It is no secret that the most beloved Power Ranger of all-time is Tommy Oliver. Over the years, he has even earned his place as the strongest Power Ranger. However, strength doesn't necessarily mean who can hit the hardest. Strength applies to the fortitude of a character in both body and mind. Tommy may not have begun as the strongest character, but he certainly grew into a true hero throughout multiple Power Rangers series.
Tommy has worn many hats during his time as a ranger. He began as a villain and later grew to be a leader, mentor and family man. The comics have even expanded on his character and revealed that the ranger life never left Tommy even as his grey hairs started coming in. He has become a legend and inspiration to viewers, and all he has done was be the best person he can be.
As a villain in the five-part "Green with Evil" arc, Tommy showed how devastating and successful he could be as a villain. There is no doubting the green ranger's power, so when breaks free of Rita's control and becomes apart of the team, the other members are skeptical. However, Tommy understood why he wasn't trusted initially, and it didn't stop him from growing and learning as a team player. Eventually, Tommy became the white ranger, and though he was new to being a leader, he had veterans like Billy and Kimberly to support him.
Power Rangers Zeo and Turbo saw Tommy as both a leader and a red ranger. Tommy didn't take the promotion lightly and sought to keep his team together and safe for multiple episodes. At that time, the Machine Empire was the most powerful threat that the rangers had ever faced. Under Tommy's leadership, the Zeo Rangers were able to keep the empire at bay. The Zeo crystals' immense power showed how Tommy would never be corrupted again and could even wield it for good. From then on, Zeo Ranger Red would become one of Tommy's most iconic looks.
Leadership in Power Rangers is undoubtedly a daunting task, but perhaps what is even more difficult is taking on the role of a mentor. In Power Rangers Dino Thunder, Tommy trades his red duds for Black and takes a back seat from leadership. The series shows how much he learned in his youth as he shares those lessons with a new generation of Rangers. Dino Thunder marked the last time Tommy would be a part of the team, but not the last time he would return as a ranger.
The following years would see Tommy return to his green ranger suit for a legendary battle and later as part of a reunion episode. The reunion seen in Power Rangers Super Ninja Steel would mark the most recent on-screen appearance that took all of his years as a ranger and culminated it into the awesome Master Morpher. Tommy could become every ranger he had been over his tenure and served as a visual reference for his growth as a person. So far, Tommy is the only ranger with this Morpher.
Tommy Oliver has had a topsy turvy life as a Power Ranger. But there is one thing that he has that many leaders do not: perspective. Tommy literally started from the bottom as a foe and earned his way to being the strongest ranger out there. Where other leaders sought to fight or let their emotions get the better of them, Tommy remained strong. He knew where the darkness could take a Ranger and he served as an example to his teams and his family. Because of this, Tommy may never be replaced as the strongest Power Ranger.