Let me show you what Linear Ranger wrote in his site, and if you have any doubts, Eddie, go to that forum
http://linearranger.com/junglefury and click on news then go to the section where it has that headlines. Here is what he said:
The Sentai Series (The Japanese Series that Power Rangers has been taken from since the beginning) for 2008 has been confirmed to be titled "Enjin Sentai Gouonger". It is a live action season and the picture below shows the Gounger Team.
However, before anyone begins jumping the gun and saying that this proves that Power Rangers will remain a live action series, I must point out a few things. All of Disney's contracts with continuing the production of Power Rangers ends with end Jungle Fury. There is also news that a 10 Minute Completed Pilot of the Power Rangers Animated Series has been made. Finally, if you type in www.animatedpowerrangers.com/ into your web browser, it takes you to the main Jetix Site.
So all signs still appear to be point towards Power Rangers going to a Animated Format in 2009.
Okay Power Rangers Fans, it is time to address the growing rumors and concerns of a Power Rangers Animated Series. Here is what we know so far:
--In February of 2007, Ron Wasserman told the fandom that a friend of his was working on the music for the Power Rangers Animated Series.
--In September of 2007, Samuell Benta again said that the rumors of Power Rangers going completely animated after Jungle Fury had been circulating.
--Now recently in November of 2007, Power Animals on Rangerboard posted that his source (who has proven to be reliable) told him that Power Rangers Jungle Fury will be the last Live Action version of the series.
So now we stand here today with Power Rangers Jungle Fury just a few months away, and instead of focusing on the next season, so many fans are worrying about what will happen in 2009.
Here are my own thoughts, theories and feelings on the Animated Series.
First let me express that I have always loved the fact of Power Rangers being a live action series. For years now, Power Rangers has remained the ONLY kids show on television that was live action. The special feeling you get from seeing real actors, sets, vehicles and more just adds to the “connect-ability” of Power Rangers. For the past 15 seasons, and about to be 16 seasons, Power Rangers being live action has set itself into the history book as a legend, and one of the best children’s shows.
However, is animated the inevitable next step in the evolution of Power Rangers? I believe it very may be. When you sit down and think things over, you begin to realize that with an animated Power Rangers series, the limits that come from live action, are no longer in existence.
Live Action storylines are limited by the Japanese Sentai footage, but an Original Animated Series would be able to tell any story the writers and producers wanted. Also, some fans complained over recent seasons not having team ups, which were due to the cast not being completely available to film. In an animated Power Rangers series, team up specials would be a lot easier, since all that would be needed was having the cast be available to record their voice one or two days.
With live action, there are limits on the stunts and battles of the show. In an Animated Series, there are no limits at all for how far the battles and stunts can go. You could have a Ranger jump from building to building without requiring a crane, harness, or green screen & CGI-ing it.
Now as great as Los Angeles was, and as great as Auckland , New Zealand is for locations, after a while, you begin to realize that you’re seeing the same locations, just with different angles or color effects. In an Animated Series, the Rangers could go anywhere in the universe, the only limits would be those of the writers.
Now, while I would love for the Live Action version of the series to continue, with the Animated Series along side of it, I do realize that that, more than likely, can not happen. So with the probably of Power Rangers becoming an Animated Series in 2009, I do have my own list of items I want to see from it, to keep the spirit of Power Rangers alive.
Now most cartoons today only have 22 episodes each season. Personally, I do not believe a complete Power Rangers season story can be told in only 22 episodes. Operation Overdrive did prove that a good story can be told over 32 episodes, so if Disney can just continue to give us at least 32 episodes or more, during a season of an Animated Power Rangers Series, I think the stories will remain in tact.
Another part of maintaining the essence of a Power Rangers story, is keeping the fundamentals of Power Rangers. The Animated Series should still be about five to six young adults, chosen to protect the universe from evil, and teaching the lessons of team work, acceptance, never giving up & always fighting for what is right. All the Rangers should always get a well balanced amount of focus, not just one to two. There should still be the usual number of Morphers, Weapons, Vehicles, Zords, etc. . . . If everything story-wise can just be transferred completely into an Animated Series, the transition will be that much easier.
Going back to the episode count, I hope this Power Rangers Animated Series is not just going to run for 65 episodes and then that be the end of it all. Power Rangers has something that most all other kids shows don’t. Every February Power Rangers reinvents itself with a new cast, new suits, new weapons, new Zords and new everything. This not only makes the show more enjoyable, but looking at it from a business perspective, makes it more marketable than other children’s shows.
The Animated Series needs to continue the Power Rangers story line, and keep itself in the same continuity & universe as the Live Action version. The only way I would let this one slip, is if Disney decided that they wanted to go back, start over from the beginning and retell the entire Power Rangers Saga, from the beginning with Mighty Morphin, to the end of Jungle Fury, in Animated Form.
As anyone can see by watching today’s children’s shows, there is a huge variety of animation styles out there. Personally, I’d like to see a mixture of Anime & US styles. While a CGI would look nice, I think the traditional animation look might present a better look and appeal.
I do realize that there are a number of Power Rangers fans that feel the series would never be the same if done in animation. Some of them think the show is doomed to die painfully with the Animated Version. However, I would like to present this bit of information. Look through the past twenty five years of children’s television. What Cartoon shows stand out today as the best? Here’s just a short collection of ones, I feel, have earned their right in the history books as the best of the best.
-The Real Ghostbusters
-Transformers (the original 80’s cartoon)
-X-Men (90’s cartoon)
-Spider-Man (90’s cartoon)
-Batman The Animated Series
-Superman The Animated Series
-Transformers Beast Wars
-Justice League
-Justice League Unlimited
-Batman Beyond
-Avatar: The Last Airbender
-Ben 10
-Kim Possible
While I may not be a fan of all those shows I listed, I, as an adult fan of children’s television, acknowledge their excellence in storytelling, style and the power to remain popular after they were removed from the airwaves. So I ask you, don’t you think it is possible for Power Rangers to enter into that list, but now as an Animated Series?
A campaign has been started for all Power Rangers fans to write into Disney, expressing their concerns on Power Rangers going animated. I do encourage each and every Power Rangers fan to write to the Walt Disney Company, via the address provided below. However, I do have this to say. When you write, DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT be rude in your letter. Disney is a company that will listen and respect the opinions of those that take the time and effort to express their concerns, so long as they are kind and professional in their letters. So yes, do write a letter to the Walt Disney Company, but not only if you are against the idea of an Animated Series, but also if you are in favor of it, or if you just want to express your support for the Power Rangers show and franchise.
So I’ll wrap things up. Is a Power Rangers Cartoon coming? More than likely, yes. Will it replace the Live Action version? Right now there’s probably a 50/50 shot. I do want everyone to realize that the Walt Disney Company is not this evil company that some people would have you believe. If it weren’t for Disney, Power Rangers would have ended when Saban was finished at the end of 2001. Over the years, I believe Disney has given Power Rangers more media exposure in advertising, a pretty good supply of DVD releases, and many timeslots over its various networks. It is very possible that, by the time the Animated Series premieres in 2009, Disney will have spent close to two to two & a half years on the series. That alone should show the dedication they are willing to put into the series. Animation is the foundation that made the Walt Disney Company the largest and best entertainment company on the planet. I have faith that the future of Power Rangers is not in jeopardy. I believe that what lies in store will help continue the great legacy that is Power Rangers.
Mail all letters to:
The Walt Disney Company
500 South Buena Vista St.
Burbank , CA 91521
The Heroes. They look really cool.