Ahead of its April 24 digital release, Sony has published a sneak peek of
Batman Ninja, a feature-length animated film that sends the Dark Knight to feudal Japan in a creative interpretation of the long-standing franchise. With his high-tech gadgetry rendered obsolete, Batman must rely on his intellect, fighting skills, and the help of some of his allies transported alongside him to prevent the Joker and other enemies from overtaking the country and rewriting history.
The video below is the first two minutes of the highly anticipated animated film, highlighting the moment Batman and company are transported to feudal Japan.
Batman Ninja takes a journey across the ages as Gorilla Grodd's time displacement machine transports many of Batman's worst enemies to feudal Japan - along with the Dark Knight and a few of his allies. The villains take over the forms of the feudal lords that rule the divided land, with the Joker taking the lead among the warring factions. As his traditional high-tech weaponry is exhausted almost immediately, Batman must rely on his intellect and his allies - including Catwoman and the extended Bat-family - to restore order to the land, and return to present-day Gotham City.
Batman Ninja is the creative result of three of anime's finest filmmakers: director Jumpei Mizusaki (Opening animation of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure), writer Kazuki Nakashima (Gurren Lagann), and character designer Takashi Okazaki (Afro Samurai). The script was rewritten for English-language distribution by award-winning screenwriters Leo Chu and Eric Garcia (Supah Ninjas, Afro Samurai). Roger Craig Smith (Batman: Arkham Origins) and Tony Hale (Veep) voice the characters of Batman and Joker, respectively, leading an impressive cast that also includes Grey Griffin as Catoman and Tara Strong as Harley Quinn.
Batman Ninja makes its digital debut on April 24, followed by the physical release of a Blu-ray/DVD/Digital combo on May 8.