The firstBatman Ninja was a wonderfully silly time, and the upcoming sequel,Batman Ninja vs. Yakuza League, looks to be much the same. But I think Warner Bros. Japan might have ruined it entirely for meby showing me what I cant have instead. As part of the promotional push forBatman Ninja vs. Yakuza Leagues release next week, Warner Bros. Japan has released a faux opening for Go! Bat Phoenix, a hypothetical 70s-style DC riff on classics likeScience Ninja Team Gatchaman orVoltes V. The short opening, complete with a classic pop ditty for a theme, sees Batman, Red Hood, Nightwing, and Red Robin team up for a suitably ludicrous and dramatic launch sequence combining their various individual vehicles into the Bat Phoenix, or really, the Batwing on steroids. The vibes areimmaculate. The faux faded effect of the film print, the simplified riffs onBatman Ninjas designs (Dicks hair looking like he couldve just been pulled from a frame of Speed Racer orCaptain Tsubasa? Incredible), the dramatic posing mid-launch sequence. Its a wonderful love letter to classic anime, but its also one that just fits Batman as a character so well. Its not like he doesnt have that kind of retro legacy eithernot just an obvious parallel to the re-appreciation of the 1966 Batman TV series in recent years, but in how this feels so reminiscent of Jiro KuwatasBatman manga, that kind of swashbuckling hero in the vein of the Western golden and silver age interpretations of Batman. Theres no absurdity here contrasting the Dark Knight with a tone and aesthetic that doesnt fit, because, well hedoes. Extremely well!And now I have to go on living in a reality whereGo! Bat Phoenix doesnt have a three-season run on Max (yetfrom our lips, to James Gunns ears). At least weve got Batman Ninja vs. Yakuza League, out digitally starting March 18, to give as a more modern anime interpretation of the Batfamily to tide us over. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, whats next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.