Sunday, February 9, 2020

Character analysis: Leonardo(Feat Grandblazer)


Background





(Note: There have been a few variations to the TMNT backstory, but most of them don’t stray too far from the original idea.  I will be using their origins from the original Mirage Comics.)

In the year 1964, a group of one hundred aliens known as the Utrom traveled to Earth to explore its dominant lifeforms. However, a critical malfunction caused the ship to crash upon entering the planet’s atmosphere, with only a third of the crew surviving the wreckage. In order to get back home, the Utroms spent their time hiding from the public and building a transmat device. A bi-product of their experimentations with the transmat was an ooze-y waste, and on one occasion of transporting this waste, the Utroms ran into an accident. A blind man crossing the street blissfully unaware of the truck hurtling towards him, and when the Utroms swerved to avoid the man, the back of their truck flew open, sending the canister flying out of it and crashing into a nearby boy’s four pet Turtles.

The Turtles and the ooze fell into the sewers, where they were collected by a rat named Splinter. By the next day, the Turtles had doubled in size, as well as Splinter himself. As they continued to grow, they all learned to walk and talk, growing far more intelligent and dexterical. Knowing that the humans of the world above would not understand them, Splinter taught the four reptiles the ancient martial art of ninjutsu, and named them after his favorite renaissance artists. Donatello, Michaelangelo, Raphael, and the one and only Leonardo. Together, they were the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles!

Named after Leonardo da Vinci and identifiable by his twin katanas and blue bandana, Leo is the eldest Turtle and the leader of the group, being a natural born commander with a keen intellect. Of all the Turtles, he is the most spiritually refined and dedicated to their ninja training, being the only one to spend most of his free time training some more (outside of Raph and his punching bag) or meditating with Master Splinter. His training and code of honor has taken him all over the world, from New York City to upstate, from cities underground to cities in the sky, to Japan, to South America, and even across time and space. But no matter where he goes, he’ll always make sure to protect the ones that he loves, no matter the cost.
  • Full Name: Leonardo Splinterson
  • Height: 4’9” - 5’5”
  • Weight: 150 lbs - 190 lbs
  • Species: Mutant Turtle (either Boxshell or Red-Eared Slider)
  • Nicknames: Leo, Leon, Fearless Leader, Swords Boy
  • Likes: His family, meditation, pizza, Space Heroes
  • Dislikes: Failure, arguments, snakes

Equipment

Twin Katana/Ninjaken

Used in: All canons

Leonardo’s signature weapons; a pair of katana or ninjato depending on the incarnation. Historically, the katana was used as a weapon of choice by the ninja’s rival profession, the samurai. Compared to swords from other cultures, these are known for their curved, single-edged blades which have been called some of the sharpest cutting tools in history.

In the majority of his appearances, Leo’s katana are strong enough to deal with any range of enemies and has no problem cutting through most substances with ease. Aside from the variety of offensive options his swords give him, he can also spin them around to deflect or parry any type of attack, and the polished steel is nearly mirror-like in appearance, allowing Leo to look at them to increase his spatial awareness.

Finally, there’s a Tantō kept in the hilt of the blade that Leo can take out at any time should he need it.
Ōdachi Blade

Used in: Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

A five-foot long mystic weapon that Leo stole from Baron Draxum in Rise of the TMNT. While he is naturally quite skilled at the swordplay aspect of it, the real beauty of this weapon is its Portal Power Jutsu. With enough concentration, skill, and sometimes just a ton of luck, Leo can slash the air in front of him and create a portal, though where exactly it will lead is a little unspecific at times.

In some instances, it goes exactly where Leo wants it to, in others it’s a rather general “away from where we are right now”, and then if he’s not thinking of a place at all it’s at complete random. He has been shown to use it as both a means of escape and to redirect projectiles away from him, and it sometimes acts like a vacuum, sucking people into it rather than simply letting them walk in.

His current record for distance goes from New York City all the way to Tahiti, approximately 6,200 miles away!

Yumi

Used in: 2003, 2012

In comparison to bows used by other cultures, the Yumi used in Feudal Japan were long asymmetrical weapons often made out of bamboo and wood, although modern variants use material such as fiberglass or carbon fiber. A yumi is noted for its rather strong draw weight, requiring a large amount of force to fire. Given their intense physical training and their natures as mutants, it is no surprise at all that the Turtles can make fast and accurate shots with their bows from any and all angles.

