Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Power Rangers/Super Sentai Villain Comparison: Jungle Fury / Gekiranger

UPDATED NOVEMBER 1, 2008

Jarrod/Dai Shi / Rio (Black Lion)
Rio is a young student of ShaFu, of the GekiJyuKen. He was swayed to the dark side, because he wanted more power. This all stemmed from an incident that occurred as a child, his whole family being murdered, which was orchestrated by Ron. For a long time, it seemed like Rio was in charge of his actions. In Jungle Fury, Jarrod was the human and Dai Shi was established to resolve Jarrod from the faults of being evil. Now, it was sort of unclear who is in control, either Jarrod or Dai Shi, an evil spirit since 'he' had to get training from the Overlords and supposedly, Dai Shi had met the Overloads before. So it was like if Dai Shi was Ron, in a way. But personality-wise 'Jai Shi' and Rio, Rio was much more subtle and unbelieving of anyone else. While Dai Shi is a little more accepting of assistance but just as cranky and angry. Rio also had his weakness of being one-sighted, to become obsessed with something. Also Rio killed more.. or he thought he did. Dai Shi showed off his 'Zocato' a lot later than Rio showed his DoRinki to Maku. By the end of Jungle Fury, of course, they had to split Dai Shi and Rio up. While Ron pulled Rio's strings and he got angry about it because he didn't know about it, but Jarrod knew it from the beginning. Casey believed in Jarrod, while no one else did or said they didn't in order to test Casey. Biggest difference, Rio died and Jarrod didn't.

Camille / Mele
Mele is my number one favorite character in Gekiranger. She was a warrior/follower of the Kenma and swallowed Bae. She died, became a Rinshi warrior and was resurrected by Rio. She instantly falls in love with Rio and will do anything for him. Unfortunately, her love is not returned nor noticed, for a while. Camille was just waiting in the wall and her 'love' for Dai Shi slowly developed and wasn't so clear, probably because the writers released they had to put one and one together. Also, all the footage of her in her beast form had to be re-shot because of 'objectionable' 'nipples' on her chest, which actually was Chameleon eyes. Mele earned her Dorinki when going against her 'fair and square' standards by stealing the Soujyuto underhandedly and broke Rio out of a prison with it. But on the other hand, Camille merely stole the Control Dagger from Dommick underhandedly and gives Jai Shi the dagger so he breaks himself out. Fans knew it would come to the test when Jarrod would be split from Dai Shi, if Camille would love him. So, the 'love' between Jarrod and Camille can't compare to Rio and Mele; but they did it well enough by tying it up with characterization, that Dai Shi never said thank you to Camille, so when Jarrod said it, it resonated it. Mele died, Camille didn't, neither was her state as a undead person was mentioned.

Flit/Bae
Both are little talking flies that announce the 'Megazord' battles and they used to be humans. They are basically the same, especially their MC-like voices and they can't survive too long away from their Chameleon companion. Only difference was that Bae turned himself into a fly but since his technique was flawed, he became small. Camille had 'cursed' Flit into a fly and both had swallowed them. Bae was released from being dependent on Mele by the finale. And Flit was made human again by Camille and joined Jungle Karma Pizza.

Carinsoar / Kata
Both were revived from the same place by the 'lion cub.' Both handled him with deadly teachings. Kata put Rio under a 'Rinki' spell that slowly sucked his life. Carinsoar took 'Jai Shi' to his past or in his mind and erased his good deeds, to make him more evil. Both of them pushed the lion warrior to the limit, concerning the chameleon warrior, they both didn't like her either. Kata was too much for the heroes, but Jan/Casey was able to defeat him and Ken/Dominick destroy him.

Jellica / Rageku
Both were revived by the chameleon warrior. Rageku was ShaFu's love interest but he forgot about her as soon as she betrayed him. Rageku wanted to train Mele and wanted to pit her against Rio, she didn't like men. When she proved herself, and Rio as well--in sparing with her, she agreed to teach them both. He wasn't so fond about her teachings in jealously, until she made him realize the jealous he had for Byakko, Jan's father. Both were very successful in kicking our heroes' butts. Jellica told Camille to waste the Rangers, but because Lily helped her, she released her. Rageku was killed by Ron. Jellica brought three Phantom Beast Generals to life and was destroyed by them.

