Toys and Collectibles to Celebrate 30 Years of Power Rangers
Once & Always Excites the MMPR Fandom
With the release of the nostalgia-centric special Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always on Netflix, now is a great time to check out some of the truly excellent collectibles that are readily available. Hasbro themselves have provided several high-quality items through their Lighting Collection line plus the franchise has been licensed out to a ton of talented companies, resulting in a mountain of awesome pieces that have any fan shout, “It’s Morphin’ Time!”
Bringing back several of the original actors, Once & Always sees our favorite heroes don the helmets once more. Returning cast members include Johnny Yong Bosch, Catherine Sutherland, Karan Ashley, Steve Cardenas, and features a new character Minh, daughter of Trini, played by Charlie Kersh. The special is dedicated to the late Thuy Trang and Jason David Frank. The special has a lot of Power Rangers fans excited and many are expecting an emotional reaction from those of us who have been with the series for so long. Personally, there is a lot of room for improvements in future projects similar to Once & Always but it’s an easy recommendation for MMPR fans that had me tearing up by the end.
As a literal lifelong fan of the Power Rangers, and most things with Kaiju or giant robots for that matter, I have always enjoyed the Putty-kicking performances by the teenagers with attitude. I saw the premiere of the show as a very young child, gathering toys and games from that moment on. The combining Megazords remain an all-time classic that I wish I still had. As an adult, it is incredible to see such passion put into show-accurate items or creative spins on iconic designs.
Now more than ever before is a great time to be into Power Rangers (especially the older shows and storylines) because of the many fantastic comics, more availability of the shows, new series with connected storylines, board games, and collectibles that all use the franchise’s license in meaningful ways. Comic stories like Shattered Grid and the surprisingly great fighting game Battle for the Grid cut a path for all sorts of great Power Rangers content, media, and merchandise.
Below is a collection of some of the most morphenomenal Power Rangers collectibles we could find.
Note: We’ve included links that connect to digital storefronts for those in search of these items. We do not currently have affiliate links on this post. Sometimes it’s hard to find high-quality assets for these products so we may update these images over time and invite official sources to connect with us.
Flame Toys - Go! Kara Kuri Combine Dino Megazord
Manufacturer - Flame Toys
Line - Go! Kara Kuri Combine
This absolute beast of a combining figure is why this list exists. The first time I saw a photo of this I audibly gasped and said to myself, “That is the coolest Megazord I have ever seen.” From Flame Toys (officially Lai Ga Toys Co., Ltd. out of Hong Kong) comes the Go! Kara Kuri Combine Dino Megazord, an exceptionally complex redesign of the iconic ultimate weapon of the Power Rangers. This is one that would leave Rita and Zedd’s monsters quivering and looks like it could hew mountains with its massive Power Sword.
Now there are a few other lines from Flame Toys that use a similar design but the 8-inch tall Kuro Kara Kuri version is considered their premium figure, featuring ultra detail, diecast metal, and several accessories. Flame Toys are also slated to release their Furai model kits later this year including a Dino Megazord closer to the original show’s look as well as the core five Power Rangers.
Just to break things down further, Flame Toys has five product lines including the ones listed below. Further information was gleaned from Bandai Namco’s shop page.
Go! Kara Kuri Combine - Transformable or combinable premium line, diecast parts
Kuro Kara Kuri - Premium line, action figures with diecast parts
Hito Kara Kuri - Another premium line, marketed as extremely poseable
Furai Action - Assembled model kits painted by hand
Furai Model - Snap together models made primarily of ABS plastic
What I love most about this design is that there’s a fierceness to every part of the Megazord and each Zord also has a unique look that makes them so monstrous and cool. Even the Pterodactyl Dinozord looks more like a dinosaur and less like a chest plate with a head prominently displaying a wingspan that elevates the combined form’s presence. If this unit stays stable, transforms smoothly, and is everything promised it could be one of the most desired Power Rangers collectibles of this generation. Granted, the edgier look (which would look fantastic paired alongside a Mazinkaiser figure) might not be for those looking for designs closer to the 90s tv show but there are plenty of options of this iconic design to choose from.
