Answers with Minae Noji

Answer 1

What's it like to play Karai, a high-ranking member of a ninja organization and an enemy of the Turtles?

I've been a fan of TMNT since I was a young girl, so getting the opportunity to play Karai was a dream come true. I used to fantasize about what it would be like to have a slumber party in the Turtle's lair and eat Pizza with the Turtles. So when I walked onto set and entered the TMNT universe, it really was surreal. And by the way, who doesn't want to be a ninja???

Answer 2

The Japanese word 'Karai' best translates to the English phrase 'extremely severe or spicy.' Does Karai's name fit her character in the movie?

Ooooo...Karai is spicier than a Habanero pepper on a hot summers day ... without a glass of water.

Answer 3

The Turtles are Noel Fisher (Michelangelo), Jeremy Howard (Donatello), Alan Ritchson (Raphael), and Pete Ploszek (Leonardo). What was the filming process like with the artists dressed up, pre-CGI?

They wore these tight unitards with triangles on them and had odd head contraptions with little balls on antennas standing on top of their heads. Not the sexiest look in the world, but those boys pulled it off!

Answer 4

Who's your favorite Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle and why?

My nickname growing up was Donatella...so it's pretty clear who my turtle was. Donatello is and will always be my favorite turtle. He's not only strong, kind and hilarious....but he is an ocean of knowledge and can troubleshoot any computer in seconds. There is nothing like a big brain, a big personality and a big heart. Karai and Donnie forever! I'm carving that on the bark of a tree right now. ;)

Answer 5

Did you play a lot of video games as a kid? Which were your favorites?

I'm a huge gamer and I love Video Games. Growing up, I played Donkey Kong, Asteroids, Centipede and Ms. Pac-Man, but my ultimate favorite was Tetris. I was quite good at the game and competed in college. As a grown up, I adore first person shooter games like Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six and the Halo series'. My weapon of choice is the sniper.I came up with my own quote for video games that I apply towards life: "Use your grenades." Very often in a video game, you have a limited amount of grenades per stage. So you hold on to them in anticipation of needing them down the line when things get tough...but then you reach the end of the stage, realizing you never used any your grenades. What a waste of grenades! My quote: Use your grenades--means don't hold back in life. Use all the magic and power you have within you and go for it, because you never know when it will all end.

Answer 6

Quick! Pick one: video games or movies. Do you have a favorite? Why?

This is too difficult to choose! I guess if I HAD to pick one, it would be movies. Great movies, no matter how old they are, will stand the test of time. My favorite movies are: Being There with Peter Sellers and Shirley MacLaine, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels with Steve Martin and Michael Caine and The Neverending Story. I named my car Luck after the Luck Dragon and have a plant in my house named Atreyu.

Answer 7

You've been in a lot of action movies and video games. What draws you to that genre of entertainment?

I've always been drawn to strong women on screen and in life. And I'm not just talking about physical strength. I'm also talking about the strength of one's spirit. The spirit that says, "Okay, I'm scared. But I'm going to do it anyways." Stories with action in them tend to have an underlying message of fortitude and standing up for oneself. I dig that.

Answer 8

What's your secret for staying in shape?

I grew up as a dancer, so I love taking dance classes. I'm currently really into tap dancing. I'm also a huge walker. I love to walk in my neighborhood and take in the environment, touch the grass and leaves, observe insects crawl in and out of sidewalk crevices and watch people with their dogs. At home, I like to run around on my hardwood floors and slide around ala Risky Business. It tires me out and I think it's a good workout.

Answer 9

What is going to excite Answers users the most about seeing TMNT this summer?

Everything! The action scenes in this movie are incredible! It makes you want to jump out of your seat and scream, "Cowabunga!" Also, the brotherhood and love between the Turtles and their connection with Splinter is so beautiful. I think as a community we are getting so disconnected and this movie reminds us of what is important. And man.....the Turtles are hilarious. Everyone will be rolling in their seats. I love TMNT.

Answer 10

What's next in your career?

I recently wrote, directed and starred in a new comedy web series called 'Love Midori'. It's about a perma-single young woman who is her own worst enemy, enters the shark pool of Speed Dating looking for her soul mate. It was the scariest thing I've ever done creatively since I wore so many hats on the project and I really put myself out there, but it was well worth it. You gotta "use your grenades" right? ;) Check it out! https://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=3RPWJ3Pz4Q8