Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2003) Was UNDERRATED!

[@JordanFringe94]

Thanks so much for watching! Which version of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles was your favorite overall? Let me know!

[@johntheanimator4317]

ok

[@trynaka1421]

rise was my favorite it was such a hidden gem it was a nice take on the turtles fresh and diffrent

[@captainmarvelous2065]

2003 was my all time favourite version. The one I grew up with. it had the perfect balance of comedy, dark moments etc, thats what I think.

[@paramount3603]

@@trynaka1421 he should transformers robots in disguise 2001 next

[@EvaFull]

OG ‘87, but I also enjoy 2003 & 2012.

[@mochi355]

The shredder theme and voice of the 2003 series will forever be iconic to me

[@christopheredwards788]

2003 series i grew up on. It's great. Can't believe it's been 20 years. My childhood. Thank you for covering this Jordan.

[@__Nameless_one__]

20 years!? I was 8!? Damn!!

[@kristopherwillis8075]

​@@__Nameless_one__I was 10 damn😅

[@__Nameless_one__]

​@@kristopherwillis8075 Crazy man I remember watching this with my dad 😂

[@nicktechnubyte1184]

​@@kristopherwillis8075I was 12, still remember recording some of the episodes on blank VHS tapes! Those were great times, so much simpler back then!

[@k98sportz16]

Same man when the turtles are mentioned I picture this version first in my mind

[@acetrainerkat]

TMNT 2003 is actually my favourite iteration. It was also the first "boys show" that I really liked and allowed me to just enjoy what I like

[@zeospark9715]

I'm with you there. Younger me before that era was only watching kid shows like Blue's Clues, Franklin, etc. But then I found myself tuning into FoxKids/FoxBox seeing all the shows there. TMNT 2003 became one of my favorite shows there period and helped steered me towards other action boy shows like Transformers lol

[@StevenJones851]

It's one of my favorites a lot

[@alesolren]

I don’t think I’ve ever seen this series NOT get the credit it deserved. Top 5 cartoon in my book

[@paulgilbert5278]

There was a time when nobody talked about the 2003 show. But nowadays it definitely gets more appreciation

[@jasonkeane133]

If you want to try it then, try Paramountplus all seasons are available

[@opportunity3278]

@@paulgilbert5278 It truly brightened up my day whenever this aired on our little box TV, so nostalgic.

[@vullord666]

It's still easily the niche turtles. Cartoon enthusiasts talk about it a ton. But the only turtles cartoon that pierces into the zeitgeist is the 80s/90s animated series. Which sucks because that's not at all what the turtles intended to be. The 2003 version had one of the original comic book creators in charge, was a more accurate interpretation, and is the template for pretty much all modern turtles. Yet it doesn't get recognition outside of the "if you know; you know" crowd. Like the 2003 theme isn't randomly played in the end credits of every movie or video game or cameo or crossover for nostalgia.

[@denickart]

​@@vullord666nah as someone who's not into Ninja Turtles this is definitely the one I hear about the most unless I'm talking to somebody in their 40s

[@Akursedtime]

The 2003 incarnation was my childhood along with ATLA, Teen Titans and Justice League/Unlimited. I prefered the darker tone and had a compelling narrative. The animation was excellent too. Its too bad the franchise hasn't gone back to those roots yet. Hopefully one day.

[@AJ_suede]

I appreciated this one as a kid for being all encompassing, you can throw the turtles anywhere and they fit in. This one took that to the extreme early 2000s with great action, design, and homages to previous iterations. It is still my favorite series by a longshot. When i think of each character, their voices come up in my head!

[@paulgilbert5278]

The 2003 voice cast is so definitive. Raph is not Raph without the tough New York accent and Mikey needs the California surfer accent.

[@AndrewAce.]

Same. I always hear them first and foremost...

[@LeopoldLitchenstein]

​@paulgilbert5278 This so much. The voices for the Turtles in this show are still the best ones

[@benwasserman8223]

Still has my favorite version of Shredder to date. And I love how the 2003 show's original characters like Hun and Bishop were integrated into future cartoons/comics as well.

[@boobah5643]

I don't think Bishop was original to the 2003 show; I'm pretty sure I saw him in one of the supplements for _Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Other Strangeness,_ an RPG written by Eric Wujcik and published by Palladium Games. I always assumed he was from one or another iteration of the comics.

[@paulgilbert5278]

@sharpester7277 And his lack of humor is ironically funny in some ways

[@critica77y77]

@boobah5643 He was original to the series, but made his way into the comics.

[@robinkholmes7127]

I loved this show and "Fast Forward" and "Back to the Sewer" the world-building, the characters, the grittiness and the story.

