Centering around a group of teenagers who transform (morph) into superheroes to fight evil, "power rangers" has become a cultural phenomenon that will celebrate its 25th anniversary next year. Fans worldwide have shown their love for the Rangers in various ways over the years, and none seem to be willing to abandon the franchise. The show has spawned 24 seasons, 18 video games, and three theatrical movies. There is even an interactive tabletop role-playing game streaming on twitch titled "Power Rangers: HyperForce" and features various Internet personalities and actors from the show.

But why has "Power Rangers" stood the test of time? What makes a cheesy, campy, low budget show comprised of American film footage spliced with Japanese action scenes so fantastical and mesmerizing it has captured the hearts and imaginations of children and adults all over the world?

The basics

The basic premise of the show is simple. A group of teenagers is recruited to fight evil by transforming into a superhero fighting team known as the "Power Rangers." The production of the show was even simpler. The show is based on a Japanese show entitled "Super Sentai" and has been on the air in Japan for over 40 years. Haim Saban, creator of the "Power Rangers" franchise, first discovered the Japanese show in the 1980's when he traveled to Japan to meet with an animation studio.

Saban, seeing how popular the show was in Japan, contacted executive producer Shuki Levy and together the two came up with "Power Rangers." The show would feature American actors and footage, but would splice in footage from the Japanese show "Super Sentai." Saban also would cast actors who had skills associated with the stunts.

Amy Jo Johnson (Pink Ranger) and David Yost (Blue Ranger) were gymnasts, and Austin St. John (Red Ranger), Walter Jones (Black Ranger) and Thuy Trang (Yellow Ranger) were all martial artists. The cast performed their own stunts, and Walter Jones even developed a new martial art for the show called "hip-hop kido," a mix of dance and martial arts moves.

When the show aired on Fox Kids in 1993, it was a huge success.

Lessons taught by the show

The "Power Rangers" quickly became pop culture icons. American kids could not get enough of the colorful superhero team compromised of teenagers with attitude who used martial arts and giant robotic dinosaurs (called zords) to battle the forces of evil.

The show was more than fight scenes and colorful costumes. The show also featured messages of teamwork, friendship, caring and understanding for your fellow man, and how to overcome your fears.

That's one of many reasons the show has lasted as long as it has. The Rangers showed how, with patience, teamwork, and a good heart, anything can be overcome. That anything was not just the big bad monster of the week, but real problems like bullies in school, overcoming irrational fears, succeeding in school, and being comfortable in your own skin.

The show had found the perfect way to mesh action and adventure with real-life lessons about situations kids across the world face every day.

The legacy

The legacy of the "Power Rangers" continues today. The show has not strayed from its roots, still featuring stories about friendship, loyalty, doing the right thing, and teamwork.

The CGI has improved, the actors have changed, the stories have gotten more intense, but through the fighting of evil space monsters the "Power Rangers" have kept the heart of the show the same by showing how teamwork and friendship, love and understanding, and integrity and honesty win the day every time.

But unlike most shows, where the actor is nothing like their character, it seems Saban has managed to find not just actors, but, for the most part, people who could be Rangers themselves in real life to portray them on screen.

Many of the actors are involved in various charities, stay in touch with each other, and are genuinely proud to be a part of the franchise. They love meeting fans, and seem to enjoy being a part of something as big and iconic as the "Power Rangers."

The "Power Rangers" have been around for nearly 25 years, and they show no signs of going away anytime soon. Haim Saban created something magical with the "Power Rangers," far beyond that of the Japanese "Super Sentai" show that inspired it, and it seems the franchise has taken on a life of its own. Dedicating itself to showing everyone what it means to be a ranger, and how everyone can do their own part to make the world a better and safer place.
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