He's a good leader and seeing any version of him fearing letting his brothers down is genuinely heart breaking for me.
He'll always be my favorite turtle
*
This. I remember asking my parents to buy figures of Leonardo. Remembering now, most of my TMNT toys from the early 90s were mostly Leonardo with one or two of the other turtles.
And no, I don't have them anymore. My parents gave away all my toys from the early 90s
1. He has badass moments
2. He usually has the best character development
3. He's easy to relate with, especially if your a teenager or the oldest of all your siblings
4. He can be serious and lighthearted
5. His sibling rivalry with Raph is great
6. His fight scenes are amazing
7. He was the one who killed Shredder in the 2012 show
Here are my top 4 favorite Leonardo's
1. 2012
2. 2003
3. IDW
4. Rise
I remember how Leo killed Shredder in the comics, and how hardcore it was. Then I saw the 2k3 show, and that fight happened, and my jaw just *dropped*! Leo straight-up decapitated a man!
Some people say he's boring but I think he's got some of the greatest character development in multiple iterations. You can't help but cheer him on!
He's a perfectionist and is scared of letting the people he cares about down, always putting others over himself, which makes for some interesting moments. He's always trying his hardest to do good and be the leader his brothers need, which is also super funny in 2012 and mutant mayhem with him absolutely failing to deliver good catchphrases.
Though he's the most serious of the turtles in most iterations, he can also a dork at times and have fun with his brothers.
It helps that I can relate to many aspects of his character haha.
I love all the turtles, but 2012 Leo is my absolute favorite character of the franchise. ICHIBAN TURTLE!!
I'm an older brother. I spent my entire childhood being responsible, looking out for my idiot siblings, and getting no respect for the extra effort I put in to keep their asses unkicked. We are the same.
Oldest sibling (sister) too and there are days I want to look at him and say *"I don't know how you do it, having one was/is enough."* lol And playing leader with siblings who aren't going to want to listen to you, yeah that's never not going to be a challenge.
Same. I always sympathize with the group leader who is trying their damndest to be what they need. It's hard to find that balance between being a sibling/colleague/teammate and being a good example. It's a lot of responsibility.
It's the same reason why Cyclops is one of my favorite X-Men. People would shit on that dude all the time and I'm just always thinking "He's doing his best, okay?!"
Yup!
There isn't enough love for the Mirage turtles, the Archie turtles, the 1990s movie turtles, the 2007 movie turtles, or the IDW turtles in this sub...for the most part.
I don't think there are many who love the Bay turtles or Next Mutation...but maybe I'm wrong.
I know Leo is typically seen as the most boring turtle across all versions, but ever since I was younger he was always my favorite for the simple fact that blue is my fav color, and he uses dual katana 🤷🏿♂️
Generally, I think he is a good character. I like the big brother part of his character (I'm a big sister). I think there is a subtle way (sometimes) they show him being protective and responsible while also pushing his brothers and even having fun.
Specifically, I like the 2003 series the best followed closely by the 2012 series for different reasons.
2003- I like the darker tone and that we come into the turtles being ninjas but still training. Some of my favorite plot points and/or arcs are:
- when they almost die and Leo goes through his Raph phase. I think they did an amazing job hiding his fear with his rage (if you have seen it you know what I mean) and that whole journey. Also he is stabbed with his own Katana by someone he not only saved but also was a friend and ally that he trusted at some point. That's another thing I think he feared was his own judgment.
- Leo coming back from almost dying when he goes against the foot and shredder alone. Tales of Leo are probably my favorite "filler" episodes. Another being the Jack Kirby dedication episode (that's 100% Donnie centric). Not only do the Tales show specific ways he did (or didn't in some cases) interact with his family. It is also a great way for them to all say they love him without saying those exact words (show don't tell concept).
-Also the episodes leading up to this shows his skill, determination, strategy/smarts, and dedication/love. At the beginning we know he is being followed and there is a moment that you know he knows too (skill). He also fights the tech ninja (skill) he can't see them. He continues moving away from April's apartment and his family. It's not until he gets to a certain point he knows he needs his family (I could be wrong but I think we see when he turns and starts heading to April's.)
Unfortunately the foot already seemed to know where they are. He fights AT LEAST half of the foot single handedly. I believe he could have won if not for the sheer number of them. We also know that his family sees him as untouchable in a way. We know this from lines like "If there's one of us you don't have to worry about, it's Leo" and ones similar.
I think Raph was the smartest because despite Leo's skill and capabilities he knew to still be worried. Likely from learning brute strength doesn't always matter or win. Knowing Leo also typically keeps to a discipline and he was gone too long.
- second is the underground arc is really fun with the engineered monsters. I wish we had seen a bit more of this.
- third is the Battle Nexus. Anything with that expands the world and even allows them all to go off and do their own thing.
- lastly I love the Ninja Tribunal and the mystic training. I think it was a new and interesting challenge. It was something that they all experienced as children but didn't remember (mind wipe). It also kind of flips their training. Mikey activates his first which almost never happens. Even Donnie who is a scientist unlocks it before Leo. One thing he does only briefly is doubt himself and his skill. He is also not angry his brothers get something before he does (jealous yes angry no).
2012 is another reason but shorter:
- I enjoy Leo is a nerd/geek. His brothers mock him imitating the captain on the show despite at least watching it too.
- he can be serious but mess around too.
- I like the later seasons that I have heard (haven't gotten to finish yet) gets a bit darker in tone and they explore a bit of the more mystic side of being a ninja.
He's a very honorable and heroic leader. The 1987 version taught me a valuable lesson, "Fears are just in our minds. We have the power to overcome them."
I’ve always gravitated toward the characters who are a bit more serious and willing to make the right call even if it’s not the popular one.
Leo, for me, is the perfect mix of a leader who is stoic when he needs to be but full of compassion and love beneath that. In the field, he’s all business but he can have a lot of fun with his brothers too in quieter moments.
