Battle Royale

Battle Royale is an intense death game manga that captivates from beginning to end. By the time I finished reading it in 2015, this genre had surged in popularity thanks to works like The Hunger Games, Gantz, BTOOM!, Deadman Wonderland, Danganronpa, and others. However, I believe Battle Royale stands out as the most meticulously crafted among these.

In Battle Royale, we follow a class of high school students living in an alternate Japan under a dystopian communist regime. Each year, one middle school class is selected to participate in a brutal death game. The manga excels at introducing these characters early on, making you feel like part of their routine school trip until they wake up in a classroom after being gassed on the bus. This jarring start sets the tone for the rest of the story. Characters receive various weapons, though I felt there were too many guns, which made some parts predictable. The graphic violence, blood, and sexual content add realism but prevent an anime adaptation.

The manga primarily follows three main protagonists but also delves into other characters' stories. What makes this manga exceptional is how well-developed almost all the students are. Detailed backgrounds make you genuinely care about their fates. Unlike other death games where characters are strangers, here, we see a tight-knit group whose relationships significantly impact survival scenarios. You encounter a diverse range of personalities: manipulative girls, karate masters, mob bosses, idealists, realists, psychopaths, intellectuals, fools, narcissists, and more. Many characters reveal surprising sides under pressure, making them engaging.

This manga highlights how differently each character reacts to the death game. Normally well-functioning individuals transform when pushed to extremes. Fear and paranoia drive disastrous situations, showing how misinterpretations can lead to instant death. Initially, I found the protagonist Shuuya Nanahara annoying due to his overly optimistic nature and reckless actions. He shows growth later but remained irritating overall.

Shuuya's teammate, Kawada Shougo, improves the dynamic significantly. As a rational and deeply developed character, Shougo brings fresh air to every scene. His motivations remain mysterious, adding intrigue. His chemistry with Shuuya and Noriko enhances the story. Other standout characters include Mimura and Sugimura, whose backgrounds make them compelling.

The art throughout the manga is solid, with enticing set pieces drawing you into moments ranging from gunfights to martial arts matches, car chases, bomb threats, and knife fights. These sequences are impressively executed.

I won't delve into plot specifics to preserve the surprises. Despite its strengths, the manga has flaws. My main issue, besides Shuuya, involves one particular character whose unrealistic "asspull" moments detracted from the otherwise realistic atmosphere. Handling this character better would have improved my rating by a point. Still, the positives outweigh this negative element.

The manga's 119 chapters can be read within days, even for slower readers like me. I recommend Battle Royale to fans of the death game genre.

I started with the novel, and perhaps that's why the manga adaptation left me so disappointed in its artwork. The novel was brutally raw, offering a deep dive into the minds of characters who believed they could die at any moment. However, the manga felt too light-hearted, imbued with an unwelcome sense of hope that ruined the experience for me. I didn't feel the same pain and horror that the novel conveyed. Additionally, the second manga wasn't released in English, which only adds to my frustration over having an incomplete collection.

Battle Royale unfolds in an alternate universe where Japan is governed by an authoritarian regime. Every year, this regime organizes an event known as 'The Program' or 'The Battle Royale Act'. A randomly selected class of students is forced to participate in a brutal fight to the death, with only one survivor allowed.

The narrative primarily focuses on the students' experiences within this deadly game, especially those of Shuya Nanahara, a likable, popular, and innocent student. Shuya grapples with accepting the reality of the game, holding onto the hope that there might be a way out and that he can save everyone. However, he soon confronts the emotional turmoil inflicted upon the participants as he witnesses his close friends turn against each other, driven by their shared fear of death.

In my view, the most compelling aspect of this manga is its extensive cast of characters, each meticulously developed with distinct and profound personalities. These characters serve to explore various themes such as desperation, anxiety, loneliness, and love. With such a diverse array of unique characters, Battle Royale achieves a realistic portrayal of the story, presenting a powerful range of 'what if scenarios' that make readers ponder how they would react in similar circumstances.

