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Battle Royale #ultimate 3; books 7-9
Battle Royale Ultimate Edition Volume 3
Revisit the chilling vision of children coming of age in a cold and uncaring world in this third gorgeous collector's bind-up of Battle Royale!
628 pages, Hardcover
First published June 18, 2008
1 person is currently reading
108 people want to read
About the author
Koushun Takami
100 books1,577 followersKoushun Takami (高見 広春 Takami Kōshun) is the author of the novel Battle Royale, originally published in Japanese, and later translated into English by Yuji Oniki and published by Viz Media and, later, in an expanded edition by Haika Soru, a division of Viz Media.
Takami was born in Amagasaki, Hyōgo Prefecture near Osaka and grew up in the Kagawa Prefecture of Shikoku. After graduating from Osaka University with a degree in literature, he dropped out of Nihon University's liberal arts correspondence course program. From 1991 to 1996, he worked for the news company Shikoku Shimbun, reporting on various fields including politics, police reports, and economics.
The novel Battle Royale was completed after Takami left the news company. It was rejected in the final round of the literary competition for which it was intended, owing to its controversial content. It went on to become a bestseller when finally released in 1999 and, a year later, was made into a manga and a feature film.
He is currently working on a second novel.
Takami was born in Amagasaki, Hyōgo Prefecture near Osaka and grew up in the Kagawa Prefecture of Shikoku. After graduating from Osaka University with a degree in literature, he dropped out of Nihon University's liberal arts correspondence course program. From 1991 to 1996, he worked for the news company Shikoku Shimbun, reporting on various fields including politics, police reports, and economics.
The novel Battle Royale was completed after Takami left the news company. It was rejected in the final round of the literary competition for which it was intended, owing to its controversial content. It went on to become a bestseller when finally released in 1999 and, a year later, was made into a manga and a feature film.
He is currently working on a second novel.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 23, 2025
PT Uau. Esta série é absolutamente insana!
Este é o tipo de manga Seinen que simplesmente já não se faz nos dias de hoje. O nível de conteúdo gráfico e explícito é muito superior ao que a maioria das séries modernas se atreve a mostrar — o que torna esta obra numa oportunidade rara de mergulhar numa história verdadeiramente adulta.
Mas não é só a arte que é fenomenal. A narrativa também é incrivelmente envolvente. Estás constantemente em suspense, ansioso por descobrir o que vai acontecer a seguir.
Dos 42 alunos iniciais, apenas 9 restam no final deste volume. Não estava à espera de tantas mortes, especialmente tendo em conta que ainda faltam dois volumes 3-em-1 para terminar a série.
Se gostas de manga Seinen e não te incomodas com violência extrema, esta série é de leitura obrigatória.
--
EN Wow. This series is absolutely insane!
This is the kind of Seinen manga that just wouldn’t be made today. The level of graphic and explicit content is way beyond what most modern series dare to show — making this a rare chance to dive into something truly adult.
But it’s not just the artwork that’s phenomenal. The story is incredibly gripping too. You’re constantly on edge, eager to find out what happens next.
Out of the original 42 students, only 9 remain by the end of this volume. I wasn’t expecting such a high body count, especially with two more 3-in-1 volumes still to go.
If you’re into Seinen manga and don’t mind extreme violence, this is a must-read.
Este é o tipo de manga Seinen que simplesmente já não se faz nos dias de hoje. O nível de conteúdo gráfico e explícito é muito superior ao que a maioria das séries modernas se atreve a mostrar — o que torna esta obra numa oportunidade rara de mergulhar numa história verdadeiramente adulta.
Mas não é só a arte que é fenomenal. A narrativa também é incrivelmente envolvente. Estás constantemente em suspense, ansioso por descobrir o que vai acontecer a seguir.
Dos 42 alunos iniciais, apenas 9 restam no final deste volume. Não estava à espera de tantas mortes, especialmente tendo em conta que ainda faltam dois volumes 3-em-1 para terminar a série.
Se gostas de manga Seinen e não te incomodas com violência extrema, esta série é de leitura obrigatória.
--
EN Wow. This series is absolutely insane!
This is the kind of Seinen manga that just wouldn’t be made today. The level of graphic and explicit content is way beyond what most modern series dare to show — making this a rare chance to dive into something truly adult.
But it’s not just the artwork that’s phenomenal. The story is incredibly gripping too. You’re constantly on edge, eager to find out what happens next.
