Power Rangers Samurai Ep 1 Review

First of all... SPOILERS!

Both for Shinkenger and PRS, so do not read if you plan on watching and have yet to.

Episode 1: The Team Unites



I'd like to say that this is the first adapted series I've watched in which I've also seen the source material, so expect a little bias and forgive me.

First off, this is the first episode of PR that I've ever seen that credited the Sentai script-writer. The reason it does it that it is almost a scene-for-scene rip of Shinkenger 3: An Extermination Skill Contest. There are pluses and minuses, but it is so similar that is isn't really a rewrite. The theme of having to stay away from one's family and friends in favor of the duty of a samurai is the focus here, as well as the struggle that Mike(Green) goes through to catch up with his comrades. The team gives him less instruction and guidance than they gave Chiaki, apparently letting him learn his lesson in his own way.

It's important to note that since the first episode starts with the third of Shinkenger, there is ZERO setup of the ranger team. They already have their powers, know what they are doing, and go to it. The girls got barely any lines, but they setup the Jayden(Red)-Kevin(Blue)-Mike(Green) triangle the same as Takeru-Ryuu-Chiaki. Jayden isn't a lord, or so it appears, but there isn't any characterization beyond the fact that he's more skilled than the rest of them.

What wasn't old was the re-addition of Bulk and his 'nephew' Spike (who is definately the son of Skull, and probably Kimberly as well), who were given a good scene filled with the typical hyjinx. Paul Schrier is as humorous as ever, and as long as you do your best not to worry about why Bulk is now a Samurai master and how he got back from Mirinoi, his storyline seems like it'll be a good sideshow.

Also new is the Mega Ranger Mode:


I really like this, as I always enjoy when the Americanized stuff gets new costumes or power-ups. I'd like to see them in battle, because I'm interested in seeing new fight scenes with the heavier-armored tech-sword-wielding Mega Rangers.

In summary, there is good and bad. I'm glad there is a Power Rangers, but thus far my appetite isn't exactly sated by the action it presented. I give this one two Origami out of Five.