Hikari Sentai Maskman

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Hikari Sentai Maskman (光戦隊マスクマン Hikari Sentai Masukuman), translated as Light Squadron Maskman, was the Toei production and the 11th entry of the Sentai Series. It aired on TV Asahi from February 28, 1987 to February 20, 1988, with a total of 51 episodes.

Plot

"Inside the human body, an unknown energy is hiding. If you train to a disciplined extent, it displays unlimited power!"

Everything starts with Commander Sugata, a scientist and sage who excels 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, located underground Japan. In the beginning, the Tube was centered in the Pacific. However, when Zeba assumed the throne, they began planning to conquer the world. Their goal was to turn the world into a cold and shady planet, suitable for their living conditions. In order to stand against them and thwart their plans, Sugata recruited 5 young people, each one specialized in a style of martial arts, and taught them in the ways of the mystical aura power energy.

A year passes from the time he has recruited them. It is early spring and Tube is ready to strike. The Tube's Princess Ial, sent to spy above ground as Mio, has fallen in love with Takeru, wishing for a more peaceful approach for those underground and those above ground to coexist. She is kidnapped and imprisoned in ice for her betrayal.

Characters

Maskmen

"We're the Maskman!" "Light Squadron Maskman!"

Colors: Red, Black, Blue, Yellow, Pink, Green.

• Takeru (タケル Takeru) / Red Mask (レッドマスク Reddo Masuku): The leader of the group. He is 23 years old, and is a specialist in karate and a Formula 1 driver. Was spotted by Sugata a year prior to the series' starting storyline while rescuing a woman and her child. Challenged by Sugata, Sugata admired that the man didn't back down and offered him a spot on the Maskman team, anticipating the invasion of Tube. His love for Mio and desire to find her is his motivation. Mastered the technique known as "God Hand." Near the end of the series, he managed to defeat Baraba singlehandedly out of rage in battle. He eventually reunited with Mio in the end but inevitably split up with her having no other choice.
• * Attacks / Weapons: Masky Blade and Laser Arrow

* Red Mask is known as Michael Joe in the Philippines and as Mikael in France.

:*Meditation Gesture: Opened hands with index finger and thumb together

• Kenta (ケンタ Kenta) / Black Mask (ブラックマスク Burakku Masuku): The second in command of the team. He is 22 years old and specializes in kung fu. Is shy around women. Is lighthearted, but strong and dependable, making him an ideal second-in-command, which was proven when a Dogler Beast stole the aura of the other Maskman, leaving only Kenta to fight. Worked as a mechanic for the Sugata Racing Team and once worked for the Sun Racing Team.
• * Attacks / Weapons: Masky Rod

* Black Mask is known as Leonard in the Philippines and as Kent in France.

:*Meditation Gesture: 2 fists together

• Akira (アキラ Akira) / Blue Mask (ブル－マスク Burū Masuku): He is 20 years old. Chinese boxer and broadsword expert. Father died while he was younger and he was an only child -- left his mother back home alone to move to Tokyo in order to perfect his martial arts ability (really to join the Maskman). Unknowingly enters a Tube-rigged tournament in order to win to prove to his mother that he's succeeding in the purpose he left her for. Always cheerful, Akira loves apples and the idol Youko Minamino. Much later in the series, he is turned evil after being possessed by the spirit of a swordsman of the Royal Underground Empire named Fencer Unas. Unas was resurrected by some of the Royal Underground slaves of Tube in hopes that he would help set them free from Zeba's tyrannical rule and overthrow him. The underground slaves once witnessed when Akira freed certain other underground slaves and mistook Akira for a reincarnation of Unas.
• * Attacks / Weapons: Masky Tonfas

* Blue Mask is known as Haedrian in the Philippines and as Allain in France.

:*Meditation Gesture: 2 fists together with index finger from right hand sticking out

• Haruka (ハルカ Haruka) / Yellow Mask (イエローマスク Ierō Masuku): She is 22 years old and was raised in a family of ninjas. Forced by her ninja father to abandon all things "girly" to focus on her ninja training, therefore she appears tomboyish and is a fiercer fighter. Highly intelligent. Loves dancing and tutors a young girl who is unable to afford dance lessons.
• * Attacks / Weapons: Masky Rotor yoyos and Shadow Split Bodies

* Yellow Mask is known as Eloisa in the Philippines, Heloisa in France and Sayaka in Brazil.

:*Meditation Gesture: All fingers together in a fist except ring and pinkie

• Momoko (モモコ Momoko) / Pink Mask (ピンクマスク Pinku Masuku): She is 19 years old and youngest member of the team. An expert in Tai Chi Chuan. A young woman with a pure heart, she often teaches youths Tai Chi. Strong and dedicated, Momoko once, by chance, met Igam's mother, who gave her the saintly flower known as Carollove which Momoko treasures. In one infamous episode, she involuntarily "de-henshined" from weakness after the team used the Shot Bomber to destroy a monster.
• * Attacks / Weapons: Masky Ribbon

* Pink Mask is known as Mary Rose in the Philippines, Barbara in France and Keiko in Brazil.

