Your Friends have your back. Or… Do they? The Tomodachi Game

Tomodachi Game, translated to Friend Game, is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Yuki Sato. It was created by Mikoto Yamaguchi. Since December 2013, it has been serialized in Kodansha’s Bessatsu Shonen Magazine. In 2017, two live-action films and a television drama adaptation were released. Okuruto Noboru’s anime television series adaption premiered in April 2022. 

 “Tomodachi Game was a new Anime that I heard about on social media. I checked it out and I was so interested I had to finihs the manga version too.” says Nangpa K. a freshan at AISG.

 

Katagiri Yuichi, a high school student who prioritizes friendship above all else, lives happily with his close friends Sawagiri Shiho, Mikasa Tenji, Shibe Makoto, and Kokorogi Yutori. They are, however, dragged into a debt repayment game following a specific incident. The only way to win the “Tomodachi Game” is for the players to have faith in their companions. The game should’ve been simple, given it was held together by strong bonds, but– Will they betray or trust their closest friends? In the ultimate psychological game, humanity’s true nature is revealed!

With a Live Action Movie as well as a TV Show version being aired. This anime has been on many anime fans whatchlists, and for good reason. Fans and critics compare Tomodachi Game with the highly popular korean TV show ” Squid Game”. However, in comparison to many of its contemporaries, Tomodachi Game has two major differences. Firstly, rather than the characters wagering their survival, they risk their futures in the form of life-ruining debt. Secondly, the participants are all people that they believed to be their best friends.

“Tomodachi game was such a dark anime. THat it made my stomach churn, the betrayels and the greedy side of humans were clearly portrayed in this anime making it a show that I couldnt take my off.” says Tiger L. a freshman at AISG.