Batman Ninja
Synopsis — from MyAnimeList
At Arkham Asylum, Batman clashes with Gorilla Grodd while trying to destroy Grodd's newest invention: the Quake Engine. Amidst the chaos, the engine activates, and the entire asylum suddenly vanishes into thin air—Batman along with it. Once the dust settles, Batman finds himself standing in the middle of an unfamiliar road. He soon realizes that he is no longer in Gotham City—but instead in Feudal Japan! The amazement quickly fades as samurai descend upon him, seeking to take his life. Later on, Batman's investigation leads him to discover that the one responsible for the kill order is none other than his archnemesis, the Joker. Following an encounter with Catwoman, he learns that the asylum's criminals had teleported there two years earlier—each ruling over a piece of Japan with Joker being the dominant warlord. In order to return home, Batman must reactivate the Quake Engine, situated in the remnants of the asylum, now known as Arkham Castle. However, there is one problem: aside from his gadget belt, the arsenal that was once at his fingertips is all but gone. Ninja Batman follows the Dark Knight as he traverses a strange new environment, facing off against familiar foes in a bid to return to Gotham in one piece.
Audience Consensus
Audience reception is sharply divided, with many praising its unique visual style, over-the-top action, and embrace of anime tropes. However, critics frequently point to a nonsensical plot, inconsistent characters, and poor English sound mixing as significant drawbacks. It's a film that embraces its absurdity, leading to a love-it-or-hate-it reaction.
Strengths
- Stunning visual presentation with a blend of CGI and hand-drawn animation.
- Exciting and well-directed action sequences with fluid animation.
- Unique and impressive character designs, particularly for Joker and Catwoman.
- Fantastic soundtrack and sound mixing in the Japanese version.
- Entertaining and over-the-top 'Rule of Cool' narrative that embraces anime tropes.
- Strong voice acting, especially for the Joker.
Weaknesses
- Story is often nonsensical, rushed, and relies heavily on deus ex machina resolutions.
- Characterizations and motivations are frequently inconsistent or poorly developed.
- Sound mixing in the English version is poor, with voices overpowering other audio elements.
- Some plot elements are repetitive or feel like a waste of time.
- The CGI can be janky at times, particularly in certain action sequences.
- The blend of anime and Batman elements can feel jarring and nonsensical to some viewers.