The best Splinter?

[Sage Ninja]

Which version of Splinter do you like the best I'm not talking origin stories but in terms of personality and presence he had in the show?

In the old live action movies he seemed like a frail grandfatherly type who had a sweet disposition was wise and cryptic way about him. He was stern but also caring and you can see he adored his sons and they adored him. This version of him is probably the most cute and endearing since he could be childishly silly. I like live action Splinter's personality because he was very gentle and sweet. But I don't think he had a very strong presence because he came off as so weak and ancient.

Old toon Splinter personality was pretty good. He gave off that dignified japanese aura and he was an all around nice guy. he cared for his sons and gave them advice but didn't let them slack off. He gave off a completely understanding up standing Father of the year persence but some how I find him a bit more detached than the other Splinter's with his sons. He was almost too perfect and understanding, and there for boring. And he didn't have much of a sence of humour. Also his health was not consistant, sometimes he was weak and frail and needed rescue and other times he was powerful and capable.

New CGI movie Splinter was probably the boldest version of Splinter that i've seen. Almost all versions try to portray Splinter as this saintly father figure who is always understanding. But this one was portrayed as being a bit colder and more flawed than the others, and sometimes unreasonable and harsh on occassion. The whole "Ninja Master of the turtles" aspect of his character was played upon more than his warmer fatherly side. He obviously had a sterner way of handling the turtles and had higher and stricter expectations of them and less tolerance for disobediance. CGI Splinter still had his fatherly moments but this one stands out as being the most openly flawed of the bunch and possiably more human because of them. He had a the strongest presence of the Splinters.

2k3 Splinter is probably my favorite Splinter of the bunch. Of all the Splinter's he has displayed the most humourous personality. Which I like he is a charming blend of wit and refined dignity. He pulls off the role of sage sensei with lots of other wordly knowledge and spritulism but also as a very down to earth guy with a dry sence of humour. He is not above taking pot shots at his students and he is a hard shell who tries to keep his sons on the straight and narrow but he doesn't mind letting them be their own person and finding their own way. He is a god blend of live action movie splinter with his wise spirtual ways and cute nature and New Movie Splinter with his stern no nonsence "I'm a powerful ninja master" ways about him. But at the same time being his own person and having his own distinguishing attributes. I think this Splinter does the best job at balancing his role as sensie and father very well and doesn't let the two over lap or dominate the other. I also think this version displays the most tenderness and love for his sons than any other Splinter. He may like to make fun of his sons but it's very obvious that he loves them all deeply and he has the most satisfying reactions when one of them is hurt or in pain. Plus he is probably the most viril and powerful of all the Splinter's. Despite his age he still seems like a bad-shell and can take on enemeies as well and even better than his sons. He doesn't display much of the ancient fraility that the others have I get theimpression that he is the youngest of all the Splinter's. I get a the impression that he is in his 50's unlike other Splinter; who seem to be like in thier seventies.

[Kismet]

I actually really like Archie and Mirage Splinter, but none of the comic verses were an option. As far as television goes, that's a tough one.

[LenniluvsBrian]

The 2k3 Splinter, provided that's the cartoon before FF. Lol. If so, that Splinter makes me laugh & love him more than before!


~Lenni~

[Angelo]

The new CGI Splinter.

[cynlee]

I chose number four, but I also think that Splinter in the 2007 movie was the best movie one.  Mako was an excellent choice, and it's said that any sequel will be without him.

Darren Dunstan has the best voice for the toons, and just the right amount of *it* for the character.  The writers of Fast Forward tried at times to ruin Splinter, but even in those scenes, Dunstan stands out.


Splinter kicking butt is something I enjoy.  I also like that he still proves he is the Master, whether it's up against an enemy or dealing with a wayward son.  I was watching "Battle Nexus" with my class the other day, and the scene where Mike is paired up with Splinter in the second round spoke volumes.  Mike knew that Splinter could kick his shell, but Splinter decided to let his son have a chance in the contest.  "If my sons can win, I do not wish to stand in their way",  he said to the Daimyo after he forfeited to Mike.

