Your favourite character traits

[jenna]

What are your favourite character traits of the turtles. What is it that makes the characters special to you?

1. Raph: I respect Raphael because he carries the burdens of the group's nagativity. He deals with his inner deamons as bravely as he can, by battling on despite the fact that he is tormented. He masks his fragility to be strong for his brothers.

2. Leo: I admire Leonardo because he denies his own youngness. He sacrifices his youth to be responsible for his brothers and to be a good leader. He dedicates everything to the vales he believes in and adheres to it with passion.

3. Mike: I love that Michelangelo can find light and humour in the more dire of situations. Without Mike the rest would wallow in misery. Even under pressure he makes the effort to lighten the tone. He balances his moodier brothers this way.

4. Don: I love that despite being a trained ninja, there is an innocence to Don that makes him look for the best in his enemies. There is a part of him that is damaged when he kills / hurts someone. He is a pacifist who has to fight.

[MoreCowbell5263]

I whole-heartedly agree with all of those, but I may need to think about it some more.

[Roseangelo]

Originally Posted by jenna

2. Leo: I admire Leonardo because he denies his own youngness. He sacrifices his youth to be responsible for his brothers and to be a good leader. He dedicates everything to the vales he believes in and adheres to it with passion.

I like how you've phrased this about Leo. You say that he denies himself his youth - You also say that Raph carries the burdens of negativity for his brothers, so perhaps Leo's carrying the burdens of responsibility for his brothers so that they can take full advantage of their youth. (Or that might have been what you were actually saying.)

Although I've known for a long time that there's much more to him, I think I've always seen Leo as simply the goody-goody perfectionist. Most people I've ever known who are like this have annoyed the hell out of me and I've always been confused about their motivation for being like this. There was this one girl in high school who I was friends with who was the ULTIMATE perfectionist and I just never got why. It's one thing to study constantly and get straight As, which she did, but what was up with how she couldn't write on unlined paper without first drawing lines using a ruler which she would then erase once she had finished writing? I still don't get what that was all about (and I'm morbidly curious to know if she's still like that today).

For the longest time Leo was at the bottom of my list of favorite Turtles; it wasn't until the NT that I upped him on that list. I think in the OT Leo was very much just the straight-up perfect leader one without any real reason or motivation for being that way (in hindsight, none of the Turtles had extreme depth to their characters in the OT). And as that was my first exposure to the TMNT, it made a lasting impression.

So I guess in short what I'm saying is that realizing the motivation behind a character's behavior and attitude can give me a lot more respect for them, even though I might still not like that behavior and/or attitude (or, perhaps, am just annoyed by them).

[triplexxx]

Pretty much what jenna said; I love the turtles for the traits they have that enable them to be of service to their family and be honorable.

[Sunshine]

I agree. I can't pick just one. It's the combination of all of those great personality traits that jenna listed that makes the team and their family work.

[Revan]

I love many things about Raph. Definately more than one but the trait I love most about him is his fearlessness. Even at times when Raph "may" be frightened, he does not show it.

"Ninja Tribunal"
Wooden warriors completely dominate the turtles with only tonfas. The warriors could have easily destroyed our green friends but they did not want to. Anyway, later at the tribunal the warriors surround the turtles, this time with blades. There is no hope for victory but Raph does not care.
"I've been dying for a rematch!" He says. That line sticks in my mind. I love how he doesn't fear anything.

Also when Hun has Raph tied down and is threatening to slice him up. Hun asks where did you get your weapons.
"Yo Mama" Wow, guts!

[Ava Collier]

What a loaded question. I grew up with the turtles, and loved them for most of my life. My reasons for then aren't anywhere near my reasons for now. I don't even know how to begin to explain...but I will try.

