Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2012 TV series)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles logo
Genre Action
Comedy-drama
Science fantasy
Based on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
by Kevin Eastman
Peter Laird
Developed by Joshua Sternin
J. R. Ventimilia
Voices of
Opening theme "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles"
Composer(s) Sebastian Evans II
Country of origin United States
Original language(s) English
No. of seasons 3
No. of episodes 66 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s)
  • Joshua Sternin
  • J.R. Ventimilia
  • Ciro Nieli
  • Peter Hastings
  • Brandon Auman
Producer(s) MacGregor Middleton
Running time 22 minutes
Production company(s) Lowbar Productions
Mirage Studios
Nickelodeon Animation Studio
Broadcast
Original channel Nickelodeon
Picture format 480i NTSC
1080i HDTV
Original run September 29, 2012 – present
Chronology
Preceded by Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2003 TV series)
External links
Website

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is an American 3D rendered computer animated television series that premiered on Nickelodeon September 29, 2012.[3] It is the third animated Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles television series and is produced by Nickelodeon Animation Studio.[3]

On October 2, 2012 and February 26, 2013, Nickelodeon renewed the series for a second and third season, respectively.[4][5]

On June 17, 2014, Nickelodeon ordered a fourth season of the show.[2]

Plot

Season One

Ninjutsu master Hamato Yoshi (Splinter) is carrying his four pet turtles through the streets of Manhattan, New York City when he encounters members of an alien race called the Kraang. During an altercation with these aliens, Yoshi and the turtles are exposed to an alien chemical called mutagen and they undergo major physical transformations. Yoshi becomes a humanoid rat and the turtles become anthropomorphic. Taking upon the new name "Splinter", he retreats to the New York City sewers, where he raises the four turtles as his sons and imparts to them his knowledge of ninjutsu.

Now teenagers, the Turtles (Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello and Michelangelo) venture to the surface for the first time and learn that the Kraang are using the mutagen as part of their plan to take over New York City. The Turtles befriend the teenage April O'Neil after she and her scientist father, Kirby, are abducted by the Kraang. Donatello develops a crush on April. While Kirby remains a prisoner of the Kraang, April becomes an ally of the Turtles, who try to help her locate her father. April is also trained by Splinter to be a kunoichi or female ninja.

The Turtles also learn that Splinter's long-time archenemy Oroku Saki (Shredder) has come to New York City and has ordered his Foot Clan to track down Splinter and his sons, and put an end to their clan. Learning about the Kraang's presence through his adopted daughter Karai, Shredder enters an alliance with the aliens to destroy their mutual enemies in the Hamato Clan.

The Turtles discover that the Kraang (led by Kraang Prime) have come to Earth from Dimension X and are plotting to use the mutagen to convert the Earth into a planet that will be suitable for their race. After the Turtles rescue Kirby, the Kraang invade New York, but the Turtles and April emerge triumphant when they are able to send the Technodrome crashing into the sea. Meanwhile, Splinter battles Shredder and learns that Karai is his own daughter, Miwa who was kidnapped by Shredder and who believes that Splinter killed her mother. The season ends with Turtles celebrating on their victory over Kraang as Splinter hides this secret from them.

Season Two

The Turtles struggle to contain an outbreak of mutations that occurs thanks to the leftover mutagen from the thwarted Kraang invasion. Kirby is among the victims of the outbreak, and a misunderstanding leads April to hate the Turtles and break off their friendship. However, the Turtles are able to earn her forgiveness when they save her from Karai, who has taken temporary command of the Foot while the Shredder is away in Japan. The Hamato Clan also gains a new member when April's new friend Casey Jones helps repel an assault on the Turtles' lair. Kirby is eventually restored to his human form when Donatello manages to concoct a retro-mutagen.

The Shredder returns from Japan with the mutated bounty hunter Tigerclaw, who becomes the Shredder's new second-in-command. During a battle with the Turtles, Karai is informed of her true nature by Leonardo, but she is reluctant to accept the truth. When she is taken to the lair, she finally realizes the truth, and disowns the Shredder, who responds by imprisoning her. Repeated attempts to free Karai ultimately succeed, but the Shredder captures Karai again and uses her as bait to kill the Hamato Clan. However, Karai ends up mutated into a serpent, to everyone's horror.

The Kraang perfect the previously unstable mutagen, and launch a second invasion of New York, starting by destroying the Turtles' lair and forcing them to abandon it. The Kraang begin mutating New York's populace, including Kirby, despite the efforts of Earth's military and the Turtles. Leonardo is gravely wounded when he is ambushed by the entire Foot Clan, and Splinter is seemingly killed during a battle with the Shredder. The Turtles, April, and Casey are forced to flee New York as the Kraang successfully conquer the city.

