Which TMNT Animated Series is your Favorite?

[TMNT101]

Which show is your favorite?

For me, it's either 2012 or 2003.

[shredderhead]

I think I like the TMNT 2k3 a bit more xD

[DVD]

They are all good.
I really enjoy the new show, but I have realized that after nearly a year, I have never revisited any of the episodes.
The 2003 stuff is great and I find myself cycling through it, and I think I'm in my third sitting since the new series started.
The classic show though, is just that, classic. If video files could get fuzzy and worn like a VHS tape, then my video files would need replaced. I was so pleased to get that release of the Turtles van DVD collection, and that was all watched straight through.
Not saying that the other shows are not good..quite the opposite, as I think they are both great as well. Just the Classics would be my Turtles of choice.

[ABrown]

The 4Kids TMNT series is not only my favorite TMNT series of all time, it's very likely my favorite action cartoon of all time. It wasn't perfect, but it was a truly outstanding cartoon.

[MsMarvelDuckie]

Hmm, I'd have to go with the 2003 series now. It's so much more of what I'd always hoped the OT could be- more bada$$ery, more continuity, more interesting storys- and every bit as fun and wild. While te OT still has a special place in my heart, and always will, I think I've turned into an 03 TMNT die-hard now!

[TurtleTitan97]

Hard to pick between 2k3 and 2k12. Both are my two favorite animated versions of TMNT. But if I had to chose one.... I'd go with 2k12.

[gobo]

4Kids, yo. O_o

[raph27]

2k12 rules dem ALL!

[BabyTurtles]

I love both 2003 and 2012

but I'll go with 2012 cause it gives me more feels :D

[Bossa Nova]

I gotta go with 2k3. I'm still giving 2k12 the benefit of the doubt, but more and more often I'm getting "jerk" vibes from all the characters that're seriously starting to rub me the wrong way. I get it, they're teenage boys, they're going to get rough and rude with each other. But I feel like 2k3 handled that element better while still keeping the turtles likable in a way that I'm not getting from the 2k12 turtles quite so much. Plus, 2k3's ability to create and keep up with their story arcs instead of the disjointed mess we're getting from 2k12 was also really awesome And sadly, I have yet to actually watch more than just a handful of eps from the 80s show so I can't really make a legitimate decision regarding them.

[Donatello19]

I'm gonna go with 2012 because it has awesome action scenes and can sometimes be a little serious when it needs too like 2003, but it's also a little light hearted and silly like the OT. It's a perfect mix IMO.

[twopinacoladas]

As a kid the 87 show, now the 2k3 show as I find it difficult to watch most of the old series. Tho the first few seasons are great for nostalgia from time to time I think they did a good job with the 2003 show. The new show isn't quite my cup of tea, a couple of the episodes have been pretty decent but it isn't quite enough to make me want to watch it at all. With that said I'll likely watch the rest of it I was probably around episode 14-15 or so but never make a habit of watching it.

[slashpieturtlemix]

I am watching the 1980's one now. The 2003 and 2012 ones are pretty good. It is to soon to see if 2012's will be a flunk or not. So far it is extremely good. Wish they would finish those final episodes but they seem held up for some reason. 2003 is pretty reasonable in my book. Peter added a lot of realism. Also, am I the only one who noted that they did what Peter Laird hated and added the feet / hand wrappings? Gave me a chuckle.

[snake]

2012, everything that I could say about it has been said.

[Leofan26]

Wow, shocked the first series has so little votes, thought that was a fan favorite :)

I think its a tie between the 2003 and 2012 series for me though, both did a good job. I think I'd say 2003 right now, depends on how the seasons go later on down the road for 2012 series, see they all grow and what story arcs happen :)

[Bauer536]

Isn't it obvious? 2012, baby!:tcool:

[snake]

Isn't it obvious? 2012, baby!:tcool:

* high fives screen* :tcool:

[HeroTurtlesFan]

I grew up with the original cartoon, but voted for the newest series from Nick - it's fantastic!

[BubblyShell22]

I like all of them honestly. However, if I had to choose which series I like at the moment, definitely 2K12. It's the perfect blend of OT and 2K3 for me.

[madyankees]

I grew up with the 80s but i'm leaning towards 2003 for now.

[Vi11AiN6]

Wow So much love for the Nick show already?
I thought the OT was going to win by a landslide.

They are all good in there own way, people will always love the OT because that was what we were first exposed to as kids, 2003 is just so close to the comics and a little more mature that it's got some great stories, but Nick's show is really funny, and entertaining, sure it's a little more kid friendly and less mature than the 2003 series but y'know it's the first series that actually has the turtles acting like they are TEENAGERS ( a point that I felt was often overshadowed in the comics and 2003)

[LH]

As the series that introduced me and the series I am currently hooked on... 2012 :twink:

[NinjaPug]

I grew up watching and loving the OT series but 2003 is my favorite. I love what I've seen from the 2012 series so far too.

[TMNT101]

Wow So much love for the Nick show already?
I thought the OT was going to win by a landslide.

They are all good in there own way, people will always love the OT because that was what we were first exposed to as kids, 2003 is just so close to the comics and a little more mature that it's got some great stories, but Nick's show is really funny, and entertaining, sure it's a little more kid friendly and less mature than the 2003 series but y'know it's the first series that actually has the turtles acting like they are TEENAGERS ( a point that I felt was often overshadowed in the comics and 2003)

I was shown the 1987 series when I was 5 years old. It was too kid friendly for me, even back then.

I was 9 years old when the 2003 series started. I loved how mature it was. When Raphael nearly tried killing Mikey for beating Raph in a sparring match (Season 1 Episode 4), I was pissed at Raph for that. I have a temper with someone rubbing winning in my face, I ain't gonna lie, but I wouldn't take a lead pipe and almost smash someone's face in over it. So, Leo was my favorite Turtle in that series.

I watch the 2012 series now and this series has the best voice cast here. It really gives definition to each character. Raphael is my favorite turtle in that show. Leo is just a little too geeky to be my favorite turtle in this series. I like the mix of mature action with joking.

[Refractive Reflections]

Sticking with the OT.

2003 was good, but as the seasons passed and got into seasons 4 and 5, especially that personally loathesome "Ninja Tribunal" season 5. It was taking itself too seriously, it's not to say I don't like serious plot lines, but the whole spirituality aspect with demons, etc. was just trying too hard. It just seemed like the show was trying to top itself over and over, with darker and darker storytelling. (I mean it lead down to that unfinished "Nightmares Recycled" episode.) Then of course there were the lackluster attempts to reinvent itself with Fast Forward (does have good storylines but its not as good as earlier season material in my eyes) and Back to the Sewer.

It was also frustrating how the show was trying to reinvent Shredder everytime. With Utrom Shredder, then Karai (okay I understand her wanting to assume his position), but then Tengu Shredder, and Cyber Shredder. With me I prefer that either he's dead kind of like with Mirage, or he remains a constant threat like in the OT rather than a new existential form of Shredder showing up all the time. At least if Tengu Shredder and Cyber Shredder were renamed something other than "Shredder", I wouldn't be so harsh with that aspect.

