After 32 Years, Lord Zedd Has Finally Defeated The Power Rangers

There have been dozens of memorable villains across the three-decade history of Power Rangers, but few, if any, are as iconic as Lord Zedd. First introduced in the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers season 2 premiere in 1994, Zedd’s grotesque appearance and powerful abilities made him a terrifying foe. He immediately felt different from Rita Repulsa, bringing a harsher edge that instantly established himself as one of the franchise’s most recognizable villains.

However, as much of a threat as Lord Zedd was, he never actually beat the Rangers. Across the show, he destroyed the ThunderZords, helped shatter their Power Coins, and was involved in the destruction of the Command Center, but he never achieved his ultimate goal of conquering Earth. The Rangers always found a way to recover. As of 2026, though, that has finally changed in a surprising project that is shaking up Power Rangers history, giving Zedd a victory the main series never allowed him to claim.

Created alongside Playmates, who produce the modern line of Power Rangers toys, the Ninja Kidz YouTube series Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Return dropped its first episode on August 15. Alongside updated Ranger costumes, the officially endorsed fan series contained multiple surprises. Nothing, however, dropped jaws more than its biggest twist: for the first time in Power Rangers history, Lord Zedd won, and the Rangers are left to live with the consequences.

Lord Zedd Finally Wins In The Ninja Kidz Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Web Series

Lord Zedd’s appearance in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Return comes relatively early in the first episode, and his actions immediately established that the project is more than a nostalgic recreation of the kind of lighthearted adventures that defined the original Power Rangers series. Rather than delivering the expected victory for Ninja Kidz’s recast MMPR team, the confrontation takes a shocking turn. Jason squares up to Zedd, only for the Emperor of Evil to grab him. That’s when everything goes wrong.

Suddenly, Angel Grove is burning, while the rest of the Rangers lie on the ground, near-unconscious. Zedd taunts Jason, the last member of the team standing, accusing him of being unworthy of the Red Ranger mantle. Picking up Jason by the throat, the Emperor of Evil gestures to the destruction around them before ominously stating “this is your legacy.”

The episode then cuts to Jason in a white room, speaking to a formless presence (most likely Zordon). After being told he must rise, Jason demands “Rise? Rise to what?! I’ve already failed!” He then wakes at an unspecified point in the future, and it’s obvious that something isn’t right. The Rangers are now in hiding, while Billy watches the news on TV. The broadcast reveals that Lord Zedd is being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for successfully stopping all wars. The implication is clear: Zedd has taken control of the world’s governments and militaries.

By the end of episode 1 of the Ninja Kidz Power Rangers YouTube series, Lord Zedd has accomplished something his television counterpart could never do. He has conquered Earth. Rather than simply recreating the classic dynamic between the Rangers and their most famous villain, Ninja Kidz has placed the heroes in a world where their greatest enemy has already won. The Rangers are no longer defending Angel Grove from Zedd; they are rebels attempting to survive his rule.

The Ninja Kidz Has Already Put Its Own Spin On MMPR

When the Ninja Kidz Mighty Morphin Power Rangers web series was first announced, it appeared to be primarily an homage to MMPR. The updated costumes modernized the classic designs, but there was little indication that the project would be anything more than fan-made monster-of-the-week adventures that recreate the distinctive tone of the original era. Then episode 1 arrived, and it was immediately clear that Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Return has a much bigger story in mind.

Ninja Kidz subsequently revealed that the first episode is only the opening part of an 80-minute story, which will be released in individual installments over the coming weeks. That makes the 2026 Power Rangers series on YouTube substantially more ambitious than a collection of short fan episodes. It has a continuing narrative, a defined mystery, and isn’t afraid to reinterpret familiar characters and concepts.

The biggest change so far is Lord Zedd’s victory, but it is hardly the only surprise. A younger version of Zayto from Power Rangers Dino Fury also appears, while the confrontation between Zedd and Jason establishes that this version of the MMPR Red Ranger is deeply traumatized by his previous encounters with the Emperor of Evil. Their animosity therefore runs much deeper and feels considerably more personal than it was during the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers run.

The use of generative AI may have caused some divisive reactions to the series, but the story itself is arguably the more significant development. Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Return isn’t just a bunch of fans creating their own self-contained MMPR episodes. By allowing Lord Zedd to actually win, bringing in a Ranger from another era, and turning the original team into fugitives, Ninja Kidz is creating its own narrative direction and interpretation of Power Rangers lore.

TV Show(s)

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, Power Rangers Wild Force, Power Rangers Ninja Storm, Power Rangers Dino Thunder, Power Rangers S.P.D., Power Rangers Mystic Force, Power Rangers Operation Overdrive, Power Rangers Jungle Fury, Power Rangers RPM, Power Rangers Samurai, Power Rangers Megaforce, Power Rangers Dino Charge, Power Rangers Ninja Steel, Power Rangers Beast Morphers, Power Rangers Dino Fury, Power Rangers Cosmic Fury

Video Game(s)

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Mega Battle, Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid, Saban’s Power Rangers Megaforce, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind

First TV Show

Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers

Created by

Haim Saban, Shuki Levy, Shotaro Ishinomori