Women's Roles in Power Rangers

 UPDATED 11/17/12
As I do with everything, I cover both Super Sentai and Power Rangers. Previously, I covered women's roles in Super Sentai, now it's the turn of the Power Rangers.

Kimberly may started out as a bimbo-esque cheerleader, but she was also a gymnast and she was allowed to develop as the show went along. And what many people forget is that she also knew sign-language and learned how to fly a plane by herself. She was very capable to handle situations on her own, once she calmed down of course. And Trini was a very self-aware person, she was fully-realized, she knew who she was, she had very little doubts in herself, except for of course, her fear of heights, which she quickly got over. The point is that Kimberly evolved.

Dulcea
If Super Sentai is infamous for showing scantly-clad women in elaborate costumes (the villainesses) or in swimsuits, the only case of this in Power Rangers was in the movie. Many of the villainess costumes from Sentai were not used because they were too quote-unquote 'sexy.' But maybe with the movie, Saban felt he could have more lee-way than he had with Saturday mornings. This was one of the most scantly-clad outfits in the whole franchise of Power Rangers. Could you have imagined Catherine Sutherland (Katherine Hillard) in this outfit? She auditioned for it.

Three females have gotten to be leaders of the Power Rangers. Only one was the leader in an entire season (Jen of Time Force). Delphine, who appeared for the 10-episode mini-series Mighty Morphin Alien Rangers and 2 episodes in Power Rangers Zeo, she was the first female leader ever. She was unquestioned in her abilities as the leader of the Aquitar Rangers.

Charlie was the leader of the A-Squad SPD Rangers. She was not revealed to be female until the last episodes of SPD. The Red Ranger was heard to have a male voice in early episodes, probably because producers hadn't decided her to be female until later on. Some fans have construed that she disguised her voice, one fan says the 'male' voice was a female voice altered. It has been said by Bruce Kalish that it took time to consider Disney to let there be a female Red Ranger. But since the A-Squad were made of recycled Power Rangers in Space costumes and no toys were based on them (since it is a boys franchise), it was excusable. I consider the A-Squad a team because SPD once considered them legitimate good guy Rangers once. Charlie was indeed the first female Red Ranger but she was part of a corrupted team and ended up being evil--and was Latina, could that understood as the stereotype of the Latino criminal? But, times have changed, so maybe it was just a coincidence. So her existence has its pros and cons.

 Lauren joins the Power Rangers Super Samurai as the technical second female Red Ranger but the first female Red Ranger of the official team and taking over from the male leader. The way is handled is in a non-sexist manner. Mike is uncomfortable with the new leader but not why she is not male but because she simply is 'not Jayden.' She is both a stern and kick-butt leader with quirky one-liners but also a sweet and sensitive woman. Having training and practicing her whole life, she is a bit sheltered and played for laughs (for example. enjoying Mia's cooking) but not so much since she is only around for a few episodes. She adds a new dynamic to the Jayden character and also to the cast itself.

Jen was a unique character as she always had to save Wes, the Red Ranger's butt. Sometimes he did save her, but she could stand on her own. Her drama was she lost her love, they were engaged, which is an old female staple but she dealt with the loss of a lover in a very equality-wise manner. She became cold and brazen but not in a negative way, she still had a soft side. And to add to feminist quota in a way, she never kissed Wes. Many fans complained that they didn't kiss, but according to Sarah Michelle Geller (in a TV Guide interview when talking about the soap opera "Passions"), it was even more sexy not to kiss, to leave to the viewer's imagination. Interesting concept, no? A female has never gotten a Battlizer or her own special armor (other than group power-ups). I have mentioned female ranger Battlizers that have happen in the toy line. The closest thing a female had gotten to have a Battlizer was when Jen came in Wild Force for the Time Force teamup and was black leather gear and a special weapon.

Speaking about Battlizers, there have been three Battlizers that Red Rangers have obtained thanks to a woman. In Lost Galaxy, Karone helped Leo find the Battlizer from a man she turned to stone back when she was Astronema. Leo gained the armor instead of Karone, who had to face her old self in order to obtain it. In Ninja Storm, it was revealed Shane met an alien Skyla (above) when he was a child and she returned to help him and she gave him his new Battlizer. As a Karminion, Skyla's death meant that her powers would be transferred to someone she deemed worthy. She chose Shane, and as she passed away, she left him with her powers. A female had to die in order for a male to gain more strength. And third, Rose created new technology using the Sentinel Knight and Mac used it to don a new Battlizer in Operation Overdrive. In the first two cases, women had to make sacrifices in order for men to get armor.

In Power Rangers Lost Galaxy, real-life tragedy led to creativeness and feminism, when actress Varlie Vernon had leukemia, Kendrix had to be written out of the season for a while. An idea of the Ancient Rangers (Dairanger) was scrapped, the episode "Power of Pink" came along, that tied in with the team-up with the Power Rangers in Space. In "Power of Pink," Cassie (Patricia J. Lee) and Kendrix fought against Psycho Pink, who had returned and was aiming against them. Psycho Pink targeted Cassie's morpher and was unable to morph. Kendrix saved her but had to sacrifice herself, she 'died' and was believed to be dead until the last episode and when the Galaxy Saber was returned to the rock on Mirinoi, Kendrix returned at full force. Karone came to replace her, Cassie was to originally replace her but was not happy with special guest star pay. Anyhoo, it was a great episode and Kendrix's death was not because she was weak but because she was strong and saved the day.

The Color Pink and Skirts
While I have mentioned before about the color pink and how in the past in America, pink was considered for boys and blue for girls, the color Pink has gotten hostility towards femininity. I highly believe it is ridiculous to equate a color with gender. Colors have no genders! They are just colors! It is really dumb to believe pink is only for girls. It is great that the heronies have one color over the boys, but all colors should be equal, so heronies should be able to wear red, black, green, purple, and dark blue and men can wear pink. And as for skirts, there are plenty of heronies that have had no skirt (especially the Yellow Rangers that their Japanese counterparts were men) but some people think the skirt should be taken away. I could take it or leave it, I like the skirts though, they are cute. And some people think they should get rid of pink because pink is 'not a real color' because it is a light red, but I think all the shades should get a chance (like Crimson, Navy and light Blue).

Related Topic: Women's Roles in Super Sentai | Pink and Yellow Battlizers?

Women's roles in Super Sentai

Super Sentai and Power Rangers are both series directed to young boys and we, as an audience, have gotten a mix bag of feminism. The females can't ever overshadow the male characters, especially the male leader (Except for of course, Kakuranger and Timeranger). When Goranger started, it was 1975, the time of the sexual revolution but there was still a long way to go. Momo Ranger, the first heronie, was a hero on her own right, she would go on missions on her own but she still relied on the males and she would mostly become injured and had to be save by her male counterparts. There was a sole female until the 1982 series Bioman. In the past, the Sentai heroine is mostly featured lowly in combat, except for of course Shinkenger.

In Super Sentai, often the heronies use their 'femininity' to confuse their enemies. From before Gaoranger (specifically Gaoranger vs. Super Sentai), the heronies would don swimsuits. This can be taken as objectification. That women are only good for their bodies. And villainesses have been seen as vixens or femme fatales, women that men or little boys should long for. Heronies no longer in swimsuits in the past decade could be because the producers realized times have changed and women shouldn't be objectified. If they are to be in swimsuits, then the men should too. We have seen the male heroes in swim trunks, but not to distract the female villains. But we have seen objectification, in the form of shirtless heroes like Shirogane in Gaoranger and Ikkou in Hurricanger but I mentioned that in male Eye Candy.

For those of you that don't know what a femme fatale is, they are alluring and seductive woman (archetypes) whose ensnare their lovers in bonds of irresistible desire, often leading them into compromising, dangerous, and deadly situations. Villainesses have use less cleavage in recent years (except for Kegaleshia), which is funny to say less cleavage because that means we have seen more clothes and obvious cleavage would be to have less clothes on. Most villainesses in the past twenty years that have shown lots of cleavage were former adult film stars.


And how I have mentioned in my last post about story differences in Gekiranger to Jungle Fury (the post funny enough was written and completed after I started the draft for this post), Mele is a more powerful character than Camille. Feminists would be happier with Mele's characterization, Mele is the one to break out Rio out of a cage, when Camille hands Jarrod/Dai Shi the weapon she stole underhandedly and he breaks himself out. But a feminist would also point out that Mele sacrifices and compromises her ideals (she steals the dagger underhandedly after struggling against her ideal to be 'fair and square') for the one she loves. In the end, Mele dies, sacrificing herself not only for her love Rio, but for her friends and all mankind. And also to mention, Mele's voice is the only one to break Rio out of his trance in Episode 45.


