Leonardo Is My Favorite Ninja Turtle (And Always Will Be)

In the 90s, I frequently faced a few perplexing questions that often left me questioning my existence: Were you into pogs?, How many cans of Surge could you consume in one go?, Do you own any clothes apart from windbreakers? These questions were hard to respond to since being a child in that era was like being an energetic dog inside a bouncy castle, with so much happening at once that it was tough to stay still and make a decision. However, there was one question I always knew the answer to no matter the circumstances. Regardless of when or where, my belief never faltered. Who was my favorite Ninja Turtle? That’s a piece of cake. Of course, it’s Leonardo.

From the moment I first heard about them, Leonardo has been my preferred Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle and continues to be so, as it felt like a perfect match from the start. When I was six years old, kindergarten was buzzing with conversations about the Ninja Turtles. To navigate the tumult of recess and the quiet hush of nap time, I had to declare allegiance to one turtle. Among the four choices, there was only one that matched my favorite color. To my young mind, it seemed like destiny.

Leading the Way

Among the Ninja Turtles, Leo wasn’t just my favorite due to his green shell. Instead, it was because he was the team’s commander, always ready with solutions. To me, Leo wasn’t simply one of the Turtles; he was the one Raphael, Donnie, and Mikey would seek guidance from in times of need. Master Splinter trusted him most to handle tasks effectively and set an example for his brothers. As a middle child myself, growing up with voices constantly around me, Leo, the quiet leader, was a hero who inspired me.

In his role as their leader, Leonardo frequently found himself under pressure, managing his fellow Turtles and ensuring they accomplished their mission. Despite this stress, he always maintained a composed demeanor, never resorting to harshness or bullying. He was the kind of leader that the Turtles admired and could depend on for assistance during tough times. Among all the Ninja Turtles, Leonardo remains my favorite due to his ability to learn from his errors and utilize this newfound wisdom to tackle challenges. He’s not infallible and occasionally makes mistakes, but as a leader, he recognizes that he cannot shoulder everything alone.

Weapon of Choice

Should Leonardo’s leadership skills not capture your attention, he possesses the top two weapons among the group – a talking turtle wielding not one but two katanas. For a young lad seeking a new role model, I was instantly captivated by this unique character. To be honest, it’s hard to find anyone who can rival a turtle with dual katanas! Raphael, armed with two sais, is certainly impressive in his own right. However, they pale in comparison to the formidable force of double-wielded katanas. Raphael often came second for me, particularly when contrasted with Michelangelo.

Two nunchucks? Absolutely fun to fiddle with, but even as a kid, I pondered over their impracticality as a weapon. The possibility of them getting tangled or me injuring myself while spinning them is quite high. Even the Ninja Turtles, highly trained though they are, a nunchuck to the nose still hurts, regardless of expertise. So, let’s bypass Donatello, who relies on a bo staff, which, although has a reasonable range, isn’t exactly an appealing feature. Instead, it’s Leo we should favor. After all, the turtle wielding two swords is undeniably more captivating, isn’t it?

Leonardo has been and will remain my preferred Ninja Turtle. The moment I laid eyes on him, I sensed he would be my primary choice, not just because he’s stylish, but because he’s a powerful, competent leader with an impressive arsenal as well. Although all the turtles are awesome in their own way, Leonardo is my top pick.

2025-01-20 00:10

Leading the Way

Weapon of Choice

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