I have been a fan of Battle Royale ever since I first watched the movie last year. I was amazed at the theme of the movie. It’s not everyday when you get to see a plot that revolves around 15 year olds killing their very own classmates. I went on to read the novel and the manga. Both were equally awesome in their own way. Especially the manga, which I have already reread countless times. And so, when Tokyopop came out with the Battle Royale Ultimate Edition, I was tempted to get it. And I did. The extras seemed promising, especially the commentary. Tokyopop was trying to milk BR fans, and they managed to milk my cash successfully.
Ultimate Edition MY ASS!!!
It all turned out to be somewhat a hoax. The extras were only a few pages, and they were rather uninteresting. I had to flip through the entire book to spot all the extras. Why couldn’t they just compile all the extras in one section.The only thing which made me feel that my purchase was slightly worth the money was the hardcover featuring Nanahara Shuuya donning a Wild Seven t-shirt. Damn, this is one of those times where I feel extremely stupid. The BR fan within me dies hard, and causes my wallet to suffer.
GAR BOOKSPINE
This is the first release out of 5 books. Every book contains 3 volumes, which are exactly the same as the earlier Tokyopop releases. I would probably have to get the other 4 to complete the set. The thing that I am most pissed off about, however, is not the lack of extras, but the fact that they continued using Giffin’s adaptation. Giffen should burn in hell for turning Battle Royale into a reality game.
I wonder why there isn’t any Ultimate Version in Japanese. If they did release one, I would definitely get it.
Anyway, here’s a glimpse of my pathetic BR collection.
Yes, that’s a BRII collar. I can cosplay once I have the uniform.
I lack the 15 volumes in Japanese. Looks like I have to get them on my next trip to Japan, hopefully during my March holidays. And I pray that Evangelion 2.0 would be in cinemas during that time.
Actually, the manga wasn’t that good. It would’ve been great if there weren’t the Dragonball-style Chi battles.
tj_han > I agree that the Sugimura and Kiriyama battle was over exaggerated. My favourite mini-arc would be the one where Mimura fought against Kiriyama. The novel’s a good read. You should read it if you have not done so.
I stopped reading the manga at around volume nine or ten. Always meant to finish it though. The Ultimate Edition looks like it’s printed larger, which is a plus.
super rats> I felt that the manga lost some of it’s appeal after Mimura’s death, which was in volume 8. Anyway, like you have stated, the Ultimate Edition does have a larger print.
I really enjoyed the manga series through and through - the drawings are quite fantastic and not being much a fan of the shoujo storm I like this more tangible style. I didn’t really mind the Kiriyama VS Sugimura fight - then again HIroki was my favorite character so I’m a bit biased.
Wasn’t sure about Ultimate, maybe I’ll see if I can look at the extras in a bookstore but glad to know not to try to order it somewhere.
So you say BRUE is worth buying as long, as you don’t have regular edition. That’s fine with me, ’cause I don’t have it. Yet.
I was hihly disapointed with the lack of bonuses as well. =/
I bought this edition too, and I’m not at all disappointed. But I guess it’s each to his own.
My real question is; where’d you get that collar? Or did you make it yourself?
I got the collar from some guy who got it direct from the BR store in Japan while it was still open. Sadly, a couple of years ago, it closed for good.