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Essay: Battle Royale

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  • Published: 21 September 2019*
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Battle Royale is a horror thriller film directed by Kinji Fukasaku, adapted from the novel, Battle Royale, written by Koushun Takami. Battle Royale carries multiple Japanese culture values, as well as adapting Western literature, with an unexpected hero representation. Battle Royale presents the futuristic destruction among disobedient younger generations toward authority figures after a collapsed Japan economy begins; 15% unemployment rates occur and youthful gangs in retaliation arise. An important core value within Japanese culture is the high respect and regard for elder generations and authoritative idols, just as it is seen within many Asian countries such as Japan. The film displays a "Lord of the Flies", by William Golding, alluding in a dystopian Japan environment; presenting a class of junior high school students on a deserted island. The film presents an involuntary, authoritarian, and violent program run by their former professor; Kitano; in which Kinji Fukasaku sets the film up to justify the particular legislation of the Millennium Educational Reform Battle Royale Act, BR Act, to gain control of the out of control youth, exposing a graphic desecration of teen violence, as well as instilling Japanese society and history into the mix.

In the opening sequence of the film, students are shown as refusing to attend class, as well as a violent tendency toward their professor, Kitano (Kinji Fukasaku, 1:58:07). From the novel, Takami attempts to present a conflict within human ideology; the desire and determination to maintain strong moral and ethical obligations. As depicted in the film, younger generations are seen as more out of control due to the various amounts of protest, and demand for change (Fukasaku, 1:56:01). The government passes the Battle Royale act: a legislation in which means a group of only teenagers is forced to live on a deserted island for three days and kill their classmates to survive until the end. Like the novel series "The Hunger Games", Suzanne Collins illustrates the future of where the protagonist's life is based on making it through another day, where survival instincts are tested. As seen in Battle Royale, the Hunger Games is based on younger generations fighting for survival against government run by the older generation.

As displayed in Battle Royale, many parallels to The Hunger Games can be drawn from how the society functions. (Fukasaku, 1:49:18) From the parallels between the two films, it can be concluded that Japanese Culture has impacted Western Literature. Throughout Battle Royale, the government is seen as an oppressive force upon the population. The government displays their power by sending younger generations off to fight for their lives. This use of fear demonstrates the oppressive power in the film and shows that the government is a powerful entity. (Fukasaku, 1:48:49) Just as it is in Battle Royale, The Hunger Games film utilizes a similar concept by selecting random members of the community to fight for their survival. The use of the "tribute system" in the film displays the government's ability to control the population through the power they have. (Gary Ross, Collins S., 1:20). The use of the Hunger Games is a strong example of how a government may use its power to instill fear within its subjects to maintain order. Without power or true authority, governments would fall apart and fall into anarchy. It is the power of the government that allows for order and control to prevent chaos throughout the community, even if the power is derived from fear itself.

The authority figures in Battle Royale utilizes the concept of Machiavellianism to reinforce their authoritative status. In The Prince, by Niccolo Machiavelli, is it understood that fear is easier to control than love. “With fear, you can withhold control of individuals, while as with love, it is easy to fall out of” (Machiavelli, pg. 61) By using fear of the younger generation, the authoritative figures display the power they have over them. This demonstration of power instills fear within the generation because they will be less likely to act as they had in the past. Machiavelli claims that "it is better to be fear than loved, but the prince should never be hated". (Machiavelli, 17.5) The claim that Machiavelli makes describes the power fear has on people and how it can be used to control the general population. By sending the younger generation to fight for their lives, the fear of this event repeating becomes instilled in them causing the younger generation to obey. Machiavelli quotes, “People are by nature changeable. It is easy to persuade them about some particular matter, but it is hard to hold them to the persuasion. Hence it is necessary to provide that when they no longer believe, they can be forced to believe” (Machiavelli, ch.3). From this standpoint, fear is a strong motivator to keep people in check, and make them believe, but in Battle Royale, the use of their method avoids the creation of hatred within the younger generation.

 At the beginning of Battle Royale, the students wake up to an attached explosive device around their neck; Kitano explains how each device will detonate if they try to remove the devices, as well as come near headquarters (Fukasaku, 1:45:47). Some students try to fight off the former professor, and refuse to participate in the survival game, and escape; although Kitano then sets off the explosive and kills those who were disobedient during the lecture introducing the BR Act; which instilled fear into the other students. This scene is an example of Machiavelli's theory of how it is better to be feared, as individuals will obey the authoritative figure. In one student Yoshitoki Kuninobu tries to retaliate with his hatred of the game, and towards his former professor, and becomes the first boy to die. The hatred presented explains another example of how it is better to not be hated as the authoritative figure because of the potential of retaliation (Fukasaku, 1:44:58).  

The story is based on the near future of Japan's collapsing economy, and the increase of unemployment. As Japan's social framework within society untangles; high school students boycott schools and begin to commit acts of violence against adults, and authority figures, in which initiates the BR Act to arise. Battle Royale was first emphasized on the alternative universe of Japan emerging from the Second World War. Another view of the film was to reveal Japan's higher education system and the structure of Japan's nine compulsory grades (McConnell, D., JET Program. 2000). In accordance to Importing Diversity: Japan’s JET Program, in order to move on to higher grades, or a post-secondary education, students compete for placement through nationwide examinations; thus, the reason the Battle Royale Act is among ninth graders as they move on to higher education. Another interpretation between both the author and director of the film, is the mindset that dominated Japanese militarism in the early Twentieth century. During this time, the political expansion prior to both World Wars, diplomacy was seen by the government as to where one country could only achieve its objectives at the expense of another. That mindset involved Japan's relations with other Asia neighbors, Russia, and the United States (Ako Inuzuka, pg. 131-150). The outcome is implicated by the trust among the players and their surrounding environment, such were in Battle Royale, displays a scene illustrating how trust can be undermined, even among the stable alliances, a group of female students created had eventually sunk into a major bloodbath as suspicious actions arose (Fukasaku, 47:13).

