Top 10 Times Power Rangers Characters Actually Died

#10: Most of Humanity

Also in:

Top 20 WORST Power Rangers Characters

“Power Rangers RPM” (2009) Instead of foiling a new villain’s plan to conquer Earth at the beginning of the story, the Rangers had already lost by the time the first episode even began. The opening narration of “RPM” brings us up to speed about an evil computer virus that infected the world’s technology. It was so destructive that the remnants of humanity retreated into the domed city of Corinth. While the season doesn’t graphically depict the countless lives lost, it constantly hints at the devastation. Between the desolate landscape, Corinth’s small population, and the rangers talking about people they lost, the audience can make their own unfortunate conclusion. We never expected the multicolored heroes to run around a world that was this bleak.

“Power Ranger Operation Overdrive” (2007) Even androids aren’t immune to the Ranger style of self-sacrifice. After red ranger Mack came to terms with the fact that he was a cybernetic being, he charged into battle with the dangerous Flurious. Unfortunately, the hero’s fully-charged final blow against the big bad had severe consequences. The fact that Mack was an android didn’t change that his friends couldn’t just fix him up. Mack’s sacrifice appeared to be a somber yet memorable conclusion to his character’s story. However, some magical shenanigans brought him back Pinocchio style as a real boy. We’re glad the main problem he’ll have now is figuring out when his birthday actually is.

“Power Rangers Mystic Force” (2006) Once the leader of the Mystic Wizards, Leanbow went to extreme lengths to seal dark foes away in the underworld. But the hero’s courageous decision appeared to be his final act on earth. However, it turned out that Leanbow was actually brainwashed and transformed into the enemy known as Koragg. Although the hero wasn’t truly gone that time, there’s no arguing Leanbow’s supposed death informs much of the lore and emotional resonance for this season. And he would later go on to sacrifice his life again, doom himself to the underworld and fall in a climactic battle. Fortunately, Leanbow’s long journey ended with him fully alive again.

“Power Rangers In Space” (1998) During the “In Space” season, red ranger Andros was forced to face a new kind of adversary when he was pitted against his sister Karone, AKA Astronema. Their dynamic was incredibly captivating because the hero didn’t simply want to destroy the big bad. After Astronema is fully brainwashed, Andros accidentally deflects one of her attacks back at her. Unfortunately, she was unable to recover from the blow. It appeared like the season would end on a truly depressing note until the red ranger’s tears miraculously revived the former villain and turned her back into Karone. Thankfully, the conclusion of this sibling story wasn’t as tragic as the many battles they had to fight beforehand.

“Power Rangers” (2017) Since the 2017 “Power Rangers” movie opened with the deaths of several rangers, we were prepared for the story to get pretty dark. The film eventually lived up to the grim tone of its opening when Rita Repulsa sneaked up on the rangers. During an intense interrogation, she personally takes the life of blue ranger Billy. The shocking sight is followed by a harrowing scene where the rangers work together to carry their lost friend into the command center. After we and the hero grieve Billy’s loss, Zordon sacrifices everything to bring the fallen hero back. While the 2017 movie didn’t fire all on all cylinders, it got the tone and gravity of this death scene down perfectly.

“Power Rangers S.P.D.” (2005) Not every character can be brought back with a magical resurrection. One of the reasons blue S.P.D. Ranger Sky was driven to become a hero was because his father was a red power ranger. However, their time together was cut short. During an intense battle, Sky’s father was slain by a monster named Mirloc. The blue ranger spent a lot of time trying to live up to his dad’s legacy while processing this grief. In the end, Sky’s able to finally get justice by capturing Mirloc while wearing the red ranger uniform. This triumphant moment can’t bring his father back. But it was a great way to cap a sobering Power Rangers storyline about loss and moving forward.

#4: Alex Drake

Also in:

Top 10 SAVAGE Alex Trebek Moments

“Power Rangers Time Force” (2001) Before “RPM” kickstarted its season in dramatically grim fashion, Ransik gave fans a literal strike to the heart by slaying the futuristic Red Ranger Alex Drake in very first episode. This gut punch made it clear how high the stakes were from the start and set up a great twist. When the rangers travel to the past, they find the red ranger’s ancestor Wes. This man from the past soon becomes the team's new red ranger and a force for good. By working together underneath Wes, the rangers are able to alter the timeline and bring Alex back to life again. His revival admittedly throws off the team dynamic. However, his awkwardness with his teammates doesn’t change how impactful his original demise was.

“Power Rangers Lost Galaxy” (1999) There aren’t many characters in the entire Morphing Grid who have a backstory as depressing as the Magna Defender’s. After losing his son, the warrior began a hate-fueled quest for revenge. Even after spending thousands of years in a crevice couldn’t diminish his aggressive feelings. It was only after he possessed Mike Corbett’s body that he started down a path of growth beyond grief. The Magna Defender’s journey from determined adversary to morally-complex antihero builds towards a fantastic finale where he sacrifices himself to save countless lives. This warrior’s last act also has the bonus of reuniting Mike with his brother. While the Magna Defender didn’t fully embrace vengeance, he got to be with his son again in the end.

“Power Rangers Lost Galaxy” (1999) Most fans remember the time that real events led to a tearful goodbye to pink ranger Kendrix. Actress Valerie Vernon, who portrayed the heroine, was battling leukemia during the show’s run. While she tended to her health in real life, the show’s writers decided to write a landmark scene where pink ranger Kendrix gives up her own life to save her friends. The story fully committed to this heartbreaking turn by having the newly good Karone take over as the Pink Ranger. Even though this was great development for a previous villain, the weight of Kendrix’s absence was felt by fans. Fortunately, actress Valerie Vernon made a full recovery and saw her character revived in the finale.

“Power Rangers In Space” (1998) Zordon served as an iconic mentor figure to multiple “morphenomenal” teams throughout the early years of Power Rangers. He felt as integral to the series as the suits, action scenes and Zords. But when “In Space” was slated as the final outing for the Rangers, they decided the best way to end Zordon’s journey was to give him a permanent sendoff. During the season finale, the mystical mentor realized there was only one way to stop evil forces from overwhelming the universe: the energy tube sustaining him must be destroyed. It’s fitting and heartbreaking to see Zordon ask to be destroyed by a red ranger to save the galaxy. The tragic scene made for an unforgettable end to one of the franchise’s greatest characters.