Mona Lisa: When Raphael met his match - TMNT 1987

[@TheTurtleNexus]

Thanks for watching! Do you think Mona Lisa was Raphael's match?

[@COELACANTHofficial]

Absolutely.

[@Lord_Numpty]

Yes, yes, a thousand times yes. Here's hoping recent events have helped the popularity of her 1987 version enough to appear in future series because while the 2012 was... fine, I guess, she just isn't the same (Angry salamander alien from a warrior culture VS absolutely *adorable* lizard with a science degree. Also fond of the potential relationship between her and Raphael). With the caveat that this is the opinion of someone whose first exposure to the aforementioned incarnation was the DLC for Shredder's Revenge.

[@TerrickTerran]

Totally.

[@JamesChessman]

She is hot and if you think of how a salamander is slimy, she's probably always covered in slime. Which is hot

[@mobilecomicsinc]

Definitely, totally, and absolutely 🫶

[@deniseg9210]

I prefer her as being a mutant rather than an alien like the version of her from the 2012 universe. I hope they bring her into the Mutant Mayhem/Point Grey Universe.

[@ashesGeek]

I think she was better written as alien, but I respect your opinion. Still, 87 Mona is fun character and definitely one of the most iconic character from this show

[@gamestop15]

I like both actually

[@qweezinator6420]

the turtleverse is canon so hopefully they could do another crossover movie and have mona lisa part of the main crew

[@Ivanculina1]

@@deniseg9210 Maybe they bring her back

[@R.J.Godzilla81]

I’ve loved Mona Lisa since her debut in the 90’s and I’ve loved her and Raph together. So much so in fact that I kept hoping she’d get added to the 2012 series and when she was a was so excited; and like her original incarnation, this new interpretation of the character was perfect for Raphael.

[@stefanbesendorfer1323]

I was so excited, when Mona Lisa was introduced, and so i've waited for the next time she shows up for an adventure with the Turtles and especially Raphael. What a foolish child i was.

[@Laidengizer113]

I mean, it made sense to expect that, but writers...

[@charlesbennett7484]

Didn't the same thing kinda happen to Mondo Gecko? Used once, promisedbto return and then never seen again?

[@COELACANTHofficial]

She also recently made an appearance in Shredder's Revenge. The arcade-style game by Tribute.

[@noahboat580]

It's kinda funny too because I'm familiar with Venus, but not Mona Lisa until the appearance

[@COELACANTHofficial]

@noahboat580 I only found out about 87' Mona 3 years ago. I first found out about her through the 2012 series.

[@mechajay3358]

I really like Lisa, I wish she showed up in the show more and explore her relationship with Ralph more. As for the 2012 Lisa I didn't even know she was based on the 80's incarnation until much later.

[@JoLiKMC]

03:16 - Can we just take a moment to appreciate how flipping _adorable_ Mona looks during this segment? Like, just look at her, acting all casual and cute. Heh.

[@JamesChessman]

@@JoLiKMC she’s definitely hot , a total babe

[@PascallionXIII]

Mona lisa was s tier. I liked 2012 Mona a lot too. 😅

[@montanajackson3713]

Mona is one of a list of characters I hope to see in the mutant mayhem sequel.

[@terrakross5376]

Personally I still prefer her original design and character concept. Her design there is just more fun and makes her fit in better with the turtles, and her sassy attitude was just fun and played off Raphael better. Favorite as a kid, favorite as an adult.

[@johnpittsii7524]

Thanks for the video

[@jaykoblue172]

I really wish Mona Lisa was a main stay in the cast. It would’ve been great to have another female support character besides April and Irma.

[@Thetruthbehindsciencefiction]

Thanks for the video. I think I'll start reading the Saturday Morning Adventures comics 😁

[@Laidengizer113]

They look pretty good if you like the old cartoon style. I have the mummy issues with Mona Lisa. She looks good in them. But they drew her a bit wrong in the April special.

[@nathanlewis106]

I think she is a good choice for Raphael.

