Franchise FAQ

how much is teenage mutant ninja turtles franchise worth

by Eulalia Kohler Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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NORTH ADAMS -- After 25 years of chronicling the adventures of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, co-creator and city native Peter Laird has sold the franchise to Nickelodeon for a reported $60 million.Oct 30, 2009

Full Answer

How much money do the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles make?

By 1995, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise had earned $6 billion in revenues. Today, there is a resurgence in the Turtles' popularity with the success of the recent animated series, a new line of Playmates action figures, Konami video games, and a computer-animated feature film that came out in 2007. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Who owns the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles?

Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird released the first Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) comic book in 1984. Soon after, Mark Friedman, a licensing agent, approached Eastman and Laird about merchandising the franchise.

How many copies did the first Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic book sell?

This first edition Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic book was part of a limited-printing run of 3,250 copies. The comic was self-published and printed in black and white.

How much is a 1998 Ninja Turtles toy worth?

When in its original packaging, the toy can sell for over $500. Even without its packaging, the toy in otherwise excellent condition with its original accessories can sell for over $100. A 1998 NIB Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Technodrome Scout Vehicle by Playmates sold recently for $99.99.

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What is the Ninja Turtles franchise worth?

The worldwide rights to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles brand have been sold to Viacom division Nickelodeon, for a sum of approximately USD 60 million (GBP 36.3 million).

Who owns the Ninja Turtle franchise?

NickelodeonTeenage Mutant Ninja TurtlesFranchise logoCreated byKevin Eastman Peter LairdOriginal workTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1984)OwnerMirage Studios (1984–2009) Nickelodeon (Paramount) (2009–present)13 more rows

How much did it cost to make Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles?

13.5 million USDTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles / Budget

How much did Eastman sell TMNT?

In 2009, he sold the Turtles to the media conglomerate for $60 million, and the Turtles continue to thrive under the Nickelodeon brand. Though Eastman “got nothing,” he continues to act as consultant on the new movies, shows, and wrote several volumes of the reboot comic under IDW.

Is TMNT part of Marvel?

TMNT are neither Marvel or DC. When the Turtles were first created, they were owned by Mirage comics.

How many ninja turtles are left?

Four. Their names are: Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, and Michelangelo.

Who is the oldest ninja turtle?

LeoLeo is the oldest and most mature of the turtles & second oldest of Splinter's children, he is the fearless leader of the Ninja Turtles.

How tall is Raphael in TMNT?

Known Relatives: Leonardo (Brother), Donatello (Brother), Michelangelo (Brother), Splinter (“Father”). Group Affiliation: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Base Of Operations: Sewers of New York. Height: 4'6” Weight: 150 lbs.

Who is the Purple ninja turtle?

DonatelloFor the TV show, TMNT creator Peter Laird decided to give each Turtle a different color to make it easier to tell them apart: Leonardo has a blue bandana, Raphael a red bandana, Donatello a purple bandana and Michelangelo an orange bandana.

Why are TMNT comics so expensive?

In addition to the near-immediate success that TMNT became, this issue has always been pricey in high grade due to a print run of around 3,000 copies, a mostly black cover that makes even the smallest defects obvious, and a non-standard size that historically made it a slight storage challenge compared to standard- ...

Will TMNT The Last Ronin be a movie?

While there are currently no plans to bring Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin to either live-action or animation, this fan-made film certainly demonstrates how well the material could translate to screen should the studio ever decide to take the franchise down this much darker route ala The Dark Knight ...

Why did Eastman sell TMNT?

Eastman wanted to move on to other projects. The buyout was completed on March 1, 2008. In 2011, Eastman began working with the TMNT series again as a writer and artist on the IDW comic series, as well as an adviser on the 2014 reboot of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film series.

Who owns the rights to TMNT games?

Ubisoft is a video game developer and publisher. After Konami's long hold on the TMNT video games license, Ubisoft secured the rights.

Is TMNT owned by Warner Bros?

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is the first collaboration between Warner Bros. and Nickelodeon (once co-owned by then-parent Warner Communications until 1985), and the first Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film to be distributed by Warner Bros. in the United States since TMNT.

Does paramount own TMNT?

The film is a co-production between Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies.

Who created Ninja Turtles?

Kevin EastmanPeter LairdTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles/Creators

What is the biggest release of the week?

