Kyosuke Munakata

Kyosuke Munakata (宗方 京助 Munakata Kyōsuke) is a character and former antagonist featured in Danganronpa 3: The End of Hope's Peak Academy, as well as a participant in the Final Killing Game.

He is the vice-leader of Future Foundation and leader of the 2nd Division. His responsibility is to oversee overall management, including any and all construction of new facilities. Despite being only vice-leader, Kyosuke holds the most control.

During his time at Hope's Peak Academy, Kyosuke's title was Ultimate Student Council President (超高校級の「生徒会長」chō kōkō kyū no "seitokaichō.") The successor to his title is Soshun Murasame.

During the Final Killing Game, Kyosuke kills Kazuo Tengan by slicing his jugular vein, destroys the robotic doppelganger of Miaya Gekkogahara by slashing it in half, and severely wounds Juzo Sakakura by stabbing him through the stomach.

Kyosuke survives the Final Killing Game along with the other four survivors after Juzo deactivated the televisions by switching to emergency power.

After the Final Killing Game was over, Kyosuke decided to leave the Future Foundation to focus on carrying on his own burden.

Appearance
Kyosuke is tall and lean with a pasty white complexion. His appearance is also very colorless; he has silver hair, blue eyes, and a cold expression. He wears a pale suit with a blue dress shirt, and a faded pink necktie. His tie has a mysterious black insignia on it, and the tips of his shoes have three dots pointed in a triangle. He lost his right eye after a confrontation with Kazuo.

Prior to the Tragedy, Kyosuke wore a black suit instead of a white one. He also appeared to be slightly shorter.

Personality
Kyosuke is cold and authoritative, holding an incredible amount of anger towards Ultimate Despair and is in favor of killing them. At one point, he was stated to be charismatic, which is demonstrated in Juzo and Chisa Yukizome's loyalty to him, showing that he can be influential. His opinions are very radical, as he believes Despair should be eliminated at all cost, even if sacrifices, like his own death, must be made.

Kyosuke states that he does not believe solely in hope or despair, but power. He understands that (similar to Nagito Komaeda) in order for hope to be fully appreciated, you need to go through a greater despair beforehand. He believes that despair breeds hope, and therefore it needs to be embraced. He disagrees with Makoto Naegi because of this, as he only wants to embrace hope. Though throughout his struggle in the Final Killing Game, it becomes apparent at just how pessimistic Kyosuke had become—choosing only to focus on despair without seeing the good that was still left in the world.

Kyosuke is decisive, overly logical, and reserved. He tries to distance himself from emotional reasoning as much as possible, to keep his emotions from getting in the way of his decisions. He is aware that he has to make the tough choices that few others are willing to make, and has resigned himself to the responsibility. Because of this, he seems to view himself as very martyr-like, as he is willing to put himself into unfavorable opinions with others in order to get things done.

Ultimate Student Council President
As the Ultimate Student Council President, Kyosuke is a natural leader. As a testament to his leadership abilities, he was made the vice-leader of the Future Foundation.

Before the events of the Tragedy, he is shown to be much more relaxed and charismatic, though still incredibly dedicated to his work. Chisa Yukizome states that he is the type of person who, when he makes a decision, he sticks to it. All of these qualities have proven to make him a very influential person, which is demonstrated by his friends' loyalty to him.

Master Swordsmanship
Beyond his talent, Kyosuke is a skilled swordsman. He is skilled enough to hold his own against Peko, the former Ultimate Swordswoman, and the Great Gozu, who is a former Ultimate Wrestler.

Hand-to-Hand Combat
Kyosuke is perfectly capable of fighting without his sword. In Side: Despair he is seen fighting some Reserve Course students alongside Juzo, knocking out one of them with a single chop to the side of their neck.

Prior to the Tragedy
Kyosuke was most likely heavily involved in his middle school's student council, which allowed him to be noticed by Hope's Peak Academy.

He was scouted to join Hope's Peak's 74th Class as the Ultimate Student Council President. During this time, he met and had a profound influence on two of his classmates, Juzo and Chisa. He graduated an estimated 3-4 years before the Tragedy; his title was succeeded by Soshun Murasame, a member of the 77th Class.

On the graduation day, Kyosuke was standing with his classmates, Chisa and Juzo. He watched them in silence as the two of them speak and commented what a strange pair they are. He complimented them both on their talents, saying that they could work anywhere if they really wanted to—but is grateful to the both of them after they declared that the three of them need to stick together. Kyosuke opens up about his worries concerning bad rumors surrounding Hope's Peak and makes a decision to change things.

Kyosuke decides that he would open an overseas branch of Hope's Peak Academy and use it to raise his influence to that of Jin Kirigiri's, ultimately aiming to seize power. He requests Juzo and Chisa's help, declaring that he would change the world. When Juzo asks if that was his dream, he responds that, as long as the three of them were together, it wasn't just a dream.

After graduating, Kyosuke left Japan to study abroad and, while away, began working with Hope's Peak to begin construction on an overseas location to help expand Hope's Peak. He worked closely with Jin Kirigiri and was able to have a lot of influence, as Jin took his recommendations for Chisa and Juzo to work there into account. He is shown to be very ambitious, with the ultimate goal of usurping the position of Hope's Peaks' headmaster from Jin.