Season Three

The group takes refuge at the O'Neil family's summer home in rural New York in order to recuperate from their loss at the hands of the Kraang and the Foot. Leonardo takes an extended amount of time to recover, but guided by an apparition of Splinter, is able to overcome his physical and mental wounds. The group eventually returns to New York with the goal of finding Splinter, Karai, Kirby, and their other missing allies, and liberate the city from the Kraang. They are successful in finding Splinter, and set up a temporary base in the abandoned Antonio's Pizza. Donatello begins work on new samples of retro-mutagen as the search for Kirby and Karai continues. Shredder later mutates Anton Zeck and Ivan Steranko into his latest mutants Bebop and Rocksteady while the Purple Dragons gain Hun as their leader. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles even run into the Mighty Mutanimals (consisting of Slash, Leatherhead, Dr. Tyler Rockwell, and Pete).

Characters

Episodes

Season Episodes Originally aired (U.S. dates)
First aired Last aired
1 26 September 29, 2012 August 8, 2013[6][7]
2[8] 26[2] October 12, 2013[9] September 26, 2014
3[10][11] 26[10][11] October 3, 2014 TBA

Background

On October 21, 2009, a press release was made indicating that Viacom had bought the complete rights of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise from Peter Laird for $60 million, and would be developing a CGI animated TV series for its Nickelodeon family of channels for broadcast in 2012. A feature film, released by Paramount Pictures (also a division of Viacom), debuted in 2014.[12]

Jason Biggs originally voiced Leonardo and Rob Paulsen voices Donatello.[13] In June 2011, it was confirmed that Sean Astin is playing Raphael and Greg Cipes is Michelangelo.[14] In August 2011, it was revealed that Mae Whitman would be the voice for April O'Neil.[15] In April 2012, it was announced that Phil LaMarr would be playing the role of Baxter Stockman and Nolan North would be playing a race of aliens known as the Kraang,[16][17] while Roseanne Barr is confirmed to voice their leader, Kraang Prime.[18] Actress Kelly Hu confirmed her role as Karai in May 2012.[19] Corey Feldman has been confirmed to play the role of Slash.[20] Recurring TMNT character Casey Jones began appearing in the second season, and is voiced by former Nickelodeon star Josh Peck.[21][22]

Production art was leaked on the Nickelodeon website before it was taken down. The images showed the designs of all four Turtles, Shredder, Splinter, a teenage April O'Neil and the Kraang, an alien race that combines elements of both Krang and the Utroms.[23] A trailer for the series was released on June 21, 2012, on Nickelodeon USA.[24] In June 2014, it was announced that Seth Green would replace Jason Biggs as the voice of Leonardo in season 3.[2]

Home media

Season Episodes DVD release dates
Region 1 Region 2 Region 4
1 26 Volume 1: February 26, 2013[25]
Volume 2: July 9, 2013[26]
Volume 3: October 1, 2013[27]		 Complete Season: November 18, 2013[28] Volume 1: March 6, 2013[29]
Volume 2: June 26, 2013[30]
Volume 3: September 4, 2013 [31]
Volume 4: October 23, 2013[32]
2 26 Volume 1: March 11, 2014[33]
Volume 2: July 1, 2014[34]		 Volume 1: March 31, 2014[35] Volume 1: June 25, 2014[36]
3[10][11] 26[10][11] TBA TBA TBA

Merchandise

Playmates Toys created a new line of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles consumer products to go along with the show.[37]

In mid 2012, Playmates Toys released their first wave of basic Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles action figures which consisted of "hero figures" Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael, Michelangelo, Splinter and April O'Neil as well as "villain characters" Shredder, Kraang, and a Foot Soldier. In early 2013, Playmates released series 2 which consisted of the new "hero" character Metalhead as well as new villains Dogpound and Fishface. In April 2013, the third wave appeared which included the "hero" character Leatherhead as well as villains Snakeweed and Baxter Stockman.[38] Wave four was released in early August and it featured the villains Rat King and Spyroach as well as new "Stealth Tech" versions of the four turtles. Wave 5 was released in October with a 7 pack of Mousers as well as four baby versions of the Turtles (Turtles in training) October saw the final release of 2013 with wave six which included two new villains: Spider Bytez and a newly sculpted Shredder figure featuring a removable helmet and cape.[39] Wave seven first appeared in February 2014 with figures for Kirby Bat, Squirrelanoid, Casey Jones, and Mutagen Man.[40]

The Lego Group released a Lego theme of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in 2013.[41]

in July 2014, Build-A-Bear Workshop released a series of plush versions of the Turtles, as well as other TMNT themed apparel including an outfit of Shredder, along with items such as the Turtles' signature weapons.

