What is your least favorite TMNT animated series?

[CyberCubed]

It's not even the nostalgia for me. When I was watching it on DVD it felt like the first time seeing many of those episodes again. I actually think the style of writing during the very best old toon episodes was what I like about the franchise.

[Pterobat]

I'm not finished going through the OT in full (after a cherry-picking run), but I guess the problem for me is that while I get it on that ironic level, I slowly realize that you've seen everything of the characters that they are capable of doing and being, and there are still dozens of episodes to go. You have to pick the standouts and realize you don't miss much.

That being said, I *do* like episodes. I like anything with Baxter (because he's used so little and keeps changing, he never becomes stagnant), anything Splinter-centric (though Splinter suffers from the same problems as the rest of the major characters), something with a cool monster or idea, or something that manages to find that state where it's so stupid it's hilarious, like "Plan Six from Outer Space". I genuinely enjoy these episodes.

It's not nostalgia driving this affection, because I've only watched these recently, and if it were nostalgia, I'd enjoy everything equally.

The Red Sky seasons were the opposite of "trying too hard" for me: they were doing the bare minimum to try to "upgrade" the series, and once you look past the new surface, the Hip New Sidekick and the Cool New Villain, you see something that's little darker than the most level-headed episodes of the OT. They're just struggling to keep a dying series relevant, and it's a little pathetic to watch.

[CyberCubed]

Originally Posted by Pterobat

I'm not finished going through the OT in full (after a cherry-picking run), but I guess the problem for me is that while I get it on that ironic level, I slowly realize that you've seen everything of the characters that they are capable of doing and being, and there are still dozens of episodes to go. You have to pick the standouts and realize you don't miss much.

Well...that is true. When you stop to think about it, you realize nobody in the original toon goes through any character development over the entire 10 year span of the show.

The Turtles, Splinter, April, Shredder/Krang and most of the other characters remain exactly the same from their debut appearances till the end. Sure, their personalities are slightly modified in time and they bring up things they did in older episodes, but it is true there's no real character growth.

That being said, for this type of series, it really didn't matter. Shredder/Krang were never going to learn from their mistakes, Bebop/Rocksteady would remain loveable idiots, and the Turtles would always return to status quo at the end of the episode.

And for some reason it doesn't matter. The 4kids series tried to give the Turtles character development but it wound up taking them in odd directions, like Leonardo being angry, Mikey becoming a showoff, and Raph almost becoming a parody of his own anger.

[miru]

2003 series. The first 5 seasons were pretty good, but not that good. I didn;t like the character designs and most of the new characters. In particular the Diggers. They looked more Ben 10 than TMNT, although I did like Quarry's bug-mouth and overall un-feminine look. Most of the mutants seen were just generic monsters, unlike in other incarnations.


Then along came Fast Forward, one of the worst things to happen to TMNT. Back tot he Sweres was just as bad, but at least had a great theme song.


Then there were the toys. Back in the day )before my time), the TMNT toys were full of vibrant details and they made just about everybody (and even made up some characters). But this toyline was the opposite. The toys looked very boring (with a few exceptions like Minnetonka Mutant, Nanotech Monster, Hun, and Karai), and skipped several important characters. Guys like Two-Ton, Angel, Darius Dun, the Acolytes, and Raptarr were okay, because they weren't very important (though Raptarr would have been cool). But the lack of Renet, who is a Mirage character, is mystifyng. Even more glaring is the absence of Cyber Shredder. Some Casey and April variations would have been fun too.

The worst part? The video games.

[Pterobat]

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

The Turtles, Splinter, April, Shredder/Krang and most of the other characters remain exactly the same from their debut appearances till the end. Sure, their personalities are slightly modified in time and they bring up things they did in older episodes, but it is true there's no real character growth.

That being said, for this type of series, it really didn't matter. Shredder/Krang were never going to learn from their mistakes, Bebop/Rocksteady would remain loveable idiots, and the Turtles would always return to status quo at the end of the episode.

And for some reason it doesn't matter.

To some, yes. To me, it does matter, because it's part of the reason why I can get tired of the old cartoon and don't consider all episodes equal. Even if you find characters entertaining, eventually if you keep seeing them doing the same things over and over again, you get tired of it.

