Today from the archives comes my unused early rough plan for how to adapt the Samurai Sentai Shinkenger season of the Japanese Sentai series for US television as Power Rangers Samurai. Created independently and prior to the official production of the show its fate until now has been just to gather virtual dust in a virtual file. It is presented here for educational purposes and a glimpse into a world of “what if?”

While Shinkenger had many elements that appeal universally it was also a distinctly Japanese story involving elements from Japanese history and culture which might limit its appeal to western audiences without some skillful adaptation and smoothing over. In the summer of 2010, the original producers were back in control of the Power Rangers franchise and looking to adapt Shinkenger for American and international audiences. Luckily for them they knew a writer they could call who spoke Japanese, had a degree in East Asian Languages & Cultures, grew up watching the show as a fan, and had even worked on the show as its head writer. So after getting the call, I shaved my beard and left my mountain refuge for civilization again to find a computer or TV to binge through the 50 or so episodes of Shinkenger in a couple days and come up with a rough plan on how this could be adapted for the US before meeting with the producers.

However I soon discovered the Executive Producer had other plans (one might even say a lack thereof) that he wanted to pursue. Faced with stark creative differences and as this outline was created independently and not commissioned, we parted ways again and I filed this away before returning to the Sierra Madres to once again Wolverine it up, occasionally coming back down to help out him and the show.

With the show now complete and in the history books here is a look at what that original plan was. Hopefully this will give you a sense of how to plan out a long form serialized story and help spark some ideas on how there is more than one way to adapt a show.

Most TV shows are imagined just as a pilot (AKA first episode) with, at most, only a vague idea of where the story can go in the future. As serialized TV shows have taken off in the past decade many of these shows ultimately fall apart, sometimes sooner rather than later, due to a lack of planning ahead.

There is some divide over whether shows even should plan ahead. Some shows, great and terrible, have subscribed to the idea of letting the moment by moment storytelling organically propel the show in the direction it needs to be rather than trying to force it into plans that might be less compelling than what emerges from unforeseeable factors. In Breaking Bad the writers had originally planned to kill Aaron Paul’s character Jesse Pinkman in season one. Through a combination of the 2007 Writer’s Guild of America strike and the show’s writers changing their minds after seeing new possibilities through Aaron Paul’s outstanding performance of the character beyond the page, the life of the character was extended in the story to quickly become a role as compelling and as important to the life of the series as its main character Walter White.

There are great cases to be made for planning vs. not planning but there are far more examples of shows failing from a lack of planning than from too much planning. (Are there even any that fit the latter category?) The truth is both approaches have their benefits and need not be mutually exclusive.

A serialized story with a lot of mythological elements, like Power Rangers, probably needs to be planned out more than your average show. That’s not to say one shoehorns everything to fit that plan as you go along. As a show is made, countless unexpected variables will come into play and shape your story beyond what you planned, hopefully for the better. You still need a plan to help guide you and to draw from particularly so those fantasy or sci fi elements are fleshed out and not left as dangling plot threads that can drag your whole show down.

With that in mind, here is my unused approach to Power Rangers Samurai. The following is a rough first pass to figure out the story, character and central mythology to the series. Generally, this would next be fleshed out further by nailing down which episodes characters, Zords, and weapons need to be introduced. Character descriptions and names can change as casting decisions are made but figuring out at least a preliminary idea for characters helps immensely in making the story interlinked with the characters instead of just a random sequence of events that ultimately ends. Rough ideas for episodes act as sign posts for when those episodes are written and fleshed out. Ultimately, better episode ideas will come along but the plan helps to make sure they are still working toward advancing an overarching story.

EPISODE ONE/PILOT:

In 2010, on a typical sunny day in Stone Canyon, California, we open on a KARATE DOJO. The dojo’s two top students spar; expertly punching, kicking, and blocking. They are MARK OZAWA and KEIJI AYAKAWA. The two fight to a draw as their SENSEI hands them a pair of shinai - wooden practice swords. Keiji is the superior swordsman, and gets hit after hit on Mark until their Sensei needs to intervene to prevent Mark from getting hurt.

