What's your age? Age survey of your average TMNT fan

[CyberCubed]

Since most of us were around for the original Turtles fad of the 80's and 90's I imagine most TMNT fans are pretty much old fogey's. If we were kids in the 80's and 90's we would be adults now.

However the 4kids and Nick generation of TMNT brought in a whole new generation of younger fans as well. These new younger fans never experienced the first generation but grew up in the second or third gens.

So here's a survey. What's the age of your average TMNT fan here on the technodrome?

[Prowler]

I'm 24, born in 1990. But the 4Kids series was not my first exposure to the Turtles.

I was lucky to live in a place that rerun the FW series tons of times on tv back in the late 90s/early 00s. And since my older brother was into the Turtles I got to play a couple of video games as well.

It sucked there being no toys of the Turtles in stores back when I watched the FW series reruns, though.

[senpai]

I just turned 28 yesterday lol xD I'm gettin up there!

[Slade]

I turn 27 next month

[IndigoErth]

I'm not quite sure how to answer that. lol

At the moment I'd mark 30-35, but sadly I lose that group in four days. Tough decision, do I answer now and hold on to a fragment of my "youth," or do I wait and answer next week. lol (Also, how did I get to these numbers...)


Real answer: still 25 on the inside.

[Kanon]

I'm 24, born in 1990. But the 4Kids series was not my first exposure to the Turtles.

Me too :lol: I am 24 now (turn 25 in october :D) and my first exposure was the next mutation. I know it´s nowere near to be great, but as a kid I didn´t want to skip even one episode!

[evan2000]

Voted 27-29 just before I turn 30 next month :P

[pennydreadful]

31 here - and remember, age is just a number, dude. Everyone gets old and dies eventually - it's inevitable.

[Powder]

Twenny fizzour.

[joefsas]

Ill be 27 on Thursday next week :D
The day 'Age of Ultron' is released here in the UK. Not a bad way to spend the day :P

[neatoman]

Twentytwo.

[Slade]

Twenny fizzour.

For some reason, I thought you was older than me.

[Mew]

I'm like 12, and I've seen all of the '87 toon, 2k3 toon, Next Mutation, and I'm up-to-date on the Nick cartoon.

[plastroncafe]

You're only as old as the woman you feel.

[LeotheLateBloomer]

I'll be 28, next month. I was born the year of the FW cartoon.

[ABrown]

Interesting. 19 of the first 30 people polled are between 27 and 35 years old. So let's just say right around 30. That would mean born around 1985 and kids during the original cartoon. Just goes to show that while the original cartoon might not have necessarily been the best TMNT cartoon, it's definitely the one that's most remembered and most responsible for creating TMNT fans.

[Warhorse]

Interesting. 19 of the first 30 people polled are between 27 and 35 years old. So let's just say right around 30. That would mean born around 1985 and kids during the original cartoon. Just goes to show that while the original cartoon might not have necessarily been the best TMNT cartoon, it's definitely the one that's most remembered and most responsible for creating TMNT fans.

One can say that it was also the one most advertised and had a pretty stable episode run date. Everything I've seen from 4kids and Nick, I had to catch online, because I rarely saw it during it's run time. And then there was the old toon's syndication, I would come home and get to watch it every day after school at about 4:30. No such luck with either the 4kids or Nick toon.

But hey, go figure, most people I know, if I was to ask them their favorite story line, it's always either Raph meeting Casey Jones or Leo/Raph getting beat by the foot, and neither were shown in the old toon.

[Wesley]

I'm 28 and my first introduction to the Turtles was the 1987 cartoon in the early 90s. I watched it for nearly a decade on TV when I was younger, as it was regularly rerun on Irish television from the mid 90s to late 00s. I also watched the 2003 cartoon in my late teenage years and early 20s.

[PangolinFeets]

Just turned 28, but in the best shape of my life. :)

[Jephael]

34 going on 15!!!

[IndigoErth]

You're only as old as the woman you feel.
That ends at me, so not helping. :lol:
Ill be 27 on Thursday next week :D
Heeey, day after me. :tgrin: Happy early Turtley Taurus birthday.
And to fellow April senpai and any others. :tparty: 'Cuz Aprils are awesome 'n stuff.

