Article Overview
Karone had one of the best character arcs in the franchise, going from a brainwashed villain to a redeemed Pink Ranger in an emotional series of episodes.
Trent's portrayal as the Dino Thunder White Ranger significantly revitalized the traditional elements of the series and delivered standout performances in the season's finest episodes.
Tommy Oliver, known for his numerous Ranger identities spanning various seasons and crossovers, indisputably held the title of the franchise's greatest and most significant Ranger. His character underwent substantial development throughout the series, earning him a synonymous association with Power Rangers.
The franchise's 30-year history boasts a list of the best Power Rangers, comprising both iconic figures from the Mighty Morphin era and newer additions. While Power Rangers initially aimed to maintain consistency with core characters and locations from Mighty Morphin to Turbo, everything changed after In Space. Zordon's demise and the subsequent shift to standalone adventures for each Power Rangers show allowed the franchise to explore new horizons and introduce a broader range of characters.
Typically, the standout characters in every new Power Rangers series are the Rangers themselves, although some villains have also undergone great character development. The conclusion of Power Rangers Cosmic Fury's final episode possibly marked the end of the current timeline, amplifying the nostalgia factor of all the Power Rangers seasons that came before it. Although Power Rangers boasts a multitude of remarkable characters, a select group of Rangers truly shine above the rest.
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10. Karone (Melody Perkins)
In Space Astronema, Lost Galaxy Pink.
Karone, starting as a villain in Power Rangers in Space, underwent one of the most remarkable character transformations in the entire franchise. As the second Pink Ranger in Power Rangers Lost Galaxy, her storyline stands out as one of the best. Abducted as a young child, Karone endured a life of brainwashing and training under Dark Specter's control. She believed herself to be alone in the world, embracing her evil side. However, thanks to her brother's assistance, Karone managed to break free from Dark Specter's influence and found redemption. In a series of emotionally charged episodes, she took over as the new Galaxy Pink Ranger, replacing Kendrix.
9. Trent Fernandez-Mercer (Jeffrey Parazzo)
Dino Thunder White Ranger.
Although Trent's Power Rangers history isn't as extensive as other characters in the franchise, he left a lasting impression in Power Rangers Dino Thunder. Among the many evil and extra Rangers in Power Rangers, the White Ranger episodes in Dino Thunder stood out as some of the best. Trent's journey from being the evil White Ranger to becoming a member of the Dino Thunder Power Rangers closely paralleled Tommy Oliver's iconic "Green With Evil" story, effectively revitalizing one of the saga's oldest tropes. In Dino Thunder, the White Ranger often stole the show, and Trent even made a return in the "Dimensions in Danger" episode of Super Ninja Steel.
8. Zayto (Russell Curry)
Dino Fury Red Ranger, Cosmic Fury Zenith Ranger, Morphin Master.
Zayto, an extraterrestrial knight from another planet, made his debut in 2021's Power Rangers Dino Fury. Arriving on Earth millions of years ago, he assumed the role of the Red Ranger and took on the responsibility of guiding two young heroes. Their combined efforts formed the Dino Fury team, later transforming into the mighty Cosmic Fury Power Rangers. Sadly, Zayto made the ultimate sacrifice to safeguard the world, but his story took a remarkable turn when the Morphin Masters resurrected him. After a brief stint as the Zenith Ranger, Zayto fused with the Morphin Grid and attained the status of a Morphin Master himself in the world of Dino Fury.
7. Jen Scotts (Erin Cahill)
Time Force Pink Ranger.
Jen Scotts, the first and only Pink Ranger to lead a Power Rangers team, stands out as an outstanding leader and a compelling character. Power Rangers Time Force kicks off with a gripping moment as Red Ranger Alex appears to die in battle before his team's eyes. The tragic loss of Alex, who was also Jen's fiance, deeply impacts her, yet it doesn't hinder her determination to fight. Time Force is a remarkable season of Power Rangers that blends exciting sci-fi action with intricate character development. Consequently, despite her appearance in just one full season, Jen undeniably ranks among the franchise's most memorable characters.
6. Jack Landors (Brandon Jay McLaren)
S.P.D. Red Ranger
Jack Landors exemplifies a Power Rangers character who, unlike other Rangers, didn't make a comeback in multiple seasons or crossovers, but still left an indelible mark in the franchise. Power Rangers S.P.D. delved deeply into the concept of leadership and urged viewers to contemplate the characteristics required to be a Red Ranger. Jack's motivations for assuming the role of the B-Squad cadets' leader, as well as his initial perception of the responsibility as the Red Ranger, laid the foundation for a remarkable character arc that ultimately established him as one of the finest Red Rangers in Power Rangers history, despite his relatively short appearance.