Suddenly, a tremendous earthquake rocks the city. Rising up from the earth, an enormous Japanese castle emerges upward in the center of the city. This is the DREAD CASTLE, a foreboding, haunted nightmarish version of Osaka Castle. Horns jut from the evil building. Cackling winged creatures circle above. Dark clouds overhead block out the sun. The city is in a panic at this otherworldly, fearsome sight.

High up inside the Dread Castle’s tower, a monstrous octopus-faced creature clutches a magic staff as he looks out at the city below him. He is pleased that his magic was able to bring the Dread Castle to the human world. This is OCTOMANCER - sage, wizard and chief strategist of the ASHURA CLAN. After two hundred years, the Ashura Clan has returned from the NETHERWORLD to which they were banished in order to conquer the Earth. In the DREAD CASTLE THRONEROOM, Octomancer talks to NOCTURNA – a beautiful young vixen, human in appearance but an Ashura demon at heart. She strums her shamisen instrument, playing a haunting tune as she remembers their MASTER XANDRED – the chief Ashura demon, destroyed two hundred years ago when the Ozawa Clan defeated the Ashura Clan. Without his leadership, they are lost. That is why they must find the heir to the Ashura Clan.

From the Dojo, the students watch the Dread Castle in the distance. This may look like the end of days to the world, but not to Mark Ozawa, last living member of the Ozawa Clan. Mark studies the RED ORIGAMI ZORD he carries around at all times. The Sensei ushers the students to safety but Mark charges off in the direction of the Dread Castle, wooden sword in hand. Keiji follows after.

All around the world, eyes are glued to their television sets as people can only watch in horror at the news coming out of Stone Canyon. News helicopters circle overhead transmitting the horrific images to the world. In Mexico City, a young man named OSCAR HERNANDEZ watches television in his living room, hardly believing the sight before him. His FATHER enters the room and takes one look at the TV before calmly telling his son “We need to talk.” Oscar stares in bewilderment at the GREEN ORIGAMI ZORD in his father’s hand.

In London, England, a young lady named LISA DANIELS sits across from her MOTHER as a BBC newscast plays on the TV next to them. Mrs. Daniels tells Lisa, the time has come for her to learn the family secret as she sets a PINK ORIGAMI ZORD down on the table between them…

Back in Stone Canyon, marching out of the Dread Castle’s gates are legions of foot soldiers – MARAUDERS. These are the ferocious backbone of the ASHURA CLAN army. People flee in terror as Marauders chase them down city streets. Mark and Keiji dash into the thick of them, fighting them off with their swords. They fight bravely and with the expert skill of people who have trained for combat all of their lives, but the waves of Marauders are endless. In the middle of the battle Mark tells Keiji they need to rescue people being attacked, but Keiji is only concerned with fighting. Keiji says a true warrior lives to fight, not help others and leaves Mark on his own to help rescue people. Just as it looks like Mark may have taken on more than he can handle, a LIMOUSINE speeds down the street, past marauders. MR. MASON – Mark’s loyal butler/retainer, driving the limo pulls up to Mark and tells him to get inside.

In the Dread Castle, Octomancer and Nocturna meet with an Ashura Clan monster (ep 1 MDJ). They order him to tear the city apart to find the heir to the Ashura Clan.

Back at OZAWA MANOR, Mr. Mason tends to Mark’s wounds. He chastises him for running off on his own to fight the Ashura Clan. Mark says it is his duty as the head of the Ozawa Clan. He has trained all his life for the day the Ashura might return to conquer the Earth. Just like his father and his grandfather did before him, all the way back for 18 generations. Mr. Mason has raised him for years ever since Mark’s father’s tragic passing. Mr. Mason reminds him that just as he has prepared for this day, so have the Ozawa Clan retainers. After the defeat of Master Xandred and the Ashura Clan invasion 200 years ago on the fields of western Japan, the Ozawa Clan retainers split up and scattered across the world to keep the teachings of CALLIGRAPHY POWER secret and safe from falling into the wrong hands. Calligraphy Power is the magical technique of the Ozawa Clan, where by drawing magic words in Japanese they can make the impossible happen. There are others like Mark that have trained from generation to generation, waiting to answer the call to arms to once again fight for the Ozawa family should the Ashura Clan ever return to endanger the world.

