#Mondo is a dork

[stressed-depressed-andobsessed]

So um...

DANGANRONPA NON-DESPAIR AU

Everything is normal except Hamilton is smushed in here somehow?

So basically the idea is that class 78 has to do something for an upcoming school festival right? Sayaka suggests doing a musical, Leon agrees because he thinks this is about to be a Shakespeare situation where he can kiss her as the lead role. Asuhina is excited because musicals include dancing and singing and having so so so so so much fun together! Yay! Sakura agrees after seeing how happy this makes Hina.

Toko says this is a dumb idea that'll just end up with all the work being dumped on her (since she's the Ultimate writer so she'll have experience with developing plot) and the brainless bimbo popstar (Since she's the Ultimate idol so she'll have experience with music). Byakuya agrees with her (which she goes crazy about for a quick second) since now everyone can sing and dance like Maizono-san wastes her time doing.

Kiyotaka interjects here and happily (and loudly) says that this is a great opportunity to learn a new skill. He says they should do it. Mondo cuts in hesitantly, not wanting to go against his bro, but also kinda seeing the Toko chick and the Douchebag's point. The can't just write a whole new musical and learn the lines and dance moves in a month and a half.

Hifumi suggests that they use a story that currently exists, he has many amazing doujins already made and ready for re-enacting. Celeste giggles quietly before building on his suggestion. Maybe they shouldn't use something from a book, but an actual musical so they didn't have to go through the hassle of converting the stories to song. Something historic and memorable.

Yasuhiro shivers, stammering through a plea that the musical isn't too horrific. Horror musicals carry bad vibes and usually means that all of the planning will go wrong. Junko takes that moment to sneak up behind him and shake him, giggling when he jumps out of his seat in surprise. She rests against the chair he was previously sitting in, adding that the musical can't be all rainbows and lollipops. There has to be some despair sadness in it to captivate the audience.

Chihiro, who had been tapping away at their tablet since the beginning of the class meeting, pipes up that they might have found a musical that satisfies everyone and has characters that could fit some of their classmates. They flip the tablet over, showcasing the golden background with a single black star and a silhouette pointing up to everyone else.

Everyone could've guessed that the idol immediately knew the musical despite the absence of a title. When she started beaming, not one person even bat an eye. What no one expected was the Ultimate Biker Gang leader jerking out of his chair, unintentionally slamming his hands on the table with eyes that shown almost as bright as Taka's when hes determined, and shouting the title loud enough to make the tablet holding Tech Wiz flinch.

Hamilton

It took some explaining from a hopeful Sayaka, proud Chihiro, and flustered Mondo, but everyone seemed satisfied (or just dismissive in Byakuya and Mukuro's case) about preforming Hamilton. It was historical, information, enjoyable, well-written, and easy enough to learn for a bunch of Ultimates!

Now they just needed to figure out who's taking what role.

[poffyfluffnugg3t]

Mondo: Would you still love me?...

Taka:....

Taka: if what?

Mondo*voice crack*: no that was the question!

[clownprinceofyourmom]

//NSFW

---------------------

I need the fuckin ishimondo dynamic thats like

Mondo, thinking: fuck would kyodai be okay if I...h...held his....hand....*proceeds to pine over how fucking kind and honest taka is*

Meanwhile

Taka thinking: I want mondo to stick his dick so far down my throat that I pass out. *proceeds to do work as if nothing happened*

[justiisms]

"Auntie, I got a problem. One of the birds is messin' around with my bike and won't listen to a thing I say. I think you'll be able to handle this situation way better than I can. Follow me." *mondo seems awfully calm despite his words, and if she does follow him he'll eventually lead her to the garage where, resting on the motorcycle's seat... is a singular kernel of popcorn!!*

"No matter what I say, Popcorn just won't move! Can ya get this troublemaker outta here?"

"E-Eh, really?! Ohh those naughty birds, I'm sorry! Which one?! Okay!! Yeah, I'll tell her to listen!" With a determined huff, she follows Mondo posthaste to the garage!! Fully expecting to see one of her birdie babies hopping on his motorcycle, until!! She didn't see Marinee not Popcorn on it; but rather...a kernal of popcorn!

"O...Oh...?" She blinks, registering what Mondo still says...but then just as quickly, she starts laughing after a second!! "Ohhh!!! Hehehe you big nerd!! But I guess you're teeeechincally not wrong about popcorn being on there, hahaha! You got me good~!"

