Battle Royale

Dismiss every notion of human rights and observe the consequences in a world where the deadliest game is played. This game exists because there are spectators willing to watch, either for betting or amusement.

This manga presents a possible future, delving into its darkest aspects while developing characters as they're drawn into a game with no true winners.

The story adeptly carries this concept. Characters begin as typical high school students until, during a trip, they are sedated and transported to a classroom where their nightmare begins. A harsh reality confronts sixteen-year-olds, thrusting them into a kill-or-be-killed scenario. Every choice leads to disaster; friends become hunters and prey out of sheer terror.

The narrative's inevitability and helplessness shape the story. Characters fill in the gaps, each introduced briefly at the start and developed further throughout. There are no "main" characters since everyone has their perspective and backstory, thoroughly explained and revisited multiple times.

As a death game, it naturally includes deadly matches. Some characters endure long enough for extended battles, occasionally incorporating fantasy and religious elements.

The artwork is detailed and clean, effectively conveying emotions suited to each situation. Given its horror and ecchi genres, it's crucial to note that gore and sex scenes are highly graphic and explicit.

Enjoyment here should be minimal. The manga centers on teens killing each other for entertainment. Philosophical dialogues and retrospectives might intrigue some readers, but most will find the action and sex scenes too explicit. Only those with specific tastes might enjoy the bloodshed or sexual content. Romance also plays a part.

I was skeptical, expecting mostly gore and action. While present, the manga blends various genres. It made me laugh, cry, feel sympathy, and sometimes disgust. Perhaps it tries to do too much, which hindered my full appreciation. Repetitive phrases annoyed me at times, yet the ending was perfect, capturing the entire story in two words.

(Read if you must, feel compelled to, or have nothing better to do. I hope this review aids your decision.)

In general, the manga is good; it's an easy read and keeps you entertained until the end. I appreciate the two unexpected twists and how they are resolved, and the ending felt quite fitting. However, it wasn't what I anticipated. I expected it to leave me in shock with a "I've wasted my time reading all these volumes" kind of feeling, like many other manga do, but that didn't happen!

The artwork is rather unattractive, although it does get better as the series progresses. Nevertheless, it remains quite realistic and expressive.

There's an excessive amount of blood, and some scenes are quite brutal. But in this manga, given its plot, it works perfectly.

Possibly the worst aspect was the extensive detailing of many students' lives. While it's interesting to learn about them and understand their backgrounds, sometimes this part becomes a bit tedious.

If you're aware of the premise of this manga and are hoping for at least some semblance of realism, prepare to be disappointed. The martial arts depicted here are so exaggerated that characters can rip tree trunks apart with their bare hands. One scene in particular was laughably absurd. Characters suddenly possess KI (life energy), explicitly referencing DBZ while preparing flashy attacks. Later on, there's a guy who gets shot in the face but still manages backflips effortlessly. It’s just plain silly. There are countless examples of how ridiculous this manga becomes, filled with plot holes and inconsistencies.

Be ready to overlook the author's lazy writing, where characters conveniently pull off improbable feats during fights. Hidden weapons appear out of nowhere, last-minute rescues happen, and characters exhibit an insane level of endurance. I lost count of how many times someone got shot in the leg yet kept running for hours. Ammo management is almost non-existent. Characters armed with Uzis seem to have unlimited ammo, giving them an unfair advantage over everyone else. This also highlights how the game is set up: each participant receives a bag containing essential items and a random weapon, ranging from forks to machine guns. While initially amusing, it quickly becomes clear how imbalanced this setup is.

