2004-01-11 - 10:41 p.m.
At my brother's suggestion, I bought a copy of the first Battle Royale manga while at Borders with Lisa (seeing as the weather was so nice today, we went for a walk downtown). The story is very disturbing, though rather compelling at the same time. The run down is basically that the government abducts an entire class of 42 9th grade students and sticks them on an island telling them their only escape is to kill eachother and be the last one standing. It would seem that the government raises money by running this program on the air, and to make sure the ratings stay up, they ensure that there will be killing. For instance they are all equiped with handy little collars that will detonate when given the right signal. To prevent them from hiding too long, certain areas of the islands become danger zones which will trigger the collars if a student remains in them for more than five minutes. Also, if they try and band together to stop the program, all the collars will detonate if a period of 24 hours passes without anyone dying.
The government sponsor sent to explain the rules to the kids is a most twisted individual who encourages them to enjoy the game as much as possible, to betray their friends, rape, abuse, and otherwise torture them before killing them. It is rather twisted, and frankly, there is a lot of it that I wish I hadn't seen at all. But I believe I've always said there is a difference between innocence and ignorance, and I don't believe that this material is corrupting me or anything. Besides, I really do wander how it will turn out. The main character pairs up with this girl who he wants to protect, and he aims to band together with other's like minded to try and somehow stop the government officials.
My prediction: the main character is somewhat successful, except for some devestating hitches where he places his trust in someone who will no doubt betray him, possibly destroying the resistance altogether. In the end, he will have to kill everyone except for the girl in order to allow the two of them to survive. Then of course, just when he thinks he is safe, the girl sees her chance and kills. As nice as she seems, I really wouldn't trust anyone in that situation. I guess that is why it seems so twisted, it shows just how fast the right circumstance can change us all into monsters. Worse though, it shows what horrible fate awaits those who cling to noble ideals such as honor and trust. Put in that situation, I would like to think that I would do the same as the boy, even if he does die. At least he does not have to be shamed for giving up what he believes in. Better to die then to survive by killing your friends. Still, what an impossible situation! It is frustrating just to consider.
Anyway, if you are in need of a little more depravity in your life, pick this up by all means, it will keep you engrossed if not entertained. Don't say I didn't warn you though, it is quite graphic.