With the 2012 version, it's still in its first season so it would be unfair to fully judge the show, but it still has a way to go. I am pleased that they have a good balance of seriousness and humor to it. The humor helps as comic relief whenever the show ventures into more serious territory, in my opinion that the 2003 version just didn't effectively do well. But the reason the 2012 show is not close to the OT yet is because I hoping these tweenagers will develop some maturity into actual teenagers as the seasons progress. The lack of sympathy in "Pulverizer Returns!" from the Turtles and even Splinter in the end of the episode, was a big step back in my opinion, and is why I consider them "tweenagers".

[Ch'redder]

2003 Turtles is one of my all-time favorites shows. Hopefully 2012 Turtles could be up there someday.

[BabyTurtles]

wow 2012 and 2003 are tied~

<3

[Ch'redder]

Whoops, forgot to vote. :-P

[Bmaga123]

1987 :tcool:

[The Sewer Lord]

Went with the 2k3.
Although I am more of a fan of the comics. :D

[InsaneZane]

Man i REALLY LOVE all of them, but this is easy forme since I'm so big on nostalgia... OT all the way! :)

[CyberCubed]

I liked them all.

Still its too early to say for Nick, you're comparing the 22 or so episodes that aired so far to a 193 episode and 156 episode series....

For all we know the Nick cartoon could get really bad in coming seasons or on the plus side it could turn out phenomenal....we don't know.

[Tora]

They are all good.
I really enjoy the new show, but I have realized that after nearly a year, I have never revisited any of the episodes.
The 2003 stuff is great and I find myself cycling through it, and I think I'm in my third sitting since the new series started.
The classic show though, is just that, classic. If video files could get fuzzy and worn like a VHS tape, then my video files would need replaced. I was so pleased to get that release of the Turtles van DVD collection, and that was all watched straight through.
Not saying that the other shows are not good..quite the opposite, as I think they are both great as well. Just the Classics would be my Turtles of choice.

:tgrin: Same here. 1987 All the way!

[CowabungaMikey]

Why do I have to choose D:

I love them all :(

But I choose 1987, for Michelangelo. I love him in that version.

[DonatelloNinja82]

Such a hard decision...like many have said, I love OT for it being what I grew up with. I also love the story arcs in 2003 and some of the more serious tone. But I ultimately chose 2012. I love the mix of humor and action. I love how Leo is learning to become the leader, Mike's innocence and humor, Raph's blend of 87/2003 saracasm and attitude, and Donatello being a little high -strung and going on genius tangents:) It's funny when I think back to right before the show started. I was wondering if it would be any good and iffy about April being a teen. But I knew I was going to watch it anyways since it was a new TMNT show...and it was amazing!!!:D

[allie300]

2k3 all the way really loved all the overarching story arcs,the nick show is cute but just feels too disjointed at times,I haven't gotten a chance to see any of the 80's show yet

[gobo]

I haven't gotten a chance to see any of the 80's show yet
Fair warning, it's even more disjointed than Nick.

[Krum]

My first instinct is to go with 80's but if I give it any thought I realize it's mostly nostalgia. If I were to see it for the first time today I would probably not care for it much. I found the 2003 series a little too serious and started getting too repetitive after 3 seasons. I lost interest in it. I only saw one episode of Fast Forward and none at all of Back to the Sewers. I have to vote for the new Nick series. From what I've seen so far it has the best of both the older series. Like the 80's one it can be a little goofy, but the jokes are much more clever, and it has serious plots and a continuing story arc like 2003. I don't get into new cartoons as easily now as when I was a kid, but this one is really keeping my attention. My vote goes to Nick.

[ABrown]

It's really weird that as of this post, about one third of the votes have gone to the Nickelodeon series. It takes more than around 20 episodes for me to really fall in love with a show. It wasn't until at least the third season of the 4Kids series that I realized that it had become by favorite TMNT series. I guess some people get attached quicker than I do.

[CyberCubed]

It's really weird that as of this post, about one third of the votes have gone to the Nickelodeon series. It takes more than around 20 episodes for me to really fall in love with a show. It wasn't until at least the third season of the 4Kids series that I realized that it had become by favorite TMNT series. I guess some people get attached quicker than I do.

Well the Nick show has a lot of humor and charm. Some people just prefer comedy over dark action, there's nothing wrong with that.

Had the 4kids series not existed I think the Nick show would have been too much after the OT, but I feel like we already got our dark action TMNT show so I'm content with Nick's direction.

[Krum]

The new series is just that good. I didn't even need 22 episodes before I decided that it was my favorite.

[SoundBlaster7]

The original 1987 series for me. :tgrin:

[Jester]

Yep...we ain't seen this kinda thread before.


Wait...I'm wrong.


To the question: Depends on my mood.

[Pterobat]

Well, there's only once choice for me: the 2003 series. 8)

I love the OT when it's goofy. I love it *because* it's goofy (though it doesn't always succeed at being the good kind of goofy). But when it comes to the larger world, I have a personal preference for serious stuff.

I don't like all of the 2003 series, but what I like, I love. It's not just that the plotting was darker, but that it took care and craft with setting up its storylines, and it merged some of the Mirage concepts in effective ways. It also had some great villains, including Ch'rell, Bishop, and the absolute best version of Baxter Stockman.

What else can I say, but 4Kids, I forgive you for everything you've done with anime.

(maybe not totally. :lol:)

[CowabungaMikey]

What else can I say, but 4Kids, I forgive you for everything you've done with anime.

(maybe not totally. :lol:)

Just think about Sanji's lollipop..... Sanji's goddamn lollipop....

[Shark_Blade]

2k12 of course.

[ninjafowlkes8705]

mine favorite was 1987 season 1-3 i did not like cbs how they messed up season 4-10 2003 was ok i get to read about more of casey jones and other people orgins

[ryukenden]

My favorite is 2K3 given it was perhaps the most faithful to Mirage at least until the later seasons. I can never forgive 4Kids of what they did to One Piece but this show was decent though.

OT will always be a part of my childhood and I still enjoy it for what it was. I'm enjoying Nick and it still has ways to go.

[OrokuYoshiFilms]

This is a tough one. Initially I go with 4Kids. There's a lot to like. Looking back on OT, which set a precedent for all future incarnations still left a lot to be desired. I really wanted to go with Nick but it's going to have to earn that spot in my book. I have no doubt that I'll be changing my answer soon, though.

...I can do without Fast Forward and BTTS.

[tunecedemalis]

2k3 is easily my favorite. Grew up watching the 87 toon. I liked the more mature, serious tone of the 2k3 show and as others mentioned the continuing story arcs. That being said I'm only considering seasons 1-5 because FF and BTTS were terrible. The 2k12 show is just ok, just not that appealing to me.

[Yorae]

2k3 for sure. I love the characterization of the Turtles in this show more than the rest.

I think its still early for the Nick show, but unless they start introducting more environments, more background characters and more continuity in the storytelling I can't see how they could possibly top 2k3 for me.

[billbot85]

The 1987 cartoon will always be my favorite, since it was the show I watched religiously as a kid. It will always be nostalgic for me :tgrin:

I never got into the 2K3 series, but I should give it shot sometime. I'm really impressed with the 2012 series, though. I love watching it.

[Ji-Day]

I vote 2012.
But in France, the original TV show was not easy to watch at the end, and we never get the fourth, fifth sixt and seventh seasons from 2003 series.

My choice is only based on that: Nick TMNT episodes are awesome.