On a farm in rural Austria, a young lady named IRIS HANSEL stares in disbelief at a YELLOW ORIGAMI ZORD as her PARENTS share the family secret. “I never knew we were part Japanese,” a startled Iris declares.

As Lisa hears the same story from her mother in England and Oscar hears the tale from his father in Mexico, a young man in southern Nigeria named ADEWALE OKORO hears the same story from his father. Adewale, unlike the others, takes every bit of his father’s story as seriously as can be. Aware of his family legacy his entire life, Adewale has trained as hard as Mark for the day he might be called upon to save the world. He accepts the BLUE ORIGAMI ZORD from his father with great reverence.

Mark stubbornly tells Mr. Mason he doesn’t need help from strangers. Mark dislikes the samurai traditions of lord and vassal. If he is in charge, then he wants to choose not to jeopardize anyone else in his family’s fight. Mr. Mason realizes Mark’s stubbornness comes from his care for the wellbeing of others. Mr. Mason is proud that Mark has grown up to be kind and selfless, but tradition is tradition. Mr. Mason takes his magic messenger bow and fires a volley of arrows into the sky.

All around the world, the arrows magically find their targets. Lisa, Oscar, Adewale, and Iris all see arrows land from the sky near them. A note attached to them with the Ozawa family crest etched on them. Each of them takes their note and opens them to read it. All that is written inside is a single Japanese character for ‘travel.’ In a colored streak of light, they are instantly teleported across the planet to Ozawa Manor.

Lisa, Oscar, Adewale and Iris have little time to analyze what just happened to them as they are greeted by Mr. Mason and Mark. Mark tells them they know why they are here but he needs them to choose for themselves whether or not they will help him fight the Ashura Clan. He tells them this is a choice they have to make for themselves and not just because their parents told them to do it. Adewale is the first to step up and enthusiastically pledge himself to the Ozawa cause with the others following behind him. Mark says it’s time for them to all put the calligraphy practice their parents made them do for years to use, except this time he has something that might help them. Mr. Mason brings a case into the room and opens it, revealing FIVE SAMURAI MORPHERS – combination cell phones/calligraphy brushes.

On a Stone Canyon street, the Ashura Clan monster leads a band of Marauders, attacking any who come near them. The five teens race to the scene. The Ashura monster recognizes Mark as the head of the Ozawa Clan and mocks him, asking aren’t medieval weapons and armor a little dated nowadays? But this generation has a new way of fighting the Ashura Clan. Using their Morphers to draw their Calligraphy symbols of power, they morph into the SAMURAI RANGERS. (Note: This is the creation of the Samurai Rangers. The Ozawa Clan ancestors were samurai but not Rangers.) Cue Shinkenger episode 1 fight.

The Rangers prove too much for the Ashura Clan and dispatch the monster and his minions. Nocturna appears on the battlefield, transforming into her battle mode (Dayu). She plays a magical haunting tune on her shamisen and the Ashura demon is reborn, giant size! The Rangers wonder how they will beat something that size until they remember their Origami Zords. Using their Calligraphy Power on their Origami Zords to super-size them, the Rangers use their giant robots to destroy the Ashura monster.

Back at Ozawa Manor, the Rangers take their helmets off and celebrate their victory. Adewale chastises them for celebrating while the Dread Castle is still in Stone Canyon. Mr. Mason tells them Octomancer’s sorcery must be responsible for the Dread Castle’s presence in this dimension. Without Master Xandred, they won’t be able to sustain a spell like that for long. Mark wonders what they would risk coming to Earth for…

Keiji stands in the middle of the street, his karate gi in tatters. Dozens of defeated Marauders lie all around him. Nocturna, in human form, approaches him, impressed by his fighting prowess. Nocturna and Keiji fight sword-to-shamisen, Keiji proving to be tougher than she expected, knocking her back. During their fight, Nocturna’s shamisen weapon tears Keiji’s sleeve off revealing an odd-shaped birthmark on his forearm – the same shape as the Ashura Clan family logo. Shocked, she quickly disengages and bows low. She apologizes for not recognizing the heir to the Ashura Clan, her master. Keiji stares at her in disbelief, wondering what she called him…

THE CAST

OZAWA CLAN/HEROES:

Mark Ozawa – (20) Red Ranger, Heir to Ozawa Clan. Japanese American. Born and raised in Stone Canyon. Reluctant leader. Resentful of samurai legacy he must carry. Rich but lonely, he grew up raised by Mr. Mason and with Keiji as his only friend. Drawn by their similar upbringing and reluctance to be samurai, he finds a kindred spirit and eventual relationship with Lisa. Becomes Shogun Ranger (Battlized augmented armored Ranger) in final arc.

