Battle Royale Quotes

“You're still a child. It. sounds like you've talked about this before, but I really want you to think about it. This is a magnificent country. No other country anywhere in the world is as prosperous. Sure, overseas travel is a little restricted, but the quality of our exports is second to none. When our government boasts about our per-capita GDP, that's no mere propaganda. It's the truth. We've the highest in the world. But the thing is, and listen to this now, that prosperity can only be achieved through a strong government and a people united around it. A certain level of control is a constant necessity. Otherwise, we'd decay into some third-rate country, like the American Empire. You've heard what things are like over there, haven't you? The country is a total mess, rife with drugs and violence and homosexuality. It's surviving only on its past legacy, but it'll collapse soon enough.”
― Koushun Takami, Battle Royale: Remastered by Koushun Takami (8-May-2014) Paperback

“This country needs the Program. And no, not as some military experiment - that's a fabrication, of course. Come on, why do you think we broadcast video of the winners on the local news? Sure, seeing that, a person might feel sorry for the child, and maybe they're thinking about how the poor kid probably didn't even want to play the game. But the chid was left with no choice but to fight the others. It serves to remind everyone that in the end they can't trust anyone. And soon, nobody's even thinking about banding together and staging a revolution. The Republic of Greater East Asia, and its ideals, will live on forever. And for the sake of such a lofty goal, everyone needs to die equally. I've taught my own children as much. My oldest - she's in second grade now - she's always saying how she'd give her life for the Republic.”
― Koushun Takami, Battle Royale: Remastered by Koushun Takami (8-May-2014) Paperback

“I'll never again be able to stand on a beach and feel at peace watching the birds fly. When I write my own songs, I'll never again sing about seabirds. I don't even think I'll want to eat poultry for a while. Birds... suck.”
― Koushun Takami, Battle Royale: Remastered by Koushun Takami (8-May-2014) Paperback

“Okay, here we have a nation that's rotting. If you can't stand the smell, you should take the wisest action - to throw it away and go someplace else. There has to be some way to flee the country. Do that, and you'll be able to live free from the stench. You might get homesick every now and then, but you'll go every day, free from hardship. But that's not for me.”
― Koushun Takami, Battle Royale: Remastered by Koushun Takami (8-May-2014) Paperback

“Shall I tell you what I think?"

Shuya nodded.

Kawada folded his arms, took the cigarette from his lips, and exhaled a puff of smoke. "I think that history moves in waves."

Not quite understanding, Shuya was about to ask what he meant. But before he could, Kawada continued, "Come a certain time, and come a certain set of circumstances, this country will change, whether we do anything or not. I don't know if it'll be a war or a revolution. And I don't know when that time will come. Maybe it never will.”
― Koushun Takami, Battle Royale: Remastered by Koushun Takami (8-May-2014) Paperback

“What's the point of this game? Is there a point to all this?"

Kawada's eyes widened a little, but then he looked down and let out a chuckle. He must have found the question pretty funny. Then finally, he said, "Of course there isn't."

"But," Noriko interjected, "don't they say it's necessary for national security?"

Keeping the amused smile, Kawada shook his head. "That's crazy talk. Although with how crazy this whole country is, maybe that's what passes for rational."

"Okay, fine." Shuya felt his anger rising. "Then why is it still happening?"

"That's simple. It keeps happening because nobody speaks up.”
― Koushun Takami, Battle Royale: Remastered by Koushun Takami (8-May-2014) Paperback

“Are you prepared to be merciless, Nanahara?"

Shuya gulped. "Who to? The government?"

"Them too, of course." Kawada nodded. "But I'm asking if you're ready to kill your classmates - not if but when they attack us."

Shuya lowered his head a little, and when he spoke, his voice sounded feeble. "If it comes to that, I won't have any other choice."

"What if it's a girl?"

Shuya's lips tightened. His eyes went to Kawada and then back down. "I won't have any other choice."

"All right then. Just as long as we're clear." Kawada nodded and gripped the shotgun resting on his crossed legs. Then he added," If you're too busy getting all upset every time you kill someone, someone else will come along and kill you.”
― Koushun Takami, Battle Royale: Remastered by Koushun Takami (8-May-2014) Paperback

“His mother and father had normal conversations. They each did what was necessary. But they didn't trust each other, and they didn't help each other. They just quietly built up their resentment as they grew ever older. Maybe, in this world, that's how most parents were.”
― Koushun Takami, Battle Royale: Remastered by Koushun Takami (8-May-2014) Paperback

“Once, Shinji had said, "You're incredible, Uncle. You're so cool." But his uncle gave a pained smile and said, "That's not true, Shinji. I'm not cool or any of that. You can't survive in this country and live with integrity. No, if I were a good person, I'd be long dead by now.”
― Koushun Takami, Battle Royale: Remastered by Koushun Takami (8-May-2014) Paperback

“Shuya held out his hand.

"What's that for?" Kawada said. "I'm no palm reader."

Shuya laughed and shook his head. "I'm sorry for every accusing thing I've said. It's a handshake. We're together to the end.”
― Koushun Takami, Battle Royale: Remastered by Koushun Takami (8-May-2014) Paperback

“The good people aren't always the ones who get saved. The same goes for everywhere, not just here. It's the capable ones who make it. But I respect those who preserve their conscience even through rejection and failure.”
― Koushun Takami, Battle Royale: Remastered by Koushun Takami (8-May-2014) Paperback

“Kawada said, "You can die if you want to. But if you go now and never return, Noriko's odds are going to get a hell of a lot worse. Did you forget about her?"

Shuya gulped. Kawada was absolutely right. "But..."

Kawada calmly continued, "I'm sure you're all too aware, Nanahara, that loving someone means not loving someone else. If you care about Noriko, don't go.”
― Koushun Takami, Battle Royale: Remastered by Koushun Takami (8-May-2014) Paperback

“Ironically, each classmate's death bought the others more time to live - but Shuya didn't want to think about that.

For now, damned if he did, damned if he didn't. They were all damned.”
― Koushun Takami, Battle Royale: Remastered by Koushun Takami (8-May-2014) Paperback

“There was nothing left to say. Sure, they could have fought back. He could have taken his revolver in hand and face whoever was there. But that wasn't what she wanted. She wanted to pass quietly, before she got sucked into this damned senseless massacre. Nothing was ore important to him than her. He couldn't trade her for anything now. This was what her trembling heart wanted, and he would obey. If he were a little more eloquent, perhaps he would have thought: "For her principles, I offer my life.”
― Koushun Takami, Battle Royale: Remastered by Koushun Takami (8-May-2014) Paperback

“Surely you know the concept of equality, right? Listen, all people are born equal. Just because your father is a government official doesn't mean it's all right for him to receive special treatment. Clearly the same goes for his son. Listen, everyone, you all have your own circumstances. Some of you come from rich families, and some poor. But your value isn't determined by such things - by things beyond your control. Each one of you must discover your own worth through your own efforts. So, Motobuchi, don't make the mistake of thinking that you alone are special.”
― Koushun Takami, Battle Royale: Remastered by Koushun Takami (8-May-2014) Paperback