GoGo Sentai Boukenger

GoGo Sentai Boukenger (轟轟戦隊ボウケンジャー) is the 30th series in Toei's Super Sentai series, a metaseries of Japanese tokusatsu programming. It was the first installment to be produced and broadcast in the 16:9 aspect ratio. It aired from February 19, 2006 to February 11, 2007, and was replaced by Juken Sentai Gekiranger. Its footage was used in the American series, Power Rangers Operation Overdrive and also subtitled into Korean for the South Korean series, Power Rangers Treasure Force.

Plot summary
Powerful relics known as the Precious appear throughout the world. Noticing these relics' power, various Negative Syndicates wish to take the Precious for themselves and utilize them for evil ends. To make sure that the Precious do not fall into the hands of the Negative Syndicates, the Search Guard Successor Foundation (SGS) has developed its own special operations team, the Boukengers, whose mission is to collect the Precious and thwart the Negative Syndicates.

SGS
The Search Guard Successor Foundation (サージェス財団) collects the Precious with help from the Boukengers (ボウケンジャー).


 * Satoru Akashi (明石 暁): As the "Fiery Adventurer" (熱き冒険者), Bouken Red (ボウケンレッド), he drives GoGo Dump (ゴーゴーダンプ) and leads the team with a calm expression and a fire in his heart. He mostly battles Ryuoon of the Jyaryu Tribe.


 * Masumi Inou (伊能 真墨): As the "Fast Adventurer" (迅き冒険者), Bouken Black (ボウケンブラック), he drives GoGo Formula (ゴーゴーフォーミュラ) and is only part of the Boukengers to repay his debt to Satoru for saving his life. He has a personal vendetta against Yaiba of Darkness of Dark Shadow.


 * Souta Mogami (最上 蒼太): As the "High-Up Adventurer" (高き冒険者), Bouken Blue (ボウケンブルー), he drives GoGo Gyro (ゴーゴージャイロ) and serves as the team's information specialist. He fights Shizuka of the Wind of Dark Shadow.


 * Natsuki Mamiya (間宮 菜月): As the "Strong Adventurer" (強き冒険者), Bouken Yellow (ボウケンイエロー), she drives GoGo Dozer (ゴーゴードーザー) and is the most childish of the group. Her main reason for adventure is to discover more about her past. It is revealed that she is the last survivor of the Lemurian civilization. Her parents called her Ririna.


 * Sakura Nishihori (西堀 さくら): As the "Deep Adventurer" (深き冒険者), Bouken Pink (ボウケンピンク), she drives GoGo Marine (ゴーゴーマリン) and is the most serious member when it comes to working. She often appears to be cold and emotionless, but cares for her teammates.


 * Eiji Takaoka (高丘 映士): As the "Dazzling Adventurer" (眩き冒険者), Bouken Silver (ボウケンシルバー), he drives GoGo Fire (ゴーゴーファイヤー) and is spiritually the strongest member of the team because his father, the Ashu Watcher Karato, married Ashu Kei, making Eiji half-Ashu. He mostly battles Gai (as either form) due to their bitter history. In Boukenger vs. Super Sentai, he embodies Hope.

They are led by Mister Voice, who serves as a liaison to the main SGS headquarters, and they are assisted by Makino Morino, who is the technical specialist of SGS and creator of the GoGo Vehicles, the mecha of the Boukengers.

