Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Why Raphael Is The Best Street Fighter

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Raphael is the best street fighter of all the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and that is largely because of his signature weapon, the sai. While he may have brought them up as brothers, Splinter gave each of the Turtles different weapons. No doubt the Turtles' sensei guessed opponents would find it difficult to adapt to a mismatched group whose combat styles were very different — and he was right. Each one of the Turtles has different specialties.

Raphael, for example, uses the sai. This ancient weapon originated in mainland Asia several thousand years ago, and its precise origin remains a mystery even now. Some believe it began as a farmer's trident, modified to fend off bandits. Others suggest it was designed as a women's self-defense weapon, starting out as a hairpin. Although it's traditionally considered to be a dagger, in reality the sai is better understood as a type of baton. Japanese police began using a version of the sai, called the jutte, as far back as 1669.

Related: Ninja Turtles and Marvel’s Daredevil Share The SAME Origin

Raphael's dagger makes him a skilled street fighter. The thick blade is usually blunt, meaning it can be used offensively to crack an enemy's ribs. The design of the sai means it's best used in close quarters, and it's perfect for blocking knives. Sai flipping isn't just for show, with skilled combatants spinning it round to protect their arms, or using the butt end to augment a punch. All this means Raphael is trained for street battles rather than going head-to-head with Shredder and the Foot Clan.

Even though Raphael is the Turtle with the worst temper, it's amusing to note he has been given a weapon designed to subdue opponents rather than kill them; Splinter may have initially given