Ok Battle Royale everybody knows this big Japanese cult movie school kids kill each other very bloody. Well this is the manga and if you liked the movie you will love this.

I have only seen 3 volumes available. The story is basically this n the not to distant future in Japan there is a government program basically called "The Program". This is broadcast on TV and is a constant ratings winner. Every year one class from a list of fifty "wins" the lottery to be choosen. Then the class get taken to the area the Program will take place. Past programs have been abandoned prisions or a military compound. This year is is a secluded island surrounded by water. They wake up to find they are in a living nightmare as they must kill each other and only 1 can leave alive.

Ok thats the basic stuff out of the way. The manga like the movie focus mainly on Shuuya Nanahara. A pretty boy that likes to rebel this is most symbolic in his guitar, this down to rock and roll being banned.

This is where the manga comes into it's own unlike the movie they manga focus' more on the other classmates giving them more of a background story and more depth. Another point is the sheer graphic detail in this. This is definetly not for the faint hearted (or weak stomachs), body parts a blown of with visceral effects and there are scenes of sexual assault. The side story in volume 3 "Fallen Angel" about Mitsuko Souma I found very hard to read with many of the themes it explores.

I could be here all day and this is only 3 volumes i dont want to spoil it any more but i just can't recommended this highly enough