Non-SGS Allies

 * Kyoko (キョウコ): One of Satoru's ex-partners who went on an expedition with him years before. Portrayed by Miki Handa (繁田 美貴).
 * Shiro Masaki (柾木 紫郎): One of Satoru's ex-partners who went on an expedition with him years before. Portrayed by Yusuke Murakami (村上 裕亮).
 * Phantom Thief Selene (怪盗セレネー): She had been seeking the treasures from The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, crossing the Jyaryu Tribe while getting her fourth treasure, the Dragon's Neck Orb. She could have been Princess Kaguya herself. Portrayed by Nana Yanagisawa (柳沢 なな), who later portrayed Megumi Aso in Kamen Rider Kiva.
 * Magi (マギ): An elder from the Water Metropolis who didn't want to see any more of his people perish in the search for the Aqua Crystal. Portrayed by Mike Maki (マイク 真木), who previously portrayed Mondo Tatsumi in Kyuukyuu Sentai GoGoFive.
 * Ragi (ラギ): Magi's apprentice. Once a "Water human", he intended to finish what his father started to restore the Water Metropolis. He sacrificed his humanity in order to survive without water by discarding the "Proof of Water" crystal on his tiara (which Ryuoon crushed) and was transformed into a Wicked Dragon by Ryuoon, who used him to find the Aqua Crystal. Ragi's Wicked Dragon form's design is based on Bakuryū Sentai Abaranger's Bachycelonagurus. Portrayed by Takeru Shibaki (柴木 丈瑠), who previously portrayed Kai Samezu/Gao Blue in Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger.
 * Karato Takaoka (高丘 漢人): Eiji's father. Dies fighting Gai. Portrayed by Hiroshi Watari (渡 洋史), who previously portrayed Den Iga/Sharivan in Uchuu Keiji Sharivan and Yousuke Jou/Spielban in Jikuu Senshi Spielban.
 * Kei (ケイ): First appearing in Task 19, she is the only female Ashu and is Eiji's mother, as a result of her and Karato's sharing of forbidden love. She also appeared in Task 42 and Task 48. Portrayed by Mami Higashiyama (東山 麻美), who previously portrayed Miku Imamura/Mega Pink in Denji Sentai Megaranger.
 * Yuji Toba (鳥羽 祐二): Souta's ex-partner from his times as a spy. Portrayed by Akira Kubodera (窪寺 昭), who previously portrayed Kunzite in Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon and Kanai/Giraffa Undead in Kamen Rider Blade.
 * Kouichi Akashi (明石 虹一): Satoru's father and a legendary UMA hunter. Portrayed by Yasuaki Kurata (倉田 保昭).
 * Hanzou Igarashi (五十嵐 半蔵): Archeologist known as the only known researcher of the most ancient civilization known, Lemuria, as well as one of the only two men who can read Lemurian. Despises SGS for its "ambition", and treasure hunters because of the destruction of many ruins at their hands in search of Precious. Portrayed by Mansaku Fuwa (不破 万作).
 * Kousuke Shimada (島田 浩介): A last-in-everything who was accepted in the Adventurer School after he was mistaken for Satoru. In class, he was always a target of Shirubegami's Chalk Attack as he was always screwing up. Portrayed by Makoto Sakamoto (坂本 真).
 * Taro (太郎): A mysterious boy who was born from a giant peach Satoru and Eiji find in a river. The boy develops at an incredible speed growing in one day what a normal human would grow in 10 years. It is later revealed that he was sent by the mountain in which the Mountain-Crushing Kanabō was hidden in order to recover it. He is a coward although still trying to take back the Precious. Eventually could gather courage from Satoru and Eiji and stand against the Questers. He is based upon the Japanese legend of Momotarō.
 * Miyu (未夢): A mysterious girl who claims to have been kissed and hugged by Souta and wants him to be with her. Souta does not remember her, but she insists that he was very kind to her. It is later revealed that she is actually a cat which by means of a piece of the Rainbow Cloth, transformed into a human in order to thank Souta for helping her fix her leg. Portrayed by Mizuho Hata (秦 みずほ).
 * Eve (イヴ): A young girl Satoru met and who claims to be Santa Claus. She is attacked by Gajya in order to obtain the Golem, a Precious capable of destroying a large city. However, it turns out that Eve irresponsibly gave the Golem in its doll form to a boy named Kiyoshi much to Satoru's annoyance while they were on a "date" to find Golem. but Gajya found it first, reviving Golem to attack the Boukengers with then enlarged itself. When the battle against the Golem seemed lost, Eve remembered the way to defeat it and revealed it to the Boukengers. She later thanks the Boukenger for helping her, promising another date with Satoru, and she flies away on her reindeer-drawn sleigh. Portrayed by Rina Akiyama (秋山 莉奈), who previously portrayed Mana Kazama in Kamen Rider Agito and later portrayed Naomi in Kamen Rider Den-O.
 * Aka Red (アカレッド): The embodiment of all of the past Red Sentai Warriors who gives Eiji the Super Sentai Address Book to find older Sentai members to fight Chronos. Voiced by Tōru Furuya (古谷 徹).
 * Past Sentai Warriors: They appeared in GoGo Boukenger vs. Super Sentai, much like the Dream Sentai in Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger vs. Super Sentai. Along with Eiji, they embodied the "6 Sentai Spirits." These 5 warriors represented Passion, Courage, Friendship, Justice, and Love respectively.
 * Nanami Nano/Hurricane Blue (野乃 七海／ハリケンブルー): The only female of the Ninpuu Sentai Hurricaneger, currently a pop star. Eiji came to her concert to enlist her help as she embodied Friendship.
 * Asuka/Abare Black (アスカ／アバレブラック): A resident of Dino Earth from Bakuryuu Sentai Abaranger, who gave the Abarangers the power to fight the Evolien menace. He embodies Passion.
 * Tekkan Aira/Deka Break (姶良 鉄幹／デカブレイク): Nickname, "Tetsu" (テツ). A super-elite member of the SPD who learned the true meaning of justice from his "Mentor" Ban of the Earth-branch Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger, to who Tetsu had himself assigned. He embodied Justice.
 * Tsubasa Ozu/Magi Yellow (小津 翼／マジイエロー): The Ozu family's fourth child and a member of the Mahō Sentai Magiranger. His specialties are potions and the element of thunder. He embodied Courage.
 * Hikaru/Magi Shine (ヒカル／マジシャイン): Tsubasa's brother-in-law, who taught him and his siblings the true potential of magic and fought by their side also he married Urara, Tsubasa's sister. He embodied Love.


