Why I Think Jetman is Considered Best by Sentai Fans

So far, it still kind of enters into my head why Jetman was my favorite Sentai WAY back or something... or why so many fans enjoyed Jetman. I think it had to do with the fresh writing that had happened within the whole series.

So okay, your spandex isn't new, swords aren't new, vehicles aren't new, robots aren't new and there were a LOT of old school elements... yet it seemed to be the best Sentai to many. I can't really think of a good reason except it was fresh and that it gave newer ideas to keep Sentai going and going.

I kind of considered Jetman's story telling to be unique. Why? Take the rangers for example. You have one professional ranger over four who aren't. For example, Ryu Tendo develops a rather long rivalry with Guy Yuki as both can't tolerate each other, which was soon intensified because while Guy Yuki liked Kaori Rokumeikan, she liked Ryu Tendo instead. Even comedy relief characters like Raita Ooshi and Ako Hayasaka (who had a "sibling" relationship) had serious moments. Drama focused the life of these characters especially with their strict but kind-hearted mentor Aya Ogadiri, who would be somewhat like Dr. Sylvie Pandora in Gatchaman II as well as the people around them, but not like as if Maskman didn't have it either.

The enemy was rather different. Instead of an organization united to get rid of the enemy, the four were divided amongst themselves, not really, Grey didn't care much about leading the others, he was Maria's bodyguard in some cases. On the other hand, Radiguet developed an unhealthy crush on Maria which in any case, developed a bizarre polygon between him, Ryu Tendo (when he discovers Maria is his girlfriend Rie) and Grey. Tran on the other hand for some reason was written off and became the de-facto ruler Tranza who plagued them for at least 10 episodes. This may have inspired the Negative Syndicate in Boukenger.

There were some bad guys that were short lived- Juuza was simply a guest villain played by Junko Takahata (who was famous for playing the role of Maribaron in Black RX and Lady Reiko in the Robocop series Janperson) as she was the former empress of Vyram but she only lasted for two episodes. I wonder why it happened. Also, we have the emergence of the "Ashu" in the show, Mu, Ramu and Gogu. Mu lasted for one episode, Ramu and Gogu for two episodes which they are an enemy different from Vyram which may have later inspired the Ashu of Boukenger. These short-lived villains may be pilots but they were super dangerous that later Sentai got fresh with their types lurking around later.

I think the equipment were kind of given a back story in this way- for example the Fire Bazooka was necessary because the monster has caught many people and it's the only way to save their teammates. Another was the Beak Smasher which had a touching story of a father and a daughter, when a daughter finally understands that her father never left her and that she was entrusted with the patterns because she can be trusted.

Perhaps the best parts have to deal with the relationships of the characters heroes and villains alike as well. For example, Ryu Tendo has developed a rivalry with three rival officers in Vyram namely Radiguet (who he shares an instinctive rivalry with), Tranza (rival at first appearance but theirs isn't as significant) and with Maria because she is in conflict with herself. Guy Yuki for some reason developed a rivalry with Gure while Maria's rivalry with the female rangers is anything but new though. Also, it's nice to see how the Jetmen mature especially how Guy Yuki becomes a more likable character when he realizes Ryu Tendo was going crazy after discovering Rie and Maria are the same person.

Or maybe it's because it focused so much on reality (but as if Sentai doesn't). In fact, the missing lover scenario has been twisted into something more tragic- that is because this missing lover Maria was brainwashed by Vyram and that in the end, after a long battle, she dies as she is killed by Radiguet. However despite these serious elements, the show did also have some of your everyday comedy instead of slapstick ones, like how Ako Hayasaka is kind of a whiner (I have a friend who whines like she does) and how Ryu Tendo also displayed a comical side when Guy Yuki and Raita Ooshi tricked him into falling the ladies' area, rather than comedy that doesn't happen in real life like not getting a injury after being hit by a frying pan out of suit.

Or maybe the best part of this series was how Ryu Tendo and Radiguet's rivalry went deeper more than anything else, something I believe that also inspired Dairanger's Ryu vs. Shaddam or much later, Boukenger's Satoru Akashi vs. Ryuon. In fact, Radiguet's deep hatred deepened along with the marks that they left on each other and how Ryu Tendo was nearly killed out of his desire for revenge and how in the end, he saw the difference between justice and revenge.

And because of Jetman, newer Sentai writers are inspired to think more originally even if they can't duplicate the charm this show has.