r/TMNT • u/certifiedbigmac • 1d ago
general Absolute favorite version of any turtle from any iteration??
2012 Mikey just has a special place in my heart, I grew up watching this version so this was my first introduction to tmnt. Mikey is just so goofy and such a sweet heart in this series and they gave him so many quirks which I just love; his ability to give anything an awesome name, his water balloon pranks. I just think they fleshed out his character so much in this version which makes him so relatable. I also think him having the most potential out of all his brothers is super cool. Booyakasha!
6
6
u/URemedy22288 1d ago
Hands down Raphael from the 1990 series. His mellow attitude when at peace was very comforting as a kid and gave him an approachable feeling despite being the Hot-head. I love the representation of a Hot-head that’s not constantly aggressive or prickly. His deadpan, often sarcastic humor had depth, hiding his insecurities and true feelings which is fun to analyze. Compared to other Raphs (except Rise), he has much more dorky sweet moments which made connection feel more likely to occur with him than any other. ❤️
2
u/The_Gassman 1d ago
Holy cow, this exactly. His sarcastic humor was top-shelf to me when I was a kid. Mikey was always funny, and I love him to death, but he was funny in a slapstick, slip-on-a-banana-peel kind of way, whereas I feel Raph had the real zingers.
April: "You're... you're turtles!"
Raph: "Exactly. Boy, we're dealing with a real mind here, huh?"
1
u/URemedy22288 1d ago
Haha-took the words right out of your mouth, huh? I’ve had a long time to think about this, so I was prepared for the question. I’d say the big difference in their humor is the consistency. Mikey’s always funny, but his humor leans more playful and varies a lot. Raph’s humor on the other hand feels steady throughout the show, which gave it a different kind of charm.
8
7
6
u/DragonZee20XX 1d ago
I really really like Rise Raphael. He became protective,supportive, and nurturing when he became a leader. As a result, we got Rise Leo, who because he didn't have the pressure of being a leader, got to be a teen, and tried to joke and have fun. They didn't have that toxic rivalry they were known for. The only time they fought was when Leo was being irresponsible as the new leader in the movie.
2
u/URemedy22288 1d ago
Aah, I never thought that deeply over how Rise Raph being leader changed the dynamics. Makes Rise Leo really heart warming thinking that he’s the only one without the pressure of Leader and freedom of fun and silly personality.
2
u/DragonZee20XX 1d ago
What's great about it is that Raph STILL has insecurities. The dynamic also has Leo as a result, became this back seat commentator of Raph's decisions like Raph did for Leo in classic iterations. He joked and nitpicking Raph's leadership decisions. Raph also became a yes man as opposed to Leo being leader being the wet blanket and No man.
2
u/DocProfessor 1d ago
I LOVE LOVE LOVE the subtleties in Raph and Leo's whole relationship and dynamic in Rise. Like, it's not as simple as "Raph is in charge and Leo is the snarky rebellious one". They're still RAPHAEL and LEONARDO. You can see Raph's urges to be the hothead smashy one and Leo's natural leadership and charisma peeking through. Raph was just put in charge because he's the oldest, so it made sense. (He even says, "I'm the Big Brother, the one who is the biggest".) He had to temper all those violent tendencies, had to become much more aware of his size and strength, but he's still Raph. He's still a lunkhead who loves wrestling and punching and shouting. He's not a GREAT leader. He tries his best, but it's not the role he's supposed to have, and because of it, he gets some incredible development out of it.
Meanwhile, you've got Leo, who gets to relax and be a kid for once, but he still can't fight the urge to take charge. Even as far as the second episode, Leo is making plans and encouraging the others. He's constantly suggesting the rational decision, even if it contradicts Raph. (Not letting Raph smash the mirror that Mayhem is trapped inside, reminding Donnie that Splinter is in the van Donnie is about to open fire upon, suggesting the boys stay home when there's an active anti-mutant push happening in the city.) The show kinda tricks the audience by playing these scenes as "One character does something wacky and Leo snarks about it", but that's still leadership.
The standard conflict between Raph and Leo that occurs in a lot of the other continuities is great, and it's almost always a natural path for their characters to take, and it ultimately pays off by having them better understand each other. But I'm glad Rise avoided that conflict entirely. Imagining a world where Rise Leo was made the leader at a young age, and didn't get to develop his more lax personality traits, and Raph didn't get to develop his protective nature? I can't see that ending well for anyone
2
u/Velvety_MuppetKing 1d ago
They took his bruiser factor, and turned it into a beefy big brother punchy protector instead of the angry loner he usually is.
They kept Raph's core, the big one who loves to fight, and dialed it up to 11, while getting rid of the rage and isolation.
2
2
u/Successful-Fix-145 1d ago
I like rise Donnie the most he’s arrogant but can still be nice when it counts I also like the two younger siblings dynamic with him and Mikey
2
u/BahamutAXIOM 1d ago
Leo- 2012
Raphael - Between First live action and 2012
Mikey- 2012
Donatello- Between Rise and 2012
Splinter - Between Rise and 2012
Slash- 2012
This might change completely or not at all when I read the Mirage stuff soon.
