Most popular Turtle
 

So here's a thought for y'all:

Which Turtle do you think is the all-time most-popular?

I'm not referring to who the most popular Turtle at the Technodrome is (I know that topic has been done to death, although I can't remember who was the most popular and can't be bothered to look back).

But anyway, there's a certain demographic that comes to this board, and I'm wondering what you guys think: out of all the kids who love the NT, and all the adults who loved the OT, and all the adults who loved the old comics, and everyone else, who do you think is the most popular Turtle, ever?

I know this isn't a very scientific way to get the answer ... you'd have to poll the whole TMNT-aware world, but I just want to know people's opinions on the matter. For example, my favourite Turtle is Michelangelo (hence the avatar) but I don't know if I would say he's the most popular ever. I'd have to think on it.

I'm pretty sure the most popular is Benvenuto, followed by Venus.

:roll: It's kind of hard to have any sort of worthwhile discussion on these boards, nowadays ...

All right, if you don't like my joke answer, my real answer is Raph; because he's the one that seems to have the most fan girls.

[/serious answer]

I think most popular ever goes to Mikey. He was certainly my favorite as a kid, and I think there's something to be said for being both the joker of the group and the one with, arguably, the most natural ability. He is the Battle Nexus champ after all.

Naw, it's nothing against your joke answer in particular ... I've just noticed that lately on the boards it's not long before any attempt at discussion derails into jokes or commentary, and it just kind of depresses me because no one seems to care. Although honestly, I know this isn't the most original idea for a discussion.

But I did actually smile at your Benvenuto/Venus comment, I just got touchy because it was the first and only reply.

Trying to figure out who to vote for ...

And yeah, Raphael has the most fangirls, but I think the adult fan base of the TMNT is quite small, and I meant overall, ever, the most popular Ninja Turtle. And I think there were many, many more people who formed an opinion on their favourite Ninja Turtle from the cartoons (kids who like/liked the TMNT in the cartoon medium and none other) and then never took it beyond that. In other words, I think that relatively few people still like the TMNT in adulthood compared to the amount of kid fans there are, and I'm not sure if Raph would be the most popular with millions of kids.

I always thought it was Michelangelo.

He's my favorite, anyway, so that's double the reason.

As for me being popular, no comment. I've already been down that road with other members in the past who couldn't take a joke.

I'd say it's Mikey in the original series, Raph in the first movie, Don in the second movie, and Leo in every other TMNT universe. So ultimately I'd say Leo.

You know what's funny? In the videogames, I always pick Leo first, then Mike, Don, and finally Raph.

That's always been my official order for them in every aspect.

I'd say Mike, too. Kids really loved him because he was the "funny" one. And lots of people my age still like him because they remember liking him as a kid. He may not be tops among most fan fans, but among the much larger set of casual fans/fans as kids, I'd say he would win hands down.

But I'd put Raph at a close second. An overwhelming number of the 13+ set either identify with him or appreciate the complexity of his character. And I know a friend of mine has loved Raph since she saw the 1990 movie as a kid - he's pretty much the coolest Turtle in the film and she can't have been the only one to react that way, either.

Donatello has some casual fans from back in the day on his side, and still a decent number nowadays among more hardcore fans. Also, I'd say his horde of fangirls is second only to Raph's.

Leonardo's fans seems to be the fewest, as he was pretty bossy and one-dimensional in the old 'toon and original movie (not to mention the awful comebacks). People who choose Leo as their favorite have usually either read the comic or seen the 2k3 'toon (or heck, even the 2007 movie, which my friend who hates Leonardo said was his least annoying incarnation, in her opinion). They are fans because they see past the "teacher's pet" and appreciate that he is only trying to improve himself and protect his family, not boss them around and set himself up to be better than them. (Not like he's immune to pride entirely - definitely he can be a jerk sometimes. But the reason he does everything is not to be "better" - it's just that sometimes he feels like the others aren't pulling their weight, especially Raph)

(hence it's obvious I personally lean a little toward Leo... though honestly I kinda go through stages of who is my favorite anyway. Lately it's been Raph, as I dressed up like him for Halloween.)


EDIT: But while I'd say Leo is the least popular overall, I'd agree that among people who have become fans since the 2k3 'toon started, Leo may be on top. After all, this most recent incarnation really made sure that his motivations for doing what he does were clear... heck, he suffered for a whole season from failing to meet his own expectations.

ahh come on guys you all know raph is *the* man...

