[Discussion] Rise of the TMNT: Episode #1

[Papenbrook]

Post all thoughts here.🌹

[Leonardo2003]

http://www.nick.com/rise-of-the-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles/videos/mystic-mayhem-s1-ep1-full-episode/

Well... before you can discuss, go watch!

[TheBlueTurtle1]

Can't view it from UK, been uploaded else where?

[Shark_Blade]

Can't view it from UK, been uploaded else where?

Use VPN my dude. You know the drill.

[TheBlueTurtle1]

I am not going to use VPN, Can someone upload the episode please?

[Powder]

It's dope. Laugh out loud funny, super flashy & stylized, bursting at the seams with Suriano flavor, & very new/different. I love it.

Interesting how they're starting it, in that we're left with all sorts of questions about their origin & how it may be tied to their nemesis. A bold move going into things without any backstory. I like that, though. Seems like they're setting it up to reveal that Baron Draxum created the turtles. For those who were worried there would be little to no mind paid to arcs, continuity, etc, I'd say this makes it clear there will be a lot of ground to cover & plots to keep up with. The "rise" concept makes sense, we're definitely seeing their beginnings. They don't quite know the ropes of combat yet, & we, the viewers, are out of the loop altogether. It should be a fun journey as we learn along with them what their world is all about.

The visuals are just wild. Super saturated colors, high contrast, forced perspectives, its a real treat for the eye. You can tell this is an animation team that absolutely love their jobs, 'cause its freakin' gorgeous. Andy's flair is everywhere, but its other influences come through strongly. It evokes the thought of Gorillaz, Trigger-produced anime, Samurai Jack, 90's Nicktoons, & if you look closely, you can see comic homages such as the classic "Kirby Crackle". Everything is turned up to 11, from their over the top expressions, to how incredibly dynamic the battle sequences are, & most notably, the humor. Normally I don't want my TMNT to be too funny/goofy, but with all other qualities of the series being played to extremes, it doesn't exactly stand out to me as being "too much". This show is very much built on "too much", in an endearing way that will make for a very entertaining cartoon, I think.

As far as the characterizations go, I'm fairly keen. Each of the turtles is bringing something new to the table, but feels like its adding to what came before, rather than distancing itself from it. I appreciate that Raph is more a brash but lovable oaf as opposed to just outright angry. Leo's go-to is now cracking-wise, however his eternal confidence, that leadership quality, is still shining through. Mike reminds me of a more reigned-in version of 2012's, which is cool, & Donnie feels like Platinum Dunes'. I'd be a lot happier had he not been conceptualized with that whole mega-nerd shtick as its very Big Bang Theory (which I hate) but his sense of humor won me over. Splinter I can't say too much about so far, but from what I have seen & heard, I'm down. I like the trope they seem to be going with, so I'm biased in his favor a little, but I will definitely understand why some folks will dislike how he is portrayed, wanting someone a bit warmer & zen-like. The only character I really take issue with is April. That's not April, like, at all. The boys, while changed in a variety of ways, are still true to their former selves. But this April is 100% in the action, super sassy, unrealistically agile for some random teen (putting aside the cartoon physics), and seemingly better on her feet than the trained ninjas. Not a fan of the direction they're going with her. Much prefer she be the mother hen on the sidelines that she always was before Viacom decided she had to be the 5th turtle. I suspect that direction is more to do with The Powers That Be than Ant/Andy.

[neatoman]

Wow, that's a lot to unpack... Let's just try to keep to a point by point basis.

First off, yes, I can see why Nickelodeon's first statement about this was about the comedy. The first episode of the previous show wasn't exactly serious either but it was a lot slower and some moments weren't meant to be comedic. This on the other hand, is quite possibly the most hectic episode of a TMNT cartoon I've ever seen, you're not meant to take anything that happens seriously, like at all.

The comedy, I'll say, is actually quite funny. I'm not a fan of turning TMNT into a straight up comedy, because it's too obvious and has never really worked before. The comedy in Fred Wolf, The 90's movies, Next Mutation, the last show and the PD movies ranged from dry garbage to pure cringe. However, Rise's comedy actually works for me, it's situation/character based and is really helping shape the show's identity. The characters aren't just being childish or sarcastic for a joke, it actually feels natural. I wouldn't say all the jokes hit but enough of them do. And the fact that there isn't a single joke about pizza is a nice bonus.

The action is really good too, helps offset the general goofiness, shows that the show doesn't just rely on comedy. I was a bit worried that the show was going to look very choppy based on the trailers but they really put the budget where it was needed. It's a decent balance. The colors go together well, there's lots of energy and I like how there's always something new, never really feels tedious.

What I find odd is that this show doesn't seem to bother re-establishing old elements. There's a vague hint that Baron Draxum might be the creator of the Turtles but it's really unclear. April is already the Turtles' friend and they don't really talk about anything that happened previously. Unless they explain any of this in a future episode, this show really expects you to already know these characters already. I wouldn't mind it so much if it wasn't for the fact that previous TMNT adaptations aren't generally consistant, so "Kids already know TMNT" isn't an excuse here. Did the turtles rescue April from MOUSERs, common thugs, Utroms or Ninjas? Is Splinter a mutated rat, a mutated man or a man reincarnated into a mutated rat? Are Turtles an accident or a deliberate experiment? We really don't know from this episode. Keep in mind, even if you or I might have a general idea, this is still some kid's first TMNT cartoon and this might seem confusing to them.

What's arguably more important is that the brand new elements are established and thankfully they are. The mutating insects, the hidden city, etc. It all gets something of an explaination, or at least set-up for one. It's kind of strange that they start off by dumping all the old weirdness in our lap like we're meant to know about it, but introducing new weirdness like the old stuff was by any means normal. It's a little jarring for a new series. It is however refreshing, I can't really point to any other version of TMNT and compare, it's pretty unique.

As for character, let's deal with the elephant in the room, April. Ever since the Fred Wolf cartoon, cartoon writers have treated her like a cipher to do whatever with, this is no exception. She has nothing to do with any previous iteration of the character, she the Turtles' buddy and that's where the connection ends. She's not really a bad character, it's just that I'm tired of April being treated like a blank slate. The Turtles are kind of what I expected, Don and Leo are less awkward than before, Raph is more. Mikey doesn't seem to be quite as dumb as cartoon writers like to depict him, which was nice, I don't think he'll remain like that but whatever. Splinter kind of reminds me of Mark Martin's Splinter, ancient eastern wisdom amount to a lazy slob in front of the TV. Draxum is OK, I would have liked it better if was comically serious all the time, giving him goofy moments seemed a little unwanted.

TL;DR I don't like the idea of straight up comedy TMNT and the set-up is a bit lacking, but I can't honestly say it's bad or that I dislike it, because I don't. It's genuinely funny and the action is decent.

[CyberCubed]

I'll post more thoughts later, but the animation and action is pretty good. Some jokes didn't work for me, but well, it's a kids show, so it's not aimed at me. The Turtles characterisations are all pretty decent. Leo shows signs of being a leader, Mikey is laid back, Don is an egg-head, and Raph feels loveable if overenthusiastic. April...well, lol. As for Splinter, I dunno, too lazy in this ep, maybe a future ep will change my opinion.

The underground city and mutagen was established and the new weapons, I just hope the Turtles get new classic weapons to use, I need Raph's sai's at least. Hopefully a future ep also gives us a flashback of how the Turtles first meet April.

[Leonardo2003]

Possibly wrong thread, but the next 4 episodes are all available on nick right now as well..... someone dropped the ball.

[Papenbrook]

Possibly wrong thread, but the next 4 episodes are all available on nick right now as well..... someone dropped the ball.

Um ....... wha .....? o_O

:lol::lol::lol::lol:

[plastroncafe]

I am of two minds regarding this cartoon.

On the one, the voice acting is awesome, and it sounds like the actors involved are having a good time. That goes a long way for me, as a voice actor. For the most part I think the characterization is top notch. The jokes landed for me, and a lot of them actually made me laugh out loud.
I really love the way the brothers interact with each other, and with Splinter.

On the other, it's very frenetic and entirely different to the point of being distracting. I'm not entirely sold on either April or Splinter just yet. Those seem to be the harder characters for any incarnation to peg down well, so I'm willing to wait and see how this pans out.

And as much as I'm entertained by watching the characters be comically awful at what they're doing, it does ping me as some heavy-handed Worfing.

All in all I think it's worth the price of admission, and I'll be looking forward to seeing where this goes. Especially given some of the voice talent that they've managed to score for the rest of the season.

[bjaxx87]

If someone here managed to watch those episodes using a free VPN service, I'd love to know which one. ;) I tried my usual VPN and was able to browse nick.com but the streams wouldn't even start due to poor connection.

[Zombilly]

Possibly wrong thread, but the next 4 episodes are all available on nick right now as well..... someone dropped the ball.

Definitely was surprised to see even the first episode on there already. I figured it’d air tonight and be on the app tomorrow. Only to see all of these on there! For sure finishing them all up before they get pulled.

So far, I’m enjoying it. It covers a few things that I’ve seen people be questionable about. Weapons, leadership, etc...

I’m pretty easy going so I’m not seeing anything that just straight up makes me mad about the portrayals. It’s offering enough of what TMNT has always had, just in a new presentation.

[Autbot_Benz]

Not bad but OMG Splinter what have they done to you.

[neatoman]

Alright I have now watched all four episodes. I'll get into more detail in case other threads pop up.

Wow, this show really doesn't take anything slow, does it? The mutation mosquitos got out in the first episode and by the fourth we already have four mutants and an implied subculture of mutants. This wouldn't be so weird if it wasn't for the fact that episodes two and three have nothing to do with mutants, they're instead setting up the Foot Clan and April being bad at her job. The fourth episode even has a flashback to the Turtles fighting a giant robot, implying they've have off-screen adventures. And no, none of these episodes establish how April met the Turtles, or how they and Splinter came to be. The Turtles don't recognise the Foot Clan, so I'm not sure if theres a connection between them. There's also a running gag of April being out of job, or at least that's how it comes across with the episode order. I suspect the episodes got flipped, because she loses her job in the Albearto episode and looks for a job in the Foot Clan one. If she lost her job, then went looking for one, that would make sense. If she looks for a job, then has a job and gets fired, then the only justification I can come up with is that it's a running gag.

Not that you're really meant to take this show seriously, it's odd how they chose to structure the episodes.

[Papenbrook]

I just saw the first episode.

Wow. Just ... wow. I ... I don't know if I'll eventually adapt to the humor. It just ... seems so random to me.

That's all I have to say for now.

[Utrommaniac]

Something feels very serendipitous about remembering Leroy Jenkins yesterday and having a reference to it just now :lol: .

The first episode is a lot of fun so far, though. I like the energy and the character dynamics.


Splinter, I'm not sure about, but the rest is pretty great so far.

But what are the little imp things? Since they're not the Oozequitos like I thought.

[Vicky82]

Seen all 4 episodes,

Wow, I really enjoyed it, loved the animation, love the comedy. the turtles are awesome, Mikey is definitely my fave turtle. I love the turtles interactions, especially with April, they seem very protective of her.

It looks like Leo will definitely become leader at some point.

April is great and she's crazy, she loves jumping into battle first.

I'm not liking Splinter that much, he's just lazy, hopefully he will change in future episodes.

Baron Draxon is a badass, I can't believe that's John Cena's voice, he's really good.

I was a little disappointed that there was no origin story and how they met April but i'm hoping there will be flashbacks in future episodes.

I will be definitely watching this show.

[Xiewin]

I saw all 4 episodes and it was nice! It was what I expected.
Loved the animation, some of the jokes were genuinely funny, and I found all the characters enduring. Well except April for the reason already posted above.

Though my speculation about Raph being too idiot was correct. Bummer. They really didn't have to make him a complete buffoon in this.:trolleye: Probably only thing keeping me from fully enjoying this show. I really hope they change him throughout the series.

[Danetello]

Ok, so first of all, the comic that came out Wednesday now makes a whole lot more sense! I gather now it takes place after this episode. Lol.
I love the music, I love the art style, and I don't mind at all the character models, or any of the mystic stuff.
They could have a few less jokes, and the pace is kind of frenetic at times, but I can deal with those. The one thing I hate, though, is the portrayal of Splinter as an uncouth slob.

[Krutch]

After we wrap at work tonight, my entire evening is to go home, get baked, and check out the episodes. I'm hoping it helps. I doubt it will.

[neatoman]

I'm not liking Splinter that much, he's just lazy, hopefully he will change in future episodes.

Baron Draxon is a badass, I can't believe that's John Cena's voice, he's really good.



I actually kinda like Lazy Jerk Splinter, it seems strangely right here.

As for Cena, yeah, he's a decent VA. I guess that's a thing with Wrestlers, they gotta figure out something else they're good at when middle age is settling in.

[CyberCubed]

How are you guys unlocking the rest of the eps, 2-4? I don't have a cable service provider to type in there, unless they're uploaded somewhere else.

[TheJ-manTurtleMan]

Reminds me a lot of EARLY Nicktoons, definitely has a "Ren and Stimpy" sort of vibe.

[drag0nfeathers]

I don't know. I'm trying really hard to get on board with this.

Donnie is by far the best turtle in this series hands down. Raph reminds me of Cyborg from Teen Titans Go... and not in a good way. Mikey is okay, but I can't get used to his voice... by far the portrayal of Splinter is going to be the thing that kills this series for me.

Fast, action packed, and smooth colorful animation can only do so much when you butcher the characters this much. I can deal with an older Splinter who is past his prime and watches TV, but he's just a fat lazy slob and it just is NOT what Splinter is or ever was.

The voices in general I am still not feeling, however it is the least of my complaints. I guess we'll have to see how it develops but so far I'm not just feeling it...

[Vicky82]

I don't know. I'm trying really hard to get on board with this.

Mikey is okay, but I can't get used to his voice.

Yeah I didn't like his voice at first after watching the promos ect. But after watching these episodes, I got used to his voice quite quickly.

[Andrew NDB]

They just suddenly dropped 4 episodes all at once? Is that a good strategy?

[Jester]

Any one else think Draxum and his foot soldiers looked like some of Kirby's Critters from the Donnie One Shot?

[drag0nfeathers]

They just suddenly dropped 4 episodes all at once? Is that a good strategy?

Since when has Nick been good with scheduling :tlol:

[CyberCubed]

The second ep showcased the Foot, or at least two of them anyway. Seem to be Foot Mystics who make those originami Foot Ninja's.

Both third eps and the fourth one were definitely "fillers" where the Turtles just meet random mutants or get into adventures, but they were decent. Does remind me of the old 90's CN shows with the exaggerated humor.

Oddly enough Leonardo is already acting like the leader in these eps. The second ep especially had Leo come up with nearly all the plans against the Foot characters. You can definitely tell Leo will likely become full leader by the end of the season.

[Autbot_Benz]

I am in no hurry to see episodes 3-4. We lost Nick Turtles for this. Ehhhhh.


I really hope Casey Jones isn't done in this series

[drag0nfeathers]

I am in no hurry to see episodes 3-4. We lost Nick Turtles for this. Ehhhhh.


