Power Rangers is known for many things, but consistent character depth is not one of them. This imported and repackaged superhero franchise has, from the beginning, used relatively broad character traits to appeal to younger audiences. In addition, the large ensemble casts of these shows can make it difficult to properly develop every character.
There are some clichéd members of the Power Rangers family who never really develop past their introductions. On one hand, these defined character traits make it easier to keep track of large casts from a young age, though on the other, the writing can come off as one-dimensional and make it harder to identify with them.
10 Zordon Is The Wise Mentor Who Doesn't Act
One of the strangest details that Power Randers viewers tend to ignore is that, at their cores, these shows are, for the most part about teenagers fighting in wars. Each of these teams has a mentor, most notably Zordon from Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. This ancient space wizard splits his time in the franchise as an advisor, then in later seasons, as a MacGuffin.
Zordon is joined in the list of mentors characterized by inaction being their primary mode, such as Giles from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, or Gendo Ikari from Neon Genesis Evangelion. These mentors are the keepers of knowledge, but take on none of the risk.
9 Dustin Is an Airhead
The defining detail of Dustin, the Yellow Lion Ranger from Power Rangers Ninja Storm, is neither his ninja abilities nor his love of motocross. Dustin's strongest characterization is his low intelligence.
In a franchise defined by the tenets of teamwork and goodness, Ninja Storm spends a huge amount of its time making fun of Dustin. Dustin is, in a comical Power Rangers season, the main comic relief, usually coming in the form of making a suggestion that is made fun of before someone else solves the issue. Even his role as representative of motocross is quickly taken from him when he is shown to be definitively less skilled than the later arriving Thunder Rangers.
8 Merrick Is A Literal Lone Wolf
The sixth ranger is a time-honored tradition in the Power Rangers franchise. This late addition is an ally of the main ranger team, but often acts on their own, as sort of a lone wolf. One such ranger, Merrick from Power Rangers Wild Force, takes this idea quite literally.
The rangers of Wild Force are identified by color and their main animal Zord, for example, Red Lion or Yellow Eagle. Merrick goes by Lunar Wolf. After being introduced, Merrick spends most of his time wandering through quarries, playing the flute, and shooting pool. Eventually, he strengthens his bond with the team, but always remains somewhat separate.
7 Chip Is A LARPer Living His Dream
The characters of Power Rangers Mystic Force are given a unique introduction to their powers. They are each handed a wand and told that all it would take for them to access their abilities is the simple belief in magic. For Chip, the Yellow Mystic Ranger, this comes easily. It should also be noted that Chip has been wearing a handmade cape since the beginning of the episode.
There are many rangers who are on the less athletic side, but few have the enthusiasm for their roles that Chip displays. He is someone who would stereotypically be bullied but found the perfect situation for himself. Chip is granted the opportunity to utilize his LARPing experience in his fight against dark magic.
6 Connor Is King Of The Jocks
Power Rangers Dino Thunder is headed by a team of three rangers, a first for the franchise. Each of these characters is extremely clichéd in their introduction, but the most so is the Red Ranger, Connor. Connor is a jock obsessed with soccer. He's competitive, athletic, headstrong, and he really loves soccer.
The other two characters expand their personalities over the course of the series. Kira, the Yellow Ranger, learns to come out of her box and really believe in her music. Ethan learns to not look down on others and the importance of interacting with the real world. Connor, the leader of the group, just learns to be less of a bully.
5 Venjix Is A Copy Of A Million Others
Venjix, the primary antagonist of Power Rangers RPM, is an artificial intelligence who is bent on world domination. Like many other AIs, VIKI from I, Robot, and Skynet from The Terminator, for example, Venjix primarily works by throwing innumerable identical robots at his enemies. He is cold, unfeeling, and shares the same origin story as every A.I.
While there are many excellent examples of artificial intelligence-based villains, Venjix just doesn't have much to offer beyond the ability to mass produce. The lack of originality in its schemes paints Venjix as one of the most boring villains in the franchise.
4 Billy Is A 100% Unadulterated Nerd
Billy, the Blue Ranger of the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, was in many ways the odd man out of the team. Each member's background, like Kimberly's gymnastics or Jason's love of karate, somewhat dictated their character. In Billy's case, his love of science and lack of athleticism factored into every scene.
Billy's position isn't threatened by his character. In fact, his inventions are often the solution to whatever problem is preventing the rangers from defeating the foe of the week. Even though he, in his non-ranger form, is arguably the most essential member of the team, Billy never gets the recognition he deserves. That honor goes to whoever blows up the bad guy.
3 Nobody's More Serious Than Carter
All things considered, Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue lacks much of the humor present in most entries in the franchise. There are a few joking characters, chiefly Joel the Green Ranger Joel, but most storylines revolve around the seriousness of the situation rather than its ridiculousness.
Carter, the Red Ranger, is both team leader and wet blanket to the Lightspeed team. Carter is the self-serious middle manager who controls his team with military precision. Carter doesn't joke, he gives orders. Carter doesn't play, he trains. Carter may acknowledge the gravity of his city being invaded by demons, but his lack of humor comes off as distinctly dreary.
2 Lucas Is Too Cool For School
Power Rangers Time Force does some of the least work in the franchise in developing the characters of the three non-red and pink rangers. Of those, the Blue Ranger, Lucas may be the shallowest. Lucas is a cool kid, the kind a child would imagine.
Lucas is aloof, but ultimacy a good friend. Lucas' only known friend before becoming a Ranger becomes a villainous mutant. Most importantly, Lucas is a racecar driver from the future. The only thing viewers really know about Lucas is that he likes to drive fast cars, and needed to learn to slow down. He commits so totally to being the cool guy, that he is ultimately tough to identify with.
1 Zack Deserves More
Of all the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Zack may be the most clichéd. The creators ended up basing his personality fully around the fact that he's a black man. At a glance, having the one black member of the Rangers being assigned the Black Ranger position is, at the very least, lazy, if not offensive.
While suit color is problematic on its own, the details of his character play into the same one-track writing. Zack's defining feature is his love of break dancing, which spreads to his fighting style, which he names "Hip Hop Kido." When the rangers are fighting Putties, Zack is doing the same, while dancing.