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Farewell, Super Sentai ... Hello PROJECT R.E.D.



Bidding farewell to 50 years of Super Sentai, producers Toei Company has put a "hiatus" to said series (following the conclusion of the 49th season, "No.1 Sentai Gozyuger") to focus on the new Toei tokusatsu franchise, "Project R.E.D. (Records of Extraordinary Dimensions)", set to take its timeslot in 2026.



(Above video on YouTube is unfortunately geolocked).
What a invigorating flashback to what many also recognise as "Power Rangers"'s massive back history...! I've also had a glorious weekend reminiscing with @kirbstomp64.44, and then seeing this video on my TL is kismet...!

WHAT-IS: "The Super Sentai Series is a Japanese superhero team media franchise consisting of multiple television series and films produced by Toei Company and aired by TV Asahi. The shows are of the tokusatsu genre, featuring live action characters and colorful special effects. Super Sentai airs alongside the Kamen Rider series in the Super Hero Time programming block on Sunday mornings on TV Asahi. (Source)

Helpful video from @ProjectTokusatsuHQ helping explain the situation in video clip below (to a normie like me :p), where "Toei Finally Reveals Why Super Sentai Was Replaced by Project R.E.D.":



So are YOU ready for "SUPER SPACE SHERIFF GAVAN INFINITY"?



WHAT-IS: "Super Space Sheriff Gavan Infinity (超宇宙刑事ギャバン インフィニティ) is an upcoming Japanese Tokusatsu drama in Toei Company's PROJECT R.E.D. franchise.

The series takes heavy inspiration from the original Metal Hero series "Space Sheriff Gavan"; it is not a reboot, with Toei describing Gavan Infinity as a "completely new 'Gavan' built from the ground up using cutting-edge visual expression and production techniques", while retaining the original series' "innovative qualities, such as its unique hero visuals and space-based sci-fi elements". (Source)

The series will premiere on February 15, 2026, joining Kamen Rider Zeztz in the Super Hero Time lineup after the conclusion of No.1 Sentai Gozyuger.



I admit I am colored by more Western flavours than I am of the Eastern source influence, having "grown up" with comicbooks more than live action, which I had only perused as a grown adult, along with the toys (which ironically led me to the franchise), so my perspective is not as robust as the fans I've had the privilege to converse with, and being absorbed in their knowledge of said fandom, IMHO.

And I don't get that foklks mentioned: "Connectivity", s the conceopt of "shared universe" has been as deep and diverse as Super Sentai had been, IMO...

diverse as Super Sentai had been, IMO...

My personal take: "Nostalgia" is a key component, as well a sense of familiarity helps in the comfort of a concept gaining longevity. I certainly hope they are not going to forgo 50 years of history in an attempt to "upgrade" to match what they themselves attribute to Marvel Universe... but then again I know I am colored by the rosy lens of "nostalgia" too.

I am a fond fan of "Kamen Rider", more of the iconic character than the tv series that I have not had much distinct memories of, but was utterly jazzed by SHIN KAMEN RIDER, updated but with the original flavour and flair still distinct and robust, as simple as the tranforming Cyclone bike was showcased, was fkn invigorating! LOL

Or maybe I am compartmentalising too much my enjoyment of all these? Retake and revitalisation of nostalgia ("what the future holds" for my life), versus re-enjoyment of nostalgic-franchises (reminding me of the "good old days" of the life I had lived). Ironically I used to always say: There's the DVDs to go back to if you want your nostalgia!" - but these days "physical media" is going thru it's own evolution too, as we are held hostage by online data centers (bless YT tho ~ LOL)...! But nah, I am a greedy old man trying to have my cake ever ready in my pantry anytime I need a snack or three ... LOL

It's ultimately all about "HENSHIN" to our times, innit? Maybe I should just grab until the TOYS instead ... LOL

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