Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: 1987-1996 Original Series

 

About

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (known as Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles in Europe due to controversy at the time) is an American animated television series produced by Murakami-Wolf-Swenson. It was animated overseas in Japan by Toei Animation. It was first piloted on during the week of December 28, 1987 in syndication as a five part miniseries and began its official run on October 1, 1988. The series featured the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles characters created in comic book form by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird. The property was changed considerably, from the darker-toned comic, to make it more suitable for the family.

The initial motivation behind the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles animated series was that, upon being approached to create a toy line, Playmates Toys was uneasy with the comic book characters' small cult following. They requested that a television deal be acquired first, and after the initial five-episode series debuted, the California toy company released their first series of Ninja Turtles action figures in the summer of 1988. The two media would correspond in marketing style and popularity for many years to come.

David Wise and Patti Howeth wrote the screenplay for the first five-part miniseries. When the series continued in the second season, comic artist Jack Mendelsohn joined the show as the executive story editor. Wise went on to write over seventy episodes of the series, and was executive story editor for four later seasons as well. Wise was fired partway through the ninth season after objecting to several changes demanded by CBS, and Jeffrey Scott took over as the story editor and chief writer for the rest of the show's run.

The show was in Saturday morning syndication from October 1, 1988 to September 9, 1989. After it became an instant hit, the show was expanded to five days a week and aired weekday afternoons in syndication in most markets, from September 25, 1989 to September 17, 1993. On September 8, 1990, the series began its secondary run on CBS's Saturday morning lineup, beginning as a 60-minute block from 1990 to 1993 and then as a 30-minute block until the series ended on November 2, 1996.

The show helped launch the characters into mainstream popularity and became one of the most popular animated series in television history. Breakfast cereal, plush toys, and all manner of products featuring the characters appeared on the market during the late 1980s and early 1990s. A successful Archie Comics comic book based on the animated show instead of the original black-and-white comics was published throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s. Action figures were top-sellers around the world. In 1990, the cartoon series was being shown daily on more than 125 television stations, and the comic books sold 125,000 copies a month.


Theme Songs


TMNT Theme Song One
Download Theme Song One

TMNT Theme Song Two
Download Theme Song Two

TMNT Theme Song UK Version
Download Theme Song UK Version

Voice Actors/Production Crew

Year One - 1987 Cast of Characters (click to picture see voice actor)
Turtle Tracks Episode #1

Written by: David Wise and Patti Howeth

Directed by: Yoshikatsu Kasai

Original Air Date: December 28, 1987

Leonardo
Donatello
Raphael
Michaelangelo
Master Splinter
Shredder
April O'Neil
Foot Soldiers
Enter The Shredder Episode #2

Written by: David Wise and Patti Howeth

Directed by: Yoshikatsu Kasai

Original Air Date: December 29, 1987

 
A Thing About Rats Episode #3

Written by: David Wise and Patti Howeth

Directed by: Yoshikatsu Kasai

Original Air Date: December 30, 1987

 
Hot-Rodding Teenagers From Dimension X Episode #4

Written by: David Wise and Patti Howeth

Directed by: Yoshikatsu Kasai

Original Air Date: December 31, 1987

 
Shredder & Splintered Episode #5

Written by: David Wise and Patti Howeth

Directed by: Yoshikatsu Kasai

Original Air Date: January 1, 1988

 
Year Two - 1988
 
Return of The Shredder Episode #6

Written by: Christy Marx

Story by: David Wise and Patti Howeth

Original Air Date: October 1, 1988

 

The Incredible Shrinking Turtles Episode #7

Written by: Larry Parr

Original Air Date: October 8, 1988

 

It Came from Beneath the Sewers Episode #8

Written by: Larry Parr

Original Air Date: October 15, 1988

 

The Mean Machines Episode #9

Written by: Michael Reaves

Original Air Date: October 22, 1988

 

Curse of The Evil Eye Episode #10

Written by: Martin Pasko

Original Air Date: October 29, 1988

 

Case of The Killer Pizzas Episode #11

Written by: Douglas Booth

Original Air Date: November 5, 1988

 

Enter: The Fly Episode #12

Written by: Michael reaves and Brynee Stephens

Original Air Date: November 12, 1988

 

Invasion of The Punk Frogs Episode #13

Written by: Michael Reaves

Original Air Date: November 19, 1988

 

Splinter No More Episode #14

Written by: Michael Reaves and Brynne Stephens

Original Air Date: December 3, 1988

 

New York's Shiniest Episode #15

Written by: Richard Merwin

Original Air Date: December 10, 1988

 

Teenagers From Dimension X Episode #16

Written by: Michael Reaves

Original Air Date: December 17, 1988

 

