The global phenomenon that is Squid Game has captivated audiences with its intense, high-stakes games and sharp social commentary. For fans craving more of that suspenseful, life-or-death drama, the world of manga offers a treasure trove of series exploring similar themes. Here are 10 of the best death game manga that will keep you on the edge of your seat, exploring the darkest depths of human nature.
Alice in Borderland
Alice in Borderland is a compelling series that throws its protagonist, Ryohei Arisu, and his friends into a deserted, post-apocalyptic version of Tokyo. They are forced to compete in a series of deadly games to survive. Each game is uniquely designed, testing not only physical abilities but also intelligence and psychological fortitude. The series, which also has a live-action adaptation, keeps readers guessing, and is a must-read for those who love the thrill of Squid Game.
Games of Survival
Like Squid Game, Alice in Borderland places ordinary individuals in extraordinarily dangerous scenarios. The games are brutal, and the consequences for failure are dire. The characters must learn to adapt and make difficult choices to survive, creating an atmosphere of constant tension and uncertainty.
Tomodachi Game
Tomodachi Game delves into the complex dynamics of friendship and betrayal. The story revolves around Yuuichi Katagiri, a high school student who values his friends above all else. When he and his close friends are suddenly thrust into a mysterious game where they must pay back a large debt, their bonds are tested to the breaking point. This manga highlights the psychological impact of the games, making it a dark and twisted exploration of trust, friendship and manipulation.
The Price of Friendship
In Tomodachi Game, the main characters face situations that force them to doubt and betray each other. This focus on psychological tension and moral dilemmas, similarly to Squid Game, adds a layer of intrigue that goes beyond mere physical challenges. The series keeps you constantly guessing who is truly an ally and who is a foe.
Liar Game
Liar Game centers on Nao Kanzaki, an incredibly honest college student who becomes entangled in a high-stakes game where deception is key. She must use her wits and learn to lie to survive against a series of cunning opponents. This manga is a masterclass in psychological strategy and deception, which makes it a great pick for those who enjoyed the mind games in Squid Game.
Deception and Strategy
Liar Game emphasizes the mental aspect of survival. The games are designed to manipulate and exploit human nature. The characters must rely on their intelligence and ability to read others to succeed. The series takes readers through a series of complex scenarios that showcase the strategic thinking behind survival.
Darwin’s Game
Darwin’s Game is a thrilling series that blends action with supernatural elements. Kaname Sudou, the protagonist, gets drawn into a real-world mobile game where the players are given unique abilities called “Sigils.” These abilities are then used in deadly battles. The high stakes and constant threat of death create a gripping and action-packed story.
Superpowered Survival
Unlike Squid Game‘s focus on physical games, Darwin’s Game incorporates super-powered combat. The fights are fast-paced, and the characters must strategize on how best to utilize their Sigils. This blend of action and tactical thinking makes the series a compelling read for fans of both survival and shonen manga.
As the Gods Will
As the Gods Will is a disturbing and surreal series that begins with a seemingly ordinary day turning into a deadly game when a teacher’s head explodes. High school student Shun Takahata is forced to participate in a series of twisted childhood games with deadly consequences. The series blends horror with dark humor and is definitely not for the faint of heart.
Deadly Childhood Games
The series uses simple, childhood games and twists them into deadly contests. This makes the series quite chilling, as the familiar is made dangerous. Like Squid Game, the series is very graphic, with plenty of gruesome outcomes that highlight the stakes that the characters are up against.
Battle Royale
Battle Royale is a classic in the death game genre, and a strong source of inspiration for many series that followed. The story takes place in a dystopian Japan, where a class of junior high school students are forced to fight to the death on an isolated island. The series explores themes of desperation, morality, and the brutality of survival. It is a brutal and thought-provoking series.
The Original Death Game
Battle Royale is a key work in the death game genre, and its influence can be seen in Squid Game and many other survival series. It has a simple yet devastating concept, and examines the complex dynamics between students, friends, and enemies as they are put in a fight to the death.
Gantz
Gantz throws its characters into a bizarre and violent world. Kei Kurono and Masaru Kato die in a train accident and find themselves revived in a strange apartment, where they are tasked with battling grotesque aliens. It is a very violent series and features intense action and many unpredictable twists.
Sci-Fi Survival
Unlike Squid Game, Gantz brings in science fiction elements to the survival genre. The series has a distinctive art style and over-the-top action sequences that have gained it a strong cult following. Like Squid Game, Gantz is full of tension and highlights the desperation that its characters face.
Btooom!
Btooom! follows Ryota Sakamoto, an unemployed and socially awkward gamer who finds himself trapped in a real-life version of his favorite online game, where participants must kill each other using different types of bombs. This series has high stakes and its fast-paced action sequences create an intense survival story.
Game-Turned-Reality
Btooom! combines the virtual world with the deadly consequences of a real-life battle royale. The story explores the psychology of gaming and the impact of virtual experiences when brought into reality, and offers a unique take on the survival concept.
Deadman Wonderland
Deadman Wonderland is set in a bizarre prison that doubles as an amusement park. Ganta Igarashi is framed for a crime and sent to this terrifying place, where inmates participate in deadly games to entertain the public. The series is full of unique characters, grotesque situations and shocking plot twists.
A Deadly Amusement Park
Deadman Wonderland has a dark and twisted setting, which makes it very similar to Squid Game. The series offers an in-depth look at the cruelties of human nature and survival in the face of inhumane treatment.
Life is Money
Life is Money takes the concept of death games and sets it in a world obsessed with money. The story follows a group of people forced to participate in a series of deadly games for a chance to win a massive sum of money. It focuses on the psychological horror and the moral compromises the characters face, very similar to what is explored in Squid Game.
The Price of Greed
Life is Money combines intense psychological horror with the motivation of financial gain. This makes the series a dark reflection on human nature and the lengths people will go for money.
These ten manga series offer a diverse range of thrilling and thought-provoking stories that capture the essence of the death game genre. From the psychological intensity of Liar Game to the brutal action of Battle Royale, there is something for every fan of Squid Game. Each series delves into the complex nature of human morality, the desperation of survival, and the dark side of human behavior. If you are looking for stories that will keep you on the edge of your seat and make you think, then these manga series are definitely worth exploring.
