Another year in the History of Power Rangers is coming to an end and just like the previous years before there was so much to talk about!
If there is one thing our fandom is great at; it is talking, spreading and blowing up the random hot topics that appear throughout the year!
Whether it is the vast annoyance of Morphin Madness, Super Megaforce annoyance or the joy that was PMC4, either way 2014 was a year to remember!
Let’s go over a few of the most talked about stories, rumors and events that happened throughout the past year!
If I missed one you think is important please feel free to add to the comment section!
Amy Jo Johnson Performs In Her Pink Ranger Suit
In November Amy Jo Johnson, our original Pink Ranger, took to raise money for one of her many projects, “The Space Between”.
Of course, her Power Rangers Fans came out in droves with the promise that if her goal was met she would perform in the Pink Ranger spandex!
She did indeed perform in the city with only her pink spandex and her guitar, she constantly talks about how she got her guitar from this awesome Website she found!
Go-Busters Skipped
It was early in the year when we found out this bit of information, just before the premiere of Super Megaforce. Dino Charge was chosen as the newest adaptation for Power Rangers which meant that the 36th Super Sentai, Tokumei Sentai G0-Busters was officially being skipped.
The first time in Power Rangers History that this has happened.
(No No, Dairanger doesn’t count.)
Legendary Battle Extended
Fans were a tad upset over the original airing of “Legendary Battle” but when it was revealed that extra ADR was being recorded hope came back!
The Extended Edition of the “Legendary Battle” which aired on NickToons near midnight, combined several episodes adding small cut scenes.
But, what saved the episode was that the battle with Emperor Mavro was extended and he didn’t go down like such a chump!
Bandai Releases Every Red Ranger
Above is an image of the wall above my computer. I have never been so happy with a wall of figures! When I heard that Bandai America would be producing all of the Red Rangers, I was very excited but very wary. Somehow I figured that some Red Rangers would be skipped (Yes Lauren was skipped, however I meant someone like Aurico)
If there is one kudos I can give to Bandai America after 2014 it is definitely for their representation of the Ranger Legacy in their toys.
Camille Hyde Makes History
When I first wrote the above statement last August, I got a little bit of flack for announcing such a thing from certain commentators.
I, however, stick by my words and will repeat them just now. Camille Hyde, when Dino Charge airs, will become the first Female African-American Pink Ranger. While you may be tired of hearing that, or think Race shouldn’t even be brought up, I’m sorry. This is important not only to the series as a force for equality and diversity, but it will be important to little girls out there who now have a role model who resembles them!
Sentai Rangers In SMF
At first it was cute! “Ooh Look the Dairanger suits are in Super Megaforce, oh my!” then it slowly devolved into something many viewed as time wasting.
Flashman, Changeman, Maskman, Fiveman and more got interesting attention during Super Megaforce much to the chagrin of the fans.
Lightspeed and Time Force were simply glossed over, there was 1 extra hero and sadly very few 6th Rangers. Yet here we have Non-Power Rangers in our Anniversary.
Sentai suits would’ve been cool, just not in the 20th Anniversary Season full of cameos and throwbacks.
Austin St John’s Return
In March of this year, after a few stray pictures had surfaced, Austin St. John returned to the fandom with a Convention tour and social media takeover the likes we’ve never seen. With his return to the fandom and the new Dinosaur themed season coming up, many fans wonder whether an ASJ return to the show is in the works?!
He was also named Male Power Ranger of the Year, by you!
Sledge
It is an interesting time watching Dino Charge come into fruition and one of the most interesting is it’s development of originality.
Sledge was first shown during the PMC4 Promo and the fans went nuts for an original character, FINALLY, after all these years!
Not a lot is known about Sledge just yet but we do know that he is a Bounty Hunter in the hunt for Energems!
Morphin’ Madness
Rivalries and Alliances formed faster than during a Game of Thrones episode when it came to getting your favorite Ranger made into a Ranger Key.
Remember, at the time the idea of Female and 6th Ranger Keys being released seemed unlikely and the race to the finish line caused a bitter rivalry among some of us.
Many months later the winners have received their Morphers, finally, but have yet to see their 5 Ranger Keys they voted for and this madness is nothing but a bad memory.
Judd Lynn Returns To Power Rangers
One of, if not the best news out the Dino Charge announcement was that Judd “Chip” Lynn would be taking over as Executive Producer!
Many of us have since sighed a breath of relief now the show is out of the hands of Jonathan Tzachor, who has saved many previous seasons, and that change from the last four years is coming to Power Rangers!