The Catwoman From Channel Six Episode #17

Written by: Richard Merwin

Original Air Date: December 24, 1988

 

Return of The Technodrome Episode #18

Written by: Michael Reaves

Original Air Date: December 31, 1988

 
Year Three - 1989
 

Beneath These Streets Episode #19

Written by: Michael Reaves

Original Air Date: September 25, 1989

 

Turtles on Trial Episode #20

Written by: Michael Reaves

 

Attack of The 50 Foot Irma Episode #21

Written by: Rowby Green

 

The Maltese Hamster Episode #22

Written by: David Wise

 

Sky Turtles Episode #23

Written by: Reed Shelly and Bruce Shelly

 

The Old Switcheroo Episode #24

Written by: Michael Reaves

 

Burne's Blues Episode #25

Story by: Bill Wolf

Teleplay by Gordon Bressack

 

The Fifth Turtle Episode #26

Written by: Francis Moss

 

Enter The Rat King Episode #27

Written by: Buzz Dixon

 

Turtles at The Earth's Core Episode #28

Written by: Michael Reaves

 

April's Fool Episode #29

Written by: Michael Reaves and Brynne Stephens

 

Attack of The Big Mac Episode #30

Written by: Francis Moss

 

The Ninja Sword of Nowhere Episode #31

Written by: Michael Edens and Mark Edens

 

20,000 Leaks Under The City Episode #32

Written by: Bob Schooley and Mark McCorkle

 

Take Me To Your Leader Episode #33

Written by: David Wise

 

The Four Musketurtles Episode #34

Written by: Doug Molitor

 

Turtles, Turtles Everywhere Episode #35

Written by: David Bennett Carren and J. Larry Carroll

 

Cowabunga, Shredhead Episode #36

Written by: Duane Capizzi and Steve Roberts

 

Invasion of The Turtle Snatchers Episode #37

Written by: Francis Moss

 

Camera Bugged Episode #38

Written by: Michael Edens and Mark Edens

 

Green With Jealousy Episode #39

Written by: Reed Shelly and Bruce Shelly

 

Return of The Fly Episode #40

Written by: Michael Reaves

 

Casey Jones: Outlaw Hero Episode #41

Written by: David Wise

 

Mutagen Monster Episode #42

Written by: Michael Edens and Mark Edens

 

Corporate Raiders From Dimension X Episode #43

Written by: David Wise

 

Pizza By The Shred Episode #44

Written by: Michael Edens and Mark Edens

 

Super Bebop and Mighty Rocksteady Episode #45

Written by: David Carren and Larry Carroll

 

Beware The Lotus Episode #46

Written by: Doug Moliter

 

Blast From The Past Episode #47

Written by: David Wise

 

Leatherhead: Terror of The Swamp Episode #48

Written by: Michael Reeves

 

Michaelangelo's Birthday Episode #49

Written by: Eliot Daro (story by Bill Wolf)

 

Usagi Yojimbo Episode #50

 

 

The Case of The Hot Kimono Episode #51

Written by: David Caren and Larry Carroll

 

Usagi Come Home Episode #52

 

 

The Making of Metalhead Episode #53

Written by: Michael Reeves

 

Leatherhead Meets The Rat King Episode #54

Written by: David Wise

 

The Turtle Terminator Episode #55

Written by: David Carren and Larry Carroll

 

The Great Boldini Episode #56

Written by: Francis Moss

 

The Missing Map Episode #57

Written by: David Wise

 

The Gang's All Here Episode #58

Written by: David Wise

 

The Grybyx Episode #59

Written by: Michael Reeves

 

Mr. Ogg Goes To Town Episode #60

Written by: David Wise

 

Shredderville Episode #61

Written by: Francis Moss

 

Bye, Bye Fly Episode #62

Written by: David Wise

 

The Big Rip-Off Episode #63

Written by: Michael Reeves

 

The Big Break In Episode #64

Written by: David Wise

 

The Big Blowout Episode #65

Written by: David Wise

 
Year Four - 1990
 

Plan 6 From Outer Space Episode #66

Written by: David Wise

 

Turtles of The Jungle Episode #67

Written by: Misty Taggart

 

Michaelangelo Toys Around Episode #68

Written by: Ted Pedersen and Frances Moss

 

Peking Turtles Episode #69

Written by: Antonio Ortiz and Carmela Ortiz

 

Shredder's Mom Episode #70

Written by: Ted Pederson and Francis Moss

 

Four Turtles and A Baby Episode #71

Written by: Misty Taggart

 

Turtlemaniac Episode #72

Written by: Rowby Goren

 

Rondo In New York Episode #73

Written by: Francis Moss and Ted Pedersen

 

