Out of the blue today, I began searching for my favorite sentai character hero, Gai Yuuki (Black Condor of Chojin Sentai Jettoman). Guess what, I've found out that he guested in episode 28 of Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger (2011 Sentai presentation). Episode 28 was entitled "Wings Eternal." I became excited because I just used to see Toshihide Wakamatsu as Gai Yuuki in Jetman since his dramas after Jetman were only shown in Japan. I remember when I was at the hype of being a Jetman fanatic back in college, I would even visit his official website made by him and would use Babel Translator to translate the Japanese characters of the website. Then, after sometime, I shifted my interest to newer Asian series.
BRIEF BACKGROUND ABOUT Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger
Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger is the 35th presentation of Toei Company for Super Sentai. As the theme of this sentai, the rangers are pirates from outer space who came to earth to look for the "Greatest Treasure in the Universe." This greatest treasure could only be in their possessions if they acquire the "greater powers" of the 34 Sentai Series heroes. In search of the greatest treasure, they encountered Empire Zangyack in which its earlier invasion on Earth became a failure because its forces were defeated by the earlier 34 Sentai heroes. Gokaiger aimed to master the powers of the 34 Sentai heroes to fight and end the Zangyack forces.
BRIEF HISTORY ABOUT CHOJIN SENTAI JETMAN
Chojin Sentai Jettoman was shown in Japan in 1991. The series started with the scientists discovering "Birdonic Waves" which can be bio-engineered to bond them to humans through advanced technology to obtain superhuman abilities. J-Project was formed with Commander Aya "Chokan" Odagiri as its director. She, then, recruited 5 Skyforce officials for the J-Project including Ryu Tendo and his girlfriend, Rie Aoi. They both agreed with Aya that their relationship won't affect their responsibilities as warriors. Inside the International Defense Space Ship, after the Birdonic Wave was successfully transferred to Ryu Tendo (as Red Hawk), alien invaders (Vyram) headed by Radigue started their attack. Aya and Rie dragged the weakened Ryu. While getting out of chaos, a huge hole sucked Rie to the outer space leaving Ryu in hysteria. Aya knocked the panicking Ryu and escaped before the spaceship totally exploded. The capsule where the other 4 Birdonic Waves were stored was destroyed scattering on Earth like 4 lightnings hitting 4 civilians who had different personalities and were in refusal (during the beginning of the series) to be Jetman and protect the earth.
THE GUY NAMED GAI YUUKI
Black Condor is the alter ego of Gai Yuuki. He was the most obnoxious member of the Jetman force. He was a lone wolf guy who loved flirting with women. He loved to smoke, drink, gamble, and play saxophone. At the beginning of the series, he would always opposed Ryu and had a lot of fist fights with him. He also developed a deep love to his teammate, Kaori Rokumeikan because of her finesse and determination to be a soldier in spite of a very sheltered life she had. His hatred to Ryu flamed when he learned that Kaori liked Ryu. Ryu, during those moments, was still in grief after losing his fiancee, Rie Aoi (who was made a Vyram as Maria). Gai and Kaori became a couple for a short while. Gai seeing the strong Ryu collapsed with his lost love, realized his role as the the second leader of the Jetman. He faced Grey to a duel and defeated him.
It was a mystery to every sentai fans especially Jetman fanatics what really happened to him - if he really died although it was evident that he became unconscious on the bench.
I read a lot of sentai forums and they have one thing in common. They all find Gai's death pointless. Why kill Gai without purpose? Although, during the interview with Toshihide Wakamatsu, he said that Toshike Inoue revealed to him that Gai would die at the end of the series. I agreed with the forumers, however. There were other sentai heroes who were killed as the series progressed but their deaths had purposes. They died to save their teammates.
After 19 years of being puzzled, finally, the sentai writers came up with an answer. Gai Yuuki's ghost manifested in episode 18 of Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger. His grave was shown as an evident of his death. His former teammates, however, still visit him regularly offering mementos on his grave.
His spirit came back warning the Gokaiger to attain Jetman power on their own and not bother the other Jetmen who are now living peacefully. I was also ecstatic watching Jetman again in the new age.
MY OPINION
Gai's ghost
Though, the writers came up with lucidity through this episode, somehow I'm still sad of the fact that Gai really died at then end. Hence, it was a good reminiscent seeing the older Gai (Toshihide Wakamatsu) fight again as black condor. He was like the young Gai in Jetman, obnoxious at first but righteous in the end. Toshiki Inoue gave justice in bringing Gai's character again. Truly a great bet to Toshihide of not writing anymore if he would reject this appearance. Maybe, he had read a lot of fans complaining of Gai's death and came up with this answer. How noble it may get?
Gai's music then and now
Gokaiger also features Bioman and Maskman bringing back my childhood memories (two of the most popular sentai series in the Philippines).
Original Maskman
Gokaiger Maskman
Original Bioman
Gokaiger Bioman
Original Jetman
Gokaiger Jetman
Gai as Black Condor
Gai and Black Condor
His final battle with Grey
His battle with Kiaido
Gai to Ryu in final episode of Jetman: That was the blue sky we used to protect.
Gai to Joe: Now, it's your team's time to protect the blue sky.
