Battle Royale II: Requiem
Encyclopedia
, abbreviated as BRII (Bii āru tsū), is a 2003 Japanese, dystopia
n, action-thriller film. It is a sequel
to the 2000 film, Battle Royale
, which in turn was based upon a controversial 1999 novel of the same title by Koushun Takami
. An extended version of the film is titled Battle Royale II: Revenge.
Director Kinji Fukasaku
, who directed the first film, started work on the sequel but died of prostate cancer
on January 12, 2003, after shooting only one scene with Takeshi Kitano
. His son Kenta Fukasaku
, who wrote the screenplay
for both films, completed the film and dedicated it to his father.
wrote the novelization of the film.
." He explains that he wanted audience members to ponder "big issues" and to view the world from a point of view held by a terrorist. Fukasaku added that the film, against "the new Matrix" and Terminator III
, needed to "provide something that Hollywood can't." Fukasaku intended to provide an alternative to what Time
magazine's Ilya Garger describes as "the moral certainty of American culture" as seen in U.S. films and foreign policy.
Kenta Fukasaku said that he viewed his task as finishing his deceased father's movie instead of as directing his first creation; the son credits the film as his father's. Kenta Fukasaku desired a lot of controversy and outrage for the sequel, adding that "the more strongly people react, the better."
The film was mainly shot at Hashima Island
("Battleship Island").
(the hero of the first film), have formed a rebel group called the "Wild Seven
". As in the first film, a class of teenagers from are kidnapped by the Japanese government. Instead of stereotypically studious Japanese students, these ninth graders are “a ragtag collection of delinquents
and losers from all over Japan,” including tough-guy rugby
players and punks
with dyed hair. More importantly, many are orphan
s whose parents or family died in bombings by the Wild Seven. After their school bus is diverted to an army base, the students are herded into a cage, surrounded by armed guards, and confronted by their schoolteacher, Riki Takeuchi
, who lays down the ground rules of the new Battle Royale game. Wild Seven is hiding out on a deserted island (filmed on Hashima Island
), and instead of being forced to kill each other, as in the old Battle Royale, the students are ordered to attack the terrorist group’s hideout en masse and kill the leader, Shuya Nanahara, within 72 hours. Most of the kids are not interested in being forced to avenge their families, but are coerced to fight through exploding metal collars, which their captors can detonate by remote control
. The students are put into 'pairs'; if one student dies, then his or her partner will be killed.
The students are sent via boats onto the dangerous island base of the Wild Seven, and a number of them are killed during the journey onto the island, leaving only a cluster alive. Most notably, two of the survivors are the main protagonist Takuma Aoi, and Shiori Kitano, the daughter of Kitano, the "teacher" from the first film who died after being shot by Shuya. Taken into the Wild Seven's base, the surviving students' explosive collars are removed and they are encouraged to help the members of the Wild Seven stop the Battle Royale for good. While most of the survivors agree, Takuma and in particular Shiori remain unconvinced. Shuya sends a video message to the world of their goal to live free. In response to the video and pressure from the U.S. government, the Japanese prime minister takes command of the military present at the Battle Royale headquarters and orders an attack on the island base, with no survivors allowed. On Christmas Day, the war between the Wild Seven and the military occurs, with numerous casualties on both sides. Survivors of the base retreat to the mainland via a mine shaft, leaving Shuya, Takuma and Shiori as the only remaining fighters. Disillusioned with the Battle Royale, Takeuchi appears dressed in a rugby uniform holding the student's signed ball and sacrifices himself to allow the three to escape, but Shiori is gunned down and dies in Shuya's arms, seemingly forgiving him for his past crimes. Shuya and Takuma run out to kill the rest of the soldiers.
The film ends several months later with Shuya and Takuma rejoining the other survivors, including Noriko Nakagawa, in another country and part ways, hoping to live their lives without more conflict.
with a classification of "rotten". Many reviewers criticize the film for having a contrived, confusing plot line and poor acting.
