Your favorite Karai

[Shark_Blade]

Mirage
Image
IDW
TMNT 2k3 Karai
Turtles Forever Karai
TMNT 2k7 Karai
TMNT 2k12 Karai
TMNT 2014


http://i.imgur.com/FJ5Ze99.png

http://i.imgur.com/7a2BFaw.png

http://i.imgur.com/DADlzpb.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/6Cj0Tix.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/ie6NaTj.png

[Powder]

Make a poll, dude.

IDW Karai for me. I don't really like the character in any version, so my choice is based on design alone.

Also, she doesn't appear in the Image series, & TF Karai is 2k3 Karai. They're not a different character.

[Shark_Blade]

The poll's up now. :D

I'm not familiar with Image and yeah she doesn't appear in it, but maybe some people like her little story.

Turtles Forever and 2k3 Karai have a bit different design, if you like both tick them both. :)

[RaphAndDonnie]

I have little knowledge of any other Karai then the 2k12 one so...

[Whatswiththeheadbands?]

I like TF/2k3 Karai and the 2012 Karai. I think they are both about equal for me.

Hope that's not cheating:D

[Technogeek29]

If I went with design alone I like IDW Karai. I wish she would complete the look by raising the rest of her uniform to cover her mouth like Shredder. But none the less that's my vote.

[Kanon]

I didn`t really like Karai, but my choice is the Version from the 2007 movie
because of her leading talent :D

[Bry]

I vote Mirage.

Karai's history is kind of interesting. The "Shredder's daughter" version is obviously the most popular, thanks to the 2003 cartoon, and that's been loosely followed since then (with a few twists in the Nickelodeon show and the IDW comic).

There's a reason this works. Like merging Oroku Nagi and Oroku Saki into one character, and combining Hamato Yoshi with Splinter, it helps keep things simple and personal. Making Karai the Shredder's daughter (or related to him in some way) gives her a very clear conflict that works very well in a cartoon show or a movie. Hard to argue with that.

And I enjoy the 2003/IDW/Nick versions of her character a lot, but the one the issue I have is that she's been portrayed as an underling of the Shredder in nearly every interpretation post-4Kids.

The original Karai, though, is a boss. Oroku Saki was the leader of the New York faction of the Foot, but Karai is one of the main leaders of the "main" Japanese organization. First introduced in the office of a Tokyo skyscraper, then heading to New York on a private jet to meet the Turtles and clean up Oroku Saki's mess.

Also? She's not a young girl like most recent interpretations - she's old enough to be a mother to a teenage girl herself. Unfortunately, capable and mature women of colour can be hard to come by in comics (and popular fiction in general), so I always thought that version of her was particularly nice to have in the mix.

And to me, most importantly, her character's arc ties into the overall theme of the Mirage comics - the cycle of vengeance. Karai is introduced trying to bring order to the NYC faction of the Foot after the Shredder's actions (and absence) have created a power vacuum. Her arrival in New York leads to her daughter's murder, and Karai recruits the Turtles in her war of vengeance against the NYC Foot. Ultimately they're successful, and Karai and the Turtles agree to a truce, ending the cycle that's consumed their lives to this point.

It's a really good story, and Karai is right at the centre of it. No other version of that character has made the same impact, IMO.

[MartiusR]

Hard to choose, but I'm saying that Karai from 2k3/Turtles Forever is the best.

Well, I must admit that initial concept of Karai as FC leader, who doesn't have any "connections" with Shredder, does not appeal to me. It's rather a matter of taste, although I really like the idea of blood relation with Shredder and internal conflict. I don't have any of it in this "incarnation" of Karai. However, the character's design (I mean appearance) is quite good (but I bet that this thing is obvious, since I've chosen the Karai from 2k3, which has appearance very similar to Karai from Mirage comic ;)).

The IDW... In my opinion she's too "one-dimensional". There is nothing "controversial" or extraordinary, and she always has quite simple motives (it wouldn't bother me in case of other characters, it's TMNT after all, but in case of this person, it's bothering me).

Quite interesting is case of Karai in 2k7 movie. First of all - Interesting concept of "the emphasis of practice" in character's design - she has quite similar "armor" and equipment to the "normal" Foot Soldier, there is no standard motive "let's make the leader with some awesome armor and weapon(or something else), he/she must look totally different". And some surprises, as Karai supporting with her arm one the hurt Foot Soldiers (I don't remember, that in any other "incarnation" Karai took care of her soldiers, even a bit). Unfortunatly, she (and whole Foot Clan) played a secondary role, so there is not too much to discuss or interpret. But in my opinion this one has, or rather had, the great potential (because chances for sequel are in my opinion very small).

