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Danganronpa (ダンガンロンパ Dangan Ronpa in the original Japanese) is a Japanese video game franchise developed and published originally by Spike (later merged with Chunsoft as Spike Chunsoft) and localized by NIS America in 2014 and later by Spike Chunsoft in 2020. The series currently consists of three main titles and two major spin-off games. The franchise also includes some anime, manga, mobile games, and light novel spin-offs based on the Danganronpa universe and characters.

Premise[]

The series revolves around an exclusive, government-funded high school called Hope's Peak Academy (希望ヶ峰学園, Kibōgamine Academy) which, every year, selects "Ultimate" students (超高校級, Super High School Level) who are at the top of their field, and one average "Ultimate Lucky Student" who is chosen by lottery. However, when average student Makoto Naegi arrives at the school, he loses consciousness, and when he wakes up discovers that he and his 14 classmates have been trapped within the school. Headmaster Monokuma, a sadistic robot bear, informs the students that they will be forced to live within the school forever, with only one way to leave: murdering another student and getting away with it.

When a crime scene is discovered, a Class Trial is held, in which the remaining students must decide amongst themselves who the murderer is. If the students successfully discover the murderer, the culprit will be executed, and the killing game continues. However, if they guess incorrectly, the culprit will be able to leave the school, but the other students will be executed.

Gameplay[]

The main Danganronpa visual novel games are split into three play styles: Daily Life, Investigation, and Class Trial.

  • During School Life, the player explores the school grounds, builds relationships with students, and investigates the mystery of the students' captivity. Monocoins collected throughout this free-roam mode can be spent on presents at the MonoMono Machine, which can be given to other students to increase their friendship with the protagonist. Becoming friends with another student will grant the protagonist special skills, which can be used during the Class Trial mode.
  • During Investigation, the player searches for evidence relating to a murder.
  • During Class Trial, the students try to solve the murder by discussing the evidence they have. The player plays several mini-games to progress the trial. The most common mini-game, Nonstop Debate, involves the player trying to refute the students' statements using Truth Bullets based on the evidence they collected during the Investigation mode.

Unlike the series' main titles, Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls, is a third-person adventure game in which the player controls Komaru Naegi and Toko Fukawa. Komaru has a Megaphone Hacking Gun with which to attack enemies, but which can also control enemies, activate machinery, and scan the environment for clues. Toko can use a stun gun to temporarily turn herself into Genocide Jack, who can attack enemies with scissors. Skills can be unlocked and equipped, which makes it easier to defeat enemies.

Development[]

The series originally began as an unpublished beta called DISTRUST, written by Kazutaka Kodaka, produced by Yoshinori Terasawa and with art by Rui Komatsuzaki. The game was inspired by movies such as Saw and Cube,[1] and the Sega Dreamcast game Illbleed.[2] The series' name, Danganronpa, is compounded from the words "bullet" (弾丸 dangan) and "refutation" (論破 ronpa), as the game blends shooting (with Truth Bullets) and crime investigation. Because visual novels were becoming less popular at the time, and because the PSP had a very small, competitive market, it was necessary to develop unique elements and combine genres which would not normally mix in order to make the game stand out.[1]

While DISTRUST included more grotesque executions and realistic red blood, Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc, the game developed based on the concept of DISTRUST, uses a more distinct pop-art style with unrealistic, fluorescent pink blood and horror which is more psychological and toned-down. The change was made in order that the audience did not focus on the grotesqueness of the situation, and instead could focus on the relationships and personalities of characters[1] and the psychological impact of the scenario. This change also meant that the game's age rating could be lowered,[1] widening its audience. Hiring Nobuyo Ōyama as the voice actress for Monokuma was a huge turning point in the game's development, and it led to an all-time high in hits on the game's development website.[3] Monokuma was her first voice acting role after retiring as the voice of Doraemon after 27 years. Hiring a voice cast that was very well known from popular anime series led to a lot of fan interest outside of people who would usually be interested in a game like Danganronpa, which was the development team's goal.[3]

Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc ultimately earned an aggregate review score of 83/100 on Metacritic, which opened the door to sequels and an anime adaptation. The success has led to the games being localized in multiple languages and published in many countries worldwide.

