Why TMNT 2012 Is (one of) The Best Action Cartoons of the 2010s | A Modern Classic

Why TMNT 2012 Is (one of) The Best Action Cartoons of the 2010s, and I genuinely mean that. In this video, I explain why it is so good and what makes it stand out from other versions of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles like TMNT 1987, TMNT 2003 and more!
The show helped to not only solidify my love for the brand, but it also inspired me to really get into my drive when it comes to art and animation. Let's dive in and see what all this show did to win me over by the end.
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0:00 INTRO
0:55 WHAT MAKES TMNT 2012 WORK
2:56 WHY I LOVE TMNT 2012
5:39 AN AMAZING ADAPTATION
8:00 FINAL THOUGHTS
9:32 OUTRO
The Ship-It Show with Tara Strong and Greg Cipes:
• We Ship Teenage Mutant...
Music:
Wyatt Layne Music
KZbin:
/ wyattbridgesmusic
SoundCloud: / wyattlaynemusic
#TMNT2012 #TeeangeMutantNinjaTurtles #TMNT

[@GeekilyOfficial]

Make sure to SUBSCRIBE and comment your favorite TMNT character down below!

[@Leo-ms8gm]

600 subscribes

[@GeekilyOfficial]

@@Leo-ms8gm LESS GOOOO!!!! Good looks, my guy!!!

[@Leo-ms8gm]

@@GeekilyOfficial I'm happy your happy the 2012 TMNT was my first TMNT show I watched and this video really touched me keep up the good work.

[@GeekilyOfficial]

@@Leo-ms8gm That means a lot to hear you say that! Always happy to help bring a little joy in the fandoms we love. I'll be sure to talk about this show more often. Any other video topics/ideas you'd like to see from me as well?

[@Leo-ms8gm]

@@GeekilyOfficial can you talk about car insurance?

[@littlemurdermachine6646]

What made me loved the show is the personalities of each of the boys. Like they actually feel like brothers with very realistic chemistry and they also feel like teenagers too. Another thing I like is the boys designs, they look great. Leo is athletic and slim, Raph is bulky and muscular but short, Donnie is lean and tall, and Mikey is a bit chunky but pretty skinny.

[@gwapahanyauy]

I agree but rise made the team more like brothers

[@ogatoni8856]

@@gwapahanyauy hell nah

[@gwapahanyauy]

@@ogatoni8856 im serious, besides have you even tried watching rise atleast, I grew up with 2012 but I can still like rise, the boys got good personalitys and I aint sayin that 2012 is bad im just saying that in rise they felt more like brothers and a family especially that they call splinted father or dad.

[@ogatoni8856]

@@gwapahanyauy 2012 TMNT they act way more like brothers Ralph always messing with Mikey but in the end always loves him Leo being the leader and struggling. TMNT 2012 acted way more like brothers

[@gwapahanyauy]

@@ogatoni8856 well frankly rise turtles acted more like their age and 2012 tho being in my top 3 tmnt cartoons treated mikey like as if he was a mistake..

[@b0xE_]

TMNT 2012 Splinter is my favorite version of him because he has an actual character IMHO.

[@GeekilyOfficial]

I completely agree

[@chrisgoris3794]

What's wrong with the 2003 version?

[@IIIISai]

@@chrisgoris3794 design, voice, and he just wasn't as good

[@genesismultiverse4896]

No context

[@mattkugelman4369]

@@IIIISai it’s not that he wasn’t good, it’s more so he’s wasn’t as fleshed out as a character beyond, the wise master/father figure

[@champion1859]

I'm shocked how much this show got away with. Full on screen deaths showing two of tigers claws lambs being cut off and zombie shredder is terrifying.

[@andreagarciamedrano4228]

Yeah, sometimes I forget this is a kids show 🐢💙❤️💜🧡

[@pepitopacquiao]

and...

[@contra7631]

also dont forget the mutations of different humans and animals they were disgusting and gory and man I have to give props to nick for not canceling this show.Cause cartoon network would have cancelled this show way before even it launched for sure.

[@roweman7017]

Dude the same things were in TMNT 2003

[@GeekilyOfficial]

Yes, but definitely to a different effect. The differences are enough to appreciate them as seperate endeavors.

[@megacrashthehedgehog5377]

This series should go down as one of the best examples of how to make a great cartoon reboot that pays tribute to the source material, while also doing something new and interesting.

[@GeekilyOfficial]

FACTS

[@TaMarvio2129]

yes

[@Mrcharles.]

The 2003 series was better but the 2012 series didn’t fail until the end of season two when Leo’s character left.

[@pyreneesgal5823]

The fact that this show taught so many great life lessons and had that spot-on wisdom

[@GeekilyOfficial]

Well said!!

[@andreagarciamedrano4228]

Totally!! I will never forget Splinter's great life lessons 💚

[@Xero488]

@@andreagarciamedrano4228 yep 2012 splinter is hands down the best one

[@jeromevaleska2014]

@@GeekilyOfficial Trust your instincts... unless your instincts are wrong.

[@MoronMan]

fr

[@StarryTheHybrid]

Me making sure I’m still a fan of the 2012 series: Show got me into the fandom? Yes Grew up on the show? Yes Loved the animation improvement? Yes Loved the story of the show? Yes Still thinks season 5 was unnecessary but is still one of my favorite seasons? Yes Still thinks season 4 was the most insane season of the series? Yes Still thinks Donnie could have had better character development because all he did in the first two seasons was simp over April? Yes Still thinks Mikey is the most adorable turtle? Yes Still thinks Raph is supreme edge lord? Yes Still thinks Leo is the best turtle? HECK YEAH!!! Yep, I’m still a TMNT 2012 fan. Lmao.

