Ranger Wars: United We Roar
By Keith "JC" Hayward

The whole, "IF YOUR 4 POW3R RANJ3RZ YER 4GAINST TOKUSATSU!!!!" is fanboy blustering and that’s all it is. It doesn't help the fandom it hurts it. In doing such grandstanding, that you feel you might need to do in order to show you’re a “true fan”, you alienate fans who're made Tokusatsu fans because of Power Rangers. And as one of these types of fans, we still have many extremely cherished memories of voyaging on the Terra Venture, the final fight with Trakeena and seeing Jason return to say, "Kick back, rookie! Let me show you how it's done!" At the same time, I enjoyed my time with Shinji and Ren and have even enjoyed some more of the classic heroes such as Kikaider who makes the absolute greatest entrances in ALL Toku-dom. Jiro enters a room like no other!

I am not a biased spiteful fanboy and never will be. That's counter productive to furthering the fight for Toku-dom. Just like a video game fan who vows to play nothing but Nintendo systems is shutting himself off from other fun experiences or those curmudgeon "cool" kids who vow never to touch a Sonic or Mario game because they're too "kiddie." Same goes for Power Ranger fans. If you're so caught up on Power Rangers that you can't allow yourself to enjoy Tokusatsu as well, then you're just as short sighted as a PR Hater.

I like both and I like people who like either, both or neither as long as they have the open mind enough to show respect for people's opinions. You don't see the anime fandom split down the middle of those who like dubs and those who like subs. Sure people will conflict, but there's really no war.

You don't see the Transformer fandom, which out of all fandoms seem to have it together the most, arguing over whether or not Post-Movie continuity counts for anything versus Pre-Movie. Nor do you see a Japanese Beast Wars Site against Canadian Beast Wars. Over in the Transformer fandom, all are infact one. And look at what they're getting for their unity and brotherhood. They're getting their own conventions, the greatest and most continuous line-up of toys ever made, DVD's of all seasons and from the looks of it, they're even going to be getting hooked up with the Japanese series. They don't march about and alienate each other, war over stupid crap or shout on mountains how the Canadian Beast Wars has created irreparable damage to the Japanese Beast Wars or vice versa. No, they respect both and now years later of unity, they're more than likely going to get both on DVD. Not to mention countless killer comic books.

Why do they do it? Because it's ALL Transformers to them. It's all the same family.

Just like to me it's all heroes who walk around with changers and morphers, strike a pose and fight hard against over the top forces of evil should be considered all the same family.

I bare no ill will against an fans or fansites, and greatly appreciate any who join the fight with us in taking great strides in furthering the fandom and providing invaluable services as well. But this grandstanding and putting up walls to make sure the rift in the fandom stays there is as mature as this.

Now if you absolutely need to be "cool" like these kids, I can't stop you. But the rest of us grown ups know that you can buy a PS2 or a GameCube and it doesn't matter!!! As long as you're having fun, it's about the games.

And you can watch whatever you want to watch. It's not about the brand name or whether or not you have a fully Asian or Multi-Cultural cast. It's about the stories.

I know how it can be. I used to be one of those kids who hated the PS2 and actually I hated the Canadian Beast Wars too. Once I relaxed and took notice that it really doesn't actually matter. Beast Wars had some awesome stories and PS2 had some awesome video games.

Anyway, I got chores to do, but I say this not because I hate or consider PR Haters to be a "jerk". I don't do trite Web Wars where I end up looking like the kids in the above cartoon anymore(I used to tho.. ^_^'). I have real life joys and problems, but I do love Tokusatsu and I do love Power Rangers(well.... at least when they're good. That goes for Tokusatsu and Power Rangers. I'm looking at you Ninja Storm and Abaranger!!!)

Keep up on, keepin' on Toku-fandom, but just remember that the fandom would work much better united than fanboy divided.

Special Thanks:

Knux Five of the Toonami Infolink for the Power Ranger pictures.

PhoenixRanger for the awesome slogan. Nice looking site, btw!

Ray-Z of Power Ranger Central, for the use of a few more pictures.

Jeff for giving me a place to babble.

And the boys and girls of Japan Access who inspired this rant and make coming back to The Access a continuous joy.

Peace.

<<Keith “JC” Hayward>>