The initial idea to create a "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" animated series was a result of California toy manufacturer Playmates Toys' initial uncertainty of the comic-book characters' small cult following upon being approached to create a toy line based on the property. The company requested that a television deal be acquired first, and after the initial five-episode series debuted, they released their first series of Ninja Turtles action figures in the summer of 1988. The two media would correspond in marketing and popularity for many years to come.