Ilya Garger of Time
said that while the film has more "bullets, bombs and dramatic battlefield deaths" than its predecessor had, the sequel does not have the "who'll-die-next-and-how suspense." Garger described the characters in Battle Royale II as "a simpler breed" who join forces to defeat the adults.
and fewer classical pieces. One of them, Farewell to the Piano (composed by Beethoven
), is played by Shiori Kitano
herself during the film.
The song from the opening credits is Dies Irae
, taken from the Verdi Requiem.
The end title song is by Japanese punk band Stance Punks. The song "Mayonaka Shounen Totsugeki Dan" features on their first full length, self-titled album.
is partially related to Battle Royale II: Requiem. The school in Blitz Royale is Shikanotoride Junior High School, and the "teacher" pops pills like Riki Takeuchi. There are numerous plot differences between the book and manga.
Dystopia
A dystopia is the idea of a society in a repressive and controlled state, often under the guise of being utopian, as characterized in books like Brave New World and Nineteen Eighty-Four...
n, action-thriller film. It is a sequel
Sequel
A sequel is a narrative, documental, or other work of literature, film, theatre, or music that continues the story of or expands upon issues presented in some previous work...
to the 2000 film, Battle Royale
Battle Royale (film)
is a 2000 Japanese film directed by Kinji Fukasaku based on the novel of the same name. It was written by Kenta Fukasaku and stars Takeshi Kitano. The film aroused international controversy.A sequel, Battle Royale II: Requiem, followed...
, which in turn was based upon a controversial 1999 novel of the same title by Koushun Takami
Koushun Takami
is the author of the novel Battle Royale, originally published in Japanese, and later translated into English by Yuji Oniki and published by Viz Media and, later, in an expanded edition by Haika Soru, a division of Viz Media....
. An extended version of the film is titled Battle Royale II: Revenge.
Director Kinji Fukasaku
Kinji Fukasaku
was a Japanese film actor, screenwriter, and best known as a celebrated and innovative filmmaker. He was born in Mito, Ibaraki, Japan, and died in Tokyo, from prostate cancer...
, who directed the first film, started work on the sequel but died of prostate cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
on January 12, 2003, after shooting only one scene with Takeshi Kitano
Takeshi Kitano
is a Japanese filmmaker, comedian, singer, actor, film editor, presenter, screenwriter, author, poet, painter, and one-time video game designer who has received critical acclaim, both in his native Japan and abroad, for his highly idiosyncratic cinematic work. The famed Japanese film critic...
. His son Kenta Fukasaku
Kenta Fukasaku
is a Japanese filmmaker and screenwriter. He is the son of filmmaker Kinji Fukasaku and actress Sanae Nakahara.-Biography:He made his writing debut in the popular Japanese cult film Battle Royale, which his father directed. He wrote the screenplay to the sequel, Battle Royale II: Requiem, and took...
, who wrote the screenplay
Screenplay
A screenplay or script is a written work that is made especially for a film or television program. Screenplays can be original works or adaptations from existing pieces of writing. In them, the movement, actions, expression, and dialogues of the characters are also narrated...
for both films, completed the film and dedicated it to his father.
wrote the novelization of the film.
Creation and conception
Kenta Fukasaku said, "We never set out to make Harry PotterHarry Potter
Harry Potter is a series of seven fantasy novels written by the British author J. K. Rowling. The books chronicle the adventures of the adolescent wizard Harry Potter and his best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, all of whom are students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry...
." He explains that he wanted audience members to ponder "big issues" and to view the world from a point of view held by a terrorist. Fukasaku added that the film, against "the new Matrix" and Terminator III
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, commonly abbreviated as T3, is a 2003 science fiction action film directed by Jonathan Mostow and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Nick Stahl, Claire Danes and Kristanna Loken...
, needed to "provide something that Hollywood can't." Fukasaku intended to provide an alternative to what Time
Time (magazine)
Time is an American news magazine. A European edition is published from London. Time Europe covers the Middle East, Africa and, since 2003, Latin America. An Asian edition is based in Hong Kong...
magazine's Ilya Garger describes as "the moral certainty of American culture" as seen in U.S. films and foreign policy.