[Cryomancer]

I answer in the form of a shirt

http://www.redbubble.com/people/hugodourado/works/10008441-teenage-mutant-ninja-thirties?p=t-shirt

[jenna]

I'm 34. Became a fan in 1988. :)

I'm not quite sure how to answer that. lol

At the moment I'd mark 30-35, but sadly I lose that group in four days. Tough decision, do I answer now and hold on to a fragment of my "youth," or do I wait and answer next week. lol (Also, how did I get to these numbers...)


Real answer: still 25 on the inside.

Happy birthday for 4 days from now :)

[Leo656]

Didn't we do this a couple months ago> Wasn't it a Cubed thread then, too? Yeesh.

32 and change, but I don't talk about it much.

[MrPliggins]

That shirt is hilarious. This thread does seem like deja vu...but. I will be 37 this year.

[Shiro Kame]

Wow, I sure am part of the minority here...

[CyberCubed]

Looking at the poll so far I suppose I was right, TMNT fans are OLD. Besides all the new little kids growing up with the Nick version, the rest of of us are heading toward middle age.

[Redeemer]

I feel like we are all pedafiles viewing this pole :lol:

[nunchakuslash]

I was born in 1984 on the 2nd of June, so I'm 30.

[shuriken]

You're only as old as the woman you feel.

I feel like a beautiful 24 year old woman.
But am a 26 year old male.

[DVD]

You're only as old as the woman you feel.

I'll use this quote, as my girlfriend is like 30, which is a better age than I am.
And plastroncafe, your avatar is so me, except I have a head!

[keungkau]

29 nearly 30 years old veteran fan:lol:

[miru]

I'm 18 right now.

[sdp]

I'm surprised more people aren't older here or I guess they haven't voted or don't post anymore, I remember when I first joined ten years ago most people were late 20s or early 30s and now that I'm in my late 20's I'd expect most members to be in their late 30s haha.

[CyberCubed]

I'm surprised more people aren't older here or I guess they haven't voted or don't post anymore, I remember when I first joined ten years ago most people were late 20s or early 30s and now that I'm in my late 20's I'd expect most members to be in their late 30s haha.

When I came here back in 2004 (which is now over 10 years ago, yikes), I remember a few people in their late 20's or early 30's....they probably either got bored of TMNT or just moved on from the fandom.

I was only 18 when I first came here...lol.

[Lisardo]

I'm 35, and was about 7 - 9 years old when I originally saw the OS TMNT cartoon back in the late 80s. Tho as I recall, I only saw a little bit of the toon before the 1990 movie came out, so I really grew up with both of them at the same time.

[bushido]

Turn 31 today. Born in 84 like the brothers.

[Jester]

30 until the 27th July.


....good god....I've forgotten how old I am.

[Redeemer]

Turn 31 today. Born in 84 like the brothers.

Happy birthday!!!!!! :D

[bushido]

Happy birthday!!!!!! :D

:tgrin: Thanks

[IndigoErth]

Turn 31 today. Born in 84 like the brothers.
Ah, another! Happy birthday!

(The boys of course also born in Taurus territory, no wonder they made it. ;) lol)

[bushido]

Ah, another! Happy birthday!

(The boys of course also born in Taurus territory, no wonder they made it. ;) lol)

https://38.media.tumblr.com/2f8f2add932fef8b05873978c32dac11/tumblr_ng9v2tMmiw1u3livmo1_400.gif
Thanks. Turtles and I will be forever connected.

[Gunstar_Red]

I'm going to be 29 very soon. -_-;

I never grew up with the 80s version (I was obsessed with Sonic the Hedgehog instead). The 2k3 cartoon was my gateway drug. :P

[ssjup81]

Turning 34 this year.

[clodguy]

45 going on 16..

[rickwj324]

45 going on 16..

Haha... I just hit 45 a couple of weeks ago!! :P

[LeotheLateBloomer]

I got to ask but have any of you experienced watching the first film in theaters or the Coming Out of Our Shells concert live? If so, how did it felt back then during Turtle Mania?

[Allio]

24 now, 25 in June.