[Gojira]

The original movie Splinter is my favorite, he's a good balance of characteristics.
I love his sense of humor too, the ending always makes me laugh.

[Leonardo]

I liked the old movies Splinter, because the scenes with him had some powerful things in there. And yes, a gentle father figure, but certainly nothing to kick anyone's butt physically. (Which may have been partly due to the at the time impressive animatronic work, but would have limited having Splinter leaping about.)

The new movie Splinter is possibly more 'realistic' in some things--being a little more harsh is probably what would be needed for the way Splinter would have raised his sons as ninja to survive in their world. But he clearly still had a sense of humor and gentle side.
Possibly the closest to the Mirage comics Splinter in some ways? Have to think on that more....

The 4Kids Splinter is in between the movie Splinters as I see it.

I enjoy all of those Splinters, because it's like the other TMNT characters. Based off the same stock but finished off in different aspects of the characters. As long as the treatment of Splinter's character fits in relation to the others, then it works for me.

[BubblyShell22]

I chose 2K3 Splinter. I think of him as a father figure who cares deeply for his sons and isn't afraid to show it. The old toon Splinter sort of lacked this. In that incarnation he only called them, "My Turtles." However, I love that he calls them his sons in the new toon. He has a sense of humor at times and is very funny when he wants to be. He's also willing to stand up for his sons and isn't frail by any means. He can kick butt with the rest of them. I agree with Cynlee that when he forfeited to Mikey, he really showed his fatherly side. He didn't want to stand in the way of his sons if they could win the tournament. He also doesn't take crap from his sons as evidenced when Leonardo cut him with his katana, but he shows that he feels concern for them, which is a good thing. All in all, 2K3 Splinter is the best incarnation.

[Sage Ninja]

I chose 2K3 Splinter. I think of him as a father figure who cares deeply for his sons and isn't afraid to show it. The old toon Splinter sort of lacked this. In that incarnation he only called them, "My Turtles." However, I love that he calls them his sons in the new toon. He has a sense of humor at times and is very funny when he wants to be. He's also willing to stand up for his sons and isn't frail by any means. He can kick butt with the rest of them. I agree with Cynlee that when he forfeited to Mikey, he really showed his fatherly side. He didn't want to stand in the way of his sons if they could win the tournament. He also doesn't take crap from his sons as evidenced when Leonardo cut him with his katana, but he shows that he feels concern for them, which is a good thing. All in all, 2K3 Splinter is the best incarnation.

OT Splinter was nice enough and caring and supportive enough but I just didn't feel the same passion in him for his family as other Splinter's have. I also get the impression in the show that OT Splinter purposely tried to keep things distanced a bit from the turtles. Like he didn't want the turtles to get to attached to him or something. Also I don't think he holds up to NT Splinter in personality since OT Splinter had like no sence of humour at all.

What I like about NT Splinter is that he doesn't play favorites among the turtles or put one turtle above the others. I mean sure he has a close relationship with Leo in 2k3 but I never felt that he gave him more attention than the other turtles. Leo strives to be a good ninja and leader because he wants too. Not because he has been appointed or pressured by Splinter to do so. He seems to love all four of his sons equally and even seems to go out of his way to try to connect with each of them personaly. When ever there is a pair-up episode where Splinter has an alone adventure with one them he doesn't seem akward with any of them like he finds himself alienated to be alone in of his sons presence because he can't connect with them. I also like how he can be strict enough to be their father and sensei but relaxed enough where he can pall around with them as well.

[BubblyShell22]

I agree with your take on NT Splinter. Yes, he doesn't favor Leo over the others, but I feel that Leo does feel pressured to please Splinter, though Splinter never puts this pressure on him. He wants to please his dad which is why he works hard. But I agree that Splinter loves all of his sons and shows it in the NT. I almost cried when he saw Don mutated and looked so hearbroken because of it. That was powerful to me. And when he encouraged Leo to face his fears. That was awesome.

[Sage Ninja]

The new CGI Splinter.