She chortles while giving him playful whaps~ And then, she'll proceed to take popcorn off of the motorcycle, showing him it with an amused smile! "There!! I have taken 'her' off the motorcycle! Now Popcorn, nooo being and not listening to Mondo, again, okay? Hee hee~!"

[pewdiesuno2]

My two dorks ❤️ They share the same English VA! (Mondo in game)

(PLEASE DO NOT REPOST ⚠️)

[squishvicx]

I just thought of something funny

Like what if Mondo and Sakura were doing something like idk going to the store right?? And Sakura hands Mondo something that he, with no problem, could carry himself. As she handing it to him she’s just like “oh careful it’s heavy” super nonchalantly.

And then Mondo is standing there like 🧍 BUT HE DOESNT SAY ANYTHING BC TECHNICALLY SHE WAS BEING NICE?? BUT DOES SHE THINK IM WEAK?? AND JUST STAYS COMPLETELY SILENT BECAUSE HE DOESNT WANT TO GET HIS SHIT ROCKED 😭

gah! I love these dorks so much <33

[skeletap]

the dork corner + skeletor shrine has been rearranged again to accommodate the big blue wife (mondo skeletor). also got new lights, that are stupidly purple, to replace my old violet/orange ones that went dead. also got more puck lights on the way so all the shelves will be lit, which ill tack onto this tomorrow when theyre installed.

[blushblushbear]

HII BEAR !! How are you?? PWEHEHRH THIS IS MY FIRST TIME SENDING AN ASK- OKAY, WHAT IF: Beach day with the boys? 🧐

did someone say BEACH BOYS????

Nimh - ALL THE SUNSCREEN. All of it. Likes playing in the waves and sand, doesn't go too far out into the water though. Loves a popsicle and a soda! always gets sand in his everywhere

Volks - loves the beach! loves the sun! loves the water! LOVE THE BARBECUE! Likes to dig in the sand. Maybe make a sand castle but first-- DIGGING!

Kelby - WATER SPORTS! SURFING! SWIMMING! BEACH VOLLEYBALL! Always gets burnt cause he forgets to reapply his sunscreen-- he was having too much fun!

Eli - Time to tan, drink fruity drinks, eat ice scream and hunk watch. Also play around in the waves and sand but only after he's had a few coconuts with little umbrellas!

Anon - hates the sun. hates the sand. hates the water. has on 3 different high spf sunscreens WHY IS HE HERE, HE'S GINGER

Garret - TIME TO PLAY IN THE WATER TILL HE ALMOST PASSES OUT FROM HEAT STROKE!

Dmitri - Getting his tan on, even more so than Eli. Also showing off his new speedo.

Ichiban - Hides under an umbrella and towel. eventually goes into the water for a bit, then back to the umbrella and towel.

William - Loves looking for sea life! also is super into boating! loves being out on the waves! what a time to unwind

Myx - just kinda bumming around the beach. catches some waves, hanging out with the gang, making a mondo sandcastle, eating ice cream! what a good day!

Stirling - hiding under an umbrella, a towel, a large hat, a robe, some sunglasses, and gloves. he loves the invite but really-- a vampire on the beach??? no thank you

Scale - gets into a fight with a crab, almost looses

Sven - GETS SAND IN HIS EVERYWHERE. is having fun regardless!

Cole - mostly chilling in the shade. only comes out to play when a water gun fight starts. he promises the verocity with which he hunts and shoots everyone down is just his natural competitiveness and no kind of underlying aggression. honest.

Poe - another dark dork hiding from the sun. at least he's not going full bathrobe like the vampire. although he is wearing SO MUCH sunscreen and is still probably going to get burned

Cashew - reading on the beach like a nerd. chills for the most part but does eventually join in the fun when you take a dip

Seth - that beach ball slipped out of his hand, he promises. also he doesn't know what happened to that kids sand castle, honest. anywho SPLASH FIGHT!

Logan - unofficial life guard, snack mom and sunscreen police. also hydration police. he's just making sure everyone is having fun and survives!

Reece - running experiments to learn more about earth sand and sea water. gets buried in the sand at some point and doesn't know when it happened. (he was distracted!) enjoyed himself!

Aki - OH MAN! TIME FOR FUN AND SUN AND TRICKS AND TREATS AND HE'S GONNA HAVE A FIELD DAY HERE! LOOK OUT BEACH, HERE COMES AKI!

