Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger

Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger (百獣戦隊ガオレンジャー, Hyakujū Sentai Gaorenjā, Hundred Beasts Squadron Gaoranger)[Note 1] is Toei's twenty-fifth production of the Super Sentai metaseries airing in 2001 and celebrated the franchise's 25th anniversary. It aired from February 18, 2001, to February 10, 2002, replacing Mirai Sentai Timeranger, and was replaced by Ninpuu Sentai Hurricaneger. Footage from this show was used in the 2002 American series Power Rangers Wild Force and was later dubbed in 2010 as the retitled Power Rangers: Jungle Force for South Korean television in place of Samurai Sentai Shinkenger. Gaoranger aired alongside Kamen Rider Agito.

Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger
The title card for Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger
GenreTokusatsu
Superhero fiction
Fantasy fiction
Created byTV Asahi
Toei Company
Bandai Visual
Developed byJunki Takegami
StarringNoboru Kaneko
Kei Horie
Takeru Shibaki
Kazuyoshi Sakai
Mio Takeuchi
Tetsuji Tamayama
Takemi
Rei Saito
Narrated byHiroshi Masuoka
Opening theme"Gaoranger Hoero!!" by Yukio Yamagata
Ending theme"Healin' You" by Salia (1–44 & 46–50)
"Gaoranger Roar!!" by the Gaorangers & Yukio Yamagata (45)
"Stairway to the Sky" by the Gaorangers (51)
ComposerKōtarō Nakagawa
Country of originJapan
Original languageJapanese
No. of episodes51
Production
ProducersJun Hikasa (TV Asahi)
Kenji Ōta (TV Asahi)
Yuka Takahashi (Toei)
Kōichi Yada (Toei Agency)
Running time25 minutes
Production companiesTV Asahi
Toei Company
Toei Agency
Release
Original networkTV Asahi
Original releaseFebruary 18, 2001 (2001-02-18) –
February 10, 2002 (2002-02-10)
Related

On May 14, 2018, it was announced that Shout! Factory had licensed Gaoranger for release in North America and it was released on December 18, 2018.[1] This is 11th Super Sentai to be released in North America on DVD in Region 1 format as Jetman was released before Gaoranger.

Plot

A millennium ago, humans fought a war against demon ogres known as the Orgs. With the help of the Power Animals, the ancient Gao Warriors were able to defeat the Orgs' leader Hyakkimaru, sealing the Orgs away along with one of their own. When the seal wanes, the Power Animals select a new generation of Gao Warriors to fight the freed Orgs and protect all life on Earth. The current Gao Warriors, the Gaorangers, are recruited to abandon their civilian lives and names while traveling to find the other Power Animals that were in hiding.

Characters

Gaorangers
Kakeru Shishi's actor, Noboru Kaneko, posing with a GaoRed cosplayer at a comic con in Vietnam.

Each of the Gaorangers' surnames either contain the kanji for their Power Animal (パワーアニマル, Pawā Animaru) ("lion" (獅子, shishi), "eagle" (鷲, washi), "shark" (鮫, same), "ox" (牛, ushi), "Oogami" (大神, Ōgami) from "wolf" (狼, ōkami) or resemble the name of their Power Animal "Taiga" (大河) from "tiger" (虎, tora).