Due to the region difference, exact details are hard to find through official sources but pre-orders are available on several online distributors with a release expected later this year. More information is expected in the coming months and there might even be other Power Rangers mecha in the future, especially when considering the other brands Flame Toys have worked with in the past. Of course, a Dragonzord seems like the logical next step but I would love to see a Flame Toys take on the Galaxy Megazord of Lost Galaxy or Quantasaurus Rex of Time Force.
Links:
Go! Kara Kuri Combine Dino Megazord - Flame Toys
Go! Kara Kuri Combine Dino Megazord - Tokullectibles
Lightning Collection Power Rangers and Monsters
Manufacturer - Hasbro
Line - Lighting Collection
The Lightning Collection is the go-to toy line for casual collectors that enjoy high-quality pieces from official sources without the need for spending crazy amounts for the more premium items available. Spanning from Mighty Morphin to Dino Fury, this line is massive with tons of show-accurate rangers, creatures, and vehicles with just a touch of modern design for better poseability than many of the classic toys of the 90s. I’ve always enjoyed how expressive most of these figures appear, wielding detailed weaponry and decorating the toys section in retail gaming stores. While the simpler Power Rangers figures still exist for younger fans, the Lightning Collection has always felt like a happy medium. The toys are detailed enough for collectors, with a ton of characters represented — often with exciting effect pieces, removable helmets, and more.
Getting a whole team together or snagging a pair of rivals elevates a display shelf in a way that I would have adored as a kid. Now, my desk can look nostalgic and fantastic. Also featured within the Lightning Collection are weaponry displays such as the Red Ranger’s Power Sword, or the Blue Ranger’s Power Lance. These feature exceptional detail and again, display beautifully. The only downside is that many of the weapons are fairly expensive but having an official line with this much care is fantastic to see and I always enjoy browsing the newest figures in this line, mostly to admire the suit designs and think back to those formative moments of watching Power Rangers, loving every second of the action.
Z.A.P. Mighty Morphin Dino Megazord and Dragonzord
Manufacturer - Hasbro
Line - Zord Ascension Project
The Zord Ascension Project combines all the added detail and extra poseability of the Lightning Collection line from Hasbro with complex, transformable mecha figures to create a stunning, but fairly affordable collector’s figure. It is always fascinating to see how iconic robots are represented over the years and these two titans from the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers series stand out. Not to mention, there’s an added feature of being able to combine the Dino Megazord with the Dragonzord for added play and display possibilities.
For those looking for a little more flair, the Black and Gold Special Edition Dino Megazord is up for pre-order and is expected to ship in June. Personally, I’ve always been a fan of the classics but it is hard not to like this darker look.
Links:
Zord Ascension Project Dino Megazord - Hasbro Pulse
Zord Ascension Project Dino Megazord - Tokullectibles
Zord Ascension Project Dino Megazord - Entertainment Earth
Zord Ascension Project Dino Megazord - BigBadToyStore
Zord Ascension Project Dragonzord - Hasbro Pulse
Zord Ascension Project Dragonzord - Tokullectibles
Power Rangers X Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Crossover Figures
Manufacturer - Hasbro
Line - Lighting Collection
Kids of the 90s probably find this to be a crossover that makes a ton of sense but it’s something that started way back in an episode of Power Rangers in Space. In that episode, the turtles (as they were depicted in Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation, a live-action series that included a fifth turtle Venus) are brainwashed by Astronema into attacking the rangers. All is resolved by the end of this weird collaborative story but the general idea was too good to let fade into memory. The teams at BOOM! Studios and IDW Publishing brought back the idea in their comic Mighty Morphin Power Rangers/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in 2019 which led to an official set of merchandise through Hasbro’s Lightning Collection.
