Theatrical Release Date: Japan, 2012
Director: Mark P. Forever
Writer: Ryosuke Oomine
Cast: Mako Higashio, Hiroaki Kawatsure, Nina, Kaori Sasaki, Runa Shimotsuki, Hitomi Usano

DVD released: September 25th, 2012
Approximate running time: 77 Minutes
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 Anamorphic Widescreen
Rating: NR
Sound: Dolby Digital Stereo Japanese
Subtitles: English
DVD Release: Danger After Dark
Region Coding: Region 1 NTSC
Retail Price: $17.99

Synopsis: Four women with considerable amounts of debt are forced to participate is a risqué of Strip Mahjong.

Before getting to far into this review it is probably best to explain what Mahjong is? It is a game that is usually played with four players (as it is done in this film). Though is some countries like Korea and Japan they game is sometimes played with three players. The game originated in China and it is played with a set of 136 titles which have Chinese characters and symbols. Is this game sounds familiar? That is because is similar to the card game rummy.

Content wise, there is not that much to  Strip Mahjong: Battle Royale. In fact the film’s title perfectly sums up what this film is all about in a nutshell. And like so many films from Japan that are making their way to North American shores. The action takes place primarily in one main location, most of the female cast members will lose clothing along the way and in most instances they way in which their clothing is removed is over the top and elaborate. Also those who are hoping for a heaping helping of perversion need not to worry, since this film delivers in this regard.

Though pacing is never an issue. There is a predictability to the story at hand and thus the film does tend to drag at times. Visually the film knows where its strongest assets are, its female cast and they exploit these assets to the fullest. With that being said, this also ties into the performances which are at best adequate. But then if you are watching a film titled Strip Mahjong: Battle Royale. Are you really expecting to be wowed by the performances.

The first half of this film’s title is in reference to the game which the contestants are playing. While the second part of the title is an obvious reference to Kinji Fukasaku’s Battle Royale. Unfortunately the end result is anything remotely as shocking or potent as the aforementioned Battle Royale. To best sum up Strip Mahjong: Battle Royale, it is a by the numbers soft core romp that treads all to familiar ground.

The DVD:

Danger After Dark presents Strip Mahjong: Battle Royale in an anamorphic widescreen that retains the film’s intended aspect ratio. The image looks clean, details look crisp and there are no problems with compression.

This release comes with one audio option, a Dolby Digital stereo mix in Japanese and removable English have been included with this release. Though limited range wise, this audio mix is a more than satisfactory mix that always presents dialog clearly and everything sounds balanced.

Extras for this release are limited to trailers for other titles also distributed or released by Danger After Dark. Overall Strip Mahjong: Battle Royale gets a good audio / video presentation from Danger After Dark