GaoRed (ガオレッド, Gao Reddo)
Kakeru Shishi (獅子 走, Shishi Kakeru), the "Blazing Lion" (灼熱の獅子, Shakunetsu no Shishi), was a veterinarian before becoming chosen by GaoLion (ガオライオン, Gao Raion) to become GaoRed. He was the last chosen of the Gaorangers, but has an affinity for animals. His other Power Animals are GaoGorilla (ガオゴリラ, Gao Gorira) and GaoFalcon (ガオファルコン, Gao Farukon). He was played by Noboru Kaneko.
GaoYellow (ガオイエロー, Gao Ierō)
Gaku Washio (鷲尾 岳, Washio Gaku), the "Noble Eagle" (孤高の荒鷲, Kokō no Arawashi), was an airforce pilot before he was chosen first by GaoEagle (ガオイーグル, Gao Īguru) to become GaoYellow. He is serious and regimental, deciding that the Gaorangers should refer to each other by color instead of name. His other Power Animals are GaoBear (ガオベアー, Gao Beā) and GaoPolar (ガオポーラー, Gao Pōrā). He was played by Kei Horie.
GaoBlue (ガオブルー, Gao Burū)
Kai Samezu (鮫津 海, Samezu Kai), the "Surging Shark" (怒涛の鮫, Dotō no Same), was a freeter before he was chosen by Gao Shark (ガオシャーク, GaoShāku) to become GaoBlue. He is the most immature of the team. His other Power Animal is GaoGiraffe (ガオジュラフ, Gao Jurafu), who appeared in GaoBlue's dream where it actually comes true that GaoKing (ガオキング, Gao Kingu) was about to lose against the evil tribe and that was why they needed GaoGiraffe to help them win against the evil tribe. GaoGiraffe will take GaoShark or GaoBear's place when it is chosen to fight. He was played by Takeru Shibaki.
GaoBlack (ガオブラック, Gao Burakku)
Soutarou Ushigome (牛込 草太郎, Ushigome Sōtarō), the "Iron Bison" (鋼の猛牛, Hagane no Mōgyū), was a retired sumo wrestler who was working as a florist before he was chosen by GaoBison (ガオバイソン, Gao Baison) to become GaoBlack. He is the physically strongest, but shyest of the team. His other Power Animals are GaoRhinos (ガオライノス, Gao Rainosu) and GaoMadillo (ガオマジロ, Gao Majiro). He was played by Kazuyoshi Sakai.
GaoWhite (ガオホワイト, Gao Howaito)
Sae Taiga (大河 冴, Taiga Sae), the "Belle Tiger" (麗しの白虎, Uruwashi no Byakko), was a martial arts student under her father before she was chosen by GaoTiger (ガオタイガー, Gao Taigā) to be GaoWhite. She is the youngest and only female of the team. Her other Power Animals are GaoElephant (ガオエレファント, Gao Erefanto) and GaoDeers (ガオディアス, Gao Diasu). She was played by Mio Takeuchi.
GaoSilver (ガオシルバー, Gao Shirubā)
Tsukumaro Oogami (大神 月麿, Ōgami Tsukumaro)/Shirogane (シロガネ), the "Sparking Wolf" (閃烈の銀狼, Senretsu no Ginrō), was a Gao Warrior from the Heian period over 1,000 years ago. He used the power of the Dark Wolf Mask to defeat the evil Hyakkimaru (百鬼丸). However, he was turned into Duke Org Rouki (デュークオルグ狼鬼, Dyūku Orugu Rōki) and got the other Gao Warriors to entomb him so he could not do any more harm. He was later awakened as Rouki in the present age, but was freed of his curse by the Gaorangers. As GaoSilver, his Power Animals are GaoWolf (ガオウルフ, Gao Urufu), GaoHammerhead (ガオハンマーヘッド, Gao Hanmāheddo), and GaoLigator (ガオリゲーター, Gao Rigātā). He was played by Tetsuji Tamayama.

Power Animals

The Power Animals are Mechas that are sentient and can be summoned by the Gaorangers.

Ogre Tribe Org

The Ogre Tribe Org (鬼族オルグ, Onizoku Orugu) is a race of Oni born from the sadness and madness of humans. They operate in a cavern known as the Matrix.

Highness Duke Orgs

The Highness Duke Orgs (ハイネスデュークオルグ, Hainesu Dyūku Orugu) are the rulers of the Ogre Tribe Org.

Duke Orgs

The Duke Orgs (デュークオルグ, Dyūku Orugu) oversee the Baron Org attacks.

Duke Org Yabaiba (デュークオルグ ヤバイバ, Dyūku Orugu Yabaiba)
A crazed pierrot-like master of knives who claimed himself to GaoYellow's greatest rival. He later developed a best friend in Tsue Tsue near the series end.
Duke Org Tsue Tsue (デュークオルグ ツエツエ, Dyūku Orugu Tsuetsue)
An arrogant Org priestess whose magic is as great as her devotion to the Highnesses. She is armed with a staff that spits Org Seeds to resurrect fallen Orgs into giants.

