Squid GameSeason 2 has taken the world by storm since its release, gaining global recognition for its gripping and intense story. However, with several months ahead before Netflix’srelease ofSquid Game’s third season, now is the perfect time to introduce fans to a similar title to enjoy in the meantime. Fortunately,anime has plenty of options for high-stakes game series that are sure to please anySquid Gamefanlooking to hold onto the survival atmosphere for a little longer.
In an interview withThe Hollywood Reporter,Squid Game’s creator, Hwang Dong-hyuk, even admitted being inspired byiconic survival death gamemangas likeLiar Game,Kaiji, andBattle Royale. Nonetheless, one anime that shares a similar premise and tone and isa must-watch for everySquid Gamefan isTomodachi Game.Tomodachi Gameis a short anime with only 12 episodes that not only shares themes with Squid Game but handles it in a different way that will feel fresh for viewers and keep them just as hooked as when watching player #456 trying to survive.
Tomodachi Game Shares Squid Game’s Concept but With a Unique Focus On Friendship
Tomodachi Game Is a Different Medium, but Both Series Have Plenty in Common
In bothSquid GameandTomodachi Game, the characters share the goal of having to go through a series of games in exchange for a large sum of money. But even though some viewers might think that this anime is inspired by the Netflix hit as it was released in Spring 2022, months after the success ofSquid Gameseason 1,TomodachiGame’s source material started in December 2013. Moreover,the anime has a higher level of deceit and mystery, since the characters don’t risk their lives in the game but their friendship, and end with an overwhelming debt.
InTomodachi Game, translated as Friendship Game, a group of five high schoolers is kidnapped to participate in a malicious game that seeks to test their unbreakable bond with a high amount of money at stake, as one of them has a large amount of debt. This is a major difference between both series, as inSquid Gameall the players have their own financial struggles and choose to participate, butinTomodachi Gameonly one player has debt and betrays their friends,so that their debt is equally divided among all.
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Additionally,Tomodachi Gamealso takes place in a space isolated from the world where the players are forced to play a sick version of traditional kids' games publicly broadcast to “gods” (like the VIPs inSquid Game), and with each phase passed, they will have a money prize credited to their debt. Although this might not come across as intense asSquid Game,this run-of-the-mill competition is focused on unsettling and dark mind gamesthat try to twist the character’s psychology so that they openly betray each other, which provides more depth thanother death gameswhere characters just get easily killed.
Tomodachi Game Explores Themes Like Trust and the Value of Human Relationships
Both Series Tackles Morality in Their Own Ways
Similar to howSquid Gamehas a police element of finding the truth behind the game,inTomodachi Gamethe fact that there is a traitor among the friends creates a different level of tension and mysterywhen trying to discover who it is, as well as raises the question whether it’s really possible to trust others, even friends, when knowing that one of them is lying.
While there is also betrayal and deception inSquid Game, the players are mostly strangers, so the relationship formed in the game doesn’t carry the same meaning as one builded over a long time, like inTomodachi Game. Moreover, just likeSquid Gamedelves into greed and what people are willing to do for money,Tomodachi Gameis also full of moral dilemmas and steadily escalates, acquiring an increasingly darker and more sinister tone as it explores human nature, relationships, what people would risk for those they value, and if it’s true that friendship is worth more than money.
Tomodachi Game Pushes the Players' Limits, Exposing their Dark Secrets
Tomodachi GameTakes “You Never Truly Know Someone” to the Extreme
The differenceinTomodachi Gameis that the purpose of each game is to test the player’s friendship by pushing their limitsand pinning them against each other, for which this mischievous organization plays perfectly with the tension of the games to which the characters are subjected, creating an environment in which it is impossible for them to maintain their sanity and loyalty by exposing their dirtiest secrets.
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This also creates the perfect situation to demonstrate the different facets of the group of friends, especiallythe protagonist Yuichi Katagiri, who is complex and well-constructed and has a duality and wit that will shock fans, creating anticipation of seeing how far he will go. Likewise, as the past and true personality of each character is revealed, they show that they aren’t who they appear to be.
Tomodachi Game is a Story Made to be Loved by Thriller Fans
The Anime is Available on Streaming Platforms
Tomodachi Gameis available to stream on Crunchyroll and Prime Video andadapts perfectly to the psychological thriller genre, cleverly engaging the viewer with several cliffhangers, especially with the twists and turns of each game, so it is appropriate even for those who aren’t fans of the medium. Also, although its main characters are in high school, the fact that it is a seinen means that it is more mature and aimed at an adult audience.
Likewise, the story has also been adapted into a live-action series and films, and even though the anime has not yet confirmed a second season yet, those who enjoy the series can venture into the original manga, which recently finished with only 127 chapters.Tomodachi Gameoffers its own unique charm and is a perfect alternative for fans clamoring for a brand-new death-game seriesafterSquid Gameor for people who enjoy a truly gripping and interesting story.
Tomodachi Game
Cast
High school students find their friendships and moral boundaries tested as they are forced to participate in a psychological game to repay a mysterious debt, revealing hidden truths and conflicts.
