The appeal and reviews of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Recommendations for modern anime fans

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Heroes of New York

Overview

"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" is a TV anime series that aired on TV Tokyo from 2007 to 2008. It is based on a manga by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, animated by Dongwoo Animation, and produced by TV Tokyo and Shogakukan Productions. The series has 52 episodes, each 30 minutes long, and tells the story of four mutant turtles battling evil in the sewers of New York.

■ Story

In the city of New York, four turtles are exposed to a mysterious liquid called Mutangen and become bipedal mutants. The Turtles are raised by their former mutant and mouse master Splinter like his own children, and live in a sewer lair, learning martial arts from him. Together with their friends, including former scientist April and righteous Casey Jones, the Turtles fight against the evil Shredder's Foot Clan, who are plotting world domination.

■Explanation

"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" is an action-packed film that revolves around the fight against the Foot Clan. It depicts the charm of each individual character of the turtles, the difficulties they face, and the stories of their growth as they overcome them. The realistic depiction of the streets and sewers of New York also draws viewers in.

■Cast

• Leonardo: Tetsuya Kakihara
• Raphael: Eiji Miyashita
• Michelangelo: Anri Katsu
• Donatello: Yuji Ueda
• Sprinter: Shoto Kashii
• April: Yuko Kato
• Casey Jones: Tokua Kawashima
• Shredder: Hidenari Ugaki
• Han: Nobuyuki Kobushi

■ Main staff

• Written by: Kevin Eastman, Peter Laird
• Animation production: Dongwoo Animation
• Sound Production: Shigeru Chiba
• Audio editing: Yo Yamada
• Recording: Sayaka Ninomiya
• Sound Production Manager: Masahiro Ono
• Recording studio: Aoi Studio
• Recording production: HALF H・P ​​STUDIO
• Planning: Sadao Asaga (TV Tokyo), Susumu Anzai (Shogakukan Productions)
• Casting cooperation: Yuko Tsugane
• Producers: Shinichi Iwata (TV Tokyo), Kenji Sumitomo (Shogakukan Productions)
• Produced by: TV Tokyo, Shogakukan Productions

■ Main Characters

• Leonardo: The leader of the Turtles. He is calm, serious, and full of a sense of justice.
• Raphael: The Turtles' attack leader. He has a short temper and is quick to get angry, but he also cares for his friends.
• Michelangelo: The mood maker of the Turtles. He is humorous and a joker, and loves TV and manga.
• Donatello: The brains behind the Turtles. He is good with computers and contributes to the technological side of things, such as inventing vehicles for the Turtles.
• Splinter: The Turtles' foster parent and mentor. A martial arts master, he was originally a rat kept as a pet by a martial arts master.
• Casey Jones: A sportsman who uses sports equipment as weapons. He teams up with the Turtles to fight the Foot Clan.
• April O'Neil: A former scientist who is helped by the Turtles and begins working with them.
• Shredder: The boss of the Foot Clan who plots world domination. A martial arts master, he is the Turtles' greatest enemy.
• Han: Shredder's right-hand man, he plays an important role in commanding the Purple Dragons.
• Foot Soldiers: Foot Clan combat soldiers who follow Shredder's orders.

■ Main robot items

Turtles: They were originally just normal turtles, but one day they were exposed to a liquid called mutangen and mutated into bipedal mutants.

■Subtitle

• Episode 1: Shock! The Turtle Ninja Appears (2007/04/02)
• Episode 2: Dr. Stockmann's Conspiracy (2007/04/09)
• Episode 3: Destroy the Mouser Robot (2007/04/16)
• Episode 4: Friend or Foe? Casey Jones (2007/04/23)
• Episode 5: Immortal!? Nano Monsters Attack (2007/04/30)
• Episode 6: Recover the Tengu Sword (2007/05/07)
• Episode 7: The Invisible Enemy (2007/05/14)
• Episode 8: Save Casey Jones (2007/05/21)
• Episode 9: Beat the Garbage Guys (2007/05/28)
• Episode 10: Attack! The Evil Shredder Part 1 (2007/06/04)
• Episode 11: Attack! The Evil Shredder Part 2 (2007/06/11)
• Episode 12: Michelangelo is a superhero!? (2007/06/18)
• Episode 13: Pursue the Mystery of the Crystal Part 1 (2007/06/25)
• Episode 14: Pursue the Mystery of the Crystal Part 2 (2007/07/02)
• Episode 15: Pursue the Mystery of the Crystal Part 3 (2007/07/09)
• Episode 16: Donatello and the Mysterious Painter (2007/07/16)
• Episode 17: Shredder's Revenge Part 1 (2007/07/23)
• Episode 18: Shredder's Revenge Part 2 (2007/07/30)
• Episode 19: Come Back to Life! Leonardo (2007/08/06)
• Episode 20: The Turtles are Monsters!? (2007/08/13)
• Episode 21: Clash! Arch-enemy Shredder Part 1 (2007/08/20)
• Episode 22: Clash! Arch-enemy Shredder Part 2 (2007/08/27)
• Episode 23: Clash! Arch-enemy Shredder Part 3 (2007/09/03)
• Episode 24: The Adventures of Raphael (2007/09/10)
• Episode 25: Finding Mr. Splinter Part 1 (2007/09/17)
• Episode 26: Finding Mr. Splinter Part 2 (2007/09/24)
• Episode 27: The Mysterious Planet Doonib (2007/10/01)
• Episode 28: Allied Forces vs. Triceratops (2007/10/08)
• Episode 29: The Reality of the Triceraton Republic (2007/10/15)
• Episode 30: Gladiator Turtles!? (2007/10/22)
• Episode 31: Battle for the Fugitoid!! (2007/10/29)
• Episode 32: The Secret of Utrom Part 1 (2007/11/05)
• Episode 33: The Secret of Utrom Part 2 (2007/11/12)
• Episode 34: The Secret of Utrom Part 3 (2007/11/19)
• Episode 35: Journey to the Past (2007/11/26)
• Episode 36: The Ultimate Ninja (2007/12/03)
• Episode 37: Nanomonsters Return!! (2007/12/10)
• Episode 38: Another Mutant (2007/12/17)
• Episode 39: The Underground City Returns (2007/12/24)
• Episode 40: City War Part 1 (2008/01/07)
• Episode 41: City War Part 2 (2008/01/14)
• Episode 42: City War Part 3 (2008/01/21)
• Episode 43: Crush Jankrantis! (2008/01/28)
• Episode 44: The Lost Golden Pack (2008/02/04)
• Episode 45: Another Sprinter!? (2008/02/11)
• Episode 46: Shredder vs. Triceraton! (2008/02/18)
• Episode 47: The Mystery of the Puzzle Cube! (2008/02/25)
• Episode 48: Legendary Hero! Justice Force (2008/03/03)
• Episode 49: Battle Nexus Tournament Part 1 (2008/03/10)
• Episode 50: Battle Nexus Tournament Part 2 (2008/03/17)
• Episode 51: Battle Nexus Tournament Part 3 (2008/03/24)
• Episode 52: Battle Nexus Tournament Part 4 (2008/03/31)

■ Theme songs and music

• OP1: Wind of Passion
  • Lyricist: Joya Uenaka
  • Composed by: THE Inazuma Sentai
  • Arrangement: Yoshiaki Shirai & THE Inazuma Sentai
  • Song: THE Inazuma Sentai
• OP2: PERMANENT VACATION
  • Lyricist: Kentaro Sekiya
  • Composer: Tomoo Osumi
  • Arrangement: Tomoo Osumi, Shinichi Itakura
  • Sung by: UNDER THE COUNTER
• OP3: Everybody
  • Lyrics: Metis, SPEECH, WISE, JAMIL
  • Composer: Koma2 Kaz, Jeff Miyahara
  • Sung by: Turtles 4 feat. Metis, SPEECH, WISE, JAMIL
• ED1: Summer Fighter
  • Lyricist: Mezaki Kiyotora
  • Composer: Mezaki Kiyotora
  • Song: Kamogawa
• ED2: The end of summer is still here
  • Lyricist: Satoshi Okada
  • Composer: Satoshi Okada
  • Arrangement: Satoshi Okada, Motoki Matsuoka
  • Sung by: THE LOCAL ART
• ED3: Fighting Spirit
  • Lyricist: Ryoji Sonoda
  • Composer: Nozomi Matsui, Ryoji Sonoda
  • Arrangement: Nozomi Matsui
  • Vocals: Mirai Drive
• ED4: Fall in love!
  • Lyricist: ROLLY
  • Composer: ROLLY
  • Arrangement: ROLLY
  • Sung by: Kimeru

■ Evaluation and impressions

"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" has been highly praised for faithfully recreating the appeal of the original work while adding new elements that are unique to animation. In particular, the growth of each of the turtles' characters, the difficulties they face, and the process of overcoming them are carefully depicted, deeply moving viewers. Another highlight is the realistic depiction of New York's streets and sewers, making it visually appealing.

The voice actors for the characters are also excellent, especially Tetsuya Kakihara as Leonardo and Eiji Miyashita as Raphael, who succeed in bringing out the individuality of their characters. Also, don't miss the powerful performance of Hidenari Ugaki as Shredder. As for the music, the theme songs and insert songs liven up the atmosphere of the work, enriching the viewing experience.

■ Recommendation points

"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" is a recommended entertainment film that the whole family can enjoy. Children will be touched by the adventures and friendship of the Turtles, and adults will be able to empathize with the deep story and character growth. In addition, the powerful action scenes and the depiction of the New York cityscape are full of highlights, so you can enjoy the visual enjoyment.

Furthermore, this work will satisfy fans of the original work, and while firmly incorporating the essence of the original work, it also offers new perspectives to existing fans by adding new interpretations and developments. This is a work that should be watched not only by anime fans, but also by fans of the original work.

■ Related Products

There are also many Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles-related products, including DVDs, Blu-rays, figures, and character goods. The Turtles figures in particular are made with great attention to detail and are popular with collectors. The original comics are also being re-evaluated, and related books are also recommended.

Conclusion

"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" is a wonderful work that inherits the charm of the original while adding new elements unique to animation. The adventures and friendship of the Turtles, as well as the difficulties they face and the process of overcoming them are carefully depicted, deeply moving the viewer. It is recommended as entertainment that the whole family can enjoy, and as a satisfying content for fans of the original work. Please give it a watch.