For decades, kids sat in front of tube TVs and flat screens arguing over who got to be the Red Ranger. Red was the leader. Blue was the brain. Pink and Yellow usually rounded out the core, with a Sixth Ranger appearing later to shake things up with gold or silver armor. But if you grew up during the height of Morphin’ Mania, you might have wondered: is there an orange power ranger, and if not, why the heck not? It’s a bright, high-visibility color. It fits the vibe. Yet, for nearly thirty years, an official, full-time Orange Ranger was basically the Bigfoot of the Power Rangers universe. You heard rumors, you saw fan art, but the screen stayed stubbornly orange-free.
Things have changed recently. Sorta.
The history of the orange suit is a messy trail of dream sequences, comic book exclusives, and very recent TV debuts. It isn't as simple as pointing to one person and saying, "That's the guy." To understand why orange stayed off the table for so long, you have to look at the footage the show was borrowing from Japan and the strange "unspoken rules" of Tokusatsu design.
The Long Wait for an Official Orange Ranger
Power Rangers isn't a purely American invention. Since 1993, the show has used action footage from the Japanese Super Sentai series. If Japan didn't film an orange hero, America didn't have one to put on posters. For a long time, the Japanese designers just didn't seem to vibe with the color. They loved their primaries. They loved their metallics. Orange was relegated to the sidelines or used for goofy one-offs that didn't really count as part of the main team.
The Katastrophe That Wasn't
Back in Power Rangers S.P.D. (2005), we got a massive tease. There’s an episode called "Idol" where a character named Boom—the bumbling but lovable tech assistant—dreams that he is the Orange Ranger. He has this whole elaborate fantasy where he’s the leader of the A-Squad. He even has a suit with a giant "0" on the chest.
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Fans went nuts.
But it was a gag. A total fake-out. Boom wasn't a real Ranger; he was a guy in a homemade costume living out a daydream. For years, that was the closest we got. It felt like a meta-joke from the producers, acknowledging that the fans were desperate for the color while simultaneously telling them, "Keep dreaming."
Breaking the Curse: Fern and Cosmic Fury
Everything changed in 2023. Power Rangers Cosmic Fury finally did the unthinkable. It introduced Fern, played by Jacqueline Joe, as a legitimate, permanent, non-dream-sequence Orange Ranger. This was a huge moment for the fandom. It wasn't just a guest spot. Fern became a core member of the team, bridging the gap that had existed since the 90s.
Why did it take so long? Honestly, it probably came down to the show finally moving away from its heavy reliance on Japanese footage. Cosmic Fury used original American-made suits. When you aren't beholden to what was filmed in Japan two years prior, you can pick whatever colors you want. They chose orange. It felt like a reward for thirty years of patience.
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The Comic Book "Maybe" Rangers
If you only watch the show, Fern is your answer. But if you read the BOOM! Studios comics, the lore gets deeper and a bit more tragic. The comics explore the "1969 Team"—a group of Rangers called together by Zordon during the Space Race to stop a threat on the moon.
On this team, we meet Remi, the 1969 Orange Solar Ranger.
The comics have a lot more freedom to play with the mythology. They can explore the idea that there were many teams before Jason, Kimberly, and the gang. In this "secret history," orange existed, but the mission went horribly wrong. Most of that team didn't make it back. It adds a layer of weight to the color; orange isn't just "missing," it's a color associated with a legacy that was almost erased from the records.
Strange Cases and Honorable Mentions
We have to talk about Power Rangers Dino Charge. People often bring up the Gravezord or specific auxiliary zords that have orange accents, but those don't really count. Then there is the "Battle Armor" problem. Sometimes a Red Ranger will power up and his armor will glow orange or gold, leading to confusion.
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- Michelangelo? Yeah, it happened. In the weirdest crossover of all time, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles met the Power Rangers in In Space. Mikey wore his orange bandana, but he didn't transform into an "Orange Ranger."
- The Sentai Connection: If we look at the Japanese source material, Ressha Sentai ToQger had a brilliant Orange Ranger (ToQ 6gou) who was a former villain working on the railroad. Power Rangers never adapted that season, likely because a show about magical trains was a tough sell for American audiences compared to dinosaurs or ninjas.
- Sashasen Sentai Kyuranger: This season featured Stinger, the Orange Tail. When this was adapted into Cosmic Fury, the showrunners actually kept the orange spirit alive through Fern, though the suit designs were heavily modified.
Why Orange Matters to the Fandom
You might wonder why people care so much about a color. It’s about completion. For a generation of kids, the Power Rangers were a spectrum. Having a "missing" color felt like a puzzle with a piece stuck under the couch.
When you look at the "Battle for the Grid" or the various mobile games, the inclusion of orange characters is always a high-engagement event. It represents the evolution of the brand. It shows that the franchise is willing to break its own "rules" and give the audience something they've been requesting since the days of VHS tapes.
How to Spot a "Real" Orange Ranger
If you're arguing with a friend about this (and let's be real, that's why you're here), you need to define your terms. Does a dream sequence count? Does a comic book count? If you are a purist who only counts the live-action TV show continuity, your list is incredibly short.
- Fern (Cosmic Fury): The first and only "main" TV Orange Ranger.
- Boom (S.P.D.): The "Orange Ranger" in spirit and comedy, but factually a civilian in a costume.
- Remi (Comics): A canonical Ranger in the comic book universe, but never appeared on screen.
Final Verdict on the Orange Suit
Is there an orange power ranger? Yes. But for a long time, the answer was a frustrating "sort of." With the debut of Cosmic Fury, the "Orange Curse" is officially broken. We've moved past the era of fan theories and fake Photoshop leaks into a time where orange is part of the team's DNA.
If you’re looking to dive deeper into this specific niche of Ranger lore, your best bet is to watch the final season of Cosmic Fury on Netflix to see Fern in action. If you prefer the darker, more "adult" version of the story, pick up the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers comics by BOOM! Studios, specifically the "Psychic Rangers" or "Solar Ranger" arcs. They treat the color with a level of respect and mystery that the 90s show never could have managed.
Stop looking for the "secret" Orange Ranger in the background of Mighty Morphin—he isn't there. But the future of the franchise looks like it might finally be embracing the full rainbow, including the bright, citrusy hero we waited thirty years to see.