Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Music and Animation/Fighting Sequences

Hey everyone! Like my title says, this post is analyzing the music and animation of the three TMNT series. Enjoy! 

Music
To me, it seems like the music for each series fits the unique style well. Whether it was 80s rock, traditional japanese, or R&B, the music works well for each series.

TMNT 1987

Source: digitalspy.co.uk

This show has all the classic 80s rock music that you know and love. The theme song is particularly catchy and is probably one of the most recognizable theme songs in cartoon history (listen to it here). 

The music goes quite well with the tone of the show, in that's it's also light, fun, and catchy. It's perfect kids cartoon music.





TMNT 2003

Source: turtlepedia.wikia.com

The music for this show alternates between rock/electronic music and traditional japanese music. The theme music, while very fun and energetic, may not be quite as catchy as it's predecessor, although I'm quite fond of it (listen to it here). 

A good word to describe the music for this show would be energetic, or intense. The music follows the themes and emotions of the series really well, whether it's an intense fighting scene or a sad scene. Unfortunately, while pretty and fun, it may not be quite as memorable.

TMNT 2012

Source: deviantart.com

The music here is interesting, particularly the theme. The theme uses part of the 1987 theme but adds an R&B feel to it, complete with a rap (listen to it here). As strange as that sounds, it actually works.

 A lot of the soundtrack will have a bit of an R&B element to it, combined with the traditional Japanese music.  While it's different, it works well with the series.



Animation/Fighting Sequences
The biggest pattern with animation in all three series is the Japanese anime influence on each series. Whether, it's fighting style, character design, or comedic reactions, Japanese elements can be found throughout each of these series. 

TMNT 1987

Source: turtlepedia.wikia.com

In the first season, the animation was done quite well, especially during the fighting sequences. During that era, the animation was really good, and the fighting sequences were decent. 

Unfortunately, as the series progressed, the animation got progressively worse, and the fighting sequences devolved to slapstick humor with the turtles rarely using their weapons, or ninjutsu to fight (check out one fight scene here). 





TMNT 2003

Source: turtlepedia.wikia.com

The animation was significantly better in this series with the fighting sequences getting much more complex. There was a lot of the japanese flying-across-the-screen style of fighting, which meant less actual fighting sequences, but there was still much more than the previous series. 

Unlike the previous series, the animation gets better up until the 5th season and then it regresses. I think seasons 3 and 4 had the best animation and fighting (check out some cool fight scenes here). The animation is decidedly Japanese, particularly with the fighting styles. 

Overall, the fighting scenes and animation were done much better and were more consistent than the 1987 series.

TMNT 2012

Source: sengalboy.wordpress.com

This is the first CGI animation for the Ninja Turtles franchise, and I have to say it's done really well. I've seen a lot of terrible CGI cartoons, but this series really does the style justice. The only big issue I saw with CGI is that the animation of hair is a bit lacking, although Master Splinter's fur is done fairly well.

The fighting sequences are absolutely beautiful to watch and are phenomenally intricate. They got everything down from the overall move to the little movements each turtle makes in each kick, duck and punch. The season finale battle between Shredder and Master Splinter is truly incredible (check it out here though be warned, there are spoilers). 

There is a lot more brutal fighting in this series and it shows. The animation style doesn't have as much Japanese elements in fighting, but the reactions of the characters have some definite anime qualities (ex: big cartoony surprised eyes, enlarged characters towering over others when mad, etc). Overall, the combination of CGI and anime style looks great and it makes the show very visually appealing.  


That's it for today! Tomorrow, I'll be getting into the characters. Until later folks!