Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger is Toei's twenty-fifth production of the Super Sentaimetaseries airing in 2001 and celebrated the franchise's 25th anniversary. Footage from this show was used in the 2002 American seriesPower Rangers Wild Force and was later dubbed in 2010 as the retitled Power Rangers: Jungle Force for South Korean television in place of Samurai Sentai Shinkenger, possibly due to cultural reasons. In Japan, Gaoranger aired alongside Kamen Rider Agito. On May 14, 2018, it was announced that Shout! Factory had licensed Gaoranger for release in North America and it was released on December 18, 2018. This is 11th Super Sentai to be released in North America DVD Region 1 as Jetman was released before Gaoranger.
Plot
A millennia ago, humans fought a war against demon orges known as the Orgs. With the help of the Power Animals, the ancient Gao Warriors were able to defeat the Orgs' leader Hyakkimaru, sealing the Orgs away along with one of their own. When the seal wanes, the Power Animals select a new generation of Gao Warriors to fight the freed Orgs and protect all life on Earth. The current Gao Warriors, the Gaorangers, are recruited to abandon their civilian lives and names while traveling to find the other Power Animals that were in hiding.
Characters
Gaorangers
Each of the Gaorangers' surnames either contain the kanji for their Power Animal, the Sparking Wolf, was a Gao Warrior from the Heian period over 1,000 years ago. He used the power of the Dark Wolf Mask to defeat the evil Hyakkimaru. However, he was turned into Duke Org Rouki and got the other Gao Warriors to entomb him so he could not do any more harm. He was later awakened as Rouki in the present age, but was freed of his curse by the Gaorangers. As Gao Silver, his Power Animals are Gao Wolf, Gao Hammerhead, and Gao Ligator.
Power Animals
Ogre Tribe Org
The Ogre Tribe Org is a race of Oni born from the sadness and madness of humans. Led by the Highness Duke Orgs from a cavern known as the Matrix, their attacks are usually overseen by the Duke Orgs. ;Duke Org Yabaiba: A crazed pierrot-like master of knives who claimed himself to Gao Yellow's greatest rival. He later developed a best friend of TsueTsue near the series end. ;Duchess Org TsueTsue: An arrogant Org priestess whose magic is as great as her devotion to the Highnesses. She is armed with a staff that spits Org Seeds to resurrect fallen Orgs into giants.
Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger: The Fire Mountain Roars is the theatrical adaptation of Gaoranger that was a double bill with the Kamen Rider Series film . The film features Gao Kong and the Gao Knight combination. The events of the movie takes place between Quests 40 and 41.
V-Cinema releases
Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger Super Video: Showdown! Gaoranger vs. Gao Silver
Ninpuu Sentai Hurricaneger vs. Gaoranger
''Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger vs. Super Sentai''
Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger vs. Super Sentai aired in 2001. The plot revolves around the Gaorangers meeting up with previous sentai's. Each sentai teaches each one about their Super Sentai past. Past Sentai Heroes included Soukichi Banba/Big One from J.A.K.Q. Dengkitai, Yuusuke Amamiya/Red Falcon from Choujuu Sentai Liveman, Gouki/Ginga Blue from Seijuu Sentai Gingaman, Daimon/Go Yellow from Kyuukyuu Sentai GoGo V, and Miku Imamura/Mega Pink from Denji Sentai Megaranger. All the prior Red Rangers from Gorenger to Timeranger also make a cameo appearance at the end of the film. The events of the movie takes place between Quests 14 and 15.
Drama CD
A drama CD titled Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger Gao Access CD: "Gao Panda Appears!!" introduces Gao Panda.
Manga
A manga adaptation crossover with Himitsu Sentai Gorenger titled Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger vs. Himitsu Sentai Gorenger was released in September 2001.
