The Power Rangers franchise is known for its long-lasting legacy, with 30 years’ worth of teams, rangers, villains, and stories to its name. One of the biggest factors of Power Rangers that has kept longtime fans invested is the shared continuity throughout the series. Despite the series running for 30 years, each and every entry in the franchise takes place within the same universe, allowing longtime fans to catch references and Easter eggs to past seasons.

It is always a season highlight whenever a past Ranger team shows up in a season of Power Rangers. While these team-ups are rather common, it is rare for one legacy Ranger to reappear without the rest of their respective team. There have been instances in which these Rangers made a triumphant return, whether for an episode or an entire season, and it was always a great bit of fan service for longtime viewers.

10 Karone Returned in Super Megaforce

The Former Villain Became the Pink Ranger in Lost Galaxy

Karone was introduced in Power Rangers In Space as the villain known as Astronema. Karone was a remarkably compelling villain, given that she was the sister to the Red Ranger, Andros. When the following season, Power Rangers Lost Galaxy, killed off their Pink Ranger, Karone, turned good during the finale of In Space, returned to take up the mantle of the Galaxy Pink Ranger.

While the finale of Power Rangers Super Megaforce featured an anniversary team-up of every past Ranger, including some returning actors, there was a brief spotlight given to Karone and her complicated legacy as a Ranger. In the extended version of the "Legendary Battle" episode, when all the Rangers are putting on their helmets to prepare for the final battle, Karone is seen looking at her helmet and saying to herself, “I love being a Power Ranger.” She is then quickly shown in her Astronema form, giving fans a great nod to her former life as a villain.

9 Casey Rhodes’ Return in Super Megaforce

The Jungle Fury Red Ranger Returned in the 20th Anniversary Season

Casey Rhodes was introduced as the Red Ranger in Power Rangers Jungle Fury. Jungle Fury was one of those Power Rangers seasons that never got a team-up episode with the previous or following season, making it feel like its own isolated entry in the franchise. However, Casey’s return in Power Rangers Super Megaforce finally gave the character, and Jungle Fury in general, the love it deserves.

Given that Super Megaforce was the 20th anniversary season, it featured several cameos of past Rangers, with Casey appearing in the episode “Spirit of the Tiger.” The episode saw Casey now working at a zoo, with the Super Megaforce Rangers recognizing him as a former Ranger. Casey continues the legacy of Jungle Fury by passing on his teachings to Super Megaforce’s Green Ranger Jake and Pink Ranger Emma.

8 Heckyl’s Return in Cosmic Fury

The Former Villain Was Finally Seen in the Dark Ranger Suit

Power Rangers Dino Charge introduced the character of Heckyl during its first season, who returned in the second season, Dino Super Charge, as the main villain. When Heckyl began his quest for the Dark Energem, many fans hoped to see him in the Deathryuger suit featured in Dino Charge’s Super Sentai counterpart, Zyuden Sentai Kyoryuger. However, this never came to be, with the suit making its first appearance in Power Rangers in the BOOM! Comics, which featured Heckyl as the Dark Ranger in the Beyond the Grid arc.

When Power Rangers Cosmic Fury aired, fans were thrilled to see the return of Heckyl. It was a highlight of the season to finally see the character morph into the Dark Ranger suit in live action, teaming up with the Cosmic Fury Rangers. While casual viewers may not have understood the significance of this suit, for longtime fans, it was a great bit of fan service.

7 Bridge Carson’s Return in Operation Overdrive

The S.P.D. Green Ranger Was Upgraded to Red Ranger

Bridge Carson was introduced in Power Rangers S.P.D. as the Green Ranger. Bridge was an incredibly likable character, serving as the quirky, comedic relief of his team. At the end of the S.P.D. finale, Red Ranger Jack decided to leave S.P.D., leading Blue Ranger Sky to be promoted to Red Ranger, with Bridge being promoted to Blue Ranger.

Fans were excited to see Bridge return in Power Rangers Operation Overdrive’s 15th anniversary special, “Once a Ranger.” What really made Bridge’s return stand out was that he was given some character development that the other returning Rangers didn’t. In the episode, Bridge is seen in the Red Ranger suit, explaining that Sky had been promoted to S.P.D. commander, leading Bridge to be promoted to Red Ranger and team leader. While fan service is always great, it is made even more special when it comes with some story development for the characters fans love.

6 Adam Park’s Return in Power Rangers in Space

Adam Managed to Morph Into the Original Black Ranger Suit

When Zack Taylor gave up his life as the Black Ranger during the second season of Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers, he was replaced with the quiet, introverted Adam Park. Adam remained on the team throughout the rest of Mighty Morphin, as well as in Power Rangers Zeo and the first half of Power Rangers Turbo. Adam became a beloved character as fans got to see him grow into a strong, confident character.

