The OG animated series and the first live-action versions are the goats in my book currently, but there's been fun ones in some of the other shows and movies too
1987: S Red sky: B 1990: S Secret of the ooze: A TMNT III: D Specials: F Next Mutation: F 2003: S Fast Forward: B Back to the sewers: C Turtles Forever: B 2007: A 2012: C Bay Turtles: D Rise: D Batman vs TMNT: C 2023: A
Fr, especially when it comes to ROTTMNT. The only complaints and criticism that I hear about the designs (and the show in general) is that it's different. Which is not a bad thing at all (at least in this case). In fact, it just shows how much love and creativity was put into ROTTMNT. Instead of copy and paste designs, they came up with something more refreshing and even more cooler looking imo. If the tmnt community doesn't like the designs, they should at least acknowledge the love that was put into them. The crew did an amazing job and I wish more people appreciated their work more.
This might be a of hot take but I actually love the Pirate style headband for Raphael, it really fits his gruff and tough personality so well ,and personally I hope they keep giving him that headband to him in newer versions too
Personally, I think it only works when Raph himself is big, like in the Bay movies or Rise. In the case of Mutant Mayhem and the Fortnite skin, it doesn't work as well.
Im gonna be honest im not a fan of the copy and paste turtles with different colors and weapons The more recent designs like 2018 are S tier , you can tell his personality just by one look at him, he’s the muscle of the group hes rash and rowdy and snappy like a, well snapping turtle It just expands on the base concept really well and the fact that you can tell how he carries himself with one glimpse is a sign on good character design
Fun fact that you missed about 90s Raph, he actually has a few injuries on the back of his shell if you look closely. It's not noticeable when you're not paying attention, but I think it's a great detail.
For me rise Raph is S tier, I love the snapping turtle idea because snapping turtles are very aggressive, and I just relate to that Raphael being the older brother.
Raphael in Rise looks so cringe to me. I like the idea of the snapping turtle Raphael but to me the whole show in general is a step down comparable to Teen Titans 2003 to Teen Titans Go. Cringe unbearable episodes. #notmyturtles. same with the new ninja turtle movie except the movie is a lot worse and unwatchable.
Me too :) I think most people like the formula to stay the same, which is 1000% understandable, but I like the unique and creative twists. I think Rise does a great job of taking a bunch of liberty with design and characterization and STILL making me think "this is Ninja Turtles" in the end. Nostalgia is good, but new and different isn't bad either. The inclusion of both the old and the new in Rise is reeeeeaalllyyy facinating and satisfying to me. Raph's design in particular, I love the shapes and angular spikiness and bulk. It's a very satisfying look to me as an artist. Plus I love that he's huge haha, I personally quite enjoy that new element and the dynamic with his brothers
the Michael Bay Raph is my favorite. I always liked how he was larger than the other turtles. I also like how each turtle is noticeably different looking, making them more unique. prob my fav tmnt look.
I love the last 4 Raph design. 2012 Raph really was a great design, short and defined, with those green eyes. One of my favorite parts of the show. Rise is so much fun, stylized and ginormous. I wouldn't recommend ever doing something like that again, but it is actually my favorite Raph design ever. The Batman design was really gruff looking, really adds to the Raphael vibes, and looked cool in that style. The Mutant Mayhem one is my 3rd favorite, also very stylized. He was visibly more muscular than his brothers, which added to it a lot.
I'm gonna be bias when I say that my favourite design is the original 2003 Raph. It's classic, simplistic and looks strong. I just love the design. And I do agree that the full head covering bandana isn't my thing.
Hold on let me nerd out for a min rise raph has that symbol on his belt to stand for the mad dogs which is the team name they had before they thought up of the teenage mutant ninja turtles in the movie
I fully disagree with you when it comes to tank/brute build Raphael’s I think it keeps him apart from his brothers and that’s a good thing in my opinion. But it is just opinions after all. Same with the Bay Turtle designs as well, I prefer them to the TMNT 2 - TMNT 3 live action movie designs and I’d put him in a solid A Tier for my list. I grew up with that design so I guess it’s just what I like. Lol
Not really sure why some turtle fans despise change, tbh the turtles having different body types and accessories is what makes turtle designs fun, not having them be palette swapped versions of eachother. Ralph with a bandana is one of the best changes to ever happen to the character and should be the status quo going forward, just like Donnie having glasses/goggles. I think he just doesn’t like certain things because he grew up with the palette swap turtles
21:29 this is where I'm stopping he is too much of a boomer for me that movie is so A tier he lowered him so badly to D tier all because that ralphael wasn't "OLD FASHION" they did something unique with him and Ralph has always been the "Hulk bulky" type he enjoys working out and being a hotheaded person... You literally put him at D all because he wasn't Weak enough lookin and old fashion enough.
I kind of wish you mentioned that the Rock Star turtles didn't have shells. I think that earned them their own tier separate from the Christmas turtles. They got a Z tier on that thing?
