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POWER RANGERS Left: POWER RANGERS from the past teamed up with the present crew in a special 25th anniversary episode of Power Rangers Super Ninja Steel. Below: Build-A-Bear Workshop’s exclusive Green Ranger bear.
25 years of Mighty Morphin’ Power It’s been a big year for POWER RANGERS as it celebrates 25 years since the launch of the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers in 1993. On August 28 (the same day the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers series premiered in 1993) there was a special Power Rangers Super Ninja Steel episode on Nickelodeon on August. The episode included iconic Rangers from the past, including the original Green and White Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. Coinciding with the August anniversary, the Build-A-Bear Workshop revealed a brand new 25th anniversary branded Green Ranger bear that sports the 25th anniversary logo. And Shout! Factory has commemorated the 25th anniversary with a collector’s edition steelbook complete series box set, which gathers all 155 original episodes out on Blu-ray for the very first time ever.
comics and enjoy communicating their fandom via collectible figures. At the heart of the franchise is the TV series. There’s been a new series every year for the past 25. The newest TV series, Power Rangers Super Ninja Steel, which appears on Nickelodeon in the US and on top broadcasters in European markets, has been received incredibly well so far. The show earned a nomination for the 2018 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards for the Favourite TV Show category, and lead actor/Red Ranger William Shewfelt also earned a nomination for Favourite TV Actor. “We’re excited to introduce the brand to new POWER RANGERS fans via new entertainment and toy lines, but we appreciate the enthusiasm of the existing fan community and will proactively work to continue to support and grow our older/core fan base who’ve kept true to the roots and heritage of the brand,” says Simon. “Our plan for older POWER RANGERS fans is to offer more access to fan-oriented products via online retailing and conventions, in addition to mass market toys and figures for fans of all ages. This allows amazing creativity for products moving forward, and we’re excited for what’s in store.” In terms of the licensing programme, Hasbro is taking time to sit back and assess where the gaps are.
“We see a multitude of opportunities across a wide range in categories – both in physical product and live branded experiences,” says Simon. “We also see an enormous opportunity in the Latin American market. For years, we have seen this audience respond favourably to content.” Looking to 2019 and beyond, Hasbro has some big plans to deliver ‘always on’ content, starting with 26th season - Power Rangers Beast Morphers – launching in the US in January 2019 and rolling out to UK/EMEA soon after. “We definitely have an eye towards the future with big plans to deliver targeted content for each of our key segments, as well as tentpole moments designed to have a multi-generational appeal. We know that our audience is consuming and creating content across a myriad of platforms and we intend to emPOWER their consumption of exciting new content.” Below: The Lightning Collection White Ranger Figure was revealed at Power Morphicon in August.
The first Hasbro POWER RANGERS toys During the biennial Power Morphicon convention (held 17-19 August in LA) Hasbro revealed its first ever POWER RANGERS product – the Lightning Collection White Ranger Figure, a highly-articulated 6-inch figure with high level detailing and design. The figure, inspired by Mighty Morphin Power Rangers season 2, will be released in spring 2019, along with a new set of toys in support of the 26th season, Power Rangers Beast Morphers.
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