Video games

In 2013, Nickelodeon released Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Rooftop Run for iOS devices such as the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch.

On August 28, 2013, Activision released Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows, a downloadable 3D beat 'em up game, for Xbox 360 and Microsoft Windows.[42] On April 15, 2014 a version was released for the Playstation 3.[43] The game features an online multiplayer co-op for up to four players.[44]

Activision also released a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles video game based on the series for Wii, Xbox 360, and Nintendo 3DS on October 22, 2013.[45]

On September 4, 2014. Activision announced a second game based on the show called Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Danger of the Ooze. The game will be released on Nintendo 3DS and Xbox 360, and will also be released on the PlayStation 3 instead of the Wii. The game is being developed by WayForward.[46]

Broadcast

The series debuted on Canadian channel YTV on September 29, 2012. It also premiered on Nickelodeon (UK and Ireland) on October 1, 2012. Then Nickelodeon (Australia and New Zealand) debuted the show on October 8, 2012. It aired on Nickelodeon (Canada) on September 2, 2013.

Reception

IGN has given the show positive reviews, with many episodes reviewed being given the "Editor's Choice" title.[47] "Invasion" has received the highest rating of 10/10.[48] The series premiered in the U.S. to 3.9 million viewers.[49]

Variety has praised the show, saying "...handsomely produced effort, with a strong vocal cast, considerable humor and scads of high-spirited action. If the goal was to introduce the Turtles to a new generation — amphibious mission accomplished."[13]

Accolades

Awards
Award Category Recipients and nominees Result
66th Primetime Emmy Awards[50] Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program (for Programming Less Than One Hour) "The Manhattan Project" Nominated
2014 British Academy Children's Awards[51] International Alan Wan, Brandon Auman, Ciro Nieli Nominated

