Reviewed by Rama Gaind.
Director: Junpei Mizusaki, Roadshow Entertainment.
Cast: Kôichi Yamadera (Batman), Wataru Takagi (The Joker), Ai Kakuma (Catwoman) Rie Kugimiya (Harley Quinn), Atsuko Tanaka (Poisen Ivy), Takehito Koyasu (Gorilla Grodd), Yûki Kaji (Robin), Chô (Penguin).
East does meet west in this ground-breaking anime adaptation of the legendary Batman franchise where Gotham City is swapped out for feudal Japan, where Batman fights his infamous foes as an armoured ninja.
This iconic hero and his adversaries are re-imagined in this impressive feature, with attention-grabbing voices, made all the more spectacular with Blu-ray viewing.
It’s an all-new story and The Dark Knight travels to a land ruled by sword-wielding samurai and ninja assassins. Beginning in Gotham City, Gorilla Grodd’s time displacement machine malfunctions sending a crazed cast of tyrannical villains back in time to terrorise medieval Japan.
The most depraved is Lord Joker, who seeks total domination of the feudal states and the final elimination of the legendary Batman. With Catwoman, Two-Face and the Joker all showing up to battle the Bat, can Bruce Wayne save the day?
The big question is: can The Caped Crusader gain the advantage, without his signature tech, to keep Lord Joker and the others from rewriting history?
Written by Leo Chu, Eric Garcia, Kazuki Nakashima, the fight scenes were filmed with live actors and then animation was created using that footage. An ancient legend comes to life in this strikingly realised, adrenaline-fueled addition to the Batman saga.