Kenta Fukasaku said that he viewed his task as finishing his deceased father's movie instead of as directing his first creation; the son credits the film as his father's. Kenta Fukasaku desired a lot of controversy and outrage for the sequel, adding that "the more strongly people react, the better."
The film was mainly shot at Hashima Island
Hashima Island
For the island in Connecticut, see Thimble Islands., commonly called Gunkanjima or Gunkanshima , is one among 505 uninhabited islands in the Nagasaki Prefecture about 15 kilometers from Nagasaki itself....
("Battleship Island").
Plot
In the sequel, survivors of previous Battle Royales, led by Shuya NanaharaShuya Nanahara
is a fictional Japanese student and one of the three main protagonists of the violent and controversial novel, manga, and film Battle Royale. In the English-language manga he is nicknamed Shu....
(the hero of the first film), have formed a rebel group called the "Wild Seven
Wild Seven
Wild Seven may refer to:*A fictional terrorist group in the 2003 Japanese film Battle Royale II: Requiem, also the name of a cigarette brand from the original novel...
". As in the first film, a class of teenagers from are kidnapped by the Japanese government. Instead of stereotypically studious Japanese students, these ninth graders are “a ragtag collection of delinquents
Juvenile delinquency
Juvenile delinquency is participation in illegal behavior by minors who fall under a statutory age limit. Most legal systems prescribe specific procedures for dealing with juveniles, such as juvenile detention centers. There are a multitude of different theories on the causes of crime, most if not...
and losers from all over Japan,” including tough-guy rugby
Rugby football
Rugby football is a style of football named after Rugby School in the United Kingdom. It is seen most prominently in two current sports, rugby league and rugby union.-History:...
players and punks
Punk subculture
The punk subculture includes a diverse array of ideologies, and forms of expression, including fashion, visual art, dance, literature, and film, which grew out of punk rock.-History:...
with dyed hair. More importantly, many are orphan
Orphan
An orphan is a child permanently bereaved of or abandoned by his or her parents. In common usage, only a child who has lost both parents is called an orphan...
s whose parents or family died in bombings by the Wild Seven. After their school bus is diverted to an army base, the students are herded into a cage, surrounded by armed guards, and confronted by their schoolteacher, Riki Takeuchi
Riki Takeuchi
is a Japanese actor best known for his roles in v-cinema yakuza movies.Takeuchi has starred in many yakuza films and action films, such as Dead or Alive by Takashi Miike...
, who lays down the ground rules of the new Battle Royale game. Wild Seven is hiding out on a deserted island (filmed on Hashima Island
Hashima Island
For the island in Connecticut, see Thimble Islands., commonly called Gunkanjima or Gunkanshima , is one among 505 uninhabited islands in the Nagasaki Prefecture about 15 kilometers from Nagasaki itself....
), and instead of being forced to kill each other, as in the old Battle Royale, the students are ordered to attack the terrorist group’s hideout en masse and kill the leader, Shuya Nanahara, within 72 hours. Most of the kids are not interested in being forced to avenge their families, but are coerced to fight through exploding metal collars, which their captors can detonate by remote control
Remote control
A remote control is a component of an electronics device, most commonly a television set, used for operating the television device wirelessly from a short line-of-sight distance.The remote control is usually contracted to remote...
. The students are put into 'pairs'; if one student dies, then his or her partner will be killed.
