DC had infiltrated the anime world way before it was the trend, and the DC adaptations continue to be popular among fans. From Batman Gotham Knights and Galactic Warrior Wonder Princess to Batman Ninja, several anime have been produced based on DC characters.
In fact, DC has received more anime adaptations than Marvel, and all of them have received positive attention from fans. So why end here? Why not let the anime wave carry DC forward? Otakus would love nothing more than to watch their favorite heroes and villains again, but in anime form.
Batman Gotham Knight Could be the Beginning of DCEU’s Revival
Batman Gotham Knight is a Japanese-American anthology film consisting of six parts, and it debuted in 2008. Each segment was animated by different Japanese studios: Madhouse, Bee Train, Studio 4°C, and Production I.G. Among the sex parts, Studio Madhouse animated two, namely In Darkness Dwells and Deadshot.
The anime film was a refreshing take on the DC universe, and even those who are not familiar with the Batman lore could watch it. It also earned more than $9 million in home video sales. The movie itself is set between Batman Begins and The Dark Knight, but the anthology is not integral to the main story.
Among the parts, Deadshot by Madhouse stands as an incredibly animated adaptation that puts a fitting end to the movie. The plot involves an assassin named Deadshot, who assassinates Mayor Morning with a spectacular shot. However, it is soon revealed that his real target is actually Batman. The last segment of the movie has received praise from fans and critics alike, paving the way for further collaborations between Madhouse and DC.
Madhouse Could Take Over the DCEU
The DCEU or DC Extended Universe is a shared universe that includes common plot elements, characters as well as settings of the original DC universe. This shared universe was established with the debut of Msn of Steel in 2013. It received several other films.
In 2022, James Gun and Peter Safran were appointed to reboot the franchise and transition some characters to the DCEU. The DCEU films concluded in 2023 with the release of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.
Despite being a spinoff franchise, it became the ninth-highest-grossing one of all time, and it is clear that fans have loved the universe. Now that the universe has ended, fans are eager to know what will happen to the transitioned characters next. This is where Madhouse or other Japanese studios could take over to create anime based on these characters.
Suicide Squad Isekai, created by WIT studio, debuted in June 2024 and has already received a fair amount of attention from DC as well as anime fans all over the world. This might be the perfect opportunity to reprise the franchise rather than letting it die.
Batman Gotham Knight is available to stream/rent on Amazon Prime Video.
