NECA’s Fifth Turtle April O’Neil Figure: A Radical Twist on TMNT Lore

April O’Neil as the Fifth Turtle – New TMNT Character Twist Explained

In the grand, slightly bonkers history of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, there have been a few oddball moments (looking at you, Venus de Milo). But few twists are as gloriously strange as The Fifth Turtle, a story from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures Special #11, published way back in 1994 by Archie Comics. In this wild ride, April O’Neil — everyone’s favourite plucky reporter — becomes an actual turtle herself. Yes, you read that right. No sewer slime or mad science was too much for the ’90s.

Fast-forward to 2025, and NECA — never ones to shy away from deep-cut TMNT references — have announced the NECA TMNT Fifth Turtle April O’Neil figure. Honestly? It’s a bold move, and as a guy who once restored a Turtles van using dental tools and prayer, I absolutely love it.

Fifth Turtle April O’Neil Figure – Sculpt, Accessories, and Articulation Breakdown

Now, onto the important bit: the figure itself. The sculpt on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles April O’Neil Fifth Turtle NECA figure is absolutely fantastic. NECA has managed to blend April’s familiar look — the yellow jumpsuit vibe is alive and well — with the chunky, shell-backed design we expect from the green teens.

She comes loaded with goodies:

• Swappable hands (because one hand for fighting, one hand for pizza).
• A sword
• Four alternate head sculpts

As for articulation, April’s ready to throw down in classic NECA style. Double-jointed elbows, rockers on the ankles, and enough poseability to stage your own soap opera in diorama form.

If you’re already in love with figures like the TMNT Tattoo & Wyrm 2-Pack or still raving about the Gangster Turtles 4-Pack, trust me — this one’s going to fit right in.

NECA Fifth Turtle April O’Neil Pre-order & Release Date and Where to Buy

Mark your calendars and glue your wallets shut: the NECA Fifth Turtle April O’Neil figure is officially set for release on April 29, 2025. Pre-orders are already live through NECA’s online shop and select retailers like Target and BigBadToyStore.

Best bet is to hit up NECA’s official channels first. Scalpers are lurking like Foot Clan ninjas, so don’t wait if you want this oddball slice of TMNT history on your shelf.

Best TMNT NECA Figures 2025 – April O’Neil Fifth Turtle Spotlight

It’s already shaping up to be a strong year for NECA’s TMNT line — and while new entries like the Creepy Eddie & Shibano Sama pack are brilliant, this April O’Neil Fifth Turtle NECA figure might just steal the spotlight.

Why? Because it’s not just another turtle with different gear. It’s a completely new twist on a beloved character, pulled straight from one of the franchise’s weirder (and arguably more heartfelt) comic arcs. This figure balances nostalgia, obscurity, and fun — and in the world of toy news, that’s a triple-decker win with extra anchovies.

For hardcore TMNT collectors and casual fans alike, April’s turtle transformation offers something refreshingly different. It’s weird. It’s wonderful. It’s exactly what keeps the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fandom alive and mutating after all these years.

Let us know what you think on our Reddit page.