Grizzaka / Maku
Both were aggressive and possess a special power that the lion warriors want. Dorinki = Zocato. Maku's resurrection was much more elaborate. He was under the palace and needed the Ikgimo, which was taken out of him. It fell in the hands of some spoiled chick. While to revive Grizzaka, Camille merely threw a talon in a cave. Maku was once a student of Brusa E and was elevated to be his successor but he got pissed when he found out he wasn't the first choice--ShaFu was. So after a scuffle with Shafu, he started the GekiRin Rebellion, he and his followers took animal forms and killed Brusa. Grizzaka was 'friends' with Dai Shi but hates humans, so now that he is in a human form (Jarrod), he hates him. Both took the place as leader. Maku actually expected Kata and Rageku to do their dirty work, but they didn't oblige. Grizzaka had the other Overlords look for the Phantom Crystal Eye stones. Maku didn't do anything to bring the Phantom Beasts. They were defeated the same way, with the animal spirits.

Scorch / Ron
Ron was introduced around the time when Gou was introduced, but only to Mele, he manipulated her. He revealed himself to Rio to introduce the GenJyuKen and way later to the Gekiranger. But his true form was not revealed until the last episodes. Scorch has no human form, he is the leader of the Phantom Beasts. Ron killed Rageku, but Scorch and the other two killed her counterpart Jellica. Ron was a big player, he was a main big player and pulled everyone's strings. Ron was eternal, immortal and became very bored and wanted some excitement so his plot was to turn Rio to something like him, to cause havoc. Scorch was obedient to Dai Shi, he died three times, one big, two when Ron was sealed and third an original death. Ron's final multiple-headed dragon became Dai Shi's final form.

Snapper / Sanyo
Sanyo was Ron's lackey and coughed alot and said 'yo' alot. He revealed stuff Ron didn't want him to. Sanyo's power was of the Basilisk but Snapper is of the more obvious Snapping Turtle of his appearance. Snapper seems more intimidating, but he was much more of Scorch's lackey and Mele/Camille did overcome Sanyo/Snapper. Snapper was killed by the Rangers and Camille. Sanyo was sucked up by Ron to make his final form.

Whiger / Suugu
Suugu did not speak at all because he was just the GekiWaza or power of Dan, the father of Jan. He was used by Ron to lure Rio into GenJyuKen. This was because Rio had a rivarly with Dan and he killed Dan or he thought he did. He had no mind, but he slowly came to care for Dan's son. He asked Jan to kill him and then Dan was free. Dan's power was of the White Tiger but Suugu was the Chimera, Whiger's power is of the White Tiger. The name Whiger is just the combination of the two words. Whiger was given the task of stealing Casey's tiger spirit, he was banished by Dai Shi when not being able to defeat Casey and then helped Casey when he helped him and faded away.

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Power Rangers: Former Cast - who is a mamma and papa?

Recently, it has been revealed that Amy Jo Johnson is pregnant and engaged to Oliver Giner. She is 37, she is the upcoming CTV and CBS "Flashpoint" in July. So I wanted to check which other Power Rangers alumni have kids.

Surprisingly, not a lot.

Jason David Frank (Tommy) - He married Shawna in 1994 and had two boys (Jacob and Hunter Sebastian) and had a little girl named Sky, then divorced in 2001 and married Tammie in 2003 and has daughter Jenna Rae and stepdaughter Shayla. He is 34.

Nakia Burrise (Tanya/Yellow Zeo and Turbo Ranger) apparently according to Actors in Spandex has one child. She is 34.

Tracy Lynn Cruz (Ashley, Yellow Turbo and Space Ranger) is married to Javier Leon with three sons (according to Wikipedia). She is 32.

Justin Nimmo (Zhane, Silver Ranger) married Michelle McCaskill on May 22, 1999. They have two children. He is 34.

Jason Faunt (Wes, Red Time Force Ranger) has one child with his wife Stephanie who he married in September 6, 2002. He is 34.

Sarah Brown (Kaitlin Star, VR Troopers and Heather, Power Rangers Zeo) She has one daughter, Jordan Alexandra Judith (b. July 20, 1998); the father is Brown's ex-fiancé, Israeli composer Shuki Levy (a former executive producer on VR Troopers and the Power Rangers franchise). She is 33 and currently plays Claudia Zacchara on General Hospital.

