Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger (機界戦隊ゼンカイジャー, Kikai Sentai Zenkaijā; Mecha World Squadron Zenkaiger) is a Japanese tokusatsu television series, the 45th entry in Toei's long-running Super Sentai series, and the second produced in the Reiwa era. Additionally, it commemorates the 45th anniversary of the Super Sentai franchise and is the second special anniversary series following Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger.
The show succeeded Mashin Sentai Kiramager, joining Kamen Rider Saber, and later, Kamen Rider Revice in the Super Hero Time line-up on TV Asahi on March 7, 2021. The show's name comes from the titular team's catchphrase, "Zenryoku Zenkai" (全力全開; "full throttle"). A direct sequel, titled Avataro Sentai Donbrothers, aired following the finale.
Plot
One month ago, a strange phenomenon suddenly fused the human world with the parallel world of Kikaitopia, who had previously conquered and sealed off various universes, including those of the previous 44 Super Sentai. Despite this, humans and Kikainoids quickly get along and live peacefully together.
In the present, however, their lives are threatened by Kikaitopia's evil rulers, the Tozitend Dynasty, who seek to conquer all parallel worlds. To face this new threat, a brave and energetic young man named Kaito Goshikida inherits the powers of all previous Super Sentai. Transforming into Zenkaizer, he joins forces with the Kikainoids Juran, Gaon, Magine, and Vroon to save the multiverse from Tozitend and find Kaito's missing parents as the Zenkaigers. The conflict later intensifies with the arrival of the World Pirates. Led by Zocks Goldtsuiker, who can transform into Twokaizer, the World Pirates oppose Tozitend in pursuit of their own objectives and occasionally ally with the Zenkaigers for the sake of it.
Production
The trademark for the series was filed by Toei Company on September 8, 2020.
According to producer Shinichiro Shirakura, the show's diversity in its titular members, featuring a human and four Kikainoids, is due to the Super Sentai series' recurring themes of diversity in its group of protagonists while maintaining strong characters. The reason why Zenkaizer was chosen as the leader despite being colored white is to ensure that he would stand out in future crossovers when grouped alongside other red warriors. The four Kikainoids' warrior forms were based on the mecha of previous Super Sentai series. Zenkai Zyuran was based on Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger mecha Daizyujin, Zenkai Gaon was based on Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger mecha Gao King, Zenkai Magine was based on Mahō Sentai Magiranger mecha Magi King, and Zenkai Vroom was based on GoGo Sentai Boukenger mecha DaiBouken. Although Zenkaiger is open to the idea of featuring past heroes in certain episodes, Shirakura mentioned that it will not be done in a similar way to Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger. As members of the Zenkaigers combine to form the series' mecha, ZenkaiOh, the original plan was for their combined forms to appear human-sized at first, but as the show needed to keep up with the toy releases, this idea was scrapped and eventually implemented in the sequel series Avataro Sentai Donbrothers through the titular group's mecha, Don Onitaijin.
After series voice actor Tatsuhisa Suzuki chose to go on hiatus, his role as Gege was rendered voiceless between episodes 21 and 25. Toei later announced Masaya Fukunishi will take over the role of Gege from episode 25 onward.
Reception
Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger is ranked 19th place in the 2021's "100 Internet Buzzwords" in Japan, held by Nico Nico Pedia and Pixiv Encyclopedia. The physical award is given to Toei's producers of the series, Shinichiro Shirakura, Naomi Takebe, Kōichi Yada and Akihiro Fukada during the award ceremony on December 15, 2021.
Films & Specials
Red Battle! All Sentai Great Assemble!!
Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger the Movie: Red Battle! All Sentai Great Assemble!! (機界戦隊ゼンカイジャー THE MOVIE 赤い戦い！オール戦隊大集会!!, Kikai Sentai Zenkaijā Za Mūbī Akai Tatakai! Ōru Sentai Daishūkai!!) is a film which serves as the Zenkaigers' official debut and was released in Japanese theaters on February 20, 2021, as part of Super Sentai Movie Ranger 2021 (スーパー戦隊MOVIEレンジャー2021, Sūpā Sentai Mūbī Renjā Nisen-nijū-ichi), alongside Mashin Sentai Kiramager the Movie: Be-Bop Dream and Kishiryu Sentai Ryusoulger Special: Memory of Soulmates. Naoya Makoto, Kei Hosogai, and Jingi Irie reprise their respective roles as Tsuyoshi Kaijo/Akarenger, Basco Ta Jolokia, and Zamigo Delma. Additionally, Megumi Han and Nobutoshi Canna reprise their respective voice roles as Kyuemon Izayoi and Bangray. The events of the film take place between episode 6 of the regular series and the companion web series Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger Spin-Off: Zenkai Red Great Introduction!.
