Ninja Batman vs. Yakuza League premiered on streaming services across Japan this weekend but, after watching the first few minutes, my opinions were torn. The story is gripping, the character designs are phenomenal, but the overly CG-heavy animation style is a major letdown that overshadows the experience.
Let’s start with the positives—because there’s plenty to admire here.
Ninja Batman vs. Yakuza League, produced by Kamikaze Douga & YamatoWorks, delivers a story that’s as thrilling as it is absurd. Batman & his allies are pitted against a yakuza-inspired Justice League in a modern-day Gotham. The plot is packed with twists, adding surprising depth to what could’ve been a simple action flick. IGN’s review labelled it “equal parts exciting action & completely ludicrous comedy,” & I couldn’t agree more.
The character designs are another high point. Every member of the Yakuza League is a visual treat, drawing from distinct aesthetics that make them stand out. These designs are so excellent that they practically beg to be brought to life in a way that does them justice—but that’s where the execution falters.
The big issue here is the CG rendering. As a lifelong Batman fan who grew up on the hand-drawn brilliance of Batman: The Animated Series, I was hoping for an animation style that would match the story’s energy & the designs’ flair. Instead, the heavy reliance on CG makes the entire experience feel bulky, stiff & lifeless. Classic animated Batmans feel alive in a way this CG version doesn’t. The characters in Ninja Batman vs. Yakuza League move awkwardly, their expressions lack nuance, & the overall look has a matte plastic dullness that just pulls me out of the story.
It’s frustrating because the story & designs deserve better. The action scenes, like Batman’s showdown with a yakuza-fied Justice League, are conceptually thrilling, but the stiffness of the CG models undercuts their impact. I can’t help but imagine how incredible this would’ve been in 2D. For now, I’m struggling to stay immersed, torn between a story I adore & an execution that’s extremely off-putting. If you like CGI films or can even look past the CG, you’ll find a gem—but for me, it’s a disappointing clash that keeps this film from reaching its full potential.
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