You see I actually like Splinter in the New CGI movie because he reminded me of an actual old japanese person rather than some one acting like a japanese dude. He just gave off a more authentic feel to him. Now I'm not trying to stero-type a race but from what I've seen of japanese films the elders in a household or teachers where ushauly rather cold and demanding of those under them. Which I thought Splinter was in that old school japanses sort of way of over looking individuals in favor of the whole team aspect. And this Splinter seemed wicked japanese old school, as you can see he puts the responciabilty of the family on Leo's shoulders and holds him responciable for their actions. Splinter seemed to have this old thought process that the indivdual of the family didn't matter so much as the "whole" of the family did. This Splinter came off as the most "Tradinally Japanese" version of him with all the ideals and values of ninja hierarchy and up bringing. All the other Splinters all though very nice all seem to be more Americanised in my opinion. Especially New toon Splinter. Splinter is supposed to be a rat that was exposed and brought up in a very traditinal nintisu customs, but they all seem to be rather relaxed and laid back in American sort of way letting his sons have more reign with out that tight strict sort of way "obey me" attitude. CGI movie Splinter had that so I feel that made him seem more realistic since he had a tighter grip on what the turtles where allowed to do.

I actually really like Archie and Mirage Splinter, but none of the comic verses were an option.

I don't really have much knowledge of mirage Splinter the only impression I really get of Splinter in the Mirage comics as that he is more pragmatic and ruthless than all the other Splinter's since he admits to training the turtles for the purpose of killing The Shredder, where as the other Splinter's only trained the turtles to keep the tradtion that Yoshi was so passinate about alive, with no vengence tainting his motives. Which I don't find to admirable. He also seems to be portrayed as a bit frail compared to classic toon Splinter and 2k3 Splinter. But I don't know what he was like as a father figure to the turtles or if he was genuanly warm and affectionate like Splinter is in the 2k3 series.

and I mentioned this on the drome but has any one lese noticed that it is only in the cartoons where Splinter is shownb to use corporal punishment.  In the classic toon Splinter has been shown to through the turtles around and attack them when they step out of line. And so has NT Splinter . In the live action movies Splinter just made them do back flips when they misbehaved.

[Amicitia]

I get a the impression that he is in his 50's unlike other Splinter; who seem to be like in thier seventies.

But that's the weird thing. In actual chronological age, Splinter can't be more than a year or two older than the turtles. So if they're 16 in 2k3, he's really only 18! It makes me wonder how the mutagen affects the aging process. Did Splinter turn into a middle-aged mutant, because he was a middle-aged rat? Is his total lifespan now halfway between rat and human?

These questions need answers...

[BubblyShell22]

I always thought Splinter was an adult rat before he got mutated. So, he's definitely older than the Turtles. As for the grey fur, you try living with four sons who constantly have you on your toes! That would turn even my hair gray!

[Amicitia]

I always thought Splinter was an adult rat before he got mutated. So, he's definitely older than the Turtles.

That's what I was trying to say - but because rats don't live very long, in real years he isn't *much* older than the Turtles. He just seems that way because of different lifespans and aging processes.... Is this making any sense?

[Kazari]

I definitely think the 2003 Splinter is the best He makes me laugh LOL

[cynlee]

I definitely think the 2003 Splinter is the best He makes me laugh LOL

OH yes!  

I remember seeing "The Shredder Strikes" part 2-- where he says "Yes, you are all safe" then backhands the heck out of all four!! I was taken by surprise as well as laughing!  Leo: What was that for?  Splinter:  For taking on the Shredder on your own!



And when I got a chance to see the first few episodes-- episode three, where he tells April he believes her...

Leo:  Is this some lesson?  How to sense the truth?
Splinter:  No.. this is called "trusting your gut".


2k3 Splinter rules.  I love TMNT Splinter as well.  Fast Forward Splinter has his (very few) moments.  


But honestly, I am afraid of the coming series, where Splinter is dispersed along the stupid virtual plane or whatever, and how they have to gather his bits....

