Teen Titans is an American animated television series based on the DC Comics series of the same name by Bob Haney and Bruno Premiani. Developed by Glen Murakami, Sam Register, and David Slack for Cartoon Network and Kids' WB. The series was produced by DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation with Sander Schwartz serving as executive producer and Glen Murakami, Bruce Timm, and Linda M. Steiner signing on as producers. The series follows the adventures of a team of crime-fighting teenaged superheroes, consisting of the leader Robin (voiced by Scott Menville), foreign alien princess Starfire (voiced by Hynden Walch), the technological genius Cyborg (voiced by Khary Payton), the dark sorceress Raven (voiced by Tara Strong), and the green shapeshifter Beast Boy (voiced by Greg Cipes).

Inspired by the success of the DC Comics based series Justice League, the series was created in a semi-serialized format, utilizing anime styles and mixing it with American style animation. The show was greenlit in September 2002 and began airing on Cartoon Network on July 19, 2003, and on Kids' WB on November 1, 2003.[1][2][3] The series lasted five seasons, each consisting of 13 episodes, with the 65th and final episode airing on January 16, 2006. The series was concluded with a television movie titled Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo on September 15, 2006. Each season has a story arc revolving around a main character: Robin (season one), Terra (season two), Cyborg (season three), Raven (season four), and Beast Boy (season five).[4] The series's alternative network, Kids' WB, aired two seasons of the show. All five seasons of the series were released on DVD, starting with the first season on February 7, 2006 and ending with the fifth season on July 22, 2008. All seasons were also released on Blu-ray Disc, with the first season released on January 23, 2018 and a complete series box-set released on December 3, 2019.[5][6]

Teen Titans has been critically acclaimed for its strong storylines and for its use of anime influences.[7][8] The first season garnered strong ratings for Cartoon Network;[citation needed] the network had initially ordered 52 episodes of the series.[9] The series was also nominated for 3 Annie Awards.[10]

Series overview

Each season contains a distinct story arc that is centered on a specific Titan on the team. (A similar setup was later used by WB/DC for The Batman.) Starfire is the only individual member who was part of the original roster to not have a season focused on her, she was instead focused on in the movie.

SeasonEpisodesOriginally airedSeason-centric Titan(s)[4]
First airedLast aired
113July 19, 2003 (2003-07-19)January 26, 2004 (2004-01-26)Robin
213March 10, 2004 (2004-03-10)August 21, 2004 (2004-08-21)Terra
313August 28, 2004 (2004-08-28)January 22, 2005 (2005-01-22)Cyborg
SpecialJanuary 3, 2005 (2005-01-03)—
413January 29, 2005 (2005-01-29)July 16, 2005 (2005-07-16)Raven
513September 24, 2005 (2005-09-24)January 16, 2006 (2006-01-16)Beast Boy
MovieSeptember 15, 2006 (2006-09-15)Starfire
CrossoverSeptember 24, 2019 (2019-09-24)—

Episodes

Season 1 (2003)

Main article: Teen Titans (season 1)
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code
11"Final Exam"Michael ChangRob HoegeeJuly 19, 2003 (2003-07-19)385-903
22"Sisters"Alex SotoAmy WolframJuly 26, 2003 (2003-07-26)385–902
33"Divide and Conquer"Ciro NieliDavid SlackAugust 2, 2003 (2003-08-02)385-901
44"Forces of Nature"Ciro NieliAdam BeechenAugust 16, 2003 (2003-08-16)385–904
55"The Sum of His Parts"Alex SotoDavid SlackAugust 23, 2003 (2003-08-23)385-905
66"Nevermore"Michael ChangGreg Klein & Tom PugsleyAugust 30, 2003 (2003-08-30)385-906
77"Switched"Ciro NieliRick CoppSeptember 6, 2003 (2003-09-06)385-907
88"Deep Six"Alex SotoMarv WolfmanSeptember 13, 2003 (2003-09-13)385-908
99"Masks"Michael ChangGreg Klein & Tom PugsleySeptember 20, 2003 (2003-09-20)385-909
1010"Mad Mod"Ciro NieliAdam BeechenSeptember 27, 2003 (2003-09-27)385-910
11
12		11
12		"Apprentice"Michael Chang & Ciro NieliDavid SlackOctober 4, 2003 (2003-10-04)385-912
October 11, 2003 (2003-10-11)385-913
1313"Car Trouble"Alex SotoAmy WolframNovember 11, 2003 (2003-11-11)385-911

