Since Zenkaiger is the 45th anniversary of Super Sentai, it’s safe to expect many homages to past Sentai series.
General
- The series takes heavy references to Himitsu Sentai Gorenger, from Zenkaizer’s and Setchan’s designs, to their role-call phrase, and even the Geartlinger’s standby Jingle is based on the instrumentals of the show’s ending theme.
- The opening theme includes numerous references to previous series, with the first two lines in particular calling out the inspirations of the core five members of the team; this video
shows all the references in the opening, even Hikonin Sentai Akibaranger is referenced. - Each Zenkaiger’s color is associated with the head of their respective mecha:
- The Varidorin is a single-piece aircraft that is mainly colored white.
- TyrannoRanger’s Guardian Beast Tyrannosaurus forms the head and main body of Daizyuzin.
- GaoYellow’s GaoEagle forms the head of GaoKing.
- While MagiPink’s MagiFairy does not form the head of MagiKing, it does form the head of the alternate formation, MagiDragon.
- Bouken Blue’s GoGo Gyro provides the helmet of DaiBouken.
- While Zenkaizer inherits Akaranger’s blue goggles, the Kikainoids share the eye colors of their respective mecha: Juran and Vroon being yellow while Gaon and Magine are green.
- Stacy’s Stacaesar form◊ is pretty much “evil Battle Japan.” He is mostly purple with a helmet resembling Battle Japan, complete with the sideward hair sculpted and the mouth and nose area being silver. He even dons a scarf!
- It is even alluded in a caption on the Toei blog with “Battle Ja Bang! Let’s fever!”
- When transforming into Stacaesar, the Geartozinger shouts “Ja Bang!” While “ja” there means evil (shortened from “jaaku/wicked”), it also works as a pun for “Japan!” After his Mid-Season Upgrade, it shouts “Fe-Bang!” a portmanteau of “Fever” and “Bang.”
- His giant robot is aptly named Battle Caesar Robo. Said robot is a reference to Battle Fever Robo, and shares many similar motifs to it; It primarily uses a katana as a weapon (rather than dual-wielding, it uses a sword and shield combo), has large helmet horns, a red mask, silver mouth, yellow eyes, large pauldrons, and weapon holsters to the shins. Even its finisher is a shot-for-shot reference to Battle Fever Robo’s finisher.
- It is even alluded in a caption on the Toei blog
- Zox’s Twokaizer form is based off of the forms used by the main male Gokaigers, though the helmet sports a massive hat brim compared to the originals.
- In his Shinken Form, the jacket he wears resembles the longcoats worn by the Shinkengers in their Super Shinken and Hyper Shinken forms.
- Whenever Zox changes, he dances around before firing his Geardalinger, similarly to how the Kyoryugers did.
- The reason that Twokaizer’s helmet has such a wide brim? He continues the humanoid mecha theme, representing GokaiOh, who always donned his hat before a fight.
- Just like the Mobirates, the Geardalinger is voiced by Tomokazu Seki.
- His visor is an exact replica of Gokai Red’s.
- Twokaioh Cutanner uses the CrocoDaiOh's head to replicate the pincer of the Ebi Origami in reference to DaiKai ShinkenOh. Twokaioh Ricky meanwhile, uses Ricky's gatling gun in combination with the Ohranger symbols dotted around it to draw parallels to King Pyramider's Battle Formation.
- Twokaizer’s alternate forms are based on Chouriki Sentai Ohranger and Samurai Sentai Shinkenger, which is a reference to the two Ranger keys Gokai Silver used in his debut battle.
- Of course, Shinken Gold is gold like Twokaizer; while neither the first Gold Sixth Ranger or the first Gold with it in his name, he is the first Sixth Ranger with gold in his name. Ohranger’s 6th, the black KingRanger, is distinguished by his golden shield which led to him being adapted as the Gold Ranger in Power Rangers Zeo.
