BATTLE ROYALE

Produced by Tokyopop

by Koushun Takami & Masayuki Taguchi

English Adaptation by Keith Giffen

Reviewed by: Douglas Waltz 

When I received Issues 3 - 7 of Tokyopop's BATTLE ROYALE I realized I had a problem.  Mainly that I was missing issues before and after the chunk that I had.  My lovely editor said to just do an overview of the series and give a general feel for the books themselves.  Okay, I knew when someone was telling me to wing it so here we go.

BATTLE ROYALE was a book, then it was a highly controversial film.  Then it was published as a manga series and now it's being adapted for us here in the Western world.  The story is as follows:  It seems that in the near, unspecified future a random class of 9th graders is chosen to compete on The Program.  The Program is a popular reality show that forces it's contestants to battle to the death.  You either fight or die.  Each student is given a different weapon ranging from automatic weapons to edged weapons.  They also wear a collar that explodes if you refuse to participate.

I know, it sounds a lot like the Arnold Schwarzenegger flop THE RUNNING MAN, but that flick was based on a superior story by Stephen King so, go figure.  The biggest shock of the series would have to be the students and their loss of humanity.  If they make friends eventually they will have to choose between friendship and life.  Only one person can win and if you refuse to kill someone, you die.

The artwork is quite good.  The basic big eyed style with an extra dollop of pure gore.  If you're looking for extreme violence in your manga you've come to the right place.  Issue three, the first one that I read is a bit misleading.  The whole book is drenched in some hard-core sex and I thought that would be the feel for the entire series.  Wrong!  The rest of the books focus more on the students and the shaky alliances they make as they try to determine if there is a way to beat the game.  Some way to disable the collars and make their way off the island..  The story is quite compelling as you find yourself caring for these well drawn characters and being upset as they are destroyed before your very eyes in gruesome fashion.

Now, for what is wrong with the series and really these are more pet peeves than actual complaints.

First,  If they're going to adapt the dialogue to English why not go the whole nine yards and make the book read from front to back instead of visa versa?  I understand that the original is done back to front because that's the way the language flows.  Good for them, but if you're going to translate then go all the way.  I blame myself because I'm old and don't learn new things well.  I've been reading front to back my whole life and it's gone pretty well for me so far. 

Second, I heard that Keith Giffen is 'loosely' translating the series.  where does Giffen get off on messing with other people's work?  I don't remember him doing anything to warrant such superstar behavior recently.  Did I miss an new issue of AMBUSH BUG?  Doubt it.  Plus I never really forgave Giffen for the eyesore known as TRENCHER.  Unfortunately, since I'm not all that familiar with the original I couldn't tell you what he has messed with.

Oh, and one last thing.  These are supposed to be a group of 9th graders.  With the exception of one big eared kid these guys are all drawn like they're in their twenties and the girls all look like pornstars.  I was in 9th grade many moons ago and none of the girls looked like these girls.  I probably would have gotten in more trouble than I did back then.

In the end it all comes down to one thing.  Is it worth it?  I'm afraid not.  There are already 10 books in the series.  The series isn't finished yet and each book is going for $9.99 A POP.  That's already over a hundred books with no end in sight.  I checked and you can get a decent copy of the movie for around 20 bucks.  And it has the end right there for you to watch.  BATTLE ROYALE is over long, over done and all the kids are over aged.  Now if you'll excuse me I'm going back to reread my Hayao Miyazaki's NAUSICAA.  Four books with a beginning, middle and end and one of the best stories in manga history.

Editors Note: I rather liked the books. I found them to be entertaining and somewhat on the edgy side. I do agree that the characters did all look pretty old for 9th graders, but I still liked the stories and the art. I hope to get a chance to read the rest of the series someday. And I still love the moive. I have to disagree with Douglas, I think they are worth the price. Sorry Doug, lws