By Episode: Danganronpa Ep 1

Plot Summary: In Hope’s Peak Academy, 15 students who are considered “super” in their own ways are admitted. Monokuma, an electronic bear appears in the gym offering a way out of the tightly-secured school. However, the rules are to kill and find out who the killer is or stay in the academy forever.

Episode 1. Welcome to Despair High School

The main protagonist, Naegi Makoto wakes up and finds himself in a classroom secured with metal bolts. He goes to the gym and finds 14 other students, one of whom he attended middle school with, Maizono Sayaka. The 15 “super” students meet Monokuma, a highly sadistic remote-powered stuffed bear stating the rules of the school.

The only way to “graduate” from the school is to kill someone and not be discovered. For a few days, everyone decides to wander and look for an exit. When the Monokuma got bored, he motivates everyone by allowing them to watch a DVD with something horrible happening. In Makoto’s case, it is his family dying.

 

Thoughts: I noticed similarities to many anime series and drama series I have seen before. For one, the theme of this anime is kill or be killed, which is similar to Battle Royale. In BR however, they are forced to kill within a time frame. In this anime however, they are given the chance to participate by killing or by finding out who the murderer is. You can also see similarities to Liar Game, except you are not being conned with money. In Liar Game, you have to outwit your enemy by deceiving them and I think that is what is about to happen to this anime.

Similar anime where you are trapped also include Sword Art Online and Btooom. I am guessing Sayaka is not as weak as she appears to be. I think she might be a serious competitor for Naegi in the end.

Student Count: 15

I might follow this anime. It has a good plot.

Andy :)