Top 10+ lessons we learned from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Since it first appeared as a comic book in the 1980s, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise has become a pop culture marvel, spawning numerous TV series, movies, video games and toys. As fun and action-packed as any iteration of the TMNT universe is, part of the appeal for fans young and old has always been the important and relatable lessons it teaches, like the importance of cooperation, appreciating your family, fighting injustice, and many more.

There’s power in teamwork

In comics, TV series, video games and films, the ninja turtles have always been able to show that as mighty as one hero can be, there’s power in numbers. They solve problems together, appreciate one another’s differences and always have each other’s backs. While each of them has mastered their own skill, they know they succeed best when they focus on their collective goal rather than trying to be the star.

Find your talent and master it

As mutant heroes with martial arts training, the four turtles are all exceedingly strong and coordinated, but it’s Raphael who stands out as the most physically capable. Leonardo is a natural leader and adept at using blades in combat, while Donatello’s intellect comes in handy for inventing gadgets, even if he’s most comfortable wielding a bo staff. Michelangelo is less disciplined than the other turtles, and a little lazy when it comes to training, but his agility aids the team in combat. The lesson that comes through in every iteration of the TMNT universe is that honing your own particular strengths and talents will serve you well throughout your life.

Diversify your friend group

Given that they are sewer-living mutant reptiles, you might expect the turtles to be shy, but they are actually able to make friends and alliances with creatures of all kinds, including their human reporter pal April O’Neil, a hockey equipment-wearing vigilante named Casey Jones, a mutated alligator named Leatherhead, an alien bat named Wingnut and his mosquito partner Screwloose, and the mutanimal Jagwar. Donnie, Raph, Mikey and Leo have always been able to demonstrate the gifts of friendship and acceptance, no matter your species.

Protect the innocent

The heroes in a half-shell were trained by their honourable rat mentor Splinter to protect the innocent from the forces of evil, and it’s a responsibility they take seriously. As Splinter says in an episode of the 2012 animated series, “The first rule of being a ninja is: Do no harm. Unless you mean to do harm. Then do lots of harm!” Even when they’re not fighting bullies and criminals, the turtles are still striving to do good, like the time they rescued a stray cat, and continued to care for it after it ate contaminated ice cream and mutated into Ice Cream Kitty.

Make the best of your surroundings

The turtles and Master Splinter show us that even a sewer can be a cozy home, as long as you have love and a string of colourful lights. Hidden under Chinatown in New York, the Sewer Lair looks slightly different depending on which version of TMNT you’re watching, but it has been shown to have all the regular features of a normal house, such as a kitchen, living room and bedrooms, plus a workshop for Donatello, a meditation room for Splinter and a dojo for the fabulous foursome to practise their ninja skills.

Dress for success

In a 2020 episode of the animated series Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles titled “The Clothes Don’t Make the Turtle,” the turtles try on a series of stylish outfits set to music in the style of an ’80s musical montage. It’s just one example of how Raph, Mikey, Donnie and Leo can be fashionable and fierce, whether they’re taking on villains, donning the perfect disguise, or wearing their signature coloured masks.

Family is important

Like all siblings, Raph, Leo, Donnie and Mikey do get into their share of tiffs, but ultimately the TMNT franchise shows us the importance of family, in times of triumph and strife. CBR writer Antonio Barrios has pointed out that the 1990 film version was especially good at demonstrating how different, and sometimes contrary, personalities in a family can provide balance, and asserted that even though he may be a rat, Splinter is truly a father who has guided the turtle foursome their entire lives. In the 2023 film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, Splinter is even more devoted to his adopted sons, with backstory explaining how he’s raised them and seeks to protect them as fiercely as any natural parent would.

Take wisdom from elders

Of the many lessons the TMNT incarnations aim to teach us, one of the most obvious and consistent is that there is wisdom to be learned from elders. Master Splinter, also known as Hamato Yoshi, is more than a mutated rat and martial arts instructor. He also acts as a father who dispenses important life lessons, like the importance of balancing mind and body, exercising self-discipline, being honourable and remaining compassionate. Splinter is also an important mentor to April, offering her guidance and support like a father would.

Don’t forget to have fun

With “cowabunga” as an unofficial motto, Donatello, Raphael, Michelangelo and Leonardo have been as silly and fun as they are heroic throughout their many incarnations. While showing that responsibility is something they take seriously, the clever and wisecracking TMNT quartet also demonstrate the importance of blowing off a little steam, having a little fun, and rebelling against the rules sometimes. They are teenagers, after all.

Pizza is magic

The turtles’ love of pizza was introduced in the first animated series adaptation as a way to highlight their “typical teen” traits and pay homage to their hometown of New York. Most of us don’t need their example to know that pizza is delicious, but they do remind us that it’s the perfect food for family bonding, celebrating a victory, healing emotional angst, and satiating the hunger that comes from fighting the good fight.