Ain't it strange that there are three TV shows called Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles?

*neatoman* · 02-02-2015, 11:10 AM

So something I noticed, all three TMNT cartoons are simply titled "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles".

Well OK the last two seasons of the 2003 show had subtitles and the Nickelodeon one might get subtitles later on, but niether one got a different title just to differentiate it from the others right away. Only one TMNT show has an altered title Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation but nobody wants to admit it exists...

It's never been a TMNT cartoon that started out with a title like, for example, "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Heroes in a Halfshell", or "The NEW Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles", or "Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles", or "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shellshock", or "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Plastron Café". It's always just been "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles".

Usually that's the case when there are more than one show in a franchise...

*oldmanwinters* · 02-02-2015, 11:23 AM

It is a bit unusual. But I like it that way. The franchise title is catchy enough regardless of how often it gets rehashed.

*Wesley* · 02-02-2015, 11:24 AM

Well, in the UK and Ireland, the OT was called Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles most of the time (the cartoon was referred to as Ninja Turtles in Ireland for season one and the first two episodes of two). Otherwise, each new show has the same name. I think it can be confusing at times, since there isn't an easy way to differentiate the shows, except with fanmade terms like 1987 and 2003.

*Candy Kappa* · 02-02-2015, 11:32 AM

haven't really thought too much about it. But, yes. It is a bit odd, although the title is very unique and already quite the mouthful. SO adding more to the show's title might be a bit excessive.

Would be cool if a future show was named "Tales of the TMNT"

~~ABrown~~ · 02-02-2015, 12:45 PM

Well isn't the full name of the Nick series "Nickelodeon Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles"?.?.?

Creativemind · 02-02-2015, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldmanwinters

It is a bit unusual. But I like it that way. The franchise title is catchy enough regardless of how often it gets rehashed.

This 1000 times. Right on.

~~Leo656~~ · 02-02-2015, 01:01 PM

Yeah, it's too long already. You could shorten it to "TMNT" and add a subtitle but that's kind of ambiguous. The basic name says it all, you don't need anything else.

*pannoni1* · 02-02-2015, 01:08 PM

Absolutely not these days given there are multiple Hawaii Five-O's, Mickey Mouse Clubs, He-Man, GI Joes, Doctor Whos, Law & Orders, certain incarnations of game shows, and soon another Odd Couple. It's just the TV version of the movie remake. Yes, some shows have different subtitles, but others don't. That said, we did have The Next Mutation which was something news (even without the Teenage and Mutant in the title).

*CyberCubed* · 02-02-2015, 01:09 PM

He's right, every time there's a new Batman cartoon its named something new:

- Batman: TAS
- Batman Beyond
- The Batman
- Brave and the Bold
- Beware the Batman

X-men as well:

- X-men (90's)
- X-men Evolution
- Wolverine and the X-men

Spiderman: TAS
Spiderman Unlimited
Spectacular Spiderman
Ultimate Spiderman

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles keeps the same name.

*IndigoErth* · 02-02-2015, 01:35 PM

I'm wondering when it became popular to tack something on to the title. I was never a viewer, but I feel like Power Rangers started it with all their many versions. Maybe I'm wrong.

I dunno, I don't really find it odd that the Turtles might always have the same title, though I guess it may be confusing to fans that missed the first series or two and aren't familiar yet with how far back it goes.

Creativemind · 02-02-2015, 01:43 PM

I really don't care for subtitles.

AleXviD · 02-02-2015, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

Spiderman: TAS

But it doesn't say TAS in the cartoon. Instead it's just Spider-Man in the 60s, Spider-Man in the 80s, Spider-Man in the 90s and even in early 20XX it still was just Spider-Man (the MTV one).

So three TMNT cartoons all with same name aren't that unique in that regard.

Garfield · 02-02-2015, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neatoman

So something I noticed, all three TMNT cartoons are simply titled "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles".

Well OK the last two seasons of the 2003 show had subtitles and the Nickelodeon one might get subtitles later on, but niether one got a different title just to differentiate it from the others right away. Only one TMNT show has an altered title Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation but nobody wants to admit it exists...

It's never been a TMNT cartoon that started out with a title like, for example, "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Heroes in a Halfshell", or "The NEW Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles", or "Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles", or "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shellshock", or "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Plastron Café". It's always just been "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles".

Usually that's the case when there are more than one show in a franchise...

I don't find that so strange. its just what the source material is called so they went back with that. But don't forget about Ninja turtles: THe Next Mutation, though that wasn't a cartoon.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leo656

Yeah, it's too long already. You could shorten it to "TMNT" and add a subtitle but that's kind of ambiguous. The basic name says it all, you don't need anything else.

