[[{“value”:”
Grade: 2.0/5.0
It’s raining yakuza members! And it’s Batman’s job to fix the forecast.
Released on March 18, “Batman Ninja vs. Yakuza League” picks up right where its predecessor, “Batman Ninja,” left off. After returning from fighting the rogues gallery in Edo Japan, Batman is faced with a problem of multi-dimensional proportions. Japan is now floating upside down above Gotham City — a predicament that would make any physicist gawk — and a yakuza group has been sending down members for the Gotham City Police Department to fight. For everyone but Batman and those who accompanied him to Edo Japan, including Nightwing, Red Hood, Red Robin and Robin, this is normal in the universe Ra’s al Ghul has created: the “four-dimensional origami system.”
This newly created dimension has more differences than a gravity-defying Japan, which is now called Hinomoto. This dimension’s version of Aquaman, Flash, Green Lantern and Superman are foes instead of friends. Part of Ra’s al Ghul’s yakuza Hagane Family, they fight the virtuous Amazone Family, led by Wonder Woman. In addition to character staples from DC Comics, the film features lesser-known ones such as Jessica Cruz as Green Lantern and Red Robin, appealing to fans that don’t see them too often outside of comics.
Produced by Japanese animation studios Kamikaze Douga and YamatoWorks, “Batman Ninja vs. Yakuza League” provides a unique blend of 3D animation with traditional 2D hatching techniques reminiscent of classic comic art. From the Batcave in Gotham City to Wonder Woman’s home in Hinomoto, the visuals construct a world unique and immersive to this version of Batman.
Action scenes between characters are fun and ample enough that all characters get a moment to shine in the film. While the film provides a compelling conflict with Ra’s al Ghul’s dimension warping, the narrative soon becomes archetypical. The plot’s progression is often obvious and there is little foreshadowing or trepidation to keep the audience engaged. Both Batman and Ra’s al Ghul’s plans are explained in full detail. Until the very end, there is no plot twist or a misalignment with Batman’s goals to heighten tension. Even then, the problem is solved with deus ex machina.
There were also moments in the film that felt jarring and out of place. For one, Batman and his extended team assemble into a “Bat-Phoenix” mecha in a montage taking inspiration from classic Japanese mecha shows such as “Beast King GoLion.” This is moments before Wonder Woman bursts into a pre-battle karaoke performance complete with stage lights and cameras held by her Amazonian warriors. The seriousness at some points of the film — including a moving reversal of morals in the Yakuza League — are not cohesive with the comical aspects. To quote Robin as he watches Ra’s al Ghul prepare to fire a colossal machine gun of yakuza members into Gotham: “Huh? This is so dumb.”
Despite these pitfalls, the film saves itself to an extent with its character designs. “Batman Ninja” took loose inspiration from Edo Japan — with nods to samurai armor and komuso monk basket hats — and the sequel further draws from Japanese culture. Kimono designs are incorporated for Wonder Woman and Green Lantern, while Aquaman dons a tenugui headband. In alignment with the focus on yakuza syndicates, Aquaman and Superman sport tattoo designs associated with the modern yakuza.
Even for characters absent from the new dimension’s Japan, there is a seamless adaptation of comic designs to the screen. It’s clear creators were familiar with comic canon’s abundant design variations. Red Hood’s iconic helmet and leather jacket combo were featured alongside the more recent hood, crowbar and sword look from the “Red Hood: Outlaw” comic series. Amidst a cheeky fight scene, Nightwing transforms into an armored suit reminiscent of the 1970s-inspired “Discowing” costume.
It was a fun, yet confusing time in Ra’s al Ghul’s dimension. Despite the outstanding animation and visuals in “Batman Ninja vs. Yakuza League,” the film cannot save itself from an uncompelling narrative and lack of tonal harmony. If the world’s greatest detective found a different way to solve the storm of yakuza, then audiences could be convinced of Ra’s al Ghul’s true danger.
”}]] Despite the outstanding animation and visuals in “Batman Ninja vs. Yakuza League,” the film cannot save itself from an uncompelling narrative and lack of tonal harmony. Read More