31 May 2009
First Profile Coming
Pretty much typed up. Got the feeling I've missed some other oddity that's worth noting. Ah well. Gonna find some good images to accompany it. Just one note beforehand: anything that appears in brackets and in yellow, [like this], is what I'd consider a production note—the kind of things pertaining to oddities as a result of filming or production, not necessarily notes about the characters.
27 May 2009
Profile Preview: zPutties
No, not a complete profile by any means. Just random things I'm noticing as I do my little research. I should probably change my profile picture, else people picture a zPutty in a lab coat and glasses diligently taking notes while watching episodes of MMPR. Meh.
I haven't gone back through every episode yet—it's proving to be quite the task so far. But there are some observations I've made, if not about the characters of the zPutties, then about the production of the show.
Sometimes the Rangers will appear to have hit a zPutty in the 'Z' (sometimes very clearly so), but nothing happens. I also think that, by the end of Season 2, the zPutties pretty much know they're fcuked, but don't do much in terms of trying to avoid their destruction. In "Rangers Back in Time" (part 1), after the kids discover their weak spot, you'd think they'd turn tail and run. But I suppose I give them too much credit as they also weren't bright enough to swat the ball away as the kids threw it (with amazing accuracy) at their chestplates—though one of them was coordinated enough to flip through the air and snatch the ball away from the kids before. I dunno.
At one point, I assumed Saban only owned 6 costumes for the zPutties, though in "The Beetle Invasion" up to 10 could be seen on-screen at once. Also happened in "Best Man For the Job".
There are a few times when I think scenes were filmed in which zPutties were supposed to shatter, but it never happened. The first time I found this out was from that behind-the-scenes home-made video made by Ed Neil (? Was that the guy who did it?) where they were filming "Putty On the Brain". After one zPutty is knocked off a cliff and lands in the sand, in the home-made video, he stands back up, they freeze the action, cut, he walks out of view, action, unfreeze, things continue. That's a definite instance, I think, though the footage they actually filmed never made it into the episode, and I'd bet there are other instances too. In "White Light" (part 1), right at the beginning, Jason appears to hit all the zPutties pretty square in the chest. Just before the camera cuts to the next shot, they all seem to freeze. In "The Power Transfer" (part 2), Rocky, newly christened as the Red Ranger, also hits a zPutty square in the chest, and you can even kind of hear that powering-up sort of sound effect that happens as they prepare to explode. But the zPutty is just seen stumbling backwards, then cut to Rocky looking all cool posing as the Red Ranger.
Good Lord, I'm just geeking out here. I should probably stop before I hurt myself.
I haven't gone back through every episode yet—it's proving to be quite the task so far. But there are some observations I've made, if not about the characters of the zPutties, then about the production of the show.
Sometimes the Rangers will appear to have hit a zPutty in the 'Z' (sometimes very clearly so), but nothing happens. I also think that, by the end of Season 2, the zPutties pretty much know they're fcuked, but don't do much in terms of trying to avoid their destruction. In "Rangers Back in Time" (part 1), after the kids discover their weak spot, you'd think they'd turn tail and run. But I suppose I give them too much credit as they also weren't bright enough to swat the ball away as the kids threw it (with amazing accuracy) at their chestplates—though one of them was coordinated enough to flip through the air and snatch the ball away from the kids before. I dunno.
At one point, I assumed Saban only owned 6 costumes for the zPutties, though in "The Beetle Invasion" up to 10 could be seen on-screen at once. Also happened in "Best Man For the Job".
There are a few times when I think scenes were filmed in which zPutties were supposed to shatter, but it never happened. The first time I found this out was from that behind-the-scenes home-made video made by Ed Neil (? Was that the guy who did it?) where they were filming "Putty On the Brain". After one zPutty is knocked off a cliff and lands in the sand, in the home-made video, he stands back up, they freeze the action, cut, he walks out of view, action, unfreeze, things continue. That's a definite instance, I think, though the footage they actually filmed never made it into the episode, and I'd bet there are other instances too. In "White Light" (part 1), right at the beginning, Jason appears to hit all the zPutties pretty square in the chest. Just before the camera cuts to the next shot, they all seem to freeze. In "The Power Transfer" (part 2), Rocky, newly christened as the Red Ranger, also hits a zPutty square in the chest, and you can even kind of hear that powering-up sort of sound effect that happens as they prepare to explode. But the zPutty is just seen stumbling backwards, then cut to Rocky looking all cool posing as the Red Ranger.
Good Lord, I'm just geeking out here. I should probably stop before I hurt myself.