[@MegaMan87]

The Beautiful Mona Lisa who could Sustain and Calm Raphael if feeling too Hot headed as she knows Chemistry~ After statement at 4:50: BLUE BALLS!!! Sucks after they cut her off from the show from her Initial Appearance as i can say alot of other characters who had the same treatment, Thankfully she came back on Saturday Morning Adventures. She is the better romantic interest for Raphael for better reasons as they are Compatiable. Keep her Memory Alive as well!

[@eddiejmartinez8631]

I created my own version of Mona Lisa for the 2003 continuity. And she’s a total badass. She is a former human who mutated into a salamander lizard hybrid. Her weapons are blade tonfas. She dresses in a pink version of one of Mortal Kombat’s female ninjas. And of course she’s Raphael’s mate. I already drew her and she will soon appear in my fanfics after I’m done with my current story.

[@cdesigner9178]

It's nice when the more obscure fan favorites of a show get a cult following big enough that they are basically forced to show up in new media, even decades after their introduction.

[@fdal02]

Thanks for the video! I hope next is Irma.

[@JurneeJakes]

Seeing an interaction between Ninjara and Mona Lisa would have been fun, despite the completely different timelines.

[@TheTurtleNexus]

Ninjara could still be introduced in the Saturday Morning Adventures.

[@hudsonk1racer]

​@@TheTurtleNexus Wasn't the issue with Ninjara something to do with ownership?

[@TheTurtleNexus]

@@hudsonk1racer No. But Nickelodeon doesn't want to use her yet. But it's just a matter of time. They already namedropped her in the main title once.

[@ragingrat7670]

I've always liked Mona Lisa ever since I first rented the VHS tape. She is a heck of a lot better than Ninjara. That being said I preferred her action figure design the best. I think the three toes and find or whatever they are on her arms helps her look more unique as well as having black hair and the red handkerchief.

[@Random_Pineapple]

I ADORE MONA LISA SO MUCH- SHES SO FUN AND DANDY!!! I would rlly like to see more of her along with Rente and Kala. I think it would also be cool if they had other characters that Raph got with to show up as well, if Mona doesn't fit a certain version of the franchise version of Raph.

[@jeremyhall2727]

I never felt much about her. But i thought those monsters was broccoli when i was a kid 🤷🏾‍♀️ mutual broccoli bro.

[@goranisacson2502]

I don't know if this episode ever made it to Swedish television- I grew up with the Archie comic, and Ninjara at least got her whole story told... can only imagine how frustrating it would be to see this lady and then never have her back again, so I don't begrudge her for getting all this recent attention even if she's not someone I grew up with. Though how did I only now hear about the new comic book based on 1987? That is JUST up my nostalgic alley!

[@LamangoKaijura]

She was so much more fun then Ninjara.

[@beauwalker9820]

More cheerful, funnier, and cuter honestly. Though I kinda miss Ninjara too, even if Alopex is basically her expy.

[@COELACANTHofficial]

This was a really good narration. Well done 👏. It's just a shame she only appeared in one episode still. It turns out there were plans for her to return sometime after the 8th season. But they were scrapped in favor of Dregg and Carter's arcs.

[@ashesGeek]

Since you covered obscure characters from TMNT arcade game may I suggest cover up Slashuur, the Utrom bounty hunter from TMNT 2003 Battle Nexus game? He's definitely one of the most overlooked characters out there.

[@TheTurtleNexus]

I never got the chance to play that game. But I'll try to get my hands on it somehow.

[@ashesGeek]

@TheTurtleNexus good luck with that, Slashuur has history with Utrom Shredder and he played a major role in that game, probably even more so than Fugitoid and Karai.

[@MichaelAlderton]

I owned the VHS 📼📼📼 of Raphael meets his match it's in my top ten of episodes from the OG series

[@COELACANTHofficial]

@@MichaelAlderton It's such a good episode. Of season 4, it's definitely my favorite.

