J.A.K.Q. Dengekitai

J.A.K.Q. Dengeki Tai (ジャッカー電撃隊 Jakkā Dengeki Tai), translated as J.A.K.Q. Blitzkrieg Squad is the second Sentai series. Unlike most of the other Sentai which start out with a team of 5 members the JAKQ team started out with only 4. A fifth member (Big One) appeared in episode 23. J.A.K.Q. Dengeki Tai was not nearly as popular as Goranger, only running for 35 episodes. J.A.K.Q. Dengeki Tai is the second and final sentai created by Shotaro Ishinomori.

J.A.K.Q. or JAKQ comes from Jack, Ace, King, Queen. The J.A.K.Q. team members are named after playing cards. Their leader goes by the code name of "Joker".

There are no giant monsters or giant robots to fight them in J.A.K.Q. Dengeki Tai. CRIME uses human sized monsters assisted by masked soldiers called Crimers. CRIME also has bat-winged aircraft called Devil Sharks.

JAKQ was the final Sentai series to use only the Sentai name. Afterwords the name "Super Sentai" was used.

Plot

Iron Claw is the “Crime Czar” of a global criminal empire known simply as “Crime”. With a network of wealthy and influential sympathizers and employing an army of faceless, leather- masked thugs (Crimers) and cyborg/robot assassins, “Crime” seeks to become the most powerful mafia organization in the world. To combat this threat, INTERPOL organizes a special taskforce to spearhead the efforts to bring Crime to justice. Based in New York, ISSIS (International Science Special Investigation Squad [Kokusai Kagaku Tokusou Tai]) begins to organize its forces around the world to battle Crime. Tokyo ISSIS branch commander, Kujirai Daisuke, proposes a radical experiment to aid his forces in Japan. Taking the codename “Joker”, he recruits four young test subjects to undergo his cyborg enhancement project – multitalented athlete and Olympic Gold medalist Sakurai Gorou, disgraced Junior Walter Weight Champion boxer Higashi Ryuu, critically injured Police Woman Karen Mizuki and clinically dead and cryogenically sustained Oceanographer Daiichi Bunta. Surgically altered and given various energy manipulation powers and bionic enhancements, the four youths begin their mission to destroy Crime as the crime-busting quartet code-named “JAKQ – Dengeki Tai”. Later on, uber cyborg and master of disguise Bamba Soukichi is added to the team to strengthen their number and step up their attack on Crime.

Characters

JAKQ

"We are the JAKQ Blitzkrieg Squad!"

JAKQ is the codename for ISSIS’ secret “Blitzkrieg Squad” which was setup to combat the cyborg assassins of Crime. The JAKQ project was the brainchild of Kujirai Daisuke, a brilliant engineer and bionics specialist who was the Tokyo ISSIS branch commander.

Colors: Red, Blue, Green, Pink, White.

• Gorou Sakurai (Sakurai Gorou) / Spade Ace
  Twenty-Four year old Japanese pentathlon athlete and Olympic Gold Medalist. In addition to being a champion in Karate, Archery and Judo, he was also a skilled equestrian and all around top athlete. Originally turned down Joker’s offer to join JAKQ, but later had a change of heart when he was saved by police officer Karen Mizuki. His bionic enhancements allowed him to manipulate Atomic Energy in a wide variety of ways. Using these energies Sakurai is able to see through walls and other barriers using his X-ray vision (Chu Seishi [Neutron] Scope) and to move at super speed by activating his “Kasouku [Acceleration] Switch”. Sakurai is also able to hear at superhuman levels using his “Enkaku Shuon Souchi [Ultra Sound Device]”. As Spade Ace, Sakurai wields a number of specially designed weapons, chief among which is his “Spade Arts” power bow. With the Spade Art, Sakurai is able to shoot “atomic charged” arrows which can puncture and bore through most substances. The Spade Arts bow can also be converted into a whip which can bind an opponent. Sakurai is a born leader and uses his abilities to seek out the weak points of his enemies. His atomic based powers also give him incredible power when kicking and striking his opponents.
  Played by Yoshitaka Tanba

