Exploring Jason and Kimberly’s Relationship: The Red and Pink Rangers’ Romantic History in Power Rangers

Exploring Jason and Kimberly’s Relationship: The Red and Pink Rangers’ Romantic History in Power Rangers

Jason and Kimberly are undeniably two of the most iconic characters from the Power Rangers franchise. The question of whether they were ever meant to be a romantic couple is complex, laden with rumors, varying storylines, and discarded concepts. As the respective Red and Pink Rangers, Jason and Kimberly hold a prominent place in Power Rangers lore and have continued to resonate within the franchise, appearing in comics and video games long after the original series premiered over 30 years ago.

While Kimberly and Tommy were the primary romantic duo of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, initiating their relationship shortly after the storyline “Green With Evil,” the dynamics changed in Power Rangers Zeo when Kimberly left Tommy via a letter. This abrupt transition occurred due to Amy Jo Johnson’s departure from the roster. Jason, played by Austin St. John, made a return in Power Rangers Zeo, highlighting the evolving narratives within the franchise. They reunited for the first time in Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie, where they traveled together and faced Divatox’s threat after being kidnapped.

The Romantic Subplot: Were Jason and Kimberly an Item in Turbo?

A Vacation Together: Suspicions of a Romance

Jason hugging Kimberly in Turbo A Power Rangers Movie

There has been much speculation around the idea that Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie featured an unfulfilled romantic subplot between Kimberly and Jason. Although no deleted scenes confirming a romantic link have surfaced, the fact they were traveling together when taken prisoner by Divatox lends credence to the speculation. However, their long-standing friendship and camaraderie as teammates from high school complicates the assumption that they were romantically involved. Notably, details of their relationship during the transition from Power Rangers Zeo to Turbo remain scarce.

Rumors likely stem from the affectionate hug displayed during the movie’s credits, often misinterpreted as a romantic kiss scene that was ultimately cut. The storyline in Power Rangers Zeo begins with Tommy receiving a “Dear John” letter from Kimberly, in which she claims to have moved on, expressing a desire to end their relationship despite having been away since Season 3 of MMPR. Recent comics from BOOM! Studios have attempted to alter this narrative, indicating she wanted Tommy to find happiness but also included fabrications about her own love life. However, the comic narratives do not align with the televised storylines. Additionally, Jason’s relationship with Emily is alluded to at the conclusion of Zeo, further complicating their potential romance.

No Canon Romance Between Jason and Kimberly

The Lack of a Formal Couple in Power Rangers

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The extent to which Jason and Kimberly could have been a romantic couple in Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie is ambiguous, as no concrete evidence exists to support such an idea with deleted scenes. However, Power Rangers did not further explore a romantic narrative between these two characters outside mild references. In the “Forever Red” episode, which occurred five years after Turbo, Jason joked about Tommy’s romantic escapades with Kimberly, suggesting that while their connection was acknowledged, it was not formally developed in the series.

Ultimately, Tommy and Kat, the franchise’s second Pink Ranger, eventually wed in Dino Thunder and had a son, J.J. Oliver. Importantly, Tommy and Kimberly’s potential rekindled romance never occurred within the main timeline, with Tommy marrying Kat in later adaptations. Moreover, the comic series did not depict a romantic involvement between Jason and Kimberly, although it did explore numerous other dynamics, such as Jason dating Trini in BOOM! Studios’ Go Go Power Rangers, set prior to the later seasons of MMPR.

The 2017 Reboot: A Missed Opportunity for Jason and Kimberly

Was There a Romance in the 2017 Reboot?

Interestingly, the 2017 Power Rangers reboot considered establishing a romantic relationship between Jason and Kimberly. This new iteration revitalized the classic storyline, presenting a more nuanced and modern take on the characters. In a deleted scene from the film, Jason and Kimberly share a kiss, reflecting a significant departure from the original show’s narrative. However, since this scene was ultimately omitted from the final cut, it can be argued that their relationship was never fully realized within any iteration of the franchise.

Contemporary adaptations of Power Rangers have experimented with character relationships, such as the pairing of Trini and Zack in recently released comics. Although a relationship between Jason and Kimberly could have worked, it’s arguable that the decision to keep their relationship platonic has preserved the integrity of their character arcs.

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