A Look at the Latest "Super Sentai VS Series" Movie, with Information and Images from Toei Author: Alicia Ashby Source: Toei Co., Ltd. Official Site: gobus-gokai.jp (Japan) Toei Materials Translated by: Jim Ballard

SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details and images from a new movie.

Editor`s Note: This article uses the official English titles created and used by Toei Co., Ltd. for international sales and promotion of the Super Sentai movies, shows and videos. Official English Title: GO-BUSTERS VS GOKAIGER Original Japanese Title: ????????????????????????THE MOVIE (Tokumei Sentai Goobasutaazu Tai Kaizoku Sentai Gookaijaa Za Muubii) Literal Translation: Special Ops Sentai Go-Busters vs. Pirate Sentai Gokaiger The Movie

INTRODUCTION

Since 1975`s GORENGER (??????????, Himitsu Sentai Gorenjaa), the Super Sentai series has continued uninterrupted. 2011`s GOKAIGER (???????????, Gaizoku Sentai Gookaijaa), produced to commemorate the 35th anniversary, aimed to make a definitive statement about the series and received passionate support from generations of children and adults. Continuing from this is GO-BUSTERS (???????????, Tokumei Sentai Goobasutaazu), the 36th series which aims to open up the untapped potential of the Super Sentai series. In the latest entry of the "Super Sentai Versus Series", featuring a dream-team Super Sentai cast, the Go-Busters and Gokaiger clash! How will the 36th Super Sentai team oppose the space pirates, who`ve joined forces with an evil organization!? This is the greatest Super Sentai battle, featuring many classic characters!! Now, "VS" evolves to the next stage... --Toei publicity materials for GO-BUSTERS VS GOKAIGER

SUPER SENTAI VERSUS

When GORENGER`s successor J.A.K.Q. DENGEKITAI (????????, Jakkaa Dengekitai, 1977) was struggling in the ratings, Toei produced a film called J.A.K.Q. DENGEKITAI VS GORENGER (????????VS??????, Jakkaa Dengekitai tai Gorenjaa, 1978) that showed the two sets of heroes teaming up to battle a common foe. The film wasn`t popular enough to save JAKQ from a shortened episode run, and Toei shelved the idea of Sentai crossovers for several years. In 1994, when Super Sentai was the hottest of Toei`s properties, the company dusted off the Sentai crossover concept and produced a 3D short called SUPER SENTAI WORLD (??????????, Suupaa Sentai Waarudo), which brought together the heroes of the then-recent shows FIVEMAN (??????????, Chikyuu Sentai Faibuman, 1990), JETMAN (??????????, Choojin Sentai Jettoman, 1991), ZYURANGER (????????????, Kyoryuu Sentai Juurenjaa, 1992), DAIRANGER (???????????, Gosei Sentai Dairenjaa, 1993), and KAKURANGER (???????????, Ninja Sentai Kakurenjaa, 1994). In this movie, which consisted almost entirely of action scenes, the heroes teamed up to defeat a new enemy called Emperor Daidas. This effort proved quite popular.

What is now called the Super Sentai Versus film series was truly born in 1996 with a direct-to-video special called OHRANGER VS KAKURANGER (??????????? ???VS???????, Chooriki Sentai Oorenjaa Oore vs Kakurenjaa). The movie teamed up the heroes from the recently-concluded OHRANGER (???????????, Chooriki Sentai Oorenjaa, 1995) with the previous Sentai team in an hour-long adventure. The special did well, and was immediately succeeded by CARRANGER VS OHRANGER (???????????VS???????, Gekisoo Sentai Kaarenjaa vs Oorenjaa, 1997), MEGARANGER VS CARRANGER (???????????VS???????, Denji Sentai Megarenjaa vs Kaarenjaa, 1998), and many others. In 2009, the Super Sentai Versus series moved to the silver screen with GO-ONGERS VS GEKI RANGERS THE MOVIE (??? ??????????? VS ???????, Gekijooban Enjin Sentai Goonjaa tai Gekirenjaa). All subsequent entries in the Super Sentai Versus series have been theatrical releases. GO-BUSTERS VS GOKAIGER is the 18th film in the Super Sentai Versus series, pitting the heroes of the currently-airing GO-BUSTERS (???????????, Tokumei Sentai Goobasutaazu, 2012) against the protagonists of the previous show, GOKAIGER (???????????, Kaizoku Sentai Gookaijaa, 2011). As is usual for the Versus films, the adventure lets fans see the characters interact out of costume, as well as battle together in elaborate stunt and FX sequences. This year`s film also includes call-outs to fan-favorite characters from both shows, some guest stars from other Sentai series, and introduces the heroes for the next Super Sentai program, KYORYUGER (?????????????, Juuden Sentai Kyooryuujaa, 2013). Like most entries in the Super Sentai Versus series, GO-BUSTERS VS GOKAIGER is no more and no less than a love letter to the shows and their fans. The film is written by Kento Shimoyama, who scripted episodes of both GOKAIGER and GO-BUSTERS, and has written prior entries in the Super Sentai Versus series. The director is Takayuki Shibasaki, a Toei stalwart who has directed episodes of several different series over the years. The film`s action scenes are directed by Hirofumi Fukuzawa, a former suit actor whose work on the GO-BUSTERS television series is consistently the subject of praise. FX director Hiroshi Butsuda is another long-time Toei veteran, with special effects work that stretches back to the original ZYURANGER. GO-BUSTERS VS GOKAIGER will be released on DVD (¥3800) and Blu-ray (¥4800) in Japan on March 21, 2013. The movie will also be available in a Blu-ray Collector`s Pack (¥6300) containing a second disc of bonus material including a making-of documentary, footage of promotional events for the film, data files and more. First pressings of the Collector`s Pack will also come with a set of exclusive GO-BUSTERS VS GOKAIGER postcards.

