Power Rangers Zeo


Power Rangers Zeo is a television series and the third entry of the Power Rangers franchise, based on the 19th Super Sentai series Chouriki Sentai Ohranger. It is the continuation of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and aired in 1996.
In the Philippines Power Rangers Zeo's named known as Zeo Rangers.
Power Rangers Zeo is the first season of Power Rangers to follow the Super Sentai practice of annual Ranger suit changes.

Plot

After witnessing the destruction of the Command Center, the powerless Rangers discover the Zeo Crystal intact in the rubble—apparently dropped by Goldar and Rito Revolto. The Crystal guides them to a portal which takes them deep underground to the Power Chamber where they find Zordon and Alpha 5 waiting for them. The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers become the Zeo Rangers, a new team of Rangers powered by the Zeo Crystal. The four remaining Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Tommy Oliver, Adam Park, Rocky DeSantos and Katherine Hillard become Zeo Ranger V — Red, Zeo Ranger IV — Green, Zeo Ranger III — Blue and Zeo Ranger I — Pink respectively and Tanya Sloan joins the team as Zeo Ranger II — Yellow, while Billy Cranston chooses to become their technical advisor rather than continuing as a Ranger.
The Machine Empire, led by King Mondo and Queen Machina, enters Earth's solar system, seeking to conquer Earth, with the Zeo Rangers serving as the only opposition. Many, even Rita Repulsa and Lord Zedd, are forced to flee to the M51 Galaxy under the threat of destruction. Unbeknownst to anyone, Rito and Goldar – now amnesiac – are left behind on Earth. They are taken in by Bulk and Skull, who have them serve as butlers. Meanwhile, Bulk and Skull continue to be members of the Junior Police Force until Lt. Jerome Stone is dismissed when Bulk tries to win the heart of the chief's daughter. Quitting as a show of respect for Stone, they join him at his new detective agency.
Over time, the Machine Empire wears down the five Zeo Rangers, but they are rescued by the mysterious Gold Ranger. Though his identity is unknown, it quickly becomes clear he is there to help the Rangers. After he is injured in battle, it is revealed that the mysterious Gold Ranger is an alien, Trey of Triforia. Split into three separate selves, Trey is forced to temporarily pass his powers to a worthy warrior while healing. They attempt to transfer Trey's powers to Billy, but as Billy acquired excess negative energy during the Command Center's destruction, he is unable to do so. Ultimately the successor is Jason Lee Scott, the first Red Power Ranger and team leader. This event also sees the introduction of the more powerful Super Zeo Zords, which are used against a tougher generation of machines. The Super Zeo Megazord is powerful enough to later destroy King Mondo, creating a power vacuum in the Machine Empire.
Secretly returning from the M51 Galaxy, Lord Zedd and Rita seek to take power again. Operating out of an RV with Finster, they restore Goldar and Rito's memories, retrieving the pair in the process. After King Mondo's death, they launch their first plan, to use Louie Kaboom to take over the Machine Empire. Though he succeeds, he breaks free of Zedd and Rita's control. He embarks on his own plans to conquer Earth and destroy the Zeo Rangers. Louie is eventually killed by King Mondo's first-born son Prince Gasket and his wife Princess Archerina, who rule until King Mondo's reconstruction is complete, which causes them to flee.
When Billy begins rapidly aging as a side-effect of restoring his proper age before undoing Master Vile's spell in the last series, the Zeo and Aquitian Rangers race to help him and fend off monsters from King Mondo as well as Zedd and Rita. Billy leaves Earth for treatment on Aquitar and chooses to stay to be with Cestria. Soon after, it is discovered the Gold Ranger powers are leaving Jason and draining his life force in the process as the alien powers were not meant for a human. Trey is still in recovery, but a risky gamble with the Zeo Crystal heals him, restoring his powers. Rita and Lord Zedd finally get revenge on the Machine Empire by crippling their leaders with a bomb.

