Anime

20 Years Ago, Cartoon Network Shocked Fans With Its Biggest Cliffhanger

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“Things Change” was the final episode of Cartoon Network’s Teen Titans, hitting the cable network on January 16th, 2006. While the team would return for the crossover film, Teen Titans Go! Vs. Teen Titans, the supergroup would also have a story of their own in Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo. While the animated characters would return for multiple seasons of the more comedy-fueled series Teen Titans Go!, many animation enthusiasts were crossing their fingers that the more serious take on the heroes would make a comeback. This is especially true considering the major cliffhanger that was left by the series finale that aired twenty years ago. You can revisit the final scene that wrapped up the original Teen Titans series below.

The History And Ending of Teen Titans’ Terra

Beast Boy, Starfire, Raven, Cyborg and Robin in the title opening of 2003's Teen Titans
Image courtesy of Cartoon Network

Terra had a long and troubled history in the Teen Titans universe in DC Comics, which translated well to the animated adaptation of these adventures. Holding the power of Earth-manipulation, Terra was revealed to be a secret mole within the young team, planted there by Slade, aka Deathstroke. In the Cartoon Network series, Terra seemingly sacrifices herself in the season two finale, leaving Beast Boy and his fellow Titans shattered by both the betrayal and loss of their one-time good friend.

In the series finale, Beast Boy encounters a schoolgirl who is the spitting image of Terra, asking her if all is forgiven and she can rejoin the team whenever she wants, following her valiant sacrifice. The girl never reveals herself to be Terra, though there are some big clues during her conversation with Beast Boy that she was the real deal. The episode ends with “Terra” stating that she is late for class and that the green-skinned hero needs to return to his friends.

Ironically enough, Teen Titans Go would bring back Terra, albeit in a far more comical manner than how she appeared in the show’s precursor. With the comical series still confirmed for at least one more season, Cartoon Network is planning to follow the Titans in this new form. Luckily, Robin and his team also remain a part of the DC Comics roster, though with a very different line-up than what Cartoon Network watchers are used to.

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