Shuriken
Used in: Most canons

The standard side-arm for any traditional Japanese warrior, the shuriken is a quick and deadly throwing weapon - not necessarily to kill an opponent, but to weaken them by aiming for exposed areas. Ninjas also used them in other non-direct ways, such as dropping them as makeshift caltrops. A shuriken often takes the form of a star-like disc, hence the colloquial term of “throwing star”, but other throwing weapons that fit this category include daggers, nails and needles. The Turtles have created variants of their shurikens before, such as ones which explode.

Kunai

Used in: 2003

Similar to the shuriken, the kunai is another small throwing weapon popular amongst the ancient ninja as a sidearm not meant to kill, but to cut and weaken. They usually take the form of small, almost knife-like objects.

Mini Tanto Blade
Used in: 2012

Kept in his bandages. Not seen employed in combat (were used to mark out points on a map), but theoretically could be.

Smoke Bombs
Used in: 2003, 2012

An invention of Donatello’s. Made from literal eggshells and filled with flash powder, Leo carries a large amount of these on his person for when he needs to make a quick getaway. The smoke combined with their ninjutsu abilities makes it almost appear as if they were actually teleporting, as the Turtles can disappear and travel impressive distances without being spotted in an instant. They can also be used to temporarily blind an opponent.
Climbing Claws
Self-explanatory. Leonardo uses these for scaling large walls to help with traction. While they aren’t meant for combat, they can be used in such a way.

Chain & Hook
Another piece of climbing gear, only even more applicable to combat, as Leo has used it to tie down enemies and restrict their movements before.

Grappling Gun
Very Batman and Spider-Man-esq, as it’s often used for swinging from place to place or sliding down to reach a lower point.

Abilities

Ninjutsu
Taught to the Turtles since childhood by Master Splinter, ninjutsu is not strictly a fighting style or martial art, but the use of specialized military tactics with uses for espionage and guerilla warfare. The origins of ninjutsu date back to the early days of Japan, where shinobi or ninja served as spies for feudal lords. These warriors employed stealth and deception to carry out different missions, including information gathering, infiltrating rival territories and assassinating high-value targets.