I really hope Casey Jones isn't done in this series

I'm willing to bet money that Casey will be a girl in this series... since Casey is a gender neutral name...

[oldmanwinters]

They just suddenly dropped 4 episodes all at once? Is that a good strategy?

Haha, first thing I thought of was the Sega Saturn's SURPRISE launch in the U.S. market! :tlol:

[sdp]

I watched ep 1, 2a, 3a&b. The show is ok, it has a lot of potential but these episodes while not bad, they aren't amazing either. The good thing is since they're 11 minute episodes that they finish before you start getting bored. I posted my thoughts as I live tweeted them on my miscrave (https://twitter.com/MiscRave) account, I also posted more thoughts on the drome discord. Don't feel like repeating myself but those seems to be the main points.

Oh also, the turtles say they're rookies but most of their actions and references imply they've been at it in crazy adventures for quite a bit so that's a bit contradictory. Don't get me wrong I like that they've had adventures before and that we don't have yet another origin but the whole "we're n00bs" doesn't really work. Splinter is awful but I hope he's like the Ancient One and eventually shows he's a master ninja. April fighting like Prequel Trilogy Yoda is out of place and I don't like her. Draxum is a bit boring and slapsticky. Again, show has potential and htese episodes are harmless if the whole show is like this, I don't hate it even now but I do think they can do better and this could be a show I absolutely love if they get everything right.

[saber16]

Okay, it didn't completely win me over like the 2012 series did in the pilot, but I still had fun with it and think it's a safe bet Nick as another hit on their hands.
I was worried this would be another Teen Titans go, but thankfully, that doesn't look like the case.

[Ashwolf]

Decided to go on and watch 2a and 3a/b, dont really care that much for any of 3 but the foot segment gives me a tiny bit of hope regarding their personalities. Splinter is still pretty crappy and dont expect much from him. Not sure how i feel about april yet. Overall though, gonna withhold whether the show is good or bad til i see more but im still not expecting much atm.

[TigerClaw]

Less then 30 minutes til the debut on Nickelodeon.

[matteso586]

1) Gotta hand it to Donnie for preferring the old fashioned way. 2) The Turtles and April forgot the fish mutant. 3) Although he is lazy, I wonder why Splinter has that portal making device.

[TigerClaw]

Finally watched it on Nick. The show ain't bad at all. Even if its aimed at a younger audio. The show is a lot more fast paced. With very little room to breath. they also skipped over the origins. Which I'm sure they will touch upon in later episodes.

[Aaronardo]

Well, that was certainly different.

I REALLY like how everything moves. In stills you expect it to look very cheap but its very stylized and everything is very vibrant and eye-popping in movement, especially in more action-oriented scenes. Some of the humor, particularly in the second half, was right up my alley. The backgrounds looked very nice, and the casting worked better than I thought (I can almost look past Donnie’s deisgn because his voice is so good). I like the idea of mutagen being injected via mosquitos. I’m not sure how I feel about Splinter being a lazy rat but i can see where that could work with time.

As much as I liked, I’ll be watching more. I’m interested to see if the show’s pacing and some of its humor gets any better, as those are the only real weak links I can think of (and they are, to be fair, two very big elements). It’s certainly a more humor-based series and I’m really down for that. I think the humor was a little clunky and awkward at some points and there was just too much plot to get through in 22 minutes, making it feel rushed, so much so it just felt like it was in overdrive.

But this show feels competent enough that it feels like just first-episode issues. If I saw this as a kid I would probably be all over it and would be impatiently waiting for the next episode right now. And despite its problems I had some fun with it now. So bring it on.

[KillCrites]

Wow I adored this first episode and if they keep it up this will be my favorite TMNT cartoon of all time

[IndigoErth]

Just saw the first on tv. (Maybe I'll look to see if those other eps are still online...)

It's okay so far I suppose, at least in an empty calorie sugar high, turn off your brain and just stare at a flashy cartoon kind of way. Not what I tend to like in a cartoon, esp TMNT, and may get tired of that. Visually it's kinda pretty, sans iffy Turtle designs, though paired with the hyperness feels like a possible headache trigger on bad day.

The part of my mind that demands at least some depth and logic is protesting the fact that we just go and... FIND magic weapons. Seriously? (Just...please tell me down the line there will be some "mystic" being who predicted all this and actually left the weapons there for them to find.) And that April is the one who is all "lets do this!" when the Turtles are still sitting there. (And oh, yay, no meeting ep.)

The cat thing is... interesting. If slightly annoying. Though I guess we're calling it a dog...thing? At least at this point in time. Despite the fact that it clearly purrs and seems more of a mix of a cat, a squirrel, and...a macaque monkey? I'd have preferred it speaking vs the monkey sounds. (Just why with the monkey sounds... I'd like the character better if that sound effect was dropped.)

As for the Turtles themselves... Raph and Mikey, neutral; not hating nor am I impressed. Leo would be a bit better character if/when he drops the one liners. After this ep, still think Donnie might be one of the better ones here. At least his humor actually comes across sounding a tiny bit genuine, so far, and his lines don't sound quite as forced as Leo and Raph's do.

Just me or did the baseball bat look more like a club...? Did I miss where she got it or did she just randomly have it? And, uh yay, magic M doorways...? Oh no, the compass thingy broke, but well, I mean Donnie might be able to fix, no? At least finally when it's important.

And dammit, I was hoping Leo's sword power would actually be necessary and vital to the tream and related to something more than just being a fight maneuver.

Splinter... an early death would be okay. Looks like he'll give himself a stroke anyhow. These Turtles apparently don't even need him, despite Leo being surprised that the others had been training without him. (And they just let you have a deadly weapon sans training why exactly?)

Wish I had more positive to say, but at least only as far in as the first I'm under-impressed. Wish there was more that stuck out and left me with something I felt like I wanted to see what happens next. Hoping it will get better and something will grab me about it.




Well this is really insulting. After it had taken Comcast/Xfinity quite awhile to finally be added as a provider on Nick.com, apparently early this year it was removed yet again! Nice. Real nice.

[Raph's Girl]

I thought it was interesting that there's no origin and the turtles aren't trained. Splinter's just a lazy rat who likes watching anime and falls asleep waisted away on um "milk and cookies". They say Leo's not the leader but he does seem to take on the leadership role more than Raph at times.

Rob Paulsen's foot mystic voice sounds like Raphael with a cold. :lol:

[Shark_Blade]

Pros.
1. Beautiful colourful animation. I think I figured out the art style. It’s similar to Disney shorts style. It’s wacky, it’s outrageous and just a lot more freedom to play with.

jMVwRZGH58I

And it’s reality doesn’t necessarily lean on the realistic side so much (aka like when they splashed into the pool every single drop of water went out of it).

2. On to the turtles themselves.
a. Raph - Gone was his negative angsty drama-queen trait, screaming and yelling and beating up his brothers. He’s now a loveable giant with a gentle heart, who has a soft spot for cute animals. Plus he’s now the leader, I’m pretty amused how his brothers are now looking at him to call the shots. Impressive! I like this change. I hope they’ll maintain it like this for the whole series. In this world, Raph leads.

b. Leo is pretty laid back this time. He’s not stressed, uptight or get into argument with Raph (for now?). It doesn’t seem like he’s training rigorously too or being highly disciplined at all. He’s wacky and awkward. I like that he’s allowed this kind of freedom away from the burden of leadership he’s shouldering in every other series. It’s different and I like it very much.

c. Don is still Donnie. I like that he has his own weapon, not relying on the magical weapon at all.

d. Mikey. Thank God they did away from making him the cliche annoying & retarded one in the group. He’s actually loveable in this series and not obnoxious.

e. Splinter. Lol I can see why some people may get upset being portrayed as a sleazy couch potato. But I’d say don’t judge a book by its cover. After all, Splinter did train the boys as ninjas, so he’s pretty powerful behind that facade.

f. April is .... rabid? Lol. She’s fine and get along with the boys. Doesn’t seem to have occasional menstruation problem/crazy hatred/cold treatment for them like 2012 April.


Cons.
1. The villains are kinda dull to me. Bugs? Yawn.
2. Some jokes are off but it’s early yet.

Overall I like it very much.

I am not going to use VPN, Can someone upload the episode please?

Why? It’s so easy. Your loss tho.

[Kit31]

How are people able to watch the other episodes? My cable provider isn't on that list. Please help???

[IndigoErth]

Same issue, thanks to Xfinity no longer being an option. :roll:

Tried this VPN thing and found one that works with my OS... but either I'm doing it wrong or it just doesn't work because I can't find a provider listed that would skip the provider login like Xfinity used to. :ohwell: (Really, is there a certain one people are using?)

[Konchadunga]

I laughed, a lot. That's a good thing, in general. However, a lot of the time it felt like it was focusing so hard on being funny that it lacked in other areas.

For example, Splinter seems lame. Make no mistake; I don't like it when Splinter is made out to be flawless, and I actually like him funny, but I still feel Splinter's humor should come from him having a sharp mind that's good at making a joke. But here Splinter IS the joke. I don't expect him to be a lazy couch potato all the time, but is that really the introduction we get?

Also, does April just have a delusion of being a dog? Is there a reason her reaction to danger is trying and failing to maul her opponents with her teeth, when so many more effective ways of fighting should be apparent? I'm all for comedy, but getting it from this characterization makes no sense. It's not stereotypical, it's not humanly dumb; it's just plain random, and why, of all people, is their human friend doing that outlandish stuff?

Let's talk about the action, in general, which for a show this heavy on it is also talk about animation. This show reminds me of Panty & Stocking With Garterbelt, or more recently, OK K.O.!: Let's be Heroes. Characters change shape in motion, constantly, and I'm not sure I like that style. I think the problem I have with this is that characters who look made of rubber don't sell action as well as more solid ones; when they attack they don't seem powerful, and when they get attacked it doesn't seem like it hurts. Then there's the pacing: I don't want to seem disrespectful to people who obviously work hard to animate all this, and I don't know how common this opinion is, but to me, action that happens too quickly might as well not be happening at all. It's just a bunch of fluctuating color and patterns almost too hard to follow, and while I'm not saying it gives me seizures, the characters might as well be dancing at a disco rather than fighting. Stuff like this really makes me appreciate what 3d models and freeze-frame fighting did for this franchise.

[Kit31]

Same issue, thanks to Xfinity no longer being an option. :roll:

Tried this VPN thing and found one that works with my OS... but either I'm doing it wrong or it just doesn't work because I can't find a provider listed that would skip the provider login like Xfinity used to. :ohwell: (Really, is there a certain one people are using?)

Yeah, I also have Xfinity. I'm not sure why it disappeared from the site, but it's so annoying because everyone else seems to have free access to the rest of the released episodes. :ohwell: I was SO glad it was on the list for a majority of 2012's run, at least.

Considering Comcast/Xfinity had the episode early yesterday morning, I would have hoped they would also have the other episodes on ON Demand. Nope! Grrrrr!:tgrumble:

[IndigoErth]

Yeah, I also have Xfinity. I'm not sure why it disappeared from the site, but it's so annoying because everyone else seems to have free access to the rest of the released episodes. :ohwell: I was SO glad it was on the list for a majority of 2012's run, at least.
Yeah, I was also very glad. I remember it took a while for them to be added as a provider, but around the time they stopped including it in the on demand selection on tv for (why??) they at least got added as a Nick.com provider.

Now... I dunno what this is about. I found complaints from people from Jan/Feb of this year which must be around the time it was removed again. :tsad: Ridiculous since they're one of the biggest ones in the country. Customers have to be punished because two companies can't get along and work things out, or whatever the issue is...


Considering Comcast/Xfinity had the episode early yesterday morning, I would have hoped they would also have the other episodes on ON Demand. Nope! Grrrrr!:tgrumble:
Righ?! I checked the streaming online looking for it maybe only 20 min ago hoping that maybe they'd have them. They've got the first ep, but that's it. And of course that will be on a billion times.

[Dejablue]

Warning. Warning. Warning. Long drooling review ahead. Read with Caution.

Yay. I wanna drop my two cents.

To reference a random 4 chan post that almost mirrors my feelings up to this point, after watching 5 episodes thus far:

>Let's make Raph the leader!
cool
>and inject him with that crazy shizz the Boom Knuckles is using.
stop
>and if Raph is the leader then Leo gets some goofball personality.
I SAID STOP
>and Splinter is fat.
GO BACK
And I don't mind black April but her design is just as bad as the rest of them.

The last line of that statement is the only one I disagree with. Overtime Ive come to accept the designs and I even like them honestly. (I’d probably do something a little different with April’s design but that’s just me.) My biggest issue are the personalities of the turtles and April.

Guess I’ll start with the characters. Be warned I’m a buzzing wasp hive of negativity. It feels too much to me that the turtles are all the same character. The biggest problem is literally everyone is the comic relief. It smacks of not trusting kids to watch the show unless it’s hyper super fun times all the time. Of course I have no way of proving this since this was not the case in the 2k12 show but Rise is supposedly meant for an even younger audience?

From the turtles, Donatello is easily the strongest. His dry laconic style of humor is pretty funny, every time he says something I feel a little better about this schizophrenic fever dream. I have problems with his tech but I know it is the way it is because ‘toys’. I honestly thought his bo staff was the magic weapon due to how insanely and impossibly versatile it is but no. I guess this Donnie is hot on the trail of PD Donatello in being able to create things that break the suspension of disbelief.

Second best turtle is the no longer “ichiban turtle”, Leonardo. He feels a bit like 87 Raphael, spilling quips and one liners everywhere he goes. Not as funny as Donatello but I enjoy his banter. Strange to me (but I know not to some of you), he is already showing leadership qualities. He’s like the back up leader who is actually better at leading than the actual leader…but also the comic relief. I don’t like this.

Why do I not like this? Because it rests a poor light on Raphael who is supposed to be the leader, a concept I am totally onboard with but I guess the writers weren’t confident in, so most likely Leo is going to get his traditional role back…yawn. So anyway, Raphael is where my feelings on the turtles begin to dip. Like I said before, I like them all but thats mostly because I’m a fan of this franchise, my brain is wired to like the turtles. THIS is why its bad that all of the turtles are “the funny guy”. Not enough diversity in their personalities, not enough individuality for any real interesting back and forth to happen. Raphael is dense, he is the “stupid” one…and that’s all I can say about him. His personality is overshadowed by Donatello and Leonardo, and even though the series has JUST STARTED he already comes off as incapable of doing his job. It almost feels like Leo is letting him stumble with the position of Leader because he is too lazy to do it himself. I want Raphael to be competent. At the same time competency doesn’t matter in a show where characters don’t care about anything happening around them. *shurgs*.

Michelangelo. Poor guy. I can’t get a single reading off of him…because Leo stole all of his traditional character traits. I mean he’s still a fun loving guy but like I said they’re ALL the fun loving guy. They are all ‘Mikey’ so the real Mikey is drowned out. Same type of character 3 to 4 times over, someone is getting left in the dust and I believe that its Mikey who suffers this fate. At least with Raphael’s stupidity you can laugh at how bad of a leader he is. Mikey on the other hand…well…he…well he uhm…he likes to draw. I guess?

