Customer Reviews

Battle Royale Ultimate Edition Volume 1 (v. 1)

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I am a big Battle Royale fan, having seen the movie and read the novel, I naturally bought this manga the moment it came out. Sadly Tokyopop's tendancy to try to make their titles "trendy" kicked into overdrive, so alas we have what can only be described as "an awful translation".

Keith Giffen, I am disapointed in you. Here is a list of some of his "trendy dialouge".

"Level with me, Yoshi, was I not born to rock? That's rock as in roll, ,'freind, just in case you haven't been paying attention." -Page 17

"What? No boogie-woogie flue?" -Page 146

"Don't mind Shu. Got a bad case of the rock and rool pneumonia" -Page 146

While the story is easily a 5 star affair, the mind numbing translation used detract from the story so badly that it merely falls into the 3 star category.

Forty-two kids killing each other in the name of survival. That's the basic premise of Koushun Takami's cult-novel Battle Royale that has been adapted into the hit manga series by Masayuki Taguchi. The plot sounds beyond insane, the mere mention of the idea almost offensive, so how on Earth could reading a comic about school children murdering each other be interesting let alone entertaining? But it is interesting, and furthermore, Battle Royale has a way of engrossing the reader into its bloody storyline to a point where it becomes a simple decision to invest in the rest of the series. Ultimately, Battle Royale is a manga series that works on many different levels. It's a gripping story, full of romance, lots and lots of brutal action, some incredibly detailed artwork, and also disturbing portrayal of human nature.

In an alternative universe where Japan has become apart of the Greater East Asia Republic with an oppressive Big-Brother government, a ninth grade high school class is randomly selected to participate in The Program, a nationally televised reality game show where students are released on an uninhabited island, given a random weapon and rations, and then let loose with one objective: to be the only one alive. Each student is equipped with an explosive collar which will detonate if no one dies within twenty-four hours, forcing them to fight if they wish to survive. A young boy, Nanahara Shuya, the class' resident rebel-rocker, finds himself in the middle of it, refusing to kill but also bearing the responsibility of protecting Nakagawa Noriko, a female classmate. His vow not to play the game, however, becomes tested when it becomes apparent that many of his classmates are more than willing to kill in order to win. Among them are the emotionless Kiriyama and the scarred Mitsuko, both natural born killers who will go to any extent to win, along with a host of other students who give in to their unbridled savage nature when forced to.

The characters of Battle Royale are one of the series' strongest points. Great pains are taken to flesh each one out, so that when each one dies, you feel some sort of emotion. It could be satisfaction or glee when a rapist meets his gruesome end or sadness when one of your favorite characters finally meets their match. No character is really invincible, and as a result the story always remains intense. From the charismatic hacker Mimura Shinji to the Kung-Fu master Sugimara to the terrified Noriko, Battle Royale presents a variety of characters that do a good job of reflecting the different personalities found in an average high school. It lends a certain amount of realism is an otherwise borderline ridiculous setting. At times, it is almost painful to watch the story progress as you become attached to more than one character, because despite all the nurtured hopes that the students share of escaping, the rules of the Program are that only one student lives.

The characters are really what bring out the theme of human nature as well. Some go insane at the prospect of a premature death and willingly turn on each other. Some succumb to their inevitable death and commit suicide, choosing to meet death on their own terms instead of those of the government. Others resist the Program, teaming up or plotting an insurrection to break free from the government's iron grip. It's through the characters that we see the true nature of ones' personality when faced in the worst of circumstances. It is a disturbing spectacle to behold, and forces the reader to ponder at one point or another "If you were faced with these circumstances, what would you do?"

But Battle Royale is about more than just the characters. There are several fierce gun battles including an incredible car chase, explosions, and even a few Dragon Ball styled martial arts fights. Unlike the movie and novel, the manga version of Battle Royale's action does not necessarily ground itself in reality. The martial art sequences between Sugimara and Kiriyama are a testament to that, with both leaping through the air and exchanging blows in a dazzling display that would feels reminiscent of Hong Kong kung-fu films.