Quests (episodes)
  1. The Lion Roars!! (獅子、吼える!!, Shishi, Hoeru!!)
  2. The Spirit-King Rises!! (精霊王、起(た)つ!!, Seireiō, Tatsu!!)
  3. The Eagle Vanishes!! (荒鷲が消える!!, Arawashi ga Kieru!!)
  4. The Two Who Never Give Up!! (二人でネバギバ!!, Futari de Nebagiba!!)
  5. The Mountain Moves!! (山が動く!!, Yama ga Ugoku!!)
  6. Bison in Love!! (牛、焦がれる!!, Ushi, Kogareru!!)
  7. The Dream Talks!! (夢が語る!!, Yume ga Kataru!!)
  8. The Dog, Runs!! (犬、走る!!, Inu, Hashiru!!)
  9. The Twins Smile (双子が微笑む, Futago ga Hohoemu)
  10. The Moon Beckons!! (月が招く!!, Tsuki ga Maneku!!)
  11. Father, Proceeds (父親、上京。, Chichioya, Jōkyō)
  12. Which is the Real One!? (本物はどっち!?, Honmono wa Dotchi!?)
  13. The Baby's First Cry Freezes (産声が凍る, Ubugoe ga Kōru)
  14. The Soul Bird Cries (魂の鳥が叫ぶ, Tamashii no Tori ga Sakebu)
  15. The Ogre, Howls!! (鬼、吼える!!, Oni, Hoeru!!)
  16. The Magic Flute Roars!! (魔笛、轟く!!, Mateki, Todoroku!!)
  17. The Elephant Vanishes... (象が消えて..., Zō ga Kiete...)
  18. The Demon Beast, Armament!! (魔獣、武装!!, Majū, Busō!!)
  19. The Bison, Retires!? (猛牛、脱退!?, Mōgyū, Dattai!?)
  20. The Maiden is Captured!! (巫女囚わる!!, Miko Torawaru!!)
  21. Rouki, Perplexed (狼鬼、惑う, Rōki, Madou)
  22. The Giant Bison, is Broken!! (巨牛、壊れる!!, Kyogyū, Kowareru!!)
  23. Rouki, Dies!? (狼鬼、死す!?, Rōki, Shisu!?)
  24. The Silver Wolf, Flashes!! (銀狼、閃く!!, Ginrō, Hirameku!!)
  25. The Third Ogre Princess Arrives (三代目鬼姫参上, Sandaime Oni Hime Sanjō)
  26. Rouki, Again (狼鬼、ふたたび, Rōki, Futatabi)
  27. The Chick Pouts (雛がすねる, Hina ga Suneru)
  28. Secrets, Handed Down!! (奥義、伝承!!, Ougi, Denshō!!)
  29. The Deer Heals (鹿が癒す, Shika ga Iyasu)
  30. The Full Moon Kills the Wolf! (満月が狼を殺す!, Mangetsu ga Ōkami o Korosu!)
  31. The Hyakujuu Sentai, Defeated!! (百獣戦隊、全滅!!, Hyakujū Sentai, Zenmetsu!!)
  32. Three Creatures Eat!! (三匹が喰う!!, Sanbiki ga Kuu!!)
  33. A Boy Prays. (少年が祈る。, Shōnen ga Inoru.)
  34. The Mighty Org Weeps!? (鉄人鬼(オルグ)、泣く!?, Tetsujin Orugu, Naku!)
  35. The Juuou Swords, Plundered (獣皇剣、強奪, Jūōken, Gōdatsu)
  36. The Warriors Dance (戦士踊る, Senshi Odoru)
  37. Yabaiba Burns (ヤバイバ燃える, Yabaiba Moeru)
  38. The Divine Spirit-King's Peak Decisive Battle (精霊王頂上決戦, Seireiō Chōjō Kessen)
  39. The God Takes Away (神が連れ去る, Kami ga Tsuresaru)
  40. Sky Island, Destroyed (天空島、滅ぶ, Tenkūjima, Horobu)
  41. Santa Came (サンタが来た, Santa ga Kita)
  42. The Org Ninja Invasion! (鬼(オルグ)忍者侵略!, Orugu Ninja Shinryaku!)
  43. The Lion, Burning Hot (獅子、灼熱する, Shishi, Shakunetsu Suru)
  44. Gao's Rock Falls (亀岩(ガオズロック)、落ちる, Gaozu Rokku, Ochiru)
  45. Fighting Until the End (闘い終わらず, Tatakai Owarazu)
  46. The New Year Attacks (正月が襲う, Shōgatsu ga Osou)
  47. The Steam Engine Roars! (蒸気機関、爆走!, Jōkikikan, Bakusō)
  48. Those Guys Return to Life (奴らが蘇る, Yatsura ga Yomigaeru)
  49. The Matrix Closes (鬼洞窟(マトリックス)、閉じる, Matorikkusu, Tojiru)
  50. The Hundred Beasts Die (百獣、死す, Hyakujū, Shisu)
  51. The Hundred Beasts Roar!! (百獣、吼える!!, Hyakujū, Hoeru!!)

