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So you’ve heard all the fuss about Squid Game, right? You’ve most likely binged it, gasped at every wild plot twist, and said, “Man, this is really new stuff!” Well, here’s something you don’t know: there was an anime that completely did it first, way before we saw all those red jumpsuits and creepy doll statues go mainstream! Meet Kaiji Ultimate Survivor, the absolute blueprint for all that high-stakes, nerve-shredding, capitalism-sucks brand of entertainment.

Released in 2007, animated by the legends at Madhouse, and based on Nobuyuki Fukumoto’s gritty manga, Kaiji is what happens when life punches you in the gut and then offers you a shady way out, in the form of gambling. Dangerous, rigged, soul-crushing gambling. And sure enough, it’s as awesome as it sounds.

Kaiji Ultimate Survivor: High stakes, higher tension

Alright, imagine this: the first game is Rock-Paper-Scissors. That’s it.

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If you are an anime fan with a Shudder subscription in November 2024, then you might find yourself overwhelmed with the sheer number of brilliant anime shows you can find on the horror streaming service. So, if you love anime or want to get into the colorful world of anime, then this month Shudder has some amazing options.

Parasyte – The Maxim Season 1 (November 28) Credit – Madhouse

Parasyte – The Maxim is a Japanese horror thriller drama anime series. Based on the Parasyte manga series by Hitoshi Iwaaki, the Madhouse series follows Shinichi Izumi, a high school boy whose right hand becomes the host for an alien entity who calls itself Migi after which they join forces to fight against other alien parasites feasting on humans.

Is it Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? Seasons 1-4 (November 28) Credit...

Kaiji is often presented as a brutal death game akin to (and inspiring) Squid Game; this comparison misses the mark, as well as what makes Kaiji so special. Kaiji is the story of the title character, Kaiji Ito, who is tricked by his friend into signing off on a predatory loan. The funds were intended for gambling, and when the money is lost and the interest accumulates, a loan shark named Yuji Endo shows up at his door.

Endo tempts him with a cruise called the Espoir the ship of hope. There, a death game would happen: the winners would be debt-free, while the losers would be deeper in debt, handed off to an undisclosed (at the time) fate. Kaiji initially declines, but he realizes his paycheck will mostly vanish until the loan is repaid, which will take many years. Kaiji takes his first big leap of faith and boards...

“Akagi: The Genius Who Descended into Darkness” is a tour de force in the world of manga that transcends the traditional boundaries of its genre. Created by Nobuyuki Fukumoto and first published in 1991, “Akagi” tells the gripping story of Shigeru Akagi, a young man who, on a stormy night, stumbles into a yakuza-run mahjong parlor and begins an unexpected journey into the high-stakes world of underground gambling. With no prior knowledge of mahjong, Akagi demonstrates an innate talent for the game, coupled with a fearless approach to risk-taking, quickly making a name for himself as a prodigious gambler.

Over the years, “Akagi” has captivated readers with its intense psychological battles, intricate strategy, and the philosophical ponderings of its characters, cementing its place as a classic in manga literature. Its longevity is a testament to its broad appeal; while the manga is deeply rooted in the intricacies of mahjong, its allure...

An understated factor of compelling characterization, the visual design of a character can be just as important as their personality or narrative development. Strong character design serves to make a hero recognizable and encompasses the nuances of their subtle quirks, traits, and ideals through visual aesthetics. A well-executed design speaks louder than words or actions, instantaneously telling the audience everything they need to know about a character, from their general affiliations to the most intricate aspects of their personality.

Most anime series like to stick to the basics when it comes to character design, rarely venturing out of the established norms. However, some series dare to break conventions and put extra effort into making their characters stand out through their design.

Related: 15 Anime With The Most Unique Art Styles

Kaiba

Director Masaaki Yuasa was never a fan of conventional art styles, constantly experimenting with visual identities and world-bending aesthetics in his work.

If you’re a fan of gambling and sports betting movies (like the ones depicted with sbobet), then you have to watch Kaiji.

Never heard of it? It’s a Japanese live-action film based on a manga (Japanese comics) of the same name. Written by Nobuyuki Fukumoto, it’s a top-rated series in its home country.

The film is a trilogy, with the original movie Kaiji (in the U.K., it’s titled Kaiji: The Ultimate Gambler)released in October 2009. It stars Tatsuya Fujiwara in the lead role, a well-known Japanese actor who also starred in other anime adaptations such as Death Note and Battle Royale.

The producers of Kaiji released two other films in the series. They were Kaiji 2, released in 2011, and Kaiji: Final Game, in 2019. Both movies differ from the manga in terms of outcomes and choices made by Kaiji, but the settings and events remain roughly the same.

Any fan of manga or anime will know how they have taken on many forms and embraced a range of exciting and outlandish themes through the years.

However, arguably one of the biggest success stories to emerge from those areas in recent decades is Kaiji, a story that has intriguingly embraced gambling and gone on to become a major multimedia franchise.

A success in many forms

Gambling as a pastime has been popular for years and these days it is arguably bigger than ever. Sports betting and casino gaming have been given a new lease of life thanks to the internet, with many online sites now offering a range of different experiences under one roof. Genesis Casino is a good example of this trend, as the site has breathed new life into classic gambling pastimes such as roulette, blackjack and slot machines. While some may be digital forms of the games,...

The film stars Tatsuya Fujiwara and is the third in the series.

Japan’s Nippon Television (Ntv) is launching sales at Asian Film Market on the third installment in its series based on the popular Kaiji manga, Kaiji: Final Game, again starring Tatsuya Fujiwara.

Created by Nobuyuki Fukumoto, the Kaiji manga about a consummate gambler and his misadventures has previously spawned an anime TV series and two live-action films: Kaiji: The Ultimate Gambler (2009) and Kaiji 2: Jinsei Dakkai Game (2011). The manga also inspired a Chinese live-action film, Animal World, released in June 2018.

Kaiji: Final Game, again directed by Toya Sato,...

Jurassic World 2 passes 2015 predecessor to become the sixth highest grossing foreign film of all time.

The last week of June (Jun 25-Jul 1) marked the beginning of a two-month onslaught of Chinese summer blockbusters. The first of which is Animal World which opened top, ending the 14-day No.1 reign of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.

Based on the Japanese manga by Nobuyuki Fukumoto, the Chinese gambling adventure took $35.9m from its three-day opening weekend (including previews). It follows a young man played by Li Yifeng who is forced to take part in a violent game when trapped on a gambling ship.

The film,...

Released on DVD on July 26 is Kaiji: The Ultimate Gambler, based on Nobuyuki Fukumoto's award-winning manga Tobaku Mokushiroku Kaiji and 26-part anime series.

Kaiji Ito (Tatsuya Fujiwara - Death Note/Battle Royale) moves to Japan after graduating from high school. Unable to find a job and frustrated with society at large, Kaiji spends his days gambling, vandalising cars, and drinking.

Two years later and his life is no better. A debt collector named Endo arrives to collect payment. She then offers two choices to Kaiji: spend 10 years paying off his loan or board a gambling boat for one night to repay his debt and possibly make a whole lot more.

Meanwhile, the unscrupulous Endo is actually conning Kaiji, believing he won't come back from his voyage. Kaiji is then up for the night of his life......

The film stars Tatsuya Fujiwara (Death Note, Death Note: The Last Name, Battle Royale 1 & 2), Kenichi Matsuyama (Death Note,...

UK label 4Digital Asia will be releasing Toya Sato's Kaiji: The Ultimate Gambler on DVD this July. The film is a live-action adaptation of Nobuyuki Fukumoto’s popular gambling manga, "Tobaku Mokushiroku Kaiji" and was released in Japan back on October 10, 2009.

Tatsuya Fujiwara (Battle Royale, Death Note) stars as Kaiji Ito, a down-and-out gambler who's been unable to find steady work since graduating from high school. Instead, he's spent the past two years drinking, vandalizing luxury cars, and racking up a sizable debt. One day, a debt collector named Endo (Yuki Amami) gives Kaiji an ultimatum: spend the next 10 years making payments on his loan or board a gambling boat for a chance to pay it off in one night. Endo's offer is actually an elaborate con, because she knows Kaiji has little hope of returning from the voyage alive, but Kaiji soon discovers his otherwise mediocre gambling skills increase...

Speaking of Tatsuya Fujiwara [see below] it was announced this past weekend that his costar from the Death Note films, Kenichi Matsuyama, will be in a supporting role in the upcoming manga adaptation Kaiji. We’re pretty outspoken about our admiration for Kenichi these days and Tatsuya kind of lost me after Battle Royale 2 but the Death Note films were so much fun I would give him the benefit of the doubt. Not that a film about gambling can even be compared with a thriller about death gods and their note books.

Based on Nobuyuki Fukumoto’s manga “Tobaku Mokushiroku Kaiji” about a gambler named Kaiji (Fujiwara) stuck in a dangerous game trying to clear an enormous debt. Kaiji Ito moves to Japan after graduating from high school. Unable to find a job and frustrated with society at large, Kaiji spends his days gambling, vandalizing cars, and drinking booze. Two years later and his life no better,...