Trini Kwan
Encyclopedia
Trini Kwan is a fictional character
in the Power Rangers
universe, portrayed by Vietnamese
actress Thuy Trang
. She is best remembered as the original Yellow Ranger in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
, the first entry of the franchise.
Trini originally was portrayed by Filipino-American actress Audri DuBois in the unaired pilot episode, but when the show was picked up for television, for which two new pilots were filmed, she was played by Thuy Trang, around whom the character was rewritten.
, Trini made her first appearance performing a Kata
on the first episode of MMPR. When Rita Repulsa
escaped and began wreaking havoc on earth, Trini, along with her close friends Jason Lee Scott
, Zack Taylor
, Billy Cranston
and Kimberly Hart
, was one of the five teens chosen by Zordon to receive a great power, drawn from the spirits of the prehistoric animals. These powers would give them the ability to transform into a fighting force known as the Power Rangers. Trini was chosen for her compassion, quick wits and martial arts talent becoming the Yellow Power Ranger, given the Saber-Toothed Tiger Power Coin and the Saber-Toothed Tiger Dinozord.
Trini is well versed in kung fu. She would later become proficient in the art of Praying Mantis Kung Fu
. Trini believed in "mind over matter" tactics. Her father showed similar tactics when he overpowered the larger father of Jason in an arm wrestling match. Each member of the team seemed to possess a signature fighting style. Trini's included lightning fast maneuvers, and powerful high kicks. Though she did not become proficient in the art of Praying Mantis Kung Fu until later, Trini was seen exhibiting tactics similar to the fighting style before that, including focusing her strength in order to discard enemies with a single blow to each. She attempts to neutralize foes with the least amount of force.
Trini is one of the intellectuals of the team, often having to translate Billy's techno talk for the other Rangers. She often assisted Billy in the creation of many of the inventions the Rangers use to combat Rita Repulsa
's monsters. Trini may have been atracted to Billy.
Generally soft spoken and polite, Trini is a calm and warm person. Trini was known for her devotion to saving the world and protecting others. She was an environmentalist, trying to preserve the Earth's natural beauty. Her peaceful soul and compassionate heart made her a wise friend to call upon when there was trouble. Trini also has a strong belief in personal honor. One of Rita's monsters took advantage of this to lure her into a trap. Though left facing an opponent who would ultimately prove honourless, Trini fought back with the utmost honour.
She is prepared to both push herself and put herself in danger for those she loved. For instance, in the beginning of the series, Trini overcame a paralyzing fear of heights in order to save a then untrained Billy from an ambush atop the edge of tall rock face.
In Season 2, Trini was courted by a new student in school named Richie. The two often gazed at each other. However initially, they both were too nervous to speak to each other much. Eventually Richie gathered the courage to ask Trini on a study date, which she accepted much to Richie's delight.
Early in Season 2, actress Thuy Trang injured her leg while performing a stunt on the show (the cast normally performed their own stunts). In particular, in the episode "The Beetle Invasion" she is notably seen sitting on a bench wearing a knee brace while the other Rangers played the game. Hence the character was unable to participate in most fight scenes and was often absent from other scenes that did not have something to sit on, for the rest of the actress's time on the series.
When Thuy Trang
, Austin St. John
(Jason), and Walter Jones (Zack) left the show (over contract disputes), their characters stopped making new on-screen or face-to-camera shots before they were written off in the two-part "Power Transfer" episode in which their characters were chosen to attend the World Peace Conference. Trini urged Zordon that they could not leave during such a crisis, but Zordon advised the transfer the best decision to make. The Sword of Light transferred Trini's powers to Aisha Campbell
. Though Jason later returned in Power Rangers Zeo, Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie
, and the tenth anniversary special "Forever Red," it was never stated what became of Zack or Trini after the peace conference.
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
in the Power Rangers
Power Rangers
Power Rangers is a long-running American entertainment and merchandising franchise built around a live action children's television series featuring teams of costumed heroes...
universe, portrayed by Vietnamese
Vietnamese people
The Vietnamese people are an ethnic group originating from present-day northern Vietnam and southern China. They are the majority ethnic group of Vietnam, comprising 86% of the population as of the 1999 census, and are officially known as Kinh to distinguish them from other ethnic groups in Vietnam...
actress Thuy Trang
Thuy Trang
Thuy Trang was a Vietnamese American actress. She was best known for her role as Trini Kwan, the original Yellow Ranger in the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers television series.-Early life:...
. She is best remembered as the original Yellow Ranger in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers is an American live-action children's television series based on the 16th installment of the Japanese Super Sentai franchise, Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger. Both the show and its related merchandise saw unbridled overnight success, catapulting into pop culture in mere months...