If you know of any other I missed, let me know.


Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Go-Onger: Jum-bowhale so fast?

In Episode 19 of Go-Onger, Jum-bowhale, the ninth Engine was quickly introduced, not formerly, at the end of the episode. The Sixth and Seventh rangers had been revealed in episode 17, I think it is rather quick from the 9th mecha to already appear. But of course, this one will help make up the robot for the two new Rangers--Seiku-Oh. It seems to be a pattern to have mecha built of three mecha in this series. The main three make EngineOh and the black and green ranger's Engine combine with the sixth Engine to make GunBirOh. And, of course the combination of all nine Engines will also be in the movie, premiering August 9th.

I guess these characters were revealed quick enough so they could appear in the movie. Because last year in Gekiranger, the fourth and fifth rangers were not revealed until after the movie premiered August 4. GekiViolet premiered in August 19 and the last Ranger GekiChopper premiered on September 9. Also, Gekiranger only had 13 mecha. Go-Onger appears to will have more, probably 15. Of course 3 are re-paints, the 'evil' mecha above--DaiShogun, which will appear in the movie as well. Of course, this whole thing about what and who appeared in which episode can't be determined, as Gekiranger is evidence--nothing goes in accordance, characters and mech can be introduced at any time. But there is such a thing as timing and character development, so having 7 rangers by episode 17 compared to having only 5 (and 2 evil sort-of rangers) by episode 28 is pretty smart.

Sunday, June 22, 2008

Animals in Sentai

Contrary to popular belief, not many Super Sentai are animal-inspired. out of the 32 series, there is only about 14 or so series that has animals, mythical creatures or dinosaurs. I was curious to see how many animals or beasts were repeated.

Lions (11)
Liveman (1988) - yellow lion
Dairanger (1993) - green lion Star-ShiShi
Gingaman (1998) - red lion GingaLion
2-Gaoranger (2001) - red Gao Lion and gunmetal black Gao Leon
2-Hurricanger (2002) - yellow Hurricane Lion and white Gattling Leo
Magiranger (2005) - white Magi Lion
Gekiranger (2007) - black Rin Lion
Go-Onger (2008) - blue Buson (half bus)
Shinkenger (2009) - red ShishiOrikami

Sharks (7)
Battle Fever J (1979) - blue/white Battle Shark (battleship)
Sun Vulcan (1981) - blue Vulshark
Gingaman (1998) - dark blue/silver Ginga Bitus
3-Gaoranger (2001) - blue Gao Shark, purple Gao Hammer (hammerhead shark) and maroon Gao SawShark.
Gekiranger (2007) - sea blue Geki Shark

Bears (6)
Kakuranger (1994) - yellow God Kumard
3-Gaoranger (2001) - black Gao Bear, white Gao Polar, and Gao Panda (2 were owned by Gao Yellow).
Go-onger (2008) - yellow Bear RV (half RV)
Shinkenger (2009) - Green KumaOriKami

Dragons (5)
Changeman (1985) - red Change Dragon warrior
Zyuranger (1992) - green/black/silver Dragon Ceasar
2-Dairanger (1993) - red Ryuuseioh, green Daijinryuu
Magiranger (2005) - five-colored Magi Dragon
Shinkenger (2009) - blue RyuuOriKami

Phoenix (5)
Changeman (1985) - pink Change Phoenix warrior
Dairanger (1993) - pink Star-houhou
Ohranger (1995) - red Skyphoenix
Gingaman (1998) - blue Ginga Phoenix
Magiranger (2005) - red MagiPhoenix


Tigers (5)
Dairanger (1993) - white Won Tiger
Gaoranger (2001) - white Gao Tiger
Gekiranger (2007) - red Geki Tiger
Go-onger (2008) - silver Jetoras (half jet)
Shinkenger (2009) - white ToraOriKami

Condors (4)
Jetman (1992) - black Jet Condor
Gaoranger (2001) - blue Gao Condor
Hurricanger (2002) - white Tri-Condor
Go-onger (2008) - red Speedor (half racecar)

