With the new "Titans" series incoming, and a new animated movie in theaters based on Cartoon Network's "Teen Titans Go!" I thought it was a good time to look back on the first "Teen Titans" animated series that aired back in 2003-2006. I wasn't watching many American cartoons by that point, being deep in my otaku phase, but I always enjoyed it. Below, find my Top Ten for the series Entries are unranked and ordered by air date. Spoilers will be kept to a minimum.
"Nevermore" - Raven is my favorite character, being the ultimate moody, introverted teenage girl who just wants to angst in peace. Her arc is all about letting people into her world, and it's a very strange one as Cyborg and Beast Boy discover here. I love the spooky imagery and the different versions of Raven that make an appearance. Alas, the series never really revisited most of these concepts, though Raven would get a lot of attention later on.
"Mad Mod" - The Malcolm McDowell voiced the British villain Mad Mod turns the Titans' world upside down with his reality-warping holograms and robots. The episode is one big homage to the psychedelic '60s and British animation, including Terry Gilliam's work on "Monty Python" and the Beatles' "Yellow Submarine." Of course, "Clockwork Orange" gets a reference too. Of the "Teen Titans'" sillier, wackier episodes, this one was easily my favorite.
"Apprentice Part II" - The first season culminates in a two-parter and Robin having his big showdown with Slade, who is the show's best villain. Voiced by Ron Perlman, Slade is a legitimately creepy and intimidating presence, but still appropriate for a kids' show. This episode also marks the occasion by throwing in the most blatant Batman references that would ever appear in "Teen Titans." Not that the show needs any of Batman's mojo by this point.
"How Long Is Forever?" - The second season starts off with a bang. Starfire is sent to the future to see what becomes of the Titans when they are no longer a team. I always like "darkest timeline" stories, and this is no exception, though things are kept very kid-friendly with a nice lesson and a happy ending to wrap things up. It's also a good showcase for Starfire, the lovable alien girl who one of the show's better creations. I just wish we could have seen her future too.
"Terra" - I always liked the Terra and Beast Boy relationship because these two act like real kids, have a lot of baggage, and make so many mistakes. Terra becoming one of the big players in the second season always felt a little toothless compared to how things played out in the comics, but I liked the earlier episodes of her with the Titans. There's enough ambiguity there to be interesting, without the full force of the teen melodrama erupting just yet.
"Birthmark" - Boy is this an eventful birthday for Raven, and we eventually find out the reasons why she's so loathe to celebrate. Her big arc in the fourth season is a metaphor for dealing with an abusive past, and this is the episode that kicks it all off. The nightmarish scenes with Raven and Trigon are really pushing the show's usual limits, but they're also very effective. And so is the ending with her friends still trying to be there for her when it counts.
"The End Part 3" - It's very satisfying to watch Raven stand up to her fears and to the villain Trigon. The whole three-part finale is a lot of fun with the temporary alliance with an old enemy, evil doppelgangers, and a lot of fancy magical fighting. However, Raven getting to let loose and power up was definitely my favorite bit. She never really got the spotlight in the same way after this, but that was fine with me. The fourth season gave her plenty.
"Lightspeed" - None of the regulars appeared in this episode, but it might be my favorite of the series. Jinx, a villain character who barely got any development in earlier episodes, finds herself at a moral crossroads. She can choose villainy and follow in the footsteps of her idol, Madame Rouge, or listen to the advice of the infuriating superhero Kid Flash, and walk away from the fight. It's a very sweet, very well executed little stand-alone story.
"Calling All Titans" and "Titans Together" - The big series finale is probably a little too much of a good thing, but I love that everyone gets to go out on a big brawl. The storyline with Beast Boy leading a team of the leftover hero kids is really appealing. Notably, this is not the end of the series, though. The last episode is the thoughtful epilogue "Things Change," which is a very brave story that I'm giving Honorable Mention status, but it's not as much fun as the episodes that preceded it.
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