5. Jason Lee Scott (Austin St. John)
Mighty Morphin Red Ranger, Zeo Gold Ranger.
Power Rangers has had numerous seasons and a multitude of characters following Mighty Morphin, but the original Power Rangers will forever be synonymous with the franchise. Nevertheless, some of Jason's most remarkable moments within the franchise occurred post-Mighty Morphin. It was a delightful surprise to witness the return of the original Red Ranger in Zeo after the actor's departure from the show during the middle of Mighty Morphin season 2. As the Mighty Morphin Red Ranger, Jason proved to be a reliable leader. However, as the Zeo Gold Ranger, Jason had the opportunity to become the unpredictable element that shifted the power dynamics. Furthermore, Jason showcased his brilliance in both "Forever Red" and "Grid Connection."
4. Andros (Christopher Khayman Lee)
In Space Red Ranger.
One of the most iconic figures in the Power Rangers series, Andros served as the representative of the season that revived the franchise. Power Rangers in Space not only stands as one of the finest installments in the Power Rangers saga, but it also ensured the show's continuation following the underwhelming reception of Turbo. Distinct from the multitude of Earth-based teenagers recruited in Angel Grove, Andros hailed from a different planet and was already an established Power Ranger prior to the show's commencement. The Red Ranger of In Space possessed a unique backstory and pursued separate objectives compared to the Earth-bound Rangers, despite receiving training from Zordon. Ultimately, it was Andros who took the bold step of slaying Zordon, thus saving the entire universe.
3. Adam Park (Johnny Yong Bosch)
Mighty Morphin Black Ranger, Zeo Green Ranger, Zeo Turbo Ranger, S.P.A. Agent.
From a replacement character to a legendary Ranger who appeared in multiple shows, Adam left a lasting impact on Power Rangers. He initially took over from Zack as the Mighty Morphin Black Ranger, even appearing in the non-canon Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie. Adam continued to be a valuable member of the team during the Zeo transition and the shift into Turbo. Notably, he made a memorable return in a classic episode of Power Rangers in Space, once again morphing into the Mighty Morphin Black Ranger. The character's status as a Power Rangers legend was cemented through his involvement in the Once A Ranger and Power Rangers: Once & Always anniversary specials.
2. Billy Cranston (David Yost)
Mighty Morphin Blue Ranger.
Arguably the most brilliant minds in the Power Rangers universe, Billy Cranston had the distinction of being the Mighty Morphin Blue Ranger, making him a vital and influential character in the franchise. Notably, he was the sole member of the original five Power Rangers team to remain on the Mighty Morphin squad throughout all three seasons. In addition to showcasing his loyalty and warrior skills, Billy also demonstrated his leadership abilities outside of battles during the Zeo era. Although David Yost, the actor behind Billy, took a lengthy hiatus from the franchise after Zeo, he eventually returned in the Once & Always series. Fortunately, Billy also made a comeback in Power Rangers Cosmic Fury.
1. Tommy Oliver (Jason David Frank)
Mighty Morphin Green, Mighty Mighty Morphin White, Zeo Red, Turbo Red, Dino Thunder Black.
While the debate about Tommy's numerous appearances in Power Rangers continues, it is undeniable that Jason David Frank's portrayal of the character was exceptional, making Tommy the standout and most significant Ranger in the entire franchise. The significance of Tommy Oliver's character can be highlighted by the fact that he took on five different Ranger roles across four different seasons of the show. Additionally, his involvement in various crossover episodes further establishes his importance. From his iconic debut in "Green With Evil" to his recent appearance in "Dimensions in Danger," Tommy became synonymous with Power Rangers. However, Tommy was not merely a recurring character; he was a well-developed Ranger, with his character arc reaching its pinnacle in the compelling Soul of the Dragon comic.
Editor's P/S
In my opinion, the Power Rangers franchise has had many great characters over the years, but a few stand out as truly exceptional. Karone, the second Pink Ranger in Power Rangers Lost Galaxy, had one of the best character arcs in the franchise. Starting as a brainwashed villain, she eventually found redemption and became a hero. Her journey was emotional and compelling, and it was a joy to watch her character grow and change over time.
Trent, the Dino Thunder White Ranger, also made a lasting impression on fans. His story closely paralleled Tommy Oliver's iconic "Green With Evil" storyline, but it was still fresh and exciting. Trent's journey from villain to hero was well-written and engaging, and he quickly became a fan-favorite character.