Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - Figures
Originally an American comic book first published in 1984 by Mirage Studios, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles enjoyed a surge of popularity from the late 80s to the early 90s. This popularity manifested the production of several series of action figures and toys from 1988 to 1995. Toys and figures were produced of all major and minor characters from the comic and animated series by the American manufacturer Playmates. In the beginning, all toys and figures directly reflected the comics and animated series, however, by the mid-90s, several product and industry tie-ins began to produce a lot of toys that had little to no connection to the original series. Sales remained strong at first but by the mid 90’s, production and popularity had ceased and proposed prototypes never surfaced.
The adventures of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles ended until their revival in 2003. FOX brought back the four Ninja Turtles with a new animated series that followed up with a toy line reminiscent of the ones from the 80s and 90s. This time, the figures and toys shared a close connection to the new anime series and Playmates helped guide the direction of the storyline.
In 2014, an all-new movie featuring the four Ninja Turtles was released, causing their international awareness to further spread. With it, toy and figure manufacturers in places like Japan acquired licenses to produce their own Ninja Turtle figures and collectibles. The following list shows some of the more popular figures available today.
Leonardo Non-Scale Statue
In 2014, a collaboration between Good Smile Company and Nickelodeon produced a hand-painted battle stance portrayal of Leonardo, the leader of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. This is one of 4 collectable pieces that, when combined with the other 3 team members, form a complete display piece. It is a direct rendition of artist James Jean’s artistic diorama.
In this piece, Leonardo is in battle stance with his two katana blades drawn and ready for conflict. The front blade is in a defensive pose ready to ward off the enemy. The rear blade is also ready for attack at a moment’s notice. On his back, the two sheaths make an “X” and are adorned with a strap that covers the two in a cross-pattern. With ripped muscles, formidable expression, and his excess eye mask cloth blowing in the wind, this Leonardo figure is full of extreme detail and makes a fine collector’s piece.
- Release Date: December 2014
- Manufacturer: Good Smile Company
- Specifications: Hand-Painted, Non-Scale ATBC-PVC figure with stand
- Height: Approximately 27 mm / 10.5”
- Sculptor: Keiji Iwakura
Michelangelo Non-Scale Statue
The second piece of the 4 portrays the orange banded Mutant Ninja Turtle, Michelangelo. Posing with a grimacing look while holding his nunchucks in defensive horse stance, his muscles show he is poised and ready for action. The stand on which he rests looks as if a grounded power line had been torn from below. To his rear, he has a second pair of nunchucks that are easily accessible strapped to the shell on his back.
- Release Date: December 2014
- Manufacturer: Good Smile Company
- Specifications: Hand-Painted, Non-Scale ATBC-PVC figure with stand
- Height: Approximately 220 mm / 8.7”
- Sculptor: Keiji Iwakura
Raphael Non-Scale Statue
The third hand-painted figure in the four-piece set shows Raphael, the red banded Mutant Ninja Turtle, holding both of his Japanese sai crossed at a ninety degree angle in a defensive battle stance as if looking his demons straight in the eyes. He is posed in a low martial stance on top of a cracked cement structure that looks as if it was taken from a war-torn urban jungle.
- Release Date: December 2014
- Manufacturer: Good Smile Company
- Specifications: Hand-Painted, Non-Scale ATBC-PVC figure with stand
- Height: Approximately 260 mm / 10.2”
- Sculptor: Keiji Iwakura
Donatello Non-Scale Statue
The fourth and final piece of the display set shows the Mutant Ninja Turtle Donatello in a non-combative stance as he casually rests his bo battle staff on his shoulder. Although his muscular form may make him seem intimidating, he is relaxed compared to his other three comrades and almost looks as if the battle had been won already. This figure has him posed standing straight up as he rests on top of an urban pillar by gripping the concrete with his two-toed turtle feet.
- Release Date: December 2014
- Manufacturer: Good Smile Company
- Specifications: Hand-Painted, Non-Scale ATBC-PVC figure with stand
- Height: Approximately 335 mm / 13.2”
- Sculptor: Keiji Iwakura
About Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Four ordinary turtles in New York City came in contact with a radioactive slime that transforms them into humanoid-sized turtle teenagers with unusual abilities. They find themselves in the sewer of the New York City’s underground when they encounter Splinter, who had been a pet of the exiled ninja warrior, Hamato Yoshi. Splinter takes the four Ninja Turtles under his wing, names them after his 4 favorite Renaissance artists, and trains them in the martial arts. Each one specializes in a certain weapon and are distinguished by the color of the band that covers their eyes like a mask. The leader is Leonardo, who has a blue band and specializes in dual wielding katanas. Then there is Michelangelo, who has an orange band and specializes in using nunchucks. Raphael wields two sai and has a red band. Finally, there is the bo staff master Donatello, who wears a purple band. They fight to protect New York City from the evil Shredder and his minions.
Links
Leonardo Non-Scale Statue
Michelangelo Non-Scale Statue
Raphael Non-Scale Statue
Donatello Non-Scale Statue
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Label