Are you here because of nostalgia?

[Samhain]

I was born in 1988. And while I DO have turtle memories from when I was younger, I wouldn't say nostalgia is the reason I'm here. I just genuinely like this franchise. I remember around 94 or 95 watching the OT, playing with a hand-me-down Partywagon and a bunch of turtles figures and weapons. I had some Leo pajamas and quite enjoyed watching my ''Coming out of our shells'' concert video tape. But that's about as far as it goes.

Fast forward to 2006 or 2007? I worked at a store and was stocking toys. I opened up a box of 2k7 movie figures and looked at it and said, ''I remember these guys!''. From then on I became interested in the series, and eventually joining this forum. Learning about Peter and Kevin, the comics, 2k3 series, ect. But, I don't have the same feeling I get when I think about Pokemon or Star Wars as I do with the Tmnt. It's just something I think is really, really cool.

So, how many of you think nostalgia plays a big role in your love for this series? And can people become blinded by nostalgia and not really have a real love for the franchise?

[Jester]

Not sure, really. I gave the 4Kids series a go because of my nostalgia for the FW show, and I joined here because of the 4Kids series... so... yeah. I know, lame answer.

[FearlessLeader]

While I do think people can become blinded by nostalgia and maybe remember things as better then they were, I do think most of the people here do have a genuine affection for the franchise that goes beyond that.

To devote a decent amount of time and though to anything I think you have to have a bit more love for it then remembering it fondly through rose-tinted glasses so to say.

Personally it was being here that got me back into the OT after adoring the 4Kids series.

I do think I still occasionally enjoy listening to the Coming Out Our Shells music because of nostalgia though

[Mayhem]

I was old enough and there when the Turtles were originally huge in the late 80s, although I grew up first on the original b/w comics and then the films. So I don't think nostalgia comes into play with me, more a question that I've stayed with the turtles, in most of their incarnations for over 20 years.

[UsagiYojimbo]

I think nostalgia does always come into play somewhat. Take me for example... I found all 4 neca Turtles figures at the top of my closet (I bought them about 4 or 5 years ago)... And it got me thinking about Turtles again and prompted me to google for a TMNT forum. My love for the characters never went away, though it might've been on hiatus for awhile...

I think there are some forms of nostalgia that are worse than others. For example someone being obsessed with, let's say, the original Superman movies from the 70s & 80s and then excluding any other Superman film as being a valid form of the character. That's different than saying you prefer one era over the other... so yeah that kind of nostalgia is a bit shocking.

[CyberCubed]

I followed each incarnation of the Turtles as it happened, except for Mirage because I was too young.

I had been following Vol 4 in 2001 and heard 4kids was making a new turtle show. I still loved the old show and read some of the comics so I was excited about the new series.

The 4kids show blew me away and I rediscovered the old show through DVDs. I heavily followed the comics and stay here to follow it.

[Powder]

I've always been extremely passionate about the turtles, my decision to come here was simply based on that.

[KROW]

Nostalgia played a big role in my registering here, but the 4Kids revival helped, too. The first thing I did when I went online was run a search for Ninja Turtles. After visiting the official site, lo and behold I found this place. I would've been here sooner but, at the time, I didn't have a computer; I was too busy crawling out from under my rock.

[joe-eyeball]

Yeah, I've been with the turtles since I first discovered them in 1986 and i will always be with them. I am sentimental when it comes to the turtles but not so much that it would ever blind me. I have no problem being honest when it comes to how I feel about a certain aspect of them.

[Archon_Turtle]

i'm sure nostalgia played a part in bringing me BACK to the fandom in high school... but that certainly isn't all that is keeping me here now.

[gobo]

Originally Posted by Samhain

Are you here because of nostalgia?

Very broad question... I didn't hold on to memories all these years because they were so precious to me, if that's what you mean. It's more like I just wouldn't give up hope that OT Season 1 wouldn't be the only truly decent TMNT episodes forever. Thanks to Laird, I finally got what I wanted, courtesy of 4KIDS.