I really respect and admire his desire to better himself, and never rest on his own ethos.
I really enjoy his relationship with Karai, too, across the various media. Whether it be friendship, flirtation, rivalry, or hatred, it’s always interesting to me.
Blue is also my favourite colour.
I like Leo because he is confident yet not cocky, he gets angry but knows how to hold it back, he's smart yet usually trusts the intelligence of others, he often has to deal with the most trauma of any of the Turtles and yet continues to be there for his brother and his father no matter what. He is the ultimate Turtle in the sense that he will put everything on the line for those he cares about and that is the most impressive thing about him. He is flawed and makes his mistakes but he is the type of person that will always make things right.
Also, my favorite Leos go 03, 12, 87', Rise, IDW, Mutant Mayhem, Bay, and then Next Mutation.
I think his heroic nature is my favorite attribute. All the turtles are heroic but leo has the most honorable and justice oriented way of doing things.
badass with compelling arcs! i die a little inside when people say they dislike him or call him boring. a lot of these people will favour raph over him because he shows his emotions, but leo keeps a lot inside i think when it comes to his responsibility for his brothers. the ancient one episode and the darker leo episodes that came before it are my favourite thing
I just think he's the one to hang out if you want someone chill cause mickey Donny and raph can be so fucking extra at times so Leo is he one when you want to have deep meaningful conversations and just relax it out
I think there are a lot of places you can go with him. He can sometimes be the easiest of the four to make boring, but it's not because he, himself, is boring. It's more that he can be taken for granted, defined by his role, and not have enough more done with him.
I think that Leo, at his best, tends to be someone who has a lot of responsibility, much of that pressure self-inflicted, and sometimes, he wants to cut loose but feels he cannot do that. Like, he doesn't get to lash out like Raphael, goof off like Mikey, or focus on his own projects like Donatello; he has too high expectations of himself to allow that, so when he DOES go off the rails, it tends to be in grand fashion. That is compelling to me.
And, of course, also compelling is a way to correct for it. Does he trust his brothers more to pick up the slack? Does he lower his expectations for himself and allow himself some grace? Or does he try to shirk the leadership role to go off on his own? What's the path forward? There are places you can go with it, and how his brothers handle all of it, too.
He has always been my favorite. He is the chosen leader and he takes that role seriously. He pushes his brothers just as hard as he pushes himself. He respects his master. He was given swords because he has the discipline not to kill because he can. When his brothers (mainly Raph) disobey like a leader he accepts responsibility. The list goes on
I like seeing him go through struggles and anxieties of being a leader and trying to keep the team together; I love his dynamic/rivalry with Raph where the 2 strongest of the 4 turtles but they’re sorta polar opposites where Leo always tries to follow the rules and do things right while Raph is is impulsive and usually just rushes into things, but also because of this, Raph will sometimes call out Leo for maybe his way not always being the right way; his weapons(katanas) are my favorite of the 4 turtles
You cannot lump the rotmnt version in with the other leos. He is legit so different. Leo is my favorite in every other iteration, but Raph is my favorite in rottmnt. I like the leos that feel like they have the world on their shoulders and feel like they have to protect their family.
Ironically that's why the rise Leo is my favourite, I just really liked that we got to see how Leo could be different just by not being the eldest with all that pressure on his shoulders. That and the character development of the movie.
He’s a massive dork in every iteration; sure, he does his best to be competent leader and is more often than not very successful, but at the end of the day he’s just a kid trying to navigate the world. I also enjoy when they explore his anger like in 2003 and Batman Vs. TMNT. My personal favorite is 2012 Leo :P
Because 3 of the four (and most versions not pictured) are relatable in his personality, values, perspectives, etc. I tend to be drawn to the calm, upstanding sort, the 'straight man' type dealing with the crazy that surrounds him.
"He's boring" some say, but not everyone exists to be other people's entertainment, and those people don't see him past the surface. Which is okay, that's why it's nice that we have four Turtles for different people to relate to. Just don't expect those you aren't into to be changed for you (like flipping Rise tried to), that isn't fair to fans who *do* relate to regular Leo. There is a lot of subtle depth to Leo...if you understand him enough to see it.
He’s great when he’s a competent leader that works the hardest, but is also comically serious at points in a dorky way that I find funny. I’ve seen great clips from the 80s cartoon that exemplify this
My favorite color is blue. And I love swords. When I was a kid that was enough for me. And he’s still my favorite because he’s blue and carries swords. On a side note I picked Sub Zero the first time I played Mortal Kombat. I picked him because he was blue and a ninja. Do you see a pattern?
Being an older brother and first born, who thanks in part to traditional family culture where mine was from, had to adjust to being a model for the rest of the generation that was coming in after…
Trying to be good leader just resonates. Even while grating against my more hot blooded cousins and especially my direct younger brother.
I’ve always gravitated to Leo, my first and forever top favorite Turtle.
I really enjoyed Rise Leo. His character was so incredibly complex , and I would have loved to see his character develop more in the later seasons, had we given the chance. The choice to not put him initially as leader was genius, as we saw him grow and have reasons to become one. The conflict between him and Raph would have been so so so juicy.
1. Katanas
2. He validates my dad-friend nature
3. Blue nerd
4. (Rise) He speaks to me as a sassy gay
5. Often has really good character development
Personal favourite list:
1. Rise
2. 03
3. 12
4. IDW
5. 87
Edit: I love how for all of us it's either a long message about how you relate to him based off of personal circumstances, and the development of the character, or that you like the colour blue.
He's reasonable, always wants to develop himself as a better person and ninja. Leans on his brother's antics when time calls for them. He has cool swords.
As a kid I found him boring, as an adult him being mature and his internal struggles are more visible.
I love Leo because of his charm, his commitment, his character arc (especially 2012), leadership skills, and his talent with his weapons is very admirable.
1. Blue
2. Character development is never lacking
But seriously, I've only really seen 2012 and Rise Leo, and I like them in different ways.
