"Power Rangers: Ninja Storm" begins production
Newest incarnation of multimedia phenomenon

Premieres on both ABC Kids and ABC Family's kids action/ adventure line-up.

BURBANK, November 4th, 2002 . . . the eleventh incarnation of the multimedia phenomenon "Power Rangers"-- "Power Rangers Ninja Storm", a live action series combining exciting action, humor and drama, begins production this week in Auckland, New Zealand. "Power Rangers: Ninja Storm" will air on both broadcast and cable television beginning in February 2003-- on ABC Kids, the ABC Television Network's Saturday morning line-up, and on ABC Family's kids action/adventure programming block.

Douglas Sloan and Ann Austen, former writers and producers on "Power Rangers" (1993-97), return as executive producers. Koichi Sakamoto, a sixteen-year veteran of the global franchise, is the co-executive producer and episodic director. Janine Dickens is the producer.

Boosted by martial arts-based action and adventure, the stories revolve around ordinary teens who take on extraordinary powers to defend the worls when intergalactic evil threatens the Earth. Told from the power teens point of view, the episodes feature the teens in both their "civilian" and "superhero" lives as they struggle to grow up and grow into their roles as heroes.

To the outside world, Tori, Shane and Dustin have typical teen lives in Blue Bay Harbor: fun, friends, school and hanging out at Storm Chargers Action Sports store. Shane's a skateboarder, Dustin races motocross, and Tori's a beach-loving surfer. But they have one special thing in common - they are students at a secret ninja school where, under the careful teachings of a wise Sensei, they've trained in the ancient ways of the ninja. Before long, their world changes when Lothor, a ninja master banished to space for his evil deeds, returns to Earth bent on revenge. During the confrontation between Lothor and Sensei, the Sensei is magically turned into a guinea pig and now cannot turn himself back into a human. Left with no other choice, the Sensei must enlist the help of his less than perfect students. Sensei gives "morphers" to the three kids that, when necessary, will transform them into superheroes.

But soon this trio, now known as the Wind Power Rangers, faces a new threat: two former Ninja students from a rival school join forces with Lothor. The pair, known as the Thunder Rangers (Crimson Thunder and Navy Thunder), must somehow be convinced by the Wind Power Rangers to team with them and together -- as Power Rangers -- defeat Lothor. Later in the story, another powerful ally -- the Green Samurai Ranger -- emerges to help the Power Rangers in the ultimate battle of good versus evil. Until then, the Power Rangers must work with Sensei/guinea pig to ensure the safety of the Earth and keep their identities secret, all while keeping up with their own fast-paced, fun-filled young lives.

Starring are Pua Magasiva as Shane, the Red Power Ranger; Glenn McMillan as Dustin, the Yellow Power Ranger; Sally Martin as Tori, the Blue Power Ranger; Adam Tuominen as Hunter, the Crimson Power Ranger; Jorgito Vargas as Blake, the Navy Power Ranger; and Jason Chan as Cam; Katrina Devine as Marah; Katrina Browne as Kapri; and Grant McFarland as Sensei.

"Power Rangers: Ninja Storm" is produces in studio and on location. It is from Village Roadshow KP Productions, Ltd.