Planet of The Turtles Episode #74

Written by: George Shea

 

Name That Toon Episode #75

Written by: Misty Taggart

 

Episode #76

Apparently there is no episode 76

 

Menace, Maestro Please Episode #77

Written by: Martin Pasko

 

Super Hero For a Day Episode #78

Written by: Francis Moss and Ted Pederson

 

Back to The Egg Episode #79

Written by: Dennis Marks

 

Son of The Return of The Fly Episode #80

Written by: David Wise

 

Raphael Knocks Them Dead Episode #81

Written by: Jack Mendelsohn

 

Bebop and Rocksteady Conquer The Universe Episode #82

Written by: David Wise

 

Raphael Meets His Match Episode #83

Written by: Charles M. Howell IV

 

Slash, The Evil Turtle From Dimension X Episode #84

Written by: David Wise

 

Leonardo Lightens Up Episode #85

 

 

Were-Rats From Channel Six Episode #86

Written by: David Wise

 

Funny, They Shrunk Michaelangelo Episode #87

Written by: Michael Edens

 

The Big Zipp Attack Episode #88

Written by: David Wise

 

Donatello Makes Time Episode #89

Written by: Dennis Marks

 

Farewell Lotus Blossom Episode #90

 

 

Rebel Without a Fin Episode #91

Written by: Michael Reeves

 

Adventures of Rhino man Episode #92

Written by: David Wise

 

Michaelangelo Meets Bugman Episode #93

Written by: Dennis Marks

 

Poor Little Rich Turtle Episode #94

Written by: David Wise

 

What's Michaelangelo Good For? Episode #95

Written by: Tod Pederson and Francis Moss

 

The Dimension X Story Episode #96

Written by: David Wise

 

Donatello's Degree Episode #97

Written by: Jack Mendelsohn

 

The Big Cufflink Caper Episode #98

Written by: David Wise

 

Leonardo Versus Tempestra Episode #99

Written by: Misty Taggart

 

Splinter Vanishes Episode #100

Written by: T. Penderson and Francis Moss

 

Raphael Drives 'Em Wild Episode #101

Written by: Misty Taggart

 

Beyond The Donatello Nebula Episode #102

Written by: Dennis O'Flaherty

 

The Big Bug Blunder Episode #103

Written by: Michael Reeves

 

The Foot Soldiers Are Revolting Episode #104

Written by: Michael Reeves

 

Unidentified Flying Leonardo Episode #105

Written by: Sean Roche

 
Year Five - 1991
 

The Turtles and The Hare Episode #106

Written by: Misty Taggart

 

Once Upon a Time Machine Episode #107

Written by: Michael Maurer

 

My Brother, The Bad Guy Episode #108

Written by: Dennis O'Flaherty

 

Michaelangelo Meets Mondo Gecko Episode #109

Written by: Gary Greenfield

 

Enter: Mutagen Man Episode #110

Written by: David Wise

 

Donatello's Bad Time Episode #111

Written by: Misty Taggart

 

Michaelangelo Meets Bugman Again Episode #112

Written by: David Wise

 

Muckman Messes Up Episode #113

Written by: Francis Moss and Ted Pedersen

 

Napoleon Bonafrog: Colossus of The Swamps Episode #114

Written by: Dennis O'Flaherty

 

Raphael Vs The Volcano Episode #115

Written by: Carole Mendelsohn

 

Landlord of The Flies Episode #116

Written by: Gordon Bressack

 

Donatello's Duplicate Episode #117

Written by: Jack and Carole Mendelsohn

 

The Ice Creature Cometh Episode #118

Written by: David Wise

 

Leonardo Cuts Loose Episode #119

Written by: David Wise

 

Pirate Radio Episode #120

Written by: Misty Taggart

 

Turtle of a Thousand Faces Episode #121

Written by: Dennis O'Flaherty

 

Leonardo, The Renaissance Turtle Episode #122

Written by: Dennis O'Flaherty

 

Zach and The Alien Invaders Episode #123

Written by: Francis Moss and Ted Pedersen

 

Welcome Back, Polarisoids Episode #124

Written by: Misty Taggart

 

Michaelangelo, The Sacred Turtle Episode #125

Written by: Dennis O'Flaherty

 

Planet of The Turtleoids Pt1 Episode #126

Written by: David Wise

 

Planet of The Turtleoids Pt2 Episode #127

Written by: David Wise

 
Year Six - 1992
 

Rock Around The Block Episode #128

Written by: David Wise

 

Krangenstein Lives Episode #129

Written by: David Wise

 

Super Irma Episode #130

Written by: David Wise

 

Adventures In Turtle Sitting Episode #131

Written by: Jack Mendelsohn and Carole Mendelsohn

 