Haru - he loves barely wearing any clothes. also seeing you barely wearing any clothes. who's up for a skinny dip to make it no clothes??? (might get told off by the life guard cause SIR THIS IS NOT A NUDE BEACH)

Fuyu - the final member of the lots of sun screen gang. takes him a minute to warm up to all the sand and salt water, but he eventually has fun. does complain about the salt and sand in his hair later though (BUT HIS SKIN HAS NEVER FELT SOFTER)

they'll all have fun fun fun till the daddy takes the T Bird away

[rwby-confess]

this is more a context post on the earlier one with oscar and ruby ship, its just that i feel that one is much better as a meme, brevity is the soul of wit and all that (feel free to do with this one what you will) ruby and oscar is mondo cute and those 2 dorks would work well together, theres plenty of fluff to be had and it would serve as perfect fodder for that delicious angst we all love(lets not lie to ourselves angst is our bread and butter) imagine oscar hearing that ruby likes milk and cookies, so he tries to give her a fresh pitcher every time he can. imagine those two having a fun sunny filled day at the farm, oscar tokyo drifting a tractor on a bet that he can still plant more seeds than ruby can with her semblance. Ruby teaching him how to not be dogged by cresent roses recoil. Just hanging out with zwei and being amazed by this miracle corgi who killed like 5 grimm after being told to guard the corn. Ruby and Oscar under the the light of the fireflies, discussing how they feel about the weigh of the world they share and also losing all of that. Oscar growing distant, worried, forgetfull of the moments hes had, those moments not gone but diluted, washing away under the weight of reincarnations posed by the gods. where he understand that he loves but that love is burdened with the loss of a hundred, hundred loves. and he is just a boy. He mourns the life he cannot live, never even understanding what kind of life he would have wanted because he never got around to figure it out. Ruby and Oscar desperately clinging on to what they have, but its like trying to hold sand in the tide. And eventually... it just breaks. In the end, theres just not enough of him to love, they both know this.

Man

[merykitten]

Have you seen the relationship charts with the dr characters? If so, I’m curious of how your oc’s relationship charts would look like 🤔

For ex: how is Umeko relationship with some of the different dr casts?

(If you don’t know what I’m talking about, search up “danganronpa relationship charts” idk if I explained it correctly😳)

I'm glad that you were interested in these! Since i Couldn't find a good one, i took the danganronpa ships charts and Turned em into danganronpa relationship charts! I didn't see a signature or watermark so i don't know who did the originals sorry :((

Take Umeko Amano's charts for all the three games!

Notes:

- you can consider the casts separately since i ship her with one character per game lol

- for danganronpa V3 Killing harmony, i just played the first chapter so i don't know characters perfectly! I May change it in future if needed <33

- Umeko is kinda envy of sport Girls with a fast metabolysm (like Aoi or Akane) but doesn't dislike them. Its a little toxic side of hers 💀

- Umeko LOVES dorks as you can see 😭 (how to blame her?!)

- yeah, Umeko is also scared of Mondo while having a crush on him💀

- she doesn't only admires People for their talent or fame, but especially for their self-confidence and determination!

-Umeko Goes along with quiet People 😌

Also, i did a white version of the template i modified, so you can use it too! You don't have to tag me, i did nothing much ^^

Here are my recent drawings about my OC Umeko Amano:

Key words(?):

Danganronpa relationship chart template , Danganronpa template , Danganronpa trigger happy havoc relationship chart , Danganronpa 2: Goodbye despair relationship chart , Danganronpa V3: Killing harmony relationship chart , Danganronpa relationship chart thh , Danganronpa2 relationship chart , DanganronpaV3 relationship chart

[local-pr1nter]

Kiyotaka Ishimaru Ship Dynamics!

These are my personal opinions and headcanons! If you do not like them then please move on!

Assume these are all based in a Non-Despair AU!

Ishimondo

I've mentioned them before multiple times, but they're just that good and I adore them.

Real sweethearts and adore each other.

I've spoken about them multiple times now though so I'll just add some small things.

Daiya teases the two of them relentlessly. He refers to Taka as his brother-in-law and it always makes Mondo turn red- either with rage or embarrassment, who knows.

Takaaki was not a fan of the relationship at first, but eventually warmed up to Mondo after seeing how happy he made Taka- and not to mention how Mondo's changed immensely since they first met.

