He reportedlyencouraged teens to sneak into theatersto watch the movie if they could.
Other politicians reportedlyasked the executives not to release the movie at all.
The first reported screening ofBattle Royalein the United States wasn’t until 2002 in California.
Image via Toei
But why was there such a resistance to a wide release in America in the first place?
The simplest explanation is timing.
These are some of the greatest free-for-alls ever put to screen.
Image via Toei Company
This, combined withthe negative press thatNatural Born Killersreceivedyears before, reportedlymade Japanese distributor Toei nervous.
So,in 2011, America finally joined in on thefrayofBattle Royale, 11 years after its debut.
Even Takami himself explained thathe took inspiration from both wrestling andThe Long WalkbyStephen King.
But director Kinji Fukasakus main focus is on the emotional conflict and terror of the students.
Image via Toei Company