At some point after Seiko Kimura was expelled from the Hope's Peak Academy, Kyosuke and his former classmates offered help for her..

Episode 01 - Hello Again, Hope's Peak Academy
Kyosuke was brought up by name by Koichi, who asked Jin if it's true that he had recommended Chisa as his replacement for Class 1-B's teacher. He confirmed this, saying that Kyosuke had insisted that Chisa be the one to take his job. Koichi cautioned Jin to be careful, saying that Kyosuke was quickly becoming successful, despite being so young, and to watch out for him.

At the end of the school day, Kyosuke was overseas working on an off-shore facility for Hope's Peak (later to become one of the various locations for the Future Foundation's leaders to meet). He called Chisa to talk about how her day had gone. He was happy to hear that she was able to handle it, and reassured her that he can handle the construction himself while she was away.

Episode 02 - My Impurest Heart to You
While continuing work on the offshore location, Kyosuke calls Chisa and the two discuss the Reserve Course. He realizes that the project he is currently working on is being funded by the Reserve Course because the students there have to pay such ridiculously high tuition fees, and continues to wonder what else they are planning. Both Kyosuke and Chisa agree that the Hope's Peak's board of trustees is hiding something nefarious, and continue to plot how to investigate and restore Hope's Peak to its former glory.

Episode 04 - The Melancholy, Surprise, and Disappearance of Nagito Komaeda
Kyosuke is again seen talking with Chisa over the phone. He noticed that Chisa was extremely sad about leaving her class, despite the fact that her being transferred to the Reserve Course would make their investigation of Hope's Peak easier.

Episode 06 - A Despairfully Fateful Encounter
Kyosuke was called by Chisa after she infiltrated the Steering Committee's building and learned some information regarding the Izuru Kamukura Project. Kyosuke said that if the end product of the project was used by the wrong people, hope could be turned into a great despair that could bring the world to chaos. He said to Chisa not to tell this information to anyone besides him and Juzo and forbid her to say Izuru's name.

Episode 08 - The Worst Reunion By Chance
Kyosuke arrived at the school gates where the Parade is located. He apologized to Juzo since the situation has become more uncontrollable. He helps Juzo quell the Reserve Students' riot for the time being, and told him to call Chisa so she can join them.

Episode 09 - Chisa Yukizome Doesn't Smile
After removing themselves from The Parade to a safe location in the school building, Kyosuke searches the archives for Junko's file documentation. He believes that discovering the murders in School Building 1A is simply too coincidental and that he's confident she is guilty. Juzo immediately seeks to find and apprehend her so they can begin interrogation. Before Juzo leaves the room, Kyosuke asks him to not go too far although Juzo states that's one order he can't follow. Juzo leaves the room and Kyosuke looks at Junko's file once more, proclaiming that she will pay for the sin of laying a hand on 'his school'.

Episode 10 - Smile at Despair in the Name of Hope
After Juzo is defeated by Junko, she explains to him that she will let him go free if he speaks with Kyosuke, attesting her innocence and quashing his suspicions. She is aware of Juzo's strong admiration for Kyosuke and is willing to exploit it by telling him herself, showing an image of Kyosuke on her phone, Juzo concedes to her demands.

Episode 11 - Goodbye, Hope's Peak Academy
Kyosuke began a conversation with an individual over the phone, surprised to discover that the school's overseas expansion has been cancelled. He began to contest as to why there was no explanation for such a decision but the individual ends the call abruptly.

Juzo later arrives, back from his encounter with Junko. Kyosuke inquiring to know his findings, Juzo explains that Junko is innocent. Kyosuke, uncertain of this, asks Juzo again for clarity and is reassured by Juzo that his investigation was successful and this is the conclusion he has come to. Unbeknownst to Kyosuke, Junko had blackmailed Juzo into claiming her innocence by threatening to reveal his romantic feelings for Kyosuke to the academy at large.

As Kyosuke begins to reconsider the culprit of the school trustee murders, Chisa enters the room, running to his side before holding him in embrace. He comforts her, apologizing for not trying to find her sooner; he then inquires as to her thoughts on Junko, only for her to also attest to her innocence. Kyosuke, still dissatisfied, trusts both of them enough and decides to consider himself mistaken, Chisa holding him in another embrace. Once again, Kyosuke was unaware that his friend was lying to him - Chisa had been brainwashed into one of Junko's agents by her new "Despair Video".

Chisa later sets off a detonator to fake the Class 77-B's death, Kyosuke discovers her within the burning building and immediately moves toward her, holding her in another embrace. She explains that the students are all dead, Kyosuke apologizes for not being able to reach her in time. He seeks to remove her from the building, although she accidentally drops her notebook in the fire, containing a picture of the school party they had prior, celebrating her return to the class. She walks from the room casually, despite Kyosuke being willing to go back for it, she refuses.

Kyosuke, Juzo and Chisa stand on a large slanted piece of rubble, watching on as the world begins to fall into despair. Chisa runs to Kyosuke, hugging him in embrace, explaining she will be by his side to help him create a world without despair. Shielding her face from him, her eyes now showing swirl patterns, she expressed that in the end, Kyosuke will fall into the deepest despair of them all.