The Fire Mountain Roars

Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger the Movie: The Fire Mountain Roars (劇場版 百獣戦隊ガオレンジャー 火の山、吼える, Gekijōban Hyakujū Sentai Gaorenjā Hi no Yama, Hoeru) is the theatrical adaptation of Gaoranger that was a double bill with the Kamen Rider Series film Kamen Rider Agito the Movie: Project G4. The film features GaoKong (ガオコング, Gao Kongu) and the GaoKnight (ガオナイト, Gao Naito) combination. The events of the movie takes place between Quests 40 and 41.

Production

The trademark for the series was filed by Toei Company on October 25, 2000.[2]

V-Cinema releases
  • Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger Super Video: Showdown! Gaoranger vs. GaoSilver: Flame Piyo Is Born! (百獣戦隊ガオレンジャー スーパービデオ 対決!ガオレンジャーVSガオシルバー 炎のピヨちゃんたんじょう!, Hyakujū Sentai Gaorenjā Sūpā Bideo Taiketsu! Gaorenjā Tai Gao Shirubā Honō no Piyo-chan Tanjō!, 2001)
  • Ninpuu Sentai Hurricaneger vs. Gaoranger (忍風戦隊ハリケンジャーVSガオレンジャー, Ninpū Sentai Harikenjā Tai Gaorenjā, 2003) (Takes place between Episodes 30 and 31 of Ninpuu Sentai Hurricaneger)

Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger vs. Super Sentai
Main article: Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger vs. Super Sentai

Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger vs. Super Sentai (百獣戦隊ガオレンジャーVSスーパー戦隊, Hyakujū Sentai Gaorenjā Tai Sūpā Sentai) aired in 2001. The plot revolves around the Gaorangers meeting up with previous sentai members. Each sentai teaches each one about their Super Sentai past. Past Sentai Heroes included Sokichi Banba/Big One from J.A.K.Q. Dengekitai, Yusuke Amamiya/Red Falcon from Choujyu Sentai Liveman, Gouki/Ginga Blue from Seijuu Sentai Gingaman, Daimon Tatsumi/Go Yellow from Kyuukyuu Sentai GoGoFive, and Miku Imamura/Mega Pink from Denji Sentai Megaranger. All the prior Red Rangers from Himitsu Sentai Gorenger to Mirai Sentai Timeranger also make a cameo appearance at the end of the film. The events of the movie takes place between Quests 14 and 15.

Drama CD

A drama CD titled Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger Gao Access CD: GaoPanda Appears!! (百獣戦隊ガオレンジャー ガオアクセスCD 「ガオパンダあらわる!!」, Hyakujū Sentai Gaorenjā Gao Akusesu Shī Dī Gao Panda Arawaru!!) introduces GaoPanda.

