Yeah, it's come to the US. You can get it from Netflix if you want. And like Hooker said, this is really too good a movie for Google Video.
While I'm at it, it's Beat Takeshi.

Didn't know there was a Beat Takeshi before I saw it in 2002. Always thought these things were released first in the US, considering its rampant japanophile population.

Also, don't ever watch BR2.

In a similar vein, never read the novel or the manga. This is a rare case of a film adaptation so surpassing the source material as to render it embarrassing.

I haven't read the manga, but the novel is absolutely a piece of shit.

I disagree strongly. Maybe because I first read the novel before watching the movie as an angsty high schooler, but I was always disappointed that they cut the all of the politics and a lot of the psychological motivations of the characters from the movie. The translation however is a chore to work through given that it's rather Engrishy in parts.

However, the manga, while really well-drawn in a non-orthodox style, is total shit. And BR2 should be nuked off the face of the earth.

great movie. i haven't read the manga, but you should read ralph ellison's "the invisible man", from which the idea for the manga and film undoubtedly sprang. the "battle royal" chapter can be found here: http://www.wicknet.org/english/bfreeman/Anthology/battle_royal.htm .