While I did watch the 87 toon as a child. The 3 movies were my real exposure to Tmnt

[LeoBlades]

35 here, fan since the first episode of the original cartoon aired on BBC one in the UK! :)

[ShelleyQuick]

Turned 35 in January. Been a fan since I first the the OT when I was 7. Interesting how the majority of fans are in 30-35 range. Just about the same age or a little older than the franchise itself.

[Raptor86]

I will turn 29 this Friday!

[ryukenden]

Just turned 34. It really has been that long since I first watched the OT.

[CyberCubed]

My god everyone here is so old. Most people are either in their late 20's or early 30's. We're all such old fogey's.

I wonder if the younger fans here think its creepy they're on a forum with a bunch of 30 year olds.

[pennydreadful]

http://i.imgur.com/fzXbgbJ.jpg?1

BRB - have to go clean my dentures. Now where did I leave my walking frame? :lol:

[IndigoErth]

My god everyone here is so old. Most people are either in their late 20's or early 30's. We're all such old fogey's.

I wonder if the younger fans here think its creepy they're on a forum with a bunch of 30 year olds.
I hope it's more like the youngsters who are serious fans are able to feel welcome and have a bit of respect for older ones who were a part of the Turtles' original success, in that they are still able to be around 31 years later, as well as for the Turtles' history.

And watch yourself semi young-ish one, if you're old then what am I. :tlol: I can't change my answer but the 36-40 group gains another in a few hours. Not sure how I feel about that. I suppose it adding a little age seniority, in terms of having always been around for all of the Turtles' 31 years, isn't bad though.

(Don't wanna be the later half of 30s... Going even faster than the damn 20s did.)

Edit: Wait, I just noticed 35 is included with two groups, I could have picked the other group accurately already... lol Why you confuse me, don't do that to 'old' people.

[senpai]

Don't make me feel old, CyberCubed. I just turned 28 last week. I felt fine until you rubbed it in my face like that.

[Ninjinister]

http://vignette4.wikia.nocookie.net/dragonball/images/4/4b/VegetaItsOver9000-02.png/revision/latest?cb=20100724145819

[Netkeeper]

I turn 24 on Sunday, so I just voted that.

[IndigoErth]

*ding*

Hello later 30s group... (Admit hitting this one teared up an eye for a sec... :ohwell:)

I turn 24 on Sunday, so I just voted that.
Happy early birthday Netkeeper!

Enjoy the 20s while they last (goes for a bunch of others of you as well), they go way too fast.

[CyberCubed]

Enjoy the 20s while they last (goes for a bunch of others of you as well), they go way too fast.

You aren't kidding. My 20's seemed to go by a lot faster than my teen years. I have less than a year left.

[Prowler]

You aren't kidding. My 20's seemed to go by a lot faster than my teen years. I have less than a year left.
Probably because it's better to be a young adult than a teenager for most people.

[CyberCubed]

Probably because it's better to be a young adult than a teenager for most people.

It zoomed by. College went by in the blink of an eye compared to High School. And my late 20's go by like nothing. Its like I can't believe another year has passed already.

I feel like 2008 was only like 2 years ago or something. The fact that 2005 was an entire decade ago is scary in itself. When I think "10 years ago" I think of the 90's....not 2005.

[~Donatello~]

I am 24. I had older brothers, so I was quickly indoctrinated by the FW series and the movies.

My question is who is the oldest on these boards?

[Slade]

I am 24. I had older brothers, so I was quickly indoctrinated by the FW series and the movies.

My question is who is the oldest on these boards?

http://vignette4.wikia.nocookie.net/dragonball/images/4/4b/VegetaItsOver9000-02.png/revision/latest?cb=20100724145819

Well if you went by this picture here....:lol:

Nah, I have no clue.

[Ninturtle]

I'm 15 and turning 16 in the summer.

[Mugic]

20, come July i'll be 21.

[Prowler]

It zoomed by. College went by in the blink of an eye compared to High School. And my late 20's go by like nothing. Its like I can't believe another year has passed already.

I feel like 2008 was only like 2 years ago or something. The fact that 2005 was an entire decade ago is scary in itself. When I think "10 years ago" I think of the 90's....not 2005.
I'm a few years younger than you and am still in university due to having joined it fairly late(I was only two months away from turning 22), but yea, it has flown fast so far.