Manga

A manga adaptation crossover with Himitsu Sentai Gorenger titled Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger vs. Himitsu Sentai Gorenger (百獣戦隊ガオレンジャーVS秘密戦隊ゴレンジャー, Hyakujū Sentai Gaorenjā Bāsasu Himitsu Sentai Gorenjā) was released in September 2001.

Cast
  • Kakeru Shishi: Noboru Kaneko (金子 昇, Kaneko Noboru)
  • Gaku Washio: Kei Horie (堀江 慶, Horie Kei)
  • Kai Samezu: Takeru Shibaki (柴木 丈瑠, Shibaki Takeru)
  • Soutaro Ushigome: Kazuyoshi Sakai (酒井 一圭, Sakai Kazuyoshi)
  • Sae Taiga: Mio Takeuchi (竹内 実生, Takeuchi Mio)
  • Tsukumaro Oogami: Tetsuji Tamayama (玉山 鉄二, Tamayama Tetsuji)
  • Tetomu (テトム), Murasaki (ムラサキ): Takemi (岳美)
  • Futaro (風太郎, Fūtarō): Daiki Arioka (有岡 大貴, Arioka Daiki)
  • TsueTsue: Rei Saito (斉藤 レイ, Saitō Rei)

Voice actors
  • GaoMadillo (ガオマジロ, Gao Majiro): Chiaki Maeda (前田 千亜紀, Maeda Chiaki)[3]
  • Piyo (ピヨちゃん, Piyo-chan), Yo (ヨーちゃん, Yō-chan): Hiromi Konno (今野 宏美, Kon'no Hiromi)[4]
  • GaoGod (ガオゴッド, Gao Goddo): Hiroshi Masuoka (増岡 弘, Masuoka Hiroshi)
  • Yabaiba: Kōichi Sakaguchi (坂口 候一, Sakaguchi Kōichi)[5]
  • Rouki: Eiji Takemoto (竹本 英史, Takemoto Eiji, 14–22 & 26)
  • Highness Duke Org Shuten (ハイネスデュークオルグ シュテン, Hainesu Dūku Orugu Shuten): Tetsu Inada (稲田 徹, Inada Tetsu)[6]
  • Highness Duke Org Ura (ハイネスデュークオルグ ウラ, Hainesu Dūku Orugu Ura): Tamotsu Nishiwaki (西脇 保, Nishiwaki Tamotsu)
  • Highness Duke Org Rasetsu (ハイネスデュークオルグ ラセツ, Hainesu Dūku Orugu Rasetsu): Hiromi Nishikawa (西川 宏美, Nishikawa Hiromi, Upper mouth), Hidekatsu Shibata (柴田 秀勝, Shibata Hidekatsu, Lower mouth)
  • Ultimate Org Senki (究極オルグ センキ, Kyūkyoku Orugu Senki): Daisuke Gōri (郷里 大輔, Gōri Daisuke)
  • Narrator, Hiroshi Masuoka (voice actor) (Hiroshi Masuoka, 増岡 弘, Masuoka Hiroshi)

Songs
Opening theme
  • "Gaoranger Roar!!" (ガオレンジャー吼えろ!!, Gaorenjā Hoero!!)
  • "Gaoranger Roar!! (All Cast Version)" (ガオレンジャー吼えろ!!(オール・キャスト・ヴァージョン), Gaorenjā Hoero!! (Ōru Kyasto Vājon))
    • Lyrics: Nagae Kuwabara
    • Composition & Arrangement: Kōtarō Nakagawa
    • Artist: The Gaorangers
    • Used as movie opening and the ending of the Quest 45
Ending themes
  • "Healing You" (ヒーリン’ユー, Hīrin' Yū) (1–44, 46–50)
    • Lyrics: Nagae Kuwabara
    • Composition & Arrangement: Keiichi Oku
    • Artist: Salia
  • "The Stairway to the Sky" (大空への階段, Ōzora e no Kaidan) (51)
    • Lyrics: Chieko Suzaki (洲崎 千恵子, Suzaki Chieko)
    • Composition & Arrangement: Kōichirō Kameyama
    • Artist: The Gaorangers
    • Finale Ending

