Weird Power Ranger Trope

[Arch9CivilReactor]

This isn’t just about the tropes around the Power Ranger story model. From what I learned thanks to a YouTuber called Sir_Superhero who did a whole analysis on the Morphin Grid, most Power Rangers are more called into service than predestined by fate. It’s not about the magic (except in Mystic Force when it totally is).

Heroes in the manner of being law enforcement or soldiers. The most ideal Trooper scenario like in Lost Galaxy, where they were literally space soldier fighting off evil aliens. The difference between the two is that Power Rangers are defensive. They protect and serve their ideals.

While looking around the various stories about Power Rangers, this is most prevalent. While in Magical Girl stories these ideals are embodied by magic, Power Rangers do the opposite by trying to embody what they’ve set out to become.

No predetermined fate gave them their powers. It is accessed via a dimension that has an infinite amount of power. They channel that through their guns and mechs. Everything is a tool. Using Morphin Grid energy responsibly to beat those who do not.

I find it so strange and compelling when putting it that way. Power Rangers are basically nothing alike to Magical Girls. Most of them already being adults or teens when they donned the spandex. Heroes at service to the government.

Their overarching theme seeming to be more about the weight of responsibility collectively rather than independently on one user.

 

[BearlyAlive]

Trained soldiers vs. vigilantes.

Kind of reminds me of those leveling up vs. cultivation debates, where both are pretty much the same, but focus on different aspects of it.

Differing audiences also force different takes on the whole "guardians of humanity fighting against external threat" thing. Child soldier magical girls wouldn't make a good series for the young now, would they?

 

[CharlesEBrown]

Yep - goes back to the Giants of Light, a literal interstellar police force designed to keep monsters in check (and who usually avoid detection when they interfere on planets that aren't aware of their existence ... unless they accidentally mortally wound someone or face a threat greater than they had expected).