Power Rangers: Wild Force

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Power Rangers: Wild Force
Format Action-Adventure
Starring Ricardo Medina, Jr.
Alyson Kiperman
Jessica Rey
Jack Guzman
Phillip Jeanmarie
Phillip Andrew
Ann Marie Crouch
Ilia Volok
Sin Wong
Danny Wayne Stallcup
Country of origin United States
No. of episodes 40
Production
Producer(s) Jonathan Tzachor
Co-producer(s) Paul F. Rosenthal, Koichi Sakamoto, Scott Page-Pagter
Story editor(s) Amit Bhaumik, Bergen Williams, Suzi Shimoyama
Running time 30 minutes
Broadcast
Original channel FOX (February 2002-August 2002), ABC Kids (September 2002-November 2002)
Original run February 9, 2002November 16, 2002
Chronology
Preceded by Power Rangers: Time Force
Followed by Power Rangers: Ninja Storm
External links
IMDb profile

Power Rangers: Wild Force (often abbreviated as PRWF and often simply called Wild Force) is the tenth anniversary of the Power Rangers franchise, based on the Super Sentai series Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger, which itself was the 25th anniversary of Super Sentai.

Power Rangers: Wild Force takes place in 2002. The first part of the series was originally broadcast from February to September 2002 on the Fox Kids television block. Following the sale of Fox Family Worldwide (renamed ABC Family Worldwide), including Saban Entertainment (renamed BVS Entertainment or Buena Vista/Saban Entertainment), to Disney by Haim Saban and News Corporation, Fox Network's parent company, the show was moved in the fall 2002 to ABC's new Saturday morning block, ABC Kids (formerly Disney's One Saturday Morning).

Wild Force is the last season to be under the copyright of Saban Entertainment [1]; Disney had bought Power Rangers (along with other Saban properties) partway through the run of Power Rangers: Time Force. [2] It's also the first season, however, to be under the copyright of BVS Entertainment, Inc. and BVS International N.V., since the first four episodes had the Disney copyright at the end. It was the last season to be produced in the United States by MMPR Productions, and because of this is often mistaken as the last series Saban produced. Following this season, production of the Power Rangers franchise moved to New Zealand, which resulted in many crew and voice actors being laid off.

Contents

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[edit] Plot summary

The series follows the adventure of Cole Evans, who had been staying with a tribe in a jungle for many years, as he tries to find his destiny in the fictitious town of Turtle Cove. He encounters the Animarium, a place that many believed to be a fairy tale. He joins four others who had a common path to become the new leader of the Wild Force Power Rangers.

The Animarium is an island that floats in the sky. It is shaped like a turtle and is the home of the Wild Zords and the Princess Shayla, the Rangers' mentor. (It is unclear how the Rangers travel between the Animarium and the Earth surface, but in one of the last episodes Merrick and Kite are teleported onto the Animarium, so presumably they used the same teleportation throughout the rest of the series.)

The Power Rangers use their powers to defeat the forces of the Orgs, led by one Master Org. As Cole was fond of other animals, he was shocked to discover that the Orgs were heartless monsters. As the series continues, he finds the truth about his real parents: his parents, Richard and Elizabeth Evans, were professors at Turtle Cove University, along with a family friend, Viktor Adler. When they were sent to the jungle for research, they discover the remains of Master Org, in which a jealous Adler consumes in order to exact revenge on Richard, who had proposed to Elizabeth before he could. However, Adler goes insane, and kills both Richard and Elizabeth. For a while, their newborn son, Cole, was also presumed dead.

The annual team-up episodes saw the Wild Force Rangers team up with the Time Force Rangers in order to stop three mutant Orgs (the Mut-Orgs) from polluting the Earth. It also featured the first time (and to date only time) when a former villain teamed up with the Rangers to face the enemy. These episodes are special as it contained numerous references to various longtime fans of Power Rangers. Fans generally consider this team-up one of the best, due to the fact that the episode was written by a member of the fandom who was later hired to write for Wild Force, and the fact that the team-up brought closure to several unanswered questions in Time Force.

In addition to the annual team-up episodes, Power Rangers: Wild Force also had a special episode commemorating it as the tenth incarnation, Forever Red, by having Cole team up with the nine Red Rangers before him, (in order of incarnations, Jason Lee Scott, Aurico, Tommy Oliver, Theodore J. Jarvis Johnson, Andros, Leo Corbett, Carter Grayson, Wesley Collins and Eric Myers), in order to prevent the remaining generals of the Machine Empire (the costumes used were actually from Big Bad Beetleborgs and Beetleborgs Metallix) from unearthing and reactivating Lord Zedd's zord, Serpentera, which had been left buried on the moon.

