Well a TMNT iteration inspired by my family (not an original idea), but there’s six of us. Four boys, two girls. So what if, the turtles had their sisters in the beginning and I dramatized the family trauma. Here are the rankings:
Splinter (Hamato Yoshi, 42): OCD, spontaneous, anger issues, disciplined, Asian parent standard, can’t identify his limits. Yoshi had always had a hard life. Strict, accomplished parents with high expectations, who he left to study abroad and learn English, met a woman (Tang Shen), fell in love, she was taken away by a mad man and her DNA was used in mutant experiments. He managed to flee to the sewers with 6 baby turtles made in the experiment, and halt the mad man’s progression (where he was mutated into a rat), but lost the love of his life forever.
Venus (oldest, 16): Obedient, kind, keeps feelings to herself, trying her best really, perfectionist, overwhelmed and stimming. Started taking care of her siblings at a young age, after Splinter’s mental health barreled down leaving him a shell of his old self, resigned to his room. Venus tries her best to keep things up to Splinter’s strict standards of house and home. Loves escaping through movies, and often hums songs around the house. More like Splinter than she cares to admit. Looks the most like Tang Shen and remembers seeing her in the isolation tanks.
Raph (Venus’ twin): Anger issues, loves arguments, really a big softy, physical touch, would do anything for family, keeps to himself for own activities, inattentive ADHD, protective. Splinter trained both Raph and Venus is martial arts when they were young, and Raph has good memories of Splinter, but no memories of Tang Shen.Entertains his younger siblings, but isn’t the best at helping out. Loves reading, stuffed animals, and punching stuff. Will beat up any brother causing problems.
Jennika (14): Independent, Anxiety, helpful, social, has a bit of a permanent judgement face, body dysmorphia, people pleaser, more stubborn than you’d think. Longs to leave the sewers and meet humans. Loves to dance, and loves to cook. Likes to keep her space tidy. Very close with Splinter, who sees her potential. He’s the hardest on her. Strict physical exercise routine. Wakes up the earliest. Writes poems. She’s the closest with Leo.
Leo (13): A big tease, picky eater, charismatic, likes looking good, thinks he’s the best looking in the family (he probably is), material gurl, not good at talking about his /emotions/, tallest (for now). Loves getting on his brothers nerves and working out/training. Is the most likely to start a successful business. Would never admit he actually cares about his family, but he does. Tis but a flesh wound, adventurer, could successfully blame you for anything (especially Venus). Knows the most Japanese. Great chess player.
Mikey (12): Social butterfly, wants to be friends with everyone, sensitive, hates rejection and loss, artistic, Tattle-tale, hyperactive ADHD, competitive. Loves playing outside (when allowed), and playing games with his family. Is usually picked on by Leo. Taught martial arts by Venus and Raph. Enjoys Martial Arts and parkour, baking, and video games. A bit more timid, but willing to try anything especially if Leo did it first. Tries to get the whole family to do stuff together.
Donnie (10): Tinkerer, will def be the tallest brother when he hits his growth spurt, autistic, creative, big forehead, follows his siblings around, iPad kid, will abuse the youngest child card. Loves telling stories, beating his brothers in video games, and showing off his “special moves.” Really looks up to Venus and Raph, who he was mostly raised by. He’s still trying to figure out who he is. You can find him the most next to Mikey or Leo, or glued to a Nintendo switch. Plays chess with Leo.
Splinter speaks a lot of his childhood, but not much of his young adulthood spent out of Japan. The plot would follow the turtles discovering the truth of their creation and Splinters past, Venus’ vague memory of Tang Shen (who she believes might’ve been someone she made up), and meeting other mutants, or “cousins”. They’d have run ins with the foot clan, who is a part of some greater family history. Also includes shenanigans. Splinter would realize his faults and try to get better, really giving special attention to Jennika and Leo. Which bothers Venus
Venus is the leader for a bit, only as the oldest, until Venus hands it over to Leo. 1) To help herself heal, relax and stop being so stressed and 2) because she knows he will be great. Jennika is Leo’s number two.
This is also mixing in some of my favorite TMNT iterations, but my family fits really well with the established characters. I imagine they are also different species. Let me know what you think.
