[7.8/10] I am a sucker for Kung Fu style martial arts mastery stories. Sending Robin to a faraway place so he can develop his skills in combat, with a Kung Fu movie pastiche, is right up my alley. So fari warning, I may be overrating this one.
That said, I think the structure of the tithing works. Teen Titans pulls a Yoda with this one, revealing that the seemingly unserious eccentric who’s more of a thorn in the hero’s side than a mentor is, in fact, the fabled master of old. It’s a good tack, and Takayo Fischer does a good job of injecting mirth and weather-worn grumpiness into the role. The way the Master goads Robin along the way, but ultimately gives him the nudges he needs to get through his quest, makes her an enjoyable figure.
There’s also a good structure to the story. Robin confronts different guardians along the way who both provide challenges to him as he progresses, while also teaching him skills. He brings all of those skills to bear when fighting his rival, Katarou, in the ultimate showdown, creating some nice synergies. The fight sequences are solidly staged, and Robin’s incorporation of them int hei final dust-up works well for the show’s purposes. The sense of Robin showing his determination, earning his training for his continuing to fight and do what’s needed even when it’s hard makes him worthy of the Master’s attention.
Plus god, this may be my favorite Teen Titans B-story ever. The comic absurdity of the rest of the gang hanging around the Tower, putting on Robin’s costumes and pretending to be him is off the chart. It’s such a weird, slice of life kind of bizarre comedy that this show doesn’t do very often. Feel more like something Bob’s Burgers would do than Teen Titans, but boy am I glad this series went in that direction. The escalating silliness of more and more members of the team getting in on the act was delightful.
Overall, this one was a real winner, featuring a strong martial arts pastiche and good Robin character study in the A-story, and some of the show’s best ever humor in the B-story.
Review by Andrew BloomVIP 9BlockedParentSpoilers2021-08-05T20:07:12Z
[7.8/10] I am a sucker for Kung Fu style martial arts mastery stories. Sending Robin to a faraway place so he can develop his skills in combat, with a Kung Fu movie pastiche, is right up my alley. So fari warning, I may be overrating this one.
That said, I think the structure of the tithing works. Teen Titans pulls a Yoda with this one, revealing that the seemingly unserious eccentric who’s more of a thorn in the hero’s side than a mentor is, in fact, the fabled master of old. It’s a good tack, and Takayo Fischer does a good job of injecting mirth and weather-worn grumpiness into the role. The way the Master goads Robin along the way, but ultimately gives him the nudges he needs to get through his quest, makes her an enjoyable figure.
There’s also a good structure to the story. Robin confronts different guardians along the way who both provide challenges to him as he progresses, while also teaching him skills. He brings all of those skills to bear when fighting his rival, Katarou, in the ultimate showdown, creating some nice synergies. The fight sequences are solidly staged, and Robin’s incorporation of them int hei final dust-up works well for the show’s purposes. The sense of Robin showing his determination, earning his training for his continuing to fight and do what’s needed even when it’s hard makes him worthy of the Master’s attention.
Plus god, this may be my favorite Teen Titans B-story ever. The comic absurdity of the rest of the gang hanging around the Tower, putting on Robin’s costumes and pretending to be him is off the chart. It’s such a weird, slice of life kind of bizarre comedy that this show doesn’t do very often. Feel more like something Bob’s Burgers would do than Teen Titans, but boy am I glad this series went in that direction. The escalating silliness of more and more members of the team getting in on the act was delightful.
Overall, this one was a real winner, featuring a strong martial arts pastiche and good Robin character study in the A-story, and some of the show’s best ever humor in the B-story.