Denshi Sentai Denziman (Now in HD!) Episodes 29-42

We’re back with some more HD Denziman goodness!  Some of my favorite Denziman episodes are in this batch, and, of course, it includes the introduction of a certain demon king.  We’re rounding the corner on the updated versions of this show, only nine episodes left to go until everything’s done.

As a reminder, these are not just copy-and-pastes of the SD versions of this show, but some lines have been updated to sound better/be more accurate.  A continued big thank you to RaikoKnight for doing a smashing job on these releases.

If you’ve been watching/rewatching Denziman with these releases, thank you for your patience.  Hope you enjoy what is one of my personal favorite Showa Sentai shows.

Links for the new episodes have been put on the Denziman Pastebin.  Go check ’em out!

 

Toei’s “Other” Hero Franchise: A Guide to Metal Heroes for Newcomers

The Metal Heroes Series is considered an odd duck in Toei’s tokusatsu franchise lineup. It’s not as out there or unknown to the tokusatsu fandoms outside Japan as the Toei Fushigi Comedy Series, but it also holds the distinction of being Toei’s “other” series of action shows compared to Kamen Rider and Super Sentai. While Sentai and Rider continue to this day, Metal Heroes was put to rest in the 90s after a relatively brisk 15/17 shows.

However, that doesn’t mean the shows in the Metal Heroes lineup are in any way inferior to the shows put out by Sentai or Rider, and now with all 15 shows that are undisputed parts of the Metal Heroes lineage fully subbed I see more people wanting to give these shows a shot. The Metal Heroes fever really swept through this last year, which is fitting for the series 40th anniversary. So I’ve decided to put together a little guide list to the Metal Heroes Series just like I did for the pre-Zyuranger Sentai years ago. This guide is for people who want to try out a Metal Heroes show and don’t know where they want to start, as well as for people who have seen some Metal Heroes and are looking for another show recommendation. Because of this, this guide is spoiler-free outside of some basic plotting stuff.

Regarding Kabutack and Robotack, I have not personally seen those shows yet, and so they are not listed for that reason. This guide follows the same format and ideals of the previous guide I made, so I tried to remove my personal biases regarding each show and give each one an honest pitch for why you should watch it.

Now, Metal Heroes has more sequel shows than either Rider or Sentai. In general, it’s recommended you watch the show(s) it’s a sequel of first, but in no show is this a requirement. Let’s get started.

Blue SWAT – The Complete Batch

It’s finally here!  All the Blue SWAT content available until Toei stops being the cowards they are.  I’ve already given my thoughts on this show in both the first and final episode batch, so let’s just go over what this final batch includes, shall we?

First we have the episodes themselves.  Ones marked with v2 have been updated.  For the early episodes, this means changing the opening credits stylings to be consistent with the styling I used going forward.  Some names in the credits were also placed incorrectly or were just flat-out the wrong name, and those have been fixed.  Text on-screen during the episodes has been styled to be consistent with future ones.  Episodes 1 and 2 also have a couple line or term changes, but nothing crazy there.  That one line in episode 1 that ends early finally doesn’t anymore.  As for the later episodes, episode 36 is due to a mistranslation on my part in the NTO for episode 37 (I said “contacts” when “makes contact” is correct), while episode 46 is due to me misspelling “Cozma” as “Cosma” in the NTO for 47.  The others (14, 21, 25, 31, 40, 47-49, and included in 7’s fixes) are due to me not liking the spelling done for the writer’s name for those episodes, and the spelling has been altered to be easier to read.

Now, this is all well and good if you’re coming to the show for the first time, but none of it is worth going back to rewatch episodes for.  Ah, but that’s not all that’s in this batch.  This batch also comes with two extras Blue SWAT appears in.  Let’s go over them, shall we?

