The Story of the Obscure Ninja Turtles OVA (Chōjin Densetsu-hen)

[@EckerKyle]

My mom got me the Donetello figure from this at K-Mart when I was a kid. She was the best.

[@Slacking02]

Did he come with a staff that had a clear marble that it shot from the tip?

[@EckerKyle]

@@ProducerX21 your mom didnt buy me any toys but I do put a dog leash on her and let your pops watch occasionally.

[@EckerKyle]

@@Slacking02 i saw him with the gun he had and remember having it but I didn't know it came with him.

[@EckerKyle]

@@ProducerX21 my mom was already dead in august of 96

[@_emory]

I clicked on the thumbnail cuz I had the Leonardo figure as a kid, never saw this series though

[@Apterous]

Hi Dan, I'm the guy that fansubbed the version you featured. Wow I didn't expect to see that here, amazing! I lost my working files years ago but still have the DVD, which itself was a badly subtitled bootleg possibly sourced from VHS, that I more or less "cleaned up" the translation of and released to friends on IRC, and I see eventually it made it to KZbin. Reach out if you, for some completely unfathomable reason, want video source without subtitles, but don't get your hopes up that the quality looks any better than what's on KZbin.

[@goranisacson2502]

Just commenting here to salute you and your contributions to the fandom, no matter how silly they may be o7

[@RahhmiPoofs]

Same as goranisacson.... You are awesome. Thank you!

[@TenNoZeorymer72]

We still need one or two more series for Turtles. Rob Paulsen has only voiced Raph ('87) and Donnie ('12). He's gotta have a chance to voice Mikey and Leo at some point so he can officially say he IS 100% Turtle Power.

[@AlexB4tman]

You can feel the passion from Dan everytime he mentions Robotech and other Saban stuff LMAO

[@Sykografix]

Back in the earlier days of the world wide web, before the time of KZbin, there was a fan compiled VHS tape of rare and obscure TMNT video. This anime was the first thing on it, without any subtitles or context. Somebody agreeing to make a copy for you signified a rite of passage into the fandom. At that time, it was assumed that there were actually 3 episodes and that nobody had the first episode. There were known to be 3 tapes. It turns out that, as we know now, the recap at the beginning was the story from the manga, not a lost episode, and that the other tape was the 2 OVA episodes combined in one release. Sayonara.

[@noobmastershake1427]

that's insane.

[@TonyGearSolid]

I remember seeing a single screenshot of the anime on an old Yahoo group in the very early 2000s and it was kind of wild to discover that there was possibly an entire TMNT anime series and that there was virtually no information about it outside of "it exists." I was never able to track down either of the episodes and (assuming it had a full 26+ episode series) figured they'd all eventually surface at some point, only to find out a many years later that it was just a 2 episode OVA.

[@rorylumley4727]

This was a good episode. Nice to see an unoffical return of oddities. Transformers machine wars and transtech would be good episodes.

[@bdeitzen1]

I randomly had the Leo figure as a kid even though my mom thought TMNT was "too violent" alongside Power Rangers. It was super fun and was one of my favorite toys.

[@AdamBladeTaylor]

Turtles Forever was awesome. It was a great series crossover.

[@regalt1987]

Dude the Turtles are even more popular than ever and its been 30+ years... This thing keeps going.

[@maxordman4100]

I had both of the anime inspired Leonardo figures growing up! These anime ova stories look truly beautiful and whacky! Thank you for recording and sharing your thoughts on this important part of Ninja Turtle history!

[@cptwigglefuffle]

I was literally researching and digging into Japanese Beast Wars which also has Hironobu Kageyama singing the intro song Now I learn Kageyama did ANOTHER Japanese/American collaboration lol They need to bring back the buff Chad anime turtles

[@KamenRiderSeiryuXV0]

Mutant Turtles Choujin Densetsu Hen, it was nostalgia. Just like when they transformed into ninja-turtle like super beings vs Super Shredder and his minions. Here in japan we admire Batman and Wolverine though in such inspiration.

[@NewYork975]

This channel is a hard eye opener for GenXers, each video is a gut punch to my childhood.

[@Scudboy17]

I have a copy of this I've had for over 20 years and I'd spring it on friends randomly just to get a rise out of em. This series was the Big Foot of the anime/TMNT fandom for years.

[@BushidoBrownSama]

All that beautiful footage of Ronin Warriors such an under-apreciated series

[@AllBreaksLoose]

Cowabunga!!! This is something I never heard of and I definitely gotta look up! This has to be one of your best "history of" episodes!!

[@cabbusses]

Something that might be a bit peculiar to point out: the shade of green the Turtles (lighter, more pastel tones) are in was not that common in the Fred Wolf show's run, but seems VERY common now in modern promotional portrayals of the "Classic" Turtles.

[@user-a5Bw9de]

That lighter green tone reminds me of the Konami's beat-em up. Maybe it somehow transpired to be the staple design during 00s, due to retro game fad and abysmal performance on main media?

[@GCJACK83]

The three minute limit for powers is something that keeps showing up in other Ultraman properties. Tsuburaya just re-used it in Densetsu-hen. Also, the 1985 Vampire Hunter D movie had Yoshitaka Amano as the character designer. Yes, the same that works on the Final Fantasy games.

[@miketroj3728]

Not gonna lie, it's nice to have some new old stock Ninja Turtle stuff to watch from back in the early 90's.

[@bricktrooper540]

For years I always thought those toys were a dream. Then the internet came along and found out it was actually real.

[@TheHauntingOnVirginiaAvenue]

I was Design Coordinator on Turtle Forever!! Thank you so much for acknowledging it!!

[@GamingTeacher]

I was not expecting my article off You Don’t Get Comics to get referenced! Awesome! Fantastic overview video on this part of the franchise.

[@e.d.t.]

I remember discovering these episodes during the dawn of the internet, back when you had to watch things via Realplayer in a tiny buffering window. As a kid who started acquiring turtle toys too late to get normal ones and was stuck with only the gimmicky/costumed options, I'm surprised I don't remember the Super Mutant figures.

[@chloeirnes]

I remember this, too! There was a site promising you could "Hear Splinter speak in his native Japanese!" and I lost my shit. Then, at the end of the 20 second clip, these huge muscle Ultraman Turtles popped up. I spent ages trying to find out more!

[@TonyGearSolid]

I vaguely recall seeing commercials for the metal mutant figures and but I was aged out of the sere by that point, I just remember thinking "what the hell is even going on with TMNT anymore" and that it reeked of desperation.

[@JacobsenBros]

Wow. I always wanted the turtles to be done in a more anime style, but I never knew this existed. Fantastic. Have you guys done many OVA stuff? It was always so obscure to me back in the day before the internet and my first dive into Anime like Iria, and Vampire Hunter D.

[@kamenanew9867]

They've not done many but done at least one other one, sorta .. they did those daicon or what have you anime expo ova intros, I hope you get what I mean I went blank as soon as I tried to tell ya about it.

[@Markimark151]

I remember AVGN James Rolfe reviewing the Ninja Turtles OVA anime in one of his Screwattack videos. I’m surprised we never got the anime in America probably because Saban couldn’t get the rights to localize the anime.

[@Belgand]

No need to change it. I've always appreciated how Dan uses the Japanese pronunciation of "anime". Even more so after learning that he spent several years of his childhood there. It really gives an interesting twist when covering properties that he got to experience before they made the journey and were Americanized. Getting to see childhood classics from both sides. My biggest concern is that Harmony Gold is going to sue claiming that they somehow own the exclusive rights to Dan in America.

[@JamesShow]

Stop giving them ideas American fans hate!!!!

[@benthomson1132]

Ah, classic Harmony Gold.

[@thingfish000]

How I wish Harmony Gold could be sucked into a black hole and removed from history.

