Power Rangers Can Survive Without Super Sentai (But It’s Complicated)

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The Power Rangers franchise has been relatively calm this year, but things seem to be picking up a bit recently. This is likely due to the new toy line from Playmates Toys, a collaboration with Fortnite, and news about a movie and TV show being developed. It now appears the series will no longer be connected to Super Sentai, which has sparked a lot of debate among fans about whether that connection is necessary for the show’s survival. Power Rangers can definitely continue without Super Sentai, but the situation is complex, and we’re going to delve into the reasons why.

A Long History

Although Mighty Morphin Power Rangers launched the Power Rangers franchise, it originated from the Japanese series Super Sentai. Specifically, Mighty Morphin was adapted from Kyoryu Sentai Zyuranger. Zyuranger was actually the 16th installment in the Super Sentai series, which began in 1975 with Himitsu Sentai Gorenger and is planned to continue with Yokai Sentai PhantomBuster, scheduled to premiere in 2026.

Here’s where Haim Saban comes in. He discovered the Super Sentai series while traveling in Japan and became a big fan. It took some time, but he eventually secured a deal to buy 50 episodes and worldwide broadcasting rights for 10 years for $500,000 (via Television Academy Foundation). The challenge was finding a network to air it, which took eight years. Ultimately, FOX Kids became that network, and that’s how the popular show Power Rangers was born when it first aired in 1993.

The Good and the Bad

One reason Saban struggled to get people on board with the idea was its novelty – it hadn’t really been tried before. Power Rangers is special because it cleverly combines scenes from the original Japanese show, Zyuranger, with new footage created specifically for the American version. This is particularly noticeable when the characters aren’t in their superhero forms – that’s when the new footage is used most of the time.

This is a big help to the show’s finances, because half of it is already shot. However, it also presents some challenges, as the existing footage dictates how the rest of the show is built to maximize that benefit. This approach has remained a key part of the show ever since, and it’s been both an advantage and a disadvantage throughout the series’ run.

If you enjoy the suit designs in Power Rangers: In Space, the inspiration comes from Denji Sentai Megaranger. And if you were a fan of the car and racing focus in Power Rangers RPM, that originated with Engine Sentai Go-Onger. However, this reliance on source material is a bit of a double-edged sword. As the show continued, it often received criticism for feeling dated, with enemies and the overall format being consistently pointed out in seasons like Power Rangers Ninja Steel, Super Ninja Steel, and Beast Morphers. These seasons also directly adapted elements from Shuriken Sentai Ninninger and Tokumei Sentai Go-Busters, respectively.

Power Rangers has always had both strengths and weaknesses, but many people believe the positives are stronger, largely because of how visually distinct it is. In a genre filled with superheroes, Power Rangers truly stands out – everything from the costumes and weapons to the enemies and Zords contributes to this. You wouldn’t mistake Power Rangers for Superman or Spider-Man, and that’s a big benefit when so many similar shows are competing for attention.

Power Rangers Will Still Be Perfectly Fine

Although being based on a Super Sentai season is a major benefit, it’s not essential for the show to stay original. The move away from directly adapting Sentai actually began with the 30th Anniversary season, Power Rangers Cosmic Fury, which also marked the end of the collaboration between Hasbro and Netflix.

Recent seasons of Power Rangers have continued to use footage from Super Sentai, while also including more original scenes. Cosmic Fury really expanded on this approach. While inspired by Uchu Sentai Kyuranger, the show only used the Zord footage from that series, creating everything else with new, original content.

This led to a number of differences from the original show, and while some fans may still favor Kyuranger’s number of Rangers or the designs of the suits, getting rid of certain limits on filming and the story let Cosmic Fury develop its own unique feel, which is a huge benefit. Seeing what Cosmic Fury accomplished by not being as tied to its Japanese counterpart, the idea of a completely original series seems not only achievable, but also like the most sensible direction for the franchise to take next.

Power Rangers has a long-standing relationship with Super Sentai, but even though that collaboration seems to be ending, it doesn’t mean the show should be cancelled. It also shouldn’t mean losing the exciting visual style that makes it unique. Many viewers often felt the show didn’t adapt some Sentai seasons effectively, so moving away from direct comparisons and focusing on original ideas could actually be a good thing.

Regarding the show’s unique appearance, even if you’re not directly adapting Super Sentai, you can still incorporate Tokusatsu themes and elements into the show’s designs. However, this requires a team that understands how to realize that vision. If a completely original Power Rangers series fails without being based on Sentai, that probably won’t be the main reason for its failure. With the right creative team, Power Rangers can not only survive without Super Sentai but actually succeed. Ultimately, its success depends on the people leading the project and their ability to offer a fresh and original perspective.

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2025-10-04 19:15