The first is the movie for Blue SWAT.  Unlike every other Metal Hero movie (Shaider x2, Metalder, Jiban, Janperson, B-Fighter), the movie is not an original story with a larger budget than usual.  Instead it is merely a jumbled-up recap of the first two episodes of the show, squished together to be shorter than either one of those episodes on their own.  Can I recommend it as a replacement for watching those two episodes themselves?  Not really.  However, the movie does have some merit in that the episode 2 fight scene section of the film uses different footage than the regular episode, so there’s a solid minute or two that isn’t part of the original episode, and it’s part of the early part of the show, so it’s really, really cool.  There’s also some narration made just for the film, so that’s also new if that’s something you’re interested in.  So if you watch the first two episodes and don’t mind taking a small detour to make sure you see every last lick of footage in Blue SWAT, there is a reason to watch this.

The other is the Toei Hero Great Gathering.  It’s a special made to promote Toei’s toku shows at the time and is a little over five minutes in length.  Blue SWAT gets the largest portion of this special, but the special also includes a Super Sentai segment as well as a Janperson segment.  While the Super Sentai segment is I wanna say entirely footage from the Super Sentai World special, rejoice Metal Hero fans because the Blue SWAT and Janperson segments feature original battle footage.  If you like either show, it’s worth watching for that.

The Blue SWAT pastebin has been fully revamped for this batch.  Enjoy.

Blue SWAT is now officially done with.  Thank you all once more for supporting this project.  I’ve been really happy seeing everyone give it a shot and (mostly) enjoying it.  I no longer feel crazy for stanning this show so hard lol.

‘Til next time.  SEE YOU AGAIN!

Blue SWAT Episodes 47-51

This is it, folks.  Queen sets her ultimate plan into motion, and it may just mean the end of Earth and the rest of humanity.  As the pressure ramps, so do Sig’s… issues.  As he confronts his past and his future, does the team have any hope of victory?  Maybe not without sacrifice…

Wow, we finally made it.  This is the end of Blue SWAT.  Just what type of ending is in store for our heroes?  Crazy to think this weird-ass show is now fully subbed… and even crazier to think this means all mainline Metal Heroes are now fully subbed as well!

As mentioned in my first post regarding this show, Blue SWAT has held a small place in my heart ever since I first watched it years ago.  The plots could be so unique compared to most other toku shows, with the tone and style unlike anything else Toei ever put out.  There isn’t another show exactly like Blue SWAT.  Not only that, but the cast of characters in this show are truly incredible.  Shou, Sarah, Sig, Seiji, Sumire.  All five of them work so well individually, and even better as a group.  I stand by them being one of the best main casts in all of toku.

I always felt Blue SWAT got a raw deal in the fandom due to it being so weird and different, with a known retool in the middle.  And with it being unsubbed for so long… yeah, people are going to assume the worst.  So I’m glad it’s subbed now so people are actually going and watching this show and experiencing it for themselves.

If you’re one of those people who waited until the show was finished being subbed to come start it, hi!  I want to give a couple quick warnings.  Blue SWAT has a LOT of bright, flashing lights.  If you are sensitive to that, please be careful watching this show.  Some of them get pretty strong.  Other than that, there’s a couple brief instances of self-harm in this show (drawing a blade across one’s skin), and there’s one instance (episode 21) of (brief/minor) sexual assault being framed in a comedic way.

Whether you watched as I released, are watching now, or are coming to this post TO watch Blue SWAT some time in the future, thank you for giving this show a shot.  I hope you enjoy it just as much as I did.

If you finish the show and want more Blue SWAT content, go watch episodes 52 and 53 of B-Fighter to have an epilogue for their story, and to see them team up with the B-Fighters as well as the Janperson cast.  I can finally recommend that team-up now!

A final thank you to Florida Man for his help with script timing.  Could not have got this done as fast without him.

The preview at the end for B-Fighter is taken directly from Megabeast Empire’s release of it.  I don’t think they’d have any problems with this, but I wanted to mention it since that is, in fact, their work.

I had to add another folder due to not having enough space for this final batch.  Don’t worry, things will be more consolidated in the final, complete one.  Go to the Blue SWAT Pastebin to enjoy.

