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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Splinter is a central character in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) franchise. He is the sensei and adoptive father of the four turtles: Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael.

Splinter's origin varies across different TMNT media, but he's most commonly depicted as either a mutated human or a mutated rat. In the original comic book from Mirage Studios, Splinter was Hamato Yoshi's pet rat, who learned ninjutsu by mimicking his master's movements. After Yoshi was murdered by Oroku Saki (Shredder), Splinter escaped and mutated due to exposure to the same mutagen that transformed the turtles.

Splinter first appeared in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic book #1, published in 1984. He is a wise and skilled martial artist who guides the turtles with his knowledge of ninjutsu and his philosophical teachings. He is a strong moral compass for the turtles who helps them navigate the difficulties and dangers that they face.