– (20) Red Ranger, Heir to Ozawa Clan. Japanese American. Born and raised in Stone Canyon. Reluctant leader. Resentful of samurai legacy he must carry. Rich but lonely, he grew up raised by Mr. Mason and with Keiji as his only friend. Drawn by their similar upbringing and reluctance to be samurai, he finds a kindred spirit and eventual relationship with Lisa. Becomes Shogun Ranger (Battlized augmented armored Ranger) in final arc. Lisa Daniels – (19) Pink Ranger, from England. Expert swordswoman. Brains. Reluctant inheritor of the role of Samurai warrior. Growing up, she resented how hard her parents pushed her to practice equestrianism, fencing and other “outdated” skills, never knowing they’d one day be necessary to save the world. Over the course of the season, develops a romantic attraction to Mark that is tested by secrets from his past…

– (19) Pink Ranger, from England. Expert swordswoman. Brains. Reluctant inheritor of the role of Samurai warrior. Growing up, she resented how hard her parents pushed her to practice equestrianism, fencing and other “outdated” skills, never knowing they’d one day be necessary to save the world. Over the course of the season, develops a romantic attraction to Mark that is tested by secrets from his past… Adewale Okoro – (21) Blue Ranger, from Nigeria. Devoted student. Consummate samurai and retainer. Teacher’s pet. Adewale’s great great grandfather migrated from Japan to Nigeria and established a strong lineage with every generation preserving the knowledge of the Ashura Clan and the samurai tradition. The result is Adewale is even better trained than the original Ozawa samurai that banished Xandred from Earth. Has three younger siblings, all expertly trained as well and ready to answer the call if he should fall. Coming from a family that has taken their duty to be ready for the Ashura Clan’s return so seriously, Adewale is uncertain if the others are as worthy as him of being Power Rangers.

– (21) Blue Ranger, from Nigeria. Devoted student. Consummate samurai and retainer. Teacher’s pet. Adewale’s great great grandfather migrated from Japan to Nigeria and established a strong lineage with every generation preserving the knowledge of the Ashura Clan and the samurai tradition. The result is Adewale is even better trained than the original Ozawa samurai that banished Xandred from Earth. Has three younger siblings, all expertly trained as well and ready to answer the call if he should fall. Coming from a family that has taken their duty to be ready for the Ashura Clan’s return so seriously, Adewale is uncertain if the others are as worthy as him of being Power Rangers. Iris Hansel – (17) Yellow Ranger, from rural Austria. Naïve farm girl. Easily excitable, optimistic and eager to be away from home. While Iris may be petite and innocent, her ancestor Kenpachiro Yoshida was the strongest and most powerful retainer of the Ozawa Clan 200 years ago. Her older sister – the more capable and intended heir to the samurai legacy – was crippled in a recent farming accident leaving her family with no choice but to send Iris to answer the Ozawa call to arms instead. Despite her lack of size or worldliness, she quickly rises to the challenge of being a Ranger, becoming a fierce warrior herself.

– (17) Yellow Ranger, from rural Austria. Naïve farm girl. Easily excitable, optimistic and eager to be away from home. While Iris may be petite and innocent, her ancestor Kenpachiro Yoshida was the strongest and most powerful retainer of the Ozawa Clan 200 years ago. Her older sister – the more capable and intended heir to the samurai legacy – was crippled in a recent farming accident leaving her family with no choice but to send Iris to answer the Ozawa call to arms instead. Despite her lack of size or worldliness, she quickly rises to the challenge of being a Ranger, becoming a fierce warrior herself. Oscar Hernandez – (18) Green Ranger, from Mexico. Snarky skeptic. Disobedient to tradition, perpetually angering Mr. Mason. Oscar grew up the most ignorant of the Ozawa family destiny. Over the generations, the Nunokawa family of Ozawa retainers settled in Mexico, eventually becoming the Hernandez family. Each passing generation lost more of the samurai traditions. By present day, Oscar is just an ordinary everyday teenager and has the most on the job training to do to become a Ranger.

