Back to Master List

Back to the Anime list

The Special Duty Combat Unit Shinesman

English Dubbed Version (DVD has subbed too)

Released: 1996

AKA: Tokuma sentai Shinesman

Version: Video (AnimeWorks)

Approx. Rated: PG 

Length: Approx. 60 minutes

So, you go into your local video store and you think, "I want something that spoofs Power Rangers". We all know this is a common occurrence and that's it's hard to fill this need. I mean, Beetle Borgs will only go so far...

Well, this is as close as you're going to get. I think it does a really good job at it too. You have Shinesman Gray, Shinesman Sepia, Shinesman Moss Green, Shinesman Red, and Shinesman Salmon Pink. For some reason there's only one girl. 

The plot follows Hiryoya Matsumoto, a sales executive that also works as a Shinesman, when needed. They do battle against monsters from another planet that are controlled by aliens that look almost exactly like humans. The Shinesman use business cards and such to do battle, which is quite amusing.

There are only 2 episodes, which is a shame as it's a very good anime. But, Dragon Half did the same thing. Anyway, the first episode has Matsumoto meet up with Princess Shina, of the alien race. She falls in love with him and he doesn't realize who she is. Next, Matsumoto takes his little brother to a show with some Power Ranger - esque guys (the "Greatman")  jumping around. Then a monster attacks them and he has to rush off to change into his Shinesman outfit.

Stupid color jokes and what-not abound. The Shinesmen win, of course and soon after, the episode ends. We get treated to a really goofy commercial for Shinesman stuff, and then it's on to the 2nd (and last) episode. 

This one has a little twist in it. There seems to be one of the aliens working for the Shinesman. But this alien is a good guy! Confusing...and I wish there were more episodes to explain it all. Oh well. That's a sub-plot. This episode follows the previous one's format very closely. There's more "Greatmen" and Shinesmen" and fake "Greatmen." No monsters, but who needs that!?

On with the highlights!

The Good Stuff:

The Bad Stuff:

I thought this was a well thought out cartoon. If you enjoy a good spoof, or just like some oddball comedy, this is for you!