#tmaynt

Aaaand I'm playing catch up again. I blame work, 😅. But that is what a weekend is for, right?

Day 11: Favorite Splinter

If you've known me for any length of time, you know who this is going to be. And you're right.

I adore 1987 Splinter. I don't dislike the other Splinters (save 07) but this Splinter to me has it all: he's a stern teacher but understanding, he's a caring father though we do see that less often than teacher (but it's there), he calls his boys out on their bull, and he treats them without any favoritism. He fully believes in each of them equally. Their individual quirks are something he praises.

One of my favorite examples of this is Turtle of a Thousand Faces. Raphael is feeling disheartened about his place on the team and tells Splinter he wants to be a detective. While taken aback, Splinter first reinforces that he has a special place on the team because mo one else is Raphael. But he also basically says if Raphael wants to be a detective, he supports him.

Honestly, if one of the turtles told Splinter they didn't want to do ninjitsu anymore...he'd be okay with it. Insist they be able to defend themselves but he would support them in whatever they wanted to do.

Thing I love is this Splinter raised the turtles to fight for their own protection, not for revenge. He even speaks about the dangers of revenge multiple times. You can tell he legit loves these boys. Even plays with them!

He may not fight very often and honestly, I think that is because he trusts the turtles to be able to handle it. But when he does get involved, he lays down the hurt. Better not threaten his turtles. Dangerous to your health.

I also just prefer the human origin of Splinter. It's slways made the moat sense to me. And seeing this version of Hamato Yoshi gradually accept his identity as Splinter is actually really fun to witness.

No shame to the other Splinters but if I was going to pick one for my father/teacher, it would be this one!

And I continue to catch up to today!

Day 9: Best Raph from all Incarnations

Eek. This one is hard. So hard. I was almost tempted to do another tie but if I'm being honest, I do like one a wee bit better than the other. Given the day, it might shift. That's how razor thin the difference is.

But at the end of the day, as much as I adore 03 Raph...for so many reasons, my top Raph is...

1987 Raph

I know, this Raph is way different than most versions of Raph but truthfully, that's what I find so appealing. Is there some nostalgia at play, too? Sure a bit but let me try to explain.

One, he's funny. Like, he legit makes me laugh the most out of any of the characters or incarnations. I may just have a soft spot for sarcastic wit. Breaking the fourth wall had also always highly amused me and for 87 Raph, makes that an Olympic sport.

Two, I enjoy a version where Raph and Leo aren't always at one another's throats. It has its place, sure but I really like being able to visit this one and see more typical sibling bickering than deep rivalry.

Three, we still see pieces of Raph's darker side especially as the series goes. He is still their muscle and he becomes more willing to fight as the story goes. I actually really like his justification against it: they aren't accepted, they're more likely to be persecuted and he doesn't want that for his family.

You can actually see this Raph's sensitive and loving side if you know where to look.

Catch Up Day. Been busy!

Day 8 Favorite Turtle Ally + Dynamic

Might seem a bit reflective of my last post but...

Usagi and literally anyone

I adore how this rabbit interacts with people. I so wish I saw more variety with it but what we did see? More!!

Leo and Usagi in the 03 series are so fun to watch. They may be doing a serious mission jut these two always sound like best friends getting in trouble together for me 😂 And I adore that.

Because of the way Usagi talks, their banter sounds way different than Leo's interactions with his brothers but the teasing is still there. Usagi commenting he is picking up way too much ninja from Leo and we won't speak of this again? Love it.

And the fact that when Leo was struggling, Splinter calls Usagi to try and help him? That's best friend territory if I ever heard it. It may not have solved the issue but I'm convinced it planted a seed.

And let's talk about Usagi and Donnie too! I adore how patient Usagi is with Donnie. He knows the turtle is just worried about his brother and that Usagi is basically a stranger. So, he works with that.

And when a battle breaks out, he adapts to Donnie's style really quick!

Day 6: Favorite Mutant Ally

Okay, so this one is actually pretty hard for me. Mainly because my favorite media focuses on the four brothers. Its not that I dislike their allies but I much prefer stories around our core family!

That being said...

Miyamoto Usagi

My all time favorite is Usagi. Yes, I know he isn't a mutant but he kind of falls into that category. I adore this rabbit, though my all time favorite version is 2003 Usagi.

One of my favorite bits about him is the way he talks. There is just a sophisticated, almost regal sound to it without any snobbery or arrogance. He's kind, resourceful and I only wish we got to see more 1:1 time between him and the others turtles besides Leonardo. (BTW, him and Leonardo are absolutely platonic life partners).

If I can't count Usagi here since he isn't technically a mutant, my second choice is

The Punk Frogs 1987

I know, I'm weird. 😅 I honestly don't know what it is about the frogs I like so much. Maybe the concept itself? I've seen some fan works do cool stuff with them.

Maybe it is the "southern hospitality" bit taken to ridiculous extremes. What can I say? I find it funny! Me being from the American south probably has something to do with it.

I do wish we saw more of them individually. I personally really liked Rasputin. We only got a few of them individually. I would have liked more.

