Was Tatsu just a male version of Karai?

[CyberCubed]

The first TMNT movie came out in 1990, and Karai wasn't created until 1992 in the comics. Since Karai didn't exist at the time the first movie came out, they obviously came up with the character of Tatsu to be Shredder's "second in command."

Looking back now, had Karai existed in the Mirage comics earlier, do you think she would have been in the first movie instead of Tatsu?

[Andrew NDB]

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

The first TMNT movie came out in 1990, and Karai wasn't created until 1992 in the comics. Since Karai didn't exist at the time the first movie came out, they obviously came up with the character of Tatsu to be Shredder's "second in command."

Looking back now, had Karai existed in the Mirage comics earlier, do you think she would have been in the first movie instead of Tatsu?

Given the first movie's... respect, at least, of the comic books, I'd be very surprised if they'd used Tatsu instead of Karai had she been created prior to it.

[oldmanwinters]

I don't think there was much chance of Karai ever being in the old movies as a 2nd in command figure, even if she had been around. Mirage Karai was never Shredder's assistant or lackey, so E&L probably wouldn't had permitted her to be used as such in those early days.

Also, Tatsu was always good for getting violently manhandled by the heroes at the end of the film, and it just wouldn't have gone over quite the same way if Casey Jones was slamming a golf club into a woman's head...

[CyberCubed]

Originally Posted by oldmanwinters

Also, Tatsu was always good for getting violently manhandled by the heroes at the end of the film, and it just wouldn't have gone over quite the same way if Casey Jones was slamming a golf club into a woman's head...

Imagine Casey swinging the golf club into Karai's stomach, then yelling "Fore!" when he knocks her across the room like he did to Tatsu.

Just imagine the outrage from feminists and soccer Moms back in 1990 if they showed a woman beaten up with a golf club like that.

[Leo656]

Depends. Lots of characters in movies get away with roughhousing with chicks simply because the chicks in the scene are "Bad Guys".

By being the "hero" in a movie, you can get away with a ton of stuff that people would hate you for in real life. The audience will even applaud. It's madness.

A golf club may be a little excessive, but still.

[Andrew NDB]

Originally Posted by oldmanwinters

I don't think there was much chance of Karai ever being in the old movies as a 2nd in command figure, even if she had been around. Mirage Karai was never Shredder's assistant or lackey, so E&L probably wouldn't had permitted her to be used as such in those early days.

That's a good point. I retract my earlier post. If anything, though, she might have been a "shadowy presence from Japan" kind of boss character, sweating Saki to hurry up and deal with those pesky Turtles and if he can't, she would need to come there to handle it herself (further motivating him to get that done).

[ProactiveMan]

Originally Posted by oldmanwinters

Also, Tatsu was always good for getting violently manhandled by the heroes at the end of the film, and it just wouldn't have gone over quite the same way if Casey Jones was slamming a golf club into a woman's head...

The would have just had April do is instead, as was the style at the time. Not that this is a good example of the following practice, but I've noticed that there were a lot of henchwomen written into 90s movies, solely to give the female lead someone to beat up in the third act.

[Shark_Blade]

Yes, a bit of tight suit, cleavage breast plate and a feminine hair-do, Tatsu can be like Karai.

[THGhost]

When I hear Tatsu, all I can think of is Tatsu Yamashiro, AKA Katana.

[oldmanwinters]

Originally Posted by ProactiveMan

The would have just had April do is instead, as was the style at the time. Not that this is a good example of the following practice, but I've noticed that there were a lot of henchwomen written into 90s movies, solely to give the female lead someone to beat up in the third act.

That would almost certainly have been the case. So typical of films of that era!
I wonder if that plot cliche has its own TV trope designator?

[Coola Yagami]

No. Karai was never shredders second of command. She led the Japanese foot and was practically his superior.

Shredder never had a right hand man. Tatsu was his first. I guess the movie ppl felt he just needed someone to talk to.

If anything the modern day versions of Karai are the female versions of Tatsu/Hun.

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

Originally Posted by Coola Yagami

No. Karai was never shredders second of command. She led the Japanese foot and was practically his superior.

Shredder never had a right hand man. Tatsu was his first. I guess the movie ppl felt he just needed someone to talk to.

If anything the modern day versions of Karai are the female versions of Tatsu/Hun.

And now Kitsune is closer to the original Karai... in that she at least does not SERVE Oroku Saki.

Can we get an IDW Pimiko who takes the place of the Mirage Karai? Badass Japanese Foot ninja leader sick of the NYC branch's mutant feud?

[Panda_Kahn_fan]

It's funny people keep saying over and over that the creators of TMNT never would have turned Karai into shredder's lackey, yet Peter Laird is the person who did just that in the 4kids series, and Eastman has, more then once, called her 'Shredder's Daughter.

That being said, after her 2k3 version, Karai came to fill the 'second in command' role in many turtle's series that Tatsu filled in the first film. I could see them adapting her into shredder's second in command, had she existed at the time.

[CyberCubed]

The woman who played Princess Mitsu in Movie III could have made a good Karai I say.