A Somber Retrospection: The genesis of the New TMNT in The Last Ronin
The genesis of the first Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) was a cosmic ballet of fate, an unlikely chain of events that brought Hamato Yoshi's children back to life. Their mission was to eradicate the Foot Clan from the planet and restore equilibrium to the cosmos. In contrast, the new generation of TMNT encounters a very different universe in the alternate continuity of The Last Ronin, one that is a reflection of the evil, unanticipated consequence that distorted the genesis of their forebears. One unanswered question remains in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin II - Re-Evolution #2: "What if their creation is not good for humanity?"
The New TMNT's Intentional Creation
The first TMNT were the result of fate—a meeting point of apparently unrelated incidents. However, April O'Neil made the decision to intentionally create the new TMNT. There are questions regarding the type of mutations they have and the potential consequences for humanity because of this striking divergence. As the supercomputer-dwelling Fugitoid notes, the original TMNT emerged in the midst of international unrest. They were a reaction to the world's demand for harmony and the eradication of the evil that was the Foot Clan. The creation of the new TMNT, however, took place at a time of peace, which Michelangelo—the final survivor of the old team—managed to preserve via his sacrifice.
This makes one wonder about April's motivations. Was the goal to preserve humankind and reestablish order sincere? Or was it a deeper inward need, a yearning for the friendship and companionship she shared with the first TMNT? The new TMNT's existence is shadowed by the potential that April's creation was motivated by personal gain, raising the prospect that their formation was an act of defiance against the cosmic balance that first led the original TMNT and a breach of natural order.
Unpredictable Ability: An Innovative Type of Mutation
The abilities of the new TMNT are significantly greater than those of their forebears. Their talents are unpredictable and potentially harmful, more in line with the X-Men. A couple of examples of the chaotic possibilities of these new mutations include Yi's ability to summon an electric force field and Odyn's transformation into stone during battle. Although exciting, these powers come with a great deal of peril. There are worries regarding the effects of their existence because of their unpredictable nature. How strong will they grow? What other skills will surface? Although the solutions to these issues are unknown, they have the capacity to bring about both immense benefit and terrible harm.
The Last Ronin's Dark Turn: A Moral Conundrum
The beginnings of the new TMNT represent a sea change in the franchise's storytelling, moving away from the notions of fate and destiny found in the original. They stand for a purposeful act of creation—a nature-manipulating act with unknowable results. This new reality blurs the distinctions between potential dangers and heroes, calling into question the fundamental nature of the TMNT. The unpredictable and seemingly uncontrollable powers of the new TMNT present a serious threat to the established quo. They pose a threat to the delicate serenity that Michelangelo worked so hard to create. The dark side of The Last Ronin explores the intricacies of human ambition, the yearning to control one's destiny, and the possible repercussions of upsetting the natural order.
A New Uncertainty Era
Confronting the weight of duty and the consequences of one's actions has always been a theme in The Last Ronin series. The plot now takes a darker turn with the emergence of the new TMNT, examining how well-intentioned actions can have unexpected and even disastrous results. Both the fate of humanity and the TMNT are in doubt. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin II - Re-Evolution's writers have deftly constructed a story that calls into question the ethics of creation and the unpredictability of power, upending the franchise's fundamental tenets. It is unclear at this point in time whether the new TMNT will turn out to be heroes or prophets of doom.