The artwork in Battle Royale is rather hard to specify. It closely emulates the realistic art style of titles like Fists of the North Star for some characters, while for others; a more comical approach is taken. Either way, the character designs are elaborate and everything in the world of Battle Royale is detailed. And when I say everything, I mean quite literally everything. The violence is incredibly graphic and extreme. Brains are blown out, eye balls ripped out, throats slashed open, limbs amputated -it's almost disgusting to watch and can be a nasty shock to those who aren't ready for it. Also, the sex is more or less pornographic. Very little is censored to say the least and these scenes are not isolated incidents. One character's weapon is her body and sexual encounters followed by gruesome deaths happen several times throughout the series. For those expecting a typical Bleach or Naruto reading, Battle Royale will come as a very unpleasant surprise.

The translation is pretty sound for the most part. Done by Keith Giffen, the story flows very smoothly and the dialogue fits each character nicely. The only flaw in it is his occasional insertion of pop-culturist phrases which allude to either movies or musicians. Some fit such as characterizing Shuya as "Elvis", the original rebel rocker, but in other cases it feels awkward. In one case, Shuya claims that another character has a "Bon Jovi" hair cut. In another, during a gunfight in a car, one character tells Shuya not to go "Marvin from Pulp Fiction" when handing him a loaded gun. It makes sense if you're familiar with films and such, but it still sounds strange.

It is needed to reemphasize the important fact that Battle Royale, while centered on the lives of teens, is not appropriate for young audiences. The parental discretion sticker on the front of the cover is well deserved. The fights are easily as bloody and graphic as any movie (including Asian cinema) and far surpasses pretty much anything in the American manga market. There's plenty of foul language and there's tons of nudity, incredibly explicit sex, allusions to rape, and child molestation just to name a few of the more potentially offensive elements of the series. If you walk into reading the manga expecting just a comic form of the movie (which is also highly recommended) you're in for a shock. The film, while still incredibly violent, can not even begin to compare with the amount of graphic material in the series. This series is not meant for young audiences (18+ I would recommend) or anyone who might be offended by the list above.

So, if the series is so shockingly violent, how can it be good? I admit some of the violence and sex may be gratuitous, but the shocking nature of the artwork is an integral part of the manga series. It aids in reinforcing the disturbing themes that the comic depicts. With an incredible storyline, memorable characters, awesome action, and exceptionally detailed artwork, if you can stomach its explicit artwork, Battle Royale is an insane ride that you won't want to miss.

If you know anything about this series, you know it's not for the faint of heart. The story takes place in the not-too-distant future, in Tokyo, Japan. For reasons unexpalined in this volume, a "game show" has been introduced into society as a sick sort of entertainment. 42 teens, 21 girls and 21 boys, are pitted against one another, and the sole survivor (the one who isn't killed by his peers) is the winner.

In a world that is now besieged with numerous reality shows, this extreme game doesn't feel as far off as it should. The graphic content doesn not horrify me as much as the probability of this apocalyptic future.

The artwork is graphic and disturbing, yet the characters are still beautiful. The main character's, Shuuya's, childhood flashbacks add to the depressing overtones of the "program." We see Shuuya laughing and playing as a child, and we wonder if the next page will spell doom for that said friend.

The story is compelling and you read on as if you're passing by a highway accident; you just have to look. This volume is very gory and deptressing (but thought provoking.) Is it something we have to dread in our future?!?

As for the previous reviews, this is definitely NOT SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN. But then again, it's written for adults. It comes shrinkwrapped for a reason.

Oh, and typing in all caps doesn't validate your opinion. But then again, I'd like to say: THANKS TOKYOPOP!

Battle Royale is the story of a class's internal and external struggles to survive. The movie and book are masterpieces in their own, rough ways. I expected the manga to follow that tradition.

Tokyopop decided to let comic writer Keith Griffin adapt the story. He is quoted as saying - "This is bad, but how can I make it WORSE?"

That sums up the adaptation quite nicely. The main character Shuya, is now a rock-star wannabe who lacks the character faults in the movie or novel. Noriko is now the bimbo who follows him along. The other stereotypes include the class ..., crazed psycho, karate star, ect.

Griffin takes so many liberties with the script that I feel that I'm reading a different tale entirely. Gone are the 'Kill or be killed' mentality that plagues the primary characters (One line after a kill in the Japanese version reads - "It was either you, or me." Griffin changed it to - "Sorry, but, red isn't your color.")