[@MichaelAlderton]

@COELACANTHofficial I also had Leonardo lightin up and Michaelangelo meets bug man didn't own Donatello gets his degree don't have them now 😔😔😔

[@COELACANTHofficial]

@@MichaelAlderton All good episodes 👌

[@MichaelAlderton]

@@COELACANTHofficial thanks I'm a huge turtle 🐢🐢🐢🐢 fan my favorite was Mikey

[@COELACANTHofficial]

@@MichaelAlderton My favorite is also Mikey.

[@Dahaka-rd6tw]

Can I suggest you do Chote somwhere in future? Aside of Bloodsucker, he's another Mirage character I'm dissapointed to be not adapted into any TV-show so far. Guy's africking Samurai T-rex for crying out loud! He can have potential!

[@TheTurtleNexus]

I am not sure when I will do a video dedicated to Chote, but in the meantime, I already explained who he is in the Gosei clan video, and he will be in another upcoming video soon.

[@Dahaka-rd6tw]

@@TheTurtleNexus OK, I'll look that then.

[@Dahaka-rd6tw]

@@TheTurtleNexus Ok. I think your video summed it up, solo video indeed ain't nececcary. Kinda dissapointing how little there was about him. I saw pictures o him and thought he just looked cool.

[@PSP18128]

I have 2 reasons as to why Mona Lisa is so popular 1)Being a romantic interest for Raphael it makes sense. Cartoon couples are very popular on the internet. 2) She was the first female mutant predating Venus De Milo. And she is one of a kind. Instead of being a damsel in distress, she stood up for herself in dangerous situations and was pretty much a badass.

[@noahboat580]

4:35 I forget that some VHS's have very little tape in it to where its a single episode's worth

[@shaneblackburn8321]

I really love RxM

[@ToABrighterFuture]

I kinda think Ninjara was better as a love interest for Raphael, but I know I'm in the minority there. The Future Shark trilogy, though, was a high point: the gang's about to head back to the present, and it's obvious Future Raph is getting his heart broken all over again. He even begs her, ahead of time, to give him a second chance. Touching moment, and given the medium, some good foreshadowing.

[@ashesGeek]

All 3 of them are great love interests for Raph, even if I like Mona Lisa the most. Poor Alopex though, she was done so dirty in IDW after issue 100.

[@theotherky]

First Mona Lisa, then Alopex. Did the original creators have some desire to give Raph a love interest?

[@TheTurtleNexus]

Not exactly. Those characters are usually not created by them (Alopex was designed by Kevin Eastman, but she was based on Ninjara). I think the creators are okay with some sort of special relationship for the Turtles. But for the most part they were against more personal relationships. Sometimes they even ended up approving these things without knowing. Take a look at the "who is radical" video.

[@beauwalker9820]

I think in the IDW 2010s comic reboot (not based on the 2012 TV series) Mona got with Donatello for awhile instead, because they're both nerds.

[@TheTurtleNexus]

@@beauwalker9820 Yes, Mona Lisa is still around in Nightwatcher, I think.

[@DM006]

Like the vast majority of the characters from the old cartoon, she remains very wasted. Glad that in recent years they are considering her a little more.

[@freddyvidz]

There were a LOT of characters that went unused. They could’ve made stories out of so many of the action figures instead of the human enemies they used.

[@beauwalker9820]

​​@@freddyvidz a few action figure characters they completely ignored, like Pizza Face, Scum Bug, (aside from a cameo role) Witchdoctor El, Ace Duck, and many others. A shame as some had potential for good or funny episodes. Like Dr. El could of had an episode where the turtles help him stop poachers, or something for a classic 90s environmental message plot, and Pizza Face would probably try to put Michelangelo on a giant pizza, and try to cook him, so the others have to save him. Even one shot characters like Mondo and Mona could of done more, and Usagi Yojimbo should of gotten an episode where he goes home and the turtles get to see his world. (Which the new IDW Saturday Morning Adventures finally did)

[@Laidengizer113]

@@beauwalker9820 But some of those characters were pretty bad. Ace Duck never needed to exist.

