The Energon Pub

[Emerje]

But still, I wonder if Tommy can do that kick if he wasnt wearing that outfit:

The Ninja Ranger outfits were an actual morph they gained from Ninjor after they lost their Power Ranger abilities and Zords. They'd be replaced by metallic (glittery) Power Ranger outfits and then later the Zeo outfits. There were proper Power Ranger ninja suits to accompany the less traditional Ninja Ranger suits, but for whatever reason the show decided to give those to the Alien Rangers. I never liked the aliens, but at least it got us the super awesome Shogun Megazord, easily one of my all time favorite Megazords right next to the Super Train Megazord and just about everything from Wild Force (best animal-based Zords ever IMO).

Emerje

[King Kuuga]

So.... much... misinformation.

The Ninja Ranger outfits were an actual morph they gained from Ninjor after they lost their Power Ranger abilities and Zords. They'd be replaced by metallic (glittery) Power Ranger outfits and then later the Zeo outfits.

Not exactly. The Ninjetti forms were an in-between stage from being purely civillian to fully-suited rangers. They were a way to play up the ninja theme without bringing over the Kakuranger suits. And the traditional suits they used in season 3 were the same ones they'd had before: the five core Zyurangers and Kibaranger. The Metallic Armor you speak of was a powerup form from there.

There were proper Power Ranger ninja suits to accompany the less traditional Ninja Ranger suits, but for whatever reason the show decided to give those to the Alien Rangers.

Because there were only 5 Kakurangers, and only white was female. They had a good thing going with their merry band of 6 actors and they didn't want to upset the status quo until they gave up and transitioned to Zeo.

I never liked the aliens, but at least it got us the super awesome Shogun Megazord, easily one of my all time favorite Megazords right next to the Super Train Megazord and just about everything from Wild Force (best animal-based Zords ever IMO).

Although Muteki Shogun belonged to the Kakurangers in Japan, the Shogun Megazord was the MMPR's megazord that the Alien Rangers just borrowed while the rangers were turned into kids. It was featured in about the last third of MMPRs3, around the time Kat replaced Kimberly as the pink ranger

Another question, I thought this was a power rangers thread and then I saw the title. I am assuming now that power rangers is within it but what else encompasses that at the moment in the world of toys? And is Ultra man one of them?

I'm glad you asked. Here's a look at my tokusatsu hard drive, maybe that will help.

Also, equally dumb question but I always wondered this as a kid: what powers do the power rangers have? The suits dont seem to give them super powers, they can clearly do impressive feats before donning the costumes. And rita seems to know who they are without the costumes. So aside from the obvious reason of power rangers being a salvaged japanese show, how do their costumes help them at all?

.
They are capable martial artists as civilians, which is why they were chosen as rangers, but as rangers they are protected more and are stronger and more powerful and have a larger arsenal.
(also they can have stunt people do all the fighting)

[Sabrblade]

"Ninjetti" was the term for the those ninja costumes only in the MMPR movie (which is out of continuity with the TV show). Though the same suits were carried over into the TV show, the show just called those suits as "Ninja Ranger" forms, with the proper ranger suits distinguished as "Power Rangers".

It's kinda like how the movie version of the new bird foot-soldiers were "Tengu Warriors" while in the show, they were "Tenga Warriors".

[Bradimus]

All I know for sure is I was drawn to watching Gosei Sentai Dairanger because I wanted to see where Saban went wrong with not upgrading the Power Ranger suits and weapons when they introduced the Thunder Zords (which I loved), and I immediately followed that up with Ninja Sentai Kakuranger because I wanted to see the source material that I knew Saban misappropriated (IMHO).

I feel like we were greatly cheated out of a much better ninja ranger series using Kakuranger for season 3, and that's when I stopped watching regularly until In Space. I will admit that Saban's Zed was one of the best villains of all time, but I do not like how he changed Gashudokuro/Young Noble Junior into Rito Revolto. Junior was one of the more interesting villains I've seen in Super Sentai.

I greatly enjoyed and highly recommend both Dairanger and Kakuranger, as different as they are from each other.