Sword of Yurikawa Episode #132

Written by: Marc Handler

 

Return of The Turtleoids Episode #133

Written by: David Wise

 

Shreeka's Revenge Episode #134

Written by: Jack Mendelsohn and Carol Mendelsohn

 

Too Hot to Handle Episode #135

Written by: Jack Mendelsohn and Carol Mendelsphn

 

Nightmare In The Lair Episode #136

 

 

Phantom of The Sewers Episode #137

Written by: David Wise

 

Donatello Trashes Slash Episode #138

Written by: David Wise

 

Leonardo is Missing Episode #139

Written by: David Wise

 

Snake Alive Episode #140

Written by: David Wise

 

Polly Wanna Pizza Episode #141

Written by: Jack Mendelsohn

 

Mr. Nice Guy Episode #142

Written by: Steve Granat and Clyde Clark

 

Sleuth on The Loose Episode #143

Written by: Matt Uitz

 
Year Seven - 1993
 

Tower of Power Episode #144

Written by: Michael Edens

 

Rust Never Sleeps Episode #145

Written by: Lee Schneider and Matthew Malach

 

A Real Snow Job Episode #146

Written by: Misty Taggart

 

Venice On The Half-Shell Episode #147

Written by: Misty Taggart

 

Artless Episode #148

Written by: Doug Molitor

 

Ring of Fire Episode #149

Written by: Michael Edens

 

The Irish Jig Is Up Episode #150

Written by: John Fox

 

Shredder's New Sword Episode #151

Written by: Francis Moss and Ted Pedersen

 

The Lost Queen of Atlantis Episode #152

Written by: Michael Edens

 

Turtles on The Orient Express Episode #153

 

 

April Gets In Dutch Episode #154

Written by: Misty Taggart

 

Northern Lights Out Episode #155

Written by: Ted Pedersen and Francis Moss

 

Elementary, My Dear Turtles Episode #156

Written by: Dennis O'Flaherty

 

Night of The Dark Turtle Episode #157

Written by: David Wise

 

The Starchild Episode #158

Written by: David Wise

 

The Legend of Koji Episode #159

Written by: David Wise

 

Convicts From Dimension X Episode #160

Written by: Jack Mendelsohn

 

White Belt, Black Heart Episode #161

Written by: Jack Mendelsohn and Carole Mendelsohn

 

Night of The Rogues Episode #162

Written by: David Wise

 

Attack of The Neutrinos Episode #163

Written by: David Wise

 

Escape From The Planet of The Turtleoids Episode #164

Written by: David Wise

 

Revenge of The Fly Episode #165

Written by: David Wise

 

Atlantis Awakes Episode #166

Written by: David Wise

 

Dirk Savage: Mutant Hunter Episode #167

Written by: David Wise

 

Invasion of The Krangazoids Episode #168

Written by: David Wise

 

Combat Land Episode #169

Written by: David Wise

 

Shredder's Triumphant Episode #170

Written by: David Wise

 
Year Eight - 1994
 

Get Shredder Episode #171

Written by: David Wise

 

Wrath of The Rat King Episode #172

Written by: David Wise

 

State of Shock Episode #173

Written by: David Wise

 

Cry H.A.V.O.C! Episode #174

Written by: David Wise

 

H.A.V.O.C. In The Streets Episode #175

Written by: David Wise

 

Enter: Krakus Episode #176

Written by: David Wise

 

Cyber Turtles Episode #177

Written by: David Wise

 

Turtle Trek Episode #178

Written by: David Wise

 
Year Nine - 1995
 

The Unknown Ninja Episode #179

Written by: Mark Edens and David Wise

 

Dregg of The Earth Episode #180

Written by: David Wise

 

The Wrath of Medusa Episode #181

Written by: David Wise

 

The New Mutation Episode #182

Written by: David Wise

 

The Showdown Episode #183

Written by: David Wise

 

Split Second Episode #184

Written by: David Wise

 

Carter, The Enforcer Episode #185

Written by: David Wise

 

Doomquest Episode #186

Written by: David Wise

 
Year Ten - 1996
 

The Return of Dregg Episode #187

Written by: Jeffrey Scott

 

The Beginning of The End Episode #188

Written by: Jeffrey Scott

 

The Power of Three Episode #189

Written by: Jeffrey Scott

 

A Turtle in Time Episode #190

Written by: Jeffery Scott

 

Turtles To The Second Power Episode #191

Written by: Jeffery Scott

 

Mobsters From Dimension X Episode #192

Written by: Jeffery Scott

 

The Day The Earth Disappeared Episode #193

Written by: Jeffery Scott

 

Divide and Conquer Episode #194

Written by: Jeffery Scott

 

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