Machine Sentai Kiramager (魔進戦隊キラメイジャー, Mashin Sentai Kirameijā, Machine Squadron Kiramager)[a] is a Japanese tokusatsu drama. It is the 44th entry of Toei's long-running Super Sentai metaseries and the first series to air exclusively in the Reiwa era.[b][1][2][3]Kiramager's main motifs are genies, gemstones and vehicles. It is the fifth vehicle-themed Super Sentai series[c] and the first to use a genie motif.
After planet Crystaria is invaded, Princess Mabushina takes the Kiramai Stones and seeks refuge on Earth to find individuals with strong "shining spirits", or Kiramental, to become the Kiramagers and fight off the threat of Yodonheim, an imperial army of darkness that now plans to invade Earth.[1][2][3][5]
With help from Muryo Hakataminami, the founder of CARAT, a private organization created in preparation for Yodonheim's attack, Mabushina meets the passionate artist Juru Atsuta, the esports professional Tametomo Imizu, the prodigy athlete Sena Hayami, the famous actor Shiguru Oshikiri, and the talented surgeon Sayo Oharu, who accept the duty to protect Earth as the Kiramagers. The team later gains a sixth member: the treasure hunter Takamichi Crystaria, Muryo's long-lost older brother who was adopted into Mabushina's family after he became a human/Crystarian hybrid.
"Under Uncle's Moon" Transliteration: "Oji no Tsuki o Miteiru" (Japanese: 叔父の月を見ている)
Tete Inoue
January 10, 2021 (2021-01-10)
39
"The Emperor Is a Sniper" Transliteration: "Kōtei wa Sunaipā" (Japanese: 皇帝はスナイパー)
Kaori Kaneko
January 17, 2021 (2021-01-17)
40
"The Pained" Transliteration: "Itamu Hito" (Japanese: 痛む人)
Tomihiko Tokunaga
January 24, 2021 (2021-01-24)
41
"I Want to Be as I Am" Transliteration: "Ari no Mama de Itai" (Japanese: ありのままでいたい)
Michiko Yokote
January 31, 2021 (2021-01-31)
42
"A Battle Without Honor and Humanity" Transliteration: "Jingi Naki Tatakai" (Japanese: 仁義なき戦い)
Ayumi Shimo
February 7, 2021 (2021-02-07)
43
"The Dirty Hero" Transliteration: "Yogoreta Eiyū" (Japanese: 汚れた英雄)
Naruhisa Arakawa
February 14, 2021 (2021-02-14)
44
"Rest in Peace, My Friend" Transliteration: "Tomo yo, Shizuka ni Nemure" (Japanese: 友よ、静かに眠れ)
Naruhisa Arakawa
February 21, 2021 (2021-02-21)
45 (Final)
"You Were There, and Shined" Transliteration: "Kimi-tachi ga Ite Kagayaita" (Japanese: 君たちがいて輝いた)
Naruhisa Arakawa
February 28, 2021 (2021-02-28)
Production
Machine Sentai Kiramager was trademarked in September and officially announced on Christmas Day, 2019.[1][2][3] The main cast was officially revealed on January 16, 2020.
