While Super Sentai has some very good openings, more people are likely familiar with some of the opening themes from the Power Rangers franchise. Ignoring a debate about which is better, we can all agree that Power Rangers had a fair share of both stinkers and really good openings and themes. Since I did the top 15 Super Sentai openings already, I see it as only fair to give Power Rangers the same treatment. There are fewer seasons of Power Rangers so instead of a top 15, a top 10 seems more fitting.
For the most part will be going off of the same rules as I did for Super Sentai:
1) I am only going off of how much of the song is provided in the opening of each respective show
2) How much does the song and opening cinematic hype you up in general/for the upcoming show. (basically how much do I want to watch the show after I watch the opening)
3) Is the song decent on its own
4) One song per show. (some shows have multiple)
5) unless otherwise stated, I will go off of the version of the opening that shows all Rangers
6) I am solely going off of the intro and not now the song was used in the show.
This unfortunately means that Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and the more recent seasons will only be able to provide one theme. It really only affects which cinematic I am going with since, like Super Sentai, main themes don't change that much into the show. I also want to stress again that this is merely the list I came up with based on my own bias and interests. this list is not objective. It is okay to like other themes more than I or hate ones that I enjoy. With all of that out of the way, lets get started.
10: Zeo
The problem with making these lists is that it gets to a point where I like enough of the themes where its hard to decide which ones I like more than others. For some it was easy. For Zeo it was difficult. I do thoroughly enjoy the Power Rangers Zeo opening, but not as much as I like the others. The segment where the etchings of their helmet are being engraved into CG segments is a really neat effect. Honestly I can't say anything bad about this opening. It is fine, just nothing about it really stands out over others to me.
9: Lost Galaxy
I wanted to put this opening in a higher spot since it is very fast paced, very well edited and the song is pretty darn good. There is one major flaw that keeps it pretty low on this list as one of my favorites. The opening is too long. about the 3rd of 4th time we hear "Lost Galaxy" towards the end, I feel like the opening has long overstayed it's welcome. It doesn't ruin the whole opening. As I said, the fast pace and great song really bring it home. I just wish it was shorter or at least didn't feel as long
8: SPD
Objectively speaking this is a very good opening. The editing is very well done, the song fits the tone of the opening and it really builds up hype. Why so low on the list? Well this is hard to explain but there are 2 things about the theme that I think were done so much better in other openings. The character introductions take up so much of the opening and it really feels like it. Part of the opening seems more like an opening credits role than a vehicle to get fans hyped for the show. It should be able to balance both of those things. I want to give them benefit of the doubt since the show does have a lot of characters, all necessary, but there is one more thing. The song is simply not my favorite. It is a very good song but there are others I like more. I really like this theme and truly believe it warrants praise. It is just not my favorite.
7: Space
This opening builds up hype really quickly. That opening countdown followed by the declaration of "Rangers, in space!" is oddly epic. The rest of the theme is very well edited and good at maintaining this level of hype. Much like Zeo, most of the theme doesn't really stand out to me. The theme is good but not great. Unlike Zeo, the opening bit to help build hype early really helps it to me. I still enjoy the theme but there are a few I enjoy more.
6: Wild Force
I really like this opening. The song is upbeat and the best way to describe the opening as a whole is...well....Wild. The opening is fun the whole way and part of my wants to like it more but there are certain editing quirks that bug me. Some things are not synced with the song as well as I would like, and some effects and transitions for the opening feel pretty simple. Aside from that I have to admire the consistency in how fun this opening is. The song fits the tone of the opening and many edits makes what we are about to watch feel grand. Unfortunately for me, I get bugged by stupid little things easily.
5: Lightspeed Rescue
The only way I can really describe this opening is a very hopeful call to action. The slow opening leading into this urgent rock beat carries this sense of importance to the viewer. The scenes are action packed and really get you hyped for the show. In a weird twist, the editing is what really puts this in the number 5 spot for me. I like the song really well, but how well the song was implemented and timed in the opening warrants some hearty applause. If I were to nitpick about anything in this opening it is that, much like Lost Galaxy, this one may go on a bit too long. It does not feel as lengthy but it comes close. I would absolutely understand if somebody says this is their favorite opening or power rangers theme song.
4: Dino Charge
After Power Rangers Samurai I thought that Power Rangers openings were just about done for. Creators seemed more inclined to rehash the original theme than create something new. Enter Power Rangers Dino Charge. How good this theme is caught me so off guard I have to give it praise. The slow opening drums followed by honest to goodness original lyrics were fantastically done. This special brand of Primal epicness really. Many people don't like this opening because parts of the chorus are from the original MMPR theme. I can see that complaint but I don't think it's completely fair. This theme has more than enough of its own identity to stand on its own. Boy does it stand on its own. Everything from the fast pace and stylized opening to the great song go a long way. I can't put it higher on the list since there are three that do certain things better. Also, while it is awesome, the slow opening is not that good at building hype as oppose to setting a tone, if that makes sense. A very unexpected and awesome opening, but not quite my favorite.
3: Dino Thunder
I really wanted this one to be higher on the list since this song is one of if not my favorite opening song. The problem is, the editing and pacing of the opening is good, but not as strong as the song. Many parts are good, but that is not where the hype comes from. The opening theme for Dino Thunder is epic and hard rocking. I just about have to head bang every time I hear it. It carries so much weight that I had to put the opening high on the list. Unfortunately when there were many openings that had much more action-packed or fun editing in their openings, I had to come to terms with the fact that there are two I like a bit more. Still a seriously awesome song though.
2: Time Force
Probably one of the best, if not the best, edited openings in Power Rangers so far. The fast paced action and epic score in the opening does an absolutely fantastic job at getting me hyped for the show. It is awesome to see how just about every action, every special move and even some introductions align with the music near flawlessly. Much like Lightspeed Rescue, the editing and epic feel of this carries a huge chunk of the weight. Time force does 2 things better in my opinion. The timing and action are a tad more pronounced and the I just like the song better in Time Force.
1: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (season 1)
Honestly this should surprise nobody. The people doing the original opening and theme song knew what they were doing. I said in the Top 15 Super Sentai openings that opening dialogue, if done right makes all the difference. In this opening the starting dialogue sets the tone immediately. The viewer immediatly knows this show is going to be pretty silly. That state of relaxed "WTF" in some weird way helps the hype of the show. The editing is not spectacular and the timing of things is really good. Honestly a lot of what puts this at number one is how timeless and awesome the song is. Nothing about the opening is bad. In fact, as a whole it is the right amount of silly and out there. The theme song just raises this opening to great heights and makes it my uncontested favorite.
Honorable Mention: Hyperforce
I have to give the creators at HyperRPG props for this opening. I didn't feel right putting it on the list since a) the series is not over and b) it is not an official power rangers property...yet. The show has been doing super successful and they made one heck of an opening to go along with it. Check out the opening and show when you get the chance. Especially lately, they have been doing a fantastic job at capturing the heart of Power Rangers.
As weird as it sounds this list was easier to make than the top 15 Super Sentai list I made. I already had an idea of which ones were going to be where since I, like many americans, had more exposure to Power Rangers than Super Sentai. This was a fun list to make and it really has put opening theme songs in my brain. I may do a top 10 Kamen Rider openings as well while I am doing these...
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