Did the Ninja Turtles get anyone else interested in Japan?

*Prowler* · 11-18-2013, 09:52 PM

The Ninja Turtles were probably one of the pioneers when it comes to Ninjas in the Western pop culture. Speaking for myself, the Ninja Turtles were what got me interested in Japan and its culture. It was my first exposure to martial arts and ninjas. Many years later I got into anime/manga and eventually started researching Japanese-related topics(history, culture, politics).

I kinda believe that the Ninja Turtles, alongside video games, was the start of Japanophilia in the West. At least in the pop culture. I mean, had there ever been a popular cartoon with such themes before the FW Ninja Turtles series? And despite the fact that there were already several martial art flicks, the FW series was aimed at kids and it was massively popular all over the world. It certainly made ninjas "cool" with the younger audience.

Again, I speak for myself, but I doubt I would have ever gotten into anime/manga or interested in Japanese culture and history if I had never become a Ninja Turtles fan in the first place. Anyone else here went through the same process?

11-18-2013, 09:52 PM	#1
Prowler Emperor Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,999	Did the Ninja Turtles get anyone else interested in Japan? The Ninja Turtles were probably one of the pioneers when it comes to Ninjas in the Western pop culture. Speaking for myself, the Ninja Turtles were what got me interested in Japan and its culture. It was my first exposure to martial arts and ninjas. Many years later I got into anime/manga and eventually started researching Japanese-related topics(history, culture, politics). I kinda believe that the Ninja Turtles, alongside video games, was the start of Japanophilia in the West. At least in the pop culture. I mean, had there ever been a popular cartoon with such themes before the FW Ninja Turtles series? And despite the fact that there were already several martial art flicks, the FW series was aimed at kids and it was massively popular all over the world. It certainly made ninjas "cool" with the younger audience. Again, I speak for myself, but I doubt I would have ever gotten into anime/manga or interested in Japanese culture and history if I had never become a Ninja Turtles fan in the first place. Anyone else here went through the same process?