Growing up, watching “Power Rangers” made me feel like I, too, could be a superhero. The world of the characters felt so intricate, so specific to them and their lives, yet for me, the most memorable part of the series were the costumes. I loved all of the bright colors and the simplicity of the looks. What I didn’t realize at the time was that I was consuming a piece of media that was deeply inspired by and intrinsically linked with Japanese culture.

While my experience of watching “Power Rangers” was short-lived and remained confined to the 20th installment of the series, “Power Rangers Megaforce,” the Japanese culture references and influences live on today in all sorts of entertainment and media. These things span further than traditional television shows and movies as well. Fan conventions are attended far and wide, with cosplay and fan art both being huge activities within the fandoms. Whether it be “Power Rangers,” “Sailor Moon” or something else entirely, it is clear that this fascination isn’t slowing down anytime soon.