What do you think?
Rate this book
Battle Royale #5
Battle Royale, Vol. 05
In the future, random Jr. High School classes are chosen to compete in a game called Battle Royale. The rules: only one student can survive after 3 days on an island or else they all perish. Weapons are handed out and each student is sent out into the field alone and unprepared for the horror that awaits them. The classmates turn upon themselves in a battle for survival, treaties are made and broken, and former friends become foes as the relentless countdown continues. Amid the betrayals and rising body count, two classmates confess their love for each other and swear to survive this deadly game together.
216 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2001
9 people are currently reading
433 people want to read
About the author
Koushun Takami
100 books1,578 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
December 26, 2025
The 'winner-takes-all school class kill-or-be-killed' reality show continues as this volume focuses on the few players forming alliances and a sole male player us deeply infatuated with a fellow male class mate, that he's stalking him in the Game! As in previous volumes the frequent use of cliched backstories does weakens the power if the read; it's not that this has age poorly, but that it inspired quite a few superior manga in its wake. Three Star read, with an upgraded 7 out of 12 rating from me.
2025 read
2025 read
May 3, 2020
Quiero empezar diciendo que Shuya chikito representa todo lo bueno y todo lo bonito de la vida.
La historia de Yutaka me pareció muy cute, el como se metía con un montón de abusivos, los cuales le doblaban el tamaño, solo para defender a im cachorrito, hizo que se ganara mi total respeto y cariño.
Total, que el y Shinji son excelentes personajes, con un carácter y una personalidad fabulosa, algo me dice que me estoy encariñando mucho con este dúo, y que voy a terminar arrepintiendome.
Hablando de Sho, este chico homosexual y proxeneta con una fijación anormal por los cigarrillos, me pareció interesante su estrategia de batalla, y la escena de su muerte fue realmente buena.
Después vimos la continuación de Hirono, y lo que pasó después de que la otaku la atacara.
Fue magistral, lo mejor que he visto hasta ahora.
Sus alucinaciones, y ganas de salir del pozo, fue totalmente genial, 10/10.
La historia de Yutaka me pareció muy cute, el como se metía con un montón de abusivos, los cuales le doblaban el tamaño, solo para defender a im cachorrito, hizo que se ganara mi total respeto y cariño.
Total, que el y Shinji son excelentes personajes, con un carácter y una personalidad fabulosa, algo me dice que me estoy encariñando mucho con este dúo, y que voy a terminar arrepintiendome.
Hablando de Sho, este chico homosexual y proxeneta con una fijación anormal por los cigarrillos, me pareció interesante su estrategia de batalla, y la escena de su muerte fue realmente buena.
Después vimos la continuación de Hirono, y lo que pasó después de que la otaku la atacara.
Fue magistral, lo mejor que he visto hasta ahora.
Sus alucinaciones, y ganas de salir del pozo, fue totalmente genial, 10/10.
February 12, 2011
Shinji Mimura is so cool. Seriously, I love this guy even though he seems tougher than he is on the outside. It's all an act, of course. Shinji has his own issues like everyone in the Battle Royale series, and I love him for it!
My favourite part of this volume was with the gay cross-dresser, Sho Tsukioka, first with his colourful back story and then for his obsession with Kiriyama. I love characters who are different and stand out for being so, and Sho is so lovable... even if he is a bit weird and slightly insane (who isn't?).
I actually had trouble getting this volume, I read 1-4 and then read 6-11 before I could get hold of it. I was glad I did, I constantly wondered what had happened to the guy with the huge dimple in his chin. I find his death quite sad, and almost funny if you're a bit psychotic, his story was short, sweet and very colourful.
My favourite part of this volume was with the gay cross-dresser, Sho Tsukioka, first with his colourful back story and then for his obsession with Kiriyama. I love characters who are different and stand out for being so, and Sho is so lovable... even if he is a bit weird and slightly insane (who isn't?).
I actually had trouble getting this volume, I read 1-4 and then read 6-11 before I could get hold of it. I was glad I did, I constantly wondered what had happened to the guy with the huge dimple in his chin. I find his death quite sad, and almost funny if you're a bit psychotic, his story was short, sweet and very colourful.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 14, 2016
İnsanın algılarını, ahlaki değerlerini alt üst ediyor.
January 28, 2022
I honestly don't know what to say about Volume 5.
A lot of the chapters were spent on a flashback of how two friends became friends. It wasn't anything special, just the same "Cool guy rescues lame guy from a gang of bullies" trope that we've seen in every story since the beginning of time when there's a friendship between a cool character and a weak one.
And then there was the story of Noriko still having her fever as she gets nursed back to health by Shuuya and Shogo.