[@GeekilyOfficial]

Lol, noice!!!! Got some fair points in there too. Gonna dive into the show more in depth in future videos too! Super excited to talk about this show more.

[@StarryTheHybrid]

Looking forward to seeing what you’ve got in stock for the future.

[@GeekilyOfficial]

Hoping to keep them coming consistently!

[@TaMarvio2129]

lol same

[@IIIISai]

@@StarryTheHybrid I wouldn't call ralph an edge Lord hes just angsty, also Donny didn't develop from his simping hes still pathetic in that area

[@NoVideosFound0]

The fact that this was my introduction to TMNT and basically the thing I lean back on the most in terms of my knowledge, even if I don't remember that much, makes it my go-to for anything Turtles related. I've watched some of the 2003 show and others, but this one definitely holds the top place for me. Great video as always, and I can't wait for the future projects!

[@GeekilyOfficial]

That's very awesome to hear! Yeah, man. I can feel the passion in this show. It feels very personal to the creator and that's not to say 2003 isn't. There's just something about TMNT 2012 that stands out not just among TMNT shows, but all animated series and I will forever love it for being that way!

[@mmbzitha]

Me to this series was great that got me into the idw comics and got me into the 1987 ,2003 and rise rise deserves a 3rd season and got em into the movie ls and the comics

[@TaMarvio2129]

same

[@dlastwire5365]

ngl my first ep of this was when I was 4 it was the wasp episode

[@themysteryhedgehog5184]

Yes

[@mittjy5749]

Bro I use to dislike 2012 too tbh but as I'm rewatching it, i find it to be one of the best animated series ever. Kinda underrated in some aspects. Like the life lessons, the fight choreography the turtles being very relatable. The best animated version of Shredder. Honestly 2012 is definitely up there 💯

[@GeekilyOfficial]

Lotta folks slept on the show. A LOT of my favorite TMNT moments come from that show alone. Can't judge it off of those first few episodes. The show gets soooo good!

[@mittjy5749]

@@GeekilyOfficial the development of the characters as a whole goes through all these different lengths that we haven't really seen before with the turtles or splinter I wish more people could see how amazing it is.

[@andreagarciamedrano4228]

Yess that show really deserved an Annie and more Emmys

[@Mrcharles.]

@@andreagarciamedrano4228 I would give the 2003 series an Emmy but not 2012. Because Leo’s character went downhill after season two.

[@Thedarkknight749]

I grew up with the series as a child obsessed with it

[@GeekilyOfficial]

Absolutely love it!

[@TaMarvio2129]

same

[@Jason-..-]

Same

[@squeaky748]

the 2012 series had such a unique art style I had never seen it before I love how unique 2012 was compared to other adaptations

[@GeekilyOfficial]

I fell in love with its visual flare very fast when the show released for the first time!

[@xaviergonzalez44]

One of the things that I’ve always appreciated about this adaptation is the emphasis of Splinter as a rat. I love that this is used for jokes and the story, as well that he actually looks very rat like

[@rosavillanueva5189]

When he goes feral, gosh! You can tell he's pissed beyond calm when he uses his rat instincts to defeat the enemy (full run in four, bite a knife, hit with his head). Also, it's funny when he uses his tail, like, one should know he has it, but he keeps it hide and uses it here and there like a fifth member (considering he's a man turned into a rat).

[@MetaLatias5]

I remember only watching this show casually, until the episode Slash and Destroy finally got me hooked for real and made me a TMNT fan (Donnie's my favorite turtle) Taking a look at some TMNT fanworks then also convinced me to watch the entirety of 2k3 and later on Rise as well (which I both also enjoyed a lot, but 2k12 is still my favorite) I love how well blended 2k12 is, especially the mix of humor, action and even horror (absolutely love the first half of season 3, this show actually introduced me to the movie The Thing XD) and also just how the turtles are designed- I mean if you look at the turtles's designs between 2k3, 2k12 and Rise, the 2k3 turtles look like they have the exact same models (besides coloring and clothing/weapons) and the Rise turtles are all completely different from each other to the point where you can easily tell them apart just via their silhouettes (which from a character design standpoint, is how it's supposed to be and I do love their designs and the idea of them all being different species) but the 2k12 turtles designs are kinda both, individual yet similar, different enough so fans can tell them apart easily even without any of their gear or masks, yet similar enough that when they go ninja mode in the shadows you have to pay really close attention to be able to tell which turtle you're looking at and I love that so much because you can tell that it's only confusing their enemies further, and believably so

[@GeekilyOfficial]

Wow! You described how I feel pretty much perfectly!!! (DONNIE IS MY FAVORITE TOO!) Thanks so much for this comment, really enjoyed reading what all you had to say!

[@fibrousone-seededdrupe7568]

Have you watch Rise’s movie? If yes, what do you think?

[@justtheguywiththewavecheck6244]

Kevin Eastmann himself said that the 2012 TMNT is one of his favourite incarnations and that says a lot

[@MpPlayz29]

2012 TMNT In my heart

[@GeekilyOfficial]

Absolutely love it!

