9 Most Badass Elder Masters In Martial Arts Movies

Is your martial arts instructor a humanoid-rat that hangs out in the sewers? So what?, I say. To each their own. At first glance, being trained by a giant rodent probably is not the most appealing prospect for any aspiring ninja, but when you are a teenage mutant turtle, your choices are narrowed down immediately. Do not despair, we're not talking about any run-of-the-mill mouse. This is Splinter, the one who shredded the Shredder's face.

Despite coming from humble origins, Splinter managed to raise four boys as a single father, as well as build a loving and protecting home environment. His family's residence is the aforementioned sewers, but don't get hung up on small details. After all, home is where the pizza is. I think that's how that saying goes.

Come the climactic battle of the film, and not even the combined efforts of the four turtles are enough to defeat Shredder. When Splinter finally appears to save the day, it is revealed that his sworn enemy is actually Oroku Saki, the same man who killed the rat's master so many years ago. It is a profoundly gratifying defeat since Splinter is the one that secures the villain's doom.