Special REVIEW: No.1 Sentai Gozyuger: Polar Beginning

Super Sentai may be on indefinite hiatus as far as further series are concerned, but that doesn't mean the franchise has completely run out of steam yet. Thanks to platforms like the Toei Tokusatsu Fan Club streaming service that's still plenty of opportunities to tell more stories through the likes of mini-series and one-off specials, with more from No.1 Sentai Gozyuger among the first of its offerings in this "post-Sentai" landscape. No.1 Sentai Gozyuger: Polar Beginning transports us back to the year 2005 and the first Ring Battle, shedding more light on the past of Mashiro Kumade - the first Gozyu Wolf who would later re-join the battle for the rings as the sixth Gozyuger, Gozyu Polar. Interestingly the one-off special was written by Keiichi Hasagawa (Ultraman Dyna, Ultraman Nexus, Kamen Rider Gotchard), rather than series head writer Akiko Inoue.

After seeing an interview with Japan's first woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize, Mashiro Kumade begins to reminisce on his past during the first Ring Battle 20 years ago. There he fought recklessly as Gozyu Wolf, declaring himself to be the man that would one day be Number One in the world.

A chance meeting with a mysterious fortune teller would change everything however, leading Mashiro to meet the other Gozyugers of that era. After learning of their mission to defeat the Calamity as well as their own pasts and wishes, Mashiro begins to fight alongside them - the once lone warrior finally finding people he can call friends. However those days would eventually end, and the events that followed are would what would eventually lead Mashiro to the Universe War.

There were many aspects to No.1 Sentai Gozyuger that felt underdeveloped, but none more so that the past events which set the series in motion. But while at the very least the Universe War was somewhat covered by the show's CGI-heavy prologue episode, the introduction of Gozyu Polar added further mystery to the mix. Suddenly not only was there a near apocalyptic battle against an ultimate evil, but there was also a veteran of a Ring Battle that preceded that. Whilst Mashiro's backstory was often alluded to in various bits of dialogue, for the most part it remained unexplored. As such Polar Beginning is the perfect opportunity to fix this oversight, though it could be argued that it might have been better suited releasing concurrently with the main series as opposed to after it, if only so its events could provide better context to the character at the same time. Nevertheless it's an interesting dive into the unexplored chapters of Gozyuger, managing to do a surprising amount within a half-hour runtime.

Masahiro's story transports us back to the year 2005, and while his rather conceited personality remains intact we immediately see a very different side to it. The parallels to modern day Gozyu Wolf Hoeru are made abundantly clear, with Mashiro fighting as a lone wolf. The idea is taken even further here however, with Mashiro fighting with reckless abandon to the point where even Tega Sword warns him of the potential consequences. Polar Beginning mirrors the main series' story of a lone warrior finally finding value in life through friendship, but instead ending with tragedy. Actor Kaiki Kimura undoubtedly gives his best performance as Mashiro here, providing a spectrum of emotion as his arrogance is chipped away by his new found friends before disaster strikes. It's a far more nuanced take on the character that was ever seen within the series itself, yet at the same time works in helping shape who Mashiro would eventually become in 2025. While it would have been nice to see his relationship with Tega Sword, particularly in the lead-up to the Universe War, explored, the specific focus Polar Beginning has still helps shed new light on Gozyuger's sixth ranger. It really is a shame that this couldn't have come out alongside the main series rather than after it, especially since, judging by Sumino Ichikawa being green-screened into the modern day Gozyuger line-up at the very end, at least some of the footage was filmed some time ago.

But in addition to Mashiro himself, Polar Beginning introduces a first generation Gozyuger team full of tokusatsu alumni. Among them include Motoki Fukami (Makoto Aizen in Ultraman R/B), Itono Okita (Atropos in Kamen Rider Gotchard) and Mei Angela (Reika Shindai/Kamen Rider Sabela in Kamen Rider Saber). In an incredibly short amount of time, Polar Beginning is able to successfully set up these characters with interesting backstories and motivations to fight as Gozyugers. Seiya Aoto (Gozyu Leon) is a kind-hearted man who truly wants to save the world, Itokiri Midoriko (Gozyu Eagle) is a child prodigy who wants to use her intellect to bring people joy, Misaki Kurobane (Gozyu Unicorn) is a shady fortune teller by day, hitman by night looking for the man who killed her family, and then finally Naoto Kitora (Gozyu Tyranno) is an MMA fighter who believes evil can only be defeated through strength. Though these character outlines are just as rapidly laid out in the special itself, they're more than enough to get you interested in them. Likewise the short scenes of them interacting with Mashiro, whether it be individually or altogether, establish a dynamic that feels like it could have carried a whole series. The way BearKuma is introduced feels particularly poignant, completely altering the context of his future partnership with Mashiro. Despite there being very little footage of them fighting together, there's enough to make them feel like a team.

But for all the good it does with its characters, there's still the sense that Polar Beginning simply isn't long enough to do both them and the story justice. Hasagawa's ability to establish a team and given them all interesting backstories in a mere 30 minutes really speaks to his calibre as a writer, but he does it so well that you're left wanting so much more from them. Likewise the last act of the special lacks the pathos it deserves because it feels predicated on having been able to spend more time with these characters. Whilst the actors themselves certainly bring emotion to the scenes, the villain reveal feels like much less of a shock than it should. Polar Beginning is a speed run through the most vulnerable time in Mashiro's life, and thus a story that would have really benefitted from being a mini-series as opposed to a one-off special. Truthfully that might not have been enough either given the rapport they have here, but getting a little more time to see those interactions properly develop would definitely add so much more weight to the climax.

And although many might say that it was Mashiro that was in desperate need of extra material like this whilst Gozyuger was airing, arguably it's the Calamity that needed it more. Though perhaps not a core component of the series in terms of its overall story, their presence overshadowed everything. Despite this, of the four villains from the group introduced one was relegated to a movie, two were overshadowed by far more interesting parts of their storylines (Bellum by Rei Gushima, and Vidal by Ninja Red and Origa Red), and finally its leader came and went without much fanfare. The latter was particularly disappointing as Lex's interest in Mashiro suggested a previous history. Sadly none of that is in Polar Beginning, with their presence kept to the bare minimum once more. Again it doesn't have too much of a negative impact on the special the story is trying to tell, but it is slightly disappointing to see that history not expanded on here.

Although Polar Beginning may put drama before action, that isn't to say it's without that core component of the Super Sentai formula. Little touches like having Gozyu Polar suit actor Yuki Nakata as 2005 Gozyu Wolf (so to mirror Mashiro's fighting style) and the inclusion of both Universe Warrior Abare Red and previous Super Sentai foot soldiers up until Abaranger (which at the beginning of 2005 would be the last "complete" series, with Dekaranger still a few episodes from completion) also show nice attention to detail. Emotions run high in the climax, with a finale that delivers the kind of explosive action expected of Gozyuger and the choreography to match.

No.1 Sentai Gozyuger: Polar Beginning may not be the tell-all history of Gozyuger that many hoped for, but is still a very enjoyable special that focuses on the turning point in Mashiro Kumade's life. Kaiku Kimura does a wonderful job bringing out a new side to the character, while the guest cast are equally impressive at realising their characters so well with so little material. If anything Polar Beginning's biggest issue is that one episode simply isn't enough, with a mini-series not only allowing for more time with the cast but also to feel the full emotions of the story being told. Nevertheless it remains a strong companion piece to Gozyuger, and hopefully proof that there's still life in Super Sentai yet.