Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: 13 Strongest Turtles In The Franchise, Ranked

Highlights

• Growth and variety in the TMNT franchise showcase the unique strengths of the turtle brothers in various narratives.
• Raphael emerges as physically the strongest while Odyn lacks skills despite brute strength.
• Donatello excels as a playable character with range in Shredder’s Revenge, while Jennika and Donatello showcase potential and intelligence.

Ninjas, pizza, mutations, New York, and of course, turtles — there are so many reasons why the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) franchise is in its own superhero league. The four crime-fighting turtle brothers have been around since 1984, and since then have had some epic comic book runs and other types of adaptations.

Yet, the franchise continues to grow, collecting multiple renditions of the main characters and their universe. These include remarkable versions of the turtle brothers, but also some of their lesser-known allies. With so many adaptations, this universe has some incredibly strong turtles with distinct abilities that make them stand out within their narratives.

Updated August 11, 2024 by Ana Micaela Leite Scheidemantel: Strength can be measured in many different ways and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise has a way of exploring different types of strength in alternative versions of various characters.

Therefore, to make the list more accurate, more entries were added to include turtles that have unique strengths, either related to physical, skills, mental, or other types of strength. With so many iterations of the brothers and their ally turtles, the TMNT universe is filled with strength and turtles.

13 Old Man Raphael – Road To 150 Event (TMNT Annual 2023)

A Defeated And Skilled Raphael From The Future

• Release: May 31, 2023
• Authors: Michael Walsh, Vlad Legostev and Santtos
• Main Genres: Superhero, action

As part of the famous Road to 150 event, the older version of Raphael, who is somewhat of a cyborg, goes back to the past to kill Donatello, who would soon be responsible for creating a villain capable of Armageddon — the end of entire timelines. Not only heartless and worn down by time, this version of Raphael had time to refine his skills.

As the physically strongest turtle of the group, he might have lost some physical force throughout the years, but he gained experience and a coldness that came from tragedy. He was eventually taken down by the turtles working together, but he was still able to hold his own in one-on-one fights.

12 Odyn – The Last Ronin 2: Re-Evolution

Brute Strength To Spare But Lacks In Skills

• Release: March 6, 2024
• Authors: Kevin Eastman and Tom Waltz
• Main Genres: Superhero, action

When it comes to the physical strength of the new generation, Odyn is the strongest one by far, but as he prevails in brute force, he fails in terms of skills and brains. As part of the next generation of ninja heroes, he is learning and improving to bring about a new era, despite still having to prove himself.

Hence, without the skill or the imagination, his physical force is wasted, making him a ninja turtle with the potential to be so much stronger with a little more work.

11 2014 Live-Action Turtles

Super Strength For The Jacked Turtle Brothers

• Release: August 3, 2014
• Director: Jonathan Liebesman
• Main Genres: Superhero, action

While the 2014 live-action adaptation may not have been the most well-received Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles narrative, it did portray the turtle brothers with strength above average. With superhuman strength, the huge turtles are definitely some of the strongest depictions of the brothers in terms of brute strength.

Their height and size are only a testament to their strength, even if that makes them look less like ninja turtles and more like humanoid dinosaurs. Even though the movie managed to portray their diverse personality traits, their difference in strength is subtle, making them all score a place with their superhuman strength.

10 Moja – The Last Ronin 2: Re-Evolution

Skilled Loner Bringing A New Wave Of Potential

• Release: March 6, 2024
• Authors: Kevin Eastman and Tom Waltz
• Main Genres: Superhero, action

As the most skilled turtle of the new group of teenage mutant ninja turtles, Moja has so much untouched potential. Within the new group, she is strongest when fighting individually, yet she struggles to fight as a group.

As part of the newer generation, she still has not been able to prove herself as the original turtles did, but her skills and strengths so far make for a promising future, especially if she learns how to fight alongside the other turtles.

9 Raphael – Mirage Comics

Strong And Violent Start To The Muscular Hot-Headed Turtle

• Release: May, 1984
• Authors: Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird
• Main Genres: Superhero, action

The original comics by Mirage Studios had a more violent approach to the group of heroes, one that included the Turtle brothers occasionally killing someone. Although it does not feature the best or strongest versions of the protagonists, it still managed to establish the franchise.

With the brothers still slowly evolving their own set of personalities and strengths in the comics, Raphael manages to stand out when it comes to strength. Still brutal and muscular, he demonstrates the character’s outstanding strength early on in the franchise.

8 Donatello – Shredder’s Revenge

The Best Playable Character, Striking From A Distance

Although Donatello is usually associated with his brain power, in the games he is usually one of the strongest characters. In Shredder’s Revenge, it is no different; the turtle in purple is the best playable character during solo runs.