24 May 2009
Future Unearthings
About the list there: the Power Ranger and Sentai lists are, more or less, complete. It's this last tokusatsu list that will require further addition. This list is also tentative. Just because I've listed a minion here doesn't mean I have some huge wealth of information about them. Really, the early Power Ranger seasons are the ones I'm most confident in my knowledge of (with MMPR Season 2 being my forte ;) obviously), the later PR seasons I'm lacking knowlege in, and the earliest Sentai seasons even more so. This will be like a nice ongoing research project... except this is one I'm actually interested in.
The first minion to be profiled will be the zPutties. No surprise. I have an idea of what sort of information will be in the profile. Biographic information, some odds and ends info, random observations I've made. I'll probably end up re-watching every episode and zPutty fight in the series, probably to tally various things. It'll be easier for the minions I actually like. For others, not so easy. But it will be done all the same. Hopefully.
Stay tuned. :D
The first minion to be profiled will be the zPutties. No surprise. I have an idea of what sort of information will be in the profile. Biographic information, some odds and ends info, random observations I've made. I'll probably end up re-watching every episode and zPutty fight in the series, probably to tally various things. It'll be easier for the minions I actually like. For others, not so easy. But it will be done all the same. Hopefully.
Stay tuned. :D
The List
This will be the ongoing list of minions to be profiled on this blog.
POWER RANGERS
MMPR Season 1: Putties
MMPR Season 2: zPutties
MMPR Season 3: Tengas
PR Zeo: Cogs
PR Turbo: Pirahnatrons, Chromites
PR in Space: Quantrons, Craterites
Lost Galaxy: Stingwingers, Swabbies
Lightspeed Rescue: Batlings
Time Force: Cyclobots
Wild Force: Putrids
Ninja Storm: Kelzacks
Dino Thunder: Tyranodrones, Triptoids
PR SPD: Krybots, Blueheads, Orangeheads
Mystic Force: Hidiacs, Styxoids
Operation Overdrive: Chillers, Lava Lizards
Jungle Fury: Rinshi
PR RPM: Grinders
Samurai: Moogers
VR Troopers: Skugs, Ultra Skugs
SUPER SENTAI
GoRanger: Zolders
JAKQ: Crimers
Battle Fever J: Cutmen
DenziMan: Dustlers
Sun Vulcan: Machinemen
Goggle V: Madaraman (Spotmen)
DynaMan: Shippo Hei (Tail Soldiers)
BioMan: Mechaclones
ChangeMan: Hiderers
FlashMan: Zolors
MaskMan: Anglers
LiveMan: Jimmers
TurboRanger: Wular Soldiers
FiveMan: Batzlers
JetMan: Grinam Soldiers
ZyuRanger: Golem Hei
DaiRanger: Cotpotros
KakuRanger: Dorodoros
OhRanger: Barlo Soldiers
CarRanger: Wumpers
MegaRanger: Kunekune
GingaMan: Yātotto (Seamen Yartots)
GoGo-V: Familiar Imps
TimeRanger: Zenitts
GaoRanger: Orgettes
Hurricanger: Magerappa
AbaRanger: Barmia Hei (Gelru and Zolru)
DekaRanger: Mechanoids (Anaroids, Batsuroids, Igaroids)
MagiRanger: Zobils, High Zobils
Boukenger: Karths, Jaryuu
GekiRanger: Rinshis
Go-Onger: Ugatz
Shinkenger: Nanashi Company
Goseiger: Demon Bug Soldiers Bibi
Gokaiger: Gormin Sailors
TOKUSATSU
Speilban: Kinclons
RyuKendo: Familiars
Rescue Force: Axts
Rescue Fire: Jakasts
POWER RANGERS
MMPR Season 1: Putties
MMPR Season 2: zPutties
MMPR Season 3: Tengas
PR Zeo: Cogs
PR Turbo: Pirahnatrons, Chromites
PR in Space: Quantrons, Craterites
Lost Galaxy: Stingwingers, Swabbies
Lightspeed Rescue: Batlings
Time Force: Cyclobots
Wild Force: Putrids
Ninja Storm: Kelzacks
Dino Thunder: Tyranodrones, Triptoids
PR SPD: Krybots, Blueheads, Orangeheads
Mystic Force: Hidiacs, Styxoids
Operation Overdrive: Chillers, Lava Lizards
Jungle Fury: Rinshi
PR RPM: Grinders
Samurai: Moogers
VR Troopers: Skugs, Ultra Skugs
SUPER SENTAI
GoRanger: Zolders
JAKQ: Crimers
Battle Fever J: Cutmen
DenziMan: Dustlers
Sun Vulcan: Machinemen
Goggle V: Madaraman (Spotmen)
DynaMan: Shippo Hei (Tail Soldiers)
BioMan: Mechaclones
ChangeMan: Hiderers
FlashMan: Zolors
MaskMan: Anglers
LiveMan: Jimmers
TurboRanger: Wular Soldiers
FiveMan: Batzlers
JetMan: Grinam Soldiers
ZyuRanger: Golem Hei
DaiRanger: Cotpotros
KakuRanger: Dorodoros
OhRanger: Barlo Soldiers
CarRanger: Wumpers
MegaRanger: Kunekune
GingaMan: Yātotto (Seamen Yartots)
GoGo-V: Familiar Imps
TimeRanger: Zenitts
GaoRanger: Orgettes
Hurricanger: Magerappa
AbaRanger: Barmia Hei (Gelru and Zolru)
DekaRanger: Mechanoids (Anaroids, Batsuroids, Igaroids)
MagiRanger: Zobils, High Zobils
Boukenger: Karths, Jaryuu
GekiRanger: Rinshis
Go-Onger: Ugatz
Shinkenger: Nanashi Company
Goseiger: Demon Bug Soldiers Bibi
Gokaiger: Gormin Sailors
TOKUSATSU
Speilban: Kinclons
RyuKendo: Familiars
Rescue Force: Axts
Rescue Fire: Jakasts
22 May 2009
Intro to the Minon Graveyard
I'm zPutty and I have an unhealthy fascination with Power Rangers, Super Sentai and Tokusatsu minions. You know, those spandex-clad humanoids you see hundreds of throughout a series, who usually end up defeated on the ground or utterly destroyed by the good guys? Well, I've always liked those guys, and it started with the zPutties from the second season of Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers.
zPutties had it rough. To date (and if memory serves me correctly), they were the least equipped of all Power Rangers minions and the most vulnerable. Their predecessors, the regular Putties would at least some times have the sword-hands or ball-hands, and the successors, Tengas, at least had the advantage to fly away when the going got tough. But the zPutties were often left high and dry: no weapons, minimal chance for survival. One hit to the chest—hell, one touch to the chest—and they were done. Shattered into clay bits. Such a pity.
Well, the zPutties have my sympathy. Over time, the series came and went and I found myself watching the show only for that reason—to see what the cannon fodder looked like for that year. If I liked the minions, I'd look to watch the series. If I didn't, the series went mostly ignored.
I've always wondered what it would be like to be one of hundreds or thousands of nameless henchmen whose only purpose in life is to be thrown at a group of brightly-colored spandex-wearing fellows who you probably already knew were going to do you in. What goes through your mind? Do they really think they have a chance? I mean, the first few times, yeah, but how often can you be sent out there thinking, "Man, this time we're gonna get 'em!"?
See? Unhealthy. I probably think about such things way more often than necessary. But in my expeditions across the Internet, I've found but a handful of websites devoted to such a thing. Well, darn it, here's another one on the (short) list. Everyone loves the Putties (they're like the rock stars of Power Rangers minions), but I feel a number of the minions just get the short end of the straw. And since most of them are dead and gone (obliterated by one means or another), the title of this blog will be The Minion Graveyard.
So stay tuned. This blog will profile various Power Ranger, Super Sentai and Tokusatsu henchman, catalogue their highs, their lows, and any sort of instances that are worth note. Thanks for reading, and enjoy your visit to the Minion Graveyard.
zPutties had it rough. To date (and if memory serves me correctly), they were the least equipped of all Power Rangers minions and the most vulnerable. Their predecessors, the regular Putties would at least some times have the sword-hands or ball-hands, and the successors, Tengas, at least had the advantage to fly away when the going got tough. But the zPutties were often left high and dry: no weapons, minimal chance for survival. One hit to the chest—hell, one touch to the chest—and they were done. Shattered into clay bits. Such a pity.
Well, the zPutties have my sympathy. Over time, the series came and went and I found myself watching the show only for that reason—to see what the cannon fodder looked like for that year. If I liked the minions, I'd look to watch the series. If I didn't, the series went mostly ignored.
I've always wondered what it would be like to be one of hundreds or thousands of nameless henchmen whose only purpose in life is to be thrown at a group of brightly-colored spandex-wearing fellows who you probably already knew were going to do you in. What goes through your mind? Do they really think they have a chance? I mean, the first few times, yeah, but how often can you be sent out there thinking, "Man, this time we're gonna get 'em!"?
See? Unhealthy. I probably think about such things way more often than necessary. But in my expeditions across the Internet, I've found but a handful of websites devoted to such a thing. Well, darn it, here's another one on the (short) list. Everyone loves the Putties (they're like the rock stars of Power Rangers minions), but I feel a number of the minions just get the short end of the straw. And since most of them are dead and gone (obliterated by one means or another), the title of this blog will be The Minion Graveyard.
So stay tuned. This blog will profile various Power Ranger, Super Sentai and Tokusatsu henchman, catalogue their highs, their lows, and any sort of instances that are worth note. Thanks for reading, and enjoy your visit to the Minion Graveyard.
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