Talented Japanese animators have once again stepped into the DC Universe. Wit Studio has taken up the task of making anime versions of beloved (perhaps reviled?) DC villains. Harley Quinn and the Joker will soon become isekai protagonists in the cleverly-named Suicide Squad ISEKAI series. The premiere date has yet to be revealed, but we do have a brief trailer to keep us company until then.
The home page promoting Suicide Squad ISEKAI not only includes the key art, but also brief statements expressing excitement from various leading figures on the project. The Japanese WB Twitter page also shared the trailer. They raised a good point: it was only a matter of time before DC had a true anime isekai experience.
The Other World Isn’t Ready for Two Evil Clowns
Suicide Squad ISEKAI’s plot isn’t readily available. We have a general idea of what’s coming from the trailer and the synopsis on the home page. Harley Quinn and the Joker are sent to another world. We’re not told if Truck-kun did what Batman dreams of doing and getting them out of his cowl.
Harley Quinn and the Joker end up in a fantastical world filled with magical knights and monsters. It’s a fair sight better than their wanton joyride through the streets of Gotham. It’s not clear what sort of shenanigans they get up to in the other world, but it’s doubtful that they’re going to be the paragon heroes seen in other isekai protagonists. Amanda Waller’s role as the director of the Suicide Squad, is also unclear.
Suicide Squad ISEKAI Origins
Suicide Squad ISEKAI has a stellar cast attached to it. Wit Studio is responsible for some incredible anime series, such as Attack on Titan, Spy x Family, The Ancient Magus’ Bride, and Vinland Saga. Tappei Nagatsuki, the creator of Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World, and Eiji Umehara, who worked with him on Vivy: Fluorite Eye’s Song, are writing the series. Akira Amano, the creator of Katekyo Hitman Reborn!, works as the character designer.
Harley Quinn was created by Paul Dini and Bruce Tim, and first appeared on September 11, 1992. The Joker was created by Bill Finger, Bob Kane, and Jerry Robinson in the spring of 1940.
This isn’t the first time that Japanese animators have worked on DC projects. A number of well-known Japanese anime studios worked on Batman: The Animated Series back in the day.
Likewise, Batman: Gotham Knight was a major collaboration between Studio 4°C, Madhouse, Bee Train, and Production I.G that was released on July 8th, 2008.
Batman Ninja was released on April 24th, 2018, and saw Batman, Catwoman, and a number of other heroes and villains drawn back to feudal Japan. Kamikaze Douga and YamatoWorks animated this movie.
J-List has a nice recommendation for those looking for an evil isekai waifu. The Echidna 1/7 Figure Wedding Ver. from the Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- section is now available for pre-order.
Are you looking forward to Harley and Joker’s isekai misadventure in Suicide Squad ISEKAI? Was this announcement a surprise to you? Do you think DC heroes and villains look better in anime style? Let us know in the comments below.