Games[]

Main Series Games[]


Hope's Peak Series
Cover Name Release Date
Danganronpa Trigger Happy Havoc Box Art - PS Vita - North America Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc
ダンガンロンパ 希望の学園と絶望の高校生
PSP: 日本語 November 25, 2010
PS Vita: 日本語 October 10, 2013
中文(臺灣) January 13, 2014
中文 January 16, 2014
English February 11, 2014
Flag of Europe February 11, 2014
Steam: Worldwide February 18, 2016
iOS/Android: 日本語 August 20, 2012
Worldwide May 21, 2020
Nintendo Switch: 日本語 November 4, 2021
中文 November 4, 2021
English December 3, 2021
Flag of Europe December 3, 2021
en-AU December 3, 2021
Danganronpa 2 Goodbye Despair Box Art - Vita - North America Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair
スーパーダンガンロンパ2 さよなら絶望学園
PSP: 日本語 July 26, 2012
PS Vita: 日本語 October 10, 2013
中文(臺灣) April 24, 2014
English September 2, 2014
Flag of Europe September 5, 2014
Steam: Worldwide April 18, 2016
iOS/Android: Worldwide August 20, 2020
Nintendo Switch: 日本語 November 4, 2021
中文 November 4, 2021
English December 3, 2021
Flag of Europe December 3, 2021
en-AU December 3, 2021
Danganronpa 1.2 Reload Cover (Japanese) Danganronpa 1.2 Reload
ダンガンロンパ1・2 Reload
PS Vita: 日本語 October 10, 2013
PS4: English March 14, 2017
Flag of Europe March 17, 2017
日本語 May 18, 2017
Steam: Worldwide June 6, 2016
Danganronpa Decadence Box Art Standard Edition - Nintendo Switch - North America EARLY Danganronpa Decadence
ダンガンロンパ トリロジーパック
Nintendo Switch: 日本語 November 4, 2021
中文 November 4, 2021
English December 3, 2021
Flag of Europe December 3, 2021
en-AU December 3, 2021
Ultimate Academy for Gifted Juveniles Series
Cover Name Release Date
Danganronpa V3 Killing Harmony Box art Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony
NEWダンガンロンパV3 みんなのコロシアイ新学期
PS4: 日本語 January 12, 2017
English September 26, 2017
Flag of Europe September 29, 2017
en-AU October 9, 2017
PS Vita: 日本語 January 12, 2017
English September 26, 2017
Flag of Europe September 29, 2017
en-AU October 9, 2017
Steam: Worldwide September 26, 2017
Nintendo Switch: 日本語 November 4, 2021
中文 November 4, 2021
English December 3, 2021
Flag of Europe December 3, 2021
en-AU December 3, 2021
iOS/Android: Worldwide April 12, 2022

Spin-off Games[]


Cover Name Release Date
Danganronpa Another Episode Box Art - Vita - North American Danganronpa Another Episode:
Ultra Despair Girls

絶対絶望少女 ダンガンロンパ Another Episode
PS Vita: 日本語 September 25, 2014
中文 July 24, 2015
English September 1, 2015
Flag of Europe September 4, 2015
en-AU September 10, 2015
한국어 December 3, 2015
Steam: Worldwide June 23, 2017
PS4: English June 27, 2017
Flag of Europe June 23, 2017
日本語 June 29, 2017
Danganronpa S English Sidebar Danganronpa S: Ultimate Summer Camp
ハッピーダンガンロンパS 超高校級の南国サイコロ合宿
Nintendo Switch: 日本語 November 4, 2021
中文 November 4, 2021
English December 3, 2021
Flag of Europe December 3, 2021
en-AU December 3, 2021

Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls is a midquel, set between Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc and Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair. Unlike the games in the main series, Ultra Despair Girls is a third-person action-adventure game, with a battle system. It has a much greater focus on exploration and world-building collectibles.

Danganronpa S: Ultimate Summer Camp is an expanded version of Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony's Ultimate Talent Development Plan, a RPG board game featuring characters from Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc, Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair, Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony and Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls.

