First PR SDCC 2014 exclusive announcement: Armored MM Black Ranger Figuart

 

Tamashii Nations has announced that for this year's San Diego Comic Con, they will have the S.H. Figuarts exclusive of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers' Armored Black Ranger. He was seen in "An Oyster Stew" in the first season of Power Rangers, Tommy gave the Dragon Shield to Zack, which was exclusive Power Rangers footage shot by Toei and is called by fans as "Zyu2" and was not in Zyuranger. Some people were commenting that he does not have a good Power Morpher like the Armored Red Ranger and Green Ranger but on the show, he had a silver one. People wonder about this, my theory--in a show way, it is that since Tommy transfer his powers from the Dragon Coin to Jason, then his morpher became gold as well. But in this episode, Tommy just lent Zack his shield and not his powers completely so his morpher remained the same. A price hasn't been announced yet. The possibility of this figure was mentioned at a previous convention before. Lord Zedd was also mentioned, hopefully we'll see him some time in the future.

 

For more information and photos:

https://www.facebook.com/Tamashii.USA/posts/800176410001526

http://blog.samuraicast.com/tamashii-nations-san-diego-comic-con-2014/

Some Exclusive Zyu2 Footage at Grnrngr.com

I am obsessed with Zyu 2 footage. Zyu 2 is a fan-term for the footage that Toei made for Saban for Power Rangers Season 1 and 2. Fellow Power Force Member John Green (grnrngr) has gotten hold of some footage from an anonymous source of Bloom of Doom and Invenusable Flytrap which has Megazord footage. He will be putting them as clips on his site like everything else for Zyu2. So this is to come in 2014.

http://www.grnrngr.com/zyu2/teaser/

His Zyu2 Footage section

http://www.grnrngr.com/zyu2/

A Guide to Power Rangers and Super Sentai Footage for the Layperson

I decided to make a guide for the layperson or any fans who didn't know about what Super Sentai or any other footage was used for Power Rangers.

 Power Rangers Season One (1993-1994)

Episodes One ("Day of the Dumpster") to Episodes 44 ("Lions and Blizzards") - Kyoryu Sentai Zyuranger (1992) for fighting footage, zord footage and villain footage. "Zyu 1.5" is footage that was exclusively made of Rita, Goldar and the other minions in her palace. The term "Zyu 1.5" has been coined by old pal SirStack of Morphylogengy and fellow Power Force member John Green of grnrngr.com. Very little American footage was made for these episode, mostly the Rangers in the Command Center, walking or standing around outside.

Episodes 45-46 ("To Flea or Not to Flea"), 48-60 ("Oyster Stew") uses footage which fans refer to as "Zyu 2" and rumor is Toei called it "Power Rangers 2." It is footage Saban ordered from Toei that did not appear in Zyuranger was made only for Power Rangers and had the Rangers had characteristics of the American Rangers more than the Zyuranger. This was just fighting footage and zord footage. That I know of, this does not include Rita's palace. Footage from Zyuranger and Zyu 1.5 was reused for Rita's palace. Monster suits were sent to America and were used more for these episodes. "Crystal of Nightmares" Episode 47 used past footage.

 Power Rangers Season Two (1994-1995)

Lord Zedd and his palace was American footage. Episodes 61 ("The Mutiny Part 1") to 73 ("Green No More Part 2") used "Zyu 2" footage for fighting footage and zord footage. The original Putties and original Megazord and Dino Zords were removed and spliced in with American footage of the Z-Putties and the Dairanger footage of the Thunderzords. Dragonzord footage from Zyu 2 was used. Thunderzords, monsters, White Ranger and other elements were used from Gosei Sentai Dairanger (1993).

From Episodes 74 ("Missing Green") to Episode 112 ("Blue Ranger Gone Bad") used Dairanger footage for monster footage and zord footage. They didn't have much Dairanger monster suits so a lot of the footage was little splicing from Dairanger or if they did have the suit, they made their own American fighting footage. "Best Man for the Job" used new American footage of the Tigerzord fighting the Thunder Megazord. Some episodes reused Zyuranger or Zyu 2 monsters and repainted or redecorated them. Some episodes like "The Wedding Part 1, 2 & 3" and "Return of the Green Rangers Part 1, 2 & 3" were shot in Australia. Only White Ranger in his cockpit was used from Dairanger. New cockpit footage for the Thunder Megazord was created and individual cockpits were cut out to exclude the Dairanger.

One shot of the magic theater in "The Wedding Part 1, 2 & 3" were used from Ninja Sentai Kakuranger Episode 35. Kakuranger would not fully be used until Season 3. 