Up next we got our homegurl April. Sassy, okay, I’m even okay with agile and light on her feet. But already battle ready and confident to jump first? Um, sweetheart how old are you and wtf have you been doing? You’re old enough to be looking for work so I assume you are in pursuit of a normal life,and I’m sure you’re not a vigilante drop out from society like Casey Jones. How are you already this good? My problem with April isn’t that she can fight…it’s just that…she can already fight. I know a lot of people don’t like 2k12 April but I can give that version some credit where it is due, she worked hard to become a kunoichi, it didn’t happen over night, basically she was initiated into ninja-hood (or whatever you’d call it) right at the tail end of the series and I liked that progression.

I don’t like how battle ready this April is, if they can explain this then fine I guess. I’d be perfectly happy to know if she was into parkour or whatever to explain her agility. But already being able to step up to the plate with the turtles? It’s the kind of thing that requires explaining. So far April feels pointless but this is a big “so far” with big quotation marks. She might have a purpose later on but right now she IS the token both in gender and race in this show, she isn’t really needed for anything thats going on, and she is, yet again, more comic relief. I spoke to a friend of mine and he says the most perfect thing ever about the characterization flaws. “Nobody is a straight man”. The person who is kinda dull and normal for these jokes to bounce off of.

Master Splinter….*stares into the dark abyss of disappointment*

I honestly don’t know what to say, not enough screen time. But already I can tell I don’t like what I have seen, my first impression with him is dreadful. I figure he’s going to be like Yoda when he fights.

Ok so onto the story, so the turtles are faffing about until they rescue a pokemon, April falls down a hole, and they all end up in a magic city…and its so underwhelming that it hurts. They’re just THERE. And that’s it. No discovery phase, no investigation phase, barely even a “wow cool” phase. They fall in, April is okay despite having gone down the portal right next to enemies. She already knows where they are and already knows where the glowy weapons are. It all happens so fast that I thought my video glitched and skipped some scenes. I swear if you turn away for 9 seconds and look back you will lose track of what’s going on.

Disappointing first impression. If there was one thing I was really looking forward to it was this magic underground city. Then they just fart past it like it’s not important at all. Gee thanks.

Then we meet JOHN CENAAAAA- I mean Baron Draxum or whatever. He’s pretty cool. I like how he wants the turtles for himself because he sees potential in them, and he drops the only interesting story hint, that he or someone of his ilk might be responsible for the turtles’ existence. “All those years ago” could mean 15 years…or it could mean hundreds of thousands of years. Maybe these turtles are from an ancient past? That’s me fantasizing about possibilities.

Warren Stone: He reminds me of Plankton so he’s kind of fun.

Hyptnopotamus: So far the only bad guy with a cool name, otherwise I don’t remember jack crap about him. Well one thing, its weird that he’s a human who turned into a hippo but he’s going on about finding a mate, a female hippo, like its something he’s been struggling to do for a long time. Eh?

The Origami Ninjas : Well I did like the anime Read or Die where the heroine fights with paper. So maybe I’ll like these guys.

Um…I dunno what else to really talk about. I know comedy is subjective but to me the jokes are hit or miss, with most of the hits coming from Donatello. I don’t like that the show is so comedy heavy but the animation is slick. I’d argue the fight scenes is the one thing this show does very well, excels at even. The turtles need more diversity to their personality as I think they suffer trying to be “funny” all the time. April is a painfully obvious token, and Splinter….I don’t know. I just don’t know.

My face after watching this show:

http://is2.4chan.org/co/1532044569059.jpg

[magicallypuzzled]

for the moment I am really torn a lot of things I liked and a lot I didn't. first things I liked I am liking all of the turtles so far. I absolutely love the weapons especially mike's. and I loved the mystical villains and setting I love all of that so much.

now things I didn't like. April seems different just to be different and I don't really like her character at all. I hate splinter so far. and at the moment my love for the mystical setting is fighting a gruesome war with my hatred of the complete nonseriousness of the show and I am not sure which side is going to win out.

[newhire13]

I’ve only seen episode 1 (weird that apparently Xfinity isn’t working on Nick.com anymore) but I absolutely hate Splinter lol. So gross and unlikeable. However, I assume that there’s some sort of end game with him so I guess I’ll just wait it out to see. The turtles play off each other well which is good/important though.

[newhire13]

Splinter... an early death would be okay. Looks like he'll give himself a stroke anyhow. These Turtles apparently don't even need him, despite Leo being surprised that the others had been training without him. (And they just let you have a deadly weapon sans training why exactly?)



I'm pretty sure he was just joking/being sarcastic because they were doing such a ****** job fighting the bad guy.

[Wildcat]

I absolutely LOVED this. The bright, colorful stylized fast paced action while always being “on” even when there’s no fighting is just a joy to watch. You’d think it’d be sensory overload but it’s not at all.

The humor was good and thankfully not done to be random or meme-y. I liked Splinter being goofy. I’m sure will be more serious when he needs to be. It maintains its storyline in the middle of everything well.

It’s all so much fun. I’m glad there’s no “downtime”. Everything just makes it such a unique version of TMNT. I hope it lasts multiple seasons.

(I too think Leo was just joking about no training).

[shredder orokusaki]

Same issue, thanks to Xfinity no longer being an option. :roll:

Tried this VPN thing and found one that works with my OS... but either I'm doing it wrong or it just doesn't work because I can't find a provider listed that would skip the provider login like Xfinity used to. :ohwell: (Really, is there a certain one people are using?)

First episode is on youtube now so watch it there the other 3 havent been uploaded yet.

WHAT A DISAPOITMENT. It was the first episode of a series where i wasnt there. In all previous series i appear from first episode but this time i wasnt there! GRRRR! It is just the turtles and April fighting some stupid mutants.

[Original TMNT Cartoon Fan]

I think April O'Neil knowing the Ninja Turtles from the beginning works, but please give us flashback scenes with the backstory how they met early.

[neatoman]

Any one else think Draxum and his foot soldiers looked like some of Kirby's Critters from the Donnie One Shot?

Not to mention how one of the Foot has the power to turn paper into Ninjas and how Donnie just picked some crystal rather than a weapon. Yeah, I noticed certain parallels to that issue.

[ProphetofGanja]

My face after watching this show:

http://is2.4chan.org/co/1532044569059.jpg

It seems like you actually do have some strong emotions

[Original TMNT Cartoon Fan]

WHAT A DISAPOITMENT. It was the first episode of a series where i wasnt there.

I don't care, since you only fight the turtles in the first Mirage issue (when it comes to comics and cartoons).

[Dejablue]

It seems like you actually do have some strong emotions

A more accurate picture would be this.

http://wordofgodwithwendy.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Unsure.jpg

My emotions are strong. I'm just not sure which side of the fence they land me on.

[Chris]

Just watched the first episode and was pleasantly surprised.

I liked the fast pace, I liked the Turtles' personalities and thought some of the switch ups worked (like them looking to Raph because he's the oldest but you can already see Leo's potential as leader). It was nice to see that there will be at least some form of continuity and long form story telling to the show as well.

The art style isn't really to my liking but the animation itself was very nice and better than I expected.


The villain was just kinda there (boss fight, like Raph said, seems like a very apt description) but its the pilot so its right that the focus was more on the TMNT. Hopefully he'll get a bit more depth as the series continues, they certainly set up some potential for that, but with the fast pace and 11 minute episodes I'm guessing the focus will be more action and humour than giving any serious development to characters outside of the Turtles. And that's ok. It's a kids show at the end of the day and if that's what works best for a modern audience then that's what they need to do.


April was something completely new. Her only similarity being that she's the Turtles human friend. But then 2012's April was pretty much a new take as well. Nick's basically creating April to fit whatever the story is. Not sure how I feel about her being more competent than the guys in a fight but I did like her leap into action spirit. Verdict is still out I guess, lets see how she develops.


Splinter though. Oh God what have they done to Splinter? I hope there's more to him than the joke they turned him into for the first episode because that was horrible. The design was already the worst re-design and now it looks like he'll be the worst character as well. It's a shame because both 2K3 and 2K12 had great Splinters.

Overall though, I enjoyed it enough to try the next few episodes. I don't see it becoming my favourite incarnation but with shorter 11 minute episodes it should be a fun time killer.

[CyberCubed]

I noticed Raph isn't so much "the leader" in that the Turtles all look up to him because he's the oldest brother in this incarnation. Leonardo still pretty much acts like the leader in most eps, or gives advice to Raph and the others, he's just more laid back. But still he's pretty much Leo. So this pretty much works.

Mikey seems to be more laid back too, for the obvious reason that the other Turtles now crack jokes and not just him, he seems a bit bland so far but I like how they're playing up his artist aspect.

Overall though I'm pleased with the Turtles themselves. April is meh and of course I don't like Splinter so far, but Splinter may just be lazy until Shredder shows up...

[plastroncafe]

Given how many times the word "leader" has shown up in these conversations, I'm beginning to feel like the word has lost all meaning.

[oldmanwinters]

Heh, Splinter called Donatello "Purple."

[neatoman]

I noticed Raph isn't so much "the leader" in that the Turtles all look up to him because he's the oldest brother in this incarnation. Leonardo still pretty much acts like the leader in most eps, or gives advice to Raph and the others, he's just more laid back. But still he's pretty much Leo. So this pretty much works.

I had a hunch Leo was still pretty much going to be the leader.

Heh, Splinter called Donatello "Purple."

What was the Purple one's name again? Was it Georgia O'Keeffe?

[IndigoErth]

Saw the second airing this morning, even though unlike 2012 it had left me with zero feeling of needing to check it out again. (With 2012 it often felt like there were things I missed or didn't quite catch and would sometimes catch the repeat on another Nick channel to check it out again. Which I liked about it. This one? So little substance that you don't really feel like you missed anything important... :ohwell:)

I didn't really notice it last night, but after viewing it again this morning on not enough sleep... omg can we just not with the artificial animation "shaky cam" in action scenes... Bad enough PD started off doing that. (The amount of bright coloration and crazy shakiness, I feel for migraine sufferers.)



The only things I'm curious about is how the magic weapons came to even be there, or who even tied the mutagen(?) bottle to the cat, er, monkey-squirrel, er dog thingy... but I doubt there will be answers. Disappointed that the magic weapons and the mystic city reveal were treated so unimportant.

Way has April's bat appeared to become a field hockey stick.

Torn whether the magic "M" doorway could be a slight nod to the summoned Battle Nexus doorway from 2003 or...not. I really think Leo's portal sword powers should at least have been used for this. Like someone actually bestowing these weapons to them and the sword's power could be used for return trips and fast getaways. Rather than just a video game-like special fight move. Give the boy some purpose to be there rather than just feeling redundant.

[Drose18]

episode 1 thoughts: wow its great I definitely like it

[CyberCubed]

The only things I'm curious about is how the magic weapons came to even be there, or who even tied the mutagen(?) bottle to the cat, er, monkey-squirrel, er dog thingy... but I doubt there will be answers. Disappointed that the magic weapons and the mystic city reveal were treated so unimportant.


I didn't think it was treated as unimportant, the mystic city is obviously something they'll revisit a number of times given it's all over the promos and Baron Draxum is from there. And we'll likely learn more about the mystic weapons as the series progresses. I mean you can't fit that much into one episode.

[IndigoErth]

Yes, of course those things will be revisited (questionable if any greater importance will be added), but for something that is the basis of and the general theme of the series the reveal of the mystic weapons and city couldn't have been more anticlimactic if they tried.

edit: Fell about as flat as Krang showing up in the last film. Some supposedly "big" aspect of it and then... Okay, so that happened, next scene.





Why did those big guys after the cat-squirl-monkey-dog-pokemon thing have little dogs with them?

And as I write that I'm theorizing that the dogs were actually in control of the people and the cat-dog thingy they were after was an escapee from some mystic dog experiment. :trazz: As I'm not too familiar with Pokemon, I do however sort of want to give this creature a "experiment" number from the Lilo and Stitch series...

[Dejablue]

Indigo thinks Leo is redundant. Lol I think Mikey holds that prize. To be honest, mikey should become the straight man. At least then he has a different way to interact with the others. The one to go "How about we not go through with the obviously stupid plan."

Oy vey but even then, Donnie seems to hold that role to an extent (questioning the stupid plan in Origami Tsunami). So I really don't know...

Leos swords should be used for transportation. Thats a cool idea.

[Ashwolf]

Leave indigo alone :roll:

I get indigo thoughts on how rise makes Leo feel redundant. Yes, origami tsunami decrease that feeling some but then in the Warren stone ep segment feels almost like a complete 180. His line "I don't understand you" was completely out of nowhere and uncalled for. I mean seriously?!? At least have him pay attention to some of his environment. That line alone is makes him sound like my cousin and she's in a huge self-centered rebellious phase.

[ProphetofGanja]

Why did those big guys after the cat-squirl-monkey-dog-pokemon thing have little dogs with them?

And as I write that I'm theorizing that the dogs were actually in control of the people and the cat-dog thingy they were after was an escapee from some mystic dog experiment. :trazz: As I'm not too familiar with Pokemon, I do however sort of want to give this creature a "experiment" number from the Lilo and Stitch series...

The little dogs were the big as wolf things the two mutant henchmen had. They were all in disguise.

[Leofan26]

Saw the second airing this morning, even though unlike 2012 it had left me with zero feeling of needing to check it out again. (With 2012 it often felt like there were things I missed or didn't quite catch and would sometimes catch the repeat on another Nick channel to check it out again. Which I liked about it. This one? So little substance that you don't really feel like you missed anything important... :ohwell:)

I didn't really notice it last night, but after viewing it again this morning on not enough sleep... omg can we just not with the artificial animation "shaky cam" in action scenes... Bad enough PD started off doing that. (The amount of bright coloration and crazy shakiness, I feel for migraine sufferers.)



The only things I'm curious about is how the magic weapons came to even be there, or who even tied the mutagen(?) bottle to the cat, er, monkey-squirrel, er dog thingy... but I doubt there will be answers. Disappointed that the magic weapons and the mystic city reveal were treated so unimportant.

Way has April's bat appeared to become a field hockey stick.

Torn whether the magic "M" doorway could be a slight nod to the summoned Battle Nexus doorway from 2003 or...not. I really think Leo's portal sword powers should at least have been used for this. Like someone actually bestowing these weapons to them and the sword's power could be used for return trips and fast getaways. Rather than just a video game-like special fight move. Give the boy some purpose to be there rather than just feeling redundant.
Really? You felt that way about Leo? I thought that about Raph, every time he'd think up an idea to help the team it'd fall flat on his face having Leo to do it instead. Every scene he'd do something and screw it up the next, maybe we're not watching the same show than and I'm one of Leo's biggest fans myself. I'm fine with the way there handling Leo in this version he's funny yet you can see leadership qualities in him and over time my bets season one final or later half of season one he will step in as leader.

Over all, I watched all four episodes and left me confused. I thought the plot was about the magic thing and the new magic weapons they found but that only showed up in episode one after that your average turtle episode with less emotion in it more comedy to fall back on.

April and Splinter are my least favorite characters of the series so far with Raph in third maybe if things don't change. I'd keep hitting my head on the key board whenever he did something. Leo and Donnie have been my favorites with Mikey kind of being meh.