 * Juken Sentai Gekiranger: A group of martial artists with whom the Boukengers team up with in Juken Sentai Gekiranger vs. Boukenger.

Negative Syndicates
Not much is known about the Negative Syndicates (ネガティブシンジケート) other than that they are individual organizations whose respective leaders, foot soldiers, and monsters try to steal the Precious and use them for evil deeds. This is the first series to have separate factions of villains since Seijuu Sentai Gingaman. Although there is some animosity between the member groups, they occasionally work together.

Godoomu Civilization
The Goodomu Civilization (ゴードム文明) is the first of the Negative Syndicates.


 * High Priest Gaja (大神官ガジャ) - The sole survivor of the Goodomu Civilization. He intends to restore Goodomu its former glory by retrieving the Precious lost to them over the thousands of years they spent in slumber. Goodomu was the first and last Negative the Boukengers had to deal with.

Jyaryu Clan
The Jyaryu Clan (ジャリュウ一族) are the second of the Negative Syndicates who seek to destroy mankind and make the Earth more suited to their reptilian bodies.


 * Creator King Ryuoon (創造王リュウオーン) - Once human, Ryuoon is the leader of the Jyaryu Clan. Ryuoon returned in Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger episode 21, the tribute to Boukenger.

Dark Shadow
The Dark Shadow (ダークシャドウ) is a ninja clan that this the third of the Negative Syndicates. Under Gekkou of Illusion, they use old and new items to create monsters called Tsukumogami (ツクモガミ) to help them gather Precious for profit. Dark Shadow resumed its wicked ways in the epilogue.

Questers
The Questers (クエスター) are the fourth of the Negative Syndicates. Formerly of the demonic Ashu Tribe (アシュ族), Gai & Rei were revived as robots by Gaja's Goodomu Engine after they were destroyed by the Boukengers and Eiji.

Precious
The Precious (プレシャス) are the dangerous treasures that the Boukengers and the Negative Syndicates are fighting over. For a relic to be considered Precious, it must be physically or technologically superior to any current human (or SGS-related) technology. The hand-held Accellular henshin devices use their half-open Scan Mode to determine the "Hazard Level" of each relic; the higher the number, the more important or dangerous the Precious is. Each relic that ends up in the Boukengers' hands is placed into a box that materializes from a card-like device.

