The Messy History of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2003)

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Join us as we delve into the untold messy history of the iconic Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2003) series. Strap in for a nostalgic journey filled with hidden tales, dramatic shifts, and unexpected turns that shaped the beloved green heroes we all know and love.
From their humble comic book origins to the groundbreaking animated series of the '80s, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have captured the hearts of fans across generations. But in this deep dive, we'll focus specifically on the fascinating and often messy history of the 2003 adaptation.
Discover the vision behind the revitalization of the Turtles in the new millennium and the challenges faced by the creative team as they reinvented the franchise for a new era. From the Turtles' intense battles against old foes to the introduction of new allies and the exploration of darker themes, this retrospective will reignite your passion for these pizza-loving heroes.
Whether you're a die-hard fan or new to the world of the Turtles, this video promises an entertaining and informative journey through the messy but incredible history of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2003).
So grab a slice of pizza, sit back, and join us on this epic adventure as we uncover the intriguing and untold story of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2003)!
Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe to our channel to stay updated with all things TMNT. Cowabunga, dudes! 🐢💥
SOURCES:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teenage...)
turtlepedia.fandom.com/wiki/T...)
www.imdb.com/title/tt0318913/...
turtlepedia.fandom.com/wiki/T...
web.archive.org/web/201007220...
turtlepedia.fandom.com/wiki/T...
archive.org/details/TMNT-2003
www.comingsoon.net/tv/feature...
turtlepedia.fandom.com/wiki/I...
turtlepedia.fandom.com/wiki/T...
turtlepedia.fandom.com/wiki/T...
• TMNT panel at FanExpo ...
turtlepedia.fandom.com/wiki/L...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teenage...
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[@MINI_91]

2003 is by far my favorite incarnation of the TMNT.

[@joeylav2899]

only the seasons 1 to 5 that's all

[@MINI_91]

@@joeylav2899 Naturally. There wasn't any more seasons after season 5 and we all know it. :^)

[@JohnDoe-wq5eu]

And by season 5 we mean the ninja tribunal season. TMNT never went to the future and then came back to sewers.

[@rodrickadamginsburg8960]

Agreed!

[@King-Trax]

Same. Great series.

[@schtive81]

To give Turtles Forever some credit, it did the multiverse thing before the start of the MCU. They were ahead of the curve on the multi-verse idea.

[@JohnDoe-wq5eu]

They didn't ruin their entire franchise nor break every continuity. They also didn't use it as a lazy excuse for infinite movie ideas with literally no consequences because you could just reset things after.

[@A.B.-ub9un]

@@JohnDoe-wq5eu I mean... they kinda broke the continuity of the '87 series.

[@CapLives]

I absolutely LOVE the 2003 series. This is the TMNT I grew up with. Oddly enough, I never owned anything from the show. We only got toys on birthdays and Christmas. Fast Forward is certainly a misstep, even as a kid I didn't like it as much as the previous seasons. I hope we get new figures from this incredible show.

[@mr.awesome6011]

Season 5 at least felt like it ended in a way that felt like a series finale. You could stop watching there if the final two seasons don't do it for you and it still feels like a satisfying conclusion.

[@finndeets]

We need figs ASAP bro

[@alexbenedikt]

​@@finndeets hope Neca reveals something tmnt 2003 at SDCC!

[@PrinceSamTV]

2003 tmnt had a GBA game that was fucking fire, i’ve looked it up and seen it’s been emulated for you to play on any regular computer, you should check that out bro

[@bigjohnsbreakfastlog5819]

They had even crazier ideas for a second season; like Ch'rell returning as possessing a Triceriton, calling himself "Triceritron" and being the overarching villain of the season. It was all weird.

[@endlessmike5846]

Wow this was great! I interned on the last few seasons and was Design Coordinator from Fast Forward to Turtles Forever!! It means so much when our version gets some love! The team was truly passionate about the Turtles!!

[@ShadowSumac]

You made great job! Thank you.

[@ajclements4627]

Great work you did OP!

[@JohnDoe-wq5eu]

Fast-forward was definitely the the weakest season (no offense intended) but I'm glad we got the original arc and forever. I'm glad the series got to end on a strong note.

[@sukhoi25]

Turtles Forever is a super nerd masterpiece, you should be super proud of that

[@ShadowSumac]

@@sukhoi25 YAY!

[@mraaronhd]

2003 series was great. The episodes where Leo gets hurt, and the Foot attacks April’s apartment are fantastic.

[@wolffiegaming]

There are some great episodes in here. I personally think 2012 is better. But I appreciate 2003 (especially the first 3 seasons) as well

[@mraaronhd]

@@wolffiegaming I agree with you on the 2012 series. Their appearances were originally off putting to me because they reminded of the graphics from the Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts n Bolts, but the action and writing were great. I also think they had the best voices for the turtles as well.

[@wolffiegaming]

@mraaronhd yeah it's not perfect. But I was hooked pretty early. They managed to make the splinter shredder rivalry so deeply personal and epic. It would have benefitted from shorter seasons... and definitely didn't need the final season (should have ended on shredder defeat). But man was it epic.

[@mraaronhd]

@@wolffiegaming I didn’t even see the final season. The last season I watched to the fullest was the outer space one. I really liked the Mad Max: Fury Road spoof though. I thought that was awesome.

[@wolffiegaming]

@mraaronhd oh man. The super shredder episode are intense. If you can track those down they're absolutely worth your time. I didn't much care for the in space arc. That was one of the weaker seasons for me.

[@gundambassexe31]

My favorite version of the TMNT! 2003 TMNT! Its ninja time 🥷🥷🥷🥷🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢

[@anti-liberal7167]

80's and 90's tmnt

[@DJMicroNaught]

I was a kid that grew up with the 80s version, and by the time this version came out I was a too-cool-for-cartoons 17 year old... but when I heard there was a new TMNT cartoon coming out, I was so excited I stayed up all night so I wouldn't miss the premiere, and recorded it. LOVED it!

[@TurtleC0mic]

I was 17 when this came out too but I watched it religiously. The figures came with suction cups and I had them all over the windows on my first car. Chicks loved them.

[@WillKeaton]

I was always confused why 4Kids made this _Turtles_ show so very dark, when they cut out anything remotely objectionable from the anime they dubbed. "Don't move a muscle or we'll shoot you with our invisible guns!" Now I'm learning that it was Mirage who pushed for super dark, and 4Kids mostly went along but pushed back later on, which explains the tone of the _Fast Forward_ season.

[@mightyfilm]

I always wondered that myself. 4kids, as much crap as they get, did have to answer to our puritanical children's television broadcast and standards. Why this show managed to get a level of violence and darkness to the point of actually mention character deaths (something not extended to their anime dubs), probably speaks to some producer on Mirage's end. Probably Laird. He even made them recall an episode to give it a better ending more faithful to the comic version (the one about the artist named Kirby). Yet, when it came to their dubs of Ultimate Muscle and the short lived Funky Cops, their dub writers managed to sneak a crap-ton of sexual innuendo. I tend to think that as a middle finger to the BS&P that forced their hands with the anime dubs.

[@JohnDoe-wq5eu]

​@@mightyfilm Honestly I'd would love to just simply blame the BS&P (something I've found is more than likely false nowadays and more about commercials/advertisers whims/wants/demands) The problem with 4kids was there was no consistency no absolute rhyme or reason why they did things. But I will always be glad that the people at mirage pushed back and gave us a great show even with these jerks mostly constantly pushing back finally creating the worst season of the entire show.

[@mightyfilm]

@@JohnDoe-wq5eu 4kids was just bad at business, and had they not had success with the initial Pokemon dub, Yu-Gi-Oh, and this Turtles series (they were actually the marketing firm for Mirage at the time), they wouldn't have lasted as long as they did. Things that were meant to be hits weren't, they only got One Piece as part of a package deal for the little girl's anime and toy line they really wanted (I blame Toei for that one, though), and their attempts to make Kirby the next Pikachu at the time went absolutely nowhere. It's no wonder they milked the TMNT for all it was worth at the time when other 80's reboots were floundering. We probably wouldn't have got more than 3 seasons off the Kid's WB series at best. As for their dubbing, I can't really get annoyed by them. They basically saved Ultimate Muscle, a failure that ended on a poorly timed filler arc in Japan, by funding the Choujin Olympic arc that would otherwise have just been the preliminaries. And the things they did to other anime are basically just bog standard when it comes to American kids' anime dubs. Not showing or mentioning death, weird vocal choices, chopping entire bits out. I honestly think Battle of the Planets was far worse, and at least they didn't cobble together 2 or 3 different, unrelated shows or WORSE, cobble an entire series into a budget DTV movie.

[@LucarioShirona]

That’s rather a misconception to that, reason for the censorship on anime is what the TV broadcasting would allow so 4kids has to make the changes with the Anime they are dubbing to allow them to be shown in TV. And this isn’t just 4kids alone, other Dubbing studios had done similar changes to the point that people actually believed that 4kids were the ones to do them even though they didn’t own the dubbing licensing right to some of those anime. The 2003 TMNT is dark not just because they got the people behind the comic to lead charge but also the fact 4kids had more room to work with, they didn’t need to worry about censorship because they’re making the show so they can push what be allowed to be shown on TV.

[@mightyfilm]

@@LucarioShirona It's a combination of both censorship and localization by way of what they think kids liked. I fault them for erasing various Japanese letters and sometimes even English signs to make a show "culturally ambiguous." That's the one thing that was especially unique about them, and even the Kinnikuman Nisei comic mocked them erasing a character's forehead hiragana for Ultimate Muscle. I never understood why shows from Japan that even the youngest of audience members knows is from Japan have to be scrubbed of any reference to Japan, but I don't think 4kids is an outlier here. Especially when the 00's appeal of anime (to that demographic at least) was that it WAS Japanese. But when even English signage was erased because they had the entire international market was a bit much. That said, the main difference between their dubs and TMNT was that TMNT was written by known cartoon writers that had the experience of working on various other action series. 4kids didn't do much to the show other than to promote it and be Mirage's licensor for merchandising. They used the same NY voice actors and the music was scored by the same teams they used (reusing their One Piece music in one FF episode), but everything else was standard cartoon production. Susan Blu was actually the voice director, being the only LA talent used in that voice pool, with her actual voice acting in one episode (an early one about the Nanobot I think). I'm sure they had censorship issues that cartoons normally have, but 4kids seemed to have a gentle hand if any in the show's production. That is until Insane in the Membrane and Nightmares Recycled. Still don't see what the issue with Nightmares was, but Membrane was a little much, even I admit, at least it was released on a DVD set.

[@Belgand]

"I don't know what adults do." That might be the best line in the channel's history. From collecting (and playing with!) toys to discussing the cartoons and other media of our youth, I feel like that inability to relate to or understand stereotypical "adult" pursuits is precisely what this channel is all about. It's for those of us who don't know what adults do and don't care.

[@Rob-hb7wh]

I loved this as a little kid! I went back and rewatched the entire thing a few years ago and not only did it hold up, it was even better than I remember! This TMNT series is the best we've gotten and will get, imo

[@CriticsCupofficial]

Same here 😂

[@JohnDoe-wq5eu]

I mean on one hand it sucks that they basically tried to ruin the series by lightening it up with the terrible fast-forward season. And then proceeded to do the lost episodes arc anyway as well as the final season that was a compromise and the forever that was pretty good I guess especially for the time.

[@Rob-hb7wh]

@@JohnDoe-wq5eu I actually really enjoyed the fast forward season. It wasn't really that bad of tonal whiplash going from the darker lost episodes to it, it just seemed like the dawn after the darkness; it showed that the turtles helped build a bright future after all the darkness they fight. Plus as a kid it just looked so cool

[@Enycma]

This used to be my fav and replaced by TMNT 2013

[@JohnDoe-wq5eu]

@@Rob-hb7wh I think it's still kind of weird that they tried to have their cake and eat it too by still releasing the arc they were not going release and then basically doing the final season in a weird middle ground that was neither super dark nor over-the-top light-hearted and goofy. Personally I just don't like that season. I just don't I don't, like anything they did with it. I was very glad that it was a one-season storyline and they wrapped it up.