I didn't find part B of episode four yet was that up and got taken down? If do bummer. Also, I am not noticing a change in relationships between the brothers in this series, they acted like Mikey would be with Leo more and be taken under his wing so far I haven't seen any of it but whatever I think I'll stay tune I'm kind of liking it so far and I want to see my boy Leo claim his rightful spot as leader again and hopefully Shredder show up as hinted soon.

[IndigoErth]

Don't start, Dejablue...

Personally, I'm not going to shortchange Mikey by figuring him the redundant one as he didn't ask for someone to try to steal his shtick.

The little dogs were the big as wolf things the two mutant henchmen had. They were all in disguise.
Ohhh, makes more sense then.


Really? You felt that way about Leo? I thought that about Raph, every time he'd think up an idea to help the team it'd fall flat on his face having Leo to do it instead.
Well, my opinions so far are based only on the first episode. Sadly some of us are not able to view the rest that Nick decided to lock on their website. So some of you guys have gotten a better feel for it than us pitiful Comcast/Xfinity subscribers.

[Xiewin]

Yeah they really screwed Raph over in this show. He can't do anything right and is constantly overshadowed by his brothers. Once he's no longer leader, which he already sucks at lol, he'll have nothing left to stand out as a character. Hopefully they fix this in the future. I really want to fully enjoy the show but I can't stand seeing Raph consistently make a fool out of himself.

[Leofan26]

Well, my opinions so far are based only on the first episode. Sadly some of us are not able to view the rest that Nick decided to lock on their website. So some of you guys have gotten a better feel for it than us pitiful Comcast/Xfinity subscribers.

Want me to pm you a link I think people outside the US should be able to watch the, on? I won't post it here as I don't think we're allowed. Believe me, your opinion on Leo will change for the better as episodes go on.

[IndigoErth]

Yeah they really screwed Raph over in this show. He can't do anything right and is constantly overshadowed by his brothers. Once he's no longer leader, which he already sucks at lol, he'll have nothing left to stand out as a character. Hopefully they fix this in the future. I really want to fully enjoy the show but I can't stand seeing Raph consistently make a fool out of himself.

That is a shame. As much as they touted him being the biggest, oldest, leader, etc, like it was focused on being the Raph Show, at least to start with, it's surprising if they're treating him like that. Can't say I really noticed it in the first since they were all failing quite a bit.

Hopefully maybe the rest of us will be allowed to see these other eps soon and not have to wait until September when it's old news to the rest of you.


I really thought it would end up being Donnie that might get overshadowed just by the nature of their trying too hard to mix stuff up with Leo and Raph.


Want me to pm you a link I think people outside the US should be able to watch the, on? I won't post it here as I don't think we're allowed. Believe me, your opinion on Leo will change for the better as episodes go on.
If you would, if it would by chance work for me too, that would be great, thanks! :)

[drag0nfeathers]

I'll have to watch it again to double check this, but has the word "brothers" not been mentioned either? I mean... I know it's common sense by now the turtles have always been bros but seeing they are different species in this show I wonder if that's not a coincidence they haven't made any remarks about being brothers yet... Maybe they did and I missed it. I've only watched the first 2 so far.

[Leofan26]

Yeah they really screwed Raph over in this show. He can't do anything right and is constantly overshadowed by his brothers. Once he's no longer leader, which he already sucks at lol, he'll have nothing left to stand out as a character. Hopefully they fix this in the future. I really want to fully enjoy the show but I can't stand seeing Raph consistently make a fool out of himself.

Right? As episodes go on including the first one seeing Raph act that way, I was like what have they done to you Raph? You guys thought he was changed for the worse in the 2012 version, awe man I feel for Raph fans right now.

Wonder when it will hit the other two brothers that Leo should be the leader instead?

Edit;

No problem Inigo, I'll pm you the link in a bit. You won't be disappointed in him beyond episode one.

[Xiewin]

That is a shame. As much as they touted him being the biggest, oldest, leader, etc, like it was focused on being the Raph Show, at least to start with, it's surprising if they're treating him like that. Can't say I really noticed it in the first since they were all failing quite a bit.

Hopefully maybe the rest of us will be allowed to see these other eps soon and not have to wait until September when it's old news to the rest of you.


I really thought it would end up being Donnie that might get overshadowed just by the nature of their trying too hard to mix stuff up with Leo and Raph.


As soon as I saw the description of his character, I knew exactly what was going to happen. Honestly, as of now it feels like Raph is their least favorite turtle. They could have at-least kept his sarcasm. But as of now, he's the stereotypical big guy with a heart that's a huge screw up.

[Ashwolf]

I'll have to watch it again to double check this, but has the word "brothers" not been mentioned either? I mean... I know it's common sense by now the turtles have always been bros but seeing they are different species in this show I wonder if that's not a coincidence they haven't made any remarks about being brothers yet... Maybe they did and I missed it. I've only watched the first 2 so far.

In ep segment 2a, its stated about them being brothers.

[IndigoErth]

As soon as I saw the description of his character, I knew exactly what was going to happen. Honestly, as of now it feels like Raph is their least favorite turtle. They could have at-least kept his sarcasm. But as of now, he's the stereotypical big guy with a heart that's a huge screw up.
As much as people are tired of '87 throwbacks, maybe at least for his sake they aught to dip back into that personality a little. (With maybe a pinch of the feistier 2003.)

Surprises me if he's being treated as the least favorite. I swear one or more people talking about this show in videos stated he was their favorites, and the moderate build up for this seemed like it was going to focus on him, but I guess maybe they didn't get to call the shots in those matters. Do producers of cartoons these days just find the dumb meathead type really that appealing?



edit: Guess I'll wait a bit to check out the other eps later on... Someone around here has decided that a noisy project is a great idea for a rainy Saturday. >.> Will comment on those later afterward.

[CyberCubed]

Raph is the try hard leader, I like what they're doing with him. Honestly I think Mikey stands out the least so far, at least if only because all the other Turtles have more dynamic personalities and now make jokes. Mikey seems a bit too quiet in this one, but we're only like 3-4ish eps in, so who knows.

[Xiewin]

Raph is the try hard leader, I like what they're doing with him. Honestly I think Mikey stands out the least so far, at least if only because all the other Turtles have more dynamic personalities and now make jokes. Mikey seems a bit too quiet in this one, but we're only like 3-4ish eps in, so who knows.

Very true. But that's just how I feel at the moment. I still await to see what happens.

[LeotheLateBloomer]

I've only watched the first episode but it was just okay.

It acutally shocked me quite a bit that they just jumped straight in without an origin story. I'm not used to it but I'm find with it.

A lot of the jokes did land for me and thankfully Leo wasn't bad with the jokes in this one. I like the little glimmers of skill and leadership that Leo showed throughout the episode. Mikey was actually tolerable and I liked how they showed his artistic side. This may be the best version of Mike since the Viacom buyout, aside from IDW maybe. Maybe because Leo given the comic relief role is why most of Mike's humor isn't forced this time around but I'm happy he isn't annoying like he was in the previous toon. Can't wait to see what else they do with his creativity. Don is pretty enjoyable. He seems to be the sane one of the group. I know I said that there's not a lot going for him but after watching this episode, it may be for the better. I love how deadpan he is. Raph, I'm a bit mixed on. On one hand, I like that he's a little more relaxed than before. On the other, he really just seems like he's a big doofus. I'm afraid that when Leo becomes leader, it'll likely be at Raph's expense. Raph just seems like an utter meathead.

Splinter, not much of a fan of but I don't have much to say on him. Waiting to see what he does when he's not a slob. April...........wow, I can without a doubt say that I do not like this version of the character....at all. She not only shows up the turtles in skills for whatever reason but she acts on impulse; a reckless, kid who leaps before she looks. She has smarts but is too rambunctious. If anything, she needs more development than either of the turtles or Splinter.

Barron Draxium as a villain just seems so one dimensional. Mayhem is just sort of there. It doesn't seem like it has much purpose.

The first episode is pretty average. Neither terrible but not amazing. I wish I could watch the other episodes before the official airing.

[Leofan26]

As much as people are tired of '87 throwbacks, maybe at least for his sake they aught to dip back into that personality a little. (With maybe a pinch of the feistier 2003.)

Surprises me if he's being treated as the least favorite. I swear one or more people talking about this show in videos stated he was their favorites, and the moderate build up for this seemed like it was going to focus on him, but I guess maybe they didn't get to call the shots in those matters. Do producers of cartoons these days just find the dumb meathead type really that appealing?



edit: Guess I'll wait a bit to check out the other eps later on... Someone around here has decided that a noisy project is a great idea for a rainy Saturday. >.> Will comment on those later afterward.
I don't think the people who work on the later shows really understand Raph's character, in my opinion he just keeps getting worse as worse as shows go on. Pish and people thought his character was awful in the 2003 version, here he's just gah. Words can not describe my annoyance towards his character in this version of the turtles, he's even more worse than 2012 Mickey's character in my opinion.

Meh, it's worth checking out the later episodes to change your view on Leo. I mean it's not my favorite of the turtle series, that goes to the 2003 series. At least they got Leo's character down though.

[Leofan26]

Raph is the try hard leader, I like what they're doing with him. Honestly I think Mikey stands out the least so far, at least if only because all the other Turtles have more dynamic personalities and now make jokes. Mikey seems a bit too quiet in this one, but we're only like 3-4ish eps in, so who knows.
I'm surprised you like this version of Raph, all he does is mess up and I don't even know if we can consider him a leader. He also has a bit of a show off side which isn't great seeing how much of screw up he's been in this show so far. With Leo already showing off his leadership skills I don't know if its going to change.

[Xiewin]

I don't think the people who work on the later shows really understand Raph's character, in my opinion he just keeps getting worse as worse as shows go on. Pish and people thought his character was awful in the 2003 version, here he's just gah. Words can not describe my annoyance towards his character in this version of the turtles, he's even more worse than 2012 Mickey's character in my opinion.

Meh, it's worth checking out the later episodes to change your view on Leo. I mean it's my favorite of the turtle series, that goes to the 2003 series. At least they got Leo's character down though.

I have to agree with this. I'm not the biggest fan of his 2k3 and 2k12 interpretations, but at-least they started out well. Raphael in Rise is the only turtle I'm not really feeling :/

[Dejablue]

Don't start, Dejablue...

Personally, I'm not going to shortchange Mikey by figuring him the redundant one as he didn't ask for someone to try to steal his shtick.



He didn't ask to be short changed...but he totally got short changed. We have 2 wise guys, and an idiot, all three sit fairly comfortably on the funny threshold. I just find that Mikey isn't finding much purchase in the funny department so for the sake of dynamics he could assume some other role.

[mexichrist83]

I was going to completely skip this series but I had to at least watch the first episode and when I realized there were more episodes available I watched those too. This show is awful.

I understand that this crew is trying to do something different with the property but it just doesn't work for me. The magic/mystic element that has been added to the show isn't very interesting and doesn't really add anything. You could argue that it's an excuse to add more varied types of villains and mutants or settings but you could get that with mutations and dimension hopping so it just feels unnecessary. I'm assuming that this is also their excuse to get new weapons since this is more a comedy series and the real weapons are probably considered too violent for this version.

I really like the colorfulness of the show but I don't like the character designs at all. I've never liked the turtles looking bulky or overly muscular and I've never liked the head covering bandanas. Raph is easily my least favorite turtle design. Donnie, Mikey, and Leo are fine for this style but I still don't care much for them in general. I guess I just like the classic lean bodied simple look with standard over the eyes color bandanas and brown wrist/knee pads. I've loved April's design since it was first released but Splinter looks absolutely awful. The animation is fine and very fun during the action sequences which are fun to watch even if they're a bit too fast.

Honestly, this show needs to slow the hell down. It's way too fast. I was wondering how this show was going to work in 10 minute segments but since they don't really seem too focused on story arcs or any real major story telling in general it now makes sense. These are just comedic TMNT shorts with new magic elements. The humor is also not working for me either. There were only a small handful of times where I either smirked or had a heh moment. The only time I really laughed was the scene where Leo cut that worm character in half.

Raph as a character was very disappointing. I was curious to see how he'd be as the leader and they just made him a buffoon. Donnie's characterization is actually the only one of the turtles that really worked. Leo is strange. He's like a mix of what Mikey should be and what Leo could/should be. Mikey is the one that feels off the worst. I'm glad that they didn't make him a less than smart character but he doesn't feel like the funny party dude he should be. All of their voices are fine but Mikey's voice doesn't work at all but for how different his character feels it kind of makes sense. Splinter is easily the worst character in the show so far. This will probably be an unpopular opinion but I really like this April. She's probably my favorite character on the show. Her spunky attitude especially when faced with danger makes her really endearing to me. I've never had a problem with her being made to be sort of a fifth turtle and while 2012 tried to do that I have to admit that they dropped the ball on that but this version seems to be doing it way better. This leads me to a major problem with these turtles that brings me back to one of the reasons why I absolutely hated Turtles Forever. Their complete incompetence as fighters really turned me off to them. If this show is trying to go the route of building up their skills as the show goes on I'd be fine with that but 2012 did it better. Their two major battles in the first episode was just embarrassing and pathetic to watch and if the show isn't going to bother with the origin story or introduction to April then why bother building up their fighting skills?

After watching these episodes in the end I just ended up feeling very apathetic and a bit annoyed that we lost the 2012 series for this. I'm not angered by it or anything. This series just doesn't work for me so those who are enjoying can have it.

[Konchadunga]

I have three things to say:

1) The adult in me doesn't mind much that this starts up mid-action, but why even include the "Rise of the" part in the title of they're going that direction. It seems the rise is really them going from athletic but undisciplined and nonchalant buffoons, to more concerned heroes.

2) Where exactly was April better at fighting than the Turtles? If that was specifically referencing the first episode, I remember her being agile but awkward.

3) The "everyone is Mikey" trope, as Turtles Forever put it--although I think the Jim Henson movies also had that pretty bad--can get really old really fast. It's better if they're good at writing jokes, but as people said, we've spent so long with Michelangelo being reduced to a comedic caricature with askew priorities that he virtually disappears when everyone's funny and has askew priorities.

[Danetello]

Did anyone else pick up on the fact that Leo called himself LEON at one point? It was clear as day, and I even went back with subtitles to check.

[victory_angel]

I certainly thought it was interesting in all three versions. All of them sort of fitting their general roles. Raph is clearly not cut out for the leadership role, but he at least gives it some effort, though Leo is about 40% more effective in that role with how he motivates his bros in "Origami Tsunami"

With Donnie I'm not surprised he decided to stay with his normal tech bo. In most versions, Donnie is more resistant to mystical and spiritual practices and weapons than his brothers. Such as the staff he was given in the monster arc of the last incarnation. He had to convince himself to believe in its power in order for it to work.

But I don't think this will be the only time we will see his mystic bo, he will need it eventually. And there is also that crystal he picked up as well.

[IndigoErth]

Leon? Yup...

