Suicide Squad Isekai anime premiere: Harley Quinn and her team find new allies in a different world as Amanda Waller’s true intentions are hinted at

The highly anticipated premiere of the Suicide Squad Isekai anime has finally arrived in select regions and territories worldwide. In the process, the first three episodes have set up the series, and lucky viewers who were able to watch it on Thursday, June 27, 2024, are now eagerly awaiting the next release to see the plot unfold.

The premiere of the Suicide Squad Isekai anime effectively lays the groundwork for significant plot developments by introducing a multitude of political motivations. These motivations primarily revolve around the political climate of the new world that the titular group is transported to, but there are also subtle hints at Amanda Waller’s ulterior motives scattered throughout the episodes.

Suicide Squad Isekai Anime: Betrayals and Revelations in the Premiere and Beyond

Recap of Episode 1

The Joker seemingly bows out of the Suicide Squad Isekai anime premiere after a short episode 1 appearance (Image via Wit Studios)

The initial installment of the Suicide Squad Isekai anime began by highlighting the Joker and Harley Quinn. While fleeing from the authorities after their most recent robbery, the duo expressed their yearning to flee to a different realm. As they made their way, Harley requested a pit stop at a bar for a drink, only to discover that the patrons were hostile towards them. While Joker dealt with an opponent outside, Harley took on four assailants inside before they both managed to escape just as more dangerous adversaries appeared.

While Amanda Waller was conducting an experiment to open a portal to another world in an undisclosed location, she was seen making adjustments as her subordinates looked on. It was soon revealed that the power source for creating the portal was a living being, despite Amanda reprimanding her subordinates for expressing concern for its safety. Despite this, Amanda proceeded to increase the intensity to 90%, successfully opening the portal to another world.

The debut episode of the Suicide Squad Isekai anime then returned to Harley Quinn, who was engaged in a rooftop battle against Katana while attempting to flee the bar. After a hard-fought match, Katana emerged victorious, resulting in Harley being incarcerated. Six months later, inside the A.R.G.U.S. facility where Harley was being held captive, Waller offered to release her from her cell in exchange for completing a task for her.

During her time in Clayface, Harley encountered four fellow prisoners – Deadshot, King Shark, Peacekeeper, and a mysterious figure known only as Clayface. They were informed that their objective was to take control of a specific territory. However, their plans were abruptly interrupted when their helicopter crashed, resulting in the deaths of the pilot and other members of Amanda’s team.

After the group escaped the crash site, they opened the helicopter doors and were met with a fantasy world. They engaged in a battle with pig-like orcs, but soon noticed the presence of other humanoids who spoke a different language. This led to their capture and imprisonment. The first episode of the Suicide Squad Isekai anime premiere concluded with the introduction of Katana in this new world, seemingly under the control of its ruler.

Episode 2 Recap

Fione sees Harley and co as more than just prisoners in episode 2 of the Suicide Squad Isekai anime premiere (Image via Wit Studios)

The second episode of the Suicide Squad Isekai anime premiered with a focus on the Queen of the country/world. She was seen walking through impoverished areas on the outskirts of her castle. The scene then shifted to a war council inside the castle, where they discussed the recent battle and the arrival of the titular group. Cecil, the pink-haired knight from the previous episode, and Fione, the princess, attempted to convince the Queen that Harley and her team could be valuable allies.

Despite initially considering the idea, she quickly dismissed it and instructed her advisors to arrive at the next day’s meeting with battle plans prepared. Fione then summoned Cecil to her room, explaining that she needed a favor from him. The focus then turned to the prison, where Harley woke up to discover herself and the rest of the group trapped in an inescapable cell. They deliberated on the explosives implanted in their necks and the urgency to return to the helicopter, leading Clayface to utilize his shape-shifting abilities to slip through the cell door.

Despite getting cocky and teasing the idea of abandoning the others in the second episode of the Suicide Squad Isekai anime premiere, Clayface was quickly reported and restrained by guards who used a device to nullify his powers. The scene then shifted to the prison cafeteria where several ogres approached Clayface. However, due to a language barrier, a fight erupted between the titular group and the ogres.

The incident sparked a chaotic fight, resulting in the guards retrieving “Wands”that summoned bunny-like magical creatures to subdue Harley and her companions. They were subsequently placed in a disciplinary cell where they encountered Rick Flag, an A.R.G.U.S. agent. It was later disclosed that a preliminary team had been dispatched six months prior, with their outcome unknown but likely deceased except for Rick.

Despite seeming confused about the talk of signals and bombs in their necks, Rick agreed to help them escape together. They enlisted King Shark, whose real name, Nanaue, was revealed by Rick, to open the door. With the door open, Clayface was able to retrieve the key to his cuffs and use his powers to start a massive prison break.

The second episode of the Suicide Squad Isekai anime premiered with Fione requesting Cecil to speak with Harley and her group. She explained that she believed they could help stop the ongoing war, and her desire to do so motivated her to ask for their help. The episode concluded with Cecil arriving at the prison, which was now under the control of the prisoners. Meanwhile, Rick expressed his frustration with the others for not taking the situation seriously and wasting time.

Episode 3 Recap

Harley and co are given their freedom in the third episode of the Suicide Squad Isekai anime premiere (Image via Wit Studios)

The third episode of the Suicide Squad Isekai anime premiere opened with the main characters observing a distant battlefield. It was soon revealed that the Queen’s Kingdom was engaged in a fierce battle against an enemy Empire. Despite witnessing the struggle of their allies, the titular group was instructed not to intervene. Peacekeeper then disclosed that they only had 30 hours remaining, prompting a flashback to recount their journey from prison to the present moment.

Upon Cecil’s arrival, Rick Flag took on the responsibility of communicating with the group using the limited language skills he had acquired during his time in prison. Despite his crude language almost causing a problem, he eventually convinced Cecil to lead them to the Queen. The Queen then cast a spell that enabled them to comprehend the language of her world.

Rick then disclosed that the reason for the Queen’s army’s downfall was due to the replacement of the Empire’s officers by the group he arrived with in this world. This revelation caused Harley and her team to understand that they were the second suicide squad sent to this world, as the first had defected. As the negotiations deteriorated, Peacemaker stepped in and assured the Queen that their group would provide aid in any way necessary to secure her victory in the war.

On the condition that Rick would be kept imprisoned and face execution if they failed or betrayed the group, she gave her consent. As they prepared for battle, Harley revealed that the Empire’s beastmen had been subjected to brainwashing. Upon learning about the Empire’s commanding officers, Deadshot recognized one of them as a close acquaintance, leading him to believe that he was in charge of this particular section of the army.

The second episode of the Suicide Squad Isekai anime debuted with the team on a mission to find an entrance to the castle. After some searching, Clayface discovered his newfound powers and was able to break down a wall. He explained that he had never possessed such abilities before, but ever since arriving in this new world, he has been feeling a surge of power within him. Harley recognized this as a potential source of strength for the rest of the group, setting the stage for future power upgrades for all of them.

The group eventually reached the commander, who turned out to be Ratcatcher, an old acquaintance of Deadshot’s. However, a flashback revealed that Deadshot had mistreated Ratcatcher in the past, leading to a fierce confrontation. As they were on the verge of attacking Ratcatcher, Katana intervened and saved him. As the episode concluded, the Queen and Princess observed the group’s success, while Katana cautioned Ratcatcher to not disappoint the Emperor again.