The Power Rangers Turn Twenty

Somewhere between 1993 and 2013, the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers grew up, and now they’re celebrating their twentieth anniversary.

I was in fourth grade when the Power Rangers were popular, and in case you don’t remember, back in the early 90’s, the Rangers were the coolest thing on the planet.  The show was must watch television, and it was supplemented with a wide array of:  toys, video games, costumes, books, and even promotional tie-in foods!  I remember quite clearly being really excited about a red-cherry Power Rangers Power Pop!

The Rangers had all the hallmarks of a massive fad, and us kids couldn’t get enough of them.  Everyone who was anyone was crazy about the Power Rangers, and getting our hands on the various toys and collectables could literally determine one’s own popularity.  We all had our favorite Rangers, too!  Mine were Jason, the Red Ranger, and Tommy, the Green Ranger, played by Austin St. John, and Jason David Frank, respectively.

Today, Jason David Frank still practices martial arts.  He runs his own dojo, and his dedication to the show, and to martial arts, has made him an absolute fan favorite!

But like any good fad, the Power Ranger’s popularity dropped just as fast as it rose.  Three of the actors left the show, including one of my favorites, Austin St. John, and the Green Ranger became the White Ranger.  He just wasn’t as cool like that.  There was a terrible feature film, and that was pretty much it for the Power Rangers fad.

The show would continue, replacing the cast every season or so, and updating the costumes just as regularly.  It hasn’t been close to as popular as it was back in the 90’s, but it endured.

Now that he Power Rangers are turning twenty, they’re getting some serious hype again, and Jason David Frank is returning to reprise his role as the original Green Ranger in a very special episode set to air in early 2014.

It’s been a long time since the Power Rangers were cool, and since Jason and Tommy were tearing up the screen, busting aliens, and saving the world, but if you remember the original show, this might be the year to tune in one last time.  Every once in a while, taking a trip to the past can be exhilarating!  It’s Morphin Time!