Summary
New comments by Eri Osada reveal that DC called for moreJokerinSuicide Squad Isekai,a move that would have undoubtedly detracted from the show’s quality had it happened. While the anti-hero team has been pushed hard in media today,WIT Studio’s iteration is one of the stronger ones, partially by avoiding the temptation to bloat the cast with more comic book A-listers.
Suicide Squadhas been capitalizing on its cast, deriving much comedy from having its disparate characters butt heads. Osada’s revelations,seen on ComicBook.com, show more than ever how successful the formula has turned out to be, especially withthe intentional absence of the Joker, despite DC’s request.
By focusing on what the characters can offer to the story, rather than their (admittedly lucrative) marketability, WIT has created a cohesive and concise story that hasn’t sagged under the weight of unnecessary extra faces.
Fantasy World Skips the Danger of Obligatory Guests
The anime’s director has described WIT Studio’s interactions with DC during the show’s production: “I was told to feature the Joker a bit more, but I had to explain that it’s impossible due to the story’s constraints,” Osada said. “Featuring the Joker too prominently might make it seem like the Joker-centric anime.” While this sounds like common sense, DC’s superhero media has shown a propensity to make the Clown Prince of Crime turn up and subsequently overshadow any story he appears in, most notoriously theArkhamvideo games by Rocksteady that kept dragging the Joker in well past his welcome.
There is no tellingwhat the Joker’s presence could have done toSuicide Squad. The anime’s strength, in comparison to other shows based on the team, is the cohesion of details. The plot reveals that the villains are a prior team Amanda Waller sent, keeping things centered on the organization’s dysfunction. All the while, the characters, being equals to each other as a team, have provided some good comedy with the way they have butted heads with each other. If the Joker had been present, the plot, as Osada notes, would have revolved around him by dint of pure popularity.
As is,the anime is a relief from DC’s love of “shared universes"that almost require characters from “outside” the plot. Even the 2021 live-action movie, while being similarly self-contained, made its twist the inclusion of an unexpected face that felt like a marketing ploy. By trapping the team in an entirely separate fantasy world,comic book fans are finally able to see the cast focus on itself, without fear of any surprise guest appearances. Osada’s refusal to elevate the Joker was the right call to make: popular as he may be, he ultimately adds nothing toSuicde Squad: Isekai.
Suicide Squad Isekai
Cast
Suicide Squad Isekai transports notorious criminals Harley Quinn, Deadshot, Peacemaker, Clayface, and King Shark from Gotham City to an otherworldly realm under Amanda Waller’s directive. Tasked with a mission in this world of magic and mythical creatures, they must navigate challenges among rampaging orcs and soaring dragons.
