Warning: Spoilers for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles x Naruto #1
Master Splinter is already a martial arts powerhouse inTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' main continuity, but the version of him in theNarutouniverse could be the strongest iteration of the character yet. The ninja turtles' mentor just unveiled a serious power upgrade, and he’s been given an epic new design to go with it.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles x Naruto#1 - written by Caleb Goellner, with art by Hendry Prasetya, Raúl Angulo, and Ed Dukeshire - merges the TMNT’s lore with that of Naruto and his shinobi allies, creating an amalgamated universe where the turtles are pitted against the ninjas of Team 7. Splinter and his sons face off with Naruto’s squad after disposing of the Foot Clan, clad in redesignsbefitting the world of shinobi.
Master Splinter stands out among the turtles with his new look, and his design isn’t all that’s different about this variant of the iconicTMNTcharacter; in this universe,Splinter also has access to jutsu that elevates him to the level ofNaruto’s most formidable ninjas.
Splinter Unleashes Powerful Jutsu In His Naruto Redesign
The TMNT’s Sensei Is Stronger Than Ever Before in Naruto’s Universe
Every iteration ofTMNTtakes liberties with Splinter’s design, and this crossover is no exception. Splinter and the ninja turtles all wear updated shinobi gear, as well as matching masks similar to whatNaruto’s Anbu use to keep their faces concealed. The mask Splinter wears specifically resembles thoseworn by the Konoha Anbu, as theirs resemble animals as well. This detail may indicate that Splinter has a connection to the Hidden Leaf from his past as Hamato Yoshi, which would explain Kakashi recognizing him. Splinter’s shinobi design isn’t exclusively an aesthetic choice, though, which he proves byunleashing powerful jutsu.
TMNT Unveils Epic Naruto Redesigns as the Series Preps a Major Manga Crossover
As the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles x Naruto crossover unites the two ninja franchises, the Heroes in a Half Shell get a manga redesign.
Splinter’s attack against Kakashi reveals that he’s capable of utilizing jutsu, revealing his hidden potential as a martial artist. He likely performs Lightning Release jutsu in this sequence, an ability through which the user converts chakra into electricity to attack an opponent. While this jutsu is a basic technique that most shinobi are able to master, standard lightning manipulation can evolve into stronger techniques. For instance,Sasuke’s Kirin techniqueis a more advanced form of lightning-based jutsu, as is Kakashi’s Chidori.If Splinter learns how to harness his lightning jutsu in different ways, he can become a true force to be reckoned with.
Splinter Is Officially a Shinobi on Kakashi Hatake’s Level
What Other Jutsu Will Splinter Use in TMNT’s Naruto Crossover?
Splinter’s shocking proficiency with lightning jutsu might just be scratching the surface of what theninja turtles' mastercan do in this continuity. He and Kakashi appear to be on equal footing during their sparring match, so it stands to reason that Splinter would be able to access techniques on Kakashi’s skill level. There’s a chance that he could eventransform into Sage Mode, considering his lifelong dedication to the discipline of martial arts. Now that he’s been reinvented as a shinobi inNarutolore, the teacher of theTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtlesis unlocking powers beyond fans' wildest imaginings.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles x Naruto#1is available now from IDW Publishing.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) is a multi-media franchise that began with Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird’s comics in the 1980s. Throughout the years, their comic books expanded to movies, TV shows, video games, and toys. Most notably, the animated Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles ran for nearly a decade and has become a nostalgic staple of the ‘80s and ‘90s. Several other movies have featured the four anthropomorphic turtle brothers (Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael), including the trilogy of live-action films in the ‘90s and the more recent movies Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and its sequel Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows.
Naruto
Naruto is a franchise spawned from the manga series penned by Masashi Kishimoto that began in 1999. Generating several tv series, games, movies, and more, Naruto follows the exploits of a young outcast ninja harboring the spirit of a demon fox who seeks to become the Hokage, the leader of his ninja village, to break the stigma against him. Upon the conclusion of the initial series, Naruto expanded into Boruto, following many series protagonists' children and returning faces.
