Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyois a 2006 American made-for-TVanimatedsuperhero filmadaptation of theDC ComicssuperheroteamTeen Titans.It is set in themilieuof theanimated seriesTeen Titansthat ran onCartoon Networkfrom 2003 to 2006, with the film serving as theseries finale.It premiered on Cartoon Network, Friday, September 15, 2006, and premiered onKids' WBthe following day.Teen Titanshead writerDavid Slackwrote the film.
| Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo | |
|---|---|
 DVD cover art featuring the main characters names inKatakana | |
| Genre | Superhero Action Science fantasy Comedy drama Romance |
| Based on | Teen Titans byBob HaneyandBruno Premiani Teen Titans byGlen Murakami |
| Written by | David Slack |
| Directed by | Michael Chang Ben Jones Matt Youngberg |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Kristopher Carter Michael McCuistion Lolita Ritmanis |
| Composers |
|
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Executive producer | Sander Schwartz |
| Producers | Glen Murakami Linda Steiner |
| Cinematography | Pepi Lenzi Tak Fujimoto |
| Editor | Joe Gall |
| Running time | 75 minutes |
| Production companies | Kadokawa Shoten DC Comics Warner Bros. Animation |
| Original release | |
| Network | Cartoon Network Kids' WB |
| Release | September 15, 2006 |
| Related | |
Plot
editThe ninja Saico-Tek, under orders from his masterBrushogun,attacks theTeen Titans's hometown of Jump City before mysteriously vanishing. Subsequently, the Titans head toTokyo,Japan,to search for Brushogun. There, they meet the Tokyo Troopers, a supernatural defense force led by CommanderUehara Daizoafter a battle against alarge monsteralso sent by Brushogun. When questioned on Brushogun, Daizo claims that he is merely an urban legend. Left with no villains to pursue, the Titans decide to enjoy Tokyo.
RobinandStarfireexpress their feelings for each other until Robin starts to focus on Brushogun again, upsetting Starfire. Investigating alone, Robin is attacked by Saico-Tek and supposedly kills him, subsequently being arrested by Daizo. Elsewhere, Starfire meets a little girl who helps to overcome her depression and make her realize that despite Robin's earlier objections, their feelings for each other are indeed mutual.
Just then, the Mayor of Tokyo announces Robin's arrest and orders that the other Teen Titans must either turn themselves in or leave Tokyo. Starfire calls the other Titans, but as they attempt to regroup, Brushogun sends his minions to destroy the Titans. Meanwhile, Robin escapes the truck transferring him to a more secure facility, and is eventually found by the Tokyo Troopers. Starfire rescues him and takes him to a shrine, where they attempt to kiss again until they are interrupted byCyborg,Raven,andBeast Boy's arrival. There, Raven relates from a book she found that Brushogun was an artist who dreamed of bringing his drawings to life using dark magic, which transformed him into a being of paper and ink. Robin realizes that he did not kill Saico-Tek because he was an ink creature, and that he had been framed to look like a criminal.
The Titans track Brushogun to a comic book publishing factory and discover him trapped in a cursedprinting pressthat harnesses his powers. He reveals that he had sent Saico-Tek to bring them to Tokyo and stop Daizo, who had used his powers to create the Tokyo Troopers and the monsters that they battled and gain a reputation as a hero.
Daizo drops in on the Titans and forces Brushogun to create an army of animated ink minions. Ultimately, Robin corners Daizo, who takes control of Brushogun's magic and transforms into a mechanical ink monster with Brushogun at the center. As the other Titans battle Daizo's creatures, Robin frees Brushogun, who dies peacefully in his arms, dissipating his creations and depowering Daizo. With the battle concluded, Robin and Starfire finally confess their feelings and share their first true kiss.
Later on, with Robin's name cleared and Daizo imprisoned, the Titans are awarded medals of honor for their heroic actions. Robin then allows the group to stay in Tokyo a little longer and enjoy a well-earned vacation.
As the end credits roll, the Titanssing a literally translated version of their Japanese theme songin celebration for the defeat of Daizo and their award ceremony.[1]
Voice cast
edit- Scott MenvilleasRichard "Dick" Grayson / Robinand Japanese Boy
- Hynden WalchasPrincess Koriand'r / Starfireand Mecha-Boi
- Tara StrongasRachel Roth / Ravenand Computer Voice
- Greg CipesasGarfield Logan / Beast Boy
- Khary PaytonasVictor Stone / Cyborg
- Cary-Hiroyuki TagawaasBrushogun
- Keone Youngas Commander Uehara Daizo, Saico-Tek and Sushi Shop Owner
- Robert Itoas Bookstore Owner, Japanese Old Man, and Mayor
- Janice Kawayeas Nya-Nya / Miko Tezumi, Karaoke Club Girls, and Timoko
- Yuri Lowenthalas Japanese Biker, Japanese Man, Japanese Mugger, Japanese Bartender, Karaoke Club Owner, Jump City Truck Driver and Scarface
Reception
editTeen Titans: Trouble in Tokyoreceived generally positive reviews from critics.
