Because A Mortal Song is set in Japan, in the month leading up to the book’s release I wanted to celebrate some of the amazing media out there by Japanese creators. I’ll be highlighting my favorite books, TV shows, and films (as well as some snack box services—you need something to munch on while you’re doing all that watching and reading!). You can find a full list of my faves and other resources here on my website.

Live Action Film Rec – Battle Royale

What it’s all about: In the near future, the economy has collapsed, unemployment has soared and juvenile crime has exploded. Fearful of their nation’s youth, the Japanese government passes The BR Law: Each year, a 9th grade class is sent to a remote island where they will be locked into exploding neck collars, given a random weapon, and forced to hunt and kill each other until there is only one survivor left.

Why you should watch it: A lot of people have compared this movie (and book—there’s a book as well) to The Hunger Games because of the similarity in the basic premise: the government forcing teens to kill each other in a sort of game until there’s only one survivor. Something I think Battle Royale does better: it doesn’t pull its punches. Sympathetic characters end up killing other characters not by accident or in immediate self-defense but because they have to make hard choices to survive or they (understandably) melt down during tense situations that arise. Other characters who haven’t trained to be killers nonetheless find they’re willing to embrace that role. There are many shocking moments and many heart-wrenching moments, and it’s a film that will stick with you long after you’ve watched it.

*Note: Graphic violence, not suitable for particularly young or sensitive viewers.

If you’re familiar with both this movie and The Hunger Games, which do you prefer? Let me know in the comments.

Join me tomorrow for my next rec! You can read more about A Mortal Song in the meantime: