Yugo Kanno on Bringing Batman Ninja vs. Yakuza League’s Unique Music to Life

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The ongoing battle between Batman Ninja and the Yakuza League delves into unexplored aspects of the DC Universe through an innovative anime adaptation. We were fortunate enough to pose a few questions to the composer responsible for bringing this unique soundtrack to life. The digital premiere of Batman Ninja vs. Yakuza League took place earlier in the year, offering fans a glimpse into the expansion of the Batman Ninja anime world through a fresh adventure. This new film blends the chaotic yakuza-ruled realm of another dimension with Batman’s own universe, giving rise to the Yakuza League – a formidable foe consisting of iconic members from the Justice League.

On April 15th, “Batman Ninja vs. Yakuza League” will be released on 4K Blu-ray, Blu-ray, and DVD in the U.S. We were fortunate enough to exchange emails with composer Yugo Kanno to learn more about his role in the film. The music in this production is noteworthy, as it features themes that are distinctly different yet nostalgic during various scenes in the movie. Since some of these unique action sequences for DC characters were particularly intriguing, we wanted to find out what inspired Kanno when creating them.

Composing for Batman Ninja vs. Yakuza League

In the thrilling clash between Batman Ninja and Yakuza League, a captivating opening theme sets the tone for this distinct anime world. Naturally, we were intrigued about the music inspiration behind this new theme, so we spoke with Kanno. He shared, “I aimed to encapsulate the extraordinary and fashionable realm that is exclusive to Batman Ninja vs. Yakuza League through my compositions. I wanted to create a sound that would instantly immerse the audience in the bizarre tale of this movie.” However, there was a balance, as Kanno also ensured to maintain originality while not being overly swayed by prior DC productions.

Regarding queries about drawing inspiration from previous DC works for his music, Kanno stated, “I held the originality in high regard while also treating DC works with great reverence. I made certain to avoid being overly swayed by existing DC soundtracks, instead striving to create a distinctive musical realm specifically tailored for Batman Ninja vs. Yakuza League. As for the hero whose new theme was most enjoyable to compose among all DC characters, it turned out to be Batman – a sentiment that shines through in the movie quite clearly. Moreover, Batman Ninja vs. Yakuza League incorporates various unexpected musical elements.

Accompanying Diana is someone who offers a heartfelt ballad reminiscent of karaoke. Kanno drew inspiration for this theme from an unexpected place: “When you consider the Yakuza, Enka [a traditional Japanese balladic song] springs to mind – it’s a genre that resonates deeply with the spirit of Japanese music. I strove to create an authentic enka song that remains faithful to its core.” Kanno also incorporated elements from Tokusatsu for the incredible “Bat Phoenix” theme heard in the movie, stating, “I drew a lot of inspiration from classic Japanese tokusatsu and anime culture – things like vintage robot anime and sentai series.” This is why the piece feels so nostalgic, mirroring the art style seen in the final film as well.

On Emotion and Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure’s Anime Future

One thing that was curious about Kanno’s work was how he approached crafting the intense battle sequences for the Batman Ninja vs. Yakuza League. Specifically, we wondered whether he aimed to express a specific energy or evoke particular emotions. Interestingly, it seems that Kanno strives for a harmonious blend of both aspects, as he stated, “I always aim to find the right balance between energy and emotion in each scene, depending on its unique requirements.

Yugo Kanno is not only known for composing the music for the popular “JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure” series, but has also contributed to its various installments such as “Stardust Crusaders”, “Diamond is Unbreakable”, “Golden Wind”, and even “Stone Ocean”. When questioned about his favorite parts of working on this anime franchise, Kanno expressed that he enjoys creating music that fits each character’s unique personality. Similar to fans, Kanno hopes for the anime adaptations to carry on indefinitely into the future.

The action-packed movie crossover between Batman Ninja and the Yakuza League can now be bought online, while it will hit shelves on 4K Blu-ray, Blu-ray, and DVD starting April 15th.

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2025-04-08 20:10