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In 1966, a Japanese publisher of a popular weekly boys’ manga struck a deal with DC Comics to license Batman. What followed was something truly unique: a Japanese take on Gotham’s Caped Crusader.

Batman remained Bruce Wayne, and his sidekick was still Dick Grayson—though this Robin was written with a bit more edge. In fact, readers might notice him being a little bratty compared to his American counterpart (just check out the moment he calls a woman an “old bag”!).

The adaptation was illustrated by legendary manga artist Jiro Kuwata, who, interestingly, was somewhat puzzled by Batman’s explosive popularity at the time. Despite his confusion, Kuwata’s work became a fascinating cultural bridge, blending the spirit of American superheroes with Japanese manga storytelling.

Some of the stories were loosely adapted from American versions. One of the most famous villains introduced in this run was Lord Death Man—a creepy, skeletal foe based on the U.S. villain Death Man. Kuwata’s reimagining gave the character a more eerie, almost supernatural feel that fit perfectly within the Japanese horror and mystery traditions.

The series leaned into the surreal and bizarre, with villains and scenarios that felt at home in manga but fresh to Western readers.

Kuwata’s clean, dynamic art gave Batman a distinctly Japanese aesthetic, setting it apart from the American books of the same era.

The tone was at times darker, but also more playful, showing how Batman could be interpreted through another cultural lens.

For decades, these stories remained largely unknown outside of Japan. It wasn’t until DC released English translations in the mid-2000s that Western readers got to experience Kuwata’s Batman. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with fans embracing this quirky and stylish alternate take on the Dark Knight’s mythology.

The Japanese Batman stands as a reminder of just how flexible and globally influential the character is. From the campy TV series of the 1960s to Kuwata’s manga, Batman has proven that he can be reinterpreted time and time again—without ever losing his core identity.