Ever since the first trailer for Batman: Ninja premiered last year, fans have speculated if the translation into anime media would darken the quality of the Caped Crusader’s animated exploits.
Fans have gotten their answer with the announcement that the upcoming film earned a PG-13 rating, reasons being “for sequences of violence and action, and for suggestive material.”
Director Junpei Miyazaki, in response to the rating, concedes “PG-13, it’s a little hard to show limbs flying. Maybe just imagine it in your head. There are some scenes that come a little close to that.”
Announced at the 2017 New York Comic Con, the product of the combined efforts of Miyazaki, Kazuki Nakashima, and Takasha Okazashi – the minds behind A La Kill and Afro Samurai – and supported by a stellar Japanese voicecast – Koichi Yamadera (Batman), Wataru Takagi (Joker), Ai Kakuma (Catwoman), Rie Kugimiya (Harley Quinn) – Batman: Ninja offers a very unique take on The Dark Knight.
Set in Japan’s early years, promotional material suggest Edo-influenced interpretation of Batman’s Rogues Gallery, as well as appearances from members of the Bat Family.
While there is no official list of the American voicecast, there has been a teased “T.H.” credit beside the voice of the Joker.
Batman: Ninja premieres first in Japan, then internationally later on in the year.