Falcons (4)
Liveman (1988) - Red Falcon
Kakuranger (1994) - white Tsubasamaru
Gingaman (1998) - green Gingalcon
Gaoranger (2001) - red Gao Falcon

Gorillas (4)
Gingaman (1998) - blue Gingarilla
Gaoranger (2001) - green Gao Gorilla and red Gao Kong
Gekiranger (2007) - red Geki Gorilla

Rhinos (4)
Liveman (1988) - Green Sai
Gingaman (1998) - red Ginga Rhino
Gaoranger (2001) - periwinkle Gao Rhino
Gekiranger (2007) - white and silver SaiDain

Horses (3)
Gaoranger (2001) - Gao Horse
Magiranger (2005) - black Valkyrion, Slepiner's blue horses

Wolves (4)
Kakuranger (1994) - blue God Logan
Gingaman (1998) - yellow Gingaverick
Gaoranger (2001) - silver Gao Wolf
Gekiranger (2007) - violet Geki Wolf


Mammoths (3)
Zyuranger (1992) - black Mammoth
Hurricanger (2001) - silver Revolver Mammoth
Go-Onger (2008) - maroon Kishamoth (half train)

Tortoises (3)
Liveman (1988) - black/silver Gran Tortoise
Dairanger (1993) - green Dai Mugen
Hurricanger (2002) - periwinkle Totasu Hammer


Triceratops (3)
Zyuranger (1992) - blue Triceratops
Abaranger (2003) - blue Kera
Go-Onger (2008) - light periwinkle Triceratops K-Line (half train-car)

Tyrannosaurus (4)
Zyuranger (1992) - red Tyrannosaurus
Timeranger (2000) - V-Rex
Abaranger (2003) - red Tyranno

Go-Onger (2008) - white tyrannosaurus T-Line (half train car)

Bisons (2)
Liveman (1988) - Black Bison
Gaoranger (2001) - black Gao Bison

Brachiosaurus (2)
Zyuranger (1992) - white/black King Brachion
Abaranger (2003) - black/gold Brachiosaurus

Dolphins (2)
Liveman (1988) - Blue Dolphin
Hurricanger (2001) - blue Hurricane Dolphin

Eagles (2)
Sun Vulcan (1981) - red Vuleagle warrior
Gaoranger (2001) - yellow GaoEagle

Elephants (2)
Gaoranger (2001) - teal blue Gao Elephant
Gekiranger (2007) - teal green Geki Elephant

Gators (2)
Gaoranger (2001) - forest green Gao Gator
Gekiranger (2007) - orange CarriGator (half carrier)

Hawks (2)
Jetman (1991) - Red Hawk
Hurricanger (2001) - red Hurricane Hawk


Jaguars (2)
Gaoranger (2001) - yellow-orange Gao Jaguar
Gekiranger (2007) - blue Gao Jaguar

Mermaids (2)
Changeman (1985) - white Change Mermaid warrior
Magiranger (2005) - blue Magi Mermaid

Pegasus (2)
Changeman (1985) - blue Change Pegasus warrior
Dairanger (1993) - blue Star Tenma


Pteradon (2)
Zyuranger (1992) - pink/red/white Pteradon
Abaranger (2003) - yellow Ptera

Taurus (2)
Ohranger (1995) - green Grantaurus
Magiranger (2005) - green MagiTaurus


Kabuto (2)
Hurricanger (2002) - crimson Kabuto Gorai Beetle
Shinkenger (2009) - orange Kabuto Origami


one shots (so far)
Sun Vulcan (1981) - yellow VulPanther
Changeman (1985) - black Change Griffin
Jetman (1991) - Yellow Owl, Blue Swallow, White Swan
Zyuranger (1992) - yellow Sabertooth Tiger
Dairanger (1993) - yellow Kirin
Kakuranger (1994) - God Saruder (red ape), God Kark (white crane), God Gammer (black frog)
Ohranger (1995) - blue Sphinx
Gingaman (1998) - pink Gingat
Gaoranger (2001) - orange Giraffe, purple Armadillo, green Deer, brown Buffalo, peacock, mouse, and stingray.
Hurricanger (2002) - indigo Kuwagata Gorai Stag, yellow goat, blue squid, yellow bee, purple Horseshoe Crab, green spider, red starfish
Abaranger (2003) - Stegosaurus, Tupuxuara, Styracosaurus, Pachycephalosaurus, Parasaurolophus, Ankylosaurus, Dimetrodon
Magiranger (2005) - pink Fairy, yellow Garuda, and white unicorn Unikirion
Gekiranger (2007) - yellow Cheetah, yellow Penguin, indigo Bat, blue Gazelle, green Chameleon
Go-Onger (2008) - Birca (orca), Gunpherd (German Shepard), Triptor (chicken), Jum-bowhale (whale)
Shinkenger (2009) - yellow monkey, pink turtle, cyan swordfish

