“Ahh! After ten thousand years, I’m free! It’s time to conquer Earth!”
Rita Repulsa, the Empress Of Evil was the first and main villain of Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers and appeared in the very first opening scene where a unsuspecting group of astronauts opened a space dumpster and released Rita and her gaggle of cronies.
After running into her old foe, Zordon of Eltar, she begins her conquest over planet Earth. Zordon creates the Power Rangers out of teenagers with attitudes and over the entire season, Rita alone sends monsters to destroy the good on Earth. Fans will remember Season 1’s Rita the most as she is all footage from “Zyuranger” and her mouth does not match up with the voice.
Rita’s power comes from her magic staff, which when thrown to the earth, causes her monsters to grow.
After running into her old foe, Zordon of Eltar, she begins her conquest over planet Earth. Zordon creates the Power Rangers out of teenagers with attitudes and over the entire season, Rita alone sends monsters to destroy the good on Earth. Fans will remember Season 1’s Rita the most as she is all footage from “Zyuranger” and her mouth does not match up with the voice.
Rita’s power comes from her magic staff, which when thrown to the earth, causes her monsters to grow.
“Magic Wand, make my monster Grow!”
Time and time again, the 5 rangers defeated her over and over again with their Megazords and weapons. Until the idea of a century came to her. She would use the legendary 6th power coin to create her own Ranger, and defeat those Power Punks once and for all. Her evil Green Ranger fared well but was ultimately defeated; joining with his fellow rangers.
At the end of Season 1 of MMPR we get no clear evidence of the Rangers’ defeat of Rita. Instead, at the opening of Season 2, she is replaced by her boss Lord Zedd. Zedd, admonishes her for not defeating the rangers and insists she be sealed in her dumpster once more and sent spiraling into space.
Rita makes a triumphant return (with an actual actress) in MMPR S2. She has Finster concoct a Love Potion to trick Zedd and join forces. She eventually marries him and by Season 3 we meet her Brother Rito Revolto and her Father Master Vile. Season 3, Zeo, we see Lord Zedd and Rita fleeing from The Machine Empire‘s impending attacks on the moon. Of course, revenge is had at the end of the season when Zedd and Rita give the Machine Empire an explosive gift.
“You’ve spent 2000 years looking for a tub of snot?!”
Rita made an apparance alongside Lord Zedd in MMPR: The Movie, but was sidelined due to Ivan Ooze in a snowglobe. Throughout Turbo and In Space it was stated that Rita and Zedd belonged to the Alliance of Evil alongside Dark Spektor, Astronema and Divatox. Rita and all the Alliance of Evil meet their end when Zordon’s wave turned them human at the end of Power Rangers In Space. Strangely enough, in the “Operation Overdrive” episode “Once A Ranger,” Rita and Zedd’s son, Thrax, makes an appearance.
The actress who played Bandora in Zyuranger, Machiko Soga, played a small role in Power Rangers Mystic Force as “Mystic Mother” It was said that Rita was now the Mother of all good magic after Zordon’s wave turn her good. Unfortunately, Barbara Goodson did not voice her and instead it was a strange mimic. But, It was simply a way of paying homage to Machiko who passed after the filming of “Magiranger“
Rita Repulsa, IMO, is the greatest villain. Not only did she last for 5 Seasons but she is the most recognizable of all the Power Rangers Villains. She is the most requested/sought after figure that had a prototype but was never released; (STILL NOT MADE BY BANDAI) Still, people pay large amounts for the legendary “Rita Squeeze Light” or micro figure.
Voiced by Barbara Goodson who dubbed over the “Zyuranger Bandora” footage gave Rita her wicked voice and ultimately made her the character she is. Barbara and her Lord Zedd counterpart, Robert Axelrod are the Darth Vader and Wicked Witch of the show. No one could do their voices but them and I cant wait to meet them both at Morphicon!
Rita Replusa, made MMPR great because she was the original. She was actually scary at some points as her voice actress made the character who she was, famous for 5 seasons and 17 years later. If there was a ray that magically brought Rita and Zedd back for Season 18, hell I’d be on board!
Rita Repulsa, is what made MMPR great! *crosses fingers* for a Figure!
What are your memories of Rita?
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