Chapter 6 - Possibility of Despair
Kyosuke received information from Juzo and praised him for doing a good job in exposing the Killer Killer's identity. Based on the Killer Killer's intention and the fact that he has no possibility of "despair", he planned to use him for the Future Foundation's benefit.

Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair
During the investigation portion of Chapter 6, Hajime Hinata finds several emails between Makoto and a Future Foundation executive regarding Ultimate Despair. The executive - heavily implied to be Kyosuke - shows distrust and hatred for Ultimate Despair and urges Makoto to hand them over for their immediate extermination, or be prosecuted for betrayal.

Danganronpa 3: The End of Hope's Peak Academy - Side: Future
At some point in time after getting recruited by Koichi for the Future Foundation, he became the head of the 2nd Division and later became the vice-leader. His responsibility as the 2nd Division leader is to oversee overall management, including any and all construction of new facilities.

Despite being only vice-leader, Kyosuke holds the most power. Because of this and his hatred of Ultimate Despair, it's implied that he is the main force behind Makoto's arrest.

Episode 01 - Third Time's the Charm
In a flashback narrated by Kyoko Kirigiri, Kyosuke is shown on a bridge with several other Future Foundation members. Fuyuhiko Kuzuryu ordered Peko Pekoyama to attack and Kyosuke engaged her in a sword fight. After fighting, it is assumed that he was able to disarm and restrain her before taking Peko, Fuyuhiko, Nekomaru Nidai, and Akane Owari into custody with the help of Juzo and Sonosuke Izayoi.

At an off-shore location, Kyosuke is the last of the Division leaders to arrive in the boardroom, which caused everyone to divert their attention to him. He climbed onto the table to command everyone's attention and walked across it to address Kazuo directly. He attempted to get Kazuo to reconsider his position, reminding him of his "old self" and a time where Kazuo was less indecisive about Ultimate Despair.

After seating himself, he briefly showed the other leaders images of the Remnants of Despair that Makoto protected and expressed doubt when Kazuo calling him Ultimate Hope. When other leaders theorized that Makoto may have tried to save them because he was also an Ultimate Despair, Kyosuke said that it doesn't matter because, either way, he had gone against protocol and deceived them.

When Makoto entered the boardroom, Kyosuke immediately placed him under arrest and ordered Juzo to handcuff him. When people in the boardroom began to argue, Kyosuke ordered them to calm down and temporarily suspended the board meeting so that Makoto can be treated for his injuries sustained from Juzo.

While waiting for the meeting to be called back, Kyosuke is left alone in a separate room with Chisa, who was cleaning the table. He asked her if she wanted to take a break, and Chisa told him that he didn't have to be so formal when they're alone together. He ordered her to take a break, prompting Chisa to ask if he isn't tired. He stubbornly insisted that he wasn't the one who worked too hard and attempted to tell her something before stopping himself. He told her to go check on Makoto and bid her goodbye.

Kyosuke was in the boardroom as the building is under attack. He ordered Juzo to restrain Makoto, unsure if this is his doing. He asked Chisa to contact HQ for help and ordered everyone to not leave the room until they understand the situation. When the sleeping gas is released into the boardroom, Kyosuke was one of the last people to fall asleep. As he was about to pass out, he reached out to Chisa to ask if she's okay.

After waking up, Kyosuke listened to Monokuma's announcement and, slightly panicked, realized that Chisa is missing. He and Makoto notice Chisa's corpse at the exact same time, and were both horrified. As her body falls from the ceiling, he grit his teeth and remembered the words that he wanted to ask her from before: "I am not wrong, am I?"

Episode 02 - Hang the Witch
Monokuma's broadcast ends and Kyosuke watches as panic began to break out in the room. Makoto protests, saying that fighting with each other is exactly what Monokuma would want. Kyosuke agreed, saying that something like this can't possibly deter the Future Foundation from overcoming despair, but is very cold towards him.

After the situation resulting in Daisaku Bandai's death, Kyosuke commanded the room's attention and declared that they need to decide with a majority vote who the traitor is. He asked the room to point at who they believed to be the traitor and the majority pointed at Makoto. In response, Kyosuke coldly gave Makoto a chance for him to come together with him and cooperate and told him to kill himself if he really desires a world without despair as a way to test his loyalty. Chaos broke out again when Juzo then Great Gozu joined in the situation and Kyosuke readied his sword to fight. Kyoko created a diversion by filling the room with fumes from the fire extinguisher and both Makoto and Aoi Asahina escaped into the hallway. When he went to pursue them, he is confronted by Great Gozu and the two fight.

Kyosuke was able to push Great Gozu back into the hall and continues to fight until becoming distracted by Hina throwing a fire extinguisher and is knocked backward by Gozu. He dodged the debris from Great Gozu's explosion and chased after them, stopping just outside a closed door.

Juzo, after waking up from being stunned by Miaya, met up with Kyosuke and they discussed their next move. Kyosuke is still determined to wipe out the remaining Despairs, as well as avenge Chisa.

