Power Rangers: my entire childhood revolved around these colorful fighters. As a young boy, I was always glued to the screen. If I wasn’t watching the series, I was watching the movie. If I wasn’t watching the movie, I was playing one of the many games. And when my parents thought I had spent enough time in front of the screen, I would create my own story with my Power Rangers action figures.
I was completely obsessed with the action series, just like almost all of my classmates. And that warm feeling has never gone away. When I discovered in my mid-twenties that the series was available on Netflix, I started watching it again from time to time. Whenever I heard the “Go, Go Power Rangers” tune again, I got just as hyped as I did when I was younger.
The Good Old Days
Of course, there have been many sequels and spin-offs of Power Rangers. Power Rangers Zeo, Turbo, and In Space never had the same magic for me. Only the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and their outfits did it for me. The only different outfit that I could appreciate was the ninja outfit from the third season and Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: the Movie. Although the name of the movie may not have been very original, the outfits certainly were. Just take a look at them – they were awesome, right?
I’ve worn out this videotape completely. Videotapes, Power Rangers, action figures, SNES games… what a good old time. I know, I sound like an old man. Maybe that’s why I’m looking forward to this reunion so much. At least I’ll be able to see that the original actors have gotten even older. But most importantly, I’ll feel like that little boy again. The little boy who didn’t have to earn money, didn’t have hair loss, and didn’t carry a little beer belly with him. A carefree boy who could fully immerse himself in a world protected by six colored Power Rangers.
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers was beloved by almost everyone my age at the time. Netflix’s decision to release this reunion is a brilliant move. Not only can they attract a new audience, but millions of thirty-somethings will also eagerly wait to welcome their childhood heroes.
The good news is that they seem to be sticking to the original series. With today’s budgets, Netflix could make it a visually spectacular show, but instead they’re sticking to the old style. No over-the-top action, but the down-to-earth action that many will be familiar with.
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always
The upcoming special will be released on April 19, 2023, 30 years after the original series began (August 28, 1993). In the special, the heroes will face an old foe: Rita Repulsa. The sorceress has been making life difficult for the Power Rangers for many seasons and apparently still hasn’t had enough.
Several original cast members from the first and later seasons are returning:
-David Yost (blue ranger)
-Walter Jones (black ranger)
-Catherine Sutherland (pink ranger)
-Karan Ashley (yellow ranger)
-Johnny Yong Bosch (green ranger)
-Barbara Goodson (Rita Repulsa)
-Richard Horvitz (Alpha 5)
Original Power Rangers actors
Unfortunately, not all original cast members are still with us. Jason David Frank sadly passed away by suicide in November 2022. He played the original green/white ranger. I must admit, I found the green variant a bit scary. Tommy Oliver was introduced in the 17th episode. He had impressive martial arts skills and was not inferior to Jason, the red ranger.
Rita Repulsa recognized the potential in the young fighter and turned him into the evil green power ranger. I can still remember the moment when he stormed into the Power Ranger Command Center and destroyed most of it. Later, when the spell was broken, Tommy became the white ranger.
Thuy Trang, the original yellow ranger, died in 2001 at the young age of 27 in a car accident in California.
As a child, I always imagined that God would be some kind of Zordon. The voice of Zordon was voiced by Robert L. Manahan, who died of a heart aneurysm in 2000.
Fortunately, Amy Jo Johnson is still alive, but the former pink ranger will not be returning for Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always. The actress explained this on Twitter:
Like Amy Jo Johnson, I am also looking forward to seeing her friends kick ass in old-school fashion. Just one more month and then it’s Morphin Time! Check out the trailer here:
