The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 
have gone through another mutation for their new animated series. Airing on Nickelodeon, the new cartoon, Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, has revamped the fab four. Not only are their looks and personalities changed, this time each turtle is a different species of turtle. I am not even sure if species was addressed in the original cartoon. One of biggest changes is the change of leadership; this time around the leader is Raphael instead of Leonardo.
Since there is a new show naturally there are new toys. Produced by Playmates, who have been producing TMNT toys since 1988, these new toys are a bit different than the ones you used to own. The new Turtles are a bit more stylized making them easier to identify without trying to remember which turtle wore which color (I know you just recited who wore what). These new turtles have multiple points of articulation which in my opinion makes for more enjoyable play time.
Our partners over at the Red Cup Review were given the assignment to do the video review and they gave the task to their youngest staff members Grayson and Zoey. Frankly, if you want an honest review ask a child. The video is funny and extremely well done but we have come to expect no less from the Red Cup Review.
The four turtles, as you know, are named for four famous artists, Raphael, Leonardo, Donatello and Michelangelo. As I mentioned before, in Rise of the TMNT each turtle is a different species and each uses a different weapon.
Michelangelo is the “Wild Card” of the group. His figure has approximately 13 points of articulation. These are:
• Head
• Shoulders
• Elbows
• Wrists
• Hips
• Knees
• Ankles
Michelangelo comes with a fair amount of accessories one: a length of chain with a weight on the end called a Kusari-Fundo, Iron Fist weapon, a three-sectioned staff and two ninja throwing stars. Michelangelo also has his skateboard and a sticker sheet of graffiti .
Next up is Leonardo who is considered “The Trickster.” Leonardo has the same number of moveable joints as his brothers. These are:
• Head
• Shoulders
• Elbows
• Wrists
• Hips
• Knees
• Ankles
Leonardo doesn’t come with as many accessories but he doesn’t need an arsenal because he is that cool. As for what weapons, Leonardo comes with a dagger sword, two throwing stars and a odachi sword which translates into “great” or “large sword.” Leonardo also comes with his very own skateboard.
Raphael is “The Muscle” of the group and has approximately 13 points of articulation. They are:
• Head
• Shoulders
• Elbows
• Hips
• Knees
• Ankles
This figure is the one I think has gone through the most elaborate of changes from the past incarnation. Raphael is not only the strongest of the group he is now the leader. Missing are Raphael’s sai which have been replaced with tonfa batons. Raphael also comes with two throwing stars and a pair of translucent power-up fists.
Last on our list (but not in our hearts) is Donatello who is “The Tech Wiz” of the group. Donatello like his siblings has a great amount of poseability. His points of articulation are:
• Head
• Shoulders
• Elbows
• Wrists
• Hips
• Knees
• Ankles
Being a soft-shell turtle Donatello relies on tech to help him in battle. His accessories are: two Tech-Bo staves, two throwing stars and a Battle Drone (called Sheldon) that you can attach to his back.
Everyone knows that the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are heroes and every hero needs a villain. One of the bad guys that the Turtles must face is Baron Draxum “The Maker of Mutants.” This figure is highly poseable like the turtles. His points of articulation are:
• Head
• Shoulders
• Elbows
• Wrists
• Hips
• Knees
Baron Draxum also comes with two little mutant creatures.
Suggested retail is 8.99 for these new turtles and they are available wherever toys are sold.
Don’t forget to pop over to the Playmates’ website to see what else is available in the Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle line.
Our thanks goes out to Playmates for the product and to our partners over at the Red Cup Review. Follow them on Youtube on their channel, use this link.