:P

Raphael hands down. He is th most human and relatable turtle and has all these layers to him. He's rebell, the badass and most people look up and admire those types. He's also the most hard core and delvers when it comes to grit and violence. Why do you think Wolverine from the X-Men is so popular? When I think vintage hard core nija turtles I think Raphael.

I agree with this. alot of people just don't "get" Leo. What I find cool about his character is that you eighther like him or you hate him. He's that kind of deminsional character.

I always thought it was the costume.

When you notice that, you're welcome to inform a mod or admin, and we can split the thread for you.

It's Raphael the Main man is the best

Back when the OT was playing on TV with new seasons every year, my guess would have been Michelangelo.

Nowadays, that would be a tougher call. In the Drome, Raphael is very popular. And he's Kevin's favorite. On the other hand, Donatello is Peter's favorite and the newest season is all about him.

I would have expected Leonardo to be much more popular since he's the leader and wears blue. But Boy Scouts are not all that popular I guess.

without a doubt michelangelo. i like donatello the best, but most people who watched the cartoon as a kid, or just have a vague idea like the party dude.

That's the biggest and longest running problem with Leo because he's not originally like that.
In the Mirage comics, Leo is far from being a boy scout. I'd say he's more like Batman, only without the hesitation to kill.

Anyway, you make a good point. Leo only had as many fans as he did in the old days because he has those shining qualities... He's the leader, the one with swords, and the one who wears blue. I think if it wasn't for those aspects, he'd have alot fewer fans because oldschool Leo's personality was definetly lacking. The writers used his authoritive rank to define him while the other turtles had real personality.

blasphemy! Leonardo rocks in every version! Mirage Leo is as you have stated the coolest version of him ( BTW linkening him to Batman ois a great comparsen) but that could be said of all the turtles, but OT Leonardo was cool too. As far as animated versions go NT Leonardo is my favorite but I don't get all the hate for OT Leo. Sometimes I think I'm the only one who actually likes OT Leo. :( **huggles OT Leo plushie**

I want to see a show of hands here, who likes OT Leo?

Michelangelo
 

Probably Michelangelo. He acted most like a kid so he was popular among kids.

I would say Michelangelo is the most all-around popular Turtle, based on OT. Wasn't he the one in that Cartoon All-Star thingie? And when I was a kid I had a TMNT skateboard with Mikey on it. Trust me, if it came in the Raph variety I would've had that (maybe it did and my store just didn't have it, I dunno for sure).

A close 2nd would be Raphael, but that would be more for people familiar with the Turtles outside of OT.

Off topic: To answer your Q, NamesGoesHere1066, I do like OT Leo. Leo is actually the Turtle whose personality most closely matches my own. I'm the oldest of 8 kids, so I identify w/him trying to watch out for the others and keep them in line. Perhaps that's why I like Raph so much, b/c he's so opposite from me!

Im pretty certain it's michelangelo. After all he was the one turtle from the bunch portrayed in the Cartoons all-stars to the rescue film:ohwell:

Finally I caved and voted for Michelangelo--or rather, Michaelangelo, because under that name he gained the most popularity. I'm nonetheless aware that I might have a bias to vote for my favourite Turtle, and this might apply to everyone (well except that Mike seems to be leading right now, and I'm pretty sure he's not the most popular among Drome members).

I think he's most popular with kids in both cartoon versions (despite them being so radically different). I mean whenever I talk to anyone about the Ninja Turtles, most of them only know it from the old toon, and they usually only really remember Michaelangelo, and they liked him best.

Second-most popular I'd say is Leo. This is because I think he and Raph are probably close to equally popular among comic fans only (they got the most focus through all of Volume 1 Mirage... ahh, the eternal divide of Leo and Raph fans). But in the cartoon mediums I'm guessing Leo appeals/appealed to more kids than Raph does/did.

In both cartoons, I'd guess the second-most popular Turtle is Leo ... he's a straight-shooter and a caring guy and I think kids like that. NameGoesHere1066, I really do like OT Leo now ... he wasn't just a goody-two-shoes and responsible but actually good-hearted and thoughtful and the same can't always be said of Donatello and Raphael. That being said, as a kid I hated Leo. But that is probably because he was my brother's favourite and we had major sibling rivalry.

Then Raph, because of his comic/movie popularity, and poor Don last. Although here on the Drome those two seem to be the most popular.

Heh, not surprising! Probably because that's how they're listed in the movies and the first comic, and in the video games themselves, no? (Although in the OT it was Don, Raph, Leo, Mike, right? And in the new toon it's Mikey, Don, Raph, Leo. I think).

