I love these kinds of strategy games and it's amazing how twisted they become, despite being quite simple. The commentary on humans and the human condition is very fascinating too, and I think the strongest points are the plot and the themes.

The problem is the characterization, but unlike most, I think Nao is a very good character. Her complete honestly at first and the way she changes is unique and moving. She begins to realize that trust and honesty are two different things, and tries to change herself. Despite becoming more clever and manipulative, she still holds to her roots and slowly becomes independent of Akiyama. Personally, I think Akiyama is the most boring character, just because he's very 2-D and always seems to mastermind everything and is, well, a bit overpowered by the later chapters. Some of the antagonists that come along are very interesting though, and they all have unique motivations for their 'evil' actions.

Either way, if you like this sort of stuff, Liar Game is an excellent read. It is sort of like Death Note, though Death Note is actually less dramatic, less suspenseful, but has much better characters.

It's definitely captivating but the main girl so far is annoying she just so self-centered...i hate it, saying she is an honest person w.e. looking all innocent when all she thinks about is herself and starts crying and yelling when everything doesn't go her way. hmph she is the biggest liar ever in the manga.

sorry i just don't like her....

Other than that it's kinda like watching one of the game shows but there are consequences and risks to it very interesting and exciting

... Last updated on December 17th, 2011, 8:17pm

I was reluctant to read this one, but I was soooo bored that I started it. And wow! Surprise!

Really this is a great manga, one of the best out there. I usually don't like comparisons, but due to Akiyama's resemblance with Yagami Light, I have to say that there are very nice contrasts. At the story level we can find many differences ( i.e. scenarios, characters, situations, etc.), Death Note is way wider than Liar Game, but I have to say: the last one has brought to me zero moments of boredom so far.

It's very enjoyable how every stage has simple rules and you'll see how they're pushed to extreme and unexpected levels. As many other readers say, it's true that lacks of romance, character development and action, but I think that's the purpose, this is ORIGINAL stuff.

As for the girl I don't really mind. I've read shoujo, so it's not worse that that. However, it's nice how she is completely naive and honest (bringing her back many problems) and starts to use this virtue in a different form. As for the other players, is truly delicious how they're forced to make alliances even though knowing they're enemies and that in any moment the war between them will begin.

If you are interested in politics and psychology issues, there are many references as well as analogies. Also if you're interested, you can check Game Theory, based on mathematical stuff but pretty close with economy, sociology and thus war, the branches controlling the world.

And overall, no one dares to ignore the game/drop out without paying. You've signed nothing, as law dictates you have no debt, but the fear of LGT office overcomes yourself and controls your mind.

I don't regret having read all the 141 chapters in less than 24 hours, hope you don't either.

I added this note to the description, but then decided my parenthetical comment didn't belong up there, so...

Mangahelpers reports will return Thursday of the week of Nov. 21. (Which in a happy irony for the fans works out to Thanksgiving in the USA.)

BTW, If you are curious why I specified the US because, for example, in Canada Thanksgiving or Jour de l'Action de Grâce happens on the second Monday in October. Oh, hey, that's Columbus Day in most of the US, Native American Day in South Dakota... And someday might be Indigenous People's Day throughout the US.

Anyway, it's been a long hiatus (even longer than my tangent), so, enjoy! And let's hope the mangaka is doing well.

Liar Game is pretty mind-blowing. There are very few manga series that have earned my respect, many are just guilty pleasures, but something about this is really amazing.

In terms of sheer smarts and logic, this is by far the most impressive series I’ve ever read. When I picked this up I couldn’t put it down. This is the only series where I had to think and focus hard to follow along, while other ones I could just skim to get the idea. Liar Game actually works a lot more strategically than it sounds and everything about its plot is so meticulously planned and executed that I almost wonder if Kaitani-sensei could write these games forever without losing his touch. Plus, this isn’t one of those stories that tries to trick the reader into thinking it’s smart. It actually IS smart, and it’s not convenient. Otherwise I would have dropped it immediately, but the scenarios/probabilities are all explained with grounded realism. Even though you know some twist is coming, it’s difficult to guess what it is specifically and despite the farfetched nature of the game itself, the way the events unfold and the players build their plans/alliances are very believable.

