Choujin Sentai Jetman

Chōjin Sentai Jetman (鳥人戦隊ジェットマン Chōjin Sentai Jettoman, translated into English as Birdman Squadron Jetman), is the 15th entry of Super Sentai series. It was produced by Toei and Bandai. It aired on TV Asahi at 5:00 PM every Friday from February 15, 1991 to February 14, 1992, with a total of 51 episodes.

The show was inspired by Kagaku Ninjatai Gatchaman, and was the last Super Sentai series not to be adapted into a Power Rangers series until Ressha Sentai ToQger.

It later spawned a non-canon manga sequel, Choujin Sentai Jetman: Toki wo Kakete, set five years after the series.

Shout! Factory released Jetman on Region 1 DVD in North America on September 25, 2018. This makes Jetman the first non-Power Rangers adapted Sentai as well as the first pre-Mighty Morphin Sentai series to be released in North America in its original form.



Plot
This series takes place in 1991 on the Earth Ship, the command center of an international defense agency called Sky Force, the guardian of peace on Earth. In the ship, scientists have developed "Birdonic Waves", a newly developed technology which gives the subject superhuman abilities. The experiments called "J-Project" were successful. Aya Odagiri, the director of the project, chose five elite Sky Force officials from Earth to use this technology. Ryu Tendo, one of the Sky Force officers, was successfully exposed to the Birdonic waves, making him the first Jetman, the Red Hawk.

However, the Earth Ship is suddenly attacked by Vyram, an evil outer-dimensional organization bent on inter-dimensional domination. They successfully destroy the ship and seemingly killing Ryu's lover and fellow candidate member Rie, in the chaos. The remaining Birdonic waves that were meant for the other four officials become scattered on Earth, hitting four civilians instead. Odagiri and Ryu successfully escape and begin searching on Earth for the four remaining Jetman, training them to aid them in stopping Vyram's plans of conquering our dimension.

Ep. 8: The Laughing Diamond
A diamond cursed in giving violence and madness is changed into a Dimension Beast that turns Ako against Kaori.

Ep. 9: Muddy Love
A friendly girl from Raita's home shocks him when she tries to act sophisticated in the city as Tran changes people with a fashion Dimension Beast.

Ep. 11: A Dangerous Game
Grey plays with the Jetman using a vending machine Dimension Beast that awakens deeper personality traits that ruin their effectiveness.

Ep. 13: Maze of Love
Ryu's lingering feelings for Rie complicates his relations with Kaori as Gai tries to force her into taking him instead.

Ep. 31: The Squadron Disbands
Gai quits the Jetman having won Kaori's heart; while the battle with the demons finally reveals to Ryu the truth regarding Rie's fate.

Ep. 43: Sneak into the Commander's Body
Radiguet infects Odagari with a Bio-Dimension Beast that makes her malicious against her own team, forcing the Jetman to take a risky step to save her.

Ep. 48: A Kiss of Death
Maria is infected by Radiguet with a new power that mutates her into a vampiric being reliant on blood, even as Ryu tries one last time to save her.