A roundup of recommended death game manga | Introducing works I found interesting

This article focuses on death game-themed works, which are not uncommon these days.
I'll give a brief introduction to some works that I've read and found interesting.

What are death game-themed works?

While there isn't a strict classification system, this genre has been gaining popularity since the film "Battle Royale" and is gradually increasing in number.

The main characteristics are,
- People gathered by someone are forced to play some kind of game.
- There is no right to refuse, and attempting to escape will result in death.
To survive, you must beat the other participants and win.
These are some of the elements involved.

The main attractions are the con games (deception) and survival aspects among the participants.
It feels incredibly satisfying to outmaneuver your rivals by exploiting their rules and weaknesses in their thinking.
This genre has been growing rapidly recently, so these elements are being adapted, and each work has its own unique flavor.

Recommended works (completed series)

Battle Royale (novel, film, manga)
Despite being rated R, I was quite shocked when I first saw it screened in a movie theater.
It might be considered inappropriate, but it was very entertaining and enjoyable.
At the same time, I remember feeling incredibly grateful for living in Japan today, where my life is not threatened.
I recommend both the novel and the movie.
I wouldn't recommend the manga version because the art style is questionable and it contains an excessive amount of unnecessarily gruesome depictions.
It makes sense if you think of it as a splatter-themed entertainment manga.


Battle Royale, Volume 1, Gentosha Bunko, Ta 18-1(Amazon)

Battle Royale (Amazon Prime Video)

Battle Royale (1) (Young Champion Comics)(Amazon)

Crimson Labyrinth (Novel/Manga)

This is a work by Yusuke Kishi, published by Kadokawa Horror Bunko.
Although it's a fairly old work, it doesn't feel dated even when read today, and it's very interesting.
The survival elements, such as securing food and other supplies, create a sense of tension, and the events in the latter half are truly horrifying.
The story is incredibly gripping and you'll undoubtedly be able to read it in one sitting.
As a side note, it seems that the novel version of Battle Royale and this work were first published around the same time (April 1999).
There's also a manga version, so if you're not a fan of novels, I recommend checking that out as well.

Crimson Labyrinth (Kadokawa Horror Bunko)(Amazon)

Crimson Labyrinth (1) (Big Comics)(Amazon)

As the Gods Will (manga) Volumes 5 + 21

It was adapted into a live-action film in 2014 by director Takashi Miike, but I haven't seen the movie. I have read up to the sequel, "As the Gods Will Part 2".
It felt like it was on a pretty grand scale, but it was interesting.
While there are some surreal gags scattered throughout, the lives of characters other than the main ones are treated very lightly, making it quite grotesque.
Since it's a shonen manga, I think the content is somewhat geared towards younger readers.
My personal favorite game is "Sunatori" from "2".

As God Wills (1) (Weekly Shonen Magazine Comics)(Amazon)

Alice in Borderlands (manga)

Personally, this is my top recommendation.
This truly has the atmosphere of a death game story, overflowing with a variety of games and diverse strategies for winning.
Since it's a boys' magazine, it often features passionate storylines centered around themes of effort and friendship.
Many games are told from perspectives other than that of the protagonist, Alice (who is male), and they also have aspects of an ensemble drama where each character grows and develops.

I'm somewhat satisfied with how the plot points were resolved in the final volume.
A variety of games are featured, and each one has its own unique characteristics, making them quite interesting.
This work has also been adapted into a live-action drama series on Netflix (seasons 1-3 have been streaming since 2020), and can be enjoyed from a different perspective than the original.

Alice in Borderland (1) (Shonen Sunday Comics)(Amazon)

ACMA GAME (manga) Volume 22

While it might seem like a typical death game story at first glance, the game's plot is actually quite well-developed.
With its beautiful artwork and minimal death scenes, this is a safe recommendation even for those who dislike grotesque works.
Since all the characters are either highly intelligent or possess superhuman abilities, you might sometimes find it difficult to keep up with the complex plot.

The games themselves were quite interesting, and the strategies used by the characters were logical and very enjoyable.
Since not many people die, it might be difficult to strictly call it a "death" game.