The biggest release of the week is Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, which is coming out on a 3D Blu-ray Combo Pack. However, it is also one of the worst big releases of the year. There are some releases that are contenders for Pick of the week, including Extant: Season 1 on DVD or Blu-ray, Tootsie on Blu-ray, and The Americans: Season 2 on DVD.

Is Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles season 3 out?

Yeah, it's a bit of a mess .

How much did the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise make?

By 1995, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise had earned $6 billion in revenues. Today, there is a resurgence in the Turtles' popularity with the success of the recent animated series, a new line of Playmates action figures, Konami video games, and a computer-animated feature film that came out in 2007.

When did the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles first come out?

The first issue of Eastman and Laird's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles premiered in May, 1984, at a comic book convention held at a local Sheraton Hotel in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. It was published by Mirage Studios in an oversized magazine-style format using black & white artwork on cheap newsprint, limited to a print run of only 3,000 copies. The small print runs made these early comics instant collector items, and within months they were trading for over fifty times their cover price. The name "Mirage Studios" was chosen because of Eastman and Laird's lack of a professional art studio at the start of their career, before their creation made them both multi-millionaires.

What was the first ninja turtle game?

Among the first licensed products to feature the Ninja Turtles was a pen-and-paper RPG titled Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles & Other Strangeness , published by Palladium Books in 1985 and featuring original comics and illustrations by Eastman and Laird themselves. The game features a large list of animals, including pandas and sparrows, that are available as mutant player characters. There were several more titles in this genre, including Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures!, Truckin' Turtles, Turtles Go Hollywood, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Guide to the Universe, and Transdimensional Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. In 1986, Dark Horse Miniatures in Boise, Idaho produced an attendant set of lead figurines; unlike later incarnations the bandanas on the store's display set were painted all black before the multicolored versions were released to help younger readers distinguish between the four characters other than their weaponry. Palladium allowed the license to lapse in 2000, in part due to declining sales stemming from the "kiddification" of the animated and live-action incarnations to that point. However, Palladium's publisher, Kevin Siembieda, indicated in 2007 a potential willingness to revisit the license given the franchise's recent moves closer to its roots.

What is the second Turtles movie?

The second film, entitled Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze, expands on the Turtles' origin story while claiming the distinction as Vanilla Ice's film debut. It also introduced the Turtles ' human friend Keno ( Ernie Reyes Jr.) and Shredder's mutant henchmen Tokka and Rahzar. The original story was to include Rocksteady and Bebop at the insistence of the studio, but Laird and Eastman fought tooth and nail to prevent their inclusion, settling on Tokka and Rahzar (Mark Ginther, actor, stuntman) as a compromise. [vague] The original ending to "Ooze" would also reveal the benevolent TGRI scientist, Professor Jordan Perry ( David Warner ), to have been an Utrom. But due to budget constraints, plus the fear he may be mistaken for the character Krang, [vague] the plot twist was abandoned.

What is the anime version of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles?

In addition to the American series, a Japanese exclusive two-episode anime OVA series was made in 1996, titled Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Legend of the Supermutants (ミュータント・タートルズ超人伝説偏 Mutant Turtles: Chōjin Densetsu Hen ). The OVA is similar in tone to the 1987 TV series and uses the same voices from TV Tokyo 's Japanese dub of the 1987 TV series. The first episode was made to advertise the TMNT Supermutants toys. It featured the Turtles as sentai superheroes, who gained costumes and super powers with the use of " MutaStones ", while Shredder, Bebop and Rocksteady gained super-villain powers with the use of "Dark MutaStones". As with the Super Sentai and Power Rangers franchises, the four Turtles can combine their powers to form the giant Turtle Saint. The second episode was created to advertise the Metal Mutants toys in which the characters gain Saint Seiya -esque mystical metal armor that can transform into beasts. The seven Japanese MutaStones encased in a magic mirror that control the Metal Beasts are based on the sun, moon, and the Five Elements.

Why did the Teenage Mutant Turtles change their name?

Upon TMNT's first arrival in the United Kingdom, the name was changed to "Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles" (or TMHT, for short), since local censorship policies deemed the word ninja to have excessively violent connotations for a children's program.

What is the cover of TMNT #1?

