#archie raphael

[yellowhollyhock]

Archie Raph vs 2003 Leo

@majachee contributed pics ❤️

Raphael has been having fun at this tournament, and he fights well when he's having fun.

He also has his favorite outfit this round--which is not the one he thrifted with COOTS Donnie, that's his, uh, second favorite. For a fight against an icon like 03 Leo, he needs his shadow suit.

Confidence is high going in. Raphael is a hard hitter when it comes to that, but his fighting style actually is pretty sneaky. He's being a goof about the shadow suit but he really will blend in as well as he can and wait for the best moment to strike. One of my favorite moments fighting-wise is when he returns (from being with the Mutanimals iirc) unexpectedly and saves Master Splinter from being dropped off a roof. The sneaking was good, the altitude and quick...ness... was also impressive. And he had a red hood which suits him. Overall, he's got a lot of tenacity and creativity.

He will need it.

Because this guy will drop you off a roof if you give him half a chance.

Leo has also experienced a lot. He came to a place of better emotional regulation and self-esteem than Raphael ultimately landed, but in this fight I don't think that's particularly relevant, they both have been having a great time.

Actually, the most relevant moment for Leo, imo, is beating Ue when he first challenged him. Always coming back, getting his enemy's guard down, staying calm enough in crisis moments to still turn the tide. And that was in a fight he had no chance to prepare for.

They both had impressive matches last round. Now they are the only ones standing in each other's way of victory--a dangerous place to stand, in either case.

Who is our Turtle Cage Champion of 2025?

Archie Raphael

2003 Leo

Voting ended onJul 1, 2025

[yellowhollyhock]

Yall ready for archie raphael sweep 2.0?

Let's gooo!!!!

At this moment Raphael is intensely focused on preparing for his upcoming fight with 1987 Michelangelo--by which I mean he is choosing the perfect outfit

Let's be real though he's gonna go with the shadow suit

[yellowhollyhock]

Rise Leon vs Archie Raphael

Leon has definitely earned his place here, he's beaten some very formidable opponents. Raphael seems to be able to beat the odds literally no matter what though. We're not even talking canon logic, he has a bad time in the comics actually, but Turtle Cage has simply gone his way.

As much as these turtles have already been analyzed, I'm gonna try to make this brief and easy to read. 5 hearts=full marks

Flexibility:

❤️❤️❤️ R 3

🩵🩵🩵🩵 L 4

Experience:

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ R 5

🩵🩵 L 2

Discipline:

❤️❤️❤️ R 3

🩵🩵🩵 L 3 (I considered 2 but he really only acts irresponsible when it benefits him. even missing missions was back in the day when he didn't necessarily seem onboard with Raph's idea of being heroes) (he did eat those poison pizza puffs though... maybe 2.5?)

Stealth:

❤️❤️❤️ R3

🩵🩵🩵 L3

Special Attack/Skill:

❤️❤️ (cool costume) (2)

🩵🩵🩵🩵 (portals) (4)

Leon wants this to prove himself to his bros (angry with him) (I can't say what but he has something else planned and would need to win this)

Raphael has his bros loudly cheering for him, support and encouragement certainly would keep him at his best, especially since he's been having fun

Who gets a shot at being the Champion?

Rise Leon

archie Raph

Voting ended onJun 28, 2025

[yellowhollyhock]

IDW Mikey vs Archie Raphael

Mikey: acts decisively when the moment comes, observant, patient. He is having a really good experience here where fighting gets to be a game. The last two matches he's been on opposite ends of coaxing or being coaxed into relaxing and having a good time.

Raph: he just faced a vengeful protective-brother-mode Leo, his confidence has gotta be sky high. Not to mention the boost that comes with a great outfit

Hmm. Normally with these two I've been saying their wealth of experience should be considered. But now they're facing each other and they've both been through a lot, whether we measure by length of time or level of intensity.

This is the only fight this round that doesn't have an 03 turtle. I wonder which of them would be more motivated by that... wanting to bring attention to their family, rep their bros, prove that universe 03 taking home the Turtle Cage Champion title isn't a given yet. I mean, not just to win the match, but demonstrate that they deserve to be here, you know?

I feel like family pride is something that's been taught more to Michelangelo.. but at the same time he doesn't always believe in it, and Raphael is a bit more of a showboat. I also think they'd talk and like, purposely goad the best from each other, if that makes sense

Who goes on to semifinals?

IDW Mikey

archie Raphael

Voting ended onJun 25, 2025

[yellowhollyhock]

Archie Raphael vs Batman Donnie

Raphael is still winning the experience lottery. He joined the Mutanimals, went to the underworld, got verbally berated by his future self for failing at his first relationship (which was totally Ninjara’s fault), traveled the world, got abducted by aliens and forced to fight for entertainment by some sleazy character who tricked him into signing--

Ahem. Well the point is he has a wealth of background to draw from.

Anyway about his fighting, I will put it shortly, I think he’s better than Batman Donnie. Donnie is very observant and resourceful and great at thinking and planning ahead. This is not a great opportunity for him to shine. He is really good with his bo, however in one v one Raphael has just won a lot more times than he has. He didn’t do so well against a short opponent, which Raphael is.

They both just beat COOTS turtles, and I would say maybe the campiness is wearing on Raph’s soul more than Donnie’s, except Raph and COOTS Donnie bonded pretty much right away.

