Ban/Hoji (Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger)

[mariko-azrael.livejournal.com]

Title: Ultimate Partners
Author: Mariko Azrael
Fandom: Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger
Pairing: Akaza 'Ban' Banban (DekaRed)/Tomasu 'Hoji' Houji (DekaBlue)
Disclaimer: Not mine
Warning: Spoilers for the series, movie, and Magi vs. Deka

Thank you to radio_clash for the screencaps of the movie, amazonstorm for the magazine scans, spideywing for nitpicking, galerian_ash for the doujinshi scans and beta-ing, hosihkage for beta-ing, TV-Nihon for fan subbing the series, and everyone who encouraged me along the way. The character profile images are from Japan Hero.





Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger was a Japanese television program that aired February 15, 2004 to February 6, 2005. It was the twenty-eighth season of the Super Sentai franchise. For those unfamiliar with the term, the Super Sentai genre involves a team of (at first) five people in colorful outfits fighting against a menace that threatens the Earth, which usually involves fighting one monster each week. After awhile, the monster will become gigantic and the heroes will call upon their mecha to form a robot to defeat the monster. Is it a simple, predictable formula? Yes-- and it’s lasted for over thirty years.

In the Dekaranger universe, humans and aliens inhabit the Earth peacefully-- except, of course, for the thugs, criminals, terrorists, underworld organizations, and general ne’er-do-wells. Since the local police aren’t equipped to handle alien criminals (referred to in the show as ‘Alienizer’), SPD (Special Police Dekaranger) was formed to combat intergalactic threats.

Dekaranger focuses on the Earth branch of SPD. Their members include fiery Akaza ‘Ban’ Banban (DekaRed), professional yet somewhat arrogant Tomasu ‘Hoji’ Houji (DekaBlue), eccentric brain Enari ‘Sen’ Senichi (DekaGreen), cool-headed ESPer Riemon ‘Jasmine’ Marika (DekaYellow), and occasionally ditzy but always feisty bubble bath-addict Kouda ‘Umeko’ Koume (DekaPink). Veteran Doggie Kruger (who becomes DekaMaster in Episode 11) leads the team and Swan Shiratori (who becomes DekaSwan in Episode 36) designs their mecha. They are later joined by youthful Tokkyou Aira ‘Tetsu’ Tekkan in Episode 22 to help stop the Hell Siblings’ rampage. It was supposed to be a temporary position, but he was so awed by their courage, and the strength of their belief in justice that made them win out in the end that he became a permanent member of the team.

A recurring theme in Dekaranger is the unbelievably strong sense of justice that all the members of the Earth branch possess. They’ve been belittled and ridiculed for having a childlike faith that the good guys will always win and the bad guys will get what they deserve not only by Alienizers, but also Lisa Teagle (DekaBright) and even Tetsu when he first meets them. However, it is this faith that keeps the Earth branch going when others fail.

The story begins when Alienizer crime boss Agent Abrera makes Earth his new base of operations. Kruger, sensing something is amiss, has rookie Akaza Banban transferred to Earth (something his superior, Porupo, was only too happy to do). There is some friction between Banban and the original four members at first, but it works out in the end and Kruger gives him the nickname ‘Ban’. The Dekaranger meet every challenge Abrera sends them. However, Abrera is not your typical sentai villain who throws a monster at them every week and more difficult to defeat monsters when the series is wrapping up. He works behind the scenes, plotting and scheming...

Abrera recruits an old foe, ESPer hunter Terry-X. Hoji and Jasmine, half-mad with guilt, go by themselves to delete him and avenge their former leader, Gyoku Rou (original candidate for DekaRed and was seriously injured while rescuing the two from Terry-X). Ban realizes only one person can snap sense back into them, and charges headfirst into SPD headquarters to bring Gyoku back to Earth. Gyoku is so impressed by his replacement that he asks Ban to join the new Elite team he has been forming in secret the past few years, Fire Squad. Ban is reluctant to join at first, very much aware that if he’s not there to jump kick the team into action, they're is doomed. However, when Tetsu proves he is willing to take the necessary risks, Ban realizes the team is in good hands. All six members fight together one last time when Agent Abrera lays siege to DekaBase. They defeat him, Tetsu accepts a demotion so he can lead the Earth branch, and Ban leaves to join the Fire Squad.

