(Image not mine, artist unknown)
TMNT: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Over ten years ago I stumbled onto a show on carton network one afternoon and found the TMNT. I was watching one of my cousins at the time and he happened to find the show as interesting as I did. We sat down and watched the show on a whim and I found myself thoroughly enjoying it. At first the show was a simple interest for me, but slowly after watching countless hours of episodes and reading the comics I came to appreciate the genius put into creating them.
For one the original creators of the TMNT were Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman two guys who first drew Michaelangelo for fun and later began to create a story about them.
In the world of the TMNT, there is an elaborate history and conflict involved between two clans of the Hamato and the Foot. So detailed and full of Japanese heritage that one can fully believe that the original makers of the TMNT knew their Japanese heritage.
In truth neither Eastman nor Laird knew Japanese or much about Japan that couldn't be learned from watching martial arts movies.
After a while I found myself looking into Fanfiction between airings of episodes by the FoxBox on Saturday mornings. Fanfiction is stories wrote by Fans based on either whole shows, an episode from them, or simply about certain character from a show. Although not all Fanfiction is about shows some are about books and so on, but as I said I began looking into such stories, going onto the site Fanfiction.net to read them.
I found a whole slew of talented writers and found inspiration to start writing my own stories. I coined the name Scribe of Turesa based off of a series of books I was working on at the time and started writing the "Guys"; which is what the Turtles are usually referred to by fans. In order to help create a more in depth and proper concept of the brothers I began studying Japan, the traditions that surrounded it. I began studying Japanese, Bushido, and Buddhism (I'll get to that). I began researching Ninjas or Shinobi as they are called in Japan.
After years of writing the Guys I have compounded their identities and the nature of who they are based on my research as well as my reading of the comics and watching the shows.
The original comics of the TMNT were gritty, lethal, and full of warfare. The Guys were warriors who fought many battles with the Foot and with various other enemies.
And now after many years you can actually get a hold of the original comics with
annotations from both Laird and Eastman in Hardback Volumes on amazon:
Volume 1
As I came to love the Fandom I became attached to the characters. I personal favorite of the Guys is Leonardo although I have more in common with Raphael; my being a hothead as well.
The Characters
(image from 2k3 series)
Hamato Yoshi
Former owner of Splinter and member of the Foot clan before killing Nagi and fleeing to America in shame.
(image from original comic)
Oroku Nagi
Yoshi's rival for Teng Shen's love, ended up killing her to spite Yoshi and died by Yoshi's hands when Yoshi avenged Teng Shen.
(images from 2k3 Series and Original Comics)
Oroku Saki/The Shredder
Younger brother of Nagi, swore revenge on Yoshi for his brother's death. Main protagonist.
(image from 2k3 series)
Tang Shen
Beautiful woman who loved Yoshi, died by Nagi's hands.
(Image from 2007 TMNT Movie)
Oroku Karai
Adopted daughter of Saki. Supposedly 10ish years older than the Turtles. Conflicted about her "father's" vendetta.
(Image from 2k3 Series)
Baxter Stockman
A Genius who ends up being enlisted by Saki. Former employer of April O'Neil.
(Image from 2k3 Series)
Master Hamato Splinter
Former pet of Yoshi, mutated into a humaniod rat who raises the Turtles to avenge Yoshi. Elite Ninjitsu Master who learned from watching Yoshi before he was mutated.
(Art by Rcaptain on deviantart)
Hamato Leonardo
Eldest of the Turtles. The Jonin of the clan under Splinter. Considered to be a Shinto-Buddhist by most fans (there is no real belief system attached to any one of the group). Slightly arrogant and very "by the book". The most traditional of the brothers, following the Code of Bushido very strictly.
The most fluent in Japanese of all of his brothers and has the closest relationship with Splinter.
The only one of the Turtles to ever marry in the Comics.
Considered to be multilingual by fans knowing at least: Japanese, English, Chinese (China Town), and Spanish. Leonardo is supposedly the most skilled of his brothers; being able to actually fight blindfolded without any issue. Although he is very strict about the Ninjistu form and follows it perfectly.
Weapon(s): Twin Katana
Mask Color: Blue
Eye Color: Usually agreed that he has either black or golden-brown eyes.