[edit] Characters

[edit] Wild Force Rangers

The Wild Force Power Rangers: White, Black, Blue, Yellow, Red, and Lunar
The Wild Force Power Rangers: White, Black, Blue, Yellow, Red, and Lunar
Cole Evans
The Red Lion Ranger; the son of two scientists lost in the jungle, he was raised by a local tribe until being called on by the Red Lion Wild Zord to become a Power Ranger. He was portrayed by Ricardo Medina, Jr.
Taylor Earhardt
The Yellow Eagle Ranger; an Air Force pilot who spotted Animarium from her plane who was called on by the Yellow Eagle Wild Zord to become a Power Ranger. She was the first Ranger to be recruited by Princess Shayla and was the leader of the team before Cole showed up. She was portrayed by Alyson Kiperman.
Max Cooper
The Blue Shark Ranger; on his way to becoming a pro-bowler, he saved two girls from an Org and was called upon by the Blue Shark Wild Zord to become a Power Ranger. He was portrayed by Phillip Jeanmarie.
Danny Delgado
The Black Bison Ranger; a florist and physically strongest, yet quietst, Ranger, he was called upon by the Black Bison Wild Zord to become a Power Ranger. He was portrayed by Jack Guzman.
Alyssa Enrilé
The White Tiger Ranger; a college student and a karate student under her father, she was called upon by the White Tiger Wild Zord to become a Power Ranger. She was portrayed by Jessica Rey.
Merrick Baliton
The Lunar Wolf Ranger; he was one of the Ancient Warriors who originally fought the Orgs over 3000 years ago. He used the power of the cursed mask of Zen-Aku to defeat Master Org in the past, and became Zen-Aku. He was sealed by the Warriors of Animarium, but released by Nayzor in the present time and fought the Rangers until being freed from the curse. His Lunar Wolf, Alligator, and Hammerhead Shark Wild Zords then gave him the ability to become a Power Ranger. Once the mask recovered and Zen-Aku appeared to look for revenge and the Power Rangers destroyed Zen-Aku. He was portrayed by Phillip Andrew.

