Power Rangers Samurai

Power Rangers Samurai is the nineteenth season^{[5][Note 1]} of the American children's television series Power Rangers.^[8] With Saban Brandsbuying back the franchise, the show is produced by SCG Power Rangers and began airing on Nickelodeon and Nicktoons on February 7, 2011.^[1]As with all Power Rangers programs, Power Rangers Samurai is based on one of the entries of the Super Sentai Series; in the case of Samurai, the source series is Samurai Sentai Shinkenger. Saban Brands have said the show will have a "brighter tone and gets an infusion of fun and comedy that wasn't present in present in seasons 16 and 17."^[3]

Samurai is split into two 20-episode seasons; the second set of 20 episodes will air in 2012 and will be called "Super Samurai".^[9]

Power Rangers Samurai is the first Power Rangers season to be shot and broadcast in HD and to be airing on Nickelodeon.

The Samurai Power Rangers–Red Ranger Jayden, the stoic leader; Blue Ranger Kevin, the devoted second-in-command; Pink Ranger Mia, the big sister; Green Ranger Mike, the creative rebel; Yellow Ranger Emily, the youngest and most innocent; and Gold Ranger Antonio, the expressive fisherman/tech wiz– fight the evil Master Xandred and his army of Nighloks, who want to flood the planet with the waters of the Sanzu River.
Centuries ago in Japan, a dark force threatened our universe, bringing a civilization to its knees, until a clan of brave warriors were called upon to destroy this ancient evil – Samurai warriors defeated them with power symbols passed down from parent to child. But now this darkness has returned and plans to flood the Earth, and the future of mankind rest in the hands of five ordinary teens with one extraordinary destiny — They are the Samurai Rangers. Led by the fearless Red Ranger, this team was summoned to train as Samurai's under the teachings of Mentor Ji, armed with high-powered weapons and mighty Megazords. They have one mission – to defeat the sinister Master Xandred and his army of Nighloks and make our universe safe from evil once and for all.

Saban announced they would be enacting an "aggressive" multimedia focus, with planned apps, games, streaming content, and social media content in addition to live shows and a feature film.^[2][3] The run-up to the new series was promoted by 145 Days of Power Rangers, a daily airing of every Mighty Morphin episode in order. An official Power Rangers Facebook page was also created.^[10]

On November 24, 2010, the Power Rangers website placed a trailer for the show online, hosted on Yahoo! Kids. The new Samurai Rangers also appeared at the 2010 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.^[11]

Paul Schrier has a recurring role in the season, reprising his role as Bulk originating from Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.^[12]

Rangers

Main article: Samurai Power Rangers

Jayden/Red Samurai Ranger

Jayden, portrayed by Alex Heartman, is the serious leader of the group and the son of the last Red Ranger. He also has a secret that he keeps from his fellow Rangers ^[13]

Kevin/Blue Samurai Ranger

Kevin, portrayed by Najee De-Tiege, is a devoted swordsman who dreamt of becoming an olympic swimmer before being summoned to fight against the Nighloks.^[14]

Mia/Pink Samurai Ranger

Mia, portrayed by Erika Fong, acts as the big sister to the team. She believes that she is a great cook, though others would disagree.^[15]

Mike/Green Samurai Ranger

Mike, portrayed by Hector David Jr., is an avid video gamer and the lazy rebel of the group.^[16]

Emily/Yellow Samurai Ranger

Emily, portrayed by Brittany Anne Pirtle, is a sweet and innocent country girl who becomes a Ranger by chance. She replaces her sick sister, Serena who was destined for the position.^[17]

Antonio Garcia/Gold Samurai Ranger

Antonio, portrayed by Steven Skyler, is an enthusiastic and energetic traveling fisherman. He is a childhood friend of Jayden and he has been waiting for his big moment to test out his Samurai Morpher to defeat a Nighlok. Antonio is the only Samurai Ranger who is not of samurai descent.^[18]

Allies

Mentor Ji

The Rangers' sensei who helps them in their samurai training and provides the team with information on their enemies. Like the rangers, he can use symbol power to perform various tasks. Portrayed by Rene Naufahu, who previously portrayed Emperor Grumm in Power Rangers SPD.

