Warning: Spoilers for Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #119!Classic Yellow Ranger Trini Kwan has received the biggest promotion from the Power Rangers imaginable, but doesn’t think she deserves the accolade. While every color in the Power Rangers lexicon is important, most people want to be the Red Ranger. SPD’s Sky going from Blue to Red and Amelia going from Pink to Red in Cosmic Fury are rare examples.

Trini, the original Yellow Ranger, gets such a promotion in the comics, but in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #119 by Melissa Flores, Simona Di Gianfelice and Marco Renna, she doesn’t think she deserves it. Amid the “Darkest Hour” for the Rangers, Trini starts to feel the pressure of the stakes of this event, to the point that she doesn’t think she’s qualified to lead the Omega Rangers.

Based on what she’s done as the Red Ranger so far, Trini’s doubt hints more at the journey she’s going on to believe in herself than at any actual validity.

Trini Kwan Doesn’t Think She Deserves to be the Omega Power Rangers’ Leader

How Trini Becomes the Red Ranger

Before it can be discussed why Trini doubts her abilities as the Red Ranger (and, most importantly, why she deserves Red Rangerhood), readers must first understand what inspired the change from Yellow to Red. As most audiences will know, Trini Kwan was introduced in the original cast of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers as the team’s Yellow Ranger. From the start, she displayed the cunning and wit befitting of a leader, even understanding their communicators as well as the Blue Ranger, Billy, does.

As seen in the show, she ends up leaving the team with Zack and Jason for a peace conference. However, the comics recontextualize that moment as merely an excuse for the trio to venture off into space when recruited by the Blue Emissary, a godlike protector of the Morphin Grid. Together, they become the Omega Rangers. Although the Omega Rangers’ place in TV continuity is questionable now following the Once & Always special, the Omega Rangers still rank among the franchise’s strongest teams.

One of their biggest challenges comes when they are forced into a confrontation with the Death Ranger. That ordeal proves to be so draining on the team that once they overcome the Death Ranger’s zombifying infections and defeat them in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #100, Jason retires as a Power Ranger. Since the trio has maintained their Mighty Morphin colors, that leaves the Omegas without a Red Ranger. Partially because of their former romance together, Jason trusts Trini the most to take his place as Red Ranger.

Why Trini Doesn’t Trust Herself as Leader of the Power Rangers

The Darkest Hour of the Former Yellow Ranger

The “Darkest Hour” storyline marks the final arc for the current Mighty Morphin Power Rangers comic book series. After receiving a power upgrade from her new master that turns her into Mistress Vile, Rita Repulsa takes steps to bolster Dark Specter as the Thanos of the franchise. She gifts him Zordon’s original physical body as a vessel for him to return, allowing him to rule over the universe with his dark army of zombified Power Rangers, thanks to Rita’s dark magic.

By the time Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #119 rolls around, Trini is struggling to handle the pressures that come with being a Red Ranger, as the fate of the universe is on the line, especially without her fellow Omega Rangers Kevor and Yale. Dealing with a monumental antagonist who threatens the planet and the lives of its inhabitants is nothing new for Trini, but she previously faced those major threats as the Yellow Ranger, just another team player. Her first challenge as the Red Ranger is the biggest challenge that any of the Power Rangers have faced.

The difference between being the Yellow Ranger and the Red Ranger is that if something goes wrong, Trini is at the forefront of it all, and thus, is most likely to take the blame. Even if there is no blame to give, Trini’s position as leader makes it easy for her to blame herself, as she does in this moment. However, that doesn’t mean Trini’s statements are valid. Trini’s concerns and paranoia about her leadership skills are more of an internal struggle than an actual reflection that she’s done anything wrong.

Trini’s Highlights as Red Ranger

The Former Yellow Ranger Has Proven to Be an Effective Leader

While Trini is still relatively new to Red Rangerhood, she’s been impressive enough to earn her place as leader of the Omega Rangers. The landmark 100th issue that ends with Trini being crowned with a Red Ranger morpher is followed by the “Recharged” storyline. Here, Trini proves especially impressive when the Rangers are faced with the threat of Alpha-1, the diabolical original Alpha created before the more lovable Alpha-5. When everyone else struggles against the robot, Trini is able to slice the bot to pieces.

More recently, the “Darkest Hour” has positioned Trini as a much more prominent figure. From the moment the arc began, Trini has shown her efficient skills as a fighter by successfully fending off Dark Specter’s infected army. Alongside her partner, Zack, and the rest of the Rangers, she’s able to barge through each zombie with ease. Just the fact that she’s survived long enough to oppose Dark Specter when so many Rangers have fallen to him is impressive in itself. It’s also worth noting that she plays a part in saving Tommy Oliver when he is imprisoned by Dark Specter.

Trini Has a Long Road Ahead

The New Red Raner Must Overcome Dark Specter and Her Own Self-Doubt

The Red Omega Ranger’s concerns about herself may not be valid, but they speak to how seriously she’s taking her job and how badly she wants to use her position to ensure the Earth’s safety. That in itself is the makings of a proper leader. Trini’s character arc moving forward isn’t going to be about her learning to be a better leader as much as it will be about overcoming the pressures and doubt she puts on herself. Doing so could lead to Trini saving the world.

The “Darkest Hour” has laid the groundwork for several candidates who could finally put an end to Dark Specter’s reign of terror, including the Blue Ranger, the White Ranger, and the Ranger Slayer. Trini’s Red Ranger could prove to be a sleeper pick to be the deciding factor in Dark Specter’s defeat. All she has to do is believe in herself to be a capable leader for the Power Rangers, and in time, Trini Kwan will have the opportunity to prove to herself why she’s in the position that she is.