Raphael (Ninja Turtle)
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Raphael (or "Raph"), a fictional character, is one of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. His mask is red (his favorite color), and he carries two sai. His personality is usually aggressive or sullen. He is named after Raffaello Santi, the famous Renaissance artist. He is named Raffaello in the Japanese adaptations of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
TMNTRaphProfile.jpg
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Comic books
In the black and white Mirage Comics, Raphael was written as violent and lethal. He was possibly meant to be something of an answer to the X-Mens' Wolverine. Even his sai-daggers resemble Wolverine's claws.
In the Archie comics, Raphael was given a girlfriend named Ninjara, an anthropomorphic fox whom he and the other Turtles met in a visit to Japan.
1987 cartoon
In the North American version of the 1987 cartoon show, Raphael's voice actor is Rob Paulsen in all seasons except the final 1996 season, in which he is voiced by Michael Gough. In the United Kingdom's Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles version of the 1987 show, he is voiced by Hal Rayle. As opposed to being angry and sullen, Raphael is a sarcastic wise-guy. As covered in the theme song, he's "cool, but rude".
Video Games
In the first few video games, Raphael was an unpopular character to utilize because of the short range of his weapon. In later games, he was designed to be the fastest turtle (Donatello, popular due to the length of his staff-type-weapon, was established as being slower) to give him more of an advantage.
1990 movie
In the 1990 film adaptation, Raphael is the turtle whose character is explored most completely. He has a quick temper, uses mild profanity and is the first one to meet the human characters, April O'Neil and Casey Jones. In the middle of the film, he is ambushed by the Foot and severely injured. (This happens to Leonardo in the original comics and the 2003 series.)
2003 cartoon
In the 2003 cartoon show, he is voiced by Frank Frankson. He seems more like the movie version than anything else, as he is angrier and more sardonic than in the 1987 cartoon, but not quite as violent as in the Mirage comics. He also talks with a similar New York accent as in the movies. He often quarrels with Leonardo.
External link
- Raphael profile on official TMNT web site (http://www.ninjaturtles.com/html/profile4.htm)