The students are sent via boats onto the dangerous island base of the Wild Seven, and a number of them are killed during the journey onto the island, leaving only a cluster alive. Most notably, two of the survivors are the main protagonist Takuma Aoi, and Shiori Kitano, the daughter of Kitano, the "teacher" from the first film who died after being shot by Shuya. Taken into the Wild Seven's base, the surviving students' explosive collars are removed and they are encouraged to help the members of the Wild Seven stop the Battle Royale for good. While most of the survivors agree, Takuma and in particular Shiori remain unconvinced. Shuya sends a video message to the world of their goal to live free. In response to the video and pressure from the U.S. government, the Japanese prime minister takes command of the military present at the Battle Royale headquarters and orders an attack on the island base, with no survivors allowed. On Christmas Day, the war between the Wild Seven and the military occurs, with numerous casualties on both sides. Survivors of the base retreat to the mainland via a mine shaft, leaving Shuya, Takuma and Shiori as the only remaining fighters. Disillusioned with the Battle Royale, Takeuchi appears dressed in a rugby uniform holding the student's signed ball and sacrifices himself to allow the three to escape, but Shiori is gunned down and dies in Shuya's arms, seemingly forgiving him for his past crimes. Shuya and Takuma run out to kill the rest of the soldiers.
The film ends several months later with Shuya and Takuma rejoining the other survivors, including Noriko Nakagawa, in another country and part ways, hoping to live their lives without more conflict.
Reception
The film received a rating of 38% at Rotten TomatoesRotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes is a website devoted to reviews, information, and news of films—widely known as a film review aggregator. Its name derives from the cliché of audiences throwing tomatoes and other vegetables at a poor stage performance...
with a classification of "rotten". Many reviewers criticize the film for having a contrived, confusing plot line and poor acting.
Ilya Garger of Time
Time (magazine)
Time is an American news magazine. A European edition is published from London. Time Europe covers the Middle East, Africa and, since 2003, Latin America. An Asian edition is based in Hong Kong...
said that while the film has more "bullets, bombs and dramatic battlefield deaths" than its predecessor had, the sequel does not have the "who'll-die-next-and-how suspense." Garger described the characters in Battle Royale II as "a simpler breed" who join forces to defeat the adults.
Wild Seven
- Shuya NanaharaShuya Nanaharais a fictional Japanese student and one of the three main protagonists of the violent and controversial novel, manga, and film Battle Royale. In the English-language manga he is nicknamed Shu....
(七原秋也 Nanahara Shūya) - The leader of Wild Seven. - Saki Sakurai (桜井サキ Sakurai Saki) - The sniper.
- Mitsugu Sakai - The mediator and peacemaker.
- Maki Souda - A technical wizard.
- Soji Kazama - Another previous Battle Royale winner who is also a skilled sniper.
- Satoshi Imakire - The eldest member of Wild Seven.
- Kengo Yonai - Skilled with bayonets and knives.
- Mai - Another previous Battle Royale winner who appears in the beginning of the first Battle RoyaleBattle Royale (film)is a 2000 Japanese film directed by Kinji Fukasaku based on the novel of the same name. It was written by Kenta Fukasaku and stars Takeshi Kitano. The film aroused international controversy.A sequel, Battle Royale II: Requiem, followed...
film. - Sanada
- Yukari
- Aya
- Chizuru
- Shoko
- Sayaka
- Iwamoto
- Shinobu
- Jin
Males
- Takuma Aoi (青井拓馬 Aoi Takuma)
- Shugo Urabe (卜部秀悟 Urabe Shūgo)
- Osamu Kasai (葛西治虫 Kasai Osamu)
- Ryo Kurosawa (黒澤凌 Kurosawa Ryō)
- Haruya Sakurai (桜井晴哉 Sakurai Haruya) - The brother of Saki Sakurai.
- Masami Shibaki (柴木雅実 Shibaki Masami)
- Tetsuya Shimura (志村鉄也 Shimura Tetsuya)
- Naoki Jo (城直輝 Jō Naoki)
- Masakatsu Taguchi (田口正勝 Taguchi Masakatsu)
- Jun Nanami (名波順 Nanami Jun)
- Tatsuhiko Hasegawa (長谷川達彦 Hasegawa Tatsuhiko)
- Shota Hikasa (日笠将太 Hikasa Shōta)
- Yasuaki Hosaka (保坂康昭 Hosaka Yasuaki)
- Kenji Maezono (前薗健二 Maezono Kenji)
- Shintaro Makimura (槇村慎太郎 Makimura Shintarō)
- Kiyoshi Minamoto (皆本清 Minamoto Kiyoshi)
- Yosuke Miyadai (宮台陽介 Miyadai Yōsuke)
- Wataru Mukai (向井渉 Mukai Wataru)
- Tatsuro Morishima (森島達郎 Morishima Tatsurō)
Females
- Nao Asakura (浅倉なお Asakura Nao)
- Miki Ikeda (池田美希 Ikeda Miki)
- Kyoko Kakei (筧今日子 Kakei Kyōko)
- Shiori KitanoShiori Kitanois a minor character in the 2000 Japanese film Battle Royale, and a main character in the 2003 Japanese film Battle Royale II: Requiem ....
