The Lion Roars
First Aired: February 18, 2001
Directed by: Satoshi Morota
Written by: Junki Takegami
The first chapter of the story of Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger. A kindly veterinarian is chosen by the ancient order of the Gao Warriors to become GaoRed, the Lion Warrior, in order to fight the threat of the malevolent Oni Tribe Org.
Full Synopsis
One peaceful night in the city, a populace is menaced by a malevolent demon known as an Org, specifically one known as Turbine Org who manipulates winds to cause mayhem, but four warriors known as the Gaoranger (GaoYellow, GaoBlack, GaoBlue and GaoWhite) appear to oppose it, unfortunately they are overwhelmed by the arrival of a second Org, Plugma Org who helps his partner make a getaway, and thus are forced to recruit a fifth member to become the Red Gao Warrior and the Leader chosen by the sacred Power Animal's Leader GaoLion. This candidate turns out to be a kindly veterinarian, who unintentionally proves his worth by stopping a rampaging elephant with kind words during the Org's attack, which prompts the Gaoranger's mentor, Priestess Tetomu, to call him forth to Sky Island where the Power Animals await. After the Gaoranger rough him up a bit, the veterinarian is taken to the island and is fully chosen by GaoLion earning him the role of GaoRed, thus the team sets off to stop the two Orgs and after a struggle eventually defeat Plugma and mortally wound Turbine, who is then enlarged by the one-horned Duke Orgs Tsuetsue and Yabaiba. But then the Power Animals descend and combine their powers to vanquish the evil Org once and for all.
Tropes
- Because Destiny Says So: The reason Tetomu insists that GaoRed become the leader is because he was chosen by GaoLion and thus plays a part in the prophecies of their fight.
- Make My Monster Grow: After Plugma Org's defeat, the mortally wounded Turbine Org is enlarged by the Duke Orgs Tsuetsue and Yabaiba to have revenge against the Gaoranger.
- Only the Worthy May Pass: In order to ensure that the veterinarian is worthy of being a Gao Warrior, Tetomu and the other four Gao Warriors all take him to Sky Island and task the Power Animals with checking if the vet is truly worthy of the Gaoranger's power.
- Starter Villain: Two. First is Turbine Org, then Plugma Org. Plugma gets the (dis)honor of being the first Org to be striken down in small form by the Haja Hyakujuuken (Evil-Crushing Hundred Beast Sword) while Turbine Org is the first Org to be defeated in giant form by the combined efforts of the individual Power Animals.
- Theme Song Power Up: The theme song of the show plays as the Power Animals join their power to vanquish Turbine Org once and for all.
