The Power Rangers will always have a special place in my heart because I was so excited to see one of the original power rangers being an Asian Pacific American. Trini Kwan (played by Vietnamese American Thuy Trang) was the original Yellow Power Ranger. And, even though she left the show after the first season, there was still another Asian Pacific American on the show. This time, in the form of Adam Park (Korean American Johnny Yong Bosch) who ended up being the longest running Asian Pacific American Power Ranger. He served as the 2nd Black Power Ranger, Black Ninja Ranger, Green Zeo Ranger IV and Green Turbo Ranger 1. After the first season of Turbo Rangers, Adam left the show and another Asian Pacific American became part of the Power Ranger team. This time it was Cassie Chan (Korean American Patricia Ja Lee) who was Pink Turbo Ranger 2 and then was the Pink Space Ranger. In Power Rangers Lost Galaxy, the Blue Power Ranger was an Asian Pacific American named Kai Chen (Chinese American Archie Kao) and in Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue, the Blue Power Ranger was again another Asian Pacific American named Chad Lee (Thai American Michael Chaturantabut). Now, in its latest form Power Rangers: Time Force, another Asian Pacific American takes the mantle of the Blue Ranger. Michael Copon (who is 1/2 Filipino) plays Lucas Robinson, the Time Force Blue Ranger. Thanks to the Michael Copon Yahoo! Fan Club for the information on his ethnicity.
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Yellow Power Ranger (Trini Kwan)
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers 5.5" Auto-Morphin series
1993, Bandai
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
Individual Figure
Trini Kwan was the first yellow power ranger and weilded the power of the Sabretooth Tiger Power Coin. According to Power Rangers Central, "Trini is a quiet, spiritual, and honorable person. She believes in a fair fight, and has practiced the Mantis style of Kung Fu. Although quiet and reserved, Trini is very strong willed and courageous. The former Yellow Ranger now fights for peace in a different way - at a peace conference in Switzerland.
The Auto-Morphin series is one of the few Power Ranger toy series where you see the actual face of the person within the costume. The design is clunky, but the object is for you to be able to switch back and forth between Trini and full costume.
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Yellow Power Ranger (Trini Kwan)
Power Rangers for Girls 9" Poesable Doll series
1994, Bandai
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
Individual Figure
In 1994, Bandai released a Barbie-like doll of both Trini and Kimberly (the Pink Power Ranger). The doll features Trini decked in her Power Ranger costume sans helmet. And, if you're not wanting to play superhero and saving the Earth, you can dress her in high school clothes.
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Yellow Power Ranger (Trini Kwan)
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers 8" Karate Action series
1993, Bandai
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
Individual Figure
The Karate Action action figure is also very simple. You press a button and her hand makes a "karate chop" movement. Other than that, this action figure is very simple and nothing really special. The nice thing about the figure, however, is that she is well articulated for full action poses.
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Black Power Ranger (Adam Park)
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers McDonald's Happy Meal Toy
1994, McDonald's Happy Meal Toy
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
Figure with Frog Ninjazord
After the first season, several Power Rangers left the program. When Trini left Angel Grove and the Power Rangers, another Asian Pacific American came onto the scene. Adam Park, a Korean American, became the new Black Power Ranger after assisting the Power Rangers in saving a child in danger.
For a Happy Meal Toy, this is actually quite nice just because you get a figure and a vehicle. While the vehicle is known as a "Ninjazord," the Black Power Ranger is dressed in traditional Power Ranger costume.
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Black Ninja Ranger (Adam Park)
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers 5.5" Ninja Ranger series
1994, Bandai
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
Individual Figure
According to Power Rangers Central, "When Rita Repulsa's brother, Rito Revolto, came to Earth, he succeeded in destroying the Thunderzords and the Rangers' powers. The six teens had to travel to the Temple of Power, where the legendary warrior Ninjor gave them all the power of Ninja. Using this power, they could all transform into the Ninja Rangers, then morph into Power Rangers and take command of the Ninja Zords." Black Power Ranger controls the Frog Ninjazord.
The figure is not that great. He's sculpted weird where he has an enormous chest. He has punching action, but it still doesn't justify the weird design. All of the Ninja Rangers seem to be sculpted in a similar way.
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Blue Power Ranger (Kai Chen)
Power Rangers Lost Galaxy Galactic Speeder series
1999, Bandai
Power Rangers Lost Galaxy
Figure with Galactic Speeder vehicles
Kai Chen is the Blue Power Ranger in Power Rangers Lost Galaxy and is played by actor Archie Kao.
According to Archie Kao Online, Kai is "Straight-laced, sensible and ambitious, Kai is the classic over-achiever. Having been brought up in a strict military family, he always does things by the
book and likes everything in its place. However, his orderly world is turned upside down when he becomes the Blue Ranger. Now he must learn that sometimes
rules are meant to be broken when it comes to saving the Universe."
The figure is not the best of the Lost Galaxy line, but it's not bad. It's just standard. What makes this a nice set is the Galactic Speeder which connects with other Power ranger Galactic Speeders.
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Blue Lightspeed Rescue Ranger (Chad Lee)
Lightspeed Power Rangers series
Bandai
Lightspeed Power Rangers
Individual Figure
I don't get to watch Lightspeed Rescue Rangers as much as I did the original series, but I have watched a few to see some really great fighting sequences. Apparently, Michael Chaturantabut, who plays Blue Lightspeed Rescue Ranger Chad Lee, is the only actor who actually knows martial arts.
