Linear Ranger's Power Rangers RPM Site

It is OFFICIAL! Mighty Morphin Power Rangers returns to the airwaves & toy shelves in 2010!

Bandai America released the following Press Release today, along with the following pictures:

PRESS RELEASE: Bandai America Powers Up Like It’s 1993;

Brings Back Mighty Morphin Power Rangers in New Toy Line

Bandai America Powers Up Like It’s 1993; Brings Back Mighty Morphin Power Rangers in New Toy Line

Fans and Families Can Celebrate Pop Culture Phenomenon with “Power Up Video Challenge” Contest; Over $11,000 In Cash Prizes Up For Grabs

(CYPRESS, CA – October 1, 2009) – Go! Go! Get your Power Morphers – it’s Morphin’ time! Bandai America will bring the best-selling Power Rangers toy line back to its intergalactic, prehistoric roots with the “five teenagers with attitude” that started it all in a new collection of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers toys. The inaugural and most recognizable of 15 Power Rangers themes, this powered up Mighty Morphin line will feature both fresh and nostalgic play and collection experiences. Including action figures, vehicles, Megazords and role-play items aligned with the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers TV series premiering Saturday mornings January, 2010 on ABC Kids; the highly anticipated toys will begin to arrive at retail by the end of this year.

As the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers took over the air waves – and your brain waves – in 1993 they made an unforgettable impact on pop culture. Showing that heroes come in every color, teamwork conquers all, and girls really can rule (unfortunately for good and evil), they took entertainment and play-time by storm. With three TV seasons, a motion picture and thousands of toys, the Power Rangers have spent 17 straight years in the top ten best-selling boys’ action figure brands in the US according to The NPD Group.

“The original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers captivated the country in 1993, and many kids who played with the toys now have children of their own,” said Tim Wills Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing, of Bandai America Incorporated, “Families can experience their ‘morphin’ time’ once again as a whole new generation of kids are introduced to the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers toys.”

“I’m tickled pink to have had the opportunity to be a part of this juggernaut children’s action series and brand,” says Paul Schrier, former Mighty Morphin actor and director, “The good-natured humor and strong messages of teamwork and friendship really hit home with audiences everywhere and I can’t wait to see what’s next from this fountain of heroic action!”

To kick off the refreshed toy line, fans and families will get ready to battle not only for the salvation of the universe, but also for $11,000 in cash prizes in Bandai America’s “Power Up Video Challenge” contest. Consumers will be challenged to view a Power Rangers “cliffhanger video” online or at one of more than 2,000 movie theatres in the U.S., and then submit their own unique ending in a mini-movie or story-board at Bandai.com. Selected by both peers and a judging panel, the winning video and story-board entries will receive $10,000 and $1,000 in cash prizes respectively. Participants learn more and enter to win between October 1 and December 15 at www.Bandai.com.

Be sure to keep an eye on Linear Ranger's New Mighty Morphin Power Rangers site for future news & updates. www.linearranger.com/MMPR

Okay ladies & gentlemen, let's recap and go over the Future of Power Rangers as it stands now.

#1 - Power Rangers RPM -
As of today, August 22, 2009, there are eleven remaining episodes of Power Rangers RPM. Episodes 22 through 26 will air on the following Saturdays: September 5, September 12, September 19, September 26 & October 3. Starting on October 10th, RPM will be pre-empted for eight straight weeks for ABC - ESPN Sports Coverage & other show airings. That should have RPM returning with new episodes on December 5th. If this holds true, then it is likely that the RPM season will actually conclude sometime in January 2010.

#2 - Power Rangers on Television in 2010-
From all the evidence that has been found, it is safe to say that RPM is the last live action season of Power Rangers for now. The production crews have moved onto other projects, as have the Stunt Crew and all other members of the show's staff. Plus there's been no information anywhere found to give any indication that there will be another live action Power Rangers season filmed.
Tony Oliver (long time Power Rangers staff member) did state that a friend of his was working on remastering the first three seasons of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. So these three season may in fact air once more on TV in 2010.

#3 - Power Rangers Toys in 2010-
As reported a couple of weeks ago, word has started to get out that the Bandai America & Bandai Europe Power Rangers departments are going to be dismantled. Thus leading to either very little Power Rangers Toys produced, or none at all. It was said that Bandai America would have any future Power Rangers Toys done by a very small freelance team. However, I don't see how a greatly decreased Power Rangers toyline would be able to continue, given the fact that even now RPM toy sales are not doing that well. While there's a small chance of a Power Rangers toyline in 2010, I personally am not getting my hopes up for it.