(キタノシオリ Kitano Shiori) - Shiori is the daughter of Kitano, the teacher from the first Battle RoyaleBattle Royalethumb|260px|Cover of the 2009 expanded edition, ISBN 978-1-4215-2772-3 is a 1999 Japanese novel written by Koushun Takami. The story tells of schoolchildren who are forced to fight each other to the death....
. Shiori signs up to transfer to Shikanotoride Junior High School and to participate in the Battle Royale II. - Haruka Kuze (久瀬遙 Kuze Haruka)
- Nozomi Sagisawa (鷺沢希 Sagisawa Nozomi)
- Sanae Shioda (汐田早苗 Shioda Sanae)
- Risa Shindo (新藤理沙 Shindō Risa)
- Honami Totsuka (戸塚保奈美 Totsuka Honami)
- Yuko Natsukawa (夏川結子 Natsukawa Yūko)
- Rena Niimi (新見麗奈 Niimi Rena)
- Maho Nosaka (野坂真帆 Nosaka Maho)
- Mayu Hasuda (蓮田麻由 Hasuda Mayu)
- Ryoko Hata (波多量子 Hata Ryōko)
- Kazumi Fukuda (福田和美 Fukuda Kazumi)
- Shiho Matsuki (松木志穂 Matsuki Shiho)
- Yuka Mifune (三船夕佳 Mifune Yūka)
- Asuka Motomura (本村明日香 Motomura Asuka)
- Ayane Yagi (八木綾音 Yagi Ayane)
- Ai Yazawa (矢沢愛 Yazawa Ai) (paired with Hibiki Yano)
- Hibiki Yano (谷野響 Yano Hibiki)
- Kana Yuki (夕城香菜 Yūki Kana) (paired with Eri Yoshiyama) --- The actor, Yuko Morimoto, was selected from an open audition.
- Eri Yoshiyama (善山絵里 Yoshiyama Eri)
Adults and miscellaneous characters
- Riki Takeuchi (竹内RIKI Takeuchi Riki) - The "teacher" of Battle Royale II.
- Kitano (キタノ Kitano) - The "teacher" of the first Battle Royale appears in his daughter Shiori's dream sequences and flashbacks.
- Noriko Nakagawa (中川典子 Nakagawa Noriko) - The other survivor from the first Battle Royale.
- Hitoe (仁絵 Hitoe) - Riki Takeuchi's daughter.
Cast
- Tatsuya FujiwaraTatsuya Fujiwarais a Japanese television and film actor.-Biography:Born in Saitama, Fujiwara has had an interest in acting from a young age.He is famous for acting the part of Shuya Nanahara in the controversial 2000 film Battle Royale and continues the character as a leader of the Wild Seven in the sequel, Battle...
as Shuya NanaharaShuya Nanaharais a fictional Japanese student and one of the three main protagonists of the violent and controversial novel, manga, and film Battle Royale. In the English-language manga he is nicknamed Shu.... - Mayomi Ugasaki as Yamatake Morino
- Tokichi Hyari as Udara Morino
- Ai MaedaAi Maeda (actress)is a Japanese model and actress.-Biography:Maeda is notable for performing Shiori Kitano in the 2003 film Battle Royale II: Requiem, as well as for voicing the title role in the anime series Kino's Journey . Her younger sister is Aki Maeda...
as Shiori KitanoShiori Kitanois a minor character in the 2000 Japanese film Battle Royale, and a main character in the 2003 Japanese film Battle Royale II: Requiem ....