• Ryuu Higashi (Higashi Ryuu) / Dia Jack
  Twenty-Five year old former Walter Weight Boxing Champion of Japan. Was falsely accused of murder by greedy boxing promoters in Las Vegas when he refused to rig a Championship fight. Was intercepted by Joker when he was being extradited to Japan for prosecution. Joker offered him the choice of working for ISSIS as part of JAKQ or serving his prison sentence. Higashi reluctantly accepted Joker’s offer albeit with reservations. His bionic enhancements allowed him to manipulate electric currents. From his right second finger he is able to pull out his “Eleki Cutter” [Electric Cutter] which he can use to cut through dense objects. From his left ring finger he is able to pull out his “Dia Laser” which can fire a laser beam that can shear through most materials. As Dia Jack, Higashi wields the powerful “Dia Sword” which he can imbue with his electrical powers to strike with deadly effect. The sword can slash and cut through solid steel and other dense metals. It can also be used to focus and fire electrical bolts of energy. Higashi is a rough and gruff individual who is at times very head strong. A bit of a loner, he does tend to prefer working alone. Continues to keep in touch with his former boxing partners. Higashi loves jazz music and fast cars.

• Daichi Bunta (Bunta Daichi) / Clover King
  Twenty Three year old Oceanographer who tragically died of oxygen deprivation in a freak submarine accident. Years earlier his beloved younger sister Emi died in a airplane crash. Daichi’s body was cryogenically sustained in a medical facility for research until Joker found him. Using bionic technology Joker was able to revive Daichi as a cyborg. His bionic enhancements allowed him to manipulate gravitational forces. By increasing his body’s weight and density Daichi is able gain superhuman strength. With his power cycling in the range of 700 horsepower, he is able to use his “Jyuroku Energy” (Superpower Energy) to punch and kick opponents with devastating effect. Daichi can throw opponents across great distances with his “Jyuroku Nage” (Power Throw) and can take down dozens of opponents with his flying jump attack (“King Jyuroku Press” <King Power Press>). His left hand can be converted into his “Club Megaton” weapon. His Club Megaton can become a ball and chain which can be used to strike and hit enemies as well as bind them.

• Karen Mizuki (Mizuki Karen) / Heart Queen
  Eighteen year old half Japanese/half Caucasian former Japanese Policewoman. Was assigned to investigating illegal drug/narcotics trafficking routes into Japan. During her investigations, Karen uncovered that Crime controlled a majority of these routes and was going to assist ISSIS in destroying these routes. Crime attempted to kill Karen by arranging a fatal car accident. Miraculously, Karen survived the accident but lost her right arm. Her father, a fellow police officer, was also killed in the crash. Enraged and seeking revenge, Karen willingly accepted Joker’s offer to undergo his bionic process and join JAKQ. Her bionic enhancements allowed her to control magnetism. Her magnetic based powers, which she dubbed her “Heart Cute Jiki Power” (Heart Cute Magnet Power) allowed her to attract and repel metallic objects at will. She often used her powers to literally stop bullets in mid-air. Her powers can be further augmented by using her Q-shaped ”Heart Cute” weapon. Using the Heart Cute, Karen is able to send out waves of magnetic/kinetic energy that can bowl over opponents or force them into erratic behaviors (which she gleefully enjoys and asks afterwards “Do you want another?” <Mohitotsu Ikaga Desuka?>). The Heart Cute can also be used as a blunt impact weapon which she uses to strike opponents. From her right index finger she is able to pull out her “Magnetic Counter” which can send out a magnetic detection pulse which she can then use to pinpoint and identify objects (both metal and organic) in a way similar to radar. Karen is a skilled martial artist and is proficient in a number of fighting methods. For a time she was part of the Kono Karate School where she befriended Kono Natsuko (Shihomi Etsuko) who was also a skilled martial artist. Karen has a flair for fashion and often sported tight red leather ‘hot pants’ and red long boots.

