Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo (2006)

Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo (2006)

Dirs. Michael Chang + Ben Jones + Matt Youngberg

A feature-length adventure set after the end of the Teen Titans TV Series (2003-06). It's a movie in its own right, but can be seen as a series finale, too, which helps salve the feeling that the series didn't get a satisfying final episode of its own.

The mini heroes go to Tokyo in pursuit of a bad guy, and despite Robin insisting that it's not a vacation, the rest of the team don't pay much attention to him - Beast Boy, in particular.

It's funny, fast-paced, well-written, full of heart, and has wonderful characterisation. The Titans are voiced by the same actors as they were in the series, with the addition of Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa and Keone Young on the Japanese side.

As well as tackling the main villain, the team members have their own challenges to overcome.

Teen Titans (2003-06)

Teen Titans (2003-06)

5 seasons | 65 episodes total, approx 22 mins each.

From front centre and going clockwise, the TT's are Robin, Beast Boy, Raven, Starfire, and Cyborg.

Their base of operations is a T-shaped skyscraper named Titans Tower, located on an island in Jump City bay. Besides the obligatory training rooms and gym, it has a large TV for movies and video games because even superheroes need a hobby.

Just like their elder peers in the DC universe, the teens defend the world from those that would threaten personal freedoms, all while battling personal conflicts. The latter may be unique to each member, but more often than not problems are best resolved through teamwork, highlighting the importance of acknowledging and accepting individual strengths and weaknesses, which is a theme that defines the series, overall.

Teen Titans: The Judas Contract (2017)

Teen Titans: The Judas Contract (2017)

Dir. Sam Liu

A second DCAMU outing for the super-powered youths, this time based on a story arc of the same name by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez that featured in The New Teen Titans comic book. I've not read the full arc, so can't say how faithful it is or isn't.

It also functions as a sequel to the previous year's Justice League vs Teen Titans (2016) animated feature, which I have seen. From that perspective, it's merely an okay movie.

The character that was teased in the closing credits of the previous movie is now a member of the group. Her name is Tara (Christina Ricci). As with any established collective, a new face has an effect on the team dynamic, but she plays a major role and is the focus of many of the story's themes.

Justice League vs Teen Titans (2016)

Justice League vs Teen Titans (2016)

Dir. Sam Liu

While the 'heroes vs other heroes' thing isn't a new concept for DC, it was pleasing to see the Teen Titans included in the continuity of the DCAMU movies because, while I'm not as familiar with the group in comic book form, I loved the 2003-06 animated series. And  their involvement gave the writers an opportunity to address concerns that the Justice League might not be best equipped to tackle alone.

A connection to the Titans is made when Batman, tired of Damian's pissy attitude, sends the boy to Titan Towers in the hope that time spent with crusaders of his own age will help him to learn the value of teamwork. (And secretly he maybe just wanted some time away from the little turd for a while.)