Mirage Studios. The cover of TMNT #1 is a parody of Frank Miller's Ronin. The first issue of Eastman and Laird's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles premiered in May, 1984, at a comic book convention held at a local Sheraton Hotel in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

When did the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles come out?

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles first appeared in an American comic book published by Mirage Studios in 1984 in Dover, New Hampshire. The concept arose from a humorous drawing sketched out by Eastman during a casual evening of brainstorming and bad television with Laird. Using money from a tax refund, together with a loan from Eastman's uncle, the young artists self-published a single-issue comic intended to parody four of the most popular comics of the early 1980s: Marvel Comics ’ Daredevil and New Mutants, Dave Sim ’s Cerebus, and Frank Miller ’s Ronin. The TMNT comic book series has been published in various incarnations by various comic book companies since 1984.

How many seasons of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles?

It lasted for seven seasons and 156 episodes, ending in February 2009. In 2009, cable channel Nickelodeon (a subsidiary of Viacom, now known as ViacomCBS) acquired Mirage's rights to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles property.

How are ninja turtles created?

In most versions, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are created when four baby turtles are exposed to radioactive ooze, transforming them into humanoids. Leonardo, typically the leader, is the most disciplined and skilled turtle; an expert swordsman, he wields two katana and wears a blue mask. Raphael, usually portrayed as the strongest and most reckless turtle, wears a red mask and uses a pair of sai. Donatello uses his intellect to invent gadgets and vehicles; he wears a purple mask and uses a bo staff. Michelangelo is the least disciplined and most fun-loving turtle, and is usually portrayed as the most agile. He wears an orange bandana and uses nunchucks.

What toys were made in 1987?

Toys. Main article: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles action figures. During the run of the 1987 TV series, Playmates Toys produced hundreds of TMNT action figures, along with vehicles, playsets, and accessories, becoming one of the top collectibles for children.

Why was the TMNT changed to Teenage Mutant Turtles?

Upon TMNT's first arrival in the United Kingdom, the name was changed to "Teenage Mutant 'Hero' Turtles" (or TMHT, for short) because the BBC deemed the word ninja to have excessively violent connotations for a children's program.

What was the first TMNT cartoon?

On December 28, 1987, the TMNT's first cartoon series began, starting as a five-part miniseries and becoming a regular Saturday-morning syndicated series on October 1, 1988, with 13 more episodes. The series was produced by Murakami-Wolf-Swenson Film Productions, Inc. (later Fred Wolf Films ). Mirage Studios does not own the rights to this cartoon series. The show is more lighthearted than the comics. Here, the Turtles are portrayed as four funny but serious superheroes that fight the forces of evil from their sewer hideout. They love pizza and put weird toppings on it. They make their first appearance in masks color-coded to each turtle, where previously they had all worn red. The turtles were also well known for their use of idiomatic expressions characteristic of the surfer lingo of the time, especially by Michelangelo. Words and phrases included "bummer", "dude", "bogus", "radical", "far-out", "tubuloso", "bodacious", and possibly the most recognized, "cowabunga," a nonsense expression first coined by The Howdy Doody Show ' s Chief Thunderthud.

How many seasons of Turtles are there?

In September 2012, Nickelodeon launched a computer-animated series, which ran for five seasons and ended in 2017.

Who makes TMNT toys?

One of the first such releases was 2015’s NT-01 Cerebral (Krang) figure from First Gokin, a 3rd party toy maker specializing in high-end action figures.

When was Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 published?

0. Comment. In May of 1984, a self-published comic book about an unlikely group of martial arts heroes laid the foundation for what would become a massive, media-spanning franchise. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 was the brainchild of Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird. The modest black and white publication was printed in a limited run ...

Why are the Turtles named Michelangelo?

In addition to that, Laird has also revealed that the reason why the Turtles have names based on Renaissance artists -- as opposed to monikers from the Land of the Rising Sun -- was because the duo couldn't come up with convincing Japanese names.

How much was Raphael 8?

8 RAPHAEL (1988) When creators Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 made its debut in 1984 (with a limited original print run of 3,000 copies), the book was sold for the cover price of $1.50 a copy.

Why did the turtles wear masks?

Here's a fun factoid: When the Turtles were first created for the black and white comic book in which they made their debut, they all wore black masks over their eyes. In the original book, the different weapons that each carried helped to distinguish one from another. When the Turtles were licensed for the mass consumption of kids by way of Saturday morning ‘toons, action figures, and a color comic book series from Archie Comics, the bandanas were changed to primary colors so that kids could more easily distinguish between them.