Farkas "Bulk" Bulkmeier

Bulk, a supporting character from the early years of the franchise, is once again portrayed by Paul Schrier. In his latest misadventure, Bulk becomes inspired by the newest Ranger team to appear and becomes determined to shape Spike, the son of his best friend Skull, into a great Samurai. Unfortunately for Spike, Bulk often deludes himself about his own abilities.^[19]

Spike Skullovitch

Spike, portrayed by Felix Ryan, is the son of Bulk's old friend Eugene "Skull" Skullovitch. He attempts to become a Samurai with Bulk's misguided help, often with failed results. He also has a crush on the Pink Samurai Ranger.^[20]

Serena

Serena is Emily's older sister, who was originally meant to be the Yellow Samurai Ranger. When Serena became ill the Ape Foldingzord was given to Emily, along with the powers. Portrayed byJacinda Stevens.

Kevin's father

Kevin's father was Kevin's strict swimming coach. He supported his son towards his dream of becoming an Olympic swimmer. However, he was actually training his son to become the Blue Samurai Ranger, and subsequently gave Kevin the Dragon Foldingzord.

Jayden's father

Jayden's father was able to seal Master Xandred away. He gave Jayden the Lion Foldingzord. Portrayed by Steven A. Davis.

Daisuke

Daisuke is the elder Guardian of the Tengen Gate where the first Samurai Rangers battled the Nighlok army. Portrayed by Grant McFarland, who previously portrayed Sensei Watanabe and Lothor from Power Rangers Ninja Storm.

Scott Truman/RPM Ranger Red

Scott is the leader of the RPM Power Rangers serving as Ranger Operator Series Red, alternatively known as Ranger Red. He comes from an alternate dimension where a sentient AI named Venjix took over his world and polluting it leaving only the domed city of Corinth as the last hope for humanity. He crossed over to the dimension of the Samurai Rangers chasing after Professor Cog who is attempting to pollute Scott's dimension with the water of the Sanzu River. Because he's not completely sure of the conditions of the world, having lived in a domed shelter for so long, he does not de-morph or remove his helmet. He assists the Samurai Rangers in destroying Professor Cog and the Nighlock General Gut and his massive army of Moogers. He is voiced by Tobias Reiss.

Villains

Main article: Villains in Power Rangers Samurai

The evil Master Xandred leads monsters known as Nighloks from his junk on the Sanzu River. He seeks to cause the river to flood with the tears of humans, using the Nighloks to make them cry, allowing him to enter the world of the living and take it over.

Master Xandred

Master Xandred is the leader of the Nighloks and armed with a broadsword. He seeks to cause the waters to rise up. Voiced by Jeff Szusterman.

Dayu

Dayu is one of Master Xandred's two followers, a female figure with a shamisen. Voiced by Kate Elliott.

Octoroo

Octoroo is one of Master Xandred's two followers, an elderly squid-headed figure with a staff. His physical appearance is based on Cthulhu and Fukurokuju (福禄寿^?). Voiced by Jeff Szusterman.

Deker

Deker is a mysterious half Nighlok-half human swordsman that can assume a human form. Considers the Red Ranger to be his greatest challenge for his sword Uramasa. Portrayed by Ricardo Medina, Jr. (credited as Rick Medina), who previously portrayed Cole Evans in Power Rangers Wild Force.

Serrator

One of Master Xandred's general's with six slitted eyes and a rictus grin. He was responsible for cursing Deker and turning Dayu into a Nighlok. Voiced by Derek Judge.

Furry Warts

Furry Warts are a furred ball-like soot settling in roof of Xandred's Junk, they attempt to be annoying by repeating people's words while giggling.

Moogers

The Moogers are Master Xandred's foot soldiers, armed with swords and bows. Some can be enlarged to fight the Zords.

Spitfangs

The Spitfangs are Master Xandred's alternative foot soldiers that resemble skull-like, eyeless, crocodile-heads with arms and legs. Like the Moogers, the Spitfangs can also be enlarged to fight the Zords.

Arsenal

The rangers' arsenal revolves around Symbol Power, kanji that gives the Rangers special temporary powers in and out of their Ranger forms. There are special kanji that is used in conjunction with piloting a Foldingzord and the various Megazords but are not considered as Symbol Power.