This manga is packed with flashbacks, most of which are boring and drag on far too long. To make matters worse, the author reuses old panels to remind readers of past events, even if they occurred only five chapters ago. This blatant filler content adds nothing valuable. The characters are insufferable, and I despised the main character (MC). All he ever did was spout generic shounen "believe it" nonsense. What makes him worse than your average shounen protagonist is that his words lack substance; he hardly accomplishes anything significant throughout the story. Many characters talk highly of the MC, despite having no reason to do so. He's like a weird Elvis impersonator, repeating his dumb arguments ad nauseam. Then there's Noriko, who is utterly uninteresting. We barely know anything about her, yet we're supposed to care because the MC does. A significant portion of the story involves the MC and two others arguing endlessly in the forest while other events unfold around the island. Many side plots lead to dead ends, wasting time and effort.

There are plenty of series I adore that were clearly influenced by Battle Royale (such as Gantz, I Am a Hero, Hunger Games, and Danganronpa), but the execution here is abysmal. The grim premise is intriguing on its own and doesn't need over-the-top martial arts or Matrix-style bullet dodging to enhance it. In fact, these elements detract from the overall quality. If you want to read something similar involving kids in a brutal survival scenario, I recommend The Drifting Classroom instead. It has its flaws and some bizarre sci-fi elements, but the children's behavior feels much more believable compared to Battle Royale. I suspect Battle Royale drew inspiration from The Drifting Classroom. Even if you disagree with my recommendation, I still wouldn’t advise wasting your time on this series. It can't be taken seriously, and your time would be better spent elsewhere.

A Psychological, Action, Thriller that will take you on the most extreme thrill ride you can imagine. But be warned, you must be 18.

Battle Royale revolves around the survival of the fittest concept, where teenagers are forced into a brutal "last man standing" game. This intriguing plot delivers an unparalleled level of intensity and emotional turmoil. Despite covering only a brief time frame, the story is remarkably detailed. The downside is that it's challenging to become emotionally attached to any characters since their fate is often grim. However, some characters are so well-developed that attachment becomes inevitable.

The artwork masterfully captures a disturbing amount of gore and violence, which might make you feel queasy. Battle Royale is renowned for its over-the-top approach. While many readers may struggle with the extreme gore, I personally found issue with the older appearance of students who were meant to be 15-16 years old.

Battle Royale is an exhilarating, gut-wrenching manga that keeps you on edge. It’s fascinating how the story unfolds across 15 volumes without feeling dragged out. Unfortunately, the TokyoPop version suffers from poor translations. Unlike other manga like "Gantz," Battle Royale exudes a sense of hopelessness that makes the story profoundly depressing. Despite this, the numerous shocking moments and cliff-hangers keep you engaged.

I haven't fully read Battle Royale yet, mainly because I like to save my money. However, from what I've read so far, it's an incredibly impressive manga.

I have seen the film, and that's partly why I decided to read the manga. Unlike the movie, the manga provides a detailed account of every character's death and delves much deeper into their backgrounds and stories.

The plot, as you might gather from the synopsis, is a brilliant concept. It offers a refreshing departure from the usual narratives like boy meets girl or love triangles.

The artwork is fantastic, and I believe the nine I’ve given it is well-deserved. The backgrounds are beautifully illustrated, and each character has a unique appearance. The violence and gore depicted between pages are vivid and strikingly graphic.

I am genuinely enjoying Battle Royale. Interestingly, the movie and manga are vastly different, ensuring no part of the manga feels spoiled by having seen the film. This is definitely a manga worth reading.

The Program. It's an event or "game" where a selected class of 42 students is abducted, placed in an isolated area, given a random weapon, and instructed to kill each other until only one remains.

What would you do if you found yourself in such a scenario, and how far would you be willing to go? Would you surrender and refuse to participate? Would you follow the rules and eliminate your classmates before they do the same to you? Or would you choose to trust your friends and hope to find a way out together? Well, the first choice will definitely lead to your demise because you become an easy target for those who play. The second option likely results in death since the odds of survival are just one in forty-two. The third option also risks your life if your allies betray you. This is the grim reality faced by the characters in the gripping tale of Battle Royale.