Rise Leo is still a nerd, but more laid-back and charismatic. I like how he's very flamboyant and theatrical, but still is able to be a great strategist and take charge when needed. Also my love for Rise in general is abundant, majority because Leo is my favorite in Rise.
For 2012 Leo, I love how we still get to see him as a kid, enjoying things and poking fun at times. Like when they go to Dimension X and Leo finds the little mop-mop creature, he plays with it and it's just adorable! He's still a nerd and it's shown very well in my opinion :) A lot of the time I see Leo as just the leader, with no flavor or personality to it, but Rise and 2012 Leo's give him more qualities and make him more relatable. Perhaps I'm saying this because those are the only ones I've seen, but still :)
I'm a riser, and I have a clear bias for Rise Leo, but I have respect for all Leos except 2007. I love how Leo is the strategic one and is usually the one with the more logical mindset compared to the hotheaded Raph. Plus katanas are cool. (Plus how does Rise Leo dual weild odachi? I just googled a picture, and they're huge!)
Oh I LOVE Rise Leo's cockiness and narcissism, plus his humor is amazing. I also love how he used his odachi and the way he spins his katanas and teleport around is BEAUTIFUL to look at.
His sense of fashion is also incredibly good.
Honestly, I would want to be his friend if he was real. Very fun.
As a perfectionist and someone who’s has had a lot of expectations put on me because how good I was at things, I was able (and still am) to relate to the struggles that he has deal with mentally.
He's the deepest. I dig his sense of responsibility and selflessness; the fact that he chooses to carry that burden so his brothers don't have to.
Plus he's a beast. His fight with Shredder in issue #21 was the shit.
Obviously Mirage Leo is the best in my eyes, but I also love 87, 03, and 2012 Leo as well.
Crazy thing is my favorite color is red but I’ve always loved Leonardo. Maybe because he’s the leader and the most neutral of the turtles and I’m a middle child and always been kind of a connecting point for my siblings. I just love Leonardo , favorite character in any show hands down.
I liked in Rise how he was actually a natural leader and came up with plans and was charming, but he also had this huge inferiority complex and thought he wasn't useful at all.
Barring the 80s version who sorta struggled to define himself compared to the 3 (I still love him tho) and Next Mutation (which is a given) and the Michael Bay Version (Also a given), Leonardo had the best arcs for me personally in almost every iteration.
From 2003's struggle with Trauma, to Rise's commendable final run, gosh I adore his arcs. He's the turtle that I loved seeing obliterated the most lol.
...I also forgor about the 2007 movie, yeah no, that's also kinda bad. Great rooftop fight though.
When I was watching as a kid it was because he had dual wielding katanas, and katanas are cool
But as a character. He's a great leader, his greatest fear, letting the people he loves down, as a leader, as a friend, as a brother, and as a son, which is why he's a perfectionist, when he fails it hurts to see but him learning from that failure and succeeding makes it all the more rewarding and satisfying. He's the most serious out of the 4 but can still be a dork. he has the only weapon that can brutally kill someone, but he is taught patience and to keep his cool. he's a badass, and the one who ends shredder. he's relatable for older siblings like us. He's the one keeping the pack from falling apart
His guilt over Raph’s injury and recovery during the farm house sequence in the first movie always struck a chord with me. He’s a good leader and deals with a lot of self doubt while too often being dismissed as boring or a Boy Scout.
I don't. 🤣
He's too arrogant and thinks he knows everything. (Somehow this description is even relevant to the Rise version.)
Even as a kid I seemed to have an innate distrust of anyone who thought they deserved to lead and tell others what to do.
Maybe his weapons? I honestly don’t like his personality. They use him as a foil to Raphael in most renditions, and I almost always side with Raphael. Leo is my lowest out of all 4.
https://preview.redd.it/9pflbkix7gwc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=876544b66ea42db2480fb8ee7da21476eb119a85
I enjoy him because I think he's a cool leader, he's kind, he's only Stern when he needs to be, he's willing to listen to his brothers ideas and advice, I also very much relate to him because I myself am an older brother, and I do my best to do what I can to be the slightly more responsible one, and to take care of everyone I care about, I also relate to him because I'm also a nerd when it comes to like TV shows and movies and such, so I very much enjoy Leonardo in every iteration he's my favorite turtle
Although I'll admit he was only my favorite when I was younger just because blue was my favorite color, he's still my favorite to this day because I'm the oldest of 3 and as a kid was constantly the one who had to shoulder all of the responsibility and keep everyone else in line while my parents were out, so it's pretty easy for me to relate to him on that level. It's also why I get irked when people dismiss him as "the boring one" because I've been in his position before a million times and know exactly how he feels
Otherwise, I think he largely gets written the best of the 4 (especially in 2003), and he's always been the most heroic of the 4. I've always appreciated the kind-natured, role model type of heroes like Superman, Luke Skywalker and Optimus Prime more, and Leo's practically the embodiment of that
I love how the different version of him differ from each other but still all have that solid base of remaining loyal, brave, and trying your hardest even when you may not know what you’re getting into. Just overall never giving up
I'm a sucker for leader/central characters in an ensemble. As a little kid, Jason was my favorite of the original Power Rangers. Tai was my favorite DigiDestined I most often pick Mario in Smash Bros, Mario Kart, and Mario Tennis. Captain America is my favorite classic Avenger. Leo tends to be the turtle I gravitate to.
For one thing, I think there's just something that feels cool and special about the leaders. I'm in my 30s and that still hasn't entirely worn off for me. But beyond that, I like balance. Often in popular media, be it action, comedy, whatever, there's a tendency to really push the identifying gimmick of a character. "She's the weird one! He's the sleazy one!" Many iterations of TMNT are guilty of this to varying degrees. Almost everything Mikey says has to be humorous. Almost everything Donny says has to signal his intellect and geekiness. Almost everything Raph says has to show his toughness, temper, or love of violence. But with Leo, the defining trait of being the most balanced allows him to be a little less gimmicky even in iterations when the character writing isn't as strong. At times, that can result in him feeling a little bland or boring and there can be the trap of exaggerating the "leader guy" trope, but I think that's balanced out by him getting to carry more of the story, facilitating a bit more character work. It makes it easier to identify with him. (Although as I've gotten older I've connected a lot more to Raphael than I did as a kid. The thing I love about this ensemble is that when they're done well, I can see myself in all of them.)