Daiya was the one to fully encourage Takaaki to just support them. He invited the Ishimarus over for dinner one night and it went lovely- after Mondo and Takaaki bickered for a while of course. Overall, it was a nice moment between all of them.

Takaaki eventually warms up to Mondo so much that he reveals that he also used to ride back when he was younger (I think it would be funny AND would shock everyone- not even Taka would know, shocking him the most.)

Ishikuro

YEAAAAH ANOTHER PERSONAL FAVORITE OF MINE

I love the concept of two people learning how to be in a relationship when they don't get social cues or haven't had anything similar to a romantic relationship before.

I think they have a lot of potential as a couple.

Outspoken hall monitor x stoic soldier lets fucking go.

Either of them could've fallen first, but neither of them would've realized it at first. Mukuro would acknowledge it, but not have any clue of how to go about it, so would bury the feelings down deep inside and just try to ignore it. Kiyotaka would slowly realize it, only to freak out and panic because AHHHHHHH NEW FEELINGS ARE SCARY-

But once he calms down and accepts his feelings he'd probably bring it up with his friends. Leon would freak out about it but Chihiro, Hiro, and Mondo would be fully supportive about it. They'd help him ask her out before following them on their date to make sure nothing goes wrong (cough Junko cough)

Which speaking of-

Junko would NOT be happy with Mukuros crush. Mostly because she's not a fan of Kiyotaka, doesn't wanna lose Mukuros attention, and is jealous that someone actually chose her out of the two of them.

She'd probably try to sabotage their first date in any way she can, but of course Mondo, Chihiro, Leon, and Hiro are bros™ and won't let her ruin it.

And would you look at that! The date goes well!

Taka and Mukuro are very low-key and slow with their relationship- their first kiss had them bright red within minutes and neither of them could speak.

Like they had a system reset or some shit.

Against PDA, Taka wouldn't be very touchy with her in public. Even then, as they're still getting used to a romantic relationship, they aren't very touchy with each other. The most they'll do is cuddle in bed, either after Mukuro wakes up from a nightmare or Kiyotaka gets overwhelmed and shuts down.

In public, the most they would do is hold hands. It makes them both very happy.

They both just wanna take things slow and not ruin anything.

Mukuro is definitely a follower in this relationship, but Taka always encourages her to speak up or let him know if she's uncomfortable or if they wanna do something else together. She always appreciates being treated as an equal in the relationship.

After a while I think Mukuro is the one who likes to touch the most. Mostly holding his hand, arm, pinkie, or the strap of his bag whenever they walk. Almost like she wants everyone to know that she cares about this dork and if anyone touches him she will beat them up.

Both very protective of one another, Mukuro more than Taka but still both of them are very protective.

[temunitu]

thoughts after seeing mutant mayhem [spoilers obv]

- i thought superfly was stockman at first but finding he was a completely different character was better! that guy was fun :)

- we also didn’t see stockman confirmed dead,,, cyborg stockman, anyone? 👀

- RIP KEVIN YOU WERE MY FAVORITE 😭

- “you ratted us out!” “HEY. don’t use that word that way >:(“ i’m deaddd

- “I DREAM OF FIGHTING EVERY NIGHT” “you’ve got issues, man” / [uses his anger to fucking LIFT A VAN?] “we need to get you in therapy” raph i adore you

- MIKEY’S MAD SKILLS DODGING THE CAR??? THAT WAS SO COOL???? i need to make a music video about this i’m. not ok

- i thought april was an adult from the trailer ngl (she was great! but i do miss adult older sister april :/ ). poor girl still puked in front of all of NY 😭😭😭 but at least she’s april o’hero at school now :)

- donnie is a fucking weeb and i’m here for it. we’ve had dork, we’ve had Tony Stark-esque for rise, now we get weeb :)

- “how’s it feel to have your head stuck so far up dad’s butt? what’s it smell like up there?” “probably cheese and doritos” shuT UPPPPPP /affectionate

- REY FILLET MY BELOVED I WOULD DIE FOR HIM I WPULD KILL FOR HIM I WOULD GO TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH IF HE COULD ACHIEVE HIS DREAMS LET THE MAN RAY SING GODDAMNIT

- ghengis. frog

- i nearly cried from laughing at mondo’s “you know what? i do not accept that apology!” POP OFF KING 👏👏👏

- THEY GOT MILK(ED) 😭😭😭

- i was not expecting superduperfly ngl. i thought that there would be a buncha mutant fish for the sequel. then the music kicked in

- oh my goddddd the music— i’m downloading the soundtrack as we speak

- ALL THE NEW YORKERS HELPING THEM IM GOING TO CRY THIS IS THE ACCURATE DEPICTION OF GIVE-NO-FUCKS KICK-ASS NEW YORKERS IVE ALWAYS WANTED

- SPLINTER FINALLY GETS THE GIRL !!!!! (cockroach?) GOOD FOR THEM 🎉🥳

- and now they go to high school :) their outfits were SO on brand.