I think you could just shorten it to "Ninja Turtles" that's way less winded than "TMNT" and its simple and explains enough of what it is, also you don't have to keep them just as teenagers if they ever want to do an interpretation that goes away from that.

~~Leo656~~ · 02-02-2015, 07:08 PM

I doubt any "mainstream" version ever will, though. Every time they get too far past adapting the origin, the "Big" Shredder confrontation, and the Baxter/Mousers stuff, they run out of ideas and just start throwing stuff at the wall to pad out the rest of the run.

Maybe the comics could someday advance past them being teenagers, but I doubt any of the cartoons will ever allow them to really "grow up". They're always going to mostly work off of those few basic plots with some filler thrown in between.

*CyberCubed* · 02-02-2015, 07:10 PM

Most TMNT cartoons tend to end or "wane" right around the point the Turtles defeat Shredder for good. They also exhaust the supply of villains since aside from creating random new mutants there really aren't many "big" recurring TMNT villains to begin with.

~~Leo656~~ · 02-02-2015, 07:17 PM

The problem with TV, specifically cartoons, is that there even needs to be "villains" and physical conflict in every single episode in order to keep people interested. I'm personally just as interested in the Turtles' emotional conflicts, personality conflicts, trying to find their place in the world, etc. But that doesn't make for very interesting viewing for kids. Always has to be someone to punch.

I mean, I get it, it's just the limitations of the medium. There's very little room to do "smaller" or more intimate stories because every half-hour needs to be "action-packed" to both keep the kids entertained and sell more toys.

That's why comics are honestly a better storytelling medium for a concept like TMNT. You can do a LOT more than just "Good Guy vs. Bad Guy" stories.

*Xav* · 02-02-2015, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leo656

Maybe the comics could someday advance past them being teenagers, but I doubt any of the cartoons will ever allow them to really "grow up".

Don't the Mirage comics show the turtles as adults in later volumes?

~~Leo656~~ · 02-02-2015, 07:58 PM

Yeah, Mirage Vol. 4 but I try and forget about that series because it was basically Ambien in print form.

*oldmanwinters* · 02-02-2015, 08:02 PM

One other thing that is somewhat unique to the TMNT is the fact that every show theme song tries explicitly to work the Tee-nage-Mu-tant-Nin-ja-Tur-tles syllables into the actual musical beats. In some sense, that's a feature the franchise shares with Superman themes. The name of the title characters is referenced in the beats of the actual music.

*ProactiveMan* · 02-02-2015, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leo656

The problem with TV, specifically cartoons, is that there even needs to be "villains" and physical conflict in every single episode in order to keep people interested. I'm personally just as interested in the Turtles' emotional conflicts, personality conflicts, trying to find their place in the world, etc. But that doesn't make for very interesting viewing for kids. Always has to be someone to punch.

I mean, I get it, it's just the limitations of the medium. There's very little room to do "smaller" or more intimate stories because every half-hour needs to be "action-packed" to both keep the kids entertained and sell more toys.

That's why comics are honestly a better storytelling medium for a concept like TMNT. You can do a LOT more than just "Good Guy vs. Bad Guy" stories.

I mostly agree, but on the other hand, I've grown a little tired of the ponderous emotional lives of 'superheros' on TV. I feel like there should be a balance between excitement and drama, otherwise you end up with the same mundane exploration of life as every other show. I don't want to tune in to see Superman worry about his mortgage.

I feel like this happens on TV a lot, probably because drama is cheaper than action.

02-02-2015, 11:23 AM	#2
oldmanwinters Overlord Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Between yesterday and tomorrow! Posts: 15,480	It is a bit unusual. But I like it that way. The franchise title is catchy enough regardless of how often it gets rehashed. __________________ Experience the TMNT Fan Commentaries! Check out my TMNT fan comic, "Nothing to Fear"! View my sketch work! I'm selling some of my hard-to-find TMNT items!

02-02-2015, 11:24 AM	#3
Wesley Mad Scientist Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Republic of Ireland Posts: 1,597	Well, in the UK and Ireland, the OT was called Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles most of the time (the cartoon was referred to as Ninja Turtles in Ireland for season one and the first two episodes of two). Otherwise, each new show has the same name. I think it can be confusing at times, since there isn't an easy way to differentiate the shows, except with fanmade terms like 1987 and 2003. __________________ Donatello: The tracker! It might work. Donatello goes to the back of the Turtle Van Raphael: Shrewd move, Donatello. If we ignore the problem, it might go away by itself. (from The Mean Machines)