[@doshin]

Turtles Forever is one of the most underrated pieces of media in the franchise, I love it so much.

[@redred222]

i wish that they could redo the voices of the 87 turtles in it

[@mr.awesome6011]

It's cool but flawed. Not being able to get the original voices for the 80's cast and making those Turtles overly goofy Michaelangelo clones who take nothing seriously hurt it a bit, but scenes like the one where they meet the original comic book Turtles were great.

[@bigjohnsbreakfastlog5819]

I feel like this one got the Turtles a bit better than the 2012 series, which had the actual actors, as I remember the "Wanted: Bebop and Rocksteady" trilogy of episodes featured the 87 Turtles were depicted as being too silly to fight. And I'm like "huh? Don't they remember the later season episodes?"

[@anonymoustroll2432]

It was awful

[@PrincessofPower84]

​@anonymoustroll2432 agreed. It totally disrespected the '87 Turtles. The crossover that the '87 Turtles did with the 2012 Turtles was FAR superior, even if it was too short. One of many reasons why I'm glad 4kids became a joke and ended up folding.

[@AngelPerez-tu1nk]

This is the show that introduced me to the TMNT. While it's no longer my favorite I still have a soft spot for it. Man, wish it had had better luck, it deserve it.

[@JohnDoe-wq5eu]

I truly do feel the fast forward season did more harm than good. It was tonally very consistent until 4kids decided to butt in and meddle with things they shouldn't have. But they ended strong and I gotta give them credit for that.

[@LeopoldLitchenstein]

If they ended the show with Ninja Tribunal and had Casey and April get married in the finale it'd hands down be the best TMNT show, but for staying consistent and ending on its own terms, 2012 takes the cake

[@JohnDoe-wq5eu]

@@LeopoldLitchenstein I mean that was the ending of the series (last episode of back to the sewers but before turtles forever) I believe but I think you're saying they should have ended it sooner on the earlier season. I can't honestly disagree as honestly they took the show too far and stretched it out way more than it needed to be. Fast-forward really messed things up and having to try to do a follow-up season with tribunal and then the follow follow up season and then the movie was just too much.

[@LeopoldLitchenstein]

@@JohnDoe-wq5eu Yes, I choose to just disregard FF and BTTS because they clash so hard with the tone and vibe of the first 5 seasons

[@kootunesscrewy]

At least Turtles Forever saved the series as a finale. I really enjoyed that one. And yeah, I prefer the first three seasons. Season 4 was... ok, but Seasons 5-onward just stunk.

[@Sameeer_Saker]

My dad loved the 80's show, and we loved watching the 2003 show. I remember the horror we had on our faces on the episode were Shredder revives Dr. Stockman as an BRAIN WITH AN EYE and he says "why you revived me? I was happy being dead". This show was awesome 😂

[@JohnDoe-wq5eu]

I mean when people talk about shows being dark and edgy nowadays I don't think they have a clue. This show truly did it. They pushed things as far as they possibly could. (and obviously too far on more than a few occasions) This show resurrected the franchise and got the horrible taste of next mutation out of everyone's mouth.

[@Sameeer_Saker]

@@JohnDoe-wq5eu I rewatched it recently and it was like a bluckbuster action movie, never felt forced or try-hard grimy dark or whatever. Classic TMNT fans hated the show thinking it was just that, turtles for edgelords. Only recently I see it having the recognition it deserves.

[@JohnDoe-wq5eu]

@@Sameeer_Saker No it wasn't a try-hard or edgelord or anything like that. It just embraced more of the original comics than the 80s version did by a wide margin. Not perfect and not exact but a really good blend and much much more accurate and to the source material and characters than the 80s version ever was. (Unless you count the first live action movie, which I don't) It was an excellent show that was extremely divisive with fans at the time but I feel has earned it's place now.

[@eon001]

I grew up the 90s, so the original run holds a place in my heart, but the 2003 was the perfect mix of the og comics grit, the 90s charm and some really cool fantasy ideas. I think the re-do of shredder's origin was genius.

[@mr.awesome6011]

90's charm? This show oozed (no pun intended) early 2000's edginess and it was great

[@TimmehJay]

I first heard about Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in 1985 from two girls in my college badminton class. Not many people get to say that sentence and it be true but I can.

[@zeta_noir]

Its so weird to see something that was actually from my childhood in this channel but I definitely welcome it, TMNT 2003 will always be the definitive version in my eyes

[@Kriswixx]

Eastman and Laird black and white comics were brutal. I remember opening up the first book and falling in love.

[@FlawedCoil82]

Full series release is FINALLY coming to DVD on July 25th! It is called “The Ultimate Collection”! Shell yea!

[@someguy0987]

Even with some missteps, misshapes, and corporate meddling the 2003 TMNT is still the best one to date bar none. You can really tell that the people who made it respected the source material (the comics) unlike most TMNT shows from recent years.

[@JohnDoe-wq5eu]

The 2012 version as much as it's liked I feel like was a big departure from anything that came out before or since. Same thing with rise of the TMNT. Very specific flavors you either liked or didn't. 2003 was a perfect combination of the 80s show and comics versions of the characters. I feel like we're never going to get anything close to that again not with Nickelodeon owning the rights.

[@Chaoywowey]

@@JohnDoe-wq5eu like no that’s 2012 if you watch all the show 2003 was heavily mirage while 2012 was mostly in the middle

[@KotCR]

Early 2000s were definitely the best years for classic show reboots. These big 80s hitters, when they came back as reboots in 2002, they were really at the peak of writing and style. Both the 2003 TMNT and the 2002 He-Man are fantastic examples of this. It's a pity stuff has fallen so far since then, since that really was the peak. When you see those social media memes saying 90s were the peak times...nah, early 2000s were the peak times for all forms of entertainment. Amazing video game consoles with peak games before MTX corruption (PS2/GC/XBox), amazing TV shows (DCAU, TMNT, He-Man), amazing films (Lord of the Rings, Sam Raimi's Spidermans, aswell as cult classics like Shaun of the Dead). It's all just been down-hill since the mid 2000s though.