- can’t wait to see the sequel THE MAIN MAN IS BACKKK

all in all 12/10 i’m going to buy it as soon as it’s available

[thejavavoid]

what are your favorite tmnt ships ??

from any generation

uuuuuuuuuuuuhhhhh

i'll just go through all gens that i've seen lmao

1987- mondo/mikey (i like to call them 'scalyboards') (theyre fricking adorable oh my gods), april/irma (the lesbians ever?!), and shredder/kraang (theyre literally a married couple i promise)

2003- leosagi (THEY GOT EACH OTHER SWORDS FOR CHRISTMAS THEYRE SO FREAKING CUTE ASKAJHJSNKA), capril (literally a match made in heaven theyre literally perfect), karai/chaplin (insanely underrated but so cute) stockman/bishop (JUST THINK ABOUT IT COME ONNN)

2012- literally any turtle/casey, raphmona (istg if someone says 'buT sHes aN aDuLt!' NO SHES NOT SHES NOT AN ADULT IN 2012 DONT DESTROY THE ONE GOOD CANON SHIP HERE PLEASEE), aprilnardo (come on. COME ON. LESBIANSSS.), scalyboards again, scalyboards plus napoleon (the poly dorks), shinikarai (again: LESBIANNNSSS)

Rise- leosagi (with the rabbit samurai crossover. its just so silly istg), kendratello (JUST HEAR ME OUT OKAY-), capril, aprisun, or caprisun (chaotic poly lesbians >:3)

Mutant Mayhem- aprilnardo (they did it pretty well tbh) and splinter/scumbug (the idea of splints getting a love interest makes me so giggly and happy lmaooo)

and no, sorry, no IDW stuff or whatever. havent read it, wont read it because i already KNOW i wont be able to handle it. but jennika and her pig girlfriend (sorry idk her name) look very cute from what ive seen :D

also sidenote- when first watching 2k3 i was like "lol raph & casey would be cute" and then remembered "OH WAIT CASEYS A WHOLE ASS ADULT-" sooooooo that happened (they do have that chaotic uncle/nephew dynamic though)

[pumpkinpie59]

random hot takes i have cause i’m bored and emotionally dead:

-i literally cannot stand any leo ship other than leolotus, especially if it involves 87 leonardo. i’m sorry but it has made me physically nauseous before. shipping as a joke or a small crush on someone else is fine but pls don’t bother me about other leo ships it’s too much for me. ((i won’t hate u if u ship other ships dw <3 i just ask not to be bothered by it)

-i’ve already ranted about this so i won’t go into depth but i hate the 2012 season 4 finale (moreso requiem than owari but owari still bothers me). i think in general? i think 2012’s writing is mindbogglingly bad after they leave the farmhouse in season 3, but that doesn’t mean i don’t still enjoy a lot of it. just don’t expect me to drop the issues that bother me. season 1 is my baby tho and i’ll defend it to my dying day.

-2012 apritello is good. they just had to go through character development. my only issue with it is that their entire situation was pushed to the background so ppl only notice their development if they’re paying attention to april and donnie the whole time (like i do).

-1987 treats its girl characters better than the other shows which is shocking.

-capril sucks. i have literally never liked it or was just neutral to it. i got close to liking them in idw but then casey became a jerk.

-that said i don’t like shipping casey or april with the turtles with the one exception of 2012 apritello.

-i think 03 casey and splinter are annoying.

-2012 casey is best casey :p

-2012 michelangelo pisses me off. he has some good lines here and there and sometimes has fun dynamics with other characters but in general he’s just an ableist representation of adhd and he literally never faces consequences for his mistakes and instead everything works out for him so he never grows. like literally he stays the same throughout the show. also i dislike his actor sorry :p and his entire dynamic with renet just ruins renet as a character and it bothers me.

