Spoilers for all Space Sheriff entries in the Metal Heroes franchise preceding this one, particularly Space Sheriff Gavan: The Movie and Kamen Rider × Super Sentai × Space Sheriff: Super Hero Taisen Z, will be unmarked ahead. You Have Been Warned!
The first installment, Space Sheriff Sharivan Next Generation opens with Geki Jumonji, Gavan defeating and arresting Lizard Doubler, a member of the once again resurging Makuu Crime Syndicate. Indeed the news, watched by a mysterious bird headed figure, soon informs us that Madou and Fuuma are also experiencing a resurgence. Geki reports to his superiors that he believes the crimes are in fact copycat crimes, but obviously with the sheer number of these copycats currently appearing throughout the galaxy, there still has to be some coordination. As such Kai Hyuuga, Sharivan, is sent with his partner Sisi to earth to team-up with another duo in order to bust a business deal between members of Neo-Madou and a leader of the local space mafia for Hyper-M, a hyper-stimulant that temporarily makes those administrated with it impervious damage, at the cost of shortly expiring if an antidote isn't administered. The team they're paired up with happens to be Seigi, otherwise known as Estevan, Kai's old friend, and his partner Aileen. Unknown to the other 3 though, Kai has also been assigned to determine whether or not Aileen is a spy feeding info to Neo-Madou. When the bust goes south due to Seigi's impulsiveness, and with Aileen continuing to act suspiciously, will Kai be able to make the right call?
The second installment, Space Sheriff Shaider Next Generation, opens with Geki bursting into the person responsible for the resurgence in the crime families, Horror Girl's hideout, only it turns out to be a decoy and he nearly get's blown up for his trouble. Furthermore, he's then told the investigation is suspended due to Commander Gordon's daughter, Hilda, being kidnapped by Priest Poe, an agent of Horror Girl, and if the investigation continues she'll be killed. Meanwhile Shu Karasuma, Shaider, is investigating a smuggling when his stakeout is ruined by his partner, Tammy, bursting onto the scene accusing him of cheating on him. This leads to a 3 man chase, Shaider chasing the smuggler, while Tammy chases Shaider. The package turns out to be a school girl, and when Shu gets forcibly bound to the girl, the monster abducts them both, leading Tammy to wonder why Shaider wouldn't involve her in the investigation. At the same time, Geki goes to Kojiro Oyama, an old friend of the Space Sheriffs, to help him continue the investigation more discreetly. Why is Shaider so desperate to keep Tammy away from the case, and what is so important about the girl being abducted?
Tropes specific to both parts:
- Action Girl: Aileen seems to qualify, as does Tammy who inherits this from Annie, who sadly doesn't fight.
- Another Dimension: The revived members of each group have switches allowing them to do this. Gamagon uses one to send himself and Sharivan to Genmu Space, Bitabita uses one to send Shaider to the Fushigi World, and Lizard Doubler tries (and fails) to use one to send himself and Gavan to Makuu Space.
- By the Power of Grayskull!: All 4 Space Sheriffs who transform do this, Gavan, Sharivan and Shaider, like their predecessors, use "JOUCHAKU!", "SEKISHA!" and "SHOUKETSU!" respectively, while Estevan uses "DENCHAKU!"
- The Cameo: Akira Kushida in Shaider, and also, while more substantial to the plot than most, the films could be almost entirely the same without the appearances by Den Iga, Annie and Kojiro Oyama
- Cool Ship: Dolgiran, Grand Birth and Vavilos all return and assume both of their forms, while Estevan implicitally has a ship, but we don't get to see all of it.
- Estevan's ship is recycled Zangyack battleship CG pieces.
- Finishing Move: Gavan has 'Gavan Hyper Dynamic', Sharivan has 'Sharivan Crash' and Shaider has 'Shaider Blue Flash', which all return, and can together perform the 'Space Sheriff Triple Dynamic', while Estevan has the 'Estevan Aggression'.
- Human Aliens: At the very least Kai, Seigi and Tammy all qualify as this, as they're all specifically stated not to be from Earth.
- Instant Armor: All 4 Sheriffs. We get a good look at Sharivan's and Shaider's, while Estevan's doesn't with a touch of Lampshade Hanging.
- Laser Blade: All 4 Sheriffs, naturally since they're successors to the trope namers.
