Hollywood can let Batman go - cuz, the world of anime has found him, and is making Batman great again. The trailer of Batman Ninja is here and features an anime Dark Knight battling Joker, Penguin, and Coin medieval Japan. He has a new metallic batsuit with gold accents, he uses a sword and even drinks tea.
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the new animated feature film by Warner Bros, and is based on Bob Kane's Batman series. The Ninja storyline is actually a major favorite comic book reader – and even Christopher Nolan explored it in his movies (with Ra’s al Ghul and his background in the Asian martial arts). In Batman Ninja, Batman literally time travels to a tumultuous time in medieval Japan – where he must save the country from villains who are apparently trying to “rewrite the history of this country.”
Batman Ninja is an upcoming Japanese animated film, which features the Dark Knight as a Ninja, who fights to save Japan and its history. “When Japan is in a state of chaos like a mass of hemp, a Ninja with a bat mask shall appear and restore order,” a prophecy is heard in the trailer. Batman finds himself transported to an ancient time in Asian history, where the Joker has wreaked havoc and Batman must use his powers to overpower him.
Since it’s based on Bob Kane’s series, expect to see some classic DC names and storylines. The film also borrows heavily from anime cinema - in scenes where Batman is seen charging in his horse or practicing his martial arts skills, will give you anime deja vu.
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Besides Batman, you will find a Samurai Joker, and other iconic DC villains like Harley Quinn, Penguin, Poison Ivy, Two-Face, Clayface and Deathstroke. Interestingly, all the names have been given a period spin, and makes the movie so interesting. DC supervillain – the telepathic Gorilla Grodd features in the film as a feudal lord.
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The film is also an incredible challenge, owing to its time travel angle, as it actually gives the Dark Knight a classic Oriental spin.
“Batmobile and Batwing both gone... but I still have this body,” says Batman, as he puts on his stellar new armor. The Batsuit has incredibly flamboyant gold accents and has the Bat sign on his chest – which is unusual. The movie has Joker and his Samurai army and Batman actually rides a warhorse. He also does not have his Batarang anymore, but a sword.
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The movie is a collaboration between Warner Bros and DC and is very mindful about the Asian culture portrayed in the movie, and in fact, makes the most of it. Not only are the characters given a sharp anime warrior makeover, but also acquire sword-fighting and Kung fu skills. With Batman Ninja, Warner Bros is working to establish the brand of the DC Universe Original Movies. And that might be a necessary, given DCEU’s unfortunate box office situation.
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DC Universe needs a big win after its cinematic universe has been dragging its feet in Hollywood. Justice League was a major gamble and turned out to be a box office disappointment. Over the last decade with films like Man of Steel, Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice, Suicide Squad, the DCEU has failed to prove its mettle as a successful comic book film franchise. With Marvel’s cinematic advent, the DC superheroes have also suffered.
Batman and Superman, especially have not been able to please fans on the big screen. The anime Batman is obviously a great step to salvage the franchise.
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Takashi Okazaki, the creator of the beloved manga series Afro Samurai has done the character design for Batman Ninja, and it is simply breathtaking. The detailing itself deserves a special mention and has somehow still retained DC’s goth tone, in spite of being an anime. Okazaki joined director Jumpei Mizusaki, screenwriters Kazuki Nakashima, Leo Chu & Eric Garcia for the anime's New York Comic Con panel and talked about the movie which is looking for a 2018 release.
“There’s a fight scene in this that might be the best fight scene I’ve seen in animation anywhere,” said Warner Bros. Home Entertainment head of publicity Gary Miereanu. “When we want to make it look real, we actually do it in real life. We want it to be true to life,” said Mizusaki said. He also added that the actors and stunt performers actually acted out the fight and they were used later with recorded choreography.
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Kôichi Yamadera plays Batman, Wataru Takagi plays the Joker, Rie Kugimiya plays Harley, Ai Kakuma plays Catwoman.
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Watch out for…
Batman drinking tea. Joker and Batman’s sword fight atop a monastery. Gorilla Grodd. And Alfred.
Batman Ninja releases in 2018