Japanese Super Sentai Series Reportedly Ending After 50 Years

The iconic Japanese superhero series Super Sentai, which inspired the American Power Rangers franchise, is ending after a 50-year run due to insufficient merchandise and event sales to cover production costs, according to local media and broadcaster TV Asahi. Premiering in 1975, the show featured a team of five teenagers transforming into colorful masked fighters to battle aliens, a formula that became the blueprint for Power Rangers and influenced many Asian superhero shows. Beyond entertainment, Super Sentai served as a marketing platform for toys, clothing, and collectibles, and was a gateway for international fans into Japanese superhero culture. Spin-offs like Choudenshi Bioman and Hikari Sentai Maskman gained cult followings outside Japan, particularly in the Philippines. The series was known for its live-action animation and the recurring episode structure culminating in battles between the team's robot and giant alien adversaries. Fans and actors have expressed sadness over the show's conclusion, highlighting its cultural significance and legacy.