:tgrin:

[Keldor1578]

I have to say the 4kids cartoon is my favorite.

[NinjaMan]

2012 by far is my favorite.

[WhitefinDolphin]

It's definitely the 2012 series for me, but I owe it to the 1987 series since it's what got me to like Ninjas Turtles in the first place.

[Raphael232]

the original will always be my favorite. I dont think it can be topped only made equal to.

[Original TMNT Cartoon Fan]

1987, but 2012 is right now growing.

[biganimefan]

Honestly, this was a really difficult choice for me. I love all 3 cartoons nearly equally. I'll have to go with the 1987 series though. I do love the more serious tone of the 2003 series, kinda felt a little more age appropriate for me at the time(felt more like some of the better Anime out there). The new Nick series is awesome to say the least, but it is too new still to compare to the 1987 and 2003 series'. Maybe by the time season 3(preferably season 4) is over, it'll be more fair to judge it compared to the others, but not now.

[turtle1237]

The 87 series, I grow up with it as a kid, got most of the toys(That I lost, only have Don, Leo, Mike, April and Shredders 2 goons, and the party wagon left after my child hood. ) But I was up there as kid, having most of the toys. I always had to rebuy Krang, keep losing him lol)

Just something charming about that cartoon, was it perfect? No. After the first few seasons it got more goofy, than really dark when the red sky came.

2nd sorry guys, but I have to give the nob of the Nick toon over the 2003 cartoon, the only thing I didnt like was the de age of April, but I think it was a bigger taboo imo in making Shredder into a brain creature lol.

Also the shocking season ending was amazing, and loved Mikes "Who save the world". It is a fun show, and cant wait for season 2. Still loved the 2003 cartoon, but for now the edge goes to Nick.

[dkram230]

It feels weird to say it (like I'm betraying OT) but honestly I would say the 2012 show would be my favorite of the animated shows. I was obsessed with turtles as a kid from when I first saw the premiere in 87/88. Fell out around 93/94 and then came back for a second helping with the 2k3 premiere. So I have pretty much watched all of the series' first run, at least up to a certain point. And it seems like each animated series is just better than the last.

[zbowen]

I'm going to go with 2012, which is something I wouldn't have expected to say a year ago.

I grew up with the 1987, it completely defined my a childhood. Watching it now, it's unbelievably repetitive and has more misses than it does hits.

The 2003 series was good for the first four seasons. The final three are awful. It's hard to believe that three whole seasons of a successful show could be completely irredeemable. Even the first four years were almost exclusively good when adapting the comic.

The 2012 show makes it's own original story while drawing references from other parts of TMNT. It's unique, entertaining, and my favorite series so far.

[Grimlock]

The 87 show doesnt hold my interest nowadays, 2003 was boring. The new show is always entertaining and hits all the right notes.

[BabyTurtles]

not to disrespect the OT fans....

but why do you guys like the 80's turtles so much?
I tired watching it and it seems every episode is so crazy XD I can't take it seriously (which isn't bad..I love laughing XDD) maybe I keep missing the serious episodes??? :-?

(or maybe it's because I grew up with the 4 kids turtles....)

[zbowen]

not to disrespect the OT fans....

but why do you guys like the 80's turtles so much?
I tired watching it and it seems every episode is so crazy XD I can't take it seriously (which isn't bad..I love laughing XDD) maybe I keep missing the serious episodes??? :-?

(or maybe it's because I grew up with the 4 kids turtles....)


It's one of those things I think you just had to be there for. TV channels were seriously limited at the time (I got between 3-5 depending on how many the rabbit eats decided to pick up on a given day). Something about the ridiculous nature just clicked for kids. And it was being pumped out so fast for syndication, there was no limit of new Turtles content for us to obsess over (we're talking 40 episode seasons, an unheard of number). And damned if the toys and video games weren't the best out there at the time. It was a phenomenon all kids got sucked up into. And clearly one that some of us have yet to get over.

[pingclang]

not to disrespect the OT fans....

but why do you guys like the 80's turtles so much?
I tired watching it and it seems every episode is so crazy XD I can't take it seriously (which isn't bad..I love laughing XDD) maybe I keep missing the serious episodes??? :-?

(or maybe it's because I grew up with the 4 kids turtles....)

If you're looking for a serious story or serious characters, I can completely see why you wouldn't like it. It's made to be goofy fun, not a seriously engaging show.

[BabyTurtles]

If you're looking for a serious story or serious characters, I can completely see why you wouldn't like it. It's made to be goofy fun, not a seriously engaging show.

I don't like crazy serious shows XD

(beware the batman is kinda boring for me)

but I guess I just like it when it gets serious when it needs to be :3 like the Nick version XD
(Like Teen Titans, Ben 10, ATLA)

...I wish I was there for the hype of the 80's.....but I would never trade being a 90's kid XD

[dkram230]

not to disrespect the OT fans....

but why do you guys like the 80's turtles so much?
I tired watching it and it seems every episode is so crazy XD I can't take it seriously (which isn't bad..I love laughing XDD) maybe I keep missing the serious episodes??? :-?

(or maybe it's because I grew up with the 4 kids turtles....)

Really that's just how a lot of cartoons were back then- off the wall goofy. Now that I have my own kid I've re-watched many of those old 80's toons with him- TMNT, Duck Tales, Legend of Zelda, Smurfs, Animaniacs, etc. and they are all just ridiculous. I would say by the mid nineties cartoons tended to get more serious in characters and storytelling like Batman Beyond and Pokemon. I think 2k3 TMNT caught the tail end of this. Then we have modern toons which are "sharp and witty" for lack of a better description. Although I'm noticing some, like Beware the Bat that you mentioned, which seem to be reverting back to more of a serious type of show with heavy emphasis on the drama. I'm sure people can think of many shows that contradict my 3 categories, but on average that's how I've always viewed it.

[Whatswiththeheadbands?]

wow. the 87 series is losing, and the 2003 series is winning.

did not expect that

[pingclang]

I don't like crazy serious shows XD

(beware the batman is kinda boring for me)

but I guess I just like it when it gets serious when it needs to be :3 like the Nick version XD
(Like Teen Titans, Ben 10, ATLA)

...I wish I was there for the hype of the 80's.....but I would never trade being a 90's kid XD

Nothing wrong with what you like. Those shows listed, I can see why you would like the 2k3 series so much. I have a close friend who doesn't care for the OT but loves Nicks run and then saw the 2k3 series an it became his favorite. We all like different stuff. Experiencing the hype might have made you a fan but you've got the series' you love and that's cool.

[magidkaiser]

i vote for the 87 series . the second best is 2012 series ! :tgrin:

[MogwaiNinja89]

2K3 for me. A well written, animated action show in it's own right. Not just for a TMNT show. The first 5 seasons and Turtles Forever make up for Fast Forward and Back to the Sewers.

I'm kind of....no, REALLY shocked the SK12 series is getting so much love. Not because I don't like it. I think it's great, but I just wasn't expecting fans to be so open to it. I myself think it's a wonderful blend of the 80s and 2K3 series. The one major flaw is Mikey for me. He's borderline idiotic most of the time and not just the silly joker he is in the other incarnations. He's rather overbearing most of the time.