Nicknames: "Leo", "Fearless", Fearless Leader", and "The Blue Demon" (Nickname given by street gang and the Foot).
(Art by E 1213 on deviantart)
Hamato Raphael
The second eldest and Chuunin of the clan (second in charge). Hotheaded and rebellious. Considered a bit of a "lose cannon". Raphael is also supposedly a bit of a "potty-mouth" and is known for preferring to fight "lone wolf". Actually mixes boxing and street fighting styles in with his Ninjistu training, considered to the most brutal and dangerous. Raphael is known for having a sarcastic streak and speaking with a heavy Brooklyn accent.
Raphael is considered to have a soft-spot for kids, a fear of bugs, and serious protective streak for his family.
Though Raphael is fluent in Japanese and English, he is also considered to at least have a basic knowledge of Chinese and Spanish as well.
Weapon(s): Twin Sai
Mask Color: Red
Eye Color: Amber or Golden
Nicknames: "Raph","Raphie", or "Secret Weapon"
(Art by schne11 on deviantart)
Hamato Donatello
Considered the "Middle-child" of the group, although there isn't a true "middle" to four. Donatello is a genius having an approximate IQ of 195. Donatello is a peacemaker and considered a pacifist, though he won't hold back in a fight when needed. He is also the family medic and patches up all of his brother's injuries. Donatello is considered to have a large working knowledge of physics, medical, mathematical, and various other sciences. He is accepted to know Japanese fluently and a working knowledge of Latin and Chinese.
Donatello has an aparent love of Coffee that borders on an adiction.
Weapon(s): Bo Staff
Mask Color: Purple
Eye Color: Dark or Coffee Brown.
Nicknames: "Donnie", "Don, "Genius" or "Donnie-Boy"
(Art by Deputee on deviantart)
Hamato Michaelangelo
The youngest of the Guys. Considered a prankster and "light-hearted". Smarter than he lets on but tends to act clueless.
Weapons: Twin Knuchaku or "Nun-Chucks"
Mask Color: Orange
Eye Color: "Baby-blue"
Nicknames: "Mikey", "Mike", or "Knucklehead"
(Image from 2007 TMNT movie)
April O'Neil
A Young woman who is approximately in her mid twenties working for Baxter Stockman as a lab assistant when she meets the Turtles. Highly intelligent and becomes fast friend of Donatello. Eventually married Casey Jones.
(Image from Original Comics)
Casey Jones
Hot headed, slightly insane best friend of Raphael. Eventually marries April O'Neil.
A Note About the Shows:
The Classics- Simply put, horrid. Silly and obnoxious and not even close to the comics. They are completely off base and change even the most basic layer of the TMNT.
For example: Splinter is Yoshi; in the comics Splinter is Yoshi's pet, not Yoshi himself.
The show was aimed towards children, but, regardless the show wasn't done well. Could've been done better.
Ninja Turtles: the Next Mutation: This series is not even acknowledged by either Kevin Eastman nor Peter Laird so I've never bothered to watch it. In this series two new characters were added that are also not accepted by either of the creators as actual cannon: Venus de Milo and Mona Lisa.
2k3 Series- My favorite series of Toons as it is only this series actually follows the Comics. The 2k3 Series was based completely off of the comics and seemed to actually be following proper story lines, although the series reshuffled a few instances. The guys act both mature and aware of their surroundings and what life above ground would mean to them, let alone how dangerous it is for them to be seen. They have obviously been trained extensively and Splinter has a firm control over the Guys and a deep respect. Even Raphael the hotheaded-rebel will bow if Splinter walks into the training room. Leonardo is undeniably the leader as he and Raphael constantly butt heads over it, Donatello is the quite Genius who acts as the peacemaker, and Michaelangelo is the creative prankster who is a lot more intelligent than he lets on.
Nickelodeon's Series- Put simply, is quite plainly crap.
I have many problems with this series. But one of the main ones is the immaturity level of the Guys. In this series the Guys act as if they are between the ages of 9-12 not 16 (which is the estimated age that they start out at in the comics; although they might be older).
