TMNT Raphael (1988)

Raphael — the hot-headed, sai-wielding rebel of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles — was part of the explosive 1988 Playmates first wave. Raph's figure perfectly captures his aggressive attitude: scowling expression, muscular stance, and his trademark twin sai ready for action. He's the turtle with an edge, the one who'd rather crack skulls than crack jokes, and his figure radiates that energy.

The original 1988 Raphael is one of the most beloved figures in the entire Playmates TMNT line. His "cool but rude" personality made him the favourite of kids who wanted a tougher hero, which also means he saw a lot of play. Mint-condition examples are harder to find than you'd think for such a mass-produced figure. The earliest 10-back carded versions are the top collectible, but even loose complete figures in good shape have strong demand.

A complete Raph requires both sai, his belt, and the weapons rack accessories. The sai prongs are thin and prone to bending or snapping — inspect them closely. Like his brothers, Raphael has soft-head and hard-head variants, with the soft-head being the earlier run. His red mask paint should be clean and unflaked. Check the crotch piece for cracks (a common stress point on all TMNT figures) and make sure the arms and legs have firm joints. On carded examples, verify the sai tips haven't punctured the blister from inside.