In Lord of the Flies, the struggle between the two main characters Jack and Ralph, of whom will lead the stranglers in the remote island for survival displays two government structures; a democracy lead by Ralph, and a violent dictatorship, symbolized by Jack. Both leaders and their leadership qualities rep
resent their difference in values and aspects of human nature. Ralph represents respect for the law, duty, and protection of all, as Jack represents violence, cruel actions, and government through fear and tyranny. The story presents humanity's violent impulses being more powerful than civilization. (Golding, pg. 169). Though Ralph is rescued by a naval officer before Jack's mob captures him, the idea of global war taking place underlines the concept that civilization is threatened from the actions of violence.

Much like Battle Royale, Lord of the Flies demonstrates the chaotic nature of younger generations. Without the presence of an authoritative figure, adolescents tend to fall into chaos and anarchy. Although there are some characters who are willing to step up and attempt to take on the role of a leader, their inexperience and immaturity will eventually lead to their downfall. Throughout the film of Battle Royale, it is seen that fear is used to control the younger generation and that the youth tends to move toward chaos and violence. The fear within the youth can best be seen as a parallel to the Hunger Games, where two young adults from every community are sent to fight to the death. This fear that is instilled ties together with the Machiavellian concept of fear being a powerful tool to control others. It is with the installation of fear, and the concept of fear as a powerful tool that the authoritative figures to maintain order and discipline. The use of this fear is due to the inherent nature of chaos and violence that younger generations moves toward. This nature is seen in Lord of the Flies and it explains why the Battle Royale act had to be installed to maintain the discipline and order of the children. Battle Royale gives an insight as to the possibilities of what may happen if the youth were to lose sight of why authority was important.

Annotated Bibliography

Ross, G., Tucci, S., Bentley, W., Banks, E., Lawrence J., Hemsworth, L., & Collins, S. (2012). The Hunger Games.

Collins, Suzanne. The Hunger Games. New York: Scholastic Press, 2008. Print.

 The Hunger Games is both a trilogy book and thrilling movies. Set in the futuristic time period, a girl named Katniss tells her story about the corrupted Capitol and the annual Panem reaping. The reaping is the annual fight to the death called Hunger Games, where each year, members of the Capitol select a random boy and girl from all 12 Districts to fight to the death until one champion emerge. This annual event was a reminder and punishment for all 12 districts in the attempt rebellion to over throw the Capitol, and to keep fear as a factor of holding the districts together. Katniss’s experience during the game takes the audience into a fast-pace fantasy full, challenging her will and distinctive knowledge of survival. Collins creates a page-turner, reminding us the importance of humanity while keeping us foreign to the situation that is manifesting Katniss and her fellow tributes. The use of the novel in my essay is to compare the similar views on Battle Royale’s government in Japan versus the government structure in Western cultures, as well the economy downfall each novel portrays.

Christie, R., & Geis, F. L. 1970. Studies in Machiavellianism. New York: Academic Press.

Machiavellianism is the views and manipulation of others for their own purposes. The Prince designates the use of deceit, and opportunism in regard to interpersonal relations. The purpose of the novel is to start a discussion over the appearances in the early 16th century, political theory, controversy, and Renaissance culture. The composition on the philosophical, and political issues contain practical political ideas Machiavelli tends to use. The purpose of The Prince, in my essay is to speculate the theory of Machiavellianism and expand on the intended systematic of fear in government control. Machiavelli’s idea of fear over love in regard to government control and power displays a controversial conversation of how chaos in society is handled.

Inuzuka, Ako. “Remembering Japanese Militarism Through the Fusosha Textbook.” The Collective Memory of the Asian-Pacific War in Japan, vol. 61, no. 2, 15 Feb. 2013, pp. 131–150., doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/01463373.2012.751432.

In this article, it is discussing Japan education and the approval of junior high school history placed on textbook. It entails the controversial debate about the justification of the aggressive actions Japan takes during War. The article goes on discussing the relationships between war memories, and the Japanese rise in militarism. Using this context in my essay allows for an introduction into the history of Japan’s military values, and culture. It gives a brief background to how controversial issues in Japan’s government leadership, and economy affected security, and the society. The context allows for an opening topic into describing the Battle Royale military system and the various ideas of how Japan’s military is powered over cruelty actions based off fear from War or leadership.

 Alaa Lateef Alnajm. "The main themes in Lord of the Flies." International Journal of English and Literature 6.6 (2015): 98 – 102.doi: https://doi.org/10.5897/IJEL2015.0788.

The Lord of the Flies, shows different themes playing a role in literacy. The characters are presenting two different aspects of human nature, and behaviors. It displays the tribalism, and tyranny within the democracy society. Jack who bases his leadership from cruelty, and dictatorship promises to hunt down the strange beast hiding in the jungle, campaigning his power through fear and division from Ralph’s democracy rule. The novel was first published in 1954 presenting the rise of Nazism and terror of World War II. This use of the novel in comparison to Battle Royale is the similarities of WWII background, causing fear to change human behaviors. The racialized language in Lord of the Flies are seen as ‘savagery’, as compared to the Japan government when their economy collapse, and society unravels. This example displays the abstract of chaos among young adults, and the violence acted on civilization without the supervision of adults to guide them.

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