"For over ten thousand years, a spirit of pure evil, Dai Shi has been locked away and safely guarded by the secretive Kung Fu clan, Pai Zhuq, “Order of the Claw.”  But now, evil has escaped and the Pai Zhuq must select their three top members to fight this evil.  Once selected, the three Kung Fu warriors are given the special gift of becoming Power Rangers, and are the Earth’s only hope to stop the army of evil animal spirits from overtaking the human world. "

Thus is the story of Power Rangers Jungle Fury. I met with Bandai at toy fair, and unfortunately, no pictures were allowed.They showed off the new megazords which seem pretty faithful to their japanese counterparts - Bandai's brand manager told me the only thing missing from the US release is lights. Bandai made a note to point out the more realistic sculpts of the new jungle fury action figures, and I have to admit that they look really great and poseable. This year they are doing chase figures which are nicely sculpted, realistic versions of classic characters. In this wave, the chase figures will be the white ranger and Lord Zedd. These will be packed on a green card so they will be easy to pick out of a case of orange carded figures.

Bandai will likely be releasing Sai Dai Oh as a store exclusive.. and also this year there will be no Jumbo Rangers or Megazords. Other than that there were no real suprises with the line. I am really happy with the look of the new figures and the relatively straightforward transition of the Megazords.

Here's a rundown of the Spring and Fall lines

Spring 2008

5” Jungle fury POWER RANGERS

With more than 90 million figures created over the last 15 years, the Power Rangers 5” action figure is by far the most popular toy in this legendary lineup.  And the 2008 season is sure to be a hit with the new Sound Fury figures.  The Red Tiger, Blue Jaguar, Green Elephant, Black Bat and Blue Shark Rangers come equipped with a shock sensor that triggers unique sounds during play.  Collect and combine weapon accessories from multiple figures – including the Yellow Cheetah Ranger, Dai Shi and Melle with Flit the Fly figures – to create larger weapons. 

For extra special collectibility, the original Green Power Ranger and Lord Zedd from the very first TV series, Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers,are available in March as limited edition chase figures.  With only 20,000 of each figure available, kids and collectors need to jump on these exclusive chase figures now, before they disappear forever into the Power Rangers vault!

In April, the new Savage Spin Rangers debut and are prepared for battle.  They come with a light up feature and cool arm spinning action that is activated by a button on the back of the figure.  The faster the spinning, the more the figure will light up.  This assortment features the Tiger, Jaguar, Elephant, Bat and Shark Rangers.  An exclusive in-pack comic book comes with the Elephant, Bat and Shark Rangers, introducing these three dynamic characters to kids and the overall Jungle Fury team.

5” ANIMALIZED FIGURES

By configuring their battle gear, these 5” animalized figures are four toys in one.  Each morphs into many different modes:  Wild Ranger, Animalized Ranger, Armor Animal and Sword.  This assortment features the Tiger, Jaguar, Elephant, Shark, Bat, Gorilla and Gazelle Rangers.

6.5” ANIMORPHIN’ POWER RANGERS

Morph these Power Ranger figures into fierce jungle beasts.  Each 6.5” figure transforms into three different modes: Ranger, Wild Ranger and Animal mode.   Weapon accessories are included for even more action.  Available in Tiger, Jaguar, Elephant, Bat and Shark Ranger.

11” MEGA ACTION FIGURES

Standing in at a towering 11”, this is the ultimate Jungle Fury action figure.  Place the separate Ranger, Battlized and Training helmets on each figure to activate unique sounds effects.  Assemble the Super Tiger Weapon by combining all the fireball accessories together.

CYCLES WITH 5” FIGURES

These animal-inspired cycles maneuver in three different and unique modes:  Cycle, Attack and Bite Mode.  An included 5” articulated Ranger figure rides on the vehicle, which is fully equipped with missile firing action to battle off attacks from evil space aliens.  Combine the cycles with each other and the Thunder Animal Vehicles (sold separately) to create larger vehicles.  Kids can also attach the cycles to the Transforming Megazords for even more play value.  Comes in Red Tiger, Blue Jaguar, Green Elephant, Black Bat and Blue Shark.

THUNDER ANIMAL VEHICLES

Two toys in one for more battling options, the deluxe Red and Blue Thunder Roar Vehicles transform from Vehicle to Zord mode.  Combine these animalized vehicles with the cycles (sold separately) to create larger vehicles.  Each comes with an articulated 5” action figure that can ride inside.

DELUXE BATTERY-OPERATED MEGAZORDS

By combining three deluxe Zords, kids can create one of the awesome Megazords seen on the TV show. With just the push of a button, the Jungle Pride Megazord (Red Tiger, Blue Jaguar and Yellow Cheetah Zords) initiates its savage arm spinning action.  The Jungle Master Megazord’s Red Gorilla Zord can throw a powerful Thunder Punch and has spinning arms that allow him to walk across any flat surface.  This Megazord is also comprised with the Yellow Penguin and Blue Gazelle Zords.

POWER RANGERS TRANSFORMING MEGAZORDS

Each set includes various animal Zords that combine to form the Megazords seen on the TV show.  Collect multiple sets to create more unique combinations.  A 5” Ranger figure (sold separately) can be stored inside the chest of the Beast Master and Jungle King Megazords, as well as rides on the individual Zords like a vehicle.  Attach the cycles on the Megazords for more play possibilities.