Donnie’s best bet is to be underestimated and then get in a decisive hit. This is not outside the realm of possibility for him, but he’ll need to really be on his game today--especially with his social skills, he has trouble reading the room so that kind of manipulation is kind of a big ask

I promise I'm not trying to make all the Donnies lose

Look I'm gonna give him huge kudos for pain tolerance, thinking as clearly as he did with a broken arm. That could possibly freak Raph out if he plays his cards right. Also, he's definitely a lot more positive and light-hearted generally speaking, which may make him more comfortable here. Raphael has had experience fighting for show, though it was a bad experience, emotionally speaking. Didn't stop him from almost winning, though (it was his Donatello who won instead)

Can batman Donnie lock in and have his best fight yet?

Yes, he's crazy enough to find a way

nah, Archie Raphael takes it

Voting ended onJun 11, 2025

@majachee your turtle is beating up Donatellos again (I promise I'm not doing this to him on purpose laskdjf)

[yellowhollyhock]

Archie Raphael vs Batman Leo

Archie Raphael still has his excellent outfit finds from thrifting with COOTS Donnie after beating him in Round 1. He had a pretty good experience in Round 2 also, overpowering Batman Donnie. The guy is a good sport. Both of his opponents have been really chill--not as in bad fighters (well I mean that's not relevant dhsha) but as in 'this was fun, let's hang out some time'

He has been sort of tricked into 'agreeing' to fight for entertainment before, but this time he didn't have to travel by cow mouth and had a chance to read the contract before signing. I'd say he's in pretty good spirits.

To review: he's had experience fighting on teams and solo. He's used to taking down taller opponents, great with stealth. Sometimes he can be over eager for the fighting to start, other times moody and disinterested, but I don't think to an extreme that it hinders him too much. Speed is hard to tell with comics but I'm saying he's not the fastest based on, who he wins/loses against and how, if that makes any sense. Also don't get the impression that he's the physically strongest, lifting seems to be more Leonardo or Donatello's thing (or I'm basing this overly much on the moments that stood out to me, there is a lot of Archie...)

Anyway he still seems to be the most skilled fighter, regardless of strength or speed. He knows the moves. Also, he is the last Archie turtle standing and has his bros cheering him on.

Batman Leo is kind of on a roll with taking out Raphs. Mutant Mayhem kid went first, then he took down 2007 Raph, who beat his own Leo--quite the feat. This guy is fast, smart, ruthless. He might not be as ruthless for a game, however he also has no reason to be worried, and thus can think more clearly. I would actually really very love to see how Batman Leo fights in a relaxed setting.

Also, he ah. In the movie the thing that both distracts and motivates him is being very protective of his brothers. Now, in a game setting like this, I don't think it would scare him enough to distract him. In fact it's going to work to his advantage because, not only is he the last of his team still fighting, he is also fighting the guy who just took down Batman Donnie. You better believe he was watching that fight, probably had a lecture ready as soon as Don sat down about exactly how he would have handled that particular opponent.

Especially since he could see the schedule.

So he has that protectiveness which, while not really necessary in low stakes situations, people with siblings know will manifest anyway. He's also in teaching/proving a point mode. Bro wants to win and next year he wants one of his brothers to win.

So they both got a lot of enthusiasm from the crowd, especially their families

Who will win?

Archie Raphael

Batman Leo

Voting ended onJun 20, 2025

[yellowhollyhock]

Archie Raph vs COOTS Donatello

Archie Raphael has experience on his side. He has been (without prior warning) in fights for show before, as well as spending time with the Mutanimals. Also been to the underworld (?) and returned. His fighting style is versatile compared to other raphs, in this area he really benefits from 1987's influence on him. He can be restless and forceful, but also is actually concerned about safety and sometimes brings a healthy 'can we go home now' or 'let's think about this first' (sometimes, not always shagsha). I think he's the best fighter of the archie turtles, maybe I'm over-judging by early issues, but he's confident and practical.

Also he loves disguises. Like really really loves his little outfits. If he gets to wear his shadow suit--which I don't see why we can't allow--his performance is boosted because a happy fighter is a strong fighter.

Some weaknesses: does sometimes jump in too fast, also gets really down on himself? what is up with all the Raphs thinking they are bad? Like I knew that but this has been a really consistent weakness. Also can be a bit hot and cold, sometimes trusting too easily sometimes not at all kind of thing

@majachee come get your boy he's about to (be contractually obligated to) beat up this dancer nerd

Coming Out of Their Shells Donatello for sure has a lot of stamina, and being a performer he's very aware of his own movements. Also, the COOTS turtles do have experience fighting, it's just not their main gig anymore.

However, he does very decidedly have less experience than Raph, and no solo experience, fighting or performing.

His brothers call him mellow, though we do see him lash out when the music goes away (like all the music in the world because of a thing Shredder did not just when his jam is ended dhagah). This maybe speaks to not really knowing how to direct his anger due to not feeling it often. Wait I meant to say this as a positive dhagkf.

he's mellow which is good for focus but he does also have some bite in the right circumstances. However as noted above we also learn from this that if he loses his temper, he doesn't direct it very thoughtfully just kinda yells and hits his machines. But to be fair to him he felt very specifically powerless in a situation he likely thought he should be able to fix

Anyway, he's really resourceful, made a cloaking device out of a credit card, made his and his bros instruments.

Whoever wins, these two should go thrifting together after the fight. Or maybe before, so they can gear up and pick the perfect outfits.

Who had the best outfit I mean who won?

Archie Raphael

COOTS Donatello

Voting ended onMay 30, 2025

I'm devastated because I wrote a better analysis months ago,, and now I can't get to it.. and I know there was something else I said about Archie Raph that was important but I can't rememberrrr (I think I got all the Donatello stuff but hnnnn it was all there ugh)