 Season Three (1995-1996)

All of Season Three used footage from Ninja Sentai Kakuranger (1994). The Power Rangers gained Ninja Coins and became Ninja Rangers, which was American footage. Ninjor, Rito and Master Vile from Kakuranger and their costumes were used for American footage. Dairanger footage was still used for Serpentera. The Tengas were American footage and there was much more original fighting footage and Megazord fighting in Season three. By the way, the three-parter "A Friend in Need" was mostly American footage as the Rangers meet Masked Rider, the episodes actually use Kamen Rider Black RX footage as that was the source of Masked Rider. The monster Repellator was a green repaint of blue monster Silverhorns from Dairanger and the Megazord fight was American.

Ninja Megazord was the first Megazord introduced in Power Rangers but in Kakuranger, it was the second, Shogun Megazord was the first. So episodes 116 ("Ninja Quest") to 130 ("Changing of the Zords") was footage of Kakuranger Episodes 36 to 47.

Shogun Megazord was first introduced in Episode 130 and was used until Episode 155 ("Hogday Afternoon") using Kakuranger footage from Episode 3 to 23 or so.

Episodes 148 ("Alien Rangers of Aquitar) to Episode 155 ("Hogday Afternoon") uses fighting footage of the Kakurangers themselves as Aquitar Ranger. The majority of the footage featured the Battle Borgs, one instance of original American footage of the Battle Borgs happened. 

Power Rangers Zeo (1996)

Japanese footage was from Choriki Sentai Ohranger (1995) as always, the fighting footage and zord footage. ALL villain footage in villain headquarters was from Ohranger. No American footage was produced in their headquarters. Some American fighting footage was made. Very few American Megazord footage was made, the most notable was in the last episode with the Zeo Rangers fighting King Mondo. The majority of American footage in monster suits was Rita, Zedd, Goldar and Rito.

Power Rangers Turbo (1997)

Japanese footage was from Carranger (1996).  Mostly only the monster and zord footage and some henchmen footage was used. The main villain was American and so was her headquarters, the footsoliders Pirnahtrons were American so the Rangers fighting them was American. Later Divatox moved to a Space Base, which the exterior was Japanese but the interior was American. The movie Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie was completely American. Footage from Carranger were not used was Rangers fighting the footsoldiers, goofier footage of the monsters and the villain headquarters.

Power Rangers in Space (1998)

Japanese footage from Denji Sentai Megaranger (1997). Astronema and Dark Specter were American creations, the interior of the Dark Fortress was american but the outside was Japanese. Ecliptor fighting footage and zord footage was from Megaranger. The footsoliders were American so the show was majority American as they were flying through space. Megaranger was not set in space, a lot of Astro Megaship as a moel against green screen was American. Footage not used from Megaranger was the Rangers fighting footsoliders (although the Craterites were used in "The Craterite Invasion") and the villains in their headquarters.

Power Rangers Lost Galaxy (1999)

Japanese footage was from Gingaman (1998). Captain Mutiny was the main villain in Gingaman and he and his henchmen were used halfway through Lost Galaxy. Trakeena, her father Scorpio, Stingwingers and the Scropion Stinger were American footage. Terra Ventura, Jet Jammers, Galaxy Cycles, Battlizer and space footage was American. Some new American Megazord footage was made, mostly for space battles. The first half of the series was majority American footage, save for the Megazord battles and quick scenes of the Rangers versus the monster.

Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue (2000)

Japanese footage from Go Go Five (1999). There was no American-only villain, the majority of the villain headquarters was from Japanese footage. Some footage was American, to include Jennifer Yen as Vypra and instances with Ryan or the Rangers at the end of the series. Fighting footage with henchmen, monsters and megazord footage was Japanese. Titanium Ranger was the first American-made Ranger and was exclusively American as there was no sixth Ranger in Go Go Five. All footage of him fighting Batlings or monsters or villains was American made. His megazord Max Solarzord was a un-manned robo in Go Go Five named Liner Boy. Vypra had the same outfit as the Japanese actress and was Asian in order to not be noticed when Japanese footage of her counterpart was used from behind or the side.

Power Rangers Time Force  (2001)
Japanese footage was from Mirai Sentai Timeranger (2000). Ransik was American villain and the interior headquarter was American but exterior Japanese. Majority footage was Japanese but with some American footage here and there to include the American actors or serve the storyline. All Megazord footage was Japanese, some cockpit footage was American. Nadira had the same outfit as the Japanese actress in order to not be noticed when Japanese footage of her counterpart was used from behind or the side.