And my reaction was basically

https://78.media.tumblr.com/42a7fa2aeeb9089daf7833c1afdf3a03/tumblr_inline_ml01knX89N1qz4rgp.gif

Leave the other possible nicknames to the fans and stick to the usual.

Same goes for you.... Michael. (Granted it was Donnie that said it, twice.)

[neatoman]

Leon? Yup...

And my reaction was basically

https://78.media.tumblr.com/42a7fa2aeeb9089daf7833c1afdf3a03/tumblr_inline_ml01knX89N1qz4rgp.gif

Leave the other possible nicknames to the fans and stick to the usual.

Same goes for you.... Michael. (Granted it was Donnie that said it, twice.)

Oh come on, at least they didn't say Ralph or Donald.

[Vicky82]

Donnie called Mikey, Michael in Repo Mantis.

[newfan]

Donnie called Mikey, Michael in Repo Mantis.


He called him Michael in Owari (2012) too but I think it was just that one time. I find Leon a little more odd but I suppose is you shorten by spelling, just not usual.

[Vicky82]

He called him Michael in Owari (2012) too but I think it was just that one time.

Yeah it was the only time, maybe calling Mikey Michael was Ant Wards idea in the 2012 show and decided to use it in this show.

The oozesquitos being released in he 1st episode reminded me of the Turtles in the 2012 show losing the mutagen canisters in 1st episode of season 2.

[drag0nfeathers]

I was going to completely skip this series but I had to at least watch the first episode and when I realized there were more episodes available I watched those too. This show is awful.

I understand that this crew is trying to do something different with the property but it just doesn't work for me. The magic/mystic element that has been added to the show isn't very interesting and doesn't really add anything. You could argue that it's an excuse to add more varied types of villains and mutants or settings but you could get that with mutations and dimension hopping so it just feels unnecessary. I'm assuming that this is also their excuse to get new weapons since this is more a comedy series and the real weapons are probably considered too violent for this version.

I really like the colorfulness of the show but I don't like the character designs at all. I've never liked the turtles looking bulky or overly muscular and I've never liked the head covering bandanas. Raph is easily my least favorite turtle design. Donnie, Mikey, and Leo are fine for this style but I still don't care much for them in general. I guess I just like the classic lean bodied simple look with standard over the eyes color bandanas and brown wrist/knee pads. I've loved April's design since it was first released but Splinter looks absolutely awful. The animation is fine and very fun during the action sequences which are fun to watch even if they're a bit too fast.

Honestly, this show needs to slow the hell down. It's way too fast. I was wondering how this show was going to work in 10 minute segments but since they don't really seem too focused on story arcs or any real major story telling in general it now makes sense. These are just comedic TMNT shorts with new magic elements. The humor is also not working for me either. There were only a small handful of times where I either smirked or had a heh moment. The only time I really laughed was the scene where Leo cut that worm character in half.

Raph as a character was very disappointing. I was curious to see how he'd be as the leader and they just made him a buffoon. Donnie's characterization is actually the only one of the turtles that really worked. Leo is strange. He's like a mix of what Mikey should be and what Leo could/should be. Mikey is the one that feels off the worst. I'm glad that they didn't make him a less than smart character but he doesn't feel like the funny party dude he should be. All of their voices are fine but Mikey's voice doesn't work at all but for how different his character feels it kind of makes sense. Splinter is easily the worst character in the show so far. This will probably be an unpopular opinion but I really like this April. She's probably my favorite character on the show. Her spunky attitude especially when faced with danger makes her really endearing to me. I've never had a problem with her being made to be sort of a fifth turtle and while 2012 tried to do that I have to admit that they dropped the ball on that but this version seems to be doing it way better. This leads me to a major problem with these turtles that brings me back to one of the reasons why I absolutely hated Turtles Forever. Their complete incompetence as fighters really turned me off to them. If this show is trying to go the route of building up their skills as the show goes on I'd be fine with that but 2012 did it better. Their two major battles in the first episode was just embarrassing and pathetic to watch and if the show isn't going to bother with the origin story or introduction to April then why bother building up their fighting skills?

After watching these episodes in the end I just ended up feeling very apathetic and a bit annoyed that we lost the 2012 series for this. I'm not angered by it or anything. This series just doesn't work for me so those who are enjoying can have it.

^ All of this! I couldn't have said it better myself.

[Dragnskull]

Note: only watched first episode

Reading through this thread I'm shocked theres so many people for this version. I'm also shocked apparently I get to be the one to say some of the following:

1. I hate this april. I'm not a big fan of changing things just to change it, and I'm even less a fan of changing things just to be "inclusive", ie making black april with a slightly stereotypical "black girl with a bit of ghetto/spunky attitude".

This bugged me to the point of being unable to focus any time she was on screen and talking. This simply is *not* april, it doesn't feel anything like april in any form. They should have just axed april and given this girl a completely different persona if they were going to do things this way. Perhaps they could have made april have cameos throughout the series via being a news reporter on TV that makes quips that are nods to the past incarnations, that would make this bug me less because adding a new character > butchering a standard one.

2. speaking of butchering a standard one, Ohh my god what did they do to splinter??? I don't think I really even need to go into detail here because everyone seems to be on board with me here. Fat lazy slob? Come onnnnnnnnnn


3. Raph being the leader isn't as jarring as I expected, because they seem to not really be serious about making anyone a leader and instead are giving each turtle (and april) equal amounts of screen time, talking time, and suggestion offering. I'm not suggesting this is a good thing because (3B).

3B. Someone already touched on this but I'm going to expand- Instead of having individual personality traits, we are now dealing with a primary trait of "comedic relief" across the board for every single main character, with a secondary trait that slightly hints at their personal personality. Don seems to be the strongest one and i think it was an accident because it seems like they really didn't even mean to do that. The 4 turtles (and april...) are all extremely lacking in anything interesting and its replaced by silly haha funny antics. April is probably the worst off, either shes doing something silly, being stupid and aggressive (trying to fight but accomplishing nothing, etc), or giving a pointless line just we can hear her stereotypical black female voice.

Or perhaps splinter is worst off as I've not seen him do anything BUT get 60 seconds to showcase how lazy and fat he is...

4. I really wish they would have kept their original weapons and done something like the power rangers calling on their zords every episode (when big fights occur they use their magic weapons) but ehh, I think the biggest bother to me is raphs stupid tonfas. I wasn't a fan when TNM gave mikey tonfas, not a fan of it now.

Thank you don for sticking with ur original bo, even if it is a ridiculously overpowered to the point of absurdity item

Final thoughts: I've watched every episode of every incarnation of TMNT to date and legitimately enjoyed every one. This first episode hurt, a lot. If it doesn't start winning me over in the coming episodes this is probably going to be the first incarnation that I *don't* keep up with. I'm not a fan of the character changes, I'm not a fan of the concepts and changes implemented, I'm not a fan of them being magic based instead of science(fiction) based.

Heck, my primary interest with TMNT is the cartoons and the toys, and I'm not even eager to see any of the shown toys on shelves nor add any to my collection thus far. This is a huge strikeout for me so far and I pray it doesn't last long before we get a new one.

PS: For the love of god nick if this does fail (which it may not given the verdicts in this thread I admit) please don't throw this in a vault and forget about it. The 2012 show was a home run, learn from the mistake and try again, soon!

[IndigoErth]

Oh come on, at least they didn't say Ralph or Donald.
Give it time...

Esp now that you prob jinxed it. :trazz:

[Donaterro]

Sucks.

Sorry.

[Dejablue]

I'd probably laugh at the guys calling Raph, Ralph just to piss him off.

[VaughnMichael]

The animation is cool but it's like Next Mutation meets Fast Forward.
I'll keep watching a bit longer, I've only seen the first episode so far.

[Zachatello00]

I'd like to watch the episode again with my kids to see what their perception is, but I suspect they'll really enjoy it. They love over the top stuff, and this show is definitely over the top.

Here's what I enjoyed -

I thought the art direction (at first) was annoyingly modern. Seeing it in action, it's very bright, colorful, vibrant, and meant to catch your eye. There's so much going on so quickly that I feel like I need to drink a Mountain Dew or an expresso just to keep up. I thought that would annoy me, but actually, in watching it, it more... intrigues me. It sort of pulls me along rather than pushes me forward.

The humor was a good mixture of quick and out there, and at the same time refreshingly present. Donnie was the one that kept me laughing the most, because I think he represents more of the "quick and out there" sort of humor that I love. Like, the way Tony Stark's lines come out in the MCU. The lines, on paper, aren't funny, but how he delivers them, the quick delivery, the "If you weren't listening for it you'd miss it" factor; Donatello had that. For example, when they were using their "nerd voices" and Donnie, from the background just says: "That's my actual voice," that's the kind of thing that keeps me laughing.

I don't love the size differences, or the designs for the turtles in general. However, I can get over that. Next Mutation played with the designs, Bay Turtles took it a step further, so I can get over that. In time. That's just me being a grumpy old man, I guess. I don't have a real reason to keep the designs similar to the original other than it's my simple preference. I understand though that things need to change to stay relevant. I mean, after all, I'm a church pastor, so, there's that.

The red streaks from Leo's being a red eared slider popping out of his mask was a little distracting. Anyone else feel that way? Just me? I'll get over it.

Loved the humor. Loved the pacing. Loved the art direction. I also enjoyed meeting Baron Draxum for the first time. Was it just me or did he seem to recognize the turtles? Looking forward to how they'll address that, and definitely keeping us in the dark about some of the origin stuff makes for future episodes that I'll want to watch.

The comment was made by Powder, well, I'm paraphrasing, but he said something to the extent that with this being a "Rise" kind of story, like the turtles are clearly in the beginning of their training and adventures, and we as audience members are going along for the ride, too. I agree with that thought, and I like it.

Here's what I didn't care for -

Leo and Raph switching roles/personalities didn't seem entirely necessary or even important to me. Seems like change for change's sake. I would love to see Raph go back to his Paulsen-like days of being more "cool but rude". Leo not being the leader bothers me less than Leo being the comic relief. I do, however, like Raph's new characterization. It feels less "entirely new" and more of a development of the Raphael character in general. He's definitely more of a positive attitude kind of character, kind of like a captain of the football time kinda guy. Which, I'm good with. I don't know if it means he absoutely needs to be the leader, but it works. Leo as the funny guy? I'm not buying it.

Splinter... I don't know. I need to see more from him, but I'm not there yet. For real.

April. April was just wrong all over. Again, paraphrasing Powder, but I feel he's right, ever since NICK started doing TMNT April has felt like a spiritual Venus De Milo. We don't need a 5th turtle. She seemed way more confident and OP than the Turtles themselves, and I don't love that.

I feel like April's role in the past ten years or so has become less the "link to the human world" character, the "big sister" type of character to the "Turtle without a shell" character. I feel like April's role has been more important in the past. Folks are free to disagree with me (they probably will) but that's where I'm at on April.

My biggest real beef, I don't understand why a reboot was needed to tell these stories. The NICK toon was going so well, they had wrapped up the whole Splinter/Shredder storyline, so I guess I don't know why we needed to reboot the series in order to tell these new stories and explore new worlds/characters. Maybe time will tell...

So, those are my early thoughts. Again, I'd like to watch the episode with my kids to see what they think, too. My 4 year old started watching it with me, and then quickly saw a squirrel and darted off.

[ZariusTwo]

Wow I adored this first episode and if they keep it up this will be my favorite TMNT cartoon of all time

Until the next one.

[KillCrites]

Until the next one.

Are you implying that this is recency bias?

[I Crave Pizza No More]

I downloaded the first episode, free on iTunes.

What can I say, it's terrible. Couldn't even finish the episode. It's turtles in name only.

[CyberCubed]

What can I say, it's terrible. Couldn't even finish the episode. It's turtles in name only.

Why didn't you finish the first ep? I mean I find it hard to believe people can't just let a single 22 minute ep finish rather than stopping in the middle. Did you even get to the part with the underground city?

[Leonardo_thebest]

WELL, I was wrong.

I can admit when I'm wrong, and here, I was very wrong.
It's very different, but, if you let everything you know about TMNT go - and just let it happen, it's pleasing AF.
You think you gonna hate a thing, then surprise, you enjoy it. The writing is stronger than almost any other version of TMNT, in that the dialogue feels real. That was a huge win for me. It's also ACTUALLY funny, not cringe funny.

I still don't love the designs, but I liked the frenetic pace of the animation. The look is fun though, and very pop, so i get that.
It's not really Turtles, and a huge departure from the grim edgelord nonsense some people think should be TMNT.

Ep 1 was solid. The rest I didn't really care for, but I'm not 12.
I'm guessing this is why TMNT is getting a reboot - That first episode. It would be tons of fun in live action.
I dig the magic, because it's not stiff and serious...

Lots to love here. Hater no more.

[Casey]

I have three things to say:

1) The adult in me doesn't mind much that this starts up mid-action, but why even include the "Rise of the" part in the title of they're going that direction. It seems the rise is really them going from athletic but undisciplined and nonchalant buffoons, to more concerned heroes.

2) Where exactly was April better at fighting than the Turtles? If that was specifically referencing the first episode, I remember her being agile but awkward.

3) The "everyone is Mikey" trope, as Turtles Forever put it--although I think the Jim Henson movies also had that pretty bad--can get really old really fast. It's better if they're good at writing jokes, but as people said, we've spent so long with Michelangelo being reduced to a comedic caricature with askew priorities that he virtually disappears when everyone's funny and has askew priorities.

I think they chose the title so firmly separate it as a new series. The turtles are learning their craft which is also implied by the title and pretty clear how no one is serious including Splinter. Not saying you’re not entitled to your opinion.

[Original TMNT Cartoon Fan]

I think they chose the title so firmly separate it as a new series.

It's totally OK. There are already three animated series called Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Fred Wolf Studios, 4 Kids and Nickelodeon) out there.

[IndigoErth]

Leo as the funny guy? I'm not buying it.
Yeah, it feels too forced to me, the sooner he drops this and matures the better.

Generally, with previous incarnations, I enjoy Leo's sense of humor because it's used more conservatively. I find it so much more genuine and enjoyable when he does make a funny remark because he's the more serious, less joking one. I mean, when the serious person in the room randomly pulls off a good one, and likely in a rather dry and witty fashion... now that is far funnier than the guy who is just trying to get laughs all the time. :trazz:

What we've been shown at this point has me leaning much more toward believing that they did wipe out his real personality because he's the "boring one."

[Shark_Blade]

Those who can’t watch the first episode on Nick site, download it on iTunes- it’s FREE and has no ads at all!

[I Crave Pizza No More]

Why didn't you finish the first ep? I mean I find it hard to believe people can't just let a single 22 minute ep finish rather than stopping in the middle. Did you even get to the part with the underground city?

I'm not sure I have it in mean to write a thoughtful, complete response.

I had wanted to turn it off after the first 5 minutes but forced myself to keep it on until they met Splinter. That's where I stopped, but after reading your post I decided to go back and finish the episode. I stand by my original assessment.

Here are my main gripes, abbreviated:

- The animation is colorful but the characters all look ridiculous. Not a fan of the style. Raphael looks especially terrible, snaggle tooth and jagged shell.