[Sabrblade]

Consider Saban's perspective from back then. The show was immensely popular and had proven that what it had going for itself worked so well for it. The Zyuranger suits had become such an iconic staple of the show that to not keep using them would have been inconceivable. When it came time to switch over to the Dairanger mecha, Saban wasn't willing to switch to the Dairanger suits (minus Kibaranger later) because of how popular and recognizable the Zyuranger suits were. It took them so long switch out the Zyuranger suits for a new set of suits because the Zyuranger suits were considered THE look of the Power Rangers. And to this day, many old-school fans feel the same way about them for their not only being the first but the longest-lasting PR suits.

Kids were able to become more receptive towards changing out suits once that became a regular thing, but at the beginning the idea had to be built up to, hence the huge deal that was made about the transition from MMPR to Zeo. Even in recent years, the idea of kids needing to get used to new ranger suits, let alone new ranger teams, has resurfaced with the latest generation of kids having been confused as to why the Samurai Rangers weren't still the Power Rangers in Megaforce. If the confusion that Saban feared a suit switch might cause actually did happen years later with both the suit and team switch from Samurai to Megaforce, then I'd think that would justify Saban's concerns about switching out the Zyuranger suits for the Dairanger suits back in the day.

I'm not saying that what they did made for a better story or whatnot. But from a production and corporate standpoint, it is understandable why they held on to the Zyuranger suits for as long as they did.

I mean, heh, Transformers itself has its own fine example of what happens when arbitrary big changes occur so fast and without warning: Optimus Prime's death in the G1 movie ended up traumatizing so many children, and his replacement Rodimus Prime was less than satisfactorily received by those who loved and preferred Optimus.

[King Kuuga]

"Ninjetti" was the term for the those ninja costumes only in the MMPR movie (which is out of continuity with the TV show). Though the same suits were carried over into the TV show, the show just called those suits as "Ninja Ranger" forms, with the proper ranger suits distinguished as "Power Rangers".

A rose by any other name....

[william-james88]

Just curious, the Japanese counterpart to Bandai of America Power Rangers toys come out first right? So do we have a look at their version of this upcoming Ninja Steel Megazord?

[Sabrblade]

Just curious, the Japanese counterpart to Bandai of America Power Rangers toys come out first right? So do we have a look at their version of this upcoming Ninja Steel Megazord?

Yes.

Originally, Powers Rangers was always about one year behind Super Sentai in their adaptations, with MMPR season 1 beginning in 1993 while Zyuranger began in 1992. This trend continued all the way up to 2009's Power Rangers RPM being adapted from 2008's Go-Onger.

But after the Disney Era ended, 2009's Shinkenger would not get adapted for Power Rangers until 2011 as Power Rangers Samurai, and then extended in 2012 as Power Rangers Super Samurai, putting Power Rangers now two-three years behind Super Sentai.

During the interim year of 2010, Bandai of America filled that gap with a redux of MMPR season 1 in the form of a new toyline and a reversion of the TV show with newly-added, badly-done special effects that were evocative of the Transformers: Generation 2 version of the G1 cartoon or the Adam West 60's Batman TV series.

Anyway, 2010's Goseiger became 2013's Power Rangers Megaforce, making Power Rangers three years behind for this series.

2011's Gokaiger became 2014's Power Rangers Super Megaforce, keeping Power Rangers three years behind.

2012's Go-Busters... was skipped entirely by Power Rangers. This was the first time Toei ever permitted Power Rangers to skip over a Sentai series, as there was some previous contractual obligation that required Power Rangers to not skip any series. I guess an exception was made for Go-Busters due to how poorly it did in Japan (both critically and commercially), as well as for how different its suits were from the traditional Sentai/PR ranger suit look (the Go-Buster suits were leather instead of spandex, and looked a bit more soldier/commando-esque than superhero-esque).

Because of Go-Busters being skipped, 2013's Kyoryuger has become 2015's Power Rangers Dino Change and extended into 2016's Power Rangers Dino Super Charge. For 2015, that put Power Rangers at being only two years behind like with the first season of Samurai, but the second season in 2016 restored it to being three years behind once again.

