| Series | Mighty Morphin Power Rangers |
|---|---|
| Title(s) | Yellow Power Ranger |
| Color(s) | Yellow |
| First appearance | Day of the Dumpster (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers) |
| Last appearance | The Power Transfer, Part 2 (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers) |
| Status | Retired |
| Homeworld | Earth |
| Zords | Saber-Toothed Tiger Dinozord Griffin Thunderzord |
| Portrayed by | Thuy Trang Audri DuBois (Day of the Dumpster pilot episode) |
Trini Kwan is a fictional character in the Power Rangers universe, portrayed by Vietnamese actress Thuy Trang.[1] She is best remembered as the original Yellow Ranger in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, the first entry of the franchise.
Trini originally was portrayed by Filipino-American actress Audri DuBois in the unaired pilot episode, but when the show was picked up for television, for which two new pilots were filmed, she was played by Thuy Trang, around whom the character was rewritten.
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In Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Trini made her first appearance performing a Kata on the first episode of MMPR. When Rita Repulsa escaped and began wreaking havoc on earth, Trini, along with her close friends Jason Lee Scott, Zack Taylor, Billy Cranston and Kimberly Hart, was one of the five teens chosen by Zordon to receive a great power, drawn from the spirits of the prehistoric animals. 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 becoming the Yellow Power Ranger, given the Saber-Toothed Tiger Power Coin and the Saber-Toothed Tiger Dinozord.[2]
Trini is well versed in kung fu. 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 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 one of the intellectuals of the team, often having to translate Billy's techno talk for the other Rangers. She often assisted Billy in the creation of many of the inventions the Rangers use to combat Rita Repulsa's monsters. Trini may have been atracted to Billy.
Generally soft spoken and polite, Trini is a calm and warm person. Trini was known for 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 honor. 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. For instance, 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 initially, 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 Richie's delight.
Early in Season 2, actress Thuy Trang injured her leg while performing a stunt on the show (the cast normally performed their own stunts). In particular, in the episode "The Beetle Invasion" she is notably seen sitting on a bench wearing a knee brace while the other Rangers played the game. Hence the character was unable to participate in most fight scenes and was often absent from other scenes that did not have something to sit on, for the rest of the actress's time on the series.
When Thuy Trang, Austin St. John (Jason), and Walter Jones (Zack) left the show (over contract disputes), 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 World Peace Conference. Trini urged Zordon that they could not leave during such a crisis, but Zordon advised the transfer the best decision to make. The Sword of Light transferred Trini's powers to Aisha Campbell. Though Jason later returned in Power Rangers Zeo, Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie, and the tenth anniversary special "Forever Red," it was never stated what became of Zack or Trini after the peace conference.
The Official Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Guidebook ISBN 1570822352, 9781570822353
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