[Sage Ninja]

I agree with your take on NT Splinter. Yes, he doesn't favor Leo over the others, but I feel that Leo does feel pressured to please Splinter, though Splinter never puts this pressure on him. He wants to please his dad which is why he works hard. But I agree that Splinter loves all of his sons and shows it in the NT. I almost cried when he saw Don mutated and looked so hearbroken because of it. That was powerful to me. And when he encouraged Leo to face his fears. That was awesome.

This is what I like about NT Splinter is the fact that he doesn't play favorites with the turtles. And the only real pressure Leo actually feels to please Splinter comes from himself not Splinter. NT Splinter has always been very understanding of each of the turtles and given them space to figure things out on their own and find them selves, even when it seems trivial. Like in the Unconvincing Turtle Titan episode when Mikey wanted to do things out in the open like super heros do instead of hiding in the shadows, and what did Splinter do? He didn't put his desire down or not take him seriously, he let him go out and figure things out on his own instead of forbidding him from thinking of doing things out in thge open.

mm, the same can't be said of CGI Splinter in the new movie. I said before that this portrayal of Splinter was flawed, well I think what made him so flawed was that I think he did play favorites a bit with Leo and Raph. **Dodges bricks thrown by rabid movie Splinter fans**. In other mediums where Leo and Raph have conflict the writers seem careful to portray Splinter as giving his favor equally between Raph and Leo which really puts more pettiness to the rivalry. But in the movie Splinter clearly does have higher expectations of Leo and trusts him above all the other turtles to lead the team and guide the family and take responciablity for their actions. Which sucks for Leo since he can't control what the others do, but makes it look like Leonardo has some sort of elevated status over Raph and the others. Which Leo sort of does since Splinter has made it so, and Raph does not like it.

But that's the weird thing. In actual chronological age, Splinter can't be more than a year or two older than the turtles. So if they're 16 in 2k3, he's really only 18! It makes me wonder how the mutagen affects the aging process. Did Splinter turn into a middle-aged mutant, because he was a middle-aged rat? Is his total lifespan now halfway between rat and human?

I think when the turtles and Splinter mutated it took their animal ages of physical maturity and converted it over to human years. So even if Splinter had only been alive for two years before he found the turtles as babies and they where mutated, he would have been in rat years a fully grown rat going into his middle years. And the turtles being babies where just babies when they mutated, so Splinter is indeed older than the turtles and old enough to be thier father.

[BubblyShell22]

Oh, I agree with the movie Splinter version. It does seem like he expects more of Leo than of the others. I wanted to hug Leo when he was getting berated by Splinter. Sure, I like TMNT Splinter, but that berating just made me feel really sorry for Leo.

2K3 Splinter rules! He definitely makes me chuckle, and I love him in The Lost Season.

[Sage Ninja]

I liked the old movies Splinter, because the scenes with him had some powerful things in there. And yes, a gentle father figure, but certainly nothing to kick anyone's butt physically. (Which may have been partly due to the at the time impressive animatronic work, but would have limited having Splinter leaping about.)

hmm, you make a good point about live action Splinter. He came across as over all more gentle and meek in this version so him so him taking a more pacifist stance concering needless violence sort of goes with his his age and the limits of his body. I just thought he seemed to much like he he had one foot in the ground .and he did come off as more warm and fatherly to the turtles especially when he is comferting Raphael in the first half of the movie about his anger issue and he puts his hand on his head as Raphael cries, and also with his concern for that snotty Danny kid and his pep talks he gave him about fathers and sons, whistle he was chained to a fence after being beaten half to death, really showed how compassinate and selfless he was. And I think that is what made movie Splinter my favorite even over the cartoon version of them time. I loved the role of family the he represented in the movie.

you know what else I like about 2k3 Splinter? Really?  He is the only Splinter that I've seen that is down to earth and...human! All the other Splinters sometimes come off as too other worldly and cryptic that you feel a bit alienated by them almost. Like if you where living with a holy man and he was constantly droning off about the mysterious of nature and karma . NT Splinter has that but it's tempered with a very dry sence of humour and laid back disposition that makes him less out of reach and intimidating. Like you could get close to him. I like how he is a serious character but can be a comedic character as well. I think that is why his personality quirks make his sence of humour more funny. And I like I said I feel this Splinter balances his roles of sensei and Father the best out of all the Splinters, since he can be a strict and tough sensie and poerful warrior while being a supportive father as well.  