According to Power Rangers Central, "Chad Lee had just completed one of his whale shows at a theme park when he was approached by Lightspeed agents to take him to the Aquabase. The valiant and skilled fighter didn't think twice about joining the Power Rangers when he witnessed Diabolico's ruthless attacks on the city. Chad is quiet and reserved, and spends much time scuba diving, feeling a connection with marine life. He brings to the team his exceptional martial arts ability, and water rescue skills, and drives Aqua Rescue Two."
The figure is actually primo and shows that Bandai is putting some effort into the Power Ranger action figure line. The figure lights up and I think I read somewhere that it's supposed to correspond to things happening on the show, but it hasn't been confirmed. If you know, please e-mail me.
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Blue Time Force Power Ranger (Lucas Robinson)
Power Rangers: Time Force line
2000, Bandai
Power Rangers: Time Force
Individual Figure
According to Michael Copon Online, the role of Lucas, the Blue Power Ranger, is his first acting role. None of the Web sites cropping up deal with his ethnicity, but knowing that Copon is a possible Filipino last name and seeing his "Filipino-ness" in his face, I knew that he had to at least be part Filipino. And, I guess I was right. According to postings by those who knew him in high school on message boards at the Michael Copon Yahoo! Fan Club Web site, Michael is half-Filipino and half-White.
Like with all Power Rangers series, Bandai releases a basic Power Ranger line. This would be that figure. A fully articulated figure, the Blue Ranger comes with a Vortex Blaster that can be combined with the blasters of the other rangers to create one big one. He also comes with two swords that can also be fitted together to make a larger double sided sword. Finally, press a button on his back and his helmet lights up. A nice figure for the basic.
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Blue Time Force Power Ranger (Lucas Robinson)
Power Rangers: Time Force Deluxe Mega Battle series
2000, Bandai
Power Rangers: Time Force
Individual Figure
I have to admit that I really like this figure mainly because I think the accessories are cool. He comes with a clear blue blaster and helmet, added chest plate and two roller blade type boot attachments. It can be either used as a type of roller armor or can be combined to make a vehicle or weapon of some kind.
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Blue Time Force Power Ranger (Lucas Robinson)
Power Rangers: Time Force Vector Cycle series
2000, Bandai
Power Rangers: Time Force
Figure with Vector Cycle
Also, with every Power Rangers television series, Bandai features the Rangers with a variety of vehicles. The Vector Cycle is the first for the Time Force Rangers. The bike has "missile firing action" and the figure comes with a variety of weapons that can either be used as an individual or attached to the vehicle.
Michael Copon Online describes Lucas is being even tempered and cool. He is a former race car driver to boot.
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Wish List for Power Rangers
The following are items I still need to complete the set. If you notice any other items that should be added, please e-mail me. Thanks to Power Rangers Central for having such a great database of toys for the Power Rangers.
- 8" poseable Yellow Morphin Power Ranger (Trini)
- 5.5" Auto-morphin Black Morphin Power Ranger (Adam)
- Thunder Bike with 4" Black Morphin Power Ranger (Adam)
- PVC Figurine of Black Morphin Power Ranger (Adam)
- Shark Cycle with 4" Black Morphin Power Ranger (Adam)
- 8" talking Black Morphin Power Ranger (Adam)
- PVC movie figurine of Black Morphin Power Ranger (Adam)
- 5.5" Movie Black Morphin Power Ranger (Adam)
- 8" Movie Black Morphin Power Ranger (Adam)
- Zeo Jet Cycles with Green Zeo Power Ranger IV (Adam)
- 5 1/2" Action Feature Green Zeo Rangers IV (Adam)
- 8" Action Feature Green Zeo Ranger IV (Adam)
- 5 1/2" Auto Morphin Green Zeo Ranger IV (Adam)
- 5 1/2" Zord Morphin Green Zeo Ranger IV (Adam)
- 5 1/2 " Key Action Feature Green Turbo Ranger 1 (Adam)
- Turbo Carts with Green Turbo Ranger 1 (Adam)
- 8" Repeat Action Pink Turbo Ranger 2 (Cassie)
- 5" Triple Action Pink Turbo Ranger 2 (Cassie)
- 5" Turbo Shifter Pink Turbo Ranger 2 (Cassie)
- 5-inch poseable Pink Space Ranger (Cassie)
- Galaxy Glider with Pink Space Ranger (Cassie)
- 5-inch Astro Pink Space Ranger (Cassie)
- Deluxe Galaxy Cycle with Pink Space Ranger (Cassie)
- 8" Talking Pink Space Ranger (Cassie)
- Heroes in Space with Pink Space Ranger (Cassie)
- Astro Armor Pink Space Ranger (Cassie)
- Conquering Blue Lost Galaxy Power Rangers (Kai)
- Astro Cycle with Blue Lost Galaxy Power Rangers (Kai)
- 5" Blue Lost Galaxy Power Rangers (Kai)
- Armored Blue Lost Galaxy Power Rangers (Kai)
- Blasting Blue Lost Galaxy Power Rangers (Kai)
- Capsular Cycle with Blue Lost Galaxy Power Rangers (Kai)
- Explorer Blue Lost Galaxy Power Rangers (Kai)
- Jet Jammer with Blue Lost Galaxy Power Rangers (Kai)
- Mega Battle Blue Lightspeed Rescue Ranger (Chad)
- Lightspeed Cycle with 5.5" Blue Lightspeed Power Rangers (Chad)
- Side Speeder with 5.5" Blue Lightspeed Power Rangers (Chad)
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