Overall, I consider Battle Royale to be a genuine masterpiece. It features an exciting and engaging storyline, a varied ensemble of unique and intriguing characters, all brought to life through stunningly illustrated artwork. This manga is an absolute must-read for fans of action, drama, and psychological narratives.

Frightening, gruesome, startling, and simultaneously passionate, heartfelt, and thought-provoking. A narrative that delves into the trials of maturing in a brutal setting while clinging steadfastly to one's convictions. It is uncommon for a manga to evoke such a spectrum of emotions within a single volume. Battle Royale stands as one of those exceptional mangas.

It was great when Shinji was the main character. But
SPOILERS:


He dies halfway through, replaced by a Mr. Elvis wannabe crybaby. Holy crap, worst protagonist I've ever seen. At one point, it took him ten chapters just to shoot someone because of his constant monologues.

Then there's Kiriyama, who is basically kid Batman with invincible plot armor. He’s written as an unstoppable force to take down anyone causing trouble for the protagonist since the author doesn't actually want him to kill anyone, lol.
Horrible story elements destroy any suspension of disbelief. Somewhere in the middle, they start jumping like ninjas and flipping over flying cards, etc. This is supposed to be science fiction or something—what the heck is with the KI nonsense introduced midway?
It started off very well though; I liked the plan to construct a bomb. But after the midpoint, it became a painful read. The art was excellent, though, which kept me going. If not for that, I would have given this a 5/10.



JK THE REAL REASON WHY THIS IS 10/10

I SWORE TO MYSELF WHEN I FIRST READ THIS.
IF THE ASSHOLE FAT TEACHER DIED THEN I WOULD GIVE THIS A 10/10
WASN'T DISAPPOINTED IN THE END.

I'll try not to spoil anything, but if you really want to read this manga blindly, please skip my review.

First of all, the first 60 chapters or so were just fantastic. Mimura, Kawada, and Sugimura are all real men. They were the stars of this manga for me. Then Kiriyama happened. He was just annoyingly written as a character. He's literally like a Japanese Terminator who doesn't die, lmao. That really ruined the manga for me. After some time, the main character started to become annoying and didn't get any character development after 60 chapters. He was just yelling at Kawada about what he should do and turned into a lame shounen protagonist. And that ending pisses me off every time I remember it. This manga was just a shounen guro manga and nothing more. The last 30-40 chapters were painful to read actually. Whatever. Overall, this manga is a 6/10 for me. There are plenty of better mangas like Doubt or Jinrou Game or As The Gods Will. These three mangas are far better than this one and get less love.

Bad, so bad. At first, you sense that a good atmosphere is about to develop because it's a promising manga. However, as you progress, you encounter numerous clichés and characters so foolish they make you angry.

It's terribly wrong how the characters possess an infallible moral compass, always striving to do the right thing even if it means their own demise. The main character often agonizes over whether or not to kill someone, and this indecision leads to many unfortunate outcomes.

Another issue is the cliché of portraying socialism as corrupt while depicting the USA as a perfect country where one can live without government problems. This is nonsense; anyone who has studied history knows how dangerous the USA can be. It seems far more realistic for the story to be set in America rather than perpetuating these unrealistic portrayals.

So, I watched the (fantastic) movie first, then read the (entertaining) book, and finally got through the manga.

Everyone knows the story, so no need for me to waste your time, lol.

Now, I really enjoy the concept and story of Battle Royale, but the manga was... actually pretty gross, lol. Mitsuko was such a badass in the movie and the book, but somehow in the manga, she came off as really gross and just ugh. Too sensationalist and exhibitionist. I knew she had issues, but... I don't know, she was over the top in the manga.

On the other hand, Takako Chigusa was awesome. She was played by Chiaki Kuriyama in the movie (loved her), but the Chigusa in the manga was this absolute bombshell. Also, the guys in the manga were pretty great and came off better than they did in either the book or movie. Especially Shinji.

I guess you could read the manga for completeness, but sticking with just the movie and book would be a perfectly good option too. Sorry, folks. I really wanted to like the manga too.

