Super Sentai proved to be the ultimate training ground that left a major legacy in the entertainment industry

Merchandise sales have dropped by half over the past ten years

Ryusei Yokohama (29), Yuki Yamada (35), Tori Matsuzaka (37), Yudai Chiba (36), Akihisa Shiono (30).

These actors, who shine like stars in films and on television, all share one thing in common: they began their careers in Super Sentai shows. However, on November 25, TV Asahi officially announced that the Super Sentai Series will end with the currently airing Number One Sentai Gojūger.

At the regular press conference held on the 25th, the company’s new president, Nishin, stated:

“On the series’ 50th anniversary, we felt it was time to create new and diverse heroes unrestricted by the traditional format.”

He also revealed that Space Sheriff Gavan, which aired in the 1980s and remains popular overseas, would be revived as the successor program, with a new series titled Super Space Sheriff Gavan: Infinity.

“It’s the 50th anniversary since the first series, Secret Squadron Gorenger, so in some ways, it’s a good moment to end it. Production costs have risen, yet merchandise sales—which used to be a golden cash cow—have dropped by half over the past ten years. They probably see this as a natural turning point.” (Sports newspaper reporter)

Super Sentai shows are produced by Toei and broadcast by TV Asahi. The related merchandise is sold by Bandai, the program’s sponsor—this is the business model behind the franchise.

“For young actors, Super Sentai—and likewise the Kamen Rider series, also produced by Toei and aired on TV Asahi—is truly a gateway to success. From the Heisei era onward, the handsome actor route took shape, and the shows became popular not only with children but also with mothers. Since the series airs weekly for a full year, it’s the perfect program for getting your face out there and boosting your name recognition.” (Women’s magazine reporter)

For One Year, No Other Work Allowed

Looking at the Kamen Rider actors—such as Masaki Suda (32), Joe Odagiri (49), and Sota Fukushi (32)—in addition to the Sentai actors mentioned at the beginning, it’s clear that the contributions these two franchises have made to the entertainment industry are enormous. That’s because Sentai and Rider shows don’t just raise the visibility of young actors—they also function as a kind of training institution.

“Both Sentai and Kamen Rider are made entirely under the deep-rooted ‘Toei way.’ Kids who were previously models or students spend a full year being thoroughly trained in the basics of acting by Toei’s staff. Most of the production companies that manage these actors hand over their entire schedules to Toei for the length of the filming period. So for that whole year, they’re not allowed to take on any other work. They’re made to live in apartments near the studio and spend every day immersed in Sentai.” (Talent agency insider)

Compared with other film companies, Toei is known for its macho productions—yakuza films, samurai dramas, and the like. And within Toei, the special-effects team that creates Sentai works is famous for being particularly strict.

“Yokohama-kun went through intense kabuki training for the film National Treasure, right? That kind of mental toughness—being able to withstand harsh training—probably comes from his time in Toei’s Sentai series. For us in the entertainment industry, even more than making them famous, the fact that Toei rigorously trains these young actors was truly invaluable. It was the best actor training institution we had. So while the Sentai series is ending, many industry people are relieved to hear that a new series will begin.” (Same talent agency insider)

The Sentai series, which produced so many great actors, is coming to an end. What kind of new young talents will emerge from the newly launched Gavan series, one wonders—.