The 80s toon is still wonderful imo. I'm also shocked its in last place here. As a animated show of the 80s it holds up. The actual animation, lighting, movement, texture etc of the show is much more detailed and fluid than a lot of its 80s counterparts. It's not as visually dated (minus the infamous blunders like bandanna colors switching and what not). I can see why newer fans of the franchise may dismiss the silly tone of the show, but that's it's charm. For every groan inducer gag, there is a legitimately funny one. It acts as a parody of 80s action toons most of the time. It's references to pop culture and moments of breaking the 4th wall are all much appreciated. I love the absurdity of the whole thing. It gets a bit stale during season 5 and 6 which is the nadir of the show (NOT the Red Sky seasons imo) but it picks up during 7-10. It's a classic that has stood the test of time.

[TheCanadiandrome]

The one I grew up on for sure I'll always love, but damn if I don't love em all

[MogwaiNinja89]

You know, I probably should have thought my original post through more, lol.

The truth is I can't choose definitively between the two. One day I'll side more with the 2k3 version, the next I'll say "nah, 80s all the way."

Objectively, 2k3 is the better show in that it follows long arcs, develops characters and its story better and is told in a more serious way.

It's almost unfair to compare the two even if they are both about the same thing because both are trying to do something totally different. As silly and OTT as the original toon is, it was still for the most part a well written and clever show. It has a very clear sense of humor and parody to it that is utterly charming if one is so inclined to enjoy such a thing. Take my wife for example. She can dig the more serious takes of the Turtles like the first live action move, the 2007 film and the 2k3 show but she just can't get into the 80s toon. she knows it's supposed to be silly but to her it's just too silly. To be fair much of the humor is face-palm worthy, but a lot of the time I feel it's winking at the camera more than some realize.

[cryan]

I was right there when the OT first aired. I had no idea what to make of it. So yeah, I have fond memories of the old toon. The 2012 version is my second favorite series.

[Keldor1578]

I am suprised that the 4Kids cartoon getting the most vote.

[Donatello19]

I am suprised that the 4Kids cartoon getting the most vote.

Same here. I would think the OT would have the most votes, and 2K3 would have the least, with Nick in the middle.

[CyberCubed]

Same here. I would think the OT would have the most votes, and 2K3 would have the least, with Nick in the middle.

We actually had a previous poll just like this one where the results are what you said, with the 2k3 series having the least votes and the OT and Nick being somewhere around the same.

Everytime we have a new poll like this the results always change. Goes to show you people always change their minds.

That's good though, because all 3 shows have a lot to like about them. Tastes change.

[Ulisa]

I can find something I love in pretty much all three of these series but if I had to pick a definite favorite, it would be the 1980s. I grew up with it for one and that definitely holds weight but to be honest, I really like the turtles' personalities in that series. I love all four of them, even Leonardo who seems to be regarded as "boring" in this version.

I also find it to be my favorite version of Michelangelo and given he is my favorite character, that also adds a lot of weight. I respect the other versions of him but I just feel the 1980s version is the only one where he seems "equal" to his brothers. All the others seem to pigeon-hole him into the "little, naïve brother" role. The 80s version feels like he can handle things on his own, if in his own way.

I loved how the Archie comics took these personalities and ran with them; I find it very entertaining. "Blind Sight" is one of my favorite comic book arcs. I would have liked to see the original series get a "little" more serious at times, like some of these comic issues got, but I would still regard it as my favorite.

2003 would be second place, Nick third. I liked the development of the characters in the 2003 series as well as the darkness of some of the arcs but at the same time, as it wore on, it lost some of its charm. I do not like the last three seasons, which is not unusual and being a Mikey fan, I did not like where they took his character in those last few arcs.

As for Nick, I do like it so far. It's really interesting but I think it's still early for me to call on what I really think of it. I want to see what kind of development we get in Season 2.

[CyberCubed]

not to disrespect the OT fans....

but why do you guys like the 80's turtles so much?
I tired watching it and it seems every episode is so crazy XD I can't take it seriously (which isn't bad..I love laughing XDD) maybe I keep missing the serious episodes??? :-?

(or maybe it's because I grew up with the 4 kids turtles....)

Are the plots really that crazy though? There are only some of them that have wacky plots, the others are based on random sci-fi events.

The OT show was at a time where people just watched cartoons for fun. You didn't care about plotlines or character development, you watched for fun.

[Shark_Blade]

I'm not really fussed. Maybe the 2k3 fans are abundant at this time in the forum. :) Where are the Nick fans though? :tlol:

not to disrespect the OT fans....

but why do you guys like the 80's turtles so much?
I tired watching it and it seems every episode is so crazy XD I can't take it seriously (which isn't bad..I love laughing XDD) maybe I keep missing the serious episodes??? :-?

(or maybe it's because I grew up with the 4 kids turtles....)Did you watch the first season fully? I think it's pretty good, kinda movie like if you watch it in one sitting. The animation was great as well for its time.

The later seasons are a bit goofy here and there admitedly.

[CyberCubed]

I'm not really fussed. Maybe the 2k3 fans are abundant at this time in the forum. :) Where are the Nick fans though? :tlol:

Most of the Nick fans are currently kids aged 5-12 years old. ;)

You'll have to wait a few years before those kids grow into teens and come to online forums.

[BigMike322]

The 2003 Series.

[Whatswiththeheadbands?]

I like how 2003 series is winning.

[Mzx10484]

I grew up with the 80s but i'm leaning towards 2003 for now.

This is my intention, too. Want to become aquainted with 2003 soon !!

[Krum]

I think in the late 80's, Ninja Turtles was considered serious for a cartoon. Ghostbusters and Ninja Turtles was as serious as it got back then. I remember there being issues too with how violent the show was.

[CansecoBat]

Wolf OT - Sarcastic
4Kids 2k3 - Melodramatic
2012 Nick - Cute

Winner for me: Original Toon

[ticktack]

I like how 2003 series is winning.
Yes, in polls the 2003series majorly wins between the fans in internet.
It is not yet old and not already too young long since. I would have also be happy the poll to bring reliance. I don't count the age of a version myself more than quality, how I like it. :trolleye:

[Discogod]

I voted 2K3. The Nick cartoon isn't old enough yet, and the original 'toon was one of the worst shows of the late 80s/early 90s (although I guess it had the best theme tune). The 2K3 show was about as good an adaptation of the source material as we can expect - it's up there with the various DCAU shows for best comic-based cartoon ever, IMO.

[ObiWanFan4life]

I have to say 2003. Despite some plot flaws, and the lackluster final seasons, it effectively told a mature, well written story.

[turtle1237]

I voted 2K3. The Nick cartoon isn't old enough yet, and the original 'toon was one of the worst shows of the late 80s/early 90s (although I guess it had the best theme tune). The 2K3 show was about as good an adaptation of the source material as we can expect - it's up there with the various DCAU shows for best comic-based cartoon ever, IMO.

Take that back, after perhaps Tranformers, The Turtles were next. What compare to it? GI Joe? Thundar Cats maybe? Thundarr? Cops?

[CyberCubed]

I voted 2K3. The Nick cartoon isn't old enough yet, and the original 'toon was one of the worst shows of the late 80s/early 90s (although I guess it had the best theme tune). The 2K3 show was about as good an adaptation of the source material as we can expect - it's up there with the various DCAU shows for best comic-based cartoon ever, IMO.