References

  1. ↑ "Jason Biggs replaced by Seth Green as voice of Leonardo on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon series". Metro.co.uk. 2014-06-19. Retrieved 2014-06-20. Rumours have been circulating in recent weeks as to Biggs' future in the hit animated franchise, with Dominic Catrambone voicing the character in recent episodes.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Nickelodeon Renews 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' for Season 4 (Exclusive)". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2014-06-17.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Stransky, Tanner (July 6, 2012). "Nickelodeon sets premiere date for 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' -- EXCLUSIVE". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
  4. ↑ "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Renewed by Nickelodeon for Second Season; Premiere is Number 1 Kids Program on Basic Cable - Ratings | TVbytheNumbers". Tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com. Retrieved 2012-10-20.
  5. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie. "Nickelodeon Orders 'Breadwinners' - Renews 'Ninja Turtles'". Deadline.com. Retrieved 2013-07-16.
  6. ↑ "Nickelodeon Talks Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Season 2 and Previews The Legend of Korra: Book 2". IGN. 2013-05-07. Retrieved 2013-07-14.
  7. ↑ "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Season 1 Episode 25 - Showdown - Zap2it TV Listings". tvlistings.zap2it.com. Retrieved 2013-07-25.
  8. ↑ "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' Renewed by Nickelodeon for Second Season; Premiere is Number 1 Kids Program on Basic Cable - Ratings | TVbytheNumbers". Tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com. Retrieved 2012-12-30.
  9. ↑ "Nickelodeon Sets Premiere Date for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Season 2 - Today's News: Our Take". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 2013-09-26.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' Renewed by Nickelodeon for Third Season". nickelodeon.tumblr.com. Retrieved 2013-02-27.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 "Nickelodeon Renews 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' and Announces New Series 'Breadwinners', 'The Haunted Hathaways' & More". Tvbythenumbers.com. February 26, 2013. Retrieved February 27, 2013.
  12. ↑ "Tuning in to TV: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have new series, toys". The Washington Times. July 29, 2012. Retrieved July 23, 2013.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Lowry, Brian (2012-09-26). "Variety Reviews - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - TV Reviews - - Review by Brian Lowry". Variety.com. Retrieved 2012-10-20.
  14. ↑ Franich, Darren (July 14, 2011). "Sean Astin voicing Raphael in new 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'". New York City: Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved February 11, 2012.
  15. ↑ Rob Paulsen. "Voice of April ONeil revealed". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved 2013-07-16.
  16. ↑ "Episode 36 Guest: Phil Lamarr". Rob Paulsen Live. 2012-04-13. Retrieved 2012-07-07.
  17. ↑ "Episode 38 Guest: Nolan North". Rob Paulsen Live. 2012-04-27. Retrieved 2012-07-07.
  18. ↑ "Exclusive: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Guest Cast Includes Roseanne Barr - Today's News: Our Take". TVGuide.com. 2013-01-18. Retrieved 2013-07-23.
  19. ↑ "Twitter / KellyHu: "@JasonRainwater: @Kelly". Twitter.com. Retrieved 2012-07-07.
  20. ↑ "Corey Feldman is Slash for Nick's TMNT". Theouthousers.com. Retrieved 2013-07-16.
  21. ↑ "New Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Balances Comedy and Action". IGN. Retrieved 2013-07-16.
  22. ↑ Comic-Con: Nickelodeon Sets 'Legend of Korra,' 'Ninja Turtles' Panels (Exclusive) Hollywood Reporter, Retrieved July 13, 2013
  23. ↑ Goellner, Caleb (March 9, 2012). "Parting Shot: Nickelodeon Shells Out New 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' Images". Comics Alliance. Retrieved March 27, 2012.
  24. ↑ Stransky, Tanner (June 21, 2012). "Nickelodeon's 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' reboot: See the show's trailer here! -- EXCLUSIVE". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved June 21, 2012.
  25. ↑ "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Rise of the Turtles (R1)". Amazon.com. Retrieved April 14, 2014.
  26. ↑ "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Enter Shredder (R1)". Amazon.com. Retrieved April 14, 2014.
  27. ↑ "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Ultimate Showdown (R1)". Amazon.com. Retrieved April 14, 2014.
  28. ↑ "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - Complete Season 1 (R2)". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved April 14, 2014.
  29. ↑ "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Rise of the Turtles (R4)". EzyDVD Pty Ltd. Retrieved April 14, 2014.
  30. ↑ "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Enter Shredder (R4)". EzyDVD Pty Ltd. Retrieved April 14, 2014.
  31. ↑ "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Kraang Invasion". EzyDVD Pty Ltd. Retrieved April 14, 2014.
  32. ↑ "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Ultimate Showdown (R4)". EzyDVD Pty Ltd. Retrieved April 14, 2014.
  33. ↑ "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutagen Mayhem (R1)". Amazon.com. Retrieved April 14, 2014.
  34. ↑ "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Good, The Bad, and Casey Jones (R1)". TVShowsonDVD. Retrieved April 14, 2014.
  35. ↑ "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutagen Mayhem (R2)". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved April 14, 2014.
  36. ↑ "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutagen Mayhem (R4)". EzyDVD Pty Ltd. Retrieved April 14, 2014.
  37. ↑ "Nickelodeon: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Make a Triumphant Return to Television in New Nickelodeon Series". India Retail News. Oct 4, 2012.
  38. ↑ "Basic Action Figures | Playmates Toys, Inc". Playmatestoys.com. Retrieved 2013-07-16.
  39. ↑ "Toy Fair 2013: Playmates' Upcoming 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' Figures And Vehicles". Comicsalliance.com. 2013-02-12. Retrieved 2013-07-16.
  40. ↑ "New Nickelodeon TMNT Mutagen Man, Kirby Bat, and Squirrelanoid Figure Images". toynewsi.com. 2013-09-119. Retrieved 2013-10-08. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  41. ↑ Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles | LEGO Shop
  42. ↑ Ishaan (2013-07-08). "TMNT: Out of the Shadows And More In This Year's Summer of Arcade Line-up". Siliconera. Retrieved 2013-07-16.
  43. ↑ "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles™: Out of the Shadows". http://us.playstation.com/''. Archived from the original on July 9, 2014. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
  44. ↑ Sliwinski, Alexander (2013-03-04). "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows this summer". Joystiq. Retrieved 2013-07-16.
  45. ↑ "Nickelodeon and Activision Reveal New Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles™ Video Game Based... - NEW YORK, July 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/". Prnewswire.com. Retrieved 2013-09-27.
  46. ↑ "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Danger of the Ooze Announced". IGN. Retrieved 27 January 2015.
  47. ↑ "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2012): Season 1 - TV". IGN. 2012-10-18. Retrieved 2013-07-16.
  48. ↑ Nicholson, Max. "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: "The Invasion" Review". IGN. Retrieved 27 January 2015.
  49. ↑ Starlight Runner Entertainment Tapped to Prep Nickelodeon's Hit Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Franchise for Multi-Platform - Yahoo! News
  50. ↑ "66th Annual Primetime Emmy Award Nominations" (PDF). Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  51. ↑ "Children's in 2014". British Academy of Film and Television Arts. November 23, 2014. Retrieved November 23, 2014.

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