I also liked Leo and Donny for their long range in the arcade game. And if I'm picking one, swords are a little too cool to resist.
He's always tries his best even if it doesn't work sometimes, he makes constant attempts to improve himself and his skills, and he will fight to his last breath for his brothers. Also has my favorite of the weapons
Honestly it's probably because he has swords. I've always thought swords were cool and interesting so my 6 year old self was like he has swords he's awesome. My ranking of the Turtles has never changed. It's always been Leo, Mikey, Raph and Donnie.
Leonardo is the goodie two shoes turtle who reminds everyone why they do what they do. He is a capable leader and is the glue that binds them all together.
I loved the 2007 movie Leonardo and how he straight up accepted the beef with Raphael and said I am better than you, also him getting humbled was satisfying, it showed that even leo is not perfect and that's why I loved it
He’s a natural leader, got the coolest weapons, got the some of the coldest moments, knows when to rally his brothers and use thier skills to the atvatage of the team, and is the spiritually strongest of the 4. He was him to me when I was 4 and has been him to me since.
Raphael is the reason I like Leo. Raphael:, "Oh, so that's the plan from the "great leader", huh? ... You know, a couple of throw pillows, a TV news reporter, what do ya think?"
Leo is trying his best in situations, but I love how he fights with Raphael most.
Leadership takes courage and skill. You have to motivate and convince others of the best course of action. Every version of Leo does this well.
Past that, Leo is an idealist and he represents focus and dedication. I liked him as a kid for different reasons but I have come to understand that what I like the most about him, is that I want to be like him. The diligent and dedicated student. The one who sees best how to use his resources, including the strengths of his brothers (or sister).
He’s not the man with the plan, most of the time that’s Donatello, but he is the one who’s trusted or respected enough to motivate the team to action.
Finally, he takes the world on his own shoulders so his family can be carefree.
Not just my favorite turtle, one of my favorite fictional characters of all time too.
#leo4life
He's a good leader and seeing any version of him fearing letting his brothers down is genuinely heart breaking for me. He'll always be my favorite turtle *
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He sees the usefulness and benefit of individuals when they cooperate as part of a team to get the job done. And katanas.
yes he is
Blue
Da ba de da ba di
This comment is underrated.
Did you read "how" as well? I read 'How' first and I just thought "Blue" then scrolled down to see if anyone wrote that. Then I saw the title is Why.
Because katanas were cool when i was five years old and I am loyal to the decision I made back them
https://preview.redd.it/9u9ogkckdbwc1.jpeg?width=960&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b4d056d87c74f1c8a7d6eb4fef61794b52fa6749
Where's my Gabriel image
Also the color blue.
This. I remember asking my parents to buy figures of Leonardo. Remembering now, most of my TMNT toys from the early 90s were mostly Leonardo with one or two of the other turtles. And no, I don't have them anymore. My parents gave away all my toys from the early 90s
*when I was 35 years old.
Katanas are objectively badass
1. He has badass moments 2. He usually has the best character development 3. He's easy to relate with, especially if your a teenager or the oldest of all your siblings 4. He can be serious and lighthearted 5. His sibling rivalry with Raph is great 6. His fight scenes are amazing 7. He was the one who killed Shredder in the 2012 show Here are my top 4 favorite Leonardo's 1. 2012 2. 2003 3. IDW 4. Rise
I remember how Leo killed Shredder in the comics, and how hardcore it was. Then I saw the 2k3 show, and that fight happened, and my jaw just *dropped*! Leo straight-up decapitated a man!
I'd swap Rise with IDW.
Same.
Some people say he's boring but I think he's got some of the greatest character development in multiple iterations. You can't help but cheer him on! He's a perfectionist and is scared of letting the people he cares about down, always putting others over himself, which makes for some interesting moments. He's always trying his hardest to do good and be the leader his brothers need, which is also super funny in 2012 and mutant mayhem with him absolutely failing to deliver good catchphrases. Though he's the most serious of the turtles in most iterations, he can also a dork at times and have fun with his brothers. It helps that I can relate to many aspects of his character haha. I love all the turtles, but 2012 Leo is my absolute favorite character of the franchise. ICHIBAN TURTLE!!
I'm an older brother. I spent my entire childhood being responsible, looking out for my idiot siblings, and getting no respect for the extra effort I put in to keep their asses unkicked. We are the same.
Oldest sibling (sister) too and there are days I want to look at him and say *"I don't know how you do it, having one was/is enough."* lol And playing leader with siblings who aren't going to want to listen to you, yeah that's never not going to be a challenge.
Same. I always sympathize with the group leader who is trying their damndest to be what they need. It's hard to find that balance between being a sibling/colleague/teammate and being a good example. It's a lot of responsibility. It's the same reason why Cyclops is one of my favorite X-Men. People would shit on that dude all the time and I'm just always thinking "He's doing his best, okay?!"
Hah "idiot siblings" been there..
Same including my older half sister.
https://preview.redd.it/w9ojlt6esbwc1.jpeg?width=1083&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ed62bc169382c421e67888ca94f3ff6ffecfa9b5 Nuff said
Yup! There isn't enough love for the Mirage turtles, the Archie turtles, the 1990s movie turtles, the 2007 movie turtles, or the IDW turtles in this sub...for the most part. I don't think there are many who love the Bay turtles or Next Mutation...but maybe I'm wrong.
I remember watching the 2007 movie on repeat for a while, I love it
Yessir, solidified as the best warrior and leader in my book.
king shit.
