It is the same toy as the original Japanese DX Hishou Henkei Tenkujin, but about $30 cheaper!

Includes Video review!

The secret Wind Ninja Academy near Blue Bay Harbor, CA has been attacked in an unprovoked strike by the evil Lothor and his army of space ninjas! Though the administrator Sensei Watanabe put up a gallant fight, he was unable to prevent the school from being destroyed, all of its students and teachers from being kidnapped & held within Lothor’s orbiting insect-like asteroid base, and himself from being forcibly transformed into a guinea pig! The only hope of victory and justice now lies in the hands of three less-than-average students from the Academy who were fortunate to escape capture because they skipped their lessons that day. With his son, Cameron, providing the technical expertise & know-how behind the scenes, Sensei instructs the students in how to become the Earth’s greatest defenders- the legendary Wind Power Rangers!

The illusion-creating monster Madtropolis has drained the Wind and Thunder Rangers of their powers, leaving them severely weakened and nearly defenseless. In a desperate plan, Cam- against his guinea pig father’s wishes- uses the risky Scroll of Time to travel into the past to seek out a new power. There, he encounters his father- a young man named Kanoi who is just a student in the Wind Ninja Academy himself- and his mother for the first time in his life (having died shortly after Cam was born). Both do not recognize him because he comes from the future. But Cam also learns of the existence of Kanoi’s twin brother, a dark figure named Kiya who likes to use his ninja skills to play dirty tricks on the other students. With time running out for Cam, he discovers that the amulet that his future-mother is wearing seems to contain mystical powers that someone in the future is fated to own. When Kiya tries to steal it for himself and frames Cam, the time traveler is held before the administration of the Academy. Kanoi learns of this and exposes Kiya as the real culprit, and then Kiya engages Cam in a fight for revenge. During this time, the Samurai Amulet finally expresses its hidden power, allowing Cam to get the upper hand. Seeing Kiya for what he really is, the administration banishes Kiya into space forever. But as the ex-student is being thrown into the air, he swears revenge on them all, and announces that he is changing his name to that of the ancient warrior of evil... Lothor! Returning to 2003, Cam then uses the powers of the Samurai Morpher amulet to become the Green Samurai Ranger, additionally gaining access to the agile and versatile Samurai Star Megazord.

. . .

The term “Lightning” in the name does not carry over into the series. Bandai America put it in there to imply that the Deluxe version of the Samurai Star Megazord is in a made-up class similar to the Deluxe Storm Lightning Megazord, which does appear with that name in the series. The Storm Lightning Megazord is a reduced-armored version of the Storm Megazord, and thus is thinner than expected, so by adding the term “lightning” to this toy (since it is also smaller/thinner than expected), this is an attempt to put it into a special Deluxe-class sub-category. The Deluxe Ninjakon repaint also is considered a “Lightning”-type Megazord, but it is not listed specifically. The way these three Deluxe “Lightning”-class sets were released is so that you can obtain more than one Power Sphere at a time. (That’s BA’s marketing strategists for ya...)

The Samurai Star Chopper (back) is the first real helicopter Zord to appear in a Power Rangers series, and it mixes that up with a touch of falcon. (The Aero Rescue-3 Rescuezord from “PR Lightspeed Rescue” (2000) may have been the first V-TOL-capable Zord, but it used jet engines for flight, not the rotors of a ‘copter, ‘kay?) Around and below the cockpit are a beak & eyes, and on either side are small talon-like shapes. Behind the nose section on either side are paired sets of laser cannons (nine per). Because of different TV regulations here in the US, the original Japanese footage of the Samurai Star Chopper was modified to shoot lasers, as opposed to the original's missile launchers. Above are the large rotor blades, each with an angled red tip. The rotor assembly may be thicker than need-be, but that’s because it incorporates a button & latch system within (which I’ll get into later). Stretching out behind are two long booms ending in paired turbofan engines for forward motion. Beneath the nose and turbofans are small landing wheels; the front two able to retract.

