After creating a stir with the original Japanese trailer, fans can now check out the English-language spot for the fantastical new feature-length home video release Batman Ninja. The striking CG anime from Warner Bros. Japan and DC Entertainment, and will arrive via Warner Bros. Home Entertainment on Digital starting April 24; and on Blu-ray Steelbook ($29.98 SRP), Blu-ray Combo Pack ($24.98) and DVD ($19.98) on May 8. A 4K Ultra HD Digital release is also being set up for sometime this summer.
Rated PG-13, Batman Ninja takes a journey across the ages as Gorilla Grodd’s time displacement machine transports many of Batman’s worst enemies to feudal Japan – along with the Dark Knight and a few of his allies. The villains take over the forms of the feudal lords that rule the divided land, with the Joker taking the lead among the warring factions. As his traditional high-tech weaponry is exhausted almost immediately, Batman must rely on his intellect and his allies – including Catwoman and the extended Bat-family – to restore order to the land, and return to present-day Gotham City.
The English-language voice cast is lead by Roger Craig Smith (Batman: Arkham Origins) and Tony Hale (Veep) as Batman and the Joker, respectively, alongside Grey Griffin (Scooby-Doo franchise) as Catwoman, Tara Strong (Batman: The Killing Joke) as Harley Quinn, and Fred Tatasciore (Family Guy) as Gorilla Grodd; with Yuri Lowenthal (Ben 10: Omniverse) as Robin, Adam Croasdell (Reign) as Nightwing and Alfred, and Will Friedle (Boy Meets World) as Red Robin. The rogue’s gallery also features Tom Kenny (SpongeBob SquarePants) as Penguin and Eric Bauza (The Adventures of Puss in Boots) as Two-Face, and on double duty are Tatasciore as Deathstroke, Strong as Poison Ivy, and Friedle as Red Hood.
The movie is directed by by Junpei Mizusaki (Zoo “The Poem of Collected Sunlight,” JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure opening sequence), written by Kazuki Nakashima (Gurren Lagann, Terra Formars) and features character designs by Afro Samurai creator Takashi Okazaki; produced by Warner Bros. Japan. The script was reinterpreted and rewritten for the English version by award-winning screenwriters Lou Chu and Eric Garcia (Supah Ninjas, Afro Samurai); Benjamin Melniker and Michael Uslan are executive producers.
“Batman Ninja is an absolute feast for the senses, a stunning spectacle of anime wrapped around a thrill ride of a Batman story,” said Mary Ellen Thomas, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Vice President, Family & Animation Marketing. “Our partners at Warner Bros. Japan have conjured an impressive addition to the Dark Knight’s canon of entertainment, taking Batman and his friends and foes in an altogether new direction. We can’t wait for fans to see this film.”
Blu-ray bonus features include:
“East / West Batman” (Featurette) – Batman meets the anime medium, as this documentary looks into some of the Western tropes and archetypes, meshed into the world of feudal Japan. East meets West, swords, samurai and giant robots, all playing into the clash between Batman and his foes.
“Batman: Made in Japan” (Featurette) – To make a special film about Batman requires just the right artist to bring the mix of style and energy that is unmistakably anime. The filmmakers discuss the Japanese character models, influences and design that create a fusion experience into this hyper-real world.
“New York Comic Con Presents Batman Ninja” – Meet the talented filmmakers behind Batman Ninja as they discuss their inspirations and challenges in bringing an anime version of Batman to life during a panel discussion unveiling Batman Ninja during New York Comic Con 2017.
