Deluxe Ninja Megazord
Back in the fall of 1995, the last thing I was interested in was Power Rangers. It was all about college, girls and having a good time. My brothers however were in the prime demographic for Power Rangers at the time (8 and 5 years old respectively). I did watch the shows occasionally, as they did feature cool giant robots smashing through cities. But as to the stories – you got me. To me, I think this era was a very unappealing time in the PR franchise. It was very silly, and I think the mecha designs are kid of lame.
Of course, the mecha designs are of no fault of the US studio, Saban. All of the robots come from the sentai series “Ninja Sentai Kakuranger (忍者戦隊カクレンジャー)” This series, the 18th super sentai series, served as the basis for Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Season 3.
If you want to learn more about this robot, and its role in MMPRS3, you should check out their Wikipedia entry – they know more about it than I do. What I can speak with authority about is the toy.
The Deluxe Ninja Megazord consists of 5 separate Ninja Zords that combine to form the giant robot. Each of the Ninja Zords is simple in its design and construction. This toy clearly aims for a younger demographic.
The 5 Ninja Zords are:
Ape Ninjazord – This Zord looks like an ape in red samurai armor. It features double swords that can be held in his hands or attached to the back. The Ape Zord becomes the right arm of the Megazord.
Crane Ninjazord – This is the smallest Zord, and becomes the head of the Ninja Megazord – it really doesn’t do much of anything.
Bear Ninjazord – This black and yellow bear becomes the upper torso of the Megazord. The legs have limited motion, and the jaw opens and closes. The bear features a chrome bit that fits in its mouth.
Wolf Ninjazord – As the left arm, this is probably the simplest Zord of the bunch. The legs move back and forth, the tail moves, and the jaw opens. But its basically a solid piece of blue plastic with legs.
Frog Ninjazord – making up 50% of the mass of the Megazord, the Frog Zord is also the most interesting. This cool Zord becomes the lower torso and legs of the Megazord. It features giant rear legs that can be put in a few different positions.
Transformation of this guy is maybe the easiest of all the Megazords. Literally, you just have to flip up the legs in each Zord and snap them together. This is a really basic toy.
In Megazord mode, the Ninja Megazord has little articulation and no weapons. The right hand has the Ape Punch and the left hand has the Wolf Punch.
On its own it is an unremarkable toy. The only saving grace of the toy is that it combines with the Deluxe Falconzord to form the Ninja Mega-Falconzord.
Like most Bandai America releases, this toy is somewhat different from its Japanese counterpart, the DX Goshin Gattai Kakure Dai Shougun. The following are the most obvious changes:
- Bandai America changed the color details on the Crane Zord from red to pink, most likely to be in sync with the pink ranger on the show.
- The Ape Zord had its gold chrome weapons changed to a dull gold plastic.
- The leg stickers on the Frog Zord have been changed by adding the Power Rangers lightning bolt logos.