Other than the landing gear, the two red turbofans in back can spin freely, and are actually slightly tilted individually to the point that they actually spin if you blow on them! But the larger feature is the main rotor. The rotor tips are PVC and they are also jointed, so if it hits something, they’ll fold backwards a bit to prevent/reduce damage to themselves or anything else. The rotor can spin freely counter-clockwise. However, if you turn it clockwise, an internal spring mechanism inside the chassis of the Samurai Star Chopper will begin to wind up. And then when it clicks loudly, you can press the gold-painted button at the center of the rotor, and it’ll spin all by itself for a few moments!

(With mine, I’ve found that the rotor mechanism can be rather troublesome when you want to use that wind-up feature. To understand what I mean, please watch the video at the end of this review.)

The Samurai Star Megazord (back) seems a little disjointed in this form, but there are a few reasons for this. In the series, the megazord can remove the rotor from its torso, and then throw it like a giant boomerang or shuriken [aka a ‘throwing star’]. (Unlike the series, however, the Deluxe toy is not designed to grip the rotor; it’s too heavy.) The head has a black and gold visor not unlike the one on Green Ranger’s own helmet. (That giant cowlick sticking out of its forehead is strictly used as filler for when the chest armor is in place. I know it looks bad, but...what can ya do?) Without the chest armor/rotor in place, additional stars can be seen on its torso and on the shoulder armor. The arms snap at every 45º all the way around. However, because of how it transforms, the arms can also point outwards a bit, and when pointed forwards, they can also point inwards a little; mostly due to how it transforms. In the series, the gauntlet-like forearm shields can be used at melee-range for both cutting & blocking. Even though the legs always angle away from each other because of spring joints in the hips, the ankles also have joints that allow them to lock in a certain position in order to let them lay flat on the ground. (Great!) Yeah- there is a knee joint, but that’s only used for later combinations with other sets, and it only just balances when one is bent.

With the main rotor/giant shuriken/chest armor removed, you have full access to the arms’ range of motion. However, once it goes back on, you can only twist them backwards and side-to-side. (If, like me, you find this entirely unacceptable and even kinda old school, you can carefully nudge the armor one-way-or-the-other and slip an arm up one notch. However, to do this, you have to also adjust the light gray arms that connect the chest armor to that jester’s hat it has...)

Like the Deluxe Storm Power Megazord and Deluxe Thunder Power Megazord before it, each hand on the Deluxe Samurai Star Lightning Megazord can also open and close to accept most of the weapons found in Power Spheres. The hands will easily accept-

• Power Sphere #02 - Ram Hammer
• Power Sphere #09 - (not named or released in the PRNS line)
• Power Sphere #10 - Bee Spinner
• Power Sphere #12 - (not named or released in the PRNS line)

To accommodate the others that clip on, there is a tab on the outside of either forearm shield which can then accept-

• Power Sphere #06 - Lion Laser
• Power Sphere #11 - Sting Blaster

One thing that is different, though, is that since the Samurai Star Megazord is smaller than either the Storm Megazord or Thunder Megazord, it cannot deploy Power Spheres from an internal compartment. (In the series, when summoned, Power Spheres materialize out of thin air from between its hands... kinda like this.)

For those of you wondering what the differences are between the DX Samurai Star Lightning Megazord from “Power Rangers Ninja Storm” (2003), and its original Japanese counterpart- the DX Hishou Henkei Tenkujin from “Ninpuu Sentai Hurricanger” (2002)- there are few, but noticeable:

• The Tenkujin originally came with Karakuri Ball #10- Spin Bee, but it was not included in the Samurai Star Megazord. However, it is included in the Special Edition DX Storm Lighting Megazord set, and is renamed Power Sphere #10- Bee Spinner. (Power Sphere #09- Sting Blaster is also included in that set.)
• Karakuri Ball Set #03- Tri-Condor, originally sold as a separate set in Japan, is included in this set; now called the Ninja Firebird. However, the individual Balls have no names, unlike their Japanese counterparts.
• The arm-attachment joint on the back of the Megazord has not been painted silver, and retains the normal plastic’s green color.