I think it was around 2010-2011 when I began feeling the years going by fast without me even noticing it. 2010 and 2011 feel like they were just yesterday when, in fact, they were 5 and 4 years ago, respectively.

[CyberCubed]

I think it was around 2010-2011 when I began feeling the years going by fast without me even noticing it. 2010 and 2011 feel like they were just yesterday when, in fact, they were 5 and 4 years ago, respectively.

I think its because a lot of people don't realize the 2010's are new decade compared to the 2000's.

For example the shift from the 90's to the 2000's was completely different. When we were in 2005 the year 1995 felt like an eternity ago. Probably had to do with the fact with how much technology changed and improved from the 90's to the 2000's.

But now that we're in 2015 and you think back to 2005...it doesn't feel that much different. Sure we have better mobile phones now, we can buy things digitally more than ever, CG animation has improved...but it doesn't feel that long ago

[Jephael]

I remember when I was in my early teens the idea of growing up scared me. I didn't want to be an adult at all! Of course back then there was no internet and TMNT was pretty much dead to the world, so yea it was a pretty depressing time.

[Venom]

32 as of last month!

[Prowler]

I think its because a lot of people don't realize the 2010's are new decade compared to the 2000's.

For example the shift from the 90's to the 2000's was completely different. When we were in 2005 the year 1995 felt like an eternity ago. Probably had to do with the fact with how much technology changed and improved from the 90's to the 2000's.

But now that we're in 2015 and you think back to 2005...it doesn't feel that much different. Sure we have better mobile phones now, we can buy things digitally more than ever, CG animation has improved...but it doesn't feel that long ago
Don't forget all the social networking stuff.

But I guess when you're a kid/teenager, things seem more incredible to you. Remember the jump in gaming from 2d to 3d? Whose jaws didn't drop when they first laid their eyes on Mario 64 or Ocarina of Time?

[SophieDem]

18 here, having my final exams in 2 weeks. ><

I didn't know there were so many 30-year old fans here but actually it is kind of cool. :D Maybe that's why I get to know a lot of the older cartoons and comics? And I just had intentions of discussing the Nick series and practicing my English. Actually, I got more than that.

[CyberCubed]

Don't forget all the social networking stuff.

But I guess when you're a kid/teenager, things seem more incredible to you. Remember the jump in gaming from 2d to 3d? Whose jaws didn't drop when they first laid their eyes on Mario 64 or Ocarina of Time?

The leap in technology was indeed far greater from the 90's to the 2000's. VHS tapes to DVDs, 2D videogames to 3D videogames, Pixar animated 3D movies, mobile cell phones, etc.

2010-2015 isn't much different to the 2000's so far.

[IndigoErth]

You aren't kidding. My 20's seemed to go by a lot faster than my teen years.
I agree, the teens for me seemed to drag on forever. And it's not even a full decade! lol The 20s fly though... the rest so far seems just as fast.

[Prowler]

The leap in technology was indeed far greater from the 90's to the 2000's. VHS tapes to DVDs, 2D videogames to 3D videogames, Pixar animated 3D movies, mobile cell phones, etc.

2010-2015 isn't much different to the 2000's so far.
The difference is mostly in the computer HDDs having way more space compared to a decade ago and, as you've mentioned, better cell phones. Also all the digital media and social networking. And then there's high definition, which has been around since 2006, I think?

[Netkeeper]

Happy early birthday Netkeeper!

Enjoy the 20s while they last (goes for a bunch of others of you as well), they go way too fast.
Thanks!! c:

And yeah, they are definitely going fast. It's so weird to think about. I still feel like a teenager.

[CyberCubed]

And yeah, they are definitely going fast. It's so weird to think about. I still feel like a teenager.

That might be because you don't have many real life responsibilities. Its noticeable that the people who get married and have children when they're in their early 20's are the ones who grow up the fastest.

For the rest of us who aren't in a rush to get married or have kids we feel similar to the way we were as teenagers.

[Prowler]

I don't think I'm very mature for my age but I don't feel like a teenager. I'm a 24 year old university student, so there's definitely lots of 18-19 year olds there, and it's easy to tell they're young and immature. I certainly feel old compared to them.

