All You Need Is Kill

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Alternative Titles

Synonyms: Edge of Tomorrow, Live Die Repeat

Japanese: All You Need Is Kill

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Information

Type: Light Novel

Volumes: 1

Chapters: 4

Status: Finished

Published: Dec 18, 2004

Genres: Action, Sci-Fi

Theme: Military

Serialization: None

Authors: ABe, Yoshitoshi (Art), Sakurazaka, Hiroshi (Story)

Statistics

Score: 7.89¹ (scored by 5,038 users)

¹ indicates a weighted score.

Ranked: #1025²

² based on the top manga page. Please note that 'R18+' titles are excluded.

Popularity: #1519

Members: 13,867

Favorites: 600

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Wikipedia

7.89

Ranked #1025Popularity #1519Members 13,867

Light NovelABe, Yoshitoshi (Art), Sakurazaka, Hiroshi (Story)

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Volumes: /1

Chapters: /4

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Synopsis

The story is told from the first person point of view of the protagonist Keiji Kiriya. Keiji is a new recruit in the United Defense Force, fighting against the mysterious creatures called "Mimics" which have laid siege to Earth. Keiji is killed on his first sortie, but through some inexplicable phenomenon wakes up having returned to the day before the battle, only to find himself caught in a time loop as his death and resurrection repeats time and time again. Keiji's skills as a soldier grows as he passes through the time loops trying to change his fate.

(Source: Wikipedia)

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Background

All You Need Is Kill was published in English by VIZ Media under the Haikasoru imprint on July 21, 2009. The VIZ Media edition does not include Yoshitoshi Abe's illustrations. It was also published in Italian by Planet Manga on May 31, 2014, and in Polish by Galeria Książki in June 2014.

The novel inspired the 2014 American film Edge of Tomorrow and was adapted into an American graphic novel in the same year. The novel was re-released under the same title as the film by VIZ Media on April 29, 2014.

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Characters

Vrataski, Rita

Main

Kiriya, Keiji

Main

Raylle, Shasta

Supporting

Kisaragi, Rachel

Supporting

Jin, Yonabaru

Supporting

Ferrell, Bartolome

Supporting

Reviews

Oct 21, 2019

GlassPufferfish

Recommended

All You Need Is Kill is a built with a great premise. Humans are locked in a losing battle with aliens, when one soldier- a weakling called Keiji- 'dies'. But then he wakes up to find himself in a time loop.
When this was adapted into the American Film it was called 'Groundhog Day with Aliens' which was such a baffling comparison that I ended up watching the film in the cinema. If you did watch "Edge of Tomorrow" then I can see that mistake being made- the film way basically that. But the manga builds an empire on this premise. Without the westernisation of the ... story All You Need Is Kill is a gore filled tragedy. The main character finds himself faced with his mortality and facing the understanding that no matter how perfect a soldier he becomes he will never be able to face the insurmountable odds. This isn't an allegory for war- it is war and it's painful, cruel and sad.
The Story: 7/10
Keiji Kiriya is a new soldier in the United Defense Force, an army armed with exo-skeletons who fight an invading alien species called the Mimics. Unprepared for the horrors awaiting him he is pushed out onto the battle field, dying in his first battle after killing a Mimic that is different in appearance to the others. Then he wakes up. Then dies again. Again and again, he is brutally killed and resurected all the while he gains skill. A female soldier named Rita- renowned for being the best a soldier can be, is revealed to have faced an identical fate. Through each loop he trains, gains access to her weapon until she recognises, in one loop, the situation he is in- realising she needs to help him.
The Art: 9/10
Art in manga means very little to me these days, One Punch Man and Mob Psycho both show art doesn't have much effect on the experience. However All You Need Is Kill have some stunning panels. When I saw the Aliens on the battle field, the detail was so incredible I felt sickened but in awe. The image of Keiji in his exoskeleton on the battle field- covered in blood and out of breath shocked me in it power. The expressions can be janky at times, sometimes even a bit generic, but the use of expression to show Keiji losing his will to live is almost makes up for that in my mind.
The Characters: 9/10
How do you design a character who constantly dies, no matter how well he does? How do you make his personality develop, or regress? The character development of Keiji from a terrified boy, to a man miserable with existence and unable to stand living, to a soldier with honour and pride is so well done that you never stop and say "Well that was a jump". Every character in this develops, even when they never have more than a day to do so. However the main emphasis of character is put upon Keiji and Rita. Is this a bad thing? Not at all, rather it allows us to explore the unique horror of a situation where you are trapped alone with a fate worse than death. Keiji's character arc watched him face insurmountable odds, he looks into the void and he hates what he sees.
All You Need Is Kill is honestly one of the saddest things I've read- dealing with issues such a self-worth, sacrifice and mortality. Very much worth the read four years on.

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Dec 23, 2013

post_human

Mixed Feelings

I read the translated (in english) version by Viz media, so this review is based on that version.
First of all I didn't know this was going to be a Hollywood movie when I started but found out when I was about 1/3rd through (otherwise I might have read some other "Haikasoru" novel).
If you have read the synopsis you know this is gonna be sci-fi time loop story, you know there is going to be action, and you definitely know this book is heavily video game influenced.
And you would be write on all accounts, this is a book where a private called "Keiji" is caught in ...

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Death Note's Takeshi Obata Adapts Hiroshi Sakurazak's Light Novel 'All You Need Is Kill' Into Manga

Takeshi Obata, who drew the popular manga "Death Note" and "Bakuman.," will be adapting Hiroshi Sakurazaka's light novel "All You Need is Kill" into a manga starting...read more

Dec 2, 2013 10:58 PM by tsubasalover | Discuss (34 comments)

Live Action Movie of Novel 'All You Need is Kill' Starring Tom Cruise Announced

According to Anime!Anime!, Warner Brothers has announced that a live action movie of light novel "All You Need is Kill" will be premiered in the US on March 14th 201...read more

Oct 1, 2012 3:07 AM by dtshyk | Discuss (33 comments)

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Is the LN and Manga had a different story? xxy_ - May 5, 2021	1 replies	by paveljanik »» Nov 30, 2022 11:01 AM
Why All You Need Is Kill hasn't received an anime adaptation? ( 1 2 ) Azlan - May 2, 2014	60 replies	by Alexioos95 »» Sep 12, 2022 12:16 PM
Poll: All You Need Is Kill Chapter 4 Discussion Kikoman589 - Jul 7, 2014	4 replies	by Deago »» Aug 23, 2022 6:49 PM
All You Need is Kill Movie adaption, Edge of Tomorrow Shylp - Feb 28, 2014	8 replies	by TitanInsane »» Apr 11, 2022 9:35 AM
Poll: All You Need Is Kill Chapter 1 Discussion SideCharacterKal - Nov 8, 2021	0 replies	by SideCharacterKal »» Nov 8, 2021 4:04 PM

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