- Someone else mentioned it and I'll echo the sentiment: I don't care that April is African American but it is annoying how she's been given a stereotypical sassy attitude. That, and it's sort of dumb how she, as a human teenager/pre-teen, just dives headlong into a battles that even trained ninjas can't handle.

- While on the subject of stereotypes, it's unfortunate that Splinter is given a thick, artificial accent and is depicted as an abrasive slob.

- The pace is hyperactive--there's no story development or any effort to create any kind of mood. Instead, it's all just spasmodic and the characters are annoyingly dumb and incompetent. How many times in that first episode do the TMNT end up heaped in a pile? The storytelling is lazy. Take, for instance, the way April is seemingly lost forever in that other dimension/world/area. Not only do the turtles find out how to get to that world with relative ease, but as soon as they arrive (in a heap, again) April miraculously shows up behind them and their reunion is instantaneous.

- This show tries too hard to be funny. It's reflective of Nick programming in general, where everything is designed as a pun or a punchline, but very little of the writing is actually clever. I found most of it to be annoying.

- I'll say it again: this is TMNT in name only. The turtles have no discernible personalities (giving Don a jetpack doesn't make him the brainiac--that's almost as bad as the Bay designs where glasses were supposed to denote Don as the smart one), and if we didn't already know and have an emotional attachment to the characters I doubt many people would find this particular incarnation satisfying.

If you're a fan of the show, that's cool. But for my part I will not in any way support this version of the TMNT and hope that it quickly runs its course.

[Shark_Blade]

I'm not sure I have it in mean to write a thoughtful, complete response.

I had wanted to turn it off after the first 5 minutes but forced myself to keep it on until they met Splinter. That's where I stopped, but after reading your post I decided to go back and finish the episode. I stand by my original assessment.

Here are my main gripes, abbreviated:

- The animation is colorful but the characters all look ridiculous. Not a fan of the style. Raphael looks especially terrible, snaggle tooth and jagged shell.

- Someone else mentioned it and I'll echo the sentiment: I don't care that April is African American but it is annoying how she's been given a stereotypical sassy attitude. That, and it's sort of dumb how she, as a human teenager/pre-teen, just dives headlong into a battles that even trained ninjas can't handle.

- While on the subject of stereotypes, it's unfortunate that Splinter is given a thick, artificial accent and is depicted as an abrasive slob.

- The pace is hyperactive--there's no story development or any effort to create any kind of mood. Instead, it's all just spasmodic and the characters are annoyingly dumb and incompetent. How many times in that first episode do the TMNT end up heaped in a pile? The storytelling is lazy. Take, for instance, the way April is seemingly lost forever in that other dimension/world/area. Not only do the turtles find out how to get to that world with relative ease, but as soon as they arrive (in a heap, again) April miraculously shows up behind them and their reunion is instantaneous.

- This show tries too hard to be funny. It's reflective of Nick programming in general, where everything is designed as a pun or a punchline, but very little of the writing is actually clever. I found most of it to be annoying.

- I'll say it again: this is TMNT in name only. The turtles have no discernible personalities (giving Don a jetpack doesn't make him the brainiac--that's almost as bad as the Bay designs where glasses were supposed to denote Don as the smart one), and if we didn't already know and have an emotional attachment to the characters I doubt many people would find this particular incarnation satisfying.

If you're a fan of the show, that's cool. But for my part I will not in any way support this version of the TMNT and hope that it quickly runs its course.
In a nutshell it kinda is TMNT ala Teen Titans Go! style. And ironically that show is still running 5 Seasons on and have an upcoming movie. That’s the kind of show people like now I guess. I’m okay with it.

[I Crave Pizza No More]

In a nutshell it kinda is TMNT ala Teen Titans Go! style. And ironically that show is still running 5 Seasons on and have an upcoming movie. That’s the kind of show people like now I guess. I’m okay with it.

I'll take something along the lines of the original Batman: The Animated Series any day.

[Shark_Blade]

Yeah that series is truly phenomenally groundbreaking. It even inspires the modern Batman Arkham games. Respect.

[wpugh2424]

I'm not indifferent at this point regarding the new series
Would def love a dark series more geared for adults but that's just wishful thinking

[BabyTurtles]

I liked the first episode! But I wish it was always 22 minutes long....I feel it was paced better that way the other episodes feel super rushed.

I like all the characters, but I do wish the show in general was a little more grounded?

[CyberCubed]

I'll take something along the lines of the original Batman: The Animated Series any day.

Not every show needs to be B:TAS. And you have the 2k3 series for the closest thing to that.

[Vegita-San]

I can only find episode 2 online.

And I can only make 6 minutes in. you can't take these turtles seriously. It's like a parody of a parody, and I can't see this show finding an audience.


Raphael and Donnie's voice actors arn't even trying. Leo and Mike are the only ones who seem like they are trying to do a character voice. Bauza is excellent as usual....and the new april isn't bad, voice wise. but that's not april.

I don't even think I can 'hate watch' this thing. it's just sad seeing turtles degrade each nick generation.

we really need someone like netflix to give it the batman treatment. a little more serious. no fred wolf elements. just turtles, karai, foot, shredder, april and casey. no other mutants either. try and bring the series back down to earth a little.

[CyberCubed]

you can't take these turtles seriously. It's like a parody of a parody, and I can't see this show finding an audience.

It's not really. It'll find its audience because millions of kids watch Nick by default.

Raphael and Donnie's voice actors arn't even trying. Leo and Mike are the only ones who seem like they are trying to do a character voice.

Donnie's voice seems to be one of the best received so far, I don't know what you mean by "they aren't trying?" Raph's is fine so far.

[Shark_Blade]

I hope they’ll humanise April more.

Girl just straight up fearlessly jumped into a war zone even the turtles themselves are scared of? And she gone rabid and chewing ropes? She’s hardly human at this point. :tlol:

The show should be retitled “April and the rise of tmnt” then. :D


Not every show needs to be B:TAS. And you have the 2k3 series for the closest thing to that.

It can’t be help. Btas is like the gold standard of animation tbh. (I totally stole that line from Incredibles 2 lol)

[TurtleWA]

Donnie's voice seems to be one of the best received so far, I don't know what you mean by "they aren't trying?" Raph's is fine so far.

I like Donnie and Raph voices the best. They are working great for me! Leo voice could have been the Mikey voice though imo. And Leo could get new VA and Mikey VA I guess idk what happens with him. No offense.

[I Crave Pizza No More]

Not every show needs to be B:TAS. And you have the 2k3 series for the closest thing to that.

No, I and didn't mean to suggest that it needs to be like that. I'm just saying that this show is so far to one side on the silliness spectrum that I can't get into it or take it seriously.

And if it's going to be that wild, then it needs to be funny (for example, some of the stuff in Sanjay and Craig is so bizarre that you can't help but laugh). Really, the TMNT have always tried to maintain some semblance of believability, but this show has none of it. Anyway, this incarnation is not in any way something I'm interested in--I'll leave it at that.

[Zulithe]

After watching the pilot episode (I'll be getting to the others soon) and as a lifelong turtle fan since '87, I can say that I don't think this is going to resonate with me the way the 2012 series did.

When I watched 2012 I instantly loved it and had very few complaints. My main ones involved how empty the backgrounds looked and too much asset reuse -- both which were clearly budget/time issues, not creative issues. With 2018, pretty much all of my issues are creative issues, because the animation itself looks pretty strong.

But, it's only been 22 minutes and I'm giving them time to flesh things out and to win me over on things.

Up front though, I don't like the new Splinter at all both in his design and his behavior. Not very fond of how quickly and enthusiastically the turtles drop their signature weaponry and just grab pretty random new stuff just because they glow. I'm fine with mystical weaponry, just think it could have been handled in a way that was more true to the franchise and the characters.

I don't know. I have a lot to feel through and think about. But end of the day, I will keep watching, keep thinking and keep challenging my feelings on this show.

With any fandom you have people who take these things very differently. There's the type of fan who is quick to forgive or overlook any change and falls in love with it quickly just because it's something turtles... there's the type who hate anything that's changed or new... and I think both of those types are already represented in this thread. I like to see myself as open-minded, I like seeing new things as long as it rings true to me and I'm just not sure it really does in this case. Honestly, it feels like some creatives came into this project without a lot of love for the turtles and their history and just did their own take on it detached from all of that... very different from what Ciro did.

[Coola Yagami]

I did enjoy the new take, except Splinter. Kinda hope they reveal he trained them when he was younger and is now just enjoying his golden years. Let the poor old rat rest.

As for the turtles ditching their classics for new glowy weapons? They're young. Glowy things found in some hidden magic city are ****ing awesome.

April jumping into danger? She's a kid. Kids are fearless. Everyone wished they could just leap into adventure at some point of their childhood. She's obviously not mature enough to understand the risks.

April biting ropes? It's a goofy cartoon with wacky visual humor. Given the art style and zaniness of the series, it honestly doesn't come off as weird. I mean, you can even see extra pen kines coming out of their fingers.

[KillCrites]

About Splinter, I think he's going to get into shape and properly train the Turtles once a greater threat like The Shredder appears.

[CyberCubed]

Splinter's only been in 1 of the eps so far, I do hope he is really skilled and is just lazy for now.

One of the promo arts shows Splinter ready to fight so...

[Candy Kappa]

He seemed pretty skilled when he took out the Turtles for "dishonoring the master"

[CyberCubed]

I mean look at the promo art:

https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/tmnt/images/d/da/Rise_splinter.png/revision/latest?cb=20180201091918

This is pretty much a serious fighting pose, so he's obviously going to do some fighting and be a skilled fighter.

[oldmanwinters]

I mean look at the promo art:

https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/tmnt/images/d/da/Rise_splinter.png/revision/latest?cb=20180201091918

This is pretty much a serious fighting pose, so he's obviously going to do some fighting and be a skilled fighter.

Then again, he might just be fighting over the TV remote.

[TheJ-manTurtleMan]

I can only find episode 2 online.

And I can only make 6 minutes in. you can't take these turtles seriously. It's like a parody of a parody, and I can't see this show finding an audience

That's the exact reason this show will find an audience, they don't want to take it seriously. The newer generation had thier serious show with 2012, now they get thier comedy show with Rise. Similar how we got our comedy show with Fred Wolf and our serious show with 2003, but in reverse.

[plastroncafe]

The comedy show inspired by the serious comic went on to inspire a serious cartoon.

All very reminiscent of the series finale of Batman: The Brave and the Bold.

[IndigoErth]

Here, some weird screen shots because I wuv you all.

Now as to why and even how Raph thought his junk was in danger... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

https://i.imgur.com/Jk2AHrm.jpg

[sdp]

This show is cool, I hope it finds an audience, action cartoons need to come back.

[mrfld]

Post all thoughts here.

Super disappointed. I could handle the hideous Ren/Stimpy art style. Content wise it was fine. After I saw Splinter my heart snapped.

[Jester]

Dialogue made me laugh...especially Donnie's lines. His failure at the con nerds bit and defensiveness about his voice were great.
Not sold on April or Splinter. April's too impulsive and leaps in...and gnaws on ropes and baddies...yikes. Hopefully Splinter has an active role. The previous series really spoiled us with its Splinter.
Mikey "Oh mi gosh!" exclamation can stop now....thanks.
Dig reluctant leader Raph.

[Shark_Blade]

Here, some weird screen shots because I wuv you all.

Now as to why and even how Raph thought his junk was in danger... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

https://i.imgur.com/Jk2AHrm.jpg

I kept repeating that scene wondering when did anything hit his balls at all. What is even happening? :tlol:

[newhire13]

I can only find episode 2 online.

And I can only make 6 minutes in. you can't take these turtles seriously. It's like a parody of a parody, and I can't see this show finding an audience.


Raphael and Donnie's voice actors arn't even trying. Leo and Mike are the only ones who seem like they are trying to do a character voice. Bauza is excellent as usual....and the new april isn't bad, voice wise. but that's not april.

I don't even think I can 'hate watch' this thing. it's just sad seeing turtles degrade each nick generation.

we really need someone like netflix to give it the batman treatment. a little more serious. no fred wolf elements. just turtles, karai, foot, shredder, april and casey. no other mutants either. try and bring the series back down to earth a little.

That’s crazy talk, it’ll definitely find an audience. I mean that’s the same thing people would say about the original TMNTs lol.

Also weird to me that people are surprised it’s so comedic. They said from the very beginning that that’s what it was gonna be.

[Shiro Kame]

Holy crap, this episode was NOT a good first-impression. Nobody talks like a normal person, the classic weapons are destroyed as a final f*** you to the fans, and we don't even learn how April and the turtles became friends! Honestly, 10 minutes in, I wanted to claw out my screen. Who approved his episode?!

[CyberCubed]

How is having their weapons destroyed a "final f*** you" to fans, as you put it?

Also they'll probably be a flashback showing how April and the Turtles met in a future ep.

[TMNachoT]

I don´t see a problem in not tellin' us the way the turtles and april met, we may know that in another episode. We didn´t know about shredder in the first episode of the 2K3 series.

I like this show, it´s not perfect, still i enjoyed it.

[turtle1237]

The show seem to spoof the Ninja Turtles. I don't like Lazy Splinter. And is it me? Or did April seem too much blood thirsty?

[Shark_Blade]

The show seem to spoof the Ninja Turtles. I don't like Lazy Splinter. And is it me? Or did April seem too much blood thirsty?

I’m sure this Splinter is like the drunken master. He might not appear powerful but looks can be deceiving - he’s a master of ninjutsu behind that lazy bum facade. :D

April.... yeah I don’t know why she’s so fiesty in the first episode lmao.
In the Birthday Party episode she seems to have calmed down a lot and let the turtles handle the hero stuff. :twink:

[Filespit]

Saw the first episode yesterday, and what a bad episode it was. As an episode on its own, its a really bad way to set things up. They just threw everything in there hoping for the best it seems. This episode was badly scriptet, it had no real plot and awful dialogue.

It is clear this show is being made for a completely new audience (dumb kids of the current generation), and not us old school fans. Based on this episode alone, this version of TMNT lacks any sort of love and respect for the franchise and its legacy. That was something I really enjoyed with the old Nick show, how well prepared the showrunners were with the TMNT lore.

This is not TMNT, not at least to me, its something else. The way this episode handled everything does not resonate with me or what TMNT is to me. Everything is turned upside down. There's magical weapons, an alien cat, Splinter is a couch potato, and a villain that looks like a baboon.

The only thing I think was somewhat good was that the Turtles and April are already friends, it made sense to me in some weird way, but it doesn't make a bad episode better.

[drag0nfeathers]

I don´t see a problem in not tellin' us the way the turtles and april met, we may know that in another episode. We didn´t know about shredder in the first episode of the 2K3 series.

I like this show, it´s not perfect, still i enjoyed it.

I can see it now... with the direction this show is going I can already see the direction they are going to go in. We'll get an episode of "how the turtles met April" and the entire episode consists of a random flash back from each turtle and of course each story is going to be radically different so you really won't know how they met... and that's going to be the gag... I'm calling it!

[CyberCubed]

Given April is working at that Chuck E Cheese place, maybe the Turtles just met her there when they were exploring NY for the first time and came across her.