(Transfer Student) - Shugo OshinariShugo Oshinariis a Japanese actor best known for his roles in the controversial Battle Royale II: Requiem and Shunji Iwai's film, All About Lily Chou-Chou ....
as Takuma Aoi - Ayana Sakai as Nao Asakura
- Shugosaki Nindaiyo as Chi'san Sukumade (Yamatake and Udara's mother)
- Haruka SuenagaHaruka Suenagais a Japanese actress and gravure idol. At a young age, she began making TV appearances on Oha Star and was part of the Oha-Girls. She has done some commercials for Glico...
as Haruka Kuze - Yuma IshigakiYuma Ishigakiis a Japanese actor.-Movies:*Lovers' Kiss *Azumi *Battle Royale 2 *Azumi 2 *Thirteen Assassins -TV drama:* Asakusa Fukumaru Ryokan 2 * Hanazakari no Kimitachi e * Natsu Kumo Agare...
as Mitsugu Sakai - Miyuki KanbeMiyuki Kanbewas a Japanese model and actress from Kanagawa Prefecture employed by the talent agency Rouge.She is best remembered for her portrayal of Sailor Moon in the Sailor Moon musicals ; other credits include Battle Royale II , Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch , Kamen Rider Hibiki...
as Kyoko Kakei - Masaya KikawadaMasaya Kikawadais a Japanese actor. His most prominent role has been as Takeshi Hongo/Kamen Rider #1 in the film Kamen Rider The First and its sequel Kamen Rider The Next. He was also in Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon as Sailor Jupiter's love interest Motoki Furuhata, as well as the sequel to Battle Royale, Battle...
as Shintaro Makimura - Yoko MakiYoko Maki (actress)Yōko Maki is a Japanese actress signed to .Maki has appeared in several films including 2003 film Infection and the 2004 American remake The Grudge.-Biography:...
as Maki Souda - Yuki ItoYuki Itois a Japanese actor and musician from Tokyo Prefecture. The role he is most known for is as in Mahou Sentai Magiranger.-References:* - Personal Blog...
as Ryo Kurosawa - Natsuki KatoNatsuki Katois a Japanese actress and former fashion model, regularly appearing on television in various roles.-Career:After she was spotted and recruited with 1998's television commercial appearance by a current entertainment production, she made her debut in 1999....
as Saki Sakurai - Aki MaedaAki MaedaAki Maeda is a Japanese actress and singer. She has an older sister named Ai Maeda....
as Noriko Nakagawa - Riki TakeuchiRiki Takeuchiis a Japanese actor best known for his roles in v-cinema yakuza movies.Takeuchi has starred in many yakuza films and action films, such as Dead or Alive by Takashi Miike...
as Riki Takeuchi - Sonny ChibaSonny Chiba, also known as Sonny Chiba, is a Japanese actor, singer, film producer, film director and martial artist.Chiba was one of the first actors to achieve stardom through his skills in martial arts, initially in Japan and later before an international audience.- Early life :Born in Fukuoka, Fukuoka,...
as Makio Mimura (Shinji's revolutionary uncle) - Ai IwamuraAi Iwamura, also known as is a Japanese actress.Iwamura is best known for her role as Mai in Battle Royale. Iwamura also fulfills some "stand-in" roles as Izumi Kanai, Noriko Nakagawa, Hirono Shimizu, and Haruka Tanizawa . Iwamura also stars as Mai in Battle Royale II: Requiem. She also voiced MarineAngemon...
as Mai (Smiling Winner from BR1) - Mika KikuchiMika KikuchiMika Kikuchi , born on December 16, 1983 in Misato, Saitama, Japan, is a Japanese actress and seiyū. She is affiliated with Production Ogi.-Biography:...
as Ayane Yagi - Takeshi KitanoTakeshi Kitanois a Japanese filmmaker, comedian, singer, actor, film editor, presenter, screenwriter, author, poet, painter, and one-time video game designer who has received critical acclaim, both in his native Japan and abroad, for his highly idiosyncratic cinematic work. The famed Japanese film critic...