[@Brofoman1238]

I still remember watching the pilot back in 2012 and falling in love with it. After that I would always wake up every Saturday morning to watch new tmnt. It was truly awesome

[@GeekilyOfficial]

That'a awesome!!

[@vorplover]

every saturday at 7 in the morning :(

[@superjumpbros64]

I miss this show. Why did it have to end....

[@contra7631]

Every good things comes to an end.

[@dmoney416]

I grew up with this series I loved it it’s my favorite

[@GeekilyOfficial]

Definitely was a treat to watch!

[@thesprawlingdentisteffigy]

i personally got introduced to the turtles with rise, but 2012 is hands down my favourite. sure, it has some pretty glaring issues (the weird incest thing with leo and karai, the whole donnie-april-casey love triangle feeling REALLY forced, and dont even get me started on how terribly written april was), but the pros DEFINITELY out weighed the cons. the way they handled yoshi and saki being ripped apart by their love for tang shen was masterful, leo's character development is second to none, and its just such a loving homage to the turtles as a whole.

[@GeekilyOfficial]

Exactly!!! So many of the new additions that actually worked ended up working SUPER well.

[@Belugamale8738]

Leo & karai are not actually blood. Splinter was a human when he adopted the boys (Who were also unmutated Typical turtles of the nature at the time) but he & the turtles mutated after a fight with the krang. Karai was Splinter's biological human daughter. Also Leo & karai didn't grew up together & they're not even the same kind of species. so it isn't Really "incest" atleast

[@NinjaGamerGirl2023]

@@Belugamale8738 Exactly

[@Belugamale8738]

@NinjaGamerGirl2023 Atleast, We shouldn't be justifying this by saying "They don't share the same blood" cuz that would be like saying that even the greatest of chosen/friendships don't matter to the Blood relations, Even If they are toxic. which is also same as the outdated, Nonsensical quote from Close-minded buffoons "You have to take the shit, because they're your Blood family" however, The exception to LeoXkarai is that they kinda don't apply in this regard, Since they didn't grew up together & are completely two different kind of species, which will make it harder for them to relate to each other (As they are different species with different cognitive & Functional abilities)

[@kaylatreat7312]

I loved this show growing up but none of my friends talked about it so for a long time it just felt like one long and elusive fever dream

[@GeekilyOfficial]

Oh wow! It was always talked about here!

[@TaMarvio2129]

yeah it was hard trying to get my friend into because I didn't really go over to their house cuz I didn't know where they lived so I couldn't force them but they also didn't know their name so trying to explain something with someone else being like "that's the red one right" every 5 seconds is hard so I just gave up lol

[@IIIISai]

Yea absolute perfection, great humor whether ironic or planned, great animation, great music which some people don't talk about, great world building, great characters and development, great design, great audience diversity I mean the show works for teens kids and adults, I'll always praise this masterpiece

[@GeekilyOfficial]

An absolute gem in every way!

[@Wandermidget]

Even though TMNT is for the most part a kids franchise, and how the original (and IDW) comics are a gritty tone for older teens and adults, I'd still love to see an "adult-oriented" TMNT show, and with how steaming is taking off, it could work without having to be stuck with TV mandates or worrying about how much the merch sells. Nick/Viacom have Paramount+ as a streaming service. Many companies are even doing this with some of their franchises. Making two different shows, one for kids and one for adults. Netflix did it with He-Man (now the quality of both those shows is another unrelated discussion) and Nick could do the same thing considering how ridiculously popular the TMNT still are. It'd also give the showrunners the room to actually do all the darker stuff and plotlines that '03 and '12 had without having to skip around censors all the time. If they handle the tone in a similar way Samurai Jack handled its final season, I really think it could be very successful.

[@andreagarciamedrano4228]

Yes!!!! I would LOVE that!! I truly think a live action ninja turtles series for adults would totally be a hit! Even a cartoon for adults would be popular! Or a R rated movie would be really succesfull

[@spider-manunknown9193]

The best version of the Tmnt of all time it’s a mix of everything that came out Tmnt related before and mixed it all together creating a masterpiece no Tmnt cartoon has ever sucked. Facts 💯

[@GeekilyOfficial]

I agree with you 100%

[@andreagarciamedrano4228]

Best tmnt series ever!! 🐢💙❤️💜🧡🍕

[@michael_mcgowan]

I'm old enough to have seen the original series air on TV as a real little kid and was an early teen when the 2003 series came on, but I was immediately enamored with this show. Greg Cipes's Mikey is great, but Rob Paulsen's Donny is possibly my favorite turtle ever. I love this series.

[@GeekilyOfficial]

Awesome! I have seen this show click with fans from every era and I can definitley see wht.

[@cartoonfangirl_1136]

This is my all time favorite incarnation of tmnt and my favorite cartoon now this video deserves way more views cause this a well written video of the show mikey is my favorite not just because hes a comic realief but because hes the most caring person and best friend you can have and has so much potential in my opinion

[@GeekilyOfficial]

Thanks so much for watching! 2012 will always have a huge spot in my heart. Absolutely loved it.

[@ronaldweasly7020]

I recall staying over at my friends' place and them suggesting to watch an episode of TMNT. Since It was my first time watching a TMNT episode, I expected them to show me a 2003 series. To my surprise it was the 2012 series and the character designs grabbed my attention. Now it's one of my favorite shows from my early teens and I'm even considering rewatching it since it brings back good memories. I also wish there was more content on it since it's pretty underrated and I'm glad someone like you is covering the topic.

