Changing times mean changing generations, and, in the new turtles have those names in particular, though the answer may raise only more questions rather than answers.
In an interview with CBR, Beacham made the conspicuous decision to answer the question of why the new turtles have their names both directly, and evasively: “Well, I think some fans may have already figured this out, but each of the young turtles' names means ‘ONE’ in a different language. Why ‘ONE’ is something I'm not at liberty to discuss, but you'll definitely find out if you keep reading The Last Ronin - Lost Years.” While this does confirm the notion that there is a unifying concept behind the turtle tykes’ names, his decision to not explain the actual motivation behind this concept is one which begs only more questions.
What Do These Names Symbolize?
TMNT: The Last Ronin – The Lost Years is a continuation of the critically acclaimed Last Ronin series, which saw the reunion of original creators Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird to tell the tale of Michelangelo, the last remaining turtle brother in a bleak post-apocalyptic New York City completely dominated by their perennial rivals, the Foot Clan. Though the previous series ends in Mikey’s death, the final issue reveals that, far from being finished, a new generation of turtles is somehow being developed by Casey Marie in order to carry on the fallen foursome’s legacy. The new series reveals, however, that the new team has a lot of growing up to do.
The series is written by Eastman and Tom Waltz, with pencils by Eastman, S.L. Gallant, Ben Bishop, and follows the format of prequel, interquel and sequel, continuing the brand of pulse-pounding action and piercing self-commentary that made the original Last Ronin series such a hit with fans. Though only briefly featured in the first issue, the four new turtles all appear to be in some ways legacies of the first four, with Uno a more standoffish Leo, Moja a more brutish Raphael, Odyn a more cowardly Donnie and Yi a more earnest Mikey. It should be ed, however, that they are only the equivalents of between five and eight years old, and so have not yet matured into the semblance of the adult warriors they might become.
Though it is only the second series in this continuity, The Lost Years is already shaping up to be an emotional ride. And perhaps the answer as to why exactly the new turtles Odyn, Moja, Uno and Yi all have names revolving around the concept of solidarity will be delivered in future issues of the TMNT: The Last Ronin — The Lost Years.
TMNT: The Last Ronin — The Lost Years #1 is on sale now from IDW Publishing.
Source: CBR