Other than that attachment joint on the back not being painted silver, and accessory weapons aside, the Samurai Star Megazord is perfectly identical to the Tenkujin! Even though there is considerate amounts of die-cast metal in the DX Ninpuu Gattai Senpuujin (Chogokin #GD-42) and DX Ikazuchi Gattai Gouraijin (Chogokin #GD-43) but not in their PRNS-counterparts (Deluxe Storm Power Megazord and Deluxe Thunder Power Megazord, respectively), there was no die-cast metal included in the DX Tenkujin, so there is also none in the Samurai Star Megazord.

This is a toy that has a lot asked of it, so going in, you kinda expect that some sacrifices will need to be made. The torso is very short and barely large enough to accommodate the rotor-spinning feature and the limbs’ joint points; even the head is spun in half when in vehicle mode to make room. (I also thought that weird forehead projection could also have been shorter. Bleech!) Since Shurikenger (the sixth Hurricanger, aka the Green Samurai Ranger) was a lighthearted master of disguise but equally a very-skilled fighter, it would make a little bit of sense for the Tenkujin to have that pointed jester’s hat, and then have an ridiculously-huge shuriken that it could throw around. But during the Americanization process which changes a Super Sentai series into a season of Power Rangers, most of that meaning gets lost, so it ends up just looking strange here. But what is universally understood and agreed upon is that it is really annoying when you put shoulder joints on a toy, and then promptly can’t use them because that toy gets in the way of itself! It is nice, however, that it can accept a good share of the Power Sphere weapons. But, again, that chest armor just gets in the way so you can’t pose with any of them! Additionally, the hands are hard to work because of the position of those forearm shields wrapped around them. In Chopper mode, I found the joints for the two front wheels really hard to turn, almost breaking fingernails on them when they suddenly snap! But my biggest gripe is how that rotor system frequently- umm... ‘misfires’. Now whether this is a problem with the Japanese version, or just mine by chance, I don’t know. (To see what I mean by that, you’ll just have to watch the video review below to find out!) By itself it’s a little clumsy, but you can see the aesthetics trying to push their way through the toy. But its greatest value lies in when you put it together with the other Deluxe-sized Megazords in the line. Additionally, it is the same toy as the original Japanese DX Tenkujin, but about $30 cheaper! And so, I recommend getting the Deluxe Samurai Star Lighting Megazord; it is definitely worth it.

The three Power Spheres included in this set that make up the Ninja Firebird are reviewed separately here also on CollectionDX!

[Author’s Note: I will be covering the Hurricane Megazord - or rather the original Japanese version from “Hurricanger”, the Gingachouetsu Sanjin Gattai Tenrai-Senpuujin (trnslt: “Galactic-transcendental Three-god Combination Tenrai-Senpuujin”) – at a later time.]

The Jumbo Storm Megazord was the first in the line of Power Rangers Jumbos to include any sort of gimmick.

The Jumbo Storm Megazord was the third entry in Bandai Creation's line of Power Rangers Jumbos, following the Jumbo Wildforce Megazord and the Jumbo Isis Megazord. It suffers from the same affliction as the previous two entries in that it features animal parts prominently displayed. This may not be an issue with Sentai fans, but it was a real turn-off to Jumbo collectors. But it's not quite as bad here as with the first two. The lion head on the left arm isn't too offensive, especially since there is precedent for a lion head on a Jumbo. There is a hawk on the head, but this actually blends rather seamlessly, in my opinion. The biggest problem is that the whole right arm is a dolphin. This greatly disrupts the robot's symmetry.

Overall though, I think the look of the robot is pretty good. It's bigger than vintage jumbos with a wider, more action ready stance. Consequently, it comes in a much larger box as well, measuring 18" wide by 22" tall. In order to fit into the box, the toy comes with some parts that need to be assembled. The soft vinyl head must be attached to a stump on the neck, the "ferris wheel" attachment must be slid over the left shoulder, and if desired, a handle can be placed in the back. I've never used these handles on any of my Jumbo Megazords because I've heard that once they go in, they don't come out.

The Jumbo Storm Megazord was the first in the line to include any sort of gimmick. The chest opens up to reveal a removable "Power Sphere", basically a hard plastic ball with the number "01" on it. I'm no Power Ranger expert, but I think this is supposed to represent the Power Sphere 1, which contains a "Serpent Sword". While having the ball feature is better than no gimmick at all, I think Bandai Creation would have done well to include the sword instead!