Other Games[]


iOS/Android Games
AlterEgoAppFeature1 Rocket game Danganronpa Unlimited Battle - Title Screen
Alter Ego Monokuma no Gyakushū Unlimited Battle
Kirigiri Sou Title Screen Cyber Danganronpa VR The Class Trial Screenshot (14)
Kirigiriso Cyber Danganronpa VR
Sound Novel VR Demo

Anime[]

Danganronpa's anime series are animated by Lerche, and licensed by Funimation in North America and Manga Entertainment in Europe. They are available with Japanese, English, and German voice acting. Danganronpa 2.5: Nagito Komaeda and the World Vanquisher is a one-episode OVA included with the special edition version of Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony, and as such is currently only available in Japanese.

Danganronpa: The Animation Danganronpa 3: The End of Hope's Peak High School Danganronpa 2
Danganronpa:
Trigger Happy Havoc
The Animation
Danganronpa 3:
The End of Hope's
Peak High School
Danganronpa 2.5:
Nagito Komaeda
and the World Vanquisher
July 4 - Sept 26, 2013 July 11 - Sept 29, 2016 January 12, 2017

Light Novels and Short Stories[]

Danganronpa Kirigiri - Volume 1 Cover Danganronpa Togami - Volume 1 Cover (Front) Danganronpa Zero - Volume 1 Cover Danganronpa Trigger Happy Panic IF Resize Makoto Naegi worst day cover
Danganronpa
Kirigiri
Danganronpa:
Togami
Danganronpa
Zero
Danganronpa IF Makoto Naegi
Secret File
Ultra Despair Hagakure Resize Novel Covers - Danganronpa 1 2 Beautiful Days (Front Cover)
Ultra Despair Hagakure Danganronpa:
1・2 Beautiful Days

Manga[]

Hope's Peak Series[]

Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc[]

Manga Cover - Danganronpa Kibō no Gakuen to Zetsubō no Kōkōsei (manga) Volume 4 (Front) (Japanese) Manga Cover - Danganronpa The Animation Volume 1 (Front) (English) Manga Cover - Danganronpa The Animation Dengeki Comic Anthology (Front) (Japanese) Manga Cover - Danganronpa Kibo no Gakuen to Zetsubo no Kokosei Comic Anthology Volume 1 (Front) (Japanese) Manga Cover - Danganronpa 4koma Kings Volume 1 (Front) (Japanese)
Danganronpa:
The Manga
Danganronpa:
The Animation
Danganronpa: The
Animation Dengeki
Comic Anthology
Danganronpa
Comic Anthology
Danganronpa:
4koma KINGS

Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair[]

Manga Cover - Danganronpa 2 Goodbye Despair Volume 1 (Front) (English) Manga Cover - Super Danganronpa 2 Sayonara Zetsubō Gakuen - Comic Anthology Volume 1 (Front) (Japanese) Manga Cover - Danganronpa 2 Ultimate Luck and Hope and Despair Volume 1 (Front) (English) Manga Cover - Super Danganronpa 2 Nanami Chiaki no Sayonara Zetsubō Daibōken Volume 1 (Front) (Japanese) Manga Cover - Super Danganronpa 2 Nankoku Zetsubou Carnival Volume 1 (Front) (Japanese)
Danganronpa 2:
Goodbye Despair
Sayonara Zetsubō
Gakuen Comic
Anthology
Danganronpa 2:
Ultimate Luck and
Hope and Despair
Nanami Chiaki no
Sayonara Zetsubō
Daibōken
Nankoku Zetsubō
Carnival!
Manga Cover - Super Danganronpa 2 Dangan Island - Kokoro Tokonatsu, Kokoronpa The Manga (Front) (Japanese) Manga Cover - Super Danganronpa 2 Sayonara Zetsubō Gakuen 4koma KINGS Volume 1 (Front) (Japanese) Manga Cover - Super Danganronpa 2 Zetsubōteki Ingaritsu no Naka no Sōda Kazuichi (Front) (Japanese)
Dangan Island:
Kokoro Tokonatsu
Kokoronpa
Sayonara Zetsubō
Gakuen: 4koma
KINGS
Super Danganronpa
2: Zetsubōteki
Ingaritsu no Naka no
Sōda Kazuichi

Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls[]

