Squid Game quickly became famous worldwide for its thrilling and original storyline, which explores difficult themes like greed, poverty, and the hidden forces that control society. Created by Hwang Dong-hyuk, the show features complex characters caught in a desperate situation: they’re deeply in debt and invited to compete in a series of games, unaware that the stakes are life or death.
The incredibly rich ran a deadly game where desperate people were forced to lie, cheat, and even kill to win. Seasons two and three of Squid Game expanded on this premise, adding new characters pushed to their breaking points. With the show now concluded after its third season, fans craving similar thrills will have to find alternatives. Luckily, there’s a wealth of manga similar to Squid Game available to satisfy that desire for intense, life-or-death challenges.
9. Alice In Borderland
Unsuspecting Teens Are Drafted Into A Series Of Deadly Games
- Author: Haro Aso
- Manga Run: 2010–2016
- Status: Complete
- Number of Volumes: 18
- Alternative Versions: Netflix’s Alice in Borderland Live-Action Adaptation & A Short-Lived Anime That Is Mostly An Ad For The Manga
Ryouhei Arisu was a typical high school student, going through the motions like everyone else. But he often felt uneasy, questioning if his life had any real purpose or if the future held anything worth looking forward to. One day, while walking to school with his friends, he suddenly lost consciousness and woke up in a deserted city.
Lost and confused in a strange place, Arisu and his friends soon realize they’re in danger, caught up in a mysterious and dangerous scheme. They’re forced to compete in a series of deadly games without even understanding the rules. While his friends are terrified, Arisu feels strangely invigorated. This popular manga has been adapted into a live-action series, and a third season has just been announced.
8. Bokura No
Fun And Games Turn Into Life Or Death
- Author: Mohiro Kitoh
- Manga Run: 2003–2009
- Status: Complete
- Number of Volumes: 11
- Alternative Versions: Very Good Anime That Tells A Complete Story (But Not A Complete Adaptation Of The Manga)
Over the summer, a group of kids at a local camp decide to go exploring. Their adventure leads them to a cave where they meet a strange man named Kokopelli, who challenges them to a series of games. Excited but unaware, the children accept, not realizing how much their lives are about to change.
The next day, the children were suddenly inside a giant robot, tasked with battling another one just like it. They barely managed to win before being transported somewhere else. Now, they’re feeling lost and worried about the huge challenge ahead and the potential consequences of failure.
7. As The Gods Will
A Lone Teenager Must Play Like His Life Depends On It
- Author: Muneyuki Kaneshiro, Akeji Fujimura
- Manga Run: 2011–2016 (Includes As the Gods Will: The Second Series)
- Status: Complete
- Number of Volumes: 26 (Includes As the Gods Will: The Second Series)
- Alternative Versions: 2014 Live-Action Movie
As the Gods Will centers around Shun Takahata, an ordinary student who feels bored with school and life in general. Everything changes for him when his teacher unexpectedly explodes during class, throwing his world into chaos.
A doll magically assembles itself from broken parts and forces a group of children to play a terrifying version of red light, green light. If anyone moves when the doll is watching, they are killed instantly. The first player to reach and press a button on the doll’s back is supposed to win, but one by one, Shun’s classmates are brutally killed until he’s the only one remaining. To his shock, pressing the button doesn’t save him – instead, he’s thrown into another deadly game, and then another after that.
6. Darwin’s Game
A Supernatural Take On A Battle Royal
- Author: FLIPFLOPs
- Manga Run: 2012–2023
- Status: Complete
- Number of Volumes: 30
- Alternative Versions: Underwhelming Anime That Does Not Come Close To The Manga’s Quality
Kaname Suduo’s life took a dangerous turn when a friend got him hooked on a new mobile game. He soon discovered it wasn’t just a game – it was a fight for survival. Players gained powers through a random system and had to defeat each other, with real-life consequences. Kaname quickly understood this was unlike anything he’d experienced before, and his life was now at risk.
Now that Kaname knows he’s been marked as a target, he starts carefully planning his survival and the best way to win the game. He uses his ability to create things to team up with some of the most powerful players, promising them they’ll defeat those in control of the game and achieve victory. While the anime adaptation of Darwin’s Game wasn’t well-received, the manga is a fantastic and lengthy death game story. It’s full of suspense, unexpected turns, complex characters, and grand ideas. Though it occasionally feels a bit too long, it’s definitely worth reading.
5. Tomodachi Game
A Story About How Trust And Friendship Can Be So Fragile
- Author: Mikoto Yamaguchi, Yuki Sato
- Manga Run: 2013–2024
- Status: Complete
- Number of Volumes: 26
- Alternative Versions: Solid, Albeit Short Anime, And A Few Live-Action Versions
Yuuichi values his friends above all else. He’s deeply upset when a disagreement over missing school funds causes a rift between two of them. Soon after, Yuuichi and his friends are kidnapped and find themselves waking up in a white room, where they’re addressed by a toy that looks like Manabu Kun.
