Is Nick's Raphael the most similar to past incarnations so far?

[CyberCubed]

While Nick's Leonardo, Donatello, and Michelangelo all have slight changes to their personalities and characters to make them stand out a bit more compared to past incarnations, anyone else feel as if Raph's not that much different?

He was still shown to be quick to anger and lose his patience in the episodes, and he seemed to get annoyed with both Mikey (for being silly) and Leonardo (for being a leader) as usual. I think the only reason they gave Raph a pet turtle to confide in is because they didn't change much about him otherwise.

I guess this is pretty much why Nick's Raphael doesn't stand out as much as the other 3 Turtles so far, he seems to be the least changed from the past while the others all have something new about them.

[TurtleTitan97]

I don't really mind that he's like the other past versions of Raph.

[Powder]

He does seem to retain more of his former selves than the other turtles, but I think there are some things that set him apart. For example, even though they're playing up the whole tough guy thing, they're not dumbing him down a bit like 2k3 kinda did. He's quick to act, but he's still sharp. & the way he's voiced doesn't make him seem cocky but rather confident. He's got... whatever they called swag before swag came along (hate that word).

[Jester]

Also I think the fact that his soft spot is so visible with Spike helps to mellow him out compared to other Raphs. That and like Powder said, Astin's voice being lest stereotypical New Yorker kinda lightens him up and makes him less cocky.

[oldmanwinters]

I do like the fact that (at least at this point) Raphael appears to be a slightly more competent and effective leader than Leonardo. It will be nice to see Leo grow into his role, instead of just assuming his brothers will follow him by default.

[Slade]

He does seem to retain more of his former selves than the other turtles, but I think there are some things that set him apart. For example, even though they're playing up the whole tough guy thing, they're not dumbing him down a bit like 2k3 kinda did. He's quick to act, but he's still sharp. & the way he's voiced doesn't make him seem cocky but rather confident. He's got... whatever they called swag before swag came along (hate that word).

This and I hate that word too.


Also I think the fact that his soft spot is so visible with Spike helps to mellow him out compared to other Raphs. That and like Powder said, Astin's voice being lest stereotypical New Yorker kinda lightens him up and makes him less cocky.

And this.

Though we've only seen one hour of him so far, I get the feeling Nick's version of Raph won't be as much of a hothead as 2k3, but I do see him as being a smartass like Fred Wolf.

[sdp]

He isn't too different but at least he isn't as annoying as in 2k3, his personality has been pretty well balanced so far. If he can stay like that without it being overplayed like in a few incarnations it'll be fine.

[Coola Yagami]

I kinda see Raph as a bit of a bully to the others, but it's more evened out since he picks on all 3 of his brothers and not just Mike.

I also seem to like that this time his angry attitude seems more genuine. Like I don't know... in this incarnation it feels more like 'that's how he is'... while in other incarnations they overdo it so much you're left wondering 'why is he so angry all the time???' and never get a clear answer.

[zkarlette]

So far I really like this version of Raph he sort of reminds me of the 4 kids version but a tad toned down. I really think Sean Astin is doing an excellent job.
His pet turtle makes him look so cute.

[Allio]

I actually think, this Raphael could actually grow up to be like the Raphael from the TMNT movie...

same with Leonardo and Mikey...

so there is that answer

[BubblyShell22]

I agree that Raph is a bit the same as in other incarnations, but I think he's different in that while he's quick to anger and impatience, he does have a softer side with Spike. Spike brings out something different in him, and that's what I like about him. I do think there will be a lot of conflict between Raph and Leo for a little while, but I'm okay with that.

[amigaice]

Both me and my kids loved the pet turtle Raph had. There also was a scene right in the middle of a fight both him and mikey made silly faces at the bad guys. So Raph does have a lighter side. The first thing my kids noticed though was the crack in his shell and they laughed any time those silly animations where used.

[Powder]

Who the hell is Ralph?

[BubblyShell22]

Ralph is the fat kid from The Simpsons. Raph is the Ninja Turtle we're talking about here, not Ralph Wiggum. This mistake is made so much, it irks me.

[TheJ-manTurtleMan]

Yes, I think he is the most similar, but I think he's more similar to the OT Raphael. I'm so glad they brought back the sarcastic witty Raph, but still keeping a little touch of the tough guy anger. Also losing the New York accent helps a lot

[chrisdude]

Maybe it's not Raphael being kept the same, but all of the other turtles being spotlighted a bit more?

I mean, with Mikey making his own discovery not being believed, Donnie and April, and Leo trying to be a leader, maybe there just wasn't enough to time give Raph his own subplot.

[ComicBookBoy]

Raph is still my favorite character. I espescially like how he was stronger than Leo. He seems to be a lot less angry and gung-ho about things than the 2003 Raph. I think the 2003 Raph was too hot headed and the 1987 Raph was way too comical, but I think that this Raph is a bit of a combination. And I like it.

