Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles creator Kevin Eastman explains why Michelangelo is the Last Ronin and gives an update on the highly anticipated video game. The Last Ronin was originally a five-issue miniseries published by IDW beginning in October 2020. Michelangelo, the last of his family, returns to New York to avenge his brothers and father while also attempting to free the city. He runs into April O'Neil and meets her daughter, a resistance fighter. While it began as a miniseries, The Last Ronin continued with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin - Lost Years and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin II - Re-Evolution.

In an exclusive interview with Screen Rant for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, Eastman shared why Michelangelo was always going to be the Last Ronin. He compared Michelangelo to other underdog heroes like Sarah Connor and Luke Skywalker, then gave an exciting update on The Last Ronin video game, comparing the love the creators have to that of the creators of Mutant Mayhem. Check out Eastman's full quote below:

Kevin Eastman: Michelangelo? Yes. Michelangelo was for me the original idea, even going back to when Pete and I originally penned the concept in '87 that there would be one remaining turtle. It always felt natural that the least likely of who would have to rise to this level. It's kind of like Ripley or Sarah Connor. The aspect where the complete underdog, Luke Skywalker if you will, rises to the level they have to arrive to become the Last Ronin and complete that massive story arc. But there was never a second choice for me though than Michelangelo.

And then with the new video game, we've definitely had a number of conversations with the team developing it, and they're just killing it. It's ripped right from the pages of the comic book. It looks... these guys are huge fans of Last Ronin too. So I'm so proud of what they're doing. Again much like Mutant Mayhem the passion is there in every way.

The Last Ronin Video Game Can Tap Into The Same Passion As TMNT: Mutant Mayhem

It makes sense that Michelangelo was always who Eastman had in mind for The Last Ronin. Michelangelo has always been the most fun-loving and laid-back of his brothers. The Last Ronin examines a darker side of him and how the tragic loss of his family and their legacy impacted him. This also brings a new depth to Michelangelo and a new light to his interactions with his brothers and Stick.

Related: TMNT: Last Ronin Needs To Launch An Official Spider-Verse-Size Crossover

A huge part of why Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem has taken the world by storm is the love that the creators clearly have for the subject. Seth Rogen and Jeff Rowe are longtime Turtles fans and went into this movie knowing these characters and their style. They also focused on the teenage aspect of the characters in a way that no other movie ever had. This passion, knowledge, and genuine excitement elevated the movie and brought in a new generation of fans while keying into the nostalgia of the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fans.

The Last Ronin video game can do the same thing. While The Last Ronin has not been a part of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise for long, it leans heavily into the martial arts and samurai aspects of the story while also showing a new side of beloved characters. Eastman's excitement for The Last Ronin game and the creators points to them bringing a similar wealth of knowledge, sincere love, and determination to the game that Rogen and Rowe did to the movie, which can elevate the game in the same way.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is now available to buy or rent on digital.