The 4kids series tried to give the Turtles character development but it wound up taking them in odd directions, like Leonardo being angry, Mikey becoming a showoff, and Raph almost becoming a parody of his own anger.

I didn't find it odd: these changes were based on the experiences they had. And you gotta give them something for trying.

[bwwd]

Im sure one year from now most people would vote current nickelodeon tmnt as the worst one, ive seen first episode, its for kids, just random ninja 4 guys kids show...
I dont know what to think about original tmnt cartoon from 80s-90s, ive seen it as a kid, but i also liked other cartoons and was excited to see snorks or ALF cartoon, when youre kid you dont really have any taste, you keep watching what tv gives you, there were some ok episodes of original tmnt but overall its just very average, i liked 2k turtles better because they were more dramatic, we will never get more serious and dramatic tmnt now, i dont know why people complain, tmnt was dramatic, its ninjas, assassins, first mirage comic book is about personal vengeance of splinter, when i read it now its just so egoistic but back then it was just backstory from that tv show ive seen as a kid.
Maybe 2k show was tooooooo long thats why some episodes that were never meant to be were created.Anyway, least fav is current one, then 80s one and best is 2k, especially first seasons.I dont mind jabs at old tmnt at all, i liked them actually.
I feel so old now... i still remember when 2k tmnt premiered!!! It was like yesterday and now its like 10 years ago, its even bigger gap than from 90s TMNT to 2k TMNT.Im wondering how show will look like 10 years from now on, or 20 years... or not, cause its depressing how time is passing by.

[CyberCubed]

Originally Posted by Pterobat

To some, yes. To me, it does matter, because it's part of the reason why I can get tired of the old cartoon and don't consider all episodes equal. Even if you find characters entertaining, eventually if you keep seeing them doing the same things over and over again, you get tired of it.

If this was any other series I'd agree with you, but if you think of the OT just being one long season rather than several short ones, maybe that will make a difference. The Turtles can't stray too far from their character tropes anyway. I don't know, I guess the original TMNT toon feels so different than all the other cartoons I've watched that I don't mind that we have a show that is, "this way."

For me, even though you knew the Turtles would stop whatever scheme Shredder/Krang had for an episode and return everything to status quo, there was still so much variety in the plots that it didn't matter. One episode has a giant ice creature, the next has the Turtles traveling through space, the next has Japanese warlords in NYC, the next has the Turtles chasing after little aliens that duplicate themselves, the next has Donatello creating a time stopping device, etc.

Back in 2004 when the OT DVDs first started coming out I didn't think I would enjoy the show anymore as I was a teen back then. However I started watching the show in order from beginning to end and couldn't believe how much fun I was having. Its a show where you KNOW its very repetitive and some parts of it are written poorly....but it oddly adds to its charm. If that makes any sense. Its so bad its good.

[Icebot]

Originally Posted by snakeweed101

Give it a chance, the cgi is really good looking, personally I love it

I don't necessarily hate it. I'm just a little disappointed that they switched to CGI. I used to watch Jimmy Neutron so I know what CGI is like. I'll probably get used to it sometime.

[rpd123]

I didn't like the CGI at first, but it's growing on me. It makes action sequences look more fluid in my opinion. I don't like Donnie's gap tooth though.

[DonatelloNinja82]

I cannot choose...I love them all!

[ZariusTwo]

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

Its so bad its good.

Definatly wouldnt say that. To me, it's so good it's great. And proof you don't need things like "ongoing character development" or anything to hold your attention if it's capable of entertaining you on other levels. In a a day and age where "character development" usually leads to angstier, confictive and predictable storytelling, it's a refreshing change of pace. Too many animated shows, whilst great, tend to punch one in the gut rather than leave you with a smile on your face.

The Red Sky seasons were the opposite of "trying too hard" for me: they were doing the bare minimum to try to "upgrade" the series, and once you look past the new surface, the Hip New Sidekick and the Cool New Villain, you see something that's little darker than the most level-headed episodes of the OT. They're just struggling to keep a dying series relevant, and it's a little pathetic to watch.

Hardly "pathetic", as the red sky seasons are very interesting and a good insight in trying to adapt to the changing nature of animated television whilst trying not to compromise the style the old series was accustomed to all that much...it's sort of stuck somewhere between.

