Why Should Listen to Mostly Speakin’ Sentai:
Aha, I see you noticed my slyly-titled shout-out post for one of the best Podcasts in the Tokusatu fandom! (In my honest opinion.) Now you have no choice but to listen to me ramble about a podcast you should totally try! Why?
Because I said so.
“But, Dapper Critter, what is Mostly Speakin’ Sentai about?” you’re probably asking yourself (as you pray that you will escape this encounter in one piece). Well, it’s a fun little podcast run by James and Nicole, an awesome couple who love each other, their cat, and the one thing they mostly talk about: Super Sentai. One of the best superhero shows in existence, you may know it as Power Rangers and if you do that’s fine, but please forgot about that franchise for a moment and focus on the real, unedited, slightly questionable deal! Besides, PR isn’t going anywhere! (I found that out the hard way...) Specifically, they talk about one of the most exciting, convoluted, profound, and questionably dressed entries ever made: Gosei Sentai Dairanger! (eng. Five-star Squadron Great-Ranger)
Now, I could tell you about why they talk about this show in particular when there dozens of other entries in the series that have been adapted into that one part of your childhood that you’re too cool to admit you liked, OR I could let you watch this awesome music video showing off the awesomeness of the show AND it’s sexy theme song. It’s okay, I can wait.
...
Are you back yet? Great! Now here’s why I think you should listen to their podcast!
As I said, Mostly Speakin’ Sentai is just that: it’s a cute couple talking about one of their first, and possibly favourite, entry in the long-running Super Sentai, Dairanger. But wait! There is, in fact, more! What I like about James and Nicole’s show is that first of all, they have a wonderful chemistry. Listening to the two of them discussing the strange and wonderful events of every two episodes of Dairanger while making jokes at the expense of the show and their own is an absolute delight! They both have a great sense of humour and are happy to make fun of the more bizarre elements of the show without egging on it, and are just as happy to discuss all things that make it so cool at the same time. They don’t always stay on track with their analysis (analyses? what’s the plural for that?), and they'll talk about “Chicago musicians, comedians, podcasters, artists, and friends” as much as they talk about this solid, spandex-clad superhero team. But that’s probably the best way to describe this podcast: it’s less like an in-depth roundtable discussion of the series’ inner-meaning (not that they can’t they don’t go deep) and more like a friendly discussion between two friends just getting into a kick-butt new show. Which is part of why this podcast spoke to me--I have been a Power Rangers fan for as long as I can remember, but after years of reading about the Sentai that birthed them and the cheapskates that ruined them, I’ve finally decided to get into Super Sentai for real. So it was reassuring to find other fans who are just getting into it and enjoy it, too--without taking it too seriously, of course!
I should probably warn you guys though that their show isn’t squeaky clean. A lot of their jokes are what you may call NSFW. Lots of swearing, sex jokes, and so on, but you know what? What amateur podcast doesn’t have this? Plus, when the show’s main villains are dressed up like BDSM enthusiasts, could you blame them? Wouldn’t you do the same? Don’t even try to play holy-than-thou with me, boy, no one is that pure... Oh yeah, and there’s spoilers too. Obviously.
Alright, back to the podcast! There’s more to the show, too! They’ll also invite their friends and fellow podcasters to share in the discussion and dissing, asking them what Dairanger power they would have, and how hot the monsters are. (e.g. I may be straight, but even I must admit that Key Jester is husbando material.) Also, if you support them they might talk about other great Super Sentai series! Like Zyuranger, or Kakuranger, or Dekaranger, or even (*gasp*) Jetman! ...IF they feel like it, I mean.
Interested yet? Well, if you want to know more you can check them out @mostlyspeakinsentai, and you can listen on…
Like the show? Like the hosts? Do you? DO YOU?!?!? Well, you can also follow them on their separate social media accounts. You can also find Nicole @DarlingHomebody on Instagram, Tumblr, Etsy, and Redbubble! Buy her wares! And you can find James on Facebook to listen to his raps. (That’s right.) Search Marsh Land Monster! They also make an adorable webcomic about their cat called “Crumb Bumbs.” I haven’t seen either of these yet, but they’re both probably pretty cool too. I also admire them for making Sentai suits based on their favourite series and their other works--something few Sentai fans can attest to! (I have yet to figure out what a hipster dragon would look like as an Abaranger...)
Anyways, I’m going to go figure out how to make time to watch Dairanger on Shout!Factory TV. And so should you! (It’s free Tokusatsu. /:) ) Enjoy the podcast!