Choushinsei Flashman

Choushinsei Flashman (超新星フラッシュマン, Chōshinsei Furasshuman, literally "Supernova Flashman") is a Japanese tokusatsu television series that aired from March 1, 1986 to February 21, 1987 on TV Asahi [1][2]. As the tenth installment in Toei Company's Super Sentai metaseries, Flashman introduced several innovations to the franchise while maintaining the core formula of a team of color-coded heroes fighting against alien invaders. The series is notable for being the first Super Sentai show to feature a second giant robot and for its unique premise involving heroes raised on alien worlds [5][6].

The show follows five young adults who were kidnapped as infants from Earth in 1966 by alien hunters, only to be rescued and raised by the benevolent Flash race across different planets in the Flash Star system [1][6]. Twenty years later, they return to Earth as the Flashman team to protect their birth planet from the Reconstructive Experiment Empire Mess, the same organization responsible for their childhood abduction. The series achieved an average rating of 12.3% during its original broadcast run [1].

Origins and Development

Flashman emerged during a pivotal period in the Super Sentai franchise, replacing Dengeki Sentai Changeman and serving as a bridge between the early experimental years and the more standardized format that would follow [2]. The series was produced by Toei Company in partnership with Bandai, continuing the successful collaboration that had defined the Super Sentai brand throughout the 1980s.

Character designer Yutaka Izubuchi created all the character designs for the series, establishing a visual style that would influence future Super Sentai productions [5]. Izubuchi would later return to the franchise decades later to design characters for Tokumei Sentai Go-Busters, demonstrating the lasting impact of his work on Flashman. The series ran for 50 episodes before being succeeded by Hikari Sentai Maskman in 1987 [2].

Story and Characters

The central narrative of Flashman revolves around five individuals: Jin (Red Flash), Dai (Green Flash), Bun (Blue Flash), Sara (Yellow Flash), and Lou (Pink Flash) [6]. Each character was raised on a different planet within the Flash Star system, developing unique abilities shaped by their respective alien environments. This backstory provided a science fiction foundation that distinguished Flashman from previous Super Sentai series that often relied on more mystical or technological origins.

The primary antagonist is the Reconstructive Experiment Empire Mess, an alien organization that conducts experiments on various species across the galaxy. Their initial kidnapping of the five Earth children was part of these experiments, though the children were rescued before any harm could be done. The empire's continued threat to Earth serves as the driving force behind the Flashman team's mission to protect their birth planet.

The series explores themes of identity, belonging, and the meaning of home as the protagonists struggle with their dual nature as both Earth-born humans and alien-raised warriors. This psychological complexity added depth to what could have been a straightforward good-versus-evil narrative.

Technical Innovations

Flashman introduced several technical and narrative innovations that would become standard elements in later Super Sentai series. Most significantly, it was the first show in the franchise to feature a second giant robot, expanding the mecha battles that had become a hallmark of the series [5]. This addition allowed for more complex and varied action sequences, setting a precedent for future multi-robot combinations.

The series also refined the transformation sequences and special effects that had been developing throughout the early Super Sentai years. The Flash suits featured distinctive designs that emphasized the characters' alien origins while maintaining the recognizable color-coding system that made each team member instantly identifiable to viewers.

The show's production values reflected the increasing budget and technical sophistication of tokusatsu television during the mid-1980s, with improved miniature work, pyrotechnics, and costume design compared to earlier entries in the franchise.

Cultural Impact and Legacy

Flashman's influence on the Super Sentai franchise extended well beyond its original broadcast run. The series' success helped establish many conventions that would become standard in subsequent shows, particularly the use of complex backstories involving alien civilizations and the integration of multiple giant robots in battle sequences.

The show's average rating of 12.3% represented solid performance for the Super Sentai franchise during the 1980s, helping to maintain the series' commercial viability and ensuring its continuation [1]. The success also led to the production of theatrical films, including Choshinsei Flashman: The Movie and Choshinsei Flashman: Big Rally! Titan Boy!, which expanded the story beyond the television format [4].

Flashman's character designs and mecha concepts influenced numerous subsequent Super Sentai series, with elements of its visual style and storytelling approach appearing in later productions. The series demonstrated that Super Sentai could successfully incorporate more sophisticated science fiction concepts while maintaining broad appeal to its target audience of children and families.

International Recognition

While Flashman never received an official adaptation for international markets like some later Super Sentai series, it has gained recognition among tokusatsu enthusiasts worldwide through fan communities and unofficial translations. The series represents an important evolutionary step in the Super Sentai franchise, bridging the gap between the experimental early years and the more polished productions that would follow.

The show's availability on various digital platforms has allowed new generations of fans to discover and appreciate its contributions to the tokusatsu genre, ensuring its continued relevance in discussions of Super Sentai history and development.

Related Topics

• Super Sentai
• Tokusatsu
• Dengeki Sentai Changeman
• Hikari Sentai Maskman
• Toei Company
• Yutaka Izubuchi
• TV Asahi
• Mecha anime

Summary

Choushinsei Flashman was the tenth Super Sentai series, airing from 1986-1987, featuring five heroes raised on alien worlds who return to Earth to fight the Reconstructive Experiment Empire Mess, notable for introducing the franchise's first second giant robot.