Let's Talk About Master Splinter and Shredder's Ages During the OT

~~ABrown~~ · 08-12-2016, 10:56 AM

I'm sure this has probably been discussed at some point in the past, so I apologize for that. While re watching the original TMNT cartoon, one of the things that I've always been curious about is Master Splinter and Shredder's ages. One thing to consider is whether or not 15 years had gone by in between the flashback shown during the first episode, and whenever the current day events of the first episode took place. I guess even though Master Splinter doesn't say that 15 years when by, I still do assume that it did. Master Splinter was supposed to a teacher of The Foot. So I'm guessing that he was already maybe mid 40's. Shredder was supposed to be a student. So I'd say he was probably supposed to be like early 20's? If 15 years had gone by, that would've made Master Splinter about 55-60 years old in the first episode, and Shredder in his late 30's. Does this sound about right?

*CyberCubed* · 08-12-2016, 11:13 AM

Shredder calls Splinter "old man" in a few episodes so he might be a decade older.

I would assume Splinter is around 45 and Shredder somewhere in his early 30's at the time the original cartoon was going on.

*Prowler* · 08-12-2016, 11:25 AM

Well Splinter was Shredder's original master, so it makes sense that Splinter/Yoshi is older than him. Shredder was quite young in the Fred Wolf series.He couldn't be any older than 35 at best. Splinter wore a cane even in the Splinter No More episode when he became human again for a while, so I guess he is already 45-50? Although being a martial artist and a physically healthy person, how could he be already walking with a cane at age of 45-50? Also, Yoshi is Japanese, and Asian people prolly look younger than their actual age often?

*CyberCubed* · 08-12-2016, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prowler

, Yoshi is Japanese, and Asian people prolly look younger than their actual age often?

Keep in mind the show came out in 1987. Back in the 80's people got older younger.

*Utrommaniac* · 08-12-2016, 02:21 PM

While it's exactly canon (or canon in the least), I've attached myself to Shredder's age to being off a remark he made in the manga adaptation. He jokingly says something about being born in the year of the Ox. Between these years: 1937, 1949, 1961 - I put 1949 as the most reasonable, putting him at 38 in 1987. Just young enough have missed WWII completely, but have parents still shaking from the throughs of it, but just old enough to grow up watching Japan be completely taken over by Western influences.

Splinter is probably somewhere in he's 50s or 60's. As for the cane, it probably has something to do with the affects of his mutation putting some strain on his bones and muscles.

thundermaster612 · 08-12-2016, 02:54 PM

I would say 45-50 or so, 2012 Splinter is 50 which that age is official so it could be the same case with OT Splinter but with a minor difference. Shredder is probably in his 30s-40s. Maybe its just the rat factor that's throwing me off with Splinter, but even when he was human he looked old. Well not old but 45-50ish old

Ulisa · 08-12-2016, 11:04 PM

Well, if you consider the TMNT Adventures to be canon, they give a rough estimate of his age.

--We know from several issues that Hamato Yoshi was a young man, training with his great uncle when the bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. He mentions that he continued training with his great uncle after the bombing until he went to university. The pictures in comics are never very spot on but he looks to be 14/15ish in the flashback sequences so that would mean he was born...somewhere around 1930-1931.

So, if we're assuming the cartoon takes place in real time, that the turtles are 15 when April meets them and the year she meets them is the year the cartoon aired (which is what I hear the most often though it's debatable whether that's 1987 when the pilot aired or 1988 when it really began airing regularly) then in the pilot, Splinter would be around 57/58.

The TMNT Adventures also gives the impression that the Turtles grew up in normal time instead of mutating instantly into teenagers. I personally like that better, I like the thought of them growing and maturing together so that's usually what I go by. So, that would mean if they were 15 in 1987/88, then they mutated around 1972/1973. So Splinter would be about 42 when he left Japan/was mutated.

I tend to agree with most of the others here that Shredder is younger than Splinter, given he was his student and his overall physical appearance. How much younger, I'm not sure, I would be inclined to say if Splinter was 42 when Shredder framed him then Shredder looked to be in his mid to late 20s. So, if I were to say Shredder was 24/25, then by the time the series starts, he'd be 39/40ish.

As for Splinter using a cane/walking stick, the comic states that he started to use one because his rat anatomy was so different from his human anatomy that walking became difficult at first. I also tend to think that if he was a martial arts master, that kind of activity would probably eventually reek havoc on your joints/bones, even without mutation and a new anatomy getting involved.