There's only 3 points of articulation on this toy. The head turns and the arms raise and lower. The arms are on a sort of ratchet so that they click into place every couple of inches and can only be posed in those pre-set spots. This always annoyed me a bit, but isn't too big a deal either. All the limbs come pre-painted on this toy and it would have been better had they been molded in the appropriate colors and adorned with stickers like vintage jumbos. Not only would they have looked better with the vintage ones, but it's difficult to paint polyethylene and it shows on many of these toys. While they look good overall, you can always find spots that look a bit messy. Still, there is even a certain charm to that as well. You can imagine someone painting these, sort of like the old Jumbo villains.

All the Power Ranger Jumbos from Bandai Creation were sold exclusively at Toys R Us in the United States, retailing for a mere $29.99 (though the Jumbo Ranger was only $24.99). In my opinion, these toys were like mana from heaven. Jumbos, here on our own soil, for short money! I didn't think you could ask for more. Yet, somehow they just were not well received. It seems the sentai crowd didn't embrace them, likely due to the lack of combining/transforming features and the like, while Jumbo fans either would not except the sentai look or were disappointed with the lack of shooting mechanisms. Either way, it seems this line has sadly come to an end. Still, Bandai Creation managed to crank out 8 of these guys, more than any other line of Jumbos ever, with the obvious exception of the original Popy Jumbo Machinders. And that's something to be thankful for!

I guess what I am saying is that the domestic version, the Thunder Power Megazord, is still a great toy, but the Japanese version, the Gouraijin, is absolutely awesome.

The Thunder Power Megazord is the second Megazord released as part of the Power Rangers Ninja Storm, the US version of Ninpuu Sentai Hurricanger. It is comprised of 2 beetle vehicles: the Navy Beetle Zord and Crimson Insectazord.

The Navy Beetle Zord features working tires and opening front pincers. In the Japanese version, those tires were a nice rubber. Here, they're hard plastic. Also note that the suspension is plastic instead of metal.

The Crimson Insectazord features 2 articulated cannons on the back and one in the nose, as well as rubber tank treads. The tank's suspension is plastic instead of metal.

The two robots combine to form the Thunder Power Megazord. The Megazord has virtually no articulation, save for the arms and hands, but that's not what we really look for in a Megazord. The chest of the Thunder Power Megazord opens to reveal a storage compartment for a Power Sphere. This Megazord comes with 3 power spheres, as opposed to the Japanese release that only had one.

• Power Sphere 04: Spin Blade
• Power Spheres 07, 08: Minizord

The Minizord is a small blue robot that becomes the hands and head of the combined Thunder Storm Megazord.

Where this toy (and the whole Ninja Storm line) succeeds is through the compatibility with the other Megazords in the line. For example:

• Thunder Power Megazord + Storm Power Megazord + Minizord = Thunderstorm Megazord
• Thunder Power Megazord + Storm Power Megazord + Samurai Star Megazord + Ninja Firebird = Hurricane Megazord
• Thunder Power Megazord + Samurai Star Megazord = Samurai Thunder Megazord

The arm connectors on the Ninja Storm toys are also compatible with Wild Force, Dino Thunder and even SPD Megazords, opening the door for even more combinations.

Sometimes we get lucky with the Megazords, and they come through relatively unchanged from their Japanese counterparts. Sometimes they come through so bastardized that the very thing that made the original so cool is completely removed.

My main issue with the Thunder Power Megazord, is not that it is a bad toy. It is a great toy. What kills me is that it is a shadow of its former self. The Gouraijin - the heavy metal beetle robot from Hurricanger, somehow got neutered in its transformation to Thunder Power Megazord. All of the metal that made this toy great is gone.

I guess what I am saying is that the domestic version, the Thunder Power Megazord, is still a great toy, but the Japanese version, the Gouraijin, is absolutely awesome.

This little machine animal kind of reminds me of a sparrow wearing a Greek helmet, or an ancient mythological Japanese bird.

