DC’s animated movies have long been praised by fans and critics alike, with titles like Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox and Batman: The Long Halloween among the franchise’s most acclaimed releases. However, now it looks like DC is officially stepping into the world of anime, and it’s doing so with one of its most iconic villains.
DC Studios and Warner Bros. Animation have announced Joker: Laugh Riot, the company’s first-ever anime television series.
The announcement took place during the 2026 Annecy International Animation Film Festival in France, where DC Studios and Warner Bros. Animation hosted their first joint presentation. DC Studios Co-Chairman and Co-CEO Peter Safran joined Warner Bros. Animation President Sam Register on stage to introduce Joker: Laugh Riot as part of a new slate of animated projects.
How Joker: Laugh Riot Changes the Batman-Joker Relationship
Here’s the anime’s official description:
When Batman is murdered, the Joker launches a ruthless crusade through Gotham’s underworld to find the killer who took away his greatest adversary. But as his violent quest for answers pushes him closer towards vigilante than villain, Joker is forced to confront the truth that without Batman, he doesn’t know who he is.
DC’s Joker: Laugh Riot introduces a very different version of the Joker. Instead of celebrating Batman’s death, the Clown Prince of Crime is furious that someone else has killed his greatest rival. Determined to find the person responsible, he tears through Gotham’s criminal underworld, only to face an unexpected question: who is the Joker without Batman?
The story explores the long-standing connection between Batman and the Joker, a relationship that has shaped both characters throughout DC Comics history. With Batman gone, Joker: Laugh Riot puts the Joker on a deeply personal journey, offering a fresh and psychological take on one of comics’ most iconic villains.
The Award-Winning Creative Team Behind DC’s First Anime
The highly anticipated anime is being directed by award-winning filmmaker Yasuhiro Aoki, known for his work on The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim and the acclaimed 2025 anime film ChaO. Aoki is also familiar with Gotham City, having directed the “In Darkness Dwells” segment of Batman: Gotham Knight (2008), the anime anthology connected to Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight trilogy.
The anime is being produced by Warner Bros. Animation and Sola Entertainment, the studio behind Rick and Morty: The Anime, Lazarus, and The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim. Veteran producer Jim Krieg, who previously worked on Aztec Batman: Clash of Empires and the Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths trilogy, is serving as executive producer on the series.
Why Warner Bros. Is Investing More in Anime
Joker: Laugh Riot is part of Warner Bros. Animation’s growing investment in anime. The studio has been expanding its anime lineup under the leadership of Jason DeMarco, Senior Vice President of Action and Anime Development, who has played a key role in shaping its anime strategy.
The series is only DC’s second anime project after Suicide Squad Isekai, but it is easily the company’s biggest anime release so far. As anime continues to grow in popularity around the world, Warner Bros. Animation is betting that its iconic DC characters can reach even more fans through the medium.
During the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, Warner Bros. Animation also announced two more animated projects alongside Joker: Laugh Riot. These include an animated adaptation of Absolute Batman, with Scott Snyder serving as showrunner, and a new Krypto series created by C.H. Greenblatt, best known for Chowder and his work on SpongeBob SquarePants.
Why Joker: Laugh Riot Could Be DC Animation’s Biggest Series in Years
Unlike previous Batman stories, Joker: Laugh Riot puts the spotlight on the Joker. Rather than centering on Batman, the anime explores how the Clown Prince of Crime copes after losing his greatest rival. The series promises a darker, more psychological story set in Gotham City’s dangerous criminal underworld.
Director Yasuhiro Aoki is a strong choice for the project. His experience with anime and action storytelling makes him well-suited to bring the Joker’s complex personality to life. The anime format also gives the creators more freedom to explore Gotham City with bold visuals and intense action.
With production already underway, Joker: Laugh Riot could become one of DC Animation’s most important projects in years. As DC’s first anime series, it has the potential to introduce a fresh take on the Joker while bringing DC’s characters to a wider global audience.