[edit] Allies

[edit] Villains

  • Master Org: Commander of the Org forces on Earth; he is the reincarnation of the ancient Master Org from 3,000 years ago. He was once Dr. Viktor Adler, but he consumed the remains of the original Master Org to become an Org himself. He disguised himself with similar clothing and a helmet with a fake horn. His true identity was discovered by Toxica when she saw him move his headdress, including his horn. He destroyed Retinax the first time to preserve his identity and brainwashed Toxica and Jindrax when they discovered the truth. He was defeated and stripped of his Org powers by Cole and is thrown off a cliff by Mandilok and presumed dead. In truth, he became a true Org and he returned for revenge against the Duke Orgs and the Wild Force Power Rangers. In the finale, he consumed an ancient Org heart and gained a true Org form. The new master org was made out of org generals and the two duke orgs Toxica and Jindrax. every time he was destroyed by Rangers in Org form, his Org heart would revive him. He destroyed all Wild Zords, but he was destroyed once and for all when all of the Wild Zords were returned/resurrected and destroyed his body while Rangers destroy the Org heart with the Jungle Sword. He used a staff in human form and used the Nexus Blade in Org form (portrayed by Ilia Volok).
  • Jindrax: Jester/Clown-like Duke Org, self-proclaimed 'Master of Blades', uses knives and swords in battle. He had an unofficial rivalry with Taylor and was a good friend of Toxica. He seemed to have had a crush on Princess Shayla, but a deep love for Toxica. He resurrected Toxica from Spirit World using her reenergized severed horn. He retired from serving as an Org leader and now travels the world with Toxica so they can 'find themselves' (voiced by Richard Cansino for the first four episodes, then portrayed/voiced by Danny Wayne Stallcup, who was credited in this series as just Danny Wayne).
  • Toxica: Sorceress Duke Org who is armed with a staff that releases beans that make Orgs grow. She suspected Master Org's true identity when she smelled the scent of 'human' around him and saw him 'move' his horn. She uses Nayzor's crown to temporarily transform into a General Org, Necronomica (whose voice she retained as Super Toxica), and was brainwashed by Master Org, along with Jindrax, in mutated form when they found out his true identity. She once returned to normal by Cole, and they sought out Mandilok and serve under him until Mandilok used Toxica as a shield against the Rangers' Jungle Blaster. She was brought back to life again by Jindrax who pulled her out of the Spirit World by re-energizing her severed horn. She assisted the Rangers by rescuing the captured Princess Shayla from the Nexus. She retired from serving as an Org leader and now travels the world with Jindrax so they can 'find themselves' (portrayed by Sin Wong).
  • Retinax: Eye-Themed General Org & bodyguard to Master Org. Resurrected in the episode before the finale to guard the Nexus with the two other generals. Wields an axe that can combine with the other generals' weapons to form the Nexus Blade (voiced by Michael Sorich).
  • Nayzor: Nose-Themed General Org, who freed the Duke Org, Zen-Aku. Resurrected twice in series, first to battle Rangers in 'Super' form, then again in normal form to guard the Nexus with the two other generals. Uses a paper fan in normal form that can combine with the other generals' weapons to form the Nexus Blade and uses a clawed staff in Super form (voiced by Ken Merckx).
  • Mandilok: A Hermaphroditic Mouth-Themed General Org, takes Master Org's place in the middle of the series. Upper mouth speaks with a female's voice while lower mouth speaks with a male's voice. Resurrected in the near-finale to guard the Nexus along with the two other Generals. Uses a large fork and knife as weapons that can combine with the two other generals' weapons to form the Nexus Blade (male voice by Ezra Weisz, female voice by Barbara Goodson).
  • Zen-Aku: Wolf Duke Org sealed in a mask; possessed Merrick until the spell was broken. Comes back to life to battle Merrick and is destroyed by the combined strengths of the Wild Force Megazord [Striker Mode] and Predazord. Mysteriously comes back to life in the finale and now travels the world with Merrick, seeking redemption for his past deeds (voiced first by Dan Woren, and later by Lex Lang).
  • Artilla: Artilla is one of the Duke Orgs that were freed by Mandilok. Artilla is a tank-themed Duke Org. He and Helicos attacked Turtle Cove and were destroyed by the Isis Megazord (voiced by Michael Sorich).
  • Helicos: Helicos is one of the Duke Orgs that were freed by Mandilok. Helicos is a helicopter-themed Duke Org that can fly. He and Artilla attacked Turtle Cove and were destroyed by the Isis Megazord (voiced by Dave Mallow).
  • Juggelo: Juggelo is Jindrax's brother. They attacked Taylor, Max and Kite at a carnival, even to when Jindrax ate the growth seeds to join him. His attacks are so weak that he has no strength. Juggelo was destroyed by the Wild Force Megazord and Jindrax shrunk back to normal (voiced by Patrick Thomas).
  • Onikage: Onikage is a Duke Org who appeared seemingly out of nowhere to aid Mandilok. However, he was actually working for Master Org, preparing things for his return. He succeeded in capturing Princess Shayla, getting rid of Toxica, and setting up Mandilok to be destroyed. Onikage then used his ninja powers to create evil clones of the Rangers, whom the Rangers could not damage without hurting themselves. Jindrax upset his plans by reflecting one of his blasts back at him, creating a clone that the Rangers destroyed. Onikage returned as a giant, and fought the Rangers in another dimension where the spirits of defeated Orgs reside. However, with the help of the Pegasus Megazord, he was defeated for good. (voice by Dan Woren)
  • Mut-Orgs: In the year 3000, only three Orgs remained of the once great army that battled Animaria. Imprisoned in statues, they were stumbled upon by Ransik. When he learned that his cause, taking over the world, was the same as their own, he released them. They copied his DNA, combining the invulnerability of Mutants with their ancient Org powers. In exchange, they gave Ransik the power to pull weapons from his body. After Ransik's incarceration, the Mut-Orgs escaped into the past to seek out Master Org. After thoroughly trouncing the Wild Force Power Rangers several times, they find him. However, the Mut-Orgs are then met in battle by the combined Time Force/Wild Force team, as well as by Ransik. When they attempt to summon an energy blast, Ransik leaps in, taking the blast at point blank and causing it to wash back over the Mut-Orgs. As a result, their Mutant halves are destroyed, and their Org halves soon follow. (voiced by Kim Strauss and David Lodge)
  • Machine Empire Remnant: Years after Countdown to Destruction, in the episode Forever Red, the last generals of the Machine Empire gathered on the moon. Determined to obtain revenge for the destruction of their beloved monarch King Mondo, they set out to resurrect Serpentera. Led by Generals Venjix, Tezzla, Gerrok, Steelon, and Automon, the Empire unearthed the giant Zord and placed a neo-plutonium core inside to power it. However, just as they were about to board Serpentera, a team of 10 Red Rangers arrived on the moon. The Generals battled the Rangers, and Tezzla, Gerrok, Steelon, and Automon were destroyed. Venjix escaped to Serpentera, which he flew towards Earth. However, the Red Lion Ranger used his Wild Force Rider to reflect Serpentera's blast back into it. The Zord was destroyed, along with Venjix and the Machine Empire.
  • Enemy Foot Soldiers
    • Putrids
    • Cogs

