Who's the most important Turtle overall?

*Prowler* · 02-26-2026, 04:00 PM

In theory, they should ALL be equally important. Even though Leo is the leader, he shouldn't be more important or visibly a better fighter than his brothers.

But in practice... there's a lot of inconsistency throughout all the different versions of the property.

Don's scientific and engineering knowledge and feats in the Fred Wolf cartoon and FW-related stuff are so absurd that the Turtles would all be dead without him rather early in the series.

In the 2k3 series, the writers sure made Leo look like the most competent Turtle overall. Without him, the Turtles would not survive in tough battles at all.

Mikey is the opposite. In many versions outside of Mirage, he's basically the most useless Turtle. Since he's too goofy, immature and stupid to the point that even his athleticism and speed don't favour him much at the end of the day. "If Mikey died, the Turtles would get depressed and the heart/soul of the team would be shattered!" some will say... and they wouldn't be if Leo, Raph or Don had been the one to die instead? Not to mention losing the qualities those 3 have/offer...

Raph, I dunno. Someone who's hotheaded is not a very good idea in battle or when going stealthy. He is canonically the strongest Turtle, I guess, but it's not like I've seen much evidence of that. It's not like he's MUCH stronger than the rest of his brothers.

I haven't seen/read everything. So I'm just talking about anything up until Turtles Forever, basically.

*ToTheNines* · 02-26-2026, 04:09 PM

*neatoman* · 02-26-2026, 04:24 PM

Yeah... It's kinda hard to deny it's Leo.

Leo is the one to stab Shredder in the lung in the first issue (though you could technically say Don gets the killing blow).
Leo is the one to kill the Rat King.
Leo is the one who gets the most significant micro for the plot (at least in immediate terms).
Leo is the one to kill the Clone Shredder.
Leo is the one to make the deal with Karai.
Leo in the Archie series is the one to lead warriors in the future.
Leo in the 2003 show is the one to get the training arc.
Leo in the 2007 movie is the catalyst for much the plot.
Leo in IDW gets the brainwashing arc.
Leo in the 2012 show gets a lot of story attention.
Leo in Rise has a more clear arc than the others, with Raph being a leader mostly being a red herring.
Leo in Mutant Mayhem is... Well, he's the only one of the turtles driving the plot forward... And the only one with any semblance of a personality.

*CyberCubed* · 02-26-2026, 05:34 PM

I'd say in every universe it's Leonardo EXCEPT the original cartoon.

Fred Wolf Donatello was like the unofficial leader of the show, he literally solved the problems and saved the day in like 80% of the episodes. LOL

*triplexxx* · 02-26-2026, 06:31 PM

It was never a franchise about a lone wolf hero, but a team of heroes; they wouldn't all exist if they didn't all have a purpose, and that's been true in every iteration.

Mad Dog McMutt · 02-26-2026, 06:48 PM

I gotta go with Donatello on this one. There are so many instances where the turtles would have been screwed if it wasn't for him and his inventions.

TheLabRat · 02-26-2026, 08:57 PM

Leo. Without the head, the others will lose their direction due to the lack of a clear goal. Besides maintaining discipline and fairness, leaders must prioritize the interests of the team or their clan, they cannot easily let personal feelings sway them. When faced with the bigger picture or the need to punish members who have failed in their duties, even if he doesn't like the decisions he makes and feels pain, he has to do so if it's for the sake of the team.

But honestly, I don't like that “Without one of them means their doom.“ Who knows, they might find other ways to overcome it. In the IDW TMNT 20/20, Leo is no longer the leader, but he also become a mystic warrior, and still did his best to help his brothers.

*triplexxx* · 02-26-2026, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheLabRat

But honestly, I don't like that “Without one of them means their doom.“ Who knows, they might find other ways to overcome it.

Every turtle has proved on multiple occasions capable of being self-sufficient, but they do need each other as a team to accomplish their ultimate objectives.

*Powder* · 02-26-2026, 10:27 PM

Biased as a Leo fan, but I feel like even objectively, it's clearly Leo.

Zog The Magnificent · 02-26-2026, 11:45 PM

I've gotta agree with those voting Leo, and cast my vote with them. Despite ostensibly being an ensemble piece, Leo almost always ends up as the focal character, POV character, and generally does most of the heavy lifting plot wise. Raphael is generally the second most important, when looking purely at who the narrative tends to consequentially focus on.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

02-26-2026, 04:09 PM	#2
ToTheNines Col. Stinkmeaner Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 19,363

02-26-2026, 05:34 PM	#4
CyberCubed Overlord Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 43,880	I'd say in every universe it's Leonardo EXCEPT the original cartoon. Fred Wolf Donatello was like the unofficial leader of the show, he literally solved the problems and saved the day in like 80% of the episodes. LOL

02-26-2026, 06:31 PM	#5
triplexxx Mad Scientist Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,818	It was never a franchise about a lone wolf hero, but a team of heroes; they wouldn't all exist if they didn't all have a purpose, and that's been true in every iteration.

02-26-2026, 06:48 PM	#6
Mad Dog McMutt Stone Warrior Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: St. Louis, Missouri Posts: 707	I gotta go with Donatello on this one. There are so many instances where the turtles would have been screwed if it wasn't for him and his inventions.

02-26-2026, 08:57 PM	#7
TheLabRat Stone Warrior Join Date: Feb 2023 Posts: 820	Leo. Without the head, the others will lose their direction due to the lack of a clear goal. Besides maintaining discipline and fairness, leaders must prioritize the interests of the team or their clan, they cannot easily let personal feelings sway them. When faced with the bigger picture or the need to punish members who have failed in their duties, even if he doesn't like the decisions he makes and feels pain, he has to do so if it's for the sake of the team. But honestly, I don't like that “Without one of them means their doom.“ Who knows, they might find other ways to overcome it. In the IDW TMNT 20/20, Leo is no longer the leader, but he also become a mystic warrior, and still did his best to help his brothers.

02-26-2026, 10:27 PM	#9
Powder 40 Years of TMNT Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Shell-Ri-La Posts: 26,956	Biased as a Leo fan, but I feel like even objectively, it's clearly Leo.

02-26-2026, 11:45 PM	#10
Zog The Magnificent Stone Warrior Join Date: Nov 2015 Posts: 830	I've gotta agree with those voting Leo, and cast my vote with them. Despite ostensibly being an ensemble piece, Leo almost always ends up as the focal character, POV character, and generally does most of the heavy lifting plot wise. Raphael is generally the second most important, when looking purely at who the narrative tends to consequentially focus on.