Haha no. The OT was the best 80's show.

[shreddinghead]

I voted for the ot, though i love all three of them. Fred Wolf just got that silly ever so charming touch to it. Nostalgia has probably something to do with it. :P

[Discogod]

Haha no. The OT was the best 80's show.

Well, that's your opinion, and you're entitled to it, just as I'm entitled to mine. I stand by my opinion that in a sea of cheap, poorly written, badly animated, merchandise-driven cartoons, the original TMNT was one of the worst ones, just barely better than the likes of MOTU & Transformers.

[shreddinghead]

Well, that's your opinion, and you're entitled to it, just as I'm entitled to mine. I stand by my opinion that in a sea of cheap, poorly written, badly animated, merchandise-driven cartoons, the original TMNT was one of the worst ones, just barely better than the likes of MOTU & Transformers.

Are referring to He-Man?

[Jester]

Are referring to He-Man?
Yep Masters Of The Universe...

[909 Turtle Fan]

2k3 thank you very much :tlol:

[DarthEmpress]

The 4kids series without a doubt <3 I really loved all of the turtles' portrayals, especially Leo and Donnie. The storytelling was consistent and engaging, and I never felt like I was witnessing a recycling of plot points in later episodes. I think the writers did well in projecting a sense of family between the brothers, Splinter, and their friends. I also enjoyed the original villains such as Hun and Bishop. Although there are some things I would change, such as Raph's lack of development and the Silver Sentry (I would've rather seen Radical and Complete Carnage), it's overall the best TMNT adaptation in my opinion.

[Redeemer]

The 4kids series without a doubt <3 I really loved all of the turtles' portrayals, especially Leo and Donnie. The storytelling was consistent and engaging, and I never felt like I was witnessing a recycling of plot points in later episodes. I think the writers did well in projecting a sense of family between the brothers, Splinter, and their friends. I also enjoyed the original villains such as Hun and Bishop. Although there are some things I would change, such as Raph's lack of development and the Silver Sentry (I would've rather seen Radical and Complete Carnage), it's overall the best TMNT adaptation in my opinion.

Couldn't have agreed more great series I actually agree with every point you have, even with Raph and Silver Sentry.

[PizzaFaceDelivers]

Before 2012 I would have said '87 without a moment's hesitation. Now though? Nick is killing it with the new show. For me it is the perfect blend of charm and nostalgia, while also maintaining a relatively consistent level of quality that was, as much as it pains me to admit, seriously lacking in much of the '87 show. It's just so great. :tcool:

[MsMarvelDuckie]

I can find something I love in pretty much all three of these series but if I had to pick a definite favorite, it would be the 1980s. I grew up with it for one and that definitely holds weight but to be honest, I really like the turtles' personalities in that series. I love all four of them, even Leonardo who seems to be regarded as "boring" in this version.

I also find it to be my favorite version of Michelangelo and given he is my favorite character, that also adds a lot of weight. I respect the other versions of him but I just feel the 1980s version is the only one where he seems "equal" to his brothers. All the others seem to pigeon-hole him into the "little, naïve brother" role. The 80s version feels like he can handle things on his own, if in his own way.

I loved how the Archie comics took these personalities and ran with them; I find it very entertaining. "Blind Sight" is one of my favorite comic book arcs. I would have liked to see the original series get a "little" more serious at times, like some of these comic issues got, but I would still regard it as my favorite.

2003 would be second place, Nick third. I liked the development of the characters in the 2003 series as well as the darkness of some of the arcs but at the same time, as it wore on, it lost some of its charm. I do not like the last three seasons, which is not unusual and being a Mikey fan, I did not like where they took his character in those last few arcs.

As for Nick, I do like it so far. It's really interesting but I think it's still early for me to call on what I really think of it. I want to see what kind of development we get in Season 2.

I feel the same way about the OT Mikey- he's STILL my hands-down favorite version, and it's one of the reasons that it's tied with 2K3 for my favorite TMNT cartoon. I loved the serious take of 4Kids, but the zany, fourth-wall breaking humor and sci-fi parodying of the OT still makes me chuckle after all these years. I'm also starting to think that at least SOME of those "gaffes" with the voices and/or bandanas might not have been as "accidental" as we assume. I have noticed that at least some of them come at conveniently odd moments, as if the animators were purposely checking to see if viewers were paying attention- much like the occasional animation "jokes" in some Disney movies.

[Leo656]

Much as I love the OT TMNT, I can't in good conscience say it was better than He-Man. Let's not say things we can't take back.

[shreddinghead]

Much as I love the OT TMNT, I can't in good conscience say it was better than He-Man. Let's not say things we can't take back.

I don't believe i've ever seen an episode of he-man, i suppose i'm to young to remember its peak. Somehow i haven't been tempted to give it a closer look either, he-man seems so generic. I could be deadly wrong though, maybe MOTU is the ****, and i've been missing out on some action-packed awesomeness.

[Leo656]

The entire original point of He-Man was to be more or less a generic action-adventure "Good Guy vs Bad Guys" line, so kids could easily make up their own stories or put the characters into any situation from science fiction to Conan-style swords and sorcery stuff. As the line became popular and the cartoon took off the actual mythology and canon of the toyline grew and expanded, and actually became pretty awesome, but in its origin the point was, essentially, that it was generic enough for any kid to get into. Thus the ultra-generic name "He-Man".

And yeah, anyone after '82-'87 missed the good part, and if you weren't there, you really can't imagine how BIG it was. TMNT is literally the only thing from the era that came even close to it as far as being a legitimate phenomenon, and to this day, it's really hard to call a "winner". TMNT as a franchise has had more sustained longevity, for sure. But at its absolute peak of popularity, He-Man/Masters of the Universe just might have been a little more popular, by the slimmest of margins. It just didn't last anywhere near as long as TMNT, for a variety of reasons having nothing to do with the quality of the toys or show, and everything to do with poor business decisions behind the scenes. So TMNT gets the Lifetime Achievement Award for popularity, but at either show's peak? That's almost impossible to call, hard as it is to believe. So much time has passed since then, but He-Man was HUGE.

Also, the actual canon mythology for Masters of the Universe makes Lord of the Rings look like garbage. There, I said it. Nobody objective could disagree, and GK Punk will back me up on it.

[shreddinghead]

Thanks for the insights. Yeah, i was born 89 so turtles, ducktales and even pokemon was the big franchises growing up. However, when i talk childhood/cartoons with guys 5-10 years older than me they all mention He-Man, so their popularity is impossible to deny.

[Leo656]

This is hilarious, a friend randomly sent me to this page, and lo and behold, it serves to perfectly compliment what we were just talking about: http://www.buzzfeed.com/briangalindo/24-signs-you-were-obsessed-with-he-man-the-masters-of-the-un?utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=buzzfeed

I had so, SO much of that stuff. Never got to see the Power Tour, though. SIGH. :cry:

[Butuking]

I was born in the late 80s so I wasn't able to enjoy the series growing up. During 2003, I was sucked into the transformers series. So 2012 series is my pick, watch the show every chance I get.

[LeotheLateBloomer]

Being born in 87, would I have been too young to witness the first film in theaters or the Coming Out of Our Shells concert (don't ask) at age 3?