[Netkeeper]

That might be because you don't have many real life responsibilities. Its noticeable that the people who get married and have children when they're in their early 20's are the ones who grow up the fastest.

For the rest of us who aren't in a rush to get married or have kids we feel similar to the way we were as teenagers.
That's true! I never thought about it like that.

[CyberCubed]

I don't think I'm very mature for my age but I don't feel like a teenager. I'm a 24 year old university student, so there's definitely lots of 18-19 year olds there, and it's easy to tell they're young and immature. I certainly feel old compared to them.

You definitely feel more mature than 18-21 year olds but you're still not in that phase where you truly feel like an adult, or at least I didn't. I didn't start to feel that way until I got my first full-time job.

[Prowler]

You definitely feel more mature than 18-21 year olds but you're still not in that phase where you truly feel like an adult, or at least I didn't. I didn't start to feel that way until I got my first full-time job.
Oh you mean like feeling mature as people of our parents' age? Like middle aged people? Obviously not, since they have more life experience and most of them are parents and grandparents by now.

[Huzzah]

I'm either 31 or 32, I can't recall. As of June I'll have my first child, I'm hoping I can shape her into a little Turtle fan.

[CyberCubed]

Oh you mean like feeling mature as people of our parents' age? Like middle aged people? Obviously not, since they have more life experience and most of them are parents and grandparents by now.

Nah, even among people at the same age. At my last job a lot of the workers were actually younger than me as they were only around 22-23 years old yet most of them were married and had their own kids already. So they talked and acted mature like young fathers would. I know when I was 22 I certainly wasn't like that, I just felt like an "older teenager" at that point.

[Netkeeper]

Oh dude. When I worked at Dairy Queen most of the girls I worked with were between 16 and 22... younger than me, but many of them were married and/or had kids. It was so, so strange.

Especially since they generally treated me like I was younger than them.

[Prowler]

Nah, even among people at the same age. At my last job a lot of the workers were actually younger than me as they were only around 22-23 years old yet most of them were married and had their own kids already. So they talked and acted mature like young fathers would. I know when I was 22 I certainly wasn't like that, I just felt like an "older teenager" at that point.
Oh, well I certainly feel there's a big gap between me and people aged 25-30, even if they aren't married nor have kids yet. And ye, I know some people younger than me who certainly look and act older and more mature. It depends on people's life experiences.

Oh dude. When I worked at Dairy Queen most of the girls I worked with were between 16 and 22... younger than me, but many of them were married and/or had kids. It was so, so strange.

Especially since they generally treated me like I was younger than them.
If those girls were only 16-22 and were already married and had kids, then they probably weren't as mature as you think. At least not when they got pregnant. They probably had to mature pretty fast once they got a kid, though.

Man, it's odd to see people younger than me married and with kids already. Whenever I feel unhappy with my life I eventually tell myself "at least you're not a father like many guys your age and even younger already are". Then again, people who have kids that early and get married that early often tend to be from the ghetto. Middle class folk aren't parents that early for the most part.

Also, it's kinda odd and depressing watching professional athletes younger than me and already making more money in a year than I'll ever make in a lifetime. Kinda makes you look yourself in the mirror and ask "what have I accomplished in my life?". Meh

[CyberCubed]

Also, it's kinda odd and depressing watching professional athletes younger than me and already making more money in a year than I'll ever make in a lifetime. Kinda makes you look yourself in the mirror and ask "what have I accomplished in my life?". Meh

I don't think that matters, any famous person is going to make more money than your average joe in a lifetime.

[Prowler]

I don't think that matters, any famous person is going to make more money than your average joe in a lifetime.
Well yeah, but it's not something that makes me lose sleep at night or anything. It's just something that makes me wonder for a few seconds and then I move on.

As for feeling like an "older teenager", I felt like that between 20 and 22. I had my first job at the time back then and felt like a kid in a grown up world.

[CyberCubed]

As for feeling like an "older teenager", I felt like that between 20 and 22. I had my first job at the time back then and felt like a kid in a grown up world.

You also feel that way when your boss/supervisor or co-workers treat you like a little kid. Since I look a lot younger than I am everyone assumed I was only 20-22 years old yet I'm in my late 20's. And they were talking to me like I was some young kid who just got out of High School, and yet I was older than most of them.

