The Unbelievable Ninja Turtles Anime That Will Blow Your Mind

Highlights

TMNT fans have a chance to see the latest reboot, "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem," which could potentially lead to more movies.

Several versions of the TMNT franchise have emerged, one being an obscure Japanese OVA titled "Mutant Turtles: Chōjin Densetsu-hen." In this OVA, the Turtles undergo a transformation into "Super Turtles" using a mystical stone, and the storyline deviates from the usual TMNT series. However, it did not achieve significant success either in Japan or globally.

Turtle enthusiasts can now venture out to witness the latest installment of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise: Mutant Mayhem, produced by Paramount Animation. The movie has generated significant excitement, with many fans hopeful that it will pave the way for a new series of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles films. While witnessing a fresh Turtles movie at the cinema is always enjoyable, devoted followers of the franchise are well aware that this is not the first incarnation of the Green Team.

Since the initial independent release of Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird's comic book (not even through Image Comics), there have been over a dozen different interpretations of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The abundance of various shows, comics, and movies can make it challenging to keep track of them all. However, one nearly forgotten rendition is a Ninja Turtles OVA that was produced in Japan. What exactly is this distinctive animated piece, and what story lies behind it?

What is the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Anime About

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were adapted into a two-part Japanese Original Video Animation (OVA) called Mutant Turtles: Superman Legend. Released in 1996 on VHS, the OVA presented a unique storyline diverging from the typical TMNT narrative. In this OVA, the Turtles, accompanied by April and Splinter, received a MutaStone from a fairy named Kris Mu. This magical stone granted them the ability to temporarily transform into "Super Turtles," a concept reminiscent of popular Japanese super sentai shows. Additionally, the MutaStone allowed Splinter to transform into a giant humanoid rat.

The primary antagonist, Shredder, acquired a Dark MutaStone, which he used to either transform into a monstrous version of himself or empower Bebop and Rocksteady. As Super Turtles, our heroes clashed with Shredder and his lackeys, who sought to acquire the MutaStones for nefarious purposes. A new and original villain named Dark Mu, created from the MutaStones, also posed a threat to the Turtles. Although the OVA retained familiar characters and elements from the TMNT franchise, it introduced fresh and distinctive elements, particularly the concept of the Turtles transforming into super versions of themselves. This reflected the prevalent theme of transformation sequences commonly found in Japanese anime. Additionally, the animation style of this OVA resembled traditional Japanese anime rather than the original TMNT series.

The Anime's Production History

Mutant Turtles: Chōjin Densetsu-hen (Mutant Turtles: Superman Legend) is a two-episode original video animation (OVA) series that serves as a continuation of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles animated series. While visually and story-wise it differs greatly from the Fred Wolf Films production, the OVA was developed by Bee Media and Anime International Company (AIC), with planning assistance from East-West Connection.

Released direct-to-video in Japan, the first episode premiered on May 21, 1996, followed by the second episode on December 21, 1996. Currently, there are no plans for a DVD or BluRay re-release, as none of the production companies involved has made any announcements regarding such a release.

Was It a Hit In (Or Outside) of Japan?

Mutant Turtles: Chōjin Densetsu-hen (Mutant Turtles: Superman Legend), like many OVAs in Japan, had limited success. In fact, calling it a minor hit would be generous (it was incredibly difficult to even find images of the show). Official sales figures are scarce, but the absence of any subsequent OVAs suggests it wasn't a particularly noteworthy seller. Unlike other TMNT productions, this one didn't achieve worldwide success and there is no official American release.

Since its original release, dedicated fans of the anime have taken it upon themselves to translate the title so that others around the world can experience it. However, it's important to note that there are currently no plans, present or future, to bring the OVA to America in either digital or physical formats. Despite this, the OVA offers a unique interpretation of the turtles and adds to the rich lore of the franchise. It's unfortunate that it has largely been forgotten by those involved in its creation.