[Raphs_Girl]

I really like the 2k3 version of Splinter the best! At times he can be humourous, stern, and caring. I think he's the most well-rounded incarnation!

[BubblyShell22]

I agree with that. He definitely has a stern nature and a caring nature. I love his sense of humor the best though. One of my fave moments was when he was playing poker with Raph and Casey and said, "If one does not know how to pay, one must not play. Suckers." That just cracked me up.

[Lady Mew2]

I voted fer the New Toon Splinter cuz he's what a father is suppose to be.

[BubblyShell22]

I second that motion. New Toon Splinter rules!

[Mindy]

New movie CGI Splinter

In just the movie's (short) running time, I felt so much closer to Splinter and his intentions. He came down hard on his sons but also had the most tender-hearted moments of the movie, too. He was very real to me, and if I ever wrote a TMNT fic, I would go by this version of Splinter. Plus, I really liked his voice and accent, as well.

[Sage Ninja]

On another message board we got into the disscussion of Splinter and his use of disipline and how he occassinally uses corporal punishment on the turtles, even the Splinter in the 2k3 series where he is alot more funny and relaxed. some people have a problem with it.

Personly given the fact that the turtles are are not the norm and can get brutally tortured and killed if they where to act stupid and disobey Splinter and get captured, and because they are warriors, that I think makes sence Splinter would administer displine physically. Splinter isn't a raising a typical family of American boys where taking away their TV privlidges or confining them to their room, would make a strong enough impression for the turtles to stay in line. But yeah, even with all that to consider I do admit that every time Splinter has smacked the turtles around I was like    but it does get your attention and put sence of realism that the turtles get disiplined like any other teenager and gets in trouble. Also I think when Splinter hits the turtles it gives the situation some tension in a "oh crap! Splinters pizza'ed at the turtles, how far is this going to go?" sort of way. I think the reason why we get all OMG WTF, when Splinter hits the turtles is because in our culture the whole corporal punishment thing has become something of a taboo since most forms of physical punishment have been abandoned for more friendlier means of disapline, that Splinter useing this is sort of a shock (to some), but I think it lends a sort of realism to Splinters back ground as a japanese rat and not an american one, which I think helps to set apart as not the typical American dad. Splinter is old school even in the New toon where he seems to be laid back.

[Jelly bean]

cartoon Splinter all the way!!  Splinter is such a kick butt rat. 

[Sage Ninja]

this was brought up in another forum so I'll just ask this here. Do you think Splinter spanked the turtles when they where little kids when they misbehaved? Or do youthink he didn't use that form of punishment on the turtle? If he did spank which turtles probably got spanked more often than the others?

[Calypso]

It was soo hard to decide that I didn't vote, 
I loved Splinter in all of what he has been in.  Sure he may have had subtle differences during shows, but to me he will always be the same Master and Father he has always been to the Turtles.

He is a strong, caring and loving being, in spite of whatever has been through thanks to Saki in some form or another.  So for me to try and choose, it's like trying to choose who my favourite sister is or which parent I love the most (I love my family equally, there is no way I can decide).

[Jelly bean]

I agree with your take on NT Splinter. Yes, he doesn't favor Leo over the others, but I feel that Leo does feel pressured to please Splinter, though Splinter never puts this pressure on him. He wants to please his dad which is why he works hard. But I agree that Splinter loves all of his sons and shows it in the NT. I almost cried when he saw Don mutated and looked so hearbroken because of it. That was powerful to me. And when he encouraged Leo to face his fears. That was awesome.

hey which one of his sons do you think Splinter feels the most uncomfertable around or can't relate to the most? Personally i think it might be Raph.

[Shredneck]

The best Splinter was in the original Mirage comics, but, as far as the cartoons and movies go, I'd have to go with the Splinter from the first Turtles movie, he came off as the most believable and realistic.