Season 2 (2004)

Main article: Teen Titans (season 2)
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code
141"How Long Is Forever?"Alex SotoDavid SlackJanuary 10, 2004 (2004-01-10)257-321
152"Every Dog Has His Day"Michael ChangRob HoegeeJanuary 17, 2004 (2004-01-17)257-322
163"Terra"Ciro NieliAmy WolframJanuary 24, 2004 (2004-01-24)257-323
174"Only Human"Alex SotoAdam BeechenJanuary 31, 2004 (2004-01-31)257-324
185"Fear Itself"Michael ChangDwayne McDuffieFebruary 7, 2004 (2004-02-07)257-325
196"Date with Destiny"Ciro NieliRick CoppFebruary 14, 2004 (2004-02-14)257-326
207"Transformation"Alex SotoRob HoegeeFebruary 21, 2004 (2004-02-21)257-327
218"Titan Rising"Michael ChangAmy WolframFebruary 28, 2004 (2004-02-28)257-328
229"Winner Take All"Ciro NieliDwayne McDuffieMarch 6, 2004 (2004-03-06)257-329
2310"Betrayal"Alex SotoAmy WolframJuly 31, 2004 (2004-07-31)257-330
2411"Fractured"Michael ChangDavid SlackAugust 7, 2004 (2004-08-07)257-331
25
26		12
13		"Aftershock"Ciro Nieli & Alex SotoDavid Slack & Amy WolfmanAugust 14, 2004 (2004-08-14)257-332
August 21, 2004 (2004-08-21)257-333

Season 3 (2004–05)

Main article: Teen Titans (season 3)
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code		 Viewers
(millions)
271"Deception"Michael ChangRob HoegeeAugust 28, 2004 (2004-08-28)257–4810.86[11]
282"X"Ben JonesDavid SlackSeptember 4, 2004 (2004-09-04)257–482N/A
293"Betrothed"Alex SotoAmy WolframSeptember 11, 2004 (2004-09-11)257–483N/A
304"Crash"Michael ChangRick CoppSeptember 18, 2004 (2004-09-18)257–4841.68[12]
315"Haunted"Ben JonesAdam BeechenOctober 2, 2004 (2004-10-02)257–485N/A
326"Spellbound"Alex SotoDavid SlackOctober 9, 2004 (2004-10-09)257–486N/A
337"Revolution"Michael ChangJohn EspositoOctober 16, 2004 (2004-10-16)257–487N/A
348"Wavelength"Ben JonesGreg Klein & Thomas PugsleyOctober 23, 2004 (2004-10-23)257–488N/A
359"The Beast Within"Alex SotoDavid SlackOctober 30, 2004 (2004-10-30)257–489N/A
3610"Can I Keep Him?"Christopher Berkeley & Michael ChangRichard Elliott & Simon RacioppaNovember 6, 2004 (2004-11-06)257–4901.20[13]
3711"Bunny Raven... or... How to Make a Titananimal Disappear"Ben JonesLouis Hirshorn & Joelle SellnerJanuary 8, 2005 (2005-01-08)257–491N/A
38
39		12
13		"Titans East"Alex SotoMarv WolfmanJanuary 15, 2005 (2005-01-15)257–492N/A
Michael ChangDavid SlackJanuary 22, 2005 (2005-01-22)257–4932.14[14]

Season 4 (2005)