These are the sort of figures that make a statement with their designs. Seeing Raphael in a Red Ranger suit or Shredder decked in the armor of the Green Ranger is enough to shock anyone with knowledge of either franchise. These designs are extremely fun and have a wow factor that likely inspired many to seek out the comics, which might lead more to the core BOOM! Ranger stories that expertly carry the legacy of the characters so well. Hopefully, we’ll see figures of the mutant rangers too!
Similar figures were also created for collaborations with Street Fighter and Cobra Kai. With the recent Godzilla vs. The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers comic, we might even get specialized figures celebrating this titanic team-up!
Power Rangers Zeo Megazord Action Figure
Manufacturer - Hasbro
Not all Megazords need to transform or combine to capture the mecha mastery at work. Power Rangers Zeo was a stark departure thematically at the time, ditching the animals and dinosaur Zords for more abstract, culturally-inspired vehicles. While separated, there’s not much nostalgia for these Zords but together they created a robot that’s hard to forget, especially considering the impressive sword it carries into battle. Unique to this figure are its interchangeable battle helmets.
What I appreciate about action figure versions of the Megazords is their additional articulation when compared to the combining toys. While some of the more premium collectibles are able to combine and maintain articulation, there is something to be said of a more solid robot with added detail. Frankly, most of the core Megazords could be represented in this fashion and we do see a few similar non-transforming figures in the Ultimates line but regardless this Zeo Megazord looks fantastic and would make for the perfect addition to any Zeo fan’s collection.
Threezero Mighty Morphin Power Rangers 1 / 6 Scale Set
Manufacturer - threezero
Line - FigZero
Looking for fewer lines from articulation points or molding? This set of figures from threezero, a toy production company out of Hong Kong, features fabric suits to create a seamless look that’s really close to what was seen in the television show. All six rangers were developed with all of their weapons including the Sword of Darkness from Tommy’s introduction in the Green with Evil arc and the ability to combine the weapons into the Power Blaster.
While a full collection is an investment recommended for those with expendable income, it’s hard to deny just how incredible these rangers look.
Links:
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers 1/6 Core Rangers + Green Ranger Six-Pack - Official threezero website
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers 1/6 Core Rangers + Green Ranger Six-Pack - Tokullectibles
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers 1/6 Core Rangers + Green Ranger Six-Pack - Entertainment Earth
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers 1/6 Core Rangers + Green Ranger Six-Pack - BigBadToyStore
Power Rangers Soul of Chogokin GX-72 Megazord
Manufacturer - Bandai
Line - Soul of Chogokin
Often harder to track down but worth it for those searching for a show-accurate Megazord, the Soul of Chogokin GX-72 Dino Megazord is a showstopper. Coming from a line of celebratory mecha representation that started in 1997, Bandai’s Soul of Chogokin line is full of incredible robots from The Bio O, Getter Robo, GaoGaiGar, Voltron, Neon Genesis Evangelion, and of course Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. Originally released in 2017, GX-72 features five combining Zords with poseable elements diecast metal segments and rock-solid construction. It was designed for an anniversary of the show and was developed by two specialists who also worked on the 1992 toy, project manager Tsuyoshi Nonaka and Plex designer Daishi Kato. Further history can be explored through the official website which includes fascinating design sketches.
It was clear that the goal with GX-72 was to create a toy as accurate to the show as possible while adding slightly more articulation and detail, rightfully making it one of the most sought-after collectibles. It truly is a wonder just how far combining robot toys has come in the last thirty years. These are more than toys, they’re feats of engineering!
Other Power Rangers items in the Soul of Chogokin line include the Dragonzord, Titanus, and a Black and Green palette swap of the Dino Megazord. Surprisingly, Dragonzord can combine with the Megazord and Titanus to create the Ultrazord, a tower of firepower. This recreates that awesome feeling of locking in other items to create new forms, something that has always been one of the major draws of owning Megazord toys. The collective price of all three of these Soul of Chogokin figures is above a thousand dollars so spend responsibly.
