Did your favorite character change over the years?

[Voltron]

I know that when I was a kid, I was a die hard Mikey fan. And while I still love that character, I find myself gravitating more towards different turtles as I get older. These days, I'm more interested in Donnie and Raph than Mikey.

Did you find your favorite character in the TMNT change over the years? Why? Why not?

[Original TMNT Cartoon Fan]

Donatello is always great to like, he likes science and technology and that's what makes us go forward.

I agree Michelangelo can be annoying sometimes when you get older. Ever since the Christmas Aliens comic from 1985, writers have tried to make him as childish as possible. He deserves more than just lines like:

Awsome dudes, let's go skatebording!

Cowabunga dudes, pizza party!

Totally tubular, it's surfing time!

[Prowler]

Most definitely.

When I was 5-6 years old or though, Michelangelo was my favourite. I found the way he talked to be pretty amusing.

Then my favourite became Donatello because he seemed to be the most competent Turtle in the FW series. He felt like the actual leader.

And then Raphael became my favourite, because I finally was starting to understand his sense of humour.

It really depends on the version. I haven't really liked a Donatello since the FW series. And Angry Raph isn't very appealing to me nowadays. I honestly prefer the witty and sarcastic Rob Paulsen Raphael. As for Michelangelo, he is kind of unbearable in most versions, sadly. FW might have started that, but at least he's tolerable in that version. He doesn't feel as brain dead or much like an attention seeker like he does in other versions.

Leonardo for the most part is just simply "the leader". So meh.

Overall, Raphael and Donatello tend to be my favourites. Even if there's versions of theirs I like less than others. I'd say Raphael is the only one that doesn't have a single version I strongly dislike, however.

[Autbot_Benz]

Like most kids Mikey was my dude and favorite turtle when I was young . But now in my adult years I like Raphael more because he is a bit of a tough guy smartass.

[Wesley]

Leo was my favourite when I was younger. I liked that he was slightly serious but still had fun. Nowadays I prefer Raph for his sarcastic remarks which went over my head as a kid. Leo’s still my second favourite, though, even though I find him a bit bland now.

I like Mikey and Don nearly as much, though like Prowler, it depends on the version.

[Original TMNT Cartoon Fan]

Originally Posted by Prowler

FW might have started that, but at least he's tolerable in that version.

Archie Michelangelo was also OK.

[Prowler]

Originally Posted by Original TMNT Cartoon Fan

Archie Michelangelo was also OK.

I haven't read Archie, so I wouldn't know.

[pferreira]

FW Mikey has always been my favourite although I'm come to really enjoy Don and Raph as well from that series. Barry Gordon really brought a lot of frustration and sarcasm to the role that made his version of Don stand out the most.

[Leo656]

Leo's always my favorite in every version, but his portrayal hasn't always been consistent. I wasn't the biggest fan of his nagging, whiny portrayal in the first cartoon show, for example. And while the 2K3 cartoon is among my favorite versions of TMNT, Leo got a little "emo" at points.

I think he's hard for most people to write because they know kids immediately won't like him anyway because he's the "authority figure". So they make him more one-dimensional than he should be.

The first Nick cartoon added some depth that I kind of liked, but there were a ton of things I didn't like about that show in general, so on the whole it still wasn't fantastic. But I appreciated the effort.

[Voltron]

It's fun to see how many people started at Mikey. I still have a soft spot for him. Also, how many people gravitated towards Raph and/or Don.

Leo, in my opinion, suffers from the same curse as Superman. He's a great character that's very difficult to write. When someone understands the way he's supposed to be used, he really shines. When they don't, he's just seems flat and uninteresting.

I think Leo's burdens would almost have to be lead to an "emoish" character at times. He's striving to be the best, and any failure on his part would have to hit him emotionally. Not that it is a necessity, but I'm having trouble seeing Leo, at teen, cope in a different way.

Also, points for picking Leo for a reason other than "blue is my favorite color."

[Wildcat]

Mikey was also my favorite growing up but now I really have not gravitated towards either one. I like them all pretty equally.

[Original TMNT Cartoon Fan]

Originally Posted by Leo656

I think he's hard for most people to write

When the turtles face Shredder and the Foot, let Leonardo shine. He takes ninjutsu the most serious.

When the turtles face street thugs like the Purple Dragons and gangsters like Big Louie, let Raphael shine. He is tough and knows what the tough guys and girls deserve.

When the turtles face extraterrestrial threats, like Krang, the Kraang or the Triceratons, let Donatello shine. He's the brain of the bunch, always excepted to send the Technodrome back to Dimension X

When the turtles need to interact with children, let Michelangelo shine. He is the most child-friendly.

[IndigoErth]

Nope, has always been Leo. After putting them away in my mid-teens and coming back several years ago, he was still right there as my fave and for so many relatable reasons I understand better now at this age. And even more-so really after catching up and seeing how he'd grown as a character in my temporary absence.

For what it's worth, as a kid back in the 80s, yeah Mikey was second favorite. These days all three of them are second fave since I don't have the heart to put anyone last and all the guys are pretty great. There's just no beating Leo for me though. (edit: Though I could lightly beat a few decision makers who have made a few crappy choices in treatment of him over the years...)

[Original TMNT Cartoon Fan]

Originally Posted by Leo656

Leo got a little "emo" at points.

I liked how even Raphael complained at that, when he said:

–You've become me

[Powder]

It has always been Leo, for me. There are instances where I lean in another turtles favor because I appreciate how a certain iteration treats them (like Rise's Raph or 2012's Donnie) but even then I stick with my main man in blue.

[Slade]

Been Raph since I was 2. Back then, it may have only been because I liked the color. Now it's more to do with I relate to the personality. It's a lot, hell, the same damn near, as mine.

[newfan]

Well, only been 2-3 years for me so doesn't really count But after exploring other versions too, though they vary, I'd still place Leo as over all fav of the turtles.

[MsMarvelDuckie]

Surprisingly, Mikey was and continues to be my fave. Not for the usual reasons, either. I always found him a lot more interesting for his "multilayered" personality- seemingly shallow, childish, and dumb on the surface, but emotionally wise and insightful, philosophical, and talented underneah. And it has been true of nearly every version. I love how he can easily interact with outsiders, is artistically inclined, and possibly the most gifted "natural" ninja. So it hasn't changed for me.

That said, my second fave has changed over the years. Used to be Raph in the FW series, but over the years that spot has gone to Don. Love his intelligence, his snarky sense of humor, and easy-going way when not fighting. He is clever, resourceful, and has a fierce loyalty to his family.

[Original TMNT Cartoon Fan]

Originally Posted by MsMarvelDuckie

I always found him a lot more interesting for his "multilayered" personality- seemingly shallow, childish, and dumb on the surface.

Some say Michelangelo acts that way all the time because he hates response.

[MsMarvelDuckie]

Originally Posted by Original TMNT Cartoon Fan

Some say Michelangelo acts that way all the time because he hates response.

You mean responsibility? I kind of think that's too much of an oversimplification. It might be true to a point, but when he's on his own or taking charge himself (that episode in the movie theater from 2k3 fast forward, or the Christmas ep from 2k3 are good examples) I think he just prefers to go with the flow, and leave leading and other heavy decisions to others out of a lack of confidence. He seems to know where his own weaknesses are in regards to leadership and planning, and would rather play his part in making a plan work, than try to get anyone else to follow his lead.