One of the interesting aspects about John Wick: Chapter 4 is how director Chad Stahelski hinted this would be the last hurrah for the titular assassin. However, it seems Keanu Reeves might reprise the role again, with Lionsgate and the creatives intent on charting out a new story, even if it takes some time. It does feel bittersweet because the movie gives John a peaceful, meaningful ending.
However, John Wick 4 also expands this universe in a big way, reiterating it’s not just about the Americas, Africa or Europe. As such, if Lionsgate does want to continue with this blood-soaked world, an anime would be a perfect way of supplementing it — especially regarding the way the movie hinges on Asia.
John Wick 4 Sets Up Potential Anime Spinoffs
Now, what stands out in this film is the Osaka Continental, its boss Koji and his daughter, 706z87″ title=”akira”>Akira. They take care of John for a bit, with Koji admitting his solidarity with John runs years back; thus, he has to defy the High Table and stand with his brother. The Baba Yaga appreciates it, even mentioning their past life, so an anime could expand on their missions together and how they forged this unshakable bond.
Donnie Yen’s blind assassin, Caine, also factored in as part of their troupe. A John Wick anime could further look at his role with them, and what happened to the trio which would plant a seed in Caine’s mind they were expendable. This can dissect how he tried to get out of the High Table, what happened to his wife, how he gave his eyes up as penance, and why the High Table held his daughter Mia hostage — informing why Caine would turn on his friends.
706z87″ title=”akira”>Akira‘s training can also be included under Koji, bridging both stories and framing into context how she now has to hunt Caine for killing her father; something John Wick 4’s post-credits already teased. It’d be akin to what Disney’s doing with Star Wars on TV, expounding on history to inform the present — only in this case it would be canon, not Elseworlds.
John Wick’s Universe Needs Genuine Asian Flair
Admittedly, John Wick 4 did feel like it was just using the Asian influence as a backdrop rather than working it organically into the story. In fact, this culture and its importance to John’s history weren’t really seen before in the past movies. Therefore, an anime can extend Koji’s samurai life, his code and how he built the hotel, all while creating room for other Continentals to be explored, whether it be in China or Korea. This could tie into how John learned his skills and enriched his mind against, say the Yakuza underworld and such, in a world which has honestly felt very white for some time.
The action sequences could be given more flair in animated form. After all, there’s nowhere to really take the ridiculous stunts. But the anime medium, as seen with Vinland Saga, Chainsaw Man, Naruto and Boruto, can elevate fight scenes, not to mention add dynamism to the weapons, armors, how these arsenals evolve, and how assassins train in a way that live-action just can’t finesse. 706z87″ title=”akira”>Akira‘s archery, for example, nods to feudal Japan, so even in flashbacks regarding Koji’s family and how this art was passed down, an anime can teleport fans back centuries without having to worry about budget constraints.
This is something Star Wars: Visions benefited from as well, using anime to expand the look and feel of its diverse galaxy. But in John Wick’s case, there’s more nuance to be detailed that could ensure Asian culture isn’t appropriated for a white savior’s story. Anime lets the action, blood and gore flow like never before and on a lower budget, while coming off as style and substance. It’s a mix the movies have yet to properly nail, as they’re primarily focused on John’s survival rather than the environment or allies’ backstories.