Just my two cents.

Casey · 08-12-2016, 11:11 PM

I know "people aged younger" 30 years ago, but honestly, listen to his voice and look at his cane. He's definitely an old man.

*Utrommaniac* · 08-13-2016, 01:25 AM

I would say that there is absolutely no way Shredder is 24/25 in the start of the series. Maybe when he backstabs Splinter (almost literally), but not when he's revealed to be working with Krang.

thundermaster612 · 08-13-2016, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Utrommaniac

I would say that there is absolutely no way Shredder is 24/25 in the start of the series. Maybe when he backstabs Splinter (almost literally), but not when he's revealed to be working with Krang.

Yeah, I'd say Splinter and Shredder were both on 24/25 when the little event occurred. So I'd say 4-5 years later he found the turtles and they got mutated. So they both could be in their 40's. Splinter a bit older than Shredder though.

*CyberCubed* · 08-13-2016, 07:36 PM

Shredder definitely appears to be in his 30's during the OT's run. He definitely doesn't look like some young 20 something year old, but he's also not old enough to be 40.

30 years old is the right age for a ninja warrior trying to conquer the world.

*Sage Ninja* · 08-26-2016, 10:15 PM

Don't forget that in the old cartoon shredder, while trying to manipulate Baxter stockman told him he looked upon him as a son. I know shredder was just sweet talking him, but I couldn't help but get stuck on that detail when I heard it. The show seemed to imply he'd be old enough to have a son as old as Baxter. How old was Baxter?

*Prowler* · 08-26-2016, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sage Ninja

Don't forget that in the old cartoon shredder, while trying to manipulate Baxter stockman told him he looked upon him as a son. I know shredder was just sweet talking him, but I couldn't help but get stuck on that detail when I heard it. The show seemed to imply he'd be old enough to have a son as old as Baxter. How old was Baxter?

No way. Baxter had wrinkles n his face already, if I recall. He was definitely older than Shredder.

Garfield · 08-28-2016, 04:14 PM

Splinter is 30 years old. Well according to Turtles in Time.

But seriously. I'd gather he'd be somewhere in his 40's or 50's. Shredhead somewhere in his 30's maybe even early 40's.

*Candy Kappa* · 08-28-2016, 04:52 PM

For some reason their age is flipped in the Mutatin' Chart that came with the Mutatin' figures. In the charts Shredder is listed as 37 and Splinter as 32.

With Splinter being Shredder's old master, it seems a bit incorrect.

https://c7.staticflickr.com/9/8105/8...1c95a8cf_b.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...splinter03.png

08-12-2016, 10:56 AM	#1
~~ABrown~~ Banned Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,831	Let's Talk About Master Splinter and Shredder's Ages During the OT I'm sure this has probably been discussed at some point in the past, so I apologize for that. While re watching the original TMNT cartoon, one of the things that I've always been curious about is Master Splinter and Shredder's ages. One thing to consider is whether or not 15 years had gone by in between the flashback shown during the first episode, and whenever the current day events of the first episode took place. I guess even though Master Splinter doesn't say that 15 years when by, I still do assume that it did. Master Splinter was supposed to a teacher of The Foot. So I'm guessing that he was already maybe mid 40's. Shredder was supposed to be a student. So I'd say he was probably supposed to be like early 20's? If 15 years had gone by, that would've made Master Splinter about 55-60 years old in the first episode, and Shredder in his late 30's. Does this sound about right?

08-12-2016, 02:21 PM	#5
Utrommaniac Resident overthinker Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: what is going on.......... Posts: 5,318	While it's exactly canon (or canon in the least), I've attached myself to Shredder's age to being off a remark he made in the manga adaptation. He jokingly says something about being born in the year of the Ox. Between these years: 1937, 1949, 1961 - I put 1949 as the most reasonable, putting him at 38 in 1987. Just young enough have missed WWII completely, but have parents still shaking from the throughs of it, but just old enough to grow up watching Japan be completely taken over by Western influences. Splinter is probably somewhere in he's 50s or 60's. As for the cane, it probably has something to do with the affects of his mutation putting some strain on his bones and muscles. __________________ DeviantART

08-12-2016, 02:54 PM	#6
thundermaster612 Mad Scientist Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Ninjago City Posts: 1,214	I would say 45-50 or so, 2012 Splinter is 50 which that age is official so it could be the same case with OT Splinter but with a minor difference. Shredder is probably in his 30s-40s. Maybe its just the rat factor that's throwing me off with Splinter, but even when he was human he looked old. Well not old but 45-50ish old __________________

08-12-2016, 11:11 PM	#8
Casey Stone Warrior Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Brooklyn, NYC Posts: 583	I know "people aged younger" 30 years ago, but honestly, listen to his voice and look at his cane. He's definitely an old man. __________________ GOONGALA!

