Batman: The Animated Series (TV Series) Day of the Samurai (1993) User Reviews

A night to remember

[Mr-Fusion · 9/10 · 13 January 2017]

'Day of the Samurai' seems to play as a counterpart to 'Night of the Ninja', and not just with the title. Where the former featured a bland adversary behind a ripoff scheme, this is actually a good showdown and an examination of Japanese culture. Plus, it's a field trip to the Far East. And Kyodai Ken actually functions as a substantive character this time.

. . . and the big fight goes down at a volcano!

Watching this after 'Night', the difference is like night and day (no pun intended). The backgrounds are fantastic and really sell the imagery of Japan (even if the character animation is mediocre). But that's minor; this thing's got action, evil ninjas and blood feuds. Just everything a growing boy needs.

9/10

good

[orioncharwood · 9/10 · 21 January 2022]

One of the standout episodes of btas for sure. Incredible animation, 2nd only to robins reckoning. Great use of color. This episode just has a rhythm and flow to it that a lot of btas episode lack, highly recommend.

Lots Of Great Visuals, Interesting Info & Action In This Episode

[ccthemovieman-1 · 10/10 · 6 May 2008]

In an animated series that features great colors, this episode ranks among the most colorful. Of course, the setting is Japan you are going to get a lot of brilliant yellows, oranges and reds. The half hour is drawn beautifully.

The story winds up being a "ninja versus samurai" one with Batman being the good guy (samurai) and old foe Kyodai Ken being the bad one (ninja). The latter went back to Japan after Bruce Wayne beat the crap out of him in an earlier episode. Now Ken is still seeking revenge and he lures Bruce/Batman to Japan by kidnapping a star pupil of Wayne's old teacher and good friend.

This episode was chock-full of goodies, from information on the differences between being a ninja and samurai warrior, to some excellent action scenes to fantastic, brilliant colors. The setting is Japan, so it's no surprise this is filled with great visuals and lots of orange, yellows and reds.

The climactic scenes pits a fight between Bruce Wayne/Batman and an old foe and it's held under an erupting volcano. Not only is that different, but since opponent knows Batman's identity, the latter takes off his mask and fights as Wayne in the Batman costume. The fear is that Ken has discovered an ancient martial arts secret: a killing blow. Can Wayne defend against it?

Earlier we discover the difference between a ninja and samurai; what "giri" means; the history of the two foes in this episode and lots more. It's one of the better episodes.

The essence of Samurai

[thedarkknight-89 · 10/10 · 28 January 2008]

While I love the entirety of Batman the Animated Series, this episode is one of my very favorites. The deeper message behind the episode is all about the difference between ninja and samurai, in essence evil and good, at least within the episode, if not in real life. One scene depicts Bruce and Yoru Sensei working out the details for an exchange between Bruce's old Sensei and Kyodai Ken, a ninja who has kidnapped a martial arts student in exchange for a map leading him to a secret and forbidden fighting style, one that he hopes to use against Batman. Yoru is the only man who knows the location of the secret scroll, and Bruce suggests exchanging a phony map for the girl, citing that "Kyodai wouldn't know the difference." Yoru replies, "True. But I would know. Ninja may lie and cheat, samurai do not." As a kid when I watched this I didn't quite understand the true meaning of what he was saying. Yoru Sensei chooses not to exchange a phony map because he is samurai and while it is true that Kyodai would never have known the difference, Yoru would live with the knowledge that he was just like his adversary. This theme continues throughout the episode, as Batman confronts Kyodai, who challenges his own mental image stating, "You are creature of the night like me, a ninja." Bruce actually is in conflict about this, wondering if he really is a ninja like Kyodai, after all he sneaks through the night in a similar fashion, hides behind a mask, etc. It is only in the end that Yoru Sensei corrects his old student informing him that "Batman is the essence of samurai." He offered to help his adversary and refused to learn the forbidden art that Kyodai used against him.

Now that I watch this, I truly understand the moral message behind this episode, and the masterful writing that went into it.