[TokuChris]

It's Morphin Time - Zeo Ranger V, Red!

Our first part of this gallery features none other than Tommy Oliver's third color change - this time as the Red Zeo Ranger, leader of the Power Rangers Zeo! The figure comes with his Zeo Pistol as well as the Zeo Blade Sword, both cast in the soft, rubbery white plastic. That's both a good thing and a bad thing - and we'll talk about that a little bit later!

For starters - I love the Power Rangers Zeo costumes. I thought they were a welcome change back when they were first introduced, and the symbols on their helmets do not bother me in the slightest. So this figure, if looking at it without being too detailed, looks beautiful. The amount of detail put in to the gold pieces of the chest, wrists, and boots (including the belt) is incredible. Yes - the belt buckle looks a little weak but for its size and the actual price of this figure I'm pretty impressed by it - could have easily given us a solid buckle or something not as detailed.

But as you begin to dive in to the figure you will begin to notice some of the disappointments that it has. Number one - the shoulders just look off. I don't know why I've noticed it more on this figure than the other 5" figures from this line, but there's a noticable drop in the shoulder of the arm where it connects to the chest. The details on the belt, while I appreciate the effort, when you really look closely at it doesn't look pretty. It was obviously not meant for close-up detailed looks.

My figure already has plastic wear and tear and paint problems, especially in the upper arms. The legs are really loose as well - it may just be my copy, or it may be mold degredation from the same basic mold being used over and over again on these figures (NOTE: When a mold is used many times in different productions, joints begin to become loose from over-use of the base mold).

The weapons have promise - the amount of detail of the Zeo Pistol's sculpt is incredible. But because it's that soft rubbery plastic you need to be careful of temperature changes in regards to heat. It was bent slightly in package because of how it was packaged with the figure but seems to be okay now. The Zeo Blade Sword is just going to end up warping with heat. There's no getting around it. Mine has already started leaning in one direction and that's in 70 degree no humidity temperatures.

THE GOOD

• Looks great from a distance!
• Detailing on gold parts of the figure is incredible
• Overall great representation of the Power Rangers Zeo series

THE BAD

• Mold degredation already setting in with loose pieces
• Soft, rubbery weapons means future warping
• Because of the awkward back angles of these figures, still an issue to make it stand

THE FINAL VERDICT
While this figure individually may not win any awards, it's still an awfully afordable price to pick up one of the classic Power Rangers from the last 21 years. The trick is finding it! We recommend searching online stores that aren't marking these figures up by $20 if you can't find it - or worse case scenario there are online retailers where you can order full cases of them.

So in the end - if you're a fan of Power Rangers Zeo or you're just feeling nostalgic, this is a great piece to pick up and add to your collection. It won't become your favorite figure, and you may not display it as time goes on, but it's still a great nod to a great figure from a great series.

The next post is the MMPR Green Ranger 5" figure!