How can I read any other manga after experiencing this masterpiece?
Have you ever tasted something so delicious that everything else seems bland in comparison? That's Battle Royale for you.
This is a classic. It deserves to be immortalized in history books.
Do you think I'm exaggerating? Do you believe I'm biased?
Read it, immerse yourself in it, and explore it on your own.
I'm still amazed by how intricate this piece of art is, how meticulously crafted, how merciless and fearless it stands.
This story revolves around "The Program," where 42 students are kidnapped on an island, and the game doesn't end until only one survives - the notorious "Kill or be killed." You might assume among 42 characters, you'll only remember three or perhaps a group of elite five. But that's where you're mistaken, gravely mistaken. This is also why I hold this manga in such high regard. I cared for every single character. This care isn't always positive; caring for someone in this manga could mean never wanting to see their face again. Each character had distinct motives, complex and well-crafted backgrounds, diverse worldviews, and unique hardships. I even empathized with the most villainous character...
I still can't write a coherent review, I know, but can you blame me?
Do yourself a favor and read this.
But beware if it's your first manga because you'll struggle to find another that meets your standards after this. I'm still searching.

I thoroughly enjoyed the majority of Battle Royale. Upon entering the series, I was seeking a violent narrative about children pitted against each other in a deadly game with no straightforward solutions and an anticipation for an unhappy ending.

Battle Royale mostly met that expectation.

Firstly, this is an EXTREMELY violent manga. Whether it be the novel, movie, or manga, Battle Royale revolves around kids killing kids, with the manga possibly being the most graphic. This isn't necessarily a horror manga, but several images will linger with readers long after they finish.

This also isn't a "happy time." It's intended to be a warzone. While some characters have moments that seem too normalized, like cooking meals or hiding out for too long, this is a game of life and death. Almost any encounter between players will either be violent or involve a tentative level of trust.

Finally, there are no easy answers. Without spoiling anything, while the game they're playing gets resolved, there's no "And the evil people stopped being evil and everyone woke up." This focuses heavily on "The Program," where only one winner emerges. The brutal government places them into the program, but this isn't a hero's story or a battle against a great evil empire. It's a question of survival in a horrific situation, emphasizing who will win, which is where it shines.

But not everything is perfect here.

Let's start with minor points. I'll mention that this has numerous HEAVILY sexual scenes. There are times when I almost think this manga could just be hentai for a couple of chapters. It's well told, and while a bit graphic, it also develops certain characters, helping readers understand their motivations. Perhaps more than necessary, but if this makes people stop reading, ask yourself why watching kids murder each other graphically for 100 chapters bothers you more than a couple of characters having sex for 10 chapters? That's a weird societal line we draw.

This isn't necessarily negative, but something I felt needed to be said.

So, there are two major negatives.

Almost every character is... somewhat boring. Characters are either "playing the game" or "not playing the game"—AKA "Killers" or "To be killed." There's a question of which is which when each character is introduced, but afterward, it's a binary choice.

There are very few in the latter camp who ever kill, and almost no one in the former camp lets anyone get away. The problem is that it makes so many characters boring because without seeing them break the line, especially in such a situation, we're not witnessing character evolution or change. We're merely observing a morality play, and while Killers do die, I get bored of the "pacifist" characters as the main characters or heroes of these stories, especially in the absolute worst environment possible.

It's just black and white sadly, with very few taking on shades of grey, and when they do, it's always the lightest (or darkest) variants.

The bigger issue, and probably what ruins what could have been a near-perfect story, is the main villain. In the final 20 or so chapters, there's a showdown that begins, but for a manga that spends 100 chapters in ultra-realistic environments, rules, and characters you feel like you could meet in a school, one character has almost superhuman abilities to remain a thorn. I don't want to spoil it—it's something every reader needs to experience—but while this is a manga, I still call him an "anime villain" as a negative because the majority of this manga isn't that type of overpowered or ludicrous idea.

Trust me, when you read it, you'll understand why I think it detracts from the series.