Out of the original 42 students, only 9 remain by the end of this volume. I wasn’t expecting such a high body count, especially with two more 3-in-1 volumes still to go.
If you’re into Seinen manga and don’t mind extreme violence, this is a must-read.
March 4, 2024
TW: super graphic rape scene (it's almost unbearable), child molestation, gore, graphic depictions of physical violence and death, nudity, sexualised depiction of underage characters etc.
I know Battle Royale is not for the faint of heart but this volume should've never been published, it is DISTURBING how the writer and artist handled the topic of child molestation (how on EARTH can you depict the rape of a child in an erotic manner??? what the fuck is wrong with you???).
REREAD (2022):
This series could have great potential (in terms of its concept) if it wasn't for the disturbing depiction of child molestation, rape, and the general oversexualised depiction of teenage girls in high school. I know that it's pretty typical for manga (especially those rated 18+) but it's truly disturbing, sick, and it literally makes my skin crawl. Had I been the publisher I would've never allowed this volume to be published with those panels. Not all fantasies of these male writers deserve to be printed on paper and be made available to the public. Like I said, this volume is truly DISTURBING. I wouldn't advise anyone to read it.
I'm gonna finish rereading the series because I wanna give a full review in my next wrap up, but damn, I am shocked that I was able to let some of this slide 6 years ago when I first read it. I remember feeling truly sick after this particular volume but overall, I still "enjoyed" the series. Now, it's just one big red flag, sucking the enjoyment that builds (bc the series definitely has its moment of thrill and tension) right out of me. It's a shame really. If it weren't for the inclusion and/or depiction of the character of Mitsuko Souma in particular this would be a 4-stars series for me, now it's a veeeery uncomfortable 2 stars.
So yeah, I don't feel like reviewing this particular volume further than that but just quickly: 1) Shinji's death was the only interesting plot point (and it was pretty sad – he was one of my favorite characters) and 2) the story surrounding the girls in the lighthouse could've been so cool because I found it very realistic that they banded together and tried to hide from the guys (can't blame them!) but once Shuya got there and literally every second girl was in love with him, and then push came to shove and they were all dead by the end, I feel like it was a truly underdeveloped and underused possible plotline. I definitely wanted more from it!
ORIGINAL REVIEW (2016):
Volume 7:
In this volume, Shinji's plan is about to succeed, but they are distracted by Keita Iijima. Shinji argues with him (and accidentally kills him) Kazuo shows up and kills Yutaka. Shinji is shot multiple times in the upper body as well as his ankle making his guts spill out. Shinji then realises he must blow up the shed with Kazuo inside to get rid of the gun shooting menace. However Kazuo hid in a tractor and kills Shinji.
Shinji and Yutaka fighting and then making up and hugging—I knew it was too good to be true. I hate Kaz for shooting them. And how on earth did Kaz survive in the first place???
Volume 8:
In this volume, Mitsuko Souma bumps into Tadakatsu Hatagami and Yuichiro Takiguchi who capture her. Later on Yuichiro talks to Mitsuko and she realises that, unlike the other guys she's known, he does not want to sleep with her. Mitsuko finds a moment of solace with Takaguchi. But when Mitsuko tries to kill Tadakatsu after kissing him, he escapes and tries to shoot her, Yuichiro saves her by taking the bullet, Mitsuko finishes off Tadakatsu and rapes Yuichiro's dying body and kills him. We also get to learn a little about Mitsuko's troubled past.
I really love Shogo right now. I hope he stays good! (Probably not lmao.) I hate Souma and I am not sure how I feel about her past (she was molested by her stepdad), the writers didn't treat that plot with enough sensitivity imo, and went for a very weird portrayal. Also, her raping Yuichiro's dying body was so disturbing, it shouldn't have never been drawn and written in that way.
Volume 9:
In this volume, Hiroki continues his search for Kayoko Kotohiki, until he finds Toshinori, Kazuo shows up and kills Toshinori while Hiroki escapes. Later, Shuya wakes up in the lighthouse in the care of girls (one of them, Yuko Sakaki, witnessed the death of Tatsumichi Oki who was accidentally killed by Shuya) and sees Shuya as a "Demon Boy" due to her sensitive nature and belief in the lord and the Devil. Yuko poisons some stew that is meant for Shuya to get rid of him, but one girl, Yuka Nakagawa tastes it and dies, this is when the girls become panicked and Satomi Noda shoots all her friends (except Yuko) but she is finished off by the dying Haruka Tanizawa. Shuya hears the gunshots and runs to the kitchen.
