The "punk" frogs

[Powder]

I never interpreted it to be referencing music/culture but rather that these guys were young worthless delinquents, the original meaning of the word.

[Zog The Magnificent]

Originally Posted by Powder

I never interpreted it to be referencing music/culture but rather that these guys were young worthless delinquents, the original meaning of the word.

Yep, that was my thought too. This discussion on music is actually really interesting, but as far as the characters I always thought they were supposed to be punks in the sense of "youthful delinquents," so I'm not sure the debate on their aesthetics actually applies in this case.

[Coola Yagami]

Originally Posted by Powder

I never interpreted it to be referencing music/culture but rather that these guys were young worthless delinquents, the original meaning of the word.

Pretty sure that was it. The problem was the Frogs were way too kind. And they never did anything truly bad except for things the shredder tricked them into doing.

I always find it funny Shredder thinks he can train new people in a few days or weeks to fight against the turtles who have trained with Splinter for years.

[Anarchistguy]

Originally Posted by Coola Yagami

I always find it funny Shredder thinks he can train new people in a few days or weeks to fight against the turtles who have trained with Splinter for years.

Even Bebop, as dumb as he was, pointed it out to Shredder.

[Prowler]

I remember liking the episode when I first watched it as a kid. Seemed like a very cool concept and like they'd be good rivals for the Turtles... but they ended up just being gullible/dumb good guys who were fooled by Shredder. Also there literally was no difference between them in terms of personality.

A good concept but poorly executed.

As for the name... I was 7 or so when I first watched that episode. I didn't know what punk rock was or that the shirts they wore were Hawaiian shirts. I just called them the Frogs, really.

It's odd how well remembered they still are by the fandom after all these years. Their debut episode was memorable sure, but they didn't exactly become relevant characters.

[IMJ]

Originally Posted by Powder

I never interpreted it to be referencing music/culture but rather that these guys were young worthless delinquents, the original meaning of the word.

Exactly....
I thought this would be obvious to everyone to be honest.

[Leo656]

I mean, perhaps in theory. Their actual attitudes and behavior undermine that theory however. They're far too polite to be "punks" by any definition.

Wishful thinking on Shredder's part, I guess. Except the name stuck so... I'unno.

[Zog The Magnificent]

Originally Posted by Leo656

I mean, perhaps in theory. Their actual attitudes and behavior undermine that theory however. They're far too polite to be "punks" by any definition.

Wishful thinking on Shredder's part, I guess. Except the name stuck so... I'unno.

That's exactly it. Shredder named them, Shredder created them with the full intent of being an anti-turtles team, Shredder named them all after real life conquerors, so of course he'd give them a name like "Punk Frogs." Their behavior doesn't undermine the theory, it just shows another one of Shredder's failed plans.

Of course, the name stuck because of marketing. Can't exactly have two different names, that would require continuity and it would confuse everyone because they'd have to remember two names. How could they sell toys if everyone was so confused?

[IMJ]

Originally Posted by Leo656

I mean, perhaps in theory. Their actual attitudes and behavior undermine that theory however. They're far too polite to be "punks" by any definition.

Wishful thinking on Shredder's part, I guess. Except the name stuck so... I'unno.

It's because it was a cartoon aimed at ten year olds, man. "Punk frogs" was "edgy" for kids but they were protagonists so you know - it's like "Wolverine is so tough and oooohhhhh dark but he's a good guy but not really" yet Wolverine rarely used his claws for any real slashing during that era as well.