Forever Red: Inurangers Recast

This line-up of Red Inurangers and their real-life Saban-era Red Ranger counterparts demonstrates the similarities found in each of them and the creative liberties I took in making all of this come to fruition. The fact that Toran and Mika are the only two female Red Rangers in my Inurangers AU headcanon demonstrates that anybody can be a Power Ranger or Inuranger, and it is not just girls taking on the usual Blue, Yellow, and/or Pink Ranger costumes. It also shows that there is no reason why a mighty war-lady like Toran and an energetic bruiser gal like Mika cannot be Red Rangers and lead their team with courage. Toran and Mika are thoroughly welcome additions to the Red Ranger club, and their courage and toughness are great traits to possess for them to thrive in their roles as leaders and heroines.

Some people wonder why on earth, Inuyasha the Red Mighty Morphin Inuranger is paired up with Tommy, while Toran the Red Zeo Inuranger is paired up with Jason? Should Inuyasha be the one to remain with Jason and Toran with Tommy? Hear me out, please. Yes, Inuyasha is supposed to be the Red Tyrannosaurus Ranger version of Jason Lee Scott. Yes, Toran is supposed to be the Red Zeo Ranger version of Tommy Oliver. However, those are the main arrangements I have in my Inurangers AU headcanon and are just surface-level attributes to what they are really defined by. After all, Inuyasha’s long-staying legacy as an Inuranger makes him more akin to Tommy, while Toran’s conventional take-charge leadership makes her more akin to Jason.

It should never be forgotten that Inuyasha, aside from possessing Jason’s leadership skills and virile strength, also possesses Tommy’s long-lasting staying power as an Inuranger, coveted prestige as the greatest Ranger ever, powerful combat prowess, and acclaim as the face of the Inurangers. Furthermore, Inuyasha has also been leading his team for three seasons of Mighty Morphin Inurangers, one pair of team-up episodes in Inurangers Zeo, and the epic final team-up in Inurangers in Space, thus making him the perfect candidate for leading his fellow Red Inurangers in their battle against the Demon Beast Empire.

On the other hand, Toran may have possessed Tommy’s flawless combat prowess and peerless combination of power, timing, and agility, but she also possesses Jason’s rough edge as a lancer when he returns to join his fellow Red Rangers in their battle against the Machine Empire.

While Inuyasha is supposed to take after Jason and Toran take after Tommy, Inuyasha truly inherits Tommy’s acclaim and evergreen legacy as the greatest Red Ranger ever just as much as Toran inherits Jason’s rugged edge and toughness.

The rest of the Red Inurangers also have quirks that make them similar and different from their real-life Red Ranger counterparts.

Ryuichi as the Red Ronin Ranger has way more to do than Aurico the Red Alien Ranger because he demonstrates strong combat prowess, leadership as his own fighter, and handsome virility while also possessing Rocky DeSantos’s impulsiveness.

Alexander as the Red Turbo Inuranger possesses a cooler head and more collected attitude than the charismatically athletic TJ. However, his ability to think quickly on his feet and fight with valor can make TJ salute him.

Mika as the Red Space Inuranger is more hands-on in combat and rougher around the edges than the more reserved and analytical Andros, but they both possess fiercely loyal hearts.

Ryoma as the Red Galaxy Ranger may demonstrate more nobility and decorum than the more rambunctious Leo, but both possess virility, courage, and abundant honor as warriors and as men.

Ichiro as the Red Lightspeed Rescue Ranger is resolutely steelier in his goals than the more charismatically heroic Carter, but both of them possess an ever-burning ambition to better themselves in their duties.

Kiibo as the Red Time Force Ranger is way more impulsive, head-on, and furiously determined as a fighter than the more rational and understanding Wes, but both of them are the heroic light of their teams.

Takeshi as the Red Shadow Time Force Ranger is more rambunctious, rowdier, and rougher than the more conservatively by-the-book Alex while also possessing Rocky’s impulsiveness and friendliness, thus making him a more likable version of Alex. Nevertheless, both Takeshi and Alex possess fierce determination as combatants with a mission.

Baki as the Quantum Time Force Ranger has way more brute strength, magnificent muscle, and brawny virility compared to the more militaristic, stealthier, and stamina-driven Eric, but both of them possess a strong will to be the best versions of themselves.

Ippo as the Red Wild Force Ranger may be more understanding of his opponent’s intentions, while still wanting to be the best version of himself as a fighter, than the more thoroughly compassionate Cole, who understands anybody and everybody with a heart, but they are both driven by selflessness, respect toward the people they hold dearly, and abundant protection of everybody’s safety.

There you have it, folks, the Inurangers’ version of “Forever Red.” This is the version that gives the likes of Rocky DeSantos, Aurico, and Alex Drake some vindication, especially when their respective traits are inhabited by Ryuichi Hayami and Takeshi Sendo, as well as give Ryoma Sakamoto way more to do than Leo Corbett could. Therefore, Ryoma, Takeshi, and Ryuichi are given way more to do as fellow Red Rangers. It also gives awesome women warriors like Toran and Mika Seido the chance to lead their respective teams, i.e., Toran in Inurangers Zeo and Mika in Inurangers in Space, to show that young women can don the color red and lead a team as well as the guys could. Finally, this all-Red Ranger team-up also solidifies Inuyasha’s place as the face of the Inurangers universe and leader of the Toonami-Era Red Rangers, just like his real-life counterpart Tommy Oliver is as the face of the Power Rangers franchise. When all is said and done, I could never have asked for a better recast of “Forever Red” Inuranger style.

I hope you all enjoyed this, and I will see you in the next submission. Take care, stay safe, continue to don the color red with all of your hearts, and may the power protect you, everybody.

Inuyasha and Toran from Inuyasha belong to Rumiko Takahashi and Sunrise.

Ryuichi Hayami, Alexander Volg Zangief, Ichiro Miyata, Takeshi Sendo, and Ippo Makunouchi from Hajime no Ippo belong to George Morikawa and Madhouse.

Mika Seido from Geneshaft belongs to Kazuki Akane, Satelight, and Studio Gazelle.

Ryoma Sakamoto from Shura no Toki belongs to Masatoshi Kawahara, Shin Misawa, Media Factory, and Studio Comet.

Kiichi “Kiibo” Miyazawa from Shootfighter Tekken or High School Exciting Story: Tough belongs to Tetsuya Saruwatari and Anime International Company.

Baki Hanma from Baki the Grappler belongs to Keisuke Itagaki and Group TAC.

Tommy Oliver, Aurico, Jason Lee Scott, Theodore Jay “TJ” Jarvis Johnson, Andros of KO-35, Leo Corbett, Carter Grayson, Wesley “Wes” Collins, Alex Drake, Eric Myers, and Cole Evans from Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers, Mighty Morphin’ Alien Rangers, Power Rangers Zeo, Power Rangers Turbo, Power Rangers in Space, Power Rangers Lost Galaxy, Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue, Power Rangers Time Force, and Power Rangers Wild Force belong to Saban and Toei.