[@JohnDoe-wq5eu]

@@KotCR Anyone that says otherwise is just huffing extreme amounts of copium as far as I'm concerned. The facts speak for themselves.

[@realtsavo]

@@KotCR Especially starting in the later 2000's, when audiences started turning their backs on more original or unique ideas in favor of pre-packaged, highly polished corporate products like the MCU.

[@christophergarrett7082]

I love this version. It's the version that made into a ninja turtles fan. I wish nick would do a bluray or dvd box set of the complete series.

[@SolarDNA]

I never understood the hate that the 2003 series got. I was an adult by the time it came out and while it wasn't like the original animated series I worshipped as a kid, I still enjoyed it. I still pop it up on YT and watch a few episodes once in a while to this day.

[@SuperZX49]

What hate?

[@vizionaryentertainment8464]

I was born 1995 so the 2003 turtles are the ones I grew up with and I thought the show was awesome. It's the darkest and most gritty of all the animated series that have come out. For whatever reason people overlook it and think straight to the nickelodeon turtles

[@trentbrown500]

My parents hated it because they thought it was too edgy compared to the 1987 show. I was happy to find out that it was written to be more faithful to the comic.

[@vizionaryentertainment8464]

@@trentbrown500 The creators of the comic wanted the 87 cartoon to be faithful to the comics but it ended up being a product of its time. Every 80s cartoon had to be dumbed down to kids. They didnt feel kids could handle more mature themes

[@trentbrown500]

@@vizionaryentertainment8464 I think it had a lot to do with the economy too, seeing as how every 80s was basically produced by toy companies. If you're gonna sell people cheap plastic, it had better be bright and do something unique (*pew *pew, "FIRING MISSILES *pew).

[@jinpei05]

I really appreciate what the Fox Kids TMNT series tried to do after the super goofy and cartoon-y 80s series.

[@mitchfletcher2386]

Fox Box. Fox Kids was "Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation".

[@JohnDoe-wq5eu]

​@@mitchfletcher2386 Yes I'm glad somebody mentioned that. Next mutation did a ton of damage to the brand.

[@DrRiddlez2015]

The 80's cartoon was a super goofy (yet charming) massive hit, without it TMNT would've faded into obscurity.

[@rubaiyat300]

@@DrRiddlez2015 It didn't even start out super goofy. It just got Flanderized as time went on. And that intro pilot had some of the best animation of the era.

[@fernygamer6985]

Loved the TMNT Cowabunga Collection from Konami on the Playstation 5! 💯💯💯✨👏🏻👏🏻

[@aaronorenstein5963]

This was the incarnation I watched the most of as a kid-to-tween and beyond. These days, I still find it amusing how it shared a cast with the likes of Yu-Gi-Oh! and other Central Park Media/Media Blasters/NYAV Post-dubbed anime projects.

[@CanadianShow]

I really liked this version Don’t get me get me wrong the original TMNT was great for kids but older audiences needed a show like to us version

[@DaleyKreations]

Exactly. I grew up on the 80's show and was in my 20's when 2K3 come out. The 80's show was perfect for me at age 6 and 2K3 was perfect for 20_ something me

[@mr.awesome6011]

This version was great for kids too in the same way 90's kids had Batman the Animated Series. Shows like these are proof that you can have darker and more mature storytelling in kids shows and not just have to give them noise, silliness and shenanigans for half an hour

[@DemonicRemption]

@CanadianShow As a 90s kid who grew up with seasons 6-9 of the OG 1987 cartoon I can confirm this was a nice addition to the franchise. Although for me it wasn't because it was clearly meant for older kids, but because there seems to be slight anime influence on the art style which was initial hook for me.

[@iancruz6617]

@@DemonicRemption you lost me on anime art style lmfao. This is called comic book art style of the characters looking detailed not a bunch of bug eyes freak with choppy animation even by 89's cartoon was continue animation then the shtty anime that stands like a stick for 29 minutes added open and close mouth that don't add up to the actors Expression. Which anime is. Not like cartoon that actual has mouth movement Express matches voice actors performance. Also for boomers out there tmnt 2003 is more faithful to the source material. And I was born in the late 90's where all the modern kids are. This show was peak sad tmnt has not been faithful to the comics and just follow that disgrace tmnt 80's cartoon that was not faithful to the source material

[@maximillianlylat1589]

I thank the 03 series for helping the franchise become a mainstay for several generations. The franchise easily couldve just been some obscure series from the 80s that failed to finish the 90s but it kept kicking. Also i love that the 03 series is based on the mirage universe even with some of its little oddities like the justice force

[@redred222]

turtles was bigger then any other 80s based cartoon, you most be younger and not around during the turtle mania now all those kids are my age and have kids of there own

[@maximillianlylat1589]

@@redred222 i am, 94' born. I experienced pokemania tho

[@JohnDoe-wq5eu]

​@@maximillianlylat1589 I think people don't like to talk about the elephant in the room which was the 98 series next mutation basically killed the series or put it into hibernation for basically 5 years. The 03 series did what I needed to do to bring it back basically from the dead. And even though people love to defend the 80s version it simply isn't the best it was the first and it will always have that but 03 was better. (Until season 5 at least) We never would have gotten anything else from TMNT had the series not existed.

[@finndeets]

2003 is by far my favorite iteration of the Turtles. It was my entry into toy collecting, I guarantee I would not be a collector or photographer without it!!

[@vgtrp]

The 2003 TMNT series is probably the best thing 4kids ever did, which might not say much, but they did a good job with this series.

