by The “Predator” series depicts the battle between humanity and the Predators, the most formidable warriors in the universe, who wield weapons that utilize advanced science and technology. Three years after “Predator: The Prey,” the new “Predator: The Ultimate Battle” was released on June 6.
As the first animated work in the series, it was attracting a lot of attention even before it was released, but after it was released, viewers have been praising it, saying things like, “I didn’t know Predators and anime had such an affinity,” and “I thought it was an anime, but it was one I liked!” This time, freelance journalist Kazunori Harada, well-versed in a wide range of entertainment, watched the film and sent a review from his perspective. (The following contains spoilers.)
The “Predator” series has produced seven films, including crossover works, spanning from the release of the first film in 1987 to the most recent one, which depicts the battle between Predators and humanity across time and countries. This film depicts a struggle between Predators and humans that has never been revealed before, spanning time and countries. Moreover, this time, it is an animated film.
While I find it incredibly fresh, some people are concerned about whether that worldview can be effectively expressed in animation. However, it is often said that it is easier to watch (produce) than to worry. By the way, the original title is “Killer of Killers,” which means “a killer among killers.” Taking into account the Japanese title, it becomes clear what the battle was trying to achieve.
The first phrase that came to my mind after watching it was, “It’s just so big in scale! The range of development is wide!” Predators and humans fight, transcending time and country. Predators can disappear at will, and humans are no match for them in a simple test of strength, but each of them has their way of getting rid of them. However, I never imagined that the relationship between Predators and humans had been so tense for so long. A special secret has been revealed to me by the original author and production staff.
The setting of “Predator: The Prey” was America 300 years ago, but this time, scenes from 840 AD are also depicted. Now, let’s introduce the three people who fight against the Predators, “dangerous extraterrestrial life forms with weapons that utilize advanced science and technology,” and advance to the so-called “Most Evil Summit Showdown.”
One is a Viking who takes his son on a bloody journey of revenge. In this case, the Vikings are not, of course, “all-you-can-eat,” but rather pirates who invaded coastal areas throughout Western Europe. The other is a ninja from the Sengoku period in Japan who becomes hostile to a samurai’s younger brother after a brutal battle for succession. As long as you aim for the only position of succession, you have to be prepared to take on even your brother.
This is the story of that era. In the scenes set in Japan, there are instances where the characters naturally converse in Japanese. And the other is a fighter pilot. His mission is to investigate the threat posed by the Allied forces during World War II. The music playing in the background as he works is “swing jazz,” which was very popular in the United States from the start of the New Deal policy to the end of World War II. Some scenes make you feel the bond between the pilots, and they will make you cry.
Some scenes would be too gruesome in live-action… Humans bleed red, and Predators bleed green. They may be different colors, but they are the same blood. However, there is no compromise between the two sides, saying, “Let’s not bleed each other.” Instead, it is a fierce battle that makes you feel the boldness of letting blood flow freely, dyeing the surroundings red and green. Even scenes that would be too gruesome in live-action are depicted with sharpness and powerful sound effects, and the battle between Predators and humans spans all land, sea, and air.
The director is Dan Trachtenberg, who was nominated for an Emmy Award for directing and writing “Predator: The Prey,” and the producers are John Davis, Mark Toberoff, and Lawrence Gordon (executive producer), who have worked on the “Predator” series. That’s why you can feel the attitude of making something thoroughly good, and the quality and resolution of “Predator” are high. It is no wonder that viewers have been giving positive reactions one after another, such as “It was well made, and the music was good,” “It was good that they depicted the predator society in detail,” “I was happy to see various types of predators,” and “I enjoyed the dynamic and blood-pumping brutal battles.”
In addition, voices were saying, “The bar has been raised for Badlands…” but the latest “Predator” movie has also been decided. “Predator: Badlands,” directed by Trachtenberg, is scheduled for nationwide release on Friday, November 7, 2025. It will be the first time in the series that the Predator is portrayed as the main character, so I’m looking forward to seeing how it will be portrayed, and “Predator” fans will be excited for the next six months. “Predator: The Ultimate Battle” is being exclusively distributed on Disney++ Star. Text by Kazunori Harada