Bringing a mix of strength and skill, this version of Donatello allows players to quickly handle enemies, especially with his staff, which gives players a longer range of motion. Although the stakes are not as high as in other adaptations, this turtle can handle himself, especially with his staff as his loyal companion.

7 Jennika – IDW Comics

The Fifth Member And A Worthy Addition To The Ninja Family

• Release: August 2011
• Authors: Kevin Eastman and Tom Waltz
• Main Genres: Superhero, action

Although not initially a turtle, Jennika was a human member of the Foot Clan before being mutated into a powerful turtle. In IDW’s publishing, she became the fifth member of the Ninja Turtles, having skills similar to her acquired brothers.

As a human, she was previously Shredder’s most trusted assassin, a role that not a lot of people attain. Yet, she did not grow up with the Splinter’s skillful training like her Turtle brothers, causing her not to reach her full potential.

6 Donatello – IDW Comics

A Warrior’s Physical Strength With The Brains For More

• Release: August 2011
• Authors: Kevin Eastman and Tom Waltz
• Main Genres: Superhero, action

In IDW’s comic book canon, Donatello stands out as the strongest mutant turtle. However, his strength lies mostly within his intellect, as he has proven time and time again how intelligent he is.

Not only did he manage to stay alive by transferring his consciousness, but he was also able to constantly make himself stronger with his inventions. Overall, Donatello makes up for any lapse in physical strength with his cleverness, establishing himself as a true techno-wizard warrior, capable of fighting with his enormous physical and mental strength.

5 TMNT Dragons – 2003 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Animation

Teenage Mutant Ninja Dragons: A Powerful Transformation

• Release: February 8, 2003
• Seasons: 7
• Main Genres: Superhero, action

Although this is neither an individual nor a turtle, in the 2003 animation the four brothers are able to manifest their avatars to become dragons, probably becoming their strongest selves. Yet it is impossible which dragon is strongest since they are not around for long enough to be distinguishable.

However, this transformation shows everything that the brothers can be at their peak. At the end of the day, when they work together, Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, and Michelangelo get as strongest as any turtle or dragon can get, mutant or not.

4 Raphael – Rise Of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Physically Strongest Brother Plus Super Strength

• Release: July 20, 2018
• Seasons: 2
• Main Genres: Superhero, action

In most iterations, Raphael is considered the physically strongest turtle brother, with Leonardo even admitting in the comics that the red-related turtle was the most powerful of the group. So, when adding superpowers to the mix, Raphael’s strength becomes undeniable.

However, his emotions can get in the way, especially when he lets the pressure get to him. Even so, his rendition in the Rise of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie and animation proves that in terms of physicality, Raphael is high on the pyramid.

3 Leonardo – IDW Comics

Shredder And Splinter’s Mastery Combined In The Most Skilled Turtle

• Release: August 2011
• Authors: Kevin Eastman and Tom Waltz
• Main Genres: Superhero, action
• Comic book reference: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #23 by Kevin Eastman and Tom Waltz

Not only the leader, but Leonardo is also a centered and proficient ninja warrior, even beating Raphael in the 2007 animated movie. Out of all the brothers, Leonardo is the most skilled warrior in all the adaptations, yet he can surpass all other depictions of himself in the arc where he becomes Shredder’s pupil.

Although in other versions his skills could be upset by other elements, in this arc he becomes a true master of sword fighting. This rendition of Leonardo has the turtle as the only warrior that truly masters both Shredder’s and Splinter’s teachings.

2 Slash – 2012 Animation

Stronger Than All Four Turtle Brothers Combined

• Release: September 28, 2012
• Seasons: 5
• Main Genres: Superhero, action

In terms of raw strength, there are not a lot of characters throughout the whole TMNT universe that are stronger than Slash. He has the strength of the turtle brothers combined and their best aspects in one.

In the 2012 animation, he even got the backstory of being Raphael’s pet that eventually got mutated. Yet, he still managed to give the brother’s grief about being mean to his owner. The only thing that sets him back is the fact that he is not as well-trained as a ninja as the other turtles, despite his overwhelming raw strength.

1 Michelangelo – The Last Ronin

On The Path Of Revenge In A Cruel Reality Where He Outlived His Brothers

• Release: October 28, 2020
• Main Genres: Superhero, action

The Last Ronin comics offer a darker take on the TMNT narrative, depicting a future in which most of the iconic ninja warriors are dead, leaving only Michelangelo. Outliving all his brothers in a reality that is harsher than most, this heartbreaking story is a testament to this turtle’s strength.

This version of Michelangelo has dealt with a jarring reality responsible for killing three mutant ninja turtles on top of surviving the heartbreak of losing his brothers. This gripping, yet disheartening version of the franchise, really shows the strongest version of Michelangelo and will hopefully continue to do so in its upcoming game adaptation of The Last Ronin.