Power Rangers
Power Rangers is a long-running American entertainment and merchandising franchise built around a live action children's television series featuring teams of costumed heroes. Produced first by Saban Entertainment, later by BVS Entertainment, and currently by SCG Power Rangers LLC, the television series takes much of its footage from the Japanese tokusatsu Super Sentai, produced by Toei Company. Its first entry, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, debuted on August 28, 1993, and helped launch the Fox Kids programming block of the 1990s, during which it catapulted into popular culture along with a line of action figures and other toys by Bandai. The first nine seasons would air entirely on Fox Kids. However, in 2001, The Walt Disney Company bought the franchise while production was beginning on the tenth season, Power Rangers Wild Force. The first 26 episodes would air on Fox Kids, while the remaining 14 episodes would air on ABC Kids and ABC Family.
After Wild Force, Disney had planned to cancel the show, and air reruns. However, it was suggested that if production moved to New Zealand, the show could keep going and be cheaper to produce. Season 11, Power Rangers Ninja Storm, was the first filmed in New Zealand, where it has been filmed ever since. For Season 12, Jason David Frank, who played Tommy Oliver for the first five seasons of the show, returned as the team's mentor and Black Ranger. This was done as a favor to Executive Producer Doug Sloan and as a way to show that the New Zealand-produced seasons were in canon with the previous ten.
Despite initial criticism for its action violence targeted to child audiences, the franchise has continued, and as of 2015 the show consists of 22 television seasons and two theatrical films. Creator Haim Saban regained ownership of the franchise in 2010 after seven years under The Walt Disney Company. The current season, Power Rangers Dino Charge, began airing on February 7, 2015 on Nickeldeon. [1] In May 2014, Saban and Lionsgate announced plans to do a film reboot of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. [2] A release date was originally set for July 22, 2016. However, the date was pushed back to January 13, 2017.
Seasons
- Kyoryu Sentai Zyuranger (1992) - Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Season One (1993)
- Gosei Sentai Dairanger (1993) - Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Season Two (1994)
- Ninja Sentai Kakuranger (1994) - Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Season Three (1995)/Mighty Morphin Alien Rangers (1996)
- Choriki Sentai Ohranger (1995) - Power Rangers Zeo (1996)
- Gekisou Sentai Carranger (1996) - Power Rangers Turbo (1997)
- Denji Sentai Megaranger (1997) - Power Rangers In Space (1998)
- Seijuu Sentai Gingaman (1998) - Power Rangers Lost Galaxy (1999)
- Kyuukyuu Sentai GoGoV (1999) - Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue (2000)
- Mirai Sentai Timeranger (2000) - Power Rangers Time Force (2001)
- Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger (2001) - Power Rangers Wild Force (2002)
- Nipuu Sentai Hurricanger (2002) - Power Rangers Ninja Storm (2003)
- Bakuryuu Sentai Abaranger (2003) - Power Rangers Dino Thunder (2004)
- Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger (2004) - Power Rangers S.P.D. (2005)
- Mahou Sentai Magiranger (2005) - Power Rangers Mystic Force (2006)
- GoGo Sentai Boukenger (2006) - Power Rangers Operation Overdrive (2007)
- Juken Sentai Gekiranger (2007) - Power Rangers Jungle Fury (2008)
- Engine Sentai Go-Onger (2008) - Power Rangers RPM (2009)
- Samurai Sentai Shinkenger (2009) - Power Rangers Samurai (2011)/Power Rangers Super Samurai (2012)
- Tensou Sentai Goseiger (2010) - Power Rangers Megaforce (2013)
- Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger (2011) - Power Rangers Super Megaforce (2014)
- Zyuden Sentai Kyoryuger (2013) - Power Rangers Dino Charge (2015)/Power Rangers Dino Supercharge (2016)
Movies
- Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie (1995)
- Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie (1997)
- Power Rangers (2017)