The definitive version of splinter

[Andrew NDB]

Originally Posted by Vegeta

I feel splinter doesnt have as much personality in the comics because hes just not in them a ton. Outside of idw of course where there is a lot of splinter. Not to say I dont like him in mirage i just dont feel a personal connection with him like in other versions of the tmnt.

That's fine (though it could be argued that maybe you're not supposed to have a "personal connection" with him in the Mirage TMNT)... however the thread is not asking, "What is your personal favorite Splinter?"

[Jester]

True but some times original doesn't always mean definitive either. Some could argue the one iteration that best captures Splinter as both sensei and father is the most definitive.

[Vegeta]

Originally Posted by Andrew NDB

That's fine (though it could be argued that maybe you're not supposed to have a "personal connection" with him in the Mirage TMNT)... however the thread is not asking, "What is your personal favorite Splinter?"

Touché sir.

[Yorae]

To me, 4kids!Splinter is the definitive Splinter. I just think his character was fleshed out really well through the series that when I think of the character I sort of alway return to the 2k3 version as reference.

Nick!Splinter is creeping up the definitive ladder too.

[zkarlette]

Any version except NM...

[Zulithe]

"rat first" versions of splinter have their charm but I think I slightly prefer "human first". A rat mastering a martial art from his cage pre-mutation doesn't work so well in my mind. Was Splinter a lab rat prior to being Yoshi's pet? Who knows, that could explain some things, but afaik that has never been explained.

I also prefer versions of the origin where the turtles mutate into babies or toddlers, not straight into teenagers. This way splinter has time to bond with them and time to train them. It also allows a lot of time to tell stories during this period where they are still training long before they meet April. This is a big chunk of TMNT history that could be explored.

IDW origin solves a lot of these problems with Splinter being an intelligent rat pre-mutation but it only works if you don't mind the reincarnation aspect, which for me adds a layer to their origin and characters that doesn't feel as authentic to what TMNT is or should be... but I realize I have some bias here having growin up with the 80s turtles.

I guess Nick Splinter is one of my favorites from an origin POV. I like his character, but he needs to get more involved in the plot, not just sit at home while the turtles go on adventures. If they can work that out he could end up being the ultimate Splinter in my mind. 1990 live action movie Splinter is another favorite of mine. I may not prefer "rat first" versions as much but I do love that origin scene.

[meta ray mek]

Originally Posted by Zulithe

I guess Nick Splinter is one of my favorites from an origin POV. I like his character, but he needs to get more involved in the plot, not just sit at home while the turtles go on adventures. If they can work that out he could end up being the ultimate Splinter in my mind.

Yeah, I'd love to see that particular Splinter do a little bit more. Granted, we've only 13 episodes at this point, more or less been used to establish everything, so hopefully he'll become more active in the remainder of the 1st season, if not the second. (Especially if certain fan theories about Miwa's fate are true, then there's an opportunity for him to become involved in the plot more)

(And frankly, while I'm not exactly holding my breath for it, I really hope he gets to do something major in this week's episode, but that's just me.)

[Original TMNT Cartoon Fan]

Originally Posted by Pterobat

Honorable mention goes to Archie Splinter, who might have started with the same problems as the Fred Wolf Splinter, but had an air of sophistication that came from more than just being surrounded by sillier characters--his knowledge of world cultures made him feel like a real renaissance rat, and he lent gravitas to most of the situations he was in.

Splinter in the 1987 show seemed to have that to, if you watch Vacation in Europe.

[BubblyShell22]

Well, I feel that 2K3 Splinter and Nick Splinter are the definitive Splinters for me. Both have their fatherly sides as well as good fighting skills. I really want to see Nick Splinter fight more though, and I hope he does. That's what I loved about 2K3 Splinter. He was willing to join his sons in battle to protect them.

The movie Splinters were okay, but I can see how some would feel 2K7 Splinter was too harsh. He really did pit Leo and Raph against each other and put too much pressure on Leo for him to be an effective leader. Mako did a great job though.

Haven't read the comics, so I can't comment on those.

[pannoni1]

I actually like them all equally, as it seems that Splinter is the biggest constant (besides origin) in terms of personality and character development. Even outside of 4kids/Archie, most Splinters have been involved in the action, from Movie 1 splinter finishing off the Shredder, battling Shredder in "Shreddered and Splintered", "The Incredible Shrinking Turtles", and even in a fight scene already in Nick. My idealized Splinter would be brave enough to fight more than just occasionally, treat the Turtles with respect, and have a good origin story, no matter if he was Hamato Yoshi or not.

[Loudo]

What about a collage?