Main article: Teen Titans (season 4)
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code		U.S. viewers
(millions)
401"Don't Touch That Dial"Ben JonesDavid SlackJanuary 29, 2005 (2005-01-29)257–4941.36[15]
412"The Quest"Ben JonesAmy WolframFebruary 5, 2005 (2005-02-05)257–4971.73[16]
423"Birthmark"Michael ChangDavid SlackFebruary 12, 2005 (2005-02-12)257–496N/A
434"Cyborg the Barbarian"Alex SotoRichard Elliott & Simon RacioppaFebruary 19, 2005 (2005-02-19)257–4950.90[17]
445"Employee of the Month"Alex SotoRob HoegeeMay 21, 2005 (2005-05-21)257–498N/A
456"Troq"Michael ChangAmy WolframMay 28, 2005 (2005-05-28)257–4990.94[18]
467"The Prophecy"Ben JonesGreg Klein & Tom PugsleyJune 4, 2005 (2005-06-04)257–5001.05[19]
478"Stranded"Alex SotoMelody FoxJune 11, 2005 (2005-06-11)257–501N/A
489"Overdrive"Michael ChangDavid SlackJune 18, 2005 (2005-06-18)257–502N/A
4910"Mother Mae-Eye"Ben JonesDavid SlackJune 25, 2005 (2005-06-25)257–5031.23[20]
50
51
52		11
12
13		"The End"Alex SotoAmy WolframJuly 2, 2005 (2005-07-02)257–5041.41[21]
Michael ChangRob HoegeeJuly 9, 2005 (2005-07-09)257–5051.02[15]
Ben JonesDavid SlackJuly 16, 2005 (2005-07-16)257–5061.36[15]

Season 5 (2005–06)

Main article: Teen Titans (season 5)
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code
53
54		1
2		"Homecoming"Michael ChangRob HoegeeSeptember 24, 2005 (2005-09-24)507
Ben JonesRichard Elliott & Simon RacioppaOctober 1, 2005 (2005-10-01)508
553"Trust"Matt YoungbergAmy WolframOctober 8, 2005 (2005-10-08)509
564"For Real"Michael ChangMelody FoxOctober 15, 2005 (2005-10-15)510
575"Snowblind"Ben JonesRob HoegeeOctober 29, 2005 (2005-10-29)511
586"Kole"Matt YoungbergAmy WolframNovember 5, 2005 (2005-11-05)512
597"Hide and Seek"Michael ChangAmy WolframNovember 12, 2005 (2005-11-12)513
608"Lightspeed"Ben JonesRob Hoegee, George Pérez & Marv WolfmanDecember 3, 2005 (2005-12-03)514
619"Revved Up"Matt YoungbergJohn EspositoDecember 10, 2005 (2005-12-10)515
6210"Go!"Michael ChangDavid SlackDecember 17, 2005 (2005-12-17)516
6311"Calling All Titans (1)"Ben JonesAmy WolframJanuary 7, 2006 (2006-01-07)517
6412"Titans Together (2)"Matt YoungbergRob HoegeeJanuary 14, 2006 (2006-01-14)518
6513"Things Change"Michael ChangAmy WolframJanuary 16, 2006 (2006-01-16)519

Specials

Special episode (2005)

TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
"The Lost Episode"Matt YoungbergRick CoppJanuary 10, 2005 (2005-01-10) (online)
February 6, 2007 (DVD)

A new villain called Punk Rocket sets off shock waves playing loud music on his guitar, which releases destructive sonic waves, and wants to spread "The Sound of Chaos".

Villain(s): Punk Rocket, H.I.V.E Headmistress (cameo at concert), Mad Mod (cameo at concert), Wintergreen (cameo at concert), Amazing Mumbo (human form; cameo at concert)

Television film (2006)

TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
Teen Titans: Trouble in TokyoMichael Chang, Ben Jones & Matt YoungbergDavid SlackSeptember 15, 2006 (2006-09-15)

Crossover film (2019)

TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
Teen Titans Go! vs. Teen TitansJeff MednikowMarly Halpern-Graser & Jeremy AdamsSeptember 24, 2019 (2019-09-24) (Digital)
October 15, 2019 (2019-10-15) (DVD)

Home media

From September 28, 2004 to September 20, 2005, Warner Brothers released three volumes (the entire first season and the first six season two episodes) of the series, but cancelled other volumes. From February 7, 2006 to July 22, 2008, currently released complete season releases on two-disc sets. On October 2, 2018, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment released the complete series box set on the seven-disc set, and on Blu-ray on December 3, 2019.

