#they're literally just turtle siblings why get peeved off about race??

[yujateaandpi]

Im sorry its been something i’ve noticed a lot in human designs but why is Leo the only turtle who resembles Splinter even a little bit when they’re ALL his bio kids and would technically be half japanese? Its just weird because the most common theme for human turtles I’ve seen is “black kid black kid black kid lightskinned blasian kid who is also leader” and its starting to rub me wrong. You’re not the only person doing it, but you are the first person to show up on my dash when the question has been itching at me.

Wow. It's actually remarkable that anyone is remotely miffed about this, but let's talk about it.

I am an East Asian artist from a multiethnic family. Some of my family members appear very Asian. Some appear very Middle Eastern. From personal experience, I can assert that all because somebody does not have the stereotypical features of one race does not make that ethnic identity any less valid. Donnie, Raph, and Mikey are also Japanese and Black. Calm down.

It is also a popular headcanon that human Leo looks more like his dad because it is stated multiple times in the show that he particularly resembles him (such as in the fish and ladders episode, or when they literally wear matching outfits in the Battle Nexus). Sometimes Blasian kids get an extra dose of the "Asian." It does not make them any less Black. It also does not make their other siblings any less Asian.

Additionally, TMNT is a franchise with heavy found family themes. Even if they're not genetically related, it should NOT "rub you wrong" to see siblings from different races, nor to see someone who is more Asian in appearance in a leadership role.

This is a largely safe fandom and it is valid to ask questions but we're talking about a sweet silly show about turtles. Let's keep this a microaggression-free space, shall we?