[@platinumangel7446]

This is my favorite turtles series, but it did get messy towards the end. Cool to find out about the storylines like Hun & the garage collector. Too bad not everything was ultimately animated. They could have put more out by the end. It was already a mess by that point. Thanks for the history of TMNT (2003).

[@JohnDoe-wq5eu]

I mean the interference of 4kids and Playmates Toys basically ruined the series with fast forward and the toys didn't even sell. They try to course-correct but it was too late. By the time they did turtles forever the series was sold off to Viacom and we wouldn't see the series again until 2012. They just completely killed the goose that laid the golden eggs.

[@mattkeflowers]

This series was such a good iteration of "growing up with the audience"

[@gatorkid509]

My first TMNT series!!! I am so glad this series is getting more love since it is such an underrated series due to the fact it not only had to live up to the 1987 series, but also because it was produced by 4Kids, a company well known for producing botched English dubs of Anime and toning down violence. But thanks to the animation and the mature subjects they tackle, it has definitely become one of the best TMNT animated series, in my opinion.

[@Ragbab84]

My favorite incarnation

[@jaysonraphaelmurdock8812]

Mine too

[@HibHab69]

And also the best TMNT series by far.

[@AussieDragoon]

This was MY Turtles. I used to watch it all the time on FoxBox and 4KidsTV growing up and to this day its the voices of the turtles I hear in my head. It sucks that Viacom/Nickelodeon basically ignore it now, including not even showing it along with the other shows when they were referenced in Rise.

[@albertwesker4729]

they care for it

[@A-Muse-U]

This was my TMNT, this is what I think of the franchise. The series is a mess but I love it because of how crazy it is.

[@R3troZone]

For a long time I refused to watch any of the Turtles series' other than the original 87-96 show. But last year I sat down and binged the 2003 show and with the exception of the weird Fast Forward crap when they travel to the future, it was a good show. I really liked how it was closer to resembling the Mirage comics.

[@JohnDoe-wq5eu]

It's so refreshing to hear that in these comments. So many salty butt hurt people defending the 80s version above everything else. The 03 version wasn't perfect and definitely got derailed by fast forward but it was a really good version. And I would say easily superior to the 2012 version and everything else that's come after.

[@darkwoods1954]

This is up there with Justice League Unlimited and Avengers Earths Mightiest Heroes for animated comic book adaptations. Quite under rated. Best TMNT series by far though it went off the deep end for the last few seasons with the time travel and cyberspace gimmicks and poorer animation. They should have started introducing more characters from the 80s cartoon once they ran out of comic stories to adapt for the last couple seasons. Mighty Mutanimals for instance.

[@trickshot_katebishop7612]

I love Avengers Earth’s Mightiest it is so underrated

[@theprotagonist1311]

​@@trickshot_katebishop7612how can it be underrated if everyone talks about how great it is and it being the definitive Avengers animated series?

[@psychoandy]

I was the exact target age when the 1987 cartoon originally aired. I love that show as a kid, and had dozens of the toys. And then for Christmas in 1992, my dad got my brother and I some TMNT comics... which happened to be trade paperbacks of the original Mirage comics. Violent, bloody, gritty, and way more serious. Those immediately became "my" turtles, even though I was still a little kid. When the 2003 series was announced, and I read that it was going to be based on the Mirage comics, and Peter Laird was heavily involved, I was incredibly excited. The first episode wasn't as good as I was hoping for, but I stuck with it. I was in college by this point, but TMNT 2003 became appointment television for my younger brother and I, for those first few seasons. Once it became "Fast Forward," we tried for a few weeks, but found ourselves mostly uninterested in the younger tone, and eventually moved on. Nothing against those seasons, I'm sure they were great for who they were aimed at, but I wasn't it. I completely skipped "Back to the Sewers," but enjoyed the hell out of "Turtles Forever." It was shortly after that when Peter Laird sold the TMNT franchise to Nickelodeon, and so for me, "Turtles Forever " acts as a wonderful capstone to the franchise as a whole.

[@RemasteringTMNT2003]

Great video! As I'm sure many can relate, this series introduced me to the franchise. It also introduced me to the idea of deeper storytelling in an animated series, which absolutely elevated my idea of what animated shows could be. I didn't think much of the messier latter half of the show when I was younger, and looking back now those later seasons don't hold up as well as the earlier ones, but I do consider this series to be my definitive version of the turtles. It's a shame that this has become sort of the forgotten version of the turtles when talking about each series, but I'm glad Nickelodeon is still putting it out there for old fans to enjoy and new fans to discover. I just wish they did a better job at it.

[@joshoshea3194]

I really enjoyed the crossover Multiverse feature length movie they did where they teamed up with the 80's animated versions along with every other incarnation, way before Marvel & DC were doing it in their movies (comic books aside). Albeit they intentionally made the 80's versions WAY more annoying and stupid than they actually were, it was still really good.

[@coilledragon279]

Grew up with the 80's show and loved this 2003 version, but the 2012Turtles are the best we will ever get. The character work in the 2012 show is just sublime!

[@trickshot_katebishop7612]

2012 is my favorite it has so much heart and the characters were great

[@sudahi51]

I remember loving this then I missed like 5 episodes and then they were in the future and I never thought about it again until now

[@JohnDoe-wq5eu]

Yeah fast-forward was the bed crapping of the entire franchise honestly. Back to the sewers was an attempt at corse correcting as was putting out the the true fifth season "ninja tribunal" whatever as lost episode / season. It was all too little too late and the damage was done. And the funniest most pathetic thing of all was the toys that they tried to sell from fast-forward didn't even sell. The whole thing flopped so bad they canceled multiple lines they had planned.

[@jamesbounds]

I may have been a little kid during the 80's Turtles cartoon but as a adult I like the 2003 and 2012 Turtles shows more. Hard to choose which of the two I like the best. The 2003 series has the best animation style though except for April O'Neil. Nothing tops the 80's cartoon April look wise.

