Batman: The Animé Movie
would you like to see Batman receive the Animé treatment?
If your answer is yes, then this is the right movie for you. It is actually a group of six short films developed in Anime style of the highest possible quality by studios of the stature of Madhouse (the same that produced Vampire Hunter D and Highlander) and others. These films were released in 2005 right in between Batman Begins and The Dark Knight but they are not necessarily part of the story told in the trilogy that Christopher Nolan directed. With that said it is still undeniable that there are in these films details that demonstrate how heavily Nolan's Batman movies influenced Batman: Gotham Knight which is the name given to this collection. Some of those details are a Morgan Freeman look alike Lucius Fox, the use of Agent Ramírez who only appears in the movies but not in the comics, or villains who are principally mobsters and their henchmen. And this is another characteristic of this production: classic elements that are part of Batman's universe are mostly absent such as the Batmobile, Robin, or really "fried" villains like the Joker, Two-Face, Zsass, Black Mask or Mad Hatter; even the Penguin or the Riddler are nowhere to be found. Nevertheless, we get to see the Scarecrow, Killer Croc, Deadshot plus an unnamed techno-criminal, and the mobsters of course.
The titles of the segments are the following:
1. Have I Got a Story for You
2. Crossfire
3. Field Test
4. In Darkness Dwells
5. Working Through Pain
6. Deadshot
They are connected forming a long story told through the talents of diverse artists and different writers just like happens in comic books. But it is not only the visuals and the plot what stands out here: the voices lent to the characters are just another plus with Kevin Conroy, the artist that most often has done this job (there is a reason for that) coming back for this new Batman stint. This is one of the best productions where two genres such as the American comic book superhero storytelling and the Animé style come together to give as a result a product to satisfy even the most recalcitrant Batman fans.
Truly Batman is one of the few characters that lends itself for this type of experiences and usually, if not always, comes out successful. What is his secret? If any, his secret is that shadowy presence of his, that dark figure that ominous stands vigilant ready to strike if we ever decide to go rogue.
So for many, it is a good thing Batman is only make believe.
If your answer is yes, then this is the right movie for you. It is actually a group of six short films developed in Anime style of the highest possible quality by studios of the stature of Madhouse (the same that produced Vampire Hunter D and Highlander) and others. These films were released in 2005 right in between Batman Begins and The Dark Knight but they are not necessarily part of the story told in the trilogy that Christopher Nolan directed. With that said it is still undeniable that there are in these films details that demonstrate how heavily Nolan's Batman movies influenced Batman: Gotham Knight which is the name given to this collection. Some of those details are a Morgan Freeman look alike Lucius Fox, the use of Agent Ramírez who only appears in the movies but not in the comics, or villains who are principally mobsters and their henchmen. And this is another characteristic of this production: classic elements that are part of Batman's universe are mostly absent such as the Batmobile, Robin, or really "fried" villains like the Joker, Two-Face, Zsass, Black Mask or Mad Hatter; even the Penguin or the Riddler are nowhere to be found. Nevertheless, we get to see the Scarecrow, Killer Croc, Deadshot plus an unnamed techno-criminal, and the mobsters of course.
The titles of the segments are the following:
1. Have I Got a Story for You
2. Crossfire
3. Field Test
4. In Darkness Dwells
5. Working Through Pain
6. Deadshot
They are connected forming a long story told through the talents of diverse artists and different writers just like happens in comic books. But it is not only the visuals and the plot what stands out here: the voices lent to the characters are just another plus with Kevin Conroy, the artist that most often has done this job (there is a reason for that) coming back for this new Batman stint. This is one of the best productions where two genres such as the American comic book superhero storytelling and the Animé style come together to give as a result a product to satisfy even the most recalcitrant Batman fans.
Truly Batman is one of the few characters that lends itself for this type of experiences and usually, if not always, comes out successful. What is his secret? If any, his secret is that shadowy presence of his, that dark figure that ominous stands vigilant ready to strike if we ever decide to go rogue.
So for many, it is a good thing Batman is only make believe.
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