TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES (2003 TV SERIES)

'''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles''' is an American animated television series set in New York City. It first aired on February 8, 2003 and marked the revival of the franchise by Fox, with the help of 4Kids Entertainment, as a Saturday morning cartoon in Fox's Fox Kids programming block (now known as 4Kids TV). The 2003 ''TMNT'' animated series was produced by Mirage Studios, which owns one third of the rights to the show. As of October 2005, it is the oldest American animated series on 4Kids TV.

Contents

Overview

Coloring

Fan reactions

The Lost Season

Fast Forward

Episodes

See also

Parodies

External links

Overview

The 2003 animated series deviates from the 1987 - 1996 animated series significantly. While still a Saturday morning cartoon, the show bears more resemblance to the original, "darker and edgier" comics, published by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird's Mirage Studios. Gone are a cartoony Shredder and his inept mutant/alien associates. Bebop and Rocksteady, Krang, the Technodrome and Dimension X are all absent from this series since they were not in the original comics and were created for the 1987 animated series, and Shredder is much more menacing and threatening than his previous cartoon incarnation. Also notable, is nearly the complete lack of pizza as the turtles' main meal, which was a main-stay in the 1987 cartoon series, including Michelangelo's insatiable appetite for them. In addition, there is a main plot and several sub-plots running through the series, revealing hints which will develop as the series unfolds. Although many of the episodes are stand-alone, each usually has a key element that relates to the plot as a whole; furthermore, there are frequent two-to-four-episode continuous stories.

In the 2003 cartoon show, the four Turtles personalities are in some ways different from the 1987 cartoon, they are an attempt to follow the Mirage comics more closely. All characters are more fleshed-out and more sensitive, and have a stronger family bond. Leonardo is more skillful and meditative than in the 1987 series (where he was slightly serious, but occasionally does silly things whenever his brothers do); episodes of the 2003 series that focus on The Shredder and ninjitsu also focus on Leonardo. Raphael is much angrier, more emotional, and sometimes cocky (in the 1987 show, he loves to make jokes and is more friendly), but is shown to deeply care about his family and friends on several occasions. Michelangelo and Donatello are the only turtles that haven't changed their personalities from the 1987 show. When the Turtles pair off, the most likely combinations are Leonardo and Donatello as one pair, and Michelangelo and Raphael as the other - often due to their personalities. Despite this, the show explores each relationship more with each season. One unique new trait is that major ''TMNT'' ally Casey Jones is given a larger supporting role, unlike the original 1987 series where he was just a minor recurring character, and the 2003 series also shows him having some romantic feelings towards the Turtles' other major ally April O'Neil (who also is a supporting character in this series) - just like in the original comic books and the first movie. The original show's catchphrase, "Cowabunga," has been joked about several times (with Raphael telling Michelangelo not to say "cowabunga" anymore). The "Turtle Power" catchphrase has been almost totally left out of the 2003 series. "Let's get the shell outta here!" is more prominent.
In the 2003 ''TMNT'' cartoon, as in the original comic, Splinter, the Turtles' sensei and father, is depicted as a rat who has been mutated to a humanoid form, instead of a man who has been mutated to rat form as in the 1987 ''TMNT'' cartoon. Baxter Stockman is African American (as is his comic incarnation) instead of Caucasian, and April is initially his lab assistant and later the owner of an antique shop, instead of an anchorwoman. She has also been studying Ninjitsu under Splinter, and is now capable of holding her own in a fight. The character Leatherhead, who in the 1987 show was an evil, cajun-sounding mutant alligator with limited intelligence, in the 2003 show is a highly intelligent mutated crocodile whose origin involves the Utroms, prefers peace but becomes violent when provoked, and is considered by the Turtles and Splinter to be family.
The 2003 series, aside from showcasing new twists on familiar characters, introduces several secondary characters from the comics; such as Renet, a time traveller in training with the personality of a valley girl; The Fugitoid, a robot whose mind is that of the scientist Professor Honeycutt; The Triceratons, a race of Triceratop humanoids who desire galactic conquest; and most Karai, leader of the Foot Clan in Japan, and adopted daughter and heir to the Shredder.
As the relationships and dynamics of the Turtles grow and mature over the 4.5 year run of the series, so does the legacy and the identity of the Shredder. His origins, while similar to his original comic incarnation and the version of the character from the 1987 show, differ considerably so. Clues and revealations throughout the series tie every facet of the Shredder persona into the origins of both the Turtles and their heritage. This is seen in the first two seasons and the fifth and lost season, which centers around the threat of the one, true Shredder being reborn.