Cameron "Cam" Wantabe- the Green Samurai Ranger- designed & created the Ninja Firebird as a much-needed addition to the Zord arsenal as a result of the evil space ninja master Lothor's increased attacks. Cam used his experience, in working with the Mini-Zord technology from the Thunderstorm Megazord, to create the Ninja Firebird. This finally allowed all of the Megazords to morph together into one giant machine- the all-powerful Hurricane Megazord.

. . .

The Ninja Firebird forms the head, crown, and hands of the Hurricane Megazord; each section coming from it its own separate Power Sphere (or just "Sphere", for short):

Power Sphere #15- launched from the Samurai Star Megazord- contains the crown of the Hurricane Megazord. This section forms the tail of the Ninja Firebird.

Power Sphere #16- launched from the Storm Megazord- contains the head & face of the Hurricane Megazord. This section forms the body of the Ninja Firebird.

Power Sphere #17- launched from the Thunder Megazord- contains the two hands of the Hurricane Megazord. This section forms the wings of the Ninja Firebird.

This is how it changes into its bird mode:

Tail

1. The tail is ejected from its Sphere...
2. ...and begins to rotate along its central joint...
3. ...bringing the two halves together.
4. Finally, the two small wing-like sections begin to rotate out...
5. ...and extent to their full length to complete the change.
   

   Head/Body

6. The body is ejected from its Sphere...
7. ... and rotates along the two joints in the middle...
8. ...bringing it around a full 180 degrees to complete the change.
   

   Wings

9. The two halves are ejected from their Sphere.
10. The claw-like fingers of the hands rotate outwards...
11. ...to provide room for the wing sections and thumbs to rotate out...
12. ...completing the change.
    

    Final Assembly

13. The wings attach to the body by snapping the thumbs into holes in the back of the body.
14. The tail attaches to the body via a clip underneath it that snaps into a hole on top of the body.
15. As an added option for the toy, underneath it there is a set of small wheels that can be rotated out so that it can be rolled along a flat surface.

This little machine animal kind of reminds me of a sparrow wearing a Greek helmet, or an ancient mythological Japanese bird.
There is a large gap underneath it, but this can be easily overlooked. The points of attachment are strong, but can be separated with ease. However, on the two hands, the joints for the mini wings & thumbs are a little tight, so you want to take care with them.

The Ninja Firebird features no weapons of its own; however, one time it was used to distract a monster so that the Rangers could make a temporary escape & regroup.

For those of you wondering what the differences were between the Ninja Firebird from "Power Rangers Ninja Storm", and its original Japanese counterpart- Karakuri Ball Set #04- Tri-Condor from "Ninpuu Sentai Hurricanger"- they were only cosmetic:

1. The lettering on the Power Spheres has a slightly different font. Also, because of US toy regulations, small holes have been punched into both halves of each Sphere so that, if a young child were to put one in their mouth, they wouldn't choke on it as easily.
2. Originally, there were two Tri-Condor sets; one for the series, and a special version that came out at the same time as the "Hurricanger" movie. The only differences between these two sets was the movie version had white-colored Karakuri Balls (KBs) as opposed to the normal gold of the TV version, and there was a pendant included that could be worn as a necklace (used by a character in the movie).

Pleasantly enough, there was no difference between the Ninja Firebird and the TV-version of the Tri-Condor; the changes were only to the Power Spheres. And, there were few changes to the DX Samurai Star Lighting Megazord, which was the only way English-speaking audiences could get the Ninja Firebird. This is helpful because, at the sacrifice of the KB #09- Spin Bee, you could get a perfect Tri-Condor set, and a near-perfect DX Tenkujin in the same US box for less that getting the two Japanese sets separately.

This is the fourth release in Bandai's Domestic Jumbo line. It is proably the most true to form of all the American Jumbos. From the type of plastic used, to the stance, it will fit in nicely with your Jumbo Collection.

The main feature is the spinning lions mane and cannon, although they do not spin together like on the regular toy.

Thunderstorm megazord requires a small amount of assembly. They improved the way the head goes on from previous Jumbo toys.