TMNT Fan gender trends

[Canadian Turtle]

So I don't know if there is a way to tell with member lists but what is the numbers on forums like this between male and female fans.

I think it's cool that TMNT seems to keep such an even fan base between boys and girls but I have to admit I don't remember that many girls being into turtles when I was a kid. Why does it seem like there is more now? There was even a quote from a member on here calling a a specific episode a "fangirl" style episode.

Again, I think it's cool and I just wanted to hear peoples thoughts on it. I mean the show would have been classified as a so called "boys show", so what is it about the turtles that attracts a cross gender fan base?

[MrPliggins]

I dunno dude...it may have been classified as a "boys' show", but they were showing commercials for barbies and baby dolls just as much as g.i.joe during the show, so i think it was marketed toward both genders.

And when the show was at its peak, it seemed EVERYONE, boys and girls, were equally obsessed.

[VaughnMichael]

You'de be suprised how many members of this site are girls, I sure was.

[Canadian Turtle]

Originally Posted by Putrescent

You'de be suprised how many members of this site are girls, I sure was.

Yo! that's what I mean!! I think it is so amazing that a show like this could reach a much more broad audience by being fun for both sexes.

Now would you say TMNT fans who are girls are more obsessive in different ways then guys?

[Krang]

Most people haven't selected a gender on their profiles here, but in case anyone is curious, of the 720 people who did, 495 are male and 225 are female.

[Newton Gimmick]

Originally Posted by Canadian Turtle

Yo! that's what I mean!! I think it is so amazing that a show like this could reach a much more broad audience by being fun for both sexes.

Now would you say TMNT fans who are girls are more obsessive in different ways then guys?

Yeah TMNT seems to have a lasting impression on females. What was originally said about TMNT at it's height being a neutral property is true. Many, many girls liked, watched and collected things TMNT (Though typically not action figures, but plushes, backpacks, books, etc) and that has been somewhat similar in the revivals.

As for who is more obsessive? It's a toss up, those some of the most hardcore, devoteds do seem to be females. I'd also say 1 in 4 female fans want to make monkey love to a turtle... And that particular obsession seems limited to females, lol.

[Ra]

Originally Posted by Newton Gimmick

I'd also say 1 in 4 female fans want to make monkey love to a turtle... And that particular obsession seems limited to females, lol.

My god, I have the largest temptation to make a gay joke here...

I thought I would be one in a sea of many in regards to being a female fan of the TMNT...but when I came here, I was just amazed at how many females loved the entire thing with a passion. It's just cool to see how one thing can really touch the hearts of many.

[Kendamu]

What I've noticed is that while there are more male fans, it seems all the super-obsessive ones that put everyone else to shame are female.

[Sewer Bull]

We need a truly obsessed "raphsboy" then, to balance the things right...

... oh wait. I used to play as one on the Drome IRC channel many moons ago. Good times.

[Canadian Turtle]

Originally Posted by Newton Gimmick

1 in 4 female fans want to make monkey love to a turtle... And that particular obsession seems limited to females, lol.

I don't know... as bad ass as the TMNT are, thinking about even a women with turtles sort of takes the magic away from them for me. I mean Mikey or the guys getting all blushed and having crushes in the cartoon is funny, but even if you took the hard core comic versions of the turtles I still get a little shaky with the idea.

Maybe it's just me I don't know... Again, LOVE the fact that it was a cross gender appealing show... but translated into sexual attraction for females OR males... How many of you dudes wanted to do the nasty with Venus De Milo??? Again... maybe probably reading to much into it.

[Tinuvielsdreams]

Yeah Ra I had no idea so many other girls would be here either...It was very cool surprise, not that I don't love chatting with all the guys too it was just awesome to find where all the girl fans were.

I am not sure where on the obsessive scale I land, but I won't argue that I think yeah, sometimes girls do tend to get really swept up in things, at least I know I do. I think it also is all about personality and where you take the things you really like.
I also have no idea how to explain why I like it so much and why it has stuck with me for so long other then it's awesome. I think it's also just something to get lost in, and when you find something you can read/watch endlessly without getting sick of it you know it must be good.
I definitely remember being five or six and completely fussing if I couldn't watch an episode of the OT on Saturday morning or if we were anywhere there were comics or action figures I had to try and get them. I also wanted those types of things over barbies.
In fact I am the same way now
It's funny when you are pegged not just that person who is way too into TMNT but a girl who is way too into TMNT. I know my mom loves telling people she still buys her 23 year old "daughter" turtle toys, she seriously can't say it without laughing but it's all in fun.
I have a lot of friends who still love TMNT but in a room full of boy and girls I love being the one they look to when info on TMNT is needed.