-i forget rise exists most of the time tbh. it’s good but like. i forget. also rise leo and donnie’s writing bothers me anyway-

-1987 content needs to sTOP mischaracterizing raphael PLS PLS PLS. “michelangelo is the jokester and raphael groans at his jokes” NO!!! raphael is the jokester so he gets upset when his brothers make stupid jokes bc that’s HIS thing !!!!!! and he’s not angry in the same way other raphaels are except in red sky when he was angry that they became villains in society’s eyes!!! but otherwise he’s emotional and whiny but not angry!!!

-leonardo is best when he’s a dork. he wants to do the right thing but will be a frickin idiot about it but - oh wait buddy don’t do that no wait put the sword down hold on-

-the turtles should never have blue eyes but especially not michelangelo.

-ramona is great but it’s okay for them to just be friends too. either way they slay <3

-lotus blossom and jhanna are the most under appreciated characters in tmnt give them some respECT-

-i think howie should come back. not bc he’s a good character i just wanna see what would happen.

-i hate koya. so much.

-mondo/mikey makes me rlly uncomfortable. it feels exactly like leo/venus since they mutated in the same place so mondo feels like a long lost sibling …

-this is literally just my take and i don’t expect others to agree but like. the 1987 team is the only version of tmnt where i feel like every turtle is equally likable and works as a unit best. like i like 03, but i don’t especially get attached to mikey? he’s good but compared to the other 03 turtles he’s just not my fav. same with 2012 but more extreme since it has rlly good raph, donnie, and leo,, but like i said i really dislike mikey. and then i’m not rlly attached to the rise turtles except mikey. the 87 team tho is all great.

-while i rlly love rise casey, i think waiting to reveal she was casey was a bad idea. i think she should’ve been introduced as casey or should’ve been a different character,,,

-i like red sky but the last episode was a disappointment,, also where are all my fav side characters 😭

-the turtles should never be tall they will always be lil guys to me. they should be under 5 ft plsssss

-not a hot take just a hc that was recently revealed to me and i think it’s genius: the 5th turtle kirby (like from 90s concept art) should be the donatello clone from 1987. like hello??? that’s genius pls watch the clone donatello episode

-if i see yall reducing mm april to just be shipped with leo i will end yall.

-lotus blossom is an interesting character even without her connection to leonardo and i wish everyone would notice !!!!

-not a hot take but rob paulsen should be in every tmnt thing we should make it tradition.

[yellowhollyhock]

Tmnt Memory mash up part 2 (finally ran out of jokes for the first one)

Concept is, there is no concept we have no idea what’s real because memories are wonky, everyone is a storyteller, and Casey is gaslighting them all. (Actual concept: characters remember the same events differently because that’s how brains work, but now it’s taken to an extreme where the basis for different turtle realities comes from each set of memories.)

Rise Raph, 2012 Mikey, 2003 Donnie, 2007 Leo, 1987 Splinter, 1990s April

Leo: You guys need to focus. It’s just like I learned during my training—

Raph: Your training? Are you talking about when you became a mascot for that basketball team?

Donnie: Raphie, be nice. You know Leo takes ninjitsu very seriously.

Raph: *cackles*

Mikey: pfft yeah haha, he’s a big goofy dork who loves cartoons, trying to act all serious haha (he tried to sacrifice himself again last week why are we laughing)

Mikey: Yo dudes, I made us some pizza, shaken not stirred, canned meat supreme with jalapeños and strawberries, light on rosemary heavy on hot sauce. We’re ready for movie night!

Raph: You’re so creative with food! ❤️ You were watching that cooking show you like again, weren’t you?

April:

Leo:

Donnie:

Splinter: You are a great chef, Michelangelo. Because of my peculiar tastes I will be eating sushi.

Casey: There’s definitely algae on this pizza.

Leo: Casey shut up we’re eating

Donnie, on the last slide of a PowerPoint: And so, Leo, I think you will plainly understand, you cannot go outside.

Leo: What about Raph and Mikey?

Donnie: Did Mikey almost accidentally ally with our family’s nemesis?

Leo: No, but—

Donnie: Did Raph get poisoned at the Battle Nexus?

Leo: Well, no, but—

Donnie: Did Raph or Mikey or Splinter or April or even Casey fight an army of Foot by himself while still recovering emotionally from our first presumed defeat of said nemesis, and end up facing him again, getting thrown through a window, and falling into a coma?

