Catwoman takes center stage in DC's latest anime feature film. In Catwoman: Hunted, Selina Kyle embarks on a globe-trotting heist that brings in plenty of familiar allies and enemies into a bold reimagining of the DC Universe. Boasting an all-star voice cast, a script written by Young Justice co-creator and veteran screenwriter Greg Weisman and helmed by prolific anime filmmaker Shinsuke Terasawa, Catwoman: Hunted showcases how seamlessly the DCU can be adapted into anime. Catwoman: Hunted stands as a perfectly entertaining and well-paced superhero movie that wears its classic influences on its sleeve.
Catwoman: Hunted depicts Selina infiltrating a secret cabal of supervillains while plotting to steal a valuable gem in a Europe-spanning caper. As Catwoman runs into trouble, Batwoman discovers her. The two heroes team up to stop Barbara Minerva from leading her crime syndicate to victory. Catwoman's antics result in her and Batwoman facing the full might of this supervillain cabal as they try to stay one step ahead to survive and learn how to trust each other.
Terasawa has worked on everything from Dragon Ball Z to Lupin III, with the latter project majorly inspiring Catwoman: Hunted's style. Coupled with Weisman's screenplay, Catwoman: Hunted feels directly influenced by classic heist anime films like The Castle of Cagliostro while bringing a fresh vision to the DCU. The film's action sequences have captivating and kinetic energy and are framed against dazzling backdrops -- from high society masquerade balls to a doozy of a fight sequence at the Eiffel Tower. Each iconic DC character in Catwoman: Hunted is imaginatively presented in this anime medium, immediately recognizable to their comic book counterparts while fitting into the world Terasawa has directed.
Elizabeth Gillies brings Selina Kyle to life with a confident and sexy swagger as she flirts, manipulates, and battles anyone in her way. This anime is Catwoman's story, with Batman and the Bat-Family visibly absent from Catwoman: Hunted. Stephanie Beatriz brings Gotham City's Batwoman to life as supremely stoic and stern, befitting her background. Beatriz also adds hints of emotional vulnerability in between all the hard-hitting brawls and hi-octane chases. Catwoman: Hunted's high quality in voiceover performance extends to the supporting cast too -- with everyone from Lauren Cohan as Interpol operative Julia Pennyworth to Kirby Howell-Baptiste as the villainously calculating Barbara Minerva getting in on the classic heist action.
Catwoman: Hunted is a solid anime film that just happens to be set in the DCU. The anime's character and environmental designs are lush and well-lit. Its action is easy to follow and well-staged and the performances are as engaging as any other animated DC project. Whereas 2018's Batman Ninja was a CG anime project, Catwoman: Hunted is a lovingly rendered 2D anime. This choice captures the beauty of the traditional art style and showcases how well DC's familiar faces fit this approach. Hopefully, Catwoman: Hunted will receive a sequel. The potential and the sheer enjoyment that this anime film delivers would make anything less feel like a missed opportunity.
Directed by Shinsuke Terasawa, Catwoman: Hunted is available now for 4K UHD, Blu-ray, and Digital HD.