[@GeekilyOfficial]

I absolutely LOVE this show. I will be rewatching and making a ton of videos on it starting in January since next year marks the shows 10 year anniversary!

[@ronaldweasly7020]

@@GeekilyOfficial looking forward to it😁

[@GeekilyOfficial]

Same here!!

[@andreagarciamedrano4228]

@@ronaldweasly7020 you should totally rewatch the show!! I also started watching the show on my early teens, and God this show marked my teenage years, I rewatched the show when the pandemic started and my God I remembered the show was good!! But watching it again just made me realize how truly good this show was! And all the love behind it! Literally everyone in the cast had a love for turtles 🐢💚. If you don't know where to watch it, there's a youtube channel Leonardo Splinterson he has a playlist of the tmnt 2012 series.

[@ronaldweasly7020]

@@andreagarciamedrano4228 thank you very much!

[@ssjspidey2]

Bro aighnt lying. Forreal I grew up with this show and ABSOULETLEY Loved it! Thanks Geekly for bringing (in my opinion) The best TV show of all time to justice.

[@GeekilyOfficial]

Still holds up on rewatch too! Thanks so much for tuning into the video. It means a lot!

[@xlife.lightx]

The 2012 version gotta have the best character growth of all the versions. I don't know how to explain this but I like how they didn't "gatekeep" some aspects of their personality?? Like Raph is definitely the one with anger issues but Donnie can be extremely mean and scream under pressure too. Mikey is still the goofy one but shows incredible skills in deduction, sometimes even better than Donnie, when it's about Kraang and unknown lifeforms. Leo is the most serious but when it's about his favorite show or Karai he becomes a total nerd. And Raph is always the first one to make sure that everyone is okay, that's an aspect we would usually see in a leader, not the hot-headed loner.

[@Calmoose415]

Seriously this show deserves more acknowledgement and love. It really is a great show.

[@nrrork]

As someone who was a little kid during the peak the 87 series' popularity: 2012 was the best version of Turtles they've ever done. I was almost 30 when this show came out, I only checked out the first episode out of nostalgic curiosity. I didn't expect that I, a grown ass man, would get hooked on it. But it was just that good.

[@CentipedeGuy]

My favorite part of this show as someone with siblings is just how well it does siblings. On of my friends said he didn’t like it because they were too mean to each other, he did not have siblings.

[@Eternaldarkness3166]

It got a little off to me in the later seasons but overall I still enjoy it. I love how serious and goofy it gets and like, that fight with Leo and the Shredder, still is awesome. I even liked how they explained the new voice actors and it made sense rather than just introducing the new actor for Leo with no explanation..

[@davidcase8635]

2012 Karai, A.K.A. Hamato Miwa is my all time favorite beautiful badass anti-hero. Her tragic backstory as the daughter of Hamato Yoshi and Tang Shen, stolen as a baby from her father after her mother was murdered by The Shredder, and raised in the Foot Clan for 15 years until she discovered the truth and found redemption thanks her four Ninja Turtle brothers. 2012 Karai deserves to have her own spinoff show, just like The Mandalorian.

[@captaincrunch784]

THAT was such drama and I loved it!!!

[@maxthebearshor]

I also love the fact that Greg Cipes plays Michelangelo because he also played Beast Boy in Teen Titans and Teen Titans Go!

[@GeekilyOfficial]

Cipes has become my favorite MIkey voice actor for sure!

[@nkopanelesedilebona9227]

I just happened to be looking for TMNT content like this today, and I didn't even know today was this show's ten-year anniversary. Bizarre coincidence I suppose 😂 I was introduced through the 2009 Smash-Up game and fell in love with the series through the bonus content recounting other incarnations. This show is definitely my favourite out of all of them and is the one of my generation, but I especially love the IDW comics and the flawed but underrated 2007 film. I think that film has one of the best turtle designs as well.

[@GeekilyOfficial]

SO GLAD YOU FOUND THIS VIDEO!!! Haha

[@austinmorrison6953]

The fact that they fleshed out the personalities of the bros as well as give each of them a distinct design that matched that personality to an extent.

[@Godzillakingofkaiju1]

This is what I call "Ultimate TMNT" in that it encompassed every TMNT incarnation that came before it: the Mirage comics, the 80s cartoon, 90s movies, the 2003 cartoon, and the IDW comics.

[@optimascrime5235]

This is the best TMNT show and gave the franchise the boost to make it popular for year's

[@Legend-vm9uv]

I really hope your joking

[@optimascrime5235]

@@Legend-vm9uv I am absolutely genuine....I mean this is what this video is about anyway so if you don't like it go to another tmnt show/movie retrospective

[@Legend-vm9uv]

@@optimascrime5235 The animation and designs for this show are atrocious, a masterpiece like Courage The Cowardly Dog has superb animation and that show came out years before this embarrassment

[@optimascrime5235]

@@Legend-vm9uv Like Transformers Beast Wars it's not about the animation...It's about the stories and characters throughout all the seasons Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle's 2012 does an exceptional job of that

[@Legend-vm9uv]

@@optimascrime5235 Ignoring the animation is treating it like a genre or second nature, the story and writing isn’t even really that good

[@tomasmartinmdq]

I need season 6, this is the best tmnt series and there are still many good stories to tell

[@noelmcpherson]

The thing i love about this is because everytime mastersplinter was on screen and said a speech of life lessons but those quotes and just for kids but for adults aswell and i also love how took that cartoony wacky comedy but also having realy dark emotinal moments

[@traviswhitfield8045]

I grew up on this show. Its amazing. Its my favorite Nickoldeon show.

