Young Justice: Outsiders

TV review by Jenny Nixon, Common Sense Media
Young Justice: Outsiders Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 7+

Animated series breathes new life into superhero sidekicks.

DC Universe Kids' Animation 2019
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Parents say

age 14+

Based on 4 reviews

Kids say

age 12+

Based on 9 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Young Justice: Outsiders is a long-awaited reboot/continuation of the animated Cartoon Network series Young Justice, which ended in 2013 after two seasons. The series features many of the same DC Comics characters as in the previous incarnation, with a host of new additions. The show is full of action-packed superhero-versus-villain fights, and characters are shown using weapons like guns, knives, swords, and more.

Community Reviews

mortleycale
mortleycale Adult
November 16, 2021
age 13+

Much more violent than first 2 seasons

I know it’s been said already, but because the show switched from Cartoon Network to streaming online between seasons 2 and 3 Young Justice: Outsiders, and the 4th season Young Justice: Phantoms, are significantly more mature, violent, and aimed more towards older teens and adults. There is a character introduced in this season that comes back to life every time she is killed, and she is killed often, in very violent, bloody ways. There’s also a character decapitated, a villain kills his own daughter by snapping her neck, and so much more violence this season. There is also much more sexual innuendo and some mild cursing now. Common sense a should do a bit more viewing before they post these reviews. Show is still a very good comic book series, but definitely for teens and up. It tells a great mature serialized story with so many DC characters. The diversity on show is also awesome! This is definitely not ok for ages 7+ The rating even changed to TV-14.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Too much violence
Too much swearing
2 people found this helpful.
Devasta
Devasta Adult
August 10, 2021
age 15+

Massive shift in tone

They have straight up gore in this. A man with half his chest ripped off and exposed ribcage, organs and half a face with no eye in his socket. Season 1 is fine for young kids, 2 I'd recommend for teens as it tackles heavier stuff but if you don't want your kid exposed to gore then don't let them watch season 3. Still a good show hands down but don't let the "7+" rating on here decieve you

This title has:

Too much violence
1 person found this helpful.
See all 4 parent reviews

What's the Story?

YOUNG JUSTICE: OUTSIDERS is an animated superhero series streaming on the DC Universe platform, which continues the storylines set forth in the well-loved (yet short-lived) Cartoon Network series of the same name from 2010. The show focuses on teenage and young-adult superheroes and sidekicks who function as a sort of offshoot of the Justice League, and the various challenges they face. Outsiders picks up two years after the previous series' storyline ended, and finds our heroes struggling to shut down a worldwide "meta-human" trafficking ring, in which young kids are being abducted and experimented on against their will. The team encounters aliens, evil scientists, clones, assassins, and various other nefarious forces -- but their biggest challenge of all may be figuring out how to work together when they don't always agree on the best way to handle these threats.

Is It Any Good?

If you're new to these characters, it may be a tad daunting to jump right in (especially given the heavily serialized nature of the episodes), but the overall story arc is easy enough to follow. While there are certain references you'll only get if you've boned up on the previous two seasons, the universality of good versus evil themes means Young Justice: Outsiders won't be ruined for you if you haven't made time for them. Fans will welcome the return of well-loved characters such as Dick Grayson, aka Nightwing (Jesse McCartney); Miss Martian (Danica McKellar); and Black Lightning (Khary Payton), while newcomers Geo-Force and Halo make worthwhile additions to the roster. The animation is sharp and expressive, and the action scenes pull no punches: Parents should be forewarned that characters do die on this show, and weapons of various kinds are employed by heroes and villains alike. Viewers who loved the original series, and those who just love superheroes in general, should find much to enjoy here.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the way the characters in Young Justice: Outsiders handle conflict -- both with the villains they battle, and among themselves.

  • How do the characters in Young Justice: Outsiders demonstrate teamwork and courage? Why are these important character strengths?

  • Who is your favorite character from the series? What traits do you admire about him or her?

TV Details

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