International broadcasts and home video
  • The series was limited to only airing in Asian regions outside of Japan, as most international regions have aired the Power Rangers adaptation, Power Rangers Wild Force instead. This is also the very first Super Sentai season to be released on DVD in its home country of Japan. Originally released on Rental DVDs starting on October 12, 2001, it would also later be commercially released for sale on DVDs from December 8, 2001 to November 21, 2002, where all 12 volumes had all episodes with the first 10 volumes holding 4 episodes, the last two volumes holding 5. It was also released on VHS from January till December 2002 with those same volumes. On September 8, 2021, to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the series' premiere, a collection set to spread through two volumes was released with the first volume having 25 episodes, and the second having 26.
    • This was the very first Super Sentai series to be released in Vietnam and was given a Vietnamese dub by Phuong Nam Film Studio, where it was released as 5 anh em siêu nhân Gaoranger around 2003-2004. It has seen unprecedented success, paving the way for more Super Sentai seasons to be released in the country. Although the Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger vs. Super Sentai film was released as Anh em chiến binh Gao.
    • The series was released on home video in Thailand with a Thai dub by Rose Home Entertainment (formerly Rose Video) and it was very popular with consumers. It also used to air on Channel 5 during 2003, with distribution by First Entertainment Company.
    • This was the very first Super Sentai series to air with both Mandarin (Taiwan dialect) and Cantonese dubs at once and premiere within the same year in 2003.
      • In Taiwan, the series aired with a Taiwanese Mandarin dub on October 3, 2003, until September 26, 2004 with all episodes dubbed, airing on GTV.
      • In Hong Kong, the series aired with a Cantonese Chinese dub on November 9, 2003 (a month after Taiwan aired the Taiwanese Mandarin dub) on TVB Jade until October 24, 2004 with all episodes covered.
    • In Philippines, this series was aired as Power Rangers adaptation of Sentai series called Power Rangers Wild Force. it was aired on ABS-CBN in 2004 until 2005 dubbed in Tagalog. this is the reason that Power Rangers series in 2000's airs on RPN-9 until it returns on ABS-CBN.
    • In Malaysia, the series aired with a Malay dub produced by FKN Dubbing on TV2 around 2008 and finished around 2009. It was marketed under Leo Ranger.
    • In South Korea, the series was dubbed in Korean and aired in 2010 under Power Rangers Jungle Force. (파워레인저 정글포스) They have previously dubbed for its Power Rangers adaptation that was Wild Force in 2003, although aired under Power Force Rangers. (파워포스레인저) This series was picked up for broadcast after the Korean dub for Engine Sentai Go-Onger in 2009. The reason why they decided to go backwards and dub an earlier Sentai season was because they skipped Samurai Sentai Shinkenger due to the series having heavy use of elements involving Japanese culture. This is currently the only series to have both itself and its American adaptation dubbed for South Korea titled as separate shows.
    • In North America, the series would receive a DVD release by Shout! Factory on January 30, 2018 in the original Japanese audio with English subtitles. It is the eleventh Super Sentai series to be officially released in the region.

Notes
  1. Gao (ガオ) is Japanese onomatopoeia equivalent to a roaring sound. The Gaoranger roll call uses the kanji for "fang" (牙, kiba) and "howl" (吠, hoe) which are read together as "Gao" (牙吠).

References
  1. "Shout! Factory Releasing Chojin Sentai Jetman & Hyakuju Sentai GaoRanger DVDs In 2018! – Tokunation". news.tokunation.com. May 14, 2018. Retrieved May 22, 2018.
  2. "スーパー戦隊、仮面ライダー、プリキュアの各シリーズにおける新作タイトルの商標登録出願についてまとめてみた".
  3. "前田 ちあき 株式会社青二プロダクション" (in Japanese). Aoni Production. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  4. "今野 宏美 株式会社青二プロダクション" (in Japanese). Aoni Production. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  5. "坂口 候一 – （さ行）：株式会社81プロデュース‐声優プロダクション" (in Japanese). 81 Produce. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  6. "稲田 徹 株式会社青二プロダクション" (in Japanese). Aoni Production. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
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