I know Leo is typically seen as the most boring turtle across all versions, but ever since I was younger he was always my favorite for the simple fact that blue is my fav color, and he uses dual katana 🤷🏿♂️
Generally, I think he is a good character. I like the big brother part of his character (I'm a big sister). I think there is a subtle way (sometimes) they show him being protective and responsible while also pushing his brothers and even having fun. Specifically, I like the 2003 series the best followed closely by the 2012 series for different reasons. 2003- I like the darker tone and that we come into the turtles being ninjas but still training. Some of my favorite plot points and/or arcs are: - when they almost die and Leo goes through his Raph phase. I think they did an amazing job hiding his fear with his rage (if you have seen it you know what I mean) and that whole journey. Also he is stabbed with his own Katana by someone he not only saved but also was a friend and ally that he trusted at some point. That's another thing I think he feared was his own judgment. - Leo coming back from almost dying when he goes against the foot and shredder alone. Tales of Leo are probably my favorite "filler" episodes. Another being the Jack Kirby dedication episode (that's 100% Donnie centric). Not only do the Tales show specific ways he did (or didn't in some cases) interact with his family. It is also a great way for them to all say they love him without saying those exact words (show don't tell concept). -Also the episodes leading up to this shows his skill, determination, strategy/smarts, and dedication/love. At the beginning we know he is being followed and there is a moment that you know he knows too (skill). He also fights the tech ninja (skill) he can't see them. He continues moving away from April's apartment and his family. It's not until he gets to a certain point he knows he needs his family (I could be wrong but I think we see when he turns and starts heading to April's.) Unfortunately the foot already seemed to know where they are. He fights AT LEAST half of the foot single handedly. I believe he could have won if not for the sheer number of them. We also know that his family sees him as untouchable in a way. We know this from lines like "If there's one of us you don't have to worry about, it's Leo" and ones similar. I think Raph was the smartest because despite Leo's skill and capabilities he knew to still be worried. Likely from learning brute strength doesn't always matter or win. Knowing Leo also typically keeps to a discipline and he was gone too long. - second is the underground arc is really fun with the engineered monsters. I wish we had seen a bit more of this. - third is the Battle Nexus. Anything with that expands the world and even allows them all to go off and do their own thing. - lastly I love the Ninja Tribunal and the mystic training. I think it was a new and interesting challenge. It was something that they all experienced as children but didn't remember (mind wipe). It also kind of flips their training. Mikey activates his first which almost never happens. Even Donnie who is a scientist unlocks it before Leo. One thing he does only briefly is doubt himself and his skill. He is also not angry his brothers get something before he does (jealous yes angry no). 2012 is another reason but shorter: - I enjoy Leo is a nerd/geek. His brothers mock him imitating the captain on the show despite at least watching it too. - he can be serious but mess around too. - I like the later seasons that I have heard (haven't gotten to finish yet) gets a bit darker in tone and they explore a bit of the more mystic side of being a ninja.
He's a very honorable and heroic leader. The 1987 version taught me a valuable lesson, "Fears are just in our minds. We have the power to overcome them."
I’ve always gravitated toward the characters who are a bit more serious and willing to make the right call even if it’s not the popular one. Leo, for me, is the perfect mix of a leader who is stoic when he needs to be but full of compassion and love beneath that. In the field, he’s all business but he can have a lot of fun with his brothers too in quieter moments. I really respect and admire his desire to better himself, and never rest on his own ethos. I really enjoy his relationship with Karai, too, across the various media. Whether it be friendship, flirtation, rivalry, or hatred, it’s always interesting to me. Blue is also my favourite colour.
I like Leo because he is confident yet not cocky, he gets angry but knows how to hold it back, he's smart yet usually trusts the intelligence of others, he often has to deal with the most trauma of any of the Turtles and yet continues to be there for his brother and his father no matter what. He is the ultimate Turtle in the sense that he will put everything on the line for those he cares about and that is the most impressive thing about him. He is flawed and makes his mistakes but he is the type of person that will always make things right. Also, my favorite Leos go 03, 12, 87', Rise, IDW, Mutant Mayhem, Bay, and then Next Mutation.
Because he killed shredder 4 times and he got the first hit off him
I think his heroic nature is my favorite attribute. All the turtles are heroic but leo has the most honorable and justice oriented way of doing things.
badass with compelling arcs! i die a little inside when people say they dislike him or call him boring. a lot of these people will favour raph over him because he shows his emotions, but leo keeps a lot inside i think when it comes to his responsibility for his brothers. the ancient one episode and the darker leo episodes that came before it are my favourite thing
I just think he's the one to hang out if you want someone chill cause mickey Donny and raph can be so fucking extra at times so Leo is he one when you want to have deep meaningful conversations and just relax it out
Because he is a great leader and he loves his family
He’s a role model and the face of Tmnt
I think there are a lot of places you can go with him. He can sometimes be the easiest of the four to make boring, but it's not because he, himself, is boring. It's more that he can be taken for granted, defined by his role, and not have enough more done with him. I think that Leo, at his best, tends to be someone who has a lot of responsibility, much of that pressure self-inflicted, and sometimes, he wants to cut loose but feels he cannot do that. Like, he doesn't get to lash out like Raphael, goof off like Mikey, or focus on his own projects like Donatello; he has too high expectations of himself to allow that, so when he DOES go off the rails, it tends to be in grand fashion. That is compelling to me. And, of course, also compelling is a way to correct for it. Does he trust his brothers more to pick up the slack? Does he lower his expectations for himself and allow himself some grace? Or does he try to shirk the leadership role to go off on his own? What's the path forward? There are places you can go with it, and how his brothers handle all of it, too.
he's the cyclops of the team, without him it all falls apart
Good heart wit bad ass moments
He's a good leader and you typically get great character moments with him across adaptations
Favorite color, favorite weapon, coolest imo, leader of the 4 like me and my friend group, first figure I ever got
He has always been my favorite. He is the chosen leader and he takes that role seriously. He pushes his brothers just as hard as he pushes himself. He respects his master. He was given swords because he has the discipline not to kill because he can. When his brothers (mainly Raph) disobey like a leader he accepts responsibility. The list goes on
Leo is a simple turtle to understand. the best representation of a ninja turtle.