Speaking of the final batch, should probably go over that.  While things are okay now, I do want to go through the earlier episodes again and make a couple more small changes for consistency, mostly in the typesetting.  In addition, there are a couple extras I want to do, so when the complete batch gets released, it will include the Blue SWAT movie, which is just a highly edited version of the first two episodes, and the Toei Hero Great Gathering special… because it’s only just over five minutes, with most of it dedicated to Blue SWAT with a bit of Sentai and Janperson thrown in.  It’s been English subbed before, but I don’t believe on an HD raw, so that’ll be new.  So you can look forward to that some time in the near future.

More HD Denziman should also be on the way before too, too long.  I didn’t forget about it.

Once again, thank you all for your support.  Cheers to Blue SWAT, and cheers to Metal Heroes.

Blue SWAT Episodes 44-46

Another batch for you all!  Pure chaos erupts as an alien discovers he picked the wrong person to invade, Jisp resorts to doping to get revenge on Sig, and Gold Platinum learns the real meaning of Christmas thanks to a bratty alien.  One batch ’til the end, and things haven’t gotten less weird!  It’s not all fun and games though, as Sig is about to make a very important discovery…

Woo yeah!  Entering the home stretch now.  Episodes 44 and 46 are both more light-hearted affair before we start diving into the endgame next time, while 45… is not that.  It’s crazy how many twists and turns this show has.  Though the budget hasn’t gotten any better.  20 yen and a dream, folks…

Not much more to say about this one beyond it being the last regular episodes of the show as the rest of this show is a nice, big endgame.  Enjoy this final breather.

As always, the new episodes can be found on the Blue SWAT Pastebin.  More thanks to Florida Scrubs for helping with script timings.

Blue SWAT Episodes 41-43

Queen wished to make short order of Earth, but progress is slow.  However, this batch reminds that Queen is not someone to be trifled with.  She has more terrifying plots up her sleeve, and it may even cost someone their life!

Welcome back.  It really is crazy how this show continues to surprise.  I really want to highlight episode 41 here.  Despite being so late in the show, it’s actually one of my favorite Blue SWAT episodes.  Really keeps you guessing the whole time, while containing stuff you just… don’t see much in other toku.  It’s funny, it’s heartbreaking, it starts laying the groundwork for the show’s endgame, it’s all just so good.  Be sure not to miss it.

Episode 43 is really good as well.  Creative concept.  Meanwhile episode 42… well, it’s a Sagiyama Kyoko script (the last of her three episodes penned for this show.)  Not the worst Blue SWAT episode, but definitely the weakest of the three IMO.

Not too far from the end now.  The road only stretches so far…

You can find the newest episodes in the usual spot, my Pastebin.  If you’re reading this as it’s posted, know Toei Spiderman is going back up as you read.

As usual, thanks to Florida Man for helping with script timings.

Blue SWAT Episodes 37-40

Well, seems Jisp’s various buddies from last time couldn’t get the job done, and now his reputation is in hot water.  It’s been foreshadowed, hinted at, and mentioned, but now it is finally time.  Just who is this supreme ruler of the Space Mafia… and just how strong is she?!  This might spell the end for our heroes!  Maybe the only thing that can save them… is God getting a new ride.

Welcome back!  So, as talked about in the first release, Blue SWAT did not do so hot financially.  The show after this, B-Fighter, was there to be the bounce-back the Metal Heroes franchise would need.  Due to this, I fully believe that Toei gave most of its budget to that show, because around here it does begin to feel like this show was made on 20 yen and a dream.  Doesn’t affect the show quality TOO much though, still some great episodes in this batch and coming up!  It’s always the ones you don’t expect too…

With B-Fighter Kabuto finished since the release of last batch, that makes this and the Tacks the only Metal Hero/Metal Hero adjacent shows remaining!  Hopefully won’t be too much longer now!

You can catch the all-new episodes over in the Blue SWAT Pastebin.  Enjoy!

A thank you to Florida Man of Florida Scrubs for helping with script timing, as usual.

