For the longest time, Power Rangers Samurai has always been one of my favorite shows as a kid, compared to other Ranger series, Samurai had an entirely different vibe that I really enjoyed, but now years later, I decided to watch the original version of Samurai, or shall I say the Super Sentai version, Samurai Sentai Shinkenger, and my god is it Peak Fiction! Not even sure if there's a better way to describe Shinkengers other than Peak. One of the first things that stood out to me was how much more emphasis Shinkenger puts on its samurai theme, perfectly integrating the overall culture of Japanese Samurai into the story that shapes the narrative wonderfully. The cast is very likable and play off each other nicely, feeling like a proper team that develops throughout the series and creates a deep bond with each other, with characters having a lot more depth to them than in Samurai. For me, the character development was definitely my favorite aspect of the series. Unlike Power Rangers Samurai, there aren't any silly one liners or filler characters that pad out time, which I greatly appreciate, plus a lot of the dramatic and over the top dialogue manages to be funny at the right times. Everything's taken more seriously with the story having more depth and maturity to it while also not being afraid to get dark at times, especially when it comes to character backstories. The fight choreography is incredible, showcasing both swordplay and creative martial arts. The villains, the Gedoshu, are not only intimidating but also visually striking and well designed. I also love how Shinkenger uses kanji as part of their powers and abilities, even the Zords are called Origami, which perfectly ties into the cultural theme. There's also plenty of content from outside the series, from TV specials, crossovers, and movie specials with other Super Sentai teams and even Kamen Rider. For me, Samurai Sentai Shinkenger takes everything I loved about Power Rangers Samurai and elevates it into something truly unforgettable, I feel nothing but pure love when watching this series.