• Samuraizers: The Samuraizers are the Rangers' cellphone transformation devices. By using the picture on the phone, they project the kanji that represents them in the air and it forms their suit around them. The morphing call is "Samuraizer(s)! Go Go Samurai!" The Rangers can also use it to enlarge their Foldingzords and assume Mega Mode to pilot them.
• Spin Swords: The Spin Swords are the Rangers' primary sidearm, activated by taking a Power Disc from a compartment on the Rangers' belts and attaching it to the hilt to become the guard. By spinning the Disc, a Spin Sword acts as a praxinoscope and it powers up. Transform into Mega Blades when the Rangers morph into Mega Mode, which they use to wield the Zords. While the Gold Ranger does not have a Spin Sword, he still acquires a Mega Blade for his Mega Mode.
• Power Discs: A Power Disc is taken from the Ranger’s belt and is attached to the hilt of the Spin Sword to power it up.
• Fire Smasher: The Fire Smasher is the Red Samurai Ranger's personal weapon, a red zanbatō-type sword. It comes from Jayden's Spin Sword when Jayden's personal Disc, the Fire Disc, is attached to the sword. With the Beetle Disc, Swordfish Disc, or Tiger Disc attached to the Fire Smasher, it can be converted into Cannon Blast mode.
• Hydro Bow: The Hydro Bow is the Blue Samurai Ranger's personal weapon, a blue yumi that shoots water-based arrows. It comes from Kevin's Spin Sword when Kevin's personal Disc, the Water Disc, is attached to the Sword. With the Swordfish Disc, the Hydro Bow can assume purified rain.
• Sky Fan: The Sky Fan is the Pink Samurai Ranger's personal weapon, a pink tessen that creates gusts of wind. It comes from Mia's Spin Sword when Mia's personal Disc, the Sky Disc, is attached to the Sword.
• Forest Spear: The Forest Spear is the Green Samurai Ranger's personal weapon, a green yari. It comes from Mike's Spin Sword when Mike's personal Disc, the Forest Disc, is attached to the Sword. It can grow to extreme lengths like a tree.
• Earth Slicer: The Earth Slicer is the Yellow Samurai Ranger's personal weapon, a yellow shuriken. It comes from Emily's Spin Sword when Emily's personal Disc, the Earth Disc, is attached to the Sword.
• Samurai SUV: The Samurai Rangers utilize the Samurai SUV for long distance travel. It is a modified Cadillac Escalade with the Samurai emblem on its door. Kevin once used it to go catch the Swordfishzord.
• Samurai Morpher: The Morpher of the Gold Ranger, which he made out of an old cell phone. It has similar features like the Samuraizer but unlike the Samuraizer, where they project the kanji by writing it, the Samurai Morpher is texting-based and thus doesn't need to write the kanji. The Gold Ranger's morphing call is "Samurai Morpher! Gold Power!"
• Barracuda Blade: The Barracuda Blade is the Gold Ranger's personal weapon, a Tantō that he uses in his high speed slash attacks. Like the Spin Swords, the Barracuda Blade can attach Power Discs to the hilt and become the guard powering the sword, but cannot spin the disk.
• Black Box: A magic talisman that can combine the Symbol Powers of all the Rangers. It was created by the first Red Samurai Ranger but was unable to complete it. It attaches to the spin sword giving the Samurai Ranger more power and allowing them to access their Super Mode.
• Shark Sword: A powerful sword that comes from a Spin Sword with the Shark Power Disk that allows the Samurai Ranger to access Shark Attack Mode. The Shark Sword is able to extend to great lengths and the tip of the Sword can also be used to bite enemies. While in Shark Attack Mode, enlarging a Zord allows the Ranger to morph into Mega Shark Mode, and while the Shark Sword does not become a Mega Blade, it can still be used inside the Megazord. While a ranger is in Mega Shark Mode, the Rangers can transform the Samurai Megazord's katana into the Sharkzord and combine with the Samurai Megazord. It can also be used with the RPM Rangers' Nitro Sword though the disk used for the Nitro Sword can only be used once.              Main article: Zords in Power Rangers Samurai
  The Samurai Rangers' individual Zords are called Foldingzords, as they fold out from an Emblem Form into a small animal form. To pilot them, the Rangers write the kanji for "super" (超 chō^?) to enlarge them while the process transforms the Ranger into Mega Mode.
  (all the information about this article was taken by http://en.wikipedia.org)