- Twokaizer strikes a pose similar to the Ohrangers’ pose in the opening when he’s in Ohren form.
- He utters Takeru’s Catchphrase “To the field!” (“Iza mairu!”) when he’s in Shinken form.
- According to producer Shinichiro Shirakura, each Wald’s scheme is based on Monster of the Week plots from a previous Sentai.
- Super Zenkaizer’s form is basically Gōryūzin as battle armor, with the Dragon Antler as a spear.
- The Kudaitests are Gorlins with a dinosaur-like form.
- Hakaizer’s design looks based on Fire-Stealth Captor 7 from Ninja Captor. Ninja Captor was originally considered a part of Super Sentai until it was excluded.
- “Gōkai/Dynamic,” “Zenkai/Full-Throttle,” and “Tsūkai/Thrilling” all appear in the chorus of Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger’s insert song “Gōkai Zenkai Dash!!”
- As preliminary reveals and episode 42 reveal, Zenkaiger is actually the first part of a two-series continuity, the other half being the immediate successor Donbrothers. This hasn't been done in the franchise since 41 years ago, when Denziman and Sun Vulcan aired as connected series set in the same continuity.
Episode 1
- The Sentai Worlds seen being sealed are Gorenger and Kiramager, the first and most recent Sentai series respectively. Between them is Zyuranger which, as well as being the basis for this series’ Red warrior, is of course important for having become the first incarnation of Power Rangers.
- When he uses Sentai Gear #39 (aka Ninninger), Juran evokes Takaharu’s Catchphrase of “I’m fired up!” (“Moete kitāh!”) before blitzing through the mooks. After Juran uses it, Setchan says “Nin’nin!” a sound used by the Ninja Ichibantō.
Episode 3
- Zenkaiger’s third episode introduces the Magiranger-inspired hero to the team. Ten years earlier, the third episode of Gokaiger served as a tribute to Magiranger.
- The newly-formed Zenkaiger quartet do a "Super Sentai" Stance that is reminiscent of the ToQgers’ pose. When using the ToQger Sentai Gear, Kaito uses Right’s “All aboard!” (“Shuppatsu shinkō!”) line just before the “train” consisting of the Zenkaigers departs. Juran then uses a variant of the ToQ Changer’s “please wait behind the white line” (“please withdraw to the inside of the white line!”) when they are blitzing through the Kudacks.
Episode 4
- Boxing Wald’s method of brainwashing is similar to Karateloid’s method of brainwashing the victim of the week: through hand guards (in this case, boxing gloves).
- Kaito uses Daigo’s Groin Attack on Boxing Wald when the team uses the Dairen Rods.
Episode 5
- Kaito uses Lucky’s Catchphrase “Talk about Lucky!” (“Yossha Lucky!”) when he uses Sentai Gear #41 and when they make it in time to stop Sushi Wald.
- When using the Ryusoul Ken via Gear #43, Kaito mimics its “Que bom!” announcement.
Episode 6
- Magine dances Jumon Kourin ~ Magical Force to the Geartlinger’s standby tune.
- She also invokes Hiromu’s Catchphrase and pose (“Ready, go!”) before utilizing his speed against Gomi Wald.
Episode 7
- When Stacaesar summons the old robots, they pop out from the DX toy box they came with.
- When the giant Zenkaigers use the Geartlinger Bazooka, the attack they perform is similar to Choushinsei Flashman’s Rolling Vulcan.
Episode 8
- Stacaesar summons the Maskman and Fiveman teams while fighting Kaito, which counts as a Development Gag since Maskman was going to be called Fiveman at one point (i.e., Zenkaiser was fighting two teams that could have been called Fiveman).
- Also overlaps with Germans Love David Hasselhoff as these two seasons aired in the Philippines. Pinoy Sentai fans took notice of it.
- When the Monster of the Week summons spears from one of his Portal Doors to attack the Zenkaigers, they’re the ones used by the grunts from Shuriken Sentai Ninninger.