MICRO ANIMAL ZORD SETS

Be on the ready for your next mission with these three sets of three animal Zords.  Kids can connect each set of Zords together to form a Megazord from the show or a moving vehicle.  Collect multiple sets to create unique Megazord combinations (13 combinations total).

MORPHERS

Become a Jungle Fury Power Ranger hero with this cool gear, used in every episode by the team to morph into their Ranger form.  The Solar Morpher features a completely new design with wearable glasses and three interchangeable clip-on shields that allow kids to become the Red Tiger, Blue Jaguar or Yellow Cheetah Ranger.  In addition to motion-activated sound effects and phrases, this toy also comes with an earpiece that kids use to simulate communication with the rest of the Power Rangers team.  The Wolf Ranger Morpher, debuting in March, can be worn on the wrist and features button- and shock sensor-activated sounds.

BATTLE GEAR

Have fun battling the evil space aliens as a Power Ranger hero with the cool Tiger Claws and Jungle Tonga Staff.  Both offer awesome sounds activated by a shock sensor.

FALL 2008

In addition to the spring releases, fall introduces the following:

5” Jungle fury POWER RANGERS

Combining the skills of ancient martial arts with some of Mother Nature’s fiercest animals, the Jungle Fury Power Rangers defend Earth against Dai Shi’s army of evil space aliens.  The Power Rangers continue their battle in the Fall with eight new 5” articulated figures – including the all new Wolf and Rhino Rangers.  The new Jungle Master figures reflect the awesome “Power Up” mode, which is derived from the energy of the sun, as featured in the second half of the TV series. 

Each figure also comes with its own collectible “Jungle Tag.”  Kids plug the Jungle Tags into the back of each figure to unlock that character’s unique animal and Ranger sound effects.  Figures also include battle gear accessories.  Collect them all to own all the exclusive Jungle Tags.  A Battle Armor Dai Shi figure is also available.   

For extra special collectibility, Bandai America is releasing limited edition action figures from the past.  Available in September, the Mighty Morphin’ White Power Ranger and the Zeo Gold Ranger “chase” figures come in exclusive packaging.  They are perfect for adult fans missing a key toy in their ultimate collection and to help kids become future collectors.  With only 20,000 of each figure available, kids and collectors need to jump on these exclusive chase figures now, before they disappear forever into the Power Rangers vault!

5” ANIMALIZED FIGURES

By configuring their battle gear and included weapon accessories, these 5” Beast Morphin’ figures are three toys in one.  Each morphs from Solar Energy Ranger to Ultimate Battilizer mode.  A first for these figures, kids can watch the Ultimate Battilizer Rangers power up by pressing their finger to the Ranger’s chest and seeing the unique temperature change feature heat up the ranger’s chest.  The battle gear can also be configured to form a Zord figure.

6.5” ANIMORPHIN’ POWER RANGERS

With a simple transformation, each 6.5” figure morphs from a Ranger into a fierce jungle beast.  Kids can also configure the included weapon accessories to create Animal Battle gear for their figures.

11” MEGA TALKING ACTION FIGURES

Standing in at a towering 11”, this is the ultimate Jungle Fury action figure with unique sound effects from the show.  These figures also come with Mega Ranger battle gear that can be combined to create larger weapons.

THUNDER ANIMAL VEHICLES

Each deluxe animalized vehicle comes equipped with a unique attack function.  With just the push of a button, kids can launch the Penguin’s missile attack or activate the Gorilla’s powerful kong punch.  Combine animalized vehicles to create even larger vehicles for more action.  Comes with an articulated 5” action figure.

JUNGLE FURY MISSION HELMET

The ultimate Power Rangers toy is back for kids to take their role-playing action to even greater dimensions!  Boys can become their favorite hero in real life with this wearable Red Ranger helmet that comes in the fierce Jungle Fury “Power Up” mode.  Kids and their parents connect the helmet to the home computer, via the included USB cable, to access more than 50 different downloadable secret missions.  Each two-minute role-play adventure can be easily downloaded into the helmet and updated continuously once the last one is completed.

With each training mission, kids are encouraged to get up and get active by playing out the heroic adventures from the Power Rangers Jungle Fury TV series (missions from last season’s Operation Overdrive are also still available via the online software program).  The helmet comes pre-loaded with one mission and features a see-through visor, lights and even more built-in action sounds than before for dynamic and adventurous fun. 

CLAW CANNON ARM BLASTER

The new Claw Cannon Air Blaster enables kids to harness the power of wind, just like the Jungle Fury Rangers on the TV series.  Kids can use the Cannon’s force to defeat the included evil space alien targets.

BATTLE GEAR

Kids can have fun battling the evil space aliens as a Power Ranger hero with this gear.  The new Rhino Blade transforms into a Rhino Fist and comes with cool action sounds, while the new Power Up Battle Claw includes shock-sensor activated sound effects, and can be combined with the Spring’s Tiger Battle Claw to unlock a secret “Call of the Jungle” sound.  This Power Up Battle Claw also includes a Solar Morpher Shield.

MORPHERS

Kids can become a Jungle Fury Power Ranger hero with this cool gear, used in every episode by the team to morph into their Ranger form.  The Rhino Morpher features a completely new dagger-shaped design, and offers realistic role-play action with shock-sensor activated sounds.