not an art post but does anybody else think about how not just in one, not two, not three, but in SEVERAL iterations of TMNT whenever Master Splinter is hurt or missing, Raphael is the first to throw himself in immediate danger?
No? Just me?
(yes i know he does the same for his siblings, but i’m talking about a father and son dynamic. not brothers)
Like Raphael will either scream in anguish or tear New York inside out to find his father. The passion he holds in his heart when it comes to his loyalty to his family is too big for his tiny turtle self. :((
When his father was missing with nothing left behind but a disheveled and destroyed home in 1990, his first instinct was to clutch his sais, the one of the few remaining things he possibly had left of his father, and screamed in absolute anguish and guilt.
In The Last Ronin, when his father was wounded and unsure of his survival, he alone took on an army and Karai by himself. While the truce was broken and he would’ve done that for any of his brothers, I just find it so gut wrenching when the child sees their parent in pain, and their first response is to assure that parent is in good hands before they personally fight against whatever may have harmed their parent.
In 2003 when Splinter went missing, Raphael spent hours looking for his father alone. He screamed his father’s name from the rooftops. But he still found time to help another child whom was missing their own parent. Because he understands the torture it feels to lose that bond.
And the absolute gentle care Raphael exhibits around his father is something that isn’t talked about enough. The bond that they have is so special to Raphael that he personally lowers his guard and his entire body language and behavior becomes gentle and kind. His father is one of the few people that is allowed to see his true self at any given moment.
I like when writer’s tackle that Raphael isn’t the angry violent brother all the time. But at his core, he is gentle and soft. And his heart is kind. But he is simply passionate and protective. His loyalty will pass every test you throw.
I need more one on one Raphael and Splinter scenes in TMNT.