Gozyuger may be the Final Super Sentai Series after 50 years

Super Sentai Gozyuger may become the last entry in the long-running Super Sentai franchise. According to the Kyodo newspaper, the current production, which began on February 16, is expected to officially end the brand after nearly 50 years of history.

The franchise, famous for popularizing colorful heroes who fight giant monsters, may be coming to an end due to declining profitability. According to Kyodo and The Sankei Shimbun, revenue from events, merchandise, and films is no longer enough to cover production costs, which led to the decision to terminate the project.

So far, Toei and TV Asahi have not officially commented on rumors about the end of Super Sentai.

Gozyuger celebrates the franchise’s 50th anniversary

Super Sentai Gozyuger is Toei’s 49th series, produced to celebrate the franchise’s 50th anniversary. As part of the celebration, the All Super Sentai Exhibition event is being held in several cities across Japan. The tour began in Tokyo in August and continues through other regions, including Nagoya and Sendai.

NHK also conducted a special survey in celebration of the 50th anniversary, highlighting the cultural importance Super Sentai still holds in Japan.

The Super Sentai franchise began with the involvement of legendary manga creator Shōtarō Ishinomori — also the creator of Kamen Rider and Cyborg 009. He worked with Toei on the first two series: Himitsu Sentai Gorenger, released in 1975, and J.A.K.Q. Dengekitai, from 1977. Later, Marvel Comics co-produced two more seasons, helping solidify the genre.

Over the years, Super Sentai has become one of the most iconic brands in Japanese pop culture, inspiring series, films, merchandise, and many multimedia projects.

TV Asahi responds to rumors

The Mantan Web site, from the Mainichi Shimbun newspaper, contacted TV Asahi to comment on Kyodo’s report. The broadcaster simply stated: “We are not commenting on our future programming,” leaving uncertainty regarding the franchise’s future and Super Sentai Gozyuger.

Although information suggests that Super Sentai Gozyuger may end the franchise, there is still no official confirmation. The lack of statements from Toei and TV Asahi has kept speculation alive among fans, who remain hopeful for continuity.

If confirmed, the termination will close a historic cycle for one of the most important series in Japanese pop culture, responsible for inspiring generations and leaving a legacy that lasted decades.

Japanese fans reacted to the news:

• “It’s sad, but I’m grateful for their 50 years.”
• “TV Asahi ending a 50-year-old series in such a careless way is unacceptable!”
• “I was just wondering when they would announce the new series…”
• “They should just rerun the original. Adults would watch and kids would enjoy it.”
• “Kamen Rider and Ultraman continued on other networks, so Super Sentai could move too.”
• “Looking at ratings, Kamen Rider is rising, Pretty Cure is stagnant, but Super Sentai fell.”
• “With the low birthrate and competition from other shows, it’s very difficult. You did a great job, Super Sentai. You should be proud.”
• “I’m from the GoGoFive generation. I even asked my parents to write the theme song in katakana so I could sing it. So sad…”
• “I used to come home from school singing the Kakuranger theme song…”
• “I wonder what all the talented people who make these shows will do.”

Power Rangers connection

Super Sentai Gozyuger also symbolizes the possible end of the franchise that inspired Power Rangers, the Western adaptation that debuted in 1993 in the United States. Since then, Power Rangers has become a worldwide phenomenon.

The latest series, Power Rangers Dino Fury, premiered in 2021 on Nickelodeon. The second season was released on Netflix in 2022, while the third — Power Rangers Cosmic Fury — arrived in 2023. In the same year, Netflix streamed Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always, a 30th-anniversary special. Several outlets noted that 2024 was the first year in the franchise’s history without new or re-edited episodes.

In March, TheWrap reported that Disney+ and 20th Century TV were in talks with Percy Jackson and the Olympians showrunners Jonathan E. Steinberg and Dan Shotz to develop a new live-action Power Rangers series.