– (18) Green Ranger, from Mexico. Snarky skeptic. Disobedient to tradition, perpetually angering Mr. Mason. Oscar grew up the most ignorant of the Ozawa family destiny. Over the generations, the Nunokawa family of Ozawa retainers settled in Mexico, eventually becoming the Hernandez family. Each passing generation lost more of the samurai traditions. By present day, Oscar is just an ordinary everyday teenager and has the most on the job training to do to become a Ranger. Mr. Mason – (50) Butler/Vassal to Ozawa Clan. Stickler for protocol and tradition. Raised Mark. Was a close confidante of Mark’s father and trained in samurai arts with him in Japan. Was entrusted to manage the Ozawa estate while Mark was a child and continues to manage the family affairs to this day. An expert in Ranger and Ashura lore and methodology, he is a valuable part of the Rangers’ operations. (Note: He is per liege-vassal relations subordinate to the Rangers and not their mentor.)

– (50) Butler/Vassal to Ozawa Clan. Stickler for protocol and tradition. Raised Mark. Was a close confidante of Mark’s father and trained in samurai arts with him in Japan. Was entrusted to manage the Ozawa estate while Mark was a child and continues to manage the family affairs to this day. An expert in Ranger and Ashura lore and methodology, he is a valuable part of the Rangers’ operations. (Note: He is per liege-vassal relations subordinate to the Rangers and not their mentor.) Farkas ‘Bulk’ Bulkmeier – (36) Ally to Ozawa Clan, from Angel Grove. Earnest but foolish. Sushi chef. Unlike earlier seasons, Bulk is aware of the Power Rangers and is part of their operations, assisting as he can and performing many of the functions of the kuroko (assistants in all black) in Shinkenger. Bulk hopes that his son Eugene will learn how to be braver than him by hanging out with the Rangers of the Ozawa Clan.

– (36) Ally to Ozawa Clan, from Angel Grove. Earnest but foolish. Sushi chef. Unlike earlier seasons, Bulk is aware of the Power Rangers and is part of their operations, assisting as he can and performing many of the functions of the kuroko (assistants in all black) in Shinkenger. Bulk hopes that his son Eugene will learn how to be braver than him by hanging out with the Rangers of the Ozawa Clan. Eugene ‘Junior’ Bulkmeier – (16) Son of Bulk, assistant to Bulk. Spitting image of Skull. Eager idiot. Sushi chef assistant. Aids the Rangers alongside Mr. Mason and Bulk. Gets along with Oscar and Iris easier than the others. Eventually becomes Gold Ranger.

– (16) Son of Bulk, assistant to Bulk. Spitting image of Skull. Eager idiot. Sushi chef assistant. Aids the Rangers alongside Mr. Mason and Bulk. Gets along with Oscar and Iris easier than the others. Eventually becomes Gold Ranger. Alison Ozawa – (18) Second Red Ranger, Mark’s cousin, over-achiever, prep school student, becomes team leader for final fourth of season. Although raised unaware of her family duty to protect the world from the Ashura Clan, she takes to the call quicker than anyone. Initially feeling isolated from the group, she finds a kindred spirit in Adewale and soon becomes close friends with her loyal subordinate.

ASHURA CLAN/VILLAINS:

Keiji Ayakawa – (20) Heir to Ashura Clan, master swordsman, can transform into (Juzo form), rival to Mark Ozawa. Resents Mark’s inherited family legacy and riches. Due to a rough upbringing, Keiji harbors a lot of loneliness and rage against the world. When he discovers he is the heir to the Ashura Clan and rightful shogun of the Dread Castle he willingly takes on their mission of trying to conquer the world at any cost. A skilled fighter and a born leader, he takes to his new role like a natural, endangering all of mankind.