Power Rangers Wild Force (2002)

Japanese footage from Gaoranger (2001). American villain was Master Org, some interior footage was American and some was Japanese. Toxica had the same outfit as the Japanese actress and was Asian in order to not be noticed when Japanese footage of her counterpart was used from behind or the side. Fighting footage and Megazord footage was Japanese. Episodes "Forever Red" and "Reinforcements from the Future" were completely American.

Power Rangers Ninja Storm (2003)

Japanese footage was from Ninpou Sentai Hurricanger (2002). This was the first series shot in New Zealand but I will continue say 'American footage' in order to not cause confusion and anyway the producers are American and the show doesn't air in New Zealand. Fighting and Zord footage was Japanese. The villain Lothor was American so the headquarters footage was American. Kapri and Marah had the same outfit as the Japanese actress in order to not be noticed when Japanese footage of their counterparts was used from behind or the side. Some new footage of Battlizer, new vehicles and gadgets were made.

Power Rangers Dino Thunder (2004)

Japanese footage was from Abaranger (2003). The villains Mesogog, Elsa, and Tyrannodrones were not Japanese, only Zeltrax was Japanese, the villain headquarters was new. Majority of Japanese footage was used was Megazords, zords and fighting footage with monsters. The dream sequence from "Fighting Spirit" was new. Footage not used was main villains from Abaranger, villain headquarters and some fighting with footsoliders until Triptoids were eventually used. Some new footage of Battlizer, new vehicles and gadgets were made.

Power Rangers SPD (2005)
Japanese footage was from Dekaranger (2004). The villains Grumm and Mora were not Japanese, the villain headquarters was new. Majority of Japanese footage was used were fighting footage and Megazord battles. New footage included A-Squad, Boom as Orange Ranger, Battlizers and other new gadgets. Broodwing was the main villain in Dekaranger. Like Ninja Storm's ninja stars, their bullets from Dekaranger were changed to lasers.

Power Rangers Mystic Force (2006)

Mahou Sentai Magiranger (2005) was were the Japanese footage was from. The bad guys were completely from japanese footage but Disney still shot new footage in the costumes, with no new villain. But they did have some new characters like Leelee. The majority of useful footage of Magiranger was used like fighting, footsoliders, monsters and villains. New footage included Battlizer and other re-shootings. 

 Power Rangers Operation Overdrive (2007)

Japanese footage from Gougou Sentai Boukenger (2006). Flurious and Miratrix were new and there was no real headquarters for most villains so new ones were created. Fighting footage, monsters, villains and zords were from Boukenger. New footage was Battlizer and new gadgets. "Once A Ranger" was mostly American footage except the giant monster. This season used more superimposing American actors in front of Japanese footage.

 Power Rangers Jungle Fury (2008)

Footage was from Jyuken Sentai Gekiranger (2007). New footage included the red motorcycle and Spirit Rangers. Dai Shi the evil spirit was created but Jarrod and his power-up form had counterparts in Gekiranger. A similar set was used to the one in the Japanese footage, some of the Japanese footage was used combined with new footage. The fighting scenes, footsoliders, monsters and zords were used. Footage not used was the majority of the Gekiranger's animal-like mentors the Kensei, who were only used for the last episode. Like Elsa, Mora and Miratrix, Camile had her own villain costume that did not match the Japanese villainess but her power-up form was the same as in Gekiranger, save for different chest plate.

Power Rangers RPM (2009)

Footage from Engine Sentai Go-Onger (2008). RPM arguably used less Sentai footage than any other Power Rangers series. They used very little of the Megazord footage, they re-shot scenes of the Rangers entering the Engine Cells in the zords and cut out the majority of the zords talking. In Go-Onger, the zords talked. Venjix was an American-made concept but the costumes he entered was from Go-Onger. They used a new villain headquarters so the Go-Onger villain HQ was not used.

 Power Rangers Samurai/Super Samurai (2011-2012)

Footage from Samurai Sentai Shinkenger (2009). Because of the year gap between RPM and Samurai of the Saban acquisition from Disney and the 2 year gap between Samurai and Megaforce, there is 3 years difference between Power Rangers and Super Sentai, other than the usual one year. Fighting footage with Moogers, monsters, villains, Megazords and the villains headquarters was from Shinkenger. The megazord cockpits were not used, cockpit footage was reshot with a new set. Mega mode, Super Mega mode, Mega Shark Attack Mode and Shogun mode are new obviously. In the first season, the majority of the Japanese footage was used, only some new footage of the Rangers morphing, talking to the monsters or moogers was shot. In Super Samurai, they made new footage of Super mode to coincide with changes. They mix and matched Megazords and monsters as well. They moved around footage of the villains in the ship and Dayu and Deker outside from episodes not used into other episodes.

Power Rangers Megaforce (2013)

Footage from Tensou Sentai Goseiger (2010). Majority of Goseiger footage is being used, from fighting Loogies, monsters, Power Cards, Megazord battles and villain headquarters. Some new footage of the teens fighting the Loogies and monsters here and there. No new American villain, no new powerups, no Battlizer. Datas, a robot resembling an Arcade game has been removed from Megazord fighting footage and not used at all. A green Ostrich Mystic Runner and the Mythical Dragon Brothers have also been removed and not used, creating some inconsistency in the footage.

The series begins with Legacy War from Pirate Sentai Gokaiger (2011) used as a dream and again in a couple other episodes. Some New Zealand footage was shot for one scene. Gokaiger footage will be used more for Super Megaforce. I will update this next year.

MMPR/ZYU 2: Matching Props

Going through the episodes of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Season One and Two that had footage that Toei shot for Power Rangers that was not in Zyuranger or Super Sentai at all, I notice some things. Not only did they get the new monster suits from Rainbow Productions, it seems that they also got random props. The strange thing about the footage was a common theme of objects being Blue and having Billy's Triceratops symbol on it.

 

In Wannabe Ranger, Kimberly hands Billy a mirror, we can't really see it good but we can see it is blue. At a closer look, it has the Triceratops symbol.

In the Zyu 2 footage, Billy hands it to the fake Tommy and we clearly see it has the Triceratops symbol but seems smaller symbol than the one in the American prop.

 

In "Grumble Bee," Alpha made a special weapon for Billy to combat the titular monster. Here is the Japanese footage.

 

Here is the American footage. It looks like the same exact prop.

In "Bloom of Doom," Kim is given a new weapon by Zordon. Here is the American appearance.

Here is the Japanese footage version.

 In "Green Dream," the Sword of Power comes out of nowhere seemingly. Apparently the six Rangers combining their powers together made this sword. It was not established before and never mentioned again. I think it did get a mention in the official magazine and trading cards but that was it.

 It looked different from the one in the Zyu 2 footage, where it looked like 3 diamonds and 'horned' while the American prop looked more round and bulbous.

 Here is the American prop that looks more bulbous and round.

Here is something curious: 

In the episode "Flea or Not to Flea," Billy makes a spray can to make Jason stop itching. It says "Billy's" and what looks like "Pow," there probably more but I couldn't get a good enough look.

In the Zyu 2 footage, the prop looks exactly like the one in the American footage but since the Blue Ranger is covering the top of the can, you can't see if it says "Billy" or not. I doubt the Japanese put Billy's name in it but maybe since it was meant for Power Rangers, maybe they did. But there is no way to prove it. From what the writers said at PMC3, they didn't know what the footage was from. It is most likely the Japanese just made the footage according to Saban's guidelines: Blue being an inventor, Yellow having female stances, and Green and Pink having a relationship and Green loosing his powers. And they didn't have input with the actual writing. The writers were probably handed the footage and they just wrote just like the other Sentai footage.

The letters on the can Billy used in "Flea or Not to Flea" looks like font used for the batteries used in the footage used in "The Mutiny Part 3." 

 

The American prop matched more or less.

Related: http://henshingrid.blogspot.com/2010/08/elements-of-past-super-sentai-in-zyu-2.html

How would a combo of Gokaiger and Goseigers work?

NOTE: This was written before we found out Goseiger suits and footage would be Megaforce in 2013 and Gokaiger suits and footage would be used for 2014.

 

There are rumors that Gokaiger and Goseiger might be mixed as one Power Rangers. I put a poll on this. [The following are just rumors and speculations, nothing set in stone]

The first poll I wrote was:

How would you feel if Goseiger suits were used with the Gokaiger concept for Power Rangers?

The options were 'sad,' 'mad,' 'horrible,' 'happy,' and 'don't know.' But the majority voted for 'happy' (on Monday May 7), led me to believe I wasn't clear with message. But once I made the second poll on Tuesday May 8, it was changed.

I don't think people understood the poll below. How would you feel if the Goseiger suits were used instead of Gokaiger for Power Rangers and they became past Rangers?

The options were same and the majority voted for horrible so far.

Why would Saban combine the two? One reason could be to utilize the Goseiger costumes but also do the 20th anniversary by having Goseiger suits and have them transform into past Power Rangers. And how would it happen? I don't know, there are a number of options but all the solutions I see are too time consuming and vastly unnecessary since everything is intertwined. 

 1. MMPR Season 2-Style

Power Rangers used the Zyuranger suits and weapons in season 2 and zords and monsters from Dairanger. They also used 'Zyu 2' footage combined with the Thunder Megazord in editing. They could have Goseiger suits and Gokaiger zords and monsters and re-shoot footage with Goseiger fight Gokaiger monsters and villains.

Cons: Sloppy editing and having to re-shoot a lot of stuff and either using Gokaiger or Goseiger monsters would be confusing. For example, if they use Goseiger monsters and Gokaiger villains or Gokaiger monsters and Goseiger monsters.

Sub-concepts:

A. Goseiger suits and zords vs. Gokaiger monsters and villains

B. Goseiger suits and Gokaiger zords (including footage of Great Powers) vs. Goseiger monsters and villains

C. Goseiger suits and Gokaiger zords vs. Gokaiger monsters and villains (just make new cockpits)

 

2. All-Goseiger, just Gokaiger concept

They could use all the Goseiger footage (suits, weapons, zords, villains and monsters) and just have alumnis arrive and have tributes but without the Ranger Keys. They could add the Ranger Keys and footage of them transforming into past Rangers.

Cons: Using the Ranger Keys, they would have to use the Mobirates or make a new morpher that is Goseiger-like but used the Ranger Keys. 

Sub-Concepts:

A. All-Goseiger footage, no Ranger Keys, no transforming, just alumnis

B. All-Goseiger footage, change morphers to have Ranger Keys and transforms into past Rangers, Alumnis.

C. Same as B but also new footage of Ranger Keys in cockpits.

Everything is connected:

- The Ranger Keys are connected to the Gokaiger morpher Mobirates. They could make a new morpher that was Goseiger-like and didn't use the pirate-like Gokaiger symbol. (See #2 above).

- If they used the Goseiger suits and Gokaiger zords, the zords still have the pirate symbol and the Goseiger have animal heads.

- If they used Gokaiger monsters and villains, they would have to fight the Gokaiger zords or they do editing and have it like MMPR Season 2 (See #1 above).

Conclusion:

I just think combining the two is horrid idea. This all sounds way complicated and too contrived and time consuming. But it is an idea that has crossed my mind. I don't think they would realistically do it. If they were so adamant in using the Goseiger footage, they would just have it all Goseiger.

SIGNS THAT POINT TO GOSEIGER BEING ADAPTED:

-The names 'Mega Force' and 'Ultra Mega Force' being copyrighted last year. When they were copyrighted, fans concluded it would be Goseiger. Since Shinkenger was split into 'Samurai' for 2011 and 'Super Samurai' for 2012 and lasted 2 years, it would be logical to conclude that Saban would split the next one into two years as well and have Goseiger be split into 'Mega Force' and 'Ultra Mega Force.' Since Goseiger has Super Modes, it would make sense that would be used as 'Ultra Mega Force' like 'Super Samurai.' Plus Gokaiger has no super modes. (But that hasn't stopped Saban before. Re: Mega Mode)

- Current Cast sides for April and May Power Rangers casting still says 'Black Ranger.' In the castings held in October/November of 2011.

- Disney or Saban have never skipped a Sentai, each has been one after another.
Note: We now know Goseiger suits and footage was used for the first season of Megaforce in 2013. The suits will also be used for Super Megaforce.

SIGNS THAT POINT TO GOKAIGER BEING ADAPTED:

- Toei is reported to be filming the Legacy War for Saban excluding non-Power Ranger Sentai. Why would this be asked to be done if Saban was going to adapt for Goseiger for 2013? Hold on to the footage for a year or two years going by the 'Ultra Mega Force' copyright. But just because the names are copyrighted doesn't mean they will be used. Hasbro regained rights to Jem and yet have anything to do with it. Many companies copyright names but don't use them.

- The casting sides out for April/May 2012 have concepts from Gokaiger

- The castings started in October of  2011 but was postponed for April 2012. They said because of the 20th Anniversary, they were elevating the seasons' creative to entirely new heights.
Note: We now know Gokaiger suits and footage are being used for season two of Megaforce in 2014. The Goseiger suits will also be used. They morph from Megaforce (Goseiger) to Super Megaforce (Gokaiger). Gokaiger monsters and footage will be used the most.