Not to mention that there has been three female leaders in Super Sentai history. But White Ninja of Kakuranger and Time Pink of Timeranger are more notable, than let's say, Ran of Gekiranger--because her position as 'leader' is debatable since she didn't get much focus and fans like to point out she was appointed 'captain' and not 'leader.' Anyhoo, Yuuri of Timeranger would often go on her own and then ended up being saved by her male teammates, but it was more about using teamworks than men saving women. She was no damsel in distress. And White Ninja was more intelligent and on the ball than Ninja Red was, she was unquestioned but never officially stated that she was the leader.

The Hana Rangers were the first all-female team, but they were villains. They were actually kittens turned into human women in Kakuranger (1994). It was the first time there was a female Green warrior, in a way to be proceeded by Mele and the second time to have an Orange warrior. But I don't count them with the other Rangers in Sentai because they were an evil team, and in Sentai, evil rangers are in a class of themselves. I do count the A-Squad since SPD considered them real Rangers, they were once legitimate good guys. But the Hana Ninjas were always considered to be evil.

With Episode 38 of Go-Onger, the men were incapacitated and the girls were a mess, they were freaking out and acting like they couldn't handle a thing without the men around. Silver felt it was utterly hopeless. But Yellow helped them pull through and in the end, they kicked butt and took names, without the men.
FIRST UPDATED OCTOBER 28, 2009

The Color Pink and Skirts
While I have mentioned before about the color pink and how in the past in America, pink was considered for boys and blue for girls, the color Pink has gotten hostility towards femininity. I highly believe it is ridiculous to equate a color with gender. Colors have no genders! They are just colors! It is really dumb to believe pink is only for girls. It is great that the heronies have one color over the boys, but all colors should be equal, so heronies should be able to wear red, black, green, purple, and dark blue and men can wear pink. As I have mentioned before, when a heronie has the white color, she can be referred to as 'white' (White Swan, Ninja White, and Gao White) but white male heroes don't have 'white' in their names (Kibaranger, Geki Chopper, Abare Killer). And as for skirts, there are plenty of heronies that have had no skirt (Flashman, Bioman, Dekaranger, etc.) but some people think the skirt should be taken away. I could take it or leave it, I like the skirts though, they are cute. And some people think they should get rid of pink because pink is 'not a real color' because it is a light red, but I think all the shades should get a chance (like Crimson, Navy and light Blue).

UPDATED DECEMBER 18, 2009 8 PM EST
Super Sentai gets their first female Red Ranger ever in the form of Karou in Samurai Sentai Shinkenger (2009). She appears later in the series and not in the beginning, she is not the main character but a plot twist. The female Red Ranger first came in Power Rangers, not Sentai and then was also considered a plot twist. Karou was a nice and sane person, she 'adopted' Takeru into the Shiba family... which was unique, I thought they would marry in a traditional fashion, but it was a more modern sensible way to handle it. Karou was much younger so a marriage, even an arranged marriage would be out of the question, but the writers could had made her Takeru's age. Anyway, it still would have been awkward for them to marry because they barely know each other.

So women's roles are so-so in Sentai, there are great stuff and not so great stuff. It is a slow process but there are good female role models. Same with Power Rangers, even though women save men and can get the upper hand without relying on their male counterparts, there are still not so equal things like Mele mention before and also that women aren't allowed bikes anymore or battlizers (in SPD, Z asks Syd why they don't have their own bikes and Syd replies that they got the looks, it's an even trade---I wouldn't agree). I will mention Women's roles in Power Rangers rather soon as well.

Related Topics: Adapting and Summarizing Morals: Gekiranger to Jungle Fury | Man Candy for Housewives | Super Sentai Actors that have done Adult Films | Kamen Rider Decade: Pink? | Do we really need a male Pink Ranger?