STORY

In comic books, the traditional story about two heroes meeting is “fight, then team-up.” Many films in the Super Sentai Versus series follow this pattern, too, and GO-BUSTERS VS GOKAIGER is no exception.

The film`s events are kicked into action when a sinister black version of the once-heroic Gokai Galleon appears over Tokyo. Aboard the ship is Bakkas Gil, new commander of the Space Empire Zangyack, and he seems to be assisted by the pirate squadron Gokaigers. This is a shocking turn of events, since the Gokaigers were last seen destroying the Zangyack Emperor in the finale of their own series. As the series ended, the Gokaigers left Earth to head for the Zangyack homeworld, promising to topple the Empire once and for all. Now the apparently-villainous Gokaigers have returned to Earth to seek the universe`s greatest treasure, called the Phantom Ranger Keys. Even worse, they`re being assisted by the Vagras, Go-Busters`s sworn enemy. The Go-Busters have no choice but to oppose the Gokaigers, and a heated battle between the two groups begins. But all is not as it seems. The Gokaigers actually did destroy the Zangyack Empire, leading a vengeful Bakkas Gil to join forces with the Vagras. Together, these villains defeated the Gokaigers and forced them to cooperate in the hunt for the Phantom Ranger Keys. To escape, the Gokaigers use the abilities of the Go-Busters to reveal the hidden location of the five Keys, and then hope to overwhelm Bakkas Gil and the Vagras using the artifacts’ great power. This plan is foiled by Enter, the wily commander of the Vagras, who accurately predicts the Gokaigers` betrayal. He takes advantage of the moment to steal the Phantom Ranger Keys, which he intends to use to further Vagras` goal of merging Earth with the parallel dimension called hyperspace. But the Keys prove much too powerful for Enter to entirely control, and both heroes and villains are blasted throughout time and space.

This leads to a series of short team-ups that make use of certain Toei stock locations and sets. In the Edo period, Yellow Buster and Beet J. Stag meet Gokai Silver hiding in a nearby village. They recover a lost Phantom Ranger Key with the help of Jealoushitto, a reformed villain character who appeared multiple times in GOKAIGER and had a cameo in KAZOKU SENTAI GOKAIGER VS SPACE SHERIFF GAVAN: THE MOVIE (???????????VS????????THE MOVIE, Kaizoku Sentai Gookaijaa Tai Uchuu Keiji Gyaban Za Muubii, 2012). In the present day, Red Buster, Blue Buster, Gold Buster, Nick Cheetah and Usada Lettuce are visited by Kaoru Shiba, a character from SHINKENGER (??????????, Samurai Sentai Shinkenjaa, 2009) who made numerous cameo appearances in GOKAIGER. She hands them an ancient scroll preserved by her family, which turns out to be a note Yoko wrote in the past. With the aid of the present-day team, Gokai Silver is able to use the power of his giant transforming vehicle, GoZyuDrill, to travel through time to meet up with them. The gathered heroes retrieve the rest of their lost comrades. Blue Buster recovers Gokai Yellow and Gokai Blue along with a Ranger Key from a location in the Mediterranean. Gold Buster attempts to rescue Gokai Pink, Gokai Green from 17th century France, but their Ranger Key is lost to Bakkas Gil. Red Buster meets up with Gokai Red in 2005, where he is enjoying a plate of curry at the Dino House restaurant from the series ABARANGER (???????????, Bakuryuu Sentai Abarenjaa, 2003). Finally, the group goes to pick up Yellow Buster and Beet J. Stag in Edo Japan.