[blackaerin]

Can't put my finger on it, but this Raph seems a bit more...intense.
Sure he's a lot calmer than 2k3 Raph, he actually smiles and acts like a kid and isn't grumpy and uptight 24/7. I do like that he's a bit of a smartass to Donatello, it seems that they're more prone to squabbling while Leo's a bit more passive. And hey, he's even revealed to have a softer side through Spike.

But everytime he fights an enemy, he looks like a thread waiting to snap at any moment.
The way he stabs at the robots and his face when he "hacks" the lock, the way he breaks the robot's arm, and where he's grabbing Snakeweed.
He has the potential to be, in Leo's words "seriously twisted" and I agree with Allio that I can very easily see this Raph growing up into 2007 Raph.
Maybe not now, but eventually something's going to set him off.
I do hope that this show explores this repressed anger more and not just leave it as "Oh la de da, it's just Raph being Raph." (Looking at the episode synopsis, hopefully this will be shown in next week's episode.)

[Avatar Yuffie]

It's really interesting Raph gets a pet, instead of Mikey. He seems to fight with ALL his brothers, Don surprisingly is rather snappish, instead of asserting his alpha-ness and getting Dad's approval with Leo.

And I really like the fact he's implied to be the best fighter of the four, so again his jealousy with Leo will hopefully NOT be used to shape his character in this continuity. Hopefully.

[FoxZerro]

Raph seems more reasonable so far. I loved the interaction with Donatello in the beginning when he gave him the chance to drop his staff, and then ended up beating him with it. I imagine that it probably would have been better for Donatello if he had dropped his Bo.

What I hope happens is the Mikey's best friend aspect of the character. It was definitely hinted at when they both made funny faces at the Krang during the fight. As much as I love Don and Mikey being best friends in the Movie and Don and Raph's friendship in the OT. I have always totally understood and supported Mike and Raph being best friends.

[Gyt Kaliba]

Raph is still my favorite character. I espescially like how he was stronger than Leo. He seems to be a lot less angry and gung-ho about things than the 2003 Raph. I think the 2003 Raph was too hot headed and the 1987 Raph was way too comical, but I think that this Raph is a bit of a combination. And I like it.

I agree, at least that this Raph seems to be kind of a combination of the normal hot-headed Raph we know in most incarnations, and the snarky one we got in the original toon. Which appeals to me greatly, since I like both takes.

[Jephael]

I really hope they don't show Raphael constantly getting all bent out of shape over every little thing his brothers say and do. It gets old fast!

[shezcrafti]

I don't really mind that he's like the other past versions of Raph.

Same here. Why mess with perfection? :tcool:

What I hope happens is the Mikey's best friend aspect of the character. It was definitely hinted at when they both made funny faces at the Krang during the fight. As much as I love Don and Mikey being best friends in the Movie and Don and Raph's friendship in the OT. I have always totally understood and supported Mike and Raph being best friends.

^ I'm hoping for that too. Mikey's zen is a good counter-balance to Raph's temper; their friendship just make sense. I did notice in this show that Mikey doesn't seem to get too upset when Raph smacks him or makes fun of him--he just kind of tolerates it, perhaps out of love/closeness. It's kind of a Skipper & Gilligan dynamic, lol.

This Raph seems to be kind of a combination of the normal hot-headed Raph we know in most incarnations, and the snarky one we got in the original toon. Which appeals to me greatly, since I like both takes.

Agreed. It's a good blend.

I'll also echo the general sentiment that Sean Astin is awesome as Raph. I do miss the NY accent, but I can totally see why it wouldn't have worked in this show. Astin makes Raph sound age-appropriate in this show's "younger" context, but still has enough of an edge to his voice that is so very Raph.

So far I don't think Raph's temper is over the top at all. Most of it seems to stem from his general annoyance at his brothers--Leo is understandably insufferable at times; Don geeks out too much; and Mikey is...well, he's Mikey. Between the three of them it'd be enough to drive anyone crazy. But I do like that they're balancing Raph's anger issues with plenty of scenes showing Raph just being "normal" for lack of a better word. I love that he gets excited about Mutation Day right along with the rest of his bros, that we get to see his vulnerable side with Spike, and that when he gets too high on his horse he gets "spanked," to quote Mikey. It all seems very balanced so far.

[Mona_Lisa]

Yes, I think he is the most similar, but I think he's more similar to the OT Raphael. I'm so glad they brought back the sarcastic witty Raph, but still keeping a little touch of the tough guy anger. Also losing the New York accent helps a lot

^I agree with this, funny thing is I thought I liked the NY accent. But this Raph seems perfict. I like how he gets excited about "busting some heads" lol. I also like how he is the best fighter. Other versions of the show would leave you guessing as to weather him, Leo, or Mikey were the best....

I didn't like the 4kids Raph much. They made him to grumpy, and kinda stupid.