There are various character types in Battle Royale, and through their backstories, it becomes evident that not all have led decent lives. Many are deeply troubled mentally, and when combined with the desperate situation they confront, it's terrifying to see the lengths some will go to survive. Even if the winner was once the kindest person anyone knew, such an ordeal would irreparably damage them. As a reader, it's perilous to form attachments within the story as none of the characters are safe from being killed off, yet the manga is compelling because you can't help but develop favorites among the students.

The level of detail in the artwork is astonishing. It's also extremely graphic due to frequent scenes of bloody entrails, spilled brains, and nudity. This makes the manga strictly for adults, although there might still be younger readers despite the warnings. The action and gunfights are well-drawn, with blood and bullets flying everywhere in a clear manner. Character expressions are highly varied, even though most depict shock, madness, or death.

I won't claim to be entirely comfortable with the material I read in Battle Royale, and I'll admit to feeling uneasy on several occasions. It's also hampered by a somewhat repetitive structure and seemingly invincible characters, but the authors did such an exceptional job crafting an engrossing story and setting that I completed the manga despite having abandoned it at one point. Fans of thrilling, non-stop action and graphic violence should definitely give this series a read.

One notable aspect of Battle Royale is its relatively realistic character designs. The anatomy of each figure, aside from the eyes, closely resembles that of a human, yet retains a manga-like simplicity through its clean lines. The heavy inking and shading add a sense of suspense and precision to the artwork.

The storyline itself is quite unconventional. It kicks off with an intense battle, during which you gradually uncover the past lives of the characters, which often comes as a surprise to the reader. There's a certain psychological edge to it all.

The characters are well-developed, even though there are 43 of them. While not every single one gets detailed attention, those who do are portrayed with depth and nuance.

All in all, this is an engaging read that keeps you hooked until the very end. The showdowns between characters, although somewhat predictable, are still highly anticipated. The climax is thrilling and gets your adrenaline pumping.

This is the ultimate B-Movie in manga form. It's filled with clichés and tries too hard to tug at your heartstrings, its story is a chaotic mess that doesn't make much sense, yet I found myself unable to put it down. The manga is quite gory and violent, features unforgettable characters and moments, and is simply a joy to read. If you're one of those who needs to swirl their wine and lift their pinkies while giving a "detailed analysis" on themes or symbolism, or any of that literary embellishment, this isn't for you; you won't enjoy it.

Story: 6/10
The plot is pretty much standard death game material.
Art: 8/10
Characters: 5/10
Enjoyment: 8/10
Overall: 8/10

A few years back, I watched a truly terrible film called Battle Royale. Discussing it with a friend, he suggested: If you dislike the movie that much but appreciate its concept, why not read the original book? This revelation surprised me; I had no clue the movie was adapted from a novel. Though I never managed to get the book, I decided instead to buy the manga.

I was astounded by the artwork in Volume 1. Certain panels captivated me as I tried to comprehend the effort put into them. Determined, I resolved to collect the entire series.

Volume 1 begins by introducing the main characters along with snippets of their backgrounds. Unlike many other series, the depth isn't limited to just the protagonists. Every student in Battle Royale is meticulously developed, almost as if they could step out of the pages. Even the most villainous characters evoked my sympathy.

The artwork is incredibly detailed, though it's not for everyone. One minor flaw I noticed might be embedded within its beautiful illustrations. Some panels are so intricately drawn that staring at them too long can feel overwhelming or even nauseating.

If you enjoy a bit of gore, some alluring antagonists, a touch of romance, and an overarching sense of despair, there’s no other manga I’d recommend more highly than Battle Royale.

Battle Royale is a manga I highly recommend for those seeking something thrilling and horrifying to read. It's not suited for everyone, as it contains extreme depictions of both sex and violence throughout, but it excels in its goals: to captivate and horrify with its story.

ART (9/10)
Masayuki's art style is one of the most haunting when it comes to gore. His illustrations are so intense that they transform human innards and bodily functions into pieces of expressionist art. The death sequences are brutal yet beautiful in their own way. While the characters are drawn rather generically, their expressions during key moments truly bring this manga to life.