When I was a little girl, with my only exposure being the OT, Donatello was my entire world. And thus he remained until the movie came out. He was everything I wanted to be. Super smart, kick ass, and green. Wait...I mean able to make just about anything he wanted to happen. If it didn't blow up, he could make ANYTHING! He was also very sweet, and kinda clumbsy. Plus no one taught him these things, he learned it all on his own. I was just in love with him. It was him, just him, and all about him until I saw the first movie. Then it was still mostly him, but I knew other ninja turtles existed. A-HA! Okay, I knew they existed, but I didn't care much for them before then. The movie was really the eye opener for me.

...Now I watch the OT, and often find myself shaking hands with my FACE, going "Damnit Donnie...what the hell are you even doing?" I like his role in the NT a lot more. He's got all the same elements, only they're a lot more believable.

It took me a long time to find anything likeable in Leonardo. The whole Miss/Mister Perfect attitude pokes, and peels it's way under my skin just itching until I scratch. It wasn't until I started having to play a role in my younger brothers' lives, that I began to appreciate his role in things, and understand Leo on a deeper level. I was 23 years old before this happened. They were 12 and 13. It was a rather sudden change. Leo may come off as an asshole, but his motives are just. He does what needs to be done. Not just what he'd rather do. All the emotions, and stress gets to him too, he just doesn't show it. Their lives are hard, harder than most, and he takes it upon himself to set an example. He has to choose between being a brother, and being a leader, because each would make different descisions.


Mikey...Mikey is just happy. He's loveable, and fun. He's also contageous. He'd be one of those people you just feel good being around. Or if they manage to annoy you, or piss you off, they always ind a way of redeeming themselves. Or you can just forgive them because they're there. There's a lot more to him, but those are my favorite character traits. A lot easier to explain than those two. *points up* I'mma have to politely refuse to analyze Raphael...again. It just makes me start to wonder about myself...again.

[johnnyblaze]

I agree that Leo gets alot of crap mainly because he isn't the bad boy of the group but rather the straight edge but still there is a reason he does what he does: its for them. Its for Master Splinter, for Donatello, for Michelangelo, and for Raphael. Yeah on a personal level he wants to be the best but that goal for perfection also comes from wanting and feeling like he needs to be that way for his family. He needs to be the person they can turn to and depend on. It's a feeling that he needs to take everything Splinter tries to teach them seriously and to use the teachings as wisely as he can. This is what he has in life-- his training and his family . He's Leonardo the leader , Leonardo the brother, Leonardo the son, and Leonardo the warrior and his goal is to not fail at any of them so he does what he feels he needs to do in order to not fail at it. If that means playing by the rules, dedicating himself to his training, etc, then so be it

[triplexxx]

Nobody treats him that way; I've every respect for what he does; he's dedicated to his family just as he should be, his brothers feel the same way, and there's nothing wrong with it. They each have their different roles, but they all take it upon themselves to stand up for their family and do whatever they can to protect them. Every one of them is depended on for some reason. Yeah Leonardo can be unlikable at moments but so can all the others; but overall, none of them are selfish or hate anyone in their family or deserve to be hated. They all love each other; they've all worked hard for each others' survival; and they've all accomplished a lot with their lives.

[johnnyblaze]

oh please yeah some people do, especially when the Raphael or Leonardo debate comes up

[Scandia]

Leonardo's my favorite Turtle. I like his idealism. I like how he's the ideal student and son. I do not really connect with any of my relatives at that level so I envy how close Leo is to Splinter. I like the fact that he tries to be perfect or at least the best. I was not sure if I was going to like what happened to him in the NT- but as soon as I saw his injured shell, I realized what it meant and I think it is a great plot twist. I hope he is still the leader and apple of his sensei's eye after his return home.

Donatello is my second favorite. And probably closest to me in personality. I like how he's so rational. I like all his scientific and inventive interests. I like the fact that he's so independent- he could easily raise himself.

Michelangelo is such an attention grabber that I thought at the very beginning of the OT that he was going to be my favorite. I like his childlike innocence. I like his big appetite. I like the fact that he likes comic books so much. I like his closeness to Klunk.

