Why Weren’t The Other Turtles The Last Ronin? [TMNT:TLR ANALYSIS]

What if... they didn't love being turtles so much anymore? The Last Ronin is a TMNT story that follows one surviving turtle, seeking to avenge his fallen brothers. One turtle was chosen for this role, however, why was that so? What about the other turtles? Watch our video to find out!
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We do not own the clips of TMNT used in the video. The clips were used under Fair Use.
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CHAPTERS:
00:00 - TMNT
02:00 - Michelangelo
04:08 - Raphael
06:34 - Donatello
08:30 - Leonardo
10:33 - Bonus! (Identity of Ronin NEVER revealed!)
11:19 - Conclusion

[@imkerrusin]

I think Mikey was the best choice to be the last ronin. It's been mentioned and implied multiple times how incredibly gifted Mikey was in the TMNT series. Some of the shows supported this by showcasing is instinctive nature during spars with his brothers and battling the Foot clan. In one particular episode, Splinter demonstrated to Donnie how Mikey was capable of defending himself without second thought. Mind you, Mikey was distracted with music he had on his walkman when Splinter tried to strike him a few times (Only to catch him with his tail in the end). Splinter mentioned in other sources how Mikey had the most potential to be a phenomenal warrior if he took his training seriously. The Last Ronin series definitely showcased that potential in its purest form. Even though many wondered how this transition happened, I for one can say that it's fairly simple: Maturity. From day one, Mikey had the three brothers and Splinter to rely on no matter what. Which in turn didn't give Mikey much room to grow separately from his brothers. Most of the adventures were shared with all four turtles and not just one. Since he had Donnie, Raph and Leo there for support he didn't really worry too much. When each of them fell, Mikey carried a sense of helplessness in him that forged that survivor's guilt. One issue where Leo sacrifices himself to get Mikey and the others out, Mikey felt somewhat responsible even though Leo insisted that Mikey went with the others to safety. TLR gave us a more mature version of Mikey. The other thing I think Mikey was a good fit for this was in fact how emotionally driven Mikey was. Mikey carried his heart on his sleeve. Some Comic book issues delve into that portion of him (Recommended reading: "The Path") This does go along with the maturity and sense of helplessness Mikey felt during TLR. Although keeping it a mystery would have been interesting, some of the hints were apparent. Plus, if they really wanted to, they could draw out his eye color to provide another hint as to who it is. Either way, I really loved how they wrote it out. Nice job with this what if. :)

[@thedefinitiveopinion]

Couldn’t agree more! Thanks for such a detailed comment 😮 we really appreciate it! A moment that really hammers this idea is when Raph tells Mikey he was always the most naturally gifted, but lacked discipline and motivation. It shows how the events of the last ronin forced Mikey out of his comfort zone and led to him truly unlocking his potential. This adversity provoked his change in character and maturity that i think you’re talking about! Thanks for the discussion🎉

[@sylvainh2o]

Yep Mikey always was the most talented but lacked maturity. Once he would become serious and mature he would def be the strongest.

[@mickalinjezerx7104]

I was going to say the same. Don't forget about his Is nunchucks.

[@jeremiahscott2032]

Literally. Every show incarnation says so He literally is the Jack of all trades Solid strategist Photographic memory Pretty strong Fastest turtle Uses the most dangerous weapon

[@agsdragon5475]

He is also the most spiritual of the turtles

[@Dookieman1975]

If Donnie was the last ronin he’d be the saw killer of the tmnt

[@thedefinitiveopinion]

😂 true

[@darkarrow3683]

Or the Batman of the turtles

[@darkarrow3683]

@@Velocoshark 😏

[@hectorestrada7274]

@@thedefinitiveopinionSo what about Raph or Leo What would they be?

[@darkarrow3683]

@@hectorestrada7274 Leo-Nightwing Raph-Red Hood

[@aerostrafe1075]

The funny thing is everyone I asked who they think would be the last ronin all picked Mikey. The reasoning was always the same "You wouldn't have asked this question if it was leo so its gotta be mikey."

[@thedefinitiveopinion]

😭 just a testament to how right Mikey is

[@jayb8934]

Mikey was the best choice, but I think that Donnie would have been second best. Both Raph and Leo would have been too obvious. Keeping it ambiguous for the entire story would have been interesting, but it would have made it impossible to show the backstory of what happened to the other 3, which is a big part of the story.

[@GRAH_GRAH_BOOM1]

Ye Donnie would be a close second but I think it’s good that it was Mikey

[@thedefinitiveopinion]

True point with the deaths!

[@dayvon412]

@@GRAH_GRAH_BOOM1uguuguoguouououogu😅sigh u😅😅y hy

[@pisces2569]

Leo and Raph would be too obvious but it would be interesting to read about a leader without a team

[@mickalinjezerx7104]

I think Donatello would have, falling deeper into guilt and self-doubt.

[@Dawnelldo2]

Sounds like we need a "what-if" the other brothers became the Last Ronin, maybe.

[@thedefinitiveopinion]

That would be super cool and a must-have for any tmnt fan!

[@donellebullock7404]

@@thedefinitiveopinion TMNT 2002 had something like this with alternate futures.