[@Excalibur-Sonic]

Same. :)

[@Jayagebee]

It was also my first TMNT, and still to this day I absolutely love the five seasons bc of their beautiful animation, darker tone and engaging storytelling. The 2012 series is good as well, but 2003 is where the magic happened!

[@nickster5207]

This show is a time capsule of early 2000's angsty culture and I love it.

[@Full_Metal_Angel]

I grew up on the 2003 version of the turtles its why I loved them so much. The darkness of everything explored is so truly unique and I don't think caught in any other iteration of the IP.

[@BilingualRainbow]

This series was the definitive version for me. I grew up on the original cartoon, but this was just a phenomenal show. I think Rise may have overtaken it for mme as all time favorite though.

[@byronrush9802]

Original and the 2003 version and the one that branched off from the 2003 version are the only ones I accept

[@MyIndieGameDevJourney3818]

me too they should make a new one with almost but just a tiny bit darker(while keeping the same humor)

[@1Lanavis1]

Same

[@kilode5798]

"Like the phoenix, I have risen from the ashes. And into my fire, you shall fall." - Shredder

[@dracodracarys2339]

The 2007 movie is also underrated. It perfectly combines dark and gritty with fun and wacky, and the fight between Raphael and Leonardo on the rooftops is honestly both a visual spectacle and a great character moment.

[@BooboosANDBloodshed_95]

TMNT 2003 was my generation's iteration, and it was awesome. I still go back and re-watch it often. Even though I'm a 28 year old man 😂😂😂😂

[@kobebrewster2549]

Man I'm 25 and I stay rewatching them. I mainly go to my favorite episodes

[@Victory_Era]

I’m rewatching it now lol and I’m 28 😂😂

[@AskAir]

Man, the '03 series was just perfect in so many ways! Great retrospective.

[@Bulbasaur617]

Oh nice! This is the version that got me into the TMNT franchise and I think this is one of the best interpretation of the TMNT. Thanks for doing a video on this version of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles here.

[@TheDragonfriday]

Same here well for me it first and last time I watch TMNT

[@jahmirwhite7807]

​@@TheDragonfriday What about the 2012 version and ROTTMNT?

[@Never_heart]

For some reason outside of the main reoccurring cast, there are exactly 2 characters that burned into my memory from this series. Mr Touch and Mr Go, I don't even know why but the scene of them saying their names before activating their powers just stuck in my head really prominently after all of these years

[@LowellLucasJr.]

The 2003 series was a breath of fresh air! I grew up with the 80s Turtles and loved them but still loved the 2003 series! I enjoyed watching it when I entered College and thought " Finally! Parent groups stepped back to let the grungy, dark comic accurate stories come to Life!!! At least for a time!"😂

[@ShadowWolfRising]

And it was done by 4kids! ........Wait.

[@blackhood7200]

We really need more Edgy cartoons like this.

[@richardperaza5083]

I love this version I don’t think the last 2 seasons are as bad as people give it but I do think they were a step down from the first 5 and yet it told an amazing story and a wonderful ending

[@Bloody-Butterfly]

I grew up with the original 87 cartoon. When the 2003 show came out, it was everything I wanted. (But 87 is still my favorite).

[@Sybir.]

Underrated, I feel TMNT is hardly rated with how often gets rebooted. Still, definitely one of the greatest turtle periods I remember! Glad you decided to rate (cover) it.

[@TPDManiacXC626]

The 2003 Ninja Turtles are and will always be my favorite childhood TV show until the day I die. It had the right balance of darkness, comedy, dialogue, action, compelling storytelling, wholesome messages,and everything else in-between. And who can ever forget the kick-ass introduction theme song?!

[@Markimark151]

I love this TMNT reboot! Even though I was in high school when this cartoon was made, I enjoyed it for being respectful to older fans and loved how Fox gave it really good animation!

[@b1ake__]

Thanks so much for covering this version of the Turtles! They’re the iteration that I grew up on. One of my favourite Christmas memories is getting all four of the turtle action figures, and spending Christmas day building a turtle lair out of cardboard boxes - even used green spray paint for the sewer. Thanks for bringing that memory back, Jordan!

[@SoulStarSketchin]

As a kid I grew up with the classic 80s-90s Turtles cartoon but I do think that overall the 2003 series was probably one of the best iterations and being the closest loyal to the comics version tone. Course the 2012 series also had a bit of charm to it too.

[@bensneb360]

This was MY turtles growing up, I was crazy addicted to it, still my favorite version for nostalgia purposes

[@devonjeffers5898]

Underrated as all hell. As someone who's binged this series a while back, this is arguably my favorite tied with 2012.

