Harley Quinn cosplay spreading across Japan ahead of 'Suicide Squad' release

In the U.S., Warner Bros’ "Suicide Squad" is likely to end up being judged another disappointing DC Comics live-action adaptation, with critics unimpressed and ticket sales dropping steeply as audience word-of-mouth spreads. But despite complaints about the script’s pacing and tone, "Suicide Squad" can at least boast cool action scenes and stylish characters, and Japan can be pretty forgiving of a movie as long as it has those last two elements.

As such, the mood surrounding the film in Japan remains optimistic ahead of its Sept 10 general release date. And what better symbol for smiling brightly in the midst of a potentially dark situation than "Suicide Squad" member Harley Quinn, who’s seeing a spike in her cosplay popularity in Japan?

American comics are well-known enough in Japan that most people can recognize the medium’s most famous figures, such as Superman and Spider-Man. The string of successful Marvel movies has also helped traditionally less-prominent heroes such as Captain America, Iron Man, and Thor make inroads into popular culture. But Harley Quinn, who originated as a character in "Batman: The Animated Series," was almost entirely unknown in Japan until the trailers for "Suicide Squad," the character’s first live-action movie portrayal, shined the spotlight on her.

Japan seems to have taken a real shine to Miss Quinn, and it’s not too hard to guess why. Characters with girlish looks who are also tough-as-nails combat experts have been showing up in anime and manga for years. Add in Harley’s unswerving, occasionally violent devotion to the Joker, a villain who may or may not actually care about her at all, and you’ve even got a potential parallel to anime’s obsessive yandere characters.

With "Suicide Squad" not being the home-run, smash-hit that Warner Bros. was no doubt hoping it would be in the U.S., its chances of blossoming into a franchise or dying on the vine might depend on its overseas box office performance. For at least a while, though, the squad of villainous anti-heroes’ most colorful member looks to have won a place in some Japanese fans’ hearts.

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