Online Encyclopedia
Leonardo (Ninja Turtle)
Leonardo is a fictional character in the world of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Leonardo was the unofficial leader of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. His mask was blue, which is his favorite color, and his weapon was two katanas (swords). He was named after Leonardo da Vinci, the famous Renaissance artist and inventor.
He takes after his master, or sensei, Splinter and takes ninjitsu very seriously. He is the closest to Splinter and spends most of his free time in practice and meditation, probably making the best warrior among the turtles. Leonardo has high sense of honor and he is a strict follower of the Bushido code.
According to the movie and the new cartoon show he has bullet-proof back armor. Leonardo was voice-acted by Cam Clarke in the old 1987 cartoon show and by Mike Sinterniklaas in the new 2003 cartoon show. Cam Clarke also voice-acted Rocksteady in the old 1987 cartoon show. In the comic books, Leonardo finished off the Shredder by decapitation.
1987 Cartoon
2003 Cartoon
In the 4Kids 2003 new cartoon, Leonardo is the unofficial leader of the group and the most "spiritual" of them. Episodes that deals with Shredder and ninjitsu usually also focus on Leonardo.
Leo focused episodes are 10, 11, 17, 19, 21-23, 33-35,
After beating his brothers in weapons training then being reprimanded by Splinter for not correctly interpreting the lesson, Leonardo is trying to figure out what he has missed by practising on New York's rooftops. Leo is then attacked by a Foot ninja but is able to defelect the arrow shot at him. On the arrow, he finds an invitation to meet ninjitsu master Oroko Saki. Leo answers the invitation and meets Saki. Saki tells Leonardo that he and the Foot clan are fighting a greater evil and asks him to join forces. He gives Leo time to consider this and also gives him a precious gift: a fine samurai sword. Leo returns home and is charged by his brother for being unloyal to Splinter. After arguing with Raphael over the sword, he cools off and decide to consult Splinter. Splinter reveals to Leonardo and the turtles the truth abouth Oroko Saki — The Shredder — and the ancient rivalry between them. Leo and the turtles go onto the rooftops and refuse Shredder's offer. Leo tosses away the Samurai sword he recieved from Saki. They are attacked by a horde of foot ninjas and later by the muscular Hun — Shredder's right hand man. Hun beats the turtles and then duels Leo. Hun uses the samurai sword to knock out Leo's Katana swords, but then Leo finally understands Splinter's lesson and manages to stop Hun's sword with his bare hands and then knock him down into the roof. (Episode 10)
After the turtles fight Shredder for the first time and get split up, Leo forms an alliance with the mysterious Guardians of the Utrons . Later, Master Splinter regroups the turtles, then the ninjitsu master overcomes Shredder and topples a water tank onto him. (Episode 11)
However, Shredder survives and attacks Leo during his morning training session. Leonardo manages to defeat countless Foot ninjas, including cloacking ninjas, before being defeated by Shredder's elite guard (four powerful ninjas) and the Shredder himself - who shatters Leonardo's Katanas into pieces. Leo is tossed through the window of April's apartment as a warning to the turtles. Before he collapses he reveals that Shredder was the one who he was fighting. (Episode 17)
Shredder attacks the turtles in April O'neal 's house, but they manage to escape. They found shelter in Casey Jones's grandma's farmhouse. There, Leonardo recovers and forges new Katana swords with the help of Raphael. (Episode 19)
After recovering, the turtles return to New York in order to assult the Foot HQ and get rid of Shredder once and for all. Along with Master Splinter, the turtles reach the rooftop were they face Shredder and a gigantic-robot-suited Baxter Stockman. Together with Shredder and Donatello, Leo manages to destroy Stockman and clear the site for a confrontation with Shredder and his elite ninjas. During combat, Shredder kicks Splinter out of the building, but Leo jumps after him with a rope and manages to save him. Splinter orders Leo to return to the fight scene and protect his brothers, Leo obeys. Then Leonardo uses the Sword of Tengu (a magical Tachi sword) to cut off Shredder's head and blow up the entire building. (Episode 21-23)
When the turtles come to retrieve Splinter they see he's gone.