Current Events > Which TMNT series should I introduce my kid to?

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While he is not quite 2 just yet, I am wanting some variety beyond SpongeBob, Bluey, and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and thought that going with TMNT was a good idea. I was thinking of either the 1987, 2003, or 2012 series, unless I should do the Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles that recently started along with the Mutant Mayhem movie.

Rise is pretty good

1987 or 2012

Omega posted...

1987 or 2012

I second this.

2003 isn't bad or anything, it just doesn't seem like it would appeal to an itty bitty as much as the others.

1987 or 2003

ReturnOfDevsman posted...

I second this.

2003 isn't bad or anything, it just doesn't seem like it would appeal to an itty bitty as much as the others.

I have heard that the 2003 series is highly regarded as the best one. I had thought about 2012 on the grounds of having met Sean Astin (even though it was to sign a Rudy picture and meet the Hobbits).

SonicZack posted...

I have heard that the 2003 series is highly regarded as the best one. I had thought about 2012 on the grounds of having met Sean Astin (even though it was to sign a Rudy picture and meet the Hobbits).

It could be so considered for sure. I haven't watched a lot of it myself, unfortunately, but that's just because I don't have a lot of free time.

Most of 2003 is really good. 2012 is more consistent in that respect, and there's an argument to be made about which one has higher highs. Both are good though.

At that age, probably 87. Most kid friendly of the 3. Eventually though, not a bad idea to watch them all

Bosstoise posted...

Most of 2003 is really good. 2012 is more consistent in that respect, and there's an argument to be made about which one has higher highs. Both are good though.

At that age, probably 87. Most kid friendly of the 3. Eventually though, not a bad idea to watch them all

Pretty much all of this

2003's my favorite but I don't think a 2-year-old would appreciate it as much

2012 and then 2003 when theyre a bit older. I feel 2003 goes to some dark places that may be a bit much for someone super young

What about Tales?

Anything but the 1987 or 2003 series isn't good

The 87 series. I'd prolly leave the others for when he's old enough to appreciate the story-telling/continuity.

Yeah I would probably go with the 80s cartoon for someone that young. But maybe skip the episode where Baxter Stockman gets turned into the fly. That brief transformation scene messed me up pretty good when I was a kid lol

Mr_Karate_II posted...

Anything but the 1987 or 2003 series isn't good

2012 is great.

2012 is good for a younger ch ild

and 2k3 when they are older

2k3 gets DARK at points like holly fuck does it get dark

ReturnOfDevsman posted...

2012 is great.

The designs suck

I remember enjoying 2003 when I was younger, but its been years since Ive seen it, so Im not sure how it holds up today.

Killmonger posted...

I remember enjoying 2003 when I was younger, but its been years since Ive seen it, so Im not sure how it holds up today.

it holds up VERY well

Mr_Karate_II posted...

The designs suck

It's true. Some moreso than others.

It's just not the only thing there is to care about. Here are a few things I really enjoyed about it:

1. It's got great humor. Michelangelo naming all the villains (and other stuff) is always a good chuckle. Ice cream kitty's little meow whenever they open the freezer is a hoot. The Kraang's pattern of speech gets silly a few times. Donatello gets beaten by a monkey. Casey is as numbskull as they come. Mikey defeating Dogpound with a water balloon.

2. It has a good blend of focusing on the team vs each individual character. There are Leonardo episodes, and Donatello episodes, and Raphael episodes, and Michelangelo episodes. They're regularly challenged to stretch beyond their comfort zones by a challenge that requires them to operate in exactly the opposite way of their tendencies. For example, Donatello's frequent struggle is to think less, or Michelangelo's struggle is to be more discerning about people.

3. Lots of characters have satisfying development arcs, including villains. Several change not just as people but in terms of the gimmick over the course of the series, and still spend a satisfying amount of time in each stage. Classic example is Baxter Stockman, but it also applies to Bradford, Fishface, Bebop, Rocksteady, and Karai. The turtles even get their mystic personas too.

4. They went all out with Donny's machines. Nuff said. It just rules.

5. Has lots of nods to classic bits of Turtles history. The theme song being a variant of 87 was awesome. Season 3 being a reprise of act 2 of 90 was awesome. The villain they sent to an alternate universe (and the nature of that universe) was awesome.

6. They got a lot of the relationships spot on. Mikey and Raph. Mikey and Donny. Raph and Casey. Leo and Karai.

7. One of the most imposing Shredders ever. To the point that Super Shredder actually felt like a downgrade.

8. They did a great job of making every season from 3 onward feel totally different. Like, they legit go to space not just for an episode, but for half of a season.

I just found there was a lot to love in it.

https://youtu.be/A4NE_BvjoVo?si=HqSVeSyCewTpnbjN

1987

Original Eastman and Laird graphic novels

The 2003 series is really really good. Very solid English cast, great characters, side characters, and plots. It's on par with some of the best shounen out there. But I agree it might be too dark and serious for a 3 year old. I fell in love with it when I was around 12.