[@GeekilyOfficial]

Such a great watch!

[@oliviasommerville4733]

Same here! It was my first introduction to TMNT and I used to watch it with my brother. We even had a DVD with several episodes we’d watch constantly in the car. I have so many great memories with my brother, thinking we’d be ninja turtles when we grew up!!

[@Legend-vm9uv]

Avatar: The Last Airbender and SpongeBob SquarePants say hello

[@traviswhitfield8045]

@@Legend-vm9uv I still enjoy those show, But I think the TMNT 20012 is criminally underrated.

[@eolan7567]

Splinter was my favourite I always liked making splinter a human before a mutant it made more sense how he was so good at martial arts

[@GeekilyOfficial]

He is my favorite too!

[@mittjy5749]

Ykw would be a cool idea in my opinion? A tmnt animated movie with a tournament of most tmnt versions. (Not saying all cuz live action movie versions would just be weird animated) but it'd be cool seeing like, 1987 and archie mirage 2003 2012 rise of tmnt all come together in this battle nexus kinda vibe and have them fight or something crazy. It'd just be cool to see archie animated and all the turtles animated together paying respect to the franchise as a whole.

[@GeekilyOfficial]

That'd be a very nice gift for the fans! Or imagine a fighting game with every version thrown in!

[@mittjy5749]

@@GeekilyOfficial that's an even better idea 💯

[@GeekilyOfficial]

Could be heat!

[@fa1509]

@@GeekilyOfficialsimilar to teen titans go to the movies lol

[@grantward5660]

i've grown up loving this show since i was a young child, since i watched the first episode when it first came out, alllll the way up to the finish. i'm 16 to this day, so i spent a large portion of my childhood absolutely loving these brothers, and i still do to this day. heck, i finished watching season one on netflix again like three days ago

[@GeekilyOfficial]

Definitely a classic!!

[@thesmstudios3223]

I really love 2012's Tmnt but 2003 will be my definitive versions But hey 2012 did bring Fugitoid and Hun

[@GeekilyOfficial]

I think 2012 won me over with its style and approach, presentation, things of that nature. 2003 is still a king too, don't get it twisted! Lol. And even so, I still prefer 2003's Hun over 2012's! There are things each show does better than the other for me.

[@thesmstudios3223]

@@GeekilyOfficial You got that right

[@GeekilyOfficial]

Shell yeah, bro

[@DanielFahimi]

@@GeekilyOfficial And I think we will all agree that 2003 Casey is better than 2012 April.

[@GeekilyOfficial]

@@DanielFahimi Casey and April are far too different for me to compare. Looking at two iterations of the same character sure, but a claim like that's not something I can fully discuss just because Casey and April in those series serve such radically different reasons for being there.

[@kerm8835]

I NEED them to drop the Raph-cursing cut. I am begging on my hands and knees right now. Let Raph say fuck.

[@GeekilyOfficial]

😂😂😂

[@Lexiiht]

I started watching the show when it just came out and grew up with it. You don’t understand how obsessed I was. Like even now I still watch it every now and then because it’s my favorite comfort show. Tbh I really didn’t like where the show went (season 4 and especially season 5) but the earlier seasons (especially the first ) are absolutely supreme

[@mixlexic]

I was 36 in 2012 but as a turtles fan forever, I started watching this series and love every aspect of it. It feels like it was made by fans for fans. The cast is phenomenol and it has the best iteration of splinter ever with Lone rat and cubs being the single best episode of any Ninja turtles series, ever.

[@GeekilyOfficial]

That is so awesome!! I always love reading comments like this. It shows how special this show has been for so many people in different points in their lives.

[@mixlexic]

@@GeekilyOfficial was also the series that got my daughters in to Turtles. They also enjoy the 87 OG series

[@GeekilyOfficial]

@mixlexic The 87 series will forever be one of my favorites as well!

[@mixlexic]

@@GeekilyOfficial high three👋

[@GeekilyOfficial]

@mixlexic high three, indeed!!!

[@chiefsalvaje6557]

Tmnt 2012 is literally the Star Wars the Clone Wars of the tmnt franchise

[@validation5487]

I got a fucking turtle because of how much I absolutely love this show. I basically grew up with this but mostly on the 2007 piece. Loved that one. But 2012 is my all-time favorite. And if your wondering his name is Ein. He's a bastard. But I love him to death-

[@TMNTTHECONTINUITY]

I love this show I've seen it 5 times and it never gets old

[@PeteOfDawn]

This series my my introduction to the Turtles and I hold many fond memories watching the show. I can understand why some people prefer 2003 (which I watched for the first time last year) even though I personally think both shows are great and succeed at different things. However one hill I will die on when it comes to 2012 is that their Splinter is the best version of the character there has ever been and probably will be. So many great quotes and lessons he teaches the turtles and he feels the most like a true father compared to every other version. I would goes as far to say he’s up there with Iroh being one of the best teacher/sensei characters of all time.

