The Evolution of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Action Figures

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) have been capturing the hearts of children and adults alike since bursting onto the scene in comic books in 1984.

Their popularity skyrocketed further when the animated series debuted in 1987. It didn't take long for TMNT action figures to follow, allowing fans to recreate their favorite scenes and adventures from the comics and show. Over the past nearly 40 years, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle action figure collection has continued to expand and evolve.

The original TMNT action figures were produced by Playmates Toys in 1988, just a year after the comic and animated series introduced the heroes in a half-shell to the world.

The Original 1988 Series

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The very first series of TMNT action figures released consisted of the four main Turtles - Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Raphael. These original figures were 5 inches tall and featured a modest level of detail and articulation, with swivel joints at the head, shoulders, wrists, and hips.

Each Turtle came with their signature weapon - Leonardo with twin katana blades, Donatello with a bo staff, Michelangelo with nunchucks, and Raphael with two sai.

The overwhelming popularity of the TMNT franchise meant that Playmates Toys rapidly expanded the figure line. By the end of 1988, figures for Splinter, April O'Neil, Shredder, Rocksteady, Bebop, and a Foot Soldier had all been produced as well. Accessory packs were also created, including a "Movie Star" line that turned the Turtles into rockstars.

1990 saw the release of the "Mutations" line, with the Turtles transformed into oozing radioactive monsters. Other new characters like Leatherhead, Casey Jones, and Metalhead joined the series. The line continued until 1993, encompassing dozens more figures from both the comics and animated shows like Krang, Rat King, and Slash.

Movie Tie-Ins

When the first live-action TMNT movie was released in 1990, Playmates was ready with movie-specific action figures. They produced the four Turtles with distinct movie styling, as well as figures for Splinter and Shredder. When the sequel Secret of the Ooze arrived in 1991, more movie figures were on Playmates' release calendar. These included versions of Tokka, Rahzar, and Super Shredder.

TMNT The Next Mutation

When the live-action TMNT: The Next Mutation series aired in 1997, Playmates produced a new line of figures to tie in. Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, and Michaelangelo were updated with more articulation and greater show-accuracy. Other characters like Venus de Milo, Dragon Lord, and Splinter in his ninja attire made their debut. But the lukewarm reception of the show meant the line was smaller than previous releases.

TMNT (2007)

The TMNT franchise got another cinematic reboot in 2007, with Playmates once again refreshing the action figure line. Basic figures of the four Turtles featured detailed sculpts, multiple points of articulation, and weapon accessories. Other entries included Movie Shredder, Foot Ninja, Stone Generals, and Karai. A deluxe figure series also hit shelves, with larger 8-inch versions of Leonardo and Raphael.

25th Anniversary Revival

After Playmates Toys lost the TMNT license in 1996, the action figure line went on a 10 year hiatus. But with the 25th anniversary approaching, Playmates negotiated the return of the license in 2009. To celebrate, they produced a new line of figures based on the original 1987 animated series.

The basic 4 inch line included all four Turtles, April O'Neil, Casey Jones, Bebop, Rocksteady, Krang in his android body, and a Foot Soldier. Each figure featured improved articulation and show-accurate sculpts. The deluxe figures stood 8 inches tall and included larger accessories and diorama pieces. A massive playset based on the Technodrome also got a 25th anniversary release.

Modern Incarnations

Even today, with new TMNT television shows and movies still being produced, Playmates Toys continues creating fresh action figure incarnations. When Nickelodeon launched the CG-animated TMNT show in 2012, an all-new figure series debuted. It spanned main characters like the Turtles, Splinter, Shredder, Kraang, and April O'Neil to more obscure picks like Kirby Bat and Pizza Face.

The line evolved over the show's 5 seasons, adding more points of articulation and detailed sculpts as the years went on. There were also deluxe figures with larger scales and more accessories. When the Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series premiered in 2018, Playmates once again rebooted their figure offerings with unique designs based on the new show.

