SENTAI Meaning and
Definition
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Sentai (戦隊) is a Japanese term that refers to a specific genre of television shows and films. The word "sentai" translates to "task force" or "fighting team" in English. The term is commonly used to describe a subgenre of superhero or action-adventure series, featuring a team of protagonists with distinctive costumes and special abilities who combat evil forces.
These shows often revolve around a central theme or motif, such as animal themes, technology, or martial arts, and follow a consistent formula. The main characters are typically ordinary individuals, who are chosen or discover their destined roles as heroes and form a team to protect the world from various threats. They usually possess a range of unique, colorful costumes, and each member has their own specific powers or gadgets.
Sentai series are known for their dynamic and high-energy action sequences, often involving intense hand-to-hand combat or battles with giant monsters. The characters frequently combine their individual powers to form a powerful, giant robot, known as a mecha, to defeat larger foes.
The concept of sentai originated in Japan in the 1970s and has since become a significant part of Japanese popular culture. It has given rise to numerous successful franchises, including popular series like "Super Sentai" and "Power Rangers," which have gained international recognition and have been adapted for audiences around the world.
Overall, sentai refers to a genre of television and film that features a team of heroes fighting against evil, often utilizing unique costumes, special abilities, and giant robots, while following a consistent formula of storytelling and action.
Etymology of SENTAI
The word "sentai" is of Japanese origin. Its etymology can be traced back to the 1970s when the term was created to refer to a genre of television shows that feature a team of superheroes.
The Japanese word "sentai" (戦隊) translates to "task force" or "fighting team" in English. It comes from the combination of two kanji characters: "sen" (戦), meaning "war" or "battle", and "tai" (隊), meaning "group" or "team". Thus, the term "sentai" was coined to describe a group of heroes fighting together against evil forces in these TV shows.
The most iconic and internationally known example of this genre is the Super Sentai series, which began with the show "Himitsu Sentai Gorenger" in 1975.