:*Meditation Gesture: All fingers together in a fist except index fingers

• Ryou Asuka (飛鳥リョー Asuka Ryō) / X1 Mask (エックスワンマスク Ekkusu Wan Masuku): Ryou was the prototype of the first Maskman, also having trained with Commander Sugata. However, when his lover was killed by the Underground Empire Tube, he gave up everything, losing confidence in his abilities due to the failure of saving his girlfriend. He returned to help the other Maskman, losing his powers in the process. After his final fight, he decided to travel and teach martial arts. Transformed with the phrase "Change Power." Appeared in Episode 39 only. No meditation gesture.

Allies

• Commander Sanjuurou Sugata (姿　三十郎長官 Sugata Sanjūrō-chokan): Scientist and Martial Artist who founded the team. A wise man who excels in mental reinforcements and every martial art. Sugata had discovered the existence of the Underground Empire Tube, which at the beginning, was pacifist. With the ascent of Zeba to the power it started to desire the conquest of the world. A mysterious man, it was he who fought against Takeru one year before he first transformed into Red Mask. He is owner of Sugata Racing, a motoring team where Takeru is the driver.

:*He is known as Director Samuel Sugata in the Philippines.

Underground Empire Tube (地底帝国チューブ Chitei Teikoku Chūbu)

Once a peaceful underground empire, corrupted by usurper Zeba, who now intends to rule surface world.

• Earth Emperor Zeba: Leader of the underground Empire Tube who hates all human beings. His true form is the Lethal Doggler, whose parent was killed by the original Tube Royal family for attempting to take over the throne. Lethal Dogler the 2nd grew with nothing on its mind but revenge, disguising itself as Zeba and infiltrating his way into the Igam kingdom. Upon assuming the throne, Zeba corrupts it into a violent kingdom where strength rules all, and enslaves the underground humans. He soon reveals his true form in the finale with intent destroy the world. He is destroyed by the Galaxy Robo.

• Commander Baraba: Skilled swordsman and strongman of the Baluga tribe and rival of Igam, who always scoffs. He gets the Royal Underground Sword in the mid-episodes where he reveals his ultimate force of fury. After one failure too many, Baraba is sentenced to death by the Emperor Zehba and is told that he can only redeem himself by destroying the Maskmen. He makes a deal with Kiros and gets the Princess Ial as a hostage without knowing that Kiros had other plans. When this happens, he is later betrayed by his underling Oyubu for despising the Emperor's methods. He challenged Red Mask into a final duel between the two of them. As a result of his loss, he is killed by Red Mask.

• Oyobu: A ninja of the Buyon tribe with red skin and large ears. He can throw fire from his hands. Extremely loyal. He is Baraba's right-hand. However, he refused to assist Baraba in his final battle because he went against Zeba's word and acted by his own means. Consequently, this resulted in his master's death.

• Prince Igam: Twin sister of Princess Ial. As eldest, Igam was raised as a male in order to one day take the throne of the Igam Royal Family kingdom. Holds a hatred for Ial for falling in love with an ordinary aboveground human, "smearing the Igam name", and despises Takeru for being the man responsible. Revives the Igam Dragon, who was a peaceful being who once served the Igam no matter what the situation, and forced it to fight with her against the Maskmen. Amongst her abilities it is the Desring, an electrified force field, whose weakness is it spends too much energy, leaving her tired, as was the case in her first fight against Takeru in episode 10, "Igam vs. Takeru." She became a nun in the finale of the series to repay for her sins, while leaving her sister to become the new heir to the Igam kingdom. She may obviously look like a woman despite the disguise but she acts like a man.

• Fumin: Female Ninja of the Fu tribe, she serves the Igam clan. A ninja trained in combat and techniques with the ability to throw shurikens and shoot fire from her mouth. Her ability is rivaled by fellow ninja Haruka/Yellow Mask.

• Anagumas: Overweight beast who knows all. As the wiseman of Tube, only he is allowed access to read the library of ancient documents and sacred writings regarding the history of the Tube civilization which is hidden deeply within caves underground. He later intervenes with trying to get the secret of Zehba kept. However he was destroyed by the Maskmen with the Jet Cannon. He is then enlarged and he is destroyed by the Galaxy Robo.

• Thief Knight Kiros: He appears for the first time in episode 27 and not a member of the Empire but once allied with it. Kiros had a love for Princess Ial and fell in the Hell's Wind to save her. He escaped it with his life by developing the Crescent Screw technique. With that technique, he was able to destroy the Shotbomber. After this, he makes an agreement with Zeba in which after he'll defeat the Maskman by any means if they let him have Ial. Steals the emprisoned Ial and kidnaps Oyobu and offers him any of the treasure he's stolen if he could melt Ial. Oyobu refuses and Igam and her army arrive shortly with orders to eliminate Ial and Kiros is mortally wounded in an attempt to protect her. Dies after seeing Takeru and Ial reunite. He lived and died for what he thought was love.

