Summary
What a weird combo!Suicide Squad Isekaidoes exactly what the name suggests. It takes the eponymous team of DC villains and sends them to another fantastical world. That journey is the foundation for isekai anime, and it’s not even new for DC.Batman Ninja, for instance, is an anime flick that sends the Dark Knight to the otherworldly setting of feudal Japan. However, no one expects it from these characters. That said, even the foreign can have some familiarity.
DC devotees should recognize these rogues. The upcoming series contains a plethora of players who are prolific in the comics. In addition, many of them have shown up in other adaptations involving the Suicide Squad. Fans are naturally curious to see them in this latest offering. Not only is it a chance to reunite with their comic favorites, but it portrays them in an entirely new form.
1Harley Quinn
Front and center is the Squad’s most iconic member. Harley Quinn starts as a psychiatrist. She comes to Arkham Asylum hoping to treat the most extreme cases, but she gets more than she bargained for with the Joker. The Clown Prince of Crime reels her in with tragic yarns while bringing much-needed fun to her life. She then falls in love with her patient and becomes his partner in crime,though he sees her as little more than a minion. She fares better when paired with others.
Harley has been a consistent member of the Suicide Squad. She’s been at the frontlines of both animated and live-action movies involving the team. Most recently, she led the gameSuicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. Given those longstanding ties, it figures she would appear in this show.
2The Joker
The Clown Prince Of Crime Accompanies His Girlfriend In This Adventure
Hand-in-hand with Harley is her “Pud’n.” The Joker is among the most notorious villains in the DC Universe, but little is known about his origin. Some tales paint him as a hitman for the mob; others portray him as a down-on-his-luck comedian. The constant is that he falls into a tank of acid, which bleaches his skin and drives him mad. That insanity makes him an unpredictable and dangerous foe for Batman. Even other villains hate working with him.
That’s partly why he’s not a member of the Squad. Granted, the Joker occasionally shows up in their stories, butit’s usually to disrupt their missions. By extension, he tests Harley’s resolve by questioning her loyalty. Perhaps that will be the case here.
3Deadshot
One character whoisa recurring part of the team is Deadshot. Floyd Lawton is a professional assassin hailed for his marksmanship. He can hit targets from seemingly any angle or distance. He carefully plans his kills and executes them with methodical detail. That skill set makes him a tricky enemy for Batman, but it also makes him ideal for the Squad.
Deadshot’s efficiency often puts him in a leadership position. Movies likeBatman: Assault on Arkham,Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay, and the 2016 live-action film put him (reluctantly) in charge of operations.That isn’t the case inKill the Justice League, but that game is an outlier in many areas. For this upcoming series, Lawton will likely keep the team on track amid the isekai craziness.
4Peacemaker
The Crazy Killer Strives To Ensure Peace, Even In Another World
Having a short yet unmistakable role in the trailers is Peacemaker. Christopher Smith’s roots lie in diplomacy. He prizes peace above all, and he kills whomever he deems necessary to achieve it. His targets mainly include dictators and warlords, but his actions still alienate him from most DC heroes. His methods are simply too extreme. That revulsion extends to villains.
Peacemaker doesn’t have any significant ties to the Squad. He’s a part-time member at most. However, his popularity exploded due to his role in James Gunn’sThe Suicide Squadand thesubsequent spin-off show. That might explain why his outfit inIsekailooks virtually identical.
5Katana
Hailing from Japan, Katanais the most appropriate for an anime tale. Tatsu Yamashiro loses her husband and children to the yakuza. All she has left is a mystical sword holding her beau’s soul. This compels her to train as a samurai and travel to America. She doesn’t turn to villainy, though. Instead, she fights crime, even joining several superhero teams like the Justice League and the Outsiders.
Katana rarely associates herself with the Suicide Squad. In most cases, Waller brings her in as outside help. She helps lead the crooks and keep them in line. The most prominent example is the 2016 film, where she serves as backup for Rick Flag.Isekaimay place her in that position again.
6King Shark
The Ocean Predator Comes Ashore To Help Out The Squad
As the name suggests, King Shark descends from underwater royalty. Nanaue is the son of a shark god. Stalking the oceans, he devours people along the coasts of Hawaii. Such predatory habits attract the attention of DC heroes. To them, he’s just another villain.
To others, he’s a semi-regular member of the Suicide Squad. His immense strength and aquatic prowess are useful in a pinch, but the adaptations usually make him a comic relief character.Assault on Arkham, the 2021 film, theHarley Quinnshow,andKill the Justice Leagueall treat him as such. TheIsekaitrailers appear to go the same route.
7Clayface
The Shapeshifting Villain Takes On A New Guise To Join The Squad
An odd inclusion is Clayface. Many individuals have taken the mantle of this Batman rogue, but the most enduring version is Basil Karlo. He’s an actor who’s driven mad by the industry’s cutthroat nature. When one of his films is remade without him, he goes on a killing spree. He later injects himself with blood samples from other Clayfaces, thereby gaining powers for himself. With the slimy shapeshifting gifts, he can have any role he wants.
As such, he rarely works with the Suicide Squad. He sometimes teams up with individual members, such as in theHarley Quinnseries, but his group efforts mostly consist of other teams like the Secret Society and the Mud Pack.Isekailooks to mix things up in that regard, and not just through his makeover.
8Amanda Waller
One can’t have the Suicide Squad without the boss. After criminals leave her a widow and a grieving mother, Amanda Waller becomes a U.S. government agent. She possesses political savviness and an uncanny ability to get things done, which earned her various powerful positions. DC fans frequently see her running initiatives like A.R.G.U.S. and Cadmus. Her methods may be unethical, but they’re all to protect her country.
Task Force X truly tests that notion. Waller takes inspiration from the program’s previous renditions and revives it as the “Suicide Squad.“That role makes her a mainstay in any tale involving the reluctant team. She picks the members and strongarms them into completing the mission. Obviously, she’ll fulfill the same function in the latest tale.
9Rick Flag
Waller may coordinate, but the field leader is Rick Flag. This seasoned spy and military man quickly earns acclaim within the U.S. government. He gains a proud reputation as a man who follows orders and serves his country with distinction. It’s no wonder why Waller picks him to head her covert ops. He commands Task Force X during missions,keeping them focused and ensuring they achieve their goal. These responsibilities make him an integral part of many works.
Flag shows up in several stories involving the group. These include TV exploits likeJustice League Unlimited, as well as the two live-actionSuicide Squadfilms. However, he’s not quite as prolific as fans would think. Some versions see him replaced by characters like Deadshot or Blackbolt, who assume leadership in his stead. Thankfully, that doesn’t seem to be the case inIsekai.
