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TMNT Controversy Sparks Debate Over April O’Neil Reimagining

BBG News

Today offers a fresh chance for the entertainment industry to demonstrate its moral compass by featuring ethnically diverse characters in fiction. Hooray for a more inclusive world!

As a cinephile with a soft spot for the TMNT franchise, I’ll openly confess that I haven’t been an ardent follower. The original cartoon series and the first two live-action movies were right up my alley, even though I must admit Vanilla Ice added an extra cool factor to the second film. Sadly, I drifted away from the Turtle gang post that. But let’s face it, I’ve got the gist: four turtles each bearing a color and artist-inspired names, their sensei Splinter – a mutated rat adept in ninjutsu, their foe Shredder and his Foot Clan, and the human ally April O’Neil, a fiery redhead in a yellow tracksuit. She’s more than just a beautiful woman; she’s a courageous journalist, always ready to aid the turtles whenever possible.

In a universe filled with mutated ninjas and alien brains, it’s April O’Neil that often stirs up debate. NECA has now introduced their latest 7-inch action figure of this controversial yet iconic character.

Managed to find @NECA_TOYS @TMNT Jennifer Lopez April and Handyman Don lastnight

— Vaughn Michael (@VaughnMichael13) April 17, 2025

r Turtle line:

….and she definitely does not look like the April O’Neil I remember.

In the past, April O’Neil, a character from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT), has undergone racial changes but this is the first time it’s happened before her appearance in the cartoon, specifically with toy versions of her. Some might perceive this as another instance of “red-head erasure,” but the situation may not be as straightforward as it seems.

Originally, TMNT was an 80’s black-and-white comic book created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird. In contrast to the cartoon version, the comic book’s April O’Neil wasn’t a redhead; instead, she sported a bold perm and was not color-coded like her animated counterpart. Her name is said to have been inspired by Eastman’s first wife, who was a mixed-race brunette with a penchant for perms.

Over the years, April O’Neil has evolved in various adaptations of the TMNT universe, including animated series, films, and toy lines. However, her racial identity has generally remained consistent until now. The latest NECA action figure appears to depict April with a darker complexion, which aligns more closely with recent TMNT adaptations like the 2023 Mutant Mayhem film.

This change in design for the action figure has ignited intense discussions online about representation, staying true to source material, and toy companies’ role in reflecting modern interpretations.

The question arises: Was NECA’s decision to alter April’s hairstyle an attempt to generate buzz by exploiting a controversial topic? Some find it distasteful to think that companies manipulate ethnic swaps to provoke debates and, consequently, publicity.

However, Occam’s Razor might suggest a simpler explanation: It could merely be a fuss about the hairstyle itself. Many believe that April’s perm is indicative of her mixed racial background, but others argue that many women of all races sported permed hair in the 80s, making it an unreliable argument.

The debate deepens as another character, Baxter Stockman, was originally portrayed as African-American in the comics but later appeared white in the cartoon. The comics clearly depict a visible skin tone difference between Baxter and April. Yet, the change for Baxter might have been due to the children’s cartoon wanting to avoid portraying a villain as black, given that he was trying to eliminate Splinter, a beloved character. It’s essential to remember the intricacies of such issues, as there are usually more complex reasons behind these decisions.

Despite some research suggesting that NECA may have taken creative liberties with their latest action figure, the truth is, opinions about such collectibles are always divided. The figure has been designed to evoke nostalgia in die-hard fans, yet its quality and accuracy remain a topic of debate among collectors. To put it simply, some will adore this figure and purchase it immediately, while others may criticize it and leave it unsold on shelves. Ultimately, the beauty of toy collecting lies in the freedom to choose – if you’re not fond of it, just don’t buy it.

Reference: https://toynewsi.com/139-57503

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2025-04-18 00:58

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