
The term sentai literally translates to squadron, task force, group or wing. The word was primarily used in this context during World War II to describe units in the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force and Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service.
In a more modern context, the term is shorthand for “Super Sentai” – a genre of live-action TV shows. Super Sentai shows are usually tokusatsu (literally: special filming) titles, or shows that feature superheroes, and feature extensive use of special effects. The titles revolve around around a group of five or fewer heroes that gain super powers through some means, and use their powers to fight the good fight against malevolent forces that threaten the planet.
Super Sentai titles follow a strict “Monster of the Week” format, in which the cast is threatened by a new threat with every weekly installment. To deal with these growing dangers, the Super Sentai heroes are usually given giant robots to pilot, which usually combine into a larger, more powerful version that will surely eliminate the threat at hand.
If you’ve noticed a pattern that results in lots of toys and other merch, you’re not crazy. Many of the more popular Super Sentai shows are used to sell toys to the younger set as a secondary goal. But this is a different story for a different day.

Thank you for reading through this brief introductory piece. Beginning in the next installment, I’ll begin delving into panel materials, and trying to piece Sentai and western comics together in some sensical fashion.