Leo: But you said you were abducted by aliens! And what about all those adventures in alternate dimensions you talk about? Your safety is also important! (fuming)

Donnie: Well I’m not the one who had to go away for training. 😘

Leo: But you did take that horrible phone line job while I was away for training, and do not tell me that was less traumatic!

Donnie: … phone line job???

Leo: Yeah, the—didn’t you—Casey told me you worked in tech support?

Donnie: Casey told you—Casey said—I am the cofounder of O’Neil Technologies he told you I got a phone line job?

Splinter: You must center yourselves, my students. The mind is a powerful weapon.

April: So does he always just call you guys his students?

Donnie: Nah, I think he says ‘my son’ more often than he says my name, he’s just in training mode right now.

Leo: Yeah, it’s more in private conversations that he’ll use familial terms. He really means it with just as much affection when he says students.

Mikey: lol I have been called both son and student with varying degrees of affection and annoyance. When he says my name I run for my life

Raph:

April: Um, you okay Raph?

Raph: He mostly just calls me Red…

Everyone: Dude….

April: Hey do you guys remember that guy who got mixed up with a bad crowd, almost did something really irreversible but then met you guys and turned it around and helped us instead?

Donnie: Angel!

Splinter: Ah, yes, young Carter. I hope his studies are going well.

Mikey: Mondo Gecko my man!

Leo: Do you mean your boss Winters? I mean he was the most recent.

Raph: That was Casey.

Casey: That was me.

April:

April: Anyway I was talking with his dad the other day—

Mikey: You ever had feelings for someone, Leo? Feelings you didn’t know what to do about? Feelings that kept you up at night?

Leo: Mikey I told you, I didn’t stay away that extra time because of a girlfriend.

Mikey: Maybe even feelings that make you act stupid. Feelings like Raph has for his Mona Lisa, or Donnie for April?

Raph and Donnie, eavesdropping:

Raph: What’s going on with you and April??

Donnie: Nothing I’m aware of. Maybe she borrowed a tool without asking or something. Who’s your Mona Lisa?

Raph: Raph wishes he knew.

Mikey: The heart’s a soft muscle, dude. Squish squish.

Leo: I literally have no idea what you’re talking about.

Casey: Hey Mikey! How are things going with that time traveling girl you liked? I can’t remember her name.

Mikey: Time-traveling girl..? Wait yo dude that hasn’t happened for me yet. I think you just accidentally revealed my future!

Casey: Cool, I didn’t even know I was from the future. I wonder if I could convince Leo he might start an apocalypse if he doesn’t find, like a certain artifact or something….

Donnie, again on PowerPoint: If I were to disappear, the whole world would fall to pieces. Shredder victorious. Raph and Leo estranged forever, unable to reconcile after Master Splinter’s tragic death. Mikey and April, the lone fighters against the growing tide of darkness, barely clinging onto hope. Mikey’s lost one of his arms, and with it the spark of joy in his eyes.

Raph: Who let him have coffee

Splinter: I believe he has had a nightmare. We must guard against these dark thoughts.

Donnie, staring into the distance: That dragon-daimyo merged guy nearly won the Battle Nexus. It looked like the blue bunny poisoned Leo, but in the end he stood beside him in battle. At least Raphie won his planet race.

Raph: Who let him have poison pizza puffs

Mikey: Ay Raph that’s scarily specific?

Mikey: They always forget that I’m good at science, too. I help Dee out in the lab with ideas and stuff. I mean, I don’t understand science, but I got good instincts for it. They need to remember that.

Casey: Yeah, like when you created Ice Cream Kitty.

Mikey: Yeah! What.

Casey: Or when you cured Donnie of that stuff that made him super dumb.

Mikey: No yeah but go back to what you said about Ice Cream Kitty.

Donnie: Do you guys remember that jungle dimension we went to with the really big bugs?

Mikey: Did you just call our own city a jungle dimension?

Leo: Reminds me of my training. I miss the jungle….

Mikey, humming to himself: welcome to the jungle, it’s worse here every day, you learn to live like an animal in the jungle where we play

Raph: Did you guys all portal somewhere without me?

Mikey and Donnie: You wanted to see the giant bugs?

