Ep 44. Off Balance

In Batman: The Animated Series season 1 episode 44, Off Balance, Batman faces off against an exiled member of the League of Assassins, named Kyodai Ken. Ken seeks the scroll of the ultimate ninjitsu move, known as the "Siamese Human Knot", and he wants to use it to become the deadliest warrior in the world.

To obtain the scroll, Ken returns to Gotham City to steal it from his former sensei, Yoru Sensei. Serious trouble starts when Ken begins to manipulate Yoru Sensei's daughter, Akiko, by posing as her father's long-lost friend. In the first half of the episode, we see the tension rising between Ken and Batman as they face off against each other in a martial arts tournament. Batman is highly skilled, but it is evident that Ken is the better martial artist.

As the story progresses, we see Batman taking on a more emotional role. He becomes very protective of Akiko and wants to keep her out of harm's way. This is an interesting departure from his usual role of merely fighting crime. It's evident that Batman is a master strategist, and he uses this to his advantage as he tries to outmaneuver Ken. However, Ken is not to be underestimated, as he has put a lot of thought into his plans as well.

As the story climaxes, we see Batman and Ken facing off against each other again. This time, the stakes have been raised as the winner takes all. Ken has devised a plan which will make it impossible for Batman to beat him, but the Dark Knight has his own plan as well. Ultimately, it comes down to a physical confrontation that tests both Batman and Ken's martial art skills. It's a thrilling fight that is well worth the wait.

The animation in this episode is outstanding. The introductory scenes that depict Gotham City have an air of gothic gloom about them. All the characters are expertly drawn and animated, and the fight scenes are well executed. For those who enjoy anime, the art style used in this episode will be very familiar. The entire episode seems to be drawing from the same Kurosawa-inspired bag as anime series like Samurai Champloo, Ninja Scroll, and Sword of the Stranger.

One of the best things about the episode is the depth given to the villains. Kyodai Ken is not a one-dimensional villain, and his motivations are understandable. His desire to find the scrolls and become the greatest warrior on Earth is not inherently evil, and his backstory is one of the most developed backstories for any villain in the Batman animated series. This gives the episode an added layer of complexity that sets it apart from typical Batman animated episodes.

The voice acting in this episode is also noteworthy. Kevin Conroy reprises his role as Batman, and he delivers an outstanding performance. His voice is commanding and, at times, intimidating, which is perfectly suited for the character. The voice acting for the rest of the characters is also very convincing, especially that of Kyodai Ken, whose menacing voice is well-suited to his role as the villain.

Overall, Off Balance is a spectacular episode from the first season of Batman: The Animated Series. It's fast-paced, thrilling, and has a great storyline. The character development is some of the best in the series, and the animation is stunning. This is a must-watch for any fans of Batman, martial arts, and anime.