Himitsu Sentai Goranger

From wikipedia:

Himitsu Sentai Goranger (秘密戦隊ゴレンジャー, Himitsu Sentai Gorenjā, Secret Squad Goranger) is a Japanese tokusatsu superhero television series. Gorenger, created by Shotaro Ishinomori, was the first in the long-running Super Sentai metaseries of tokusatsu programming. The series aired on NET (now TV Asahi) from April 5, 1975, to March 26, 1977, and was replaced by J.A.K.Q. Dengekitai for 84 episodes. Toei distributes the series internationally under the title Five Rangers. The series was released in the Philippines under the title Star Rangers.  

When world peace is threatened by the emergence of a terrorist group called the Black Cross Army, EAGLE (The Earth Guard League) is formed to combat the threat. The Black Cross Army sends five operatives to destroy each EAGLE branch in Japan, killing all except for five agents. These surviving agents are summoned to a secret base located underneath the snack shop "Gon", where they are recruited by EAGLE Japan's commander, Gonpachi Edogawa. They become the Himitsu Sentai Gorengers and are given electronic battlesuits that endow them with superhuman strength and speed. The five dedicate themselves to stopping the Black Cross Army and its leader, the Black Cross Führer. 

John's Notes

Gorenger was basically the grandfather of the Power Ranges and one of the earliest Sentai series (note that Super Sentail didn't come into use until the mid-90's). There's no direct relationship but as with Ninja Captor there are many common themes: use of colorful individual costuming to distinguish the team members, the complimentary skills and/or powers, the use of interesting mecha influenced vehicles. These early Sentai were also a bit darker than the later Super Sentai. I love the overall cohesive design of this show with the rainbow colors expressed across vehicles - there's an expression of "color is good" that later shows fail to pick-up.

The other thing to love is the extensive use of motorcycles (motobai) with sidecars - the creator, Shotaro Ishinomori, is perhaps better known in the western world as the manga creator of Kamen Rider.

Popy and Mattel

As with other popular anime and tokusatsu series, Popy and other manufacturers produced a plethora of toys related to Himitsu Sentai Goranger, eventually leading to a Mattel licensing deal as Shogun Warrior Action Vehicle toys.

• Popy PA-64 Baritanku - Mattel Shogun Vehicles #2519 Varitank
• Popy PA-74 Varidorin - Mattel Shogun Vehicles #2521 Vertilift
  

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