On March 31, 2020, a press conference held by TV Asahi revealed that Rio Komiya, the actor playing Juru Atsuta, had tested positive for COVID-19.[6][7] The production of Machine Sentai Kiramager had stopped since the previous week. However, Toei announced that they had episodes filmed until May.[8][9]
News also came out that Toei Studios shut down for disinfection in response. However, on April 3, Toei released a statement saying it was false, calling it misinformation.[10] As of April 5, Komiya's health was improving and all of the series' staff, cast, and the veteran Super Sentai actors and actresses who supported his recovery were waiting for his speedy recovery and return to the set so they could continue filming.[11] On April 9, Komiya had announced via his Twitter that he was officially discharged from the hospital, however, he would still remain in self-quarantine at home for at least two weeks.[12]
The show was eventually put on hiatus after the airing of Episode 10 on May 10, with four specials and a televised version of Episode Zero airing in its place. With the state of emergency lifted on May 26, Toei resumed filming of the show on June 1, with Episode 11 airing on June 21.[13] In regards to the summer movie, it was postponed alongside Kamen Rider Zero-One the Movie: Real×Time.[14]
Films
Episode Zero
A month before the premiere of the television series, Machine Sentai Kiramager Episode Zero (魔進戦隊キラメイジャー エピソードZERO, Mashin Sentai Kirameijā Episōdo Zero) was released as a prequel movie in Japanese theaters on February 8, 2020 as part of Super Sentai Movie Party (スーパー戦隊MOVIEパーティー, Sūpā Sentai Mūbī Pātī). The movie was double billed with Kishiryu Sentai Ryusoulger VS Lupinranger VS Patranger the Movie, which featured a crossover between Ryusoulger and Kaitou Sentai Lupinranger VS Keisatsu Sentai Patranger. As the events of the film take place before the first episode of the series, the plot of the film mainly focuses on Mabushina's exodus to Earth and scouting people with Kiramental who can help her fend off the Yodonheim assassins sent after her.[1][2][3] During the show's hiatus, an edited version of Episode Zero was aired on television on May 17, 2020 in lieu of a new episode.
Be-Bop Dream
Machine Sentai Kiramager the Movie: Be-Bop Dream (魔進戦隊キラメイジャー THE MOVIE ビー・バップ・ドリーム, Mashin Sentai Kirameijā Za Mūbī Bī Bappu Dorīmu) was scheduled for release in Japanese theaters on July 23, 2020, double billed with Kamen Rider Zero-One the Movie: Real×Time. However, both were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[15] On August 30, 2020, it was announced that the film was rescheduled for release in Spring 2021.[16] On December 6, 2020, it was announced that the film was released 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 Kishiryu Sentai Ryusoulger Special: Memory of Soulmates and Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger the Movie: Red Battle! All Sentai Great Assemble!!.[17][18]Mitsu Dan portrayed the film's main antagonist, Minjo.[19] The events of the film take place between episodes 23 and 24 of the series.[20] The film also includes a cameo of PPAP (Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen) performed by Daimaou Kosaka, who is also Muryo Hakataminami's actor in the series.
Special episodes
Following Rio Komiya's infection with COVID-19, production of the series was halted for a few weeks. In the meantime, these special episodes featuring old footage were released after a special airing of Episode Zero.
Episodes 1 & 2 Unreleased Cut, Warehouse Release, Start Dash Once Again SP (1・2話未公開カット蔵出し いまいちどスタートダッシュSP, Ichi Ni-wa Mikōkai Katto Kuradashi Ima Ichido Sutāto Dasshu Supesharu): A special that covers the first two episodes with deleted scenes.
Kira Talk! (キラトーーク！, Kira Tōku!): An Ametalk-style two-week variety show special with the Kiramai Stones talking about their battles and partners in the first ten episodes.[21]
Galza and Carantula's Jamental Institute (ガルザとクランチュラのジャメンタル研究所, Garuza to Kuranchura no Jamentaru Kenkyūjo): A special that covers the Jamenshi they made to fight the Kiramagers in the first ten episodes.
V-Cinema
Kiramager vs. Ryusoulger
Mashin Sentai Kiramager vs. Ryusoulger (魔進戦隊キラメイジャーVSリュウソウジャー, Mashin Sentai Kirameijā Tai Ryūsōjā) is a V-Cinema release that features a crossover between Kiramager and Kishiryu Sentai Ryusoulger.[22] The V-Cinema received a limited theatrical release on April 29, 2021, followed by its DVD and Blu-ray release on August 4, 2021.[22] The events of the V-Cinema take place between episodes 26 and 27 of the series.
Kaizoku Sentai: Ten Gokaiger (テン・ゴーカイジャー, Ten Gōkaijā) is a V-Cinema release which received a limited theatrical release on November 12, 2021, followed by its DVD and Blu-ray release on March 9, 2022.[23][24] The V-Cinema commemorates the 10th anniversary of Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger[23] and features an appearance by Kohei Shoji as Kiramager character Takamichi Crystaria.