[@mry8405]

​​@@donellebullock7404 I think youre refering to the episode "Same as it never was" but thats not exactly like the last ronin because only master splinter was dead and the other turtles were alive just away frim each other. Im not sure if the real donnie was alive from that universe or not though but the other turtles were alive. It was more of a dystopia than a last ronin theme.

[@donellebullock7404]

@@mry8405 Except All the turtles but Donnie died on screen.

[@Comic_Geek2001]

A what if series about this would be amazing

[@mariop8852]

I think if Leo would have been last he would have turned into a monster. Not being able to sacrifice himself to save his brothers would have caused a psychotic break and with his skill set and preferred weapons he would not have been stopped.

[@pisces2569]

I think he would just kill himself but you may not be wrong. Look how he acted in the 2003 cartoon when Leo did almost lose his whole family and himself in a suicide mission? He was so angry and traumatized that he continued to beat his enemies after they’ve long been defeated and injured his own father

[@mlgmrm]

I'd argue that there was never any chance of the Last Ronin being Raphael, and in fact, we find out to no one's surprise Raphael is fittingly the first turtle to die

[@thedefinitiveopinion]

He doesn’t really have the discipline to last as long I guess 😭

[@SuperAtom360]

Hella disagree

[@SuperAtom360]

​@@thedefinitiveopinionnot true

[@EasyKiller1111]

But he took Down so much of the foot clan it was pretty cool to read

[@user-ix6vv8lo5j]

i disagree, he is the most likely to survive as he is used to fighting alone and he is the strongest and he is the most skilled fighter.

[@LaffyTaffy04]

Leonardo just wouldn't work as The Last Ronin because he is so mission-oriented and honor focused. If he was in the same situation as Mikey, he would've either committed Seppuku or gone underground to train the resistance to The Foot, becoming the next Splinter. If Donatello was the sole survivor, he would've abandoned the way of the ninja and go head first into tech, probably hacking into a Triceraton Battleship and bombarding The Foot's HQ (And half of New York) to the ground. Raphael cares too much for his brothers to think about revenge. He'd give in completely into his rage and charge straight into Foot HQ. He'd kill a third of the Foot Ninja and traumatize another third, but wouldn't have completed the mission

[@jasonavery]

The only thing I would change in this masterpiece would have been to have Donnie stay back in NYC during the peace treaty. He could have monitored the tech and have Leo go with Master Splinter to Japan to confront Oroku Hiroto. That would have made more sense to me. Donnie dying in a tech explosion with Baxter to blame. Leo dying trying to save Splinter in a martial arts fight in Japan. Other than that, it’s perfect the way it is.

[@eskanda3434]

That’s honestly too predictable I love that Donnie died fighting to save Splinter it shows he is the techy one but still has the heart of a warrior and Leo likely would not have let Splinter get them into that trap. Donnie just obeyed his father.

[@spystar18]

​@@eskanda3434 predictable yet poetic

[@Hollowmello1285]

​@@eskanda3434 and i think that leo would have definitely put his foot down more since splinter was basically gonna get them killed

[@pisces2569]

Wasn’t April the one monitoring the tech anyway? It would make sense since April used to work under Baxter Stockman. Also Donnie has always been the peacemaker of the team so accompanying his father on a peace treaty mission makes equal sense

[@Nocturne69]

mikey is pretty well known to be the most gifted turtle with the most natural talent as well as mastering the most free thinking out of all the weapons due to how straight forward the others are i think he survived purely because when everything went down he just had the most instincts,he survived out of dumb luck and used that natural talent to become the best of the best

[@LOSTLEAD8R]

I think an important thing to note here is that I don't think Ralpheal, Leo would factually be able to live with themselves if all their brothers died. Leo would likely just give up and become some sort of washed up sensei type character for a new generation, and Ralpheal would likely end himself after he did what he needed to do. Don, I think, would become a little crazy with the way his character has been set up, but he at least be able to live and be functional.

[@thedefinitiveopinion]

Makes sense. Raph and Leo would feel feel a far greater sense of failure.

[@pisces2569]

I don’t think Leo would continue to live as a washed up senses. I think he would commit seppuku. Raph is more of the type to choose suicide by enemy attack than to choose death by his own hand

[@user-zv1yo3kf3r]

It's not like mikey was the only one who's had the nerve to keep living without his family I guess all of them could make but with their own character

[@user-zv1yo3kf3r]

Raph:would learn how to control his temper but still become a total massacring machine/donnie: something like batman so tough and smart/ leo : a fighting spirit and successor of master splinter

[@morziahnichols7787]

Raphael would never commit suicide

[@jordanwalker1988]

If Michelangelo is technically the most skilled of the four, and just goofs off because he can afford to, then him being the last ronin makes more than enough sense, considering he’d have more determination to see his clan’s mission to annihilate the Saki clan through and even complete it.

[@jordanwalker1988]

@@exodus9582 Are you sure it’s talent and not skill? For starters, the nunchucks/nunchaku are likely the hardest weapons to master, and he wields those things like a renaissance artist. (Maybe not the one he’s named after, but still…)

[@Shakiahjprod]

If it was Donnie then the possibility to find a way to time travel back and save his brothers would be there. He could still lose himself but imagine towards the end he finds some interstellar tech that may give him a chance to *save* his brothers

[@thedefinitiveopinion]

Would be sick. Tbh, they should make a series where each turtle is the last ronin so we could see each possibility ourselves!