[edit] Arsenal

  • Growl Phone: Phone-based Morpher of the five core Wild Force Rangers, activated with the cry of "Wild Access!". It also works as a communicator and features miniature robot and animal modes. The Growl Phones are gold with Ranger-colored trim on the phones' animal figureheads.
  • Lunar Caller: Another phone-based Morpher granted to Merrick by his purified Wild Zords and stored on a wrist-mounted brace. It is blue with sliver trim and shaped like a wolf's head. Like the other Rangers with Growl Phones, Merrick also cries "Wild Access" to morph.
  • Crystal Sabers: Standard Wild Force weapon,it can launch a ground blast, summon the five core Wildzords, or an auxiliary Wildzord when an Animal Crystal is placed inside the hilt.
  • Power Animal Orbs: Animal Crystals can be placed into the hilts of the sabers to summon their respective Wild Zords with a tune.
  • Jungle Sword: A large sword made by combining the Rangers' primary weapons, capable of performing the Savage Slash attack to finish off Orgs.
    • Red Lion Fang: Red Ranger's primary weapon.
    • Golden Eagle Sword: Yellow Ranger's primary weapon.
    • Blue Shark Fighting Fins: Blue Ranger's primary weapon.
    • Black Bison Axe: Black Ranger's primary weapon.
    • White Tiger Baton: White Ranger's primary weapon.
  • Jungle Blaster: A cannon made by combining the Rangers' secondary weapons.
    • Falconator: Red Ranger's secondary weapon.
    • Armadillo Puck: Yellow Ranger's secondary weapon.
    • Sword of Pardolis: Blue Ranger's secondary weapon.
    • Rhino Shooter: Black Ranger's secondary weapon.
    • Deer Clutcher: White Ranger's secondary weapon.
  • Lunar Cue: Lunar Wolf Ranger's personal weapon, capable of switching between Saber Mode, Sniper Mode and Break Mode. With it, Merrick can perform the Full Moon Slash to devastate opponents. Merrick can also perform the Laser Pool technique to summon his Wildzords or finish off opponents by launching his Animal Crystals like billiard balls.
  • Lion Blaster: When the Rangers were ensnared by Camera Org, the Red Lion Wildzord gave Cole the Lion Blaster, which he used to blast himself and his teammates to freedom. The Blaster materializes from Cole's Lion Fang and can switch between Cannon and Gattling Mode.
  • Falcon Summoner: Weapon that can serve as a blaster or bow, and is also used to summon the Red Falcon Wildzord. Cole obtained it while he and Merrick battled a resurrected Nayzor once four of the Rangers, who had been knocked out by Nayzor, solved a complex puzzle while on a spiritual quest.
  • Animarium Armor: Cole can use the Falcon Wildzord's power to activate his Battlized form, donning the Animarium Armor and becoming the Red Savage Warrior. Adorned with golden chest armour and gauntlets and large wings, Cole can fly, form a shield with his wings, as well as fire energy blasts.
  • Savage Cycles: High-speed motorcycles for each of the six Rangers, given life by their respective Wildzords.
  • Wild Force Rider: When Cole's Savage Cycle was damaged beyond repair by an enemy attack, he was given the Wild Force Rider by Animus. This new motorcycle is themed after the Falcon Wildzord and has flight capabilities.

[edit] Zords

The six primary Wild Force Zords: White Tiger, Bison, Shark, Eagle, Lion, and Wolf
The six primary Wild Force Zords: White Tiger, Bison, Shark, Eagle, Lion, and Wolf

The Zords in Power Rangers: Wild Force were called Wild Zords. They were living creatures that were summoned by the Wild Force Rangers with their crystal sabers.

The Wild Force Ranger team commands the highest number of Zords so far: A grand total of 27, including the adult Soul Bird, the five Zords who form Animus and the four Zords introduced in the last episode. (Baby Soul Bird is not counted, because it is not considered a Zord itself, according to Max.)

