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[Poona]

The first cartoon is what got most people involved, but when I actually compare each of them to one another I think 2003 is the best. It seemed more authentic to the original stories.

 

[Renekton]

Did anyone watch Turtles Forever?

 

[SamuelSupreme]

2003.

Stories straight out of the Mirage comics.

Multiple episode storylines.

But it stopped being ok when they went into the future though. Then there was that whole "Splinter bits" garbage. That wasn't very good.



All true. IDW comics are the best thing that happened to Turtles.

This...when they started time jumping thats when they lost me.

 

[Wuthering_Heights]

Why the heck did they give michaelangelo a grappling hook in the 87 series, anyway?

 

[nateeasy]

Anyone that doesnt say 87 is a commie.

 

[ReiGun]

2012 > 2003 > 1987

 

[shindoku21]

I think 2003 had quite a following in Japan, just judging from the amount of Japanese fanart.

Also the first Japanese intro is awesome:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZUs3XQ6fuY

Cool song!

 

[Diggeh]

If we're posting openings now, might as well post all the awesome 2003 ones.

Opening 1 - Jounetsu no Kaze
Opening 2 - Permanent Vacation
Opening 3 - Everybody

 

[Welfare]

2003 is the one I remember the most. I have seen some of the original series, but it never really got me. Didn't even know there was a new series until a couple of months ago, so I can't say anything about that one.

 

[MoonsaultSlayer]

Are the others ?

Here in my country it only has Next Mutation and the 2007 movie.



29 posts =(



I was talking more about walking in shadows and cuting stuff but yeah that works too xD

Oh sorry, I started scrolling faster when I kept not seeing it mentioned. Regardless, it tells me a lot about people and nostalgia and opinions. I have nostalgia for the time I was into it, but I can't take the original series seriously at all. 2012 though? I have no problem admitting I look forward to watching new eps and collecting the new toys with my son. That reminds me... even the old toys suck.

I recently bought and watched Turtles Forever and cringed hard before not fully paying attention. 87 Shredder is such a lame-onardo. That's my only familiarity with the 2003 series/designs.

 

[Toxi]

Why the heck did they give michaelangelo a grappling hook in the 87 series, anyway?

Nunchucks were banned in several places in the world and had more of a history of recent abuse than sais, staffs, or swords. So they probably decided to replace it with a less controversial weapon.

 

[Metallix87]

I grew up watching the original, but I have to say it's the worst incarnation.

For me, it's 2003 > 2012 > 1987

 

[Astorgh]

All have been great, but the 2003 version feels like the best for me.

 

[O.DOGG]

The 1987 cartoon was what got me into TMNT and I've hooked ever since, and I have to say the 2012 one blows everything else out of the water.

 

[terrisus]

1987 is the only one.

The other two don't exist.

 

[Diggeh]

1987 is the only one.

The other two don't exist.

 

[DragonGirl]

I was a huge fan of the original series but I can't watch it now. It did not age well and is mostly limited to being purely a kids show of its era. I loved the 2003 series, at least before the show jumped the time shark. It did get better again but the time travel was just a terrible idea. I also really like the Nickelodeon show. It takes the spirit of the original series and expands the age appeal. I'd say I equally appreciate both of the shows from the 2000's. They're very different and I prefer not to compare them directly since I can appreciate both the more serious and more humorous approaches.

 

[The Adder]

Grew up with the 80s Turtles.

So 2003. I also grew up a fan of the comic. 2003 was the best balance of the two different tones.

 

[Marvie_3]

2012 > 1987 > early seasons of 2003 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>later seasons of 2003

 

[Rynocirator]

2003 was just too good

 

[Vormund]

Grew up with 87, but 2003 blows it out of the water.

 

[Dog Problems]

I got into the turtles from the first cartoon so that's the one I'd choose, despite not even seeing the full series. I lost interest in them while it was still going on so there's three or four seasons I've never seen.

And I've never seen anything from the other two series.

 

[PhantomZone]

1987 all the way

 

[hat_hair]

I love all of them, but I think the 2012 series has been nailing it so far.
Solid action and a serious plot, but it never forgets that it's still a goofy show about mutants and ninjas.

 

[Timu]

87 version hands down from what I watched of all 3.

 

[Bishop89]

2003.
Best character designs (Turtles, shredder, foot clan etc...)
Best theme song too

 

[reptilescorpio]

2012 is great. Although I have a soft spot for 87 due to growing up around that time and loving it as a kid, heh.

 

[tkscz]

Seasons 1 - 4 of 2003 > 2012 > Season 5 and 7 2003 > 1987 > Season 6 2003

Season 1 - 4 of 2003 was spectacular and even 11 years later it stands the test of time. The 4kids actors did a great job, and even the worst performances (April) weren't that bad. Each story was great and rarely was a filler episode bad, even when it starred Mikey (I like him, but episodes starring him tend to be cringe worthy).

The 2012 series is good thus far. Some of the fillers are boring and the animation took me sometime to get over. It's doing very interesting things and I like that the TEENAGE Mutant Ninja Turtles are TEENAGERS (would like to stop seeing so much April/Kori butt though). Some of the redesigns look awesome, but others, not so much (Casey).

Fast forward killed 2003 series for me. I heard it wasn't that bad, but the premise bugs the hell out of me. And while I love the 1987 series, man does it not hold up, and not just the animation. There are episodes that I love and characters who need more respect (Mona Lisa was an awesome character and yet only gets one episode), but over all not so good.

 

[lupinko]

2003 just ignore fast forward or whatever post series.

Then the Fred Wolf 80s Turtles.

 

[LiquidMetal14]

This isn't even a debate. The OG.

 

[Sir_Crocodile]

87.

2003's a fine, well scripted show, but I prefer the crazyness of Dimension X, and the late great james avery as shredder.

technodrome4life

 

[Haloid1177]

2003.

 

[captmcblack]

80s version is the king of nostalgia for me (as that's what I grew up with)...but it doesn't hold up on anything except for that nostalgia.

2003 version was perfection until they squashed it to do that "fast forward" crap. Then, it tried to right the ship and come back to the story progression they established, claiming "lost episodes"...but the damage was already done.

2012 version is just right...hits the ideal cross between the 80s version aesthetic and the 2003 version's storytelling. I look forward to seeing how far they go with TMNT this style.

 

[freeofgreed]

May be biased because this is the one I grew up with but I really loved the 2003 series (first 4 seasons). It had a great art style, great character development, and great story arcs. This was also during my huge anime/manga phase so this was one of the few western action oriented cartoons that I enjoyed.

Also glad to see that this version is getting a lot of love in this thread, was honestly expected it to be dominated by 87 and 12 fans.

 

[Duane Cunningham]

My nostalgia says 87, but realistically, 2012 is fantastic. It really is a tribute to all the earlier incarnations that then exceeds them all.

 

[DJKhaled]

watched a lot of the 80s version when i was little, loved it, but when i got abit older i loved the 03 version way more, but right now i absolutely freakin' love the 2012 version and i would say its a bit better than 03