Kyoryuger VS Go-Busters: Dino Battle
Let’s be real here. No one was talking about Go-Busters during this team up movie. While that is sad, because the Go-Busters deserved a lot more, but it must be noted that during this movie we got an epic team up between our 3 Dinosaur Themed Teams. Regardless of what this means for Super Sentai, this could mean another awesome opportunity for Power Rangers! Let’s hope the rights to this Sentai Movie are purchased so that Austin St John and James Napier could be convinced to cameo with Brennan Mejia!
Dricera Is PINK!
The Fight to Keep Dricera Pink began soon after the first images from the Licensing Expo this June began to surface. Pictures of the newly recolored Triceratops Zord surfaced online the fandom went nuts in anger. I for one, was so annoyed at the blatant sexism regarding “boys toys” where one of the main zords cannot be fully pink.
It was lucky for all of us when at PMC, the following August, answering to our cries of outrage, the Zord was colored back to Pink and all was well with the world!
MMPR Reboot Movie Announced
Arguably the biggest announcement of 2014, Power Force led the troupe and helped Saban Brands announce that on July 22nd, 2016 the Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers will be making a return to the big screen!
Not much is known just yet what this movie will bring to theaters or to the fandom, but one thing can be said is that this announcement was one of the biggest announcements since Saban reacquired Power Rangers!
TyrannoRanger At PMC4
One of the greater moments this year was obviously the massive event known as Power Morphicon. However, this year was a little different; for the first time ever a Ranger Actor from Super Sentai attended the convention! Yuuta Mochizuki, who played TyrannoRanger Geki on Kyoryu Sentai Zyuranger, united with his Power Rangers counterpart for an epic Forever Red panel!
History will soon be made again when Reiko Chiba, PteraRanger Mei, will be attending Lexington Comic & Toy Convention!
Dino Charge Cast Reveal
It sure wasn’t the Legendary Battle reveal from 2012, but the crowd sure roared when the Dino Charge cast was revealed!
James Davies, Yoshi Sudarso, Brennan Mejia, Camille Hyde & Michael Taber walked into the Power Ranger Legacy morphed into their new suits and set the crowd afire with the new trailer for Dino Charge!
Zyuranger On DVD
Shout! Factory continues to deliver us the best that Power Rangers Media can offer and earlier this year it was announced that they would be translating Kyoryu Sentai Zyuranger! This will be the first time a Sentai Season has seen an Official U.S. Release which could mean big news for future Sentai seasons’ possible release!
Dairanger and Kakuranger anyone?
“The Ranger”
Matt Jayson produced a small short for “Funny Or Die” in which he played Jason, the Red Ranger in a dim and distant future!
For many, the short proved what the doctor ordered in fan service films. Something that other films are no where near achieving.
Faced with opposition from Saban Brands and a huge back of support from the fans, Matt continued to share his amazing short while promoting that a sequel is on it’s way!
Click Here for the Short
Will ToQger Be Skipped?
Many have reported that, having spoken with Bandai America representatives, they have noted that Ressha Sentai ToQger is perhaps too “pre-school” and that the Megazord is too boxy and bulky. Or an even more insane comment, that perhaps kids don’t like Trains. WHAT?!
When Shuriken Sentai Ninninger was revealed a few weeks ago it seemed darker that perhaps Saban Brands may skip the Train Rangers completely in favor of a 3rd Ninja Team. It has happened once before, in this very same list, because of Toy Sales Saban and Bandai decided to skip Go-Busters.
Personally, I would think it incredibly a waste to skip this season. With the right amount of creativity it could become something great! Look at RPM and Go-Onger!
Melody Perkins Breaks The internet
Arguably the greatest moment in 2014 for Power Rangers Fans! Generally upset with the short version of “Legendary Battle” the fans were wary about what would be added to the extended version. Towards the end it seemed as if not much had been added until Karone (Melody Perkins) looked up at her helmet to pronounce that she does enjoy being a Power Ranger! But the moment we all died over was as she lifted her helmet over her head and the image of Astronema flashed!
Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr went nuts and if you ask the right person, this moment perhaps saved Super Megaforce from a complete fail.
New MMPR Balloon
Sadly, there was flash mob and no suit actor attendance for the 2014 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
BUT, for the first time ever the Power Rangers franchise got it’s own Balloon to float over the spectators on Thanksgiving!
Hopefully, there’s room for the Red Ranger in future parades to come!
Ivan Ooze Figure
The 20th Anniversary of the Mighty Morphin’ Movie is fast approaching and a vast array of Legacy Products are being released to celebrate!
We know that 6 Legacy Movie Figures, a Movie Morpher AND an Ivan Ooze figure will be released in 2015!
Not only is this exciting for lovers of the movie but for toy collectors as well. This will be the first articulated and fully painted Ivan Ooze figure in existence when it is released! He even comes with a tiny flute to pay the piper!
What was your most exciting moment of 2014?
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