And now, we've come to the present for Power Rangers, but 2014 had ToQger for Super Sentai, which like Go-Busters is also going to be skipped for Power Rangers. My guess for this one's being skipped is that Saban might have figure that the rainbow-colored, railway-themed series with a heavy imagination-based gimmick would have been far too silly even for Power Rangers' currently-low standards. And both the suits and the main megazord are pretty plain-looking too, so probably not as marketable in the West.

Thus, with ToQger skipped, we come to 2015's Ninninger becoming 2017's Power Rangers Ninja Steel, which will put Power Rangers back to being two years behind. But should it get another season that extends into a second year (like what happened with Samurai and Dino Charge), that would put it back to being three years behind.


As for the Ninninger version of the Ninja Steel Megazord, behold 2015's Shurikenjin:

[william-james88]

Ok cool, is there a link where I could see all the zords they released in the japanese version? Like was the elephant zord that we are getting in a green redeco released seperately?

[Sabrblade]

Ok cool, is there a link where I could see all the zords they released in the japanese version? Like was the elephant zord that we are getting in a green redeco released seperately?

BBTS has a good number of them w/ pics.

[william-james88]

Ok cool, is there a link where I could see all the zords they released in the japanese version? Like was the elephant zord that we are getting in a green redeco released seperately?

BBTS has a good number of them w/ pics.

Thanks, I will go check em out. Just wondering though, is this a smaller version of it or the real thing?

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Bandai-Ninninger ... 1796590926

[Sabrblade]

Ok cool, is there a link where I could see all the zords they released in the japanese version? Like was the elephant zord that we are getting in a green redeco released seperately?

BBTS has a good number of them w/ pics.

Thanks, I will go check em out. Just wondering though, is this a smaller version of it or the real thing?

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Bandai-Ninninger ... 1796590926

It does look like a simplified version when compared to the DX version.

[william-james88]

Probably a gum model kit. Also, can we assume that Bandai of America will also release that giant Lion Zord that cam also acomodate the steel ninja zord? And has there been any prie discussed for the steel ninja zord? Because right now I am looking at amazon and wondering if its even worthwhile to wait, if I like any of these I can just get them now. I am assuming the japanese versions are bigger too right?

[wilcosu35]

Probably a gum model kit. Also, can we assume that Bandai of America will also release that giant Lion Zord that cam also acomodate the steel ninja zord? And has there been any prie discussed for the steel ninja zord? Because right now I am looking at amazon and wondering if its even worthwhile to wait, if I like any of these I can just get them now. I am assuming the japanese versions are bigger too right?

I would expect the american versions to be different in build anyway, since they're still doing the Zordbuilder gimmick.

[Jelze Bunnycat]

Yup, that's the model kit

By tradition, Bandai releases two versions of any given mech: the standard DX, and the smaller Minipla model kit. The kits you have to build and sticker, but the pay-off is a smaller cheaper figure with more articulation, without the main gimmick at times however.

The downside is that each main mech is split between several kits, usually 4 to 6. While that may not be much of a problem for the first mech as they have multiple standalone components (with only the larger one split in 2, mostly the red one), the bigger transforming mecha can be a bit of a hassle to get them all complete in one go. On average the final or carrier mecha are worth 3 to 4 kits, but the latest, Cube Whale from the current Japanese series Doubutsu Sentai Zyuohger has a whopping 6 because he's so big! The Lion Ha-Oh from Shuriken Sentai Ninninger has 5, so he's quite big as well. In case you're wondering, all combinations are intact, with a bit cheating in some cases with extra, or rearranged parts.

Which brings me to Power Rangers Ninja Steel. Like Hasbro, Bandai of America has set price points and assortments, meaning all Megazord toys have to be of a similar size. So bigger Japanese mecha are shrunk down even more when necessary, look at the size difference between the Bullzord from Power Rangers Samurai and Mougyu Dai-Oh from Samurai Sentai Shinkenger. Lion Ha-Oh will pose a problem as the US version has to be bigger than normal to accommodate the Ninja Steel Megazord. If you ask me, he'll be made into an interactive playset since he's a castle in his main lion form (talk about saving graces!) and put in his own assortment.

[King Kuuga]

Ok cool, is there a link where I could see all the zords they released in the japanese version? Like was the elephant zord that we are getting in a green redeco released seperately?

BBTS has a good number of them w/ pics.

