The Program. It's an event or "game" where a chosen class of 42 students is kidnapped, thrown into an isolated location, given a random weapon and told to kill each other until only one person remains.

What would you do if you found yourself in such a scenario, and how far would you be willing to go? Would you lie down and refuse to play? Would you accept everything you're told and kill your classmates before they do the same? Or would you choose to trust in your friends and hope to find a way to escape together? Well, the first option definitely gets you killed because you're an easy target for those who play. The second option will probably get you killed because the chance of survival is only one in forty-two. The third option is also likely to get you killed if your allies decide to stab you in the back. This is the terrible reality facing the characters in the riveting story of Battle Royale.

There are several types of characters in Battle Royale and through their backstories you can see that they haven't all led decent lives. In fact many of them are deeply flawed mentally, and when coupled with the desperate situation they now face it's horrifying to see the lengths that some will go to in order to live. Even if the winner was formerly the nicest person anyone's ever met, such an experience would destroy them forever. As a reader it's dangerous to become attached to anyone in the story as none of them are safe from being killed off, but the manga is great because you can't help but find favourites among the students.

The level of detail in the art is incredible. It's also very graphic, due to the common sights of bloody entrails, spilled brains and nudity. Which makes this manga strictly for adults only, though I doubt there won't be any younger readers. The action and gunfights are well-drawn, with blood and bullets flying everywhere in quite a clear fashion. Character expressions are also really varied, despite the majority being ones of shock, madness or death.

I'm not going to pretend being absolutely fine with the material I read in Battle Royale, and I'll even admit to feeling uncomfortable on several occasions. It's also hindered by a slightly repetitive structure and seemingly invincible characters, but the authors did such a fine job at creating an engrossing story and setting that I finished the manga despite dropping it at one point. Fans of thrilling, non-stop action and graphic violence should definitely read this series.