Like most Super Sentai, there was a theatrical release (Full Blast Action) along with a direct to video release (DekaRed vs. DekaBreak). Dekaranger also crossed over with preceding series Bakyruu Sentai Abaranger (Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger vs. Abaranger) and succeeding series Mahou Sentai Magiranger (Mahou Sentai Magiranger vs. Dekaranger). Footage from Dekaranger was used in Power Rangers: SPD.

One! Akaza 'Ban' Banban



Blunt, hardheaded, a show off and self-described as someone who can only be serious in combat, Akaza Banban first comes off as a hyperactive spaz... which, okay, he is. He's also brave, determined, energetic, inspiring, and quite charming when he wants to be. It's easy to assume he's not a competent detective at first, but the Alienizers who make that mistake always regret it in the end.

Very little is known about Ban's life before he joined SPD. He is human (one of his ancestors was a samurai in feudal Japan), but he was trained off planet. I don't think it's too much of a stretch to say he has no living relatives. Either way, it doesn't matter because it's obvious over the course of the series that he considers the Earth branch his family.

Part of Ban's almost obsessive drive to be the best cop ever is because while he was chasing down an Alienizer, a child was hit in the crossfire and died in his arms. His last words to Ban were a wish to become the number one SPD officer. Ban took the child's death very hard, and tries to be the number one SPD officer in his memory. This caused some serious trouble for the team in the SWAT Mode two-parter, since Ban was trying so hard to be the best he forgot that a Deka is only as good as his team and nearly got himself killed because of that. It made him realize that there is no number one cop, only a number one team, and he became more of a team player.

Ban is very friendly, and cares about his teammates deeply, more than willing to knock some sense back into them when they need it (Jasmine in Episode 21, Sen in Episode 41, Hoji in more episodes than I can list here). He insists on calling Hoji 'partner'-- even though Hoji tells him not to every time. Even so, Ban truly sees Hoji as his partner, and goes out of his way for him, doing things such as driving SuperDekaRanger Robo across the city to the restaurant where Hoji's sister and her fiancé’s parents are dining so he can meet him... or sacrificing himself to destroy a meteor about to collide with Earth before Hoji can.

Akaza Banban is twenty-two years old. His weapons are the D01 and D02 Magnum, which are combined into the Hybrid Magnum. He rides in Machine Doberman with Jasmine, and his mech is Pat Striker.

Two! Tomasu 'Hoji' Houji.



Where Ban is a reckless rookie who barges in, Hoji is a cool-headed Pro who prefers to have a strategy before acting. Basically, he’s everything Ban isn’t. Unsurprisingly, he disliked Ban when they first met. Not only was he replacing the leader he respected and seriously hampered an investigation to show off, but he also possesses all the character traits he hates: rushing in without thinking and acting much too frivolously for his own good. However, Ban eventually earned his friendship (he just had to work very hard at it).

Hoji is the team’s sniper and computer whiz. He is highly skilled, but also haughty and a perfectionist. He used to pride himself on never making a mistake on the job-- so when he finally did (Episode 3) he sunk into a depression so deep that only Ban and a well-placed kick to the side could snap him out of. The experience taught him it’s okay to make mistakes as long as he learns from them.

His parents passed away some time ago, leaving him to take care of his little sister Tomasu Miwa. Hoji is a good brother and Miwa loves him dearly, but being a Deka means he can’t always be there for her, which frustrates them both.

For Hoji, work comes first. Always. He first refused to meet Miwa’s future in-laws because he was busy with a case, even though he wanted to and Ban tried convincing him several times it would be all right if he took the evening off. He had to kill his old friend Vino, who had grown corrupt and become a hunter for hire. Unfortunately, this wouldn’t be the last time Hoji would be forced to make this horrible choice. In Episode 37, he killed the little brother of Teresa, a woman he had fallen in love with, even though he knew doing it meant Teresa might die as well (the brother had been murdering women for the nutrients to create a serum to save his sister’s life). No matter how much it hurts him, Hoji will always put his duty as a Deka first... except one time, which will be explored later.

