Batman Ninja vs. Yakuza League, an anime that boldly fuses the American superhero Batman with Japanese culture and traditions, held a special talk event at the EXPO Arena Stage during the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo on April 26.

Produced by Warner Bros. Japan’s animation division, the film offers pure entertainment by blending East and West in a dynamic setting. Koichi Yamadera, voicing Batman, and Yuki Kaji, voicing Robin, appeared on stage, energizing the crowd and expressing their gratitude under the sunny skies.

Following the 2018 release of Batman Ninja, this new installment adds elements of ninjas and yakuza to Batman’s world, creating a wild and imaginative story set in Japan where DC superheroes run riot. The film is directed by Junpei Mizusaki and Shinji Takagi, with a screenplay by Kazuki Nakashima, character designs by Takashi Okazaki, and animation production handled by Kamikaze Douga.

Yamadera shared insights into his approach to voicing Batman, emphasizing the character’s stoic and serious nature, which earned nods of agreement from the audience. Meanwhile, Kaji brought laughter to the stage by sharing an episode where Yamadera meticulously reviewed the script before the event.

Kaji highlighted the anime’s broad appeal, saying, "Those familiar with the Batman series will enjoy it even more, but it’s also a simple and thrilling animation anyone can enjoy." The two showcased their strong chemistry—having often played parent-child roles together in the past—and even overwhelmed the hosts, the comedy duo Oniichan, with their lively banter.

Reflecting on the event, Kaji commented, "It was a whirlwind of time, but I’m thrilled to have shared the stage with Yamadera-san. It's a work you can enjoy instinctively without overthinking." Yamadera added, "It’s a really fun piece. It's available across multiple platforms, so please check it out—and continue to enjoy Expo 2025!" concluding the event on a high note.

About Batman Ninja vs. Yakuza League

Batman Ninja vs. Yakuza League is a Japanese animated work born from the concept of "Batman × Ninja."

In the previous film, an entirely original story unfolded, featuring Batman traveling back to Japan’s Sengoku period, where he transformed into a warlord to confront the evil ambitions of Jokers ruling over rival territories.

Released in 2018, the film was met with an enthusiastic response worldwide, especially in North America.

This latest installment reunites the powerhouse creative team:
Directors: Junpei Mizusaki and Shinji Takagi
Screenplay: Kazuki Nakashima
Character Design: Takashi Okazaki
Animation Production: Kamikaze Douga

Source : PR TIMES