The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise is one of the most iconic in all of fictional media. This series has survived for decades and remained popular since the original Mirage Comics run, even crossing over with characters like Batman, Usagi Yojimbo, Savage Dragon, and tons more.
The series has lasted so long due to adapting to modern times and constantly being revitalized for multiple generations. This means there are tons of versions of the classic characters, such as the iconic villain Oroku Saki, aka the Shredder. However, some versions of these characters are a lot better than others, Shredder inparticular.
10 The 1987 Animated Version Is Classic, But Was Too Bumbling & Silly
When things come to memorability and icon status, few TMNT eras will ever stack up to the level of the '80s to early-'90s heyday spurred on by the original cartoon series.
The Shredder of this series started off as menacing in earlier episodes, until he became a complete joke like most things in that series, particularly the increasingly goofy villains. This makes him one of the worst Shredders so far, with all due respect to the fantastic performance by the late, great James Avery.
9 Raphael's Short-Lived Shredder Stint Was An Interesting Angle For Both Characters
Two concepts that were always looked towards throughout the history of the Ninja Turtles series were the passing down of the Shredder mantle, and Raphael's struggle against falling to the dark side.
The Image Comic's continuity looked into this concept, making Raph the new leader of the Foot Clan for a short time until he was overthrown by a new Lady Shredder. This Shredder wasn't evil, but Raph's brothers still didn't approve of his new persona.
8 The Anime Shredder Was Fun & Had Awesome Transformations
In the Japanese anime adaptation of the TMNT franchise, called Mutant Turtles: Choujin Densetsu-hen, Sawaki Oroku is a new take on Shredder with a new look.
In this series, he shares the 1987 cartoon backstory but gains transformation powers thanks to the Dark MutaStones. While not deeply written, his new look and transformations make him a cool version of the character unlike any other.
7 Cyber Shredder Was Basically Ch'rell 2.0, Which Isn't A Bad Thing
After the death of the 2003 version of Shredder, the turtles found that there was a cybernetic form of him planted as a contingency plan that claimed to be the ultimate computer program.
This computer program is the main antagonist of the Back to the Sewer season of the '03 series, and is basically another version of 2003's Shredder, Ch'rell.
6 The Original Version Is Iconic & Still Holds Up (Even If He Died Fairly Quickly)
The original Oroku Saki was the one that started it all in the first issue of the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Mirage Comics run by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird.
While this Shredder was the original and was the basis for a larger mythos, he went out easier than any other version as he was simply a mortal man. Despite his quick death, his legacy lived on throughout the franchise and served as the template for a truly iconic villain.
5 The 2012 Shredder Was Mutated, Became A Zombie, & Even Managed Redemption In The End
For the most part, the Shredder of the 2012 computer animated TMNT series is very close to the classic concept of the villain. However, he does explore some old territory in new ways.
This Shredder becomes the mutated Super Shredder and is even resurrected as a zombie. Each of these forms presents him with some badass new abilities, making him an even greater threat. In the end he redeems himself, saving the turtles and the entire living world.
4 The 1990 Movie Shredder Was A Faithful (& Superior) Adaptation Of The Original Comic Version
The concept of the original comic Shredder was brought back in the very faithful live-action adaptation of the franchise, 1990's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles by Golden Harvest.
This Shredder was, for the most part, beat for beat the original comic version. However, the battle against this one and his foot clan was a much harder one, as the turtles couldn't even defeat him. In the end, his own rage was his undoing.
3 Rise Of The TMNT Presented Shredder As A Giant Demon Spirit
The newest TV version of the Turtles, Rise of the TMNT, offered a new, refreshing take on everything that makes the franchise great— including the Shredder himself.
This version of Oroku Saki was not only the enemy, but an ancestor of Splinter. He is brought forth as a giant demon spirit due to his deal with an Oni for his mystic armor. This armor swallowed his soul and made him the demon he is now.
2 IDW's Shredder "Completed" The Character
Where the original Mirage Shredder opened the book on the character, IDW's comic version closed it. This version of Shredder went back to old material and rounded it even more. This time, the Shredder was explored more both as Oroku and as his alter ego.
His relationship with Splinter and the Turtles is made all-new, as in this series they are mutant animal reincarnations of his old clan, Hamato. In the end, he dies and is revived by a sacrifice from Splinter. He now watches over the Turtles— who he considers nephews— from the shadows.
1 Ch'rell Earned The Right To Call Himself The "One True Shredder"
Before any Shredder broke new grounds, there was Ch'rell of the 2003 Turtles series. This Shredder brought forth a huge surprise, as he wasn't even human and ended up being an evil Utrom named Ch'rell.
He also got the furthest to completely defeating every version of the turtles in the multiverse in the crossover film, Turtles Forever, where he dubbed himself the "One True Shredder."