[Scud]

Sure there are some similarities to previous incarnations of Raph. How can there not be. I think Sean is doing a great job (from the one episode we have seen). It's the right amount sarcasm, and tough attitude without the stereotypical muscle voice.
Plus as others have mentioned, the soft spot he has for his pet turtle balances him out.

~S~

[The Big Bad]

Between his initial sparring session with Donnie and the PG-rated torture of Snake, I got a subtle but consistent bully vibe from Raph, one I'm not sure I got from any other version; I might reconsider upon rewatching, but 4Kids Raph's treatment of Mikey seemed like part of an established and agreed-upon routine between the two; here, however, the fact that Raph really didn't care about Don's desire to not be hurt stood out more.

[Rooish]

I get the bully vibe from Raph too. And it's kind of disturbing to me--not to mention the fact that he is totally owning all his brothers (he beat Leo and Don in fights and he just doesn't seem to be vulnerable in the way his previous versions were--except with Spike I guess). I'd love to see his friendship with Mikey but I kind of don't think that's going to happen--there series seems to be making Don and Mike close.

I do like that Raph doesn't sound like a "chain smoking 40-year-old" and, as much as I loved his Nolan North and Josh Pais voices, I'm not missing the Brooklyn accent.

So far we've mostly just seen the Turtles be unpleasant to each other, which I find difficult--I'd like to see the Turtles get along a bit like in the old toon.

[Slade]

Same here. Why mess with perfection?

This works just fine.

[Donnie]

Right off the bat I could tell this Raphael is going to be a different than past incarnations. The lack of the Brooklyn accent is extremely welcoming, too...

[Slade]

The no accent seems to really work for this Raph. I actually kinda miss it though.

[Icegaze]

This Raph is actually one of my favourite incarnations of the character (with the 2k7 movie). I love his voice. I am ok with the fact that he seems like a better fighter than my favourite turtle, Leo, because I know that will change soon. :p
But seriously, Astin is doing a neat job.

[BubblyShell22]

I agree that Astin is really nailing it in terms of the voice. He's great. Yeah, Raph can be a bully at times, but we all get that way with our siblings at times, don't we?

[pannoni1]

Many people can act normal and then go into a range, and Nick's Raph will be just that, and look for Astin to give it some angerness during fighting and perhaps to his brothers. I don't want it to get quite a silly as 4kids since the accent isn't as tough. He's probably most similar to Raph from the movies.

[NinjaMan]

Been meaning to ask since I never got to read the Mirage books, but has Raph always been a better fighter than Leo? Or will Leo eventually surpass him?

[Lampy]

He does seem to retain more of his former selves than the other turtles, but I think there are some things that set him apart. For example, even though they're playing up the whole tough guy thing, they're not dumbing him down a bit like 2k3 kinda did. He's quick to act, but he's still sharp. & the way he's voiced doesn't make him seem cocky but rather confident. He's got... whatever they called swag before swag came along (hate that word).

Also I think the fact that his soft spot is so visible with Spike helps to mellow him out compared to other Raphs. That and like Powder said, Astin's voice being lest stereotypical New Yorker kinda lightens him up and makes him less cocky.

Pretty much sums up my thoughts on this raph... Im liking the way hes being portrayed though. So far my favorite turtle in this series.

[Genesis]

Not sure I agree with even half of what's being said here, but I am digging this incarnation about as much as I usually like Raphael. I think the bully thing has to do with his youth and his general lack of knowledge in dealing with people.

Voice-wise, I think Astin's performance suits this Raphael; I especially liked his tone when Michelangelo presented Snakeweed's new name, to which Raphael replied in a most guttural fashion, "We get it!"

On a side note, I think you guys are downplaying 2003 Raph's competence. It was Mirage Raph that I felt was portrayed that way - what, with his love of linear thought, and all.

[ninjafowlkes8705]

I get the bully vibe from Raph too. And it's kind of disturbing to me--not to mention the fact that he is totally owning all his brothers (he beat Leo and Don in fights and he just doesn't seem to be vulnerable in the way his previous versions were--except with Spike I guess). I'd love to see his friendship with Mikey but I kind of don't think that's going to happen--there series seems to be making Don and Mike close.

I do like that Raph doesn't sound like a "chain smoking 40-year-old" and, as much as I loved his Nolan North and Josh Pais voices, I'm not missing the Brooklyn accent.

So far we've mostly just seen the Turtles be unpleasant to each other, which I find difficult--I'd like to see the Turtles get along a bit like in the old toon.


i think Nickelodeon do know how to do ninja turtles right unlike fred wolf and 4 kids i don't like the 88 raphael just do too much joking around than doing much fighting they trying to make him like the 1988 version so mirage comics,90-93,2003-turtle forever movie,2k7 version of raphael

[Jester]

i think Nickelodeon do know how to do ninja turtles right unlike fred wolf and 4 kids i don't like the 88 raphael just do too much joking around than doing much fighting they trying to make him like the 1988 version so mirage comics,90-93,2003-turtle forever movie,2k7 version of raphael
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