Zetta _Zetsubō Shōjo: Danganronpa Another Episode Comic Anthology Manga Cover - Danganronpa Another Episode Ultra Despair Girls Volume 1 (Front) (English) Manga Cover - Zettai Zetsubō Shōjo Danganronpa Another Episode - Genocider Mode Volume 1 (Front) (Japanese)
Zettai Zetsubō Shōjo:
Danganronpa
Another Episode:
Comic Anthology
Danganronpa Another Episode:
Ultra Despair Girls
Zettai Zetsubō Shōjo:
Danganronpa Another
Episode - Genocider Mode

Danganronpa 3: The End of Hope's Peak High School[]

Manga Cover - Danganronpa 3 The End of Kibōgamine Gakuen Comic Anthology (Front) (Japanese) Manga Cover - Danganronpa 3 The End of Kibōgamine Gakuen Dengenki Comic Anthology (Front) (Japanese)
Danganronpa 3:
Comic Anthology
Danganronpa 3:
Dengeki Comic
Anthology

Other[]

Danganronpa Gaiden Killer Killer Volume 1 Cover Manga Cover - Small Danganronpa 1 2 Light (Front) (Japanese) Danganronpa 1 Manga Cover - Danganronpa Demo Manga (Front) (Japanese)
Danganronpa Gaiden:
Killer Killer
Small Danganronpa
1・2 Light
Danganronpa 1.2
Comic Anthology
Danganronpa:
The Demo

Ultimate Academy for Gifted Juveniles Series[]

Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony[]

Manga Cover - New Danganronpa V3 Minna no Koroshiai Shin Gakki Comic Anthology (Front) (Japanese) Manga Cover - New Danganronpa V3 Minna no Koroshiai Shin Gakki Comic Anthology Volume 2 (Front) (Japanese) Manga Cover - New Danganronpa V3 Minna no Koroshiai Shin Gakki Comic Anthology Volume 3 (Front) (Japanese)

New Danganronpa V3:
Minna no Koroshiai Shin
Gakki Comic Anthology

New Danganronpa V3:
Minna no Koroshiai Shin
Gakki Comic Anthology
Volume 2

New Danganronpa V3:
Minna no Koroshiai Shin
Gakki Comic Anthology
Volume 3


Franchise Development Books[]

Danganronpa Visual Fanbook Super Danganronpa 2 Official Setting Materials Collection Danganronpa Another Episode Official Setting Materials Collection New Danganronpa V3 Official Setting Materials Collection
Danganronpa Visual Fanbook Super Danganronpa 2 Official Setting Materials Collection Danganronpa Another Episode Official Setting Materials Collection New Danganronpa V3 Official Setting Materials Collection
Danganronpa 1 Danganronpa Kodaka ~ 860 days for "Danganronpa"
Danganronpa 1.2 Official Setting Materials Collection Danganronpa Kodaka ~ 890 days for "Danganronpa"

Game Consoles[]

Sony released three themed PlayStation games consoles as part of the promotion for the release of Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony. They were released exclusively in Japan on January 12, 2017.

DRV3 PS4 Console Danganronpa Vita Console White Danganronpa Vita Console Black
PlayStation® 4 ×
Danganronpa V3:
Killing Harmony
PlayStation® Vita ×
Danganronpa V3:
Killing Harmony (White)
PlayStation® Vita ×
Danganronpa V3:
Killing Harmony (Black)

Trivia[]

  • On August 5, 2017, the popular internet YouTube channel The Leaderboard released a video for their 107 Facts series about the Danganronpa franchise.
  • On August 29, 2017, the popular internet YouTube channel Smosh Games released a video for their Honest Trailer series about the Danganronpa franchise.
  • On April 28, 2021, the internet YouTube channel EruptionFang released a video for their Complete Timeline series about the Danganronpa franchise.
  • Danganronpa franchise was referenced in AI: The Somnium Files several times. Iris's comment about a panda ride references Monokuma and Executions. Junko Enoshima's autograph can be seen in Mayumi's restaurant and read in her Somnium. The franchise itself is even referenced by name when investigating the dashboard in Date's car once. Iris comments "Dangan," to which Date replies with "Ronpa."


References[]

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