Battle Royale: The Novel [Paperback]

Koushun Takami (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 17, 2009

In an alternative future Japan, junior high students are forced to fight to the death! L to R (Western Style). Koushun Takami's notorious high-octane thriller is based on an irresistible premise: a class of junior high school students is taken to a deserted island where, as part of a ruthless authoritarian program, they are provided arms and forced to kill one another until only one survivor is left standing. Criticized as violent exploitation when first published in Japan--where it then proceeded to become a runaway bestseller--Battle Royale is a Lord of the Fliesfor the 21st century, a potent allegory of what it means to be young and (barely) alive in a dog-eat-dog world. Made into a controversial hit movie of the same name, Battle Royale is already a contemporary Japanese pulp classic, now available for the first time in the English language. A group of high school students are taken to small isolated island and forced to fight each other until only one remains alive! If they break the rules a special collar blows their heads off. Koushun Takami's brutal, high-octane thriller is told in breathless. blow-by-blow fashion. Battle Royale is a contemporary Japanese pulp classic now available for the first time in English.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Koushun Takami was borin in 1969 in Amagasaki near Osaka and grew up in Kagawa Prefecture of Shikoku, where he currently resides. After Graduating from Osaka University with a degree in literature, he dropped out of Nihon University's liberal arts correspondence school. From 1991 to 1996 he worked for the prefectural news company Shikoku Shinbun. Battle Royale, completed after Takami left the news company, was a finalist for the Kadokawa Mystery Prize, but ulimately lost due to the controversy the novel's content provoked among juruy members. With its publication in Japan in 1999, Battle Royale received widespread support from young readers and became a best seller. in 2000. ot was adapted as a manga and made into a popular feature film.

Product Details

• Paperback: 632 pages
• Publisher: Haika Soru; 2nd edition (November 17, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1421527723
• ISBN-13: 978-1421527727
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.7 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,724 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #42 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Movie Tie-Ins

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

54 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars New material and revised translation make this a must-buy, November 12, 2009

By 

Evan R. Cassity (Louisville, KY USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Battle Royale: The Novel (Paperback)

This revised English translation of Koushun Takami's spectacular debut novel could not come at a better time. It has been out of print from VIZ for a few years now, but their new Haikasoru imprint is ideal for bringing it back. This "notorious, high-octane thriller," presents a gripping story that will stay with you for the rest of your life. It is a simple story. A group of 42 high-school students are taken to an evacuated island, given weapons and a time limit, and forced to kill each other until only one of them is left standing.

First off, why is this a must-buy?

1. The translation has been improved. The first edition was rife with typographical errors, and more than once a character would be addressed with another's name. I asked the Haikasoru editor personally, and he said the book received a line-by-line edit, so this improved, tidied translation is something to be excited about.

2. A 22-page afterword by author Koushun Takami! This will be "his longest published work since the novel itself," according to the Haikasoru website. His own opinion on the cult status of his own creation is something no fan should miss.

3. A new forward to the novel by Max Allan Collins. The prolific Road to Perdition writer knows a thing or two about good fiction, and there can never be too many essays about good novels by good novelists.

4. Last but not least, an interview with the director of the first Battle Royale film, Kinji Fukasaku. Unfortunately, Fukasaku died in 2003, so this will be an old interview, published in English for the first time. It will be interesting to know the opinions of this master director, who so perfectly adapted a film for a much younger generation than his own.

It is often said that the best fiction does not provide answers, but rather asks questions. That is PRECISELY what this book does. When one reads it, one inevitably asks, "What would I do in this situation?" The simple moral dilemma presented in this book will lead not just to introspection, but to some fun, speculative conversations with friends and family. I first read the book six years ago. After all this time, it still gets brought up in conversation, and it is a testament to the strength of the story that I am still so excited today for this new edition. The book doesn't just excel as a conversation-starter, however. Attached to the simple conflict of the story is a very, very gripping narrative with living, breathing characters. While the psychological examination of a few characters drives the story along the most of the way, the reader is given glimpses into the minds of all 42 students. Far from being confusing, this actually draws the reader further into the story.

New words by the author himself, an interview with the director of the film, and a forward by a modern master of fiction are three reasons that could, individually, motivate one to pick up this second edition of Battle Royale. What makes this purchase a necessity for the fan or new reader, however, is all of this packaged with a revised translation. Once again, if you are a fan of the book, the manga, or the films, this book will prove a good excuse to reacquaint yourself with the franchise.

Personally, I maintain that the novel itself is the best way to experience the story. I believe the author feels that the manga is the best way. Undoubtedly, some would side with the films. Regardless, none of them are anything less than entertaining. If you are a fan of Battle Royale, pick this up, it will be worth it.

If you aren't a fan yet, this is, in my opinion, the best place to start.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A more sinister/modern-day version of Lord of The Flies, July 30, 2010

By 

Travis Stein (Houston, TX (USA)) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

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This review is from: Battle Royale: The Novel (Paperback)

After describing The Hunger Games to a friend, he said that sounded almost exactly like what he read with Battle Royale... only with Japanese kids instead. I enjoyed The Hunger Games (and look forward to catching up with the rest of the series), so I gave this book a shot. I was definitely glad I did.

The plot by now is well-known to most reading this review. Every year, 21 male and 21 female Japanese junior high school students are taken to a remote and deserted island where they are forced to compete in a free for all contest where the lucky winner gets to live out the rest of their life as a surviving pawn of the Japanese government's games. The number of characters at first can seem pretty intimidating as there are 42 students at the beginning coupled with a few other characters in the Japanese government. However, the important characters are Shuya, Shinji, Shogo and Noriko. Sometimes it's hard to keep track of every character but Koushun Takami does a nice job of clearly labeling/distinguishing the characters throughout the novel.