[@SlapstickGenius23]

Heck, not even CrunchyRoll and Funimation escape the ever hungry demon that is Harmony Gold!

[@Williestyle-RobotechxMacross-x]

While that might be "classic Harmony Gold" ( borrowed from another comment here ), for most Macross series they do not matter now. Not saying it makes up for what HG did, just we can now see and experience all Macross.

[@paulbowen9701]

I had the Metal Mutants back in the day--hands-down they were the best toys I ever owned. I wish Playmates or NECA would re-visit, I miss those figures and I can't afford Ebay prices lol.

[@LowellLucasJr.]

Ridiculous or not, still wish we got some of these series on the US. I still wish we got them! I think it's awesome and loved their Ronin Warrior esque figures when they came out!

[@HolyHadou]

I had the Raphael and Leonardo Action Figures of this with no context of what they were about or where they came from until now. Thank you.

[@CantankerousDave]

9:25 - Correction: Ronin Warriors was the US name for the anime Samurai Troopers. Saint Seiya went by Knights of the Zodiac in Western markets. It's definitely Samurai Troopers that was shown in your clips. And hoo boy... It's been many a year since I last saw that style of subtitle. It's not technically a fansub, it's made from the English "translation" of the Chinese subs on a Chinese bootleg disc. A friend of mine used to come back with a suitcase full of the things after visiting relatives in Shanghai. They were always full of literal translations of Japanese expressions.

[@HH_Julius]

I totally stumbled across this anime during my torrenting days and was sooo confused. Glad yall are doing a video on this! Nobody believes me when I talk about this! The "Turtle Saint"?!?! WTF!

[@MrWolf12000]

I got an *ahem* questionable DVD of this like 20 years ago and I friggin love it. Wish I had any of the toys JP or US

[@badopinionsrighthere]

I remember seeing this at one point, but could never find it again. Thank you!

[@zephyrr108]

Thanks for remembering Saint Seiya! You guys rock!

[@Dktoychest]

I had one of the figures from this I think Leo. It wasn’t till like the 2010s learn about the ova

[@Alucard-A-La-Carte]

This really straddles the line between low-effort cash-in and genuine attempt, so much so that it always feels more like a fan project anytime it comes up. It's really strange, even with all the various contexts the action figures foisted upon the green team, to see something so afield from where they began.

[@VHSMikey]

I love your Rejuvenique mask collection, what a cool deep cut!

[@merrittk]

Even on subjects I don't have any familiarity with or prior interest in, Dan does such a good job drawing me in with pacing and intonation, it's really impressive.

[@thecunninlynguist]

This is pretty interesting. I never even knew they had Japanese turtles. I'm just a fan of the 80s toon. I should read the comic one day

[@gideonquesenberry6270]

Thanks for clearing up that memory fragment from my deep childhood.

[@Rockhead84]

This was totally new to me, so thanks for covering it!

[@donnerblitzen1388]

I remember finding this here on KZbin a while back. It’s AWESOME and so over the top, it’s a perfect complement to the OG TMNT series. Worth a watch if you haven’t seen it. Heads up, it’s a three part OVA series in Japanese, so it’s subtitled in English.

[@dinomonzon7493]

Thanks for the clip from Blitzkrieg Squadron JAK-Q. 😀

[@SansoHumar]

I never heard of these turtles. And I’m a huge fan. Clearly not huge enough. Thank you for the introduction.

[@TheLazyShell]

One of my favorite odd pieces of TMNT history. Had some of the Metal Mutants figures as a kid (Raph, Don, and Shredder) but never had any of the Super Mutants. Ever since I learned of these OVAs, though, I've been itching to own them. (especially the Japan-exclusive Turtle Saint) Since Playmates is on such a rerelease kick these days, I'd love for them to give these two lines a revisit.

[@JamesShow]

THIS kind of content (and anything Robotech) are why I am here. Thanks!!