Currently, the Bujinkan - a martial arts organization based in Japan - have dug up records from the Togakure-ryu school of ninjutsu which detail the essential skills every practitioner must learn, regardless of their mode of instruction. These became known as the Ninja Jūhakkei - the Eighteen Disciplines:
  1. Seishinteki Kyoyo (spiritual refinement): A form of spiritual education. Before and even after mastering the other aspects of ninjutsu, practitioners must mentally, spiritually and emotionally prepare themselves for their duties as shinobi through meditation. The recommended points for reflection including knowing one’s self, nature, destiny, harmony, sight, the heart and love.
  2. Ninpo Taijutsu (unarmed combat): Taijutsu is the common term to refer to any form of unarmed combat. Here, users not only learn mastery of striking and grappling techniques, but other modes of combat like mutou dori (fighting armed opponents without a weapon), koppojutsu (bone breaking), taihenjutsu (environmental movement based on spatial awareness) and senkojutsu (infiltration techniques). Some techniques here overlap with those taught in traditional Japanese martial arts like karate and judo.
  3. Kenjutsu (sword techniques): An umbrella term to refer to training with most bladed weapons, such as katana, nodachi and kunai. There is also a distinction made between schools which teach dual-wielding (nitoryu) and single weapon (ittou-ryu) skills.
  4. Sojutsu (spear techniques): Training in the use of spears, or yari.
  5. Naginatajutsu (glaive techniques): Mastery of the naginata, a polearm. These are more known for being close combat weapons as opposed to spears, which keep opponents in mid-range.
  6. Bojutsu (staff techniques): Training in the use of the staff and sticks. Besides attacks, practitioners learn to complement weapon use with hand-to-hand strikes and using the staff as a tool for movement.
  7. Kayakujutsu (explosion techniques): This branch deals with the use of firearms and explosions.
  8. Kusarigamajutsu (chain-sickle techniques): Deals with using a kusarigama, a weapon consisting of a sickle connected to a chain with a heavy weight on its end. Wielders of this often attack by using the chain and weight to immobilize an opponent or disarm them of their weapons, giving them an opportunity to strike with the sickle. They can also spin the sickle around to extend the range of their attack.
  9. Shurikenjutsu (throwing weapons techniques): A general term referring to the use of any type of throwing weapon, like bo shuriken (spikes), hira shuriken (throwing stars) and tanto knives.
  10. Hensojutsu (disguise techniques): Ninja were expected to blend in with the environment and impersonate locals with the use of costumes and proper acting, all through studying the area and planning accordingly.
  11. Shinobi-iri (silent infiltration): Ninja were also expected to infiltrate any location without being detected, and this discipline covered all the skills needed to make such missions successful. These included causing distractions, taking note of weaknesses within the physical location or guard patrols, reducing sources of sound and light, and if need be, eliminating obstacles by any means necessary.
  12. Bajutsu (mounted combat): This governs the use of horses as a means of escape or combat, depending on the situation. If the time calls for a fight, the practitioner must learn how to apply whatever combat training they have to protect themselves and their mount.
  13. Sui-ren (water techniques): To cross water efficiently while maintaining cover, ninja employed ways to move across it quietly and submerge themselves in it if needed for long periods of time.
  14. Boryaku (strategy and tactics): Aside from employing conventional strategies when the situation calls for it, boryaku deals with formulating more unorthodox means to win battles by exploiting psychological, emotional and political weaknesses to deceive and manipulate the enemy into an outcome favorable to the ninja.
  15. Choho (espionage): This particular discipline was about using one’s mind to gather information and using it to further their goals.
  16. Intonjutsu (escape techniques): In the event a ninja was discovered, he or she was required to disappear as silently and quickly as possible, using elements from the other disciplines to make their escape.
  17. Tenmon (meteorology): Ninja were expected to take advantage of the local weather and adapt to the changes within it to exploit possible weaknesses.
  18. Chimon (geography): By using the terrain of the area, ninja could employ different types of strategies and movements in accordance with battle conditions.
Needless to say, the Turtles have come to master these elements after roughly spending a decade-plus on training under Splinter, who was trained by/is one of the greatest martial artists of all time, with occasional teachings from other masters such as the Ancient One and the Ninja Tribunal. Of all of the Turtles, Leonardo is by far the most in-tuned with his training and ninja ways, and will employ these strategies in combat much more frequently compared to his brothers.

Leonardo - along with the rest of his brothers - was skilled enough to be given the ninja rank of Chuunin, and is currently the Hamato Clan Jonin - or ninja master - in the IDW comics.


Mutant Turtle Physiology
Mutants in the larger TMNT multiverse are individuals who have come into contact with a mysterious ooze-like mutagen, usually granting them superhuman abilities. In the case of Leonardo and his brothers, their exposure to this was responsible for transforming them from four ordinary baby turtles into what they are most recognized for.

The specifics of what the mutagen does to the subject tend to vary based on each incarnation, but the main constant is that it has allowed the Turtles to take on humanoid appearances while making them faster and tougher than most peak humans; these traits would only go on to be honed and refined further thanks to their training under Master Splinter. Their enlarged shells serve multiple purposes as well, ranging from shields to blunt force weapons and makeshift boards to slide down slopes. And despite their often unclear species, the Turtles are generally capable of pulling all of their limbs inside of their shell in order to protect themselves and dodge attacks.

Leadership & Keen Intellect
As the oldest, most mature and most disciplined brother, Leonardo naturally fit into the role of leader in the group. Whenever a plan needs to be made, Leo is usually the one who everyone turns to, and he has shown a good talent in discovering an opponent’s weaknesses a fair bit as well, allowing for a few on-the-spot improvisations. Along with that, Leo is constantly looking to make the most of his surroundings, be it in the form of shadows to sneak into, objects to use as shields or weapons, or ways of gaining a maneuverability advantage against his opponent.

When he doesn’t have his blades on him, he has managed to make do with spears, some alien bug stingers, tonfa, plungers, and more, showing that he. And when fighting opponents with weapons such as swords or guns, he has been known to disarm them in order to gain an advantage, and then use their weapons against them.

Healing Hands
Used in: 2012 - https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6t72ig (Splinter uses at 4:46, 14:37, Leo at 19:09)

In the 2012 series, Splinter teaches Leonardo the Healing Hands mantra, a remedial technique passed down from the Hamato Clan. After performing the appropriate hand gestures, those who invoke this can heal themselves and others from all sorts of injuries, whether it takes the form of physical damage, poison or mental ailments such as mind control. Learning how to master this technique can be difficult given that only a select few individuals in history have been able to do so successfully, Leonardo and Splinter chief among them in the modern day.

