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Film director Quentin Tarantino sparked controversy by publicly accusing author Suzanne Collins of copying the 1999 Japanese novel and film, Battle Royale, for her hit series, The Hunger Games.
The Django Unchained director claimed Collins simply created a "PG" version of the Japanese story, which also features young people being forced to fight each other to the death in a televised game. Quentin Tarantino stated:
“I do not understand how the Japanese writer didn’t sue Suzanne Collins for every fucking thing she owns. They just ripped off the fucking book! Stupid book critics are not going to go watch a Japanese movie called ‘Battle Royale,’ so the stupid book critics never called her out on it. They talked about how it was the most original thing they’d ever fucking read. As soon as the film critics saw the film they said, ‘What the fuck! This is just “Battle Royale” except PG!'”
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Quentin Tarantino slams The Hunger Games novel author Suzanne Collins for copying the Japanese dystopian action film, Battle Royale
Quentin Tarantino alleges that author Collins lifted the fundamental idea for The Hunger Games from the Japanese property, Battle Royale. Both stories share the striking premise of a televised, dystopian contest where teenagers are forced to fight each other to the death.
Battle Royale, which originated as a 1999 novel by Koushun Takami, was quickly adapted into a highly controversial and influential 2000 film by Kinji Fukasaku. The Inglourious Basterds director confirmed his deep connection to the source material, revealing that he was one of the very first people to see the Japanese dystopian action film. Quentin Tarantino stated:
“I had no idea what the fuck I was about to see. And holy fucking shit! I don’t even know what I saw. It was so wild… three months later I was at the Seattle Film Festival. They were going to be showing ‘Battle Royale’ at midnight. Nobody had seen this in America yet.
He further added:
“I got to the midnight screening and that was one of the most exciting screenings as I waited for the movie to start. I knew what they were going to see. This is going to deliver more than they even know! They are not prepared for how this is going to deliver. To have that knowledge was power.”
Notably, when these accusations first arose against Collins, the author strongly defended her work. In a 2011 chat with The New York Times, she made it clear that she had no idea the Japanese story even existed until she had already finished writing The Hunger Games. She stated:
"I had never heard of that book or that author until my book was turned in. At that point, it was mentioned to me, and I asked my editor if I should read it. He said: 'No, I don’t want that world in your head. Just continue with what you’re doing.'"
Suzan Collins' novel Sunrise on the Reaping has been adapted as the sixth film in The Hunger Games film series. It will be released on November 20, 2026.
Stay tuned for more updates.