  • Wild Force Megazord (combination of Lion, Eagle, Shark, Bison, & Tiger)
    • Red Lion Wild Zord; controlled by Cole as the Red Wild Force Ranger
    • Yellow Eagle Wild Zord; controlled by Taylor as the Yellow Wild Force Ranger
    • Blue Shark Wild Zord; controlled by Max as the Blue Wild Force Ranger
    • Black Bison Wild Zord; controlled by Danny as the Black Wild Force Ranger (note: the name Bison Zord is actually a misnomer, as the Zord itself resembles a bull rather than a bison)
    • White Tiger Wild Zord; controlled by Alyssa as the White Wild Force Ranger
  • Cyan Elephant Wild Zord; 1st new Wild Zord discovered; controlled by Alyssa (forms [Megazord] Sword & Shield mode)
  • Kongazord (combination of Gorilla, Black & Polar Bear, Bison & Eagle)
    • Green Gorilla Wild Zord; 5th Wild Zord discovered; controlled by Cole
    • Black & White Polar Bear Wild Zords; 3rd and 4th Wild Zords discovered; controlled by Taylor (forms [Kongazord] Double Knuckle mode)
  • Soul Bird
  • Predazord; controlled by Merrick, the Lunar Wolf Ranger (combination of Wolf, Hammerhead, & Alligator)
  • Isis Megazord (combination of Falcon, Armadillo, Giraffe, Rhino & Deer)
    • Red Falcon Wild Zord; 9th Wild Zord discovered; controlled by Cole
    • Orange Giraffe Wild Zord; 2nd new Wild Zord discovered; controlled by Max (forms [Megazord] Spear mode)
    • Light-Blue Rhino & Purple Armadillo Wild Zords; 6th and 7th Wild Zords discovered; controlled by Danny (forms [Megazord] Striker mode)
    • Light-GreenDeer Wild Zord; 8th Wild Zord discovered; controlled by Alyssa (forms [Megazord] Clutcher mode)
  • Animus (combination Black Lion, Blue Condor, Crimson Sawshark, Brown Buffalo, and Yellow Leopard) (voiced by Charles Gideon Davis)
  • Pegasus Megazord (combination of Falcon, Lion, Elephant, Shark & Tiger)
  • Four new Wild Zords are discovered in the very last episode (only their animal crystals are shown):
    • Purple-White Rat Wild Zord; apparently controlled by Alyssa
    • Gold Stingray Wild Zord; apparently controlled by Max
    • Blue-Green Peacock Wild Zord; apparently controlled by Taylor
    • White-Black Zebra Wild Zord; apparently controlled by Danny

[edit] Episodes

# Air Date Episode Title
1 2002-02-09 "Lionheart"
2 2002-02-09 "Darkness Awakening"
3 2002-02-16 "Click, Click, Zoom"
4 2002-02-23 "Never Give Up!"
5 2002-03-02 "Ancient Awakening"
6 2002-03-09 "Wishes on the Water"
7 2002-03-16 "The Bear Necessities"
8 2002-03-23 "Soul Searching"
9 2002-03-30 "Soul Bird Salvation"
10 2002-04-06 "Curse of the Wolf"
11 2002-04-13 "Battle of the Zords"
12 2002-04-20 "Predazord, Awaken"
13 2002-04-27 "Revenge of Zen-Aku"
14 2002-05-04 "Identity Crisis"
15 2002-05-11 "The Ancient Warrior"
16 2002-05-18 "The Lone Wolf"
17 2002-06-01 "Power Play"
18 2002-06-08 "Secrets and Lies"
19 2002-06-15 "The Tornado Spin"
20 2002-06-29 "Three's a Crowd"
21 2002-07-06 "A Father's Footsteps"
22 2002-07-13 "Sing Song"
23 2002-07-20 "The Wings of Animaria"
24 2002-07-27 "Reinforcements From the Future, Part I"
25 2002-08-03 "Reinforcements From the Future, Part II"
26 2002-08-10 "The Master's Last Stand"
27 2002-09-14 "Unfinished Business"
28 2002-09-15 "Homecoming"
29 2002-09-21 "The Flute"
30 2002-09-21 "Team Carnival"
31 2002-09-28 "Taming of the Zords"
32 2002-09-28 "Monitoring Earth"
33 2002-10-05 "The Soul of Humanity"
34 2002-10-05 "Forever Red"
35 2002-10-19 "The Master's Herald, Part I"
36 2002-10-19 "The Master's Herald, Part II"
37 2002-11-02 "Fishing For a Friend"
38 2002-11-02 "Sealing the Nexus"
39 2002-11-16 "The End of the Power Rangers, Part I"
40 2002-11-16 "The End of the Power Rangers, Part II"

[edit] References

  1. ^ end credits show saban Enterprises as being the copyright holders; screen cap here [1]
  2. ^ Contemporary report on it: [2]

[edit] See also

Preceded by
Time Force
Power Rangers
2002
Succeeded by
Ninja Storm