There seems to be a rather strange argument going on in the Power Rangers Fandom recently and it involves the new Morphers that may or may not be featured in the upcoming Dino Charge season. My opinion on the matter will become clear as we continue on in this article.
If you are not familiar with Zyuden Sentai Kyoryuger (which Dino Charge will be based on) let’s get a few facts out there for you; the Gaburevolver is a Dinosaur themed Revolver which loads the Rangers’ “Beast Batteries” and allows them to use the power of whatever of the numerous batteries they use.
It also allows the Rangers to Henshin/Morph into their Ranger Form and also fires powerful blasts like any other Ranger or Sentai blaster. A battery (corresponding to their personal Dinosaur) is inserted into the mouth. When the Rangers point the Revolver into the air, do their respective samba dance, spin the dial and fire; they transform.
The argument? Some would say that the idea of using a Gun/Revolver to morph is too violent and condones gun violence amongst children.
I find this rather strange, in fact this is the strangest argument to me. Power Rangers at its essence is about Battle, Fights, Monsters and Powerful Weapons!
Personally, I am not sure if these people have ever watched Power Rangers before or even if they’ve watched Kyoryuger or Sentai! Needless to say I completely disagree with this statement and in this article I will tell you why. I hope you can make your own decision based on my words. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and I respect them. Everyone is entitled to protect their children, but this is not the time. However, the argument against the Gaburevolver is a ridiculous argument to make in a show that has shown “violence” for over 20 years!
This feels like an argument for 1993 and not 2014.
In this article I want to go through a few things with you.
First, I want us to look at the Gaburevolver and it’s features from the show.
Second, I want to review the argument against using these Revolvers in Power Rangers.
Third, I will go over a few examples of the weapons that are incredibly similar to GUNS in former Power Rangers seasons.
Take a look at the Gaburevolver Toy from Bandai Japan. Notice the Dinosaur face and mouth featured on the front of the blaster. The mouth opens and accepts “Beast Batteries” enabling the Rangers to shoot, morph/transform and use the powers of the newer batteries found during the series.
The issue? It does look like a rifle or revolver. Slightly. What real gun have you ever seen that has a Dinosaur face?
Another feature is the spin feature to the left in the picture. Once the dial is spun the toy releases fun noise and lights!
Another feature real guns do not possess.
To Check Out How the Works, Click the Link below for a Video from MMPRtoys
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9ZJ_YGoSnY
We’ve all seen this horrible toy before have we not? This is what Bandai America has done to the GokaiGun from Gokaiger.
The tip is turned orange to meet US Standards and to distinguish between toy and real guns.
Although this makes the toy look terrible, it is necessary for the safety of children. I am in full support of this.
I have come to terms with the fact that Bandai America’s version of the Gaburevolver will be dumbed down and even re-colored to fit certain laws. This is the ACCEPTABLE option to me. Sure! Recolor it, make the tips orange if you have to!
The Children of America will love the GabuRevolver toy, I have said this since I purchased mine. It is an amazing toy and Bandai will sell tons if it has the working lights and sounds and works with the “Beast Batteries: the new Rangers will possess!
Bandai will make money off this, but another argument has been made that they as morphers may be cut out and simply used as weapons.
This popular argument is that the Morphers have been changed once before!
Remember the Solar Morphers from Jungle Fury? Well, they were not the original henshin device from Gekiranger!
In fact the claws on the Rangers’ hands were used to morph while punching the screen.
It is not quite clear to me what the official reason is why these were changed, however I can saw I doubt it was because of violence reasons.
It seems as if the producers wanted to make the morph sequence cooler. Do you think the Gekiranger Henshin Sequence is too violent?
Jungle Fury and Gekiranger in general was based solely on fighting style and the the Rangers’ own styles of fighting.
In fact, the henshin devices were kept on the suits during Jungle Fury and used to punch several times.
Just because we have changed morphers before does not mean it needs to happen in other seasons.
Here are some Examples of “Blasters” that have been used in Previous Power Rangers seasons where the same argument could me made.
However, none of these are Blaster-based Morphers, but how can a “gun violence advocation” statement be made only for Morphers and not the actual weapons?
SPD: Delta Enforcers – Blasters
I love this example. Look at the Delta Enforcers. It is almost identical to the ideology used in the Gaburevolver.
The weapon represents a gun or blaster AND represents the current season is featured in.
It is a gun made to look like a police car complete with wheels. The two Blasters are combined it creates a rifle like weapon that delivers the finisher!
But what could be said about the Delta Enforcers? They are straight up rifle looking weapons!
MMPR: Blade Blasters
Yes! Even the beloved MMPR Blade Blasters share some similarities with the Gaburevolver.
It is a gun/blaster and has dinosaur related features and can change into a blade as well.
Yet, even amongst the protesting parents at the time, they were still sold in stores in 1993 and not changed in the show.
Super Megaforce: Super Mega Blasters
YES! As stated above, our CURRENT season of Power Rangers had actual musket/pistol inspired blasters in the show!
Actually, in Gokaiger these guns actually fired real bullets which is never discussed in Super Megaforce. Strange, eh?
In fact, I could even understand why fans would ask for these to be edited out the show.
BUT, they were not! Why? Money to reshoot footage AND there’s no need! The toys in fact were changed, an acceptable change.
Lightspeed Rescue: Mega Battles
Here’s another random example for you! The Thermo Blasters also look similar to a gun and fire powerful lasers!
Why not change these as well?
This example below is less about the guns and more about the fact that this weapon is a freaking CANNON and SAW!
Are these not worse than a gun?
RPM: Nitro Blasters
Just to cement my point, the Nitro Blaster also resembles a futuristic gun, however it is powered by the Engine Cells and not by bullets.
Another example of Guns appearing in Power Rangers with a fantastical element added.
Time Force: Quantum Defender
I barely even have to explain anything here. Look at it.
Nearly identical to the Gaburevolver and it’s still in the show. It is not a Morpher but again why should that matter?
In closing, I know that this is a hot-topic issue at the moment.
I hope you understand my position. We have had guns or gun related weapons for years, in fact from the beginning in 1993!
Changing the Morpher makes no sense in this season with the opposing side’s viewpoint.
Guns, Blasters and Rifles have been prevalent in this show for quite some time, in fact it is a staple of this show that is based on fantastical battles against monsters and the forces of evil. I’ve watched this show since 1993 and have never felt the need for gun violence in real life. I played with guns and swords and am not violent. It is not shows, tv, video games or movies that make kids violent. We all know where it begins, with the parents.
A positive solution to getting this toys to the children of America is to recolor and add the special orange point for the toy sales. In regards to the show, nothing needs to be changed. We have seen so many amazing aspects of the Sentai Series being taken out of Super Megaforce, we don’t need to start out Dino Charge with changing a Morph Sequence that does not need to be changed!
For those who have opposition to my opinion, please remember that Power Rangers has Daggers, Swords, Blades, Axes, Bows, Bo Staffs, Maces, Cannons and EVEN MORE featured in every episode!
Just because the Gaburevolver will become a Morpher does not mean it should be held to a strange standard that the other weapons are not.
But, I want to hear what you think!
Would you let your kids use this toy? Would you buy it for them?
Do you think the Morphin Sequence should be changed?
