what is danganronpa?

danganronpa is a series of visual novel mystery games, supplemented by novels, anime, and spinoff games. The three main games (Trigger Happy Havoc, Goodbye Despair, and V3: Killing Harmony) all center around a group of extraordinary high school students trapped in their school with a black and white bear that calls itself Monokuma. They are stuck there forever--unless they kill a fellow student and get away with it.

what do i love about danganronpa?

despite the looming dread of the game's premise, it is the game's characters that i am obsessed with and the entire series means so much to me. i began playing the first game in 2022 on a friend's recommendation. I only played the first couple chapters of the second game before life stuff got in the way and took a hiatus, but I never stopped thinking about the game or its characters. finally, i ended up finishing all three main games back-to-back-to-back with a small group of friends in 2024-2025. i love both the themes of "hope vs. despair" as well as the theme of "truth vs lies" and tbh the series changed my life and helped me find a passion for creating again with art and writing inspired by the games.

the media i've seen

the three main games (Trigger Happy Havoc, Goodbye Despair, and Killing Harmony)

Danganronpa The Animation (anime of the first game's story)

Danganronpa 3: The End of Hope's Peak High School (an anime; not to be confused with the completely separate story of the 3rd game installment which is called V3, this is an anime featuring two storylines. One focuses on characters from the first game, and one focuses on characters from the second. Both storylines feature all new characters not present in any game.)

Danganronpa S: Summer Camp. (a spinoff game which features all characters from the games. kinda just for people who want to see more of the characters, as it puts characters from all three games into scenes where they interact together.)

the media on my list to see

Ultra Despair Girls (a spinoff adventure genre game. While it seems like it may have some of the lowest lows of the whole series, it also appears to have some genuinely funny writing and great character interactions between the two main characters.)

Danganronpa 2.5 Nagito Komaeda and the Destroyer of the World (an OVA featuring Nagito Komaeda from the second game, released exclusively in Japan.)

Danganronpa Trigger Happy Havoc IF (a light novel featuring an alternate story of the first game's events, released as a bonus feature within the second game's bonus content)

Danganronpa Kirigiri (a light novel series featuring character from the first game, Kyoko Kirigiri

Danganronpa Zero (light novel series with two volumes, serving as a prequel to the first game.)

favorite games

1. V3: Killing Harmony. I didn't expect this one to be my favorite when playing, but the theme of "truth vs. lies" was, I thought, very well done, and the cast of characters is honestly my favorite. every character is strong and has a purpose. the twists present here are my favorites in the entire series.

2. Goodbye Despair. I like how this game follows up on the first game's mystery and has you guessing what's really going on the entire time. Delves deeper into the theme of "hope vs. despair" and allows you to see another perspective, and has an amazing climax. Has some of the highest highs in the series and some of the best characters.

3. Trigger Happy Havoc. I don't dislike it in the least, it just falls to the bottom of the list because I have more things I like about the second and third installments. The atmosphere present in this game is still unmatched and the desparation and emotion felt by the characters here is so present and real throughout the whole game. It's the most grounded game in the series with more 'normal' character designs and personalities and it allows you to connect with them deeply.