Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once And Always - What We Know So Far
"Power Rangers" has been a fixture in children's entertainment for generations, and it will soon be celebrating its 30th anniversary in the United States. "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers" premiered in 1993, adapting the popular Japanese TV series for a Western audience. The series quickly became a phenomenon, spawning a franchise across TV, movies, video games, comics, and toys.
To celebrate this milestone, Netflix greenlit "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always," a television special that picks back up with the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, bringing back some fan-favorite Rangers for another adventure.
Although many previous viewers have inevitably fallen off the "Power Rangers" wagon since they've grown up, the franchise still holds a devoted fanbase spanning all ages. "Once & Always" brings everyone together, capitalizing on fans' nostalgia while giving newcomers a new "Power Rangers" adventure. The hype for "Once & Always" is at an all-time high, so here's everything there is to know about the highly-anticipated reunion.
When will Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always be released?
Although it's been 30 years in the making, the release date for "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always" is right around the corner, hitting Netflix on April 19, 2023.
Apparently "Once & Always" has been in development for quite some time. During a 2021 panel at Comic-Con, legendary Blue Ranger David Yost conceptualized the reunion, telling the crowd that it was in the early stages of development as he pitched it to many networks. However, it wasn't until late 2022 that "Power Rangers" confirmed the special, exciting the entire fanbase.
Following the special's official announcement, Hasbro maintained a pretty consistent schedule of news, with Entertainment Weekly giving "Power Rangers" fans a first look at the reunion earlier this year. However, it's no surprise that Yost, the mastermind behind the special, is returning as Billy the Blue Ranger. The longest-running Ranger called the reunion "amazing," saying, "It was such a surreal experience to be on the set of 'Power Rangers' again after 28 years."
What is the plot of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always?
With the release of "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always" just a few short weeks away, Hasbro and Netflix have revealed some interesting plot details of the reunion special. As described in Entertainment Weekly's first look, "Once & Always" puts the rangers "face to face with a familiar threat from the past. In the midst of a global crisis, they are called on once again to be the heroes the world needs. Inspired by the legendary mantra from the franchise 'Once a Ranger, Always a Ranger,' 'Once & Always' reminds everyone when you become a Ranger, you are always a part of the Ranger family and always welcome." Although incredibly vague, the brief synopsis was enough to get long-time fans excited.
Since the first look, fans know a bit more about what the Rangers will be up to in the upcoming special. The biggest reveal is that Rita Repulsa has returned once again, and this time she plans to go back in time and stop the teenagers from ever becoming Power Rangers. During her initial return to Earth, Rita kills a member of the "Mighty Morphin" team, the Yellow Ranger Trini Kwan. Billy and Zack work tirelessly to stop Rita, but Trini's daughter, Minh, isn't about to sit around and do nothing, setting up her introduction as the team's new Yellow Ranger.
Who is starring in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always?
Speaking of old and new Power Rangers, "Might Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always" features plenty of familiar faces to excite fans because, well, it is a reunion special. As mentioned, David Yost, Billy the Blue Ranger on "Mighty Morphin," is back, having spearheaded the reunion's development. However, he's not alone, as Walter Emanuel Jones joins him in the fight against Rita Repulsa, donning his old Black Ranger suit from "Mighty Morphin." Unfortunately, that's where the original cast ends, as neither Amy Jo Johnson nor Austin St. John is returning for the reunion.
Thankfully, Netflix invited a couple of second-generation "Mighty Morphin" cast members to return for the special. Catherine Sutherland, who became the Pink Ranger, Kat, in Season 3, is suiting up again, while Steve Cardenas also reprises his role of Rock the Red Ranger. Joining them are Karan Ashley, Aisha the second Yellow Ranger, and Johnny Yong Bosch, Adam the second Black Ranger, although it doesn't seem like either will be fighting Putty Patrollers in "Once & Always."
Fans will also notice a couple of familiar voices in the Netflix special, as Barbara Goodson and Richard Horvitz lend their talents to Rita Repulsa and Alpha 5, respectively. Joining the entire "Power Ranger" family is newcomer Charlie Kersh, playing the daughter of Trini, the original Yellow Ranger.
Who is directing Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always?
While "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always" will include plenty of familiar faces, there are also many "Power Rangers" alumni behind the cameras. Charlie Haskell will be seated in the director's chair for the reunion, and even though his name doesn't scream success, he's a veteran within the "Power Rangers" franchise. Haskell has directed countless episodes of the series, with his introduction coming in 2003's "Power Rangers Ninja Storm." Since then, he's worked on "DinoThunder," "S.P.D.," "Mystic Force," "Operation Overdrive," "Jungle Fury," "R.P.M.," "Dino Charge," "Ninja Steel," and "Dino Fury." So, it's safe to say "Once & Always" is in good hands with him.
Joining Haskell are writers Becca Barnes and Alwyn Dale, who have worked together on many "Power Rangers" series for nearly ten years. Barnes and Dale got their start in the franchise on "Power Rangers Dino Charge," continuing into "Ninja Steel," "Beast Morphers," and "Dino Fury." They've worked with Haskell on a few of these shows, so "Once & Always" will feature reunions in front of and behind the camera.
Is there a trailer for Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always?
Earlier this year, Netflix treated "Power Rangers" fans to a look behind the curtain of "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always," including a mini behind-the-scenes featurette in Entertainment Weekly's coverage of the reunion. However, today, the streaming service finally gave fans the long-awaited trailer, showing the surprisingly serious tone of the special.
The trailer opens with Rita Repulsa's return to Earth, where her Putty Patrollers seem to get the best of the surprised Power Rangers. In an attempt to take out Billy, it looks like the villain hits Trini with the blast, killing her. Zack and Billy assure Minh that the Rangers have this under control, revealing that Rita plans to make a time portal to kill the teenagers before they become Rangers. Alpha 5 then brings Kat and Rocky to round out the rest of the team and take on Rita and her army.
The trailer features many shots of past Rangers returning for "Once & Always." We get glimpses of Aisha and Adam, but the most exciting part is the inclusion of the original "Mighty Morphin" team. Fans can see a few shots of the squad, including masked versions of Jason's Red Ranger, Kimberly's Pink Ranger, and Tommy's Green Ranger. None of these actors are returning for the reunion, so seeing their roles in the special will be interesting.
Where to watch Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
For many, "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always" will be a return to the franchise that once captivated them every afternoon. So naturally, people may want to brush up on the legendary "Power Rangers" series either before or after watching the reunion. Thankfully, that will be a pretty easy task, as audiences don't even have to switch streaming services to watch "Mighty Morphin." Netflix holds the entire show's catalog, with all three seasons of "Mighty Morphin" streaming on the platform, so fans can relive their childhood as they watch the Power Rangers form for the first time.
Unfortunately, that's where the story ends for "Mighty Morphin" on streaming. Those wanting to watch "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie" are out of luck, as the film isn't on any streaming service, so the only option is to buy the DVD for just a few bucks online. Netflix does carry a few other "Power Rangers" series, including "Dino Fury," "Super Ninja Steel," and "Beast Morphers." The director and writers of "Once & Always" worked on these shows too, but they aren't required viewing to understand the reunion special fully.