Big changes are revealed in the new character art and descriptions for Nickelodeon's Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Today fans were treated to the first look at the newest Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles team for the upcoming Nickelodeon television show Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The revealed art clearly shows that these new turtles were influenced by the current live action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles films by Nickelodeon.

Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles voice cast:

"Kat Graham (The Vampire Diaries) stars as April O’Neil; Josh Brener (Silicon Valley) plays Donatello; Omar Miller (Ballers) voices Raphael; Brandon Mychal Smith (You’re The Worst) is Michelangelo; and Ben Schwartz (Parks and Recreation) stars as Leonardo. In addition, Eric Bauza plays Splinter and John Cena voices villain Baron Draxum, an alchemist warrior mutant who aims to transform all humans into mutants."

Below you'll see a full team shot as well as individual character photos and descriptions. Fans be warned that there are some big twists to the Turtles this time around. They have new looks, a new leader, and even new weapons.

"Raphael (Omar Miller) is now the leader and oldest brother, a snapping turtle who brandishes twin tonfas as his weapons."

"Leonardo (Ben Schwartz) is a red-eared slider who boasts "irreverent charm and a rebel heart." Weapon of choice: ōdachi sword."

"Box turtle/skateboarder/artist Michelangelo (Brandon Mychal Smith) is the youngest brother — and dangerous with a kusari-fundo."

"Soft-shell turtle and tech hero Donatello (Josh Brener) rocks a tech-bo staff and impressive coding skills."

"Splinter (Eric Bauza) is part father figure, all sensei to the turtles."

"The first animated African-American April O'Neil — a savvy New Yorker and first human ally of the turtles — is played by Kat Graham. There is some ambiguity about April's origins, but her portrayal in this cartoon marks a departure from depicitions in animation and live-action features. "

So now that you have seen the new characters and their descriptions, what do you think? At first glance I am not too thrilled with the art style and making Raphael the leader seems wrong. That is Leonardo's job! Then to top it off they took away all of the turtles' signature weapons and gave them new ones. Good by kitanas, sais, nunchaku, and regular bo staff. How disappointing. (I realize I sound like everyone else who will be complaining about this but their weapons have been their signature since their creation. Just feels wrong.)

Do you like the new art style? Will you be tuning in this fall? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles will air on Nickelodeon this September.

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Source: Entertainment Weekly