Suicide Squad Isekai episode 5 review: Wit Studio's anime continues to fire on all cylinders, except for its story

In the aftermath of Suicide Squad Isekai episode 5, the series has made it quite clear exactly what it’s here for, and what it plans to prioritize in its final installments. While not meant as a knock against the series, it is a fairly realistic assessment considering those viewers in early release regions are now halfway through the first (and presumably only) season.

Suicide Squad Isekai episode 5, being the halfway point of the season and likely the series, is significant for the choices made within the installment. In some cases, these choices are very respectable and commendable, such as allocation of time and awareness of time constraints. In others, however, it’s severely lacking in the context of a well-defined and carefully attended-to overarching narrative.

Suicide Squad Iskeai episode 5 review: Consistent animation, voice acting, and isekai’s best tropes are the highlights

Suicide Squad Isekai episode 5 review (Image via Wit Studios)

One of the most common compliments paid to Wit Studio and its animation staff is how consistently each series is animated. Attack on Titan's first three seasons serve as a testament to this, boasting some of the cleanest and most consistent sequences of any anime series ever. Suicide Squad Isekai episode 5 sees the series continue to be like its predecessor in this regard, clearly being handled with the same level of care and passion.

While it is a much smaller sample size, it is nonetheless impressive how well the series is animated on a frame-by-frame basis. Almost nothing is skimped out on in terms of consistency and detail, even as the camera is pulling back on a scene and can afford animators that privilege. Although certain lines and aspects do disappear, there are no frames so egregious as to have casual viewers rewinding to find X's next hit “bad animation” meme.

The series is at its best when this animation approach is paired with an engaging fight scene, which the latest installment does with great success. Suicide Squad Isekai episode 5 sees the group run out of all necessary resources, forcing them to return to Rick’s original helicopter in the Western Mountains. Upon arrival, they find a dragon nesting in the helicopter, sending them headlong into one of the best action scenes in the series yet.

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In scope, the series’ battlefield is a wide-open mountain range, more than open enough for the dragon to use its full strength and repertoire, in turn putting the titular group at a disadvantage. The large set pieces are handled perfectly here, taking advantage of numbers and seeing the group all scatter to different tasks, hiding spots, and battle stations. It naturally pairs with the fight’s setting and helps make sweeping camera shots more practical than just shock & awe.

Suicide Squad Isekai episode 5’s choreography of the dragon in this fight also takes advantage of the large set pieces and also helps to show the details of the area. A constant shift in focus between each member of the titular group also works well here, reminding viewers that the show isn’t all about Harley. That being said, she undoubtedly stands out from the crowd yet again in this installment, both during the dragon fight and in general.

Anna Nagase’s performance as lead character Harley Quinn also continues to be the series’ brightest star behind Wit Studio’s animation. The former brings a unique levity to the latter’s temperament, which doesn’t feel unhinged like many other renditions, but instead aware of how comical, and at times relatable, Harley can be. While some may dislike it, it’s an objectively well-done performance that brings out an engaging side of her.

While her fellow co-stars are also tremendous in their roles and renditions, Nagase as Harley is simply a cut above the rest. The closest to her would be Takehito Koyasu as Peacemaker, bringing a truly fitting voice and tone to the character. It may not be as revolutionary per se as Nagase’s, but it is nevertheless impressive and well done.

Going back to Suicide Squad Isekai episode 5’s dragon fight, it also highlights Wit and Warner Bros. Japan will only be taking the best the isekai genre has to offer for its series. So far, all of the choices have been right in terms of setting, races, power system, characters, and lore/worldbuilding.

It’s a clearly measured and discussed approach that has translated well, almost giving the isekai genre a Diet Coke blueprint to its unadulterated, original Coca-Cola form. There’s still plenty of time for them to misstep in their subtraction from the genre with respect to the aforementioned areas, but so far, it’s been an enjoyable and fresh experience.

Suicide Squad Isekai episode 5 review: Continued lack of story build is the only negative

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Yet one area in which Suicide Squad Isekai episode 5 seems to have subtracted too much is its story, especially if the series is presumed to only run for a single season. If this isn’t the case, it’s offensive to a lesser degree, but still offensive regardless. Even if Amanda Waller and A.R.G.U.S. truly have no ulterior motives, the focus on the Queen’s storyline is streaky at best.

Episode 4’s final moments of the Queen seemingly furious at the titular group’s victory and earning their freedom likewise serve as a great example of this. In ending on this expression from the Queen, it’s somewhat expected that this cliffhanger would be followed up in the episode. Yet there is only mention of the Queen in the fifth episode’s entirety, no sight or sound of her, despite this apparent tease of her true motivations.

Moreover, this wouldn’t be a problem if Suicide Squad Isekai episode 5 didn’t end by setting up a fight with Enchantress and The Thinker for episode 6. In this way, the series makes it clear that it doesn’t plan on focusing too much on an overarching narrative, at least in this first of possibly multiple seasons. While a fine route to take, it’s the series’ toeing of this line that makes it so frustrating and offers no clarity as to whether or not some such narrative will be built up.

Suicide Squad Isekai episode 5 review: Final thoughts

In short, the above Suicide Squad Isekai episode 5 review can be summarized as follows: the series is taking the best of both the action and isekai genres, and blending them with high-quality animation and top-tier voice acting talents into a very well-executed final product. However, its foregoing of an overarching narrative can be frustrating for viewers who are looking for something more than just a fun time, even if it is an incredibly fun time.