| Genre: | Superhero Action Science fantasy Comedy drama Romance |
| Based On: | |
| Director: | Michael Chang Ben Jones Matt Youngberg |
| Music: | Kristopher Carter Michael McCuistion Lolita Ritmanis |
| Composer: |
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| Country: | United States |
| Language: | English |
| Executive Producer: | Sander Schwartz |
| Producer: | Glen Murakami Linda Steiner |
| Editor: | Joe Gall |
| Cinematography: | Pepi Lenzi Tak Fujimoto |
| Runtime: | 75 minutes |
| Company: | Kadokawa Shoten DC Comics Warner Bros. Animation |
| Network: | Cartoon Network Kids' WB |
Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo is a 2006 American made-for-TV animated superhero film adaptation of the DC Comics superhero team Teen Titans. It is set in the milieu of the animated series Teen Titans that ran on Cartoon Network from 2003 to 2006, with the film serving as the series finale. It premiered on Cartoon Network, Friday, September 15, 2006, and premiered on Kids' WB the following day. Teen Titans head writer David Slack wrote the film.
The ninja Saico-Tek, under orders from his master Brushogun, attacks the Teen Titans's hometown of Jump City before mysteriously vanishing. Subsequently, the Titans head to Tokyo, Japan, to search for Brushogun. There, they meet the Tokyo Troopers, a supernatural defense force led by Commander Uehara Daizo. 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.
Robin and Starfire express 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 by Cyborg, Raven, and Beast 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 cursed printing press that 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 a 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 Titans sing a literally translated version of their Japanese theme song in celebration for the defeat of Daizo and their award ceremony.[1]
Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo received generally positive reviews from critics.
Filip Vukcevic of IGN said in his review: "Something's missing here. Teen Titans the television show is a fun, vibrant series that's a lot more entertaining than it looks. Following the show's recent cancellation, it seems like Trouble in Tokyo is the last we'll get of our intrepid heroes. Unfortunately, as a swan song or otherwise, when squeezed Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo reveals 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 of Cinema Blend wrote: "Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo is 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]
A soundtrack to the movie was released on July 22, 2008, through La-La-Land Records.[4] The track listing is as follows.
The DVD release date was February 6, 2007. The special features included are "The Lost Episode", featuring the villain Punk Rocket, and a game entitled Robin's Underworld Race Challenge.[5] Trouble in Tokyo was also released on Blu-ray through the Warner Archive Collection on December 3, 2019.[6]
A stand-alone sequel serving as a crossover between Teen Titans and its successor series entitled Teen Titans Go! vs. Teen Titans premiered at San Diego Comic-Con 2019 in July, followed by digital release on September 24 and physical release on October 15.