#4 - Power Rangers DVDs in 2010-
On September 8, 2009 Buena Vista Home Entertainment will release the second Power Rangers RPM DVD Volume. However, to date, there has not been any further word on future Power Rangers RPM DVD releases. Again, with the information that Tony Oliver learned about the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Seasons being remastered, it is possible that those seasons themselves might be released on DVD. But for now, it's too early to say.

#5 - Linear Ranger's Site in 2010-
I've received a few e-mails asking what I would do next year if there were no Power Rangers. If Power Rangers has any kind of presence in 2010, be it Toys, Mighty Morphin reruns, or just DVDs, I will have a new website to help inform & support that presence. However, if there is nothing Power Rangers related in 2010, then all the sites I currently have online at www.linearranger.com will remain online, and I would likely turn most of my focus onto my Toy Comics Site.

"As some of you already know, the company I work for are currently re-dubbing the English version of a pretty major anime, and its my team's job to make sure Bandai's peeps are in-sync with our dub, and vice versa.

Anyhow, today was told the Power Rangers department for Europe (based in Southampton, England) is being dismantled, and the same is happening in USA.

I imagine most people will be moved onto other franchises, like the upcoming Ben 10 Evolutions, and any future PR work will be done by a very small freelance team.

That's all I know."

Another new development has occurred. Two Power Rangers fans (Mr.AfterShock & Cmdr Crayfish) with reliable sources, are now telling that their sources have told them, that Disney may be looking into outsourcing Power Rangers. This means that while Disney would maintain ownership of the show, they may want to find a production company to pay to produce future new seasons of the show.

To make it a bit easier to understand, allow me to explain it like this. Say Power Rangers is a bowling ball. Disney owns that bowling ball, but does not want to bowl with it because it would cost them too much. However, they will allow someone else to bowl with their bowling ball, but what ever money the person may make with the "Power Rangers" bowling ball, a large percentage of that money would have to be paid to Disney for using their bowling ball.

I hope that helps to explain. So for now, things just continue to get more interesting and somewhat confusing. Stay tuned, as I'll continue to keep you up to date on the latest developments.

Well some VERY interesting news has developed this week. Nothing has changed in the fact that RPM will be the last new live action Power Rangers season. However, as I have changed the title to reflect, what we've learned now is that some old friends just may be returning.

Allow me to explain, while attending a convention, Tyler of the Power Rangers Podcast Rangercast, got to speak with Tony Oliver (Former Power Rangers writer, story editor, supervising producer & main man who helped develop the series). So Tyler first posted on his Twitter Page the following statement:

"Ranger fans! Tony Oliver heard thru the grapevine that Disney plans to air the first 3 seasons of MMPR unedited and cleaned up"

"In his panel, in response to a PR question, Tony let slip that he got a call from a friend who does video work who was all like "You'll never guess what's on my desk." According to Tony, they're cleaning up (remastering, reformatting, digitizing, etc.) the video and plan to air it unedited. He doesn't know what channel."

Before anyone asks, both Tyler & Tony Oliver are VERY reliable sources when it comes to Power Rangers News & Information. There is no way they would mislead the Power Rangers Fandom.

So, what does this mean? Simple, it seems that to fill the space left empty by not having a NEW Power Rangers Season, Disney will fill that void with the first three seasons of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. As stated above, we do not yet know what network the shows would air on. But this will give a whole new generation & child audience a chance to see just how Power Rangers all began.

Another factor to consider is Bandai America's Power Rangers Toys. Could this mean NEW Mighty Morphin Power Rangers toys produced outside of the Super Legends line? Perhaps. Bandai America has all ready stated & shown that they plan on continuing the Power Rangers Toy Line for 2010. We'll wait and see what happens.

This is all very exciting news, and I will do my best to stay on top of it and post any new develops as they come.

So in waiting for about two months for news, or lack there of, to develop, it is becoming increasingly clear that Power Rangers RPM will very likely be the last season of Power Rangers. Let's look at the evidence for both sides.

CONTINUING -- Bandai America's statement that "Despite some of the rumors circulating the web, the Power Rangers are not going away in 2010. Disney and Bandai America continue to be committed to the Power Rangers Brand. In fact, Disney is producing a Season 18 and Bandai America will continue to develop action figures and toys for fans and collectors of all ages."

ENDING -- Power Ranger's Production Manager, Sally Campbell told a New Zealand Newspaper that "at this stage we will not be shooting another season".

ENDING -- During the June Licensing Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, the Disney Consumer Product booth had no Power Rangers section, images, logos, informational materials or anything for the show.

ENDING -- We have learned that the production crew for Power Rangers in New Zealand had been moved onto different projects for the Walt Disney Company, none of them being Power Rangers related.