Raph:

Raph: Well, no, but—

[romancomicsnews]

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem amplifies the fun of the franchise - REVIEW

*Slight Spoilers for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Mutant Mayhem*

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles has been a franchise that has consistently been rebooted and I have never minded.

While the 2003 series was my initial Turtles introduction, the 2012 series really made me a fan. It had the right balance for me of brotherly affection, drama, stakes, and weird obscure villains.

While Rise of the TMNT wasn't exactly my taste, I can appreciate the animation, comedy, and going for a different new take. Plus my god is the Rise of TMNT movie good. I'm all for making really cool characters into animes now.

Going into this movie I had extremely high hopes. Not only has this franchise rarely disappointed, but it was produced by Seth Rogen, who has worked on shows like The Boys and Invincible, and directed by Jeff Rowe, who is not getting NEARLY enough credit for this movie. He was a writer on Gravity Falls and the co-director of one of my favorite animated movies: The Mitchells vs The Machines.

And I got to say, this movie does not disappoint.

The animation style is both impressive and at times disgusting in the best possible way. This is the first time I've felt New York feel grubby and grimy. Every shot looks wonderful, and that cannot be understated.

The hardest part of the Turtles is usually the brother dynamics. I feel like if not written or performed correctly, the Turtles can come off as buddies or even acquaintances. But this was not a problem here. The idea of having all four actors in the same room clearly paid off, as the four of them riffing and mocking each other were some of the highlights of the movie.

I do think coming out of this, some of these turtles will be the definitive versions of the characters. While Mikey and Raph have their charms, Micah Abbey as Donnie and Nicolas Cantu as Leo were stands out for me.

The idea of taking Donnie from the tech guy to more of a calculating nerdy weeb was genius. Donnie often is the guy who is most made fun of because he is nerd, and I think pivoting to him being a smart-ass and respected for his brain was a nice touch.

Leonardo as the goody two shoes dork who wants to lead so bad also worked for me. Leonardo can sometimes come off a sorta bully or arrogant for even trying to be the leader. Making him unsure but wanting to be a good leader makes him charming and more likeable.

Also among our heroes are Ayo Edebiri as April O'Neil and Jackie Chan as Master Splinter.

While April does not have as much to do as I would've liked, I think Edebiri is a nice addition and I'd be happy to see more of her. She has good chemistry with the brothers, although it did take me out of the movie to think of the age gap between Edebiri and Cantu.

Jackie Chan's Splinter may be my biggest problem with the film. While he is a passable Splinter and has plenty of laughs, he does not seem as fierce of a warrior as he has seemed in the past, nor as wise. I do not mind a flawed, anxiety ridden Splinter, but he should feel like he can take on the Turtles easily, and I don't think he can.

(Also, Jackie Chan is a bad father in real life and shouldn't disown his estranged daughter for being gay. Read all about it here!)

I'm not going to go to into the details of all the villains in the movie, as there are quite a few, but I really loved the inclusion of the vast TMNT universe, and their own fun takes on them. One of the benefits of having Seth Rogen as a creative is access to all his very talented friends. A highlight for me was Mondo Gecko, voiced by the great Paul Rudd.

The main antagonist of the film being Superfly was a rather interesting choice. While I was sure we were going to have a Jekyll and Hyde situation with Superfly and Stockman going in, the idea that it was his mutant son was a weird but fun choice. Clearly Ice Cube was having a lot of fun playing a villain. He gave me quite a few laughs and felt like a proper first villain for these turtles. I'm glad they didn't just jump into Shredder or Kraang.

While all the characters are fun and interesting, what I really love about this story is the central theme of acceptance. Having them all have the goal of being accepted by society felt natural, important, and very teen drama, which is fresh to the TMNT. They are often outsiders who don't really care about that, just protecting the city. Making that at the heart of the movie made me feel for them in a way I haven't before.

Leaving the movie where it does excites me for more movies and the upcoming show they have planned. I think this version of the turtles can last us a good 5-7 years, and will end up being as iconic as the ones that came before.

Not that there is a super high bar for TMNT films, but this is definitely my favorite. I think kids are going to love, TMNT fans are going to love it, and non TMNT fans are going to be pleasantly surprised.

I highly recommend you go see this movie, I know I am definitely going again soon.

Thank you for reading! If you'd like to support me, you can:

Follow me at www.facebook.com/romancomicsnews

Follow me on Twitter @diegoleonroman

Follow me on Threads @romanleondiego

Help me pay my student loans by donating!