I absolutely love this series. I look forward to each volume with much anticipation so after being only slightly disappointed by the unnecessary explicit sex in volume three, it was really nice to see that everything is back on track with the latest two volumes in this excellent series about students forced to kill each other off on an island as part of an entertaining reality television series, called The Program.
I have become so hooked on this series and its characters, that after each tankoubon, I suffer a little from withdrawal, forcing myself not to watch the live action movie or read the novel I purchased, because I want to read the manga to its end and be surprised by what has become the greatest dramatic thriller I have ever read from Japan. And volumes four and five are exactly what this series is about: great writing, excellent character interaction, drama, storytelling, artwork and intensity.
Volume four really focuses on relationships between characters. The story begins with Takako desperately fighting to live as she battles a crazed pervert who wants to rape and kill her. The intensity of it all will almost leave you grasping for air and filling you with a variety of emotions as something happens out of nowhere to turn this mini-tale away from its expected conclusion. Takako’s past with Hiroki is fully examined in a touching look back and their reunion is probably one of the most powerful interactions of the story thus far.
Of course, the volume further explores the relationship between alliance members, Shuuya, Noriko and Shogo, which hits a snag when Noriko gets sick and Shogo shows no heart, leading Shuuya to carry Noriko away from their new friend. Shuuya encounters a possible new ally, named Hirono, and a very disturbing girl named Kaori, who is a little obsessed with a singer and freaks out on everyone, including a poor bunny rabbit. The trinity alliance is fully examined, as both Shuuya and Shogo have to come to terms with character flaws in order to make it off the island together.
Then we take a look at the new stars of the book, the alliance of charismatic and intelligent Shinji and the hapless Yutaka. One plan to go off the island goes awry, but Shinji has another plan and his experience in the past may help him get off the island, but will his buddy be helpful or a hindrance to the plan?
Volume four just presented so many great emotional moments for readers to get fully immersed into the characters and volume five continues the trend fully focusing on the odd friendship between Shinji and Yutaka that occurred over a simple little puppy. This volume really focuses on the immense and challenging plan created by Shinji. The worst part is, neither of the two can discuss the plan, because everyone’s collars contain small microphones for viewers to hear everything going on and to allow administrators to counteract any plan the students may come up with to change the format of the game to their favor. Everything about the plan must be written out between the two characters and when it is finally time to implement it, Yutaka may end up getting in the way of the plan succeeding. What is Shinji to do when his friend and only ally may be the guy who will accidentally lead to his demise?
Hirono is also featured somewhat in this volume as she thinks about Shuuya’s offer to join his alliance, but then faces off with the nerdy Toshinori Oda, a frog-faced kid who may have the upper hand in this game. We also see more of the male villain, Kazuo, who is being stalked by the cross-dressing Sho Tsukioda. We see just how cunning and brutal Kazuo can be and we also get a taste of what happens when the students accidentally enter the danger zones on the island.
Of course Shuuya, Shogo and Noriko are featured in this volume, but we get a slight break from them, allowing the creators to build up interest in other characters. We do get a short story about Shuuya that allows us to understand why he is so goody-goody. It was a very emotional story that has me rooting for him more than ever before. All looks good for the main star as the trio agrees to seek out new allies, but don’t realize that Hiroki has come upon their new hideout. Will he be a friend or will the events of the past change him for the worst?
I have never been so hooked into something before like I am with Battle Royale! Every ending infuriates me, because I have to wait to see what will happen next. New characters seem to show up in every issue. More deaths continue to shock and sadden me. There is nothing like the emotional roller coaster ride that is Battle Royale. It is still the most exciting and thought provoking manga out there today. TOKYOPOP has a quest to have everyone have at least one TOKYOPOP title in his or her library. Battle Royale should be it.
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