Episode 03 - Cruel Violence and Hollow Words
Kyosuke and Juzo reawaken after the second time limit to find themselves both alive. Kyosuke admitted that he thought he had a 50/50 chance of survival, noting that he would kill himself first if he was the attacker. Juzo agrees that, if the attacker wanted to wipe out Future Foundation, killing Kyosuke first was their best bet. Kyosuke says that he hopes that is their true goal, because there would be worse outcomes than their deaths.

When Makoto gave a rallying speech over the facility's intercom system, Kyosuke was impressed by his charisma, telling a scoffing Juzo that it was "a splendid speech". However, he also believed that Makoto's words were powerless; speaking of hope without knowing true despair. After telling Juzo to deal with the other members supporting Makoto, Kyosuke left to find Makoto in the monitor room. He broke a window in order to get inside, surprising the former Ultimate Hope.

Kyosuke ignored Makoto's pleas of friendship, stating that platitudes like that wouldn't help you in a situation like this. He admitted that he had admired Makoto after seeing the broadcast of the Killing School Life, but he quickly realized that Makoto was only able to defeat Junko Enoshima because she had limited herself. As brutal as it was, the Killing Game was set up with rules that Makoto and the Class 78th could follow - on the other hand, the world outside had no such rules. Kyosuke expressed to Makoto the feeling of incredible despair that he and the other Future Foundation members had endured just to survive the Tragedy, much less continue to fight against it.

Kyosuke explained to a stunned Makoto that he holds on to those feelings of despair so he can both have a greater appreciation of hope and never lose sight of his goal to restore peace through eradicating despair. On the other hand, Makoto elected to ignore and forget his own despair, which Kyosuke sees as blind and naive; in his view, Makoto's words can spur people to act, but only to lead them towards more despair. Kyosuke tells him that, instead of solely hope or solely despair, he believes in power. He believes that the despair of sacrifices can spur people to action towards hope. He believes Makoto's words are hollow and, because of that, gives him an opportunity to change his mind one last time before he chooses to kill him.

Episode 04 - Who is a Liar
Kyosuke managed to incapacitate Makoto without harming him, and tied him up to be dealt with later. He speaks over the intercom system, announcing that he had captured Makoto and was about to execute him—hoping that it would lure out Makoto's companions.

After he had woken up, Kyosuke revealed to Makoto his true intentions for wanting to kill him; although Makoto certainly wasn't a traitor, there was still a danger in keeping him alive. Because of how influential Makoto is, Kyosuke was able to come to the conclusion that the traitor was using this Game as an avenue to get to him, as well as eliminate anyone who would get in their way.

Seeing Makoto's confusion, Kyosuke elaborated on his belief that there was an even worse outcome to the Final Killing Game than the complete destruction of the Future Foundation's Branch Heads. He explained that the traitor could end the Game at any time by simply choosing not to kill anyone during their allotted period of activity, allowing them to simply pin the blame on the last victim or at least make it nigh-impossible to root out the truth. Kyosuke theorized that the traitor's true aim was to eliminate key members of the Future Foundation - himself included - and usurp the organization to spread despair in the guise of hope, using the survivors (such as Makoto) to solidify their own position. With the Future Foundation compromised, Kyosuke feared that despair would spread across the entire world, unleashing a truly unstoppable Tragedy. For that reason, he wanted to lure out the traitor to kill both them and Makoto simultaneously.

Kyosuke moves to place his sword on Makoto's neck when Kazuo, Hina, and Miaya arrive and Kazuo deflects the sword out of Kyosuke's hand. Kyosuke moves to dodge a flurry of senbon, distancing himself from Makoto and allowing Hina the opportunity to pick him up and carry Makoto to the door. Kyosuke retrieves his sword and tries to push forward to go after Makoto, but Kazuo orders Miaya and Hina to get as far away to safety.

Kyosuke and Kazuo's fight brings them out of the monitoring room and into a connecting hallway. Without taking his attention off of Kazuo, he hears Hina, Miaya, and Makoto rushing down another hallway. Juzo, who is chasing after Makoto, stops in order to help Kyosuke fight, but Kyosuke orders him to continue to chase Makoto, leaving him and Kazuo alone to face-off.

Kazuo continued to berate Kyosuke, calling him a hypocrite for criticizing Makoto's ideals, as he was young and naive himself. Kyosuke continued to argue that sacrifices were necessary for the foundation of a brighter future. Kazuo coldly responds by asking if Chisa's death was a necessary sacrifice, causing Kyosuke to become enraged and go for an overhead strike. Kazuo sacrifices his hand in order to stop the sword, and tosses the two of them against the glass railing, and both Kyosuke and Kazuo fall to the bottom floor.

While Kyosuke escapes with severe bruising and cuts, Kazuo is impaled by a piece of rebar. Kazuo laughs at how unlucky he is, and Kyosuke opens up. He tells Kazuo that he thought that he had become weak, but he realized now that Kazuo still had a lot of fighting spirit in him that he could respect. Kyosuke admits his own fault and opens up the conversation, wanting to know what Kazuo truly thinks.

Episode 05 - Dreams of Distant Days
Kyosuke mocked Kazuo, saying that he used to be stronger. This triggered a flashback to The Tragedy. In the scene, Kazuo saved Kyosuke from a surprise attack from one of the Despairs army. Kazuo took a sword to the shoulder but managed to knock the assailant away. After the confrontation, Kazuo collapsed and Kyosuke carried him back to safety. Kazuo made a quick recovery, appearing to give a speech to the members of the Future Foundation.

Kyosuke ended the flashback by calling Kazuo a coward and asking why he became one. Kazuo claimed that he learned that the way the Future Foundation has been operating will not eliminate despair. Kazuo told Kyosuke that killing all of the Despairs will not bring hope and that he is naive for thinking so.

Kyosuke asked for clarification; Kazuo explained that killing the Despairs will not create hope. He stated that the purpose of the Izuru Kamukura Project was to create hope. Kazuo declared that he won't let that project go to waste. At this, Kyosuke accused Kazuo of being the attacker and one of the Remnants of Despair, likely because of his insistence on keeping Izuru Kamukura alive.

Kyosuke claimed that since Kazuo was one of a few people aware of the existence of the base and was capable of trapping everyone, then that proves that Kazuo is the attacker. However, there is something he doesn't understand: why Kazuo joined the Remnants of Despair.

To this, Kazuo explained that he was not one of the Remnants. However, Kazuo claimed to know the true identity of the attacker stating that the logic behind it was "too simple" for Kyosuke. Kazuo told Kyosuke the identity of the accused attacker and Kyosuke recoiled in shock. Kazuo revealed that his NG Code is to "Answer a Question With a Lie" to confirm his story since the poison has not taken effect.

Kyosuke laughed and claimed that Kazuo is just making things up to cause him to waver. He then charged at Kazuo with his sword. Kazuo pulled the piece of rebar out from his stomach and impales it in Kyosuke's right eye before having his throat slashed by Kyosuke's sword.

Sometimes after the time limit hit, Kyosuke injected Seiko's medicine and somewhat his left eye turned black.

Episode 06 - No Man is an Island
After bandaging his eye and injecting himself with one of Seiko's vials of medicine, Kyosuke returns to the meeting room where Chisa was killed. He removed Great Gozu's jacket, which had been covering her body out of respect, and recalled the morning of their Hope's Peak graduation ceremony, declaring his vision to take power of Hope's Peak Academy with helps from Juzo and Chisa. After reliving that memory, Kyosuke took the spare sword that he had brought and stabs Chisa's corpse through the heart. Before leaving, he turns and calls her 'Chisa' for the first time.

Later, Byakuya Togami reveals that Kyosuke had already sent forces to destroy the Remnants of Despair on Jabberwock Island, meaning he was planning to kill the Ultimate Despair regardless of the meeting's outcome.

At the end of the episode, it was heavily implied that Kyosuke went back to Kazuo's corpse and took his chuusen weapon, beginning to arm himself for a final fight.

Episode 07 - Ultra Despair Girls
Kyosuke is shown at the end of the episode, walking through the halls ominously with the katana from the library.

Episode 08 - Who Killed Cock Robin
Kyosuke is met by Makoto and Hina in a hallway. He intimidates and threatens them, however, Miaya intervenes, identifying him as a "Class S" priority target. Kyosuke attempted to decapitate her, but the robotic Miaya simply put her head back on and fought Kyosuke, allowing Makoto and Hina to escape. Kyosuke was last seen activating a hidden function in his katana, causing the hilt to extend and the blade to superheat itself.

Episode 09 - You Are My Reason to Die
Kyosuke inflicted heavy damage to Miaya, despite her constantly repairing herself and unveiling new weaponry. As he fought, he mused that he had lost everything to despair, and that he continued to fight against it only to ensure that no one else would ever share his fate. Eventually, he destroyed the robotic Miaya by blowing her up with her own missile pack, tearing out her "core" (a PDA with information about the participants of the Final Killing Game, including their NG Codes), and vertically bisecting her with his superheated katana.

After destroying the robotic doppelganger, Kyosuke reunited with Juzo, who reported the deaths of Seiko, Sonosuke, and Kizakura. Kyosuke replied by revealing his murder of Kazuo - although visibly shaken by this, Juzo assumed that his friend was finally making a move to take full control of the Future Foundation by becoming the new Chairman. In response, Kyosuke began reminiscing about the days before the Tragedy; back then, he had Juzo and Chisa's support and Kazuo's advice to rely on. This prompted Juzo to attempt some sort of confession, but before he could finish, Kyosuke ruthlessly impaled him with his katana. He coldly brushed off his dying friend's pleas by stating that he knew the reason why he had to die; however, out of sight, he angrily cursed "Despair" for 'forcing' him to kill Juzo.

Kyosuke eventually found his way back to the intercom room, where he waited out the fourth time limit. Using the PDA he took from Miaya, he discovered that Kyoko's NG Code was "passing the fourth time limit with Makoto Naegi alive"; thus, he used the intercom to call Makoto, expecting that he would have discovered Kyoko's Code when it activated during the previous sleeping period. Once again mocking Makoto's belief that words alone could inspire hope in the face of total despair, Kyosuke then challenged the former Ultimate Hope to face him, in order to determine which of their visions would emerge triumphant.

Episode 10 - Death, Destruction, Despair
While waiting for Makoto in the monitoring room, Kyosuke recalled a time when he and Chisa found a number of dead children on the playing field of a kindergarten. Chisa had tearfully asked him who could have done such a terrible deed, hardening Kyosuke's desire to eliminate despair by any means necessary.