– (20) Heir to Ashura Clan, master swordsman, can transform into (Juzo form), rival to Mark Ozawa. Resents Mark’s inherited family legacy and riches. Due to a rough upbringing, Keiji harbors a lot of loneliness and rage against the world. When he discovers he is the heir to the Ashura Clan and rightful shogun of the Dread Castle he willingly takes on their mission of trying to conquer the world at any cost. A skilled fighter and a born leader, he takes to his new role like a natural, endangering all of mankind. Nocturna – (200s) Shamisen-player, general of Ashura Clan. Normally takes the form of a beautiful woman and transforms into a more monstrous state (Dayu) during battle. Despite being over 200-years-old she appears to be in her 20s. Drawn to power, she becomes enamored with Keiji. During the epic battle 200 years ago that killed Xandred and banished the Ashura Clan from Earth she was the most junior frontline general. After Xandred and the other generals were slain in battle, she became the most senior surviving warrior but was magically sucked into the Netherworld along with the remaining Ashura Clan by the Ozawa Clan Calligraphy Power. In the 200 years since, she has co-led the Ashura Clan alongside Octomancer. She happily accepts Keiji’s leadership and her place as his right hand. A soulful musician, she is often seen playing her shamisen. By playing a magic tune, she can cause fallen Ashura monsters to grow giant size.

– (200s) Shamisen-player, general of Ashura Clan. Normally takes the form of a beautiful woman and transforms into a more monstrous state (Dayu) during battle. Despite being over 200-years-old she appears to be in her 20s. Drawn to power, she becomes enamored with Keiji. During the epic battle 200 years ago that killed Xandred and banished the Ashura Clan from Earth she was the most junior frontline general. After Xandred and the other generals were slain in battle, she became the most senior surviving warrior but was magically sucked into the Netherworld along with the remaining Ashura Clan by the Ozawa Clan Calligraphy Power. In the 200 years since, she has co-led the Ashura Clan alongside Octomancer. She happily accepts Keiji’s leadership and her place as his right hand. A soulful musician, she is often seen playing her shamisen. By playing a magic tune, she can cause fallen Ashura monsters to grow giant size. Octomancer – (800s) Advisor to Ashura Clan. Served Master Xandred hundreds of years ago but is now sorcerer and consigliore to Keiji. Witnessed Xandred’s death 200 years ago and was sealed by Calligraphy Power into the Netherworld along with the rest of the Ashura Clan. Spent the last 200 years researching ways for the Ashura demons to penetrate the ethereal barrier between Earth and the Netherworld to return to get their revenge. Feeling like an outsider as the relationship between Nocturna and Keiji grows, he begins to dabble in even darker magic arts like resurrection…

– (800s) Advisor to Ashura Clan. Served Master Xandred hundreds of years ago but is now sorcerer and consigliore to Keiji. Witnessed Xandred’s death 200 years ago and was sealed by Calligraphy Power into the Netherworld along with the rest of the Ashura Clan. Spent the last 200 years researching ways for the Ashura demons to penetrate the ethereal barrier between Earth and the Netherworld to return to get their revenge. Feeling like an outsider as the relationship between Nocturna and Keiji grows, he begins to dabble in even darker magic arts like resurrection… Master Xandred – (1000s) Chief Ashura Clan demon, dormant. A being of immense power that appeared on Earth over 200 years ago where he was defeated in western Japan by the Ozawa Clan. The distant ancestor of Keiji. His line of descendants quickly lost all knowledge of their true past and lived for generations oblivious to their demonic ancestor. Resurrected in final episodes.

– (1000s) Chief Ashura Clan demon, dormant. A being of immense power that appeared on Earth over 200 years ago where he was defeated in western Japan by the Ozawa Clan. The distant ancestor of Keiji. His line of descendants quickly lost all knowledge of their true past and lived for generations oblivious to their demonic ancestor. Resurrected in final episodes. Marauders – Foot soldiers of Ashura Clan. At their height during the epic battle 200 years ago they numbered in the tens of thousands but today number about two thousand based out of the Dread Castle in the Netherworld.