Metal Power Thunder Megazord Figure
Manufacturer - Innovation Point
Line - Metal Power
Much like the Zeo Megazord figure in this list, this articulated warrior is not a combiner but rather a highly poseable mecha figure aimed to make the form as cohesive as possible. Featuring a metal frame, magnetic spots for attaching weapons, several interchangeable hands, and a display stand this take on the upgraded Zords certainly captures the impressive stature seen in the show, slimming it down just enough to feel unique.
This is another figure that’s hard to find information on and for the life of me I couldn’t find more history on Innovation Point, though admittedly I am new to collecting higher-end figures such as this. Either way, fans of the Thunder Zords won’t need the production records to enjoy this figure. Seeing this interpretation of the Thunder Megazord makes me yearn for a modern take on MMPR: The Fighting Edition game on Super Nintendo, where the Thunder Megazord is a playable combatant. Maybe nWay Inc from the stellar tag-team fighter Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid will one day tackle Megazord battles…
Links:
Additional Ways to Celebrate 30 Years of Power Rangers
Of course, arguably one of the best ways to explore the Power Rangers franchise outside of the shows are the fantastic comics from BOOM! Studios. The storylines weaved throughout the numerous characters while retaining the essence of those heroes and villains is an astounding achievement that has grown beyond the comics into merchandise, tabletop games, and video games. Lord Drakkon will likely become part of the TV canon just because of how popular he is as an alternate dimension version of Tommy Oliver who walks the path of a villain. At this point, I hope that the writers involved with continuing these stories are one day involved in a show or film because they really are fantastic representations of what makes Power Rangers so compelling, despite its often silly nature. These comics also include collaborations, leading to official ways to enjoy what it would be like to put Godzilla against the Dragonzord.
Variant Cover of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #106 by Taurin Clarke; Image courtesy of BOOM! Studios.
In video games, the best game out at this time is without a doubt Battle for the Grid, a competitive tag-team fighting game comparable to Marvel VS Capcom 2 that has seen lots of updates, additional characters, and jaw-dropping tournaments. NWay Inc was able to build from their mobile game visual style and considering how popular and available Battle for the Grid has become, a sequel is likely in the coming years. This is more for those that enjoy the mechanics of fighting games though as while there is a story mode, it’s not nearly as exciting as one would hope. Other recent console games include Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Mega Battle which did not do well with critics or fans at all. This lack of Power Rangers games might point players to try out some of the better retro games and potentially some of the fan mods out there for them. Maybe we’ll discern more Power Ranger gaming in another article but Battle for the Grid just might pave the way for quality titles.
As for watching Power Rangers, much of the original series can be found on Netflix which is where the new Once & Always special was released. However, there are lots of rotating seasons with full episodes being cycled on the official Power Rangers YouTube channel as well as lists of memorable moments. Many of the Super Sentai seasons can be found on channels like TokuSHOUTsu, a channel of classic Japanese television and films that also has a Twitch channel. Shout! Factory is the distribution company of some of the most recognizable DVD collections, many of which can be found for affordable prices. Thankfully there has been considerable effort in the Tokusatsu community worldwide to preserve these shows and their incredible history, allowing for more fringe moments to live on beyond their airing. For those who have only engaged in Power Rangers, there is a ton of differences to discover by watching the Super Sentai shows. Lastly, a lot of interesting fan projects have been shared over the years with one of the more robust storylines coming from Power Rangers Unworthy by Unworthy Productions.
Personally, I will always be fond of the Power Rangers and the unique tone of seeing teenagers with attitude save the world from fantastical monsters and over-the-top villains. They will always have a place in my heart and I am genuinely excited to see this recent evolution of the franchise.
More information about Power Rangers collectibles can be found on the various official websites under each item in this list. Images used in this article were sourced from Hasbro Pulse, Tokullectibles, Entertainment Earth, BigBadToyStore, and the official Flame Toys websites. There are currently no affiliate links in this article.
Last year thousands of layoffs beat down the spirit of the games industry. Despite this tumultuous state, some of the best games we’ve seen in most genres released and that’s worth celebrating. We only hope that 2023 will hopefully be a turning point for everyone involved in the games industry.