During the pandemic, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles released a graphic novel called The Last Ronin that flipped the franchise's typically feel-good tone on its head in favor of dark, unsettling themes - and fans loved it. Now, as The Last Ronin is being adapted into a new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles video game, those unfamiliar with the source material may be in for a mix of shock and heartbreak.
The Last Ronin follows the story of one of the four brothers (who remains unidentified during the story's introduction) as he aims to avenge the death of his siblings. The story takes place in a battle-worn New York City that has succumbed to the rise of Oroku Hiroto, Shredder's grandson, and an unprecedented level of dominance by the Foot Clan. With this gloomy setting and focus on more visceral combat in mind, it's no surprise that The Last Ronin game will draw inspiration from God of War.
The Last Ronin Leaves One Turtle Standing
The Last Ronin takes the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, a franchise centered around family and brotherhood, and kills three of the turtle brothers along with Master Splinter. It's hard to imagine more of a brutal gut-punch to introduce a story. While many fans might expect either the battle-hardened Raphael or natural-born leader Leonardo to be the sole survivor, the eponymous Last Ronin is revealed to be the youngest brother, Michelangelo.
Designating Michelangelo as the lone survivor was a knife-twisting reveal, as he's the most easy-going of the bunch and a natural jokester, yet becomes the one tasked with avenging his family. While The Last Ronin should offer advantages over other Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles games in terms of gameplay depth and exploring the franchise's characters, its story is discomfiting and delves into unexpectedly dark subjects.
Not only does The Last Ronin see the deaths of Leo, Raph, Donnie, and their teacher, but also fan-favorite companion Casey Jones in a joint final stand alongside Leo. With nearly the entire main cast of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles dismantled, it's only the turtles' long-time companion April O'Neil who survives to aid Michelangelo.
How a Game Based on The Last Ronin Could Look
It's possible that Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle fans may still get to play as all four brothers in a game based on The Last Ronin. Yet if it does happen, players are likely going to be taking control of Raphael, Leonardo, and Donatello during their last moments. The Last Ronin graphic novel doesn't hold any punches in detailing how each of the brothers died, all of which could easily be flipped and made into playable moments for a video game.
The Last Ronin game will undoubtedly center around Michelangelo's revenge mission. Since the source material is a relatively short graphic novel and lacks many of the classic Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle villains, it's possible that a video game adaptation will have to figure out creative ways to incorporate time-tested antagonists in order to lengthen the experience and add more familiarity for casual observers. Still, it's unlikely that the core of the story will change, which means that inveterate Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fans are in for serious heartbreak. Despite the bleak re-imagining that The Last Ronin brings, it's also a poignant look at the characters and bonds that tied them all together, which will certainly be worth exploring in any medium.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin is currently in development.