Aaaand 2k3 Karai. The most interesting - with quite complex motives, in some way "changing fronts", with internal conflict and dillemas, it would be great, if Shredder could be the human, because her relations with him would be, in my opinion, more reliable.

Karai from 2k12 edition is surprisingly similar, but her "visual" design is in my opinion worser. Especially with this strange hairdo, earrings and... I don't know, tatoo on face? I don't even know what is it. And something totally subjective - in my opinion vision of adult Karai is better than as teenager. But it's the matter of taste.

I can't say too much about Karai from the newest movie, but I don't like her "visual" design. Nope.

[pannoni1]

2014 Movie Karai shouldn't be a choice since the movie isn't out yet! But the 4kids Karai due to the dynamic changes with her and having a chance to lead the Foot in addition to being the underlying daughter, plus the fact that she's human unlike some of the "Shredders" in that series. The 2007 Karai though for having her spotlight in that movie where Shredder isn't present, and that has some good acting and knowledge.

[Slade]

I'm going with IDW, but I don't actually like Karai at all.

[MikeandRaph87]

Karai of the 2003 cartoon was how I got to know the character beyond Dan Berger's synposis and being the name of a sprite in of of three versions of fighter game. She got such good characterization and like Agent Bishop had such gray area of right and wrong.It is what made her great.

I would also note that Turtles Forever Karai is 2003 cartoon Karai. I don't know why it is a separate choice. We have yet to see the upcoming movie so it should not a choice until its released beyond one picture.

[shuriken]

Mirage because she answers to no one. NO ONE I SAY.
She's a lackey in every other incarnation. But IDW handles her being a lackey best.

[Andrew NDB]

Very strange that there's both an option for Mirage and Image Karais... it's the same character, and she doesn't even appear in the Image material (well, until #25). Likewise with the 4Kids AND Turtles Forever Karai.

Mirage/Image Karai hands down is #1, and she's a standalone badass character that isn't given some kind of mandatory umbilical cord to some other male character like Shredder or Splinter... she's her own thing, her own boss, and technically even Shredder's boss.

The 4th movie Karai is ass last. If she's able to get whupped by a barely in training April O'Neil than she doesn't deserve the celluloid that movie was printed on.

[Shark_Blade]

The 4th movie Karai is ass last. If she's able to get whupped by a barely in training April O'Neil than she doesn't deserve the celluloid that movie was printed on.Yeah that kinda bother me too.. an upstart ninja wannabe reporter kicking a Foot Clan leader's ass? I.. No, just no.

Despite that I like her look and voice, so mystical and calm.

[miru]

Nick Karai is the best.

[Leofan26]

I'd say 2003 Karai and 2012 Karai are tied for favorites, though I did enjoy her in the 2007 flick too.

If I must chose, I loved her character in the 2003 series, in my opinion she was boss!

[Cipher]

Mirage Karai by a country mile. As Andrew pointed out, she's the only one who's truly her own character. She leaves a strong impression despite a fairly limited role in the series, and even with far less focus than later versions received, she comes across as more nuanced and real, spared of the trite conflicts of loyalties others are saddled with.

Second for me is IDW. While I'm not a fan of yet another iteration of Karai being a descendant/underling of Shredder, she's stronger and more independent in that role than are other versions. I also like the fact that she's just a total bastard. I think it's handily as despicable a Karai as we've ever had, even if she's stuck weaseling around under the Shredder's command right now. Great design too.

"Ass-last" for me is the 4Kids version. Good god her whole arc is just terrible. It's the worst example of that show's melodrama. And the "Shredder's daughter" angle started here.

[CyberCubed]

The problem with Mirage Karai is after City at War...she's just boring.

We don't see her again till Volume 4 and all she does is...relatively nothing. She and the Foot Clan act as bodyguards for the Utroms on Earth, and aside from having trouble with Aztec Warriors...she does nothing.

It's funny because when people think of Mirage Karai they're strictly thinking of her in City at War, because everything after for her is forgettable.

[snake]

IDW or Nick. It's a pretty hard choice.

[TheDarkKunoichi]

Well, I haven't really read the comics so I don't know Karai in there but judging from your comments, she looks pretty badass and strong. But since I have to cope with the Karais the I know (which is the 2003, 2007, and the 2012) well, here is my opinion:

2003 Karai - She's somewhat cool here and she kicked the Turtles' butt. But I don't really like her voice. It sounds raspy, and it's like she just forces herself to speak with a hint of a Japanese accent. It's annoying. (And I hated her even more when she killed Leo and Raph in SAINW.. :tmad:) Sooo... nope.