Thanks Krang, sounds much more effective than complaining after all! But I did overreact.

I'm gonna vote for Raph since he has an insane amount of fans. Raphal fans seem to out number fans of any other turtle from like ten to one it seems.

April 1984-November 1987
 

Who was most popular from April 1984-November 1987, the before the 1987 cartoon and the 1984 Mirage comics were the only TMNT version?

Not to say I think any lower of Leonardo than I do the others, but if he really does think that way about his brothers, I'd at most say he's presumptious.What do you mean, sure it can, especially with Donatello since he's obligated to be in top shape physically and mentally.

Good question, I would guess either Leo or Raph because at first, Leo did all the speaking for the team and Raph did all the wild and outrageous stuff ... they just had more screen time.

Just my personal opinion. Goody-two-shoes or not, I think OT Leonardo is more caring and sympathetic than OT Don or Raph, both of whom were slightly miserly at times. I mean, even though he always wanted to do the "right" thing, it seemed genuine.

Well if by miserly you mean ungenerous, I guess that explains why they just like Leonardo put their lives on the line to be heroes as often as he did. And like I mentioned in Donatello's case, when you're supposed to be a first-class ninja as well as a first-class scientist at the same time, considering how stressful that sounds, makes it a little hard for one to be sympathetic. Don't get me wrong, i'm not disdaining your opinion, nor am I saying there's anything wrong with Leonardo wanting to do the right thing always, I'm just saying the others were willing to do the right thing just as often.

Oh believe me, I love oldschool Leo. Oldschool Leo is what made me a fan of him, though I do admit, as a child, I was initially drawn to him because he's "the blue one with the swords". BUT I did enjoy his heroic personality. I think of the four, Leo had a true hero mentality where he saw himself and his bros as epic heroes saving the world.. where as Don, Raph, and Mikey viewed themselves as just glorified thug-bashers.
So that's what I really liked about oldschool Leo. His enthusiasm and passion of being a hero. Saving the reporter... Saving the world.

That said, I really do think the writers could have done more with his personality. One problem is that Leo spoke the least in the series, which is just not right because Mirage Leo by contrast is the most vocal one of the four.

Well, with all respect, a bit of a vulgar and faulty generalization if you ask me. Just because Leonardo made most of the heroic speeches doesn't mean he's any more a righteous hero than the others. All four of their actions are all for the same purpose of saving people, and actions speak louder than words.

I believe you missunderstood me. And how is what I said "vulgar"? That was just plain odd.

Anyway, I by no means was implying that Leo is more of a hero than his bros. I'm just saying that of the four, Leo felt like a superhero where as his brothers saw themselves as being the right people for the job, doing what they can do, then going back to watching Godzilla on tv. Leo seemed to always have the hero mentality, even in his leisure time.

Basicly, it's like how Mikey in the 2k3 series felt like a superhero where as his bros felt like they were just the right people for the right job. Nothing more.

The term "vulgar generalization"...I heard that somewhere before; it was just another way of saying a bad generalization. I was just thinking of the term you used, "glorified thug-bashers", and one of the defintions for "glorified" being "to be or seem more glorious or excellent than is actually the case", I thought it implied the other turtles were less noble in their intentions as fighters, and I was objecting. But like you said that's not what you meant, so I was mistaken.

"Glorified" tends to mean "more", "above normal", "new level", "better than average", "great", and so on.
So basicly I was saying that Don, Raph, and Mikey saw themselves more as vigilantes where as Leo saw them all as true-blue renowned heroes.

Well, just to clarify, and I mentioned this in a thread I created, a vigilante and a hero are basically the same thing. A vigilante is a "type" of hero.
And there's really only two types: vigilante & member of the police/military.
A vigilante simply means being a hero without government authorization. And a vigilante can be as true-blue as a member of the force, just depends on their methods; in the turtles case, their probably more true-blue than the police since they seem to do a lot more than them and for a city that doesn't pay or even thank them.

Point taken. I was just trying to explain myself. I do hope you got my point as well.

Yeah, I got it.

This is true. Don is pretty phenomenal that way. I was just trying to show why kids might have been more attracted to Leo's personality.

I voted for Mikey. He embodied what the Turtles were in the OT. Always makes the most jokes in every incarnation, and I think is the most charismatic. Even in the NT I think he's the most popular, why do you think he had most of the spotlight when FF came out? Because he was in his element, and kids wanted to see the wackiness in that season.

Drugs
 

Also recall that Michelangelo was in that anti-drugs show.