This practice has its basis in the Kuji-kiri, the nine mantras of the ninja: rin - pyo - to - sha - kai - jin - retsu - zai - zen. These were said to be based on Buddhist teachings, and are meant to help its user harness spiritual energy through enlightenment and awareness of their surroundings.

Unfortunately, it does not seem capable of healing fatal wounds, as Leonardo never even attempted to save Splinter from death with it after he had been stabbed through the chest and thrown off a building.


Misc. Abilities
Chi Gong Technique
Used in: 2003, 2012

“Internal breathing”. Leonardo can use this technique to slow his breathing and heart rate to survive extreme conditions for extended periods of time, such as a lack of atmosphere, though this does require some form of meditation and concentrated focus.


Pressure Point Combat
Used in: 2003, IDW

By applying pressure to weak points in the body, Leonardo can make an opponent tense up and struggle to move or even knock them out cold. He even knows how to perform it on alligators!
Feats

Note: Many of the more important and impressive feats (as well as the ones that have more numbers to them) are in the calc doc, so be sure to check there too!

Accomplishments

  • Has more often than not been the one to personally kill off the Shredder
  • He decapitated the Super Shredder in the 2012 show (Season 4 finale)
  • Considered worthy enough by the Shredder to lead the Foot Clan, which he temporarily did
  • Defeated the Ultimate Ninja
  • Once travelled into an alternate version of feudal Japan to assist Miyamoto Usagi in defeating Lord Hebi
  • Is often depicted as an equal, if not superior, to Karai
  • Has the Dragon spirit totem, which is incredibly impressive for someone so young
  • Can single-handedly take on hordes of foes and win
  • Defeated Fungus Humongous
  • Fought and defeated several Foot-Bots, Rahzar, Tiger Claw and Fishface in quick succession
  • Defeated Ra’s Al Ghul in one-on-one combat
  • Trained by Master Splinter/Hamato Yoshi, the Ancient One, the Ninja Tribunal, and even the Shredder
  • Completed his Vision Quest
  • Defeated the lovecraftian Necro Monster
Along with his brothers, Leonardo has…
  • Defeated the Shredder, his daughter Karai, his other commanders and the entire Foot Clan on multiple occasions
  • Foiled a plan by four immortal stone warlords to unleash their guardian beasts and conquer the world
  • Prevented the destruction of Manhattan and even larger world-ending threats.
  • Brought down the Triceraton Empire
  • Been trained by the Ninja Tribunal to defeat the Tengu Shredder, and succeeded
  • Destroyed the Technodrome, the mobile base of the Kraang aliens
  • Participated in the Battle Nexus tournament, which saw them fight warriors from other dimensions
  • Defeated Loki, the Norse God of Mischief, as well as the mythical beasts he summoned
  • Saved the Turtleoids
  • Defeated other mutants, such as Bebop, Rocksteady, Slash and Leatherhead.
  • Banished Lord Dregg of Dimension X
  • Defeated Sh'Okanabo, the Kanabo warlord seeking to infect Earth and turn it into a home for his species.

Feats

Power
Speed
Durability

Weaknesses

While Leonardo’s swords are made of steel and likely the most durable of all the Turtles weapons, they also have a habit of breaking more times than any other one of their weapons, though it is inconsistent what does and doesn’t break them. They have blocked attacks from characters such as the Shredder and Karai before, yet have also been broken by characters such as the Gom-Tai who never displayed any kind of impressive showings before. Should his main weapons be destroyed, Leo is still adept at martial arts and can improvise with new weapons (be it others that he’s trained in or replacements for his swords), but there’s no denying what he’s best at.

While Leo’s Portal Power Jutsu is very useful for escaping a bad situation, and he’s certainly made improvements in recent times, he still isn’t perfect with it. Sometimes it requires multiple swings in order to activate, and he struggles with directing it too.

Finally, a recurring (and rather self-explanatory) weakness for the Turtles is anti-mutagenic substances which can turn them back to their original, non-mutant turtle selves. And while there’s certainly a lot of space in his shell, on his belt and beneath his bandages for extra tools, there is still only so much that Leo can carry at a time.

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