Different Sci-Fi Fantasy Influences in Power Rangers

 Star Wars
The Popular franchise started with George Lucas' 1977 film, inspired by Saturday sci-fi films like Flash Gordon and westerns has inspired a lot of science fiction ever since. Star Wars has arguably influenced a lot of factors of the Power Rangers, maybe some unintentional. Most of this post may be obvious to the more seasoned fans but newer fans may not be aware of this or may not have made the connection as of yet. 

"May the Force Be With You"

The famous saying "May the Force Be With You" originated in the first movie. Zordon would say "May the Power protect you" since the pilot "Day of the Dumpster" in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. This carried on throughout season one and perhaps later connection seasons, I am not sure. 

Bounty Hunters

The ideas of Bounty Hunters originated with western movies, the idea of cowboys, and the Dunn Brothers. The Empire Strikes Back saw the debut of Boba Fett, a bounty hunter. In Power Rangers Zeo (1996), the Varox Bounty Hunters went after the Gold Ranger from Triforia. Also, in Power Rangers Dino Charge (2015) the main villain Sledge was a bounty hunter. Even though Sledge is much bigger and bulkier, his armor is slightly similar to Boba Fett, it is unknown if this was intentional. 

Mos Eisley Cantina
Once Power Rangers went to space, the producers drew a lot from Star Wars and Star Trek. The three seasons Power Rangers In Space, Power Rangers Lost Galaxy, and Power Rangers SPD have different hangouts for villains, monsters, or "Scum of the Earth." Power Rangers in Space and Power Rangers Lost Galaxy have the Onyx Tavern. Power Rangers SPD had Piggy's, a hangout for aliens. In the first Star Wars movie, the Mos Eisley Cantina is a watering hole for aliens and the scum of the universe on the plant Tatooine. 

Onyx Tavern

Set in a western town in a desert on a planet. The tavern has monsters, aliens, and robots frequent the tavern. It is seen in Power Rangers in Space and Power Rangers Lost Galaxy. In Power Rangers in Space, Darkonda frequents it. In Power Rangers Lost Galaxy, Karone disguises as her old self Astronema in order to retrieve the stolen Pink Galaxy Saber. 

Jedi
Obi-Wan was the first Jedi with the cloak and overall uniform later seen replicated by the Jedi in the prequel movies. When Power Rangers in Space aired, it was 1998. The Prequel movie The Phantom Menance started in 1999. Andros had a cloak to hide in that resembles some of Jedi's uniforms. It was probably inspired by Obi Wan from the 1977 movie.

Andros' cloak was first seen in 1998. The Phantom Menance (1999) introduces other Jedis with similar costumes. The above picture is Andros in Forever Red (2002), where he wears the cloak again. This is probably not directly inspired by it but a rethread from 1998 "In Space" season. As I said before, the Andros cloak was probably inspired by the 1977 movie. 

Star Trek
The 1966 Television series started the long-spanning franchise. Star Trek, for those who do not know, tells the story of an organization of space travelers. Various elements like costumes, dialogue, jargon, and sets of Power Rangers In Space, Power Rangers Lost Galaxy, and Power Rangers SPD are inspired by Star Trek. 

Star Trek: TNG/Power Rangers in Space
It is hard to tell apart but to the left is the hallway from Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987). The one to the right is the hallway from Power Rangers In Space (1998). The walls are highly different but each has panels. The floors are very similar, just different colors. The ceilings are going in different directions. The Star Trek ceiling is horizontal while the Power Rangers ceiling has lights going vertical. 

 

Star Trek: DS9/Power Rangers Lost Galaxy

Star Trek Deep Space Nine first aired in 1993. Even though not exactly the same, some sets of Power Rangers Lost Galaxy (1999) had arcs and circular items similar to Deep Space Nine sets. Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue (2000) also had sets that were similar, as some sets and props were repurposed from Lost Galaxy. 

Crew Uniforms
The Astro Megaship crew uniforms have some close resemblance to some Star Trek uniforms. 

 

Cyborg Astronema

When Astronema was brainwashed and a cyborg, could be inspired by the Borg or Seven of Nine.

Aliens

The Aquitar Rangers from Mighty Morphin Alien Rangers were clearly inspired by some of the aliens from Star Trek, with the head ridges and whatnot. Not exactly from one specific alien race but broad strokes.