They find Enter waiting for them in his giant robot, the Megazord Epsilon. The heroes battle Epsilon to a standstill, but Enter sabotages the Go-Busters`s giant robots by attacking their Buddyroids, who serve as the machines` OS. The attack strips away the vaccine program that protects the Buddyroids from Vagras` evil viruses. The Busters try rebooting their Buddyroids, but the loss of the vaccine program also stripped away their personalities. The Go-Busters must go into the film`s final battle without their robot partners. Of course, this is Sentai, so courage and perseverance is more than enough to make a miracle happen. Halfway through the battle, the Go-Busters discover that they can copy the vaccine programs they carry in their own bodies back into their Buddyroids, restoring them. The Phanton Ranger Keys are recovered, and the heroes discover that they can be used to make their giant robots “Gokai Change,” assuming the powers of heroic robots from Super Sentai`s past. The five robots Go-Buster Ace, Tategami Lioh, Buster Hercules, Gokai-Oh, and GoZyuJin transform (respectively) into GekiTohja from GEKIRANGER (???????????, Juuken Sentai Gekirenjaa, 2007), Gao King from GAO RANGER (???????????, Hyakujuu Sentai Gaorenjaa, 2001), Magi King from MAGI RANGER (???????????, Mahoo Sentai Majirenjaa, 2005)*, Daibouken from BOKENGER (???????????, Googoo Sentai Bookenjaa, 2006), and DaiZyuJin from ZYURANGER. With the aid of these nostalgic robot heroes, the Gokaigers and Go-Busters defeat the Zangyack and Vagras, and set everything right. * Actor Hiroya Matsumoto plays Beet Buster, pilot of Buster Hercules. Previously, Matsumoto played the role of Magi Yellow in MAGIRANGER. Upon taking the controls of Magi King, he memorably comments that the transformation feels “just right.”

CREDITS

Running Time: 76 Minutes Japanese Release Date: January 19, 2013 (nationwide)

Cast Hiromu Sakurada/ Red Buster: Katsuhiro Suzuki Ryuji Iwasaki/ Blue Buster: Ryouma Baba Yoko Usami/ Yellow Buster: Arisa Komiya Masato Jin/ Beet Buster: Hiroya Matsumoto Beet J. Stag/ Stag Buster: Yuichi Nakamura Captain Marvelous/ Gokai Red: Ryota Ozawa Joe Gibken/ Gokai Blue: Yuki Yamada Luka Millfy/ Gokai Yellow: Mao Ichimichi Don "Doc" Dogoier/ Gokai Green: Kazuki Shimizu Ahim de Famille/ Gokai Pink: Yui Koike Gai Ikari/ Gokai Silver: Junya Ikeda Takeshi Kuroki: Hideo Sakaki Toru Morishita: Naoto Takahashi Miho Nakamura: Fuuka Nishihira Kaoru Shiba: Runa Natsui Enter: Syo Jinnai Escape: Ayame Misaki Basco ta Jolokia: Kei Hosogai Waredonaier (voice): Yuichi Nakamura Nick Cheetah (voice): Keiji Fujiwara Gorisaki Banana (voice): Tessho Genda Usada Lettuce (voice): Tatsuhisa Suzuki Navi (voice): Yukari Tamura Jealoushitto (voice): Takahiro Sakurai Yatsudenwani (voice): Kyousei Tsukui Bakkas Gil (voice): Takaya Hashi Kyoryu Red (voice): Ryo Ryusei Kyoryu Black (voice): Syuusuke Saito Kyoryu Blue (voice): Yamato Kinjo Kyoryu Green (voice): Akihisa Shiono Kyoryu Pink (voice): Ayuri Konno Mobilate, Gokai Sabre, Gokai Gun, Gokai Cellular, Gokai Galleon Buster, Gokai Spear (voice): Tomokazu Seki Lio Blaster, GB Custom Visor, Tategami Lioh (Voice): Ichirou Mizuki Narrator: Shoo Munekata Crew Director: Takayuki Shibasaki Original Concept: "Saburo Yatsude", Shotaro Ishinomori Screenwriter: Kento Shimoyama Producers: Takashi Nara (TV Asahi), Toramatsu Mamiya (Toei Video), Takeyuki Suzuki (Toei), Eiji Matsuda (Toei Advertising), Naoya Kinoshita (KINOSHITA) Planning: Kiyoshi Kuwata (TV Asahi), Naomi Takebe (Toei Video), Shinichiro Shirakura (Toei), Masanori Ogawa (Toei Advertising), Yoshiaki Nemoto (KINOSHITA) Executive Producers: Noboru Sugiyama (TV Asahi), Kazuo Kato (Toei Video), Kazuki Hikita (Toei Advertising) Art Director: Kazumasa Otani Character Design: Yuji Izubuchi, Tamotsu Shinohara, Yoshiro Harada, Yasushi Moriki , K-suke Action Director: Hirofumi Fukuzawa FX Director: Hiroshi Butsuda Editor: Ren Sato Cinematographer: Fumio Matsumura Lighting: Naoyuki Hori Sound Effects: Hiromi Ogawa Music: Megumi Ohashi, Kosuke Yamashita Theme Song: "Kizuna ~ Go-Busters! Gokai ni Arrange ver." (???????????! ???????ver., "Kizuna ~ Go Busters! Exciting to Arrange ver.") Artist: Nazo no Shin Unit STA?MEN (The Mysterious New Unit Starmen) Production: Go-Busters vs Gokaiger Production Committee (Ishimori Pro, TV Asahi, Toei AG, Toei) Distributor: Toei International Sales: Toei