- Mooks: Neo Madou and Bitabita both have them, and they're distinct, Bitabita's being updated Fuuma soldiers.
- Ray Gun: Sharivan, Shaider and Estevan all possess these, as do Aileen and Tammy.
- Space Police: Naturally all of the protagonists work for this.
- Transformation Is a Free Action: As always justified by taking under a second.
- Transforming Mecha: All 3 classic ships, though only the base of Dolgiran transforms into Dol.
- What Happened to the Mouse?: Shelly makes no appearance despite appearing with Geki in all of his prior appearances. This is particularly noticeable during the climax of the Shaider Film, where Sisi and Tammy are both scene cheering the trio on.
Tropes specific to Sharivan Next Generation:
- Ascended Extra: In New Generation, who's the Man Behind the Man? Well, you know that bird-headed lady in Gavan who throws the switch to open Makuu Space and that's about it? Yeah, her.
- Badass in a Nice Suit: Both Sharivan and Estevan wears suit as their civilian clothing.
- Bloodier and Gorier: Particularly with the blood.
- Body Horror: Space Sheriff Genser underwent experimental surgery to become Neo-Madou GuardBeast just to go undercover.
- Designated Girl Fight: You can thank Koichi Sakamoto for this one.
- Dying as Yourself: Space Sheriff Genser.
- Early-Bird Cameo: Even if you don't count Space Sheriff Gavan: The Movie, the next Shaider appearing here should count.
- Legacy Character: Hyuuga Kai, the next Sharivan.
- Male Gaze: They spend an inordinate amount of time on Shishi rubbing her ass after taking a spill.
- The Mole: Space Sheriff Estevan.
- Palette Swap: See Prop Recycling.
- Psycho Serum: Hyper-M ramps up the user's aggression and makes them immune to pain, rendering them virtually unstoppable (at least until it kills them). Sharivan injects himself with it in the final confrontation with The Mole so that he can keep fighting despite his previous injuries.
- Remake Cameo: The original Sharivan appears here, but in a greatly reduced role compared to Retsu Ichijouji in Gavan The Movie.
- The Reveal: Turns out Aileen was never The Mole, but instead there's two - Space Sheriff Estevan and Neo-Madou GuardBeast on opposite sides!
- Shout-Out: Rooftop confrontation? The Mole on both sides? This is basically Infernal Affairs/The Departed as a toku!
- The handheld switch used for opening portals. Bear in mind Koichi Sakamoto directed this movie.
Tropes specific to Shaider Next Generation:
- Apologetic Attacker : Kai is considered as this when he apologises to Eleena before punching her guts to free Shu from a sticky situation
- Battle Couple: Shu and Tammy technically qualify, but Shu isn't exactly the most faithful of boyfriends.
- Chained Heat: "Heat" may not be accurate considering it's Shu with the Living MacGuffin they've been searching for.
- Continuity Nod: A necessity, being the direct follow up to the Sharivan one.
- Dynamic Entry: TAMMY KIIIICK!!
- Expy: Hilda Gordon to Right Yagami.
- Giant Mook: Shu faces off one in Fushigi Space - which is immediately taken down by Tammy.
- Handsome Lech: Shu.
- Holding Back the Phlebotinum: Due to Chained Heat, Shu is unable to turn into Shaider. That's right, a lack of Shaider in his own movie.
- Legacy Character: Not just Shu Karasuma as the next Shaider, but the current Horror Girl and Priest Poe. Tammy could also count, not only inheriting Annie's dress sense but the Panty Shot as well.
- Man Behind the Man: Carrying on from the Sharivan movie, the new Horror Girl was indeed manipulating the villains thus far, but then the new Priest Poe was forced to aid and abet her actions - because she's his daughter.
- The Reveal: The current Horror Girl was really the Space Police Commander's own daughter Hilda, messing with powers beyond her understanding.
- Save the Villain: Geki stops the Commander from committing suicide, and all 3 save Hilda from death in Makuu Space, however this is so that they can pay for their crimes.
- Shirtless Scene
- Slap-Slap-Kiss: Shu and Tammy.
- Superpowered Evil Side: Tammy.
- Two Lines, No Waiting: The show keeps switching over to Gavan and Sharivan's own investigation of the Neo-Fuuma threat. Turns out it's all connected in the end.
- When She Smiles: Hilda Gordon, of the "forgot how to" variation. Except it's part of the act.