Tasks (Episodes)

 * 1) The Heart of the Demon God (魔神の心臓)
 * 2) The Dragon Thieves (竜の略奪者)
 * 3) The Champion's Blades (覇者の剣)
 * 4) The Lost Vehicles (失われたビークル)
 * 5) The Imperial Pearl (帝国の真珠)
 * 6) The Cursed Fog (呪いの霧)
 * 7) The Salamander's Scale (のウロコ)
 * 8) The Treasure of Atlantis (アトランティスの秘宝)
 * 9) The Paper Crane Ninja (折鶴の忍者)
 * 10) Bouken Red Disappears (消えたボウケンレッド)
 * 11) The Showdown on the Isolated Island (孤島の決戦)
 * 12) The Pipes of Hamelin (ハーメルンの笛)
 * 13) The Treasures of Princess Kaguya (かぐや姫の宝)
 * 14) The Revived Past (甦る過去)
 * 15) The Water Metropolis (水の都)
 * 16) The Water Crystal (水のクリスタル)
 * 17) The Ashu Mirror (アシュの鏡)
 * 18) The Man that Lived (生きていた男)
 * 19) The Dazzling Adventurer (眩き冒険者)
 * 20) A Brand-New Giant (新たなる巨人)
 * 21) The Mallet of Uchide (打出の小槌)
 * 22) The Ring of Solomon (ソロモンの指輪)
 * 23) The Dangerous Partner (あぶない相棒)
 * 24) The Hatsune Drum (初音の鼓)
 * 25) The Forbidden Fruit (禁断の果実)
 * 26) The Glass Slipper (ガラスの靴)
 * 27) The Feng-Shui Trap (風水占いの罠)
 * 28) The Legendary Armor (伝説の鎧)
 * 29) The Golden Sword (黄金の剣)
 * 30) The Rage of the Golden Majin (怒りの黄金魔人)
 * 31) The Flame of the Ruined Country (亡国の炎)
 * 32) The Secret of the Adventure School (ボウケン学校の秘密)
 * 33) The Sun of Lemuria (レムリアの太陽)
 * 34) The Distant Memories (遼かなる記憶)
 * 35) The Head of God (神の頭)
 * 36) The Oni's Kanabou (鬼の金棒)
 * 37) The Yearned-For Showbiz World (憧れの芸能界)
 * 38) The Rainbow Cloth (虹の反物)
 * 39) The Prometheus Stone (プロメテウスの石)
 * 40) The Western Ashu (西のアシュ)
 * 41) The Mercurius Vessel (メルクリウスの器)
 * 42) The Age of the Questers (クエスターの時代)
 * 43) The Dangerous Christmas Present (危険な)
 * 44) The Hermit's Onsen (仙人の温泉)
 * 45) The Evilest Wicked Dragon (最凶の邪悪竜)
 * 46) The Awakened Darkness (目覚めた闇)
 * 47) The Box of Despair (絶望の函)
 * 48) The Fearsome High Priest (恐怖なる大神官)
 * 49) The Endless Adventure Spirits (果て無き冒険魂)

Production
The trademark for the series was filed by Toei Company on November 10, 2005.

The 30 Sentai Encyclopedia
The 30 Sentai Encyclopedia (30戦隊大全集) is a series of featurettes that air at the end of each episode (Task) that honors each of its predecessors in the Super Sentai franchise, starting with Task 4. They looked back at each of the 29 previous teams, referencing various items within the older shows, and later on, wearing the costumes and using other props from the series, such as the "civilian" clothing. After covering themselves, they start a new series of segments called the Special Files (スペシャルファイル) that cover milestones from the "First Gattai Robo" to the "First Sixth Hero" and then from the "First Multi Gattai" to the "Extra Heroes", playing an insert song from the respective series. The show's final segment (Task 48) covered its successor Juken Sentai Gekiranger.

