Sentai Anime is a type ofanimethat involves a team of warriors that groups themselves together to battle evil forces in order to save the world. In Japanese “sentai” means “squadron,” but can also be translated as “task force,” “group,” or “wing.” The genre is definitely not unique or restricted only to Japan, and many Sentai overlaps with different categories of anime.
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Having a bunch of interesting and unique characters that are battling various enemies is a pretty simple and good concept that can jumpstart any show. We can see from the example ofMarvel’s Avengers movieshow that is true. Regardless of that, not every Sentai anime is destined to succeed. Some of them just pass by, while others became cult hits, forever engraved in the history of the anime.
8Sailor Moon Crystal
Sailor Moon Crystalis an original net adaptation of theSailor Moonmanga series and was produced as part of the commemoration of the original anime series' 20th anniversary. The anime itself serves as areboot of the original serieswhile simultaneously being more faithful to the manga version of the series. It ran for three seasons, with the first airing in 2014.
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The anime received a lukewarm reception, with many aspects of the show being criticized. The originalSailor Moonanime was an amazing piece of art loved by the critics and audiences,receiving worldwide popularity, and it is hard to outdo that. Regardless of that,Sailor Moon Crystalis still an okay show that will evoke nostalgia in thosewho watched the original anime.
7Legend of Heavenly Sphere Shurato
Originally published as a manga, that was created, illustrated, and written by Hiroshi Kawamoto,Legend of Heavenly Sphere Shuratoran for 38 episodes in 1989 and 1999 among the most popular anime series.
The plot revolves around two boys, Shurato Hidaka and Gai Kuroki: lifelong best friends who are total opposites of each other in appearance and personality. While attending martial arts tournaments, they are transported to a parallel world called Tenkukai, where modern technology does not exist and people rely on Sohma, a form of spiritual energy. From there, the plot becomes more complex but involves Shurato as protagonist and Gai as an antagonist. The show is heavily based on Buddhism and Hinduism.
6Gravion
Gravionwas a short-lived anime that ran in 2002 for just 13 episodes. Later, a continuation of the series in 2004 titledGravion Zweiran for additional 12 episodes, concluding the show.
The anime’s central plot follows the 17-year-old Eiji Shigure, a member of Earthgertz, a team that is battling mechanical extraterrestrials called the Zeravire. He fights them by piloting the G-Attacker, a vehicle that is one of a group of five called Grand Divas that were secretly created by the billionaire Klein Sandman. The continuation of the series also revolves around the battle against the same aliens. The title of the showGravionrefers to the super robot by the same name that is created when combining the already mentioned Grand Divas with the Gran Kaiser.
5Science Ninja Team Gatchaman
Science Ninja Team Gatchamancan be considered archaic, since it ran from 1972 to 1974 with 105 episodes produced.
The anime follows five superhero ninjas that are battling the villains named Galactor. They’re led by shape-shifting mutant Berg Kaste, who is trying to control the earth’s natural resources, such as water, sugar, oil, and uranium. Later, it is revealed that an alien called Leader X is behind the whole invasion. The anime established an unwritten rule of a five-member hero team later seen in a huge number of shows such as Power Rangers, for one example. The Japanese magazine Animage listed it as one of the ten best anime productions of all time.
4Galaxy Angel
Unlike the previous entry,Galaxy Angelfeatures an all-female cast. As is the case with the majority of anime, it is based on manga. Both versions were highly successful, leading to video games, novels, and even a musical.
The plot of the anime starts with Takuto Meyers as a commander of the 2nd Frontier Fleet. Exiled Prince Eonia stages a coup that wipes out most of the Royal family, while the imperial Fleet is severed by a surprise attack. The rest of the plot is more complex, involving numerous locations and characters, but the central five are Vanilla H, Mint Blancmanche, Forte Stollen, Ranpha Franboise, and Milfeulle Sakuraba.
3Tokyo Mew Mew
Tokyo Mew Mewreceived high ratings and ran for 52 episodes. The English version was also popular, becoming the highest-rated 4kids show during the broadcasting. It also has some similarities withSailor Moon, both of them having a female protagonist, a five-member team, and similar plot lines.
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The anime follows five girls infused with the DNA of the endangered animals, which gives them special powers and allows them to transform to “Mew Mews.” In the anime, they are battling the Chimera Animas and their alien controllers Quiche, Pie, and Tart, while simultaneously looking for “Mew Aqua,” a material created from pure water that contains immerse power.
2Ronin Warriors
Ronin Warriorsis a widely-forgotten 1989 anime that ran for 39 episodes. Unlike other entries on the list,Ronin Warriorswasn’t based on manga, but the other way around, and the manga received the adaption of the anime the same year.
The anime’s plot starts with Talpa, a demon lord of the Netherworld and the ruler of The Dynasty, who is bent on conquering the mortal world. With Talpa and his Warlords threatening the world, the titular Ronin rise up to fight the good fight, and they all have unique armor and weapons.
1Sailor Moon
Originally planned as short anime that would last for six months, this legendary show turned into five-year-long worldwide broadcasted anime as well as into one of the biggest Japanese media franchisesincluding movies, video games, and the already-mentioned reboot.
Sailor Moonfollows the adventures of the titular protagonist whose real name is Usagi Tsukino, a middle school student who is given the power to become the Pretty Soldier. Joined by other sailor soldiers, she defends Earth against an assortment of evil villains. The subplot follows Usagi on apath of becoming a responsibleyoung adult from an emotional time in middle school.
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