Soon afterwards, Makoto arrived in the monitoring room and stated that he wouldn't hesitate anymore, requesting Kyosuke and him end the game together. Kyosuke once again stating that talking to him would be meaningless, as his words are hollow and mean nothing. He attacks Makoto, who dodges and runs into a separate room, closing the door behind him to buy him more time. Kyosuke breaks through the glass and exits the room in time to see Makoto leaving a door open to him. Kyosuke realizes that he is possibly leading him into a trap, but follows him inside anyway. Once inside, Makoto triggers the room's sprinkler system, causing a large puddle of water to spread across the floor before throwing a live wire onto it. Kyosuke is fast enough to neutralize the tactic by using the heat from his katana, also injuring Makoto's leg with Kazuo's chuusen. However, the resulting steam cloud from the evaporating water bought Makoto time to escape once again.

Kyosuke followed Makoto's blood trail after he escaped from the room, using it to successfully thwart his plan to jump out and attack him with a defective fire hydrant. Tossing the fire hydrant aside, Kyosuke commented that Makoto had run out of luck, although moments later the fire hydrant bursts and hits him in the back, giving Makoto another chance to escape. The clouding smoke disoriented Kyosuke, allowing Makoto to tackle him and the two of them fall through a pit into the floor below—revealed to be the same pitfall created by Great Gozu.

He goes to strike Makoto, but stops himself after realizing that he was trapped. Makoto reveals that he lured Kyosuke into this room to trap him, because he knew that Kyosuke's NG Code was that he was unable to open doors—commenting on how he thought it was strange that Kyosuke had to break a window in order to confront him in the monitoring room. Because Kyosuke would be unable to leave the room if he had killed Makoto, Makoto offered to open the door for him if they could finally speak.

Kyosuke slammed Makoto into the wall, demanding to know when he was first tainted with despair. He finally revealed what Kazuo had told him after their fight: any member of the Future Foundation could be the traitor—even his treasured allies, Juzo and Chisa. After he killed Kazuo, Kyosuke examined Chisa's body, finding a photo signed by her that revealed she has killed the children, which proved her betrayal. He reiterated his intent to destroy despair, even if he had to sacrifice his loved ones, only for Makoto to counter that hope could not come from solely eliminating despair.

Enraged by Makoto's claim that he should not forget Chisa, Kyosuke unleashed a flurry of punches, furiously insisting that Makoto knew nothing of the pain of having someone that they loved tainted with despair. In response, Makoto admitted that if the roles were reversed and he had to kill one of his loved ones to stop despair, he would not forget the good times they had had before they were set against each other. Makoto's words brought back Kyosuke's memories of Chisa at Hope's Peak Academy, finally making him understand that his view was incorrect.

Kyosuke screams his anger and frustrations to the ceiling. He steps back and collapses in the rubble, in tears, asking aloud when things had truly started to go wrong.

Moments later, Hina and Ryota came to the scene, with the former announcing that the killing is over; she found a journal under Kyoko's corpse that revealed the true identity of the attacker.

Episode 11 - All Good Things
A flashback is shown, revealing the point in time when the Future Foundation observing the end to the Killing School Life. The vault door of Hope's Peak Academy is opened and the remainder of the 78th class appears. Munakata inquired as to whether the rescue squad was in position before expressing that it was Junko all along who had committed such atrocious acts, Chisa feeling guilty for not finding out more about Junko during their investigation, runs to Kyosuke and holds him in embrace, he begins to comfort her as a result.

Back to present time, Makoto requested Kyosuke listen to Hina, to which he agreed. She began to show Makoto the pages of Kyoko's notebook. Makoto reads Kyoko's findings aloud, shocked to discover the death of participants so far, have all been suicides. Kyosuke intently listens but does not respond. Makoto asks him for a favor, requesting Kyosuke tie him up facing the monitor so he can experience the brainwashing video for himself, Kyosuke does this willingly.

Kyosuke waits for the time limit in a nearby room free of monitors, with Ryota and Hina. Waiting patiently, his katana rested against the wall, the timer goes off and Kyosuke falls unconscious from the sleeping gas while thinking about the revelation of the brainwashing video.

After everyone is awake, Makoto proceeds to the nearby room accommodating Kyosuke, Hina, and Ryota. He confirmed with Kyosuke that the monitors broadcast a video of despair, shattering the monitor, a knife is discovered hidden inside. Kyosuke begins explaining that other than himself, Kazuo has authority to install equipment through the building, and his explanation that 'all participants were the attacker' leads him to conclude that Kazuo may be a Remnant of Despair behind the Final Killing Game, shocking them all. By relating to how Chisa and Juzo attested Junko's innocence, he believed his naiveté was used by Kazuo for his own nefarious purposes.

The power is shut off, removing the remaining participants from the game, Kyosuke is shocked that it is the work of Juzo. Makoto explains that Juzo is not despair, on this realization, Kyosuke began to run to the power room but is too late, Juzo is dead. Kyosuke apologized for not making it in time, before crying over his death.

