Hikari Sentai MASKMAN

If you're a 90's kid like me, you would've probably seen MASKMAN on IBC13. You probably remember the famous scene where Takeru (Red Mask) was shouting "Rio..." while Princess Ial (Mio) is being sucked into the ground. She in turn calls for him, "Michael Joe..." Let's take a look back, shall we.

When the Underground Empire Tube, a once peaceful royal empire, tried to turn the world into a cold and dark planet, five young men and women are taught in the ways of the mystical aura power energy by a scientist and sage to fight as the Hikari Sentai Maskman.

Takeru aka RED MASK (played by Ryousuke Kaizu)
Quick Info: The leader of the group. He is a specialist in Karate and a Formula One driver. He was spotted by Commander Sugata, the founder of the Maskman team, a year prior to the beginning of the series while Takeru was rescuing a woman and her child. When he was challenged by Sugata, Takeru did not back down and Sugata offered him a spot on the Maskman team. His love for Mio and desire to find her is his motivation. His meditation gesture is Zai (open hands with index finger and thumb together), which means control over natural forces.

Kenta aka BLACK MASK (played by Kouichi Kusakari)
Quick Info: The second-in-command of the team. He specializes in Kobudo. He is shy around women but can be a playboy at times. He is lighthearted but strong and dependable. He worked as an engineer/mechanic for the Sugata Racing Team. His meditation gesture is Jin (all fingers enlaced in a fist), which means the guessing of others' thoughts and intentions.

Akira aka BLUE MASK (played by Issei Hirota)
Quick Info: He is the youngest Maskman. He is a Chinese boxer and a straight sword expert. His father died while he was only child. He left his mother back home and to moved to Tokyo in order to perfect his martial arts ability. Always cheerful, he loves apples and the idol Youko Minamino. His meditation gesture is Retsu (two fists together with index finger from right hand sticking out), which means dominion over time and space.

Haruka aka YELLOW MASK (played by Yuki Nagata)
Quick Info: She was raised by a family of ninjas. Forced by her father to abandon all things "girly" to focus on her training, she appears tomboyish and is a fierce fighter and is highly intelligent. She loves dancing and tutors a young girl who is unable to afford dance lessons. Her meditation gesture is Tou (all fingers together in a fist except ring and pinkie), which means the harmony with the Universe.

Momoko aka PINK MASK (played by Kanako Maeda)
Quick Info: She is an expert in T'ai chi ch'uan. A young woman with a pure heart, she often teaches T`ai chi to young people. Strong and dedicated, she once, by chance, met Ial and Igam's mother who gave her the saintly flower known as Carollove. Her meditation gesture is Sha (all fingers together in a fist except index fingers), which means self-healing.

Ryoh Asuka aka X1 MASK
(played by Yutaka Hirose)
Quick Info: He was the prototype Maskman, also having trained with Commander Sugata. However, when his lover was killed by the Underground Empire Tube, he lost confidence in his abilities and gave up everything. He later returned to help the other members, losing his powers in the process. After his final fight, he decided to travel and teach martial arts. He transformed with the phrase "Change Power"

Commander Sanjuurou Sugata
Quick Info: A scientist and martial artist who founded the team. Sugata is a wise man who excels in mental reinforcements and every martial art. He had discovered the existence of the Underground Empire Tube and its desire for world conquest. He is the owner of Sugata Racing, a motoring team where Takeru is a driver and Kenta once worked as an engineer.

The videos below are the show's opening and ending theme "Hikari Sentai Maskman" and "Ai no Soldier". What's special about it? It was the first sentai series I've seen with its OP/ED songs translated into Filipino -- which was cool because I could sing along with it. It was sung by Norman Caraan. And yes, the lyrics are purely from memory.

HIKARI SENTAI MASKMAN (Opening Theme)

Humanda na kayo / Kampon ng kadiliman / Oras na ng pagtutuos / Kasamaan ay dapat matapos / Narito na sila / Bayaning tagapagtanggol / Sa masama'y lilipol / Maskman / Kayo lang ang pag-asa / Iligtas kami sa marahas na kadiliman / Kami'y inyong ipaglaban / Sige sige / Laban Maskman / Ipagtanggol ang kapayapaan / Sugod sugod / Laban Maskman / Pagsanggalan ninyo ang katarungan / Buong mundo'y magpupuri't magpupugay / Mabuhay / Laser Squadron / Mas-ku-man

AI NO SOLDIER (Ending Theme)

Ito ang mga bayaning magiting / Walang takot / Sa bangis ng kalaba'y di umuurong / Matatag, tagapagtanggol ng inaapi / Mga huwaran / Sa tungkuli'y tapat / Nagkahandang mag-alay ng buhay / O-Maskman / Tanod ng kapayapaan / Maskman / Laging maaasahan / Dapat nating tularan ang kagitingan / Laser Squadron / Mas-ku-man Mas-ku-man (lyrics corrected by: Lloyd V. - naks parang test paper lang)

Related Reading: Ranger Wiki, Super Sentai Time Capsule