Cast and characters

Zeo Rangers

He is Zeo Ranger V – Red and was previously the Mighty Morphin Green Ranger, the Mighty Morphin White Ranger, and the White Ninja Ranger. He found his Zeo Crystal in the American Southwest. He is the leader of the Zeo Rangers. Tommy wears a red suit with a star-shaped visor on his helmet. He piloted Zeo Zord 5, Super Zeo Zord 5, and the Red Battlezord. His primary weapon was the Zeo Power Sword.
He is Zeo Ranger IV – Green and was previously the new Mighty Morphin Black Ranger, and Black Ninja Ranger. He found his Zeo Crystal in Korea. Adam wears a green suit with a rectangular visor. He piloted Zeo Zord Four and Super Zeo Four. His primary weapon was the Zeo Power Hatchets.
He is Zeo Ranger III – Blue and was previously the new Mighty Morphin Red Ranger, and Red Ninja Ranger. He found his Zeo Crystal in Mexico. He served as the team's second-in-command until Jason returned. Rocky wore a blue suit with a triangular visor on his helmet. He piloted Zeo Zord Three and Super Zeo Three. His primary weapon was the Zeo Power Axes.
She is Zeo Ranger II – Yellow and the only new member of the core group. When Aisha Campbell, the former Mighty Morphin Yellow Ranger, went for her Zeo Crystal in Africa, she decided that she wanted to help the animals who were sick; so she sent Tanya back with the Zeo Crystal in her place. Initially returning as a child, the Zeo Crystal made Tanya the same age as the other Rangers, which she gradually got used to. Tanya wears a yellow suit with two horizontal lines for a visor on her helmet. She piloted Zeo Zord Two and Super Zeo Two. Her primary weapon was the Zeo Power Clubs.
She is Zeo Ranger I – Pink and was previously the new Mighty Morphin Pink Ranger, and the new Pink Ninja Ranger. She found her Zeo Crystal in her homeland of Australia. She is also Tommy Oliver's love interest. Katherine wears a pink suit with a circular visor on her helmet. She piloted Zeo Zord One and Super Zeo One. Her primary weapon was the Zeo Power Shield.
  • Brad Hawkins and Ted, Tim & Tom DiFilippo as Trey of Triforia
The original Gold Ranger and also the lord of planet Triforia, a place where everyone had identical triplets. He gave the Zeo Rangers their Super Zeo Zords when he had to return to his planet. Trey of Triforia wears a black suit with a golden vest and had a visor shaped like the kanji for "king". He piloted Pyramidas and his primary weapon was the Golden Power Staff.
The new Gold Ranger and previously the original Mighty Morphin Red Ranger. When Trey of Triforia had to return to his planet, Tommy went and found Jason to take the place of the Gold Ranger while he was gone. He returned to his duties as second-in-command after his return. He piloted Pyramidas and his primary weapon was the Golden Power Staff.

Supporting characters

The Zeo Rangers' mentor. Zordon serves as a source of vast wisdom and knowledge for the team.
Zordon's robotic assistant, in charge of keeping the Power Chamber working.
The former Mighty Morphin Blue Ranger and Blue Ninja Ranger, Billy has retired from being a Power Ranger, electing to instead assist Alpha.
The owner of the Angel Grove Youth Center and juice bar.
Former bullies who are initially junior police officers and then private detectives.
  • Gregg Bullock as Lt./Det. Jerome B. Stone
Jerome is a police lieutenant who is the supervisor of Bulk and Skull. After Bulk had a crush on his superior's daughter, he was fired. Jerome later became a private investigator with Bulk and Skull still working under him.
  • Lesley Tesh-Pedersen as Emily
A waitress at Ernie's Beach Club and a love interest to Jason.
  • Erik Frank as David Truehart
Tommy's brother, who was adopted by the same Native American Tommy met while retrieving his piece of the Zeo crystal.
An ancient tiki that had been dormant on the tropical Mysterio Island for years.

Villains

The ruler of the Machine Empire.
The queen of the Machine Empire.
The son of King Mondo and Queen Machina.
  • * Oliver Page as the voice of Klank
A robot that is loyal to King Mondo and Queen Machina.
A floating module that is paired with Klank. When swung around by Klank, Orbus will make a monster grow.
  • * Lex Lang as the voice of Louie Kaboom
A missile-themed robot that was originally used by Lord Zedd and Rita Repulsa to take control of the Machine Empire following King Mondo's apparent destruction only for Goldar and Rito to lose the remote control. He can transform into his missile form.
  • * Douglas Sloan as the voice of Prince Gasket
Disowned older son of King Mondo and Queen Machina.
The daughter of King Aradon who eloped with Prince Gasket.
An intergalactic warlord. When the Machine Empire forced them off the Moon, Zedd worked to take revenge on the Machine Empire through whatever way possible.
An alien sorceress who became the wife of Lord Zedd. When the Machine Empire forced them off the moon, Rita worked to take revenge on the Machine Empire through whatever way possible.
The leprechaun-themed henchman of Rita. After the Machine Empire forced Zedd and Rita off the Moon, Finster was among those who were evacuated. He later returned with Zedd and Rita in a plot to take revenge on the Machine Empire.
The manticore-themed minion of Rita Repulsa. He and Rito had amnesia following the Command Center's explosion and were roped into Bulk and Skull's plans until Lord Zedd restored their memories.
  • * Bob Papenbrook as the voice of Rito Revolto
The Gashadokuro-themed brother of Rita.
Squatt is a hobgoblin-like minion of Rita and Baboo is a vampire-like minion of Rita. When the Machine Empire attacked Lord Zedd and Rita Repulsa's castle on the Moon, Squatt and Baboo were evacuated and remained with Master Vile while Lord Zedd and Rita Repulsa worked on ways to get revenge on the Machine Empire.
The father of Rita and Rito. While allowing Rita and Zedd's group to take refuge with him, Master Vile noted that the Machine Empire was worse than he was.

