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Per IGN, IDW Publishing and Viz Media ally with one another in an unexpected but welcome crossover between two legendary ninja teams in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles X Naruto. As of now, Master Splinter, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, April, Shredder, Team Seven, Kakashi, and Tsunade are all confirmed to be in this four issue collaboration. There are a plethora of characters that could also appear in the comic, however.
Here are a few characters that deserve to be in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles x Naruto.
Jiraiya
As one of Naruto’s teachers, Jiraiya’s appearance in this crossover event would be welcomed. His extroverted and light-hearted personality would serve as contrast to both Kakashi and Master Splinter’s calm demeanors. As all of the sensei care for their students unconditionally, displaying how each master approaches the act of teaching would depict how those lessons were passed down to their students. This would also present the chance for Jiraiya to teach the turtles techniques from the ninja world.
Orochimaru
Orochimaru is the main antagonist of pre-time skip Naruto. His main goal throughout most of Naruto is to achieve immortality and destroy the Hidden Leaf Village. As Tsunade is the Hokage in this four comic special, we would see a weakened Orochimaru, recovering from his injuries sustained when fighting Jiraiya and Tsunade. Orochimaru and Shredder could form an unrivaled alliance where they each benefit from the elimination of their enemies.
Team Guy
Team Guy is a squadron consisting of Might Guy, Rock Lee, Tenten, and Neji. Each character of this team would bring something unique to the crossover event. With their overzealous attitudes and steadfast determination, Might Guy and Rock Lee would surprise the turtles. Tenten would be fascinated by the turtles’ weapons as she analyzes how they were made. While the tools themselves wouldn’t be anything she hasn’t seen before, she would acknowledge the effort put in to maintain those tools. Like Sasuke, Neji has extraordinary eyes in the Byakugan. While Donatello would immediately befriend Tenten due shared interest in weaponry, Neji’s eyes would fascinate him from a biological position. Neji would also notice the familial bond the turtles share as he struggled with his own in the past.
Gaara
Based on the information given about TMNT x Naruto, this comic takes place between the Search for Tsunade arc and the Sasuke Recovery arc as Tsunade is already Hokage. Gaara’s interactions with Ralphael after conquering the anger and loneliness in his heart would be worth his inclusion in this crossover. After meeting the hot-headed turtle, Gaara would see a reflection of himself in Raphael. Gaara wasn’t one to exert his feelings through shouting like Raphael. He was capable of injuring people who got in his way or worse. Gaara would be tempted to give the red-masked turtle guidance on where that anger could lead him.
Karai
Karai is often depicted as a high ranking member of the Foot Clan and rival to Leonardo. In other portrayals, like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2012), she is an anti-hero. Given Shredder’s involvement in this project, it would be logical to have Karai as an integral part of his plan.
Casey Jones
Casey Jones is a core part of the TMNT crew. Similar to April O’Neil, we don’t know the exact age Casey would be in this crossover. What matters most is his portrayal in many iterations of TMNT media. Casey Jones is a more violent, borderline homicidal, individual compared to Raphael. Over time, his temper mellows, but he still goes on rampages from time to time. Though his inclusion should be due to his status as a member of team turtle, his attire would make it interesting. Casey dawns a hockey mask along with a hockey stick as his primary weapon of choice. In the world of Naruto, Casey’s attire would draw more queries than talking turtles.
Bebop and Rocksteady
Bebop and Rocksteady are two henchmen of the turtle’s arch nemesis, Shredder. Often depicted as dimwitted street thugs, this warthog and rhinoceros duo would be used as comedic relief in this collaboration comic. They would set off traps and be easily captured in the ninja world as their plans are foiled by the likes of Team Seven. It would also be hilarious if Sasuke were to say something to the effect of “There really are people out there dumber than you, Naruto.”
While there are more characters that could potentially make an appearance in TMNT x Naruto, these characters could have the best interactions, save for the main cast. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles x Naruto comics launches beginning November 13, 2024.