Updated May 13, 2009

Friday, June 13, 2008

Did you know about Venus de Milo, the fifth Ninja Turtle?

Now that the 20th anniversary of the original Ninja Turtles is coming along, I thought I'd cover...

Yes, there was a fifth Ninja Turtle. This came about in a Live-Action series by Haim Saban (Power Rangers) in 1997 called "Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation." The show aired on FOX Kids and at the time Saban had property of it. The series supposedly followed the continuity of the live-action films. The Turtles lived in the same abandoned train station featured in the second and third films, and Splinter's ear was slashed as it was in the original film. But it did not include April O' Neal and Casey Jones and did include Shredder, who was dead in the films. I remember reading about her first in a Time Magazine article about females in the media such as Daria and Buffy.

The above image is an illustration from the official website back in 1997. She was part of an online dairy, it continued until 1999 but was then removed from the site. Her Story: Venus was one of the five turtles that were exposed to mutagen in the sewers. She wandered off and was discovered by a shinobi magician in China Town. Her name was Mei Pieh Chi, but when the main villains of the series--dragons killed her mentor, she returned to New York. In the struggle, the arms of a statue of a woman were broken off. After the turtles win the battle, the female turtle takes the statue with her to the lair. This earned her the nickname of Venus de Milo after the famous statue, mimicking the other Turtles' artist namesakes. In the series, Venus was not played by Nicole Parker of "MADtv," but an Australian actress called Nicole N. Parker.

Another unique thing about her and her 'New Mutation' brothers was that they met the Power Rangers, an occasion that was came about because Haim Saban was producing this Turtles incarnation and meeting the Power Rangers would be natural to promote the series. But the turtles was produced in Canada and because PR was done in LA at the time, they didn't used the suit actors and different voice actors for the Turtles. It was in Power Rangers in Space episode "Shell Shocked" in 1998. But it was futile to even promote on Power Rangers because the original fans of PR had either left by season 3 (1995-1996) or Turbo (1997). So not many fans of the 1989 TMNT animated series were not aware of this teamup.

Now, the controversy came in with the Ninja Turtles creators Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird. In the Next Mutation, it was explicitly made out that the turtles were not directly related and of course not biologically related to Venus. The writers could give her a romantic relationship between Venus with the rebellious & quick-tempered Raphael and/or the stalwart & fuddy-duddy leader Leonardo. This made Laird mad because he stressed that the turtles were the only and last of their kind, and if there was a chance of hope at procreation through a female turtle, that would defeat the fact. Director Kevin Munroe elaborated in an interview on the instructions Peter Laird gave to him for the recent CGI TMNT. Munroe admitted that among those rules was, "There’s absolutely no mention of Venus de Milo, the female Turtle. You can’t even joke about that with Peter. It’s just one of those things that he hates with a passion." Laird has said, "As long as I am in charge of this ship of Turtles, Venus de Milo will never be mentioned again."

It is said that FOX Kids wanted to add the female turtle and Laird was against it, but had no choice. Contrary to popular belief, the show Next Mutation actually had nice ratings. FOX Kids simply canceled the show, I think there was a miscommunication or problems with production. I have always liked female incarnations in an established male franchise and she is an interesting lark, even though we may never see any new official form of her.

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

It's Official! Kamen Rider Dragon Knight is on the CW

After rumors of it being on the Cartoon Network this year, it is going to be on the CW Network in 2009, it is yet to said to be if it is going to be on CW 4 Kids, but since they did say it was to be for kids, then it is most likely. 40 episodes has been filmed.

Both pictures from:
Official Toei (Japan)
Not much info here, but worth a look:
Official Adness Entertainment