Power Rangerstook 30 years to introduce an Orange Ranger, and I’m beginning to think we’ll never see that character again. While not everyPower Rangersteam had the same color scheme as the one that came before it, the show would rarely drastically change its lineup of superheroes. For example, Red and Blue Rangers have appeared inallPower Rangersseasons, whereas Yellow Rangers appeared in all but three main teams. LesscommonPower Rangerscolorsinclude purple, white, and gold, all of which are usually saved for extra Rangers.
MostPower Rangersteamsfollowed a very similar color scheme toMighty Morphin, the only major change often being the presence of a Green Ranger in the initial lineup instead of a Black Ranger. Although we have seen core Rangers wearing less-commonSentaicolors like purple and gold, those are inherently associated with sixth Rangers, such as the Mighty Morphin White Ranger or the Zeo Gold Ranger. However,one color that seemed perfect for an extra Ranger was never used on the show for 30 years – orange.Fortunately, that changed withCosmic Fury.
Cosmic Fury Debuted Power Rangers’ First-Ever Orange Ranger
Fern Is The First (And So Far Only) Orange Power Ranger
There had been a couple of Orange Rangers inSuper Sentai, but, surprisingly, those specific characters never ended up being adapted forPower Rangers. The very first Orange Ranger in the history ofPower Rangerswas actually an original character rather than an adaptation of aSentaihero.Fern, who first appeared inDino Furyas Izzy’s rival and later girlfriend, became thePower Rangersfranchise’s first Orange Rangerin the latter half ofCosmic Fury. Considering thatCosmic Furycame out in 2023, it tookPower Rangersexactly 30 years to introduce an Orange Ranger.
The only Orange Ranger inPower Rangersbefore Fern was Boom fromS.P.D., except that he was only a Power Ranger in a dream. Interestingly, Kelson Henderson, who played Boom inS.P.D., was inCosmic Furybut as a different character,Ninja Steel’s Mick Kanic.
WhilePower RangersCosmic Furywas technically based onUchu Sentai Kyuranger, the 2023 season only usedSuper Sentaifootagefor zord battles. Everything else was created for the American TV show, including the controversialCosmic Furycostumes. Therefore, even thoughKyurangerhad an Orange hero,Cosmic Fury’s Orange Ranger was an all-new character. Fern gained her powers by saving Solon and activating one of the morphers that Billy, the original Blue Ranger, had created for the former Dino Fury team during their adventure in space.
Power Rangers’ First Orange Ranger Might Never Appear Again
The Power Rangers Show’s Future Seems To Be A Reboot
Now thatPower Rangersis reportedly getting a live-action show on Disney+fromPercy Jackson and the Olympiansshowrunners Jonathan E. Steinberg and Dan Shotz,I find it difficult to imagine that we will revisit the Cosmic Fury team anytime soon.While previous Rangers teams returning for crossovers was always very common forPower Rangers, those team-up episodes worked because all of the shows took place in the same continuity. Assuming this new Disney+ series is a fresh start for the franchise, there might not be any room for a crossover.
On the one hand, it is disappointing to know that we might never revisit the Cosmic Fury team – which includes the franchise’s first and only Orange Ranger. On the other hand,Cosmic Fury’s ending felt like a goodbye to the show’s original continuity. IfCosmic Furyis the last we ever see from the originalPower Rangersuniverse, I’m glad that we finally got an Orange Ranger.