ENDING -- Koichi Sakamoto, who has been with Power Rangers forever and was a producer & in charge of the stunts of the show, he has moved on to another project in Japan, not related to Power Rangers.

ENDING -- Usually by this time each year, we find out that the Walt Disney Company / Buena Vista has filed for a copyright for a new Power Rangers season name. This year, that has not happened.

ENDING -- Each year by this time, we start getting just little bits of Casting Calls from acting agencies for the next season of Power Rangers. This has not happened this year.

ENDING -- Finally, when one Power Rangers fan, who sent in his resume & photos to the Power Rangers Casting Director, they received the statement "Thank you very much for sending in your photos and resume. Unfortunately there are no plans to film further series of Power Rangers at the moment."

So from all the evidence we have before us, it is MY OPINION that Power Rangers RPM is indeed the final season of Power Rangers. Now two points I want to make. First, no I am not some all knowing source and because I have stated it does not make it fact. As I said, this is my OPINION based on everything I have read and seen. Second, for anyone saying that they still want solid confirmation that Power Rangers is ending, I doubt you'll get it. The Walt Disney Company does not come out and announce when one of their children's shows is ending. The closest you'll get to confirmation is waiting until spring of next year and no new Power Rangers season showing up.

So for those wondering of what all will happen to the Power Rangers series, toys and Linear Ranger's sites. Here's what's known in that department.

Power Rangers Series -- We really do not know what Disney will do with all the season of Power Rangers. They may go back and show reruns from Ninja Storm onward on ABC Kids in the normal Power Rangers timeslots. I myself would still like to see Power Rangers added to Disney XD.

Power Rangers Toys -- Bandai America has shown through their statements and polls, that they still plan to continue the Power Rangers toyline in some way, shape or form in 2010.

Linear Ranger's Sites -- All of the Power Rangers Sites I have online now will continue to remain online, even after Power Rangers RPM has finished. However Bandai America chooses to continue the Power Rangers toyline is what my 2010 website will be dedicated towards. I plan to continue support the Power Rangers brand as best I can with my website.

Finally for all Power Rangers fans, allow me to repeat what I said on February 27, when we first learned of RPM being the end.

Do I think Power Rangers will ever return? Possibly, but it’ll take some time. I know for certain that Power Rangers will never leave Disney. I think given about five or so years off, allowing the world to regroup economically and a new audience to be born, then Power Rangers might have a chance at a decent comeback. But only time will tell.

So overall, yes it will be sad to see such a good, long running series come to a close. But the good thing about Power Rangers that I love, each season does have a closed book style ending. There are too many series out there that leave a season finale with a cliffhanger or question, and then they never get to return to continue where they left off. We should really consider ourselves lucky that that will not be the case with Power Rangers. We know that at the end of RPM, things will be wrapped up and their story will end. It really has been an enjoyable ride for me. There are so many things in my life that have occurred and helped shaped who I am, all attributed to Power Rangers. So when the last episode does air, yeah I’ll be sad, but I’ll know that it was all worth it.

When the last RPM episode airs, Power Rangers will have lasted 17 Seasons, had 700 episodes & 2 theatrical movies, sold millions if not billions of toys, and brought joy to fans both young & old all over the world. That ladies & gentlemen is something we all can take pride in.

Okay, so a week after Disney Consumer Products had the Power Rangers Logo shown on their site for the Licensing Show, they've now removed it. So what does this mean? Really nothing either way.

Moving on, the recent Toyfare Magazine Super Legends Figure Vote Poll has concluded and the winner is the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Pink Ranger. At this time, the figure is tentatively scheduled to see release in the Fall of 2010, so this at least shows Bandai America's intent to continue the Power Rangers Super Legends Line. However, we should all keep in mind that right now things should still be considered to be in limbo, and nothing is certain right now.

Just some small bits of information to pass on. With the 2009 Licensing Show taking place next month in Las Vegas, the Walt Disney Company has all ready begun preparing their Disney Consumer Products Site for the show. The one bit of Power Rangers related information from this site, comes from the fact that when you click on the Logo Kit section, on page 4 of that area, you'll find the general Power Rangers logo as seen below.

Disney has also slightly updated their Power Rangers page for the Disney Consumer Products site.

Now before anyone gets ahead of themselves and starts claiming that Power Rangers is going to continue, let me point out the following. First, all Disney has shown for their 2009 Licensing Show kit is a GENERAL Power Rangers logo. This is the same basic logo that's been in place since Disney took over the show. Plus, there is no information what-so-ever on a 2010 series. All we do know is that Disney is looking for companies to continue to produce & release general Power Rangers products (school supplies, bedding, shirts, posters, etc...)

Okay there's nothing new to update, but I thought now would be a good time to do a review of the information we have as of now.