• Soukichi Banba (Banba Soukichi) / Big One
  Flamboyant playboy and master of disguise. ISSIS officer who was called in to take over operations in Tokyo for Joker. Helped Joker implement the JAKQ project. Is himself a cyborg and is in fact considered the ultimate “super cyborg” for his bionic implants allowed him to harness and manipulate all four cosmic powers (atomic, magnetic, electric and gravity). His nickname was the “Shiroi Chojin” (The White Superman). Can direct his powers to perform a variety of incredible feats including flying, superhuman strength and super speed. Banba wields a fighting baton called the “Big Baton” which he can use to strike and hit opponents with great force and impact. He is a cool-headed leader and masterful tactician who can come up with the most brilliant of battle plans to defeat Crime’s cyborgs. Is unique in that he can transform at will without the use of the Kyouka Capsules and instead takes a sniff out of a magic red rose. Twenty-four years after the fall of Crime, he returned in Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger vs. Super Sentai as the leader of the "Dream Sentai"—and practically stole the show in his scenes.

ISSIS

Based in New York, ISSIS (International Science Special Investigation Squad [Kokusai Kagaku Tokusou Tai]) was organized by INTERPOL to combat the international threat of Crime across the globe. The Tokyo ISSIS branch is commanded by Kujirai Daisuke (code named Joker), a brilliant bionics specialist and engineer. It was he who initiated the JAKQ project and recruited the various team members. He was a married man and is known to have had a young daughter. He was later tasked to head ISSIS’ advanced engineering branch and was replaced by the flamboyant Banba Soukichi (AKA Big One).

ISSIS’ Tokyo headquarters is located in a towering skyscraper in the heart of Shinjuku. ISSIS utilizes its own army of blue uniformed military troops to assist JAKQ when needed. Only a handful of ISSIS Agents are identified, among them Agent 7 (Hayashi Keiko), Agent 8 (Yamamoto Junko), Agent 9 (Iijima Yoshiko), and Agent 10 who all assisted JAKQ at various times. Another notable member of ISSIS is Hime Tamasaburou, a somewhat dimwitted and clumsy low level agent. Masquerades as a ramen takeout cook and carrier. Unfortunately, he gets in the way more than helps out. Lastly ISSIS Tokyo’s mascot was a talking hamster which Kujirai kept as a pet. It was enhanced using bionic technology.

• Joker
  Real name: Commander Daisuke Kujirai. He recruits four youths whom he sees as the perfect candidates for this project. Altering their physical bodies with bionic enhancements and empowering them with energy manipulation devices, the four test subjects become the super cyborg team, codenamed “JAKQ”.

Criminal Organization Crime (犯罪組織クライム Hanzai Soshiki Kuraimu)

Headed by the mysterious Iron Claw, the global criminal empire known simply as “Crime” sought to become the world’s premier crime family. With a network of wealthy and influential sympathizers and employing an army of faceless, leather- masked thugs (Crimers) and cyborg/robot assassins, Crime launched a number of spectacular and elaborate schemes to loot, kill, plunder and obtain absolute power. It is later revealed that Crime was in fact a cover organization for the alien entity simply called “Shine” who had sought to conquer the world.

• Iron Claw
  Oddly dressed figurehead and “God Father” of the Crime organization. Nothing is known about him including his nationality. Iron Claw, while appearing human was later revealed to be a cyborg much like JAKQ and Big One. His right hand was a powerful “Iron Claw” which could fire talon-like missiles. It could also detach from Iron Claw’s body to attack enemies independently. Iron Claw was a master of disguises and often masqueraded himself in a number of disguises (both male and female). He was a longtime rival of Big One and the pair have clashed at various times in the past. Iron Claw’s ultimate fighting form was a full “silver colored” super cyborg.