Who is the powerhouse ninja turtle?

The “Powerhouse Punk Enforcer” for the Foot Clan known as Bebop was the third of four different villains released in 1988 as part of the original Playmate Toys’ Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles action figure toyline. As a henchman serving under the evil Shredder and his Foot Clan, Bebop was third in command after Rocksteady, his troublemaking partner in crime. Despite being a bad guy, Bebop ’s punk rock fashion aesthetic -- complete with tattoos, Mohawk hairstyle, baby blue shades and high-top sneakers -- helped to make him a favorite among young fans.

How much is the 30th anniversary box?

Produced in a limited edition of 5,000 sets, Neca Toys' 2017 Comic-Con exclusive 30th Anniversary Cartoon Box was originally released with a retail price of $200, a steal considering everything this case holds. But they usually go for higher on the secondary market. At the time of this writing a set recently sold for $330.

When will Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles be released?

By Lorenz Jan Clement Published Sep 16, 2020.

Who created the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles?

Though it could be easily forgotten in today's irony-loving world, the concept of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) began as a joke. Creators Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird thought it would be pretty funny to fuse the legendary martial artist, Bruce Lee, with the least nimble animal they could think of: turtles. The end result were the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, four vigilante heroes-in-a-half-shell trained by a sewer rat whose enemies included immortal samurais, ninja clans, other mutants, and an alien with a drooling brain for abs.

How many copies of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 were recalled?

As mentioned earlier, the cover art for this variant was intended for Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1. As a result, nearly 60,000 copies were recalled and destroyed, and approximately only 1,000 error copies remained in circulation, thus making this variant a pretty rare copy to come by.

How much does a second TMNT print cost?

A second print could go from $300 to $3,600 while a third print racks up $50 to $1,000 at most.

How much is a silver cover worth?

A high-quality silver cover variant can go for over $1,100, with only 100 copies made. The gold cover (above, left), though, can be valued upward of thousands of dollars as there are only 10 copies in existence. This golden variant is without a doubt the rarest of all TMNT comic books.

Who created the Ninja Turtles?

It was re-issued for a second-printing in January 1987 due to its popularity because it featured a monumental reveal that the mysterious ooze which created the Ninja Turtles and Master Splinter was originally created by the Utroms. In terms of TMNT lore, this is a classic twist where it's revealed that the villain was inadvertently responsible for creating the heroes who'd become a thorn on his side for years to come.

Who is the reporter in the second issue of TMNT?

The second issue printed in the TMNT series features the first appearance of April O'Neil, the reporter who eventually became an integral character in TMNT lore. She even temporarily becomes one of the female Ninja Turtles at some point in the comics.

When did Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles start?

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles first started as a satirical comic by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird at Mirage Comics in 1984. It was intended to be a one-shot, but due to its popularity, it continued for years. But you may be more familiar with the 1987 TV series, which has almost nothing to do with the comics it’s based on.

Why did Playmates make TMNT toys?

When Playmates first started making TMNT toys, they only made the main characters. This was because they weren’t sure how popular the line would be at first. Another cost-saving measure was to make their first run toys with rubber heads and plastic bodies, because it’s cheaper.

When did the TMNT arcade games come out?

The TMNT arcade games by Konami were popular in the 80s, so it makes sense they’d port the game to home consoles. The second game, appropriately titled Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II, made its way to the NES in 1990.

What is a toon turtle?

Toon Turtles was an early 1990s line of toys aiming at kids even younger than those who watched the cartoon show. The packaging featured incredibly young, cotton candy, kid-friendly versions of our heroes, and “Toon Turtles” written in rainbow colors.

How much did Michelangelo's soft head sell for?

This makes the first line of toys super rare, and valuable. A so-called “soft head” Michelangelo sold recently on eBay for $692, showing just how serious collectors are about these tiny differences.

Why would a company that specializes in disgusting canned food sell toys?

Why would a company that specializes in disgusting canned food sell toys? Well, because they thought it would make them money, obviously, but its still weird. It made one eBay seller some money though, like $629.

How much is the Genghis Frog worth?

That’s it. That one slight difference makes this figure worth $500 to somebody.

