Two major disappointments for TMNT fans...

[springsodas]

First, before anything: How do we like my current setup in Spirit City? I know Christmas season isn't until next month, but honestly, the only reason I care at all for Thanksgiving these days is because of the food. Gimme the brightly lit conifers and tacky sweaters already, damn it.

But, to the actual post topic: it's no secret that I am a fan of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I love it, it's amazing, it came to me at a good time when I needed a story that didn't focus on romance, there's so much to explore when it comes to the many TV, movie, and comic iterations, and it has an amazing online community of dedicated fans who produce so much amazing fanart and fanfic. Really, my only major gripe is that there is a shockingly large subculture within the fandom that ships the abomination known as turtlecest, but A) franchises that star siblings unfortunately almost always fall victim to that ridiculousness and B) I just have to keep reminding myself that the canonical turtles are true, honest to god brothers in every sense of the word and that, if I am in the mood for a touch of romance, I have my OC x Canon pairings to focus on instead of... eugh.

But uh, right now, the franchise seems to be in trouble and it's not because it's not doing very well; in fact, TMNT is doing better than ever when you look at the successes of the Mutant Mayhem brand as well as the IDW comics and video games. (I still need to work on that Splintered Fate lore compilation I started not too long ago.) Unfortunately, there were two major announcements recently, neither of which were good; long story short, the Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles animated series as well as the movie adaptation of The Last Ronin have both been cancelled. While the Ronin movie is not too surprising because it's been in development hell for so long, Tales had a very successful first season and the show's team were extremely excited for the second season, which is still slated to release this December. Why was it cancelled then? 

Because it's "not the vision the owners want." And by owners, they're not referring to the ones who were very happy with Mutant Mayhem over a year ago, so much so that they were considering four seasons of Tales and not just two; they are talking about the new set of higher ups who are now in charge in the wake of the Paramount's merger with Skydance. These higher ups clearly don't like what the current turtles are doing and want something else, something else that'll (hopefully) bring them in even more profits than what TMNT is doing now. There's even been multiple reports that they want to "Sonic-fy" the TMNT franchise because of the success of the blue blur's live action movies, which...no. Just no. Sonic is Sonic, TMNT is TMNT. Leave it alone.

I already talked about this at a length over on Tumblr, but knowing the history of this franchise, it's early beginnings, how it rose to fame, its many triumphs and failures over the years, the sacrifices that the people working on it made, and just how many artists, writers, and animators have put endless love and dedication into these silly cartoon turtles, seeing it become yet another victim of late stage capitalism is nothing short of depressing. And I know there are people who are able to look at what's happening and just say "it is what it is," but me? I've been here only a couple of years and this franchise has done more than just capture my attention with its stories and characters--it's inspired me and helped me realize many things about my life, both good and bad. I've made many dear friends thanks to the fandom that I hope to know for years to come. And it literally saved my interest in doing illustration when I was considering giving up on it entirely. I've gained so much thanks to it and seeing slowly but surely lose its soul... it just doesn't feel right.

Maybe things will eventually get better, but for the moment, I can't see it as getting anything but worse. At this time, it's truly up to the fans to keep the spirit of the turtles alive because the people in charge are not interested in giving us an earnest story to touch our hearts; they only care about profits and that's really, really sad.

Comments

hopepunk

[redstringraven]

i feel like i might come off as an "it is what it is" sort of person, but just so it's clear: my attitude is more "i don't expect the major studios to deliver anything new/risky/worthwhile right now, and thus: if they want my money they're going to have to work for it". that's why i tend to be jaded and wary of any "new" 2003-related announcements. with all the concern for profit, putting the value of "line go up" over producing actual good art, i unfortunately don't trust much of anything right now and refuse to reward companies for mediocre products. i'm VERY aware that it often makes me come off as a wet blanket when fans are getting teased with new media, but... i just don't trust the big-wigs, man. <xD they've lost my trust. if they want it back, they'd better get to earning it, and they're not off to a good start. that all being said, however, i just kinda say "my city now". there's not anything i can do--at least right now--in terms of turning "the industry around" or whatever, but that can't stop me from making the art and stories i love. i think about gabriel picolo and how his fan art for teen titans helped land him a job actually getting to work with dc. i don't EXPECT my love for 2003 and desire to expand and explore it on my own time to "get me anywhere", but you'd be surprised what raw passion and drive can do for you. especially in the world of art. it's shitty and bleak on the surface, yeah, but there's a lot going on underneath. you just gotta be willing to be involved, support those around you, and keep the space alive. it's not always easy but: that's art, bay-beeeee. 💜🌷✨ you do it because, if you don't, you might go a little insane.