Best X-Men: The Animated Series ‘character’ episodes

When X-Men: The Animated Series debuted back in 1992, it was a breath of fresh air. Not only did the show combine imaginative ideas with epic and compelling storytelling, it also brought a heroic team to the small screen.

Over the course of 76 episodes, the X-Men wowed viewers by showcasing an array of their awesome powers. They also demonstrated teamwork and a close bond, which made them more of a family than a super-group.

But every once in a while, X-Men: The Animated Series placed its focus on individual heroes instead of the team. Rather than tell a story about all of the different teammates, individual characters were put in the spotlight, to help flesh out their backgrounds.

Should you fancy dipping into the show, but purely to watch episodes about your favourite characters (Rogue, Wolverine, Storm, etc) then you may want to keep reading. Below you will find a list of the best ‘character’ episodes across the series.

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Cyclops

‘Orphan’s End’ (Season Three – Episode Forty-Four)

First up, in ‘Orphan’s End’, Cyclops has some difficult choices to make when Shi’ar authorities show up at the X-Mansion on the hunt for a wanted criminal. Thing is, not only is this wanted criminal the X-Men’s former ally, Corsair, but as Cyclops soon discovers, Corsair is his thought-to-be-deceased father, Christopher Summers.

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Jean Grey

‘The Dark Phoenix Saga Part III: The Dark Phoenix’ (Season Three – Episode Forty-Two)

Next up, in this instalment in the iconic Dark Phoenix Saga, Jean turns to the dark side putting the fate of the universe at risk. The only chance of getting Jean under control rests in the hands of the X-Men, but is Jean too far gone to be helped by her friends?

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Storm

‘Whatever It Takes’ (Season Two – Episode Sixteen)

In ‘Whatever It Takes’, Storm travels to Africa to come to the aid of her spiritual son, Mjnari, after he becomes the unwitting victim of The Shadow King. But can she defeat her old foe, and stop him from possessing her nearest and dearest?

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Wolverine

‘Repo Man’ (Season Two – Episode 18)

In ‘Repo Man’, Wolverine’s mysterious past is thrown under the spotlight as Logan finds himself under attack from his old teammates, Alpha Flight. The episode discusses Wolverine’s defection from the Canadian super-team, and details the traumatic events surrounding the Weapon X Program.

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Gambit

‘X-Ternally Yours’ (Season Two – Episode Nineteen)

After receiving a mysterious phone call, Gambit is forced to leave the X-Mansion to clear up some personal business. This ‘business’ involves the Thieves Guild, as well as Gambit’s ex-fiancé, Bella Donna.

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Rogue

‘A Rogue’s Tale’ (Season Two – Episode Twenty-Two) 

In ‘A Rogue’s Tale’, Rogue begins to suffer from haunting visions, leading her to confront some devastating truths about her past. These truths include her connections to the villainous Mystique, as well her link to a comatose woman named Carol Danvers.

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Beast

‘Beauty & the Beast’ (Season Two – Episode Twenty-Three)

Romance is in the air for Dr. Hank McCoy when he finds love with a blind patient named Carly. However, Carly’s father is not keen on his daughter becoming romantically involved with a mutant.

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Bishop

‘Days of Future Past: Parts One & Two’ (Season One – Episodes Eleven & Twelve)

In a possible future timeline, the world has gone to Hell after the mutant hunting robots known as the Sentinels enslave all of humanity. Hoping to alter the course of history, the mutant known as Bishop travels through time to the 1990s to enlist the help of the X-Men.

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Jubilee

‘Night of the Sentinels: Parts One & Two’ (Season One – Episode One & Two)

In ‘Night of the Sentinels’, teen mutant, Jubilation Lee crosses paths with the X-Men, after she becomes a target of the Sentinels. But will Jubilee accept help from her fellow mutants and will the threat of the Sentinels ever subside?

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Morph

‘Courage’ (Season Four – Episode Fifty-One)

After a period of prolonged absence from the team, to deal with a past trauma, the shapeshifting mutant, Morph returns to the X-Men. However, after his homecoming is interrupted, he begins to question if now is the correct time to rejoin his teammates.

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Magneto

‘Sanctuary: Parts One & Two’ (Season Four – Episode Forty-Eight & Forty-Nine)

Growing tired and weary of his endless fight for mutant supremacy, Magneto attempts a new tactic: He offers to grant mutants a safe-haven in an orbiting asteroid named Asteroid M. But Magneto’s plan to help mutants is soon sabotaged by one of his loyal Acolytes, causing further complications for the Master of Magnetism.

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Professor Charles Xavier

‘Xavier Remembers’ (Season Four – Episode Fifty)

And finally, in Xavier Remembers, the X-Men’s founder, Professor Charles Xavier takes on old adversary, the Shadow King in a battle of the mind. The main action of this episode takes place on the Astral Plane, while Xavier’s history with the X-Men forms the backdrop to the story.

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Editor/writer/former X-Man

Alex Wiggan

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Thank you for taking the time to read this post about X-Men: The Animated Series on It’s A Stampede! – I hope it has proved useful. For more useful posts, be sure to check out the recommended reads below.