The book does what The Hunger Games did for me. It made me mad, but it made me think also. Battle Royale is packed with action sequences and there is never a dull moment for very long as someone must die at least every 24 hours. If not? They all die via their collars which are rigged to explode if the entire group decided to band together against the government. The overriding theme in Battle Royale is one of human survival and a look into just how the human psyche can be twisted. How do you really justify not killing someone in a game like this? It's either kill/be killed or sit-by/be killed. Takami does an excellent job of showing the dark side of the human race that can be brought out in even the most innocent of people. In addition, Takami poses moral/ethical dilemmas that get the reader wondering what they would do in the same situation. It seems barbaric and it seems like most of us would never do such a thing, but you never know when a scenario like Battle Royale takes place. Human beings at the base level simply want to survive at almost any cost and that's prominently displayed in this novel.

As far as back to the novel, I'll say this much. The novel really shines towards the end. The final 20-30 pages are an absolute thrill to read. Just when you think you're right about a character, Takami does a complete 180 and surprises you with an excellent plot twist :). On a side note, I almost wish Takami would do a Battle Royale series like The Hunger Games turned out to be. I think he could have done very well with a three book series in exploring taking down the fascist/corrupt Japanese government. But as this edition tells us (with an interview with the author), Takami isn't very interested in carrying on the Battle Royale line, which I thought was a shame but that's his choice in the end. That being said, stand alone or series... this is a very worthwhile read regardless!

-Travis S.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best character-driven novels I've ever read!, November 24, 2009

By 

amerdale876 - See all my reviews

This review is from: Battle Royale: The Novel (Paperback)

I was first introduced to "Battle Royale" by a good friend of mine who said I just HAD to watch the movie. It took me a while 'cause the movie is not distributed in the U.S. and, therefore, is hard to buy or rent. Finally, I found it to rent and the movie was amazing ... phenomenal! I had bought the book (the novel NOT the manga) a few months ago (before watching the movie) but hadn't gotten around to reading it yet. After watching the movie, I just HAD to read it and finally picked it up and began reading all 620 pages within a week or so.

All I can say about the book is: it's 10 times better than the movie!!!! This book is clever and insane at the same time, making it a terrific, can't-put-the-book-down-type of read! As was said in one of the earlier reviews, you wouldn't think it'd be easy to keep up with the 42 students but, after a while, it is. Unlike the movie (which was very good for the time they had to keep it down to), the book is seen through pretty much every character's point of view and the action scenes as well as the explanation of injuries and deaths is so well-written and described that you can't help but wonder what author Koushun Takami is going to write for his next book.

I do have to admit that I'm a huge Bruce Springsteen fan and since the novel mentions him and quotes one of his famous songs during a crucial end scene of the book, my liking of this book grew hugely! The fact that Takami was able to comment on not only young adult issues but also of country politics and economics, computer hacking, fascism and emotional issues (plus the importance of rock music and its influence) is astounding! All of these issues are addressed within this book without sounding preachy and complicatedly overdiscussed to the point of boredom. He writes with such knowledge and detail of computer hacking and homemade bomb-making that it makes the reader wonder whether he has personal experience with these things or not.

Like I said, the reader REALLY gets to know more of the characters and their emotions in this book, which makes it all the more tragic when each come to their demise. Because there are 42 different characters, there are several stories, emotions and thoughts varying of love, hate, sadness, fear, and hope that you see through each person. Because of not only our, but the world's, desensitized views on violence, I think people who read or hear about this book (and see the movie) really don't take in the extreme seriousness of the plot: Imagine having to kill your friends (... your best friends, for that matter) to survive. Could you do it? Could you actually live with memories like that? The idea alone is scary as hell and these 9th grade students have to do just that!

The book is a mix of A Clockwork Orange, Lord of the Flies (Perigee), 1984 (Signet Classics), and Stephen King's The Running Man and The Long Walk all in one. I've always been impressed with books, movies or TV shows that are ensemble and focus on a group of people rather than just two or one person(s). And the characters in this are all so wonderfully described that you wonder what would become of them or what they would be like if you knew them in real life. If you wondered why some parts of the movie were the way they were, then read the book and it answers pretty much everything. There is also a great love story (without becoming too mushy) and PLENTY of action and plot twists. I do have to warn squeamish readers that this book is very descriptive and violent. There aren't really any sexual situations but the violence is plentiful. Like the movie Final Destination (New Line Platinum Series), near the middle of the first part of the book, you morbidly begin wondering how the next student will meet their death. And each death can be seen as a metaphoric failure-in-life because of that character's personality flaw under stress, which would lead to their failure in life because of the usual stresses that life can sometimes bring (i.e. SPOILER -- the young couple commit suicide rather than fight to survive and live; their kind of love has blinded them 'cause they can't imagine living without each other). Fear and selfishness are the true enemies which lead to death in this story.

The only flaw with the first edition was because it was translated from Japanese to English, there were sometimes grammatical errors and words missing but in this edition, they're all improved! Also included that's new to this edition is a forward by Max Allan Collins (The Road to Perdition), an afterword by the author (think of it almost as a "commentary" on the book), and a interview with the director of the 2000 movie, Kinji Fukasaku (The Yakuza Papers - Battles Without Honor & Humanity (Complete Box Set), basically the Japanese The Godfather - The Coppola Restoration Giftset DVD).

This book is simply one of the best stories I've ever read! In the form of a survival/violent action story, the plot is really about learning to make your way in the world and not being afraid to go out there and live. Life can be scary but its worth living.