Ninja Batman" American Comic x Sengoku Jidai Geki = Manga Festival for Adults! The dog also walks and hits the cartoon. The 41st

We want to meet more and more anime that excite our hearts, anime that will cheer us up tomorrow, and anime that we will always love!　Our anime writers will introduce you to anime that are hot at the moment, regardless of whether they are new releases or long-term favorites.

This time, we will focus on "Ninja Batman," which is currently in theaters.

Kamikaze Animation, the animation studio that drew attention for the opening images of the TV anime "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure" Parts 1 to 3, has created a feature-length animated film based on the American comic book hero "Batman.

This is what happens when you seriously combine "Batman," whose works have appeared in various forms, with the popular genres of "Sengoku Jidai" and "Ninja," which seem to have done everything possible!　The author, who is a complete novice when it comes to "Batman," will introduce you to the joys of this project.

A popular American hero and Kamikaze Animation's remarkable work

Batman" is a popular character born in American Comics.

Dressed in a black costume that resembles a bat, he is a hero of justice. He is based in the fictional U.S. city of Gotham City, where he exposes the schemes of unique supervillains (villains and criminals against heroes) and hunts them down to stop their evil deeds.

In 2019, DC Comics will celebrate its 80th anniversary.

The "Japanese Batman" was born from the idea of taking DC's work and characters and animating them in Japan.

As a fan of anime, I was interested in this feature-length animated film produced by the animation studio Kamikaze Animation.

Kamikaze Animation created the stylish opening film for the TV anime "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure" Part 1 to Part 3 ('12 to '14), which drew fans of the original comics into the anime at once.

He also produced "COCOLORS" ('17) as an original medium-length film. The film was screened at an event, with voice actors and musicians adding sound in real time to the silent film.

Last year, the company produced the TV series "POPTEPIC" (2006), based on a four-frame manga. The series attracted attention for its "shitty anime" style that went beyond the norm, with different voice actors for all episodes and "reruns" of the same story broadcast with a different cast for each episode.

Kamikaze Animation's works are known for their bold use of CG animation that is not bound by conventional techniques, leaving a strong impression and creating a buzz with each work.

In that sense, I imagined that the American comic hero Batman would be a great match. I imagined that it would be a good match for an American comic book hero, Batman.

As it turns out, it was just as I had expected, or even better. This is a wonderful "manga festival" for adults, where you can enjoy the unique groove and momentum of the manga.

Batman has come to the Warring States Period!

The Joker and the other super villains of modern Gotham City have time-traveled to the Sengoku Period in Japan and swapped places with the Sengoku Daimyo. Batman and his friends travel back in time as well, but the modern technology they rely on is not working as well as usual.

If this situation continues, the history of the world, not to mention Japan, will be changed. How will Batman and his friends fight ......?

The setting itself is just as fun as the "what if ......" fantasies that children imagine while watching comic books and cartoons. It's just like the fantasies that children imagine while watching cartoons and animated films. Time slip?　The story is really simple.

The story is really simple. The story is very simple, so the audience does not have to think too hard about it, but can enjoy the interesting characters with rich personalities, the unique setting of small things scattered in detail, and the powerful action scenes.

The characters, both Batman's friends and villains, will be familiar to fans. The unique look and the hammy performances of the veteran voice actors also make the film easy to grasp for new viewers.

There is none of the current "moe" style, but rather a full-blown "burn" and "vigor" atmosphere. It is not recommended for those seeking deep themes, seriousness, or darkness. It is also not suitable for those who seek seriousness in period dramas. However, that is what makes it so good.

Unlikely "Sengoku Daimyo" and "Ninja Gundan" are great!

In the world of anime and video games, we are used to all kinds of crossovers and parodies, so it may not come as much of a surprise to see "American comics" x "Warring States period" x "time travel" in a movie.

However, it is not easy to see what happens when this is done by adults in serious quality. The American Comic elements and Japanese style elements are beautifully integrated into one.

