Batman: Soul of the Dragon (2021)

Batman: Soul of the Dragon (2021) is a thrilling animated superhero flick from Warner Bros. Animation and DC Entertainment. It marks the 41st entry in the DC Universe Animated Original Movies series and is directed by Sam Liu, with executive producer Bruce Timm at the helm. The film boasts an original storyline that departs from its comic book source material. In his younger days, Bruce Wayne journeys to Nanda Parbat, a clandestine monastery situated in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region. There, he encounters O-Sensei, the caretaker of the monastery, as well as five other students who are all honing their martial arts skills – Shiva, Richard Dragon, Jade, Ben Turner and Rip Jagger. During this time, O-Sensei bestows Shiva with Soul Breaker – a powerful Muramasa sword that he possesses. However, he remains secretive about a certain door located on the outer perimeter of the monastery. One fateful night, Rip makes his way through this forbidden door and uses Soul Breaker to kill Jade – an act which results in unleashing four demonic servants of Nāga (the serpent god) into our world.

Years later, Richard discovers that millionaire Jeffrey Burr, leader of the Kobra cult, has obtained the gate. He heads to Gotham City to seek help from Bruce, but they are ambushed by a mercenary gang known as the Axe Gang, hired by Burr’s top assassin Schlangenfaust. In the midst of their scuffle, Richard learns Bruce’s secret identity as Batman and that Schlangenfaust is on the hunt for Soul Breaker. They rush to inform Shiva, now the dominant crime boss in Gotham Chinatown, but are intercepted by cultists who attack them and allow Schlangenfaust to steal the sword. To combat their adversaries, the three enlist Ben, now a martial arts instructor. Together, they pursue the cult to a heavily fortified island where they plan to use kidnapped children as sacrifices in order to open the gate for Soul Breaker.