Master Splinter
The sensei with two completely different origin stories.
The rat sensei whose origin differs sharply between the Mirage comics and the 1987 cartoon.
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Master Splinter on VeVe: the official art
2 images from VeVe's official partner feed · tap to enlargeMost releases come in several rarities, from Common up to Secret Rare, each with its own edition size. VeVe shows every tier and what is still available: see Master Splinter on VeVe (opens in a new tab).
Why Master Splinter matters to collectors
Splinter is the rare supporting character who changes the meaning of the whole franchise depending on which version you read. In the Mirage comics he is Hamato Yoshi's pet rat who learned ninjutsu by watching. In the 1987 cartoon he is Hamato Yoshi himself, mutated. Collectors pick a side on that, and the sculpts follow, because the comic Splinter and the cartoon Splinter are drawn as genuinely different characters.
Key issues and milestones
- TMNT #1 (Mirage) (1984) - Splinter appears in the debut as the rat who trained the four brothers.
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles animated series (1987) - The cartoon rewrites him as the mutated Hamato Yoshi, the version most viewers know.
- Playmates Splinter action figure (1988) - Part of the original wave, sold alongside the four turtles rather than as a later addition.
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (film) (1990) - A full animatronic Henson puppet performs the role, still one of the most praised effects in the film.
Jim Henson reportedly disliked how violent the 1990 film turned out, but the Splinter animatronic from that production is still held up as a benchmark for practical creature effects.
Collecting Master Splinter through the years
Splinter shipped in the very first Playmates wave, which is unusual for a mentor character and means vintage examples are not scarce. What collectors chase instead is condition and completeness, since his walking stick is small and frequently absent. The 1990 film puppet built by Jim Henson's Creature Shop is the high end of physical Splinter collecting, alongside production materials from that shoot, though those items rarely surface outside specialist auctions. In comics, the Mirage back issues that deal with his origin and with the Foot Clan's history are collected on their own merits rather than as turtle keys.
Master Splinter on VeVe
VeVe has released Splinter through TMNT character figure series, where he appears alongside the four brothers rather than as a standalone line. Sculpts vary with the source material, since the comic and cartoon versions of the character look substantially different. Releases are scheduled drops in the app with the usual tiered rarity structure and a scarcer premium edition on most figure drops.
TMNT figure series releases featuring Splinter alongside the four brothers. Check the drop calendar for upcoming TMNT releases - drops sell out in minutes, and reminders keep you ahead of them.
New to digital collecting? Start with what VeVe is and why first appearances are the rookie cards of comics.
Before you collect Master Splinter
- Claim your free US$10 - new collectors start with credit toward a first piece, no card required.
- Is VeVe legit? - our honest review, including the parts VeVe would rather we skipped.
- How to start on VeVe - signup through first drop, step by step.
- Are VeVe collectibles worth it? - who genuinely enjoys this hobby, and who should pass.
Master Splinter collector FAQ
Where can I buy Master Splinter digital collectibles?
Master Splinter digital collectibles release on VeVe through scheduled drops and the in-app marketplace. TMNT figure series releases featuring Splinter alongside the four brothers.
What is Master Splinter's first appearance?
Master Splinter first appeared in TMNT #1 (Mirage) (1984). The rat sensei whose origin differs sharply between the Mirage comics and the 1987 cartoon.
Are Master Splinter collectibles on VeVe officially licensed?
Yes. Every TMNT collectible on VeVe is produced under official license with the rights holder - that licensing is the core difference between VeVe and unlicensed NFT projects. More on licensed vs unlicensed.
Are Master Splinter digital collectibles NFTs?
Technically yes - VeVe collectibles are NFTs recorded on blockchain for provenance. In practice they work like licensed digital collectibles: bought in-app with a custodial wallet, no crypto knowledge needed. How VeVe NFTs actually work.