Following the disastrous pile of shit known as Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League by Rocksteady Studios, Japan has once again been called upon to rescue the western comic industry. This time, the solution comes in the form of an anime adaptation, aiming to captivate both DC aficionados and otaku enthusiasts.
It’s been just over 8 months since the confirmation of an anime adaptation for the “Suicide Squad” franchise, dubbed Suicide Squad Isekai. This announcement has sparked immense anticipation within the otaku community for a project initially slated for a 2024 premiere.
Warner Bros. Japan ANIME has just announced that the premiere of Suicide Squad Isekai is scheduled for July 2024.
Furthermore, a new promotional video for this eagerly awaited anime has been revealed, showcasing several scenes as well as a preview of the anime’s closing theme song.
It’s noteworthy that this anime will include the participation of the renowned Hololive VTuber, “Mori Calliope,” who will perform the closing theme song titled “Go-Getters.” Additionally, the opening theme of the series, titled “Another World,” will be performed by “Tomoyasu Hotei.”
The anime “Suicide Squad ISEKAI” boasts an exceptional production team, with Eri Osada at the helm as director. Handling animation production is the esteemed studio, WIT Studio.
The narrative direction will be led by Tappei Nagatsuki, renowned for “Re: Zero,” and Eiji Umehara, acclaimed for “Vivy Prototype,” will contribute as a skilled writer.
The talented voice cast members for the series include:
- Anna Nagase as Harley Quinn
- Yuuichirou Umehara as Joker
- Takehito Koyasu as Peacemaker
- Jun Fukuyama as Clayface
- Subaru Kimura as King Shark
- Reigo Yamaguchi as Deadshot
This isn’t the first time that Japan has been called upon before to breathe new life into Western franchises. Notably, Studio Trigger’s anime adaptation of the supposed “RPG” Cyberpunk 2077 made waves globally.
Titled Cyberpunk Edgerunners, the anime premiered on Netflix and captured the anime community’s attention. Its impact was undoubtedly heightened by the controversial inclusion of the character “Rebecca,” a subject of debate as CD Projekt Red themselves expressed a desire for her removal. The anime adaptation’s popularity rejuvenated interest in the game itself which was heavily criticized at launch for being buggy, broken and void of actual content.
History has a way of repeating itself, and undoubtedly, a well-executed anime adaptation of Suicide Squad, with minimal intervention from Western influences, would capture the attention of genuine fans. Particularly, given the Western comic industry’s tendency to push identity politics onto consumers, Japan’s expertise in providing ample fan service is evident.
In this adaptation, Harley Quinn takes center stage, and unlike her depiction in Rocksteady’s recent flop, Harley Quinn is actually depicted as being a proper femme fatale once more.
The characters within Suicide Squad Isekai will be brought to life by the skilled character designers Akira Amano and Naoto Hosoda, infusing them with distinctive characteristics and visual styles. Enhancing the unique atmosphere of the anime will be the brilliant soundtrack composition by Keinichiro Suehiro.
The plot and premise of Suicide Squad ISEKAI unfold in the dark alleys of Gotham, where crime lurks as an ever-present menace. Amanda Waller, the fearless leader of A.R.G.U.S. who for once isn’t portrayed by Debra Wilson for ESG fanfare, devises a bold plan to tackle the escalating chaos. Gathering a motley crew of ruthless criminals, she forms an elite team known as the “Suicide Squad.” However, this time, their mission extends far beyond the shadowy streets of Gotham.
Harley Quinn, Deadshot, Peacemaker, Clayface, and King Shark, infamous supervillains, encounter a challenge that defies reality itself. Unexpectedly, they are whisked away to a magical, medieval realm through a mysterious interdimensional portal. In this new world, they confront threats like orcs menacing the land and towering dragons ruling the skies.
Life and death hang in the balance as lethal explosives are strapped around the necks of Suicide Squad members, leaving no room for error. Failure in their mission seals their fate with no chance of escape.
For avid fans of the franchise, it appears to be a promising watch as the ragtag group of villains grapple with challenges in the ISEKAI realm, striving desperately to return to Gotham in a do-or-die fashion.
As usual, Harley Quinn’s fixation on The Joker adds an intriguing layer to the narrative. However, one can only hope that the anime adaptation avoids any political jargon and pandering, a trend that DC Comics has been known for in recent years as Suicide Squad Isekai is set to premiere in July.
