Usagi and the Turtles

Stan Sakai · Post by **Stan Sakai** » Wed May 21, 2003 9:56 -0700

I've already annouced it at Anime North this past weekend--Usagi will make a guest appearance in the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' tv series.

We're still in negotiations, but we had worked very well together in the past so I can't imagine anything preventing this from going through. The last time, Usagi came to modern day New York. This time, the Turtles will go to Usagi's Japan. Sounds fun.

With a tv appearance, can another action figure be far behind?

ziritrion · Post by **ziritrion** » Wed May 21, 2003 10:59 -0700

That sounds nice. How does the new TMNT show look? I used to love the old one when I was a kid, however, I recently got to see some of those old episodes and I spent the rest of the day wondering how could I even watch it without falling asleep (perhaps my taste has changed a little bit over the years

). When I introduced UY to my friends, some of them actually asked me if the Usagi on the TMNT show was the same one that the Usagi on the comic books (the funny thing is that I didn't remember Usagi being on the TMNT show

. Even one of them has the action figure!).

Does anyone have a link to a clip from the new TMNT show? I'd like to watch some of it. Their webpage only has pictures (the new character design looks pretty stylish).

Post by **Todd Shogun** » Wed May 21, 2003 14:01 -0700

The new TMNT show was intended to be more accurate to the original Eastman/Laird comic series from the 80s. For example, the turtles do not have visible eye balls through their bandanas, their personalities and voices are different, Baxter Stockman is African America, April isn't a reporter, the show's a little darker, and Splinter mutated from a rat and not a human. The color-coding of the turtles is still there (unfortunately), but I guess there had to be some way for kids to tell them apart. The animation is about the same as the original series.

I also noticed that Peter Laird has been making an effort to "go back to the roots" of the original TMNTs with a new comic series. He's joined byh Jim Lawson and Eric Talbot (veteran Mirage artists). Kevin Eastman unfortunately is not working with them. In fact I have no idea what Eastman is doing these days. Last I heard he did something with Heavy Metal magazine...

Glennosuke · Post by **Glennosuke** » Wed May 21, 2003 21:01 -0700

Excellent! Let us hope that Usagi's presentation (including his voice) will true to Stan's vision!! BTW, since this will take place in Usagi's time/place/universe, will there be other characters? Perhaps like Gennosuke? YES!

Post by **Todd Shogun** » Wed May 21, 2003 22:03 -0700

No! Tomoe!

ziritrion · Post by **ziritrion** » Thu May 22, 2003 2:00 -0700

No! Jei!

.

PLEASE I hope they get Usagi's voice right. I did not like it at all on the old show... (I downloaded the episodes from the dojo

).

ghostdog · Post by **ghostdog** » Thu May 22, 2003 8:09 -0700

Wow, this is great news! I really hope there will be a second action figure, the old one was somewhat off...

In my not-so-humble opinion, Todd Shogun, the animation in the new TMNT-series is leagues better compared to the old one.

Much less frame recycling (so far) and then there are lot's of minor things they've gotten right in the movement and impacts during battles. Not to mention colouring and facial expressions. Personally I was positively surprised by the new show, it's much more mature, meaning I don't have to feel too awkward watching it in my post-teens...

BTW, I don't see why any of the others shouldn't be in the episode, unless there are certain licensing-issues etc. Personally I hope to see the Turtles an Usagi doing battle with Hikiji and the Neko-ninja

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu May 22, 2003 8:13 -0700

Sounds cool...

I wasn't sure whether or not to get into the Turtles again, as Masters of the Universe is my main toy/cartoon hobby. However, since it's been mentioned that Usagi may appear I will definitely be keeping a closer eye on it...

Also, I didn't realize that the new show is closer to the comic... that should make it more interesting!

takematsu · Post by **takematsu** » Thu May 22, 2003 8:36 -0700

I caught an episode a couple of weeks ago: the animation is lots better than the old series, but since they're dealing with an more anime-rich environment these days, it had better be. Apart from them still being a lot more teen-ager-y than the comics (yes, they're teenagers, but they're high disciplined teenagers), the main objection stems from network censor concerns-- they're not using the sharp bits of their weapons on anything animate/non-mechanical. <Sigh> Another generation that will think the primary purpose of swords is door-opening and threat-punctuation.

Stan Sakai · Post by **Stan Sakai** » Thu May 22, 2003 12:07 -0700

Anonymous wrote: Masters of the Universe is my main toy/cartoon hobby.

I had a hand in the packaging of the old Masters of the Universe toys. I helped with the in-pack comic books, along with Bruce Timm, Mike Sekowsky, Dave Stevens, and others. I still have a couple of boxes of the action figures.

It's still too early to speculate whether any of the other characters from the Usagi comics will make an appearance. Much would depend on the story, and we're not even at that stage yet.

Post by **Todd Shogun** » Thu May 22, 2003 13:36 -0700

I've seen the new TMNT cartoon only once and while the artwork is definitely better than the old series, the animation itself seemed pretty basic. Then again it's been a while since I've seen any of the old series shows.

As for Usagi's voice, I agree... more supervision is required! Maybe the guy who did Space Usagi (same guy who does Darkwing Duck and countless other cartoon characters and commercials I believe). He might be a good choice. But if Gen's in it, make sure he doesn't have that Russion/Cajun/whatever-type accent like Rhogen had!

ziritrion · Post by **ziritrion** » Fri May 23, 2003 5:49 -0700

I agree.

Post by **Todd Shogun** » Fri May 23, 2003 12:01 -0700

Just thought of another idea... it would be great to have Usagi and Co. speak Japanese... with the new TMNT series, they did mention they were trying to be more true to the original comic series... Splinter could translate...

Tounian · Post by **Tounian** » Sat May 24, 2003 11:23 -0700

How can they use the "wrong" voice for Usagi if the right one has never been set before? I always imagined Usagi's voice to be a lot like Toshiro Mifune's voice, just much more soft spoken unless hes angry, and maybe an octave higher pitched. But that's just me, we all have this idea in our heads what Usagi sounds like to us. I think its gonna be pretty tough to find a voice that all of us like, so cut them some slack if they can't get it just right.

Glennosuke · Post by **Glennosuke** » Sun May 25, 2003 12:01 -0700

Agreed! The new TMNT animation is much better, the storylines appear to be a bit closer to what the original was, and the characterizations are indeed better. Stan, you must have creative control over his voice!! This may be again an opportunity for the rest of the world that is not familiar with your work to be exposed to Usagi and the Usagi universe that you have developed!! I will await anxiously for any order that you and/or the Shogun may give for an e-mail campaign!!

Usagi Yojimbo DojoBoard

Usagi and the Turtles

Usagi and the Turtles

Usagi Yojimbo on TMNT