CHARACTERS (10/10)
This manga does an incredible job making you care about over 40 characters through their interactions and rich, unique backstories. Each character feels simultaneously real and surreal; they go beyond what seems physically or mentally possible for high schoolers, yet their backgrounds and traumas resonate deeply with many young people's experiences and struggles.

STORY (10/10)
Without giving away any spoilers, I've never been able to read this manga over more than 24 hours. Countless all-nighters have been pulled just to follow this story from its shocking start through twists and turns to its satisfying conclusion.

PREMISE (10/10)
A horrific, all-too-believable future where involuntary battles to the death are broadcast on live TV to entertain and control the masses. This classic premise, where only one can survive among many, has been seen in various forms like Hunger Games, Squid Game, PUBG, and more. However, none, including the original novel, executes it as well as Battle Royale.

I will say that while the violence can be gratuitous at times, it effectively illustrates the darker sides of humans failed by society and communities, as well as the limits of bad-faith actors within oppressive political systems. If you appreciate this genre, I highly recommend giving this manga a try!

This is mainly intended as a detailed recommendation rather than a review. Battle Royale was amazing. I read the book some time ago, and just finished the manga, yet I still felt just as engrossed and emotionally charged while reading the manga as I did with the book (even knowing what would happen).

Note: If you read the Battle Royale plot summary, you'll find it's VERY similar to that of The Hunger Games, but Battle Royale came out much earlier (2008 for The Hunger Games and 1999 for Battle Royale). Honestly, I liked both The Hunger Games series and Battle Royale, but I found The Hunger Games to be a massive rip-off of it, which was far less intense emotionally, action-wise, story-wise, and romantically.

Anyway, here are the main reasons I loved Battle Royale:

~ ACTION: ~
Top-notch, realistic, and intense where you're on the edge of your seat, holding your breath, where all characters have an equal chance to die or live. The action, weapons, sturdiness of bodies and minds were very realistic, with no overpowered moves, weapons, or abilities—only real-life capabilities.

~ PLOT LINE: ~
It had an amazing plot (can't spoil so I won't give specifics) where, just like in The Hunger Games, the setting takes place in a dictatorship where many people are treated horribly, and every year they host "The Program," which "randomly" selects a class of students from a "random" school and without any warning, Bam, you're on a stranded area, now having to fight to the last one standing. The plot intensifies a lot and develops from simple survival into wanting to be free and get back at the program and its cruelty.

~ THE CHARACTERS: ~
The characters were all realistic, in terms of mental stability; they acted as normal people. Although many of the characters were constantly shifting in their struggle for sanity, while some went insane, others already were, and some just died like dogs. There were three main characters. The protagonist, Shuya Nanahara, is the hero type who believes in humanity, his friends, and can't even hold it against any of them trying to kill him—an overall good guy, though too trusting. Shuya develops slowly but surely into a strong, consistent character that knows his purpose. Noriko Nakagawa isn't major in terms of "Oh, I really want to see what she will do next," but she does play an important role as the "anchor" for the main character and the purpose for him to fight, to kill, and to survive. For a pretty girl, she has a strong, non-whiny personality. Shogo Kawada was my favorite—he literally carried the manga. Without him, the main characters would have died fairly early into the game. Shogo is experienced, calm, and while he does have strong emotions or feelings, his overpowering sense of purpose and calm, cold-blooded analysis of everything makes him just about as amazing as a human can realistically get. His backstory is heartbreaking, and he is a truly well-designed character.

~ THE ART: ~
The art was very good, nothing extraordinary, just good quality, consistent, and realistic. The only tiny problem I had with the art was the announcer/director's face in the manga. You only see him minutely after the first 20 or fewer chapters, but his face looks muscle-intensive and disfigured. But besides that, the art was well done, and there were no faults for the rest of the manga.

