Super Sentai Spirits 2018 Concert Experience

Team TokuNet member Robin Caine talks about his experience at the annual Super Sentai concert.

At the beginning of November, I had the privilege of attending the Super Sentai Spirits concert: an annual concert dedicated to memorable songs heard in the franchise of the same name. Packed with nostalgia, most songs are performed by the original artist live featuring all your favorites from Himitsu Sentai Gorenger to the most current series Kaitou Sentai Lupinranger vs Keisatsu Sentai Patranger. 

I attended the shows at Zepp Tokyo on both November 3rd and 4th. The event was hosted by Shocker Ono, a tokusatsu fan, comedian, and actor. He gave us an introduction and welcomed the audience. Everywhere I looked around, there were adults. It dawned on me that most of the musicians performing both days were more well known for their Showa era songs. They catered to the fans who were kids from the 70s and are now adults.

When the show began, the audience cheered and cried, singing along to the songs, pumping their fists into the air. With so much energy that burned until the end of the concert which lasted about three hours. I admit that I did not remember most of the lyrics to many of the Showa era songs, but I found myself riled up and clapped my hands and cheered to the beat of the song and music alongside everyone else. Everyone’s singing was just amazing. The way their voices resonated with the crowd was so captivating. I am so happy to say that this is my first concert.

One of the most notable singers in attendance was Sasaki Isao, who performed Gorenger’s opening theme back in the day. When he first made his appearance on stage that weekend, he had a really hip 70s vibe in his dancing. You can tell that he enjoys performing and will always keep alive his passion for music back then. In addition to Isao, was Mitsuko Horie, who was in attendance during the Sunday show. The crowd just loved her. I mean, just loved her. I couldn’t help but think to myself, “wow, these two are just as legendary as the series itself.”

This may have been my first Super Sentai Spirits concert, but I was so lucky to be in attendance that weekend because so many amazing things happened. Kenji Suzuki, who performed the opening to Chikyu Sentai Fiveman,  announced that a couple in the audience were getting married. In fact, the betrothed couple were standing behind my row. Yohei Onishi, who performed Shuriken Sentai Ninninger‘s opening song live, also performed Kamen Rider Zi-O and Kamen Rider Geiz’s belt voice for us. It sounded incredible live. In addition to that, Hironobu Kageyama, one of my favorite artists of all time, made his return to the Spirits stage after a three year absence and his dedication to his Sentai songs were very heartfelt.

On both days I attended, all performers sang along with Isao to perform Gorenger‘s opening theme at the very end of the night. During this performance, Shocker Ono said we were allowed to take photos but no videos. I was so happy to have been able to take a photo of the vocal force behind the concert.

With an attendance that fills up the entire venue, I know for sure that Super Sentai is alive in all of our hearts.