- Upon using Mashin Sentai Kiramager’s Gear, Kaito yells Juuru’s catchphrase “Hirameking!”
- Stacey throws Door Wald’s Tojiru Gear at the Kudaitest like a Zyudenchi.
Episode 9
- Gaon’s bank account number is 2001-0218-0730. Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger premiered on February 18, 2001 at 7:30 A.M.
- During the combination sequence, Gaon shouts “Today I am full of motivation!” (Kyō wa yaruki manman desu!), a reference to GaoRed’s Catchphrase “I’m filled with motivation!” (Yaruki manman da ze!).
- When Zox agrees to pay for his meal (and stolen merchandise) after all, he pays in Pongi, Jark Matter’s currency from Uchu Sentai Kyuranger. However his version of the Pongi uses pirate-themed notes and is represented with a P instead.
Episode 10
- Upon Zenkaizer using the Megaranger Gear, Zenkai Juran lends him his shield as a surfboard while quipping the first lyrics of that show’s opening song.Juran: Let’s go surfing!note
Episode 12
- The Kousoku Sentai Turboranger Gear provides Super-Speed, which is an ability that they, along other car-themed Sentai, have possessed in modern crossovers. However, the fact the Turborangers never had that ability in the show itself leads to a meta joke of Sechan wondering if they ever could do that.
- Setchan quotes the Turboranger opening, saying “Wakasa zenkai!”note after the first use of its Gear.
- When Twokaizer uses the Kousoku Sentai Turboranger Gear, he summons an additional Blue Turbo, a reference to Turboranger’s episode 43 where the nerdy Ken’ichiro Yamada steals Yohei’s Turbo Brace to become the second Blue Turbo and essentially the Turborangers’ (temporary) Sixth Ranger.
Episode 13
- Under the influence of Sentai Gear #28 (Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger), Vroon and Magine say “Roger” in the exact same fashion as the Dekarangers before taking Zox away.
- Late in the episode, Great Recycling Wald summons some old Great Walds to fight alongside him, forming an evil Sentai. In particular, the Flowery Kunoichi, the Zokurangers, the Nejirangers, and the Zetsumates are referenced.
- When destroying Great Sushi Wald, Ricky yells “Kuraitsuitara hanasanai ze!”note a line from the Ohranger opening.
- Battle Caesar Robo performs a move similar to the Battle Fever Robo’s Cross Fever, only in reverse.
Episode 14
- When using Sentai Gear #12 (Choujuu Sentai Liveman), Kaito shouts one of the lyrics to the series’ opening.note
- When Twokaizer uses the Kyuranger Gear, the Seiza Blaster’s “Ōguma Kyūtama!” announcement is played.
- Kaito floats akin to Commander Sanjūrō Sugata when using Sentai Gear #11 (Hikari Sentai Maskman).
Episode 17
- The mecha fight following the use of Sentai Gear #5 (Taiyou Sentai Sun Vulcan) has Vroon utter the Gratuitous English lyrics of the series’ opening.Vroon: Follow the sun! Catch the sun!
Episode 18
- Sentai Gear #15 (Choujin Sentai Jetman) has everyone currently present in the scene re-enact the final episode of Jetman, specifically Kaori and Ryu’s wedding and Gai’s subsequent death at the hands of a petty thief. Magine and Kaito play Kaori and Ryu, while Zox, Vroon, and Ren’ai Wald play the woman, thief, and Gai respectively.
Episode 19
- Mr. Su performs the pole-swing attack done by the Dairangers during the Eye Catch. He is played by Tsutomu Kitagawa who is Shishiranger’s suit actor.
- With Gear #27 - Bakuryuu Sentai Abaranger being featured this episode, there are minor homages paid to it, including the Abbey Road Crossing doubling as an allusion to a similar scene done in the ending theme, as well as Ricky quoting AbareKiller’s “Tokimeku ze!/Exciting!” Catchphrase.
