24 Days of Turtle: Day 20 (Michelangelo's Christmas Special DVD)


This holiday season, Santa is coming to the sewers! 24 Days of Turtle is a countdown until Christmas guaranteed to make you merry. From December 1st through 24th, this advent calendar will shell out 24 different TMNT Holiday-themed treats. Each day will offer something new, something ninja.

 

DAY 20:
MICHELANGELO'S CHRISTMAS SPECIAL DVD

Holidays are a great time for television. The normal programming mutates into a schedule brimming with Christmas cheer. Characters don Santa costumes, sets are transformed into winter wonderlands, and episodes wrap with a happy ending. These shows boost our Christmas spirit and ignite a countdown to the 25th.


Nickelodeon has been airing new TMNT episodes left and right. Most are instant classics. But, we've been left in the cold without a Christmas episode. No Nickelodeon holiday special? No problem. I tracked down something to capture my sewer spirit. It took dedicated exploring, but I found yuletide treasure.


Like all good franchises, the Turtles 2003 cartoon series launched a holiday special of their own. Loosely based on the comic book of the same name, Michelangelo's Christmas Special follows the goofy Turtle as he makes his way through the Big Apple on Christmas Eve. Seeing this story come to life in animated form is quite magical. 


While the comic was released in 1990, this episode aired on Christmas of 2004. Despite the 14 years in-between, the story is essentially the same. Many elements I appreciated from the comic even found their way into the TV adaptation (a scarf instead of the bandanna is my favorite).


Mikey isn't alone in this adventure. Unlike the comic, Splinter, April, Casey, and the other Turtles provide a funny side story. They decorate their tree & prepare a holiday feast - all in the comfort of their humble sewer abode.


The holidays are about spending time with family, right? Well, this family tree has strange roots. The Turtles' "extended family" brings a few familiar faces to the table. 


This is no Easter special, but even a samurai rabbit (Usagi Yojimbo!) joins the party.


Is the episode a fan favorite or a Christmas cash-in? It may be a blend of both, but Michelangelo's Christmas Special does what it's suppose to - capture the Christmas spirit while embracing Turtle Power. The episode concludes with a scene sure to please any fan. How can you be grinch when the Turtles are dressed as elves?

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7 comments:

  1. Nerd Out With MeDecember 20, 2013 at 4:33 PM

    So.... it's safe to assume you will be bringing this with you next week?

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownDecember 20, 2013 at 5:03 PM

    I knew this was going to be on the countdown somewhere, but it took a while for it to appear. Fortunately, the wait is over.

    Since this episode really shows the definition of what Turtles are about in during the holidays, who wouldn't want to fully watch it? A radical episode, just full of jolly and cheer.

    It's also okay to watch this episode while I'm still in the process of watching the whole 10 seasons of the 1987 series and not get sidetracked, right? I really have to see this on the holidays.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Sewer DenDecember 21, 2013 at 3:58 PM

      You had me grinning when you mentioned this Christmas Special earlier in the countdown. I'm very happy to pop it in the DVD player and share it with you guys. Although you're deep into the original series, I think you're okay to enjoy this episode. It's silly, but seasonal and will bring ya some joy.

      Do you have a copy of it? If not, shoot me an email and I might be able to hook you up!

      Delete
    2. UnknownDecember 22, 2013 at 3:55 PM

      Ha, thanks! Can never have a Turtle Christmas countdown without this, ya know. ;) Oi, of course. Nostalgia just hits us all back when you present these. It's a gift from you for all us TMNT fans.

      Sadly, I don't, so I'm hitting you up. :) Thanks a bundle, dude!

      Delete
  3. AnonymousDecember 21, 2013 at 1:14 AM

    great list so far! keep up the good work.
    This item is definitely part of our families christmas tradition.
    We play it evey christmas morning while we enjoy tearing into pressies.
    I only hope when nickelodeon get around to a christmas special that it has half the christmas cheer as this treasure. (and Nickelodeon had better invite Usagi to the party or ill be upset)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Sewer DenDecember 21, 2013 at 4:00 PM

      Heck yeah! Hope you enjoy the episode this Christmas morning too. Let me know if you watch - it will bring joy and cheer to this Turtle fan.

      And I agree, the more Usagi, the better!

      Delete
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