Episode 12 - It is Always Darkest
Kyosuke returned in time to save Makoto and a brainwashed Hina from a group of brainwashed Future Foundation soldiers. He asked Makoto to explain the situation, learning that Ryota had snapped and was planning to brainwash the entire world with his "Hope Video" as a final attempt to eliminate despair. Learning that his theory of Kazuo masterminding the Final Killing Game was correct, Kyosuke believed that he really was a Remnant of Despair, musing on the irony that his plan would force hope on the world instead. However, Makoto deduced that this was Kazuo's real goal; he set up the Final Killing Game to strengthen Ryota's resolve to wipe out despair once and for all, albeit in a way that Kyosuke likened to stripping everyone of their humanity.

Realizing that there was only one place where Ryota could go to broadcast his Hope Video, Kyosuke, Makoto, and Hina fled from more brainwashed troops and tried to make their way to the Future Foundation's global broadcast room. Warning the others to assume that the Future Foundation's entire military force was now under Ryota's control, Kyosuke used himself as a distraction in order to buy Makoto and Hina time to escape and continue their search for Ryota.

While running from a group of soldiers, Kyosuke sought refuge by enclosing himself in the conference room. Looking at Chisa's body, he apologized to her, stating he should've been by her side. He then pulled the katana out of her corpse and removed the bandage covering his damaged eye, using it to wipe away the dried blood on Chisa's face. Now armed with two swords, Kyosuke broke out of the conference room and ran toward the attacking army, who simultaneously start shooting at him.

Side - Hope: The Academy of Hope and Students of Despair
Kyosuke, fighting off countless, brainwashed rescue squad troops on a high bridge corridor using both katana's, is aided by The Ultimate Imposter. Impersonating Kyosuke's form, he uses his own katana to help fight off the brainwashed troops. Upon Kyosuke questioning why, the Ultimate Imposter explained he was seeking atonement.

The Class 77-B return to Jabberwock Island after they succeed to convince Ryota not to broadcast his hope brainwashing video. Kyosuke, now wearing a white trench coat, approached him, asking if he was really in a position to worry about others, explaining that Makoto needed to carry the burden of his heroic actions. Inquiring as to whether he could carry the burden, Makoto accepts. Asking if Makoto had any plan in mind, he expressed that he had an idea.

On Kyosuke being confirmed of this, he turned and walked away, Makoto inquired as to where he was going and Kyosuke explained he had his own burden to carry, remembering a flashback of himself, Juzo and Chisa standing outside Hope's Peak Academy.

Chisa Yukizome
Despite his coldness, Kyosuke has a strong relationship with Chisa. Kyosuke grew close to her during their time as classmates at Hope's Peak, and they maintained a strong relationship even after they graduated. He noticeably cares about her well-being, and doesn't want Chisa to push herself. He often values her opinions and discusses things that concern him with her. Chisa is the one person Kyosuke trusts the most, aside from Juzo.

While Chisa has romantic feelings for him, Kyosuke acts more distant and never showed any obvious signs of being in love with Chisa. However, when Chisa is killed, Kazuo claims Kyosuke's love for her had driven him mad. She is also the person he cares about most. Despite his closeness with her, Kyosuke stays formal and often refuses to call Chisa by her first name, even when she asks him to. However, when Chisa is murdered, Kyosuke returns to her body only to stab her again. Before leaving, he calls her by her first name, giving into her request.

Upon learning that Chisa had become a member of Ultimate Despair, Kyosuke felt betrayed, but couldn't bring himself to feel sad over her own death, let alone hate her for what she did. He decides to blame despair instead for taking him away from her and subsequently falls to insanity and despair himself. It wasn't until Makoto, following Kyoko's death, tells him that if Kyoko had fallen into despair, then he would have been glad to meet her. At that point, Kyosuke remembers Chisa and subsequently allows himself to properly grieve over her loss. He wonders about the circumstances that led to Chisa falling into despair, as he wasn't present when Chisa was brainwashed. It's evident that no matter what Chisa had done, Kyosuke still truly cared for her.

When talking to Makoto about his relationship with Kyoko, Kyosuke compares Makoto's feelings for Kyoko to that of his for Chisa's. Because of how he phrased his words, it's possible that Kyosuke had romantic feelings for Chisa.

Juzo Sakakura
Kyosuke and Juzo have been close friends since high school. The two of them share similar ideals, and have mutual respect and loyalty to each other. Juzo acts as Kyosuke's right hand man, and Kyosuke depends on Juzo's help. Juzo does anything Kyosuke asks, and is very serious about things concerning him. Kyosuke is also very thankful to both Juzo and Chisa for getting him to where he is now.

During the Final Killing Game, due to a combination of Tengan's revelation that everyone becomes an attacker, Chisa is confirmed to be a Despair, and both Chisa and Juzo vouching for Junko's innocent, Kyosuke misintepret it as Juzo having fallen into despair, and thus made him decided to kill Juzo to show his devotion to the cause of eliminating despair once and for all. Despite this, Kyosuke is shown to be immediately regretful, almost tearful, and swears revenge against despair for forcing him to kill his treasured ally.