– Foot soldiers of Ashura Clan. At their height during the epic battle 200 years ago they numbered in the tens of thousands but today number about two thousand based out of the Dread Castle in the Netherworld. Akumaro – (250ish) A born traitor, plans on overthrowing Keiji and resurrecting Master Xandred. Originally, an ancient and powerful Ozawa Clan mystic, he betrayed his allies and joined the Ashura Clan. During the epic battle 200 years ago in Japan he was slain on the battlefield by his former Ozawa Clan allies along with Master Xandred. Midway through the season he is resurrected by Octomancer’s magic taking on a demonic Ashura form to his delight. A born traitor, he pledges his loyalty to Keiji but secretly works to find a way to resurrect Xandred behind his back hoping to earn the #2 spot over Nocturna. (Note: ‘Akumaro’ is just a placeholder name for now)

ABRIDGED PRELIMINARY SEASON ARC BY EPISODE:

The following outline gives a rough idea of what will happen in certain episodes. These episodes will also include Shinkenger footage for fight and Megazord scenes. The following is based upon a 40 episode season. (Numbers indicate episode numbers)

1 – Rangers unite to fulfill their family duty to protect Earth from the emergence of the Ashura Clan in the city of Stone Canyon.

2 – Keiji Ayakawa, Mark’s rival, learns he is heir to the Ashura Clan and takes his place as master of the Dread Castle. The original master of the Ashura Clan, Master Xandred was sealed away by the Ozawa Clan 200 years ago and now is a petrified, monstrous statue in the Dread Castle throneroom. Keiji is a distant descendant of this monstrosity and thus heir to his dominion and his mission to destroy the Ozawa Clan and the Earth. Keiji, long resentful of Mark’s inheritance, gladly accepts his own family legacy. Having found their leader, the Ashura Clan takes the Dread Castle back to their home dimension, the Netherworld. From the Netherworld they send monsters to Stone Canyon to battle the Rangers.

3 – When Mr. Mason launched his messenger arrows around the world in episode one to summon the Ozawa family’s retainers, a fifth arrow landed in the city of Angel Grove at the home of the Bulkmeier residence. Bulk of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers fame learns to his surprise that he is a distant descendant of the Ozawa Clan retainers who helped to seal the Ashura Clan in the Netherworld 200 years ago. Unfortunately the Bulkmeier family long ago stopped practicing Calligraphy Power and Bulk is unable to be teleported to Ozawa Manor. In episode three, Bulk finally makes his way to Stone Canyon to join the Ozawa Clan’s fight, apologizing for his lateness. With no Samurai Morpher and no combat ability, Bulk aids the Rangers in a support capacity alongside Mr. Mason. Accompanying Bulk is his teenage son Eugene ‘Junior’ Bulkmeier, an overly eager buffoon who happens to be the spitting image of Bulk’s best friend Skull.

4 – Bulk relocates his sushi restaurant from Angel Grove to Stone Canyon. Bulk has learned to become something of a master sushi chef over the years and works at and operates the place with Eugene. Where past Rangers were addicted to smoothies, the Samurai Rangers take to hanging out here in their downtime, eating bowls of ramen.

5 – Nocturna teaches Keiji how to harness his inner Ashura powers, teaching him how to transform like her into an Ashura form (Juzo) enhancing his strength and swordfighting ability. Keiji, driven by his contempt for Mark carries on the centuries-long Ashura Clan hatred of the Ozawa Clan and fights the first of several duels this season against Mark. While the Rangers battle the latest Ashura monster, Keiji battles Mark alone (Juzo vs. Red Ranger). A vastly superior swordsman, Keiji nearly kills Mark but the arrival of the other Rangers causes them to postpone their duel.

10-15 – The biggest fan of the Samurai Rangers, Eugene works in secret on creating his own morpher based on his two great passions: text messaging and sushi. Eugene masquerades in secret as the Gold Ranger, trying to win the approval of the Rangers. At first, the Rangers are perplexed by this new Ranger appearing to help them when they least suspect it. When Bulk and the Rangers discover the Gold Ranger is actually Eugene they forbid him from morphing and risking his life against the Ashura Clan again.

16 – Eugene saves the Rangers at their lowest point, winning their respect and approval. Although foolhardy, Eugene’s bravery and commitment to what’s right is undeniable. Bulk, proud of his son carrying on their ancestors’ legacy, finally agrees to let Eugene be the Gold Ranger.