[Prowler]

You also feel that way when your boss/supervisor or co-workers treat you like a little kid. Since I look a lot younger than I am everyone assumed I was only 20-22 years old yet I'm in my late 20's. And they were talking to me like I was some young kid who just got out of High School, and yet I was older than most of them.
I honestly never felt that way. At least the first company I worked for had quite an informal environment. You see, you guys in the "English" language don't have a formal form for "you", while in languages like Portuguese(mine), French, German and others there are two forms of singular "you". A formal and an informal one. Anyway, they addressed me by the informal form of "you"... and also insisted I addressed them that way. It's odd for a 20 year old to address people in their late 20s/early 30s so informally like that, even though they were my co-workers. I never got used to that and kept using the formal form to address them.

It was a pretty pressuring since I was now being viewed as an adult and not treated like a kid any longer. Just a couple of years before, I was being treated like a child in HS by teachers, and now I was in the real world. It was a bit overwhelming at first since I still was quite immature and felt like I was a kid intruder among adults.

[Ninturtle]

When I'm in my high school I often feel like I've matured faster than them as I behave and am respectful to my teachers.I usually have conversations with one of my teachers and he often tells me it's good to talk to a normal human being after dealing with high school kids all day. I haven't had a job (because I'm 15 and you need to be 16 to work where I live) but I feel like I'd do well as I have a good work ethic.

[Lisardo]

You aren't kidding. My 20's seemed to go by a lot faster than my teen years. I have less than a year left.

Meh, I prefer my 30s sofar over my 20s. 20s was too confusing/depressing of a time. Teen years...BAH on that too! Anywayz...

[kelligrafie]

Being born in 1987 I straddle the back end of the 80's and most of the 90's leading into the 00's. It can be a bit awkward, I sort of feel like I don't belong to any one decade, or generation even. I feel like I'm wedged between two generations.

Although I have a better memory of 90's stuff, I feel I identify more strongly with the 80's, even if those memories, cartoons, music etc are a bit hazier when I try to remember them.

[CyberCubed]

Over 65% of the people who voted on the poll are in their late 20's to mid 30's and above.

Our fandom is OLD. I feel like we're like the Star Wars and Star Trek fandoms now where we're old enough to be the parents of the younger generation.

[Netkeeper]

Won't be long before that's the case, yeah. I like that, though. I'd have killed to be in a fandom along with my parents. Those Doctor Who and Star Trek kids have it good.

[CyberCubed]

Won't be long before that's the case, yeah. I like that, though. I'd have killed to be in a fandom along with my parents. Those Doctor Who and Star Trek kids have it good.

The Pokemon fandom is pretty old too, especially the original kids who grew up with the first generation. Pokemon is 18 years old now, and even if you were 10-12 back in 1998 you'd be nearly 30 now.

Its actually hard to believe Pokemon is nearly 20 years old. Its like a franchise you feel that started only a few years ago or something.

[Netkeeper]

Yeah, that's another one creeping in when it comes to the age factor. Too bad I'll never have kids, but I suppose that might be a good thing because it'd honestly crush me if they didn't have an interest in my fandom ********. :V

[CyberCubed]

Yeah, that's another one creeping in when it comes to the age factor. Too bad I'll never have kids, but I suppose that might be a good thing because it'd honestly crush me if they didn't have an interest in my fandom ********. :V

Most kids tend to get into the same thing, especially with franchises that go on indefinitely. I mean the kids born today are just getting into stuff like Batman, X-men, Star Wars, Dragonball Z, and that's all stuff both our generation and the generations before us liked.

There are just those overly popular franchises that will always be around.

[Netkeeper]

True, but it doesn't mean it'll be every single kid's thing. I grew up hating some old franchises.

[CyberCubed]

True, but it doesn't mean it'll be every single kid's thing. I grew up hating some old franchises.

I don't like every franchise either, (I never liked or got into Transformers for example), but its just another one of those overly popular franchises that a new generation of kids get into all the time.

Its especially notable how some franchises/shows just kind of fade away when they end, and yet other franchises keep coming back with new shows or revivals or remakes and so forth.

[Jephael]

I grew up hating some old franchises.

