Common Sense Media Review
By Jenny Nixon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Animated series breathes new life into superhero sidekicks.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 7+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Young Justice: Outsiders
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 4 parent reviews
Based on 10 kid reviews
Kids say the latest season has moved towards darker themes and increased violence, making it less suitable for younger viewers under 13, despite some claiming older kids could handle it. While many praise the show for its storyline and character development, the overall consensus is that it has strayed from its original all-ages appeal.
- darker themes
- increased violence
- not for kids
- older audience recommended
- storyline shift
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
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
- Premiere date : January 4, 2019
- Cast : Jesse McCartney , Danica McKellar , Alyson Stoner , Maggie Q , Troy Baker , Steve Blum
- Network : DC Universe
- Genre : Kids' Animation
- Topics : Superheroes , Book Characters
- TV rating :
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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