I know Battle Royale is not for the faint of heart but this volume should've never been published, it is DISTURBING how the writer and artist handled the topic of child molestation (how on EARTH can you depict the rape of a child in an erotic manner??? what the fuck is wrong with you???).
REREAD (2022):
This series could have great potential (in terms of its concept) if it wasn't for the disturbing depiction of child molestation, rape, and the general oversexualised depiction of teenage girls in high school. I know that it's pretty typical for manga (especially those rated 18+) but it's truly disturbing, sick, and it literally makes my skin crawl. Had I been the publisher I would've never allowed this volume to be published with those panels. Not all fantasies of these male writers deserve to be printed on paper and be made available to the public. Like I said, this volume is truly DISTURBING. I wouldn't advise anyone to read it.
I'm gonna finish rereading the series because I wanna give a full review in my next wrap up, but damn, I am shocked that I was able to let some of this slide 6 years ago when I first read it. I remember feeling truly sick after this particular volume but overall, I still "enjoyed" the series. Now, it's just one big red flag, sucking the enjoyment that builds (bc the series definitely has its moment of thrill and tension) right out of me. It's a shame really. If it weren't for the inclusion and/or depiction of the character of Mitsuko Souma in particular this would be a 4-stars series for me, now it's a veeeery uncomfortable 2 stars.
So yeah, I don't feel like reviewing this particular volume further than that but just quickly: 1) Shinji's death was the only interesting plot point (and it was pretty sad – he was one of my favorite characters) and 2) the story surrounding the girls in the lighthouse could've been so cool because I found it very realistic that they banded together and tried to hide from the guys (can't blame them!) but once Shuya got there and literally every second girl was in love with him, and then push came to shove and they were all dead by the end, I feel like it was a truly underdeveloped and underused possible plotline. I definitely wanted more from it!
ORIGINAL REVIEW (2016):
Volume 7:
In this volume, Shinji's plan is about to succeed, but they are distracted by Keita Iijima. Shinji argues with him (and accidentally kills him) Kazuo shows up and kills Yutaka. Shinji is shot multiple times in the upper body as well as his ankle making his guts spill out. Shinji then realises he must blow up the shed with Kazuo inside to get rid of the gun shooting menace. However Kazuo hid in a tractor and kills Shinji.
Shinji and Yutaka fighting and then making up and hugging—I knew it was too good to be true. I hate Kaz for shooting them. And how on earth did Kaz survive in the first place???
Volume 8:
In this volume, Mitsuko Souma bumps into Tadakatsu Hatagami and Yuichiro Takiguchi who capture her. Later on Yuichiro talks to Mitsuko and she realises that, unlike the other guys she's known, he does not want to sleep with her. Mitsuko finds a moment of solace with Takaguchi. But when Mitsuko tries to kill Tadakatsu after kissing him, he escapes and tries to shoot her, Yuichiro saves her by taking the bullet, Mitsuko finishes off Tadakatsu and rapes Yuichiro's dying body and kills him. We also get to learn a little about Mitsuko's troubled past.
I really love Shogo right now. I hope he stays good! (Probably not lmao.) I hate Souma and I am not sure how I feel about her past (she was molested by her stepdad), the writers didn't treat that plot with enough sensitivity imo, and went for a very weird portrayal. Also, her raping Yuichiro's dying body was so disturbing, it shouldn't have never been drawn and written in that way.
Volume 9:
In this volume, Hiroki continues his search for Kayoko Kotohiki, until he finds Toshinori, Kazuo shows up and kills Toshinori while Hiroki escapes. Later, Shuya wakes up in the lighthouse in the care of girls (one of them, Yuko Sakaki, witnessed the death of Tatsumichi Oki who was accidentally killed by Shuya) and sees Shuya as a "Demon Boy" due to her sensitive nature and belief in the lord and the Devil. Yuko poisons some stew that is meant for Shuya to get rid of him, but one girl, Yuka Nakagawa tastes it and dies, this is when the girls become panicked and Satomi Noda shoots all her friends (except Yuko) but she is finished off by the dying Haruka Tanizawa. Shuya hears the gunshots and runs to the kitchen.