[@Person-wz6iy]

I came up with my own take on the TMNT! It's called Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Into the Shadows. It's set 10 Years after a tragic event in which Splinter is killed, and Mutants are made illegal and nearly hunted to extinction, leading to the brothers being the last Mutants left, and have gone into hiding. But they're brought out of hiding when Karai (Seeking revenge after the death of Shredder.) and Cynthia Umtron, create combine the Foot Clan's DNA with animal DNA, creating an army of terrifying Mutants, sparking a war between humans and Mutants. My ideration would take more influence from the original comics, with the team wearing the same red mask, but they still have the Letter belts. And my favourite Turtle is Mikey.

[@GeekilyOfficial]

That sounds like a really cool idea to explore!

[@dylanoshea5065]

This show is what really sold me on the brand. I also had a DVD containing three episodes of the 2003 show and a DVD of the 2007 movie which I love to death. The 2012 show was really the thing I remember binging the most just by how fun it was... And dark. I actually remember being a bit hesitant on watching a few episodes when I was younger and I probably would be still to this day. When it comes to favourite season it would probably be 1, 2 or 3, the other two are just hit or miss in my opinion I don't know, I haven't watched it in a long time. As for favourite character it would definitely be... Pigeon Pete!.... It's Leo, come on, you know I'm joking. Maybe. Leo was just my go-to guy who I just found really fun and likeable, like all the other characters. This show may be over as of now, though potential rumours have snuk about, but even if it is I will always cherish it in my heart. Cuase let's be honest. We all love being a turtle. Cowabunga and Booyakashas all around!

[@andreagarciamedrano4228]

You should rewatch the show!! You can watch it in Leonardo Splinterson youtube channel

[@christopherbennett5858]

Honestly, as a kid, I watched a little of the 2003 version but I was more focused on stuff like Digimon, Yugioh and some of the cartoon network shows. I was a kid, sue me lol. In 2012, I was in that edgy phase of preferring live action and anime to western animation. Plus, I have this thing that I had to watch something from the beginning instead of slotting myself midway through. Thank goodness I mostly grew out of that. So, when did I really get into the franchise? 5 months ago when I watched a review that the fiancé of one of of my favourite reviewers did on Rise of the TMNT. I checked it out afterwards and loved it. I got into some discord chats and, when people compared it to 2012, I started watching that as well and I really like it as well. I really enjoy these two versions and I love bits about both of them. The one I like more depends on the mood I'm in though. I would have loved a crossover between the 2. Imagine the 2012 boys in a New York that felt like the NYC. If I had to choose though, for 2012, my favourite characters are Leatherhead, Raphael and Mikey For Rise, its Donnie, Splinter and Raph.

[@andreagarciamedrano4228]

I'm glad you got into the fandom! 🐢🐢🐢🐢

[@christopherbennett5858]

@@andreagarciamedrano4228 Thanks. I am very well aware that my opinions on some things will be polarising but I will always stand by them and bring all the reasoning. For instance, whilst 2003 Splinter would be the best Splinter for me because he doesn't have any baggage to shift onto his kids, Rise wins out for me because there is a journey for the character. A rocky, interesting journey that would have been perfect if the show didn't try and teach kids that the only way to move on from your abuse is to thank your abuser for all the good that came after.

[@badfoody]

what bummed me was seeing the weapons, then I watched one episode. I loved it, Turtles never die man

[@GeekilyOfficial]

Booyakasha!!

[@Jason-..-]

This show was a masterpiece, so many emotions and memories rewatching it now. I love this! I hope someday we see a tmnt show as great as this was

[@chrisgoris3794]

Who else would be so hyped when a new episode from this show came out?

[@violetjade64]

as someone who also was introduced to tmnt thru 2003 and got extremely invested in 2012 when it started airing, i also love 2012 the most bc of the attention to character, as i usually much prefer character-focused stories rather than stories that mainky focus on plot, like 2003 was in comparison.

[@GeekilyOfficial]

That's definitely one of the biggest things that hooked me in on this show!

[@captaincrunch784]

I was in my late 30's watching it and LOVED it so much. I was in grad school and had Donnie folders, stationary and binders LOL

[@GeekilyOfficial]

That's so awesome!

[@lds1126]

I Love TMNT 2012 Because This was my first Animation series.

[@GeekilyOfficial]

Awesome!!

[@chshirerat5487]

I grew up with the TMNT before the 2003 version. With the og TMNT intro. I loved it, but this one is a close tie if not my favorite.

[@TheDeadBear]

The thumbnail with the turtles actually looks like the 2012 ninja turtles got a new season

[@rickyronny4019]

Honestly TMNT 2012 and 2003 were my favorites

[@chrisgoris3794]

I prefer the 2003, but I absolutely adore the 2012 🎆🎇✨💖💕

[@rickyronny4019]

@@chrisgoris3794 yeah

[@SuperPsychic101]

You guys forget this is probably the first to have the turtles act and be ACTUAL TEENAGERS!! Like it’s in the the name TEENAGE Mutant Ninja Turtles

[@GeekilyOfficial]

This was most definitely t he first version where I felt that aspect of the characters fully realized!

[@glowisbored]

5. Season 1 4. Season 2 3. Season 3 2. Season 5 1. Season 4 And Leo Was My Favorite He Was The Most Mature But Still A True TEENAGE Turtle. My Favorite Season 1 Episode Was "Rise Of The Turtles, Part 1". My Favorite Season 2 Episode Was "The Invasion, Part 2". My Favorite Season 3 Episode Was "Vision Quest" ("Dinosaur Seen In The Sewers!", And "Tale Of The Yokai" Makes a Close Second Place). My Favorite Season 4 Episode Was "Owari". My Favorite Season 5 Episode Was "Yojimbo".