Season Episodes Release date
Region 1
1 2003 13 Volume 1: Divide and Conquer: September 28, 2004
Episode(s): "The final exam" – "Nevermore"
Volume 2: Switched: April 12, 2005
Episode(s): "Switched" – "Car Trouble"
The Complete First Season: February 7, 2006; October 2, 2018 (complete series re-release); January 23, 2018; December 3, 2019 (Blu-ray release)
2 2004 13 Volume 3: Fear Itself: September 20, 2005
Episode(s): "How Long Is Forever?" – "Date with Destiny"
The Complete Second Season: September 12, 2006; October 2, 2018 (complete series re-release); December 3, 2019 (Blu-ray release)
3 2004–05 13 April 10, 2007; October 2, 2018 (complete series re-release)
December 3, 2019 (Blu-ray release)
4 2005 13 November 20, 2007; October 2, 2018 (complete series re-release)
December 3, 2019 (Blu-ray release)
5 2005–06 13 July 8, 2008; October 2, 2018 (complete series re-release)
December 3, 2019 (Blu-ray release)
Specials 2006–07 2 Trouble in Tokyo + "The Lost Episode": February 6, 2007; December 3, 2019 (Blu-ray release)

References

  1. ^ Godfrey, Leigh (September 30, 2002). "New Superhero Series Greenlit For Cartoon Network And Kids' WB!". Animation World Network. AWN, Inc.
  2. ^ DeMott, Rick (July 22, 2003). "Teen Titans Premiere Sets Cartoon Net Records". Animation World Network. AWN, Inc. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
  3. ^ Baisley, Sarah (October 31, 2003). "Xiaolin Showdown Premieres On New Kids' WB! Sked". Animation World Network. AWN, Inc. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
  4. ^ a b "Five Seasons of Murakanime - Titanstower.com". Retrieved 17 December 2018.
  5. ^ Lussier, Germain. "Fans Can Finally Own a Great Version of the Original Teen Titans Series". io9. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
  6. ^ "TEEN TITANS complete series Blu-ray collection announced".
  7. ^ McEntire, Mac (October 25, 2006). "Teen Titans: The Complete Second Season". DVD Verdict. Verdict Partners, LLC. Archived from the original on 4 November 2014. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
  8. ^ Cornelius, David (February 7, 2006). "Teen Titans - The Complete First Season". DVD Talk. Internet Brands. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
  9. ^ Strike, Joe (November 24, 2003). "What Makes a Hit a Hit?". Animation World Network. AWN, Inc. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
  10. ^ "Teen Titans - Awards". Internet Movie Database. Amazon.com. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
  11. ^ http://ftp.futoncritic.com/ratings/2004/08/31/cartoon-network-charts-best-month-best-summer-ever-in-kids-boys-total-day-ratings-delivery-16820/20040831cartoon01/
  12. ^ "Latest Toonami Ratings".
  13. ^ "Nice new Toonami ratings!".
  14. ^ "Cartoon Network Ratings Report for 1/17 to 1/23". January 25, 2005.
  15. ^ a b c "Toonami Ratings Press Release".
  16. ^ Vasquez, Diego (February 4, 2005). "Ashlee Simpson, queen of teens. Not". Media Life Magazine. Media Life. Archived from the original on August 31, 2011. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  17. ^ "Ratings - Monday-Sunday Miguzi Leads Delivery, Ratings Growth at Cartoon Network". TheFutonCritic.com. Retrieved 2022-05-06.
  18. ^ "Ratings - Cartoon Network Sets New May Record for Highest Kids' Total Day Delivery, Ratings in Network History with Kids 6-11, Kids 2-11 and Tweens 9-14". TheFutonCritic.com. Retrieved 2022-05-06.
  19. ^ "Juniper Lee Debut in Fridays Wins 9 P.M. Kids 6-11 Demos on All TV" (Press release). The Futon Critic. June 7, 2005. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  20. ^ "Toonami Ratings - 2nd Quarter 2005".
  21. ^ "Originals Teen Titans and the Life & Times of Juniper Lee Earn Triple-Digit Gains Among Target Audiences for Cartoon Network" (Press release). The Futon Critic. July 6, 2005. Retrieved 4 March 2015.

External links

Teen Titans and Teen Titans Go!
Categories