Blue SWAT Episodes 31-36

Our heroes may have one less issue to worry about now, but that doesn’t mean they’re fully in the clear.  Jisp has a whole rolodex of contacts to throw at the team, and our team may need a little more firepower if they wish to succeed.

Oh, hi!  Hope you all had a splendid holiday season.  Welcome to 2023!  This batch acts as a sort-of breather before next batch marks another new era for the show.  You can probably guess what’s coming, but if you can’t, the episode title of 37 spells it out for you.  But that doesn’t make this batch weak at all!  The episodes here are… actually really, really good?  The show is having some troubles deciding on a tone, but maybe that just makes the moments of joy and sadness that much more poignant.  Who’s to say?

Oh, and there’s a new weapon thrown in here as well, but it’s, like, the least important or notable thing in this batch.  But it’s here now, and it’s pretty sweet actually in terms of design.  A huge variety of writers in this one.  It’s weird having an episode written by Uehara (his only contribution to the show) followed by an episode written by Kobayashi (which is a lot better than it has any right of being given the plot.)

This will be the longest batch I release of this show, so don’t get used to this.  It’s just a good, solid block of episodes that now you all get to enjoy.

You can find the episodes on the Pastebin, as per usual.

Continued thanks to Florida Scrubs for their help timing scripts.

Also, episode 32 has Shou in nothing more than a speedo.  You’re welcome.

Blue SWAT Episodes 27-30

Out with the old, in with the new.  Shou must’ve been a good boy this year, since he gets some new clothes AND a new ride.  Things go… not as well for Zaji.  Hurry up, Sig!  Fittingly for the holiday season, there’s a running theme of family, specifically parents and children, in this batch.  The reunions for pairs that have grown distant… even if that reunion is to be but a moment.

After last batch was… something, this batch is a solid return to form.  Episode 28 is a real swerve of an episode.  Very original in plot.  Also very excited about episode 30.  When I originally watched the show, I remember thinking how much I wanted a particular scene to be subbed so more people could see it.  It’s not, like, this amazing, incredible scene, but it restored my faith in the show after the episodes before had been hit or miss.

But, yeah, more new revelations and even some spooky shenanigans in this batch.  A good capstone to 2022, since I’m definitely not getting the next batch out before the end of the year (it’ll be a bit bigger than usual.)  What a year for Metal Heroes.

I’ll add a quick content warning for episode 30 though.  It’s no secret by now that Blue SWAT has a lot of quick flashing lights, and usually they aren’t too bad, but there’s one used in episode 30 that goes on a little longer than usual and is pretty bright.  If you’re sensitive to flickering lights and made it this far, just skip from 12:55 to 13:02.

Get to the Pastebin and get to watching!  Hope you all enjoy.

Thank you all for your continued support, and to Florida Scrubs for helping with script timing.

Blue SWAT Episodes 23-26

After the bombshells of last batch, the battle continues for our gallant heroes.  When Blue SWAT is put on the ropes, their only hope is a miracle.  A big sparkling miracle from beyond the stars.  Could it be an ally for the team in their lonely battle?

Also, there’s, like, a group of kid sidekicks in this batch as well.  They’re definitely a thing.

So, uh, this is kind of a weird batch for the show.  If episodes 13 and 14 were the first signs of the show trying new things (and by new I mean relying more on typical toku conventions), then these episodes mark the full departure into that shift.  Blue SWAT has a… less than great reputation thanks in large part due to this known tone/style shift.  It is what it is, though I think the hate is way overblown.  The show still has a lot of really great episodes coming up… but to be frank, this is probably the weakest batch of the show I’ll put out.  At least in my opinion.

Hey, at least we’re now over the halfway point (already!), with twice the episodes translated as when I started working on this.  Blue SWAT is a really fun and unique show, and I can’t wait to get the rest out to you.

As usual, big thanks to Florida Man for helping with the script timings.

New episodes have been added to the Pastebin folders.  Get to watching!