Warner Bros. Animation unveiled the Batman Ninja vs. Yakuza League trailer at their recent panel at Anime Expo. This highly anticipated sequel to the 2018 film Batman Ninja gave fans a glimpse of what to look forward to in a thirty-second trailer.
The sequel picks up where Batman Ninja left off, with Batman returning to the present time. Instead of encountering the Justice League he once knew, he finds himself face-to-face with the Yakuza League, which includes reimagined yakuza versions of Aquaman, Flash, Green Lantern, and Wonder Woman. The sequel promises to elevate the genre with its stellar team of industry giants. The movie is spearheaded by director Jumpei Mizusaki, known for his work on Batman Ninja, and co-director Shinji Takagi, known for Steamboy. The screenplay is written by Kazuki Nakashima, known for such works as Gurren Lagann and Promare. Character designs come from Takashi Okazaki, whose art is well-known for Afro Samurai, where he fused samurai with hip-hop to create visually stunning work. The first key art for the anime showcases Okazaki’s mastery and highlights the intricate yakuza motif seamlessly integrated into each character.
In the music department, Yugo Kanno, best known for his iconic compositions in Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure, elevates the storytelling with his music and is an incredible addition to the team. Last but not least, studio Kamikaze Douga is in charge of animation. They worked on the original Batman Ninja film as well as Star Wars: Visions - The Duel. With this powerhouse collection of names, fans are in for a treat. Warner Bros. Animation promises a cinematic experience that pushes boundaries and redefines superhero storytelling. Judging from the reaction of the fans during the panel, they are eager to see it. Unfortunately, no official release date has been announced.
Batman Ninja vs. Yakuza League is set to be a landmark addition to the superhero genre, blending innovative animation, compelling storytelling, and an all-star creative team to deliver an unforgettable cinematic experience. Fans hope for a premiere screening of the complete film at an upcoming Anime Expo, or its release in theaters worldwide.
You can check out the trailer for "Batman Ninja vs. Yakuza League" on the DC YouTube channel.
Following the Batman Ninja vs. Yakuza League portion of the panel was a screening of episode one of Suicide Squad Isekai. Suicide Squad Isekai was originally conceived during the brainstorming phase of Batman Ninja vs. Yakuza League. Initially rejected, the idea was revived and turned into a standalone anime series.
Suicide Squad Isekai introduces viewers to a diverse ensemble of antiheroes and villains, each with their own troubled pasts and agendas. The squad, made up of Harley Quinn, Deadshot, King Shark, Clayface, and Peacemaker, is led by the enigmatic agent Amanda Waller. This motley crew is coerced into high-stakes missions in exchange for reduced sentences or other favors. Non-compliance results in Waller detonating bombs implanted in their necks.
As the squad embarks on their inaugural mission, they remain clueless about their objective. They soon come under attack by humanoid pigs in what they assume is a fantasy movie set. After losing their plane and its pilot in the battle, Clayface discovers they are not on a movie set but have been transported (isekai-ed) into a world they have never heard of or imagined.
The ending song, "Go Getters," is performed by Hololive's vTuber, Mori Calliope. The lyrics and melody are such that only Mori could perform it. This is evident when you see the video with Amanda Waller busting out dance moves that would be "cringe" or "cursed" if not set to Mori's song. Suicide Squad and Mori Calliope seem like the perfect match due to both having a "you don’t tell me how to act" attitude. Fans enjoyed the song, sang along, and laughed as Waller busted out dance moves.
With its captivating blend of dark humor, intense action, and morally ambiguous characters, Suicide Squad Isekai is sure to please fans seeking something outside the norm. Fans are invited to enjoy the first four episodes on Hulu now.