The Mighty Morhpin era of the Power Rangers casts a long shadow over the whole franchise, and its casting in particular. Controversial and infamous as it’s been to have the Black and Yellow Rangers played respectively by Black actor Walter Jones III and the late Asian actor Thuy Trang, their roles as Zack and Trini proved foundational for a lot of viewers. Trini officially died prior to the 2023 special Once and Always, but the character is returning again as the lead in an upcoming novel.
Written by Diana Ma (Heiress Apparently), Power Rangers: Force of Chaos explores Trini’s POV during the Mighty Morphin team’s early days. As the team works through their initial feelings about one another, including Trini’s own “complicated history” with Zack, the book will delve into her Chinese heritage and being a martial artist superhero. Ma, in a statement to Polygon (which also has an excerpt), teased the book would “bring Chinese mythology” and let her show her love for the character she grew up watching.
“Trini was important to me because she was one of the first Asian-American superheroes I saw on TV,” said Ma. “As a Chinese American superhero-loving fangirl, it was powerful for me to see this representation in a kids’ TV show. Knowing that Power Ranger fans were watching and connecting to Trini as she kicked Putty butt as part of a superhero team committed to protecting the universe made me feel seen.”
Power Rangers: Force of Chaos releases this Tuesday, May 13.
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