[CyberCubed]

Originally Posted by ZariusTwo

Hardly "pathetic", as the red sky seasons are very interesting and a good insight in trying to adapt to the changing nature of animated television whilst trying not to compromise the style the old series was accustomed to all that much...it's sort of stuck somewhere between.

Agreed, I only wish Season 8 could have been a full 26 episode season. We should have seen more of Shredder/Krang working at the Hall of Science, and they probably would have also brought Baxter and Leatherhead back one more time if they had more episodes.

Season 8 almost felt like the start of a new series, its just a shame it was so short that it never lived up to its full potential.

[Jephael]

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

Agreed, I only wish Season 8 could have been a full 26 episode season. We should have seen more of Shredder/Krang working at the Hall of Science, and they probably would have also brought Baxter and Leatherhead back one more time if they had more episodes.

Season 8 almost felt like the start of a new series, its just a shame it was so short that it never lived up to its full potential.

As much as I prefer seasons 4-7 of the original cartoon, I do think the red sky era had potential. There's so much they could've done with the show up to that point.

[Boy Wonder]

Original Toon

The first 3 or so seasons were good, but after that it just tanked. Everything fell downhill and it was brutal to watch.

The Nick toon is still new, but I really like the direction it is taking.

2K3 is like my definitive Turtles. Love it. (minus Fast Forward)

[Original TMNT Cartoon Fan]

Originally Posted by Jephael

As much as I prefer seasons 4-7 of the original cartoon, I do think the red sky era had potential. There's so much they could've done with the show up to that point.

I actually like the solo-adventures during season 5-6 and those with Leatherhead and the Rat King, and a lot of no Shredder-episodes now. Didn't do that as a kid, but then in late 2003-early 2004 when I started re-watch season 3's "Enter: the Rat King" and really thought "I like this".

[CyberCubed]

Originally Posted by Boy Wonder

Original Toon

The first 3 or so seasons were good, but after that it just tanked. Everything fell downhill and it was brutal to watch.

The Nick toon is still new, but I really like the direction it is taking.

2K3 is like my definitive Turtles. Love it. (minus Fast Forward)

The old toon didn't "tank" after Season 3. Season 4 was the start of the mad scientist episodes but there were plenty of good episodes there. Season 5 was hit or miss and Season 6 was better than that. Once you get to Season 7 and above the series returns to action.

In fact I think the OT was actually the most consistent of all the cartoons. It had good episodes on all the seasons and a few bad ones, but there was never much of a noticeable difference. You could take a Season 5 episode and place it in Season 3 and nobody would know the difference besides the location of the Technodrome being elsewhere.

[Luigiperps]

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

The old toon didn't "tank" after Season 3. Season 4 was the start of the mad scientist episodes but there were plenty of good episodes there. Season 5 was hit or miss and Season 6 was better than that. Once you get to Season 7 and above the series returns to action.

In fact I think the OT was actually the most consistent of all the cartoons. It had good episodes on all the seasons and a few bad ones, but there was never much of a noticeable difference. You could take a Season 5 episode and place it in Season 3 and nobody would know the difference besides the location of the Technodrome being elsewhere.

Cough>red sky>Cough

[ZariusTwo]

Originally Posted by Boy Wonder

Original Toon

The first 3 or so seasons were good, but after that it just tanked. Everything fell downhill and it was brutal to watch

"Brutal to watch" is the Nick TMNT. The original 'toon lasted ten years, so clearly nobody else thought stuff past the third was "brutal"

Originally Posted by Luigiperps

Cough>red sky>Cough

Red Sky was'nt terrible either, just different. People associate "change" with "suck" for some reason.

[ToTheNines]

Originally Posted by ZariusTwo

Red Sky was'nt terrible either, just different. People associate "change" with "suck" for some reason.

Yes it was. I'm a huge fan of the OT but Red Sky literally puts me to sleep every time I watch it.

[Luigiperps]

Originally Posted by Luigiperps

Cough>red sky>Cough

[QUOTE=Red Sky was'nt terrible either, just different. People associate "change" with "suck" for some reason.[/QUOTE]

I didn't say it was terrible, I said it was inconsistent with the rest of the series