January 20, 2025
Kyllähän Koushun Takamin ja Masayuki Taguchin "Battle Royale" on ollut väkivaltainen alusta alkaen, mutta tässä kolmannessa osassa homma viedään äärimmäisyyksiin asti ja ehkä vähän ylikin. Viisitoistavuotiaat koululaiset tekevät toisistaan veripalttua siihen malliin, että allekirjoittanutta alkoi kuvottaa.
En yleensä ole sisältövaroitusten ystävä, mutta tässä sellaiset olisivat paikallaan. Sarjakuva hekumoi ja suorastaan mässäilee luotien repimillä ruumiilla ja muilla toinen toistaan vastenmielisimmillä jutuilla. Vertailukohtaa on vaikea keksiä.
Jos kaiken edellä mainitun pystyy jollakin tapaa sulattamaan (en moiti ketään, joka jättää leikin kesken), on luvassa edelleen ihan kiinnostava lukupaketti. Taide on hienoa, juonen yllätyksellisyys kiehtoo ja henkilökuvaus on kohtalaisen onnistunutta. Joihinkin hahmoihin huomaa jopa kiintyvänsä ja epämiellyttäviäkin kohtaan voi tuntea pientä sympatiaa.
Mutta joo. Se väkivallan ja seksin määrä... Vähemmän olisi joskus enemmän. Kaikesta huolimatta jatketaan neljättä kokoelmaa kohti.
En yleensä ole sisältövaroitusten ystävä, mutta tässä sellaiset olisivat paikallaan. Sarjakuva hekumoi ja suorastaan mässäilee luotien repimillä ruumiilla ja muilla toinen toistaan vastenmielisimmillä jutuilla. Vertailukohtaa on vaikea keksiä.
Jos kaiken edellä mainitun pystyy jollakin tapaa sulattamaan (en moiti ketään, joka jättää leikin kesken), on luvassa edelleen ihan kiinnostava lukupaketti. Taide on hienoa, juonen yllätyksellisyys kiehtoo ja henkilökuvaus on kohtalaisen onnistunutta. Joihinkin hahmoihin huomaa jopa kiintyvänsä ja epämiellyttäviäkin kohtaan voi tuntea pientä sympatiaa.
Mutta joo. Se väkivallan ja seksin määrä... Vähemmän olisi joskus enemmän. Kaikesta huolimatta jatketaan neljättä kokoelmaa kohti.
January 10, 2021
This volume pissed me off so much...
First, too much pornographic scenes... I mean TOO MUCH! It was disgusting after some time, really, but ok...
Second, that Kiriyama dude. I HATE HIM. He is an outrageously OP character! WTF?!
Third, I hated that during some scenes there were pages with interviews of the creators, which cut the flow of the story. I mean, yes, I could ignore them, but I COULDN'T...
Anyway, it was not a bad volume in general. It just made me angry and didn't enjoy it that much...
The ending was really really good though. I liked the whole scene. So much gore out of the blue! Awesome scene!
First, too much pornographic scenes... I mean TOO MUCH! It was disgusting after some time, really, but ok...
Second, that Kiriyama dude. I HATE HIM. He is an outrageously OP character! WTF?!
Third, I hated that during some scenes there were pages with interviews of the creators, which cut the flow of the story. I mean, yes, I could ignore them, but I COULDN'T...
Anyway, it was not a bad volume in general. It just made me angry and didn't enjoy it that much...
The ending was really really good though. I liked the whole scene. So much gore out of the blue! Awesome scene!
April 11, 2023
As a fan of the Battle Royale franchise, I was excited to read the Ultimate Edition Volume 3, and it did not disappoint. This volume brings the story to its thrilling conclusion and ties up all loose ends in a satisfying way.
Koushun Takami's writing is as powerful and evocative as ever, and he expertly balances the intense action and violence with moments of deep emotion and reflection. The characters are complex and multi-layered, and I found myself fully invested in their fates.
One of the standout features of this volume is the artwork. The illustrations by Masayuki Taguchi are simply stunning, and they capture the intensity and brutality of the story perfectly. The attention to detail is impressive, and the character designs are both striking and memorable.
What I appreciated most about this volume is how it explores deeper themes beyond just the violence of the game. The book touches on issues of trust, betrayal, and the nature of humanity itself. It's a powerful message that lingers long after you finish the book.
Overall, I highly recommend Battle Royale Ultimate Edition Volume 3 to any fan of the series or anyone who appreciates expertly crafted storytelling and stunning artwork. It's a must-read that will leave you breathless and thinking long after you've turned the last page. 5/5 stars.
