Suicide Squad anime is another US superhero story made better by Japan

As a long-time fan of comic books and anime, I’ve seen my fair share of superhero adaptations that left me feeling underwhelmed and craving something new. The deluge of films that seem to prioritize franchise building over unique storytelling can be disheartening for both fans and creators alike.

The more you ponder over it, the more intriguing “Suicide Squad Isekai” becomes. In the latest anime from Wit Studio airing in the US on Max and Hulu, DC Comics’ infamous villains such as Harley Quinn, Clayface, Deadshot, Peacemaker, and King Shark are transported into a world of knights, magic, and dragons. As could be imagined, this results in an instantly amusing scenario. However, it offers more than just humor. If you’ve seen “Batman: Gotham Knight,” there is a noticeable progression – the ideas have been examined, refined, and enhanced, leading us to “Suicide Squad Isekai.” This connection opens up possibilities for Japanese influence on American superhero narratives. Let me clarify that point.

In the realm of anime known as Isekai, stories revolve around individuals from our contemporary world unexpectedly traveling to lands filled with magic. Shows such as “The Rising of the Shield Hero” and “Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation” showcase these characters causing turbulence due to their modern moral compasses or abilities that held no value in their former lives, yet prove incredibly effective in the fantasy realm. The genre thrives on the collision of worlds, leading to chaos and intrigue.

In the intriguing world of “Suicide Squad Isekai,” the concept shines brilliantly when the leading characters are infamous scoundrels, particularly those with a lengthy criminal record. The wicked crew of this series can delve deep into the core of the genre right away by unleashing carnage, chaos, and devastation upon a magical land inhabited by orcs and werewolves. This is not for cheap thrills, but rather a reflection of their inherent natures, which have been previously developed in other works. Simultaneously, director Eri Osada and writers Tappei Nagatsuki and Eiji Umehara skillfully introduce Harley and her companions to newcomers, emphasizing their grating personas and constant feuding – a well-known aspect of the “isekai” genre that stems from its focus on conflict.

The blend of “Suicide Squad” and the genre of “isekai” appears to be a perfect match. It’s astonishing that this hasn’t been attempted before, given the success of projects like “Batman: Gotham Knight,” where Japanese creatives breathed new life into American superheroes. The 2008 film consists of six segments, each loosely connected by a plot devised by Jordan Goldberg. Notable American writers like Greg Rucka and Brian Azzarello contributed to the individual stories. However, it was the Japanese studios, such as Madhouse, Studio 4°C, Bee Train, or Production I.G, who brought their distinctive styles to the Batman tales, resulting in captivating adaptations.

As a lifelong fan of comic books and animation, I’ve seen my fair share of interpretations of iconic characters like Batman. But none have captured the essence of his complex nature quite like “Have I Got a Story for You.” Having grown up hearing tales of the Dark Knight from various sources, I can relate to the four kids in this short who each project their own theories and imagination onto him.

As a gamer, I can relate this experience to playing a horror game where the line between reality and illusion is blurred. In “In Darkness Dwells,” the creators, David Goyer and Madhouse, pull off an impressive hallucination sequence using Scarecrow’s fear toxin. It doesn’t feel forced or artificial; instead, it’s organic and captivating due to its distinct animation style. This isn’t just a testament to animation in general but specifically Japanese animation, which is known for taking bold risks and pushing the boundaries of this medium.

The creators of “Suicide Squad Isekai” learned a valuable lesson: don’t miss out on the chance to experiment when making a superhero adaptation that isn’t part of an established universe. The Marvel Cinemic Universe has revolutionized superhero movies, but it also led to an oversaturation of comic book films that seem more focused on franchise building than telling engaging stories. It can feel like there are no longer standalone superhero films in the US, only potential new cinematic universes in the making. This trend often discourages filmmakers from taking risks and instead opting for familiar styles and plots.

An illustrative instance is the distinctive, dance-infused ending of “Suicide Squad Isekai,” which brought something novel to the superhero genre and recalled the quirky intro of “Peacemaker.” However, the success of “Peacemaker” in implementing this approach is largely due to James Gunn’s reputation as an accomplished creator. Regrettably, many creators lack the same level of influence. Nevertheless, when a superhero franchise undergoes the anime adaptation process, the freedom from conforming to a specific cinematic universe empowers all collaborators to act as their individual “James Gunn” and explore creative possibilities.

As a longtime fan of comic books and anime, I’ve been fortunate enough to witness some truly unique adaptations of beloved stories across these two mediums. One such example that stands out in my mind is Marvel Anime’s take on the X-Men, specifically the 2011 series based on the Dark Phoenix saga.

In conclusion, let’s examine a real-life instance outside the realm of animation: The Japanese live-action “Spider-Man” series produced by Toei from 1978 to 1979, which Marvel granted permission to adapt freely. With alien spider blood bestowing powers upon him, this Japanese Spider-Man battled villainous Professor Monster and his giant robot Leopardon. At the time, giant robots were a novelty in live-action Japanese productions, but “Spider-Man’s” success paved the way for their popularity. After Toei’s concept for a “Captain Japan” show failed to materialize and morphed into “Battle Fever J,” the third installment of the Super Sentai franchise, Toei ensured that this new team received a giant robot as well. This feature became a defining aspect of Super Sentai, eventually becoming known to American audiences as “Power Rangers,” following the fusion of original Japanese fight sequences with footage of American actors.

As a long-time fan of comic books and superhero stories, I’ve always been intrigued by how different cultures approach the genre. And let me tell you, my friends, nothing quite compares to the magical world of Power Rangers, which was born out of the unique fusion of American and Japanese creativity.

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2024-07-26 19:19