[@duckgooseyswan]

This was my first TMNT show I ever watched way back when cable television is (and still) around. I watched this show even if it was past my bedtime. I remember jumping and running around the living room whenever I watched some scenes that shocks me, such as Splinter protecting his sons in the Shredder Strikes episode. Another reason why I kept on watching the show was because of Donatello, he was wearing the bandana of my favorite colour. I wasn't able to complete the whole season because the TV was only able to air the first two seasons decades ago, so I didn't actually know there were more episodes and a movie until I went through online. I also did feel a bad when the network can't show much of the 2003 content, though.

[@tatalsaba]

My absolute favourite TMNT series of all times, and I say that after growing up with the 80's to early 90's version. Great stories that didn't shy away from the dark stuff, high amounts of action, impressive animation, and then it went downhill with back to the future.

[@KingHypel]

I grew up watching the 80’s cartoon, the trilogy of movies from the 90’s, and the 2003 TMNT series (even the weird season when they went to the future). I have loved the franchise from a young age and I love almost every iteration of the Turtles. Would love to see more videos of the other TMNT series/movies in the future!

[@moringlory23]

Recently went back to rewatch after 20 years, and the show still holds up! Definitely up there with Static Shock in my book 😊

[@paulgilbert5278]

The show aged well. At least Seasons 1-4

[@taajihpickett2391]

Your the goat for mentioning static that show is up there with batman the animated series, spiderman, and xmen for me

[@PriaMason-o8y]

Yes I did grow up with the 1987 version of tmnt but since then I’ve been seeing some of the 2003 version and I gotta say I have a lot more respect for it love this video Jordan ❤❤❤❤

[@KnuxtheFanGirl]

I love the 2003 cartoon!! It's the version I grew up!! It brought me back into the franchise again!!

[@dg7k]

Grew up on this version of TMNT games, special episodes, movies and all truely iconic nothing tops it i feel. 🐢🐢🐢🐢

[@jamiereeve3136]

I grew up with the 2003 tmnt. Used to watch it all day everyday after school. Had the figures dvds and games. Every now and then I’ll binge the series from start to finish. From the start all the way to back to the sewers. Holds a special place in my heart. Loved the 2012 version too but just not as much as 2002

[@robertocarvajal9140]

I became a big turtles fan because of this series. I still have my transforming Leonardo and my SFX katana. I recently read the complete run of the original comics and didn't realize initially that this show is an adaptation of that original run. It's been so long and I want to watch it again

[@elmirdays]

This show was such a big part of my childhood I loved it and still do so much I remember having so many of the toys and more 🙌🏻

[@totalchaos444]

The elite guard fight scenes and their own theme music are amazing!

[@chellastation]

The 2003 series was my 1st introduction to the show. The theme song hits hard

[@haydendegrow945]

Oh gods did i ever love this show! I remember watching it on my friends' satellite TV after coming home from school (we didn't have cable TV back then)... I rediscovered it on KZbin later and have been a fan ever since.

[@mx9226]

I love this show. It was my introduction to this franchise.

[@Flyersfan1594]

This series is the one I grew up on and will always be the best. Love seeing it get some attention recently!!

[@austinkimble9719]

I started with the 80s cartoon due to my grandparents having them all on vhs, but the 03 was what really cemented my then obsession with the turtles (I was 6 at the time). after watching this I think I’m going to give it a rewatch!

[@awc6007]

I absolutely love this show as a kid, watched a bit on TV and had the first 2 seasons on DVD. The writing and animation aged so well and I consider this is the best version of the characters.

[@mr_mad_hatter1062]

I'm so Glad you covered this masterpiece and They finally released the 2003 series on boxset

[@FlameHawk100]

That intro alone brings back to much memories

[@KasukuSaki]

This was also my first introduction to TMNT, I loved this show! And the opening is still so good✨

[@michaelsimms7396]

Best intro. I'm bias because I grew up with this one but still it goes so hard

[@jasonkeane133]

One thing that was fantastic about this series... Casey and his comedic timing

[@bringerdown3998]

2003 and 2012 are some of my favorites

[@valeriedominguez607]

This version of the turtles was the one that introduced me to the Turtles to begin with. I loved the story and Mikey is my favorite. I really wanna go back and watch it again since the only time I could watch it was on Saturday mornings as a kid.