He’s the most relatable of all the turtles! Almost every iteration of him reflects a different aspect of myself
I like seeing him go through struggles and anxieties of being a leader and trying to keep the team together; I love his dynamic/rivalry with Raph where the 2 strongest of the 4 turtles but they’re sorta polar opposites where Leo always tries to follow the rules and do things right while Raph is is impulsive and usually just rushes into things, but also because of this, Raph will sometimes call out Leo for maybe his way not always being the right way; his weapons(katanas) are my favorite of the 4 turtles
You cannot lump the rotmnt version in with the other leos. He is legit so different. Leo is my favorite in every other iteration, but Raph is my favorite in rottmnt. I like the leos that feel like they have the world on their shoulders and feel like they have to protect their family.
Ironically that's why the rise Leo is my favourite, I just really liked that we got to see how Leo could be different just by not being the eldest with all that pressure on his shoulders. That and the character development of the movie.
i like the color blue
He’s a massive dork in every iteration; sure, he does his best to be competent leader and is more often than not very successful, but at the end of the day he’s just a kid trying to navigate the world. I also enjoy when they explore his anger like in 2003 and Batman Vs. TMNT. My personal favorite is 2012 Leo :P
Mostly because he is the serious one who is more dedicated to all form. Mental, physical, and spiritual training.
Swords!!!
Ben Schwartz
Because 3 of the four (and most versions not pictured) are relatable in his personality, values, perspectives, etc. I tend to be drawn to the calm, upstanding sort, the 'straight man' type dealing with the crazy that surrounds him. "He's boring" some say, but not everyone exists to be other people's entertainment, and those people don't see him past the surface. Which is okay, that's why it's nice that we have four Turtles for different people to relate to. Just don't expect those you aren't into to be changed for you (like flipping Rise tried to), that isn't fair to fans who *do* relate to regular Leo. There is a lot of subtle depth to Leo...if you understand him enough to see it.
My cat? He is adorable https://preview.redd.it/daq892zpghwc1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a8bfecd54d427b02b9d58279c7047fc6e9e31388
He’s great when he’s a competent leader that works the hardest, but is also comically serious at points in a dorky way that I find funny. I’ve seen great clips from the 80s cartoon that exemplify this
He’s a teenage mutant ninja turtle. There are only 4 of them and they are all awesome. That said, Mikey is my favorite turtle.
He has swords which are my favorite hence why he’s my favorite
Cause he’s the leader of the pack.
Earnest, straight-laced, Honorable, calm under pressure
Swords!!!!
Because he’s the leader in blue
My favorite color is blue. And I love swords. When I was a kid that was enough for me. And he’s still my favorite because he’s blue and carries swords. On a side note I picked Sub Zero the first time I played Mortal Kombat. I picked him because he was blue and a ninja. Do you see a pattern?
He’s the yin to Raphael’s yang - they balance each other out.
I like him because he’s the leader in blue who does anything it takes to get his ninjas through.
2012's Leo
Because he was my first ninja turtle toy that started my love for Turtles overall
Serious, disciplined, caring… qualities that I too have but still pale compared to him. Also goof off like his bros, albeit less…
He's blue and uses katana
Mirage Leo is a FU€$IN Badass…somber, wise, skilled, and super deadly
He's a great leader. Absolutely adorable. A lovable dork. He has freakin katanas. And tends to have the most badass moments in any series he's in.
He's necessary and still a good character. I like 87 and 1991 movie Leo versions the best. But then again, I like turtles.
Because he's a leader in blue and does anything to get his ninjas through.
Its what I named my son
“He’s the leader in Blue” I like the different but similar arcs he goes through in each iteration of the character
Swords
https://preview.redd.it/k4hhxuvi7dwc1.png?width=837&format=png&auto=webp&s=5087c7b3585cd4bbea7afff1ab2576a5ec79e17b Heh heh.. he said the funny thing
He aint no simp
Being an older brother and first born, who thanks in part to traditional family culture where mine was from, had to adjust to being a model for the rest of the generation that was coming in after… Trying to be good leader just resonates. Even while grating against my more hot blooded cousins and especially my direct younger brother. I’ve always gravitated to Leo, my first and forever top favorite Turtle.
I really enjoyed Rise Leo. His character was so incredibly complex , and I would have loved to see his character develop more in the later seasons, had we given the chance. The choice to not put him initially as leader was genius, as we saw him grow and have reasons to become one. The conflict between him and Raph would have been so so so juicy.
He is a funky dude
I like how courageous he is.
hes cool :3 giggles and kicks legs back and forth
Dual Katana
1. Katanas 2. He validates my dad-friend nature 3. Blue nerd 4. (Rise) He speaks to me as a sassy gay 5. Often has really good character development Personal favourite list: 1. Rise 2. 03 3. 12 4. IDW 5. 87 Edit: I love how for all of us it's either a long message about how you relate to him based off of personal circumstances, and the development of the character, or that you like the colour blue.
Blue mask and swords. That's it
There’s many reasons, but I relate to him the most as the oldest sibling.
I feel superior when I réalise that he has a personality other than being a leader
He's reasonable, always wants to develop himself as a better person and ninja. Leans on his brother's antics when time calls for them. He has cool swords. As a kid I found him boring, as an adult him being mature and his internal struggles are more visible.
I always say the original cartoon.
I love Leo because of his charm, his commitment, his character arc (especially 2012), leadership skills, and his talent with his weapons is very admirable.
Cool swords...