[@bubblegumcrisis747]

I had the toys for these! I never knew where they were from

[@ryanwaller7885]

I had 2 of the 4 toys for this anime randomly and always loved them

[@codyhoward7640]

Holy crap, I suddenly remember having the Raphael Metal Mutant. Wild!

[@wstine79]

These Anime Ninja Turtles were very interesting. I would love to see this kind of show made in completion.

[@mdo7]

Given that anime is now more mainstream and high profile in the US. That and several American comics have recently been given anime adaptation in the last few years (ie: Super Crooks, Marvel's anime done by several anime studios, Catwoman: Hunted, Batman: Ninja), I've always thought TMNT would be perfect for a anime adaptation and I think it could work if done by a good studio. I would love Ufotable (Demon Slayers, Fate/Stay franchise), Bones (My Hero Academia, Fullmetal Alchemist), Sunrise (Gundam franchise, Cowboy Bebop, Tiger & Bunny), Pierrot (Naruto, Bleach), Production I.G (Ghost in the Shell, Blood+, Haikyu!!!), Wit Studio (Attack on Titan's 1-half of 3), or MAPPA (Attack on Titan's season 3-present) could be one or more animation studio to work on a TMNT anime TV series.

[@captainHiro8911]

We just have to tell the studios to make it. We should spread the word and make petitions and get the permission of nickelodeon

[@hkohles1]

Thank you for finally getting to these animes

[@happybuttersblast8334]

Seriously though, this ova was a really good idea. I wish it had gotten a whole anime series off of it.

[@darktetsuya]

I had heard about this! pretty sure I saw some of it on youtube several years ago, I might have to revisit it. given all the other figures that've been released and re-released, I'm sure if they could work out the rights we could see new anime TMNT figures, why not.

[@memeelfman324]

I remember watching a video talking about this from rebel taxi and getting the segment of the ending theme from that video stuck in my head

[@danielrudnitski3662]

You guys are awesome I watch you every week keep up the great work

[@angelpowers7413]

Never saw those armor figures before they look cool

[@Meowanaise]

I had the set from the 2nd OVA where they had animal armour as a kid. I was blown away to find out it had an entire anime OVA for it. It's too bad they didn't cover it because they were much cooler

[@profjeff9]

Didn't realize there was a manga too. Hell yeah.

[@AgentNevets]

I had never heard of this at all…love learning new things like this. :)

[@elmo1234]

Imagine having a original idea like "Ninja Turtles" and changing it so much that you end up with "generic superhero thing".

[@gundambassexe31]

Omg I remember this on KZbin! Nostalgia and turtle power 💚💚💚🐢🐢🐢

[@YakBat]

Had the whole Metal Turtles collection as a kid and still have Shredder and Leo complete in some bin downstairs as I am currently visiting my childhood home. These are the only figures I am waiting on from NECA and Super 7. I'll even take a update from Playmates. This series was my introduction to online Piracy as it was the 1st thing I ever downloaded from Kazaa, as it was not available here in the states.

[@glarryg2318]

I look for these figures now and then on the secondary market; you can find pieces here and there, but, oh, for a full set of any of them (Super Mutant, Metal Mutants, etc.)...

[@m3lvn415]

Damn, can't unsee it anymore.

[@ThePadillaFilms]

Thank you for correcting your pronunciation of anime

[@mrdarryljones1]

So love the content! Gonna look for the OVA! 👍🏾

[@EvaFull]

They should remake this with today’s CGI/Traditional Animation.

[@meganswaine4135]

I originally found that OVA years ago on some random website. It was in RealPlayer format and had no subtitles LOL. Always wondered what the context was.

[@usagi32211]

I downloaded this movie way back when there were fansub download sites for anime. It made no sense whatsoever, and became a favorite to show friends when we were drinking.

[@knghtbrd]

Never knew about this! Thanks guys!

[@spoonimefan]

That "multiverse" outro bit just killed me! And of course, we now must realize there is a universe where *Dan* is a Ninja Turtle. ("Danatello"?) He would be the only one with a glorious beard. Because multiverse. *clap* Turtle Power!