The truth comes out: a friend of Yuuichi’s orchestrated this strange situation to eliminate the debts everyone owes. However, they can only do so by playing a series of games designed to push their friendships to the limit. Tomodachi Game is a critically acclaimed psychological thriller known for its constant twists and shocking revelations. Though it sometimes gets wildly outlandish, the manga (and its anime adaptation) is consistently fun to watch. Yuuichi proves to be a surprisingly compelling main character with hidden depths.
4. Liar Game
A Story Of Wealth Vs. Worth
- Author: Shinobu Kaitani
- Manga Run: 2005–2015
- Status: Complete
- Number of Volumes: 29
- Alternative Versions: Multiple Live-Action Series, A Live-Action Movie, And An Upcoming 2026 Anime
Nao Kanzaki always strived to please her parents, which made her an incredibly sincere and trustworthy person. Her quiet life takes an unexpected turn when she receives a mysterious invitation and a significant amount of money.
Nao becomes intrigued when she learns a game offers a huge cash prize to players who can trick and outsmart others. Though completely unprepared, she teams up with a professional con artist, risking everything for a chance at fortune—or facing crippling, lifelong debt. Liar Game is a highly acclaimed manga known for its suspense and psychological twists, and while an anime adaptation is on the way, the extensive and captivating manga should be your top priority.
3. Btooom!
A Game Becomes Reality
- Author: Junya Inoue
- Manga Run: 2009–2018
- Status: Complete
- Number of Volumes: 26
- Alternative Versions: Pretty Good, Albeit Short Anime
I’ve always been fascinated by Ryouta. From the outside, he seems like a typical guy – a bit of a homebody who hasn’t really found his path yet. But then you learn he’s a total legend in the online gaming world! He’s unbelievably skilled, consistently beating everyone else in competitive play. It’s a surprising contrast, and honestly, it makes him really interesting.
Ryouta was a highly skilled gamer, but his confidence quickly turned to regret when he and twelve others were mysteriously taken to a deserted island. A shadowy figure had brought them there to play the game for real, forcing them into a deadly competition. Ryouta initially tried to avoid harming the other players, but he soon understood that survival – and getting home – meant he’d have to fight.
2. Battle Royale
A Twisted Game Created By The Government
- Author: Koushun Takami, Masayuki Taguchi
- Manga Run: 2000–2005 (Just Original Series, As Battle Royale Has Three Sequels)
- Status: Complete (Just Original Series, As The Most Recent Series – Battle Royale: Enforcers – Is Ongoing)
- Number of Volumes: 15 (Just Original Series)
- Alternative Versions: A Fantastic Movie, Although Battle Royale Started Life As A Novel
To gain greater control, the government launched a terrifying program. Each time, a school is randomly selected, and all its students are sent to a desolate area where they are forced to fight to the death until only one survivor remains.
Shuuya and his classmates initially think they’re going to their graduation, but they’re shocked to find themselves trapped in a room with explosive collars. They’re told this is their new reality and released into an open area, where they must be careful of each other to stay alive. While many students panic, some surprisingly seem prepared for the situation.
If you enjoy stories about deadly competitions, you’ve probably heard of Battle Royale, especially the movie, which is considered a landmark title in the genre. The original manga is less famous, but still quite popular. If you’d like a version that spends more time developing the characters, the manga is a great choice.
1. Kaiji
The Ultimate Gambling Manga That Rivals Squid Game
- Author: Nobuyuki Fukumoto
- Manga Run: 1996–
- Status: Ongoing
- Number of Volumes: 91
- Alternative Versions: Very Good Anime That Covers The First Few Arcs, Along With A Few Live-Action Films
If you’re looking for a gambling anime, Kaiji is considered the best, and it shares a lot of similarities with Squid Game. Both shows center around people in dire financial situations who end up competing in secret, high-stakes games. These games offer a chance at a better life, but participants risk everything – even their freedom – and are often treated cruelly by the wealthy individuals who run the competitions.
Okay, so if you loved Squid Game, you’ll probably see some parallels with Kaiji. The main character isn’t some brilliant mastermind; he’s relatable, makes mistakes, and gets knocked down a lot. Now, be warned: the original manga is a massive commitment. It’s a long read, and the artwork isn’t for everyone. But trust me, the story is worth it. Honestly, if you’re curious, the anime adaptation by Madhouse is the perfect jumping-on point – it’s a fantastic way to experience this world.
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2025-12-05 17:09