I'm not knocking you, but it's kind of funny to have a guy who doesn't watch Sentai answering all these Sentai questions for another guy who doesn't watch Sentai.

As far as Lion Ha-Oh goes, since letting Surikenjin or Gekiatsu Daioh sit in him like Shinobimaru sits in Shurikenjin is the ultrazord's entire schtick, I think they'll figure out something. They were able to downsize Engine Machalcon and Bragigas for the US market while retaining their interactability with the rest of the line. They'll probably release it at a unique price point.

On the general topic of Sentai robos, here's a video showcasing every main robot toy and two jets from before sentai robots were a thing from every Sentai series up to the present.

[wilcosu35]

You know, i may have decided to quit my Sentai collection, but i will keep appreciating them, and video's such as this. It's a great compilation film.

[william-james88]

Which brings me to Power Rangers Ninja Steel. Like Hasbro, Bandai of America has set price points and assortments, meaning all Megazord toys have to be of a similar size. So bigger Japanese mecha are shrunk down even more when necessary, look at the size difference between the Bullzord from Power Rangers Samurai and Mougyu Dai-Oh from Samurai Sentai Shinkenger. Lion Ha-Oh will pose a problem as the US version has to be bigger than normal to accommodate the Ninja Steel Megazord. If you ask me, he'll be made into an interactive playset since he's a castle in his main lion form (talk about saving graces!) and put in his own assortment.

I am assuming they would still want to preserve the gimmick of having the "robot pilot ception" with the Steel Ninjazord piloting him right? Does anyone have the Nininjer version of the settle ninjazord to compare to a bandai of america zord (like Dino Charge Megazord) to see if the Bandai of America version will be shrunk down or not? We are assuming it will be smaller than the Japanese counterpart right?

Also, the price point for the Megazords in Dino Charge was around $40, would that be the same for the steel ninjazord you guys think? There are more individual components, so I dont know. And I was surprised to see that the japanese versions werent that expensive.

[Sabrblade]

Which brings me to Power Rangers Ninja Steel. Like Hasbro, Bandai of America has set price points and assortments, meaning all Megazord toys have to be of a similar size. So bigger Japanese mecha are shrunk down even more when necessary, look at the size difference between the Bullzord from Power Rangers Samurai and Mougyu Dai-Oh from Samurai Sentai Shinkenger. Lion Ha-Oh will pose a problem as the US version has to be bigger than normal to accommodate the Ninja Steel Megazord. If you ask me, he'll be made into an interactive playset since he's a castle in his main lion form (talk about saving graces!) and put in his own assortment.

I am assuming they would still want to preserve the gimmick of having the "robot pilot ception" with the Steel Ninjazord piloting him right? Does anyone have the Nininjer version of the settle ninjazord to compare to a bandai of america zord (like Dino Charge Megazord) to see if the Bandai of America version will be shrunk down or not? We are assuming it will be smaller than the Japanese counterpart right?

Also, the price point for the Megazords in Dino Charge was around $40, would that be the same for the steel ninjazord you guys think? There are more individual components, so I dont know. And I was surprised to see that the japanese versions werent that expensive.

Recent Zord Builder Megazords have been a little smaller and simpler than their Japanese DX versions, yes.

And $40 is about the usual pricepoint for a Power Rangers megazord of the combining type, yes.

[Bradimus]

The gimmick in Ninninjer/Ninja Steel are the different mecha that sit in the thrown in Shurikenjin/Ninja Steel Megazord and the weapons and abilities they add in battle, so that will remain intact. Shurikenjin had sound features in the shurikens that BoA will most likely cut out.

You can check out Emgo's review playlist here for the details.

[william-james88]

The gimmick in Ninninjer/Ninja Steel are the different mecha that sit in the thrown in Shurikenjin/Ninja Steel Megazord and the weapons and abilities they add in battle, so that will remain intact. Shurikenjin had sound features in the shurikens that BoA will most likely cut out.

You can check out Emgo's review playlist here for the details.

Thanks, I did check out Emgo, those were the most helpful reviews I can find. A smaller Lion Ha Oh would actually be very much appreciated, so I am hoping BoA will do it.

And $40 for Steel Nina Megazord would be great Any idea of the release dates for the first zords?