First of all, the visuals of the ninja-ized Batman, his friends, and the villains turned into warring feudal lords are surprisingly in tune with Japan's Warring States period and look great. It's really cool!

Furthermore, the setting of the Sengoku Period and the Sengoku Daimyo is very detailed and playful throughout the film, which is perhaps not surprising since it was made in Japan. This is the best part of the film, and the best part of the fun.

Which of the super villains was replaced by which of the feudal lords of the Warring States period?　It is not explained in the film, but those who have some knowledge of the Warring States period will surely understand. You can even guess why they are those warring feudal lords (each of them has something in common related to each other).

And because you can tell, it is fun to see the motifs of the feudal lords used in the costumes, armor, and props of the cosplay-like villains. Even the "family crests" are arranged according to each villain (which is also cool!). ).

Even if "Ninja Batman" is enjoyed all over the world, I think that Japanese audiences will be the ones who can appreciate the fun of this movie the most in the theater. I think so.

In the Warring States period, the term "ninja" was not used, but rather "Iga-shu" and "Kouga-shu," and the term "ninja" in the film seems to be based on this terminology.

There are too many of these little tidbits scattered throughout the film to be picked up in a single viewing.

Fans who are familiar with the world of "Batman" will enjoy the subplots and the familiarity of the characters with the Warring States period.

One of the most interesting characters is the Joker, who is the main antagonist in this film!　He showed a lot of the presence of a hedonistic trickster, including a surprising appearance along the way. I felt a strength that I can only praise in the way he pushed through with his hatred and his insubordination to the end.

The unique personalities of the rampaging villains made me realize the appeal of the "Batman" film, and as a bonus, it made me want to see the live-action film again.

Exhilaration at the free-spirited "entertainment mish-mash"!

The entire film is set against the backdrop of the Warring States period, which has been boldly altered and exquisitely detailed at the same time, and the action is so powerful that it will make your mouth drop open.

The film is filled with a variety of tonal images that sometimes amuse, sometimes amaze, and sometimes leave the viewer dumbfounded.

Rather than being a parody that requires knowledge of the source material to understand its meaning, the films are more like a hodgepodge of all the entertainment that has been produced in Japan over the ages.

Like Akira Kurosawa's period films,
Like ukiyoe,
like a giant robot animation,
experimental art animation,
like a monster movie,
Like special effects,
Like Kabuki ......

Each of these images is incorporated into a single work of art. And somehow, they do not seem to be at odds with each other. It makes you say, "I see...that's how it's done! It makes you think, "This is possible, too.

Who decided that this is the way animation should be done now? Such energy can be felt from the screen.

I can't say whether American comics have been put into the bag of historical dramas, or whether historical dramas have taken on the skin of American comics. It is as if to say, "I don't care which one it is, as long as it's interesting!" I felt a sense of exhilaration as if to say, "As long as it's funny, I don't care which one it is!

The promotional poster, which was also an admission bonus, features a star-studded cast of good and evil characters centered around "Sengoku Batman," with old-fashioned, ostentatious script and distinctive black-and-white coloring, in the style of Japanese posters from the 1950s, when period drama films were a popular pastime. This is another element of the jumble.

Come to think of it, the first time I "wanted to see" this film was when I saw the first key visual released.

Batman is posing for action against a golden full moon floating in the dark night. His costume shows armor-like parts, and he is holding a Japanese sword and a kunai in both hands.

Even so, the figure is unmistakably "Batman. The silhouette is deformed and beautiful, sleek and cool. There was a beauty similar to that of ukiyoe prints drawn in black ink.

Looking back, I think that all the messages were contained in this key visual.

For those who are even slightly curious about this film, I would like to say, "You're missing out if you don't see it in the theater! I would like to tell them.


(Text: YAMAYUKI)

BATMAN and all related characters and elements (C) & TM DC Comics.