When it comes to the cartoons I’d probably go with the 2003 design being my favorite followed by the 2012 design. The 1987 design ain’t bad in my opinion,it’s just not my favorite. As far as live-action,imma go with the original movie design.But when it comes down to his 2007 film look vs his mutant mayhem look,kinda tough for me to decide. Obviously the 2007 design looks more mature while mutant mayhem looks very young. However,it works because they are young teenagers and Seth Rogan wanted to focus on the adolescent aspect of the turtles in that film. At the end of the day,good design or bad design,Raphael will always be my favorite turtle.
Couldn't agree more on your S and A rankings. The 1987/2003 cartoons and 90s live-action movies (especially when the suits were done by Jim Henson's Creature Shop) are still among my top favorite TMNT iterations as well design-wise, and the Batman vs TMNT and Mutant Mayhem movies are the most that I've liked design-wise out of the Nickelodeon era of TMNT stuff so far.
It's funny how people complained that the 2003 turtles looked like they were on steroids back then. They only had to wait 11 years to see what that really looked like.
first LA movies design is bad. Actually, they may have been beautiful at that time, but they are very ugly now. I mean, even Raphael in the new LA movies is more charismatic, handsome and more realistic. Anyway, TMNT 2012, TMNT 2007 and TMNT 2003 absolutely best design. and Best Raphaels. Rise Raphael is exaggerated, just like some anime. Even though their fights are good, their drawing style is very simple in terms of quality of design, but at the same time they have a very exaggerated design. Raphael shouldn't be this so big. Its shell very ugly.
We are almost of the same mind here! 😄 I Liked your explanations and I do agree with you. I love Raphael, especially the s-rank versions you chose. Well done! 👍"I love being a turtle!"
Here’s how I rank them personally: S tier: 2007 movie A tier: 2003 tv, 1990 movie, Batman vs TMNT B tier: 2012 tv, Mutant Mayhem, Back to the Sewers, 1987 tv (1st five episodes only) C tier: 1987 tv (red sky seasons), 1991 movie, Fast Forward, 2016 movie, Rise movie, Next Mutation D tier: Rise tv, 1987 tv, 1993 movie, 2014 movie F tier: Musicals
The OG cartoon and the 1990 live action should both be top tear because that’s why it all started for cartoon and for live action, and they were simply just the best
80, 90, 91, 07, are the best i also enjoy the live action tv show version if it didnt have that vertical strap. Bea and rise are sub f teir for me I personally cannot stand either design.
didn’t the mirage 1984 turtles have the type of frog legs that you mentioned with the 2007 movie. but this tier list is accurate to me so I like it.good video
Man I wish you’d do this sort of stuff with villains or allies designs. Turtles are always slightly different but other characters are radically redesigned
1. 2012 2. OG 3. 2003 4. 1990 5. Rise (both versions) 6. 2007 7. Mutant Mayhem 8. 2003 (first version) 9. Out of the Shadows 10. 2014 11. Fast Forwards 12. Back to the Sewers 13. Turtles in Time 14. Next Mutation 15. Batman vs Ninja Turtles 16. Christmas Special
I don’t think MM Raph is s Tier, because he’s bigger then his brothers and has the full mask, but I agree with you for the rest 2007 and 2012 is amazing and has great design and rise raph is just horrible
My favorite animation styles are from the 2012 from the Nickelodeon show and the TMNT Vs Batman movie are my favorite hands down 😭. The 2003 animation style was equally great before the upgrades.
I honestly can't disagree with this list too much. You placed most of them in the exact spots I would've. Except 2007 and 2012 Mid A,, and Bay (the one at top of D) would be a C at the very least for me.
Ik we all have our own opinions but it’s hard to see anybody not liking the full head band a for Ralph, it fits so well and should be a staple to the character going forward. I can understand people not liking Raph being the size of hulk but he should always be at least a little more muscly and taller then his brothers, he doesn’t have to be gigantic tho
Rise Raph was made the size he was because of the type of turtle he was modeled off of, the alligator snapping turtle which is known for its massive stature compared to most turtles. All of the turtles from Rise were actually modeled after a different species of turtle which was definitely unique. But I do respect your opinions on his design, just figured that might help explain why he’s so big in this iteration
Alan Ritchson played the best Raphael in TMNT 2014 by far. The voice was spot on. Raphael was ruined in 2016 movie but thay wasn't Alan's fault. I loved the design of the 2014 Raphael.
I think Michael Bay did awesome designing Raphael. Though he is the bulkiest in the group, I believe it showcases his tough-guy personality. The other versions are cool, but some make him look like a wimp. I think the over the head bandana is a cool touch. Ill say this, the sunglasses was overdoing it. The 2012 Raph is nice, but it got ruined when he started dating Mona Lisa. That turtle was the skirt in that relationship. Anyway, if the Michael Bay version had a girl (which would be epic), his design would increase a hundred fold. So no disrespect, but Michael Bay version should at least be in the top 2. You got 2007 right so i wont bash you for that. But, come on, ladies, that Michael Bay Raph is a heartthrob.
You lost some credibility when you placed the 2003 design in S tier. JK JK…. I really don’t get why I dislike that series so much 🤔. I’ve tried multiple times to get into it. But that series is just boring to me.