However - this is Battle Royale, and even though Griffin alters many aspects, a bit of what I love is still there. A particulary touching scene occurs when Shuya flashbacks to a time when the 'fat kid' was getting picked on by the class 'bullies'. The character's expressions more than tell the story, and when he met his demise, I actually became saddened at his death.

In fact, all of the characters recieve characterization, be it during the course of the book, or right before they die. Unlike the novel, whose main character could care less about what was the truth and what was a lie about his classmates' lives' rumors, the manga embraces them and gives a small peek into who they were.

This is Battle Royale's essence - not the gore, not the nudity, not the action - Battle Royale is the story of being forced to kill your friends, lovers, enemies - each who, like you, had a life and parents and siblings and friends and enemies and deserve to live.

The adaptation is shoddy (reads like a B-level horror flick) but the small instances of characterization make the book shine and worthy to read.

After all, 42 enter the game, and only 1 can survive.

The story is unique. I must admit, I have not read the book, but I have seen the movie. It felt as though the movie moved by far way too fast, and you never really had a chance to get in touch with the characters. This allows you to do so, as well as understand so much more. I find myself growing attached to certain characters, and hating others. Seeing it in pictures dramtizes the actual event and makes you understand it. It is like a mixture of a book and a movie. It has the suspense a movie does, and the feelings a movie does, as well as the slow pace and the character/personality detail that a book contains. That is why this is absolutely wonderful. It entrances your mind and you find yourself reading it over again and again, I must say though, not for the young/innocent of mind. It can traumatize.

This graphic novel has a simple but brilliant premise, a game show where the students of one school must kill one another until the last survivor stands.

This is my first venture into manga and my curiousity was only peaked because the translator is my favorite comics writer, Keith Giffen. I was pleasantly suprised at the level of sophistication the story leads into. The gore is heavy but neccesary to make the story work.

First of all, it goes without saying that Battle Royale is not a story for anyone who detests violence. Regardless of what format you came to it in, the story is sound and was, at the time, an excellent commentary on where Japan could have been in an alternate timeline.

It was originally written as a novel by Koushun Takami and has been adapted into both a film (with sequel) and this manga. The manga was then adapted into English by Keith Giffen -for- Tokyopop. What people reviewing this book fail to realize, at times, is that Takami wrote the manga as well as the book. He had his hands on both. Giffen just translated things into English and, as often is true, not -everything- in Japanese manga has a suitable equivalent in English. There are cultural points that we just don't have an equal for. So things have to be substituted for those readers who don't have some omniscient insight into Japanese society and culture.

Yes, the violence, gore, and sex in the manga is over the top. What comic -doesn't- go over the top, though? What better way to drive home the insanity of The Program than to detail, visually, the horrors it causes? Everything in The Program is filmed and broadcast for the public to view. This is what they would be seeing, so how could the manga leave that out? While it can, at times, be sickening I find the detail level to be a wonderful injection of realism to the story. The drawings of the characters elucidate psychological flaws, character defects, egos, strengths, weaknesses, and things that caused them to be who and what they are.

All in all, I find this well done. If you can't tolerate a visual splatterfest, though, I would not recommend this series to you.

A military dicatatorship rules Japan and the top rated show is "The Program", a reality television abomination in which a ninth grade class is transported to an island and forced into killing each other until only one person remains. What happens if you refuse to play? If someone is not killed each day, then collars around the student's necks, implanted with explosives, detonate! And oh, by the way, the island is divided in a grid into square areas which randomly become "danger zones" meaning that if you do not evacuate the premises, again, your collar will detonate. The government does play it fair, giving everyone a randomly selected weapon which could be anything from a knife to a semi-automatic machine gun. Class B, which comprises 42 students from Shiro Iwa Junior High School has been selected for this season of The Program and its ranks contain some pretty unique characters. There's budding wanna-be rockstar Shuuya, loner Shogo, basketball jock Shinji, martial artist Hiroki, and all-around good girl Noriko. Dredging the other side of the class includes Kazuo, a gang leader who is not even afraid of taking out Yakuza, and Mitsuko, a slutty vixen who gets her kicks hustling and robbing older perverts.