Same here. I never cared much for G.I. Joe or Transformers, and I didn't get into Star Wars until the prequels came out back in '99.

[Netkeeper]

Yeah, I grew up thinking GI Joes were the stupidest ****ing things on the planet. I still don't like 'em.

[909 Turtle Fan]

I am 35 years young :tsmile:

[swing_kinker]

30......feel 65

[Sahtori]

31 seasons. People guess my age between 22 and 24 though. Turning 32 in June.

[Leo656]

It always sucks when someone you're close to of a younger generation doesn't like what you know they should. Like my niece; she went through a huge tomboy phase around age 9-13, obsessed with TMNT and skateboarding, always talked smack about "girly girls" and stuff, every bit of clothing she owned had to have skulls on it...

Now she's all into lip gloss and One Direction. Doesn't give a sh*t about TMNT anymore, or anything cool, period. I hate biology.

[CyberCubed]

That's why parents are supposed to educate their children and make them like what they like. Its no surprise that a lot of people's interest come from their parents. You're supposed to pass down your fandom's to your children or younger family members if you don't have children. Young siblings, nieces/nephews, etc.

I don't have kids but when I do they will be formally educated on TMNT history and I will make them watch every episode of all the cartoons.

[Leo656]

I wouldn't go that far. If my Dad had forced me to hear even one more second of Grateful Dead music than I already had to put up with, I would have smothered him to death in his sleep before I was 10.

Some things you just don't put kids through.

[sdp]

I learned with my nephew that you can't get them to like what you liked. It's their time to get their own likes and dislikes. Sure you can show them TMNT but if they don't like it tough luck. My dad always bought me cars as a kid because he liked cars but I chose other things which are the ones I'm a fan of now. Childhood would've been terrible if my dad had forced me to only like hotwheels and whatnot.

[Jephael]

It always sucks when someone you're close to of a younger generation doesn't like what you know they should. Like my niece; she went through a huge tomboy phase around age 9-13, obsessed with TMNT and skateboarding, always talked smack about "girly girls" and stuff, every bit of clothing she owned had to have skulls on it...

Now she's all into lip gloss and One Direction. Doesn't give a sh*t about TMNT anymore, or anything cool, period. I hate biology.

My niece is about to turn 9 and she already likes One Direction, though she seems to have good tastes when it comes to television. She and her brother both love any show featuring super heroes, though it's never DC or Marvel characters. It's usually original programming on Disney and Nickelodeon like Lab Rats or Henry Danger (the latter of which I got them into).

[shuriken]

It always sucks when someone you're close to of a younger generation doesn't like what you know they should. Like my niece; she went through a huge tomboy phase around age 9-13, obsessed with TMNT and skateboarding, always talked smack about "girly girls" and stuff, every bit of clothing she owned had to have skulls on it...

Now she's all into lip gloss and One Direction. Doesn't give a sh*t about TMNT anymore, or anything cool, period. I hate biology.

OH GAWD that sounds like my niece... Although she's 13 and still kind of a nerd. Here's hoping she doesn't do what your niece did.

[IndigoErth]

That's why parents are supposed to educate their children and make them like what they like.
Nah, I wouldn't treat it like a religion you want to force on them... All they'll do later then is probably reject it as a way of rejecting the control of someone trying to push something on them.

In my case, I might encourage a little and they'd no doubt hear reasons why my favorite character is my fave, but I wouldn't force anything. They should largely come to it on their own if it interests them. TMNT would gain a better long term fan that way.


As for kids that lost interest... some of them may be back sooner or later. Kids seem to start getting [often inaccurate] ideas around middle school of what it means to be more mature. Many times I've seen kids that age question online if they are too old for cartoons, or TMNT, or whatever. Girls hitting or nearing the teens suddenly deciding that makeup and guys in boy bands are a more mature interest doesn't surprise me really. Sad as it may be if they used to love TMNT.

Then you get old like us and look back and realize that liking cartoons is not childish (hell, if it wasn't for adults who like cartoons there wouldn't be any!), that the Turtles are awesome for any age, and so on. :)

[shuriken]

^^Hey man she got into TMNT all on her own. It was a pleasant surprise. But yeah, kids' change as well as their interests and hobbies.