The Purple Dragons (or Purple Dragon Gang) are a fictional New York street gang.
The Purple Dragon Gang is from the Lower East Side in New York City. They often are led by Hun, and usually have some connection to the Shredder though not always. They are particularly known for their salient transition icon, the image of a purple dragon, which they wear as either a tattoo or on their clothes. Their criminal dealings are primarily in racketeering, robberies, and arms trafficking.
In the 2003 animated series and in its derived movie Turtles Forever, the Purple Dragons have a long-lasting appearance.
In the 2003 series, the Purple Dragons, along with the Foot Clan, are one of the two powerful factions in New York that serve Oroku Saki (the Shredder). Just like in their precursors, the Dragons are a simple, though very numerically strong street gang. The gang is led by Hun, the Utrom Shredder's right-hand man. Because of Hun's loyalty to the Shredder, they work in conjunction with the Foot Clan, and do the jobs in which the skills of the Foot Ninja are not needed.
In order to join the Purple Dragons, candidates have to commit several crimes with gang members. After that, the prospects have to battle other candidates in an elimination match. If they did well enough, they would be given the tattoo and become a full member.[1]
History[]
Hun and the Purple Dragons
From the first season, the Purple Dragons were fairly regular enemies of the Turtles after they foiled an attempted robbery with the use of an armored car. In the series, Hun and the Dragons are the hated enemies of Casey Jones and the reason why Casey Jones turned to vigilantism. As a kid, Casey's father's shop was burnt down by the Purple Dragons after his father refused to pay protection money.[2] Despite being threatened not to, his father later went to the police over it. It is implied that he was murdered for doing so.
When the Purple Dragons, the Foot Clan, and the New York Mob went to war to take over the Shredder's territory, Hun led the former.
Initially, the Purple Dragons funded themselves through thieving, bag snatching and protection rackets. In the aftermath of the Utrom Shredder's exile by the Utroms, Hun began to strengthen the Purple Dragons, developing them from just a street gang to a city-wide professional organized crime syndicate. They began to steal illegal goods, particularly high-tech Triceratons and Federation weaponry from the government, but once also accidentally abducted a mutant, J. Finn. Hun also broke his previous connection with the Foot Clan to spread the Purple Dragon's influence in the city.
The Lost Episodes[]
When the Tengu Shredder turned New York City into a demonic capital, the Purple Dragons were holed up in their stronghold. They joined forces with the Turtles, EPF, and the Justice Force to stop the Shredder.
Fast Forward[]
The Purple Dragons appear in the episodes Clash of the Turtle Titans and The Journal.
Back to the Sewer[]
A year later, they were shocked to find the Turtles were still alive, having been told by Hun that he finished them off. Later on, there has been word that the Shredder is coming back, so Hun has the Purple Dragons locate Ying's Ring to grant him the power to stand up against the Shredder. They get the wrong one and the right one gets on April O'Neil. Hun captured her to extract it but she turns into a monster and flies off.
A territorial war with the Foot broke out. Hun struck an alliance with Baxter Stockman to develop weapons and hack into the Foot database to find treasure troves to rob.
Turtles Forever[]
The Purple Dragons appear in this special. Mohawk was exposed to the Mutagen and transformed into a mutant dog.
Trivia[]
- In the official Serbian dub, the Purple Dragons are referred to as "Red Dragons".
Gallery[]
References[]
- ↑ TMNT 2003 Episode Fallen Angel.
- ↑ TMNT 2003 Episode Meet Casey Jones.