Did you know that it's been almost 35 years since Japan invented the Super Sentai franchise (known to foreigners as the Power Rangers)? Thirty-five years. America extricated itself from Vietnam, Jimmy Hoffa went missing, and a group of Toei-employed geniuses in Japan stuck a group of five youngsters into tight, colorful outfits to appear on TV as Himitsu Sentai Goranger.

Now, come 2011, it'll be both time for another new sentai show, and a time to celebrate the 35th anniversary of this landmark historical event. And what better way to do so...than with pirates? Don't answer that question.

Next year's sentai show will be called Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger, and will be themed after, well, pirates. The new 'gers (Japan seems to have forgotten that "Ran-" is an essential part of the word "Ranger") will wield flintlock-looking pistols and swing cutlass-looking swords, and everyone's helmet has the impression of a tri-cornered hat.

If that weren't amazing enough, these pirate rangers will be pirates both in spirit and copyright, for the team will have access to the powers of all the previous 35 sentai groups. It'll be similar to Kamen Rider Decade, but more like Three-and-a-Half Decade. 

The Gokaigers will first cameo in January 22's customary sentai crossover movie (Shinkenger vs. Goseiger), and the series proper will start in mid-February, 2011. Check out a teaser below.

I can't wait. Or would you rather watch next year's American adaptation of Shinkenger, as the Power Rangers Samurai (also starting February)?

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