Filip Vukcevic ofIGNsaid in his review: "Something's missing here.Teen Titansthe television show is a fun, vibrant series that's a lot more entertaining than it looks. Following the show's recent cancellation, it seems likeTrouble in Tokyois the last we'll get of our intrepid heroes. Unfortunately, as a swan song or otherwise, when squeezedTeen Titans: Trouble in Tokyoreveals itself for what it really is: a suspiciously average direct-to-DVD movie that looks good, but doesn't do anything to conceal the fact that underneath it's fake ".[2]
Rafe Telsch ofCinema Blendwrote: "Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyois a decent follow up for the cancelled series that should make fans happy to see their favorite characters again, although a few of the characters seem to get the shaft on screen time ".[3]
Soundtrack release
editA soundtrack to the film was released on July 22, 2008, through La-La-Land Records.[4]The track listing is as follows.
All tracks are written byKristopher Carter,Michael McCuistion andLolita Ritmanis
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Meet Saico Tek" | 5:18 |
| 2. | "Interrogation" | 1:23 |
| 3. | "Main Title" | 2:36 |
| 4. | "Tokyo Arrival" | 1:28 |
| 5. | "Monster Attack" | 4:36 |
| 6. | "Troopers Tour + Robin's Disappointment" | 1:46 |
| 7. | "Titans Watched" | 1:52 |
| 8. | "Starfire Videogame" | 1:18 |
| 9. | "Moment Lost" | 2:39 |
| 10. | "Tokyo Skyline + Robin Blots Out Saico Tek" | 4:11 |
| 11. | "All You Can Eat / Boy Troubles" | 2:01 |
| 12. | "Titans Attack" | 1:51 |
| 13. | "The Note" | 0:51 |
| 14. | "The Fight Continues" | 2:43 |
| 15. | "Raven Finds Books / Robin Goes Underground" | 1:19 |
| 16. | "Play It Louder" | 0:55 |
| 17. | "Bar Fight" | 1:18 |
| 18. | "Motorcycle Chase" | 1:57 |
| 19. | "Brushogun Origin" | 2:17 |
| 20. | "Chasing Titans" | 1:58 |
| 21. | "Meet Brushogun" | 3:48 |
| 22. | "Villains Makin' Copies" | 2:16 |
| 23. | "Final Battle" | 4:20 |
| 24. | "The Kiss" | 0:55 |
| 25. | "Tokyo's Newest Heroes" | 1:58 |
| 26. | "End Credits" | 1:59 |
| Total length: | 53:33 | |
Home media
editThe DVD release date was February 6, 2007. The special features included are "The Lost Episode", featuring the villain Punk Rocket, and a game entitledRobin's Underworld Race Challenge.[5]Trouble in Tokyowas also released on Blu-ray through theWarner Archive Collectionon December 3, 2019.[6]
Sequel
editAstand-alone sequelserving as acrossoverbetweenTeen Titansand itssuccessor seriesentitledTeen Titans Go! vs. Teen Titanspremiered atSan Diego Comic-Con 2019in July,[7]followed by digital release on September 24 and physical release on October 15.
References
edit- ^"Puffy Amiyumi: The Iconic and Multifaceted Duo".Yattatachi. June 21, 2017.Archivedfrom the original on September 14, 2018.RetrievedSeptember 14,2018.
- ^Vukcevic, Filip (February 2, 2007)."Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo".IGN.Archivedfrom the original on February 10, 2018.RetrievedMarch 14,2016.
- ^"Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo DVD Review".cinemablend.Archived fromthe originalon April 19, 2016.RetrievedMarch 14,2016.
- ^"The World's Finest".Worldsfinestonline.Archivedfrom the original on August 9, 2011.RetrievedJanuary 30,2011.
- ^"The World's Finest – Teen Titans".Archived fromthe originalon August 21, 2019.RetrievedJuly 22,2022.
- ^"Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo Blu-ray (Warner Archive Collection)".Archivedfrom the original on April 16, 2022.RetrievedApril 16,2022.
- ^Whitbrook, James (October 25, 2018),The Original Animated Teen Titans Will Return forTeen Titans Go! vs. Teen Titans,i09,archivedfrom the original on July 30, 2019,retrievedOctober 25,2018
External links
edit