Koushun Takami's writing is as powerful and evocative as ever, and he expertly balances the intense action and violence with moments of deep emotion and reflection. The characters are complex and multi-layered, and I found myself fully invested in their fates.
One of the standout features of this volume is the artwork. The illustrations by Masayuki Taguchi are simply stunning, and they capture the intensity and brutality of the story perfectly. The attention to detail is impressive, and the character designs are both striking and memorable.
What I appreciated most about this volume is how it explores deeper themes beyond just the violence of the game. The book touches on issues of trust, betrayal, and the nature of humanity itself. It's a powerful message that lingers long after you finish the book.
Overall, I highly recommend Battle Royale Ultimate Edition Volume 3 to any fan of the series or anyone who appreciates expertly crafted storytelling and stunning artwork. It's a must-read that will leave you breathless and thinking long after you've turned the last page. 5/5 stars.
December 30, 2019
3.1/5
My complaints stay the same for this 3-in-1 volume as they did for the previous two, but at least the volumes in this edition were an improvement over the last three. This edition also contains a fine adaptation of one of my favourite sequences from the novel--the lighthouse standoff. Although the dialogue wasn't as good as it is in the novel, and the film adaptation is still the superior version of that whole sequence, it's definitely the strongest part of this collection.
I've noticed that in the latter two volumes contained within this edition, the situations rely less on outright obliteration and gore (although there's still plenty of both) and more on the psychological elements that made the novel's confrontations so compelling. So, even if Takami's manga extension for his novel doesn't do his novel justice, at least he isn't completely phoning it in here with copious amounts of death and sex for the sake of having it. It's still more graphic than it needs to be, but at least this time, it works in its favour, and isn't as much of a slog to read as the previous 3-in-1 was.
I'm still in no hurry to track down the last two 3-in-1 editions, but at least this one brought the series up to a slightly higher note for me before I took a much-needed break from it.
My complaints stay the same for this 3-in-1 volume as they did for the previous two, but at least the volumes in this edition were an improvement over the last three. This edition also contains a fine adaptation of one of my favourite sequences from the novel--the lighthouse standoff. Although the dialogue wasn't as good as it is in the novel, and the film adaptation is still the superior version of that whole sequence, it's definitely the strongest part of this collection.
I've noticed that in the latter two volumes contained within this edition, the situations rely less on outright obliteration and gore (although there's still plenty of both) and more on the psychological elements that made the novel's confrontations so compelling. So, even if Takami's manga extension for his novel doesn't do his novel justice, at least he isn't completely phoning it in here with copious amounts of death and sex for the sake of having it. It's still more graphic than it needs to be, but at least this time, it works in its favour, and isn't as much of a slog to read as the previous 3-in-1 was.
I'm still in no hurry to track down the last two 3-in-1 editions, but at least this one brought the series up to a slightly higher note for me before I took a much-needed break from it.
August 9, 2023
Fair warning, as this series goes on, it gets darker. Not that the content isn't dark from volume 1, but if you aren't in the right headspace, this could be a hard read. But that said, there are some gruesome deaths in this book. I guess it helps that the kids all look like ugly 45yo adults than the actual 9th graders they are supposed to be. .
July 27, 2025
I'm super sick of this whole series tbh. it's graphic to a point its uncomfortable + the characters have zero depth and are so stereotypical, it's frustrating because the story could've been such an interesting book but the manga is making it horrible and yeah I think I'm done with it and i don't even care if no one of them makes it out alive
January 12, 2025
Gore com melodrama. Sei bem o que são alunos de 9° anos e com certeza não são isso.
July 7, 2009
The story continues, and it is as bloody as ever. There are new twists and revelations as the number of survivors continues to decrease. This particular volume had some very intense scenes and surprising twists. Not to be missed. This series continues to be one of the best mangas I have read with a solid plot, depth of character, and plenty of action. I am definitely looking forward to the next volume.
January 14, 2015
I NEED MORE, So Messd up, I have seen the films and read the book, but I think the manga is the best!!!!! Seriously do not read if you don't like f**ked up super gore! and pornographic scenes. But I think it's awesome
February 13, 2011
This book continues on with the dark and twisted series that I can't seem to stop reading.
April 27, 2013
Good character development, learn more about shugo and how much of a boss he really is
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews