We now have an official image of the “unofficial” sentai series, Hikonen Sentai Akibaranger. The picture is taken from a new Tamashii Nations website focused on delivering news and information for Super Sentai products. It will also double as a website site for the Akibaranger series. Knowing that the Akibarangers are part of an otaku club, it was obvious that they would be used to promote merchandise.

Looking at the suit, it crosses a bit of futuristic, anime-esque and of course sentai hero design. They moulded a unique hairstyle to each helmet, and I have to say the red ranger’s hair reminds me of Battle Japan of Battle Fever J. The two female rangers have their visors take up most of their face in a black tint,  however the mouth piece is done in silver with moulded in lips. They also have a symbol on their forehead that looks like mirrored spirals that take the shape of a heart . The only male ranger’s visor is bit stranger, the black portion takes less space and conforms into a zig-zag. Kind of resembling lighting in a way. It’s fairly obvious that they are made to take from the Tamashii Nations logo. Which is a horned heart with a zig-zag on the side. We’ve yet to see their lower half which sounds pretty dirty in it’s own right, but it’s the truth.

Simply put I like the designs, it’s interesting, kind of refreshing yet not a huge departure from sentai. Their helmets are unique and go into none regular territory for sentai. Nothing short of words, these suits really accentuate otaku. From the hair, the lining and the color partitioning. Ironically it almost feels like it leapt  right out of an anime parodying Super Sentai. It’s in between over the top, yet realistic and it works fine for what it is. We don’t really know what to expect from these guys yet, other than the premise and their characteristics. However I can guess it’s either going to be an all out parody or something like what “Supernatural” (An American television series) did with the GhostFacers. Anyway we’ll keep checking up on it and bring you any new developments.

[sentai.tamashii.jp]