Summary
Haven’t had enough of Harley Quinn and her band of criminals in the isekai world? There’s nothing to worry about. As the dust settles onSuicide Squad Isekai’s first season, which wrapped up just days ago after a ten-episode run inthe competitive Summer 2024 anime lineup, fans have already been promised more content from the franchise.
While, unfortunately, the promise isn’t about a second season (there’s no news or confirmation of a second season yet),WIT Studio has an ace up its sleeveto keep the franchise’s momentum going. The Studio has announced that a manhwa adaptation ofSuicide Squad Isekaiis set to debut on LINE Manga soon (popularly known as Webtoon).
WIT STUDIO is set to deliver an explosive isekai adventure in full color and vertical scroll format, tailored to the unique experience of WEBTOON. As you enjoy the TV anime, be sure to also look forward to the WEBTOON adaptation of Suicide Squad ISEKAI!
The official website forSuicide Squad Isekaihas announced that the Webtoon adaptation will debut on August 25th, available through Line Manga and Jump Toon. This fully colored, vertical-scroll format release marks WIT Studio’s first simultaneous Webtoon adaptation of an anime series.
Same Story, New Medium
While the studio hasn’t explicitly stated whether the plot will differ from the anime, it’s expected to closely follow the original storyline. It will likely feature the same cast of antiheroes, including Harley Quinn, Deadshot, Peacemaker, Clayface, and King Shark, as they’re thrust into a fantasy world on a dangerous mission. Forced to navigate this new realm while contending with magic, orcs, and the ever-present threat of explosive implants, the team must find their way back to their own world or face dire consequences.
What’s the point of a Webtoon if its going to be the same as the anime though? It looks like WIT might include some scenes/bonus content exclusive to the Webtoon that could expand upon the series' lore. Maybe there will be a little morefocus on subplots or character arcs, with additional content to sweeten the deal.
If anything, this Webtoon seems to be a way to celebrate the anime’s success and to keep the hype around it going, hopefully as a way to keep the series relevant until the confirmation of a second season.
Suicide Squad Isekaibrought an intriguing premise to the table: super villains in an isekai setting. While the concept itself was promising, the execution received mixed reviews from fans and critics alike.
The anime’sstrengths lay in its charming cast of characters, leveraging the familiarity of known IPs to bypass the need for extensive introductions. This approach allowed the series to dive straight into the action and the drama, which was whatfans of the James Gunn movie and DC Comicswanted to begin with. For some viewers, particularly those less invested in American superhero lore, this rendition of the Suicide Squad could’ve become their definitive version of the characters. Especially Harley Quinn, who seemed as if she were always meant to be an anime girl.
The series did start strong, acknowledging the novelty of its concept and delivering a lot of hyped moments and funny exchanges. The interesting twist at the end also added a layer of intrigue to the overall narrative. However, as the story progressed, it became apparent that the creative potential of the premise wasn’t fully realized.
Creative Freedom Got The Story Nothing In Return
Despite its initial promise, Suicide Squad Isekai struggled with several aspects of its storytelling. The anime heavily emphasized action scenes, which, while entertaining, came at the cost of deeper character development. This focus on combat left little room for exploring the complexities of the characters beyond their surface-level traits.
The possibilities were endless, as the isekai genre, at its best, offers a blank canvas for imaginative world-building where the only limit is the creator’s imagination. And yet, it feels like thecharacters were thrown into yet another generic fantasy world. For a series that set expectations for an offbeat and extraordinary adventure, the mundane nature of its fantasy world was especially disappointing.
The pacing of the story also posed challenges, particularly in the middle episodes where the plot seemed to drag. While the overall narrative was serviceable, it lacked the creative flair that many viewers had hoped for. The isekai world, rather than being a unique and imaginative setting, felt like a generic fantasy backdrop. This missed opportunity to create a truly distinctive universe left some fans disappointed, as the concept of Suicide Squad in another world seemed ripe for more inventive storytelling and world-building.
But the show did deliver what it promised, a silly little adventure that wasn’t meant to be taken too seriously. Perhaps this is why the Webtoon adaptations could be better.
The Webtoon Adaptation: A Second Chance
The Webtoon medium might be better suited to the series' style. As a “silly little comic,” it could excel as casual reading material, perfect for commutes or short breaks. This format allows readers to engage with the story in bite-sized portions, which could enhance the enjoyment of the series' light-hearted, adventure-driven narrative.
Moreover, the Webtoon adaptation offers an opportunity to expand on the storytelling elements that were constrained in the anime format. With potentially more space to develop characters and explore the isekai world, the Webtoon could delve into the creative plot elements that were missing from the animated version. The pacing issues present in the anime could also be addressed, allowing for a more balanced narrative flow.
The fully colored, vertical-scroll format of theWebtoon also presents an exciting visual prospect. This style can bring new life to the characters and the fantasy world, potentially offering a fresh and engaging visual experience that complements the story.
Suicide Squad Isekai
Cast
A project direct from WIT Studio in Japan, Suicide Squad ISEKAI is an animated action-adventure series that centers around the titular DC antihero team, with Harley Quinn and Joker being the main leads. Sent to another world, characters like Quinn and the Joker will wreak havoc on a fantasy world where they find themselves inexplicably whisked away.