Guest stars

  • Alien Rangers
Rangers from the planet Aquitar, who helped protect Earth from Zedd and Rita during the events of the previous miniseries. They seek Billy's technological expertise at one point to help defeat new foes, and teach him about their own technology in return; thus creating the Red Battlezord.
A part-lizard alien who Bulk and Skull befriend when they are prisoners in the Machine Arena in "A King for a Day".

Identity of the Gold Ranger

During the middle of the series, the identity of the Gold Ranger was a constant teaser and a central plot theme. After many episodes of speculation, with other characters like Billy Cranston, David Trueheart, and even Eugene Skullovitch suspected, it was revealed the Gold Ranger was Trey of Triforia, a new character. Former Red Ranger, Jason Lee Scott, obtained the powers of the Gold Ranger after Trey lost the ability to transform. Trey was voiced by Brad Hawkins, who played Ryan Steele on VR Troopers and portrayed by Ted, Tim and Tom DiFilippo.

Episodes

Home media releases

Starting in August 1996, several episodes of Power Rangers Zeo were released on VHS.
Release name
Release date
Publisher
Stock Number
Notes
REF
Zeo Quest August 6, 1996Saban Home Entertainment/WarnerVision Family Entertainment42060-3Contains The Following Previews at the Beginning:
Power Rangers Zeo: It Came From Angel Grove
Power Rangers Zeo: 'Tis the Season to be Zeo, Masked Rider: Ferbus' First Christmas
Masked Rider, Super Gold: Special 2 Part Mini-Series, Book and Tape Cassette and Collectible Action Figures, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: A Friend in Need" Parts 1, 2, & 3 )
Power Rangers Zeo: Zeo Quest
And A Promo For:
Power Rangers Zeo: Deluxe Super Zeo Megazord Action Figures Advertisement
"It Came from Angel Grove"August 20, 1996Saban Home Entertainment/WarnerVision Family Entertainment42061-3Contains The Following Previews at the Beginning:
Power Rangers Zeo: Zeo Quest
Power Rangers Zeo: 'Tis the Season to be Zeo, Masked Rider: Ferbus' First Christmas
Masked Rider, Super Gold: Special 2 Part Mini-Series, Book and Tape Cassette and Collectible Action Figures, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: A Friend in Need" Parts 1, 2, & 3 )
Sweet Valley High
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Lord Zedd's Monster Heads
At The End of the Series:
Bonus! Includes never-before-seen music video! Fright Night

In 2012, Shout! Factory announced that it had reached an exclusive distribution deal with Saban Brands for shows such as Power Rangers and Big Bad Beetleborgs. Power Rangers Zeo was released on DVD in August 2012, as part of a Time-Life exclusive boxed set containing seasons 1–7. The show later became available independently of the boxed set in two volumes, each containing 25 episodes, released November 12, 2013, and February 11, 2014.

Comics

began publication of a Power Rangers Zeo comic in August 1996. It featured scripts by Tom and Mary Bierbaum, and art by Todd Nauck and Norm Rapmund. Four issues were drawn but only one was released before Image Comics lost the license.
Characters have been featured in Power Rangers comics published by Boom! Studios.
In 2018, the Zeo Rangers appeared in "Shattered Grid", a crossover event between teams from all eras commemorating the 25th anniversary of the original television series. It was published in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #25-30 and various tie-ins. A Power Rangers Zeo story by Kyle Higgins and Marcus To was published in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers 2018 Annual as part of the crossover.
"Beyond the Grid," the follow-up to "Shattered Grid", was published in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #31-39. It saw Tanya joining a new team alongside the Ranger Slayer, the Magna Defender, Cameron, Andros and the Dark Ranger.