Needless to say, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is a weird idea. The story sees four turtle siblings mutated by sewer ooze. With intense training from their master (a rat), they then fight crime as adolescent ninjas. The whole premise is utterly ridiculous, but it's just crazy enough to work.

Against all odds, TMNT has spawned a multimedia franchise, and the TV shows are a huge part of that legacy. Many of them comprise different parts of the Turtles' identity, from action to family drama to goofy comedy. They all excel in distinctive ways. As a result, each iteration has its own audience. It's impressive how creators can garner so much variety and creativity from one premise. That's why the TMNT IP continues to surprise.

5 Mutant Turtles: Superman Legend

An Overload Of Nonsense Sinks The Turtles' Foray Into Anime

• Studio: Bee Media & Tsuburaya Productions
• Network: N/A
• Air Date: May 21, 1996

Even hardcore fans may not know of this obscure chapter in the team's animated history. Mutant Turtles: Superman Legend is an anime, specifically an OVA. The creators made it as a companion piece to the 1987 cartoon, right down to using similar character designs. However, that's where the similarities end. Rather than simply fight crime, these Turtles gather magical stones from another world. These rocks transform them into musclebound giants with Wolverine masks. The stones also work on villains, who turn into monstrous creatures straight out of a kaiju flick or mecha anime. The two parties then engage in explosive battles with more energy blasts than Dragon Ball. Suffice it to say, Mutant Turtles makes all other TMNT tales look tame by comparison.

Japanese products often bask in their strange sensibilities. Viewers can easily enjoy those aspects with the same wild abandon. Granted, some of that enjoyment is ironic, as they can barely believe what they're seeing. They also don't know what's going on. Though supposedly inspired by the aforementioned cartoon, Mutant Turtles also follows a pre-written manga. This comic establishes the show's lore via an isekai storyline. That lore is a core foundation, but the subsequent series breezes through it at breakneck speed. It even expands and retcons certain concepts.

The writers throw a slew of fantastical MacGuffins and plot threads into a universe already rife with them. What's more, is that they squeeze it all into two episodes. The result is a complete mess. Sadly, this anime is tough for any Turtles fan to get into.

4 Rise Of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

The Turtles' Wacky Antics Make For A Chaotic Animated Sitcom

• Studio: Nickelodeon Animation Studio
• Network: Nickelodeon & Nicktoons
• Air Date: July 20, 2018 to August 7, 2020

This recent reboot is jarring at first glance. While other TMNT shows mix comedy and drama, Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles puts its eggs strictly in the former basket. The series opts for a slice-of-life format. Episodes usually follow the brothers' mundane problems around the sewer and how they get on each other's nerves. It all unfolds in the vein of an absurdist anime crossed with cartoon slapstick. The finished product is exactly as wild as it sounds.

At the very least, that style gives Rise a unique identity within the Turtles pantheon. The exaggerated designs and slick animation perfectly suit the visual humor. Because of that, the jokes land more often than they miss. As accomplished as the show is, though, it might be a little too insane.

The sheer energy of Rise also proves to be its downfall. It's always shoving some bizarre sight gag onscreen. That much visual noise becomes overwhelming. The scenes have no time to breathe. That frantic pace probably stems from the shorter episodes, but the writers still shouldn't be afraid to slow things down. If they did, then this show might leave a bigger impact beyond escapist nonsense.

3 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987)

The Original Turtles Cartoon Achieves A Cheesy Charm By Turning Its Weaknesses Into Strengths

• Studio: Fred Wolf Films
• Network: CBS
• Air Date: December 14, 1987 to November 2, 1996

The first in the long line of shows, 1987's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is easily the most iconic. The reason lies in its camp value. This show is incredibly cheesy. The performances are all over-the-top; the characters are farcical; the animation is only a step above the stiff, recycled frames of Hanna-Barbera. Ordinarily, those would be crippling flaws, but they're actually part of the charm.

The series wholeheartedly embraces these elements. It knows exactly what it is and has a ton of fun playing that role. It's utterly unapologetic about being a Saturday morning cartoon. That fun then rubs off on the audience, though such a goofy take isn't for everyone. The show is definitely a product of its time, but who says that's such a bad thing?

2 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2012)

Brilliant Portrayals Of The Teenage Stars Compensate For An Uneven Tone

• Studio: Nickelodeon Animation Studio & LowBar Productions
• Network: Nickelodeon & Nicktoons
• Air Date: September 28, 2012 to November 12, 2017

Here's a show mixing silly and serious. The 2012 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles celebrates both ends of the spectrum. It has a lighthearted, adventurous tone akin to the 1987 series, but it sometimes opts for the serialized storytelling and heavy drama of the 2003 series. The creators attempt to marry the two tones, though it's not always a smooth mixture. The tragic twists conflict with the ridiculous baddies. However, the show is still a fun watch.

That's thanks to the strength of its characters and how they're presented. These Turtles are the most convincing as teenagers. That in itself freshens the dynamic by adding a youthful zeal to their interactions. The snappy, stylistic animation allows that zeal to shine through like never before. Of course, that wouldn't be possible without the exemplary voice acting.

This is the first Turtles show with Andrea Romano as a voice director. She has a reputation for finding the perfect actors for treasured characters, and she often brings out their best work. As a result, the deliveries are the most naturalistic of any Turtles iteration. Such organic and appealing stars are the biggest reason to tune in, as they carry the show through its rough patches.

1 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2003)

This Dark And Edgy Series Is A Love Letter To The Classic Comics

• Studio: Mirage Studios & 4Kids Entertainment,
• Network: Fox & The CW
• Air Date: February 8, 2003 to May 23, 2009

At long last, fans of the ultraviolent IDW comics get their show. 2003's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is still a Saturday morning cartoon, but it focuses on intense action and drama. Story arcs unfold over multiple episodes, challenging characters in profound ways. That's not to say the episodes are entirely devoid of humor. It just emerges naturally from the brotherly dynamic rather than laugh-out-loud gags. From that perspective, it couldn't be more different than previous iterations.

Some might argue that the show takes itself too seriously. The creators try to ground some of the wacky concepts, but they still contrast with the weightier elements and tone. That's especially apparent in the final season, which gets a little too crazy. Again, though, fans' acceptance of that approach depends on their preferences. If they're looking for a faithful adaptation of the source material, then the 2003 show is the best way to go.