Well, I will give Battle Royale the award for bloodiest, most politically incorrect if made into a movie receives X rating honors. And actually, its quite well done on top of that, conveying an urgency, a horror, a poignancy that films rarely achieve. Through unintrusive flashbacks, the characters gain more emotional clout, making the ensuing graphic violence all the more powerful. This is not mindless killing. These characters react realistically and begs the question of what you would do in a similar situation. Would you hide, would you try to find others of similar mind,try to escape, who could you trust, or would you kill? Of course it's also a commentary on the voyeuristic hedonism of modern TV, whether it's Japanese or American. While the plot is a bit ripped from other people's concepts like Running Man, Survivor, and the "Arena" episode of the original Star Trek TV series, its the great characters that are injected into this plot that make the difference in Battle Royale.

This is manga based on the original novel Battle Royale. Battle Royale was a novel about a class of Japanese junior high school students who are sent to a deserted island, given weapons and forced to kill each other off until one survivor remains, who is allowed to return to civilization. It's an intriguing premise that turns into a surprisingly gripping and potent story. This manga follows the original book much more closely than the movie Battle Royale, which was made later. It is worth noting that this manga book only covers the first part of the story. It ends with a "to be continued" and the remaining manga books have not been released in English at the time of this writing. So don't expect the complete story. Because the story is divided up over several manga books, it is able to follow the original story almost exactly. The movie, as good as it was, had to cut corners in order to cover the story in a two hour period. It is a well-made and fun to read story, especially for fans of the book or the movie.

Book-to-movie adaptations are common in American culture. Heck, movies based on comic books are popping up left and right. Here, we have a manga series based on Koushun Takami's classic pulp novel Battle Royale and, yes, it's already been made into a movie. Two movies, to be precise (skip the second one).

Set in an alternate-universe Japan, Battle Royale stars a group of 42 ninth-graders who have been abducted and taken to an island to participate in a game of survivor (with much more literal backstabbing than the CBS reality show). The game, known as "The Program," is a televised event held every so often to keep the population in line by means of fear. The rules are simple: Kill all of your classmates within 72 hours. Be the last player standing and you win your life back. If more than one player is alive when the time limit is reached, everyone dies.

Battle Royale is about youthful rebellion against an oppressive society, not a commentary on the direction of reality television. The original novel beats the reader over the head with that theme. In fact, the novel was published in 1999, a year prior to the reality TV boom with the first broadcast of Survivor in 2000.

The manga truly shines in creating a sense of terror and panic that grips the reader and drags them along for a rollercoaster ride. There is a clear set of main characters, but the manga gives the reader a glimpse into the minds of every single player, offering everyone a chance to bond with at least one character before he or she dies horribly.

Battle Royale is oddly addictive and difficult to put down, but that could be because of the structure of the chapters themselves. Scenes rarely end when a chapter does. Instead, they end with cliffhangers that leave you itching to find out what happens. Then, when you finish the scene, it leaves you compelled to finish the chapter. It's a vicious but clever cycle.

The art style carefully plays into who the authors want you to like and hate. Likeable equals pretty. Annoying or unlikeable equals not-so-pretty. Keep in mind that "unlikeable" does not necessarily mean "evil." The two most vicious players are also the most physically attractive. The other thing that's great about the art is that the action is simple to follow. It's very easy to visualize what's happening to connect each cell fluidly. The violence is very graphic, but sometimes the art goes a little over the top with the sweating and tears.

This series is definitely for a mature audience looking for something exciting and action-packed but not flat. It would be wrong to call it "fast-paced" when fight scenes are drawn out and the story pauses often for the sake of flashbacks. It is an action-horror-thriller for those looking for more dimensions than just your average slasher. Think of it like the original Saw film. It's not a "slasher flick" at all. In fact, Saw is not even particularly graphic. Instead, it's a dark, psychological story that explores how different people react while in the scenario of "kill or be killed" within a given time limit. Battle Royale, on the other hand, is quite visually graphic, with nudity, blood, and guts (and brains), but the psychology is far more important.

The manga itself has been out for a while, but Tokyopop has recently been compiling them into "ultimate editions" with three volumes bound together in hardcover. There's just something so cozy about curling up in bed with a hardbound bloodbath.

-- Courtney Kraft