The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are masterful characters that have transcended their original form of media. Now, you'll find them with comics, television shows, movies, and video games. The four turtles, each recognized by the color of their eyewear, have been at it for years with no signs of stopping.
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They aren't the only characters from the series, though. There are quite a few TMNT characters besides the turtles themselves that we've come to know. The Ninja Turtles have friends, foes, and acquaintances everywhere in between. And without these non-turtle characters, the TMNT series would just not be the same.
8 Miyamoto Usagi
Miyamota Usagi is anthropomorphic rabbit who happens to be a ronin. The sword-wielding mammal is the main protagonist of his own series known as Usagi Yojimbo. The Dark Horse comic character has crossed over with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles multiple times, however.
Typically, Usagi pairs up with Leonardo. A samurai rabbit is cool enough, but his level-headed demeanor and ability to turn any situation into a positive outcome for himself is amazing. While Usagi may not be one of the most well-known TMNT characters, he's definitely one of the best.
7 Slash
Slash is sometimes a villain and sometimes just a supporting character. And while he is a turtle, he's not one of the four that makes up the main group. In fact, he was Raphael's pet turtle before he was exposed to Ooze and mutated much like the original Ninja Turtles.
His villainous arc started because he felt Raphael was mistreated by the others. That led him to trying to wipe out the other three and making the team just a duo between himself and his former owner. It's a really cool story that sees him turn into a hero with the Mighty Mutanimals.
6 April O'Neil
Everyone knows April O'Neil, and while some of her appearances are down right unmatched, others have left plenty to be desired. That has hurt her stock a little bit, but that doesn't take away from her importance to the TMNT series as a whole.
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As the first human ally to the turtles, the long-standing news reporter isn't afraid to get her hands dirty. She's been with the group during some of their most iconic moments. And she's probably one of the first supporting characters that comes to mind when the turtles are mentioned.
5 Leatherhead
Leatherhead first appeared in games on the Nickelodeon website. It wasn't until later when he debuted in the TMNT television show that he'd become famous. The mutant alligator was the subject of horrifying experiments by the Kraang, but it did not sway him to a path of evil.
While he can't help but be an alligator sometimes, he often assists the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in doing away with dastardly villains. This makes every appearance by Leatherhead a surprise. You never know what mood he's in.
4 Krang
Krang has been a TMNT villain since 1987. The character was eventually stripped from his body and remained only a brain. This saw him build a human-shaped exo suit that is extremely strong and agile.
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He's perhaps one of the most disgusting characters in the series, but everyone knows who he is. Krang has been a main bad guy at times, even overtaking the importance of Shredder in some forms of TMNT media.
3 Casey Jones
Casey Jones is the hockey mask wearing vigilante we all love from TMNT. He was created as a parody of '80s comic book vigilantes, but soon become more than that. Jones' original demeanor was that of an ultra-violent rebel, though his bond with the turtles saw him turn towards heroism.
With his golf bag over his shoulder, he'll have a variety of sporting equipment at his disposal. Hockey sticks, baseball bats, and golf clubs are just some of the items he'll pull out to smack up his enemies with. Casey Jones is just really cool.
2 Master Splinter
The mentor and father figure of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is Master Splinter. The mutant rat is a stoic individual who is often the voice of reason for the heroes. Without him and his guidance, the turtles probably wouldn't exist as we know them.
Master Splinter has led the group through thick and thin. He has given them the skills and self-awareness to take on any threat. And that's why he is one of the best TMNT characters. His impact is incomparable.
1 Shredder
Shredder is the main villain of TMNT and one of its most infamous characters. So much so that he even received a skin in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. The bad guy is as recognizable as it gets and has terrorized the turtles for decades.
From his human identity to becoming Super Shredder, the villain has gone through a variety of changes. But one thing has always remained the same. He is a devious master of Ninjutsu, and it takes everything the turtles have to stop him.
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