Every TMNT Character, Ranked From Worst to Best
TMNT 2003 all turtles
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are a hot commodity right now. They’ve always been popular in one way or another, but in the last year or so they’ve really skyrocketed. Not every franchise gets a crossover in Street Fighter 6, or pizza-scented Xbox controllers, but the Turtles have gotten both.
So what makes TMNT so popular? Well, it’s probably the lovely cast of characters, with not only the Turtles, but their human companions, rat sensei, and even their biggest nemesis all being interesting and compelling characters. But which TMNT character is the best? And more importantly, which character is the worst? That’s what we’re here to answer.
Now, I should warn you, most of the ranking here is going to be based on my vague memories of the 2003 animated television series, which was perhaps a more mature showing of the Turtles than some recent adaptations. But hey, your first Turtles are always the ones that stick with you the most.
With that out of the way, this is every (major) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles character, ranked from worst to best.
Casey Jones
There’s nothing strictly wrong with Casey Jones, he’s just very… boring. The Turtles didn’t really need a second human companion, especially when they had April on their team. Casey, at least, was a somewhat interesting addition to the Turtles’ combat capabilities, adding a rough-and-tumble vibe that Ninjutsu just can’t match.
Raphael
Again, none of the characters on this list are bad, and Raphael certainly isn’t. His fighting style is sharply executed and aggressive, which often gets him into trouble, and at the end of the day somebody has to be The Angry One. Unfortunately, save for a few moments here and there, that anger is pretty much all Raph has going for him. In other media, he certainly has a lot of depth, but in the primary source for my Turtles knowledge, he’s a bit one-note.
Leonardo
Ah Leo, the studious, sensible leader. He has the coolest weapon – wielding two swords is always a deeply cool look – but his whole “we have to be responsible” schtick gets tiring fast. Leo is always on the right side, and he’s always right, and that means there’s not a lot of room for growth. Still, his personality slips from time to time, and he starts to let his hair down around his brothers with time, so it’s not all bad.
April O'Neil
In just about every adaptation of TMNT, April is pretty damn cool. She’s the main human friend of the Turtles, and despite the fact that they are literal green mutant turtles that are the size of a human, she never judges them. In most cases, and indeed in the 2003 animated series, April provides logistical support, and it’s a fun role to have her in.
Shredder
Man, Shredder, what a villain right folks? Shredder is menacing, ruthless, and utterly terrifying at times, with the man behind the mask rarely being seen, but always being felt. Shredder is actually two distinct characters in the 2003 series, the first being an alien in a robot suit, and the second being that alien’s adopted daughter. The fact that truly anyone could be behind the mask is what makes Shredder such a compelling villain.
Michelangelo
Mikey is the easygoing, laid back Turtle bro, and while that aloofness can bite him in the shell sometimes – and it often does – it does mean he has a huge potential for growth. Mikey brings a fun attitude to the team, but he’s also capable of being serious when he needs to be, and caring and empathetic when it matters most. He’s a charismatic fighter too — even if he’s not the most technically proficient, he makes up for it with creativity and sheer willpower. Easily the best Turtle of the group.
Master Splinter
Look, you knew Splinter was going to be at the top, right? I mean he’s a giant rat in a robe who teaches the Turtles Ninjutsu. He’s exactly the kind of father you’d want, and exactly the kind of teacher you’d need. I can’t think of a single version of TMNT where Splinter wasn’t just the coolest dude around, and that’s why he’s at the top of the list.
