Why is Raph so angry?

[Warhorse]

Originally Posted by billbot85

I agree with that it's just the way Eastman/Laird wrote Raph. It's often that most teams of heroes have at least one hot-headed character.

I too believe that part of Raph's anger probably stems from the fact that the turtles have to hide away from society since people would see them as freaks of nature. His character has always been the least accepting of who they are and how they have to live. He's a character that always wants things to change.

I think also part of it is Raph's rivalry with Leo, which always comes out in most incarnations of the tmnt (except the OT). Most of the time he butts heads with Leo and criticizes his leadership skills and decisions, and always believes that his decisions are better. The struggle seems to go back and forth with Raph either wanting to lead the team himself, or just breaking off from the team and fighting crime/the Foot Clan on his own.

This is part of what makes Raph's character so interesting, because most of the anger comes from this ongoing struggle with himself, where he is a loner and part of him wishes to be his own team and make his own decisions, but also knows that he must remain loyal to Splinter and his brothers, and be a part of the turtles' team.

Or, maybe some of us are simply not followers, and he's one of them.

[billbot85]

Originally Posted by Warhorse

Or, maybe some of us are simply not followers, and he's one of them.

Right, that's what I mean when I said he was a loner who played by his own rules. He's not a follower, and that's part of why he conflicts so much with Leo and becomes frustrated/angry.

[electric_sheep]

because he has no money for hookers...

[Rooish]

Originally Posted by ToTheNines

They liked each other, but nothing happened.

Anyways, I always liked the Will Tupper short that roots it back to him never having a mother.

Yeah I really never got the impression that Raph and Pimiko got it on (just a "connection" really, and Archie is not canon--so maybe no sexytimes for Raph.

Anyway, the Turtles all have valid reason to be mad--but only Raph really is. I think Raph may have some issues because of Splinter's favouritism. I think Splinter may in some incarnations pit the Turtles against each other a bit.

[SwiftNinjaFox]

Originally Posted by billbot85

I agree with that it's just the way Eastman/Laird wrote Raph. It's often that most teams of heroes have at least one hot-headed character.

I too believe that part of Raph's anger probably stems from the fact that the turtles have to hide away from society since people would see them as freaks of nature. His character has always been the least accepting of who they are and how they have to live. He's a character that always wants things to change.

I think also part of it is Raph's rivalry with Leo, which always comes out in most incarnations of the tmnt (except the OT). Most of the time he butts heads with Leo and criticizes his leadership skills and decisions, and always believes that his decisions are better. The struggle seems to go back and forth with Raph either wanting to lead the team himself, or just breaking off from the team and fighting crime/the Foot Clan on his own.

This is part of what makes Raph's character so interesting, because most of the anger comes from this ongoing struggle with himself, where he is a loner and part of him wishes to be his own team and make his own decisions, but also knows that he must remain loyal to Splinter and his brothers, and be a part of the turtles' team.

Sadly, this is also the biggest issue I have with the character. Because storytellers often latch onto this character type and focus on them.

Raph and Wolverine are the same character type and I don't want to see TMNT be "Raphael and the Turtles" like X-Men has focused on Wolverine. TMNT works better as a team dynamic more like Avengers managed to do.

I don't think Raph is necessarily just "angry" so much as he has a short temper, strong opinions, and a strong passion for life. Because of those factors, it easy to set off the fuse and, as others have stated, he's one to take action. Hell, I don't even think it's a matter of not being a follower. I think he'd gladly follow Leo as a leader if Leo wasn't so damn patient and focused on strategy. It's more that Leo's approach is counter intuitive to what Raph feels is the best approach. Leo's an analyst while Raph follow Occam's Razor.

Leo being a tactician opposed to immediate action does make for good differences of opinion between them, though I like how IDW hasn't focused on them being at odds as much as some iterations. It's there, but not the driving dynamic among the brothers.

I loved the scene in CG TMNT when Splinter talks to Raphael about the qualities of being a leader and how he DOES possess the qualities of a great leader himself, but he just hasn't reigned in the last few traits.

[Warhorse]

Or, here is another theory. A friend at work tossed this one into the air. Maybe he has a vitamin deficiency or he might even be a lower case diabetic, in where he's not getting the right sugar level, he starts to get irritable and pissed off.

[NameGoesHere1066]

Originally Posted by Powder

Actually, between the Archie & Mirage universe, Raph has banged at least 3 chicks. Two furry broads and a human. Maybe more.

are we gonna make a tally of how many females each of the turtles have banged across the various turtle universes?

[Powder]

Knock yourself out.

[UGHShellshocked]

My Mamma said hes so angry because he got too many teef

[NameGoesHere1066]

Originally Posted by Powder

Knock yourself out.

I'm just saying' cause you brought it up

[Galactus]

He's seen the trailer to the upcoming movie. That's why.

[Icebot]

I always thought 2k3 Mikey always made Raph angry by annoying him a lot.

'87 Raph seemed angry a lot in season 9 of the old toon a lot more than any other season.

[Whatswiththeheadbands?]

He gets angry for the same reason you and I get angry

Things annoy him.

[Enscripture]

Easy answer:

http://tmntentity.blogspot.com/2013/...all-anger.html

[jett]

Originally Posted by Warhorse

Or, maybe some of us are simply not followers, and he's one of them.

Oh really he is not a follower? Last time I checked he follows leonardos lead.

[electric_sheep]

Originally Posted by Enscripture

Easy answer:

http://tmntentity.blogspot.com/2013/...all-anger.html

That seems very interesting, which series, issue?

[Shark_Blade]

Originally Posted by Enscripture

Easy answer:

http://tmntentity.blogspot.com/2013/...all-anger.html

Very fascinating. I got the first movie vibe from it, even the Splinter/Raph candle moment in the dark scene.

[kolaida]

Originally Posted by Warhorse

Or, here is another theory. A friend at work tossed this one into the air. Maybe he has a vitamin deficiency or he might even be a lower case diabetic, in where he's not getting the right sugar level, he starts to get irritable and pissed off.

Haha, that'd explain a lot! xD

[Refractive Reflections]

I think it's all about perspective. Michelangelo sees the glass as half full, while Raphael sees the glass as half empty when it comes to the fulfillment of their lives.

[Raphtastic]

I agree with everyone who's mentioned that Raph struggles with their place in the world and is, deep down, insecure about being perceived as a freak. If Leo is an idealist, I think Raph is a jaded idealist, grappling with the unfairness he sees in the world and his own relative lack of power in the face of that. I think that's why he channels so much of his energy into physical strength and power--it's the one thing he feels he truly can control. I personally think it's also the one thing he's 100% confident about.

I also think he's sensitive. He literally cares so much about everything and can't let anything go, so he tries to put distance between himself and others by withdrawing or lashing out. He's impatient and has a short fuse, sure. But, really, I think he hates feeling weak or powerless, and his own emotions make him feel that way. So, he puts on a tough guy act. He avoids thinking too hard (that'd mean acknowledging unpleasant feelings like fear, pain, doubt) and just acts out. Action, particularly aggressive action, is something Raphael understands and feels comfortable with.