[@AyhamHaque]

leo was best in this show

[@KidDangerthepony]

Kid Danger: *squeals with joy and happiness and passes out in happiness* please, do a rise ninja turtles video and rise donnie is my favorite.

[@GeekilyOfficial]

Oop- lol

[@jeromevaleska2014]

It’s shows like this that make me wish that people wouldn’t brush stuff off so quickly simply because it’s target demographic is kids. This stuff normally ends up being darker and deeper than stuff made for adults. Shredder in this is the perfect example. His character arc shows greed, obsession, depression, and the dark places it can take you. The loss of Tang Shen and his refusal to accept his blame and move on drives him to dark places. He can’t accept what has happened and projects his anger and depression into Splinter, and when he loses Karai, he truly loses it. Like Thanos (movies, not comics), no matter how much we want to think of him as this cold, ruthless killing machine with no feelings and no care for anyone, the fact is that he’s human. He cared for Karai, and she was the last rope tying him down to sanity. And when that rope was cut, that was it. He was gone, beyond saving.

[@darksoul6482]

The best TMNT ever produced. It tops even TMNT 2003. We want TMNT 2012 v2 back.. Again

[@johnnyvirtues]

Bro thank you for making this video I have such fond memories of this show to the point i rewatched it recently and it still held up just as well in fact I appreactied it more now because I could comprehend what was happening better and I gotta say it’s perfect the comedy art style animation all of it just hits so good and I like how they have April a role and actually saw it through I didn’t like the space though every cartoon gets crap when they go to space except for adventure time that’s like the only one

[@tomkavanagh4200]

Favorite 2k12 Turtle: Leonardo, hands down. He's always been my favorite, but this one is far more developed and likeable. Favorite 2k12 Episode: Tales of the Yokai. Everything that works and connects with the overall arc is done brilliantly here for a time travel story.

[@kinoko9113]

I remember the days where I saw the turtles for the first time, I miss going home after a bad day of school, turning on the TV and have my day made by the Tmnt, thanks to them, I started studying martial arts. I stopped when covid arrived but the way that they taught me about life and family is still there, this video made me grab my Tmnt 2012 figurines and finally put them on a shelf in a spot where everyone can see em. Booyakasha ✌️

[@sagittariuszodiac9399]

I remember watching this show daily and playing some of the games on the Nickelodeon website back then this was a huge part of my childhood

[@n.u.k.2188]

Yesterday, I felt the urge to rewatch the first show, so I searched for a ranking of the best shows and to my dismay found this being put on top thrice. And it peaked my interest and now I'm watching it and already very impressed.

[@GeekilyOfficial]

It really, really stuck with me once I gave it a chance!

[@n.u.k.2188]

@@GeekilyOfficial I believe that. You can feel the passion behind this project for sure.

[@GeekilyOfficial]

Thank you!

[@niganools1502]

Love this show to death.

[@zeithqueen5044]

Same here

[@SpeekyGeeky]

great vid as always!

[@d4red3v1l8]

I still watch this show, the advertisement for this show is definitely the only bad thing about it. This show inspired me to voice act & write, I watch this show every single day & I haven’t gotten bored of it.

[@gamergurl3648]

Lol as a kid I remember having crushes on Leo and Donnie 🤣

[@noelmcpherson]

The thing i love aswell is how all the 2012 characters had their own unique fighting style

[@champion1859]

I can see why some won't consider it to be the best incarnation but this show is just so good! I Don't Care if season 5 is completely unnecessary it's still a fun watch and man I love the amount of love put into this show. I gotta watch 2003 to see if it will take 2012 as my favourite but that's gonna be pretty hard to do since I love this show so much!

[@andreagarciamedrano4228]

Yeah, even if the 5 season got it's issues I still LOVE the season, and i'm sooo glad we got it, also you should totally check 2003 turtles, that show is GREAT! At least the first 5 seasons. But still 2012 will always be my favorite show 🐢💙❤️💜🧡🍕

[@champion1859]

@@andreagarciamedrano4228 yeah! Boyachsha for life!

[@contra7631]

because season 5 is basically not connected to the story.They made season 5 just to make some more fun episode and didnt wanna end the series too fast.

[@twothirdsanexplosive]

I grew up with '87, I read the IDW comics, and also have 2012 as my favorite animated version. Watched it just a few years ago for the first time and was hooked after just the first episode.

[@blueblade1948]

This version was my childhood and still one of my favorite versions and I did went back to others variations of Ninja Turtle Cartoons and enjoyed them too.

[@venusvideos1293]

Great work man!!! You were right about everything in there!! Thank you for making this video man. (Also my favorite Charector from 2012 is Shinigami)

[@GeekilyOfficial]

Of course! Always more than happy to talk about this show! Thank YOU for watching!

[@venusvideos1293]

@@GeekilyOfficial No problem man!!! I love your videos!!! Keep up the awesome work!

[@GeekilyOfficial]

Thanks again! and will do! Always excited to get these out to you all!

[@andreagarciamedrano4228]

I LOVEEEE Shini 💜✨🖤 love her personality! And her design ✨

[@thonysrnsen5104]

i always like TMNT . i have intro of a 1 season

[@adrianatejeda6198]

I remember watching this and hating this at frist by the more I watched this show the more I feel in love!!!