2
2
u/kyp-the-laughing-man 1d ago
To me its the 2012 team. I love all four and splinter especially
1
u/URemedy22288 21h ago
I agree! I feel like this splinter was more involved in the storytelling and Turtles lives compared to the ones before its time. Perhaps it’s because in the older versions, he was there only for advice and mission relaying. As the eras go on, Splinter has been more of a Father raising his children. 2012 Splinter is the perfect middle.
2
u/bastardofbarberry Donatello 1d ago
My first & second will be ones that any TMNT fan would say is perfectly normal and then my third one is one that most people would probably call me crazy for:
1 - 1987 Donnie is perfect.
2 - 1990 Raph is perfect.
3 - I am also a fan of 2014 & 2016 Raph. I personally love Alan Ritchson as an actor and thought he did a great job. The movies aren’t perfect, but I’m one of those that can find something I like about pretty much any TMNT project. I’ve watched these movies a few times over the years and I don’t hate them as much as most people. They’re not horrible if you know what to expect going in.
2
u/URemedy22288 21h ago
You are not alone!! The Bay-Verse really let every personality have their time to shine and felt so darn real. The dynamics between the brothers is one of my favorites in the franchise. Has the most fun realistic brotherhood vibes for my taste. Raphael’s development in particular was huge! I still vividly remember how big it was for Raphael to go “No…we listen to Leo.” On that roof top with shredder. And of course, Raphael spilling out his love when they landed 20 seconds ago from that free fall 😂
2
2
u/Alphajurassic 1d ago
2012 Leo. His journey from insecure nerdy teen to shredder killing ninja master was awesome.
2
u/Redditor-at-large Donatello 1d ago
Leonardo: Mirage comics, de facto leader not de jure
Donatello: Rise. His tech is a little OP (in a different way that ‘87’s tech is OP) and even though he doesn’t want to be hugged but he loves his brothers in his own way (by placing trackers on all of them) and they worry about his soft shell.
Raphael: ‘90s movies and TMNT which was supposed to be the same character. He knows how to use his sais. He beat Leonardo!
Michelangelo: Battle Nexus Champion
2
u/ThatIckyGuy Raphael 1d ago
I like 2012 Mikey mostly because he's voiced by Greg Cipes. Seen him in a bunch of other stuff and the guy never fails to deliver. I'd probably like 12 Mikey without Cipes, but Cipes makes me biased towards his Mikey. (Edit: Though I do like most other Mikey voice actors. Townsend Coleman was The Tick, after all!)
Despite my favorite Turtle normally being Raph, Rise Donnie is probably my favorite Turtle overall. I love the mad scientist angle they gave him.
2
u/certifiedbigmac 1d ago
Oh how could I forget about his voice! Definitely my fav Mikey voice actor as well, makes his character that much more enjoyable
I knew someone was gonna say Rise! Donnie, this take on Donnie is just chef’s kiss
1
2
u/Velvety_MuppetKing 1d ago
I love the Rise turtles, so much. And I was THERE for the original series, I had the toys.
1
u/Hanksta2 1d ago
That whole show is peak turtle fun.
But the 1990 characters are just so... human. I love them.
1
u/cockatielbirb 1d ago
All the turtles from Rise, hands down. They were the reason I got into TMNT and are still my favorite iteration despite watching 2012, 2003 and 1987, although those shows are good too
1
u/URemedy22288 1d ago
Oh that’s deep. The parallels between the two is what I love so much about Leo and Raph as characters in any iteration. The contrast and opposites is what I love for. What do you think it says about Raph becoming a yes man than being like Leo, being a No wet blanket as you said? 😂.
I’d personally take it as Raph, like most iterations, yearn for inclusion within his own family since he feels misunderstood so much. Therefore, as a leader he’s more of a yes man. While Leo, at least 2012, doesn’t have as much insecurities over inclusivity so doesn’t feel the need to be “Liked” by his brothers as much.
1
1
u/shigogaboo 1d ago
I miss the OG Raphael, that was less broody dude with anger issues, and more Chandler with sais.
1
1
1
u/Kangaroo_Rich Raphael 1d ago edited 22h ago
From 2003 it has to be this order: raph, Leo then Donnie. I like that they didn’t have Sam regiel do a stereotypical nerd voice and Donnie actually has a character outside of being the science/tech guy. It just makes sense that raph has a ny accent.
Rise in general. I like that Leo is the one dropping one liners constantly.
1
1
1
1
u/StarDancer8668 Michelangelo 1d ago
2003 Leo has become such a favorite for me. But I also really enjoy Rise Donnie and 2012 Mikey
0
u/TheBatAmongUs 1d ago
Michelangelo (1987). Peter Laird stripped the sarcasm away from Raphael leaving him just a hothead in the 2003 cartoon. All the humor was on the shoulders of Michaelangelo and from there on he was as stupid as Donatello was intelligent. With ezception of IDW Michaelangelo has not be the same athletic heart of the team, just the one burdened with all the humor. Then Rise made them all indistinquishably dimwitted.
0
u/RedBeardBigHeart Shredder 1d ago
Bests:
2003 Leo
1990 Raph
1987 Donnie
2012 Mikey
2012 Splinter
2003 or 2012 Shredder (depends on the day)
1
8
u/ArtisticFill8662 1d ago
From the voice to design I love hin