Help identify this Japanese show from my childhood.

This goes way back to the day when Voltron was still the shiznittityshit, and Nickelodeon ran movies on the weekends.

There was a live action movie about a group of young Japanese adults who, with the help of their Digital Watches, would gain super powers to fight off evil alien hoards. And when that became too difficult, would jump into their three big machines that would combine to form one giant robot to combat evil.

Aside from the digital watches being the source of their power, the only other thing I really remember is that the Evil Prince had something like nine tails, and everytime he got into a fight with the Red hero, he would get one cut off, then scream “You cut off my (second/third) favorite tail!”

Anyone able to help me out here? OR direct me towards other like shows…it was long before the Power Rangers came out.

Sounds like “Maguma Taishi” from either the 1960s or 1990s.

Imdb links:

1960s

1990s (video perhaps)

I caught just a few episodes of the 60s version in 70s when I was a kid. Freaky show. (The evil dude has devil horns like a Japanese oni, right?).

Hope this was on-target.

Quck response, but alas, this is not it. Again, it was a team of five (four guys, one girl) who wear the traditional rainbow assortment of colors to fight evil, then form a rather colorful Voltron looking robot to kill giant aliens.

Plus, it was a two hour movie, but I don’t know if it was ever an full on series.

And it’s not the Power Rangers?

No. This is mid 80s…like 1985.

Ultraman Tiga?

This place is a huge, searchable reference for older anime shows

Absolute Anime

It wasn’t an anime, and without a name, it’s kinda hard to find any information on it. Thanks, though.

Come on, I can’t be the only one that watched Nickelodeon as a kid! My coworkers are all thinking I’m nuts, but I swear this movie is out there.

Anyone…?

Dynaman?
Jaianto robo?

Per P Morris it’s definitely Dynaman as it’s got your 9 tailed guy.

YEs, yes, I believe that’s it! Thank you, Peter Morris!! I am vindicated!! I knew this place could help me find it. Thanks for all the help, gang.

Now, if only I could find a place to rent it…

I think USA’s Night Flight took chunks of this and overdubbed it a la What’s Up Tiger Lily? (if it wasn’t this series then it was one just like it). Confused the hell out of me when Power Rangers debuted a decade or so later. I didn’t realize the extent to which the rainbow warrior outfits were used, re-used, modified and recycled.

Oooh yeah. I remember these.  "I swear, by these veins on Spunky's head..."