Day 5: The Best Leo from All Incarnations

2003 and 1987 Leo

Yep, I'm calling it a tie. While I won't argue with you that 2003 Leo got more arcs and development, he also wasn't shackled by cartoon standards of the 80s and 90s. I fully believe if 87 Leo had the opportunity, we'd see amazing things like that for him as well.

I truly do love these two equally though. For a lot of different reasons but they actually have a lot more in common than people think--especially once we get into the Red Sky Seasons. Both are devoted to their cause, both are borderline obssessed with honor, both love their families to the ends of the earth and beyond...

And both could mess you up five ways from Tuesday. They're both insanely skilled. 87 Leo doesn't get as many opportunities to show it off but when he does, I love it.

87 Leo is kinda a Captain America type. He gets called the "Boy Scout" turtle a lot but that's one reason I love him. His moral compass is always present and he'll take hits against their own reputation if it's to do the right thing.

He also loves books, is nostalgic for the romantized Japan, can really rock it on the skateboard and if you need someone to fuss over you, he has you covered. Truthfully, he's a lot like 03 Leo begore the trauma train hit him.

"I'm not going to stop doing what's right just because it's not popular." ❤️

Then we have 2003 Leo and oh how I want to hug this boy. He picks up guilt like it's on sale and less than half of it is his.

It's really heartbreaking to see how fun and carefree he was before all their battle and how the stress and responsibility just weighs on him. He doesn't lose it entirely but you can tell his view is permanently changed.

They handled his trauma really well. You can see how his perfectionism tendencies, the fear for his family and just all the hell they endured helped form that maladaptive belief of "never good enough." Seeing him heal from that was so satisfying.

I adore seeing him lighten up snd actually have fun. Seeing him pal around with his brothers just melts my heart. He loves them, he truly wants to enjoy life but if it will keep his family safe, he'll surrender his own, the self-sacrificing lug.

"In this life, we only have each other. If one of us goes down, we all go down."

I am nooot great at dynamic poses, I'm sorry but I tried ;w; My boy deserved the effort. [Pose Ref]

2003 Leo is best Leo. He's a strong, serious, proficient and protective leader who's allowed to really show and feel the lasting mental/emotional weight of his position. (Two arcs about working through trauma? In my kids' cartoon?! Yes, please!) But the majority of the time, he doesn't let the leadership go to his head; he knows how to be collaborative. He listens and leans on his team, he knows how much he needs every single one of them (and makes sure they know it too <3)

Even if/when it may go unmentioned or unappreciated, he tries to pick up any slack with grace (well, with grace most of the time - and sometimes deeply to his detriment. But his flaws make him well-rounded and complex and show us that even heroes take on too much sometimes, even heroes have to wrestle with heavy topics.)

At the same time we still get glimpses of the humble naivete and vulnerability that naturally come with learning as he goes, the moments of dorky, playful fun and free time with his brothers that remind us he's a kid too. Michael Sinterniklaas voices him perfectly; he has the range for the entire emotional spectrum, he can carry youthful innocence, understated snark, deep respect, capable command, traumatic, grievous rage and all with equal skill.

He's just so good. Love this guy. Love love love my Leo!

And I'm caught up!

Day 4: Baby Turtles

Okay, so I love seeing the turtles when they're young. I always have. There's just something about seeing these skilled martial artists starting just like anyone else.

But... sorry but I don't like the designs of the 2012 baby turtles... *ducks* I'm sorry! They're not bad but I just don't find them cute!

Their younger kid selves I like much better!

I...don't much care for the MM designs either. I simply don't like the design or the art style. No doubt there's talent in it but the overall style of MM in general, I'm not fond of.

So which designs do I like?

I know it is seemingly blasphemy to say but I think the kid and baby designs from 2014/2016 are pretty cute. I like them!

But my favs are:

2003 and 1987.

1987, I love seeing them little. I still say I think they mutated young and grew up normally since the show was so inconsistent regarding mutation. So, it was neat to get a peak at it. Splinter deserves a medal!😅

For 2003, let me clarify that I like the "Tales of Leo" designs. They gave them these weird buck teeth in later episodes which I don't like. But the "Tales of Leo" ones I love. They really feel like younger versions, personality and all.

One more and I'm caught up!

Day 3: Favorite Henchmen

Much as I might love characters like Hun or even some 2012 original characters like Fishface, there is no contest:

1987 Bebop and Rocksteady

I adore these guys. They're hilarious and their interactions with Shredder, Krang and one another are so dysfunctionally adorable. The main four bad guys in 1987 are essentially an evil family and I love it.

Thing is, Bebop and Rocksteady started as somewhat threatening. Certainly not smart but more aggressive than they became. But honestly, I love the less violent types they became. They're still an obstacle and that's all you need for them to be effective.

I do also like how we get a few hints, small though they are, that Bebop has a bit more of a moral code than Rocksteady. Not to any extreme but he has times where he genuinely seems to worry or care about others. One reason I like him a smidge more but I dare not split these two up.

The 2016 Bebop and Rocksteady aren't bad. They're pretty close, with some adult humor thrown in.

2012 Bebop and Rocksteady are also good. Their relationship has a different vibe but it's still enjoyable and fun to watch and have their own charm.

But I just don't love them like the originals!