, the first entry of the franchise.
Trini originally was portrayed by Filipino-American actress Audri DuBois in the unaired pilot episode, but when the show was picked up for television, for which two new pilots were filmed, she was played by Thuy Trang, around whom the character was rewritten.
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
In Mighty Morphin Power RangersMighty Morphin Power Rangers
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers is an American live-action children's television series based on the 16th installment of the Japanese Super Sentai franchise, Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger. Both the show and its related merchandise saw unbridled overnight success, catapulting into pop culture in mere months...
, Trini made her first appearance performing a Kata
Kata
is a Japanese word describing detailed choreographed patterns of movements practised either solo or in pairs. The term form is used for the corresponding concept in non-Japanese martial arts in general....
on the first episode of MMPR. When Rita Repulsa
Rita Repulsa
Rita Repulsa is a fictional character from the television series Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. She is based on the Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger villain Witch Bandora...
escaped and began wreaking havoc on earth, Trini, along with her close friends Jason Lee Scott
Jason Lee Scott
Jason Lee Scott is a fictional character in the Power Rangers franchise, played by actor Austin St. John. Jason is best remembered as the original Red Ranger from the first entry of the franchise, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, as well as the leader of the original team of Power Rangers...
, Zack Taylor
Zack Taylor
Zachary "Zack" Taylor is a fictional character in the Power Rangers universe, appearing in the television series Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. He is the original Black Ranger of the first generation of Power Rangers...
, Billy Cranston
Billy Cranston
Billy Cranston is a fictional character in the Power Rangers universe. He is the Blue Ranger in the series Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, portrayed by actor David Yost. Billy is the only original Power Ranger to remain for the entire MMPR series, and is the third longest-serving Ranger overall...
and Kimberly Hart
Kimberly Hart
Kimberly Ann Hart is a fictional character in the Power Rangers universe. She was played by actress Amy Jo Johnson during the first three seasons of the show, plus on the two feature films of the franchise. Kimberly is best remembered as the first Pink Ranger from the first entry of the franchise...
, was one of the five teens chosen by Zordon to receive a great power, drawn from the spirits of the prehistoric animals. These powers would give them the ability to transform into a fighting force known as the Power Rangers. Trini was chosen for her compassion, quick wits and martial arts talent becoming the Yellow Power Ranger, given the Saber-Toothed Tiger Power Coin and the Saber-Toothed Tiger Dinozord.
Trini is well versed in kung fu. She would later become proficient in the art of Praying Mantis Kung Fu
Northern Praying Mantis (martial art)
Northern Praying Mantis is a style of Chinese martial arts, sometimes called Shandong Praying Mantis after its province of origin. It was created by Wang Lang and was named after the praying mantis, an insect, the aggressiveness of which inspired the style...
. Trini believed in "mind over matter" tactics. Her father showed similar tactics when he overpowered the larger father of Jason in an arm wrestling match. Each member of the team seemed to possess a signature fighting style. Trini's included lightning fast maneuvers, and powerful high kicks. Though she did not become proficient in the art of Praying Mantis Kung Fu until later, Trini was seen exhibiting tactics similar to the fighting style before that, including focusing her strength in order to discard enemies with a single blow to each. She attempts to neutralize foes with the least amount of force.
Trini is one of the intellectuals of the team, often having to translate Billy's techno talk for the other Rangers. She often assisted Billy in the creation of many of the inventions the Rangers use to combat Rita Repulsa
Rita Repulsa
Rita Repulsa is a fictional character from the television series Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. She is based on the Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger villain Witch Bandora...
's monsters. Trini may have been atracted to Billy.
Generally soft spoken and polite, Trini is a calm and warm person. Trini was known for her devotion to saving the world and protecting others. She was an environmentalist, trying to preserve the Earth's natural beauty. Her peaceful soul and compassionate heart made her a wise friend to call upon when there was trouble. Trini also has a strong belief in personal honor. One of Rita's monsters took advantage of this to lure her into a trap. Though left facing an opponent who would ultimately prove honourless, Trini fought back with the utmost honour.
She is prepared to both push herself and put herself in danger for those she loved. For instance, in the beginning of the series, Trini overcame a paralyzing fear of heights in order to save a then untrained Billy from an ambush atop the edge of tall rock face.
In Season 2, Trini was courted by a new student in school named Richie. The two often gazed at each other. However initially, they both were too nervous to speak to each other much. Eventually Richie gathered the courage to ask Trini on a study date, which she accepted much to Richie's delight.