[@JohnDoe-wq5eu]

Yeah I just couldn't get over the style of the 2012 one and I tried multiple times. I just find that the 03 version is better all-around compared to any other current version. (Fast forward and back to the sewers notwithstanding)

[@fedupN]

Aye, similar. Grew up with the 80s cartoon, had some toys, but the comics gripped me harder. I loved the 03 cartoon as it felt closer in tone to those comics. Ive watched the 2012 version and even the latest one. I can see why folks like the 2012 and I try to watch it but keep falling out of it.

[@geardog24]

This is exactly what every Ninja Turtles series should be like. Except maybe the 2012 version.

[@JohnDoe-wq5eu]

If it wasn't for the art style I think I would always put 2012 higher. It's still good but it's not nearly 03 good. Then again everything that's come out since the 2012 version ended hasn't given them any kind of a run for their money.

[@wstine79]

I remember stocking the Toys R Us shelves with these toys.

[@masonberkheimer1293]

this is the Turtles i grew up with!!! Didnt miss an episode

[@stardustcrusadersoverdrive]

This was my fav TMNT series. Loved it growing up! Though I've always felt that this show doesn't get the love it deserves. I know that it is now, but back then, it felt like the black horse of the TMNT cartoons. It was always the Iconic 80s cartoon, the wonderful 2012 series, and how ROTTMNT ended too soon.

[@OpinionParade]

2:32 "Move in silence" My brain: *"Guard against extra terrestrial violence!"* The MIB theme song lives with me forever.

[@wstine79]

This was the better of the "80s reboot for the 2000s" shows. The character designs were great as well as the stories. The Turtles Forever special was good but 87 Ninja Turtles could have used their original voices and not be as goofy.

[@coreylineberry8557]

There's a reason they didn't use the voices, namely the fact that it was an issue from the LA vs NY unions.

[@wstine79]

​@Corey Lineberry I know. That also kept the 2003 Turtles from being in the 2016 crossover special.

[@rubaiyat300]

Yeah that's the sour notes from the Turtles Forever special. Really thought the 80's crew got shafted whereas say Spider-Ham from Into the Spiderverse showed how to make a campier version of a character still be a solid contributer. Heck those 80's Turtles but from their 5 part intro pilot movie would have been just fine hanging out with the 2003 Turtles.

[@ShadowSumac]

There was also an issue with Fred Wolf series OST - I've heard original composer refused to give rights for its usage.

[@rokmare]

If only it had a better theme song instead of the cheesy one we got

[@brendanpower1890]

My favorite version of the turtles was hyped to see you did a video on them !

[@infinity-marc]

Great show, wish they would do something for the 20th anniversary

[@Harpoquondrax]

I still have that Raphael toothbrush holder, however having upgraded to an electric toothbrush it's simply a nice decoration on my bathroom mirror

[@Belgand]

That Akira slide at 6:47. It says so much about the intent of this show and the people who created it..

[@JohnDoe-wq5eu]

Honestly, I never thought of that but yeah wow. They certainly had intent that's for damn sure.

[@Scudboy17]

I wasn't a fan of this show when it aired but I did catch the series finale. The classic original turtles were so bad ass and awesome it made up for a lot of the siliness of the 80's cartoons.

[@JohnDoe-wq5eu]

The 2003 version gave us probably the best blending of the original comic book version and the goofy light-hearted 80s version. (At least until fast forward when they completely crapped the bed)

[@chheinrich8486]

Messy? It is glorious

[@phenomjak]

This was the version that caused me to meet my best friend of 15 years. And the fact that we will still occasionally talk about it today really says how much of an impact the 2k3 Turtles have had on us.

[@TitularHeroine]

At 6:16, well done indeed! I laughed aloud at that bit after the phrase registered in my brain. And as always -- great episode, and thank you!

[@makishepard]

Happy 20th Birthiversary, TMNT

[@ghostchaser1631]

My own TMNT fanhood lay dormant and asleep for a while until this show woke it up again. I was very pleased that they actually adapted the original Mirage comic book series for this one, so much so in fact that several episodes were legitimate animated issues from the comic. Finally, a TMNT series that was right up my alley (pun partially intended). Ironically, I enjoyed this show so much that when the next series started in 2012 I was heart sick for this one but the 2012 series did grow on me after a while and I now have the complete series digital release and DVD...and meanwhile, when Rise started in 2018 it was so bad that I was now heart sick for both of the last two.The 2012 series was legendary by comparison. Another great video, thanks for covering this show and giving it the love that it deserves, it's greatly appreciated. 🙂🐢🍕

[@ShadowSumac]

Whereas Fred Wolf TMNT is my favorite entertaining version of Turtles, since I grew up with it, TMNT 2k3 is my favorite version as far as story and tone goes. Up until Season 5 it was a very solid series and I wish it ended not with a whimper of Back to the Sewers, but whatever. Four good seasons and relatively faithful adaptions of the Mirage comic books are better than none. And it led to Turtles Forever, which despite some grievances, is pretty good. My most favorite things about this show: consistent tone and character development. Donatello's personality. How story arcs intersected with each other and, seemingly one-off events were woven into main plots. Shredder being no-nonsense threat. Bishop. The way Hun was developed over course of the show, from a sidekick of the bad guy to the major threat of his own. Baxter constantly...changing his appearance between episodes and still being the same arrogant asshole. My least favorite things about this show are: Shredder having no personality besides "murder-kill" and also being an alien, even though it led to some interesting stories. Bringing back Shredder as demon and virus. Making Karai his daughter, even though in original comic books she was the same age as Saki and was his superior. If they wanted to be faithful to comic books they could use real Shredder's daughter, Pimiko, from the Image run. Mikey being an insufferable idiot quite a lot. He was better than his braindead idiot version from 2k12, but it is not a high bar to clear. Can't say nothing good about Fast Forward though.

[@mcurran6505]

The 2003 series is so far the only TMNT series that is actually faithful to the original Mirage comics despite adding in a few extra bits & changes. Despite that the first five seasons are actually pretty good, the storylines & character developments are top notch. But 4Kids got greedy and tarnish the '03 series' reputation by making the Fast Forward season as a way of selling toys that no one wanted. Once they realize that mistake they did Back to the Sewers, but at this point it was too late, the damage was done and so was the series.