There's a flashback to Shuuya's past to let us know that his mother had been sickly before she died and that he promised her to always "fight for justice."
And then we have a flashback to a day in the life of a fifteen-year-old drag queen/prostitute...
Yes, when this child isn't in school, he works at a drag bar and services Yakuza men. When the flashback ends, it cuts to him stalking one of the more psychopathic villains of the series who lures him into a trap.
The trap is very basic. It's not even an actual trap, just a thirst trap. All the psycho does is walk into a bathroom, but because the drag queen is obsessed with him, (because of his gayness and fondness for Yakuza men), the drag queen decides to sit down outside the bathroom and wait, even though he has limited time to get to a safe zone before his head explodes. He's just that obsessed with the villain.
This is him licking his gun while he thinks about the villain using the toilet, moments before his head explodes:
I honestly don't want to make presumptions about the author but where exactly does your head need to be at to decide, "You know what this volume needs? A fifteen-year-old, gun-licking sex worker? Yeah, let's make one of these child students a drag queen who's obsessed with stalking Yakuza."
A lot of the chapters were spent on a flashback of how two friends became friends. It wasn't anything special, just the same "Cool guy rescues lame guy from a gang of bullies" trope that we've seen in every story since the beginning of time when there's a friendship between a cool character and a weak one.
And then there was the story of Noriko still having her fever as she gets nursed back to health by Shuuya and Shogo.
There's a flashback to Shuuya's past to let us know that his mother had been sickly before she died and that he promised her to always "fight for justice."
And then we have a flashback to a day in the life of a fifteen-year-old drag queen/prostitute...
Yes, when this child isn't in school, he works at a drag bar and services Yakuza men. When the flashback ends, it cuts to him stalking one of the more psychopathic villains of the series who lures him into a trap.
The trap is very basic. It's not even an actual trap, just a thirst trap. All the psycho does is walk into a bathroom, but because the drag queen is obsessed with him, (because of his gayness and fondness for Yakuza men), the drag queen decides to sit down outside the bathroom and wait, even though he has limited time to get to a safe zone before his head explodes. He's just that obsessed with the villain.
This is him licking his gun while he thinks about the villain using the toilet, moments before his head explodes:
I honestly don't want to make presumptions about the author but where exactly does your head need to be at to decide, "You know what this volume needs? A fifteen-year-old, gun-licking sex worker? Yeah, let's make one of these child students a drag queen who's obsessed with stalking Yakuza."
January 15, 2018
Surprisingly, I'm actually doing fairly well at reading a volume of this a day, and it's really helping me in terms of actually remembering everything that has happened up to that point. Also, one thing I really appreciate about this series is that every single volume has a page at the beginning with a brief summary of what has already happened. And, every volume finishes with brief snapshots of the main incidents that happened in the volume. It's a really handy way to keep track of everything going on.
Anyway, on to this specific volume, which was pretty solid, but certainly not as good as the last volume. I'd put it somewhere around the 8/10, 4/5 mark. It didn't have quite as many interesting moments as volume 4, and it certainly didn't leave a bad taste in my mouth like volume 3 kinda did. So overall, a solid continuation of the series.
Spoiler text is here for me to remember how the story is split up between volumes
Anyway, on to this specific volume, which was pretty solid, but certainly not as good as the last volume. I'd put it somewhere around the 8/10, 4/5 mark. It didn't have quite as many interesting moments as volume 4, and it certainly didn't leave a bad taste in my mouth like volume 3 kinda did. So overall, a solid continuation of the series.
Spoiler text is here for me to remember how the story is split up between volumes
October 10, 2017
It’s been a serious minute since I read the previous volume. I had forgotten how gross some of the people in here are. Whoever the artist is must have an obsession with drawing wet, spitty mouths because I swear every psychotic character has one. I was a bit meh about most of the stuff that happened, but I loved the section with Hirono. That reveal was extremely well done. You were led to believe one thing and then they hit you with that final panel. It was so good in an eerie way.
January 15, 2017
Well I think we should forget that these guys are 15 years old give or take. I mean common! A gay cross dresser in 15 that can beat a yakoza by wits and also stalking (This guy should be atleast twenty and something). Well Mimura is exaggerated in manga way (Not that I have any problem with it).
I liked the frog boy's encounter with that girl and the last scene was good. Actually this Volume had not s much to talk about.
I liked the frog boy's encounter with that girl and the last scene was good. Actually this Volume had not s much to talk about.
October 11, 2022
Such a good manga series. A great adaption with wonderful art work.
November 28, 2012
Bad remake of Hunger Games, but at least its more bloody.