Coloring

The character coloring in the new cartoon series is somewhat different from that in the old cartoon series. Each of the Turtles has a unique skin coloring in the new show, unlike the old show wherein they were all the same tint of green. In the new animated series, Leonardo is a basic green (much like the 1987 original), Raphael is dark green, Michelangelo is dark green-blue, and Donatello is a yellowish olive-green. It should be noted that these color schemes are very different from the color schemes within both the original and 2003 toylines, which have remained similar. In the toys, Leonardo is olive green, Michelangelo is sea green, Donatello is brownish with a hint of green, and Raphael is basic green.
They also have their favorite colors on their weapon-handles. In the 1987 show, they all had white-tan on their weapon handles, but now in the 2003 show you can tell who has what weapon by looking at the color on the weapon. Also, the bands on their wrists, elbows, and knee-caps are brown, similar to the original comic book series and films. In the 1987 show, they were all the personal favorite colors of the turtles (like their bandanas, in fact their bandanas are shorter in the 1987 show). On their belts in the 1987 show, the turtles have their own first letter. In the 2003 show, it's just a knot in front of their belts.
In addition, the Turtles' eyes are drawn without irides in the 2003 version, only when they had their masks on, similar to most drawings of Batman.
Splinter is a grey, not brown, rat, with brown robes instead of magenta ones. April O'Neil has long red hair instead of short auburn hair.

Fan reactions

The various plotlines and story arcs of the 2003 ''TMNT'' animated series culminated in a way many fans of the franchise never expected. Peter Laird, who had considerable input in the new series, introduced radical new origins for the Shredder, making him a criminal alien Utrom at war with his peaceful race. The decision to make him an alien sparked controversy among some fans.
The 2003 ''TMNT'' animated series has often endured unfavorable criticisms from some fans of the 1987 ''TMNT'' animated series (citing less likeable characters and the use of a new, less exciting theme song), and the video games based on this series have endured the same criticisms. However, it has also been widely praised, especially by fans more loyal to the comics than to the 1987 series, for its character development, more consistent animation, daring plot twists, and more consistent story arc, which often follows the Mirage comic books closely. Many think this series is similar in plot and style to Fox Kids shows like ''. The 2003 ''TMNT'' animated series, nonetheless, is considerably more violent and grim than the 1987 ''TMNT'' animated series. Also, the Turtles often employ euphemisms through their use of the word "shell" in place of "hell" or "shit" (e.g., "What the shell was that?"; "Ah, shell.").
For the fourth season, the opening has been changed to be more like the theme song for the 1987 animated series. While the basic music is the same, the lyrics and tempo have been change to add a quick one-sentence description of each ninja turtle, and identify the new villain, the Shredder having been defeated the season before, hence the lyric change from "Watch out for Shredder!" to "We shredded Shredder!" This second intro was met with mixed reactions from both sides of ''TMNT'' fandom. The title sequence again changed back to "Watch out for Shredder!" upon the premiere of the episode "Prodigal Son", after Saki's adopted daughter, Karai, assumes the mantle of her fallen father's armoured identity.