The flow of the manga is also impressive. The quality of the plot doesn’t really decrease and the pacing is perfect. If you’ve read anything longer than a one-shot, you’ll know that this is very rare. There are some arcs where more interesting and appealing to me personally (like the downsizing game and the virus arc), but honestly, all the games are incredibly intriguing. I have absolutely no reservations about recommending this one. It has the single best plot I've ever come across. 10/10.

... Last updated on April 15th, 2017, 1:03am

Despite some harsh critique it recieves, I could easily say that by far this is one of the best mangas and not to mention, underrated I have read. The plot is quite intresting and different from many other seinin manga.

It keeps you at the edge of your seat without there having to be any over the top battles.

As for the female lead, Nao, I dont think she is annoying at all. She is very kind and innocent, which works as a contrasts to all the sneaky and dishonest charavters in the story. She also gradually begins to grow a backbone during the series. I think she is an oasis in a desert of cliché and overused agressive/loud female leads.

... Last updated on September 7th, 2016, 2:04am

I actually ignored this manga in the beginning without giving it a second thought because it wasn't listed under the romance genre. I started reading this only after I saw what people started saying about Liar Game on Million Girl's forum.
The art suits the plot line even though it isn't my first choice. The game is interesting and makes you wanna read more. But the bad part of Liar game is how the author made the females less reliable and acted as if we don't have potential as much as guys. The female is more of a dependable person and sometimes pisses me off but shes got potential. That was kinda intimidating. Anyways the depth of the rounds shows how much effort and thought the author must've put into it. Too bad it's on hiatus. It's a definite read, I totally recommend this one!

this series is one of those manga that i cant help but want to spread about its existence to everyone i know. tell you the truth the characters are boring to me, nanao make me want to punch someone. but 'the game' itself is so simple yet so intricate in the way to win it, and the way people use psychological tricks to get their hand in the pot make this a very satisfying manga. the only reason i dont give 10 is because i never give full marks in anything.

i'll put this in completed cos i think the mangaka will never pick it up...but who knows, hunterxhunter got picked back up.

edit
YEAH it got pick backed up!!!!! damn, i'm so happy i can burst. me thinking if hxh and liar game got taken back...maybe there is god after all?

... Last updated on November 28th, 2011, 2:33pm

Started reading because I thought it had an interesting premise and I absolutely loved it.

It's a series where you have to concentrate a bit to understand what's going on and how all the various scams work but it's the puzzles that make the series so interesting in the first place. It's quite amazing to see how at first glance a quite simple setup can evolve into a complicated and engrossing battle of wits. The last arc especially was amazing, never have I found a game of musical chairs so interesting (Can kinda understand why it's on hiatus though, it must take a while to think all that stuff up...though I'd love it if he/she'd come back to it soon!)

I especially like the development of Nao's character as she starts of as quite naive and not really clued in, but later while still quite innocent she gets a little more canny and starts coming up with some good strategies of her own.

The artwork is a bit weird at times but fits the tone of the series.

Overall I highly recommend this for anyone who's tired of reading generically brainless stuff and up for something a bit more unique and stimulating

As a fan of strategic I think this is the one of the most awesome manga I've read. It's not just superficial strategie in which the reader is just deceived in order to make it seem "smart".

The only problem is - at which probably the most gave up on reading the manga - that the female protagonist takes a while (about ... I'm not sure probably 30 chapters) until she gains real confidence and isn't just controlled by her emotions. In the first chapters I was also temped to put the Manga away, because the protagonist seemed so clueless that it hurts (and I want to punch her more then cheering her on..because another guy had to save her the whole time..).. but nevermind that, the manga is great

... Last updated on February 12th, 2011, 3:04am