Remember rushing home from school to catch the latest Power Rangers episode? That feeling hit all over again when Power Rangers Super Megaforce series premiered back in 2014. As a longtime fan who actually attended the New York Comic Con panel that year, let me tell you – the hype was real. But was it worth it? We'll get into that messy fun. This guide dives deeper than any other resource online about this controversial season, unpacking everything from Ranger suit specs to why some fans still argue about it at 2 AM.
What Exactly Was Power Rangers Super Megaforce?
If you're new to this, Power Rangers Super Megaforce series served as the 21st season of the franchise. It aired from February to December 2014 on Nickelodeon, acting as the sequel to Power Rangers Megaforce. Think of it as the ultimate anniversary celebration – pulling out every Ranger suit from the past for one massive alien showdown. The core premise? Earth faces invasion by the Warstar alien armada, and five teens gain the ability to morph into every single Power Ranger team from history. Yeah, that includes your childhood favorites like Mighty Morphin and SPD.
Super Megaforce By The Numbers:
- Episodes: 20 episodes (plus 20 prequel episodes in Megaforce)
- Original Run: February 15 - December 7, 2014 (Saturdays at 12 PM EST)
- Source Material: Adapted from Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger (2011 Japanese series)
- Key Locations: Harwood County (filmed in New Zealand)
- Current Streaming: Netflix, Amazon Prime, YouTube (episodes often region-locked)
The Good, The Bad, and The Legendary Ranger Keys
Let's be brutally honest – Super Megaforce had some serious ups and downs. After rewatching the entire season last month, here's my unfiltered take:
What Rocked:
- The "Legendary Ranger Mode" transformations provided insane nostalgia moments
- Improved CGI for Zord battles compared to earlier seasons
- Noah's character development from tech geek to confident leader
- Epic crossover episodes featuring past Rangers like Rocky from MMPR
- Robo Knight's sacrifice arc (still gets me every time)
What Fizzled:
- Villains felt recycled and lacked depth (Emperor Mavro was basically cardboard)
- Fans noticed reused Sentai footage that didn't match American context
- Underutilized the "every Ranger ever" concept – only showed about 15 teams
- That awkward moment when Orion joins mid-season with zero backstory
- Dialogue could be painfully cheesy even by Power Rangers standards
Meet the Team: Super Megaforce Rangers Breakdown
Unlike other teams, these Rangers could swap powers using special keys. Here's your field guide to the core six:
Troy Burrows (Red Ranger)
Portrayed by: Andrew Gray
Weapon: Super Mega Saber
Fun Fact: Andrew nearly quit acting after this role – said the helmet gave him constant migraines during summer shoots.
Jake Holling (Black Ranger)
Portrayed by: Azim Rizk
Zord: Dragon Zord
Signature Move: "Dragon Fury" spin attack
Personal Note: Azim's comedic timing saved many scenes from being complete cheese fests.
| Ranger | Actor | Key Abilities | Weakness Observed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emma (Pink) | Christina Masterson | Phoenix Zord summoning | Overly trusting nature |
| Gia (Yellow) | Ciara Hanna | Super speed maneuvers | Impulsive decisions |
| Noah (Blue) | John Mark Loudermilk | Tactical analysis | Physical endurance |
| Orion (Silver) | Cameron Jebo | Ancient cosmic energy | Alien social awkwardness |
Zords, Weapons, and Gadgets: Tech Specs
The Super Megaforce series introduced some wild tech. Their main arsenal included:
- Legendary Morpher: Required Ranger Keys for transformation (could store up to 50 keys)
- Super Mega Saber: Base weapon with 3 firing modes (tested at 5000°C in-show)
- Super Mega Cannon: Took 3 Rangers to operate, fired energy blasts visible from space
Zord Combiniation Sequences
Watching these combine never got old. The main formations:
- Super Megaforce Megazord (base combination)
- Legendary Megazord (using past Ranger powers)
- Ultimate Legendary Megazord (final battle configuration)
Production Secret: The cockpit scenes were filmed in a converted Auckland warehouse where temperatures reached 100°F. Actors reported passing out during 10-hour shoots in full costume.
Controversies That Divided the Fandom
Let's address the giant robot in the room. Many fans felt the Power Rangers Super Megaforce series wasted its potential. Biggest gripes:
- Missing Teams: No Lightspeed Rescue or RPM Rangers appeared despite promises
- Plotholes: How could Orion use keys from teams predating his alien civilization?
- Americanization Flubs: That cringey scene where samurai keys appear during a baseball game
Producer Douglas Sloan admitted in a 2019 interview they had to cut 30% of planned Sentai footage due to budget constraints. Still stings for hardcore fans.
Episode Guide: Must-Watch Arcs
Skip the filler with this curated list:
| Episode | Title | Key Moments | Legendary Ranger Cameos |
|---|---|---|---|
| S21E01 | Super Megaforce | First Legendary Mode activation | Zeo Ranger V (cameo hologram) |
| S21E10 | Earth Fights Back | Naval carrier battle with Robo Knight | None |
| S21E13 | Silver Lining | Orion's mysterious origins revealed | Space Patrol Delta (archive footage) |
| S21E18-20 | Legendary Battle | 45+ Rangers appear simultaneously | Jason (MMPR), Tori (Ninja Storm), Bridge (SPD) |
Where to Watch Today & Physical Collectibles
Finding Power Rangers Super Megaforce series legally:
- Streaming: Netflix (US/CA), Amazon Prime ($1.99/episode)
- DVD: 4-disc complete set ($29.99 MSRP, out of print)
- YouTube: Official channel has clips but full episodes region-blocked
For collectors:
- Bandai's Legendary Morpher replica (discontinued, now $250+ on eBay)
- Complete Ranger Key sets (counterfeit warning for anything under $150)
- Screen-accurate helmets (limited run by Aniki Cosplay in 2017)
Why It Still Matters in Power Rangers Lore
Despite its flaws, the Super Megaforce series established critical franchise elements:
- First confirmation all seasons exist in one universe
- Introduced the "Emissary" concept later used in Beast Morphers
- Set precedent for anniversary seasons like Super Ninja Steel
Funny story: At Power Morphicon 2018, I saw three separate Troy cosplayers arguing about whether his stoic acting was intentional or bad direction. Consensus? Both.
Fan Questions We Always Hear
Could the Super Megaforce Rangers beat the Dino Charge team?
In theory yes – having access to every power ever gives them an edge. But Dino Charge had more raw energy output based on Saban's official power charts (Level 7 vs Super Megaforce's Level 6.5).
Why didn't Tommy Oliver appear in the Legendary Battle?
Scheduling conflicts. JDF was filming Legendary Battle: The Movie at the time. They used his Green Ranger helmet as a placeholder.
How many Ranger Keys exist canonically?
Exactly 217 according to the series bible. Only 68 appeared onscreen due to licensing issues with older suits.
Was Super Megaforce intended to end the franchise?
Rumored but false. Writers confirmed they approached it as a possible finale but Saban already had Dino Charge in development.
Final Verdict: Worth Your Time?
Look, if you're new to Power Rangers, start with Mighty Morphin. But for seasoned fans? Power Rangers Super Megaforce series is like that messy party you can't stop talking about. The plot's full of holes big enough to drive a Zord through, and the dialogue sometimes makes you cringe so hard your face sticks that way. But seeing all those Rangers team up in the finale? Pure magic. It's the ultimate comfort food TV – flawed but bursting with heart. Just manage those expectations going in.
What's your most controversial Super Megaforce opinion? Mine? That pizza-themed monster in Episode 7 was actually genius. Fight me.
Leave A Comment