2007 Karai - I actually liked her here. Even if she just appeared for a few minutes and stuff. And I liked how she took over the Foot completely and led them into battle, and it seems like she changed the Foot. Before, they're just killers who followed every order Shredder gives them, even if it will cause destruction. But here, the Foot grew soft and they fought with honor. And when I saw Karai supporting her fellow ninja to stand, my heart grew warm. Because I realize that she actually cares about them. Her voice here has a natural sounding accent, because of the fact that the one who voiced her is a chinese, Zhang Ziyi, and it actually suited her in my opinion. But what I don't like is she sounds bored out of her mind whenever she speaks. No emotion, no NOTHING. (And yes fans, I also don't like the part where she'd been defeated by a newbie ninja reporter. Ugh!) But the positive side is... she's actually VERY beautiful in here. XD

2012 Karai - So they made a different twist. Karai's a teen here. A VERY rebellious teen. And she's kinda like a goth/emo/punk/whatever too. And I'm like, 'what did they do to the honorable girl I know?!' But at least, she kept her fighting skills. Her voice doesn't even have a hint of Asian in there. they said she was raised in Japan. Why did her voice sound so American then?! And her confrontation scenes with Leo is starting to freakin annoy me. Because she just suddenly swoops in in the middle of a fight and tries to knock the hell out of Leo. And she doesn't always succeed. I also don't like the fact that they're supposed to be fighting, not talking. And the animation always slows down whenever they fight, but in the other action scenes it's so fast and you'll be like, 'WHAT THE SHELL IS HAPPENING?!' I don't like her at all in this. And making her Splinter's daughter just adds salt to the wound. Plus, I don't like how she looks.

So overall, 2007 Karai is my favorite. It's just that voice and fighting skills that I'm worried about. If they fixed that she would make a great Karai.

And as for the 2014 version... let's just hope it wouldn't disappoint us.

[BubblyShell22]

I voted for Nick Karai because I love how rebellious she is toward her father. 2003 Karai was blindly loyal and was horrible as Shredder herself. 2007 Karai had potential, but they wasted it by not having her in the movie that much. I can't say anything about the comics since I haven't read them. Nick Karai is awesome though. She's not afraid to go against her father and has been shown to do this many times. And now that she knows the truth about who she is, that's going to create even more conflict for her, which I love.

[blindturtle02]

I voted for Nick Karai because I love how rebellious she is toward her father. 2003 Karai was blindly loyal and was horrible as Shredder herself. 2007 Karai had potential, but they wasted it by not having her in the movie that much. I can't say anything about the comics since I haven't read them. Nick Karai is awesome though. She's not afraid to go against her father and has been shown to do this many times. And now that she knows the truth about who she is, that's going to create even more conflict for her, which I love.

I like Nick Karai as well. She got my vote. I'd never been introduced to her character prior to the 2k3 series and have to say I loved the way 4kids handled her. She had allot of great moments. I think she appealed to me because I've seen a few folks in her situation. They're so loyal to their parents, yet they fail to realize that they're just being used most of the time. I found myself rooting for her to break free of Utrom Shredder's influence and to become her own person and I'd say we got that in Turtles Forever. But I had to pick the Nick version because she just seems so much more indipendant in this show. She doesn't take any bs here. I have a feeling that she's going to repay Shredder for deceiving her, and things aren't going to be pretty for him. She knows Shredder almost as well as he knows himself, so she's in a position to bring the pain if she decides to do so. I like the fact that she's not so unswervingly loyal this time around. I think Shredder has been underestimating her, and it'll be nice to see him hopefully taught a few lessons on the subject. With this 2012 incarnation, there also comes the possibility that she might go rogue and really shake things up. I have to say I like wild cards like this. I believe she'll come around in the end, but Karai on her own side for a while sounds like it'd be a thrill to watch.

[Cipher]

The problem with Mirage Karai is after City at War...she's just boring.

It's funny because when people think of Mirage Karai they're strictly thinking of her in City at War, because everything after for her is forgettable.
I hardly think she becomes forgettable after "City at War." Even in Volume 4's stream of verbose and silly dialogue, she's a fine character. She just isn't much involved.

Nothing says the strength of a character has to be proportional to their focus and screen/page time, though. If that were the case, we'd all be voting for the 4Kids version on principle.

[SonicKnuckles18]

2003 version for me. I always liked the episodes she was in.

[Candy Kappa]

Mirage all the way.

[Garfield]

SNES Tournament Fighters Karai.

She's the king of the mountain, the head honcho and she's got power moves.
The first version of Karai that I ever knew about. I found her very interesting from her design, to the way she moved and fought. There isn't a lot of narrative behind the character, but I'm okay with that.