The Definitive Splinter for me would have:

• 2k3 Splinter's strong father figure. (He's one of the few Splinter I find convincing in this role. OT and Archie Splinter call the turtles "my friend", Mirage Splinter raised his sons to send them to fight to the death, and 2007 movie Splinter acted more like a clan leader.)
• Archie Splinter's wisdom and knowledge of the world. (All Splinter are wise almost by definition, but while the other Splinter are all "mystical mambo jambo", Archie Splinter is knowledgeable about real world things, like different cultures and religions.)
• OT Splinter's voice. (I think it's the best one out there.)
• Nick Splinter's sense of humor. (I can't deny it, Nick Splinter is very funny. All Splinter have their moments, but he's the only one who actually makes me laugh, instead of simply amusing me.)
• 2k3 Splinter's involvement in the main story. (The other Splinter usually stay at home. And when they do help their sons, it feels like a deus ex machina, it's like the writers only remember about Splinter when they need to save the turtles from a danger they can't overcome on their own. Or conversely when they need a male damsel in distress. 2k3 Splinter, on the other hand, features in lots of episodes where he doesn't save the day or needs to be rescued. Archie Splinter is very active too, but since I feel the Archie turtles are seriously lacking in personality, I think he steals the spotlight too much.)
• Mirage Splinter's encounter with the Rat King and his cause of death. (If Mirage did anything right with Splinter, it's these two scenes. Of course, I'm also fine with Splinter not dying at all. XD)

I think that's pretty much it.
I personally prefer Splinter to be Hamato Yoshi's pet rat instead of Hamato Yoshi himself, but the origin story is not that important, if it's well done.

I'm still conflicted about what look I should give to Definitive Splinter.

[Pterobat]

See, now this is an interesting way to go about it. I wasn't quite comfortable with my choice, and one reason is that the different versions of Splinter aren't that different. Making one uber-Splinter might be a better way to bypass that.

The term "definitive" is tricky, though. I think it *should* partially be a personal question, because otherwise we just list the original incarnation of the character and call it a day, without having an interesting talk about it.

It's a scary thought for creators of fiction, but sometimes a later version of a character will become larger in the eye of the culture than the original one was, making it harder to determine who is "definitive". It's not the case with Splinter, but it's fun to discuss the issue.

[Avatar Yuffie]

I like the mutant Hamato Yoshi origin.

2k7 Splinter has a special place for me. I have been away from anything TMNT related because I was in college, had other stuff going on, thought I was too old for this, so on. I only watched that film because of Mako, who voiced Iroh when I was an Avatar the Last Airbender fan, and felt I should watch it out of respect for the guy, as Splinter was literally his last role. If it hadn't been for him, I wouldn't return to TMNT. So he has my thanks.

But my favorite is Nick!Splinter. He's actually moving from "understanding wise father figure who can do no wrong" trope established in the two cartoons with his shades of controlling nature and anger that was really just buried under the surface (I like the implication that he had Raph's temper in his youth). Unfortunately he has very few active moments, and only his snark made his appearances for me to look forward to.

Definitive... well, I'm not that picky? I don't have "This is Master Splinter" spot going on there (well except for Movie 3, that poor Master Splinter puppet).

[Icebot]

For me, it's 80's cartoon Splinter.

[Original TMNT Cartoon Fan]

Originally Posted by Loudo

What about a collage?

The Definitive Splinter for me would have:

• 2k3 Splinter's strong father figure. (He's one of the few Splinter I find convincing in this role. OT and Archie Splinter call the turtles "my friend", Mirage Splinter raised his sons to send them to fight to the death, and 2007 movie Splinter acted more like a clan leader.)
• Archie Splinter's wisdom and knowledge of the world. (All Splinter are wise almost by definition, but while the other Splinter are all "mystical mambo jambo", Archie Splinter is knowledgeable about real world things, like different cultures and religions.)
• OT Splinter's voice. (I think it's the best one out there.)
• Nick Splinter's sense of humor. (I can't deny it, Nick Splinter is very funny. All Splinter have their moments, but he's the only one who actually makes me laugh, instead of simply amusing me.)
• 2k3 Splinter's involvement in the main story. (The other Splinter usually stay at home. And when they do help their sons, it feels like a deus ex machina, it's like the writers only remember about Splinter when they need to save the turtles from a danger they can't overcome on their own. Or conversely when they need a male damsel in distress. 2k3 Splinter, on the other hand, features in lots of episodes where he doesn't save the day or needs to be rescued. Archie Splinter is very active too, but since I feel the Archie turtles are seriously lacking in personality, I think he steals the spotlight too much.)
• Mirage Splinter's encounter with the Rat King and his cause of death. (If Mirage did anything right with Splinter, it's these two scenes. Of course, I'm also fine with Splinter not dying at all. XD)

I think that's pretty much it.
I personally prefer Splinter to be Hamato Yoshi's pet rat instead of Hamato Yoshi himself, but the origin story is not that important, if it's well done.

I'm still conflicted about what look I should give to Definitive Splinter.

I would say 1987 and Archie Splinter usually have the same personalities. 1987 Splinter also semmed to know a lot of cultures (see Vacation in Europe, but yeah Archie explored more of this), and they both started as Hamato Yoshi, and Archie was originally adapting the show.