[@BenderCrosby1]

YYYYAAASSSSS!!!!!!!! Thank you for this video! I absolutely love the more obscure and wacky concepts!! And come on.... those designs were pretty rad.

[@dougsmith6262]

Holy shit, new core memory.

[@LewisChristisonVids]

These OVAs were one of my first major finds when I first got halfway decent internet so many years ago.

[@pxladk1007]

Love your work!! Thought about doing an episode of Jonny Quest:The Real Adventures? Awesome toys.

[@mekman4]

Great Stuff, as always!

[@tinjoesstation]

Crazy, had no clue, and I’ve been a fan since 85.

[@wolfgangkrauser9735]

Learning everyday with KZbin.

[@jinpei05]

God, I love Japanese advertising. So much more dynamic and exciting than the US.

[@g.mendes0482]

American Gladiators was top notch sick day tv... mix it in with Price is Right, Family Feud, and Archie Bunker... what a time to be alive

[@Williestyle-RobotechxMacross-x]

I am always down for a shot at Harmony Gold handling their "rest of the world" rights to parts of Macross ( 4:43 ). Lucky for many fans - the new licensing agreements ( brokered largely by "master rights owner" Big West Ent. ) free up much of what made Robotech for the U S and nearly all Macross content for viewing ( on a Sony platform ). Sorry I missed this when it was new. Thank you to Dan and Producer Greg!

[@captainHiro8911]

I hope a new tmnt anime gets made someday. We should spread the word and make petitions and tell nickelodeon to make one.

[@CountOrlok22]

The update of the 1987 animation style looks great.

[@JWBeyond]

This would have been a great April Fools day vid :D

[@aliali-ce3yf]

another obscure series to cover : Super Force!

[@Halfax7]

I remember going to a Anime Club at a collage here in my town. This was a special event that they showed it. I remember seeing it on a bigger screen laughing with other people so hard. That literally my balls were hurting afterwords. It was magic! XDDD

[@JoLeoTA79]

I always used to see KO 4 packs of similar looking turtle figures at the flea market, and always wondered where they came from.

[@traversecitysufferclub]

Had the Donatello figure. I have a weird mandela effect thing with these, I swear I saw episodes with the super turtles when I was a kid. 🤷‍♂️

[@S-T-E-V-E]

What? A Ninja Turtles Concert Tour? I just looked it up, I had no idea this existed! 😂 It's on KZbin of course!

[@thirstfen]

I knew I wasn't crazy! I always remembered this but thought I was remembering this as a dream lol.

[@suijin25]

Man, I remember have the metal turtle Mickey figure when I was a kid. Wish I still had it. Despite being a huge turtles fan, for some reason that was the only turtles toy I ever owned. Until I became an adult.

[@happiaxxident]

Air Raiders OVA is my fave very obscure US to Japanese mutation.

[@michaelgilbert5224]

Loved this

[@frankiebey1279]

Awesome stuff Guys!

[@danielarizmendy5399]

I knew nothing about it and it looks so awesome

[@kevin10001]

I remember hearing about it over time mainly from KZbin channels essentially roasting it cause of how bad they thought it was and I am ninja turtle fan I remember when Burger King released episodes on 2 vhs tapes and a release of the 1990 movie cause that’s how I got my first copy of the movie and episodes

[@williamrogers4917]

I remember watching these eps on KZbin years ago. I wish they had gotten an official release here in the US. I did like how the overall art of the two eps was very much the same as the US series, with like anime accents here and there.

[@BentoBoxBobbyTV]

I got a bootleg of that and I really can’t remember what it was but sure was an interesting take that it wasn’t cringed upon.

[@fejkpirat5118]

I saw the thumbnail and said "This looks kinda like an anime". Then he told the part about combining into a super turtle and now I can't stop laughing. 🤣🐢♥

[@MrTidx90]

I had the Ralph transformation toy as a lad, And tonight I finally learned were it was modeled from. COWABONGA!!