This Polygon opinion piece argues that while the original X-Men: The Animated Series is rightly celebrated — and enjoying a fresh renaissance through the acclaimed X-Men '97 revival — the original 1987–1996 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon deserves comparable recognition. The writer contends that although the TMNT series was inconsistent and often dismissed as children's fare rather than prestige Saturday-morning television, at its best it surpassed X-Men, and offers five episodes to make the case.

The list highlights the show's range, from serious themes to broad comedy. "Splinter No More" (season 2) tackles bigotry as movingly as X-Men, as Splinter is temporarily returned to human form; the entire five-episode first season is praised as a balanced origin story funded by Playmates Toys and produced by Fred Wolf Studios; "Plan Six from Outer Space" (season 4) showcases the show's sitcom side with Bebop and Rocksteady becoming Channel 6 network heads; and "The Maltese Hamster" (season 3) is admired as a film-noir parody echoing The Maltese Falcon. The piece also notes voice talent including Barry Gordon, Rob Paulsen and the late James Avery as Shredder. (The article text cuts off partway through the second-placed entry.)