Donatello won our favorite toy bracket fan vote.

He also won the Nintendo Splatfest event. So, Donatello must be the favorite Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle!

I lived my life thinking he was the outcast. When we held the bracket I never thought he would win! But the underdog came out on top, and I shouldn’t be surprised. He’s the best one to play in Turtles in Time, and the culture has shifted to the nerds taking over the world. It took a while, but Donatello’s genius has finally paid off! He is the world’s favorite turtle! Let’s take a closer look at the turtle who makes wearing purple look cool!

He is co-creator Peter Laird’s favorite Turtle.

In the first issue of the Mirage Comics, he is the one that killed the Shredder. Leonardo dealt the blow that left him beaten. Leo told him to commit seppuku, and he refused by pulling out a grenade. Thinking fast, Donatello threw his bo staff and knocked Shredder and his grenade off the roof, killing their first villain.

Image from: Mirage Comics

In the Image Comics incarnation of the TMNT, he becomes a cyborg after his body is partially destroyed after he’s shot and dropped out of a helicopter. He was constantly at risk of losing his mind to the cyborg half, but keeps a positive attitude about it.

Image from: Image Comics

In the Archie comics, he is chosen by a group of aliens known as the Sons of Silence to share their wisdom.

He was one of the few who could telepathically communicate with them. Donatello was almost a pacifist, detesting every time he used violence.

In the 2012 series, Donnie is voiced by Rob Paulsen.

Rob Paulsen is the voice of Raphael in the 1987 animated series. He will continue to have a major role in the new series, Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, as Voice Director.

The first film plays up the relationship between him and Casey Jones. In most other versions, Raphael, not Donatello, is closest to Casey.

In the 1987 cartoon, he is responsible for creating all of the Ninja Turtles vehicles.

In the 2007 film, Donatello is named the leader by Master Splinter.

Raph is angry that Donatello is named leader instead of himself while Leo is away. Donatello is angry that Raphael isn’t pulling his weight. Donatello runs an IT tech support line to earn money for the family. 

Corey Feldman voiced Donatello in the original movie, as well as Ninja Turtles 3.

Corey stepped away from the second movie due to his stay in rehab. He returned to the TMNT franchise to voice Slash in the 2012 cartoon series, rejoining Goonies co-star Sean Astin, the voice of Raphael.

In the 2014 and 2016 live action films, Donatello’s face was based on Leonard Nimoy.

The hi-tech goggles Donatello wears are based on the Turtle Vision Goggles from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles from the 2003 cartoon series. The Ooze Specks are from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2012 cartoon.

In the IDW series, in issue #44 he is (nearly) killed by Bebop and Rocksteady.

His consciousness is, luckily, transferred in to the robot, Metalhead. (Editors note- This run in the series, and really the entire IDW series, is fantastic.)

In the video games based on the 1987 animated series, Donatello has the longest range. Leonardo has the second longest range and does the most damage. However, in the first NES game, Donatello did the most damage and had the longest range, though his attacks were slow.

The back of his card from the original 1988 toy reads-

The Turtles’ Creative Genius

Vital Tortistics

Weapons: Bo (Staff), Turtle Fist Daggers, Ninja Stars, Kama
Birthplace: Joe’s Pet Place, Slowklahoma
Height: 4′ on two legs
Weight: 145 lbs.
Age: 15
Shell: Hard as tank armor

Donatello is the best idea Turtle you’ll ever find. He’s the brains of the group and the designer of the Turtle vehicles. Rather than use his bo or brawn, Donatello would prefer inventing some device or clever apparatus to foil the foe. Still, Don’s one powerful reptile with his staff, which enables him to parry, vault and crush! Even Don gets “Turtle-sized” pleasure in stomping the Foot.

After a tough battle, Don relaxes by watching programs on his own invention – turtlevision.