Denji Sentai Megaranger

Out of the atmosphere, and this time for good: Power Rangers In Space moved the setting away from Earth for the first time on a permanent basis. Unlike MMPR3, where Earth was only left behind briefly, this season consistently took place in outer space and on alien planets. This didn't just create a new narrative framework, but also a clear break from all the previous seasons.

The Zord concept adapted to this new direction without losing its own identity. The Galaxy Mega, the Mega Voyager, and the Delta Mega were fully self-contained Zord systems and weren't meant to be mere expansions of existing Megazords. They worked independently of one another but could also be combined.

The Galaxy Mega took center stage at first and was later complemented by the Delta Mega. Unlike in earlier seasons, though, this wasn't a further development of the same system, but rather clearly separate Zord concepts. The Galaxy Mega remained as the Power Rangers' "home" and fought alongside them at times.

One special point from a collector's perspective is the Silver Titanus. This Zord is the first case I know of where a Zord was US- and EU-exclusive with no direct counterpart in the Japanese original. Technically it's based on the original Titanus model from MMPR, whose molds and parts were reused. The reason behind this was mainly the reuse of existing tools and molds, in order to be able to offer an additional large-scale model (Carrier) that fit the In-Space lineup.

On top of that, the Rescue Megazord from the previous season was released again as well. Even though it originally belonged to Turbo, it was reissued for In Space and released in new original packaging (OVP), adapted to the design of the In-Space lineup. The model itself stayed unchanged and thus forms a direct link between the two seasons.

For the first time since MMPR, In Space also brought back dedicated special models. These variants expanded the regular Zord lineup with additional collector's pieces. The Zord Ascension Project MZ-0602 in particular has really won me over here once again.