[@FanaticMitchell1]

My thoughts on this Ninja Turtle show, it's my favorite piece of TMNT media, I was 5 years old when this show came out and I really liked it, I loved both the 2003 show and the 1987 show, my favorite Ninja Turtle was always Leonardo, but for the 2003 Show specifically, April is the best character from the 2003 show in my opinion, the last time I saw the show (before I recently gotten the complete series that released by Paramount months ago) was back in 2013 when it re-ran on the Nicktoons Network and it was the episode where the turtles and April got sent to a jungle and April was adapting pretty well to the Jungle life, to the point where the turtles started calling her Jungle Girl, I really like how in this show, that she was more active than the original April from the 80s TV show, I like that she was basically the big sister to the turtles and that she was very protective of them, you can really tell by that in the Jungle Girl episode

[@AaronLevine-t3j]

Turtles forever also had the turtles from the original comic book appear as well. In fact, it also acknowledged the live action version of the turtles up to that point.

[@geardog24]

While everyone remembers the 80’s version, this was the TMNT I grew up with. And the fact that it follows the gritty original comic helps too.

[@oakmars8062]

It was very underrated and is still the best tmnt cartoon ever

[@nathangarcia1992]

This is still my favorite version of the TMNT franchise! I remember the show had a good balance of action comedy and darker undertones. Plus the toys were just awesome! Good old nostalgia right here.

[@pablocasas5906]

Though I was introduced to the Turtles by their video games and the crossover they had with Power Rangers in Space, the 2003 TMNT was the first time I got invested in the Turtles, and I loved the show backed then when it aired on Fox Kids here in Latin America Also, last week Ninja Turtles fans, and fans of dubbing in general, received some bad news, Mexican voice actor Gabriel Ortiz, who voiced Michaelangelo in the '03 series and the '07 movie, passed away at the age of 44. He was very well known for voicing Vash in Trigun and Steve in American Dad. His Michaelangelo was also considered one the best voices the character had in Spanish. He will be missed a lot 😔

[@mad_quack]

2003 version was my initial introduction to the TMNT. I love the darker themes and how they don’t hold back. No wonder I liked this version better than any other version.

[@scarletmoon789]

I love this series, I grew up with it and if I can find any good merch now a days I try to get, its showed so much depth and the banter between them all way hilarious 😂 God I miss watching this I hope to someday get a DVD collection and some decent merchandise

[@ObiClon]

Even though I was born around the time the 80's version was on TV, I would say the 2003 version is another version that is fondly rooted in my heart as far as Saturday morning entertainment goes.

[@joedefilippo9172]

I’m waiting for this man to cover the following. Mummies alive, Shinzo, rave master, and flint the time detective. Love how much nostalgia these videos bring me.

[@hughjakeman5296]

This series I agree was underrated Always loved it's darker take compared to the og series

[@tsoudapop]

This is the one I grew up watching too. Awesome to see you covering this. Just got a hit with a wave of nostalgia.

[@christophergarrett7082]

2003 is my favorite cause it was the darkest and more serious version. So glad it became available in entirety on digital and dvd

[@casellpeterson7424]

I love the 2003 TMNT version I like right up their with TMNT 1980, Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation, And TMNT 2012 were my favorite expect for Rise Of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

[@Vdr777]

YES. YES IT IS. LOVE THIS SHOW. What was it, fast forward? That season was so cool! Oh crap that reminds me, does anyone remember "Monster Allergies"? That was a hell of a show back in the day.

[@mattjohnson9177]

This version is and will always be my top version. Unfortunately I lost track of it after season 4 partly due to the fact (I think) that fox kids UK stopped airing it and it went over to citv for FF and I never watched that channel, so I never knew there were seasons beyond 4.

[@xLitaFan4Everx]

The 2003 series is easily my fave iteration of the TMNT and imo best animated TMNT show. Great video! 💙❤💜🧡

[@mecahhannah]

❤ this is the TMNT series i grew up with and it's my favorite and I still love it and always will! Thanks for covering it! Happy holidays everyone!

[@UltimateMayhemVX]

Still love this series. It's fun to go back and watch it. My favorite line is still when they're doing pull-ups in a construction site and Mikey gets a call, is told something, replies they'll be there, and when the others ask who it was he replies Nobody.😂

[@jasonkeane133]

It's so funny, I started rewatching this series 3 weeks ago and I'm only halfway through season 2 😂 Man the first 5 seasons had like 35 episodes a season (side point, top three favourite episodes are The Dark future episode, Mikey Christmas special and the one with Leo's *Evil* clone. I really wish Fast-forward continued the story of the turtle 🐢 clones and them becoming heroes because they could have been good guys.

[@rodger2275]

I remember watching this. When I was at Job Corp N 2003. I kept watching TMNT every Saturday morning on Fox Box. I Watch it until the series finally wrapped up and finish. It was very well animated, with a great storyline. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Forever. Cowabunga!