- When the Wald attacking Super Zenkaizer strikes at his chest, there’s a flash from his chest piece. Production sketches of Dragon Caesar revealed it was supposed to have the ability to reflect attacks using the chest plate, but this was only shown in the Sega Genesis Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (Sega) game.
- Super Zenkaizer’s Finishing Move using the Zenkaijū Gear, he launches the Zenkaiten Lance at his opponent, drilling through it, like how Gōryūzin would with the Dragon Antler. For extra pain, it’s shown going through his opponent, something that Toei had been shying away from concerning Kamen Rider BLACK RX and his Revolcane attack.
Episode 24
- When Gaon uses the Kiramager Gear, the Kiramai Changer’s transformation announcement “Kiramekouze!” plays.
Episode 25
- When the Zenkaigers use the Zyuranger Gear, Setchan sings two lines from Zyuranger’s opening. After Hidokei Wald is defeated, the Zenkaigers say “Bōken Shite Rappapīya!” the title of Zyuranger’s ending theme.Setchan: ~A hope that runs through time
~Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger
…’s skill, chun!
Episode 29
- A Kudaiter dressed up as a tennis umpire tries to cheer Tennis Wald up with the phrase “Never give up!” in Gratuitous English, which was the mutual Catchphrase of GaoBlue and GaoBlack.
Episode 30
- The Zenryoku Zenkai Cannon’s announcement for the selection of all Sentai, “Moyase!note Super Sentai Power,” is a reference to the ending theme of Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger vs. Super Sentai, “Moero! Super Sentai Tamashī!!”note
- As she's hurriedly filling cups with water during the battle with Hoshigaki Wald, Flint hums the ending from Goranger.
- The Zenryoku Zenkai Cannon’s finisher has the monster explode before the background of Cape Inubō, as it appears in the Tōei Studios vanity plate.
Episode 35
- Dai Daiya Wald's last words are a variant of the Kiramagers' roll-call phrase "Arriving in a flash, with a shining solution!" ("Disaster in a flash, with a shining explosion!")
Episode 38
- Sanjo mentions that his grandson, Juran's father, is named Hakua, a reference to fellow tyrannosaurus rex-themed Red Ranger Ryoga Hakua.
Episode 42
- This episode has most of the team adopt cat-like appearances and mannerisms in a very similar manner to episode 41 of Kiramager. According to the production notes, this was deliberate.
Episode 43
- Setchan accidentally mixes up the two red rangers summoned by Kaito — Red Racer and Go-On Red. In the previous anniversary show, a similar joke happened where they got Carranger's team wrong.
- When Great Mukaikaze Wald is defeated, he yells out "Kaze ni nare/Become the wind!", a reference to the closing line of Ninpuu Sentai Hurricaneger's opening theme song.
Episode 44
- SD Wald's head is designed after Daidenzin, to the point where even the D in SD is in the stylized D of the show.
Episode 45
- While affected by Omikuji Wald's bad luck, the three rangers Zenkaizer summons with the Zenryoku Zenkai Cannon happen to be the second Kirenger, the first Battle Cossack, and the first Yellow Four, all of whom end up re-enacting their death scenes before getting to fight.
- Magine's "Pink Vibrance" attack involves her charging headlong into the enemy, whilst engulfed in flames in the shape of a phoenix, just like Red Fire's. She even snaps her fingers and says "Checkmate" right after.
Episode 48
- When using the Sentai Tojiru gears to defeat the core team Zenkaigers one by one, Boccowaus says lines referring to the respective Sentai series that each of the core team represents.
- #30 - GoGo Sentai Boukenger: Attack!
- #29 - Mahou Sentai Magiranger: Maagi Magi Magiiro!
- #25 - Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger: Jaki Taisan! and Gao!
- #16 - Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger: Rappapiiya! from the show's ending song.
- #01 - Himitsu Sentai Gorenger: Banbarabanbanban... Banbarabanbanban... from the show's original ending song.
