Top 10: Best Power Rangers Series’ of all-time

No matter how old you are, your background or your gender – you definitely know what the Power Rangers are. With a new series every year or two with different branding, we all have a series we’re all connected to. Whether it is the original Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers from the 90s, later on into Lightspeed Rescue or Time Force, all the way through to Samurai and Megaforce. Also, considering this is predominately a combat sport website, I thought PR fit the bill perfectly.

Today, I’m here to countdown what I think are the best Power Rangers series of all time. Let’s get started!

10 – Power Rangers: RPM (Engine Sentai Go-Onger)
By most Power Rangers fans, this is heralded as one of the best seasons, with more of an adult story line. It was supposed to be the last series of Power Rangers, and was the last created by Disney. Then Saban Brands would take over the name and license. The plot was that Venjix Computer Network wanted to take over the planet. It had succeeded already, except for some domed cities. Then enter the Power Rangers to save the city from takeover. It was a good story, straying from norms as the villain had already won at the start of the season. It had its entire plot tied up by the final episode. Also, it had some neat in-jokes and it remained very self-aware.

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The suits were nice, though they made more sense in Go-Onger; most of the characters were good, except for Ziggy. Dillon makes up for this though. Rose McIver who played the Yellow Ranger, Summer, went on to play Liv in iZombie and Tinkerbell in ABC’s Once Upon A Time.

9 – Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers (Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger)
This was the one that started them all. If you had asked me a year ago to name my Top 10 Favourite Power Rangers series, this would not make the list. Though after brushing up on Netflix, I can say that whilst this series is quite flawed, it does hold its own.

The transitions between Japanese and American footage were painstakingly obvious at times. This is the most apparent when Trini suddenly changes genders when morphing, of course most of us know that in Zyuranger, the Yellow Ranger was a boy named, well Boi. Don’t get me started on the Green Ranger’s Dragon Shield.

But what makes this series great is the characters. Of course, MMPR had 3 seasons, so of course they had more time to do this when compared to shorter seasons like RPM. Zordon and Alpha 5 set the standard for ally characters. The Green Ranger arc is probably the standout story of the whole season, but I’ll never know why they only used the White Dairanger outfit and not the others.

8 – Power Rangers Zeo (Chouriki Sentai Ohranger)
This was a turning point for the show, as it was the first transition to a new cast (sort of), new suits, zords, ally characters, new sets and stories and most important of all, new villains.

We actually have most of the cast returning from Mighty Morphin’. The exception is the Yellow Ranger Aisha being exchanged for Tanya. Aisha had one of the worst departures, with barely a goodbye or a proper mention. The show is more refined this time. The cuts between Japanese and American footage are less noticeable, though still there are issues. At least this time we have no gender changes when morphed so that’s a plus. Also, Jason returning as the Gold Ranger and the ark with Billy makes this an enjoyable season, though often overlooked due to its status as the follow up to everyone’s favourite.

7 – Power Rangers: Lost Galaxy (Seijuu Sentai Gingaman)
This is a controversial pick I’m sure, but I think it’s a damn good season. This is the first post-Zordon era Power Rangers show. It makes sense too because of course there can be Rangers on other planets. I think morphing with the swords was cool, and many hated the Charlie Brown style suits but I think they looked great with the helmets.

Even though we never got the planned Legendary Ranger storyline with the Dairanger suits, the ark with Karone and Kendrix was good, despite the real life gloomy circumstances. Though it does mess up the lore quite a bit, because in the Lightspeed Rescue team-up, Kendrix is back as the Pink Ranger, though in the Super Megaforce Legendary Battle, Karone is the Pink Ranger.

6 – Power Rangers: Lightspeed Rescue (Kyuukyuu Sentai GoGoFive)
On the theme of Lightspeed Rescue, whilst Lost Galaxy changed the formula, once again Saban changed the game with this season. This time, the Power Rangers are a force like the police, fire and medical emergency response teams. Except, what separates the Rangers from standard rescue services are that they respond to alien threats.

The plot between the Rangers and the powers that be was interesting, with even the Pink Ranger Dana going against her own father. I like the suits in this show, they’re different but they make sense for what the motif is. This isn’t Power Rangers related, but in GoGoFive art, I love how the Red Ranger is depicted at times, saving kids from burning buildings and such. It really makes the show feel more humble and it grounds it somewhat in reality.