This doesn’t mean Hoji is all work and no play, however. He’s more than a bit of a flirt, and likes to use English phrases in his everyday speech (a self-parody of anime and sentai’s fondness for random English). His favorite word is, surprise surprise, ‘perfect’.

Tomasu Houji is twenty-one years old. His weapon is the D-Sniper. He rides the motorcycle Machine Husky and his mech is the Pat Gyrer.

Three! Their relationship over the course of the series.

To say that Ban and Hoji's relationship got off to a rough start would be the understatement to end all understatements. After Ban ruins an investigation thanks to his bravado and single-mindedness, Hoji hits him. Ban hits back, and the skirmish quickly elevates to a full-fledged fight.

Even after Kruger officially inducts Ban into the Earth Branch the two still argue. Hoji hasn’t forgiven him for his mistake earlier; Ban tries to convince him to let bygones be bygones. It’s also the first time he refers to Hoji as ‘partner’. Their bickering continues until usually docile Sen tells them to stop. However, when Ban decides to follow up on a rather unorthodox lead (checking on a corpse recently admitted to the morgue) Hoji is right behind him. When it’s discovered the man is alive and still dangerous, the two work together to have him arrested. They’ve known each other for less than a day, and in that little time all they’ve done is fight, but they already make a great team.

Eventually, the man-actually-Alienizer escapes and wrecks havoc on the city. Office workers flee but one girl is injured by falling debris. Ban goes to her side immediately, helping her up and asking her for a date at the same time. Hoji tells Ban to leave her alone... and then asks her out. Both Rangers start fighting over which one of them will get to date her, too busy with each other to notice that Sen is attending to her wounds and directing her to a safe place (and later is asked out on a date by the office worker).

In Episode Three (‘Perfect Blue’), Ban messes up during a training mission and is reprimanded by Hoji. Ban reminds him he’s human and humans make mistakes, which is when Hoji tells him he has never made a mistake on the job. Ever. Ban is in awe and Hoji is unsympathetic, saying that's why he can’t stand seeing Ban with a badge. If you think the writers are setting up Hoji for a serious fall, you’re right: after Erika, princess of a destroyed planet is kidnapped by an Alienizer seeking the power source Wellness Stone her family pocesses, Hoji makes a terrible mistakes in the first rescue attempt, and the Alienizer makes off with both Princess Erika and the Wellness Stone.

Hoji falls into misery and self-pity, feeling that he is no longer qualified to be a Deka. Both Ban and Swan try to cheer him up, but it’s no use. The other four go off to investigate while Hoji tries to hack into the Alienizer’s computer (which is his home dimension and where Princess Erika is being held). After messing up on the first try, he gives up.

While patrolling with Jasmine, Ban asks Kruger how his partner is doing. He tells him he hasn’t cracked the code yet. “You’re joking!” Ban’s eyes widen in shock. “What if it wasn’t a joke?” Kruger responds. Infuriated, Ban stops Machine Doberman and runs all the way to DekaBase, screaming at Hoji.

Ban finds Hoji still at his computer, still lost in self-pity. He yells at Hoji for not doing his job. Not looking up, Hoji says he’s sorry. “You’re not sorry, are you?!” Ban screams as he jump kicks Hoji across the room. He then grabs him, telling him to be like his usual self (“Say ‘Don’t call me partner!’ Be more stuck up!”). Angry, Hoji asks him what he knows about making a mistake this big. Ban says he doesn’t... and then, voice much softer than before, says it’s because he makes mistakes all the time. Angry again, he adds that he’s never let himself be depressed all day over them, either. He takes Hoji’s seat and says he’ll try to figure out the password himself, since his stupid overenthusiasm is preferable to Hoji’s moping. That puts the fire back in Hoji, who picks himself up off the floor and then proceeds to knock Ban across the room. “Even gone bad I’m still better than you!” He shouts, and then gets back to work, figuring out the password almost immediately. They then start fighting over which one of them will go into the Alienizer’s dimension and save the princess until Swan, with a look on her face that says everything, sends them both.

