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Wizard reports that a direct to dvd animated Batman anthology is in the work to coincide with Christopher Nolan's next Batman film. In addition of involvement from Bruce Timm, Batman: Gotham Knight will feature work from anime studios Madhouse (Ninja Scroll, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, Paprika), Studio 4°C (TekkonKinkreet), and Production I.G (Ghost in the Shell). Director Satoshi Kon (Paprika) is likely to work on the project as well.
It might sound perverse in light of my recent track record on this forum... but the idea of an anime Batman is not something that I find hugely appealing in the climate of the forthcoming dark, dark, dark Dark Knight movie. Don't get me wrong, I'm looking forward to Nolan's movie more than any other cinema blockbuster, but I'd much rather see Satoshi Kon or Yoji Enokido unleashed on a version of the character more in line with Mike Allred's utterly joyous homage to the Adam West-era Batman in his issue of Solo than what will probably be an animated spin on a grim and gritty Caped Crusader. I don't think meta-craziness is probably what they'll aim for in a standalone OVA anthology, and I cringe to think of most of the Animatrix shorts (apart from the Lain-inspired haunted house instalment). One wonders what these studios can teach us about Batman that we don't already know, and I'm not particularly keen to see this being more ammunition for those who think anime is more about style than substance.
Still, those are three strong studios. Shame Studio Gainax aren't in the mix, because in a perfect world all visual entertainment would be made by those fucking nutters. |
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