Michelangelo (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, 2003)

The 2003 TV series incarnation of Michelangelo is voiced by Wayne Grayson. Known as "Mikey" to his brothers, his personality is more akin to the Mirage comics. Still the comic relief, he often makes statements that spoof pop culture (such as Star Wars, Star Trek, and The Terminator), although he uses less surfer language than his counterpart in the 1987 cartoon series. His trademark nunchaku is once again his primary weapons, but he has used other weapons such as grappling hooks and those of his brothers.

Why He Rocks

 * 1) Similar to his 1987 counterpart, He’s the more fun-loving and comical one, which gives him a lot of likability and makes him very funny and enjoyable as the most whimsical of the turtles.
 * 2) * As he is very silly and childish, he loves reading comic books, and is always willing to crack a joke. If any of the Turtles ever gets klutzy or has something bad happen to them for comic effect, it's always him.
 * 3) He’s probably the one that’s depicted the most as a stereotypical teenager as a lazy slacker who also believes in a lot of stuff he sees on TV, but similar to Mordecai and Rigby, they manage to be one of those well-written versions.
 * 4) He may be mischievous, eccentric, reserved, doesn’t take most things seriously, and usually annoys his brothers (especially Raphael; usually intentionally) whenever he brags about being a Battle Nexus champion, but deep down he cares about his brothers and sensei.
 * 5) Even though he's the friendliest, laziest, and silliest of the Turtles, he is downright dangerous when he wants to be; he can still kick tons of asses with his nunchucks. This is reinforced when he finally gets completely serious in "Same As It Never Was" and shows he can wipe out entire teams of mooks on his own with only one arm, effectively being a true warrior.
 * 6) * He has awesome skills using nunchucks and although he doesn't fight as much as Leonardo and Raphael, he still manages to bring enjoyable fights.
 * 7) * Raph thought he was in for a cakewalk when they were matched up in the Battle Nexus. Unfortunately, years of joking about Raph means that Mikey knows exactly how to push his buttons and make him come undone. Mikey wins the fight with almost nothing but his mouth.
 * 8) * He's usually portrayed as having great potential to be a great ninja and improve his abilities, but because of his more laid-back personality, he'll focus on something more fun instead. Despite training the least, he's usually seen as at least being a better fighter than Don. He managed to beat Raph in the Battle Nexus, (and win the tournament overall via fluke at first, but later legitimately defended his title in a rematch that was rigged against him). Splinter notes that if he trained as seriously as the others, he would probably be consistently the best turtle.
 * 9) ** This is enforced with his signature weapon (the chucks, see below). Someboy like him wielding pairs of the most complex and difficult weapons ever. That's not something one can do without a gift for it.
 * 10) Despite being childish and crazy, he has cited his knowledge of comic book stories when discussing the Shredder's tendency of never getting killed off or when helping the original Justice Force overcome Ananda's revenge plot. He also puts his knowledge of video game tropes to good use when he and his brothers get trapped in a video game console by Viral.
 * 11) He can be super hilarious and is the friendliest of the Turtles alongside Donatello he may be annoying but for the most part, he is a lot more friendly.
 * 12) ”Wise men say forgiveness is divine. But never pay full price for late pizza.”
 * 13) He will own up to his mistakes and sometimes realize that he needs to stop.
 * 14) His iconic catchphrase, "Cowabunga" is still here.
 * 15) Some storylines that have him in them are always entertaining.
 * 16) He was never flanderized and still kept his charm despite the series going downhill.

The Only Bad Qualities

 * 1) While not the most jerkish of jerks, this Michelangelo is a slacker who's a lot slower to show the warm, emotional side that characterizes most of his other versions. In the other continuities, Mike is an unquestioned Nice Guy, but he's more of a Jerk with a Heart of Gold in this adaptation nevertheless. He's never malicious or intentionally cruel and, when it comes down to it, he really is a good guy who wants everyone to get along.
 * 2) * He is very arrogant and often underestimates his opponents with his childlike personality. Especially after he won the Battle Nexus Tournament and claims that he doesn't need training even though everyone does. His preferred method of handling victory is to brag and boast about how he beat someone after winning.
 * 3) * He'd often annoy his brothers by eating all the pizza and is almost always hungry.
 * 4) * He can be extremely self-centered and selfish at times. Luckily, this doesn't stop him from wanting to do the right thing when the chips are down.
 * 5) * Mike is way too lazy and arrogant to improve his strength and skill. Especially since Splinter even calls attention to the fact that he's the most naturally talented, but trains the least.
 * 6) Graduation Day: Class of 2105 has him nearly fail to graduate to the next rank of ninjutsu because he's been slacking off too much, but he's able to make it up in one night or so.
 * 7) This version of Michelangelo is a bit of a fraidy cat compared to other portrayals, at least early on. Being easily scared and most likely the only one who'd scream in fear or suggest giving up in the face of an overwhelming adversary. Over the course of the series, he gradually becomes more of a Cowardly Lion, and at the end of the cartoon, his cowardice has pretty much vanished.

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