[Jelze Bunnycat]

The gimmick in Ninninjer/Ninja Steel are the different mecha that sit in the thrown in Shurikenjin/Ninja Steel Megazord and the weapons and abilities they add in battle, so that will remain intact. Shurikenjin had sound features in the shurikens that BoA will most likely cut out.

You can check out Emgo's review playlist here for the details.

Thanks, I did check out Emgo, those were the most helpful reviews I can find. A smaller Lion Ha Oh would actually be very much appreciated, so I am hoping BoA will do it.

And $40 for Steel Nina Megazord would be great Any idea of the release dates for the first zords?

Christmas at the earliest.

[King Kuuga]

Which brings me to Power Rangers Ninja Steel. Like Hasbro, Bandai of America has set price points and assortments, meaning all Megazord toys have to be of a similar size. So bigger Japanese mecha are shrunk down even more when necessary, look at the size difference between the Bullzord from Power Rangers Samurai and Mougyu Dai-Oh from Samurai Sentai Shinkenger. Lion Ha-Oh will pose a problem as the US version has to be bigger than normal to accommodate the Ninja Steel Megazord. If you ask me, he'll be made into an interactive playset since he's a castle in his main lion form (talk about saving graces!) and put in his own assortment.

I am assuming they would still want to preserve the gimmick of having the "robot pilot ception" with the Steel Ninjazord piloting him right? Does anyone have the Nininjer version of the settle ninjazord to compare to a bandai of america zord (like Dino Charge Megazord) to see if the Bandai of America version will be shrunk down or not? We are assuming it will be smaller than the Japanese counterpart right?

Also, the price point for the Megazords in Dino Charge was around $40, would that be the same for the steel ninjazord you guys think? There are more individual components, so I dont know. And I was surprised to see that the japanese versions werent that expensive.

Recent Zord Builder Megazords have been a little smaller and simpler than their Japanese DX versions, yes.

And $40 is about the usual pricepoint for a Power Rangers megazord of the combining type, yes.

$40 is the first release Toys R Us price. They typically fall back to $30-35 after some of the initial hype has died off. That's how much I paid for my Plesio Charge Megazord..... and speaking of which, here's a comparison between that and the DX Pleson from Kyoryuger. (Purple is my favorite color and Yayoi was also pretty fun as a character, so I got both) As you can see, BOA Zordbuilder Megazords are smaller than BOJ DX mecha, and while this photoset doesn't show it so much, they are also much more uniform in size between lines than BOJ mecha, which generally aren't beholden to an intra-line gimmick. This size is almost invariably smaller than the BOJ versions, because the whole reason they stopped using BOJ molds was that they became too expensive to manufacture for a $30-40 MSRP. The video I posted earlier does show in the group shots that the size of the main robot can vary wildly from series to series, if that helps get my point across.

Also, here's an analysis I did a few months ago about the differences between BOA and BOJ mecha and how they market their stuff.

[william-james88]

Thanks!

As it turns out, we already have the listings and preorders for the new Ninja Steel series and the Megazord is at $35 already

But the Green redeco is only available in a double set.

http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/prod ... ode=retail
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/prod ... ode=retail


http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/prod ... ode=retail


http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/prod ... ode=retail


I find it pretty nuts though how the Morpher is only $5 less than a zord. I totally get that it probably costs as much but they are just so different in what you are getting. I have the same problem with the Legacy communicators being close to $ 100 when thats how much the Legacy Ninja Megazord is.

Also, something odd, I found this site which has all the UPC codes for the upcoming Power Rangers figures of 2017 (which to my surprize includes MMPR Titanus in black, but for $200 which is totally bonkers) and it has 2 Ninja Steel Megazords. One for $35 MSRP (the one above) but another at $60:

97870 Deluxe Megazord Sets [SRP: $59.99]
97871 [Ninja Steel Deluxe Megazord Set] [Spring 2017]

Oh and another thing, I realized that the Dragon mode for the Ninja Steel Megazord lacks the big dragon head to complete the look, thats too bad.

[Bradimus]

BoA destroyed a beautiful Megazord. And what is with that green deco? It doesn't change colors in the show. Ever. This is why I don't even consider giving money to BoA.