What's with not connecting shell to plastron?
 

Why do artists and many figure molds (such as the high-esteemed Playmates and Sideshow statues) not connect the shells to the plastrons? Okay, I guess for artists it's artistic interpretation. But why not connect them? Why do you think Sideshow and Playmates didn't connect them? It's unrealistic. (The retort of "but they are mutated turtles, that isn't realistic is not accepted).

Well, there goes my explanation.

They're turtles in a half shell. It's in the song.

Otherwise known as Crisler's Law.

Raphael: Hah! We laugh in the face of danger!
Donatello: Yeah, we're heroes in the half shell, remember the theme song?

They were designed that way for free movement.

I guess it's to give the turtles less hindering movements or something, but I think in most versions of the TMNT the plastron and the carapace have some flexibility to it. But if it is intentional or not...

Or "let's not take a cartoon too seriously".

...is TMNT not an important part of your life? I don't get these kind of comments. Coming back at someone that wants a sort of realism with their TMNT with "they're mutant turtles! C'mon!" is a cop-out.

Free movement for the Sideshow & Playmates statues? I can understand this for the Neca figures, but the statues (the more I look at them) look very odd with that exposed green flesh where the shell & plastron should connect.

I have not looked at this detail on my sideshow statues when i had them open, and for that I am grateful.

I hope i forge this thread by the time I open them again.

I don't believe Eastman or Laird ever connected the shell and plastron in their art either, did they? Just the shell and plastron with the head, arms, and legs jutting out. XD

I'll be honest, I try not to take the Ninja Turtles too seriously. It just makes me a happier fan-boy.

You're right they aren't overtly connected, they're just blacked out. They are drawn very close together though, they're not overtly not connected either, if you know what I mean. That's different than clearly showing green flesh there.

That's cool, I just meant saying that response is sorta a cop-out when trying to have a discussion about something concerning the Turtles and realism.

Don't their arms kind of keep the plastron from connecting anyway?

They connect under the arm to just above the thigh. Normally. Sometimes.

The NECA bobbleheads have no connection, and as a matter of fact the belt is actually pretty cheesy because it's just filled in green from the outside edge of the belt to the torso.

Actually they do have a connection but there very vauge, And the belt is still ugly to me.

what? Have you seen a turtle?


The Plastron and Carapace is connected in the sides, it's a part of their ribs

I'm pretty sure the shells connected in the 2k3 series. It looked kinda like the turtles were wearing plastron panties. It was funny.

Yeah, I always hated that. I really like the way Dan Duncan draws the turtles. When they connect the plastron to the shell they look more like turtles rather than naked, green turtloids wearing a shell and plastron. It just looks weird to me.

reference pic?

Totally! Dan does quality work connecting that plastron to shell!

Laird intended for connection!

Here's a pin up he did of Donnie in 1985, plastron clearly connected. It's from his TMNT blog.