Power Rangers In Space saw the return of Adam as a legacy Ranger. The episode featured some great character development for the character, as he helps current Black Ranger Carlos, who was beginning to lose confidence in his Ranger abilities. Adam also provided some story development on the destroyed morphers from Mighty Morphin, with Adam managing to morph into the original Black Ranger suit.

5 Tommy Oliver’s Return in Ninja Steel

The 25th Anniversary Introduced the Master Morpher

Tommy Oliver is a clear fan-favorite of the Power Rangers, introduced during the “Green with Evil” arc of the first season of Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers. Tommy had one of the longest runs as a Ranger in the franchise, lasting from the first season all the way up to the mid-season finale of Power Rangers Turbo. While Tommy made a return in Power Rangers Dino Thunder, his return as a legacy Ranger in Power Rangers Ninja Steel was a highlight of the series.

Tommy’s return in the 25th anniversary special, “Dimensions in Danger,” was treated with all the triumph the character deserved. Not only did Tommy help free the captured Rangers from the evil Lord Draven, he also singlehandedly took him down with his Falcon Zord. The best part of Tommy’s return was the introduction of the Master Morpher, which allowed Tommy to switch between all of his past Ranger suits.

4 Wes Collin’s Return in Ninja Steel

Wes Established the Connection Between the Past Ranger Teams

Wes Collins was introduced in Power Rangers Time Force as the Red Ranger to a team of Rangers from the year 3000. Wes was a great Ranger, often considered by fans to be one of the best Red Rangers in the franchise. While Wes returned twice in Power Rangers Wild Force and in the Super Megaforce finale, his appearance in Power Rangers Ninja Steel, without the rest of his team, was especially noteworthy.

Like Tommy, Wes played a big role in “Dimensions in Danger,” essentially serving as the leader of the Rangers trying to rescue their captured comrades from Lord Draven. Wes’ return also brought some story development, expanding on the idea that all of the past Ranger teams were in contact with each other, with Time Force developing the technology for Rangers to communicate with Ranger teams from other universes.

3 Jason Lee Scott’s Return in Wild Force

The Original Red Ranger Returned for the Tenth Anniversary

While Tommy is often considered the fan-favorite of Mighty Morphin, Jason Lee Scott is a rather close second. Jason was the original Red Ranger of the Power Rangers franchise and is arguably the most iconic Ranger, with his suit and helmet being considered the “face” of the franchise. While Jason returned as the Gold Ranger in Power Rangers Zeo, he wasn’t seen again in the franchise for many years.

Jason made a triumphant return in Power Rangers Wild Force for its tenth anniversary special, “Forever Red.” The scene in which Jason arrives on his motorcycle gave the character a sense of grandeur, stating to Tommy, “You didn’t think I was gonna let you do this without the original Red Ranger?” Jason later on returned in the “Grid Connection” episode of Power Rangers Beast Morphers, but his return for the tenth anniversary special was simply glorious.

2 Tommy Oliver’s Return in Dino Thunder

The Fan-Favorite Character Returned in a Mentor Role

As previously stated, Tommy Oliver was a massively popular character in the Power Rangers franchise. Fans were ecstatic when Power Rangers Dino Thunder premiered, with Tommy returning as a mentor figure to the new team of Rangers. Tommy’s return provided some insight into a Ranger’s life after they put down their helmet, with the character now a teacher at Reefside High School.

The “Legacy of Power” episode featured a video diary of Tommy’s life as a Power Ranger, as well as the Ranger history that followed him, which was a fantastic way to build up to his first morph as the Black Dino Thunder Ranger in the “Back in Black” episode. Tommy remained as a major character throughout Dino Thunder, which certainly helped make it a fan-favorite season of the franchise.

1 Billy Cranston’s Return in Cosmic Fury

The Original Blue Ranger Returned as a Mentor to the Cosmic Fury Team

With Tommy being the first legacy Ranger to return in a mentor role, fans were thrilled when it was revealed that Billy Cranston, the Blue Ranger of Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers, would return as a mentor to the rangers of Power Rangers Cosmic Fury. Billy lasted longer in the franchise than any of the other rangers from the original Mighty Morphin’ team, remaining as the Blue Ranger for all three seasons and remaining as the tech guy for the Zeo team.

Before the premiere of Cosmic Fury, Billy returned for the "Once and Always" 30th anniversary special, which led nicely into his mentor role in Cosmic Fury. As the mentor, Billy helped the Comic Fury team on their mission to defeat Mighty Morphin’ villain Lord Zedd, who Billy had plenty of experience with. Given that Cosmic Fury is currently the final season of the franchise, it was a great decision to bring back a Ranger from the first season, giving the season a full-circle feeling.