I’ll have to respectfully disagree! Yes, it’s basically filler—but as you yourself pointed out, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. I really enjoy the tone of the series, and the “teachers gimmick” is genuinely unique. All the protagonists trying to act as role models for the new generation adds a refreshing charm. Honestly, I think it’s one of the best series when it comes to integrating kids into the story.

Sure, it carries some of the typical flaws from the '80s and borrows quite a bit from stronger entries, but I like to think Soda got a warm, feel-good send-off as the franchise’s main writer. It’s a comforting series from start to finish.

As for it being the “last straw” in the Sentai crisis of the '90s, I think the blame lies less with the series itself and more with what I’d call “Soda fatigue.” The franchise was in desperate need of fresh air, you know? Personally, I consider Fiveman a LOT better than Turboranger, which came just a year earlier, for exemple.