Why are the Turtles never shown unmasked on screen?

[the fixer]

I've always wondered why the Ninja Turtles are never shown without their masks in the movies or TV shows while they appear unmasked quite a lot in the original comics...
There's no real reason why they would wear masks while they're chillin' in their lair, is there?

I sure hope we'll be able to see them unmasked a couple of times in the upcoming movie...

[Type 97 Chi-ha]

In "Turtle Tracks", the original OT episode, when they first mutate, they don't have masks on.

[the fixer]

Originally Posted by Type 97 Chi-ha

In "Turtle Tracks", the original OT episode, when they first mutate, they don't have masks on.

You are absolutely right, sir! Almost forgot about that.

Still, that unmasked shot is before they get their masks. Once they get them they never ever take 'em off.

[Powder]

Originally Posted by the fixer

Still, that unmasked shot is before they get their masks. Once they get them they never ever take 'em off.

You were saying?

They were unmasked many times. Even a few times in the 2k3 series. It would have been too expensive to make maskless heads for the films, though.

[Original TMNT Cartoon Fan]

Originally Posted by the fixer

You are absolutely right, sir! Almost forgot about that.

Still, that unmasked shot is before they get their masks. Once they get them they never ever take 'em off.

Don't they do that when they go to bed in the early episodes? Or sleap unmasked.

[the fixer]

Originally Posted by Powder

You were saying?

They were unmasked many times. Even a few times in the 2k3 series. It would have been too expensive to make maskless heads for the films, though.

Whoah... You're right... I must've totally missed that episode...
I don't remember them being unmasked in the 2k3 show... Must've missed those too :p

Anyone know what episodes those are?

[oldmanwinters]

Originally Posted by the fixer

Whoah... You're right... I must've totally missed that episode...
I don't remember them being unmasked in the 2k3 show... Must've missed those too :p

Anyone know what episodes those are?

Isn't that screncap Powder posted from "April Fools" during the costume party scene?

[Loudo]

Originally Posted by the fixer

I don't remember them being unmasked in the 2k3 show... Must've missed those too :p

Mikey is unmasked for the whole episode in "Christmas Aliens".
Also watch "The King" (Raph comes out of the shower), "Reflections" (they shortly lose their masks while training), "Good Genes, Part 2" (when Don reverts back to normal, he has no mask) and "Future Shellshock" (the Time Window leaves them all naked).

[ryukenden]

They were unmasked wearing the beanie and winter jacket disguise. When they had the bunk beds in the first season, they slept unmasked. They then slept with their masks on afterwards. Since all the Turtles shared the same character models, it was practically impossible to tell who is who unless that Turtle spoke.

[the fixer]

Originally Posted by ryukenden

They were unmasked wearing the beanie and winter jacket disguise. When they had the bunk beds in the first season, they slept unmasked. They then slept with their masks on afterwards. Since all the Turtles shared the same character models, it was practically impossible to tell who is who unless that Turtle spoke.

Ah yes, I totally forgot those beanie and winter disguises...
Gee, there appear to be quite a lot of episodes I either missed or have forgotten about...

In any case- thanks for the info, guys! Much appreciated!
I'm gonna look into those episodes y'all mentionned...

[Roseangelo]

There's a picture (don't have time to dig it up right now) of Mikey from TMNT 3 with his mask off, but that scene obviously got cut.

[the fixer]

Originally Posted by Roseangelo

There's a picture (don't have time to dig it up right now) of Mikey from TMNT 3 with his mask off, but that scene obviously got cut.

Seriously?! I've never seen that!
Whoa... Too bad that didn't make it into the final cut... Would've been awesome...

Thanks for the info, Rose! If you ever stumble upon that picture it would be awfully kind of you to share that...

[Galactus]

nomask.jpg

This is the scene Rose is talking about.

There was quite a few scenes in the Fred Wolf show of the turtles being maskless.

[the fixer]

Thanks a bunch for the pic, Galactus! Never seen that before!

Of course, I can't blame them for ultimately cutting this scene out... Mikey does look a bit weird without his mask...

That's probably why the Turtles' maskless screentime is cut to a minimum.

[Ryanator008]

Originally Posted by Galactus

Attachment 4348

This is the scene Rose is talking about.

There was quite a few scenes in the Fred Wolf show of the turtles being maskless.

He looks like a stereotypical alien.

[Icebot]

I think they had their masks off when April read the turtles a story at the end of Hot Roddin Teenagers From Dimension X.

[ironman29758]

Originally Posted by Icebot

I think they had their masks off when April read the turtles a story at the end of Hot Roddin Teenagers From Dimension X.

And also "Enter the Shredder".

On another note for the 2012 Nick cartoons, I actually want Casey joking or serious, to the turtles chargin and April and Splinter's difference, just think the Turtles look exactly alike and can't tell the difference between them.

[pannoni1]

Some OT episodes, such as "Take Me To Your Leader" have the Turtles wearing winter outfits with the hats substituted for the bandanas to identify each Turtles. But the reason for the masks 99% of the time is not only for familiarity, but to show that the bandanas signify that they are NINJA turtles; notice how most human Foot wear bandanas as well?