08-13-2016, 01:25 AM	#9
Utrommaniac Resident overthinker Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: what is going on.......... Posts: 5,318	I would say that there is absolutely no way Shredder is 24/25 in the start of the series. Maybe when he backstabs Splinter (almost literally), but not when he's revealed to be working with Krang. __________________ DeviantART

08-12-2016, 11:13 AM	#2
CyberCubed Overlord Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 43,872	Shredder calls Splinter "old man" in a few episodes so he might be a decade older. I would assume Splinter is around 45 and Shredder somewhere in his early 30's at the time the original cartoon was going on.

08-12-2016, 11:04 PM	#7
Ulisa Foot Soldier Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Various Fantasy Realms Posts: 145	Well, if you consider the TMNT Adventures to be canon, they give a rough estimate of his age. --We know from several issues that Hamato Yoshi was a young man, training with his great uncle when the bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. He mentions that he continued training with his great uncle after the bombing until he went to university. The pictures in comics are never very spot on but he looks to be 14/15ish in the flashback sequences so that would mean he was born...somewhere around 1930-1931. So, if we're assuming the cartoon takes place in real time, that the turtles are 15 when April meets them and the year she meets them is the year the cartoon aired (which is what I hear the most often though it's debatable whether that's 1987 when the pilot aired or 1988 when it really began airing regularly) then in the pilot, Splinter would be around 57/58. The TMNT Adventures also gives the impression that the Turtles grew up in normal time instead of mutating instantly into teenagers. I personally like that better, I like the thought of them growing and maturing together so that's usually what I go by. So, that would mean if they were 15 in 1987/88, then they mutated around 1972/1973. So Splinter would be about 42 when he left Japan/was mutated. I tend to agree with most of the others here that Shredder is younger than Splinter, given he was his student and his overall physical appearance. How much younger, I'm not sure, I would be inclined to say if Splinter was 42 when Shredder framed him then Shredder looked to be in his mid to late 20s. So, if I were to say Shredder was 24/25, then by the time the series starts, he'd be 39/40ish. As for Splinter using a cane/walking stick, the comic states that he started to use one because his rat anatomy was so different from his human anatomy that walking became difficult at first. I also tend to think that if he was a martial arts master, that kind of activity would probably eventually reek havoc on your joints/bones, even without mutation and a new anatomy getting involved. Just my two cents.

08-13-2016, 07:36 PM	#11
CyberCubed Overlord Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 43,872	Shredder definitely appears to be in his 30's during the OT's run. He definitely doesn't look like some young 20 something year old, but he's also not old enough to be 40. 30 years old is the right age for a ninja warrior trying to conquer the world.

08-26-2016, 10:15 PM	#12
Sage Ninja Band of the Hawk Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: USA Posts: 3,926	Don't forget that in the old cartoon shredder, while trying to manipulate Baxter stockman told him he looked upon him as a son. I know shredder was just sweet talking him, but I couldn't help but get stuck on that detail when I heard it. The show seemed to imply he'd be old enough to have a son as old as Baxter. How old was Baxter? __________________ Cassandra: You won't fight me, but will you fight--for him! Cassandra's Revenge ~Tangled the Series ________________________________ http://frankviola.org/2012/01/30/godsviewofawoman/ _______________________________ http://nox-artemis.tumblr.com/post/4...k-and-feminism

08-28-2016, 04:14 PM	#14
Garfield Hench Mutant Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: New England Posts: 432	Splinter is 30 years old. Well according to Turtles in Time. But seriously. I'd gather he'd be somewhere in his 40's or 50's. Shredhead somewhere in his 30's maybe even early 40's. Last edited by Garfield; 08-28-2016 at 04:20 PM.

08-28-2016, 04:52 PM	#15
Candy Kappa The Agenda of Existing Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Vikingland Posts: 14,596	For some reason their age is flipped in the Mutatin' Chart that came with the Mutatin' figures. In the charts Shredder is listed as 37 and Splinter as 32. With Splinter being Shredder's old master, it seems a bit incorrect. https://c7.staticflickr.com/9/8105/8...1c95a8cf_b.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...splinter03.png __________________ devianArt Instagram Youtube Tumblr Art Blog Patreon