• Energy Monster Okelampa: When the monsters of the Tube Empire were always destroyed by the Maskman, Okelampa was always invoked. With its ray, the dogler monsters were enlarged. The final fate of Okelampa is unknown. The only dialogue spoken each episode by Okelampa, after tiring from firing his ray of enlargement, is "yare-yare" ("Good heavens!")

• Princess Ial / Mio: She is the twin sister of Igam, sent by Tube as a spy aboveground, when she met and fell in love with Takeru. When Tube's forces are ready to attack, she warns Takeru, but is captured by the Igua Dogler, who pulls her beneath the ground. Zeba later sentences to emprisonment in ice for her betrayal. Thief Knight Kiros also has feelings for Ial, though the feeling isn't mutual.

Earth Empire Beasts Doggler (Chiteijuu Doggra)

A tribe of underground creatures released from a freezing cave to fight the Maskman.

• Igua Doggler (01)

Arsenal

Gear

• Masking Brace: Maskman's transformation device. They transform by saying "Aura Mask!".

Shared Weapons

• The weapons of each one are Laser Magnums with 2 modes: Gun and Sword. Teams attacks are Shot Bomber and Jet Cannon. The Jet Cannon becomes a flight rider for Red Mask.

Vehicles

• Spin Cruiser: Red's modified Formula 1 car, now a buggy.

• Mask Loaders: Black to Pink's motorcycle.

Mecha

• Turbo Ranger: Flying fortress carrying the five components of great five. It resembles like a giant car with rocket propellers in lieu of wheels.

• Great Five: It transforms into 5 piece components into a robot. Armed with Photon Lizer Sword (Final Aura Burst), Gyro Cutters and Great Gun.
• * Masky Fighter—piloted by Red Mask, stored in the "cabin" of the Turbo Ranger.
• * Masky Jet—piloted by Yellow Mask, stored in the "bonnet/hood" of the Turbo Ranger.
• * Masky Gyro—piloted by Pink Mask, stored in the "bonnet/hood" of the Turbo Ranger.
• * Masky Tank—driven by Blue Mask, stored in the "bonnet/hood" of the Turbo Ranger.
• * Masky Drill—driven by Black Mask, stored in the "boot/trunk" of the Turbo Ranger.

• Land Galaxy: Large tractor trailer that transforms into Galaxy Robo. Armed with Iron Fist Aura Galaxy, Galaxy Drill, Galaxy Anchor and Galaxy Bazooka. Piloted by all five core Maskmen.

Trivia

• Maskman was the first Super Sentai Series to have a robot composed of 5 parts (Fighter, Drill, Tank, Jet and Gyro) and a second bazooka.
• There was a sixth member, the X1 Mask, although he appeared only in episode 39.
• Maskman has an opening song which is translated in other languages.
• In France this series was called Bioman 2.
• This was the fourth and last Super Sentai series exhibited in Brazil.
• Several names were changed in the Brazilian version. For example, Haruka became Sayaka and Momoko became Keiko.
• In the Philippine (Tagalized) version, wherein the series has a large following, all of the original Japanese characters were renamed Filipino (Western) names. Takeru (Red Mask) became Michael Joe, Kenta (Black Mask) became Leonard, Akira (Blue Mask) became Haedrian, Haruka (Yellow Mask) became Eloisa, Momoko (Pink Mask) became Mary Rose and Commander Sanjuurou Sugata became Director Samuel Sugata. ^[link]
• Action director Junji Yamaoka, who had more or less been chief action director for every sentai since Goranger, left five episodes into the series after reportedly being disappointed at the watering down of action scenes.

Episodes

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

Special

• Hikari Sentai Maskman [theatrical short]

Cast

• Ryosuke Kaizu: Takeru / Red Mask
• Koichi Kusakari: Kenta / Black Mask
• Issei Hirota: Akira / Blue Mask
• Yuki Nagata: Haruka / Yellow Mask
• Kanako Maeda: Momoko / Pink Mask
• Hayato Tani: Commander Sanjuurou Sugata
• Hideaki Kusaka: King Zeba
• Mina Asami: Prince Igam/Princess Ial/Mio
• Keijiro Shiga: Commander Baraba
• Takuzo Kamiyama: Anagumas (voice)
• Nobu Shinoda: Okelamp (voice)
• Yoshinori Okamoto: Oyobu
• Shunta Fuchino: Kiros

• HIroshi Takeda: narrator

Crew

• Directors
• *Takao Nagaishi, Shouhei Toujou, Minoru Yamada

• Writers
• *Hirohisa Soda (main writer), Kunio Fujii, Toshiki Inoue

• Action directors
• *Junji Yamaoka (up until episode five), Michihiro Takeda

External links

• [Maskman] at supersentai.com

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