[@joshuabrown6461]

It has hands down the worst version of Shredder.

[@orinanime]

Hard disagree. The best part of the 03 cartoon was the fact that it adapted the Triceraton/Fugitoid comics. It did a decent job early on adapting select comics stories. But the moment Shredder was revealed to be an alien, it went downhill. Then Shredder was a demon, then a virus and it was just bad. 1/3rd of the 2003 show is good. The rest is mediocre fan fiction. Then the "Turtles Forever" movie is absolutely terrible.

[@ShadowSumac]

I would say "faithful" is stretching it, but they did as good as they could given limitations, and added some original material, which sometimes was good and sometimes...not (yeah, about Shredder(s)).

[@ShadowSumac]

@@orinanime Eh, I can stomach Shredders as an alien, though not perfect it led to some good stories. Ninja Tribunal and Back to the Sewers felt more like spin-offs of the show and, yeah, they failed quite a bit. Still, first four seasons, while by no mean perfect were very solid. And Turtles Forever was very good for a crossover.

[@darkwoods1954]

The animation designs got really cheap looking around fast Forward too.

[@Mr_Movie_Fan]

The version of the TMNT I grew up with.

[@LungsOutJem]

I grew up with the original series, and still enjoyed the 2003 series, even the "Fast Forward" season.

[@steprockmedia]

Love your show! Great writing, delivery, stories, kudos to the editing. Bravo indeed.

[@MistaJonz]

YES! It’s about time I rewatched this! Awesome work as always man!

[@ThomasMHead]

I grew up on the 80s cartoons and movies: which were fun for then. But the 2000s' Turtles were superior. Better characterization, better stories, better variation and evolution of everything within that telling--including the trip to the future, the Ninja Tribunal, and the big multiversal celebration of the franchise.

[@stephenwilliamson8012]

I discovered the TMNT comics in the mid 80s when I was in middle school. To me everything since pales in comparison to the comic book, but the films and cartoon were good in their own right.

[@JohnDoe-wq5eu]

Yeah the comics are always first no question. I still think 03 comes second and 80s third and 2012 last.

[@ceegronlee]

I was 19 when this came out and I fucking loved it! Still remains my favorite TMNT series!

[@davewhitmore1958]

"I don't know what adults do" Me either Dan . . . but it's never bothered me ;)

[@RyanRead]

My siblings got into the series as much as I was into the original. I watched with them on occasion and I thought they did a good job with the darker themes.

[@Infinity_WarTorn]

This is the version I grew up with! I definitely remember watching the leaked "lost season" when it was initially scrapped. Still amazed that they were allowed to air it at all. Even caught Turtles Forever live. This was one of the hardest shows to track down for physical media in decent condition for me but managed to get all the seasons (minus Fast Forward and Back to the Sewer). Sooo many discs. Will be interested to see if they ever do a blu-ray release and what it will include. So much cool bts stuff on those old dvds.

[@seanrichardgreen]

Such a great channel, thank you so much for your in depth analysis of these things that meant so much to me way back when. ❤ I thought I was the only that still remembered some of these cartoons! You have deep cuts like Silverhawks and Defenders of the Earth. Rad.

[@maxordman4100]

Love this series! One of my favorite memories is when I first got the season 4 dvd set for Christmas which I had the removed episode on it. Insane in the Membrane was one of the best episodes ever for me! I’m always happy to rewatch this series!

[@brainchild8626]

Did anyone notice Jonathan Taylor Thomas (Randy from Home Improvement) in the BK Commercial at 4:39?..😏😏😁😁

[@JohnDoe-wq5eu]

I'm glad to see I wasn't the only one that noticed that.

[@jeremylefevre9610]

I hope you guys do the 2012-2017 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series soon. It was actually a pretty good rendition of them, mixed up the roles with April and adding some deeper lore to the origin of Splinter and the Turtles. Also they do a very similar multiverse cross over with the older shows that would be fun to see your take on.

[@trickshot_katebishop7612]

Yes! I loved what they did with splinter

[@jlajr1974]

T.M.N.T. was also a Table top RPG based on the comic series. It was made it the late 80's and had multiple adventure books into the 90's. It was compatible with Heroes Unlimited and Ninjas and Super Spys. All together the world was filled with aliens, cyborgs, super heroes, and mutant animals amoung its craziness. 🐢 power!

[@Rose_Bride]

@ *Secret Galaxy,* THANK YOU for bringing this to the forefront! Everyone always wants to forget about the 2003 Turtles. This is my *ALL TIME ABSOLUTE* favorite _TMNT_ animated series! And I say this as someone who grew up with the 1987 Turtles. I was 4 years old in 1987, and a 20 year old college student when the 2003 Turtles came out. I was absolutely *IN LOVE* with the darker tone of the 2003 series. As a kid, I actually got annoyed and stopped watching the 1987 cartoon because of how "goofy" and slapstick it became. From the moment I heard that new 2003 theme song _"(1, 2, 3, 4!")_ I was pretty much SOLD. 2003 _TMNT_ is *THE* definitively *BEST* Turtles animated series out there in regards to faithfulness to the original comics.... *FIGHT ME!*

[@joeblankenship377]

Damn. I only have vague memories of this show. I was in college and wasn't watching cartoons on Saturday mornings anymore. If it's as dark as you make it seem to be, maybe I should get into it.

[@JohnDoe-wq5eu]

It definitely has that early 2000's *edge* to it. And when you think about the fact that this was during the time 4kids were in charge and were butchering things left and right to get an awesome dark version of these characters is an absolute miracle.

[@blackphoenix77]

This is my favorite TMNT cartoon because it's the only one so far that has adapted the original Mirage Studios TMNT comics.

