The global phenomenon that is Squid Game captivated audiences with its brutal survival games, social commentary, and psychological tension. If you’re looking to fill the void left by the Korean drama, the world of manga offers a plethora of series with similar themes and gripping narratives. These manga explore the dark side of human nature, the desperation for survival, and the complexities of social inequality, often within the framework of deadly games.
Death Games and High Stakes
Many manga delve into the “death game” genre, where characters are forced to participate in dangerous competitions for survival. These stories are characterized by high stakes, intense psychological battles, and often, gruesome outcomes.
Battle Royale
A classic in the genre, Battle Royale, by Koushun Takami, is a must-read for fans of Squid Game. A group of students are forced to fight each other to the death on an isolated island. The manga explores the depths of human morality and the lengths people will go to survive. This series has been a major influence on many survival game stories, including Squid Game, making it a perfect choice for those seeking a similar experience.
Alice in Borderland
Alice in Borderland, by Haro Aso, presents a group of unsuspecting teens who are transported to a parallel world where they must compete in a series of deadly games to survive. With its blend of psychological thrills and high-stakes challenges, this manga offers a similar sense of desperation and intensity as Squid Game. It has also been adapted into a live action Netflix series.
Kamisama no Iutoori (As the Gods Will)
For those who enjoyed the childish yet deadly nature of the games in Squid Game, Kamisama no Iutoori by Muneyuki Kaneshiro, is a great match. High school students are suddenly forced to participate in bizarre and deadly versions of children’s games. The manga is known for its shocking twists and high level of gore. Its focus on survival horror based on children’s games is very similar to the premise of Squid Game.
Darwin’s Game
Darwin’s Game, created by FLIPFLOPs, introduces a supernatural twist to the death game genre. Players use special abilities called “Sigils” to battle each other, making the series more tactical compared to others. While the premise involves a battle royale, its emphasis is on strategic planning and understanding one’s abilities to win, rather than brute strength.
Tomodachi Game
Tomodachi Game, by Yuki Sato, focuses less on physical games and more on psychological warfare and the fragility of friendships. A group of high school friends are forced to participate in a game that tests their bonds of loyalty, with a large amount of money at stake. This series is known for its high level of deceit and mystery, with characters often betraying one another. The manga also received an anime adaptation in 2022.
Psychological Thrillers and Mind Games
If the psychological aspects of Squid Game were what captivated you, then these manga focusing on mind games and suspense will surely appeal to you.
Liar Game
Liar Game, written and illustrated by Shinobu Kaitani, centers on a college student who gets caught up in a tournament where deception and lying are essential for winning money. This psychological thriller delves into the human psyche, examining how far people are willing to go in the name of greed. Like Squid Game, it explores the effects of debt and money on people.
Kaiji
Gambling Apocalypse: Kaiji, by Nobuyuki Fukumoto, follows Kaiji Ito, a compulsive gambler who finds himself in debt to loan sharks. He must participate in a series of dangerous games on a gambling ship to pay off his debt. The manga is known for its high stakes and intense depiction of gambling, as well as the psychological toll of debt. Squid Game‘s creator, Hwang Dong-hyuk, has mentioned Kaiji as one of the manga that influenced him.
Doubt
In Doubt, created by Yoshiki Tonogai, a group of people playing a popular mobile game similar to Mafia find themselves in a real-life version where they must find the “wolf” among them before they are all killed. This manga blends horror with strategic elements, requiring characters to think like detectives to survive.
Social Commentary and Dystopian Worlds
Squid Game offers a sharp critique of social inequality and capitalism. These manga also explore similar themes through dystopian settings and high-stakes scenarios.
Snowpiercer
Originally a French graphic novel, Snowpiercer, illustrates a dystopian world after a climate catastrophe. The few survivors live on a train that runs on a perpetual track. The graphic novel highlights the class differences and the grim struggles within a confined society. This is a great choice for readers seeking a story that addresses class differences.
My Hero Academia
While seemingly a superhero manga, My Hero Academia, by Kohei Horikoshi, delves into social issues such as discrimination and inequality. The manga explores how people are treated differently due to their unique powers, or “quirks”, reflecting the social divides seen in Squid Game. Those without powers are often treated as outcasts, highlighting the social commentary in the manga.
Survival
Takao Saito’s Survival (1976-1980) is a classic survival manga that follows a young boy who must survive on his own after a massive earthquake devastates Japan. It is an early example of the survival manga genre, depicting the harsh realities of survival in a dystopian world.
Other Notable Manga
Several other manga share thematic similarities with Squid Game, offering unique twists on the survival game genre:
- Dead Tube: A manga where people upload graphic videos to a website to win prize money.
- Real Account: Explores social media betrayals.
- Gantz: Features characters who are resurrected and forced to participate in alien-hunting missions.
- Deadman Wonderland: Inmates of a prison must participate in deadly games for the amusement of spectators.
- Btooom!: Players use bombs to eliminate other players in a real-life video game.
Manga’s Influence
Manga’s influence extends beyond entertainment. Its visual storytelling style makes it an accessible entry point to literature, with its unique art style impacting various forms of art, from comic books and graphic novels to animated films and video games.
The popularity of manga has also led to the creation of webcomics and digital platforms. These platforms have given many aspiring creators the ability to share their stories with a global audience.
Conclusion
If you were captivated by the intense survival games, psychological depth, and social commentary of Squid Game, the world of manga has much to offer. From classic death game series to psychological thrillers and dystopian narratives, there are numerous titles that explore similar themes with unique and compelling stories. These manga will not only entertain but also leave you pondering the depths of human nature and the complexities of society.
