Anticipation for Season 3 of Squid Game runs high, though its absence leaves quite a gap. From the get-go, the show’s thrilling life-or-death games and insightful social commentary captivated viewers. The finale of Season 2 left fans yearning for more. However, it’s essential to remember that Squid Game is not the only series exploring the “death game” trope. In fact, this theme has been a staple in manga for quite some time, with each adaptation offering unique spins on the genre.
These mangas delve into the depths of human nature and moral dilemmas, as characters are thrust into extreme situations. From battling in deadly robot contests for the fate of their world to navigating complex webs of deceit to evade crippling debt, these stories explore the lengths one might go to secure survival or win a life-altering fortune. The stakes are high, and the scenarios grow progressively intense, providing both an exhilarating read and plenty to ponder.
Alice in Borderland
In a similar title adaptation, Alice in Borderland introduces us to Arisu Ryouhei, a student nearing graduation from high school but uncertain about his future. His life takes an unexpected turn when he and friends Karube and Chota witness fireworks and subsequently lose consciousness. Upon awakening, they find themselves in a post-apocalyptic realm called Borderlands.
In this thrilling world I’ve stumbled upon, it’s me and my pals who are compelled to engage in lethal contests, with our lives hanging precariously in the balance. Anyone who falters or opts out is swiftly eliminated without mercy. As we struggle to endure and unravel the mysteries shrouding this ominous new existence, eager fans of Squid Game will undoubtedly find themselves gripped by tension and anticipation.
Tomodachi Game
High school student Yuuichi Katagiri holds friendship as the utmost importance, but this perspective shifts dramatically when he and his companions find themselves in an unusual chamber and informed that one among them bears responsibility for something. With no other option, they are compelled to engage in a sequence of challenges aimed at resolving a significant debt.
In order to emerge victorious in the Tomodachi Game, one must never question their friends’ intentions. However, as emotions escalate, Yuuichi’s faith in his companions is put to the test. As hidden truths are exposed and acts of deceit occur, this gripping manga bears an increasing resemblance to the acclaimed Squid Game, particularly when considering the dramatic climax of its second season.
Liar Game
College student Nao Kanzaki is as honest as they come. One day, she gets a package containing 100 million yen and an invitation to participate in the “Liar Game Tournament.” The game’s premise is straightforward: Nao must trick other players into giving her their money, while they try to do the same to her. After 30 days, each player must return the initial 100 million yen they received.
If they don’t take part and return the money as asked, they might accumulate debt, yet anything extra they may have secretly taken from other participants becomes their personal gain. To begin with, Nao chooses to abstain, just safeguarding the money until she can repay it. However, when 100 million yen is stolen from her, Nao finds herself compelled to learn how to deceive, as she has no other option left.
Darwin’s Game
When seventeen-year-old Kaname Suduo receives an invitation to play an online video game, he readily agrees. However, what Kaname doesn’t realize is that this game, known as Darwin’s Game, is a matter of life and death. Coerced into participating, Kaname relies on his distinctive talents to stay alive and search for the Game Master, whom he needs to eliminate in order to break free from the game.
Although Darwin’s Game doesn’t offer the social critique and emotional depth that Squid Game is renowned for, it compensates with stunning visuals and strategic battles. By 2024, it had sold over 10 million copies, indicating that readers find its narrative style appealing. This action-packed shonen series offers a unique spin on the death game theme, providing a fresh and entertaining twist for fans.
As The Gods Will
Shun Takahata is an underachieving student whose life spirals into a grim situation after seeing his teacher’s head suddenly explode. Shun and his classmates are compelled to battle for survival amidst lethal competitions. The initial contest, reminiscent of the popular series Squid Game, involves a deadly game of red-light-green-light.
In a chilling scenario, a doll is observing the students, with their lives at stake if they so much as move when it’s watching. Each time the doll catches someone moving, that student meets an untimely end. As his fellow students perish one by one, Shun miraculously survives, triumphing in this deadly game by activating the button on the doll’s back. Regrettably, unlike the thrilling world of Squid Game, there is no enticing prize waiting for Shun at the end.
Battle Royale
Originating from Koushun Takami’s titled novel, the “Battle Royale” comic book series is renowned for its death game concept. The narrative unfolds with our central character, Shuuya, along with his classmates, under the impression they are heading to their graduation ceremony. However, an unexpected twist occurs when they find themselves transported to a secluded island, where they’re compelled to wear collar devices capable of exploding at any given moment.
Subsequently, Shuuya and his peers learn they must eliminate all others to escape the island alive, with an explosive device around their necks as a grim reminder. Similar to the series Squid Game, the narrative unfolds as a heart-pounding tale of the extreme measures humans take in the pursuit of survival.
Gantz
In the “death game” genre, Gantz stands out as it features characters who have already perished. Two high school students, Kei Kurono and Masaru Kato, lose their lives while attempting to help a homeless, intoxicated person. However, an unexpected turn of events sees them resurrected, only to be tasked with a sequence of missions.
These tasks often entail eliminating extraterrestrial intruders residing on Earth. Completing these missions earns participants points, and upon accumulating sufficient points, individuals are granted a redo of their previous lives.
Blue Heaven
The colossal luxury vessel, known as Blue Heaven, happens upon a shattered ship in the heart of the ocean. Upon the captain’s order, the crew investigates the wreckage and discovers two individuals still alive. One of them is severely wounded, whereas the other appears completely unscathed.
For the first time, the audience gets a hint that something’s amiss, and as the crew rescues the two survivors, a harrowing ordeal unfolds for both staff and passengers. As people are systematically killed, the ship’s captain is left to decipher the motives behind these killings and halt the madness. The manga’s narrative bears a striking resemblance to the game Among Us, but its enigmatic and treacherous atmosphere appeals particularly to fans of Squid Game.
Life Is Money
In a predicament, Fukurokouji Meguru requires 100 million yen for his sister’s life-saving heart transplant, yet no matter how diligently he works, the funds remain elusive. With despair looming, Meguru receives an invitation to participate in The Nightmare Game. Here, the rules are straightforward: ten individuals, including Meguru, must reside in a complex for a period of 10 days. If they successfully complete this challenge, each participant will receive 50 million yen.
In the game “Life is Money”, if a player doesn’t make it through, their winnings are shared among the survivors, encouraging fierce competition without resorting to physical violence. Instead, the game employs psychological tactics: any participant showing strong emotions with a heart rate above a certain limit is eliminated. The television series “Squid Game” shares similarities in its use of psychologically-charged challenges for a substantial prize, although it’s important to note that “Life is Money” is purely fictional and not based on the real-life Korean drama.
Bokurano
Bokurano deviates from the standard death game theme by initially appearing as a typical manga about mecha. A cluster of middle schoolers discover a cave and unwittingly sign a deal with the enigmatic Kokopelli, engaging in a series of games. Unbeknownst to them, they are actually committing to operate the colossal Zearth robot against other similar machines in order to safeguard Earth from imminent annihilation.
When the initial Zearth operator perishes, a more ominous truth emerges. The youngsters discover that they must employ their vital life force to control Zearth, ultimately forfeiting their lives. This harrowing experience grows even more gruesome when the children understand that those they are battling are also kids from various Earths, struggling to safeguard their realities in a colossal death match.
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2025-02-01 01:10