Early in Season 2, actress Thuy Trang injured her leg while performing a stunt on the show (the cast normally performed their own stunts). In particular, in the episode "The Beetle Invasion" she is notably seen sitting on a bench wearing a knee brace while the other Rangers played the game. Hence the character was unable to participate in most fight scenes and was often absent from other scenes that did not have something to sit on, for the rest of the actress's time on the series.
When Thuy Trang
Thuy Trang
Thuy Trang was a Vietnamese American actress. She was best known for her role as Trini Kwan, the original Yellow Ranger in the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers television series.-Early life:...
, Austin St. John
Austin St. John
Austin St. John is a former American actor and martial artist known for his role in the popular Power Rangers children's television series as Jason Lee Scott, the original Red Ranger and first leader of the Power Rangers. He is an emergency medical technician and firefighter.-Personal life:St...
(Jason), and Walter Jones (Zack) left the show (over contract disputes), their characters stopped making new on-screen or face-to-camera shots before they were written off in the two-part "Power Transfer" episode in which their characters were chosen to attend the World Peace Conference. Trini urged Zordon that they could not leave during such a crisis, but Zordon advised the transfer the best decision to make. The Sword of Light transferred Trini's powers to Aisha Campbell
Aisha Campbell
Aisha Campbell is a fictional character from the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers TV Show. She was portrayed by Karan Ashley.Spirited and full of energy, Aisha was always up to the challenge of being a Power Ranger...
. Though Jason later returned in Power Rangers Zeo, Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie
Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie
Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie is a 1997 American superhero action science fantasy film directed by David Winning and Shuki Levy. It is set in the Power Rangers universe, serving as a bridge between Power Rangers Zeo and Power Rangers Turbo...
, and the tenth anniversary special "Forever Red," it was never stated what became of Zack or Trini after the peace conference.
Trivia
- According to the MMPR Interactive CD-ROM, Trini's birthday was August 9, making her a LeoLeo (astrology)Leo is the fifth astrological sign of the Zodiac, originating from the constellation of Leo. In astrology, Leo is considered to be a "masculine", positive sign. It is also considered a fire sign and is one of four fixed signs ruled by the Sun.Individuals born when the Sun is in this sign are...
. She was born in Austin, TexasAustin, TexasAustin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
. - According to the MMPR Official Guidebook, Trini spends her spare time playing volleyball, researching Eastern Philosophy, collecting dolls, working out in the gym, and practicing Kung Fu and other martial arts.
- She can be seen much of the time wearing the same Buddhist amulet.
- Unlike Kimberly, Trini does not have a skirt with her Ranger suit and appears flat-chested in most morphed sequences. This is because the action scenes from the first season of Mighty Morphin used footage from the 1992 Super SentaiSuper SentaiThe is the name given to the long-running Japanese superhero team genre of shows produced by Toei Co., Ltd., Toei Agency and Bandai, and aired by TV Asahi...
television series Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger. Her counterpart on Zyuranger, Boi the Tiger Ranger, was male. However, a female version of the Tiger Ranger costume was made with a skirt for the 2011 Super Sentai series Kaizoku Sentai GokaigerKaizoku Sentai Gokaigeris a 2011 Japanese tokusatsu drama in the Super Sentai Series. It is the 35th entry in Toei Company's Super Sentai Series, following Tensou Sentai Goseiger. It premiered on TV Asahi on February 13, 2011, joining Kamen Rider OOO and then Kamen Rider Fourze as a program featured in TV Asahi's Super...
, which first appears on the show in Episode 11.
Monsters defeated by Trini
- Bones: He was destroyed by Trini after having his head thrown down a pit full of lava.
- Mr. Ticklesneezer: Trini made him realize the difficulty he had caused everyone, leading to him returning everything he collected; turns out, however, that it was just a dream.
- Evil Yellow Duplicate Ranger: She defeated her by throwing her Power Daggers.
- Mantis: Trini defeats the monster after she realizes that she does have honor, the monster does grow, however she helps in defeating it by manipulating its move.
- Grumble Bee: Yellow Ranger attacks Grumble Bee to help Billy. Grumble Bee's sonic buzzing deafens the rangers with powerful sonic waves. Billy covers his ears and uses his new device to spray Grumble Bee, Trini and the others thank Billy.
- Evil Yellow Mutant Ranger: She defeated it with her advanced Power Daggers; the others were finished off with their Power Blaster.
- Bloom of Doom: Trini threw her Power Daggers at a ninety degree trajectory, which freed Kimberly, and together, they pummeled the monster.