Among all the violent death scenes in "Battle Royale," there's one that stands out: the lighthouse shootout that leaves a group of schoolgirls lying dead in a pool of blood. It's a tragic, senseless event that proves that given the right mix of fear, distrust and hopelessness even the best of friends will kill each other to survive — even if it is by mistake.
Battle Royale: Angels' Border, by Koushun Takami.
viz media, Manga.
"Battle Royale: Angels' Border" is a new manga side story to the "Battle Royale" novel, which tells what happens in the hours before the famous scene in the lighthouse kitchen; in particular, it explains the hidden relationships between best friends Haruka Tanizawa and Yukie Utsumi, and classmates Chisato Matsui and Shinji Mimura.
Along with the other 38 members of their class, the junior high school students are all stuck on an island playing a horrible game in which they must kill or be killed.
Episode One is told from Haruka's point of view as she and Yukie are on sentry duty at the top of the lighthouse. The two girls have been close friends for years, but Haruka's feelings for Yukie go beyond friendship. Episode Two reveals how Chisato, one of quieter girls in the class, had a secret relationship with the coolest guy in school, Shinji. Tragically, neither Haruka or Chisato have the chance to say goodbye to the ones they love before the bullets start flying.