as Kitano - Yoshiko Mita as Takuma's mother
- Nanami OhtaNanami Ohtais a Japanese actress.Ohta is known for her role as Hitoe Takeuchi in the film Battle Royale II: Requiem. Ohta also filled a minor role in the film Battle Royale: Special Version as one of Mitsuko Souma's childhood friends....
as Hitoe Takeuchi - Takeru ShibakiTakeru Shibakiis a Japanese actor from Tokyo. He is best known for his role as Kai Samezu/GaoBlue in the Super Sentai series Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger.-TV Drama:*Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger *GoGo Sentai Boukenger...
as Shugo Urabe - Toshiyuki ToyonagaToshiyuki Toyonagais a Japanese seiyū and actor.-Anime:* Ballad of a Shinigami * Capeta * Durarara!! * Fresh Pretty Cure! * Get Ride! Amdriver...
as Shota Hikasa - Masahiko TsugawaMasahiko Tsugawa, born Masahiko Kato on January 2, 1940 in Kyoto, Japan is a Japanese actor and director.He made his debut at the age of 16 in the Kō Nakahira film Crazed Fruit in 1956. Tsugawa's family was heavily involved in the film industry since before his birth...
as The Prime Minister - Nana YanagisawaNana Yanagisawais a Japanese actress and fashion model. She appeared in Kamen Rider Kiva as Megumi Aso, one of the lead heroines. She also starred in Kamen Rider Kiva: King of the Castle in the Demon World as this role...
as Mayu Hasuda
Music
The sequel's soundtrack has more original work by Masamichi AmanoMasamichi Amano
Masamichi Amano is a Japanese music composer, arranger and conductor. He studied at the Kunitachi College of Music in Tokyo and graduated in 1982. He obtained the Takeoka Prize....
and fewer classical pieces. One of them, Farewell to the Piano (composed by Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer and pianist. A crucial figure in the transition between the Classical and Romantic eras in Western art music, he remains one of the most famous and influential composers of all time.Born in Bonn, then the capital of the Electorate of Cologne and part of...
), is played by Shiori Kitano
Shiori Kitano
is a minor character in the 2000 Japanese film Battle Royale, and a main character in the 2003 Japanese film Battle Royale II: Requiem ....
herself during the film.
The song from the opening credits is Dies Irae
Dies Irae
Dies Irae is a thirteenth century Latin hymn thought to be written by Thomas of Celano . It is a medieval Latin poem characterized by its accentual stress and its rhymed lines. The metre is trochaic...
, taken from the Verdi Requiem.
The end title song is by Japanese punk band Stance Punks. The song "Mayonaka Shounen Totsugeki Dan" features on their first full length, self-titled album.
Books
The book The Road to BRII (ISBN 4834252124) is a behind-the-scenes photo collection about the production of the movie. About ten tie-in books related to the movie have been released in Japan.Related manga
A manga series called Battle Royale II: Blitz RoyaleBattle Royale II: Blitz Royale
is manga inspired by the movie Battle Royale II: Requiem. While the author of the original novel, Koushun Takami, is given the gensaku credit, the story and art are by Hitoshi Tomizawa ....
is partially related to Battle Royale II: Requiem. The school in Blitz Royale is Shikanotoride Junior High School, and the "teacher" pops pills like Riki Takeuchi. There are numerous plot differences between the book and manga.
External links
- Battle Royale II Official Website at Internet ArchiveInternet ArchiveThe Internet Archive is a non-profit digital library with the stated mission of "universal access to all knowledge". It offers permanent storage and access to collections of digitized materials, including websites, music, moving images, and nearly 3 million public domain books. The Internet Archive...
- BattleRoyaleFilm.net Fan site
- Battle Royale forum
- Comparison of DVD releases Battle Royale II: Requiem at the Japanese Movie Database McKoy Sugie's essays about Battle Royale II