Raphael...well, I like the fact that he's a rebel. I like the fact that in the OT he watches the most TV and breaks the 4th wall the most.

[Courk]

I only have enough time to throw out my thoughts on Raphael. I love how protective I've noticed he is towards his brothers. He manages to keep an eye on them even in the midst of a fight.

[a_big_apple]

Originally Posted by Neutrino

Also when Hun has Raph tied down and is threatening to slice him up. Hun asks where did you get your weapons.
"Yo Mama" Wow, guts!

That bit of 2k3 comes pretty close to embodying what I love about Raph. I also love, as Courk said, his fierce protectiveness. He's one of those great characters who, if I met him in real life, would scare the crap out of me, while at the same time would make me feel incredibly safe.

I love the gentleness in Donnie, and the peacefulness, and that restless mind that wants to be constantly learning or putting knowledge to use. I also really like the sense I have that Don is very open about what he's feeling, as opposed to Leo or Raph, who have all sorts of defense mechanisms that keep their feelings from showing plainly.

Leo...well, Leo's an ass, but he's so devoted. I can't help but respect that, and I also can't help loving him for it. I also love his moments of vulnerability, when he's suddenly able to admit that he's not perfect, and can't be.

Mikey has always been my favorite, and the one I'm most like. His sweetness has always gotten to me--like the moment in the new movie when he's so thrilled to see Leo that he falls off the couch, and hugs him so tightly. Or the moment at the end when he's giving up the Cowabunga Carl head, and just gives that amazing grin. I also love that he's never ashamed to make a fool of himself--most especially the cross-dressing, which never fails to make me laugh like a hyena and adore him completely.

PS--I just noticed that this is my 100th post! That's pretty cool.

[Sage Ninja]

Originally Posted by jenna

3. Mike: I love that Michelangelo can find light and humour in the more dire of situations. Without Mike the rest would wallow in misery. Even under pressure he makes the effort to lighten the tone. He balances his moodier brothers this way.

4. Don: I love that despite being a trained ninja, there is an innocence to Don that makes him look for the best in his enemies. There is a part of him that is damaged when he kills / hurts someone. He is a pacifist who has to fight.

I think the one you have for Donatello could definately be applied to Michaelangelo as well. Michaelangelo just seems so innocent and pure hearted that I think he woould would have the most difficulty taking an enemies life even if he had too if there was something tragic about that enemy that he feels coukld have been changfed or prevented if some pne had reached out to this person. I just see Michaelangelo haveing the most innocent empathy for people that he might over look their obvious flaws and feel more remorseful for their plight that led them to a life of evil. Espeically Mirage Michaelangelo. If the issue where he has the choice to save klunks life by sacrificing an innocent life (the stray alley cat), or letting Klunk die is any indication. Michaelangelo seems to have a distinct problem comitting violence or evil even if the act is for a good cause. Since following the path of the warrior often entails a "ends justify the means" approuch he can't act instinctually as a warrior because he has ethical issues and doesn't use full force like his brothers would. Like Splinter said to him that issue, he is walking two paths: One of a warrior and one that is a bit more innocent, which he constantly has to make comprimises for. And that is what makes Michaelangelo appealing to me and is the traits I most admire in him.

[Rooish]

First the preliminaries: Congrats, avalon!!!!

Someday I'll be at 1,000, although I've slowed down so much in posting.

And Sage Ninja my dear, please get out of my mind. No seriously, I just feel the same way you do about Mike having that same admirable trait as Don does. In fact, the only medium I can see Don not hurting a fly in is 2k3. Otherwise I see him as a pacifist except when violence is completely necessary.