And when Batman collided with the Heroes in a Half-shell for the animated film Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in 2019, Playmates was ready with a crossover action figure line. It included Batman, Batgirl, Robin, Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo and Donatello in an animated style blending designs from the two franchises.

The Video Games Lead to New Figures

The popularity of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles extended beyond just comics and cartoons - video games were another major pillar of the TMNT franchise. Playmates Toys leveraged the various TMNT games to produce special video game-themed action figures.

One prominent example was 1993's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tournament Fighters for the NES. Playmates released four figures based on the characters in the game - Mongoose Michelangelo, Warrior Raphael, Warrior Leonardo, and Warrior Donatello. Each Turtle came dressed in battle armor with a unique weapon like axes or maces.

When the TMNT: Tournament Fighters arcade game hit in 1994, Playmates again created a line of figures for it. Hothead Michelangelo, Blade Raphael, Hornhead Leonardo, and Sleek Donatello featured bold armor designs straight from the fighting game. There was also a Super Mutant figure, based on the hulking boss character from the arcade.

The excellent TMNT: Turtles in Time arcade beat 'em up spawned its own line of Playmates figures in 1992. Pirate Michelangelo, Pirate Donatello, Pirate Leonardo, and Pirate Raphael sported pirate garb themed after the time-traveling level in the game. And pulling from Turtles in Time's prehistoric stage was Cave Turtle Rocksteady and Cave Turtle Bebop.

Lastly, 1993's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV: Turtles in Time for Super Nintendo led to a set of "Super Tosser" Turtles figures from Playmates. With their plastic heads molded to literally throw projectiles, the gimmick paid homage to the SNES game's chuckable enemy-stunning items.

Commemorating TMNT Figure Milestones

Playmates Toys has produced special anniversary and milestone TMNT action figure collections to mark big occasions and anniversaries for the franchise. These commemorative figure lines let fans celebrate how far the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle phenomenon has come over decades.

With the 25th anniversary of TMNT approaching in 2009, Playmates kicked off festivities early in 2008 with a special 25th Anniversary set of figures. Each turtle came with color-coded bases stamped with their signature catchphrase. Limited to 25,000 pieces each, the figures had deluxe detailing and accessories.

When the actual 25th anniversary arrived in 2009, Playmates marked the quarter-century milestone with the Quartet 25th Anniversary 4-pack. The set featured the 4 Turtles in authentic sculpts from the classic 1987 show with lush, vivid decorations on their shells and weapons.

In 2012, Playmates collectors got to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the 1990 live-action Ninja Turtles movie with a special Comic Con exclusive set of figures based on the film. Each Turtle came with a sewer lid display base.

When the 25th anniversary of the first live-action film hit in 2015, Playmates crafted a special "Classic Collection" line. It included Movie Star Turtles, Movie Star Casey Jones, and Movie Star Splinter to represent the 1990 film with new sculpts and accessories.

Obscure Appearances Get Figures

Playmates hasn't limited themselves to just producing figures from the well-known TMNT comics, shows, and movies. Some of their most unique and obscure figures have come from the Turtles' stranger appearances and crossover specials.

For example, Playmates created a figure of Turtle Tips Leonardo to tie into the 1990 Coming Out of Their Shells musical tour. This Leo figure captured his glitzy, guitar-wielding stage persona. When the Turtles appeared in the 1992 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Playmates immortalized the occasion with a Balloon Bopper Leonardo figure complete with a parade balloon accessory.

The 1991 primetime special Cartoon All-Stars to the Rescue featured a brief cameo from the TMNT offering anti-drug advice. Playmates produced an incredibly rare figure set for the special, with each Turtle sporting a unique anti-drug slogan on their shell.

When the Power Rangers crossed over with the TMNT for a live Power Rangers/TMNT show in 1994, Playmates made sure to release a special line of mixed figures. Red Ranger Leonardo, Blue Ranger Michelangelo, and other mashups celebrated the epic crossover.