Adapting and Summarizing Morals: Gekiranger to Jungle Fury

I thought since many (and by many, I mean two people) liked my comparisons of Super Sentai and Power Rangers, I thought I would do some more, but in storylines and plots. Many times, Super Sentai stories are simplified or made light of in Power Rangers. Such simplifications can be considered culture differences or just stacked for time and squeezing in footage into one episode because the low episode count (the later seasons of PR have been 32 episodes and Sentai have remained at 49). Didactic means to intended to teach. When I talk about morals, I don't mean the didactic forms. A lot of these differences have to do with Mele and Camille. I will be Operation Overdrive and other seasons next.

There were three rings to get the Kenma and in the first episode, a Rinshi stole it from the good guys at SCRTC. The Kenma spoke to Rio through the rings. But instead in PRJF, Dai Shi merely had the rings locked in a case in storage and Camille had to fetch it.


And of course, with the squeezing of episodes from 2 episodes into 1, we loose most of the lessons the Gekiranger had to do. While Lily only had to convince a whiny old gruff to change his ways, Ran had to deal with a pervert and with fishing, she learned how to use her mace. And Retsu had to learn how to dance on water.


While Rio had to eat his fear, eat his past. Carnisoar had Jarrod deplete his humanity by going into his past. They both dealt with the past. And how Rio dealt with Kata (Carnisoar's counterpart) was much more violent. Kata put Rio's body in a trance and he was frozen to the outside world. And Kata also (as above) spilled black blood out of him.


Now how Bae became a fly was very different to how Flit became a fly. Yes, both of them got a flashback with Mele/Camille, but Camille had 'cursed' him with her 'powers.' Flit was a victim. Whereas, Mele did nothing to Bae. Bae did it to himself, he made himself into a fly. Also, Bae couldn't live without Mele, he was living off her Rinki, because she had swallowed him and died and he was living in her stomach. But Flit didn't need Camille to live.


That is why he bonded with Gou because Gou made himself into a werewolf, they tried a forbidden type of chi. RJ, on the other hand, didn't use a forbidden chi, his wolf spirit was tampered by Dai Shi. And Flit helped RJ -- in a similar way Bae did it, but it was revealed that Bae's talking was like a special 'ki.' Flit had an unexplained sonic power.


A lot of things were pushed back, such as Jan having to make a choice between saving a girl or getting the key to arising Maku (Grizzaka), but this choice came later on for Casey, between a Professor and the Phantom Crystal Eyes.

In Episode 30 of Gekiranger, Ron put Mele to the task to steal the Soujyuto from Ken to save Rio. She had 'fair and square' standards and had a personal moral quarrel to steal it underhandedly. She made a treaty with Ken to fight for it 'fair and square' when she kidnaps his sister. But she double-crosses him. And by double-crossing him, Mele earned her Dorinki. And also very important for me to mention, Mele, herself, a woman, broke Rio, a man, out of a prison with the jail cell. But on the other hand in Jungle Fury's "Dash for the Dagger," Camille merely stole the Control Dagger from Dommick underhandedly and did not earn no Phantom power. Camille, then, a woman, handed the weapon to Jarrod/Dai Shi so he breaks himself out. Now, it could be that the Jungle Fury producers did not take this into consideration and had to rush to write this. But I think it is interesting to mention, the difference.


Would it be fair to consider it a cultural difference? That because of cultural gender binary (the rules our American culture have built for women and men), that Camille being a woman, she would have to hand the weapon to the man. Or maybe, it had nothing to do with gender and because Dai Shi is supposed to be feared and Camille's 'master' that she had to hand it to him because she, not because she was a woman, but just that the fact that she is a subordinate. But Gekiranger, it isn't questioned that Mele was considered by Rio as a subordinate, but because she had struggled for her love and made a sacrifice of her own rules, that she deserved to break him out and show off her Dorinki.


Now, how Camille never got Zocato, which was the equivalent of Dorinki. Camille did get her Rinzin, which was the equivalent of the Genjyuken, but later on that Mele got it. Mele got her Genjyuken before Rio got his. While, Dai Shi got his Rinzin before Camille did. Mele had to mix her energy with Ron's Genki, in a blood oath ceremony to become a Phantom Beast General. Camille just complained, pleaded and begged to get Rinzi and Dai Shi simply appointed her a general shortly after he became king and the three generals made her into one. She didn't have to make a sacrifice or have earned it.


