[DreamSword]

(Super) Ninja Steel

Pre-Show Preamble

Oh how the tables have turned. Not too long ago I say I don't get the fandom's' love for Dino Charge, and now you all get to point and me and say "You put Ninja Steel this high up, really?"

For those who might not know, while I wouldn't go so far as to say Ninja Steel is out and out hated in the eyes of fans, it's typically seen as a rather weak entry in the franchise, and if nothing else a big step down from Dino Charge. Probably the biggest compliment I've ever seen anyone give the season is that its second season was an overall improvement. Heck, even when it comes to the friend I binged the series with, all he can really muster about the season is "It's okay."

But for me... I kinda had the exact opposite reaction? I saw Ninja Steel as a huge improvement not only in terms of comparison to Dino Charge, but for the Neo-Saban Era as a whole. And keep in mind, I'm one of the few who actually likes this Era!

Heck, while I still liked it, I actually saw Super as a slight step backward. Odius never earns the upgrade to main villain that she gets, alot of the action was less involving, and most of the show's' most powerful moments were in the first season. Though the return of the rock-based soundtrack and Bulk & Skull theme was very much appreciated.

Meanwhile, season 1? Galvanax, while a basic villain, is never annoying and has some of the best fights in the show bar none, the character development for almost the whole cast is really solid, the overall themes of bonds and family are done even better than how Samurai did them, the game show angle made for some very neat justifications and meta-play on how aspects of the PR universe works, and, I know you'll all groan once I say this, but... I loved Victor and Monty as a comedic duo.

Not only did I find their slapstick comedy and over the top personalities alot of fun, but I actually got alot of appreciation at how Victor was a Jock but Monty was a Nerd, going against the common portrayal of Nerds always being innocent in media. Take it from a fellow Nerd, I've met other Nerds who are huuugge douchebags, okay? Plus, they're the first male couple in the franchise, and that's gotta count for something, right?

Also the show has classic gags that I'll never not love, like this.

Yeah... no way I could dislike this show when it has all of that going for it.

And hopefully, with my personal favorite episode of Ninja Steel, you all might be able to see where I'm coming from. Today's episode is...

Episode 12: Family Fusion

We start off with Aiden striking a deal with Ripcon to get the Ninja Power Stars, only for it to be revealed to be a plot by Odius. The whole framework of the plot around Aiden is interesting to me in that, with the way it's presented, I feel like the true nature of what's going on with him isn't so much meant to be a mystery for the audience, but moreso just a mystery directed at the Rangers, Brody especially.

Speaking of said Rangers, they're all preparing for the local talent show, with Brody and Aiden noting that they're planning on performing a song that their dad wrote for them when they were kids, setting the stage for a great payoff later.

Unfortunately for Victor, his dream of being a matador is cut short, so he instead opts to steal Preston's' hat and take his spot as the magician for the show. Him and Monty then get sucked inside, and I love the visual of the magical hat outright leading to a pocket dimension where a giant rabbit reigns supreme. It's a fun visual! Also a nice way at making sure the clowns won't be interfering with the drama that the episode will go into later on.

Ripcon then proceeds to outright murder a bunch of people in the center of town. Like, holy crap, that's something the series hasn't seen in awhile!

Once the team scatters to both fight Ripcon and finish the Fusion Star, Aiden tails Levi, discovering where the base is. And I was always a fan of how the base was directly connected to the school, since it's a nice little twist on how the Rangers are able to get to and from it so fast other than teleporting, ontop of being able to hide it much easier thanks to Mick being a teacher.

The fight between Ripcon and Brody is really well choreographed, with swift swordplay, dual wielding, some great visuals, and the debut of the Fusion Star, which allows Brody to use Omnislash. What's not to love?

Meanwhile, Levi does his best to hold Aiden off, as Aiden's' true nature is revealed. And in a nice bit of characterization, when the rest of the team arrives, Brody is the only one who can't bring himself to open fire on the one whom he thought was his brother this whole time. The ensuing fight also results in Aiden's' stolen memories being transferred back into Levi, something only the audience would be aware of. Again, the way the whole arc is framed, I really feel the mystery is more meant for the characters, not the audience.

Odius backstabs Ripcon, essentially telling Galvanax that Ripcon did everything that she'd been doing the entire season, prompting Galvanax to basically send Ripcon off to die. Something that really only works out in her favor thanks to Galvanax being gullible. If there's one villain I dislike most in this show, it's Odius, because it's less that she's a brilliant schemer and more that everyone around her, well, isn't. Such a waste.

During a quick scene with the Rangers, Brody's' eyes are totally bloodshot. You can tell this whole situation is really getting to him and he's doing his best not to breakdown infront of his friends. No time to grieve though, because a Gigantified Ripcon is on the loose.

The Megazord battle, while brief, is cool enough. The Skullgators combining into a zweihander is really neat, and this battle is also the debut of the Ninja Fusion Megazord. The fight does a good enough job at portraying the new machine as something powerful.

The final sequence of the episode is, of course, the talent show! Preston does his typical magic; here pulling Victor and Monty out of his hat(along with the rabbit), but the really standout part of this whole thing happens with Brody and Levi.

This... this entire sequence is just absolutely fantastic. The acting, the directing, the editing... this is hands down, without a doubt, the best moment in the entire season for me. Levi's' mind struggling to rebuild itself upon hearing the song, Brody almost breaking down mid song, only for Levi to come in and finish it... it got me right in the feels, dude! Plus, the campfire scene at the end, with not just the two brothers, but the entire team singing the last bit of the song? Absolute perfection, and truly emphasizes that these Rangers have truly come to appreciate eachother not simply as teammates, but as a family.

Stuff like this is why I'll always look at Ninja Steel fondly. Sure, it's not the best Ranger season(we still have like half the series to go afterall), but it made alot of really smart decisions throughout its run, with a good handle on atomsphere, character interaction, and the style and flair the series is known for... I don't think I'll ever be able to see eye to eye with those who try to claim that this season was "soulless" or anything like that. Please, if you haven't already, give the show a chance. You might be pleasantly surprised despite the lukewarm reputation that this season has.

After-Show Bonus

Peter Sudarso is one of the few actors who would get to play multiple Rangers that are entirely different characters. First being here with Preston, the Blue Ninja Steel Ranger, and the second being Marv, the Red Hyper Force Ranger and first Asian Red Ranger in the franchise. And if Hyper Force hadn't already been in the works before he came up with the idea, he would've even been the creator of that show as a whole. Quite the resume for this franchise, I'd say!