[MisfitKraang]

This is such a hard one for me to pick ,I grew up with the 2k3 cartoon and I absolutely loved it I can remember getting up on Saturdays to watch it:D and recently re-watching it,I loved the serious tone and the writing and how it tried to adapt the original mirage comics, but I also love the 2012 show while I'm not a huge fan of the turtles personalities, I love the cgi ,character designs ,homages to the OT ,the stories/writing and it's just fun overall :D

[turtle1237]

Much as I love the OT TMNT, I can't in good conscience say it was better than He-Man. Let's not say things we can't take back.

But the turtles move a lot more than He-man, Pretty much they all stand stiff and only really move there mouths.

It was like watching a comic book, but with moving mouths. Looking back at it, it was odd looking. I think the turtles had a lot more effort in there cartoon.

[Powder]

Being born in 87, would I have been too young to witness the first film in theaters or the Coming Out of Our Shells concert (don't ask) at age 3?

Too young in what sense, to remember it, or for it to be age appropriate?

[MsMarvelDuckie]

I grew up in the hey-day of BOTH series, and frankly, I don't remember He-Man EVER being as big as the TMNT was at its peak. He-Man was fun for young boys, and girls had She-Ra, but the TMNT in the 80's-90's was HUGE for both boys AND girls of the time. And while He-Man spawned a (admittedly very BAD) movie, TMNT had THREE. And the comics, cartoon, toys, etc.... He-Man was never as big of a merchandising phenomenon, which I feel made the turtles so much bigger. It simply had far more exposure both in and outside of its age bracket. A lot of people- mainly kids- knew who He-Man was, but EVERYONE recognized the turtles!

[Leo656]

But the turtles move a lot more than He-man, Pretty much they all stand stiff and only really move there mouths.

It was like watching a comic book, but with moving mouths. Looking back at it, it was odd looking. I think the turtles had a lot more effort in there cartoon.

Yeah, they used a lot of stock footage and static shots to keep costs low, but the rotoscoping technique Filmation used for movement was bad-ass. Filmation characters, by and large, didn't move much, but when they did, they looked amazing. I confess, I've always been a huge, huge mark for the technique going all the way back to Fleischer Studios animation from the '40s. It just makes characters move in such a lifelike manner that you really can't capture otherwise. Also, if we do have to compare the shows directly, the artwork and animation in MotU was much cleaner with far, far fewer errors than TMNT, if we're being objective. Even if some scenes did play out like a comic book. :lol: TMNT had a little more of everything - little more movement, little more humor, little more action - whereas MotU, being produced in-house at Filmation for a lot less money, was always an exercise in getting more by using less. Where both shows are similar, though, is that they each executed their own concept far better than the dozens of rip-offs that came later.

It's always been interesting to me, the relationship between two shows, because in many ways TMNT was the direct successor to MotU. They were created as a concept around the same time, but one (TMNT) didn't really catch on and become a huge deal until the other was starting to run its course as a phenomenon. From like, one year to the next, one huge fad was replaced by another. Both were daily syndicated shows that ran pretty much constantly in re-runs, directly related to a huge toy line that spawned tons of other merchandise, and they both even had a live-action movie and cheesy touring production before it was all over. Lots of things become huge fads, but TMNT and MotU are the most closely similar that I can think of. Especially given how they practically overlap each other's time of peak popularity so directly.

And now that I've participated in a dissective analysis comparing and contrasting the TMNT and He-Man cartoons, I can say I've done pretty much everything I ever had on my list of things to do. Thanks, buddy. :lol:

EDIT: MsMarvelDuckie: I stated earlier, I think TMNT's popularity went on a little longer - at nowhere near its peak, though - but that MotU was probably a little more popular for a shorter period of time. It's easy to say TMNT spawned more product over a longer period of time, but being fair, a lot of it wasn't terrific. Three movies, yes, but only one good one, one kind of okay one, and one that's okay if there's really nothing else on. TMNT certainly remained high in the public consciousness longer because it was kept around longer, kind of like Power Rangers, but just like Power Rangers only the first two or three years worth of the material produced in the "Fad Stage" was really interesting or relevant, and the franchise in its original state just kind of limped along for a few years after that. MotU, on the other hand blew up incredibly huge for a couple of years before it was cut off because Filmation was launching a new cartoon show and didn't want to compete with itself. So the circumstances were entirely different. We'll never know how long the original MotU fad would have lasted had the show not been cancelled early, because the figures and storylines were becoming more interesting than they had been since the very beginning, and then it all just stopped abruptly. Without the show, the toys naturally stopped selling.

So basically, it's a little different because one show was cut off early and the other kind of dragged on for a few years after a lot of people stopped regularly watching it. But they both probably had about three "peak" years as a franchise, in each case. And I would honestly argue that He-Man in 1985 was a *bit* bigger than TMNT was in 1989-1990. That's how I see it, but really, it's by a hair, if anything.

I want to give a dollar to anyone who can find a constructive way to bring Voltron into this conversation. PLEASE someone find a constructive way to bring Voltron into this conversation.

[Jester]

One thing the Filmation stuff had to was consistency. He-man always looked the same with no drastic changes in model due to episodes being produced by several studios.

[Leo656]

That wasn't about Voltron...

[Slime State Alumni]

A part of me wants to like He-Man because it contains so many archetypes and design ideas that are really things I'm into, yet just because I wasn't around to enjoy it at the very moment it was popular I can't seem to get into it.

Also, my wallet would absolutely hate me.

[LeotheLateBloomer]

Too young in what sense, to remember it, or for it to be age appropriate?

The former but I'll take an answer for both.

[Powder]

Kinda depends, man. My memory is pretty damn good, even that far back. It wasn't all that more violent than a cartoon, so I suppose you were fine all around. But really it's your say.

[T-U-R-T-L-E POWA!]

I was raised on the 80s show and liked the 03 version ok but for me this is the definitive version that we are experiencing now. It's sort of a mish mash of all the incarnations of the Turtles and seems to approach all the versions with great affection. I'm REALLY surprised about this too because I was initially VERY skeptical of it when they first released info on it. But I have proudly enjoyed eating crow every week since the premiere. I also think the toys for this one are better than 03 but not as good as the 80s though.

[Michelangelo]

I agree about this new TMNT being defining, or redefining for a new audience to meet and the old audience to fall in love with all over again.
I'm sure Nickelodeon is aware of the following TMNT has and have marketed everything from the toys, the show etc to suit both little children through to the old timers who just can't stop loving them. The toys have made them a squillion this time around and I'm sure the adults buying them weren't all buying them for children.

I suppose whatever series you grew up with and fell in love with always holds that special place in your heart. For me it was the '80s series, then I missed the '03 series as I was busy doing other things in life and now I'm back loving the new shows. I've since seen some of the '03 and overall I'm loving it too.

It all makes me look forward to a day when there's a darker version, something like Batman the animated series or better

[CyberCubed]

Uh, the 2k3 series was as dark as B:TAS.

[Michelangelo]

Uh, the 2k3 series was as dark as B:TAS.

I guess it was, although Batman was more serious whereas '03 TMNT still had a lot of humour with Casey and Mikey etc. I'd still care for a darker version in the future. Maybe something like what Frank Miller did with batman when Batman was old and came back to fight crime. Older turtles would be interesting but I can't imagine a show ever being made. People want cute or cool not old and interesting, so it would seem.
Still, there's always hope.