In the 3 previous cartoons the Turtles met April for the first time saving her from danger, like in the original cartoon from Rocksteady/Bebop's gang, in the 2k3 series from Baxter's Mousers, and in Nick from the Kraang. Perhaps this April was never in danger when they met her.

[snake]

I think you guys are missing the point of this show if you're looking for explanations and lore. Does it really matter how the turtles met April or are you just looking for things to complain about? This isn't supposed to be a serious show like 2k3 or even 2012.

[IndigoErth]

Given April is working at that Chuck E Cheese place, maybe the Turtles just met her there when they were exploring NY for the first time and came across her.

Problem with that assumption though...

Ep 2A - she's job hunting and already knows them. Is disappointed the Turtles' paper store was just a ruse to trap bad guys.

Ep 2B - unknown, but the title doesn't sound like it focuses in any way on her job hunt, but maybe she gets that gig here.

Ep 3A - she's working at the pizza place and by the end the building is destroyed and she already loses that job.


Soooo... she's basically not working at that place in this series, it was just a one ep gimmick. Or so it currently looks. (Which is a shame as it sounds like an interesting gig for a new teen April and good answer as to how the TMNT even have access to a meal.)




I think you guys are missing the point of this show if you're looking for explanations and lore. Does it really matter how the turtles met April or are you just looking for things to complain about? This isn't supposed to be a serious show like 2k3 or even 2012.
Eh, I think it's more that it just clashes with the typical normal traits of a fandom of wanting to discuss, debate, speculate, theorize, etc., while this style of show leaves little do to that with and just expects people to zone out and stare at the screen unquestioningly.

So it probably is going to be questioned if it chooses to leave so much in the dark. Absentminded viewing just isn't what the majority of serious fans of a thing do; even if a show itself isn't serious.

[Leonardo2003]

Given April is working at that Chuck E Cheese place, maybe the Turtles just met her there when they were exploring NY for the first time and came across her.

In the 3 previous cartoons the Turtles met April for the first time saving her from danger, like in the original cartoon from Rocksteady/Bebop's gang, in the 2k3 series from Baxter's Mousers, and in Nick from the Kraang. Perhaps this April was never in danger when they met her.

In episode 2A, April goes to the fake paper shop in regards to a job application. We never saw 2B, and then in 3A she all of the sudden had the albeartos job,, but was fired to end the episode. I’m sure she will have at least 7 jobs on her resume by the end of season 1.

[IndigoErth]

Yeah, add in the comic thingy they released that had to do with her boss' truck (food truck?) stolen by Meat Sweats and it's looking like her job search and attempts to keep jobs might be an ongoing gimmick.

Hopefully she'll find something permanent (Channel 6 mail room?) by the end of the season, else that is going to get old.

[Leonardo2003]

Yeah, add in the comic thingy they released that had to do with her boss' truck (food truck?) stolen by Meat Sweats and it's looking like her job search and attempts to keep jobs might be an ongoing gimmick.

Hopefully she'll find something permanent (Channel 6 mail room?) by the end of the season, else that is going to get old.

Episode 2B “Donnie’s Gifts” will 90% be the Meat sweats episode too.

[Jeff]

rather than write up a long reason why this deserves to be pooped on, i'll instead bring up the fact that mostly everyone who say they liked it also had a "but" in their reasoning.

"the animation was solid, but..."
"the voice actors were good, but..."
"the take is new, but..."

it sounds like a lot of people trying to make excuses for something they love being handled so poorly.

[Leonardo2003]

rather than write up a long reason why this deserves to be pooped on, i'll instead bring up the fact that mostly everyone who say they liked it also had a "but" in their reasoning.

"the animation was solid, but..."
"the voice actors were good, but..."
"the take is new, but..."

it sounds like a lot of people trying to make excuses for something they love being handled so poorly.

That doesn't apply to me, and I have loved all 5 eps thus far.

[ProphetofGanja]

I think you guys are missing the point of this show if you're looking for explanations and lore. Does it really matter how the turtles met April or are you just looking for things to complain about? This isn't supposed to be a serious show like 2k3 or even 2012.

Say it again for the people in the back

[PApagreg]

rather than write up a long reason why this deserves to be pooped on, i'll instead bring up the fact that mostly everyone who say they liked it also had a "but" in their reasoning.

"the animation was solid, but..."
"the voice actors were good, but..."
"the take is new, but..."

it sounds like a lot of people trying to make excuses for something they love being handled so poorly.

I mean people can have mixed feelings on things

On-Topic: Watched the first episode and I thought it was good but I do have some problems with it.
Characters: I find the turtles to be enjoyable so far and while I didn't like the idea of Raph being the leader( I still prefer it being Donnie) it does kinda work in this series since he isn't really that much of a hot head, dude's headstrong but I don't see him holding a stress ball whenever something annoys him. Leo is alright so far, being more of the calm and the jokey type but the dude doesn't really stand out so far. Mikey having a normal IQ and Don not acting thristy towards April is a huge plus for me. I'm neutral on April, the synopsis did say she would be sassy and street savvy and thats what she is. I still don't like Splinter, his design sucks and I don't like this "lazy" quirk he has now. I know having Splinter be the same sagey and wise character gets boring but come at least give him something better than laziness. Baron is pretty cool so far and sort of reminds me of Aku, a character who is both threatening and funny.
Animation/Art: Apparently the guy who worked on this(Andy Suriano)
also worked on Motorcity and it shows because the fightscenes here are amazing. Not only the animation is fluid but there are some creative shots, transformation/powers, choreography and in one scene when Don sent Baron flying they incorporated the background while he was being flung. I do have some problems like the non combat scenes being somewhat jankey looking and I'm not really too crazy about the color saturation in this series, not only tts looks too bright but it kinda stays the same regardless of lighting. The first episode had both a day and night scene and they the color doesn't really look that different said scenes. Some people may complain that modern cartoons have the same color saturation but at least it sort of changes between light and dark environments but here it kinda stagnates. Motrocity used light very well to differentiate their scenes( especially when you compare Deluxe Detroit and Motorcity)
Voices: All the voice actors do a good job but something about Raph feels off some how, I dunno I'm not feeling it so far.

[Jeff]

That doesn't apply to me, and I have loved all 5 eps thus far.

hence, the "mostly everyone"

I mean people can have mixed feelings on things

absolutely! the point i was trying to make is that with other iterations people, or even other franchises, people seem to either like, dislike, or go half and half. with this it feels like almost every post had a caveat. like, some people don't want to admit its total garbage and become turtle apologists as if they're being judged for liking parts of it OR because they want to force themselves to like it when they know they dont.

[Powder]

"Even the people who "like" it don't actually like it!" Oh please. Stop rubbing your bias all over the carpet. People are stating what they like & dislike, as they would with any other thing ever, because it's a discussion thread. There is no conspiracy about a concern for ones image as a fan.

[snake]

I like it.

[discordiatookie]

Finally watched the first ep. Surprisingly found myself loving it. Awesome art/animation, funny jokes for the most part, and although fairly random, there was a decent story/plot in there. Not normally a massive fan of Leo, but he was my favourite turtle in this.

[IndigoErth]

Not normally a massive fan of Leo, but he was my favourite turtle in this.
One of things I was afraid of honestly. And this comment is not at all directed at you or has anything to do you personally, you only just put it well and simply.

Completely throw out his normal personality just to make him less "boring" so people who don't normally like him will like him better now. (Gotta improve those toy sales, right? Can't sell enough if you don't make him more popular!) I mean, that's all well and good I guess that non-Leo people end up liking him, but in doing so they kind of left his longtime fans (at least the majority who are drawn to him for who he normally is) out in the cold. (Thanks Nick. :trolleye: People had their fave Turtles, why did they need ours?) It better not be something Nick sticks with beyond this...

Ten years from now I do not look forward to the debates with these kids that will be insisting that this is who Leo is in general. Pthh. (Or my nephew in a year or two.)

[LeotheLateBloomer]

One of things I was afraid of honestly. And this comment is not at all directed at you or has anything to do you personally, you only just put it well and simply.

Completely throw out his normal personality just to make him less "boring" so people who don't normally like him will like him better now. (Gotta improve those toy sales, right? Can't sell enough if you don't make him more popular!) I mean, that's all well and good I guess that non-Leo people end up liking him, but in doing so they kind of left his longtime fans (at least the majority who are drawn to him for who he normally is) out in the cold. (Thanks Nick. :trolleye: People had their fave Turtles, why did they need ours?) It better not be something Nick sticks with beyond this...

Ten years from now I do not look forward to the debates with these kids that will be insisting that this is who Leo is in general. Pthh. (Or my nephew in a year or two.)

Definitely agree.

[Ashwolf]

Same here. I mean, really, leo as he was mightve been boring to most people but to us long-time leo fans, there is so much more to him than meets the eye.

[Kit31]

As a big-time Leo fan, I also agree. I'm getting better with Leo the more I watch this series, but he's still not my favorite. Although, he didn't win me over at the beginning of the last series, either. I ended up adoring Leo in 2012, and he's my favorite version of him. So, there's hope for this Leo, but right now, Donnie's got my main focus.

[Coola Yagami]

One of things I was afraid of honestly. And this comment is not at all directed at you or has anything to do you personally, you only just put it well and simply.

Completely throw out his normal personality just to make him less "boring" so people who don't normally like him will like him better now. (Gotta improve those toy sales, right? Can't sell enough if you don't make him more popular!) I mean, that's all well and good I guess that non-Leo people end up liking him, but in doing so they kind of left his longtime fans (at least the majority who are drawn to him for who he normally is) out in the cold. (Thanks Nick. :trolleye: People had their fave Turtles, why did they need ours?) It better not be something Nick sticks with beyond this...

Ten years from now I do not look forward to the debates with these kids that will be insisting that this is who Leo is in general. Pthh. (Or my nephew in a year or two.)

The thing is in previous versions Leo being the leader is all he had. One 80s ep he even quit the team because he felt he couldn't lead anymore without considering he might be helpful in other ways.

[plastroncafe]

Ten years from now I do not look forward to the debates with these kids that will be insisting that this is who Leo is in general. Pthh. (Or my nephew in a year or two.)

So...not unlike how fans of Raph and Mike felt when the jump from Mirage to the OT.

[Shark_Blade]

I also like Leo, Raph & Mikey more in this series.

Don seems to still be Don.

Leo is more laid back and jokey - the Trickster as they call him. It makes him more endearing to me. And he’s not the leader, so that’s an interesting change.

Raph is no longer on raging menstruation or pissy 24/7. He’s so gentle and positive now.

And Mikey is no longer retarded or spouting nonsense like cottage cheese or whatnot.

So overall, I like all of them.

[IndigoErth]

The thing is in previous versions Leo being the leader is all he had. One 80s ep he even quit the team because he felt he couldn't lead anymore without considering he might be helpful in other ways.
Honestly, not even talking about the leader part. More about him becoming Mikey 2.0 because, hey, that's more fun.

I don't agree though that being leader is all he had. As Ashwolf said, there is a lot more to him, but it's not so in your face and obvious if he isn't one you tend to pay much attention to. (Even if the last films suck, that underlying subplot with him in 2016 is still a decent example. Even if their whole point of it ended without much impact. As well as plenty of examples in other incarnations.) I'll never be crazy about him losing his "job," but it's losing all the rest of him that really bums me out.

edit: The stoic straight man, the careful strategist, the well mannered boy scout of the group, the focused, determined, student and perfectionist of his craft, the respectful and mindful son, the calm, cool mind with a spiritual sense, the wannabe noble samurai, the guy willing to take the responsibility for things and, as a personal flaw, blames himself even when he shouldn't, the big bro who'd lay down his life in a heartbeat to ensure that his brothers (or friends) go home alive... and so on. There is so much they could have chosen to focus on and develop more that would have been a plus, exploring existing traits more deeply, instead of making him act like a butthead. (Even if it isn't a "serious" show... They could have played it well, the guy trying to be serious in a show that isn't. He could end up the butt of some jokes for it, but so be it, what 'stick in the mud' sort doesn't. lol)

2012 itself tried to go younger, but it worked there. Rather than trying to remake him as someone else from scratch, they simply added a little bit to his profile.



So...not unlike how fans of Raph and Mike felt when the jump from Mirage to the OT.
Yes, entirely fair to say, but two wrongs don't make a right either. Would make more sense to improve on Raph and Mikey instead. (They've certainly needed it as of late.)

At the same time... how old were most people who even knew Mirage existed prior to late 1987? I doubt few kids my age at the time even knew of it, let alone be allowed to read it (with what limited reading skills there were). And that was also a jump from just a few years of character development vs for Leo today nearly a complete eradication of it after 34 years.

[LilithMV]

I also liked the episode. It was not as funny as the 2K12, nor as cool as 2K3, and not as original as the original cartoon felt to me. But it was cute and kinda funny. I loved the little things such as poor Mikey hitting himself with his nunchucks when one of the opponents grabbed him in the begging. And April continue to hit the flying thingies, and then doing a thumbs up and the turtle boys doing the same.

The one thing in the turtle-verse that I felt it came closest to is the old Turtle Adventures comics from early nineties. Just as goofy and funny. I still have a lot of those comics and read them from time to time. I even got the first 10 books of collected issues.

One of the things I loved the most is that April now genuinely felt like she was their best friends, part of team. Instead of like the odd human team mate that she always came of as, at least to me, before. She is just as goofy as they are.

So yeah, I was surprised I really liked it. :tsmile:
Although at first I thought I would not like them going that goofy route (thinking of the figures mostly), but I still like it.

[IndigoErth]

Just a random thought, but with the first few eps (or segments of) already released and the real premier happening soon after school starts, I'm honestly kind of surprised there isn't at least a little bit of 'Rise' themed school stuff out there. Twice I've peeked at Walmart's stuff and not a bit of TMNT, in any form, to be seen.

Obviously it's too soon to know how well its merchandise will actually sell, but I figured there might at least be a folder or two given the timing; seeing how, new version or not, it's at least still a property kids are already familiar with.

Next year there will probably be an overload... lol

[SilverNinja]

Honestly, not even talking about the leader part. More about him becoming Mikey 2.0 because, hey, that's more fun.

I don't agree though that being leader is all he had. As Ashwolf said, there is a lot more to him, but it's not so in your face and obvious if he isn't one you tend to pay much attention to. (Even if the last films suck, that underlying subplot with him in 2016 is still a decent example. Even if their whole point of it ended without much impact. As well as plenty of examples in other incarnations.) I'll never be crazy about him losing his "job," but it's losing all the rest of him that really bums me out.

edit: The stoic straight man, the careful strategist, the well mannered boy scout of the group, the focused, determined, student and perfectionist of his craft, the respectful and mindful son, the calm, cool mind with a spiritual sense, the wannabe noble samurai, the guy willing to take the responsibility for things and, as a personal flaw, blames himself even when he shouldn't, the big bro who'd lay down his life in a heartbeat to ensure that his brothers (or friends) go home alive... and so on. There is so much they could have chosen to focus on and develop more that would have been a plus, exploring existing traits more deeply, instead of making him act like a butthead. (Even if it isn't a "serious" show... They could have played it well, the guy trying to be serious in a show that isn't. He could end up the butt of some jokes for it, but so be it, what 'stick in the mud' sort doesn't. lol)

2012 itself tried to go younger, but it worked there. Rather than trying to remake him as someone else from scratch, they simply added a little bit to his profile.




