If you're a weeb, you must have come across the term "Danganronpa" or "Monokuma" or even "Junko Enoshima" once in your life. Danganronpa is a murder mystery visual novel. The game takes place in near future Japan, where the country revolves around Hope's Peak Academy, a high school where graduates are set for life. To attend, you must be the best in what you do, such as the "Ultimate Chef" or the "Ultimate Dancer". However, when sixteen students enter the school, they black out and are told by a black and white bear that they must live in Hope's Peak for the rest of their life. There is one way to leave though: you must kill another student and get away with it in the class trial. If you manage to get the killer right, only they're punished. But if you get it wrong, everyone besides the killer will be punished and the killer will have the right to leave. What do I mean by punishment? Well, an execution! The game may sound lame, but its actually very fun. Now most new fans make the huge mistake of reading the manga or watching the anime instead. DON'T DO THAT, YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO EXPERIENCE DANGANRONPA PROPERLY. Here's my guide on what to do instead:
1. Play or watch a gameplay of Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc. The game has more details, is easier to follow and actually has character development compared to the anime or manga.
2. Play or watch a gameplay of Super Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair. This is obviously the important sequel to the first game.
3. Play or watch a gameplay of Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls. This is a spin off game, instead of a visual novel it is a first person shooter. You don't necessarily watch it, but it is still important as it fixes loose ties in the second game and the Future Arc will make more sense.
4. Watch the anime Danganronpa 3: The End of Hope's Peak Academy. It's very important as it serves as a prequel and sequel to the games. This part is a little complicated, so let me break it down for you:
-The anime is divided into three parts; Future Arc, Despair Arc and the OVA Hope Arc.
-You have to watch the Future and Despair Arcs in a zigzag pattern as that's how the episodes were released
-For example, you would watch episode one of the Future Arc then episode one of the Despair Arc
-After you finish them, watch the satisfying happy ending, the Hope Arc
-There is also a special episode which takes place before the Hope Arc starring a certain supporting character from the second game. This is completely optional
5. Read the light novels in the following order: Danganronpa IF, Danganronpa Zero and Danganronpa Kirigiri.
6. Play or watch a gameplay of New Danganronpa 3: Killing Harmony. This is the thrilling finale to the first two games that everyone was hyping up for. Save this for the end.
And that's it! Hope you stay away from the manga/ anime and enjoy Danganronpa!
