Recap: Advent of the Metal Turtles! The Guardian Beasts Awaken!

Hello again, and sorry this recap is so late. As it were, the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie is out to massive box office returns, proving yet again; the franchise is critic proof. I saw it this past Labor Day weekend, and I for one, loved it.

So, why don’t we take another look at the anime version of them? That’s right, it’s time to check out the second episode of Mutant Turtles: Superman Legend! Last time, we had an experience that was highly awkward due to designs that have only recently been topped by WETA Digital and numerous real-life disasters! So, let’s see what’s on tap this time! Let’s open up “Advent of the Metal Turtles! The Guardian Beasts Awaken!” 

The turtles have arrived in Japan; and they tell Michelangelo not to make a scene in the airport. Well what did you expect? He is the party dude, after all. Leonardo says they’re not here to have fun.

Neither did the critics who saw the new movie.

We then cut to the Technodrome in Dimension X. 

Shredder, Bebop and Rocksteady are dismayed to get an earful from Krang.

Would you tell those neighbors to turn down their rap music?!

It turns out Krang has found something incredible, and is still addressing Shredder as “Sawaki,” much to his dismay. I already addressed that in my last TMNT recap, so let’s move on.

It seems they have found another mutastone. 

We can use it to give you lunkheads Mega Evolutions!

Shredder is doubtful, but Krang then decides to give them further motivation to go. 

You ever hear the most annoying sound in the world? (shrill honking)

The turtles are riding the bullet train to their next adventure.

This bullet train is much safer than our subways in New York! Faster and cleaner too!

They pass by Mt. Fuji as April documents their journey. I do enjoy how this OVA has a similar animation style to the 1987 series; as it shared many similarities with anime looking back at it: the angles, the lighting, the character types; the way action scenes were done-it was most obvious in the opening and the 5-episode pilot. The Japanese actually enjoyed it, and this OVA even has their dub actors reprising their roles. 

This is April O'Neil, live in Japan.

Then, who should arrive on the scene but Shredder! I will say this: while his armor is still much more detailed than most Shredders  I’m familiar with; it is more subdued than the previous episode of the OVA. Also, it’s no longer the most ostentatious, thanks to the mecha-Shredder in the new movie.

There's no internet, no cable, there's not even a Pizza Hut anywhere!

As such, a fight atop the train ensues. What can I say? I’m a sucker for train fight scenes. 

Then, a group of other ninjas provide backup, and the villains are forced to retreat!

The turtles are impressed with seeing real ninjas.

They stand out much less than us turtles!

Apparently, the ninja, Hattori Kinzo, is camera-shy.

I can't handle publicity the way you turtles can!

They reach the shrine, and it turns out it is home to a mirror that possesses great power.

The mirror grants the Turtles some new forms. I think I had these when I was younger; they were just branded differently for the states.

Early next morning, the Turtles are awakened to a strange sound.

Michelangelo expresses disbelief at a ghost.

It seems the ghost’s name is Yukimura.

April continues to film the exploits going on, expressing shock all the while. This is actually quite common in the 1987 series and other things drawing from it. The Mirage comics, films, 2003 series, and the 2012 series (currently in progress) have given her a much more active role,which I am thankful for.

Shredder, Bebop and Rocksteady then bust into the shrine, hoping to defeat the turtles.

Tonight I dine on turtle soup!

Of course, the turtles are not ones to take a challenge from their enemy lying down. 

Does the phrase "go suck a lemon" hold any meaning for you?

The scuffle causes an explosion. Typical, it’s hard to find a shonen work that doesn’t have at least one instance of the Tokyo fireball. Naturally, that’s the very first shot of my favorite anime film, and what’s widely considered to be the greatest anime film of all time, Akira.

Oh, I've wasted my life.

Splinter then says they “will not hang the mirror over to them.” Oh, the joy of bad fan subs. Where else would we get such glorious gems as “He has two badges” and “Do not want?”

You remember that night with that lady in Shinjuku? Tell me, what was his name?

The turtles then dash into battle in a cheesy, yet strangely awesome Gratuitous English usage of “Turtle Power!”

Cowabunga!

Shredder then vows to take this nuisance head-on.

I have come for the one they call Johnathan Liebesman.

As everyone climbs the tower, Leonardo wonders why they don’t just take the stairs.

Apparently, the idea never occurred to Kinzo, and the proverbial idiot crows come out at this baka kosu (dumb shit). 

Stupid! You're so stupid!

At this remark, Kinzo decides to hold off the enemy outside while the turtles go in.

With this, the turtles leap inside and make a beeline for the roof. 

Let's kick shell!

Shredder, Bebop, and Rocksteady reach the roof, but Kinzo is prepared with an array of decoy mirrors. This causes everyone to be so mad, they start breakdancing.

Naturally, Shredder and his cohorts don’t take long to see through Kinzo’s ruse.

Go ninja, go ninja, go!

Krang attempts to stand in the way of the turtles; and ends up making a very awkward statement.

How am I supposed to caption this?

Of course, the turtles laugh at Krang’s threat and call him stupid.

Krang no baka!

They just casually leap out of the way of Krang up the stairs.

You miserable turtles!

On the roof, Yukimura points out the mirror they need. Still easier than solving puzzles in the first NES game. 

Find a rope to cross to the next building.

This pleases Shredder immensely, much like Paramount when they saw the box office figures of the new movie.

Shredder looks into the mirror; and it has a swirling array of colors inside it. 

Rocksteady’s new form is a massive serpent of sorts.

Bebop gets a fish that looks like a kaiju. 

Shredder gets a Tigerzord! Or maybe it’s the Mystical Chi Beast Won Tiger.

Either way, he stands in warrior mode. I’ve been using that song a lot in this blog; but what the heck.

Metal Bebop also readies his attack. 

Metal Rocksteady is also a force to be reckoned with.

No one can destroy the metal! The metal will strike you down with a vicious blow!

His snakes also make rather suggestive moves on the turtles.

As it stands, the turtles are no match for the powered-up enemies.

At what point did we lose control here?

The turtles get their hands on the mirror, and by proxy, their super forms. 

FLASH! AH-HA! SAVIOR OF THE UNIVERSE!

Now, after two years, you get to see the metal turtles in action! Blue Dragon! Leonardo!

Red Phoenix! Raphael!

Purple Gryphon! Donatello!

Orange Spider! Michelangelo!

Despite April’s doubts, Splinter says they need to have faith in the turtles.

They survived the musical, they can survive this.

As they stand together in their armors; it is clear that this concept is bizarre, even in this medium.

Metal Turtles! Appare!

Kinzo then points out their mutations will last for 6 minutes.

You have enough time for one Vanilla Ice dance number!

Even so, the turtles get the upper hand and royally clobber Shredder and his goons.

Graaah!

The turtles revel in their victory; all while looking like they’re ready to be shipped out to Japanese toy stores.

9.95!

With this, the Turtles power down amid the sunset. 

I have always liked "Cowabunga."

“Advent of the Metal Turtles! The Guardian Beasts Awaken!” is a fun little adventure with the Ninja Turtles; and a marked improvement over the first episode of the OVA in terms of animation and story. I know it may be a strange thing to prefer an anime about mutant turtles over Code Geass R2; but the key difference is that R2 failed to deliver a satisfying follow-up to its predecessor, largely because it didn’t seem to be aware of where to stand on the argument of optimism vs. cynicism; and could no longer balance camp and seriousness with the same finesse as the first season. This, on the other hand; knew full well of the ridiculousness of its premise, and ran with it; all the way to the pizza parlor. With this, my mood has improved enough to do something else in that same vein. Next time: Pokémon- The Legend of Dratini!