New guy with a question

[greensborohill]

What really intrigues(sp) me about the turtles is the fact that they are brothers. The whole brotherly love aspect makes it human. Now granted I haven't reead any of the comics, but even watching the movies and series (more so the movies) you can really get a feel for the love between them. My question is who is the oldest, and what is the order by age?

[CookSux]

Uhhh I think they were all "born" at the same time.

[greensborohill]

Logically yes, I guess I just saw some conflicting info that said Leo had a year on the rest of them. Even if they were the same age. . . doesn't one of them have to hatch first??

[CookSux]

Well unlike mammals who come out one at a time... reptiles come from eggs and can hatch at the same time. Leo probably is a year ahead when it comes to skill tho.

[ninjaturtles]

I can tell you:

One website reference says that Leonardo is 16, Michaelangelo is 15 and a half years, and Donatello and Raphael are 15.

One game reference, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (The Arcade Game) on the arcade and game versions, the turtles are placed from left to right in this order: Leonardo, Michaelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael.

A third reference was this TMNT book that I read about the origin of the Ninja Turtles. Leonardo, Michaelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael are named in that order.

Does this help?

[CookSux]

Was this all official? BTW the turtles are always placed in that order, partically because it's a way to balance the colors...

[Karpo_007]

They all are same age, but you could say that Leo is the big brother. He is the most responsible one etc.

[greensborohill]

In the previous cartoon they were placed in a different order

Leo
Don
Raph
Mikey


Also, I'm sure you guys have noticed that during the credits for the first movie the rap song claims that Raphael is the leader.

[Karpo_007]

Yes, but it's just a song. Raphael rhymes with Splinter, thats the reason.

[greensborohill]

I think it was more so because the movie featured Raph a little more than the other 3.

[Karpo_007]

No, it was just the song.

[greensborohill]

I'm talking about the movie theme, which has no connection with what you are saying about rhyming Raphael's line with Spinter's line in the song.

And I know it is just a song, I was just making a statement.

[Shadow]

Yes, but it's just a song. Raphael rhymes with Splinter, thats the reason.

My soundtrack CD is out in my car...so i can't check this right now...but splinter does not rhyme with raphael. its not even a slant rhyme. And...there is not a foot/meter match either...splinter has two foot raphael has three.

I believe it is because: leonardo, michaelangelo and donatello (all rhyme) make up the team with one other fellow (slant rhyme with donatello) raphael...he's the leader of the group transformed from the norm by the nuclear goop (slant rhyme with group)... its not the splinter line...its that you have to group the o's together...

"all the good ones end in O"-Michaelangelo TMNT 2

Sorry if that got technical...i'm an english major

[Karpo_007]

You win!

[greensborohill]

I thought that that song was lame, they couldn't even get their turtles straight!

Again, my frame of refrence is limited due to the fact that I have yet to read the comics, but it seems to me that based on the movies, Raph has classic middle child syndrome.

[Shadow]

it isn't so much that raph has middle child syndrome...its just a song...I like the song...good beat. Youre right...they call raph the leader and every good turtles fan knows that's not true. If the song writers were cleaver they would have done dif. grouping, or found a new rhyme to make it make more sense.

To answer the origional question. I always just believed they were quads. I mean even in humans, brothers can be the same age and only by minutes does one claim older or younger.

However, as to who takes the leadership role...it doesn't matter what age you are it depends on your personality. A natural leader will take the lead and the others will follow...acording to their own personalities. Take a look at the Diliey (sp?) Six. These are six children that were born at the same time...one of the girls is the leader (i forget which one) and I don't think she's the oldest.

My personal experience with multiples is this: I dated an identical twin. His brother was older than him by a few minuets...but it was the one I was dating (younger of the two) that was the clear responsible leader.

yeah okay.

Shadow Jones

[greensborohill]

When I speak of Raph having middle child syndrome, I am refering to the actual movie itself and not the soundtrack. However, I do agree with you in what you are saying about age having nothing to do with leadership ability. For fantasies sake though, people like to have it nice and clean cut. You know what I mean, he's the leader therefore he is the oldest and the strongest, wisest. . .

[Shadow]

i was speaking of the movie the cartoon show the comics....all accross the board leo is the leader. and it doesn't have to be THAT clean cut...because if you ask me...i think eastman and laird did a great job of not making it that simple...that's part of the apeal...and why people can have such an active forum like this one.

yeah

[HorseTechie]

Yeah, I agree that they are all the same age too. Physically.

Mentally, the ages do differ. Like Leo acts the oldest, then Raph, Don and Mike (mr Peter Pan syndrome!)

HT... who is actually 28, acts like she's 23, and looks like she's 18. :P

[Shadow]

HT... who is actually 28, acts like she's 23, and looks like she's 18. :P

that's great when you turn 50!!

I'm 21, I act 25 I look 19

[CookSux]

I don't think taking anything from a song makes any logical sense in any sort of reasoning. Even in the theme song the order is different... Leo, Don does machines, raphael is cool but rude, michelangelo is a party dude... blah. If anything that would be a more logical age ordering mentally anyways. And yes... Leo is and always will be the "leader" of the group. He's always the most studious student, always is first to battle, and also uses the swords as his primary weapon which is symbolic of leadership... as compared to the bo, nunchucks, and sai...

[greensborohill]

I'm talking about society wanting things to be clear cut. And that is exactly why this forum is continuing (or was started to begin with for that matter).

What I meant was, when I said that Raph had middle child syndrome, you said that he didn't and then you referenced the song. The song had nothing to do with why I believe Raph has middle child syndrome. I was talking about the movie. But enough about the song and the movie.

You are right on all levels, things in life are not as clear cut as people would like them to be. However, that doesn't stop us from wanting and/or wishing things were. Structure, structure, structure. Who is the leader of the group? That is like saying who is the lead singer in a band (although picking out the lead singer is easier, even though he may not be the overall leader of the group but just the figure head.)

Any way, I gotta go study up for class now. Hopefully this discussion is going on strong when I get back online about 6 hours from now.