Whereas when Rio and Mele went to the Beast Origin Village to get the Rhino, they were confronted by the seven Kensei. But when Camille and Dai Shi arrived to the Rhino Nexus valley area, they are confronted by a ground booby-trap and Camille gets sucked in the ground and Dai Shi has to pull her out. And then the Overlords (Kenma) confront them and they fight. Even though, the Kenma had a brief scuffle with Rio and Mele.


And obviously, Rio and Mele died. Camille got bitten by Dai Shi/dragon but when Mele got bitten by the Ron dragon, she died. And when Jarrod attacked the Dai Shi dragon, he was okay but when Rio did it, it was a kamikaze effect and died.

And that is just a few differences, there are many many more and I am sure many people will post comments with these differences. But these are the differences that stand out to me the most that deal with morals and sacrifice and earning things. Most times in Power Rangers, the characters don't go through a journey like the Super Sentai characters have to and magically get things.

Related Topic: Super Sentai to Power Rangers: HD Full Screen to NTSC squish screen

Kamen Rider Hyper Battle Videos

Kamen Rider Agito (2001)
Hyper Battle Video: Three Riders!
A wierd yellow blocky creature (tele-pi) calls forth the three Riders and they bring up clips of the past.

Some say that Kamen Rider Agito vs. Kamen Rider Ryuki (2002) is a Hyper Battle Video.

Kamen Rider Faiz (2003)
Hyper Battle Video
After a strange musical sequence, there is yet another musicial sequence. It is a musical. There are clips with soft music in the background.

Kamen Rider Blade (2004)
Hyper Battle Video Blade vs. Blade
A Trial-series cyborg pretends to be Kenzaki, who quickly discovers the fraud and fights him. During their battle, the other Riders bicker humorously about which Blade is the fake, which constantly results in their attacking the real Kenzaki.

Kamen Rider Hibiki (2005)
Hyper Battle Video
It is special feature that Asumu Adachi plays an active part as Oni, guided by Takeshi's Animal discs. The Oni form of Asumu is identical to Hibiki. The only other Oni in the video (not counting the stock footage scenes) is Sabaki.

Kamen Rider Kabuto (2006)
Hyper Battle: Enter! Hyper Gatack
The Hyper Battle Video for Kamen Rider Kabuto, Enter! Hyper Gatack was released during the later half of 2006. Within this direct-to-video feature, Hyper Gatack appears, albeit only featuring an enforced "Tachyon Fractor". Also, this is the only instance in which the Zecters are able to talk.

Kamen Rider Den-O (2007)
Hyper Battle D: Singing Dancing Big Training!
The Imagin sing and dance in this special in some stage.

Kamen Rider Kiva (2008)
Shogakukan Adventure Battle "You Too Can Be Kiva"
They speak to the audience like they are a 'child.' They sing and dance too.

Related Topic: Hyper Shinken Gold in Hyper Battle Video

Hyper Shinken Gold in Hyper Battle Video

Shinken Gold gets to wear Hyper Shinken Red's red jacket, but only in the Hyper Battle Video called Red Vs Sixth: The Light Samurai's Suprise Transformation. Hyper Battle Video is a special DVD (used to be VHS) that is like 15 to 20 minutes long, usually has some clips from past episodes and some new or different character and/or item. They are the Kodnasha publishing magazine. The Hyper Battle Videos are meant to be a showcase of arsenal and abilities.

Super Shinken Yellow
Kotoha has yet to use this mode in the telvision series, it has only been seen in the magazines. I am upset they haven't shown this mode yet because Kotoha has never gotten an episode on her own, she has shared the light with other Shinkenger but never alone.

UPDATED 12/01/09 10:00 AM EST (Daylight Savings Time)
She finally used the mode on the November 1st episode.


Let's go over all the special video:
Engine Sentai Go-Onger (2008)
Kodnasha Special DVD: It's a Seminar! Everyone GO-ON!!
The Go-Onger and Bomper have a special seminar going over water, air and land. They show clips of themselves and the Gaiarc. Kokorootomedes then shows up for revenge for his little brother Hiramekimedes, Kokorootomedes is a madien in his eyes, if he was human, he would have been consider transgender. He was defeated by Red but powered-up and was destroyed once again with the KanKanBar (Speedor with T-Line and K-Line). Hiroto and Miu only appear in clips.


Jyuken Sentai Gekiranger (2007)
Gyun-Gyun! Kensei Athletic Meet
The seven Kensei competing in the Fist Sage Great Althetic Meet along with Jan, with clips of the past episodes. The winners of the meet were to get magazines about Gekiranger.

Mahou Sentai Magiranger (2005)
Revealed! The Gold Grip Phone's Super Magic ~Golu Goolu Goo Goo~
That I can remember, Boukenger didn't have a V-Cinema/Hyper Video/Kondasha special. Anyhoo, in this special, the Goddess of the Spring comes when Hikaru and Kai are sparing and even though Hikaru warns him, Kai uses the Gold GripPhone to become KaiShine, a MagiShine with a red scarf and uses the King Caliber to fight. He accidentally transforms into a spider monster and admits lying and the Goddess uses the white phone to transform her back. The white phone becomes his MagiPhone again.

Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger (2004)
DekaRed vs. DekaBreak
Deka Red and Deka Break fight each other in a virtual world and find a red repaint of Fary from Episode 14.

Bakuryuu Sentai Abaranger (2003)
Super Video: The All-Bakuryuu Roaring Laughter Battle
I did not see this one and barely remember it. Not available on YouTube.

Ninpuu Sentai Hurricaneger (2002)
Super Video: Super Ninja and Super Kuroko
I did not see this one and barely remember it. Not available on YouTube.

Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger (2001)
Super Video: Showdown! Gaoranger vs. GaoSilver
The Gaoranger fought against Gao Silver (for fun) and there was also a red Pyon (named Flame Pyo 炎のピヨちゃん) featured, my friend had a picture of it but no longer has it on her site Sentai Spoilers.

Mirai Sentai Timeranger (2000)
Super Video: All the Strongest Hero Secrets
I did not see this one and barely remember it. Not available on YouTube.

Kyuukyuu GoGoFive (1999)
Super Video: The Rescue Spirit Five Doctrines
I did not see this one and barely remember it. Not available on YouTube.

There are also Kamen Rider Hyper Battle videos.

New October-November Polls

How Many Polls At One Time Are You Willing to Put Up With Here On This Blog?

• Under 5
• Up to 5
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• As Much As You Want

Are Any of Your Children Family Members Going to be A Power Ranger for Halloween?

• Yes
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Are You Looking Forward to the New Episodes of Kamen Rider Dragon Knight?

• Yes
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• I've Stopped Watching

Sentai: Who is your favorite Sixth Ranger (Character-Wise)?

• Burai (Zyuranger)
• Kou (Dairanger)
• Riki (Ohranger)
• Yuusaku (Megaranger)
• Hyuuga (Gingaman)
• Naoto (Timeranger)
• Shirogane (Gaoranger)
• Shurikenger
• Tetsu (Dekaranger)
• Sungel (Magiranger)
• Eiji (Boukenger)
• Hiroto (Go-Onger)
• Genta (Shinkenger)

PR: Who is your favorite Sixth Ranger (Character-wise)?

• Tommy
• Jason
• Phantom Ranger
• Zhane (Space)
• Mike (Lost Galaxy)
• Ryan (Lightspeed)
• Eric (Time Force)
• Merrick (Wild Force)
• Cam (Ninja Storm)
• Sam (SPD)
• Daggeron (Mystic Force)
• Tyzonn (OO)
• Gem (RPM)

What is your Favorite Sixth Ranger Costume?

• Dragon Ranger / Green Ranger
• Kiba Ranger / White Ranger
• King Ranger / Gold Ranger
• Mega Silver / Silver Ranger
• Bull Black / Magna Defender
• Titanium Ranger
• Time Fire / Quantum Ranger
• Gao Silver / Lunar Wolf Ranger
• Shurikenger / Green Samurai Ranger
• Deka Break / Omega Ranger
• Magi Shine / Solaris Knight
• Bouken Silver / Mercury Ranger
• Go-On Gold / Ranger Gold
• Shinken Gold

PR: Your Least Favorite Hero Name?

• Ninjor
• Auric The Conqueror
• Blue Senturion
• Quantum Ranger
• Lunar Wolf Ranger
• Green Samurai Ranger
• Triassic Ranger
• Omega Ranger
• Shadow Ranger
• Kat Ranger
• Solaris Knight
• Wolf Warrior
• Mercury Ranger