[@Shakiahjprod]

@@thedefinitiveopinion Yeah! Each would focus on their own aspect Mikey - How he changed and wants revenge Raph - His anger and how he affected his brothers Leo - His regrets and how he failed leading them Donnie - Losing himself and how he has no one to support him

[@dennisbeaman958]

​@@ShakiahjprodLeo always is tortured and with guilt aswell as regret

[@JohannesWOW]

Im not a fan of 'time travel'. If they did this, then they would've already came back before what you and we know the story to be now. They would've already came back and changed what would've been the future, but they didn't so we made up the time travel story instead. It doesn't happen, and it would've already changed the outcome at this point. Never in the history of mankind or holywood, does time travel exist.

[@JeremyB8419]

He was the original Last Ronin. He couldn't win so he went back in time 3 times and eventually settled on Mikey being the only choice to be the Last Ronin.

[@jadenbranch9901]

If yall wanna see the closest thing we get to Donnie being the last ronin just search up “ tmnt same as it never was “ . This definitely one of my favorite episodes of any tmnt show

[@ashleywimmers6481]

I thought it was be Donny because in the preview we saw the ghost and I thought they were holograms of Donny’s Brothers with share memories but Mikey was was shocking because he is the baby of the family

[@thedefinitiveopinion]

Exactly how we felt too! Mikey being the last ronin was truly shocking for everyone. Also, I like that Donny theory! Could have definitely been true. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@ashleywimmers6481]

@@thedefinitiveopinion thank you I enjoy your video keep up the good work 🐢🐢🐢🐢

[@thedefinitiveopinion]

@@ashleywimmers6481 will do!

[@tyronleung5276]

Donatello was the last ninja turtle in mirage continuity

[@MultyMutant]

Last Ronin is definitely a 10/10 story, but could be 11/10. I think it would be a good call to reveal identity of the last ronin on the very last page in the end of a story. Projecting such a drammatic events on any turtle would be extremely painful for all of them. Despite different personal struggles, ultimately not a single turtle gonna have easier time dealing with all this brutality, so it wouldn't make the story less impactful. On the contrary, it would add a new layer of depth since the character consistently demonstrates traits of different turtles at different times. Tactical approach of Leonardo, creativity of Michelangelo, technological savviness of Donatello, ferociousness of Raphael - all of it is present, yet not enough to be sure who exactly this is. So we keep theorising and guessing how these events are impacting each turtle individually instead of focusing only on one. As the story wraps up, in addition to completing the character arc via fulfilling his mission, identity reveal would be a cherry on top, putting all events happened to a new perspective. Mike is the best choice i agree, i just wish the reveal would not be that "free".

[@thedefinitiveopinion]

I agree, and this is something we touched upon in the video. You brought a lot more depth to it, though, and I’d say I agree with this being a super cool idea. However, too much guessing sometimes isn’t a great path to take, as the story can lose some of its focus. Because we knew it was mikey at the beginning, our connection to him was built in a much deeper way, which made the last panel where mikey reunites with his brothers a lot more impactful. Also, we wouldn’t have been able to see the other turtles deaths! I do still think this idea of ambiguity would have been super cool if they had done it and potentially better!

[@MultyMutant]

Yeah, "secret identity" approach detracts a bit from the personal aspect of the story, true that. But i like to think it all would be rectified upon revisiting this comic arc some time later. For the first read you just go blind and face the dilemma and uncertainty. Second read you already know whats up and now it's time to feel the impact of events on a more personal level. Best of two worlds ! Kinda like watching "Fight Club" movie for the first time and then rewatching it knowing the twist. Oh and there is a way to include other turtles deaths too. There coud've been 4 scenes where all 4 turtles seemingly die and in the end we get a continuation of one of the scenes to see who is actually survived. There is even a workaround about April adressing Ronin by his name. When she would try, he could cut her off saying something like "stop, you know i dont go by that name anymore". And after Ronin fulfils his mission and dies, April could say something like "i know you'd hate the sound of the name you abandoned years ago, but... your family would be really proud for what you did today, Michelangelo". Would be such a tearful moment T_T@@thedefinitiveopinion

[@vegetalramdin4281]

I thought it would be most obvious to be Mikey and then Raph as Raph is most commonly known to be the most violent and Mikey would be the 360 character change. I think about if it was Leo he would’ve been completely crippled believing everything he’s done and all the time he was able to get them out of sticky situations would be for nothing and even if he would die like Mikey in the end he would still wonder if he was truly able to avenge them and then when he meets them he’s crying apologizing to them for falling them and they all lift him up consoling him ( still think everything about this masterpiece is perfect )

[@thedefinitiveopinion]

They really could have made a great story with any turtle!

[@jehnart]

In 2 series of the tmnt Mike had been mentioned as the "lazy prodigy".... he needed to lose everything to get serious. Great comic

[@samuraian5905]

All narrative aspects aside, Michaelangelo as Last Ronin would seem to be primarily a function of logistics. Throughout many of the TMNT spin-offs, Michaelangelo is unorthodox and unpredictable as compared to his brothers' more traditional personas (passionate vs. disciplined vs. intellectual). They can all be anticipated and/or manipulated, but he wins through by doing what is least expected. Paraphrasing a friend of mine, for a fighter who knows all the right moves and can see all the outcomes it's the "wrong" move they don't see coming that is lethal.

[@tribe247]

Mikey was always gonna be the last alive. Donatello (1466) Leonardo (1519) Raphael (1520) Michelangelo (1564)

[@MiKeYrUlEs1983]

Tf are these dates?? And who is ‘Michael Angelo’??

[@Shakiahjprod]

​@@MiKeYrUlEs1983I think that's the artists' actual death

[@thedefinitiveopinion]

Love that idea! Super cool.

[@Yarblocosifilitico]

can't argue with that logic haha

[@UncleTermite]

@@MiKeYrUlEs1983You don’t know what those dates are ? Lol

[@Therealones745]

I knew Raph wasn’t him because he’s too impulsive and bullheaded. And I feel you guys don’t understand Mikey at all with how you describe him as just a goof ball and worst turtle when he’s a better fighter than Donatello and the most naturally gifted turtle.

[@thedefinitiveopinion]

Hi and thanks for commenting! I think you misunderstood the point of our video, which wasn’t meant to examine the turtles and why Mikey was **able** to survive and undergo the transformation of The Last Ronin but rather why Mikey was chosen as The Last Ronin from a writing perspective. About Raph, Mikey was also impulsive, maybe even more so than Raph except when Raph lets his emotions get ahold of him. Just because Raph was impulsive doesn’t mean he couldn’t be the last ronin. If anything, it would set him up even better to be TLR because of his impulsiveness potentially getting the turtles killed and forcing him to undergo character development just like many other raph stories as mentioned in the video. Also, I think it’s not true to say we don’t understand Mikey at all. Mikey **is** a goof ball in almost every iteration old TMNT, which sets him up to make the transformation to TLR much more drastically than the other turtles. This isn’t just us that think this, though, as one of the main writer of The Last Ronin said this himself ( screenrant.com/tmnt-last-ronin-michelangelo-final-turtle-comics/ ). We never said he’s the worst turtle, we just said he’s the most laid back, which can be debatable but we don’t think it’s a controversial point to make. Also, it’s true Mikey is the most naturally gifted turtle. However, in the ONE instance where this idea is mentioned in the comments, Raph immediately follows it up with “you could have been the best. But you never had the heart for it”, showing Mikey’s lack of discipline when compared to the other turtles and his inability to make perfect use of his natural skill before the events of the last ronin. You still made a good point though, but again, we were just talking about it from a personality and character writing perspective and why the author made the choice they did. Also, I wouldn’t say Mikey is definitely a better fighter or ninja all around than Donnie. Regardless, I thank you for watching and especially commenting. I hope none of this came off as rude and you appreciate the discussion. Let me know if you still disagree so we can discuss!

[@spystar18]

Mikey is a goof ball tho

[@MrKingvenom77]

I knew from jump that it was Michaelangelo. For how the story was described, it made the most sense. It was a great story. I loved every moment of the graphic novel

[@willropa4226]

I think Mikey was the best choice for Last Ronin, but I could see Donnie becoming the Last Ronin. I'd imagine his story if he became Last Ronin would put the "Ninja" in TMNT front stage. He'd want justice for the deaths of his family, but knowing he wouldn't win physically like Leo or Raph would, he'd opt for the sneaky approach using elaborate traps and ironclad deception. I'd describe this transformation akin to Batman, you'd never know he's there unless he wanted you to know he was there and by that point it'd be too late. Oddly enough, I wouldn't see Raph being the Last Ronin. He does get angry at others, but we often look over that he gets angry at himself too, he blames himself is something goes wrong, how intense would that feeling get if he was the lone survivor of his family? He'd blame himself day in and day out that he was the cause of his family's death and that he isn't worthy of calling himself a ninja turtle, he'd hang up his sai and disappear, declaring all of the ninja turtles forever dead.

[@sambo416]

Ralph aintgoing quiet tho. He is going out in a blaze of glory murder suicide. He aint quiting or hanging it up. I could leo doing that and becoming a yoda type

[@ChuckBoss201]

Everyone seems to forget at the end of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 3 Michaelangelo was left behind with the scepter. He was the Last Ronin to return from feudal japan and when he came back he said "I don't think I'll ever laugh again". He was very sad and it wasn't just because of the girl. Even when his brothers cheered him up he was still so lost. They were legends then too. So as mad as people may be about Turtles 3 that's where the last ronin came from and why it was always Michaelangelo. 1st and Last. Nice guys finish last.. Alpha and Omega.

[@ASS-tb3mq]

Leo and Raph would’ve been too obvious cause they have the most interesting storylines and characters growth in countless tmnt comics

[@cubah1]

The 2003 and 2012 series both kinda tackled this subject with Donatello’s future episode, and the mad max type episodes in 2012.

[@Bomtombadi1]

I disagree with the last point. I think they explored Michaelangelo’s grief-driven revenge quite well. If you consider Mikey is the happiest and most at-ease when with his brothers, it makes most sense for him to be closed off and outwardly cold to the rest of the world, yet tormented and broken inside. He clearly absorbed the personas of his three brothers at the expense of his own. Mikey died when his brothers died.

[@MSigurdHall]

I honestly think they missed out by not making the last Ronin Slash. Being the outcast and the eventual adopted (sort of) brother to the other four, this could have made things very interesting instead of using one of the "regular" four brothers, and him trying to avenge the only ones who were truly his family would have had even more weight than any of the other four combined.

[@cronus7125]

Just wanted to be a nerd and say, I recently read the last ronin and there actually is a visual cue that hints Mikey is the the last ronin. In the first issue, before it’s revealed that it’s Mikey, you never see the last ronin using or even having nunchucks.

[@ADAM_CAMMA]

Donny or Mikey were the only two i felt that were going to give more to their characters with the transition from who they were to that Ronin. Both can fight, but being the samurai was never their MO. Raph and Leo, yeah, happily, one going for blood, the other going for honour. Both basically taking on the others traits. Having it be Mikey allows more character development, an introspective sense of regret for not preparing more, not being more serious, not going the extra mile as a student…. either way, i enjoyed the heck out of the series and hope a mini series can be made, 4-8 episodes, allow the thing to grow, not 90 minutes in a movie.

[@thedefinitiveopinion]

Good points! A mini series would be so good

[@gregzotter6189]

There have been other futures where turtles (other than Mikey) were the last one, such as Turtles in Time issue 4, which explores Future Donnie living in a world where his brothers were dead and the Shredder had won.

[@thedefinitiveopinion]

The idea has also been explored in another iterations. Even the ROTTMNT movie had this idea to some extent

[@kl.8513]

_If Leonardo was the last ronin that is next level badass_

[@blackvalio4060]

Mikey is better and more badass

[@kl.8513]

@@blackvalio4060 _Both are_

[@blackvalio4060]

@@kl.8513 not in this case no

[@SurgyShel]

@@blackvalio4060Leo’s already more skilled than Mikey so if he was the Last Ronin I’d be bad for his enemy’s ngl

[@blackvalio4060]

@@SurgyShel mikey has always had more talent from leo. If he was training like leo he always would of surpassed him. This story shows it

[@wakandansam7814]

They should have revealed that it was Mikey after they showed the others deaths, to add more suspense and it would go down the line until Mikey was the only one and then they revealed his identity

[@thedefinitiveopinion]

Yeah, this is something we can both agree on! But revealing it sooner is definitely just as good because sometimes the journey is better than the destination 🤷 Thanks for commenting!

[@jjrneptune]

The TMNT 2003 show had an episode “Same As It Never Was,” which was referenced in The Last Ronin, and in it, Donnie is the last turtle standing. It’s sorta like that what if’s already answered.

[@DealXGaming]

Well the only one who hasn't been the Last Ronin yet is Raph

[@thedefinitiveopinion]

The other ones have been the last ronin?

[@DealXGaming]

@@thedefinitiveopinion yes the last Surviving Turtle , Leo in the Rise movie for like a few seconds lol , Donatello in the IDW comics and 2003 series , and Mikey was the Last Ronin

[@eskanda3434]

Which is weird because the original story this is based on is a 1980w game where Raph is the Last Ronin in post apocalyptic world

[@MarthDragon]

Somewhere, there's a multiverse where The Last Ronin Donatello finds a way to team up with the other three turtles from their respective universes where they were The Last Ronan.

[@kowsdontski22]

Now they should make a one shot of TLR being Donnie. Or a trilogy of specials over a year

[@thedefinitiveopinion]

Would be sick

[@santhegemini]

as someone who’s favorite turtle has always been leo i gotta say mikey was the perfect and easily best choice for the last ronin. great story

[@jackreed1629]

Mickey was the little brother. The other 3 always filled the big brother role. Only makes sense they die first, leaving Mickey with survivors guilt. And the best outlet for guilt is pain and anger.

[@mitchellbailey6258]

They absolutely need to make a what if Donnie was the last ronin comic for like an anniversary of the original book or something.

[@vincentshadetree]

Another bonus segment, what if it was Casey Jones? There wouldn't be any mystery to who is the Last Ronin, but like Mikey the story could of seen Casey acting with more strategy and tactics, and even though he's not a bio brother, he is a brother to the Turtles and having him all alone to avenge them would of made for some interesting story telling, it would also give more emotional weight to April and Casey's daughter as well as April

[@fearthepiggaming2998]

Also they say on several occasions in several different media that Mikey is the most naturally skilled but he just doesn't apply himself you could see this as Mikey's full potential

[@Ahmadsaufi97]

The "What if" for Ralph in my thought was, he usually the first to rush into the enemies, but this time he listened to everyone on the consequences. So he stays and protects his family, but as the mission goes, one by one of his family was taken out and got ambushed, he is the only survivor and thats put him into a very depressing state and screaming he should be the first one to die among all of his family. But i agreed that the story will only heavily focus on Ralph development rather than TMNT as whole.

[@thedefinitiveopinion]

Either way, it would have made for a really cool story for any tmnt fan. I like the thought of Raph going through the survivors guilt and being fueled by tragedy and retribution! Thanks for watching + commenting!

