Nickelodeon has revealed the first glimpse of the latest iteration of the world-famous Heroes in a Half Shell: Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The 26-episode, 2D animated series is set to debut on the network later this year.
Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles reimagines the reptilian brothers in a new, individualized way. Jagged-shelled Raphael is a snapping turtle, wielding twin tonfas as his weapons; Leonardo is a red-eared slider, using an ōdachi sword; Donatello as a softshell turtle, sporting a tech-bo staff; and Michelangelo is a box turtle, arming himself with a kusari-fundo. Along for the new adventures are trusted ally April O’Neil, a street savvy native New Yorker, and Splinter, father figure and sensei to the Turtles.
In addition to each one’s unique turtle-hood, the heroes have distinct personalities and skills. Raphael, as the oldest and biggest brother, is the leader — full of enthusiasm and bravado; Leonardo is the self-professed “coolest” brother, possessing irreverent charm and a rebel heart; Donatello is a mechanical genius and tech wizard whose ninja skills are second only to his coding; and Michelangelo, the youngest brother, is a skateboarder and artist who is wild and imaginative.
As previously announced, the voice cast features Omar Miller as Raphael, Ben Schwartz as Leonardo, Josh Brener as Donatello, Brandon Mychal Smith as Michelangelo, Kat Graham as April O’Neil, Eric Bauza as Splinter, and WWE Superstar John Cena as the villain, Baron Draxum: an alchemist warrior-mutant who seeks to turn all of humanity into mutants.
Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is co-executive produced by Andy Suriano (character designer on Samurai Jack) and Ant Ward (supervising producer, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2012 series) at Nickelodeon’s Burbank studio. Veteran voice actor Rob Paulsen is voice directing the series.