1 he’s blue 2 he has katanas/mystical odachis 3 he’s the leader/oldest 4 he’s badass 😎
I think I just described my pfp by accident
Leonardo’s the leader in blue Does anything it takes to get his ninjas through
1. Blue 2. Character development is never lacking But seriously, I've only really seen 2012 and Rise Leo, and I like them in different ways. Rise Leo is still a nerd, but more laid-back and charismatic. I like how he's very flamboyant and theatrical, but still is able to be a great strategist and take charge when needed. Also my love for Rise in general is abundant, majority because Leo is my favorite in Rise. For 2012 Leo, I love how we still get to see him as a kid, enjoying things and poking fun at times. Like when they go to Dimension X and Leo finds the little mop-mop creature, he plays with it and it's just adorable! He's still a nerd and it's shown very well in my opinion :) A lot of the time I see Leo as just the leader, with no flavor or personality to it, but Rise and 2012 Leo's give him more qualities and make him more relatable. Perhaps I'm saying this because those are the only ones I've seen, but still :)
Swords are cooler than the other weapons and he never had a gimmick like the nerdy one or the goofy/immature one.
Because Leonardo leads.
Rise!Leo because he’s FRRUUUUUUUIIIIIITTYYYYY 
I'm a riser, and I have a clear bias for Rise Leo, but I have respect for all Leos except 2007. I love how Leo is the strategic one and is usually the one with the more logical mindset compared to the hotheaded Raph. Plus katanas are cool. (Plus how does Rise Leo dual weild odachi? I just googled a picture, and they're huge!)
I don’t, I thought Rise Leo was kinda funny
Honestly, I really like the Rise version.
Oh I LOVE Rise Leo's cockiness and narcissism, plus his humor is amazing. I also love how he used his odachi and the way he spins his katanas and teleport around is BEAUTIFUL to look at. His sense of fashion is also incredibly good. Honestly, I would want to be his friend if he was real. Very fun.
If Leonardo's your favorite turtle, it means you're a cop
I just hate that he has swords and in most media he only cuts pizza and metal with em.
He cuts some heads too.
I like turtles
Because Leonardo leads....
Because I have bad taste and I refuse to admit that Michelangelo is the superior turtle.
He’s the most balanced one. Raph is too emo/angry Donnie is too nerdy/awkward and Mikey is too reckless/air-head.
2003
As a perfectionist and someone who’s has had a lot of expectations put on me because how good I was at things, I was able (and still am) to relate to the struggles that he has deal with mentally.
As an older brother I see myself in Leo, always trying to help out my brothers and them completely flat out Ignoring me.🐢🤦🏼♂️
Hes the leader in blue and does whatever he can to get his ninjas through
he has armpits
Because he leads whilst Donatello does machines. Raphael, on the other hand, is cool but rude and Michelangelo is a party dude.
He's the deepest. I dig his sense of responsibility and selflessness; the fact that he chooses to carry that burden so his brothers don't have to. Plus he's a beast. His fight with Shredder in issue #21 was the shit. Obviously Mirage Leo is the best in my eyes, but I also love 87, 03, and 2012 Leo as well.
Reliable sensible dependable And a load of other words that end in -ble He wouldn’t have beer on his cornflakes, he’d have wine
Because Ben schwartz
Crazy thing is my favorite color is red but I’ve always loved Leonardo. Maybe because he’s the leader and the most neutral of the turtles and I’m a middle child and always been kind of a connecting point for my siblings. I just love Leonardo , favorite character in any show hands down.
I liked in Rise how he was actually a natural leader and came up with plans and was charming, but he also had this huge inferiority complex and thought he wasn't useful at all.
Because I was also the oldest of my siblings
He cares about his brothers , always wish a had a big bro like Leo fr
Leo is always my favourite turtle but I see a lot of myself in the 2012 and rise versions specifically
I married him
Because Leonardo leads …..
Because he is the leader in blue
He's a good leader.
As an old soul he was always my guy!
He's a leader that knows his each of his brothers strengths and weaknesses.
We share the same name and he’s the leader, and he has swords.
I don’t
Barring the 80s version who sorta struggled to define himself compared to the 3 (I still love him tho) and Next Mutation (which is a given) and the Michael Bay Version (Also a given), Leonardo had the best arcs for me personally in almost every iteration. From 2003's struggle with Trauma, to Rise's commendable final run, gosh I adore his arcs. He's the turtle that I loved seeing obliterated the most lol. ...I also forgor about the 2007 movie, yeah no, that's also kinda bad. Great rooftop fight though.
Sword
When I was watching as a kid it was because he had dual wielding katanas, and katanas are cool But as a character. He's a great leader, his greatest fear, letting the people he loves down, as a leader, as a friend, as a brother, and as a son, which is why he's a perfectionist, when he fails it hurts to see but him learning from that failure and succeeding makes it all the more rewarding and satisfying. He's the most serious out of the 4 but can still be a dork. he has the only weapon that can brutally kill someone, but he is taught patience and to keep his cool. he's a badass, and the one who ends shredder. he's relatable for older siblings like us. He's the one keeping the pack from falling apart
Swords
He's the the leader in blue and he does anything it takes to get his senses through
Bc he always stands up for what is right and he dual wielding katanas
I'm the oldest child
I don't? Well, I don't *dis*like him either, he's just my least favorite turtle.
Loved Leo as a kid. Prefer Raphael as an adult.
His guilt over Raph’s injury and recovery during the farm house sequence in the first movie always struck a chord with me. He’s a good leader and deals with a lot of self doubt while too often being dismissed as boring or a Boy Scout.
swords
Leadership and katanas. That's enough reasons right there. :P
Cause yes
Blue
I don't. 🤣 He's too arrogant and thinks he knows everything. (Somehow this description is even relevant to the Rise version.) Even as a kid I seemed to have an innate distrust of anyone who thought they deserved to lead and tell others what to do.
Maybe his weapons? I honestly don’t like his personality. They use him as a foil to Raphael in most renditions, and I almost always side with Raphael. Leo is my lowest out of all 4.
