VIZ Media’s Haikasoru is celebrating the 15^th Anniversary of the original debut of one of the most controversial works of modern Japanese literary fiction with the release of Battle Royale: Remastered and the Battle Royale Slam Book: Essays on the Cult Classic Novel by Koushun Takami.

Battle Royale: Remastered features a brand new translation of the smash hit near-future dystopian thriller along with new cover art by Tomer Hanuka and an afterword by author Koushun Takami. The Battle Royale Slam Book presents an insightful collection of essays by some of the most important writers of popular fiction on the impact of the novel, related films and manga series on pop culture and the controversy and continuing social debate that has surrounded Battle Royale ever since its release.

BATTLE ROYALE: REMASTERED

by Koushun Takami
MSRP: $16.99 U.S. / $19.99 CAN · Available Now!

Koushun Takami’s notorious high-octane thriller is based on an irresistible premise: a class of junior high school students is taken to a deserted island where, as part of a ruthless authoritarian program, they are provided arms and forced to kill one another until only one survivor is left standing. Criticized as violent exploitation when first published in Japan—where it then proceeded to become a runaway best seller—Battle Royale is a Lord of the Flies for the 21st century, a potent allegory of what it means to be young and (barely) alive in a dog-eat-dog world. Made into a controversial hit movie of the same name, Battle Royale is already a contemporary Japanese pulp classic, now available in a new English-language translation.

BATTLE ROYALE SLAM BOOK: Essays on the Cult Classic Novel

by Koushun Takami
MSRP: $14.99 U.S. / $16.99 CAN · Available Now!

Koushun Takami’s Battle Royale is an international best seller, the basis of the cult film, and the inspiration for a popular manga. And fifteen years after its initial release, Battle Royale remains a controversial pop culture phenomenon. Join New York Times best-selling author John Skipp, Batman screenwriter Sam Hamm, Philip K. Dick Award-nominated novelist Toh EnJoe, and an array of writers, scholars, and fans in discussing girl power, firepower, professional wrestling, bad movies, the survival chances of Hollywood’s leading teen icons in a battle royale, and so much more!

Battle Royale, completed after Takami left the newspaper company, was his debut work and his only novel published so far. With its publication in Japan in 1999, it received widespread support and became a best seller. Battle Royale was serialized as a comic, made into a feature film in 2000, and has been translated into more than ten languages. Since its initial release, Battle Royale continues to be a cult favorite in Japan and internationally.

For more information these titles and the Haikasoru imprint, please visit the dedicated website at www.haikasoru.com.