0
Posted July 15, 2012 by Mikael Angelo Francisco in Anime/Manga
 
 

SDCC 2012: POWER RANGERS – Two Decades of “Morphinomenal!”

Twenty years ago, an alien life form named Zordon took five teenagers with attitude and gave them access to an arsenal as well as powerful fighting machines called Zords. These five became Power Rangers, and fought valiantly against evil space aliens who unleash all sorts of monstrosities week after week. And it was grand.

A lot of us grew up and the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers faded into the background. However…they never left. Year after year, new threats arose and new Rangers came to battle them. And more kids came to experience the power. I’d dare say there is NO ONE who does not know what a Power Ranger is.

Next year, 2013, is the 20th anniversary of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and the overall Power Ranger franchise, a TV series that capitalized on adapting various Super Sentai series from Japan. At the San Diego Comic Con 2012, it was officially announced to the public that the anniversary will coincide with the 20th series Power Rangers Megaforce, an adaptation of Tensou Sentai Goseiger. In addition to Goseiger, Megaforce leads into the Legend War, specifically filmed by Toei in Japan for Power Rangers, featuring all the previous heroes. The show promises the return of old weapons, Megazords and even returning cast members from previous series.

The preview at SDCC also hints that Megaforce will include or lead into the official adaptation for Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger, which was Super Sentai’s 30th anniversary. It is yet unrevealed how the two Sentai series will come into play story-wise, but theories include the adapted Goseigers either transforming into past Rangers using cards, or retaining the gimmick Gokaiger started (using Ranger Keys). This then explains the title, which hints at a larger Ranger armada beyond the starting lineup.

On top of all this great news,  Mighty Morphin Power Rangers is set to return to toyshelves with collectible Power Morphers, a die-cast classic Megazord that works with the Zordbuilder system in modern Power Rangers toys, an anniversary series Red Ranger with Dragon shield, and a set of Power Rangers helmets in the same vein as the Sentai mask series. This gives fans of the original and die-hard collectors a chance to get in on all the nostalgia other toylines have been recently banking on.

All of that’s only the tip of the iceberg. Toei and Bandai are really giving the impression that they are pulling out all the stops for their 20th anniversary and the accompanying series Megaforce. They have something for everyone, whether you’re an enduring fan of the series, a Super Sentai buff, or really just someone who wants to relive the glory days of the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.

(This piece was written by guest contributor Christophe Pacaud. Visit his cosplay page here!)


Mikael Angelo Francisco