The Greatest Precious
Episode 18 of Kamen Rider Kabuto showed a short preview for the Boukenger movie, and starting with Task 19, Boukenger showed its own previews. The movie is titled GoGo Sentai Boukenger the Movie: The Greatest Precious (轟轟戦隊ボウケンジャー THE MOVIE 最強のプレシャス), which occurs between Tasks 28 and 29. It was released in theatres on August 5, 2006, doubled-billed with Kamen Rider Kabuto: God Speed Love. A mysterious being called Muse (ミューズ) awakens, announcing the Precious to whoever gets to her first, causing a 5-way confrontation between the Boukengers, Gajya, the Jyaryu, Dark Shadow and the Questers. Even Satoru's father, Kouichi (虹一) is involved. But as Satoru learns while dealing with his father's ideals, the prize is more treacherous than the path to it.

GoGo Sentai Boukenger vs. Super Sentai
As with Gaoranger before it, Boukenger features a team-up special featuring five past Sentai members and a new hero, entitled GoGo Sentai Boukenger vs. Super Sentai (轟轟戦隊ボウケンジャーVSスーパー戦隊).

The villain for this special, Time Demon Chronos (時の魔神クロノス), abducts all of the Boukenger, save for Eiji, into an alternate dimension. A warrior known as Aka Red contacts Eiji on Earth and provides him with a book that holds the names of all of the past warriors. He seeks the assistance of Tsubasa Ozu (Magi Yellow of Mahō Sentai Magiranger) at a boxing match, Tekkan "Tetsu" Aira (Deka Break of Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger) while he is undercover, Asuka (Abare Black of Bakuryū Sentai Abaranger) taking care of his daughter on Dino Earth, and Nanami Nono (Hurricane Blue of Ninpuu Sentai Hurricaneger) at her concert. They then fight Chronos who has purchased Goodomu Engines from Gajya in order to bring back Furabiijo from Hurricaneger, revive Duchess Org TsueTsue from Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger and Sorcery Priest Meemy of Magiranger. While the remaining Boukengers are in the other dimension, they meet up with Hikaru (Magi Shine of Magiranger) and Smoky, his cat genie, and try to find a way to escape. When Chronos turns Meemy, TsueTsue, and Furabiijo into a staff-like Precious with a Hazard Level of 666, Aka Red becomes a vessel for the six Sentai Spirits and allows for DaiVoyager to become Burning Legend DaiVoyager (バーニングレジェンドダイボイジャー). The events of the movie take place between Tasks 42 and 43.

Cast

 * Satoru Akashi (明石 暁): Mitsuomi Takahashi (高橋 光臣)
 * Masumi Inou (伊能 真墨): Yasuka Saitoh (齋藤 ヤスカ)
 * Souta Mogami (最上 蒼太): Masashi Mikami (三上 真史)
 * Natsuki Mamiya (間宮 菜月): Chise Nakamura (中村 知世)
 * Sakura Nishihori (西堀 さくら): Haruka Suenaga (末永 遥)
 * Eiji Takaoka (高丘 映士): Masayuki Deai (出合 正幸)
 * Shizuka of the Wind (風のシズカ): Mami Yamasaki (山崎 真実)
 * High Priest Gajya (大神官ガジャ): Hiroo Otaka (大高 洋夫)
 * Morio Makino (牧野 森男): Shigeru Saiki (斉木 しげる)
 * Mister Voice (ミスター・ボイス): Nobuo Tanaka (田中 信夫)
 * DaiKenjin Zubaan (大剣人ズバーン): Hideyuki Hori (堀 秀行)
 * Creator King Ryuoon (創造王リュウオーン): Junpei Morita (森田 順平)
 * Dragonoid Soldier Jyaryu (竜人兵ジャリュウ): Tamotsu Nishiwaki (西脇 保)
 * Gekkou of Illusions (幻のゲッコウ): Banjō Ginga (銀河 万丈)
 * Yaiba of Darkness (闇のヤイバ): Takaya Kuroda (黒田 崇矢)
 * Furious Fiend Gai (怒りの鬼神ガイ): Kenta Miyake (三宅 健太)
 * Grand Beast Ley (大いなる獣レイ): Chihiro Suzuki (鈴木 千尋)
 * Narrator, Boukenger Equipment Voice: Shinichirō Ōta (太田 真一郎)