After he learns from Makoto that Juzo was not apart of Ultimate Despair, Kyosuke is shocked and feels immense guilt for what he had done, and does not want to go to Juzo because of the shame he felt. However, after learning that Juzo still believes in him and was trying to save him, Kyosuke rushed to his location, only to find Juzo's corpse in the power room. Kyosuke tearfully apologized to Juzo, remembering his time with him and Chisa.

Kazuo Tengan
Despite being the leader of Future Foundation, Kyosuke undermines Kazuo's authority, attempting to push his own agenda instead. It was not always like this, though; Kyosuke once respected Kazuo a great deal, and saw him as strong with views similar to his own. Kazuo also shielded Kyosuke from a surprise attack by a Remnant of Despair, and Kyosuke defended Kazuo from Peko when she attempted to attack him. Kazuo himself describes Kyosuke as "an old friend." This changes, however, when Kazuo realizes that the way that Kyosuke thinks is flawed and naive, choosing to harbor beliefs similar to Makoto's.

Following these events, Kyosuke begins to think of him as nothing but a senile old man and a coward, deciding to push him aside and shoulder the burden of Future Foundation on his own. Even with his change of viewpoint, Kazuo still had a very keen understanding of Kyosuke as well as his insecurities, resulting in them having a confrontation. After a long fight, Kyosuke once again felt respect for Kazuo, admitting his own misjudgment and allowing Kazuo to speak freely. However, Kazuo's attempts to reform Kyosuke's way of thinking fail, as Kyosuke mistakes Kazuo for the attacker and brings an end to his life.

After the truth of the Final Killing Game was revealed, Kyosuke briefly assumed that Kazuo was a Remnant of Despair, due to being the only one besides himself who could have arranged such an elaborate trap without anyone else knowing. However, the later revelation of Kazuo's true goals caused him to realize that the entire gambit was intended to restore hope - albeit at the cost of humanity's free will and the lives of the other Future Foundation Branch Heads.

Makoto Naegi
Because of Kyosuke's position as vice-leader, he was successfully able to charge Makoto with treason against Future Foundation and continues to antagonize him. Rather than just punishing him, Kyosuke is in favor of executing Makoto alongside the Remnants of Despair.

Contrary to what his actions might imply, Kyosuke admits to Makoto that he thinks he is impressive, and not just because he was responsible for the defeat of Junko. Kyosuke respects Makoto's charisma and determination in the face of impossible odds; both qualities that were repeatedly displayed during the broadcast of the Killing School Life. Makoto implies that they had once been friends.

Despite this, Kyosuke is consistently at odds with Makoto because their viewpoints are so different. Makoto believes solely in hope, while Kyosuke believes in power. Because of this, Kyosuke thinks that Makoto's words are hollow and meaningless, as he does not appreciate despair in the same way that he appreciates hope. Kyosuke also fears how influential Makoto can be, as he doesn't want him convincing people that they can win against despair without fighting.

Though, regardless, in Kyosuke's warped worldview, after being mistakenly mislead to think that Makoto was part of Ultimate Despair, he wanted to "save" him from that fate—possibly due to his respect and possible feelings of friendship for Makoto.

Ultimately, Kyosuke's antagonism of Makoto is a clash of ideals on how best to reverse the damage wrought on the world by Ultimate Despair. As Makoto pointed out in their final confrontation, Kyosuke's single-minded focus on eliminating despair leaves him unable or unwilling to reflect on the good left in the world, preventing him from cultivating hope in the wake of The Tragedy.

Junko Enoshima
Kyosuke has an intense hatred for Junko for laying her hands on his school by causing the Parade and the Tragedy and vowed to kill her. He suspected her the second despair started filling Hope's Peak Academy, and distrusted her even after Juzo and Chisa report her as innocent. When Kyosuke found out that his suspicions were correct and Junko was responsible for both the Tradegy and the Killing School Life, he labels her as a monster and acknowledges her strength and influence. Kyosuke doesn't seem to view Junko as a person; instead he thinks of her as despair itself.

Unbeknownst to Kyosuke, Junko was the reason why two of his closest friends, Chisa and Juzo, betrayed him. Junko was responsible for brainwashing Chisa and blackmailing Juzo, causing the two to report Junko innocent.

Quotes

 * “For the sin of lying a hand on my school, you will pay the price.” (to Junko Enoshima)
 * “So, this is humanity's last hope? Even as we speak, the Remnants of Despair are causing more damage, and more people are falling victim. Is this the time to squabble?" (regarding his fellow Branch Heads' bickering prior to Makoto Naegi's trial)
 * “A world without despair... That is the future that she and I imagined!” (talking about Chisa Yukizome)
 * “You'll pay for making me kill him, Despair.” (talking about him stabbing Juzo Sakakura)

Trivia

 * Given the timeline of events, he is thought to be between 22 and 24.
 * His given name, Kyosuke (京助), means "capital helper/capital head." His surname, Munakata (宗方), means "important figure." Both can refer to his roles in positions of leadership, both as an Ultimate Student Council President and as a high-ranking member of the Future Foundation.
 * On Chisa's NG Code revealed in Side: Future #09, the kanji in Kyosuke's first name is switched, and written as 京介 instead of 京助. This maybe a technical error as in the next episode it is written as 京助 again.
 * Kyosuke bears a passing physical resemblance to the protagonist of Persona 4. They both wield katanas as their weapons of choice as well.