~ THE ROMANCE: ~
The Romance was a major drive in this story, between Shuya Nanahara and Noriko Nakagawa. They had an intense love—they are quite literally said to be "star-crossed lovers," a quote. They love each other deeply, and their love and need to survive for each other help them survive and develop into better characters. There is also quite a bit of other love in this manga, but the main love is between these two main characters, and quite the love it is.

Overall, this manga was extremely intense, well thought out, relentless, and passionate. It didn't stop getting more emotional and exciting but continued to get better and better, upping the ante continually. I strongly guarantee that if you can handle a mature, realistic, and slightly gruesome manga, this is something you most likely would enjoy.

“From now on it's kill or be killed, play or not play.”

Battle Royale is one of those manga you'll either love or hate. A manga that relies heavily on a combination of psychological horror, gore, and eroticism with an overarching theme of human nature's diversity. Is it possible to derive a worthwhile experience from this? Absolutely.

Story 8/10:

The setup of BR's story isn't very complex or original. In a totalitarian version of Japan, a random 9th grade class is selected each year to kill each other in a remote location. Winner takes all; only one survives. This "Program," as it's called, is broadcast nationwide for ultimate entertainment. Various measures ensure students feel compelled to murder each other.

Despite sounding simple and perhaps unoriginal, this structure works perfectly for a tale focused on character development and the transformation of personalities under extreme tension and peril, punctuated by occasional gore and eroticism. While explicit, these scenes enhance characters and contribute to the merciless atmosphere.

A minor complaint is the pacing, which fluctuates. Some chapters deliver adrenaline-pumping suspense and action, while others revert to elaborate settings and extensive text.

Art 9/10:

You either love it or hate it. BR exudes a unique style, showcasing disgusting gore, pornographic displays, and suspenseful moments in highly stylized panels. Running from 2000-2006, the art evolves slightly, with characters becoming more realistically depicted and less messy overall.

This style excels at capturing horror and madness pervading the manga, as well as characters' non-verbal responses to their predicaments. Whether it's the sheer madness in a terrified girl's face or the expressions of shock, sorrow, or happiness in the recently deceased, the art brings characters' mindsets to life, enhancing the impact of their struggles and deaths on readers.

The mangaka's depiction of action sequences is also excellent. Whether it's slow-motion bullets piercing faces or cars mid-air, the stylish drawings capture these beautifully, resembling Matrix-like action, adding depth to fast-paced, short-lived fights.

The graphic depictions of death, mutilation, and adult themes like sex/rape make this manga unsuitable for the faint-hearted or young readers.

Characters 9/10:

Possibly the most crucial aspect of BR is its extensive cast and their involvement in the story. As the story begins, you're introduced to 42 students and a few side characters. Though overwhelming initially, the story handles this excellently by introducing characters individually during the Program.

Most characters have their backgrounds and motives revealed over time, with main characters undergoing significant development. A slight issue arises with sometimes lengthy and prompt flashbacks and character backgrounds. However, these sidestories often contain deep, psychological, moral, or philosophical messages that provoke thought and explain characters' behaviors.

The story effectively portrays that everyone can die in BR. Character development doesn't guarantee survival, making impactful deaths even more poignant as you root for well-developed characters, only to see some meet tragic fates.

The variation in character types means readers will pick favorites, making going through less liked characters' backgrounds tedious.

Enjoyment 9/10:

The manga provides an enjoyable read for those who embrace its tense atmosphere. Characters' realistic portrayal forces you to pick favorites. As characters grow on you or earn your antipathy, you'll find yourself rooting for favorites to survive crazed killers and hoping backstabbers get their comeuppance. Suspense keeps you reading, and if you're into psychology/philosophy, you may gain life lessons and understanding of human nature.

Overall 9/10:

Despite minor issues, Battle Royale is an excellent psychological thriller/horror manga, unflinchingly depicting its severe content. A must-read for survival horror and psychology/philosophy fans. Given its graphic nature and adult themes, it's recommended for mature, resilient readers.