Titans had a slow start, but with the second season now airing it appears as though the DC show has found its footing. The show was originally criticized by fans still harboring nostalgia for the popular Teen Titans animated series and hesitant about the dramatic creative differences in the live-action adaptation, though admittedly the 2018 team-up has excelled in areas animation could not. 

Comic book adaptations face intensified scrutiny from hardcore fans passionate about the source material, but Titans have found its appeal. Here are five things the live-action show does better than the animated series, and five areas where Teen Titans still take the crown.

Live-Action: Robin’s Fight Scenes

There are plentiful fight scenes in Titans, with Dick Grayson (Brenton Thwaites) having a kickass martial arts sequence in nearly every episode. The choreography is impressive, and an R rating allows for more freedom regarding the gruesome details and consequences of Robin’s ruthless fighting abilities.

Fans were introduced to this incarnation of Dick Grayson’s more brutal methods in the pilot episode Titans. In his first scene as Robin, Dick takes on a group of thugs and shows them utterly no mercy, clearly signifying his emancipation from Batman.

Animation: Theme Song

The live-action adaptation fails to live up to expectations when it comes to the title music. Teen Titans had the advantage of appealing to a younger demographic and could include a catchy theme song set to a colorful background, whereas Titans tries to take itself more seriously.

Titans do not have an introductory musical title sequence, and instead, has an ominous loop of beats that clash with the often serious and impactful drama. It is also much less memorable than its animated predecessor, and would never be categorized as iconic.

Live-Action: Jason Todd

Jason Todd (Curran Walters) is one of Titans’ best characters. His rebellious attitude is derived straight from his comic book counterpart, and he acts as the perfect foil for even this depiction of a more enraged Dick Grayson.

The second Robin was never explicitly featured in the Teen Titansseries, though he was rumored to be behind the mask of the mysterious Red X. Jason’s character has featured more heavily in Titans’ second season, and it remains to be seen whether or not the show will adapt his famous comic-book death into the continuity. 

Animation: Cyborg

As great as the team currently featured on Titans is, it is missing one vital member. Cyborg’s inclusion in the DC Extended Universe is most likely the reason for his exclusion from the show. The character’s history with the Titans was also retconned in DC Comics during their 2011 reboot, and he was rewritten as a founding member of the Justice League.

Cyborg (voiced by Khary Payton) is a valuable addition to the team in Teen Titans, and his comedic rapport with Beastboy (voiced by Greg Cipes) is one of the show’s highlights.

Live-Action: R Rating

Titans takes advantage of its R rating with brutal fight sequences and emotionally impactful storylines. The animated series was aimed at a younger audience and its content was restricted, but Titans manages to push the boundaries of comic book adaptations with its near-limitless scope.

R-rated comic book films such as Logan and Deadpoolhave proved that comic-based media with adult content can be successful. In this way, Titans can at least stand out and be memorable.

Animation: Robin & Starfire

The relationship between Robin (voiced by Scott Menville) and Starfire (Hyden Walch) is a tender plot thread in Teen Titans. The two characters have a touching partnership, with several episodes exploring their bond and both characters growing exponentially.

Dick Grayson and Kori Anders (Anna Diop) have plentiful chemistry in Titans and work well together, but their relationship lacks the youthful spark that their animated counterparts have.

Live-Action: The Psyche Of Dick Grayson

Although it was targeted at younger audiences, Teen Titans still managed to touch on serious themes and explored the mentality of Robin well. However, with the advantage of an R rating, Titans excels with its look into the dark mind of Dick Grayson.

The former protege of Batman spends most of the series tormented and conflicted, and his struggle with his ruthless dark side translates well on-screen.

Animation: Slade Wilson

Slade (voiced by Ron Perlman) was an excellent antagonist in Teen Titans. This alternate incarnation of Deathstroke was a nemesis for Robin during season one and later an instrument of Trigon in season 4.

Deathstroke (played by Esai Morales) has been featured in the second series of Titans. Though he has made his mark on the show, Perlman’s Slade remains a stand-out adaptation.

Live-Action: Hawk & Dove

Hawk (Alan Ritchson) and Dove (Minka Kelly), like Jason Todd, are excellent additions to the ensemble in Titans that sets it apart from other incarnations of the team. The crime-fighting duo first appeared in season one’s aptly titled episode Hawk and Dove, which explored the relationship between Hank Hall and Dawn Granger, as well as their history with Dick Grayson.

The ninth episode of season one titled Hank and Dawn is another episode that sidelines the story of the Titans. Focusing on the tragic story of their past, Hank watches over Dawn in hospital as a flashback sequence revealed the trauma that brought the two together and his early days as Hawk fighting alongside his younger brother Don (Elliot Knight), the original Dove.

Animation: Powers

Titans tries its best with its visual portrayal of the Titans’ powers and is admittedly restricted by budget and a live-action platform. Starfire’s powers, in particular, are far more dazzling in Teen Titans, and her bright green star bolts are a perfect translation of her iconic comic book powers.

As well as Starfire and Raven’s otherworldy powers being less restricted, Beastboy is also able to transform into various animals as opposed to being limited to changing into a tiger.