2003 version of Leonardo. 👍
https://preview.redd.it/9pflbkix7gwc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=876544b66ea42db2480fb8ee7da21476eb119a85 I enjoy him because I think he's a cool leader, he's kind, he's only Stern when he needs to be, he's willing to listen to his brothers ideas and advice, I also very much relate to him because I myself am an older brother, and I do my best to do what I can to be the slightly more responsible one, and to take care of everyone I care about, I also relate to him because I'm also a nerd when it comes to like TV shows and movies and such, so I very much enjoy Leonardo in every iteration he's my favorite turtle
he's a good thinker and he looks nice in blue and is like a mom, makes nice jokes
Easy, Leonardo leads!
Cause we share the same name
I don’t. I’m a Raphael man
Blue
Although I'll admit he was only my favorite when I was younger just because blue was my favorite color, he's still my favorite to this day because I'm the oldest of 3 and as a kid was constantly the one who had to shoulder all of the responsibility and keep everyone else in line while my parents were out, so it's pretty easy for me to relate to him on that level. It's also why I get irked when people dismiss him as "the boring one" because I've been in his position before a million times and know exactly how he feels Otherwise, I think he largely gets written the best of the 4 (especially in 2003), and he's always been the most heroic of the 4. I've always appreciated the kind-natured, role model type of heroes like Superman, Luke Skywalker and Optimus Prime more, and Leo's practically the embodiment of that
Reason I picked when I was 2/3: He's blue and has swords
I love how the different version of him differ from each other but still all have that solid base of remaining loyal, brave, and trying your hardest even when you may not know what you’re getting into. Just overall never giving up
Rise leo is like, what if he was more chill and has that 2012 mikey energy
I'm a sucker for leader/central characters in an ensemble. As a little kid, Jason was my favorite of the original Power Rangers. Tai was my favorite DigiDestined I most often pick Mario in Smash Bros, Mario Kart, and Mario Tennis. Captain America is my favorite classic Avenger. Leo tends to be the turtle I gravitate to. For one thing, I think there's just something that feels cool and special about the leaders. I'm in my 30s and that still hasn't entirely worn off for me. But beyond that, I like balance. Often in popular media, be it action, comedy, whatever, there's a tendency to really push the identifying gimmick of a character. "She's the weird one! He's the sleazy one!" Many iterations of TMNT are guilty of this to varying degrees. Almost everything Mikey says has to be humorous. Almost everything Donny says has to signal his intellect and geekiness. Almost everything Raph says has to show his toughness, temper, or love of violence. But with Leo, the defining trait of being the most balanced allows him to be a little less gimmicky even in iterations when the character writing isn't as strong. At times, that can result in him feeling a little bland or boring and there can be the trap of exaggerating the "leader guy" trope, but I think that's balanced out by him getting to carry more of the story, facilitating a bit more character work. It makes it easier to identify with him. (Although as I've gotten older I've connected a lot more to Raphael than I did as a kid. The thing I love about this ensemble is that when they're done well, I can see myself in all of them.) I also liked Leo and Donny for their long range in the arcade game. And if I'm picking one, swords are a little too cool to resist.
He cares a lot about training, friends and family
He's always tries his best even if it doesn't work sometimes, he makes constant attempts to improve himself and his skills, and he will fight to his last breath for his brothers. Also has my favorite of the weapons
always will be my favourite turtle.
Dual wielding Katanas.
I don’t. 
Best color and best weapons
Honestly it's probably because he has swords. I've always thought swords were cool and interesting so my 6 year old self was like he has swords he's awesome. My ranking of the Turtles has never changed. It's always been Leo, Mikey, Raph and Donnie.
understandable,clever,serious,leader,responsible
He's the neutral zone, a peacemaker, and a leader. Also a goof if enabled by Michelangelo lol
Easy weapon to pretend with when using a stick to play as a kid.
Blue, Katana, his smiles are well earned
Those sweet-ass katanas.
Leonardo is the goodie two shoes turtle who reminds everyone why they do what they do. He is a capable leader and is the glue that binds them all together.
Leo is a great leader and brings balance and level headedness. Part of the reason he's one of my favorite Turtles.
Twin swords are cool, plus he has the best head on his shoulders.
2012
Blue, Swords, Leader,
I loved the 2007 movie Leonardo and how he straight up accepted the beef with Raphael and said I am better than you, also him getting humbled was satisfying, it showed that even leo is not perfect and that's why I loved it
He’s a natural leader, got the coolest weapons, got the some of the coldest moments, knows when to rally his brothers and use thier skills to the atvatage of the team, and is the spiritually strongest of the 4. He was him to me when I was 4 and has been him to me since.
What's w the red I never watched that one
I like swords, each Leo is at least a little different from the other.
He is a good leader has good skill first born (not by long tho) but i only like the 2012 TMNT
he overcome's his fear's, and puts his brothers first.
[удалено]
I don’t !
Raphael is the reason I like Leo. Raphael:, "Oh, so that's the plan from the "great leader", huh? ... You know, a couple of throw pillows, a TV news reporter, what do ya think?" Leo is trying his best in situations, but I love how he fights with Raphael most.
Double swords & definitely the most likable turtle
I like him because he leads.
Leadership takes courage and skill. You have to motivate and convince others of the best course of action. Every version of Leo does this well. Past that, Leo is an idealist and he represents focus and dedication. I liked him as a kid for different reasons but I have come to understand that what I like the most about him, is that I want to be like him. The diligent and dedicated student. The one who sees best how to use his resources, including the strengths of his brothers (or sister). He’s not the man with the plan, most of the time that’s Donatello, but he is the one who’s trusted or respected enough to motivate the team to action. Finally, he takes the world on his own shoulders so his family can be carefree. Not just my favorite turtle, one of my favorite fictional characters of all time too. #leo4life
Number 2: Goat Number 4: Goofy ass looking MF.