[@orinanime]

The 2012 cartoon also adapted a LOT of the original comics as well

[@tyronleung5276]

​@@orinanime yet treaded the same ground as the 2003 series turtles forever while trying to ignore the 2003 show existence

[@orinanime]

@@tyronleung5276 and did it just as well and even better, most of the time, in my opinion

[@Flame_Blaziken]

​@@orinanimeIt's very ironic that the 2012 series remained very grounded to its stories with Kevin Eastman acting as a writer on one episode and a consultant to the entire show while Peter Laird helped make the 2003 show and that show was more fanatical in its approach to the tmnt mythos. Really goes to show that you'll never get the same thing when multiple adaptations of the same story beats are made.

[@orinanime]

@@Flame_Blaziken that's a very interesting observation

[@DanielTomilson]

It just needed a few more episodes to wrap up having 3 Shredders and 0.5 for Karai doing the big final fight, like one tv movie for series wrap up THEN multiverse to make everyone happy. So close... Also it is still recent, but please cover Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

[@YunierViada]

I loved the 80s but I really got into the 2000s for being more action oriented and a tad more serious.

[@badfoody]

each TMNT show represented a certain theme very strongly 80s TMNT: Humor and Charm 2003 TMNT: Edginess 2012 TMNT: Heart Rise of the TMNT: Energy

[@GromMolotok]

My kids and I were in just the wrong age brackets for this particular incarnation. But we did watch the CGI TMNT movie.

[@mekman4]

Great Stuff, as always!

[@CriticsCupofficial]

Still the best series

[@JohnDoe-wq5eu]

🤫 shhhhhhh don't let the salty butthurt 80s fans hear that. The ones that are still super pissed about turtles forever apparently.

[@michaelgutierrez4912]

Insane in the membrane aired on Nicktoons when the entire 2003 series aired on that channel and it's on Paramount+.

[@JohnDoe-wq5eu]

I didn't know they ever showed that series on there, that's interesting. I wonder if they still play it from time to time not if it's on Paramount+ probably.

[@michaelgutierrez4912]

@@JohnDoe-wq5eu They don't showiton Nicktoons anymore.

[@JaYxNuT]

Man, I enjoy this channel. So informative, and entertaining. Plus all the tasty nostalgia you can consume. Freaked me out when Turtles 4 ever was clocked in at 2009 though.

[@PrinceSamTV]

Thank you for putting the 2003 iteration in the thumbnail. It is the best iteration of the turtles by far 1000%

[@mechfan01]

The Cartoonist Kayfabe channel, on KZbin, has a multi part multi hour interview with Eastman and Laird.

[@JohnDoe-wq5eu]

Nice. I better check that out.

[@LynnHermione]

Approving to make a tmnt more faithful to the comics then complaining the episodes are too dark, dis they even read the comics?

[@ShadowSumac]

Maybe they didn't know how dark OG comics were? I certainly was surprised by how much it was NOT like OG show.

[@bluebaron6858]

You'd still have to blame the fox standards and practices. Apparently shredder being beheaded in this series got the standards and practices person fired at that time.

[@JohnDoe-wq5eu]

​@@bluebaron6858 I mean isn't context everything though. When you find out that it was just a robot/suit it kind of takes the edge right off of that cool moment. But I guess out-of-context I can see why people would be pissed.

[@Mecha82]

As much as I loved 80's TMNT cartoon back as kid I can't deny that 03 version was actually good amd what franchise needed.

[@basketballfan23]

the foxbox commercials for tmnt 03 hit me in the nostalgias harder than anything edit: really fucked up that bishop was able to move his conciousness to new bodies but when Stockman tried it just fell apart. edit2: I saw this episode (Insane in the Membrane) as a kid but truthfully the episode that messed me up the most was Adventures in Turtle-Sitting when Don turns into a monster - I was probably 5-6 years old and remember being pretty scared and sleepless. Specifically, I remember the frame/scene where Don's leg starts bubbling up creeped me out. edit3: I really wish we got second season of both FF and BTTS edit4: I remember watching the first 7 or so episodes of season 5 on Comcast On Demand (pretty sure the last one available then was the superhero episode) - I didn't get to see the finale of the season for a while after until the "lost episodes had been found" at least edit5: I swear i typed out edit4 before you mentioned they were on comcast on demand lets goooooo I know my history final edit: amazing video, subbed, looking forward to more!

[@Sulufy]

the best tmnt thing ever. the first 4 seasons are just amazing

[@eerieeric834]

Are you gonna talk about the 2012 ninja turtles

[@Aramakie98]

The Lost Season was, much like the main 2003 seasons, this iconic piece of story writing which allowed me and my then 8 yr old son to make our way into a more complex story for the Turtles cast. It was the peanut butter in my chocolate, the pineapple on my pizza, the Avatar: The Last Airbennder in my Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles moment and we loved it.

[@beam_me_up_scotty69]

Little known fact about the scrapped "Nightmares Recycled" episode, not only was it fully written and storyboarded, it was fully animated, granted the animation was unfinished and contained many errors that never got corrected before it was scrapped, but this means that someone out there has a watchable copy of the episode that we'll most likely never see. Many people who worked on and saw the episode have confirmed that not only was animation started on the episode, it got pretty far along before the plug was pulled, with one person even saying they thought it was likely to be leaked due to how finished it was.

[@jamesmoss3424]

I like the 2003 version of TMNT it's brilliant. 😀👍🐢

[@Morgil27]

Long story short, while the 80s cartoon and 90s movies were the versions I grew up with, as an adult, I honestly think the 2003 cartoon is the best version of the Turtles.

[@JohnDoe-wq5eu]

Factual.

[@andrewjamieson7178]

Another amazing vid! Love them dang ninja turts

[@Thraka5]

This is someone who grew up watching the 1988 Tmnt, I quite enjoyed the 2003 show and found the animation top notch. My son and I absolutely loved the 2012 show as well.

[@mrheroprimes]

tmnt fast foreword Timeline wise takes place after the events of the Ninja tribunal arc.

[@JohnDoe-wq5eu]

I definitely remember by the time they got to the last season (back to the sewers) most of the momentum was gone. I will say it was at least a return to the better version than fast forward. Not perfect and not as good as seasons 1-4 but good.