--During February 2009 we started getting news from reliable sources that there would not be another Live Action Season of Power Rangers.

--On March 6, 2009, Production Manager for Power Rangers Sally Campbell told the New Zealand Herald Newspaper that, "at this stage we will not be shooting another season". Thus leading to the confirmation that there would not be another Live Action Power Rangers Season.

--On March 20, 2009, Bandai America issued a statement claiming that "Disney is producing a Season 18 and Bandai America will continue to develop action figures and toys for fans and collectors of all ages." This then starts the mass confusion.

As of right now, we still have reliable sources on the RPM production staff, who have been told that RPM is indeed the final Live Action Season. But Bandai America is still saying that there will be an 18th season produced by Disney. So, there are a few ways this will all play out.

A - Power Rangers will continue as a live action series, only production will be moved somewhere else

I recently e-mailed my sources at Bandai America, inquiring if Bandai had begun plans for Power Rangers for 2010 without a show to go with the toy line. Now this evening, myself and other Power Rangers webmasters received the following statement from Bandai America.

"Despite some of the rumors circulating the web, the Power Rangers are not going away in 2010. Disney and Bandai America continue to be committed to the Power Rangers Brand. In fact, Disney is producing a Season 18 and Bandai America will continue to develop action figures and toys for fans and collectors of all ages.

Over the past seventeen years, the Power Rangers have been on Earth, in space, on the moon, under water, traveling through time, in the jungle and anywhere evil lurks. They’ve battled Rita Repulsa, Divatox, Master Org, Dark Spector, Toxica, Jindrax and many more evil-doers – villains who have been shrunk to miniatures, tossed in jail, reduced to ooze or banished. As Bandai America looks to the future, the Power Rangers toy line will continue to morph into action battling against evil."

So where does that leave us now? I have no clue what-so-ever. Production Manager Sally Campbell says they won't be filming another season in New Zealand. Then Bandai America comes out and states that Disney will be producing an 18th season. I don't know, I just don't know. This is good news of course, but still, I'm left to wonder if this does mean that perhaps the show is going animated? Is production being moved to another country, and if so where? This certainly has turned into one crazy rollercoaster ride.

The news has started to spread and has reached US Newspapers, as reported here in the New York Post.

We now have confirmation. The New Zealand Herald posted an online news article entitled "Power Rangers Defeated". It explains that, and I quote, the Production Manager Sally Campbell said "at this stage we will not be shooting another season". So that is the confirmation ladies & gentlemen. You can read the complete article here. To those wondering why a New Zealand Newspaper would report on this, remember, Power Rangers has filmed in New Zealand since Ninja Storm, and with production shutting down, it will be a hit to the New Zealand Economy.

So let's enjoy RPM and remember all the good times we've had watching Power Rangers. Anger and mean feelings aren't going to get you anything. Watching RPM & enjoying it & your fond memories of PR will always put a smile on your face.

Well Power Rangers fans, it looks like the time is actually now approaching. Over the past week or so, we've started getting reports in from reliable sources that Power Rangers RPM will indeed be the final live action season. There is some talk that Power Rangers may continue in some other form, but details on what exactly that means are not known. So, to help everyone understand how this all happened, to the best of MY knowledge, I've put together the following time table of events.

So, what' s left? Well, we sit back and enjoy Power Rangers RPM, that's the simplest way to put it. I highly doubt any letter writing campaign would have an effect on a final decision that Disney has made. Even if the ratings for RPM return to the levels they were at during Ninja Storm & S.P.D., I doubt even that would be enough to help save the show. So yes, this really is likely the end of Power Rangers for now, at least in it's live action form.

Again, there's some small rumors that there may be some other form that Power Rangers may continue in, but we really can not be sure at this time. Personally, I'd still love for Disney to give a Power Rangers Animated Series another try. When we first got word of the possibility of an animated series, what I really wanted was for Disney to team up with Toei’s Animation department, go back & start with Mighty Morphin, create a new parallel universe and start re-telling the stories & modernizing them. I still think that would hold the most promise. There are many great Power Ranger writing & production alums that would be great to oversee such a project, and could really make it shine.

Disclaimer: All titles, names, images, characters, & other are copyright and trademark of The Walt Disney Company, Buena Vista Entertainment, Toei Entertainment, Bandai America, Kazuki Takahashi, Sony Entertainment and all other respective creators & owners. I make no money from any of these sites.

While most all names and images are copyright and trademark of their respective companies, there are still a great number of pictures on this site that I have taken myself or that I spent a great deal of time working on. Therefore, DO NOT TAKE MY IMAGES WITH OUT MY PERMISSION. If you would like to use the images from my site, please e-mail me before doing so to get my permission, if I so choose to grant it.

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