[@GeekilyOfficial]

It has that magic to it!

[@mailpaper7754]

I will stand by that this is the best adaptation of TMNT ever. The episodes were great (we don't talk about season 5), chemistry between the turtles and Splinter was fantastic, fight scenes were amazing, nice amount of comedy so its not too overboard (take notes Rise), and overall was just fun to watch each week for the next episode. I also wanna mention 2 of the best characters we got; Bebop and Rocksteady. It was a little jarring seeing Rocksteady go from more serious to a a goofball, but its not an issue because of how well they are. It was great seeing villains actually have chemistry together instead of constantly fighting and obviously not liking each other. And while I still hate how the mutagen bomb series finale was scrapped for the 80s turtles episode, it was still great and especially Bebop and Rocksteady's character development. While season 5 does bring it down cause it had no direction and resurrecting Shredder shouldn't of happened, this show is a true gem and will most likely be the best TMNT adaptation ever.

[@thekiddencore9094]

tmnt 2012 season 2 is my favorite and my favoyrete turtle is Leo and he is my favorite in all of tmnt mtdia

[@GeekilyOfficial]

Nice!!! Season 2 was really amazing!

[@dqham]

2012 tmnt is my favorite iteration of all .

[@GeekilyOfficial]

Same here!

[@GokuBlackRose978]

I love this show, despite its flaws ( it has quite a few of them, let’s be honest) it was my favorite and still is to this day

[@XxDreamy_LeaxX]

I'm not really sure who is gonna see/read this, but I simply need to get my thoughts down in this comment. Also sorry if my grammar and spelling look off, English is not my native language! I was 9 when Tmnt 2012 released and back then it was the only incarnation I watched, knew and had eyes for, mainly for the reason that I didn't have true access to the internet yet. This show introduced me to the Tmnt franchise and I could not be happier, although I did lose sight of it around 2015. I only re-entered the fandom three months ago and ever since then have been rewatching the 2012 show and even watched the others shows. And while I greatly enjoy the other shows and even the movies, Tmnt 2012 just has a special place in my heart and it's not just because this version of the show is the one I grew up watching. I adore this show in many many ways, because it just speaks to me. It's the perfect mix between funny, chaotic, action-packed and dark and in my opinion, that makes a great Tmnt show that is memoriable to me. There were dozens of moments that I rembered still (even the lines they said), even though I hadn't watched this show in 7 years. It just shows that this version touched my heart. The show genuinely had me burst out laughing sometimes, and I love how they made the characters goofy at times, but still managed to make it dark and gave you a adrenaline rush when watching certain scenes. When their eyes turned white, you knew they weren't messing around anymore and shit was about to get real. Sometimes I'm still wondering, how the hell this show managed to get so dark, yet still be made for kids. It's truly incredible. Another thing I also like, is the fact that the turtles look different from each other, up to the point where you can distinct them from each other without their masks. Different head shapes, different eye colors, heck, they even have different heights! I must admit, that I like these character designs a lot and that they're even my favorite turtle designs ever. Same goes for the fighting styles, because you can clearly tell that each character fights in a different way and it truly gives them such a unique and special feeling. Plus, I like how they truly act like teenagers and have a great sibling dynamic. This show made changes to the characters and franchise, but I genuinely enjoy these choices they've made. Tmnt 2012 is special to me and many others and I sincerely hope, that it will not be forgotten, ever. It's one of the best cartoons I've ever watched and one that will always remain in my heart.

[@gthompsonbjj]

I see you love it, so maybe you'd consider subbing to my channel! I'm making animations of my own so now tmnt episodes can come back! Check it out!

[@tandlou8]

this was my first tmnt and in my opinion the best tmnt

[@Taurus1014]

Definitely one of my favorite shows of all time. It’s too good

[@profjeff9]

2012 Splinter is my favorite, because he feels like the best possible version of the character.

[@dannyfoxboi]

Personal hot take: they did him so dirty in Rise.

[@MinecraftWorld1954]

Whilst all 4 TMNT shows have their merits, this is my personal favorite version for nostalgia reasons. Me and my youngest brother would want this show and often have debates between who would win in a fight between Godzilla and the TMNT (Godzilla being the most important piece of fiction of my life). And, dear GOD does this version hold up, and it deserves a place in my heart.

[@SPAC3H3R0]

The tmnt 2012 shredder is by far the best version of the shredder he’s taken as a threat has the best fight scene best voice and armor is slick and clean and perfect looking instead of being bulky and tall for no reason

[@brickvirus2789]

I was watching this while eating pizza

[@GeekilyOfficial]

Perfection

[@brickvirus2789]

@@GeekilyOfficial indeed

[@blues2807]

All Tmnt series are good, but this is my humble rating: 1. 2003 2. 2012 3. Classic 4. Rise of the tmnt

[@christiandevey3898]

I had no idea that Raphael was voiced by Sean Astin

[@GeekilyOfficial]

Yep, yep!!

[@austinforgie1069]

This Series is my first introduction to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and I love it.

[@AMV.channel]

TMNT 2012 is the best TMNT adaptation for me This serie peaked in everything and was so good with no mistakes They did all the characters justice and made them written well

[@brandonmoore8199]

2012 is my favorite of the franchise as well , and I’m an 80’s kid , so I’ve loved them all but 2012 is just the GOAT