Leonardo who is the eldest of the brothers and is the Jonin or leader of the clan below Splinter has yet to even start his leadership training at the beginning of the show. Leo is also quite the ditz in this series, somewhat lax on rules, and doesn't seem to have any confidence in himself, let alone have his trademark arrogant nature. Also he has blue eyes not his dark black or golden-brown that he is associated with having.
Raphael the second eldest, lacks his proper amber eyes and his trademark Brooklyn accent. He is also completely unremarkable in this series, seeming to fade out into nothing. He has nothing to his character in this series. The "rough around the edges" or "bad boy" of the group is...tame and grouchy but not the rebellious hot headed warrior with a slight bloodlust that was originally Raphael.
Donatello is almost rude, and has a sterotypical "geek" look that is demeaning to his true identity; gap
toothed, tall and lanky, and clumsy. He is far more harsh and temperamental than he is supposed to be.
Michaelangelo is portrayed as a complete ignoramus, without any of his normal wit and sly nature. In this series is the the stereotypical "dumb blonde" who never really knows what is going on. Which is in contrast to his more thoughtful yet prank prone personality.
Leonardo and Raphael also lack their "butting heads" or intense sibling rivalry that defines their relationship in the comics.
We also have the problem of Splinter again being Hamato Yoshi. But here's the larger problem with Splinter: He looks ridiculous like something out of Kung Fu Panda not the Ninja Turtles and his personality is all wrong.
splinter has no confidence in himself and seems slightly "airheaded" as if he can't anticipate anything about his sons' futures or bother to find soemthing other than algae to feed them.
I also have an issue as well with both April and Karai .
Karai's age is all wrong, she should be older than the Guys by about 10ish years same with April (which by the way she was never a reporter in the comics). Karai is not supposedly Yoshi's daughter (at least not from what I've found in the comics as Teng Shen died before she was wed to Yoshi) and April's parents never make a show.
Where's Casey? In this series so far Raph's best friend Casey Jones has yet to make an appearance. Where is he?
We also have the problem of multiple new characters who never existed as well as the whole slew of other mutants which was never seen in the comics.
A Note About the Movies
Live Action Ones: Though there were a few I never bothered to watch them as they were based off of the Classics and the Next Mutation series and personally I found the turtle suits a touch creepy.
TMNT CGI 2007: The animation was honestly quite brilliant, almost making you feel as if watching a moving comic book. Couple things I liked about this one:
1.) The family dynamic was realistic (pertaining to comics)
2.) Splinter actually felt both "old" and "wise" as well as an actual father figure with real Japanese heritage which can be seen by his humming/singing of a Japanese lullaby in various scenes.
3.) Each of the brothers actually had their trademark attributes:
Leo- slightly arrogant and aware of rules
Raph- hotheaded and rude
Don- highly intelligent, peacemaker, and fairly laid back
Mike- slightly ditzy but not overly so and still a prankster.
It is also interesting to see that BOTH Raphael and Leonardo took up singular "hero" names at the beginning of the movie. As both of the eldest are the "true warriors" of the group and "protectors of others" it was a logical spin that I rather enjoyed. Although I wish Leo would've gotten a chance in "screen time" to tell his brothers about it (only hole as neither he nor April ever mention it) as well as place his cloak on Splinter's shelves as Raph did with the Nightwatcher's Helmet at the end of the movie.
Leonardo became "The Ghost of the Jungle" or in Spanish: El fantasma de la Selva.
and
Raphael became The Nightwatcher.
Turtles Forever 2009: This was meant as the "wrapping up" of the 2k3 Cartoon series and was fairly good, taking all aspects of each of the "verses" and combining them. Not my favorite but was pretty good, decent in the least.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2014: There is a HUGE controversy as to where Michael Bay is going with this one. I personally am concerned as what rumors we have been getting don't sound good.
No Splinter? The guys as aliens? Megan Fox as April?
I'm going to have to keep my fingers crossed on this one.
Major Issue that has Arose in the Fanbase
T-Cest
Although the sexuality of the Guys, other than Leo (straight), is in question as it is only inferred that they are all straight, there are many problems with the Fanbased concept of T-Cest.
This concludes my first lengthy post. Whew. I could've kept going on forever hope you enjoyed!