The Lost Season

Dan Berger, TMNT comic writer, and correspondent to the fanbase, confirmed that Peter Laird and his staff had been working hard on a fifth season for the show that would have resolved the "Ninja Tribunal" storyline introduced in the season four finale, producing thirteen episodes in total, but it was shelved in favor of the "Fast Forward" concept for the following season. This "lost season" began airing selected episodes on 4kids' on demand channels, beginning on August 9 2006, but the episodes have since vanished. Dan Berger later confirmed in November that the Lost Season has been pulled from the Comcast services, and that the DVD release has also been postponed, with at least one episode ("Nightmares Recycled") pulled from production due to sensitive issues (it dealt in a small way with the theme of conjoined twins). The season had a Region 4 release on March 8, 2007. This release lacks the first episode of the arc, "The Ninja Tribunal", which was not included with the Region 1 fourth season releases, having been delayed so as to release the entire storyline in a discrete set. However "The Ninja Tribunal" was later included in the region 4 dvd of season 4 when it was released on July 4.
As seen in Fast Forward, the events portrayed in the Lost Season are still canonical, despite the episodes not being aired.
On June 25, 2007, Berger announced that 4Kids TV will be airing "most or all" the Lost Season episodes (excluding "Nightmares Recycled", which will not be completed), beginning in January 2008.

Fast Forward

Fast Forward is the name given to the “all new series” produced by 4Kids as a continuation to the TMNT 2003 series. Taking place after the fifth, unaired season, it follows the adventures of the Ninja Turtles and Splinter as they are accidentally transported one hundred years into the future by 'Cody Jones', great grandson of Casey Jones and April O’Neil, and heir to the O’Neil Tech business empire.
Despite following and acknowledging the previous series, Fast Forward abandons most of its characters and storylines in favor of mostly completely original ones, such as 'Darius Dun', Cody’s manipulative uncle and guardian; 'Sh’Okanabo', shape-shifting would-be world conqueror; intergalactic mercenary 'Torbin Zixx'; and 'Jammerhead', the cyborg leader of the 'Street Phantoms' gang. Aside from the turtles and Splinter, the only character from previous returning in 2105 is 'Agent Bishop', who has since become president of the Pan-Galactic Alliance (a galaxy-spanning version of the United Nations).
Taking place mostly in 2105 New York City, the series deals mainly with plots such as Sh’Okanabo’s attempts to unleash the “Day of Awakening”, the Turtles’ attempts to expose Darius Dun’s criminal activities, acclimate to their new home and to return to their own time, and Cody Jones’ growth. Due to the multispecies population of the future, the Turtles are now free to move about openly and interact with everyday people. The season is lighter in tone and less violent than previous ones, with a greater emphasis on jokes.
Fast Forward spans one 26-episode-long season. Although work had begun on producing a ten episode long follow-up season, (which would have included, among other things, an appearance by Stan Sakai’s Space Usagi, a descendant of recurring TMNT character Miyamoto Usagi), the series has since been discontinued, with the final six episodes of the original 26 to air in the fall.
Recently, 4Kids pitched a revamp of the series to Peter Laird. The initial proposal was given the 'thumbs down' by Laird [1]. A new proposal has since been accepted, although no details of this new series have been released.
Dan Berger, webmaster of NinjaTurtles.com, has stated that linking animation is being created to connect the last episode of Fast Forward to the first episode of the new series, which will begin in the Fall of 2008.

Episodes

Main articles: List of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2003) episodes

Season	Ep #	First Airdate	Last Airdate
	26	February 8, 2003	November 1, 2003
	26	November 8, 2003	October 2, 2004
	26	October 9, 2004	April 23, 2005
	26	September 10, 2005	April 15, 2006
	12	August 7, 2006	May, 2008
	26	July 29, 2006	Fall, 2007

See also

★ List of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2003) episodes

★ Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2003) DVD releases

★ Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Character Guide

Parodies

Various parodies and references to other media works have been found throughout the series.