Keeping Up With the Competition

Playmates Toys hasn't rested on their laurels as the makers of TMNT figures for over 30 years. They've continually innovated and upped their game to match or exceed competing toy lines. As other action figure products raised the bar for things like sculpting, articulation, and accessories, Playmates made sure the TMNT line stayed cutting edge.

In the 2000s, toy companies like McFarlane Toys were producing highly detailed figures with greater articulation and quality sculpts. When Playmates reacquired the TMNT license in 2009, they made efforts to ensure their new lines matched the market standard. The 25th Anniversary figures featured far more articulation points than the vintage 1990s figures to allow for dynamic poses.

The later Nickelodeon figures also kept up with the times with nearly 30 points of articulation, detailed facial sculpts, and carefully crafted accessories. Playmates added features like extra neck articulation and wrists with multiple pivot points that weren't common when TMNT figures originally debuted decades earlier.

As the years went on, Playmates continued implementing innovative and artistic techniques to make sure their sculpts were on par with competitors. This included manufacturing processes like injection overmolding on figures like Bebop and Rocksteady to allow for metal chain accessories melded seamlessly into the sculpt.

From the vintage 1988 series to today's current offerings, the TMNT action figure line has consistently evolved and leveled up its quality and innovation to remain a toy industry leader. Playmates Toys has never been content to rest on nostalgia, instead ensuring the figures meet collectors' ever-rising standards decade after decade.

Looking to the Future

For over 30 years, Playmates Toys has continued producing new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle action figures based on the latest incarnations of the franchise in movies, television, and more. As long as new TMNT content keeps getting created, fans can count on Playmates to bring their favorite characters leaping to plastic life.

The evolution of the TMNT action figure line reflects how the franchise itself has grown and changed over decades. The figures have become more detailed and articulated with each new generation. They've also expanded far beyond the original core characters to showcase the vast TMNT universe, from arch villains to alien races to turtle mutations.

For collectors and children alike, the rich variety and history of TMNT figures provides endless opportunities for imagination, adventure, and play.

Conclusion

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle action figures have come a long way from their relatively humble beginnings in 1988. What started as a simple line focused on the core TMNT team has blossomed into an expansive toy collection representing all facets of the franchise.

From the vintage 1990 movie tie-ins to the 25th anniversary revival to the current offerings tied into modern TMNT shows, the figures have evolved with the turtles themselves. And as long as new content keeps coming for TMNT, fans can trust Playmates Toys to continue honoring the heroes in a half-shell with imaginative and nostalgic toy offerings.

For over 30 years and counting, these action figures have allowed children and collectors across generations to hold a piece of TMNT history in the palm of their hand.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did the first TMNT action figures release?

The original TMNT action figures hit store shelves in 1988, produced by Playmates Toys. They consisted of the four main Turtles - Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Raphael.

How many different TMNT action figure lines have there been?

Playmates Toys has produced new collections of TMNT action figures tied to the various movies, television shows, and other media released over the decades. Major lines include the vintage 1988 series, the 1990 movie tie-ins, 2007 film reboot figures, the 25th anniversary series, Nickelodeon show figures, and more.

Which TMNT action figure is the most rare/valuable?

Some of the most sought-after vintage TMNT action figures include the unproduced "Muckman" figure from 1988 with an estimated value of $20,000-$25,000 and the 1990 "Mutatin' Michelangelo" figure valued at around $5,000-$6,000 mint on box.

Have any female TMNT action figures been made?

Yes, Playmates has produced action figures of popular female characters from the TMNT universe over the years. These include April O'Neil, Venus de Milo, Karai, Shinigami, and Batgirl from the Batman vs TMNT line.

Are TMNT action figures still being produced today?

Yes, Playmates Toys continues releasing new TMNT action figures based on the latest shows and movies, like Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Batman vs. TMNT. As new TMNT content is created, refreshed toy lines will follow.

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