Batman Ninja vs. Yakuza League Drops Retro Showa-Era Opening Sung by Anime Legend Mitsuko Horie

The sequel to the 2018 US-Japan animated collaboration "Batman Ninja" is officially on its way. Titled "Batman Ninja vs. Yakuza League," the new film from DC Comics and Kamikaze Douga is set for a digital release on March 18, 2025, followed by a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray launch on April 15.

To promote the upcoming release, Warner Bros. Japan has dropped a stunningly retro, 70s-style animated opening theme titled "Go! Bat Phoenix." The track features vocals from the legendary "queen of anime songs," Mitsuko Horie, renowned for her work on classic series like "Voltes V" and "Candy Candy."

The video showcases Batman, Nightwing, Red Hood, and Red Robin piloting their respective vehicles into the Batcave, where they combine to form a massive mecha—the Bat Phoenix—which then launches spectacularly into the sky. The sequence is a clear homage to classic super robot anime and has sparked considerable speculation among DC fans about the film's plot. However, it remains unconfirmed whether the Bat Phoenix will appear in the final film or is simply a promotional piece.

The original "Batman Ninja" was a unique fusion of genres, blending the popular Japanese "isekai" (portal fantasy) trope with historical settings, martial arts, and giant mechs. The sequel's title, "Batman Ninja vs. Yakuza League," hints that the Bat-Family will return in a similar fashion, this time incorporating the iconic "yakuza" element from Japanese culture.

Veteran voice actor Kōichi Yamadera is confirmed to reprise his role as the voice of Batman/Bruce Wayne for the Japanese version. The original creative team from the 2018 film is also making a full comeback, including director Junpei Mizusaki, writer Kazuki Nakashima, character designer Takashi Okazaki, and composer Yugo Kanno. Animation production will once again be handled by Kamikaze Douga.