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Animated action film

Batman Ninja (2018): Cast, Ratings & Plot

Batman Ninja (2018) movie poster

Batman Ninja is a 2018 animated action film directed by Jumpei Mizusaki, starring Koichi Yamadera as Batman / Bruce Wayne (voice), Takehito Koyasu and Ai Kakuma. It runs 1 hour 25 minutes. Its Echo Score is 68/100.

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Batman Ninja (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 25m (85 min)
Director
Jumpei Mizusaki
Genres
Animation , Action , Sci-Fi
Original language
Japanese
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Batman Ninja About?

The premise of Batman Ninja without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

East meets west. Batman, along with many of his allies and adversaries, finds himself transported to feudal Japan by Gorilla Grodd’s time displacement machine.

Batman Ninja Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • based on comic book
  • feudal japan
  • superhero
  • supervillain
  • ninja
  • samurai
  • katana
  • time travel
  • weapon
  • robot castle
  • ancient japan
  • supervillain team
+38 more
  • burglar
  • handheld weapon
  • combined giant robot
  • japanese castle
  • supervillain versus supervillain
  • cat burglar
  • bladed weapon
  • giant robot
  • castle
  • good versus evil
  • female burglar
  • sword
  • masked man
  • monkey
  • female cat burglar
  • masked superhero
  • mustached man
  • gorilla
  • caped superhero
  • two word title
  • talking gorilla
  • deathstroke character
  • gotham city
  • batmobile
  • arkham asylum
  • aircraft
  • transforming castle
  • exo suit
  • jet aircraft
  • transforming motorcycle
  • batwing
  • animal supervillain
  • shuriken
  • japan
  • bat the animal
  • firearm
  • actor voicing multiple characters
  • giant shuriken
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Cast & crew

Batman Ninja Cast & Characters

Koichi Yamadera leads the cast as Batman / Bruce Wayne (voice), with Takehito Koyasu as Gorilla Grodd (voice) and Ai Kakuma as Catwoman / Selina Kyle (voice). Directed by Jumpei Mizusaki; 17 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Batman Ninja

· 13 more
Ratings

Batman Ninja Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 68/100, strongest in art & craft (90) and weakest in story & flow (45).

68 /100

Batman Ninja Echo Score Breakdown

Batman Ninja is a visually ambitious animated feature whose strongest asset is its distinctive art style, while its narrative and character work fall short of the same standard. Reviewers consistently highlight the impressive anime‑inspired animation, bold color palette, and inventive fusion of tech with feudal Japan, yet they also note a disjointed plot that relies heavily on fan‑service and simplistic dialogue. The voice performances receive mixed feedback, ranging from solid to flat. Consequently, the film offers an entertaining spectacle but lacks lasting depth.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 90

    Regarding art and craft, the film excels in animation and production design, delivering a striking anime‑inspired aesthetic with detailed character models and dynamic action sequences. Several reviewers commend the impressive visual fusion of high‑tech elements with traditional Japanese motifs. However, criticism is directed at the direction, which some describe as weak and uneven, tempering the overall craftsmanship.

  • Character & Emotion 50

    When evaluating character and emotion, the film presents a mixed picture: some viewers find the character designs solid and the core heroes adaptable, yet many criticize the voice acting and lack of personality, describing performances as monotone and dialogue as clichéd. The Joker’s English voice and overall character depth receive particular negative remarks, resulting in a generally underwhelming emotional impact.

  • Story & Flow 45

    The story and flow receive largely negative feedback, with reviewers labeling the plot as incoherent, overly reliant on fan‑service, and riddled with clichéd dialogue. While a few note the film’s quirky, comedic take on Batman as a refreshing departure from darker narratives, the overall consensus points to a weak narrative structure that hampers engagement.

  • Sensory Experience 85

    In terms of sensory experience, the movie’s soundtrack and sound design are praised for complementing its vivid visual style, with many citing the “cool” score and memorable musical cues. The visual cohesion of 2D‑like 3D animation and stylish anime influences is highlighted as a standout element, creating an engaging auditory‑visual atmosphere despite other shortcomings.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    Rewatch factor is moderate; the film’s novelty and humor make it enjoyable for casual group viewings, especially among anime enthusiasts. Some argue it is worth a single sitting for its visual flair, though the weak narrative and repetitive jokes reduce incentive for multiple viewings. Overall, it provides a pleasant, one‑time experience rather than lasting replay value.

Plot

Batman Ninja Plot Summary

What happens in Batman Ninja from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

While battling Batman at Arkham Asylum, Gorilla Grodd triggers his time-displacement machine, nicknamed the Quake Engine, and hurls him into feudal Japan. There, he is chased by Ashigaru samurai soldiers working for the Joker. During his escape, Batman meets Catwoman, who reveals that everyone else arrived two years earlier due to Batman being in the outermost area affected by the Quake Engine. He learns from her that Gotham City’s top criminals have become feudal lords after deceiving the Sengoku daimyo, battling each other until only one state remains. To stop history from being altered, Batman and Catwoman must reach the Quake Engine in Arkham Castle (formerly the Asylum).

Full summary

The whole story of Batman Ninja, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

Batman Ninja Trailers & Videos

7 videos: 3 trailers and 4 clips.

All 7 videos
Japanese Trailer [English Subtitles]
  • Trailer New York Comic Con Trailer [English Subtitles]
  • Trailer Digital Trailer [English Dubbed]
  • Clip Heroes Assemble Clip
  • Clip Grodd & Batman Clip
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Batman Ninja?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Which character's time displacement machine, called the "Quake Engine", sends Batman to feudal Japan?

Details

Batman Ninja Also Known As

13 alternative titles, including “Ніндзя Бетмен” and “Бетмен-ніндзя”.

Also known as
  • Ніндзя Бетмен
  • Бетмен-ніндзя
  • Нінджя Бетмен
  • Бетмен-нінджя
  • 忍者蝙蝠侠
  • 닌자 배트맨
  • Батман нинджа
  • באטמן נינג'ה
  • 忍者蝙蝠俠
  • Бэтмен-ниндзя
  • Người Dơi Ninja
  • แบทแมน วีรบุรุษยอดนินจา
+1 more
  • النينجا باتمان

Seen Batman Ninja?

FAQ

Batman Ninja FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, post-credit scenes and language of Batman Ninja, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Batman Ninja?

Batman Ninja runs 1 hour 25 minutes (85 minutes).

When was Batman Ninja released?

Batman Ninja was released on March 24, 2018.

Who directed Batman Ninja?

Batman Ninja was directed by Jumpei Mizusaki.

Who is in the cast of Batman Ninja?

Batman Ninja stars Koichi Yamadera as Batman / Bruce Wayne (voice), Takehito Koyasu as Gorilla Grodd (voice) and Ai Kakuma as Catwoman / Selina Kyle (voice), among 17 credited actors.

Does Batman Ninja have a post-credit scene?

No. Batman Ninja has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Batman Ninja in?

The original language of Batman Ninja is Japanese.

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