[@taejasper1343]

This show is just the perfect TMNT series and I love it, bro! It will forever be in my heart! Such Saturday morning bliss, dude! Cowabunga! This just feels like the perfect adatation of the original comics and a lot more faithful than the original 1987 series was! Amazing!

[@benismann]

Used to watch those at grandparents house way before we got internet to there. It's still a "definitive" TMNT look to me

[@thesupersamcraft]

YES! This was 100% my favourite version of the turtles and since their creator was so heavily involved I really feel it THE definitive version of the Turtles. 2003 Turtles is what the Turtles were meant to be. A perfect balance of dark, serious and goofy and silly. Love other turtles stuff too but this is by far the best in my opinion

[@kristopherwillis8075]

I still play this on my GBA sometimes it stills holds up in my opinion.

[@ITSGOODFORYOURHEALTH]

Yes, this is the best one. I still have a hard time giving new ones a chance because the 03 one is so nostalgic.

[@nutshot_brawler8466]

Huh, I never knew this wasn't as popular as the other installations, I still remember the crossover movie, that was the first Turtles movie I watched, never thought cartoons would have movies till I saw that. TURTLE POWER!

[@devynharrison2979]

I love this series so damn much. Everything about it, I'm rewatching season 3 right now, falling in love all over again.

[@tyralee2286]

I watched this everyday after school on the Miguzi Block!

[@CybercietyYT]

2003 TMNT is, in my opinion, still the peak of the series and will continue to be; especially since they have the best Shredder incarnations and cast of characters.

[@KingAstolfo69]

I remember the 2003 tmnt I use to watch it when it was on 4kids TV if anyone remembers that

[@cardsfanbj]

I grew up on the original cartoon, and I also kinda remember the Saban live-action movies and show, including the Power Rangers in Space crossover episode. I never watched the 2003 series and I have no idea why. Looks good, although this was around the time that I was moving away from animated shows and gaining interest in more adult TV.

[@Bayley713]

It was my favourite show as a kid. Made me feel cool

[@zeroman237]

Whoever voiced Raph in this version. Badass.

[@chedysouilhi7408]

Absolutely that's my childhood right there , epicly nostalgic times and that console game (based on season 1) was a banger too 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@Mr110074]

The 2003 TMNT Show was definitely the best! I miss the 2000s action shows they were amazing. Then the 2010s came and every animated action show had to be silly and have crappy animation styles to survive.

[@gundamofspitara7583]

When I think of the Turtles, this is what I think of, these voices are the ones I think of, these are the supporting characters I was introduced to. It was so much fun! Thanks for covering this

[@paulgilbert5278]

Honestly the 2003 Turtles are the definitive ones. Leo wasn’t a whiny leader, Raph was more lone wolf than jock, Don wasn’t an anxious nerd, and arguably most important Mikey wasn’t childish and stupid. They’re personalities were handled great here.

[@leelanzini]

TMNT 2003 is amazing! With the best version of The Shredder. Also wasn’t afraid to get dark. The animation holds up too well

[@beccamv8888]

The 2012 version and rise are my top two favorites but I have to say i like the fact they consider every version of the tmnt as their own dimensions it’s pretty cool because remember before endgame tmnt did the multiverse first

[@paulgilbert5278]

And did it better tbh

[@beccamv8888]

@@paulgilbert5278 definitely agreed

[@abthedragon4921]

This is the first version of the Teenage mutant Ninja Turtles that I watched semi regularly, and I still think it's great. I was really young when it came out though so I wasn't able to keep up with that as much as I wanted to. The first iteration of the Turtles I watched from start to finish was the 2012 CG version, and partially because of that, the 2012 version is my personal favorite. The 2003 version is a close second. the characters are amazing, the intro theme slaps and even though season 5 and Fast Forward aren't the most popular parts of the show, I even enjoyed those too!

[@tombwady3330]

Wish the turtles still looked like this. It's their best design PERIOD

[@humpitywithdumpity]

I’m so happy this series is finally getting the appreciation it deserves. As a kid, I grew up with the 2012 series, I never even heard about the 03 incarnation until I saw a dvd of it at a family video, seven year old me was intrigued. I eventually became obsessed with the series as to me, it was just completely unique compared to other iterations.

[@brendanpower1890]

This is by far my favorite turtles. I've watched the whole series multiple times watching it again now actually about half way through season 3

[@basketballfan23]

thank you for making this. This is my favorite show ever

[@4125tech]

I've been rewatching this show for the first time since I was very, very little. It has aged so well. And now there's a Fringe video on it! This is a good month.

[@LeopoldLitchenstein]

This show getting so much gas recently has been the best Christmas gift I could ask for