[Canadian Turtle]

Well put!! For me it's all about the memories as well as the cool factor. I now own more TMNT toys then I EVER did when I was a kid and don't intend on stopping. There is still a small part of me that when ever the episode goes to the credits or that opening note of the theme song hits it takes me back to age 5, I love it!!

But ya, I don't intend on singling out the few, I'm just saying sex with Turtles is gross.

[NightwatchersOnlygirl]

I allways thought TMNT was a show for boys I think both boys and girls like it well it just me

[Tinuvielsdreams]

Originally Posted by Canadian Turtle

Well put!! For me it's all about the memories as well as the cool factor. I now own more TMNT toys then I EVER did when I was a kid and don't intend on stopping. There is still a small part of me that when ever the episode goes to the credits or that opening note of the theme song hits it takes me back to age 5, I love it!!

But ya, I don't intend on singling out the few, I'm just saying sex with Turtles is gross.

Aw well thank you, Boys...girls...It's just something we really like. I think it really comes down to memories with me too. That and like I said just being awesome and fun to follow.

haha yeah I won't comment too much on the excessive turtle love, to each their own I guess. Just avoid certain fanfiction, art, threads and fans and you should be fine...j/k....well kinda not...

[Raph's Girl]

When I was younger other than myself I only knew 2 other female fans. My friend Bridget (she and her brother were members of the fan club) and my mom (she's a big Mikey fan).

But since getting the net I've met more and more female fans....heck since the new series came out I've seen more female fans...especially amongst the younger ones.

When I met Mike and Don a couple years ago there were all these little girls just clinging to Don. It was cute...they had to have been between the ages of 4 and 6.

In my family we're all fans.. male and females alike. Even my grandparents have always understood my fandom and love for Raphael (they gave me a book on the artist Raphael for christmas one year...as well as a bunch of TMHT stuff when they lived in england).

[Tinuvielsdreams]

aww that's nice it's sounds like your fandom has been very embraced and positive. That's adorable that you saw the kids with the TMNT.

Actually I remember when the 07 movie came out and I was teaching at an after school program for kids like 5-9 yrs I brought in a bunch of turtle stuff like cartoons and toys. It was one of those rare things that both boys and girls seemed to bond over

[Canadian Turtle]

I wasn't really paying attention when the new TV show came on in 03. Were the toys ever as big of a hit as they were way back when? I have to say it seams like kids aren't playing with toys all that much anymore anyways. Which is really sad.

[Scandia]

I went to an all-girl secondary school, and A LOT of my classmates liked the OT. Of course, me being the class nerd I was much more into it than most other people. And by 10th grade when the 3rd movie aired, I was one of the few people who went to watch it.

I would not be the least bit surprised if none of my classmates are even aware of the TMNT renaissance except for the movie coming out. But then, my interest in anime and cartoons stood out back then and still does so now. Which benefits me in my job, hehehe.

[Warhorse]

Yep, I'm a girl and I'm a pretty avid fan. I'm not over board, but I have my share of action figures, posters and old twin sheets. And I've got my ninja turtle movies and tv series complete, minus the live action show.

I rememeber when I was a kid, and I asked my mom how come so many girls liked TMNT. I myself was a tomboy, so I wasn't surprised there, but I was surprised to see other girls going to the first movies. She thinks it was because of the addition of April that made it more welcoming for girls to be fans, and that the individual turtles had those different personalities and colored masks seemed to be even more welcoming.

And I remember the first reason I liked Raph, because no one else in my circle of friends did and I liked to be different one of the bunch. It didn't help either that he wore my second favorite color, my first being green!

[TheUltimateShredhead]

Originally Posted by Krang

Most people haven't selected a gender on their profiles here, but in case anyone is curious, of the 720 people who did, 495 are male and 225 are female.

Yepp, i always pictured the odds to be something like that:/ I fail to understand what's suprising about many fans being females, it's not like tmnt is extrodinary macho!