugoshin Igamu Ryū)
  32. Ep. 32: Oyobu's Lethal Dash (オヨブー必殺走り Oyobū Hissatsu Hashiri)
  33. Ep. 33: Takeru!! Cut Through Love! (タケルよ! 愛を斬れ! Takeru yo! Ai o Kire!)
  34. Ep. 34: Blues of Love and Murderous Intent (愛と殺意のブルース Ai to Satsui no Burū)
  35. Ep. 35: The Mystery of Zeba! The Forbidden Tomb (ゼーバの謎! 禁断の墓 Zēba no Nazo! Kindan no Haka)
  36. Ep. 36: Elimination! The Destructive Twin Girls (消滅! 双子の破壊少女 Shōmetsu! Futago no Hakai Shōjo)
  37. Ep. 37: Soldiers Who Bet on Their Dreams (夢に賭ける戦士たち Yume ni Kakeru Senshitachi)
  38. Ep. 38: The Time to Erase Takeru (タケルが消される時間 Takeru ga Kesareru Jikan)
  39. Ep. 39: Revival! The Mysterious X1 Mask (復活! 謎のX1マスク Fukkatsu! Nazo no Ekkusu Wan Masuku)
  40. Ep. 40: Resurrect! The Melody of Love (甦れ! 愛のメロディー Yomigaere! Ai no Merodī)
  41. Ep. 41: Female Thieves Haruka & Momoko (女強盗ハルカ&モモコ Onna Gōtō Haruka to Momoko)
  42. Ep. 42: Fly! The Poem of a Timid Boy (翔べ! いじけ少年の詩 Kakebe! Ijike Shōnen no Shi)
  43. Ep. 43: Akira Loses His Eyesight! The Mysterious Spell (アキラ失明! 謎の呪文 Akira Shutsumei! Nazo no Jumon)
  44. Ep. 44: Transform! Underground Empire Swordsman Akira (変身! 地帝剣士アキラ Henshin! Chitei Kenshi Akira)
  45. Ep. 45: Prince Igam! You're a Woman! (イガム王子! 君は女! Igamu-ōji! Kimi wa Onna!)
  46. Ep. 46: Counterattack! The Secret of the Demon Pond (逆襲! 血の池の秘密 Gyakushū! Chi no Ike no Himitsu)
  47. Ep. 47: The Night Prior to the Attack! The Dance of Death (出撃前夜! 死の踊り Shutsugeki Zen'ya! Shi no Odori)
  48. Ep. 48: Baraba! Death for Treason (バラバ! 裏切りに死す Baraba! Uragiri ni Shisu)
  49. Ep. 49: The Revived Princess Ial (よみがえったイアル姫 Yomigaetta Iaru-hime)
  50. Ep. 50: Zeba! His Hair-Raising Secret Identity (ゼーバ! 戦慄の正体 Zēba! Senritsu no Shōtai)
  51. Final Ep.: The Great Destruction of the Underground Empire Castle! (地帝城大崩壊! Chitei Shiro Dai Hōkai!)

Movies

  1. Hikari Sentai Maskman: The Movie

Stage Shows

  1. Maskman Stage Show at 5 Heroes Korakuen Yuenchi
  2. Maskman Stage Show at Super Hero Korakuen Yuenchi


Songs[]

Main article: Hikari Sentai Maskman Soundtracks
Opening theme
Ending theme
Mecha theme
Insert themes
  • "Moeru ze Fire" (燃えるぜファイヤー Moeru ze faiyā, "Burn, Fire")
  • "Ore-Tachi Ungler" (俺たちアングラー Oretachi angurā, "We Are the Unglers")
    • Artist: The Unglers (ジ・アングラーズ Ji Angurāzu)
  • "Lady Action Kimetara Oshare" (レディアクションきめたらおしゃれ Redi akushon kimetara oshare, "Settled Stylishly by Lady Action")
    • Artist: Satoko Yamano (山野 さと子 Yamano Satoko)
  • "Action Fantasy" (アクション・ファンタジー)
    • Artist: Miracle Bombers (ミラクル・ボンバーズ Mirakuru Bonbāzu)
  • "Telepathize Shite Kure" (テレパサイズしてくれ Terepasaizu shite kure, "Let's Telepathize")
    • Artist: Katsuya Miura (三浦 克也 Miura Katsuya)

Cast[]

Suit Actors[]

Tagalog Voice Cast[]

Several characters' names were changed in the Philippine dub, which also changed Prince Igam to a female.

Toyline[]

Main article: Maskman (Toyline)

Notes[]

  • Maskman features a prototype Sixth Ranger, X-1 Mask, a one-shot character that appears only in episode 39. This would lead to the first sixth hero debuting in Zyuranger.
  • Maskman is the first Sentai season where none of the core team members have known surnames (excluding Ryo Asuka/X1 Mask, who was a predecessor to the main Maskman team).
  • Maskman is the last Sentai season to have a full run in the Showa period. Its successor, Liveman, would air 43 of the 49 total episodes in the remainder of the Showa period, while episode 44 and onward would air during the very start of the Heisei period.
  • This is the first series to feature an individual mecha for each core member, a motif that will be featured in every one of the show's successors with the exception of Fiveman and Megaranger.
  • In the Filipino dub, the opening and closing themes were composed by singer and composer Norman Caraan. Caraan later composed both opening and closing themes in the Filipino dub of Uchuu Keiji Shaider under the credited name of Bodjie's Law of Gravity until 1994.
  • Their official counterparts in Super Megaforce are given the name Lightning.

External Links[]

References[]

Logo-supersentai
GorengerJ.A.K.Q.Battle Fever JDenzimanSun VulcanGoggle VDynamanBiomanChangemanFlashmanMaskmanLivemanTurborangerFivemanJetmanZyurangerDairangerKakurangerOhrangerCarrangerMegarangerGingamanGoGo-VTimerangerGaorangerHurricanegerAbarangerDekarangerMagirangerBoukengerGekirangerGo-OngerShinkengerGoseigerGokaigerGo-BustersKyoryugerToQgerNinningerZyuohgerKyurangerLupinranger VS PatrangerRyusoulgerKiramagerZenkaigerDonbrothersKing-OhgerBoonboomger

Akibaranger (EX)Akibaranger S2 (EX)The High School Heroes

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