‘Adult’ Power Rangers Parody ‘Hikonin Sentai Akibaranger’ Coming to Japan in April

Not content to merely continue its kid-targeted Super Sentai franchise (imported as the Power Rangers in the US) with its 36th series Tokumei Sentai Go-Busters, Toei will release a new parody series in April lovingly spoofing the tokusatsu tropes it's popularized over the years. To put it simply, there's going to be a kinda naughty Power Rangers show for big kids in Japan. Dubbed Hikonin Sentai Akibaranger (Unofficial Sentai Akihabara Rangers), the show will star a team of three geeks from the most otaku-saturated corner of Tokyo who stumble upon an evil entity's plans to destroy their neighborhood and must fight to protect it with the technology of a beautiful scientist. Helming the show are the surprisingly legit team of Kamen Rider's Ryuta Tazaki, Tiger & Bunny's Keiichi Satou, Kamen Rider Kuuga writer Naruhisa Arakawa and Ghost in the Shell composer Kenji Kawai.There've been plenty of well produced Power Rangers and Sentai parodies over the years, from the Mighty Moshin' Emo Rangers to MegaBot, but this marks the first time Toei itself has engaged in such a robust official self-parody. Considering the pedigree of its team, it stands a chance of actually being, well, awesome. Additionally, like any tokusatsu series worth its weight in plastic armor, there's already a nice-looking toy line in the works. There's sadly no indication that it will reach American audiences anytime soon, so cross those fingers of yours with the spirit of burning determination.