Recommended music: Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody
Snapping ahead this #TurtleTuesday, we’re checking out the NECA Toys Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Tokka!
In the 1991 film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze, Tokka is a mutated alligator snapping turtle created for the Foot Clan to serve as the Shredder’s muscle alongside his mutant partner, Rahzar (who was also voiced by Frank Welker).
After breaking into the Techno Cosmic Research Institute (TCRI), Shredder makes scientist Jordan Perry use the last canister of mutagenic ooze on a captured wolf and snapping turtle. Since the process is rushed, the two come out with huge strength, but with the minds of toddlers, even calling Shredder their “Mama.”
Even though they are not very smart, Shredder uses their strength to cause chaos in New York City and draw out the Turtles for a final fight. Tokka is a huge obstacle that the Turtles can’t beat with martial arts alone. Instead, they have to outsmart him by giving him donuts filled with an anti-mutagen that turns him back into a regular snapping turtle. [See the blog post about Rahzar as to why this duo replaced Bebop and Rocksteady]
Playmates Toys released Tokka twice in the vintage TMNT toy line, including Mutatin’ Tokka in 1993. However, those figures didn’t have the level of detail that NECA Toys brought with their Tokka and Rahzar 2-pack in 2020. These were NECA’s first figures from Secret of the Ooze, and starting the line with these two highly desired characters was a great choice.
As a nearly 8” tall imposing figure in your SOTO display, Tokka boasts a sharp, spike-covered shell and immaculate, multi-toned skin paint washes. My favorite thing about this figure, and what truly elevates this release, is the character-infused facial articulation. Besides jaw articulation, which is not unheard of on this scale, he features individually hinged eyebrows that let you shift his expression from a menacing snarl to a confused, infant-like look. NECA could have simply included an alternate head, but this articulation option is much better.
Tokka’s double-jointed elbows and solid balance offer great poseability, and he is packed with accessories from the film, including a box of anti-mutagen donuts, a fire extinguisher, a metal pipe, and a single donut for him to discover the anti-mutagen inside.
Overall, Tokka is still one of my favorite figures from the line. It really feels like the Jim Henson Creature Shop costume stepped right out of the movie and into your TMNT display.
#ActionFigurePhotography
#TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles
#TMNT
#ToyPhotography
Dale's Toys 