Zenkaiger vs. Kiramager vs. Senpaiger
Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger vs. Kiramager vs. Senpaiger (機界戦隊ゼンカイジャーVSキラメイジャーVSセンパイジャー, Kikai Sentai Zenkaijā Tai Kirameijā Tai Senpaijā) is a V-Cinema release that features a crossover between Kiramager and Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger.[25] The V-Cinema received a limited theatrical release on April 29, 2022, followed by its DVD and Blu-ray release on September 28, 2022.[25] Additionally, Ryota Ozawa of Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger and Asahi Ito of Kaitou Sentai Lupinranger VS Keisatsu Sentai Patranger reprised their respective roles as Captain Marvelous/Gokai Red and Kairi Yano/Lupin Red.[26] The events of the V-Cinema take place after the final episode of Zenkaiger.[25]
Web episodes
Mashin Folktale Theater
Mashin Folktale Theater (ましんむかしばなし劇場, Mashin Mukashi Banashi Gekijō) is a web-exclusive animated short series released on Toei Tokusatsu YouTube Official.[27]
Yodonna is a web-exclusive series from Toei Tokusatsu Fan Club that focuses on the villain Yodonna. Nashiko Momotsuki, Mizuki Saiba, Rio Komiya, and Rui Kihara return to perform their roles from the main series.[28] The events of the web-exclusive series take place after the final episode of the series and see Yodonna possessing the Kiramagers' ally Mizuki Kakihara in an attempt to revive herself.
Yodonna (ヨドンナ): The titular first entry of the web-exclusive series released on August 8, 2021.[29]
Yodonna 2 (ヨドンナ2, Yodonna Tsū): A sequel to the titular first entry of the web-exclusive series released on September 12, 2021.[30]
Yodonna 3: Yodonna's Valentine (ヨドンナ3 ヨドンナのバレンタイン, Yodonna Surī Yodonna no Barentain): A sequel to the titular second entry of the web-exclusive series released on March 5, 2023.[31]
Yodonna: The Final (ヨドンナ THE FINAL, Yodonna Za Fainaru): A sequel to the titular third entry of the web-exclusive series released on March 3, 2024.[32][33]
Cast
Juru Atsuta (熱田 充瑠, Atsuta Jūru):[34] Rio Komiya (小宮 璃央, Komiya Rio)[5][35]
From episodes 23 to 31, the following character songs replaced "Kiraful Miracle Kiramager" as the ending theme.[50]
"Crystal Signal" (クリスタル・シグナル, Kurisutaru Shigunaru) performed by Mabushina (Inori Minase)[50]
"Yūki o Kanadete" (勇気を奏でて, "Letting Courage Ring Out") performed by Kiramai Band (キラメイバンド, Kiramei Bando)[50]
"Hirameking! Kagayaking!" (ひらめキーング！かがやキーング！, Hiramekīngu! Kagayakīngu!, "Inspiring! Shining!") performed by Juru Atsuta (Rio Komiya)[50]
"Dangan Shooting Star" (弾丸Shooting Star, Dangan Shūtingu Sutā, "Bullet Shooting Star") performed by Tametomo Imizu (Rui Kihara)[50]
"Winding Road" performed by Sena Hayami (Yume Shinjo)[50]
"Perfect Blue" performed by Shiguru Oshikiri (Atomu Mizuishi)[50]
"Kiseki o Yume Miru?" (キセキをユメみる？, "Dreaming of a Miracle?") performed by Sayo Oharu (Mio Kudo)[50]
"Hakase ja Nai yo, Hakata da yo! Shikamo Minami da yo!" (博士じゃないよ、博多だよ！しかも南だよ！, "I'm No Hakase, I'm Just Hakata! And Minami on Top of That!") performed by Muryo Hakataminami (Daimaou Kosaka)[50]
"Wonder Shugoshin" (ワンダー守護神, Wandā Shugoshin, "Wonder Guardian") performed by Takamichi Crystaria (Kohei Shoji).[50][51]
Notes
^Mashin (魔進) literally translates as "Witchcraft", but the program uses the English word "Machine" rather than the romanization "Mashin".
^"ついに！6月21日(日)から2大ヒーロー新作放送再開!!" [Finally! On June 21, two big heroes will resume broadcasting!!] (in Japanese). TV Asahi. 7 June 2020. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