20 – Mark vs. Keiji Round Two. Mark and Keiji fight their second duel on a seaside cliff (Shinkenger footage) with Mark narrowly defeating Keiji. Both Mark and Keiji are injured in their duel, leading to both learning how to rely upon their subordinates more in the following episodes.

25 – Jealous of Keiji and Nocturna’s growing closeness, Octomancer seeks to use his sorcery to resurrect a fallen Ashura Clan member slain in the great battle 200 years ago. Octomancer resurrects Akumaro, a former Ozawa Clan retainer who sold his soul to become an Ashura demon. Akumaro joins the villains in the Dread Castle and takes on their fight against the Power Rangers. While pretending to serve Keiji faithfully, he secretly plots behind his back to resurrect Xandred as well.

30 – Mark discovers he is not a true Ozawa but actually a descendant of the Ashura Clan and the long-lost brother of Keiji Ayakawa. By oath and blood right, Mark is supposed to serve the Ashura Clan. Mark leaves the Rangers but refuses to join the Ashura and fight against the Ozawa Clan and the Earth.

31 – Alison Ozawa, distant cousin of Mark and the last true Ozawa, is summoned by arrow from her prestigious east coast prep school to Stone Canyon. With Mark’s true parentage making him ineligible to lead the Rangers, the responsibility now rests on the shoulders of Alison to become the new Red Ranger and lead the Power Rangers against the Ashura Clan. Mark hands over his morpher and Origami Zord to Alison and leaves Ozawa Manor. (Permanent, not temporary leadership change)

32 – Adewale, Lisa, Oscar, Iris, and Eugene, missing Mark and struggling to accept Alison’s leadership, begin to question their servitude to ancient feudal oaths made by their ancestors hundreds of years ago. Why should it matter who Mark’s ancestors were? Isn’t he still the same Mark they called their friend and risked their lives alongside all this time? Even Mr. Mason and Bulk seem depressed about the change in leadership. Alison struggles to win over the support of the other Rangers starting with Adewale.

33 – Mark goes on a personal quest to find his place in the world and in the Ozawa vs. Ashura clan war. He emerges from his trials and tribulations with the power of the original Ozawa Clan leader lost for centuries. He is able now to morph into the Shogun Ranger (a Battlized Red Ranger) and aid the Samurai Rangers in their battles with the monsters. Mark still not officially a part of the Ozawa clan, refuses to live in Ozawa Manor and gets a job at Bulk’s sushi restaurant in exchange for room and board, sleeping on a cot in the back room after hours.

38 – Akumaro completes his secret plan to resurrect Master Xandred behind Keiji’s back. Master Xandred’s petrified corpse reanimates and he returns to assert his control over the Ashura Clan. Angry with Keiji for failing to destroy Earth by now, he tells him he is a failure and unworthy of the Ashura Clan and his bloodline. Keiji and Xandred battle for control of the Clan and Xandred thoroughly defeats Keiji, nearly killing him. Akumaro, Octomancer and even Nocturna side with Xandred against Keiji.

39 – Master Xandred leads the entirety of his forces across dimensions and teleports the Dread Castle again to Stone Canyon. Under the command of their original leader again, the Ashura Clan set out to destroy Earth once and for all. The Rangers fight their toughest battle yet. Elsewhere, Mark and Keiji fight their final duel in a spectacular battle.

40 – Mark and Keiji’s duel ends in an explosive draw. Having nearly killed each other again, Mark and Keiji finally choose their brotherhood/humanity over their samurai legacies and give up their feud. As the Rangers and Zords battle a giant Xandred, Mark and Keiji join forces to infiltrate the Dread Castle to defeat the Ashura Clan leaders. The former rivals/secret brothers are an unbeatable team of swordsmen and defeat Akumaro, Nocturna and Octomancer while the Megazord destroys Xandred. With the demons eliminated, the Dread Castle destroyed and the Earth saved, Mark achieves what the original Ozawa Clan leader could not by building a lasting peace. The only person able to broker a permanent truce between Alison and Keiji, Mark discovers his greatest power isn’t his ability to make war but his ability to make peace as he ends the Ashura vs. Ozawa feud once and for all, ensuring that the Ashura Clan will never again return to jeopardize Earth.