June 18, 2022
1.5
No me gustaron varias cosas, hm. Lo único que sí me gustó fue el final que le dieron a Hirono, por un momento me la creí. El resto fue meh, no sé. Kazuo es sorprendente y muy irreal.
No me gustaron varias cosas, hm. Lo único que sí me gustó fue el final que le dieron a Hirono, por un momento me la creí. El resto fue meh, no sé. Kazuo es sorprendente y muy irreal.
Read
August 13, 2024this volume is so fucking nasty. like the number of frames in this that is just like people with foul facial detailing foaming/dripping from the mouth. also, the manga always manages to take it way too far. like just as soon as I'm beginning to enjoy a situation the author takes it to the utmost extreme that makes me lose any sort of sympathy for the characters. this goes especially for insanity/violence/rape/sex
The one scene that pushed it too far for me was the fight between
finally, I want to touch on Sho's character. obviously, not all gay characters are meant to be good gay representation but this volume's depiction of queer people is fucking awful. like in the novel it had its inaccuracies and stereotypes but in this he’s literally just a gross stereotype. not to mention he's one of the ugliest drawn characters in this entire series. his face is so repulsive to me and I'm not sure that's on purpose like with some of the other characters.
The one scene that pushed it too far for me was the fight between
finally, I want to touch on Sho's character. obviously, not all gay characters are meant to be good gay representation but this volume's depiction of queer people is fucking awful. like in the novel it had its inaccuracies and stereotypes but in this he’s literally just a gross stereotype. not to mention he's one of the ugliest drawn characters in this entire series. his face is so repulsive to me and I'm not sure that's on purpose like with some of the other characters.
July 18, 2025
This manga is not that different from the original Battle Royale novel except for a few minor differences.
It's not perfect but it was awesome.
My feelings for this manga are about the same as the original novel except there is more drama and the characters are fleshed out a bit more.
The story is about a class of 42 junior high students that are transported onto an island where they are placed in this program where the students have to fight to the death and there can only be one winner. Similar to the book, the program has no time limit, however a student has to die within a 24-hour time zone, or the collars explode on all the students and there are no winners. In both scenarios, it forces the students to kill each other and try to survive. The tension from that is still there and you can feel it.
The dystopian theme is strong in the manga as well as the book, but it's slightly overshadowed by the drama of the characters and their own self conflicts.
Now, unlike the novel where some characters don't have much of a backstory, the manga takes it's time to explore the characteristics and backstories of all the students. Granted, some more than others. And it gives a new perspective.
However, this manga is definitely for adults. You have sexual themes and more brutality of the gore and violence the students participate in. If you want a more visual storytelling of the original book and don't mind extra violence, the manga is not bad.
It's not perfect but it was awesome.
My feelings for this manga are about the same as the original novel except there is more drama and the characters are fleshed out a bit more.
The story is about a class of 42 junior high students that are transported onto an island where they are placed in this program where the students have to fight to the death and there can only be one winner. Similar to the book, the program has no time limit, however a student has to die within a 24-hour time zone, or the collars explode on all the students and there are no winners. In both scenarios, it forces the students to kill each other and try to survive. The tension from that is still there and you can feel it.
The dystopian theme is strong in the manga as well as the book, but it's slightly overshadowed by the drama of the characters and their own self conflicts.
Now, unlike the novel where some characters don't have much of a backstory, the manga takes it's time to explore the characteristics and backstories of all the students. Granted, some more than others. And it gives a new perspective.
However, this manga is definitely for adults. You have sexual themes and more brutality of the gore and violence the students participate in. If you want a more visual storytelling of the original book and don't mind extra violence, the manga is not bad.
March 24, 2023
Es la primera vez que bajo de las cuatro estrellas con Battle Royale, pero ciertamente este volumen tiene ciertas cositas que hacen que pierda la calidad del manga.
Para empezar, hay algunas cositas que son muy predecibles y que, al estar basadas en la sorpresa, le quitan un poco la emoción.
También siento que se nerfeó demasiado a Mimura. O sea, me gusta el personaje, pero ¿tan perfecto vas a ser? Espero que después la cague o entre en crisis y enloquezca o algo así, porque los personajes tan perfectos no suelen terminar de agradarme.
La historia sigue siendo entretenida y sigo enganchado a ella, pero si sigue todo por el mismo camino creo que para el volumen 10 ya voy a estar aburrido.
Para empezar, hay algunas cositas que son muy predecibles y que, al estar basadas en la sorpresa, le quitan un poco la emoción.
También siento que se nerfeó demasiado a Mimura. O sea, me gusta el personaje, pero ¿tan perfecto vas a ser? Espero que después la cague o entre en crisis y enloquezca o algo así, porque los personajes tan perfectos no suelen terminar de agradarme.
