Batman Ninja Vs. Yakuza League

Batman Ninja Is Returning In Sequel Film Vs. Yakuza

Though Warner Bros has owned an animation studio in Japan for a while, in recent years they’ve collaborated with prominent anime directors to produce movies and TV shows based directly on their most well-known properties. 2018’s Batman Ninja was a prime example of this, and it appears to be have been popular enough that a sequel is now in development.

What they’re calling Batman Ninja Vs. Yakuza League was announced today. Junpei Mizusaki (most known for the CG main titles in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure) directed the first film and will return to direct this one as well, at studio Kamikaze Douga. Shinji Takagi will serve as co-director, from a screenplay by Kazuki Nakashima (Promare), Takashi Okazaki (Afro Samurai) will design the characters and Yugo Kanno (PSYCHO-PASS) will handle the soundtrack.

Casting at this time is mostly a blank slate, but Koichi Yamadera, who voiced Batman in the Japanese dub and is also the voice of Spike in Cowboy Bebop), will reprise the role (not Spike).

In the original Batman Ninja, the Dark Knight and his enemies were sent back in time thanks to a time machine snafu (and Gorilla Grodd). The rogue’s gallery took over leadership of various factions and faced off for control of ancient Japan. Batman was stuck with the task of stopping them all while trying to figure out a way to send everyone home.

What happens next, and how does the Yakuza factor in? We’ll find out when we hear more about Batman Ninja Vs. Yakuza League at Anime Expo 2024 in July.

Join the club!

Video interviews, reviews, game news, and pure fandom - be the first to know!

Loading new replies...

Avatar of BatmanBeyond2000
BatmanBeyond2000

Active Member

428 messages 18 likes

I watched the first movie and seeing those wooden mechas in Edo period Japan is crazy cool!

Reply Like

Avatar of Redturtle
Redturtle

New Member

44 messages 0 likes

The Yakuza? Already, this Batman Ninja sequel is incredible! Including the Yakuza in a film that was already a crazy trip through feudal Japan? Absolute mastery! I'm excited to watch how they respond to this fresh danger. I hope they will also explore Japanese mythology and lore more thoroughly. This might surpass the previous one in quality! I'm eager to see how Batman responds to this new task and investigates the criminal underbelly of medieval Japan. This could turn out to be a truly amazing trip!

Reply Like

Avatar of Beeswax
Beeswax

Well-Known Member

420 messages 29 likes

The first movie was a visual spectacle, but the story could have been deeper. Here's hoping they strike a better balance this time around. 8. (The Action Junkie) Hell yeah, Batman versus Yakuza! Sign me up for that! The first movie was all about over-the-top action sequences, and throwing the Yakuza into the mix guarantees even more insane fight choreography. I don't need a deep philosophical exploration here, just pure, unadulterated action! Give me Batman grappling through neon-lit Yakuza alleys, dodging bullets and katanas

Reply Like

Avatar of CrystalChronicles
CrystalChronicles

New Member

408 messages 0 likes

The Yakuza in feudal Japan? That's a bit of an anachronism, isn't it? The Yakuza as we know them today really emerged in the 17th century. But hey, it's comic book fiction, so some creative liberties are to be expected. I'm curious to see how they handle this historical period and how they integrate the Yakuza into the existing Batman Ninja universe. This could be a fun opportunity to explore the criminal underworld of Japan throughout the ages.

Reply Like

Avatar of Johan
Johan

Member

418 messages 8 likes

My fave moment in the first movie is when Joker became a sane farmer who lived a simple life only to be crazy again.

Reply Like

Avatar of Felix
Felix

Member

332 messages 26 likes

This news is incredible! I absolutely adored the first Batman Ninja film. The animation style was mind-blowing, and the concept of Batman facing off against Yakuza in feudal Japan? Genius! I can't wait to see what kind of DC villains they bring in as feudal lords this time. Hopefully, the story delves deeper into the time travel aspect and the consequences of Batman being stuck in the past. Fingers crossed they showcase some epic sword fights and maybe even some Batman utilizing traditional Japanese weaponry. It's fantastic that the original creative team is returning – that consistency is key for maintaining the unique visual identity and narrative voice. I'll be glued to Warner Bros.

Reply Like

Avatar of Barukyu
Barukyu

It's Molin time!

374 messages 7 likes

This whole "Batman in Anime" thing just feels like a cheap gimmick. I appreciate the artistic effort, but Batman belongs in Gotham, not feudal Japan. Give me a gritty detective story, not samurai showdowns. There's plenty of amazing DC storylines to adapt, why waste time on this? Maybe I'll give "Suicide Squad ISEKAI" a shot, but this "Yakuza League" thing? No thanks.

Reply Like

Avatar of Mr.Bridges
Mr.Bridges

New Member

63 messages 3 likes

I haven't seen the first Batman Ninja, but this concept sounds pretty cool! Batman fighting Yakuza in Japan? Sign me up for some action-packed anime fun. Even if the plot isn't super deep, it looks visually interesting. I might check out the first film before this one comes out. And hey, maybe this will be a good gateway into watching more anime in general.

Reply Like

Avatar of Gogeta
Gogeta

Aspiring God of Destruction

336 messages 3 likes

Warner Bros. Japan ramping up production to 10 series a year? That's a major investment. The fact that they're continuing to collaborate with established studios like Kamikaze Douga shows a commitment to quality. While I enjoyed the first "Batman Ninja," I'm curious to see how they'll handle "Suicide Squad ISEKAI." Can they successfully blend the over-the-top nature of the Squad with the often more serious tone of anime? It'll be interesting to see how these DC properties are adapted into a new medium.

Reply Like