The is the name given to the long-running Japanese
superhero team genre of shows produced by
Toei Co., Ltd., Toei Agency and
Bandai, and aired by
TV Asahi ("Super" refers to their use of
mecha, and "
sentai" is the Japanese word for "task force" or "fighting squadron"). The shows are of the
tokusatsu genre, featuring live action characters and colorful special effects, and are mainly aimed at children. The Super Sentai Series is one of the most prominent
tokusatsu productions in Japan, alongside the
Ultra Series and the
Kamen Rider Series, which it currently airs alongside in the
Super Hero Time programming block on Sundays. Outside Japan, the Super Sentai Series is best known as the source material for the
Power Rangers franchise.