[@hectorvergara3394]

I mean it’s not late they can still make a sort of “what if” series for the last ronin for every single one of them if you ask me just to see how every single one of them would handle the situation

[@desmonddaisey990]

Great Video!!!

[@thedefinitiveopinion]

Thank you so much for watching and especially for leaving a comment! We appreciate it!

[@Yarblocosifilitico]

Raphael: becomes a lone wolf, obsessed with training and completely closed off emotionally (kinda like Batman) Donatello: builds robotic versions of the turtles to help him (kinda like Iron Man) Leonard: recruits other people and leads a group of rebels (kinda like Cap) all would be cool and fun to see, but Mikey was definitely the right choice

[@thedefinitiveopinion]

They could have made it work with anyone. I hope we get to see alternate stories!

[@sambo416]

Raphael is wolverine not batman. Lone wolf violent with temper 3 stabby claws on each hand

[@Yarblocosifilitico]

@@sambo416 Sure, that's a fair comparison. But I said Batman to the insane world-wide training he did, which is what I feel Raphael would do in this scenario.

[@Babamarcus2632]

If Ralph was the last ronin it would have been Asura's wrath all over again

[@thedefinitiveopinion]

The book would have been 3 pages long 😭

[@pisces2569]

Leo never would have lived long enough to embrace his role as the last ronin. He would have committed seppuku

[@thedefinitiveopinion]

Agreed to be honest. Thanks for watching + commenting!

[@deadpoolnerd]

Ive never specifically read the last ronin. But overall knowing Ninja turtles, I like that Mikey is the last turtle. Because normally you'd expect it to either be Raphael or Leonardo in that role. I like it being Mikey having lost his brothers that could be argued were all beter than him in some facet. Donatello much smarter than Mikey, Raphael being the better fighter, and Leo being the better leader and tactical mind. Mikey having to excel push himself in his brothers names to avenge them. And eventually having a new crop to show the way like Splinter. Mikey has to be better to help embed those qualities into the next generation.

[@stylishmusic4012]

I think that the storyline could have also been this: Donnie's gadgets malfunction, leading to his brothers deaths and him taking his training more seriously thus mastering their weapons and fighting styles and that's why the ronin doesn't use much tech.

[@AYYYLMAOOOOO]

A what if mini series would be super cool for each turtle. For donnie he would probably produce a lot of tech and be some cyborg or something. For raphael I picture him being like Guts from black swordsman arc where he becomes very cold and ruthless. Leo would be interesting as he struggles to stay disciplined and his emotions conflict with his sense of stoicism.

[@aeroblader1951]

For the thumbnail which chapter was that that raph and Donnie were in?

[@benjaminjane93]

Because it makes the most sense for it to be Mikey. Raphael and Leo are the most obvious choices. We all know Leo is a badass and we all know Raph is the most tenacious one. Donny could be a good candidate but he has never really come across as someone who needed to "grow up" to me, and basically that has been Mikeys whole thing. Mikey as always been the most naturally gifted Turtle with the biggest flaw of being immature and taking nothing seriously. Which is why most cartoon iterations has this as his "metamorphis" moment, Mikey gets serious and wins the day while not losing his playful nature. So the Last Ronin begs the question "Who is Michaelangelo now that his brothers are gone?"

[@SuperGamefreak18]

anyway who watched the 03 series or even the oringal show/movies could have seen micky as the last ronin before the reveal because they did occaisonally play up his pros on occasion, especially 03 with that one alternate future when mikey lost an arm, he was the one that basically brought the team back together and was the last standing in that episode.

[@thedefinitiveopinion]

03 show is really amazing, been a while since we have fully seen it but those are some good catches! Thanks for commenting!

[@KRS2000]

I haven't read The Last Ronin, but from what I've heard, Mikey was the best choice. The youngest, happy-go-lucky turtle growing up fast in the wake of his brothers and Splinters deaths. Him shedding his party dude persona, to brutal warrior sounds like the best choice. Raph and Leo would make good choices, too, given their histories. Donnie, ehh, I can't see him fitting that title. However, Mikey was the best choice for being the last ronin. Now, I need to try and find this story.

[@ashortiz3632]

Road Hogs supplement to the TMNT RPG published by Palladium had Raphael as the last turtle. It made sense, but when I read Ronin, I was blown away.

[@FirstnameLastname-my7bz]

Mickey was also original Turtle since first ever Ninja Turtle had nunchucks, so it is just full circle thing. It is like Steve Gerber's Superman Elseworld story where it was Clark Kent that was launched into space by Jonathan and Martha and accidentally landed on Krypton and was found my Jor-El and Lara that named him Kal-El and had lifetime of living in a scuba tank and then walking always with exosuit to accomodate for more intense gravity of Krypton, then he comes back to Earth and has bulltproof skin and some moderate super strenght as a result of conditioning and life of hardships on Krypton, which is how 1933 "The Superman" originally was going to be, a human that got augmented with bulletproof skin and super strenght by experiment.