[Dirty Blond]

I'm here to troll.

Joking aside, I believe I'm here because TMNT was 90% of my childhood. I'm also here to learn about what I missed -- namely, the comics.

This forum helps to deepen my appreciation for TMNT.

[Herald7]

Originally Posted by Dirty Blond

This forum helps to deepen my appreciation for TMNT.

How true that is.

[Foot Soldier Clang]

Well obviously nostalgia plays into why we're all here. Even the folks who liked the 2k3 series may still be here because of nostalgia, since that era for the turtles has passed. And although nostalgia is a factor to a larger whole, and it is a strong factor, it is still just a factor. If it were simple nostalgia, for me, I'd just buy a TMNT shirt or something and be done with it. But, like most people here, I suspect a lot of us are life long fans, or just fans who like the series, in any of it various forms.

[Kendamu]

During the early years of my being a TMNT fan on the Internet, there were the (then current) Image comics and a huge slew of Mirage comics I had never had the opportunity to read before that point.

After that, there was a TV show, new comics, new games, and a new movie for me to regularly enjoy.

After the sale of the property but before the IDW comics, there was some nostalgia because it was the end of an era but there was also a lot of anticipation that kept me checking in for new information.

Now, there's the IDW comics and the anticipation of the Nick TMNT cartoon that has me coming around.

I can't honestly say that nostalgia doesn't play a part in my TMNT fandom. Nostalgia being played just right is part of why I'm loving the IDW comics. They take everything I remember fondly about the property and they're bringing it back in a way that's not literal enough to crush those fond memories (which is why I avoid certain episodes of the OT). The bigger reason, though, is the new stuff... which is the other part of why I'm loving the IDW comics. I'm hoping that Nick will do the same thing for me.

[Avatar Yuffie]

Hit me with Nostalgia by the 2K7 film.

Funny story that. I only watched that film because it's Mako's last role, back when I was a fan of Avatar the Last Airbender (he voiced Iroh BTW). Seeing him portray Splinter and his interactions with his kids made me realize I miss these green guys, and joined this forum.

[ZariusTwo]

I hate that word. To me, "Nostalgia" will always be the perfume used in Watchmen and nothing else.

[Jester]

Originally Posted by ZariusTwo

I'm here to troll.

There...

[BubblyShell22]

Well, I grew up on the OT and after that was over, I didn't think TMNT would come back. Then, when Mom and I were in Walmart and looking in the toy section for a Star Wars figurine for my sister's then fiance, I noticed the TMNT figures and was surprised they were back. Then one of my friends in college told me the show was on, and I decided to check it out. So, I saw the episode "Meet Casey Jones" and became hooked.

Yes, nostalgia does play a role, but I'm not here for that. I'm here because I love TMNT and will stay loyal to it no matter what. It's just something I love.

[mysterycolor]

for any of us that were children of the 80s and had the OT & live action movies occur at a perfect vulnerable age (i.e. i was born in 1983... so i was 7 when the first movie came out) you are bound to have that warm fuzzy feeling towards the turtles because that was an impressionable time in your life... HOWEVER... to still be having this conversation on a message board totally dedicated to TMNT at the age of 28 (or however old the reader might be) i'd have to say it surpasses the nostalgia factor and goes into a deeper love/respect for the franchise as a whole... especially with the hiatus we had before the IDW swept us off of our feet... now this is not to say that nostalgia isnt going to be enough to bring lots of newcomers knocking on the doors of the drome when the Nick (2k12!) cartoon comes out...because as Jester said- that is what happened to him with 4kids... but No Samhain, i'd say that nostalgia alone isnt enough to keep someone around...it is just one factor... and typically not the strongest... wait, did any of that make sense???

p.s. i'm here because i can't get enough of the franchise as a whole and the amazing fan base that this place attracts