With that being said... man, the rest of the chapters, books, and experience here is worth it. There's a definite question of what will happen and who will survive in a world and game where that's a very real problem. As I said, this is a satisfying ending as long as you aren't hoping for a fairy tale or unrealistic ending for the established world.

I'd definitely recommend this, strongly recommending it if I'm honest.

I began reading because I heard it was similar to Danganronpa, and I absolutely LOVE that game/anime. Additionally, I liked the title. However, I was extremely let down. The artwork is outdated, so you can't expect much in that regard. But my main issue is that the manga didn't live up to Danganronpa's standards. If I had to compare it, it felt more like a mix between The Hunger Games (specifically the second and third quarters of the annual games) combined with hentai. Why on earth is there hentai in this manga? It's completely unnecessary and detracts from the battles. Yes, there was a seductive character, but the hentai elements just weren't needed. Also, I'm not a fan of eyeballs popping out of their sockets. The manga could have been good if it weren't so disturbing, but maybe others enjoy hentai and eyeball scenes.

With all the recent buzz surrounding The Hunger Games and its parallels with Battle Royale, my desire to revisit the manga grew stronger. Re-reading the series has been an intriguing journey, and I'm surprised by how my feelings toward it have evolved.

Battle Royale unfolds in a dystopian Japan where the government's top-rated TV show is the Program. This sinister game involves abducting a random class of high school students, dropping them into a secure location, arming them, and encouraging them to kill each other until only one remains as the victor.

This year, we encounter a varied and diverse class, but our primary protagonist and window into the series is Shuuya Nanahara, a rebellious rock-and-roll teen without much direction. The narrative follows Shu on his quest to protect his crush Noriko while avoiding killing his classmates and trying to survive the deadly game—a tall order indeed.

In terms of storytelling, Battle Royale stands out due to its vast cast. Each character, whether good or bad, gets moments to shine and receive focus. Sometimes this evokes sympathy, sometimes it explains their behavior, and at other times it sets up their downfall. The manga's artist, Takaguchi, takes his time developing each student, which I appreciate immensely. Creating compelling characters is incredibly challenging, and credit must also go to the original author, Koushun Takami, for crafting such a rich ensemble.

However, upon revisiting the story, I found myself less fond of Shu and Noriko. Both characters are so one-dimensional that every scene featuring them feels repetitive. I found myself hoping someone would ambush and eliminate them just to escape their monotonous dialogues. In contrast, well-developed characters like Hardcore Souma, Shogo, Mimura, and Sugimura—each with unique backgrounds and engaging plotlines—make Shu and Noriko seem dull. They serve as audience surrogates, but they lack depth.

Takaguchi's artwork is remarkable yet not without its flaws.

Remarkably, Takaguchi excels at drawing everything—from urban and natural landscapes to soldiers, various types of guns, elaborate martial arts scenes, gore, car chases, and poignant character moments. His page layouts are generally straightforward but explode when necessary. As an artist still honing my skills, I am awed by the time and skill Takaguchi invests in each page. Simply amazing.

That said, not everything is perfect. Takaguchi's male characters are unrealistically muscular. While this is common in comics, there's a difference between super-powered teens and regular ones. We're meant to believe the Program could exist and involve us, making it hard to imagine when every male character looks like a bodybuilder. Shogo, for instance, looks like he belongs in a fitness competition! I can understand Sugimura (a martial artist) or Mimura (an athlete), but Shuuya lacks any physical prowess. He's handsome, yes, but there's no reason for him to be so ripped. I'm not advocating for more overweight characters (there were some), but a bit more moderation wouldn't hurt.

My other artistic complaint concerns head sizes. There are several panels where a character's head is as large as their chest—anatomically incorrect. It's not overly distracting but noticeable enough to catch your eye. Still, it doesn't detract significantly from my enjoyment of the book.

All in all, Battle Royale is a remarkable work that everyone should read. The characters are diverse and fascinating, the visuals are stunning, and the story reads smoothly. Even on a re-read, I found myself wondering about the outcome. That's a sign of a great book. While imperfect and hard to find due to Tokyopop's out-of-print editions, Battle Royale is a must-read.