Super Hero Senki
Saber + Zenkaiger: Super Hero Senki (セイバー＋ゼンカイジャー スーパーヒーロー戦記, Seibā Zenkaijā Sūpā Hīrō Senki) is a crossover film released on July 22, 2021, starring the cast from Zenkaiger and Kamen Rider Saber, as well as featuring characters from past entries of the franchises involved. The film is part of the celebrations for both the 45th anniversary of the Super Sentai franchise and the 50th anniversary of the Kamen Rider franchise, and serves as the final crossover between them. Actors Fuku Suzuki and Ayumi Tanida portrayed Shotaro Ishinomori and the film's main antagonist, Asmodeus, respectively. Moreover, Kenjirō Ishimaru of Kamen Rider Den-O; Takashi Ukaji of Kamen Rider OOO; So Okuno of Kamen Rider Zi-O; Fumiya Takahashi of Kamen Rider Zero-One; Shogo Suzuki of Samurai Sentai Shinkenger; Atomu Mizuishi of Mashin Sentai Kiramager; and Hiroshi Fujioka of Kamen Rider (1971 - 1973) reprise their respective roles while Naoya Makoto of Himitsu Sentai Gorenger; Toshihiko Seki, Kōji Yusa, Masaki Terasoma, and Kenichi Suzumura of Kamen Rider Den-O; Tetsu Inada of Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger; and M·A·O and Hiroshi Kamiya of Uchu Sentai Kyuranger; and Rikiya Koyama of Kamen Rider Zi-O reprise their respective voice roles. Additionally, the two main characters of the then-upcoming Kamen Rider Revice made their first appearances and a special film for the series was double billed with Super Hero Senki. The events of the film take place between the two-part Movie Release Commemorative Combo Special and episode 21 of the series.
Special episodes
Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger Spin-Off: Zenkai Red Great Introduction! (機界戦隊ゼンカイジャー スピンオフ ゼンカイレッド大紹介！, Kikai Sentai Zenkaijā Supin Ofu Zenkai Reddo Daishōkai!) is a two-episode web-exclusive series released on Telasa on March 21, 2021. Additionally, Satomi Hirose of Ninja Sentai Kakuranger makes an appearance. The events of the special take place between Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger the Movie: Red Battle! All Sentai Great Assemble!! and episode 7 of the series.
Red Challenge! The Zenkaigers Annihilated?! (赤い挑戦！ゼンカイジャー全壊?!, Akai Chōsen! Zenakaijā Zenkai?!)
White Counterattack! Full Recovery of the Zenkaigers!! (白い逆襲！ゼンカイジャー全快!!, Shiroi Gyakushū! Zenakaijā Zenkai!!)
Zenkai Mini Theater (ゼンカイ豆劇場, Zenkai Mame Gekijō) is a twelve-episode puppetry short series included as part of the Blu-ray releases of Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger.
I Learn the Powers of the Predecessors!: Zyuranger Part (パイセンの力、勉強します！〈ジュウレンジャー編〉, Paisen no Chikara, Benkyō Shimasu! Jūrenjā-hen)
Can You Name All the Super Sentai? (スーパー戦隊いえるかな？, Sūpā Sentai Ieru ka na?)
Miss Magical Girl's Solitary Gourmet (孤高のミス魔女っ子グルメ, Kokō no Misu Majokko Gurume)
Suspicions of Hyakujuu Sentai: Gaoranger Part (百獣戦隊の疑惑〈ガオレンジャー編〉, Hyakujū Sentai no Giwaku Gaorenjā-hen)
Zenkais of the Wilderness (荒野のゼンカイども, Kōya no Zenkai-domo)
Reincarnation Panic! (転生・パニック！, Tensei Panikku!)
5 Seconds Before Getting Seriously Excited: Magiranger Part (マジで高まる5秒前〈マジレンジャー編〉, Maji de Takamaru Go-byō-mae Majirenjā-hen)
Sudden Mini Theater (豆劇場は突然に, Mame Gekijō wa Totsuzen ni)
Zenkai House Death Game (ゼンカイ館のデスゲーム, Zenkai Yakata no Desu Gēmu)
The Endless Inquiry Spirits: Boukenger Part (果てなき探求魂（スピリッツ）〈ボウケンジャー編〉, Hatenaki Tankyū…