Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2003 Series)

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Overview
In the 2003 TV series, the four Turtles' personalities are in some ways different from the 1987 TV series in an attempt to follow the Mirage Comics versions of the characters more closely. All the characters are more complex individuals, and the Turtles have a stronger family bond. The tone is also somewhat more serious with a greater emphasis on action. The show does not feature nearly as much slapstick comedy or heavy puns as its animated predecessor, and the only turtle to use surfer slang is Michelangelo. The 2003 series also features magical powers absent from the earlier incarnation. Leonardo and Raphael often pick fights with each other, Michelangelo is now very obsessed with being cool and famous, and Donatello seems to take his inventions more seriously.

The series covers a large scope of the Turtles' adventures taking them from the sewers, to the streets of New York City (namely April's apartment), to the woodlands of rural New England, to outer space, alternate dimensions, to the future, and ultimately home once more. The first several seasons focus on the Turtles' battles against The Shredder and The Foot as well as the Purple Dragons, while the later seasons branch out to include other antagonists. Thus, making the stories more complex than the series that came before it.

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Leonardo
Leonardo is the most serious of his brothers, and the leader of the group, silent, and as such, the most balanced turtle. He concerns himself mostly with his training and meditation. While this leads him to be the most disciplined of the Turtles, it can also be a shortcoming, as Leonardo has been shown to be a relative workaholic on more than one occasion. He wears a blue mask and favors twin ninjatō swords as his weapons. He is the only Turtle who has direct conflict with female ninja Karai.

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Raphael
Raphael is the hothead of the group. He often lets his anger get the best of him and struggles to cope with some of the tougher issues the Turtles face. He would much rather rush into action than contemplate the best move. Throughout the run of the series, he works on his anger to some degree, but still flies into a rage when one of his brothers or friends are harmed or captured. He wears a red mask (the only one of the four to keep the red mask) and his primary weapons are twin sai.

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Donatello
Donatello is the intellect of the group. He surrounds himself with technological experiments and often endeavors to retain the enemies technology to make enhanced gear for the turtles. He is responsible for creating the shell-cell (a cell-phone like communicator) and Battle Shell (the Turtles' enhanced tactical vehicle) among other devices. Upon occasion he forgets to see the bigger picture by becoming obsessed by something else (usually his latest project). He wears a purple mask and favors a traditional bo staff as his weapon.

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Michelangelo
Michelangelo is the youngest, and goofy, but lovable brother. He concerns himself with comics, video games, and horror movies, constantly making statements that spoof pop culture. Michelangelo sees the world in terms of good or bad, with no gray areas in between. He often refers to him and his brothers as superheroes, often wishing he could join the ranks of his favorite comic book characters. He wears an orange mask and favors twin nunchaku.

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Splinter
Splinter is the mutant rat leader of the entire family, and serves as a father figure for the Turtles. He once was a pet for a renowned martial artist named Hamato Yoshi in Japan. It was from watching Yoshi that Splinter first learned the art of ninjitsu which he then passes on to the Turtles. Splinter often acts as much as a spiritual guide and counselor to the team as he does their teacher. While he does not wield a traditional Japanese weapon, Splinter carries a cane which he can utilize as a weapon (like a Jo staff) with fierce proficiency. Unlike the previous animated series, the Turtles often refer to Splinter as their father, rather than their master and he refers the Turtles as his sons.

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April O'Neil
April O'Neil is the Turtles' first human ally, who also acts as a "big sister." When they first meet her, April was working for Dr. Baxter Stockman as a technical assistant. April is tech savvy on a level close to Donatello, making them fast friends once they become allies. April often assists the Turtles with recon on various missions. She later offers her apartment to the Turtles as a temporary home. April's apartment is located above the Second Time Around antique store which she owns and operates. April serves as the Turtles first true glimpse into human interaction and helps them learn about the outside world. She later becomes romantically involved with Casey Jones, and eventually marries him in the series finale.

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Casey Jones
Casey Jones is the Turtles' closest human ally along with April. He operates as a vigilante, at first on his own, and then later as a member of the Turtles' extended crew and at times trains with them. While at first being more closely aligned with Raphael, Casey quickly becomes part of the family and a valuable fighter. When in his full get-up he wears a hockey mask, and utilizes a hockey stick and other sports paraphernalia as his weapons. He takes to April quite quickly, and although she dislikes him initially, the two become romantically involved. He eventually gets married to April in the series finale.