Summary
If the premiere didn’t convince fans already, episode #4 ofSuicide Squad Isekaihas all but confirmed that not even anime can fix DC’s bigJokerproblem, whereby the Clown Prince of Crime never fails to overshadow every other villain,even when he’s not a major character.
This prevailing issue is most pronounced with every iteration of the Suicide Squad, since they are composed of numerous villains, and always happens wheneverHarley Quinnis a member because of her obvious association with her Puddin'. He’s never an actual part of the squad, and yet, he always shows up randomly, andhe always steals the show.
In episode #4, the Joker doesn’t even appear in the present day.He’s just part of a flashback,and yet, just the mere memory of him fuels the main driving force of that particular storyline. Harley is able to use this random memory to successfully inform the Suicide Squad’s current predicament with Ratcatcher, who had been controlling beasts to fight against them.
Neither The Show Nor Harley Need The Joker, And Yet He’s There
Everything about that flashback with the Joker is magnificent. It is not only devious and appalling, but the whole spectacle is augmented by the eerie carnival-like music that plays off-key over the ensuing carnage for additional dramatic effect. Even though this version of the Joker isn’t as unsettling asMark Hamill’s usual portrayal of him,no other villain inSuicide Squad Isekaihas anything so frightfully strewn together to hold up a candle to this scene.
The fact that the episode further embellishes Harley’s flashback by having the scenebookend the whole scenario in the present dayfurther underscores its overall effect. Even though it’s a memory that Harley recalls to help her with a current problem, the episode begins with the scene, transforming it into more than just a memory that is sparked by current events. It becomesa form of foreshadowing that helps enforce its later relevance.
No other villain from the Suicide Squad has received such special treatment in the anime so far,not even Harley, even though she deserves the honor and has proven that she’s more than capable of carrying the full brunt of an entire movie or even a multi-season show.
Ironically, this isn’t the first time thatSuicide Squad Isekaihas proven that it’s the best and worst thing to happen to the eponymous team because of the Joker. In fact, it happened in the first episode. The entire show begins withthe Joker driving a whole new carthat easily outshines every other vehicle he’s ever owned.
If the Joker is able to one-up decades of himself inSuicide Squad Isekai, no other villain stands a chance in this anime. The issue is that he is not a main character inSuicide Squad Isekai, whileHarley Quinnis, and she could have just as easily come up with the winning strategy against Ratcatcher on her own.
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.
