Taiyo Sentai Sun Vulcan (太陽戦隊サンバルカン) is a Japanese television show and the fifth series in Toei Company's Super Sentai tokusatsu metaseries. It was broadcast from February 7, 1981, to January 30, 1982, replacing Denshi Sentai Denjiman and was replaced by Dai Sentai Goggle-V. The program first Super Sentai series to serve as a direct sequel to its previous series (Denshi Sentai Denjiman). It is also the first and only series in the franchise to have an all-male Super Sentai team and the first to have fewer than five members in the core team. Its international English title as listed by Toei Company is Sunvulcan. This is last entry in the Super Sentai tokusatsu metaseries to be produced in partnership with Marvel Comics and possess a Marvel copyright, despite no Marvel influence.

Plot

The threat of the Machine Empire Black Magma causes the United Nations to establish the Taiyo Sentai at a summit. From the UN's Guardians of World Peace's (GWP) air force, navy, and rangers, Commander Arashiyama assembles three specialists to become Sun Vulcan. When Black Magma learns of this, he attacks the GWP's base, but Sun Vulcan debuts in time to save it. Führer Hell Saturn prays to the Black Solar God and is rewarded with a revived Queen Hedrian, now a cyborg with a mechanical heart and a metallic afro. Black Magma multiple plots, even with Hedrian's aid, fails. Following the death of 01, Amazon Killer, (a Vader) arrives from space, destroying the Sun Vulcan Base. A new Vulcan Base is then built. The original Vul Eagle, Ryusuke Ohwashi, is replaced by a friend and master of the sword, Takayuki Hiba (who first appeared in episode 23).

Characters

Guardians of World Peace

The Japanese branch of the GWP is Sun Vulcan's secret headquarters, with the restaurant Snack Safari and a safari park acting as a front.

Sun Vulcan

The eponymous Sun Vulcan is the name of the Guardians of World Peace's Taiyo Sentai, they are the first and only Super Sentai core team to be all-male. Each of the Sun Vulcan members identifies himself before the group says "Shine! Taiyo Sentai Sun Vulcan!" (輝け!太陽戦隊サンバルカン!). Ryusuke, Kinya and Asao's last names also Takayuki's given name include the Japanese names of their totem animals.

Arsenal

Mecha

Vehicles

Allies

Mechanical Empire Black Magma

Mechanical Empire Black Magma (機械帝国ブラックマグマ) is an organization based at the Iron Claw Castle at the North Pole that worships the Black Solar God. Intending to have its Mechahumans rule the world, Black Magma's technology is advanced enough to cause natural disasters and cause global incidents. However, Black Magma targets Japan in order to obtain the cache of geothermal energy there needed to power their arsenal.

Arsenal

Other Villains

Episodes

Movie

A Sun Vulcan movie written by Shozo Uehara and directed by Shohei Tojo was released on July 18, 1981, at the Toei Manga Festival (on the same day episode 24 aired). It takes place some time after episode 23.

Cast

Songs

International broadcast

In the Philippines, the series was aired on BBC-2 from 1984 to 1985. Marvel Productions commissioned a sizzle reel for an English-language adaptation in the vein of what would later become Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. Stan Lee attempted to sell the show to multiple American broadcasters.