Like before, despite their perpetual arguing, they work magnificently together. Ban says that whoever saves Erika will buy dinner for them. Hoji warns him against recklessness, and Ban responds he only acts that way because he trusts his partner. It turns out that his trust is will-placed, since Hoji stops the Alienizer from killing him, shielding Ban with his own body.

After Erika is reunited with her parents, Ban invites her out to eat with him and Hoji, adding that his partner will be buying. Annoyed, Hoji says he was the one who did all the work. They start arguing again as Hoji moves to a less crowded area, asking if he wants to fight. Ban, looking much too happy about that than he should, agrees. Erika, her parents, and the other three Deka watch on in bemusement as the boys continue to spar, completely oblivious to everything else in the world.

In Episode 19 (‘Fake Blue’), Hoji is forcibly body swapped with an Alienizer. Hoji, in the Alienizer’s body and unable to communicate, tries to stop the monster wearing his face, but is stopped when Ban and the others rush to ‘Hoji’s’ rescue. Hoji/Alienizer says to Ban, “You sure saved me, partner.” Overcome with joy, Ban forgets the suspect and says, “You finally acknowledge me!”, and chokes back a sob as he hugs him. Meanwhile, the real Hoji is less than thrilled with this public display of affection, and mentally yells at Ban. This also winds up being one of the sudden oddities about their teammate’s behavior that clue the Deka in that Hoji isn’t Hoji.

Eventually, their relationship becomes less adversarial-- even though they’ll still bicker at the drop of a hat-- and something approaching real friendship. When Hoji is hospitalized after an undercover mission gone bad, Ban tells Kruger he’ll avenge his partner and is worried when Hoji tells him he’s going undercover again, but trusts that he’ll pull through. While training for their SWAT Mode armor, Ban is about to chase after their seemingly missing instructor, Bunta. Hoji tries to hold him back, telling him he’ll be killed. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work, and Hoji decides they’ll follow Ban. It turns out it was all a test by Bunta to see how they follow orders and function as a team, and sets up the SWAT Mode arc, which I already discussed.

It also becomes obvious that they’ve become what can only be described as possessive of each other. After Kruger mentions that Hoji is about to pass the Tokkyou exam (and Sen mentions the possibility of Hoji having found a girlfriend), Ban wants to track him down immediately, lies about having a girlfriend of his own (although he confesses quickly) and finally grabs Sen in a choke hold in frustration. When Hoji catches up with the team, Ban yells, “You sneaky partner! You refuse me, but you get a girlfriend?!”. However, Ban also tells him that he’s glad he’s done well, even though they’ll all miss him. Hoji doesn’t leave for the reasons I mentioned earlier.

At the end of the movie, Full Blast Action, when Hoji thinks that Ban and Mari Gold (an undercover Deka Ban was smitten with) shared a kiss, he chases after Ban and demands to know what they were up to. They become so involved in their fight that they almost forget to say good-bye to Mari (who, like the other Deka, is looking on in silent amusement)... and then start up again. The last scene in the movie is Ban scooping Hoji up in his arms, while the others look on, smiling. No, really.

Episodes 42 and 43 (‘Skull Talking’ and ‘Meteor Catastrophe’) were a two-part story that focused heavily on the dynamic between Ban and Hoji. We’re introduced to Hoji’s sister Miwa in Episode 42 after she chases them down on her motor scooter. After some initial confusion, Ban and Miwa hit if off immediately; she thanks him for taking care of her brother, and he assures her he always will. Miwa tries to convince Hoji to come with her when she meets her fiance’s parents, reminding he’s all the family she has left. Hoji refuses, telling her his job means certain sacrifices, and she storms off. Confused, Ban asks Hoji if he dislikes his sister. He then tries to help Hoji out, telling him they'd be okay if he takes the evening off, but Hoji says no, even though it's obvious he wants to (leading to a scene that screams old married couple). Realizing Hoji will permit himself to spend time with Miwa only when the Browgul is stopped, he does everything he can to end the battle quickly. When it looks like they're too late, Ban drives SuperDekaRanger Robo across the city so Hoji was able to catch up with Miwa and his future in-laws just in time.

