Without a shadow of a doubt, the Joker and Harley Quinn are one of DC's most iconic couples. In fact, they are very much some of the most recognized faces in pop culture. Whether it be in DC's live-action movies, animated movies, comics, video games, or cartoons, one doesn't often exist without the other.

This became most evident in the DCEU where Margot Robbie played Harley and Jared Leto portrayed Joker. Anime fans are getting a taste of this dynamic duo once more, all thanks to Suicide Squad Isekai. And make no mistake, this version is definitely shaping up to be the most intriguing ever.

Who Are DC's Harley Quinn and Joker?

Joker doesn't need much of an introduction. He is the Clown Prince of Crime who has caused Batman so much trouble for decades. Joker evolved from wrecking Gotham City to trying to punish the Justice League as well. Of course, it helps if he can hurt the Bat-family and kill a Robin or two along the way. The clown loves sadistic terrorist acts, robberies, and playing mind games with the Dark Knight.

It showed when he murdered Jason Todd, maimed Alfred, and left Batgirl paralyzed. No matter what, though, the Caped Crusader won't break his code and kill him. The Bat thinks that some part of Joker's psyche can be salvaged. Fans would recall his tenure as the Red Hood and how he fell into a vat of acid. Tim Burton's movie riffed on this, as well as many cartoons. Deep down, though, the Joker doesn't want to ever be cured of his madness. He just wants a dance partner.

This is where Dr. Harleen Quinzel comes into play. The doctor debuted in the 1990s in Batman: The Animated Series. She was a psychologist at Arkham Asylum who fell in love with the Joker. She went on the lam with him, turned a new leaf and became his demented jester. The comics would bring her into play not too long after. Harley became very popular and in the years that passed, her allure grew.

She emancipated herself from her toxic boyfriend and worked with the Birds of Prey and Gotham City Sirens. Harley realized the clown was selfish and that he gaslit and manipulated her to do awful things. Since then, she's tried to redeem herself, with the Harley Quinn cartoon and Batman: White Knight series making her a hero.

In the Suicide Squad comics and movies, she also wants a second crack at life. But Amanda Waller knew she would make a fine weapon, ergo why she fitted her with a neural bomb. This was a means of making her pay for all the crimes with Joker; something Harley has come to regret due to all the repercussions. The Bat-family, the public and the powers-that-be won't ever see her as a true hero. Still, she'll trudge on, which will always leave the Joker annoyed at her feminist turn.

Suicide Squad Isekai's Joker Truly Loves Harley Quinn

Suicide Squad Iseaki Episode 1 brings Harley into focus. She's torturing and killing with the clown. She's thoroughly enjoying pulling off heists and being his lackey. However, audiences see that she isn't a minion or lapdog; she's an equal partner. Joker adores and worships her. It's true love. Usually, he lies about them being soulmates, just to get her to do whatever he wants. But he risks his life for her here.

It is quite obvious when she steps into Noonan's Bar for a drink. Instead, she's greeted by undercover agents from Task Force X. They want to arrest and take her to ARGUS' base for Waller to recruit. A shootout ensues. Joker tries to save her, but he comes under fire. He has no choice but to flee in his car and leave his beloved behind. He knows she'd want him to live and fight another day. This Joker is pained by the retreat.

He couldn't stand the idea that he was forced away from her. All he wants is to rob and play the piano, serenading her with sweet melodies and medleys. This time, it's genuine, passionate and caring. It's not about his ego. It adds sentiment and endearment to their bond, subverting what the Joker would normally do. Most times, he would high-tail it and leave her behind, only to then find her and make excuses in what's very much a relationship that is dependent on Stockholm Syndrome.

Or if he does come to her rescue, it's because he objectifies her and doesn't want anyone to take his 'toy' away. He loves objectifying her as a pawn. It dehumanizes Harley, when she just craves love and someone to reciprocate what she exudes. Alas, this Joker is that gentleman. But he can't get past the violence and storm of bullets. Harley is taken away after Katana incapacitates her. But she isn't angry when she wakes up. She knows her "puddin" tried his best to overcome these massive hurdles and a veritable army. Sadly, six months later, she has to go to work for Waller.

Suicide Squad Isekai's Joker Could Try to Rescue Harley Quinn

Now, Suicide Squad Isekai deals with Waller using the Suicide Squad for a shady mission. She puts bombs in Harley, Deadshot, Peacemaker, Clayface and King Shark, making them her slaves. But they're not running jobs on this Earth -- they're escorted through a portal via a helicopter to another realm. Their job is to form bridgeheads, so Waller's soldiers could mine and transport resources from that reality.

As fate would have it, Harley and the crew end up crashing and getting involved in a civil war in Suicide Squad Isekai Episode 2. They have to help Queen Aldora's Kingdom fend off the evil Empire in exchange for their freedom. This sets the stage for Joker to find his soulmate. He could break into Waller's base and locate the rift. It's easy to see him coming over as Harley's knight in shining armor. Given this Isekai realm has a medieval vibe to it, Joker can even fit into magical armor found there.

He'd surely want to help with her crusade and then get her back home safely. This way, they could resume their romance and cause chaos once more. That said, there is already a degree of mystery to their relationship, too. Harley bonds with Princess Fione and tells her she was once liberated from something. It allowed her to find her true voice and identity. Fans have been left curious if this was from a time she and Joker had a rocky relationship.

If so, this Joker might be faking it. If he's a pretender, he could regress. He may even try to force Harley back home, deeming her his property. Harley clearly wants to be a hero in this world, which can anger the clown, especially if he thinks it's a waste of time. Conversely, optimists think it might be her past life. Harleen hated being part of a system that misunderstood mental health and how to treat patients. She saw that as a twisted prison breeding drones in society.

The "emancipation" may well be from that slog of life: the nine-to-five, the desk job, filing papers, getting stuck in traffic, etc. It's conforming. The Joker could have been the escape hatch for her, paving the foundation for them to have a happy reunion and healthy team-up. Given Suicide Squad Isekai Episode 3 confirms that this world has mystical tools and imbues incursions with supernatural abilities, a heroic Joker would be quite the take. But ultimately, it'd be an interpretation that viewers would be invested in, as Joker isn't someone who typically fights for the woman he loves.

The first three episodes of Suicide Squad Isekai are now streaming on Max and Hulu.