What was the point?

[Jephael]

Okay, we all know why the original cartoon was dubbed Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles across the pond and in other places around the world, yet from what I understand the movies still had the word Ninja in the title. Not only that but think about all those kids from England and Europe who would go with their families on vacation to Disney World and see the TMNT at MGM Studios. Wouldn't those kids be somewhat confused that here in America we call them ninjas? That being said, why did they even bother substituting the word in the first place? Did they think it was going to alter the subtext of the show?

[discordiatookie]

Upon TMNT's first arrival in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Poland, Austria, Germany, and some other countries in Europe, the name was changed to "Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles" (or TMHT, for short), since local censorship policies deemed the word ninja to have excessively violent connotations for a children's program (in Ireland, however, the first season aired as "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" before changing to "Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles").[34] Consequently, everything related to the Turtles had to be renamed before being released in these nations (comic books, video games, toys, etc.) The lyrics were also changed, such as changing "Splinter taught them to be ninja teens" to the "Splinter taught them to be fighting teens."

The policies also had other effects, such as removing use of Michelangelo's nunchaku (which were at the time banned from appearing in 18-rated movies) and generally toning down the usage of all the turtles' weapons.[35] After many seasons of never using his nunchaku, they eventually disappeared entirely, replaced by a turtle shell shaped grappling hook called the "Turtle Line".[3]

However, when the live-action movie came out in 1990, the "Ninja" of the title was kept even in the UK. In time, nunchaku scenes were retained in previously-censored movies such as those of Bruce Lee. The same went for the PAL releases of the early video games, which had Michelangelo's weapon of choice fully visible and usable.

By the time of the 2003 TV series, these censorship policies had been abolished, and no changes have occurred in the content of the show. The name "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" remained unchanged for the 2003 TV series. As a result, in the UK, the 1987 TV series is still called Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles and the 2003 TV series is called Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, hence a disambiguation between the two TV series.

On May 25, 2009, Lionsgate Home Entertainment released the 25th Anniversary Collectors Edition on Region 2 DVD in the UK. This 3-Disc set contains all the episodes of Seasons 1 and 2 and 4 episodes from the final season, as well as a 1-Disc DVD with the first few episodes of Season 1. This release features the original, unedited episodes under the Ninja Turtles title, and also marks the first time the show has been released uncensored in the UK.

From wikipedia

I guess that kinda answers some of your questions... kinda.

[Andrew NDB]

Originally Posted by Jephael

Okay, we all know why the original cartoon was dubbed Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles across the pond and in other places around the world, yet from what I understand the movies still had the word Ninja in the title. Not only that but think about all those kids from England and Europe who would go with their families on vacation to Disney World and see the TMNT at MGM Studios. Wouldn't those kids be somewhat confused that here in America we call them ninjas? That being said, why did they even bother substituting the word in the first place? Did they think it was going to alter the subtext of the show?

If anything, calling the original cartoon "Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles" makes it more true to the spirit of that show -- they're not ninjas in that at all, they're superheroes.

[gobo]

Originally Posted by Andrew NDB

If anything, calling the original cartoon "Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles" makes it more true to the spirit of that show -- they're not ninjas in that at all, they're superheroes.

The end is near. I can't help but agree with Andrew. Run for the hills, folks.

[oldmanwinters]

Originally Posted by Andrew NDB

If anything, calling the original cartoon "Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles" makes it more true to the spirit of that show -- they're not ninjas in that at all, they're superheroes.

Plus, that slightly-off note "Teen-age Mu-tant He-ro Turtles" theme song is kinda catchy in its own right.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rr7aIqCE74

[Jester]

What can I say, censorship is a weird thing. Case in point this ad Luzmagica posted:

The ad is from a country where the Ninja in TMNT was deemed inappropriate, but the Turtle Blimp still has Ninja on it. Did the European Turtle Blimp have Hero or Ninja? If it had Ninja...wouldn't that be confusing?

And, Andy shouldn't anything outside the Mirage comics bear Hero then?

[discordiatookie]

Well, here's me with my blimp, and it says Ninja. I can't really remember being confused to be honest, but then I do have a proper bad memory. Mayhap as a kid I just took it in my stride - Ninja/Hero/I don't care, its still f*&king awesome...

[Jester]

Thanks Tookie. I would agree. I'm sure if I was a kid I wouldn't care either.

[Candy Kappa]

a subject that have been debated to death and beyond, and the best answer is: The guys behind the censorship are morons...

As a kid I liked the Ninja logo better, and TMNT flowed better then TMHT.

[Bjarni]

Originally Posted by Jester

Did the European Turtle Blimp have Hero or Ninja? If it had Ninja...wouldn't that be confusing?

Well, when I was living in Sweden I would watch a show CALLED Teenage Mutant Ninja Hero Turtles, but I remember them talking about being called Ninja Turtles sometimes in the show. Then the Archie comics weren't censored (or not often) nor the action figures AT ALL.

Sometimes I would just call them Teenage Mutant Ninja Hero Turtles. That's what I thought was the actual official name.

[Original TMNT Cartoon Fan]

Originally Posted by Bjarni

Well, when I was living in Sweden I would watch a show CALLED Teenage Mutant Ninja Hero Turtles, but I remember them talking about being called Ninja Turtles sometimes in the show. Then the Archie comics weren't censored (or not often) nor the action figures AT ALL.

Sometimes I would just call them Teenage Mutant Ninja Hero Turtles. That's what I thought was the actual official name.

The comic book was called "Teenage Mutant Ninja Hero Turtles" (but still uncensored), the 1987 TMNT cartoon was "Ninja" on video and Hero on TV (TV 3 and TV 1000, airing from the UK). I always knew about this.

[Jester]

Question about the "Party Wagon": Did the sticker on the spoiler read Ninja or Hero?

[AcidBurn30]

because over there, they said the word "ninja" is too dark for a kid cartoons. which is pretty lame....and they are the ones who switch Mikey's chucks too

[Kendamu]

EDIT: I could've worded this much better. I'll come back to it.

[gobo]

You young whippersnappers and your 'making points'... When I was your age, nothing made sense, and we HAD NO CHOICE but to like it.

[Original TMNT Cartoon Fan]

The video game "Shadow of the Ninja" became "Blue Shadow" in Europe.

[oldmanwinters]

Originally Posted by gobo

You young whippersnappers and your 'making points'... When I was your age, nothing made sense, and we HAD NO CHOICE but to like it.

^^This^^

Sometimes logic is overrated.

[Kendamu]

The whole point was that "The Turtles aren't Ninjas in this version but they are in that version so nyah!!!" really doesn't apply in any direction. In the end, it's a bunch of Turtles in masks doing martial arts. Sometimes in the dark. Sometimes with some humor. It doesn't matter which universe you look into, none of them are legit in the Ninjutsu department. I just chose to cite some examples since it's the first time I've brought it up here.

[Luzmagica]

Here in Spain ... TMNT always had been and will be know as "Tortugas Ninja" =Ninja Turtles.... we use to avoid always the "Teenage mutant" part.......

[Original TMNT Cartoon Fan]

Originally Posted by Luzmagica

Here in Spain ... TMNT always had been and will be know as "Tortugas Ninja" =Ninja Turtles.... we use to avoid always the "Teenage mutant" part.......

Was the song in Spanish too? It was never in Swedish.