After the menace to Earth seems to have been vanquished, Hoji and Miwa spend some quality time together, which if Ban himself didn’t orchestrate is doing his best to make sure Hoji doesn’t sneak off back to work. Miwa and Ban exchange in some mutual venting about Hoji’s workaholism and she invites him to her upcoming wedding. Ban is overjoyed and bounces around the room, saying that he can’t wait to see his partner crying in joy.

Meanwhile, Miwa asks her older brother why he’s so hard on Ban, since he’s obviously a good man and they seem to be friends. Looking off into the distance, Hoji says that eventually Ban’s good luck will run out and his headstrong approach to fighting Alienizers will do him in. Somehow, he knows their time together will be short.

When Abrera unleashes not only another Browgul but also a meteor capable of destroying all life on Earth, Swan explains there’s only one way to stop the meteor from impacting, and it is a virtual suicide mission: go into space, shoot it with DekaWing Cannon, and hope you don’t die. Hoji volunteers. Ban also volunteers, trying to convince Hoji he needs his help. Hoji refuses, and for awhile it looks like Ban is going to listen to him for a change, but when the remaining Deka wonder where he is, he tells him via comm that he snuck on board DekaWing Robo. And is so happy he'll be helping Hoji out he's singing. Seriously.

They go into space, shoot the meteor, and for a moment it looks like they’ve succeeded... but then watch in horror as it becomes clear there’s enough left of the core to hit Earth. I’m including the conversation, because I think it says more about them than I could.

HOJI- Ban, detach your PAT Wing and return.

BAN- What are you saying?

HOJI- I will use DekaWing Cannon to blast the core.

BAN- So I'll be saving my own neck?

HOJI- There's no need for both of us.

BAN- So what?!

HOJI- I am this operation's leader!

BAN- (Calmly) Understood. Farewell, partner (locks the controls so Hoji's mech detaches and is set on autopilot for Earth instead)

HOJI- You...!

BAN- Partner... you have to be at Miwa's wedding.

HOJI- You! What are you going to do?!

BAN- Just once I wish you would call me partner.

HOJI- What are you saying, you idiot?! (struggles with controls helplessly)

BAN- Good-bye. (henshins) Partner.

HOJI- Stop it, Ban! That's an order! Come back. Come back!

And, as PAT Flyer 2 returns to Earth:

HOJI- Ba... respond, Ban! Ban! Ban! ... Idiot. Why? Why did you...? (hand grips the helm as he fights to keep control) There are plenty of replacements for me. With effort, anyone can be like me. But Ban... it's not that easy to replace you! Even though I passed the Tokkyou exam... even now I feel like I've always lost to you. Even when separated from you... after a bit, I always thought we'd be reunited. You are... to me you are the ultimate... the ultimate partner! (breaks down sobbing)

Hoji regains control to avenge Ban’s death, firing on Browgul so that DekaBase Robo can fire the killing shot... and it doesn’t work. The Deka are on the brink of despair... but then PAT Flier 1 comes swooping down. Bewildered, Hoji asks if it’s really him. Warmly, Ban says he wouldn’t lie. Hoji recovers quickly, calling him an idiot-- and not to call him partner. Ban's response? “Hearing that makes me feel like I’m really back on Earth!”

During the celebration dinner, things quickly return to normal. Ban and Hoji fight over some food, to the point where they’re grabbing each other’s arms, faces this close to touching... which Jasmine uses as an opportunity to snatch the last bite for herself.