[Davetello]

I grew up with the Fred Wolf series, and I enjoy the Nick show but the 4Kids show is my favourite. I will offer some reasons why...

Firstly, the structure of the show. I find four main series of 26 episodes a-piece (I have seen Ninja Tribunal and beyond, but will refer solely to the four core seasons) to be very neat and allow for intricate storytelling and a steady evolution of the series. I tend to prefer serials to procedurals so the longer story arcs held my interest. The first series tended to keep the turtles in New York, at street level. This is what I like best about the franchise so it set things up nicely for me, and even when things moved on in future seasons I still felt that the core of the show was always the most important part and was often returned to. Each season progressed nicely and all four seemed to come together as a coherent 'whole' too. There was some 'filler', but even that was fairly enjoyable. It was a level of serialised storytelling which I didn't think would ever be realised in a turtles show, and Peter Laird has to take a large share of the credit.

I also really liked the art style and the writing. Both topics have been debated often here so there's no need for me to go into too much detail. I wasn't aware of the Mirage comics until after I had saw the show so, in my case, my preference for 2003 isn't a result of it being quite faithful to Mirage. Mirage is actually possibly my favourite universe now and I owe much of that to 2003 making me aware of it (so a bit of a reversal in my case).

I do enjoy 1987 and 2012, and am actually once again working my way through the former's DVDs. They're both enjoyable shows but I just feel the 2003 series was more tightly-knit and more willing to push the boundaries of what is considered acceptable. You can tell that the first and third shows were/are written primarily for children, but with 2003 you get a sense that the writers acknowledged that the 1987 crowd had grown up and were a more demanding audience than they had been in the late 80s, partly because the animated landscape had changed substantially. Again, much of this is to do with Laird's 'purist' vision of the turtles. Essentially, the 2003 show is the closest we have had yet to an intelligent, mature cartoon such as Batman TAS or Justice League. I could do with a bit less of Mikey's comic relief, but on the whole it is a worthy effort and something I rewatch quite often.

Bear in mind that I binged the first four seasons of the show over Xmas 2006 (although I had saw most of season 1 at infrequent intervals) so perhaps it was easier for me to tie it all together than 1987 and 2012, which I have watched over a longer period. However, the art style, writing and more serious, darker tone is what sets 4kids apart for me. In essence the same sort of thing many people prefer it for. It just has that certain something which keeps me coming back.

[Slime State Alumni]

Uh, the 2k3 series was as dark as B:TAS.

I strongly disagree with this.

[T-U-R-T-L-E POWA!]

I strongly disagree with this.

As do I. The Animated Series for me is 2nd greatest cartoon of all time. Second only to Ducktales. The tone of TAS was incredibly dark for a "kids" show. I don't think the 03 version got close to that depth. I liked the 03 version and it was somewhat dark but not nearly as dark as TAS. Hamill is absolutely phenomenal and iconic and all my life of reading Batman I imagine the Joker to sound like what he makes him sound like. I think Conroy is the greatest Batman of all time as well. Their voices alone I think make that show a lot darker than the 03 TMNT.

[T-U-R-T-L-E POWA!]

I don't believe i've ever seen an episode of he-man, i suppose i'm to young to remember its peak. Somehow i haven't been tempted to give it a closer look either, he-man seems so generic. I could be deadly wrong though, maybe MOTU is the ****, and i've been missing out on some action-packed awesomeness.

I'm a die hard He-Fan but I've gotta tell you that TMNT as a cartoon is much better. The He-Man toy line is almost incomparable though. They paved the way for the Turtles success and pretty much set the standard for figures even today. I still collect both lines but my memories of playing with my He-Man toys are just too many to number.

[DarthEmpress]

The 2k3 series is the darkest TMNT adaptation we have outside the original comics, but I don't think it's quite on the same level of seriousness as BTAS or Gargoyles, except for a few episodes (The Darkness Within, SAINW, Insane In The Membrane). I think if the 2k3 series had aired on a different network we probably would've seen a more serious script and tone. It kind of makes me sad because the dark moments in the series are my favorite, and I wish the writers had been allowed to explore that even more.

I'm glad they were able to take some risks, though, because this is the only turtle series where I felt like the turtles were in actual danger; when the series makes you feel something that strong, even though you KNOW because it's a cartoon they'll be okay, it's impressive.

[Trinxant]

My favourite series is the original for several reasons, the charisma of the many characters, the drawing style, the music...one of the negative points on the old series is a poor level of violence, too few fights.

The 2003 series is pretty good, in that series you can actually follow a solid history, is more fidel at the original comic and the characters have a most defined personalities. Anyway I prefeer the drawing style of the original series, the memorable music and I think the caracthers from the original was most charismatic and fun.

So my choice is the original, I guess nostalgia has also influenced the decision...

About the new series I don't like the style, a esthetic (visually speaking) but I don't see one episode yet.

[Metalwolf]

I grew up with the original, and only watched a few episodes of 2003 (I gave up on it after I watched the Utrom-Shredder reveal.)

Right now 2012 is my favorite, even over my old choice of the original. 2012 quite revived my love of the Turtles. It has the 'feel' of the old show, but without it being anywhere as annoying.

It is because that even as I like the old toon, it still annoyed me quite a bit. I hated Mona Lisa, I didn't like Mondo Gecko, and I didn't like the Punk Frogs. I also didn't care for the Neutrinos either. I cringe whenever people talk about having the Mutanimals onto the 2012 show, as they would bring too much of the 'Mutants just to have mutants' thing the old show had. (I'm assuming the Mutanimals were mainly in the comics, but I never cared for them either way. Too many cutesy mutants annoy me.)

My hopes for this new show is that it has few mutants, but really develops them. At this point in time, I could see serious infighting springing up in the future between the bad guys, and some major character development with the good guys. That's what I hope to see, and what sort of lacked in the old cartoon.

[CyberCubed]

It is because that even as I like the old toon, it still annoyed me quite a bit. I hated Mona Lisa, I didn't like Mondo Gecko, and I didn't like the Punk Frogs. I also didn't care for the Neutrinos either

Mona Lisa was in 1 episode. Mondo Gecko only had 1 full episode and a small cameo in another. The Frogs were in 5 episodes, as were the Neutrinos.

You're making a big deal out of characters who barely appeared in the first place.

[Refractive Reflections]

I grew up with the original, and only watched a few episodes of 2003 (I gave up on it after I watched the Utrom-Shredder reveal.)

Right now 2012 is my favorite, even over my old choice of the original. 2012 quite revived my love of the Turtles. It has the 'feel' of the old show, but without it being anywhere as annoying.

It is because that even as I like the old toon, it still annoyed me quite a bit. I hated Mona Lisa, I didn't like Mondo Gecko, and I didn't like the Punk Frogs. I also didn't care for the Neutrinos either. I cringe whenever people talk about having the Mutanimals onto the 2012 show, as they would bring too much of the 'Mutants just to have mutants' thing the old show had. (I'm assuming the Mutanimals were mainly in the comics, but I never cared for them either way. Too many cutesy mutants annoy me.)


Mona Lisa was in 1 episode. Mondo Gecko only had 1 full episode and a small cameo in another. The Frogs were in 5 episodes, as were the Neutrinos.

