We all know it, ranging from blockbusters like The Hunger Games to series Squid Game: the survival genre—a brutal sandbox where creators toss characters into the jaws of chaos, testing humanity’s best and worst traits to their limits.

If we look at the origin of the genre, it brings us back to 1999, when Koushun Takami’s novel Battle Royale introduced the world to a new dimension of survival games. One year later, the manga masterpiece GANTZ emerged. Few works have delved into this brutal landscape with the audacity and finesse of these two titans, carving their legacies through carnage, philosophy, and a raw examination of human nature.

But how do they stack up against each other? Let’s step into the arena and find out.

Death Games and Dire Stakes

At first glance, both GANTZ and Battle Royale share a common premise: ordinary people thrust into extraordinary situations where survival is the only rule. But the nature of their respective games sets them worlds apart.

Battle Royale, written by Koushun Takami and later adapted into a manga by Masayuki Taguchi, offers a somberly straightforward setup. A totalitarian government plucks a class of teenagers and drops them onto a deserted island with one simple rule: kill or be killed. It’s a controlled social experiment in fear and betrayal, with no escape routes, no deus ex machina. The island’s isolation creates a pressure cooker of paranoia, forcing the young so-called players to navigate shifting alliances of trust, emotional breakdowns, and the cold reality of death.

GANTZ, Hiroya Oku’s gruesome sci-fi epic, takes it to another level of absurdity. Here, death isn’t an end—it’s an entry ticket, one you don’t want. After dying in mundane circumstances, a selection of individuals are resurrected by a mysterious black sphere known as GANTZ. Their new mission? Hunt and kill bizarre alien lifeforms in battles that range from darkly comedic to deeply horrifying. Where Battle Royale is a fixed scenario, GANTZ operates on progression: tougher enemies, higher stakes, and a growing sense of existential terror.

battle royale manga — Battle Royale manga│© Akita Shoten

Nihilism vs. Existentialism

Both stories dive headfirst into the darkest edge of human nature, but their thematic cores couldn’t be more different.

Battle Royale is a masterclass in nihilism. It poses a bleak question: What happens when society abandons its youth? The answer is as violent as it is tragic. The manga’s characters are forced to confront not just their mortality but also the fragility of the social bonds they’ve relied on. Friends turn into foes, love becomes a liability, and trust is a death sentence. The message is clear: under the facade of civilization lies a savage, dog-eat-dog reality.

GANTZ, on the other hand, leans into existentialism. It’s less about societal collapse and more about individual purpose. Why fight? Why live? Kei Kurono, the series’ initially self-centered protagonist, embraces this struggle. Over time, he evolves from a shallow, apathetic teenager to a reluctant leader who fights not just to survive but to protect others. GANTZ suggests that meaning isn’t something handed to you; it’s something you claw out of the chaos, even if the universe seems hell-bent on your destruction.

The Players - Relatable or Relentless?

The characters in Battle Royale feel painfully real. They’re your classmates, your childhood friends, the kids you sat next to in school. Takami’s cruel genius lies in how he makes you care about these characters—only to rip them away. The manga revels in its unpredictability, often killing off its most compelling players just as you’ve begun rooting for them. It’s raw, gut-wrenching, and unforgettable.

GANTZ takes a different approach. Its cast is larger, messier, and more archetypal. While Battle Royale thrives on intimate character arcs, GANTZ is a rollercoaster of extremes. You’ve got Kei, the everyman-turned-hero; Kato, the moral compass; and an ensemble of misfits ranging from idolized models to deranged killers. Their development is often overshadowed by the sheer insanity of their situations, but when GANTZ slows down—which it occasionally does—it delivers intense moments of humanity amidst the carnage.

Where Brutality Meets the Bizarre

If Battle Royale is a knife fight in a phone booth, GANTZ is a fireworks show at the apocalypse.

In Battle Royale, the violence is uncomfortably grounded. Every kill feels personal, every wound visceral. It’s less about spectacle and more about consequence. The fights are raw and desperate, often ending with both physical and emotional scars. The manga’s art style amplifies this brutality, capturing the fear, pain, and horror etched into every face.

GANTZ, meanwhile, revels in the absurd. Oku’s hyper-detailed artwork brings his outlandish vision to life, from giant Buddha statues rampaging through Tokyo to grotesque aliens that defy description. The action sequences are choreographed chaos, blending sci-fi gadgets, martial arts, and sheer insanity. It’s over-the-top in the best way, offering a visceral thrill ride that leaves you simultaneously awed and disturbed.

Shaping the Survival Genre

Both Battle Royale and GANTZ have left indelible marks on the survival genre, but their legacies manifest in different ways.

Battle Royale laid the groundwork for the modern survival game trope. Its influence is evident in everything from The Hunger Games to Squid Game. It’s the gold standard for narratives that pit ordinary people against each other in life-or-death scenarios, and its social commentary remains as relevant as ever.

GANTZ, on the other hand, pushed the boundaries of what manga could do. Its blend of sci-fi, horror, and existential drama paved the way for other genre-defying works like Attack on Titan and Ajin. While it’s often remembered for its shock value, GANTZ also challenged readers to grapple with deeper questions about life, death, and purpose.

Two Sides of the Same Bloody Coin

So, which is the better survival story? The answer depends on what you’re looking for. If you want raw, unrelenting realism and gut-punching emotional depth, Battle Royale is your champion. If you crave a wild, mind-bending ride that oscillates between absurdity and profundity, GANTZ is your go-to.

Ultimately, both series exemplify the best of the survival genre, proving that in the face of annihilation, the human spirit—flawed, fragile, and fiercely stubborn—shines brightest.

Text by Gill Princen

Featured