What is a Power Ranger without his Morpher? No Morpher – No powers, but not all Morphers are created equal. Join Punk-jack for a look at the Morphers of the additional heroes of Power Rangers, the Sixth Rangers!
When you think of Power Rangers or Super Sentai teams, you think of the flashy suits, stylish helmets. epic weapons and cool Megazords. But, what’s the one thing every one of these spandex wearing heroes has in common? It’s simple… Morphers. Every season has something different, from belt buckles that are supposed to be dinosaur eggs, to wrist worn devices, guns, swords, rings, there was even a burger once, we have seen it all! However, we aren’t here to talk about the standard team members’ changers today. In this article, we are here to discuss the Morphers of my personal favourite team members, the Sixth Rangers.
Before we begin, I first want to state that this is just my personal opinion. I am not, in any way, trying to sway judgement. If you feel differently, that’s fine. Why not join The Toku Source team and write about your favourite morphers? With that being said, it’s showtime.
When a Sixth Ranger debuts in Power Rangers or Super Sentai, they usually bring with them a flasher variation of the teams suit. Whether that be a new colour scheme or the addition of armour, a lot of them tend to have something unusual or out there, design wise. These are the kinds of devices I’ll be featuring here. Without further ado, the Top Ten Sixth Ranger Morphers from both Power Rangers and Super Sentai.
Morphers: The Best of the Best
#10 Digimorpher / Keitaizer (Power Rangers In Space / Denji Sentai Megaranger)
Initially a prototype used by Silver Ranger, Zhane / Yuusaku, the silver Morpher took the form of a flip phone device. To transform, a button on the side is pressed to open the flip covers, followed by entering the code 2 (M) + 5 (E) + 8 (G) + 0 (A), spelling ‘MEGA’ on the screen, followed by pressing the arrow (Enter) button. ‘MEGA’, written in red, would flash.
FUN FACT: The Digimorpher/ Keitaizer was the first cell phone styled Morpher to appear in either Sentai or Power Rangers.
#9 Drago Morpher / Dino Minder (Power Rangers Dino Thunder / Bakuryu Sentai Abaranger)
A wrist brace style Morpher, the Drago Morpher / Dino Minder was used by Trent / Mikoto to battle the other members of the Dino/Abare team. In the Sentai, the Morpher was designed for a warrior to match the power of the Evolians on its own. However, it was unstable due to the internal compact energy amplification core which could potentially blow up the entire city of Tokyo if left unchecked. Mikoto received this and TopGaler’s egg when observing Abaranger’s second battle. To transform, the back trigger is pulled out followed declaration of the phrase, Bakuryuu Change, whilst pushing the red button.
In Dino Thunder, the Morpher was developed by Mezagog to harness the evil powers of the white Dino Gem. Trent accidentally found the Morpher (in its bracelet form) and bonded to the gem. The morphing sequence is also much simpler. Push the red button and say “White Ranger, Dino Power.”
#8 Sky Shift Morpher / Wing Trigger (Power Rangers RPM / Engine Sentai Go-Onger)
Used by RPM Operators Gold and Silver / Go-On Wings, these Morphers were made to resemble the joystick controller of a fighter jet. To morph, the Rangers insert their Engine Cells/Souls, flip the back compartment open to access the button, and say the phrase “RPM, Get in Gear / Let’s Go On.”
The Morphers were invented by Dr. K in Power Rangers, however, in the Sentai, the changers were given to the pilots by their Engines.
Related: Top 5 Sixth Debuts in Super Sentai
#7 Sushi Changer (Samurai Sentai Shinkenger)
Used and created by Shinken Gold, Genta, this cellular device was designed to resemble a piece of nigirizushi (sushi). Whilst Genta was not raised to be a samurai, and therefore has no formal calligraphy training, he is able to use electronic mojikara, activated by typing various codes into his changer. To transform, Genta folds his Hiden Disk and locks in to the top of the changer, followed by the phrase “Ikkan Kenjou!” There’s no direct translation for this phrase however it is basically a pun referring to Genta being a sushi seller. Presenting sushi is the nearest translation I could muster.
You’ll notice I didn’t mention the Power Rangers counterpart, Power Rangers Samurai, in this entry. There’s a perfectly reasonable explanation for that and that is because… they didn’t use the Sushi Changer! They changed the gold Morpher to a silver coloured version of the Samuraizer. This was most likely done due to the Sushi Changer being ‘too Japanese’ for western viewers, but who knows.
#6 Ninja Star Burger (Shuriken Sentai Ninninger)
Again, you may notice that I didn’t mention this season’s counterpart, Power Rangers Ninja Steel here. This is, again, because the Gold Ranger’s Morpher was changed to a remodelled version of the Karakuri Hengen weapon (Ninja Battle Morpher) used by the Rangers instead. Whilst the burger does make appearances in the show, it’s only used as a camera to match with Sentai footage.
By opening up the burger and inserting the activated StarNinger Shuriken, followed by pressing the red-white button located on the side of the device, the Ninja Star Burger announces “The Change!” The phrase “Shuriken Change” is then used to activate the transformation.
Whilst it’s never stated in the show who actually designed and made the changer, the Ninja Star Burger is made to look like an American icon – the hamburger. The StarNinger Shuriken is placed in such a way that when added, it looks like cheese, making it a cheeseburger.
The audio on the Ninja Star Burger is inspired by the sound french Fry machines make in McDonald’s restaurants in Japan.
#5 Titanium Morpher (Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue)
A wrist worn brace device used by the first ever American only Sixth Ranger, Ryan, the Titanium Morpher was developed by Lightspeed Rescue to help combat the ever growing Demon threat. Initially tested by the Red Ranger, Carter, the Morpher was deemed too powerful to be used by a “normal human” by Miss Fairwether, before being stolen by Ryan. Ryan is shown to have very strong endurance for a human, possibly as a result of being raised by Diabolico, because he was able to withstand the Titanium Morpher’s circuitry.
To activate the Morpher, Ryan pressed the gold Lightspeed button symbol to reveal the screen before calling out the phrase, “Titanium Power!”
Due to the fact the Titanium Ranger has no Japanese counterpart, the Morpher design was based on the Max Solarzord, which was used as the Titanium Zord in Power Rangers.
#4 Zyuoh the Light (Doubutsu Sentai Zyuohger)
A Sentai only changer (as of time of writing), designed to resemble a torch or flash light, used by Zyuoh the World. Misao Mondou is the result of a humanoid experiment done by Ginis as overseen by Naria. Naria captured several Zyumans and was able to then drain their life essence to generate the powers for infusion into the captive, Misao. To transform, Misao pushes the button on the back of the light and turns the cube to the corresponding side, saying the phrase “Honnou Kakusei.” Pressing the button a second time to initiates the transformation. When switching between his forms, Zyuoh The World typically points the aperture towards his opponents, using the flash of light it produces to blind them long enough to safely transform.
#3 Houou Blade & Houou Shield (Uchu Sentai Kyuranger)
A two piece transformation device, which consists of a shield and a sword, Houou Blade & Houou Shield is also capable of utilising Kyutama. After finding the Houou Kyutama, Tsurugi had the Houou Blade & Shield created. To transform, he inserts the Houou Kyutama into the slot of the Houou Blade, making the Changer announce the name of the Kyutama. He then presses the trigger on the Houou Blade, shouts “Star change” before unsheathing the Houou Blade from the Houou Shield.
#2 Mosa Changer / Mosa Blaster (Kishiryu Sentai Ryusoulger / Power Rangers Dino Fury)
A blaster based on the Mosasaurus. To transform, Ryusoul Gold plugs a Ryusoul in the back of the Mosa Changer before rotating the muzzle 180 degrees and saying the phrase “Ryusoul Change.”
In Power Rangers Dino Fury, the morph is basically the same except, unlike as in Ryusoulger, there are no hand movements and the Morphin Phrase is changed to “Link to Morphin Grid” to match the core team.
The Mosa Changer is also unique, due to the fact it can combine with the Mosa Blade to form the Mosa Breaker / Gold Blade Blaster, which is used for final attacks.
Related: A Closer Look at the Power Rangers Cosmic Fury Morpher
Honourable Mentions
Before we get to the big one, here’s a few honourable mentions that I feel are interesting but not exactly top ten material.
Kiba Changer (Gosei Sentai Dairanger)
Used by, then ten year old, Koh to transform into Kiba Ranger. This two piece changer consisted of a gold keychain and a wrist worn brace. The idea itself is cool but the design is kinda boring to me.
Samurai Ball Changer / Cyclone Morpher (Ninpuu Sentai Hurricaneger / Power Rangers Ninja Storm)
Used by Shurikenger and Cam Watanabe, this ball shaped device is definitely an interesting one. The initial design comes from Shurikenger’s love of baseball but it’s so bulky. You could hang it from your belt but its not the best place for it. Ninja Storm tried to change this by having the Morpher revert to an amulet which the user could wear when not in use. Overall, though, it’s a strange design choice.
Gold Dino Buckler / Gold Power Morpher (Kyoryu Sentai Zyuranger / Mighty Morphin Power Rangers)
The design is supposedly based on a dinosaur egg. When opened, it resembles an egg cracking? Either way, the Dragon/Green Ranger’s changer is just a straight up repaint of the core team’s. There are no different sounds or anything; kind of basic and boring, if you ask me.
It’s now time to reveal my top pick for Sixth Ranger transformation devices. You may have seen this coming based on what’s missing so far.
The Ultimate Morpher
#1 Gokai Cellular / Legendary Silver Morpher (Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger / Power Rangers Super Megaforce)
Another cell phone styled device, this changer uses Ranger Keys to access past (and now future) sixth hero powers. The keypad features past sixths going back to Zyuranger. As of the Gokaiger 10 Years After movie (2021), there is now an addon piece, the Gold Tsiuker Unit, which features additional Sixth Rangers that debuted after Gokaiger.
In Power Rangers, the Legendary Silver Morpher was found on the planet Andresia by Orion. In classic Gosei fashion, it’s never explained how or why it was there. However, in Gokaiger, Gai is hit by a truck trying to save a girl’s life. Whilst in a coma, he is visited by the spirits of three deceased sixths: Dragon Ranger, Time Fire, and Abarekiller. Having witnessed his bravery, they give him the Gokai Cellular, Anchor Key, and the Greater Powers of their respective teams.
To transform, Gai / Orion inserts the Anchor Key into the cellular and closes the panel before calling out “Gokai Change / Super Mega Mode” and pushing the top button to activate the transformation.
Related: Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger Memorial Edition Gokai Cellular Gokai Tsuiker Unit Set
That’s it! The top Sixth Ranger Morphers picks from both Power Rangers and Super Sentai, according to Punk-jack. There are loads more that I didn’t talk about but the cut has to be made somewhere. Did you agree with my choices? Have I forgotten any obvious standouts?
What are your favourite Sixth Ranger Morphers? Let us know in the comments section below or reach out to The Toku Source on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram!
