Comic book heroes are filtered through the eyes of the creatives before reaching the reader, empowering our heroes to shift, change, and experience adventures that are unique to the storyteller. Sure, it may create places for readers to argue and debate, but, honestly, that’s half the fun. In 2018, Warner Bros. Japan released a unique interpretation of DC Comics pillar Bruce Wayne/Batman through writer Kazuki Nakashima (Promare) and director Jumpei Mizusaki’s (Sturgill Simpson Presents Sound & Fury) Batman Ninja (ニンジャバットマン), not just moving the Bat Family and their enemies to a different location, but presenting the entire world as if constructed through the Japanese art style of Ukiyo-e, evoking not just a specific place but a specific artistic time. Seven years later, not only have Nakashima and Mizusaki released a follow-up story, Batman Ninja vs. the Yakuza League, but Warner Bros. Home Entertainment (WBHE) has upgraded Batman Ninja with a first-time 4K UHD edition which includes all the previous legacy features.
Is the 4K UHD enough to warrant a trip to the past? Let’s get into it.
R: Batman voiced by Kōichi Yamadera /Roger Craig Smith in BATMAN NINJA. Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures. Photo not representative of 4K UHD.
While on a mission to prevent Gorilla Grodd’s (voiced by Takehito Koyasu /Fred Tatasciore) latest plot, Batman (voiced by Kōichi Yamadera /Roger Craig Smith) and the Bat Family find themselves teleported in time and space from present day Gotham to feudal Japan. With his wits, his kids, Selina Kyle/Catwoman (voiced by Ai Kakuma /Grey Griffin), and Alfred (voiced by Hōchū Ōtsuka /Adam Croasdell), Batman must figure out a way to access Grodd’s Quake Engine device in order to return them and several Arkham Asylum inmates back to their right time and place. But doing so is going to mean more than making deals with the brilliant Grodd as the enigmatic and chaotic Joker (voiced by Wataru Takagi /Tony Hale) quite likes feudal Japan and has designs to reshape the past to his will.
If you already own Batman Ninja from its original 2018 physical release, there’s nothing different between the liner art (save for the new DC logo), the menu screen, the bonus features, or the option to switch between either the Japanese or English language audio. The only really noticeable change is on the back of the liner which is more scrunched to make room for the 4K UHD information. Outside of that, it’s all identical, up to and including the three featurettes that make up over an hour of material. Additionally, unlike the prior release, there is no digital edition included with the 4K UHD physical edition. And with no 4K UHD edition available on digital at this time, the physical version may be your only option. Finally, where the prior physical release was a dual-format title, the 4K UHD edition is strictly one disc, which is in line with much of WBHE’s model over the last few years of one disc per physical release.
So what is new and is it worth the cost?
The original release, a standard high-definition presentation, is remarkable for the integration of 2D and 3D animation that rather nicely bridges the divide between Edo era artwork and the modern technological processes for art and animation. This new edition, upscaled in 4K and available in Dolby Vision HDR for compatible systems, offers viewers an enhanced experience which, frankly, made the already beautiful film pop. A great example of this is just before the sequence in which the Bat Family and Grodd try to usurp Joker — a serene depiction of a boat resting on the water, the low sun covering the environment in orange/purple ombre. With the increased range of color and refined detail, this image alone could be framed and hung on a wall, mistaken as an Edo original instead of seen as a piece inspired by it by those less knowledgeable. Additionally, due to the enhanced detail, viewers will notice the repetitive etches carved into the background — the series of radiating short-waves that underscore the sky. These blend in far more on the SHD (standard high definition) whereas their prominence with the 4K UHD edition greatly conveys the cultural influence that the filmmakers seek to tap into. It’s not until Batman fully embraces their situation that these markings disappear and the general look of the film transitions from the Ukiyo-e styling to a more grounded and realistic production design. This doesn’t make the forthcoming mech fights against a primate-constructed kaiju any less heightened, but the visual presentation shift does anchor the adventure so that actions carry more weight. Speaking of shifted weight, thanks to the 4K UHD, the watercolor-esque sequence with Jason Todd/Red Hood (voiced by Akira Ishida/Yuri Lowenthal) as he engages with a seemingly neutralized Joker is positively gorgeous. Like the aforementioned water sequence, the art direction in this sequence works to support the diminutive nature of Joker and Harley’s combined threat level. It’s simple, yet refined, not possessing the advanced techniques of woodcarving or the landscapes that make up Ukiyo-e, adopting an older look that offers an elegance while supporting the narrative intention of Joker’s new cognitive decline, especially when compared against the more 3D animated, ergo modern, styling of the rest of the character and synergy between past and present. In this sequence, Joker and Harley are fully integrated into the period, the shift in visual style cementing this for the viewer. With the upscaling, this means that Red Hood’s headgear, called a komuso, which is more of a dark burnt red in the SDR version is more of a rust red in the HDR version. Likewise, the strokes of blue to indicate the sky are just a little more vibrant, while the use of negative space is just a touch more white to help differentiate the robes worn by Joker and Harley that make them appear more embedded within the time period. There’re a lot of little things that stand out, even as an upscale, that make an already impressive story moreso.
From a technical perspective, the bitrate on this edition is wild and often inconsistent. It does hover in mid-80/low-90 Mbps (indicative of a high-range bitrate for a 4K UHD title), but it does frequently dip into the high-40s/mid-50s (which is just above the max bitrate for a Blu-ray). It’s consistent enough on the higher end of the bitrate that one doesn’t question the viability of the upscale, especially when it looks and sounds as good as it does (the explosive sequences really make good use of the surround speakers, if you have them). Thankfully, any dips in bitrate doesn’t translate to video or audio issues with the picture and sound remaining consistent throughout.
It’s possible that I’m in the minority here as a story like Batman Ninja is entirely my jelly and jam. Though it uses the characters and foundational elements of Bob Kane and Bill Finger’s Dark Knight and the subsequent characters of Gotham City, it does so through the prism of Japanese cultural, creating opportunities to do some truly amazing things (like the aforementioned mech battles). I will grant that it doesn’t make sense to manufacture narrative tension by having Bruce feel out of place in feudal Japan without his gadgets (the man was trained by the League of Assassins in some iterations, but is the consummate survivor in all iterations), but this choice creates space for audiences less familiar with Japanese culture and customs to be led to things through Bruce’s ignorance. It’s my least favorite aspect of the film, but, with everything else it does right, I’ll forgive it. This film is an absolute blast on the first watch and the 15th and the 4K UHD edition does visibly improve an already striking experience. That said, given how similar this edition is to the previous in packaging and bonus features, the recommendation would be to try to catch this on sale. There’s not so much improved from the 4K UHD with Dolby Vision HDR that requires someone to run to purchase and times are tight. But, if/when you do pick it up, you won’t regret it.
Batman Ninja Legacy Special Features:
- East/West Batman (17:31)
- Batman: Made in Japan (14:02)
- New York Comic Con Presents Batman Ninja (48:59)
Available on digital HD April 24th, 2018.
Available on Blu-ray and DVD May 8th, 2018.
Available on 4K UHD Blu-ray July 8th, 2025.
For more information, head to the official Warner Bros. Pictures Batman Ninja webpage.
Share this:
Categories: Films To Watch, Home Release, Recommendation
Leave a Reply