ACMA: GAME (1) (Weekly Shonen Magazine Comics)(Amazon)

Abyss (manga) Volume 8

This is an interesting and experimental work that begins with an RPG-like setting.
The protagonist is an unusual type, a bit of a jokester, which isn't often seen in other works.
He's just putting on a show; he's actually a good guy who cares deeply for his friends.
He is very thoughtful and has excellent insight, so there is a sense of security knowing that he will somehow manage to get things done even in a pinch.

The characters overcome difficult situations by skillfully combining the unique abilities they are given.
I personally like that the main character Hibiki's special ability is the power to "copy" other people's abilities, which feels very much like an RPG protagonist's ability.

Abyss (1) (Weekly Shonen Magazine Comics)(Amazon)

Secret Game, Secret Game CODE:Revise (Game, PSP, etc.)

This is a visual novel, but I found it quite interesting, so I recommend it.
The content is pretty much like Battle Royale.

It's a well-crafted story with a traditional feel, and the battles between the participants are intense, making it a very engaging read.
One of the interesting features unique to games is that they offer various story routes.
The first partner you meet will significantly influence the subsequent events and outcome.
It's interesting how characters who are enemies in one route become allies in another, or how their positions change.

The sequel expands the setting and includes some slightly unrealistic depictions, but it also boasts a more intense and substantial storyline.
The way the situation changes drastically between the first and second halves, and how the overall atmosphere of the game shifts, is brilliantly portrayed.

Each participant has set "clear conditions" for the game, but the way those conditions are set is incredibly malicious, leaving you with a feeling of utter frustration.
For example, one character's clear condition might be "everyone survives," while another character's condition might be "everyone except themselves dies."
The fact that conflicts are inevitable between players makes it seem like there's only going to be an unpleasant ending.
For the organizers, who want a fight to break out, this might be considered a perfectly normal setup.
The clear conditions for the sequel were equally annoying.

Secret Game PORTABLE(Amazon)

Rebellions ~Secret Game 2nd Stage~ Standard Edition – PSP(Amazon)

BTOOOM!

This is a long-running, classic death game story.
This is a death game where you use bombs with various functions to defeat other players.

There are many suspenseful moments that will keep you on the edge of your seat, making you want to keep reading until the very end.
Because the weapons are bombs, there are quite a few gruesome scenes.
It's somewhat interesting to read, but I wouldn't go so far as to recommend it as my absolute favorite.

The battles in the early to mid-stages, which are definitely death game-like, are the most exciting.
In the latest volume, it's starting to have a Hollywood-esque feel to it.
The technique of depicting two different endings in a manga was an interesting approach.

BTOOOM! Volume 1 (Bunch Comics)(Amazon)

Other brief introductions to death game-themed works (ongoing series)

I will be introducing works that are still ongoing and not yet completed.
I'll also include some items that I'm still undecided about evaluating.

Tomodachi Game

While death isn't directly in store, it's a social death-like experience, so I treated it as a death game.
A major characteristic of the game is that the methods of defeating opponents are often inhumane and involve cheating, and the ideas behind them are quite interesting.
I particularly like the hide-and-seek game in the second round; it's a victory achieved through brute force, but it's my favorite way to win.
The first half of the episode is frustrating because you don't figure out how to defeat the protagonist until the very end.
However, there's always a huge twist when the secret is revealed, and that catharsis is incredibly satisfying.
It was also adapted into a TV anime series in April 2022 (on Nippon Television and BS Nippon Television).

Tomodachi Game (1) (Weekly Shonen Magazine Comics)(Amazon)

Real Account

Many games are based on popular social media platforms like Twitter and Pokémon GO, and their satirical content is quite entertaining.
It has fewer elements of deception and cleverness, which I enjoy, and more often relies on a burst of superhuman strength to overcome challenges.