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History

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles originated in an American comic book published by Mirage Studios in 1984 in New Hampshire. The concept arose from a humorous drawing sketched out by Kevin Eastman during a casual evening of brainstorming with his friend Peter Laird. Using money from a tax refund together with a loan fro…
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Main Characters

  • Main article: List of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles characters Leonardo (Leo) - The de facto leader of the Turtles, Leonardo is courageous, decisive, and a disciplined student of martial arts. As a strict adherent to Bushidō, he has a very strong sense of honor and justice. He wears a blue mask (red in the mirage/image comics) and wields a pair of Katana. He is the oldest of the four. He is …
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Powers and Abilities

  • Each turtle posses enhanced mutant strength, thanks to the mutagen that mutated them. This explains why they are able to fight and overpower beings ten times their own size, such as being able to knock out Triceratons with simple jump kicks, as well as various other monsters, aliens, and giant creatures. It's obvious that the Turtles aren't on any human level. Each of them are on …
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Comic Books

  • Mirage Studios
    The first issue of Eastman and Laird's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles premiered in May, 1984, at a comic book convention held at a local Sheraton Hotel in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. It was published by Mirage Studiosin an oversized magazine-style format using black & white artwork …
  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures
    Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures was a comic book series published from August 1988 to October 1995 by Archie Comics. The initial storylines were close adaptations of the 1987 TV series, but with the fifth issue Eastman and Laird decided to hand the book over to Mirage Studi…
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Television Series

  • First animated series
    1. Main article: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987 TV series) When little known Playmates Toys Inc. was approached about producing a TMNT action figure line, they were cautious of the risk and requested that a television deal be acquired first. On 10 December, 1987, the Teenage Muta…
  • Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation
    1. Main article: Ninja Turtles: The Next MutationIn 1997-1998, the Turtles starred in a live-action television series called Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation that directly follows the events of the first three movies. A fifth turtle was introduced, a female named "Venus de Milo" who was skilled in t…
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Feature Films

  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
    The first film, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, closely follows the storyline from the Mirage comic books, in addition to some of the more lighthearted elements of the first cartoon. This movie presents the origin story of Splinter and the Turtles, their initial encounters with April (Judith Hoa…
  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze
    The second film, entitled Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze, expands on the Turtles' origin story while claiming the distinction as Vanilla Ice's film debut. It also introduced the Turtles' human friend Keno (Ernie Reyes Jr.) and Shredder's mutant henchmen Tokka and Rahza…
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Toys and Merchandise

  • Merchandise
    Among the first licensed products to feature the Ninja Turtles was a pen-and-paper RPG titled Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles & Other Strangeness, published by Palladium Books in 1985 and featuring original comics and illustrations by Eastman and Laird themselves. The game feature…
  • Toys
    1. Main article: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles action figuresDuring the run of the 1987 TV series, Playmates Toys produced hundreds of TMNT action figures, along with vehicles, playsets, and accessories, becoming one of the top collectibles for children. Staff artists at Northampton, Mas…
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in Other Media

  • Food tie-ins
    1. Main article: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles food tie-insDuring the height of their popularity (88-91) the Turtles had a number of food tie-ins. Among the most notable of these products was Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Cereal, produced by Ralston-Purina as a kind of "Chex with TMNT …
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Live Appearances

  • Concert tour
    To capitalize on the Turtles' popularity, a concert tour was held in 1990, premiering at Radio City Music Hall on August 17. The "Coming Out of Their Shells" tour featured live-action turtles (in costumes similar to the films) playing music as a band (Donatello; keyboards, Leonardo; bass g…
  • At the Disney-MGM Studios theme park
    On June 30, 1990, the TMNT arrived in the "New York Street" section of Disney-MGM Studios theme park in Orlando. Emerging from their Turtle Party Wagon, they would "ninja dance" across the stage while April performed the theme song to the show. After the main show was done the…
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Parodies

  • Although the TMNT had originated as something of a parody, the comic's explosive success led to a wave of small-press, black & white comic parodies of TMNT itself, including Adolescent Radioactive Black Belt Hamsters, Pre-Teen Dirty-Gene Kung-Fu Kangaroos, and a host of others. Dark Horse Comics' Boris the Bear was launched in response to these TMNT clones; its first iss…
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