The Hamato Ancestors are deceased Hamato Clan members who appear to guide the surviving members through Hamato Ninpō or mystic artifacts. The number of Hamato Ancestors is currently unknown, but there are at least 15 Ancestors depicted in "Insane in the Mama Train" (including the Mystic Aura), at least 28 Ancestors depicted in "End Game" (six Ancestors, including the Mystic Aura, that are summoned and at least 22 Ancestors shown on Splinter's shoulders), at least 15 Ancestors depicted in "Finale Part 2: Shreddy or Not" (six Ancestors shown in Hamato Karai's flashback and at least nine Ancestors Karai summons), at least 41 Ancestors depicted in "Finale Part 3: Anatawa Hitorijanai" (including Karai), and at least 29 Ancestors depicted in "Finale Part 4: Rise" (including Hamato Atsuko and Karai). Not accounting for potential recurring appearances of unnamed Ancestors.
History[]
A Hamato Ancestor was first depicted in a flashback in "Shadow of Evil". Splinter shared the legend of the Shredder's banishment to the Twilight Realm with April O'Neil as they spied on the Foot Clan.
The Hamato Ancestors debuted in "Insane in the Mama Train". Splinter used a mystic Hamato Clan scroll to call upon his Ancestors' help in what course of action to take to stop the Shredder. He was instructed by the Mystic Aura to follow Hamato tradition, teaching the Turtles traditional values and dressing the Turtles in a traditional way to prepare for their infiltration of Big Mama's train.
The Hamato Ancestors reappeared in "End Game". Splinter, with April at his side, used the mystic Hamato Clan scroll again to ask whether they should prioritize the safety of humanity or the safety of the Turtles. The Mystic Aura told Splinter to defend humanity by allowing the Foot to murder the Turtles as well as by forever protecting Skully by becoming "a complete hermit" to never leave Skully's side. Upon hearing this demand, Splinter severed communication with the Hamato Ancestors by shredding the mystic Hamato Clan scroll. Splinter then chose to disobey them and rescue the Turtles from the Foot.
In "Finale Part 2: Shreddy or Not", a few Hamato Ancestors were depicted in a flashback as Hamato Karai shared the history of the Hamato Clan. She later briefly summoned some Hamato Ancestors as a demonstration of Hamato Ninpō.
Karai showed Raphael many generations of Hamato Ancestors to console him "Finale Part 3: Anatawa Hitorijanai" with Hamato Ninpō.
Hamato Atsuko ushered in her fellow Hamato ancestors to help defeat the Shredder during the battle at the Crying Titan in "Finale Part 4: Rise". Their aggregated Hamato Ninpō formed a mystic spear and a single Hamato body, impaling the Shredder and destroying the Kuroi Yōroi.