Trini Kwan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 Trini Kwan |
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| First Appearance: | Day of the Dumpster (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers) |
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| Last Appearance: | The Power Transfer, Part 2 (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers) |
| Number of episode appearances: | 88 |
| Status: | Retired |
| Affiliation: | None |
| Homeworld: | Earth |
| Weapon(s)/Gear: |
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| Zord(s): | |
| Powers: | |
| Portrayed by: | Thuy Trang |
Trini Kwan is a fictional character in the Power Rangers universe played by the late Vietnamese American actress Thuy Trang.
She was played by American Audri DuBois in the pre-television pilot as "Trini" (the second name didn't come until the TV series).
But when the show was picked up for television, for which a new pilot was filmed, she was played by the late Vietnamese American actress Thuy Trang, who the character was rewritten around (the personalities for all the original MMPR Rangers were based off the actor or actress who played them).
[edit] Character history
Trini made her first appearance performing a kata on the first episode of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. When Rita Repulsa escaped and began wreaking havoc on earth, Trini was one of the five teens chosen by Zordon to receive a great power, drawn from the spirits of the dinosaurs. These powers would give them the ability to transform into a fighting force known as the Power Rangers. Trini was chosen for her compassion, quick wits and martial arts talent
Trini is well versed in kung fu and possess various knowledge of various techniques; as she is seen performing Tai Chi. She would later become proficient in the art of Praying Mantis Kung Fu. Trini believed in "mind over matter" tactics. Her father showed similar tactics when he overpowered the larger father of Jason Lee Scott in an arm wrestling match. Each member of the team seemed to possess a signature fighting style. Trini's included lightning fast maneuvers, and powerful high kicks. Though she did not become proficient in the art of Praying Mantis Kung Fu until later, Trini was seen exhibiting tactics similar to the fighting style before that, including focusing her strength in order to discard enemies with a single blow to each. She attempts to neutralize foes with the least amount of force.
Trini is the second smartest member of the team, often having to translate Billy's techno talk for the other rangers. She is the one who re-activated Alpha 5 after Tommy's destruction of the Command Center and would assist Billy in the creation of many others.
Generally soft spoken and polite, Trini is a calm and warm person who took her role as a power ranger very seriously. On several occasions, she would hug a loved one and/or rub their stomach as signs of affection. Trini was known for was her devotion to saving the world and protecting others. She was an environmentalist, trying to preserve the earth's natural beauty. Her peaceful soul and compassionate heart made her a wise friend to call upon when there was trouble. Trini also has a strong belief in personal honour. One of Rita's monsters took advantage of this to lure her into a trap. Though left facing an opponent who would ultimately prove honourless, Trini fought back with the utmost honour.
She is prepared to both push herself and put herself in danger for those she loved. This is gleaned from an episode where Trini's young neighbor is kidnapped and held hostage as she is slowly poisoned by evil on a sinking island. In the episode, Lord Zedd's monster also defeats and captures every member of the team except for Trini and Tommy. The monster bargains the return of the captive Rangers for Tommy's defection to Lord Zedd's army. Knowing of the danger of Tommy becoming evil again, as well as his fear of the notion, Trini volunteers to fight the monster alone on the island. In the beginning of the series, Trini overcame a paralyzing fear of heights in order to save a then untrained Billy from an ambush atop the edge of tall rock face.
In Season 2, Trini was courted by a new student in school named Richie. The two often gazed at each other. However intially, they both were too nervous to speak to each other much. Eventually Richie gathered the courage to ask Trini on a study date, which she accepted much to Richies delight.
When Thuy Trang, Austin St. John, and Walter Emmanuel Jones left the show (over monetary issues), their characters stopped making new on-screen or face-to-camera shots before they were written off in the two-part "Power Transfer" episode in which their characters were chosen to attend the Teen Peace Conference. Trini was replaced by Aisha Campbell, played by actress Karan Ashley.
[edit] Trivia
- According to the MMPR Interactive CD-ROM, Trini's birthday was August 9th, making her a Leo. She was born in Austin, Texas.[citation needed]
- According to a contest held by ABC Family, Trini was voted the best Yellow Ranger of all time.
- During Season 2, Thuy Trang suffered an injury to her knee that limited her on-screen activity. In the episode "The Beetle Invasion" she is notably seen sitting on a bench wearing a knee brace while the other Ranger's played the game. Because of this, her role in fight scences around this time was dramatically reduced, since normally Thuy and her castmates performed their own stunts.
- Unlike Kimberly (the Pink Power Ranger), Trini does not have a skirt with her battle outfit. This is because most of the morphed battle sequences from Power Rangers are taken and dubbed from the long running Japanese TV show Super Sentai, where in the series MMPR is based off, Kyouryuu Sentai Zyuranger, her equivalent, Boi, is male.
- According to the MMPR Official Guidebook, Trini spends her spare time playing volleyball, researching Eastern Philosophy, collecting exotic dolls, working out in the gym, and practicing Kung Fu and other martial arts.
- She can be seen much of the time wearing the same necklace, which some believe to be a Buddhist amulet.
- The episode Circuit Unsure of Power Rangers: Time Force, which aired in Oct 2001, was dedicated to the memory of the late Thuy Trang, the actress who played Trini Kwan.
| Preceded by Miss Alicia |
Yellow Ranger 1993-1994 |
Succeeded by Aisha Campbell |
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Power Rangers Characters by Era and Generation
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|---|---|---|
| General: | List of characters | Minor characters | |
| Ranger colors: | Red • Yellow • Blue • Black • Green • Pink • White • Other | |
| Zordon | I | Jason Lee Scott • Trini Kwan • Zack Taylor • Kimberly Hart • Billy Cranston • Tommy Oliver |
| II | Rocky DeSantos • Adam Park • Aisha Campbell | |
| III-IV | Katherine Hillard • Ninjor • Aquitian Rangers • Tanya Sloan • Trey of Triforia | |
| V-VI | Justin Stewart • Blue Senturion • Carlos Vallertes • Ashley Hammond • Cassie Chan • T.J. Johnson • Phantom Ranger • Andros • Zhane | |
| Post-Zordon/ Independent |
VII-X | Lost Galaxy Power Rangers & Magna Defender • Lightspeed Rescue Power Rangers • Time Force Power Rangers & Quantum Ranger • Wild Force Power Rangers |
| XI- | Ninja Storm Power Rangers • Dino Thunder Power Rangers • S.P.D. Power Rangers • Mystic Force Power Rangers & Clare • Operation Overdrive Power Rangers | |