There are much more factors taken from Star Wars, Strek Trek, and other Science Fiction franchises but I don't have the wavelength to figure it out. If you noticed anything else different or unique that was inspired by these other franchises, let me know. SPD did have animal aliens which were inspired at first by Dekaranger. Dekaranger probably got inspired by American Science Fiction movies. I also must not that all these things I have mentioned from Power Rangers have been from the American elements and not Super Sentai. Super Sentai is of course from Japan and there are elements from Star Wars and Star Trek but not as obvious or similar to mention. Bioman had lightsabers and Kyuranger had Star Trek influences but those Super Sentai series were not adapted into Power Rangers. 

Power Rangers Lightning Collection: Female Figures (UPDATED)

UPDATED 7/3

 As of July 2021, there are 20 female Lightning Collection figures. There have been 3 villainesses and only Yellow and Pink Rangers [Technically 2 evil pink, 1 evil yellow, and 1 evil red ranger.] For the record, there is 1 more Red Ranger (Lauren/Samurai), 1 Black Ranger (Hyperforce), 1 Green Ranger (Izzy/Dino Fury), 3 Blue Rangers (Mystic Force, Ninja Storm, Omega), 5 White Rangers (Alien, Wild Force, SPD, Mystic Force, and Ninja Steel) and 2 Silver Rangers (RPM and SPD).

Kimberly and Trini

Katherine and Aisha Metallic Armor

Katherine 2-Pack (Zeo and MMPR)

Tanya Yellow Zeo Ranger 

Rita Repulsa came with a 2-pack with Zedd.

Scorpina and Aisha 2-pack

Ranger Slayer

Ashley/In Space Yellow and Cassie/In Space Pink 

Astronema (came with Andros set with indigo hair and soon with Ecliptor with purple hair)

 

Psycho Yellow and Psycho Pink

Both came in Psycho Rangers set 

Syd/Pink SPD

SPD A-Squad Pink and Red, sold separately at Gamestop

Power Rangers Lightning Collection: Wave 9

 I've been busy and this is a little behind. Better late than never. 

Tenga, Blue Lost Galaxy, Green SPD and Black In Space Ranger.

Related: https://henshingrid.blogspot.com/2020/12/power-rangers-lightning-collection-wave.html

Power Rangers Lightning Collection: Wave 8

Adam/Zeo Ranger IV Green

Syd/Pink SPD Ranger

Ethan/Blue Dino Thunder Ranger

Leo/Red Lost Galaxy Ranger

Props and Concepts from Tokusatsu used in Power Rangers

 I have covered a couple of these topics before but here they are complied with some new ones. I will not include monsters that were reused later because there are too many to mention. 

Aura Changer/Manga Morpher

The Aura Changer, the morpher from Dairanger (1993) was changed to the Manga Morpher for Power Rangers Lost Galaxy (1998). They changed the colors and name of Dairanger changed to silver. The toy had the name of Lost Galaxy while the show just had it silver. They changed the knots on the extending item to silver.

Gorma Emperor/Master Org

The costume for the main villain Gorma Emperor from Daitanger (1993) was used for Master Org in Power Rangers Wild Force (2002).

Nanami/Kira

Nanami (Hurricanger 2002) was a singer, this trait was not moved to her counterpart Tori in Ninja Storm (2003) but given to Kira in Dino Thunder (2004). This was probably done because back then they usually got a few episodes in advance. They probably were already locked in character traits in Ninja Storm, that later after Hurricanger ended, producers liked that concept for Dino Thunder.

Rije/Mora and Rijewel/Morgana

In Abaranger (2003), the villain Rie was child-like became the woman Rijewel. The Dino Thunder series didn't have this concept. This concept was used for Mora/Morgana in Power Rangers SPD (2005). Morgana did get the battle suit from Succubus from Dekaranger (2004) so it was a composite character. This was probably done because back then they usually got a few episodes in advance. They probably were already locked in for villains for Dino Thunder and were not aware that concept would happen. Later after Abaranger ended, producers liked that concept for SPD.

Abarepink / Orange Ranger
In Abaranger (2003), Abarepink was a friend of the gang dressed as a fan-made pink ranger. This concept was not used in Dino Thunder. In SPD (2005), Boom made his fan made Orange Ranger costume. 

Thunder Stinger

B-Fighter (1995)/Beetleborgs (1996)'s Thunder Stinger becomes an unnamed weapon for Dr. K in RPM (2009). 

Baron Nero/Cosmo Royale

Toqger (2014)'s Baron Nero was used for Cosmo Royale in Ninja Steel (2017). They changed the face.

Jirayu and Gavan/Skyfire and Chaku

Jirayu (1993) appeared in Ninninger (2015) and Gavan (1982) appeared in Go-Busters (2012). Then when Ninninger was adapted as Ninja Steel (2017), Jirayu became Skyfire. Then when Go-Busters was adapted as Beast Morphers (2019), Gavan became Chaku.