So here's what I like about each Turtle:

Raphael - I guess I love his passion and loyalty. Granted, all the Turtles are loyal, but Raph seriously seems almost a little too loyal, like he actively wants to get killed someday by jumping between one of his brothers and a bad guy. Raph also is completely honest in his emotions, which always come out at full strength. Granted, living with this kind of person would be completely exhausting and emotionally damaging (actually, I'm going to be living with a similar type in September... wish me luck). But seeing such lack of self-control in a comic or on TV, I can't help but be drawn to it, even when he acts completely manic-depressive (which is generally not an enviable condition). We suppress our desires and our feelings so much in order to fit into a society. (I, for example, don't actually do anything and am waiting for the day when I start to feel like I'm living.) But Raph just is, without restrictions. He suppresses nothing, and he loves with full strength, just as he hates with full strength. Plus, I admired so much his courage to admit his wrongs in the 2007 movie.

Leonardo - I love Leo, but he has such a tight rein on his emotions that it's hard to tell what truly motivates him. As in, it's hard to tell what/who he actually cares about, vs. what he acts like he cares about for honour's sake or for his image--he's so proud and all. In 2k3, Leo is very kind and brave, and seems to genuinely like and respect his family. In the 2k7 movie, he seems more arrogant, less in tune with his brothers' feelings (*RAPHAEL*), and more focused on being a perfect leader. It's hard to tell whether he genuinely likes his family (of course he loves them and would die for them), or whether he just tolerates them in a condescendingly nice way. So I guess what I like most about Leo is the complete opposite of what I like about Raph. See, although in most other ways Leo is very similar to Raphael, his self-control is unbreakable. Except when he got angsty in 2k3, Season 4. But actually, I probably just don't get Leo at all, because I am not really like him. He is probably my second favourite Turtle nowadays, but he's a mystery to me.

Donatello - Drat, I also like Don because he's kind of a mystery to me. I mean, he's supposedly the pacifist of the group, but I remember killing more people than Mikey did in the Mirage comics ... I remember Don knocking Oroku Saki and a bomb off a building (granted, it was either Oroku Saki alone blows up, or Oroku Saki and all four Turtles blow up). I remember Don shooting the **** out of an Elite Guard, shooting the **** out of Baxter Stockman ... Donatello is a pacifist in his head (he morally opposes violence and guns, except when the situation requires such things), while Mike may be a pacifist in his heart (he just hasn't the heart to kill anybody). Except in 2k3, where Don is much sweeter and Mikey is a bit less sweet. I guess lots of people consider 2k3 the definitive Turtles, but I like the more unpredictable Mirage Don better. But anyway, Don is as fascinating as he is fascinated in things. And I guess what I like best about him is his grace and humility. I mean, the team probably relies on him more than any other Turtle, and he rarely toots his own horn. He's also so introverted and private. And he has that kind-of-unrequited love for April (I never saw it anywhere but the 2k3 toon, though, although Jo Dawn believes otherwise) that could really give any TMNT story some angst and heart. And although I am possibly least attached to Don, I appreciate his understated importance in the team. Probably whenever I get around to writing a fanfic, it will be Don who unexpectedly saves the day. Oops, I guess it's not unexpected anymore.

Michelangelo - I just love this little dude so much. But the more I think about it, the less fond I am of Mike in the 2k3 toon--I almost consider him noncanonical and out-of-character, almost as much as Donatello in the 1990 movie. The places where Mike has shined the most have been the old cartoon and in Mirage Volume 4 (which is the main thing I really like about Volume 4). These mediums depict Mike as playful, compassionate, laid-back, smart but unanalytical, and sometimes somewhat lacking in self-control, like Raph. But not in Raph's angry hurtful way. I mean, Mike really doesn't resent anybody or pick on anybody in those mediums (although in 2k3 I think he is a bit angrier and resents Raphael). Sometimes he isn't appreciated, though ... because he is clearly the youngest, the least focused and strategic, and the goofiest. Maybe I like him because he doesn't really work as a warrior, but he's clumped in there anyway. I don't think he can feel hate, or even Don's cold calculated knowledge that an enemy sometimes needs to die. Heh, maybe I make Mike seem too nice, especially since his 2k3 component seems rather lacking in compassion sometimes, as well as happiness and calmness. But I see Mike as this sort of nice gentle guy who doesn't really want to fight and who doesn't really want to even apply himself very much, and although his lack of motivation and, as I perceive it, his lack of self-esteem, is not exactly admirable, maybe I just like him because, besides his "agility" and "inate athletism" and the occasional creative idea, he really doesn't add much to the team except innocence and happiness.