[@midwestmonster9886]

I think Mona Lisa is a good match... for me. 😘

[@derekmccluskey4931]

Raphael and Mona Lisa make more sense than April Donatello. I personally liked the chemistry between Leonardo and Karai. Being the children of each other's parents' enemy and getting together is a classic dating back to Romeo and julet montague vs. capulet. But the twist was karai was actually not shredders daughter but splinters blood daughter. Leonardo and the turtles were adopted by splinter. So people get ek when it comes to them because they are technically siblings. It's like step only ones adopted. There not blood. Their not related. They are not even the same species......heh.... i guess that makes even wierder. I don't care. If they were blood, then I'd throw up. It's fictional characters.

[@Dremag_Gaming]

I thought she was a lizard as well, but it was interesting when they, kinda, brought her back to the 2012 show.

[@srstriker6420]

When are you going to do a video on 5:47 especially that his first appearance looks more like Marlon Brando from the Godfather

[@TheTurtleNexus]

He's on the list. The reality is that all these 1987 characters are having a second life now with the comic, so there could always be an origin story down the line!

[@MalusTmcraeensis]

I only heard of her from the 2012 version. I only saw the first season of the tmnt 1987 show because of some DvD that I still have today. It probably doesn't work anymore, though.

[@jamesmoss3424]

It's an good thing that I recently got Saturday Morning Adventure Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 🐢 #17 and 18.😀👍🐢

[@sammcfarlane2494]

She needs to be in Tales of the TMNT or Mona Lisa

[@MsMotherWolf]

In the cartoons, yes to Mona Lisa.

[@jamesblas6427]

That's why in shredder's revenge she has test tubes.....🤔

[@omnitrix1279]

I definitely like Raph X Mona more than Raph X Alopex. Truth be told, Raphona is one of the few cases I ship across species lines, since they're so similar and the line is that much more fluid in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles as opposed to, say, Zootopia. Plus, she was just a fun character in general.

[@Dumbsvillefan]

1:39 PINK JACKET LUPIN THE 3RD REFERENCE?????

[@titodenino]

those mutants bad guys mad weird noises

[@mkv2718]

how did the radioactive water change her wardrobe?

[@sammcfarlane2494]

So was supposed to be the first female ninja turtle

[@Ray_Wood_1984]

🙇‍♂️ 🤘😊

[@Laidengizer113]

Definitely should have been used more in the show back then. Instead, we got Zack and crap like that. I'd also like to see a more serious version of her in the classic Mirage Comics style. Not that stupid IDW version of her.

[@kelleygreengrass]

What about Venus DeMilo?

[@TheTurtleNexus]

She was no one's match, if that's what you're asking (story-wise).

[@kelleygreengrass]

@TheTurtleNexus ok, I was just kind of thinking out loud...which is the older character?

[@TheTurtleNexus]

@@kelleygreengrass Mona appeared first in 1990, the first Venus appeared on 1997. I talk about her in my "next mutation" video.

[@I_am_Mister_Y]

Why would a reptile have hair?

[@dellavonta187]

No ooz thats weird

[@tylerthecomiccouple3346]

Much prefer Ninjara

[@nehemiahpouncey3607]

Wonder do ahem mona have rule 34?😂 Checking Google.... Yep she does. Those guy's never skip a beat.

[@beauwalker9820]

Granted, she is a lizard that doesn't wear clothes lol, and granted there is disturbing R34 of characters you'd never expect who aren't even good looking.

[@nehemiahpouncey3607]

@beauwalker9820 those artists Don't care they do anybody even Celebrities.

[@hudsonk1racer]

Ah poor fellow, you forget the very definition of Rule 34: if it exists...

[@PSP18128]

Those scumbags... R34 is the worst thing on the internet

[@denisemiles7099]

If it were up to me? I would prefer to have the 2012 Raphael go out with Sunset Shimmer. And to make myself clear, I don’t care if anybody has a problem with that. 😏