In Episode 47 (‘Wild Heart, Cool Brain’), ESPer hunter Terry-X returns. When Hoji partners up with Jasmine to avenge Gyoku, Ban rolls up a report and begins smacking Tetsu with it, screaming "Why did you pick Jasmine, partner?!". It becomes obvious that Hoji and Jasmine are acting strangely when he shouts at Ban with genuine hate in voice shocking not only Ban, but Sen and Umeko as well. Ban follows the two, and overhears what happened with Gyoku. He promptly heads to SPD headquarters to find Gyoku, ruffling head Numa O’s feathers in the process. Gyoku knocks some sense back into Hoji and Jasmine, and is so impressed by Ban that he asks him to join the team he's been working on in secret (the real reason he never contacted Hoji and Jasmine after he left Earth), the Fire Squad.

After finding out Ban's transfer is official, Hoji tells him not to mess up, and distances himself from the group to brood. Ban wanders off, still unsure whether or not his team can do without him there to cut through the complacency, even after Tetsu assures him he’ll take over Ban’s hot-head duties. While on a routine mission the Alienizer Jellyfish takes over Ban’s body, who plans on turning the Earth into one giant ocean. He tells the other Deka the only way to disconnect him from Ban is if they kill him. He then walks off with Ban's body... until he's shot by Hoji.

Hoji steels himself for what he must do. Amused, Jellyfish says he'll make it easier for him, powering down so Hoji can get a good look at Ban as he kills him. Ban tells Hoji to do it; it's the only way.

... He can't. He could kill his friend from his Academy days, he could kill the younger brother of the woman he loved, but he can't kill Ban.

Upset, Ban tells them this is why he can’t leave. He begs them to kill him, and finally Tetsu lives up to his promise and before Hoji can stop him, electrocutes him with his brace throttle. Hoji leans over Ban’s body, and not even trying to hold back the tears, says that he should’ve been able to do it.

Luckily, Tetsu is also able to use his brace throttle to revive Ban. There’s no time for a joyful reunion, since while they were dealing with Jellyfish Abrera has taken over DekaBase and is using it to destroy as much of Japan as he can. The Dekaranger begin their final battle.

They infiltrate DekaBase and split up, until only Hoji and Ban are left. Hoji tells him to get on a helicopter platform to stop Abrera, while he holds off the Alienizer trying to stop them. As the platform begins to lift, Hoji shouts, "I'm counting on you, partner!”

For a moment, Ban can't say anything. Finally, he smiles and shouts back, "Don't call me partner!".

All six Dekaranger kill Abrera, and peace is restored to the planet. Ban leaves to join Fire Squad with Tetsu leading the Earth branch.

Ban returns to Earth in Mahou Sentai Magiranger vs. Dekaranger. I’ve only seen the unsubbed version (and understand almost no Japanese) but there were a few moments that need mentioning, like Hoji’s reaction to Ban calling Ozu Kai ‘partner’, and what happens when he discovers Ban isn’t entirely over his crush on Mari Gold.

Four! Why do I like it?

Like most children of the nineties, I fell in love with Power Rangers, but outgrew it (although I’d try to catch a re-run when I could). But when fan favorite Tommy Oliver returned for Power Rangers Dino Thunder I decided to try watching regularly again, and fell back in love. When Dino Thunder’s now famous ‘sentai’ episode (‘Lost and Found in Translation’) premiered, I downloaded as much of the Super Sentai franchise as I could, among which were the first twenty episodes of Dekaranger.

I watched. And fell in love (I do that a lot) with the dynamic Ban and Hoji share.

So why do I like them together? Because underneath all the disagreements, they share a bond that’s quite touching. It’s there in how they’re always fighting and then save each other, it’s there in how they’re protective of each other to the point of jealousy, it’s there in how their teammates can see it, it’s there in all the tension-filled fight scenes to the point you’re yelling at the computer screen to just kiss already, damn it!

Ban loves Hoji so much that sometimes it hurts to watch. He knocks the sense into him both literally and figuratively. He worries about him, and tries to make him happy. And no matter what, he won’t let Hoji die-- even if it means sacrificing himself.

