Power Rangers SPD To Receive Wider Broadcast in Japan

For those who don't know, a couple years back Toei imported Power Rangers SPD for viewing on it's special Toei Channel. It was also released on a pair of special DVD box sets. This was a rebroadcast of the american adaptation of Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger that featured dub work by the cast of Dekaranger over the US footage. This was even referenced in the recent series Hikonin Sentai Akibaranger. Well fans can now rejoice as the Japanese SPD dub is receiving a much wider release airing on Tokyo MX! This rebroadcast begins airing on October 6th 2012 at 7PM.

Credits: Rising Sun Tokusatsu, animeanime.jp

I still hold my impossible dream of Power Rangers Figmas, just because of how nicely Max Factory could do the joints.

Wow, is SPD really that popular in Japan? It's good to see Power Rangers get some recognition there.

Yea, but they'll never get Figuarts. Cause they're American Only characters.

We did get Dekaranger Figuarts though. The good thing about Power Rangers adapting from Super Sentai is that most of the time the Sentai Figuarts could double for Power Rangers if the collector so wishes.

I know. That was a comment towards all those "Zedd'll never be a Figuarts" people.

Awesome, always good to hear Power Rangers is getting more recognition over there.

Figuarts shouldn't be wasted on characters like Grumm anyway.

A "wider broadcast" could simply mean they're looking for something to fill a timeslot. It doesn't automatically mean the show is hugely popular or they'll start producing figures based on it. The Legend of Korra is a hugely popular show here, for example and it has a limited Japanese fanbase. Should Figma start making figures based on it? Sorry if you see me as someone trying to stop all the fun, but I don't think you understand how business works.

I've never said it's impossible for Zedd to become a Figuart, just that it's unlikely and people seem to mistakenly assume Blufin (the ones running all of these PR polls) are somehow in a position to actually make figures themselves. They've never even included American only characters in their polls, except when there's a PR character who's obviously going to win (i.e. Goldar or Dragon Ranger). That's marketing 101.

If you disagree, fine, it's clear that I can't make you understand, but save the snide comments until I'm actually proven wrong.

In the past this would be the case. Nowadays, the idea seems more and more likely. Figuarts seem to be catching on in the US far better than BoJ thought. The DBZ line is already aimed primarily at the US market. They're all exclusives in Japan. With the huge 20th anniversary merchandise push coming up, a Lord Zedd Figuart is at least a plausible idea.

Bolded for emphasis. Max Factory already learned their lesson with DK Figmas not to mess with a Bandai meal ticket. Not to mention Figuarts for those designs already exist in prototypes and are coming out.