02-02-2015, 11:32 AM	#4
Candy Kappa The Agenda of Existing Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Vikingland Posts: 14,596	haven't really thought too much about it. But, yes. It is a bit odd, although the title is very unique and already quite the mouthful. SO adding more to the show's title might be a bit excessive. Would be cool if a future show was named "Tales of the TMNT" __________________ devianArt Instagram Youtube Tumblr Art Blog Patreon

02-02-2015, 01:08 PM	#8
pannoni1 Foot Elite Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: USA Posts: 3,447	Absolutely not these days given there are multiple Hawaii Five-O's, Mickey Mouse Clubs, He-Man, GI Joes, Doctor Whos, Law & Orders, certain incarnations of game shows, and soon another Odd Couple. It's just the TV version of the movie remake. Yes, some shows have different subtitles, but others don't. That said, we did have The Next Mutation which was something news (even without the Teenage and Mutant in the title). __________________ http://forums.thetechnodrome.com/sho...d.php?t=37065- MY WANT LIST TMNT FAN CLUB LINK: http://sot.ag/gCjK/ 30 years of Turtle Power!

02-02-2015, 01:43 PM	#11
Creativemind Foot Soldier Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Michigan Posts: 189	I really don't care for subtitles. __________________ http://aws85.deviantart.com

02-02-2015, 01:01 PM	#7
~~Leo656~~ Banned Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: nWo Country Posts: 27,703	Yeah, it's too long already. You could shorten it to "TMNT" and add a subtitle but that's kind of ambiguous. The basic name says it all, you don't need anything else.

02-02-2015, 01:09 PM	#9
CyberCubed Overlord Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 43,814	He's right, every time there's a new Batman cartoon its named something new: - Batman: TAS - Batman Beyond - The Batman - Brave and the Bold - Beware the Batman X-men as well: - X-men (90's) - X-men Evolution - Wolverine and the X-men Spiderman: TAS Spiderman Unlimited Spectacular Spiderman Ultimate Spiderman Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles keeps the same name.

02-02-2015, 01:35 PM	#10
IndigoErth Team Blue Boy Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: U.S., East Coast Posts: 16,293	I'm wondering when it became popular to tack something on to the title. I was never a viewer, but I feel like Power Rangers started it with all their many versions. Maybe I'm wrong. I dunno, I don't really find it odd that the Turtles might always have the same title, though I guess it may be confusing to fans that missed the first series or two and aren't familiar yet with how far back it goes.

02-02-2015, 07:08 PM	#14
~~Leo656~~ Banned Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: nWo Country Posts: 27,703	I doubt any "mainstream" version ever will, though. Every time they get too far past adapting the origin, the "Big" Shredder confrontation, and the Baxter/Mousers stuff, they run out of ideas and just start throwing stuff at the wall to pad out the rest of the run. Maybe the comics could someday advance past them being teenagers, but I doubt any of the cartoons will ever allow them to really "grow up". They're always going to mostly work off of those few basic plots with some filler thrown in between.

02-02-2015, 07:10 PM	#15
CyberCubed Overlord Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 43,814	Most TMNT cartoons tend to end or "wane" right around the point the Turtles defeat Shredder for good. They also exhaust the supply of villains since aside from creating random new mutants there really aren't many "big" recurring TMNT villains to begin with.

02-02-2015, 07:17 PM	#16
~~Leo656~~ Banned Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: nWo Country Posts: 27,703	The problem with TV, specifically cartoons, is that there even needs to be "villains" and physical conflict in every single episode in order to keep people interested. I'm personally just as interested in the Turtles' emotional conflicts, personality conflicts, trying to find their place in the world, etc. But that doesn't make for very interesting viewing for kids. Always has to be someone to punch. I mean, I get it, it's just the limitations of the medium. There's very little room to do "smaller" or more intimate stories because every half-hour needs to be "action-packed" to both keep the kids entertained and sell more toys. That's why comics are honestly a better storytelling medium for a concept like TMNT. You can do a LOT more than just "Good Guy vs. Bad Guy" stories.

02-02-2015, 07:58 PM	#18
~~Leo656~~ Banned Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: nWo Country Posts: 27,703	Yeah, Mirage Vol. 4 but I try and forget about that series because it was basically Ambien in print form.

02-02-2015, 08:02 PM	#19
oldmanwinters Overlord Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Between yesterday and tomorrow! Posts: 15,480	One other thing that is somewhat unique to the TMNT is the fact that every show theme song tries explicitly to work the Tee-nage-Mu-tant-Nin-ja-Tur-tles syllables into the actual musical beats. In some sense, that's a feature the franchise shares with Superman themes. The name of the title characters is referenced in the beats of the actual music. __________________ Experience the TMNT Fan Commentaries! Check out my TMNT fan comic, "Nothing to Fear"! View my sketch work! I'm selling some of my hard-to-find TMNT items!