“The Hunger Games” by Collins, which later became the basis of a popular film series, told the story of a dystopian world in which every year 24 young people take part in the titular game, carried out to the delight of the ruling class. The winner receives lifelong wealth, but is also intended to act as propaganda for tyranny. The remaining participants die in agony, to the delight of the viewers. The first part of the series was released in 2008.
In turn, “Battle Royale” by Kounshun Takami told the story of a near-future Japan led by an authoritarian government. Every year, a random class of high school students is forced to take part in the titular game. They come to a small area where they have to kill each other until only one person is left alive. In 2000, an adaptation of the book was made, directed by Kinji Fukasaku. It quickly gained cult status and popularity around the world.
After success “The Hunger Games” many people pointed out their similarities to “Battle Royale”. As it turns out, there is also one of them Tarantino. Previously, the director of “Inglourious Basterds” has repeatedly noted that it is one of his favorite films in history. He didn’t bite his tongue when he appeared on Bret Easton Ellis’s podcast.
“I don’t understand why a Japanese writer (Koushun Takami) didn’t sue Suzanne Collins and take everything she has. She simply rewrote his book. The stupid literary critics hadn’t seen the movie ‘Battle Royale’ so they never pointed it out to her. Instead they raved about it being the most original thing they’d ever read. And the film critics saw (‘The Hunger Games’) and said, ‘Whatever is this, it’s the ‘Battle Royale’ version? for children,” said the American director.
Collins was asked many times about the similarities to “Battle Royale.” The writer swore many times that she did not know this franchise before starting work on her books. In an interview with the New York Times, she admitted that she didn’t know her before she started working on Katniss’ adventures, and the similarities were brought to her attention when she was already writing. She asked her editor if she should catch up on Takami’s work. He clearly advised her against it.