• The Shine
  Revealed to be the real mastermind behind Crime. An “A.I.” (Artificial Intelligence) entity who is said to have come from the 2nd Star of the “Shine” Galaxy. Attempted to use Crime to takeover the Earth. Created the super cyborg Icarus Dai Oh to take control of Crime from Iron Claw and to battle JAKQ. Was later driven from Earth by JAKQ and Iron Claw.

• The Shi Ten Oh (Four Deva Kings/Overlords)
  A quartet of ruthless mercenaries and despots who joined forces to wreck havoc across the globe. Independent of Crime, they none-the-less joined forces with Iron Claw in a grand scheme to destroy Tokyo. The Shi Ten Oh’s headquarters was a gigantic flying saucer (UFO) which could fly undetected around the world. The various Shi Ten Oh Overlords commanded their own armies of followers including remnants of the splintered “Black Cross” army that battled Go-Ranger (Himitsu Sentai Go Ranger; Toei, 1975). In fact, Go Ranger member Peggy Matsuyama (AKA Momo Ranger) had been tracking the whereabouts of the villains for a while. The Shi Ten Oh had battled with other Toei heroes across the globe including Kamen Rider V3, Kikaider and Kamen Rider Amazon. The Shi Ten Oh is composed of the following rogues gallery of villains:
  • Tetsu Men Dansaku/Baron Iron Mask (Ushio Kenji)
    Iron masked despot who had been terrorizing the European continent. Leads his own specialized troopers he calls his “Tetsu Men Gundan” (Iron Mask Battalion). Carries a heavy iron shield and battle spear which he can hurl with devastating skill. Also carries a blowgun which he can use to fire poison darts.
  • Sahara Shogun/General Sahara (Amamoto Hideo)
    African conqueror who once battled the Go Ranger in Africa. A master swordsman and strategist, he is both ruthless and cruel in battle.
  • UFO Sencho/Captain UFO (Ando Mitsuo)
    While comical looking, Captain UFO is none-the-less a brilliant criminal mastermind who commands the UFO command ship that the Shi Ten Oh use to travel the world.
  • Jigoku Kenshi/Hell Boxer (Kaneda Osamu)
    Terrifying tyrant from Mongolia who uses his hideous skull adorned armor to strike fear in his foes. A savage and fierce warrior, he wields a iron ball and chain to crush and kill his opponents.

Arsenal

JAKQ's mecha consist of the aircraft Sky Ace and armored vehicle Jack Tank. Clover King rides a motorcycle called Auto Clover. Heart Queen drives Heart Buggy. Spade Ace's car is called Spade Machine. And Dia Jack drives a race car called Mach Dia. Big One, being capable of flight, does not have a vehicle, he just appears on the scene when needed.

Crossover

J.A.K.Q. was the first Sentai team to have a crossover with the previous team: Goranger. It took the combined forces of JAKQ and Go Ranger to battle the reformed Crime. When the Shi Ten Oh could not defeat JAKQ and Go Ranger in their individual forms, they “combined” to form the super cyborg entity “Shi Ten Oh Robo”, a monstrous and hulking mechanical monster with multiple cannons protruding throughout its body and a grinder in its lower torso which could swallow the Goranger Hurricane Ball. Virtually invincible, it took the combined special attacks of JAKQ and Go Ranger (the Goranger Hurricane ball fused with the warhead of a Big Bomber shell and fired from the Big Bomber itself) to destroy the monster. Iron Claw was killed for good when Big One (having switch Iron Claw's hand with a rocket hand) gave Spade Ace a switch which made the rocket go off. The rocket hit the detonation button and the "UFO Citybusters" (which Iron Claw was going to use on the United States, the Soviet Union, the People's Republic of China, France, the United Kingdom, West Germany, and Japan in order to become "King of the Solar System") went off in the UFO that he was fleeing in, destroying it.