Batman Anime?
It sounds like Warner Brothers might release an Animatrix-style Batman Anime next year to promote ‘Batman: The Dark Knight‘. Rather than use big name anime directors like they did with The Matrix anime, they seem to be going with big-name American comic book writers. Here are some possible details. The flier for the Batman Anime* originated on batman-on-film.com. In order to read it better, I transcribed the letter:
Batman Anime
Targeted Audience:
- Dual: Core fans and tween boys
- Rating: PG-13 (anticipated)
Release:
- 2-4 weeks in advance of The Dark Knight film release
Overview:
Set in the time period between BATMAN BEGINS and THE DARK KNIGHT, this brand-new adventure follow BATMAN as he unravels a mystery over 6 short stories, done in the style of Japanese Anime. Each of the six original stories has been written by a highly-respected screenwriter or comic book creator. The talent includes: Academy Award nominee Josh Olsen (The History of Violence), Screenwriter of the Blade films and Batman Begins David Goyer, and famed comic book writer Brian Azzarello, amongst others.
The Batman Anime DVD is viewed as the perfect companion piece to BATMAN BEGINS and THE DARK KNIGHT. The original stories introduce a number of classic characters from the DC Comics BATMAN universe as well as following up on characters and storylines that were introduced in BATMAN BEGINS.
*Special thanks to Ain’t It Cool News for the tip!
How do you feel about a possible Batman anime?
Frankly, I think it’s just an effort by WB to get more of our money out of our pockets. There’s nothing wrong with that, and I own a few Batman DVDs (including some of the animated stuff), but all that aside, I think Batman would make a fairly decent anime-style protagonist.
My only issue, is that they’re aiming it at such a young audience. Ignoring the core fans, who’ll buy it just because of the giant bat on the package, aiming it at ‘tween boys, means a number of things, mainly the fact that it won’t be that dark of a story. Something more in lines with what we see in BATMAN TAS rather than Miller’s awesome The Dark Knight Returns.
Of course, that could just be me being cynical over American animated fare.
In general I don’t like US companies monkeying with anime trying to create anime, but that aside, is this actually going to be produced in Japan, or is it going to be made in the US but in Japanese style?
If it is going to be made in Japan then I think that how good it is will depend on the animation company and director. Madhouse seems like it would be the best animation company for a Batman movie. And for some reason I think Oshii would do an interesting job directing a version of Batman — but that’s just never going to happen.
I thought the whole point of the Batman movie industry was expensive rubber nipples…how’s the anime going to sell without that kind of appeal?
Rather than do an anime, they should try for the same art style as Batman Beyond, which had some anime-style elements in it and was quite good.