5 – Power Rangers: Dino Charge (Zyuden Sentai Kyoryuger)

This one wrapped not too long ago, but the first season of the Dino Charge series was a lot of fun. After abysmal seasons like Samurai and Megaforce, it was a real breath of fresh air. The cast were all likeable, they all had developed personalities, and it just felt like a different show.

This time, the show is set in a separate universe, which I don’t understand why. Though I am glad it didn’t involve any team-up episodes, as we had a sensory overload during Super Megaforce, and they’ve already hinted at more team-ups in Super Ninja Steel. Even the show’s creators felt that the show just had more effort and energy put into it, with a lot of scenes being American originals, with lots of sets done just for Dino Charge. You could not at all tell the difference between the American footage and Japanese footage. Mostly because many fights took place in forests.

The show had quite the bit of filler in it, and Dino Super Charge disappointed but still isn’t as bad as series like the aforementioned Samurai or Jungle Fury.

4 – Power Rangers: Ninja Storm (Ninpuu Sentai Hurricaneger)
This is definitely not the Power Rangers Hexagon show that was planned before Saban sold the series to Disney, and the seeds that were sewn in Forever Red didn’t amount to anything here. Though what we did get was a well done, fun show, which had a smaller team but with developed characters. They all enjoyed extreme sports and at times, that transpired into their fighting moves. I loved all the weapons and I think this show had the second best Megazord. I think we have a weak Red Ranger here, but a very powerful Blue Ranger. The CGI hamster was dumb, but Hurricaneger had one too, so I understand the inclusion. It was just a really great season, and Disney certainly flaunted the extra funds they could put in to create the show, with better sets and costumes for their original sets.

3 – Power Rangers: Dino Thunder (Bakuryuu Sentai Abaranger)
This is the follow up to Ninja Storm, and wow – golly gee did the Mouse House know how to treat the rangers. If you even slightly enjoyed Mighty Morphin’, you’ll love this season. Tommy Oliver is back as a ranger once again after being absent since Forever Red in Wild Force. The three rangers we get are well developed and are beyond bland character traits. The introduction of Trent as the White Ranger was one of PR’s best storylines. Let’s not forget some of the best suit, zord and weapon designs in the show’s history.

The villains too were well-developed and actually played into the story quite well. Especially considering the dynamics with Mesogog’s Army and the school. Devin and Cassidy are cool side antagonists that actually mean something in the season finale. Hayley is also worth mentioning here too, as she runs the Cyberspace Café as well as serving as technical adviser to the Rangers. If she was utilized more, may have benefitted the show nicely, though we’ll never know.

2 – Power Rangers: In Space (Denji Sentai Megaranger)
This is hailed by many as simply the best series of all time. The show is the final season in the Zordon era here, with the sad death of the ally character. The cast has a big shift following Turbo, joining late in the season; Zhane gave fans one of the most beloved Rangers ever.

The great main team designs showcase the best of Toei’s design work, but the Psycho Rangers are marvellously designed. Not only do they look scary, but they provided a good storyline that genuinely tested the team. Adam Park shows up for an episode as well as some Alien Rangers (as they should, seeing as it is ‘In Space’). We also get the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles crossover – which was dumb and an obvious ploy to get kids to buy more toys – it’s a filler episode and you can just skip over it.

1 – Power Rangers: Time Force (Mirai Sentai Timeranger)
Many Ranger fans probably predicted this as the best choice right from the start. That’s because I’m not alone in my opinion either. Time Force is the best season of Power Rangers. Not only is it because its story actually had one big meaning, not only do the characters grow throughout the season. It deals with themes of death and has a love story. Due to the September 11 attacks, a lot of the season was cut down, but it still remains the best season despite questionable censorship.

The suits were badass, the time travel aspects kept things fresh and interesting. The characters were memorable, Jen leading the team as the second woman to lead the Power Rangers. She was by far the stand out character and is up there as one of the greatest Rangers of all time. Trip was a personal favourite of mine. They had a great base in the clock tower, the scenes flowed together nicely.

At one point they were even considering a Time Force movie, which I as well as others would’ve loved to see. The only downsides to this season are the Quantum Ranger suit and the Yellow Ranger gender swaps between American and Japanese footage.  If only they did carry on for one more season. The whole show is on Netflix, so please give it a watch.

Did you enjoy this list? Do you agree? Is this all just a dumb kid’s show? Let us know on Twitter or by using the comments feature.