You're making a big deal out of characters who barely appeared in the first place.

I agree with CyberCubed here. The OT was noted for having too many forgettable mad scientists than mutants. If you wanna talk about numerous mutants, stick with the Archie universe.



It is because that even as I like the old toon, it still annoyed me quite a bit. I hated Mona Lisa, I didn't like Mondo Gecko, and I didn't like the Punk Frogs. I also didn't care for the Neutrinos either. I cringe whenever people talk about having the Mutanimals onto the 2012 show, as they would bring too much of the 'Mutants just to have mutants' thing the old show had. (I'm assuming the Mutanimals were mainly in the comics, but I never cared for them either way. Too many cutesy mutants annoy me.)

My hopes for this new show is that it has few mutants, but really develops them. At this point in time, I could see serious infighting springing up in the future between the bad guys, and some major character development with the good guys. That's what I hope to see, and what sort of lacked in the old cartoon.

I find this statement hilariously ironic, considering the Nick series has more mutants in these 30-some episodes with their "Mutant of the Week" episodes than the OT did in the first 3 seasons (65 episodes).

[LeotheLateBloomer]

Right now 2012 is my favorite, even over my old choice of the original. 2012 quite revived my love of the Turtles. It has the 'feel' of the old show, but without it being anywhere as annoying.

My hopes for this new show is that it has few mutants, but really develops them. At this point in time, I could see serious infighting springing up in the future between the bad guys, and some major character development with the good guys. That's what I hope to see, and what sort of lacked in the old cartoon.

Which is odd because I don't see this show being anything like the 1987 cartoon. It tries to be sometimes but ultimately, it's completely different.

If you want character development, you'll get plenty of that in the 2003 show.

[TheBlueTurtle1]

I love all 3 shows I find the 80s one hard to watch at times, and depending on the ep, I love the 2003 show from start to finish, and I love the comic stories, the 2012 show seems like a mix of both and I find it very well thought out and it's nice to see new fresh ideas.

I guess if I was really pushed at this point the 2003 show would get my vote. I also credit the Casey Jones in the 2003 version a lot, before this, even in the movie I never liked the character, and it's early days for the Nick version.

[Metalwolf]

I agree with CyberCubed here. The OT was noted for having too many forgettable mad scientists than mutants. If you wanna talk about numerous mutants, stick with the Archie universe.True, which is why I don't like the Archie comics. I don't think the numerous mad scientists will be an issue in this series, since the Kraang and Baxter (and maybe Donatello) take up most of the scientist roles.


I find this statement hilariously ironic, considering the Nick series has more mutants in these 30-some episodes with their "Mutant of the Week" episodes than the OT did in the first 3 seasons (65 episodes).But the additional Nick mutants aren't annoying since they aren't made cutesy or radical-dude types, nor is the show trying to portray mutation as always a good thing or something that makes you into an instant superhero. Also this show doesn't have any female sentient mutants, who I always found too annoying whenever they were put into past shows since they were either these over-powered femme fatales or a love interest, often conveniently mutating into something sexy and slinky and never into something gross or hideous. It's why I am so much more a fan of this show then I am even of the old, since it doesn't hold back. :D

[Slimer Joel]

Hmmm...

While I was introduced to TMNT through the OT series, I'm going to go with the 2003 series.

Since I'm not as old as some other members here, the 2k3 series is my childhood Turtles. And after watching it again earlier today, it's still my favorite series.

The 2012 series is also pretty good and I'd put it as a veeeery close second.

[Refractive Reflections]

But the additional Nick mutants aren't annoying since they aren't made cutesy or radical-dude types, nor is the show trying to portray mutation as always a good thing or something that makes you into an instant superhero. Also this show doesn't have any female sentient mutants, who I always found too annoying whenever they were put into past shows since they were either these over-powered femme fatales or a love interest, often conveniently mutating into something sexy and slinky and never into something gross or hideous. It's why I am so much more a fan of this show then I am even of the old, since it doesn't hold back. :D

Well that's a whole other thing then :P, and I can see your viewpoint of enjoying the unpredictability factor in making them more visually unappealing with undesired results. But the OT did have a few grotesque mutants with undesired results with Mutagen Man, Muckman (mutated with garbage), Baxter being a fly (first series to do that), the Channel 6 crew temporarily mutating into bugs ("Revenge of the Fly"), and the Turtles enduring a second ambivalent mutation in the 9th season. Plus the OT really had only one female mutant with Mona Lisa, so I don't know if we can fairly say the OT made "all" the female mutants over-powered femme fatales (as if to say there were an abundance of female mutants on the show) since it was just one episode. Plus we have yet to see what Nick makes into a female mutant.

...But in terms of overabundance of mutants and lack of character development, in regards to your earlier point, the Nick series definitely has the OT beat there though.

[Shiro Kame]

2003 show definitely. It was the first incarnation of TMNT I ever saw, and it's the best done show since it focuses mostly on both character development and the hard core stories.

[PizzaPower]

I grew up with the 87 series, but the 2k3 is my favorite as it is so close to the comics.

[LeotheLateBloomer]

I grew up with the 87 series, but the 2k3 is my favorite as it is so close to the comics.

^^ I agree.

[HienFan]

From what I see 80s and 2012 are very close in popularity here and it's inconsistent on which is bottom

I'm picking 2012 with 80s as a close second mainly because in the 80s toon every human I seen except for Shredder and Baxter are annoying like heck.

I like both humour though and they are the only versions of Raph I will ever really like I find Angry Raph overrated

The 2003 is good but it's a little too edgy for me and Raph and Mikey annoys me often

Course I saw a little of the 80s toon first back on 1999-2000 so the ones less like Mirage comic is what I'm used to

Even if I don't like any of the three in the end(sometimes it takes more episodes before I get fed up) though they are still better than Next Mutation considering I dropped that show in two eps and I seen at least five of the toons without wanting to quit

[Chris]

2003 for me. Give Nick a few years and that may change, but for now it's definitely 2003

[The Turtle Terminator]

I like 2k12 but 2k3 is best overall!!!!:tcouch:

Cowabunga

[The Turtle Terminator]

2k3. All's said. Best plots, character development and finally....

Donatello(Secret Origins Part 3)-"The Shredder's.... An UTROM!!!!!"

Michaelangelo-"Ahhh!"

[Powder]

Double posting was totally necessary.

[Mr. J]

I grew up on the first 2 but I think had the new TMNT cartoon came out back then It would probably be my favorite, it's exceeded all expectations and blends every kind of turtles we've had all in one.

But If I have to pick one, I gotta go 2k3. It's got the nostalgia but it also is still very watchable and while I love the original, I don't know If I could marathon the thing.

[Krang100]

My favorite serie is 1987 TMNT, because i grew up with it, as well, there are my favorite characters. Then my next choose is 2k12 toons, is similar to 80's toon, but has some serious elements. I admit 2k3 is a great show, and it is based from Mirage Comics, but some scenes was quite darker.

[Basaka]

I grew up with the 1987 show, so for me it's the best. That being said, 2003 was an awesome show. I am watching it all now for the first time and I am very impressed

[Scanderson]

I am re watching the 2003 Series to compare it to the 2012 Series. While I enjoy the 2012, the 2003 is hands down better. Plus, the toy tie-in for 2003 is far superior.