iReview | BATMAN NINJA vs. YAKUZA LEAGUE

The DC Animated Feature is available now on 4K Ultra HD.

The world is turned upside down in the long-awaited animated sequel to one of the most artfully reimagined interpretations of the Dark Knight Detective in BATMAN NINJA VS. YAKUZA LEAGUE.

The Caped Crusader, DC Comics’ Batman, has been one of its superpowered pantheon's most reinterpreted and revisited characters. It has always remained authentic to the integral elements of his iconic origins. The Caped Crusader has been portrayed across all media and eras as a groovy hipster, an urban street fighter, a techno warrior, and even a cowled Victorian adventurer. Each time, Batman remained true to his mission of seeking justice, even if the original terrain of Gotham City and its presentation differed wildly to suit the setting explored.

Across the world, Batman has had an influence and existed inside the cultural expressions of many of those lands to reflect the artful nature of Anime, for instance. One such interpretation was brought to fruition under the direction of renowned filmmaker Junpei Mizusaki, also known for contributing the brilliantly crafted anthology series Star Wars: Visions, which gave fans a world’s view of a galaxy far, far away. The Japanese director applied a traditional anime take to the underworld of Gotham and its villainous menagerie in the 2018 DC animated feature Batman Ninja.

Cut to 2025, and fans are gifted with a return to the influential direction and inspired animation of Mizusaki in a proper sequel entitled BATMAN NINJA vs. YAKUZA LEAGUE available on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and Digital. In a story written by Kazuki Nakashima and animated by Kamikaze Douga, the consequences of Batman’s incursion into an alternate reality threaten Gotham City. A merciless group of Yakuza crime families descends from the skies and is ready to take hold of the city. Now Batman must confront the mysterious head of the organization who has assembled a Yakuza League!

Batman like you've never experienced him before.

Culturally Appropriate

The action begins almost immediately, as Batman and Robin are aware that something is wrong in Gotham City, and that it might be their fault. An army of assassins drops out of a hole above Gotham City. Upon further investigation, Batman learns that the Japanese counterpart of the world he and Robin just visited (in Batman Ninja) is inside the hole. Something is dangerously wrong, and not everything is where it should be, most notably — the Justice League is missing. Batman, Robin, and the rest of the Bat-Family must brave the new order before it’s too late.

He soon realizes that alternate versions of the Justice League are waiting for him and serve at the whim of the heads of the Yukaza families. Superman, in particular, is the enforcer of the sinister mastermind behind the entire operation, and what he has planned is far more devious than anyone anticipates. The film is an excellent sequel to the first, and if there is room for an additional installment to complete the trilogy, there’s no doubt an audience waiting to dive in.

For fans of traditional anime, Mizusaki has kept to every means available to him and his team to bring the two worlds of the Dark Knight, the Japanese underworld, and the modern Gotham City, to distinct life. The animation is beautifully engaging and showcases the anime world's unique palette. The disc is packaged with Special Features that reveal how the filmmakers created the fight sequences and brought the Justice League to Japan. Batman Ninja vs. Yakuza League is a worthy addition to your DC Animated Feature collection.

Get your #FanzEyeView of BATMAN NINJA VS. YAKUZA LEAGUE, available now on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and Digital:

BATMAN NINJA VS. YAKUZA LEAGUE | is available on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD. The package costs $25.99 on Amazon.

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