[@papafiendish6263]

Well in universe explanation would be that Mike is the most naturally talented one of the four, being held back by his need to goof around, the death of his brothers would give him focus and determination

[@willwidrick8039]

We could make the argument it should of been Leo but Mikey is the best choice in my opinion (even though Raph is my favorite) Mikey is the one you least expect and arguably the most popular turtle thus it makes total sense why they picked him

[@tjjordan4207]

Personally, this is one of those scenarios where any one of the turtles would have been equally a good choice for being the Last Ronin. No matter who it was going to be, the story and challenge had already been written by the concept itself. The surviving turtle was going to have to learn to ground himself without his brothers or master, learn from their weakness that were otherwise the strengths of the other brothers, and grow beyond who they were but in different ways for whoever it was going to be. That said, Mikey was a really good choice.

[@thedefinitiveopinion]

Really great point! There was really no going wrong as long as the base concept remained. Thanks for watching and commenting so thoughtfully!

[@ayoimakineth6053]

People always leave out Casey died too... respect for my boy

[@1OnlyOneOnlyOne1]

I heard that Mike is actually the most skilled out of the 4. It would make sense that he survived the brutal story line that took place.

[@sambo416]

I remember when mikey won the intergalatic tournament over the universe and his brothers

[@FelicianoBielschmidt]

Causes and Order of death of the Turtles if Raph was the last Ronin : 1 :Mikey (he would have followed raph to avenge splinter making him the one to drown/stabbed by karaï) 2: Leo (same death as the original comic) 3 : Donnie (same death as the original comic) Donnie was the last Ronin : 1 :Raph (same death as the original comic) 2: Mikey (would have died instead of Leo in the explosion in the original comic) 3: Leo (would have been the one to go in Japan with master spliter and die instead of donnie) Leo was the last Ronin : 1 :Raph (same death as the original comic) 2: Mikey (would have died instead of Leo in the explosion in the original comic) 3: Donnie (same death as the original comic)

[@TheBrokenOwl]

Now I wanna see a What If or Elseworld type of stories to see what each brother would be like if they were the Last Ronin

[@christopherballero866]

I'm glad that Mikey's the Last Ronin though I'd love it to be a movie especially if set as the end for the original trilogy. I'm aware that the 2007 movie is part of the trilogy but that didn't feel attached to the trilogy as besides for one brief screen moment there was no mention of the trilogy. The 2007 movie felt like it was part of the 2003-2007 show

[@vincem2320]

-Leo the talented leader -Raph the hotheaded muscle -Donnie the brains -Mikey the one with the most potential Mikey makes the most sense to be the last Ronin. On many occasions it’s implied that if Mikey actually took himself seriously or applied himself he’d be a great ninja, but majority of the time he doesn’t listen and is off in his own world. It’s bc he knows his brothers are there. When he actually loses them reality hits him and he starts on that path to maturity. Mikey as the last Ronin should represent the best of his family, I just wish they kept his sense of humor throughout the darkest moments of his life. He would’ve been the true embodiment of a TMNT

[@maddenboseroy4074]

You should redo this video now that "Lost Years" has finished its run.

[@thegodofslayerentertain2678]

They forgot other turtles to become Last Ronin 1: Leo becomes Last Ronin 2: Donnie Becomes Last Ronin 3: Raph Becomes Last Ronin 4: Becoming Last Ronin Together

[@MiKeYrUlEs1983]

What are you on?

[@GeorgeFloyd-iw8vn]

@@MiKeYrUlEs1983bros yapping 💀

[@roonis418]

I would love for them to do three other comics were the other brothers become the last ronin just to see how things would have turn out.

[@KingOfQuinns]

The problem with Raph as the last ronin is that he'd become a more level-headed character than the Last Ronin is. He'd become less of himself. Leo would break too much, feeling responsible for every last death, and would probably go through with the seppuku mikey was going to perform. Donetello would probably change to become more like Leo than himself, causing people to think he is Leo.

[@user-hb3sc3or2v]

Also its been stated multiple times that mikey had the greatest potential out of all of the turtles as well

[@herokayden206]

Leo is my favorite but I’ll admit it be not as powerful as a impact if he was the last ronin

[@thedefinitiveopinion]

Leo’s my favourite too and truthfully he is the perfect fit for the last ronin, which ironically makes him a non-perfect fit. Completely agree, it wouldn’t be as impactful as mikey!

[@raven_gamerpro1827]

Mikey had to become the last ronin because of his excitement and joy but without it he became serious showing his true potential

[@nicholasvanbrunt6631]

The TMNT the last ronin video game would be epic if they had alternate plays with each turtle as the last ronin.

[@happyfablesart]

If like that or at least you can play them as ghosts.

[@thedefinitiveopinion]

That would be sick!

[@nicholasvanbrunt6631]

@@happyfablesart I agree give us that at least

[@happyfablesart]

Kinda like in GTA when you switch characters but maybe when Mikey is at his lowest or nearly beat you can use their spirit to will you on.

[@replacementkillah]

Mikey...coward? Never.

