Top 10 Best Power Rangers Seasons
Let’s be frank: the Power Rangers subculture is an amazing one. While many people would look at the people who watch the series today as being childish, who cares? We’ve kept an amazing television show on the air for almost a consistent 30 years. That is, with the threat of cancellations that come as often as Tommy changes colors.
But for all of the bad, cringy, and outright questionable things that have happened since Zordon selected five teenagers with attitude, there are amazing seasons that have shown exactly what makes Power Rangers survive cancellation whenever it happens.
Note to everyone watching, this is my personal opinion, based on storytelling, characters, and all of that jazz, so don’t hate on me.
10. Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Season 1 (1994)
Let’s get all of the fanboys and girls out of the way with the controversial pick. Even though Saban and Hasbro have leaned on the original series’ nostalgia for years, any rewatch presents more issues than anything. The storylines are janky and the production team didn’t know what to do with the original Sentai footage half of the time. It’s not something to compare to future seasons.
On the positive column, it’s the beginning of the zords, morphers and the original team of Jason, Billy, Trini, Zack, and Kimberly remain some of the best rangers the series has ever seen. Count that with the Green with Evil arc, that introduced us to Power Rangers legend Dr. Thomas “Tommy” Oliver, it’s a bang-up season.
09. Power Rangers Ninja Storm
If you ever wondered what Power Rangers would look like with extreme sports and relaxed heroes without a care in the world, here you go. Often considered the chill season, Power Rangers Ninja Storm is the first Disney Era series, and boy, does it deliver.
The ranger team, starting at three for the first time in the series history, with Shane, Waldo aka Dustin, and Tory, evolves to a six-person squad of kick-butt rangers. The best part of the series is that it leans into the cheesiness of the entire series and makes it comedic with a quick wit and a good villain. It doesn’t have many dramatic or plot-heavy moments, but when it does, they land, with episodes such as “Shane’s karma” and the entire villain arc at the end of the season.
08. Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Season 3 (1996)
And Mighty Morphin makes its triumphant return. While Season 2 of Mighty Morphin deserves its own list, video, and entire university to explain how bad it is, Season 3 is a hard reset on the series, trading in the dinosaur / mythological for the ninja powers, and boy was it necessary.
By the time season 3 ends, Tommy has been the White Ranger longer than he’s been Green. Jason, Zack, Kimberly, and Trini have been traded out for Rocky, Adam, Kat, and Aisha, the last one who would be replaced by Tanya before Zeo even began. What makes season 3 so good is the world-building that the series does, expanding past earth with Kamen Rider, the Alien Rangers, and the Zeo crystals.
07. Power Rangers Zeo
Was I just talking about the Zeo crystals? Why yes, I was. Power Rangers Zeo is one of those series that does more being than it does the building. There is nothing to inherently build to with this peculiar season. Upon rewatch of the series, I almost skipped the season as it seems like almost forty episodes of filler, oh but this filler is good.
The Machine Empire has taken over from Rita and Lord Zedd, leaving the Rangers with no choice but to upgrade to the Zeo powers to defeat this newest threat. With Tommy now leading the team with the red ranger powers and Jason coming back as the gold ranger, Zeo stands the test of time with some fun little gems within the episodes. Characters are fleshed out a bit better, life is a little brighter, monsters are destroyed.
06. Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue
Alright, I shall begin this entry by being open enough to tell you that I have the theme song on my phone and that I play it whenever I am in an emergency situation. Lightspeed Rescue is the closest Power Rangers ever really comes to everyday people becoming extraordinary heroes.
Often remembered as being the first series with an American exclusive ranger in the Titanium ranger (brilliantly named Ryan), Lightspeed has a lot more going to it than that, having one of the most complete teams of rangers with Carter, Dana, Chad, Kelsey, and Joel. While the one-episode plots leave a lot to be desired, the overall story arcs and supporting characters make up for it.
05. Power Rangers Lost Galaxy (1999)
This series will always have a special place in my heart. Power Rangers Lost Galaxy is one of the wildest Power Rangers of all time, pun intended. Veering so far away from its source material in Seijuu Sentai Gingaman while still sticking to some central themes, Power Rangers’ first foray out of the Zordon Era is a bonafide success.
While the filler episodes are very much that, filler, Power Rangers Lost Galaxy has a strong cast, a stronger team, and one of the most epic theme songs of the series. Not to mention, iconic episodes such as “To the Tenth Power”, “The Power of Pink”, “Redemption Day” and “Journey’s End” are some of the best the ranger series has ever produced.
04. Power Rangers Dino Thunder (2004)
Ok, ok, ok. I know some people on the team hated me for putting this one - I’m looking at you RJ - but I needed to put this up. Power Rangers Dino Thunder is arguably one of the best seasons of Power Rangers on storytelling and character development alone.
Power Rangers Dino Thunder almost seems to be a spiritual successor for the original Mighty Morphin teams. How? Dinosaurs? Check. Evil ranger? Check. Wise mentor, who’s seen his fair share of battles? Check. Other than Tommy coming back and being a leader for this team, Connor, Kira, Ethan, and Trent all go through their own character development, shown evidently by the stellar acting in this specific season.
03. Power Rangers In Space (1998)
Strap the rangers up on a rocket ship and send them to space while you send the Turbo concept down to the depths of the underworld. Power Rangers in Space is one of the most ambitious excursions in series history and made sure to give the people an enjoyable ride.
The end of the Zordon Era ends with a bang in “Countdown to Destruction”, but the entire series is a love letter to all of the loyal fans up to that point. The team is solid, looking for redemption and Zordon through the entire series. The series makes sure to be an exciting thrill ride through space. I won’t spoil anything from it, but let’s just say, it gets psycho.
02. Power Rangers RPM (2009)
I wish I had been in the writing room when the Disney team thought of building an entire series built in a post-apocalyptic world, destroyed by a sentient virus that lays waste to everything it sees. I want to also be there when they see the source material from the overly corny Engine Sentai Go-Onger. If that doesn’t make you believe in a higher being with a sense of humor, I don’t know what will.
The RPM series team has one of the most interesting stories in the entire Ranger multiverse. Like many in the top ten, it deals with mature subject matter, such as kidnapping, death, regret, and pain. Most of the good that comes from RPM comes from impeccable acting, which made the entire destructive situation seem believable. Power Rangers took an insane chance with the series on the line and gave the entire brand another ten years. Brilliant.
Honorable mentions go to Power Rangers Beast Morphers Season 1, Power Rangers SPD, and Power Rangers Jungle Fury. Not good enough to be on this list and not bad enough to be on the worst list. You’re just there.
01. Power Rangers Time Force (2001)
The list ends with arguably the most frustrating and wonderfully done season of the series: 2001’s Power Rangers Time Force. The series is so good, tha tI can determine your emotional maturity and depth by just watching THAT final scene with you after watching the entire series together. If it doesn’t get you emotional - whether that be sad, angry or happy - than you should get yourself checked.
Power Rangers Time Force, without too many spoilers, is the story of four police officers as they race back in time to go save time with the help of a heroic man from the year 2001. The team is stellar - even though three of the eventual six don’t get much in terms of character development - and shows the best of what Power Rangers can produce. As well, the villains are all fleshed out, with Ransik being one of the most dangerous and successful villains in Ranger history. Time Force makes you believe in rewriting your destiny and thinking things will get better, a pick me up 20 years later.
So there you have it, the top 10 best Power Rangers series. Do you know any other series that should’ve made the list? Which one is your favorite? Hit us below in the comment and see you all next time, like, share and subscribe to see the next episode of the FanVerse, here on Yonge Entertainment.
