JE C.C.
You probably learned that ‘the family that prays together stays together’ if you were an avid viewer of these shows in the ‘90s.
Make some noise, batang ‘90s!
Kids of today may be having the time of their lives with their gadgets playing games and going gaga over KPOP, Justin Bieber, Shawn Mendes, and Ariana Grande, but back in the ‘90s, childhood was never complete without anxiously waiting for every episode of some classic anime and super sentai and tokusatsu shows.
If you’re a millennial and grew up in the ‘90s, or even ‘80’s, chances are that you have a soft spot for some old-school ABC 5—now TV5—shows.
Surely, these six nostalgic TV shows will bring you back to those happy Friday nights or Saturday morning, when your only definition of school break was not being able to miss your favorite ABC (Associated Broadcasting Company) shows. From the Crystal power-wielding sassy girls in Sailor Moon to the handsome alien prince who calls himself, Masked Rider, here are six of those nostalgic ABC 5 shows that practically defined our childhood:
Fiveman (1999-2000).
Fiveman is one of several super sentai shows aired by Philippine TV networks in the ‘90s. ABC 5 aired the Japanese tokutsaku series from 1999 to 2000. It is part of the Network’s weekend line-up. It is arguably one of the most loved superhero kid shows of that era.
Fiveman is composed of five siblings who were brought to Earth from Planet Sidon by their parents to escape the wrath of Zone Empire. 20 years later, Earth is threatened to be destroyed by the Zone Empire, but the five siblings take the role of defending the planet.
Jetman (1998-1999).
This series first aired on RPN-9 in 1997 but found greater fame when ABC 5 aired it the following year.
This super sentai series [originally] aired in Japan from 1991 to 1992. Ninja Team Gatchaman anime series, which was popular in 1972, inspired the show.
Masked Rider (1995).
Masked Rider is among the several Saban-produced TV series that found massive popularity in the Philippines in the ‘90s. Saban is the same producer of the global hit, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.
Like Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Masked Rider is adapted from a Japanese tokusatsu. ABC 5 aired the show as part of its weekend primetime block.
Masked Rider follows the Edenoi prince, Dex, who is sent to Earth to escape the destruction of his home planet and become Earth’s new savior from the evil forces of Count Dregon, who is hellbent to destroy Dex’s new home planet. Prince Dex has his cute dwarf bipedal creature companion, he calls Ferbus. Upon arrival to Earth, Dex and Ferbus are adopted by the Stewarts. Dex transforms to Masked Rider whenever his radar picks up signals from those seeking for help.
Sailor Moon (1995-2004).
Who can forget ABC 5’s broadcast of this mesmerizing anime series, which follows the titular protagonist, who goes by the civilian name, Usagi. Usagi is 14-year-old high-schooler, who was given the power to become the ‘Tagapagtanggol ng Kagandahan at Katarungan’, or simply The Pretty Soldier. She is joined by other sailor soldiers, and together they defend the Earth from evil villains.
In the Philippines, the series was aired by ABC (now TV5) from 1995 to 2004. The series was among the TV network’s top-rated programs. It aired every 6:00 pm of every Saturday. ABC 5 aired Sailor Moon R until 1997, while Sailor Moon S from 1998. The show’s Filipino theme song, Sana’y Madama, was sang by Angelika de la Cruz.
Sky Ranger Garavan (1994-1997)
This super sentai aired on ABC 5 (now TV5), alongside Sailor Moon, as part of its Saturday night line-up. The series followed an elite galactic police force, known as Space Ranger Garavan, who fight the evil forces of the intergalactic criminal organization known as Makuu.
The series originally aired on ABS-CBN from 1988 to 1991. ABC rerun the show from 1994 to 1997. RPN 9, them re-aired it in 1998.
VR Troopers (1998-2000).
VR Troopers is another Saban-produced TV show aired by TV5. It is loosely based on a number of popular Japanese tokusatsus, including Space Sheriff Shaider and Jikuu Senshi Spielban. A shortened term for virtual reality troopers, VR Troopers took inspiration from the ‘virtual reality’ trend in the ‘90s, and the success of earlier Saban hits, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, and Masked Rider.
The show follows three young adults in their late teens, who were given the power to protect both the normal and virtual realities. When they transform, the VR Troopers become armored superheroes with incredible firepower.
Did you grow up watching these shows? Missing them already? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