La historia sigue siendo entretenida y sigo enganchado a ella, pero si sigue todo por el mismo camino creo que para el volumen 10 ya voy a estar aburrido.
July 14, 2022
Van introduciendo nuevos personajes y sí, aunque empezó un poco flojo, es posible que me pueda llegar a gustar.
Es emocionante ver cómo los personajes interactúan entre ellos y sus diferentes planes para sobrevivir, además de algunas escenas engañosas que hacen creer al lector algo que no es (como lo de la chica que fue arrojada al pozo, osea desde la primera vez que la vi pensé que iba a morir, luego que se iba a salvar porque se iba a unir a Shuuya y su grupo, y al final resultó que no era real).
Quiero seguir leyendo porque parece que de ahora en adelante la trama en sí va a avanzar, espero que sea así.
Es emocionante ver cómo los personajes interactúan entre ellos y sus diferentes planes para sobrevivir, además de algunas escenas engañosas que hacen creer al lector algo que no es (como lo de la chica que fue arrojada al pozo, osea desde la primera vez que la vi pensé que iba a morir, luego que se iba a salvar porque se iba a unir a Shuuya y su grupo, y al final resultó que no era real).
Quiero seguir leyendo porque parece que de ahora en adelante la trama en sí va a avanzar, espero que sea así.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 20, 2025
Another solid volume!
I like the schemes going on in this volume, nice to see characters actually trying to come up with different ways of getting out of the situation instead of just .... Talking about it. Yes I am looking at you main character.
The one thing I was iffy about was the addition of a queer character, just to make them creepy? It's a common harmful stereotype that queer people are more pushy, sexual and inappropriate. I know this series have not aged the best in multiple aspects, but this is an inclusion I highly dislike. Plus the dismissiveness of bisexuality and "how it's just a stepping stone for being gay". Miss me with that shit.
I like the schemes going on in this volume, nice to see characters actually trying to come up with different ways of getting out of the situation instead of just .... Talking about it. Yes I am looking at you main character.
The one thing I was iffy about was the addition of a queer character, just to make them creepy? It's a common harmful stereotype that queer people are more pushy, sexual and inappropriate. I know this series have not aged the best in multiple aspects, but this is an inclusion I highly dislike. Plus the dismissiveness of bisexuality and "how it's just a stepping stone for being gay". Miss me with that shit.
September 23, 2018
Some pretty brutal deaths in this volume, most from characters I didn’t care about and one that seemed promising but didn’t get enough time to fully shine. The deaths weren’t very impactful or emotional like many of the ones that came before. The plot hasn’t advanced much either, just teasers for what’s to come.
July 12, 2019
What can I say?
Same as all the previous Volumes in the series.
Blatant, Shameless, Gratuitous, Ultra-Violent, Sex-Filled fun and entertainment.
With all that and beautiful artwork to back it up... well... what's not to love???
:D
Same as all the previous Volumes in the series.
Blatant, Shameless, Gratuitous, Ultra-Violent, Sex-Filled fun and entertainment.
With all that and beautiful artwork to back it up... well... what's not to love???
:D
February 6, 2022
I enjoyed it, but on my second time reading, I realised how forgettable this volume itself is, at least compared to the rest of the series.
However! - it does explain Shuya's love for justice and doing the morally right thing, which I adore.
However! - it does explain Shuya's love for justice and doing the morally right thing, which I adore.
February 19, 2023
No paso mucho, comezó el plan imposible de destruir el colegio. Esta claro que no lo lograrán y perderemos a un buen personaje acompañado de uno normal que lo hará morir o quizás sea al revés , pero ambos morirán
February 1, 2018
Another good volume.
May 5, 2019
Kiriyama, realmente me cae muy pero que muy mal. Es conmovedor ver como unos compañeros no se traicionan pero otros me dan mucho coraje que sí.
December 20, 2019
1.5 stars.
March 16, 2022
more character growth stuff, not much else besides that, i'm waiting for a volume that will blow me away
June 6, 2022
3.5 stars
June 28, 2022
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Love this volume, it has my favourite character in it though he has a dated design. I would love to see a modernised for him that is not as problematic.
Love this volume, it has my favourite character in it though he has a dated design. I would love to see a modernised for him that is not as problematic.
August 16, 2022
Brutal, heartbreaking and brilliant.
October 1, 2022
"La mejor manera de enfrentarse al peligro es verlo venir"
Creo que hasta ahora este ha sido el volumen que más me ha gustado.
Creo que hasta ahora este ha sido el volumen que más me ha gustado.
November 2, 2022
No stretcher. ordered. FAtty fitted. Http x guys g f2f. City c ft ft f2f tvc
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews