Unofficial Sentai Akibaranger (非公認戦隊アキバレンジャー, Hikōnin Sentai Akibarenjā) is a Japanese tokusatsu comedy drama based on the Super Sentai Series. It is not part of the official line up in Toei Company's Super Sentai franchise, but is instead a self-parody geared towards adults as opposed to a general audience for the mainstream series. The show aired on BS Asahi (TV Asahi's broadcast satellite channel) starting April 6, 2012, and Tokyo MX starting April 9, 2012.
A second season was officially announced in January 2013 at a teaser event tying in with the final appearances of the characters from Tokumei Sentai Go-Busters, featuring Masato Wada, who performs as main character Nobuo Akagi. The second season is titled Unofficial Sentai Akibaranger: Season Tsuu (非公認戦隊アキバレンジャー シーズン痛, Hikōnin Sentai Akibaranger: Shīzun Tsū) and premiered on April 5, 2013.
Plot
Three individuals (a Super Sentai otaku, a cosplay otaku, and a closet anime otaku) are chosen by a beautiful scientist otaku to become the "Unofficial Sentai Akibaranger" and "protect Akihabara" from powerful otaku villains that only exist in their delusions. However, the otaku fight eventually gets literally real when their "otaku enemies" begin to materialize in the real world.
Episodes
Web radio series
On July 6, Animate.tv started broadcasting Unofficial Sentai Akibaranger Official Web Radio (Temporary) (非公認戦隊アキバレンジャー公認WEBラジオ(仮), Hikōnin Sentai Akibarenjā Kōnin Webu Rajio (Kari)). The bi-weekly web radio series is hosted by Masato Wada, who plays Nobuo Akagi in the TV series. Other cast members from the series, as well as voice actors from other Super Sentai series, make guest appearances.
Mio Usagi: Julia Nagano (長野 じゅりあ, Nagano Juria, 12)
Season Two
Owner of Toy Shop: Yuu Kamio (神尾 佑, Kamio Yū, 1)
Male Past Sentai Warriors (Voice), China Red (Voice), Tyrano Ranger (Voice), Hurricane Red (Voiced), Kabuto Raiger (Voice): Tomokazu Seki (1-3, 5, 7, 10)
"Ashita wa Akiba no Kaze ga Fuku" (明日はアキバの風が吹く, "Akiba's Wind Will Blow Tomorrow")
Lyrics: Mike Sugiyama
Composition: EFY
Arrangement: Makoto Miyazaki
Artist: Nobuo Akagi (Masato Wada)
In most episodes, the ending theme features a monologue by a character in the series talking about himself/herself, adding details to their background.
Season 2
Opening theme
"Akibaranger Season Tsuu!" (アキバレンジャー シーズン痛!, Akibaranger Shīzun Tsū!)
Lyrics & Composition: Haruko Momoi
Arrangement: Hiroaki Kagoshima
Artist: Haruko Momoi feat. Yukio Yamagata & MoJo
In episode 1, "Demo DEMO Version" (でもDEMOバージョン, Demo Demo Bājon, "But Demo Version") of this song sung only by Haruko Momoi is used.
In episode 8, "Mōsō Senshi ver." (妄想戦士ver, Mōsō Senshi Bājon, "Delusional Warrior ver.") of this song sung by Nobuo Akagi, Luna Iwashimizu, and Yuko Yokoyama is used. In episode 13, "ver. MAX!!" of this song sung by Nobuo Akagi, Luna Iwashimizu, Yuko Yokoyama, Haruko Momoi, Yukio Yamagata, and MoJo is used.
"Fight! Sun Vulcan Robo" (ファイト!サンバルカンロボ, Faito! San Barukan Robo)
Lyrics: Keisuke Yamakawa
Composition: Michiaki Watanabe
Arrangement: Hisashi Ichi
Artist: Yuko Yokoyama (Karin Ogino)
Episode: 2
Image song from Taiyo Sentai Sun Vulcan covered by Yuko Yokoyama.
"Go! Love Sick"
Lyrics: Shoko Fujibayashi
Composition & Arrangement: Toshihiko Sahashi
Artist: Luna Iwashimizu (Shione Sawada)
Episode: 3
Image song from Kyuukyuu Sentai GoGoFive covered by Luna Iwashimizu.