He is best known for his 1999 novel Battle Royale,[1] which was later adapted into two live-action films, directed by Kinji Fukasaku, and four manga series.
The author then adopted the kanjis 広春 (large spring) and used their on'yomi pronunciation to form his new name: Kōshun.
It was rejected in the final round of the 1997 literary competition Japan Grand Prix Horror Novel, due to its controversial content depicting Junior High School children forced to kill one another.
When finally published in April 1999, it went on to become a bestseller, and only a year later was made into both a manga and a feature film.
As well as being critically acclaimed,[2][3][4][5][6][7] the Battle Royale series has become infamous not only in Japan, but around the world and has earned cult status.