Yes, entirely fair to say, but two wrongs don't make a right either. Would make more sense to improve on Raph and Mikey instead. (They've certainly needed it as of late.)

At the same time... how old were most people who even knew Mirage existed prior to late 1987? I doubt few kids my age at the time even knew of it, let alone be allowed to read it (with what limited reading skills there were). And that was also a jump from just a few years of character development vs for Leo today nearly a complete eradication of it after 34 years.

YES! Man oh man, everything you said...I wholeheartedly agree!

Leo has been my absolute favorite from the very beginning. I chose him because no one in my area said Leo was their favorite and I was also drawn to him. He reminded me of myself. Leonardo was always the underdog, but people would still be drawn to him because he was leader, has katanas and adorned blue. I seriously despise when people say..."I like the blue one" or "I like the one with swords" and it would be solely for those reasons.

Now having seen Rise...I don't hate it, but that's not my Leo. I couldn't wrap my head around Splinter either, but it's still early. I was extremely open to Rise and I have been optimistic before the first episode went live. However, I wasn't loving this first episode. I really like the opening theme, but I don't feel close to this incarnation of the turtles...yet. One pet peeve is that I feel the voices are totally all wrong. I wish different voice actors were chosen to play the turtles because the ones chosen do not feel like a suitable match. Again though, I may grow to adjust to these voices.

Even though the new Leo is nothing like previous versions of Leonardo, I think Rise Leo might be my favorite of the four turtles thus far. I also like Donnie in this series. Raph would always place second in most versions for me, but I'm not digging hulk Raph all that much.

I guess I'll see how I feel once I dive in to more episodes. I totally get this is geared towards the kiddies this time around, which I do understand and appreciate, but I'd love to see a serious version geared 100% to adults someday.

[drag0nfeathers]

edit: The stoic straight man, the careful strategist, the well mannered boy scout of the group, the focused, determined, student and perfectionist of his craft, the respectful and mindful son, the calm, cool mind with a spiritual sense, the wannabe noble samurai, the guy willing to take the responsibility for things and, as a personal flaw, blames himself even when he shouldn't, the big bro who'd lay down his life in a heartbeat to ensure that his brothers (or friends) go home alive... and so on. There is so much they could have chosen to focus on and develop more that would have been a plus, exploring existing traits more deeply, instead of making him act like a butthead. (Even if it isn't a "serious" show... They could have played it well, the guy trying to be serious in a show that isn't. He could end up the butt of some jokes for it, but so be it, what 'stick in the mud' sort doesn't. lol)

You brought a tear to my eye.

So many of the reasons why I love Leo and am sort of miffed they considered him to apparently be the most disposable turtle by completely butchering his character. Again, I'm not totally against change and I'll give things a chance, but it also was a bit of a gut punch.

[King Kahn]

after watching the first 4 episodes it has grown on me.

It is very different. Very action and humor heavy. It reminds me a lot of teen titans go.

I still don't love the designs but it is a new take and am willing to let it just exist and have fun. I have other iterations that I love and will revisit often.

[Kit31]

after watching the first 4 episodes it has grown on me.

It is very different. Very action and humor heavy. It reminds me a lot of teen titans go.

I still don't love the designs but it is a new take and am willing to let it just exist and have fun. I have other iterations that I love and will revisit often.

^^^ THIS! This is exactly how I feel. Words can't express how much I miss the look of the 2012 series and the overall tone of the show. But, this iteration is fun and I'll still watch it when they air new episodes. I just can't watch the same episodes over and over again like I could with the last series. That's okay. At least there are new Turtles episodes to look forward to and that's good enough for me. :)

[MsMarvelDuckie]

I finally watched the first episode on YouTube a little while ago, and.... Ugh. So cringy, with the cheesy 90's references, April in general (not being black, but being a rabid nutcase) the changes to Leo and Raph, the lame jokes, overly-bright and simplistic animation, etc. The voices, I was mostly okay with- except Splinter. In fact, NOTHING about Splinter was good. He was like Mr. Ages from NIHM went pot-head couch potato. And while I didn't mind Mikey this time, he sort of got lost with Leo stealing his schtick. So disappointing on so many fronts. Even Mr D, who was only listening to it while I watched, asked if it was as bad as it sounded.

The video I watched had a couple of interruptions from thw VAs for April and Raph, both of whom were basically saying "So how do you like it so far? You like it, right?" As if they were trying WAAAY to hard to get people to like this. It's sad, because it shows just how little faith they actually have. Like they KNOW it's bad, but hope the kids will watch it anyway. Considering the recent trend in cartoons, I am not surprised.

[Vegita-San]

The video I watched had a couple of interruptions from thw VAs for April and Raph, both of whom were basically saying "So how do you like it so far? You like it, right?" As if they were trying WAAAY to hard to get people to like this. It's sad, because it shows just how little faith they actually have. Like they KNOW it's bad, but hope the kids will watch it anyway. Considering the recent trend in cartoons, I am not surprised.


Wow, they REALLY went that far? Pandering for likes DURING a show?


sigh. so hope this fails and the team behind it disbands. only ones i want failing up is rob and bauza. everyone else, meh.

if this is what tv has turned into, no wonder people stick to yt for entertainment.

[IndigoErth]

The video I watched had a couple of interruptions from thw VAs for April and Raph, both of whom were basically saying "So how do you like it so far? You like it, right?"
I noticed that when I pulled up the YouTube video the other day just to refresh my memory on something in it, and while just skipping through it saw April's VA show up and wondered what that was even about. Didn't bother stopping to listen. Not even watching it through it was kind of annoying to throw the actors in the middle of it.

(Bad enough she apparently had a recent "Twitter meltdown" over something stupid. If any of these VAs end up out the door sooner or later like Biggs was... might be that one.)

[MsMarvelDuckie]

Well it was ON YT, so.... then again, it was probably taken from the actual premier. I dunno, it was just really cringy.

[Vegita-San]

(Bad enough she apparently had a recent "Twitter meltdown" over something stupid. If any of these VAs end up out the door sooner or later like Biggs was... might be that one.)

what twitter meltdown?

if i even knew her name i'd look it up heh.

[LeotheLateBloomer]

I noticed that when I pulled up the YouTube video the other day just to refresh my memory on something in it, and while just skipping through it saw April's VA show up and wondered what that was even about. Didn't bother stopping to listen. Not even watching it through it was kind of annoying to throw the actors in the middle of it.

(Bad enough she apparently had a recent "Twitter meltdown" over something stupid. If any of these VAs end up out the door sooner or later like Biggs was... might be that one.)

Really? Wow, hopefully nothing too major.

No offense to the voice actress but I'm just not digging this April...at all. She's easily my least favorite version of the character, including Megan Fox's portrayal. And I never thought I'd say that last bit.

[IndigoErth]

Given that she might lurk, I'll be nice and leave it alone since it didn't have anything to do with TMNT (not hard to find the websites that mention it if someone were to go looking), but it was rather petty of her.
Some advice to Miss (Mrs?) Kat... "woman up" and drop the cattiness and false bravado if you think you're going to survive this highly opinionated fanbase for the duration is all I have to say. Or at least don't lurk if it's going to make you blow a gasket later. And, pro tip, get a second private alias Twitter account if fans annoy you so much on the 'official' one.


Well it was ON YT, so.... then again, it was probably taken from the actual premier. I dunno, it was just really cringy.
It wasn't even on the tv premier, so it's strange that it's on the YouTube version. (Is it on the Nick.com video?) Maybe it was a late add-on.

And I never thought I'd say that last bit.
lol Always sad when you think you've seen the lowest something can go, and then they prove you wrong. Like PD Splinter vs this one. :ohwell:

[Papenbrook]

People are actively searching out butt-shots of Rise!Leo.

It's ... sorta creepy.

[Powder]

What's creepy is you bringing it up. :tlol: We don't need that here, this has always been a relatively normal/safe part of the fandom.

[IndigoErth]

Well, then forgive me for saying, but these designs being what they are, they're probably "actively searching" because they can't find one. :lol: Only Raph probably has enough surface area back there to have one.

[Papenbrook]

Y'll have a point, but still ...

Why would they need to do that?! It ... just doesn't make any sense.

What's the point?!

[LeotheLateBloomer]

It's the internet? :teek:

[IndigoErth]

Simple. Because many girls like guy's butts and if they're fans of a guy, even if fictional, they probably like his too. :tlol:

All those comments about 2012 April's butt, but dear god, no not Turtle behinds. They could certainly be discussing worse.

Although personally, if you're going to check out Turtle behinds, choose better source material. I mean, the shell provides coverage for nearly every version so there rarely is ever anything to look at. And skinny ass (I guess literally) 2018 designs... well, good luck. lol


Really now, if PD had put Venus in there, and you know being female there is probably a 95% chance that Bay & Co would ensure that she'd have HAD to be made "sexy" to some extent... you can't tell me that many men wouldn't experience the same issues of struggling not to look. :lol:

If hunting for nonexistent 2018 butts keeps them occupied and out of others hair, well have at it. lol

[AceDuck]

Watched the first episode last night. As others have pointed out, the animation is good, and the premise and story itself is interesting. I also liked the voice acting, most of the jokes and the villain.

Still not a fan of how the turtles/Splinter/April look, and the personalities of Raph, Leo and Splinter especially made me cringe. To me, the show would have worked just as good (maybe better) if they just made a show with these same plot/characters with some random mutants instead of making this a TMNT show. I’ll give the next few episodes a look, but doubt I’ll keep watching this.

Hopefully, one day we’ll get a new more traditional TMNT show about their early years.

[RaphaelinSTL]

Man. Not a fan. There's just not a lot there for me to sink my teeth into and the herky jerky animation style along with the Ren & Stimpy like animation (cross eyed, tongue sticking out ... general sense of "derp") is almost like this is a parody show.

Midnight's Edge did a pretty good overview on the first episode that was in line with my general consensus as well.

T8q5-Nlv_o0

[IndigoErth]

https://i.imgur.com/NluNNJj.jpg

Those... are not rat teeth. Nor human teeth. I'm scared. :tlol:

[shredder orokusaki]

He is mutant that why he is like that. But i will kill him soon and end his misery!

[Nightmares]

He is mutant that why he is like that. But i will kill him soon and end his misery!

Are you going to spend your entire life pretending to be a fictional character?

[neatoman]

https://i.imgur.com/NluNNJj.jpg

Those... are not rat teeth. Nor human teeth. I'm scared. :tlol:

Maybe he started out as a chimp?

[IndigoErth]

Maybe he started out as a chimp?
Hm, decent theory. Yoshi the escaped/stolen chimpanzee from the zoo. :tlol:

[victory_angel]

Overall this episode was interesting, but I don’t find it a compelling first episode. I don’t mind that we haven’t been given any real origin to how to the Turtles met April or how they were mutated. While often we learn about the Turtles origins in early if not first episodes of a series, that concept isn’t always needed in every single version of the Turtles. Currently, the series is establishing itself and giving us a chance to know the characters and it will explain their origin in its own time.

However, this episode doesn’t really do much really establish any of the characters or who they are. While people who are familiar with the franchise will know the character traits of each of the Turtles and what role each of them has on the team. For someone who is new to the franchise, they all may as well be the same character.

Splinter is also a turn off in this series. While Eric Bauza is obviously enjoying the role and he plays it well. This is also just coming off 2012 incarnation where Splinter serves the role of both the wise and patient sensei as well as the role of the strict and caring parent. Seeing Splinter as a lazy, self-centered, caricature of himself who mostly refers to his sons by their signature color rather than their names. That just feels like an insult to all the previous televised incarnations of the character.

So this without a doubt is my least favorite versions of Splinter and this series would certainly have to a lot to restore any faith in this variation of the character.

Now for Baron Draxum as one of the larger villains of this series. The character is intriguing, but so far I’m not impressed with him. We don’t really have a solid idea about who he is or his motivations for wanting to cause mutations. One consistent thing with TMNT is their outstanding villains, such as the Shredder or Krang. The moment they are introduced you don’t need to really know anything about them, because you already know whatever they are interested in doing it doesn’t bode well for the four turtles. Even the mediocre bad guys such as the Purple Dragons are capable enemies during establishing episodes of the series.

All we have to go on is that Draxum supposedly was the person who had first mutated the Turtles years ago. Not to knock John Cena as a voice actor, he is obviously trying to do this new villain justice. Unfortunately, I don’t feel any sort of menace in this character. Voice talent such as Kevin Michael Richardson or even Eric Bouza are more convincing as villains because they can achieve a sinister tone that clearly says this person is a threat.

John Cena is also an expensive actor to have on the episode budget, so he is likely only contacted for a limited number of episodes. This, unfortunately, means we aren’t able to delve into his character as a villain as much as we should be doing since he is being marketed as one of the big bads of this series. Also, I really don’t see much point to creating a new villain, when there are other villains that are just as dangerous as the Shredder who haven’t had a TV debut as of yet. Null is a good example, this character is the deadliest enemy the turtles have face aside from the Shredder himself. However, this character has only existed in the Archie and the IDW comics.

For example, in the IDW version, Null is the CEO of a business conglomerate that sought to create and exploit mutants for profit. That right there could have been suitable and understandable motivation for wanting to mutate the city of New York.

Archie Null is a bit dicier as he does have an arc that would come across as copy and paste of the Apocalypse arc from X-Men. Essentially there was a three-part arc where he controls the four horsemen of the apocalypse, Death, Famine, War, and Pestilence. However in this regard he only really commands Death and in turn, Death controls the other three horsemen like puppets. Yet, you can have the same situation if you replace the four horsemen something else, such as with the four holy beasts of Asia, Suzaku, Seiryuu, Byakko, and Gembu.

Perhaps the only reason this character has never appeared on a TV version is that Null is a devil, but still, there are ways of getting around that. Besides it’s not like other versions of the TMNT haven’t had demonic characters on the villain roster so Null being Satan himself (or herself in the case of the IDW) isn’t much of an excuse.

As for the mystic weapons, they are an interesting plot device but I feel they were too conveniently found. All four are just there and glowing with each of the Turtles signature colors as though these weapons were meant to be theirs from the start.

What would have been better is if they had picked up a seemingly random weapon they thought would work for or suited them. Then in the midsts of battle have it suddenly revealed that these weapons have mystic powers. I do appreciate the fact that the Turtles were not able to effectively use the power of their weapons from the very start, meaning that they would at least take the time to learn how to effectively control their weapons gradually over the course of the series.

I’m also not surprised that Donnie chose to reject the mystic staff and remain with his tech bo. After all most versions of this character tend to have a dubious view if not an outright bias against spiritual or mystical aspects. This version of Donnie doesn’t outright denounce mysticism but he does rigidly stay with his tech bo because that is something familiar that he knows he can trust. Still, I do believe the mystic staff will fall into his possession eventually since why going to the trouble of including a mystic weapon for him if he wasn’t going end up using it later on.