Real Account (1) (Weekly Shonen Magazine Comics)(Amazon)

Sky invasion

Although it has a death game setting, it might be better to think of it as a survival + battle story.
The plot isn't too intense, so you can read it with a degree of ease.
Lately, the series has taken on a stronger battle-oriented aspect, and the main characters have all become incredibly strong and hard to kill.
I feel like the sense of tension has started to subside a little.
It was adapted into an anime in February 2021 and streamed exclusively on Netflix.

High-Rise Invasion (1) (Manga Box Comics)(Amazon)

Kakegurui

It might be a little different from a "death game," but I included it because it's one of my favorite works.
If we're going to include this, we might as well include the Kaiji series as well.
This is the story of Yumeko Jabami, a high school student who decides everything through gambling, and who, despite her gentle appearance, is a destructive gambling addict.
Yumeko possesses an unfathomable strength, so you can enjoy focusing on how she will defeat such a confident opponent.
It was adapted into a TV anime in 2017 (broadcast on TOKYO MX and MBS), and a second season aired in 2019.

Kakegurui Volume 1 (Digital Edition Gangan Comics JOKER)(Amazon)

Even if it turns to ashes

This work suggests that the author probably enjoys drawing cute characters.
I got the impression that they enjoy the image of putting those cute characters through terrible experiences.
It contains many quite cruel and sadistic depictions.
Once the game devolved into a tag-like game, it began to feel somewhat like a rehash of other similar games, such as "As the Gods Will."
I look forward to future developments.

Even If I Turn to Ashes, Volume 1 (Young Gangan Comics Digital Edition)(Amazon)

(The series is incomplete at volume 6 because the author passed away in 2019.)

Battle begins 5 seconds after meeting

This work originated on Ura Sunday.
This is a story where the protagonist is given a special ability and forced to participate in a death game.
The comic book adaptation has very beautiful and cute artwork.
The story is very well-developed, and above all, the protagonist's abilities are unique, making it fascinating to see how they will be utilized.
The game is resembling the Greed Island arc from Hunter x Hunter, and I'm very interested to see how it unfolds.
It was also adapted into a TV anime in July 2021 (TOKYO MX and BS11).

Battle in 5 Seconds After Meeting (1) (Ura Shonen Sunday Comics)(Amazon)

Gambling King Legend Zero

This is a work by Fukumoto, known for works such as "Kaiji".
In my previous works, the protagonists were all eccentric characters, but this time, since it's a work for a boys' magazine, the main character is a brilliant young man.
This isn't a story about a loser who tries to turn things around with a desperate resolve.
While it's not quite a death game, it's a fairly standard con game-type story, and unlike other works, it has a faster pace.
Setting aside the artist's distinctive style, the artwork itself isn't particularly idiosyncratic, making it easily enjoyable for anyone.

Gambling King Legend Zero 1(Amazon)

Common tropes in death game-themed works

"I never imagined you were part of the management team..."
Basically, unrelated members are gathered to compete, but to ensure the smooth running of the game, members of the organizing team often sneak in among the participants (lol).
The characters on the organizer's side often appear harmless at first glance, but they sometimes act suspiciously at key moments, or survive despite not looking strong.

"I was a participant in the previous game."
A character who is surprisingly knowledgeable about games and proves reliable in the early stages of the game.
Sometimes, such characters turn out to be survivors from the previous game.
He's a reliable and trustworthy character, but it seems like he often ends up dying protecting the main characters.

"If killing each other is allowed, then I'll have some fun!"
Most of the members are bewildered, having been brought along somewhat against their will, but the thug-type or psychopath-type characters really come alive.
Thugs are easy to spot as early-game enemies, but psychopaths can potentially become the final boss.

Rakuten Market: Battle Royale／Battle Royale (1)／Crimson Labyrinth／Crimson Labyrinth (1)／As God Wills (1)／Alice in Borderlands (1)／ACMA:GAME (1)／Abyss (1)／Secret Game PORTABLE／BTOOOM!／Tomodachi Game (1)／Real Account (1)／Sky invasion (1)／Kakegurui／Even if it turns to ashes／Battle in 5 Seconds After Meeting (1)／Gambling King Legend Zero