Screenshot	Episode	Parody Description
	133	The Simpsons on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Fast Forward 16: ''Timing Is Everything''
	134	The title, Enter the Jammerhead, is a spoof of the action flick Enter the Dragon. Jammerhead uses the Kamehameha Wave, Goku's signature technique from the Dragonball manga. Ironically the voice actor, Sean Schemmel, is also the voice of adult Goku in the Dragonball Z and GT series. One of the lines is a quote from the "Star Wars" movie, "A New Hope"; "...A wretched Hive of Scum and Villany".

★ In Meet Casey Jones Casey Jones (Banging a hockey stick on a trashcan): Purple Dragons, come out to pay!
This is a reference to the movie '[The Warriors]' when Luther (who looks kind of like Casey Jones, hair at least) says the same thing to call out the Warriors, in his case with empty glass bottles. Also, Mikey spoofs "Field of Dreams" with the Line, "Donnatello...If you build it, we will ride!"

★ In The Way of Invisibility Michaelangelo: And that's how they defeated The Thing That Wouldn't Leave!
That's in reference to an old Saturday Night Live skit of the same name, when a house guest seriously overstays his welcome. Casey Jones: "Cloking devices. What are they, Klingons?
The Klingons are a warrior race that has appeared in most, if not all, Star Trek series and have the ability to cloak(hide from view)their space ships.

★ In The Shredder Strikes Michaelangelo says "Leonardo, You Got Some Explaining To Do this is a reference to I Love Lucy.
Michaelangelo call Shredder The Shredinator a reference to The Terminator

★ The The Shredder Strikes Backs is a play on the Empire Strikes Back

★ In Search for Splinter Casy says: ATTICA! ATTICA! a reference to Dog Day Afternoon Mikey: Whoa, Matrix city! Michelangelo points out the visual similarity between the stasis pods that he and the other turtles find Splinter in and the human battery farms from the The Matrix film trilogy. The guy on the elevator says "Newman" just like Jerry Seinfeld says it on Seinfeld

★ In Several of the characters throughout this episode--notably the pilots Honeycutt points out (Han Solo and Chewbacca look-a-likes) and the small, Jawa-like aliens in the marketplace--are visual allusions to Star Wars characters

★ In Turtles in Space The Trouble with Triceratons The episode's title is a spoof on the classic Star Trek episode title, "The Trouble With Tribbles."

★ In Raphael: "Spoon!"
"Spoon!" was the war-cry of the super-hero, the Tick.

★ In Michaelangelo: "Don't get cocky kid!"
While fleeing from the Triceraton fleet in the Prime Leader's ship, Raphael and Michaelangelo get into a pair of weapons emplacements reminiscent of the Millenium Falcon's quad batteries. When Raphael cheers following the destruction of a Triceraton fighter, Mikey says the same line Han Solo said in the original Star Wars during the space battle between the Millenium Falcon and a group of TIE fighters Michaelangelo: "Mr. Sulu. Ahead, Warp Factor-"
Said by Michaelangelo right after getting in the cpatain's chair on the Prime Leader's ship. Obvious Star Trek: TOS reference

★ In Secret Origins Donatello: "Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Neo!! Um, I mean Leo!"
This is a reference to "The Matrix" movies. In those films, the hero Neo had the ability to manipulate the reality of the virtual reality world of The Matrix. In this episode, Leonardo was easily able to manipulate the Utron's VR world (using his mind to will the Sword of Tengu into his hands), thus making him similar to Neo in this case.

★ In Reflections Michaelangelo: "What you talkin' 'bout Willis!?"
This quote is in reference to the catch phrase of Arnold (Gary Colman) from Diffrent Strokes. Michelangelo: {In a Darth Vader sort of voice} "Join me Leonardo! I am your father!" This is a qoute at the end of the Star Wars movie: "The Empire strikes back, only not really what was said.

★ In City at War Michaelangelo: "You got it Hoss"
Hoss is the name of one of the main characters in the western rancher show Bonanza. Don wanted Mikey to 'heard' the robot over towards the electrical lines. Michaelangelo: "Captain America, eat your heart out!"
Captain America has been a staple of Timley/Marvel Comics since 1941. A patriotic super soldier, Captain America has fought in both World War 2 and present day with only his shield and his courage.

★ In April's Artifact April: "Get away from him, you witch!"
After having already made a "Preadtor" reference (thwarting the opponent by covering yourself with mud), this episode also makes a reference to the "Aliens" movie franchise, when April cries out this quote while saving Raphael from the hornet queen - a reference to the famous quote made by Sigourney Weaver's character in the movie, "Aliens," when saving a little girl from the alien queen: "Get away from her, you bitch".

★ The episode Space Invaders is named after the game.

★ In Worlds Collide Agent Bishop calls the Turtles "Mr. Anderson" a reference from Agent Smith from the Matrix for Bishop resembles. The Fugitoid's body is shot off into space much like Spock's body was in The Search for Spock

★ In I, Monster the title is obviously a parody of Isaac Asimov's book "I, Robot." The sound effects when the Rat King jumps are taken from The Bionic Man.

★ In Hunted the Hunter's robot resembles R2D2 from Star Wars.

★ In Hun on the Run the lobby Hun runs into shooting resembles the lobby from the Matrix also the Train Station where the Turtles fight Agent Bishop is similar to the one where Neo fought Agent Smith in the Matrix.

★ In A Tale of Master Yoshi Hamoto Yoshi's wears yellow clothes with black pattern lines a reference to the suit Bruce Lee wore in Game of Death

★ In Future Shellshock! While Michelangelo is being tossed between flying cars, he lands on a windshield of a car being flown by a brown pig with a purple mohawk and purple glasses. This cameo's appearance is an indirect homage to Bebop, a henchman of Shredder from the original 1987 TMNT cartoon series. Bebop had more of a 1980's style to his design, though, including piercings and a ponytail. Serling: I pity the fool. This phrase was used often by "Mr. T" of "A-Team" fame. The Turtles and Master Splinter lose all their clothes when they are transported to the future. This is also a salute towards The Terminator movies. In the movie trilogy, nothing that was inorganic(like clothes) could go through the time machine. That's why all travelers appear naked when they first appear, and Terminator robots are entirely coated in organically grown flesh. Serling also says Arnold's line "Come with me if you want to live"

★ In Home Invasion At the beginning of the episode, Leonardo fights a whole bunch of short guys. They all look similar to Link, the hero from the Legend of Zelda game series.
The next guy they fight looks alot like a more primal Ganondorf, the main villian in the same series of games. The program simulation with cow cowboys is a nod to the cartoon Wild West C.O.W.boys of Moo Mesa.

★ A Triceraton gang leader seen in multiple episodes is named Boss Zuko, which is a reference to either Danny Zuko, the main character in the gang-themed musical Grease, or Tony "Boss" Zucco, a thug or mafia boss from the Batman comic series, responsible for murdering the parents of Dick Grayson.

★ Splinter's favorite soap opera is "As the Universe Turns", a nod to the real soap opera "As the World Turns".

★ In The Gaminator The Gaminator is probably a spoof name out of The Terminator Trilogy. Mikey mentions Super Fabio Brothers an obvious pun of Nintendo's Super Mario Bros. The Arcade game "Shell Invaders" is a play on "Space Invaders"

★ In the episode, "Graduation of class 2105" Michelangelo destroys a video game that closely resembles, the "Halo series" and "Space Invaders".

★ In the episode "The Cosmic Completist", Mikey has an action figure that closely resembles Cyborg from Teen Titans, though the costume isn't the same.

★ When the Turtles are in New Times Square in "Timing is Everything", a poster for ''Alien of the Opera'' can be seen, an obvious parody of ''Phantom of the Opera''.

★ Constable Biggles' catchprhase included the phrase "What's all this then?", a stereotype of the British London "Bobby" constable popularized in comedies such as Monty Python's Flying Circus.

External links

★ 4Kids TV Ninja Turtles site

★ Official ''Ninja Turtles'' website

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★ ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2003)'' at the Big Cartoon DataBase