Well, we’re well off the target demographic on this one but let’s chat about “Teeny Mutant Ninja Turtles” anyway. Dropping July 24 on the Nick Jr. YouTube channel will be 4 minute episodes. 30 of them. I’m always happy for something wholesome and simple to become available for kids now. In a world where “kids internet” means monitor for AI kittens ripping each other’s guts out, let’s be happy about it.
First look Via Polygon https://polygon.com/exclusive-first-look-at-the-next-tmnt-show/
Turtle info channels are going nuts today and the fandom is being -predictable. The complaints (outside of ‘boo hoo, this wasn’t made for me’) are on assumed quality, and their designs.
Parents are sighing at another franchise brushed by the “cocomelon effect” - where things become far oversimplified shadows of themselves designed to catch kid-view clicks, wrapped in simple and somewhat unnerving 3D packaging. 3D kids entertainment is over saturated with stuff that looks like an AI churned it out in an hour, and they’re over it.
But I’m not sure the kids watching are in for total brain mush. The sneak peek shows a whole story in images: Donatello tells Mike not to be irresponsible with science. The rogue science pizza monster goes on a rampage. Donatello saves the day with more science. 🧪Science! At the very least, it’s not looking like it’s about to give your child speech delays if it becomes a favourite. We’re living in a time where children’s television is horrendously overwhelming, overstimulating, and total rubbish for little brains. They clearly weren’t out to make the next Bluey on this but to some 2-year-old out there it’s going to be life.
On the design note, some are reminiscing and wonder about the “bobblehead” approach when charming preschool-targeted versions ripe for 3D rendering exist in the TMNT feature, the Half-Shell Heroes: Blast to the Past movie. Although, not that much has changed.
The Half-Shell Heroes: Blast to the Past characters designs were based largely on the 2012 series.
They all have the iconic eye mask and gear with distinct colours, even with variation in skin tone, and have their standard weapons despite having the appearance of plastic toys. With huge eyes and tiny mouths they’re following preschool targeted character trends.
Raphael has a snaggle-tooth, Mike has a bandage, Donatello has again been hit with the skinny stick (I am not commenting on his weapon. I am not), and Leonardo’s shell colour makes him seem even more naked than the others. But they’re sweet, and palatable. This is also the first time any turtle has had amber eyes recognisable as yellow in canon, the closest prior being Leonardo in the 2007 movie with a “golden amber”.
Another day in the turtlesphere another day spent begging for people to relax because every single new thing comes with such a wave of hate that I wonder how we ever end up with new things at all. Teeny turtles for the tikes of shellheads is a good thing, and I for one at happy about it.