Guest stars

 * Jimon Kagawa (香川 慈門): Koji Shimizu (清水 紘治)
 * Phantom Thief Selene (怪盗セレネー): Nana Yanagisawa (柳沢 なな)
 * Magi (マギ): Mike Maki (マイク 真木)
 * Ragi (ラギ): Takeru Shibaki (柴木 丈瑠)
 * Kei (ケイ): Mami Higashiyama (東山 麻美)
 * Karato Takaoka (高丘 漢人): Hiroshi Watari (渡 洋史)
 * Yuji Toba (鳥羽 祐二): Akira Kubodera (窪寺 昭)
 * Strange Woman Clorinda (怪女クロリンダ): Makiko Kuno (クノ 真季子)
 * Kousuke Shimada (島田 浩介): Makoto Sakamoto (坂本 真)
 * Natsuki's father (33 & 34): Keisuke Tsuchiya (土屋 圭輔)
 * Natsuki's mother (33 & 34): Eri Tanaka (たなか えり)
 * Toshiro Tanbara (丹原 敏郎): Tetsuo Morishita (森下 哲夫)
 * Manager Wakabayashi (若林マネージャー): Tatsuya Nōmi (能見 達也)
 * Eve (イヴ): Rina Akiyama (秋山莉奈)
 * Wicked Dragon Tagargin (邪悪竜ダガーギン): Yuji Kishi (岸 祐二)

International broadcast and home video

 * In its home country of Japan, there has been a very rapid spread of DVD sales. Starting with this series as a first, Toei Video started developing and releasing their works exclusively for DVD. Mahō Sentai Magiranger was the last to be released on both VHS and DVD, with the former having a decline. From August 4, 2006, to July 21, 2007, 12 DVD volumes were released. Each volume includes four episodes, with the last volume hold five episodes. Prior from May 21, 2006, to July 21, 2006, a two-volume re-edited version of the TV series was released by Hero Club.
 * This series was limited to only airing in other Asian regions, as most around the world have aired the Power Rangers adaptation, Power Rangers Operation Overdrive instead.
 * In South Korea, the series aired with a Korean dub in 2007, under Power Rangers Treasure Force. (파워레인저 트레저포스)
 * In Thailand, the series was aired with a Thai dub with license rights by Rose Media Entertainment. It originally aired on Channel 5 and also the Gang Cartoon Channel starting from October 11, 2008, until 2009. Toon Town Entertainment also held the distribution rights to license the series to air on the True Spark channel on TrueVisions, while still using the same Thai dub and aired earlier from August 14 till October 21, 2008. It was also released on home video.
 * In the Chinese-speaking world, Both Mandarin (Taiwan dialect) and Cantonese dubs were produced and aired in Taiwan and Hong Kong respectively.
 * In Taiwan, the series aired with a Taiwanese Mandarin dub on November 23, 2008, until October 25, 2009, with all episodes dubbed, airing on GTV.
 * In Hong Kong, the series aired with a Cantonese Chinese dub on March 15, 2009 (a few months after Taiwan aired the Taiwanese Mandarin dub) on TVB Jade until March 7, 2010, with all episodes dubbed.
 * The series was released in Vietnam with a Vietnamese dub by Phuong Nam Film Studio under Boukenger - Đội Siêu nhân Sấm sét on VCD and DVD.
 * The series was released in Vietnam with a Vietnamese dub by Phuong Nam Film Studio under Boukenger - Đội Siêu nhân Sấm sét on VCD and DVD.

Songs

 * Opening theme
 * "GoGo Sentai Boukenger" (轟轟戦隊ボウケンジャー)
 * Lyrics: Yūho Iwasato
 * Composition: Nobuo Yamada
 * Arrangement: Seiichi Kyōda
 * Artist: NoB


 * Ending theme
 * "Boukensha ON THE ROAD" (冒険者 ON THE ROAD)
 * Lyrics: Yūho Iwasato
 * Composition: YOFFY
 * Arrangement: Psychic Lover & Kenichirō Ōishi
 * Artist: Psychic Lover