As for Hoji... for someone who claims to dislike Ban, he sure lets him touch him a lot. A whole lot. In fact, he seems very comfortable around him. Ban makes professional to a fault Hoji yell, cry, smile-- in other words; he makes him act like a human being. The best example of how much Hoji cares about Ban is when he can’t kill him to stop Jellyfish, even though he could kill his best friend Vino and Claude, the younger brother of a woman he’d become involved with (at a great personal cost).

I like them because they fight like an old married couple, because they balance each other out, and because no matter what happens, they’re there for each other, the way partners should be.

Five! General links/Fan work



TV-Nihon. Download fan subs of the series, movie, and DekaRed vs. DekaBreak.

Supersentai.com. Information for all Super Sentai series, including Dekaranger.

Wikipedia's entry for Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger. Plot synopsis, character information, and titles of all fifty episodes.

Super Sentai HUB. Contains information and detailed episode summaries for numberous Super Sentai series, including Dekaranger.

Japanhero.com. Information/images of Dekaranger and Super Sentai in general.

Ultimate Partners (part one) My picture essay of Episode 42.

Ultimate Partners (part two) My picture essay of Episode 43.

Serve and Protect, by Nalanzu. Rated K+.

Ways to Communicate, by Platinum Takahasi. Rated NC-17.

Mistake, by Mariko Azrael. Rated PG.

The Ultimate Partner, by Mariko Azrael. Rated G.

Wedding Day Blues (and Reds), by Mariko Azrael. Rated G.

I apologize for much of my work taking up the list, but the Dekaranger fandom is so small, I'm afraid there really wasn't much of a choice.

We leave you with this image of horror:

Comments

[eternalblue.livejournal.com]

I never imagined it could happen, but I think I might have to try watching this show. A sentai of all things. Really enjoyed reading this and the abundance of screencaps.

[amazonstorm.livejournal.com]

Yay! I get thanked!!! And the end result was very pleasing to read. You reminded me of what REALLY made Dekaranger great! Ban/Hoji!

[radio-clash.livejournal.com]

I love that part in the last episode when they are about to go their seperate ways for what could be the last time. It's kind of like the equivelant of Demi Moore in ghost telling Patrick Swaze "Ditto."

So many great moments between these two, I really still love the fight at the end of episode 2. I also loved in the movie when he gets jealous of Mari Gold at the end. Also the exchange on the beach where Hoji couldn't shoot him, he had to shoot Vino(His first love :( ), he shot Cheeto(I think his name was Chilaude or something but Cheeto is easier to remember) and his girlfriend became a nun. He couldn't bring himself to shoot Ban. I'm surprised he didn't brace throttle Tetsu after that. Ban is like the first non-Alien (Hoji loves Alien Booty...god that needs to be a T-shirt!) Hoji has loved hehe.

This whole thing is great, thanks for taking time for writing this out. :)

[galerian-ash.livejournal.com]

I've already told you how much I enjoyed this, but it can't hurt to say it again; this essay totally rocks. You made this pairing so very convincing that I felt that it surely must be canon by the time I finished reading. And the multitude of screencaps really made it all that much better.

[toranoko.livejournal.com]

I hadn't watched any Dekaranger at the time of reading this, but I had to go off and download some episodes after I did. And for that, I thank you. Because, you know, tokusatsu and slash is such a beautiful thing. ^__^

[kawaiixangel.livejournal.com]

because of this i actually want to watch te show my friend told me its much darker than the power range we have in America. think youtube may have the series?

[etapa.livejournal.com]

Hmm, not necessarily dark per se, I guess. While Sentai has a lot of humor (sometimes it's really silly but it's funny regardless), it also doesn't completely exclude everything related to the element of death (including the word itself) like the American kids show, and when it comes to the emotional moments, some can be quite heartbreaking.

As for YouTube, my guess is you found the way already, but if you didn't, it shouldn't be too hard for you to find it. Just type "Dekaranger" in the search, and you should find it. That's how I did and watched almost the whole series of Deka before I learned about torrents :)

[sidneyfireblood.livejournal.com]

I love all of these works!