[Sage Ninja]

Originally Posted by Rooish

Sage Ninja my dear, please get out of my mind. No seriously, I just feel the same way you do about Mike having that same admirable trait as Don does.

Great minds think alike Roo

So here's what I like about each Turtle:

Raphael - I guess I love his passion and loyalty. Granted, all the Turtles are loyal, but Raph seriously seems almost a little too loyal, like he actively wants to get killed someday by jumping between one of his brothers and a bad guy. Raph also is completely honest in his emotions, which always come out at full strength. Granted, living with this kind of person would be completely exhausting and emotionally damaging (actually, I'm going to be living with a similar type in September... wish me luck). But seeing such lack of self-control in a comic or on TV, I can't help but be drawn to it, even when he acts completely manic-depressive (which is generally not an enviable condition). We suppress our desires and our feelings so much in order to fit into a society. (I, for example, don't actually do anything and am waiting for the day when I start to feel like I'm living.) But Raph just is, without restrictions. He suppresses nothing, and he loves with full strength, just as he hates with full strength. Plus, I admired so much his courage to admit his wrongs in the 2007 movie.

I agree with just about every thing you have said here. I think what traits I like the most in Mirage accurate Raphael portrayals is his gray areas. He wants to good but he isn't so squeaky clean that he won't resort to the nitty gritty stuff to get the job eighther.

As for OT Raphael I, like that he is cynical but in a humourous snarky sort of way.

Leonardo - I love Leo, but he has such a tight rein on his emotions that it's hard to tell what truly motivates him. As in, it's hard to tell what/who he actually cares about, vs. what he acts like he cares about for honour's sake or for his image--he's so proud and all. In 2k3, Leo is very kind and brave, and seems to genuinely like and respect his family. In the 2k7 movie, he seems more arrogant, less in tune with his brothers' feelings (*RAPHAEL*), and more focused on being a perfect leader. It's hard to tell whether he genuinely likes his family (of course he loves them and would die for them), or whether he just tolerates them in a condescendingly nice way. So I guess what I like most about Leo is the complete opposite of what I like about Raph. See, although in most other ways Leo is very similar to Raphael, his self-control is unbreakable. Except when he got angsty in 2k3, Season 4. But actually, I probably just don't get Leo at all, because I am not really like him. He is probably my second favourite Turtle nowadays, but he's a mystery to me.

Good observations about the Leo's in the 2k3 series and the 2k7 movie.2k3 series Leo is very driven and honorable and he seems like he has a sixth sence of how each of his brothers will react to certain situations and isn't particularly judgmental. He is like the best big brother you would want to have because he has all the posetive aspects of a big brother but with out all the negative or irriatated aspects of one.

So I guess what I like about 2k3 series Leo is his down to earth and gentle disposition.

In the 2k7 movie he isn't so adrmirable because for all his dedication to his family and wanting to better him self for them goes, he still has a bit of a humilty issueand can come off as arrogant toward Raph. I can see why Raph would feel recentful toward him. So I guess the trait I like most in Movuie Leo is his tough and cold extera but warm and fircely dedicated drive for his family. ythe simply lives for his family.

heh, I have more to say about Don and Mike but I'm tired So I'll be back to add my two cents on them as well.

[OrangeMike]

Michelangelo loving pizza of course.

[Rooish]

Nice, simple, direct. Not bad!

And Sage, I can't wait to hear what you've got to say about Don and Mike.