[@snacksforall6839]

Man donatello would of been a great choice as he is the most stiff out the bunch . Then having to channel his inner mikey too become flexible enough to push without a plan

[@Nin_the_Shinobi]

Donatello would basically be superior Spider-Man mixed with saw Leo Snake eyes Raph Guts mixed with wolverine

[@dmarcum859dm]

I feel like it had to be mikey because of the gravity of how losing his brothers and father tore him apart. Such an amazing story for the series and yet so f-ing sad. Raph wouldn't work because his emotions would be his downfall, leo would go out trying to save everyone else because of his strong leadership qualities. Donatello has and always will be my favorite turtle, but i couldn't see him being the last because i feel, like leo, he would sacrifice himself to save another. It has to be Michelangelo

[@replacementkillah]

I think Mikey was optimal choice because he's the only one who could have gotten character development from it. Everyone else would've, forcall intents and purposes, still been themselves. Raph, the angry avenger; Leo the prestigious avenger; or Donnie the technical avenger. Mikey was the best choice to just become an avenger.

[@chriscjongeneelen2960]

Actually if you remember the pre-2016 Nickelodeon version of the series, the character used out of the 4 was vastly different than what the graphic book version noted, but then at least based in science and dimensional parallel universe variants any of the 4 could’ve set the role noted in at least one variant version of each variant of that story, just thought I’d share what my deceased friend who passed away in 2020 would’ve said from an example of time/ space dimensional universe variables in play split into each an variation of the story in general…and I’m sorry if this thought offends anyone, if so it’s unintentional….

[@cinemamadness6920]

I feel like it was Mikey because it's literally the last turtle you'd expect. He's arguably the most useless unskilled turtle on the team, so to have him survive over the obvious choices of Raph or Leo, is very compelling.

[@eskanda3434]

The original story this is based on is a old 1980s tmnt role playing game where Raph is the Last Ronin. Look it up

[@majinwar316]

Donnie was always my favorite personally but the last Ronin should've been Raph. He was always a loner and by losing his brothers he would've been forced into the life he always preferred rather than choosing the solo life willingly. By being the last, his character development would've been a story itself aside from the mitigating factors that led to his brothers' and Splinters death. Having Mikey as the last Ronin makes no sense at all and completely changes the character and the uniqueness of that character that every fan came to love.

[@nourshokr3291]

Can you guys do What Lantern corps would TMNT be in?

[@thedefinitiveopinion]

Sounds interesting! Do you mean the turtles as individuals or the team as a whole?

[@nourshokr3291]

Individuals. @@thedefinitiveopinion

[@JodenWood-mm7lx]

If it was Donnie I could see it more like a more rage filled batman with gadgets and techniques that could kill you

[@gatorcroc7212]

IDC; it should've been Donnie. Just like how he went to the future in the TMNT 2003-2009 series. And that was a perfect pre cursor Last Ronin episode

[@nyamdavaaoyun3818]

I cried so much when raph died and when leo died my heart broke and when Donnie and master splinter, my heart really broke and I cry so much and l feel so bad for. MichaelAngelo.

[@nyamdavaaoyun3818]

Me too

[@thedefinitiveopinion]

Me three

[@CorbinLeonard-rp4et]

Micanglo being it was always there. His brothers though he was a goofball so he becomeing not a goofball will poof that he is not a goofball

[@MiKeYrUlEs1983]

Who is Micanglo???

[@willsword8100]

Wait around 3:55, y'all mention Michelangelo being the first ninja turtle drawn. Is that true?

[@thedefinitiveopinion]

Yeah, it was confirmed by Eastman and Laird in some interviews: variety.com/2014/biz/news/comic-con-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-co-creator-selling-first-drawing-of-tmnt-for-2-mil-exclusive-1201267835/ - Link to the first drawing

[@GoldNEagle92]

Raph as The Last Ronin would probably play out similarly to Old Man Logan

[@yatzliahspacewalker720]

Its Mikey because he was said to have the most potential if he could focus.

[@SuperAtom360]

Kevin and Peter's favorite turtles are Ralph and Don and can't play favorites and Leo to obvious why Mike the last Roni but it works really well...... If Don was the last turtle he would become very involved in technology and science and try and bring his brother back for the dead... If Ralph was the last turtle he would become too depressed because he cares about his brother the most that is why he beat them up to strengthen them up... And if Leo was the last he would feel like he failed as a leader because he's too hard on himself... Mike works because it shows Mike grows into some a new the others don't work....

[@NfromMurderDrones323]

Me when I saw the title: Well, to simplify the answer, the writers wrote it.

[@thedefinitiveopinion]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zne2fIekmceqjNE go to 0:58

[@blackvalio4060]

Mikey simply works the best because of the extreme contrast to his known carefree personality. He was also always the most talented and just needed soemthing to make him concentrate on his training. Just so happens that it was the death of his family...

[@JeremyB8419]

Kinda just assumed it was because he's generally seen as the most incompetent, and, therefore, was the last one left.

[@Jaedon1981]

Well said. What is that ending music?!?

[@thedefinitiveopinion]

Our outro 😁

[@Jaedon1981]

@@thedefinitiveopinion , that's saved to my playlist, lol. Much appreciated! New subscriber.

[@thedefinitiveopinion]

😂 my bad, it’s in the description

[@Jaedon1981]

@@thedefinitiveopinion, no worries. Thanks still.

[@GCdevine1]

They should do each of the other Last Ronin turtle’s timelines and then have an event that brings each of them together to form the Last Ronins.

[@dominicdaduhamell]

They should make a series of each ninja turtle has the last ronin

[@thedefinitiveopinion]

Would be amazing but a lot of work from the writing team, would take them ages! Thanks for commenting!