This was a great stream Kyoka, good chill vibes.

This is the stream that I name dropped you on earlier today: kzbin.info75zVjooXh1o?si=aNBL7Y0s4SgJEM_r

One thing that i think tends to go a bit overlooked in some V3 discussions is how the ending twist recontextualizes the rest of the game (and not just the chapter 1 case). There are a lot ideas and moments in V3 that end up either going underutilized or being disappointing, far more so than previous games they provide the possibility for something new and then dont deliver it in favor of something familiar because this is "danganronpa but we're out of ideas and going back to nostalgia". And I think Tsumugis entire character is very much a representation of this, shes essentially a blank slate whose only goal is to deliver references to popular media (eventually danganronpa) and recreate a classic killing game. It would obviously be silly to say that all of V3s faults are because "well this is supposed to be a bad/lazy season" but that intention is definitely there for a lot things. Also on the comment of how meta the ending is, it is worth noting that the "real world" that the game is breaking the 4th wall for is not our world. theres a reason why the protagonist we see the world through is different from the one the "real people" in V3 see it through as at the end of the day its more meant to be a message about how we view media and how "fiction can change the world" then to dunk on the fanbase, at least thats how i see it.

This was a great stream Kyoka, absolutely wild moments.

I think the big thing about Kaede is that from the start, she is presented as the "perfect leader" of the group. Because of her, the class is fairly united- Obviously there are issues, some distrust, and whatnot, but for the most part, everyone 'trusts' Kaede to an extent. It's what makes her death so crucial to the advancement of V3- Should Kaede continue to live, the existing story of V3 under the writing style at the time wouldn't work. There are fanfics that explore the concept of Kaede living, but those are done under completely different perspectives. Case 1 is the breaking point for the class, since the trust of the class is shattered due to the actions of Kaede. Her character arc is completed here, demonstrating her selfless nature to assist others and pushing them forward- Shuichi is just the perspective we see her from, and as we see in the game, is one of the most affected- though everyone else has their own forms of "call to action" thanks to her.

I think the biggest problem with the whole daganronpa franchise is its need to frequently kill off its characters for the sake of progressing the story. So many characters in each game could’ve had so much more great moments if only they had lived longer. The frequent character deaths is part of the excitement, but it demands a big sacrifice from every story beat that doesn’t always make the story better.

I actually don’t think Himiko was being cruel to Tenko whatsoever. Tenko was definitely sexually harassing Himiko and a play on the common (misogynistic) talking point “if the pervert was a girl y’all wouldn’t say anything” so how was that your takeaway from that interaction?

Shuichi should've gotten whacked in one of the later chapters with Kokichi taking over as the player character. In a story sense, he has to contend with getting a bunch of panicking idiots (and Maki) to play ball with him since there's nobody else left who can be relied on as a leader, while in a gameplay sense you get a wrench thrown at you in that Lie Bullets are now your default shot and you need to hold to load a Truth Bullet instead. Kokichi is the most wasted character in this series. Himiko, on the other hand, is the biggest waste. I have the worst tolerance for her because of what it feels like she stole, that being Kokichi, who is all but stated to be in actuality the Ultimate Liar, participating in a showdown against someone who is functionally a personification of lies. Given the elimination of Shuichi, Kokichi could've had an arc of ascending beyond being the Ultimate Liar into being, by some definition, a real Ultimate Leader, and have a breakpoint in maybe the final trial that has his shots become Truth Bullets by default. Though really, it's not at all that Himiko is in the final trial, just that Kokichi isn't and any adjustment to include both of them would've been fine. My memory might not be working for me, but I seem to remember Himiko doing basically nothing throughout the entire final trial even if you count her player character stint, she has nothing to play off of Tsumugi with, so she feels like a complete load at that point. Also I choose to believe that Kokichi lived. He really did drink the antidote, but it had more than one dose in it so there was plenty to spare for Kaito. They used some kind of a mystery prop for the blood in the press, and Kokichi was just hiding in the Exisal washer the whole time. He intended to reveal himself, but due to the trial starting and then Keebo's rampage he never got the chance and had to stay put until it was all already over.

23:30 I still hate that scene 😭😭😭

While I do like the Kaede twist, I wish that they made Shuichi a woman too, so that way we could still have a female protagonist

I immediately uninstalled v3 and got a refund after kaede died. It was such blatant fridging and bad writing, especially since she was objectively a more interesting and proactive protagonist.

THANK YOU for (somewhat) sticking up for Ultra Despair Girls. I know that game has its flaws but the character development shouldn’t be overlooked because of it. My opinion of Toko greatly increased because of the game. And this is where my hot take comes in. I don’t think Shuichi needs to die for Kaede to be the protagonist. V3 is all about subverting Danganronpa tropes (how good the tropes were subverted is up to debate). I think a way better way to subvert the protagonist trope is to have two protags instead of one. We can switch POV from chapter to chapter.

14:09 Im sorry but how could Kirumi being similar to Peko? Like they are both passionate about their job, but nothing else i see about them is similar

First, I need to say this game is definitely the worst one of the series. The writing feels lazy compared to the first two. Is a shame because God I wad do hyped when it started with a female protagonist because it was different and new just to be stuck with another bland male protagonist. With that said, it has the best plot twist out of the series only because it leads to tons of different fan theories on what everything meant. With that said, it's the only game that I won't play again or even care.

British

Great video, but I have to ask, I have never heard anyone refer to Shucihi as Saihara. Everyone in the game calls him Shuichi. I didnt even know his name was Sahaira. Is there a reason you dont refer to him as shucihi?

I agree 100% with your stance on Mikan. I think she had a lot of potential, and she's one of my favs. It's such a shame the creators used her for fanservice

Kinda off topic but where was it said that the ultimate academy was originally for troubled youths? Unless im wrong, there's nothing in the game that indicates that, so I'm wondering if you're confused because of the school's full name including the word "juvenile" which might be making you think of juvenile detention?

As the biggest v3 defender I respect your opinion but completely disagree with thinking that the characters weren't that interesting at least in my opinion they're the most interesting I n the franchise but I don't want to sound like I'm trying to argue or anything. Hope you have a great day 👍

I heard that the creator said that he wanted to put the player in shuichis shoes during the twist. So if you feel frustrated that kaede died for nothing, that's exactly how shuichi feels

28:59 i think the fact that the surviving trio isn’t as developed makes it a bit more compelling. because of the fact all of them come from broken trios. Himiko from Tenko and Angie, Shuichi and Maki with Kaito. They’ve all lost people dear to them and they’re untied in living on in their memories. that’s just imo tho, i totally get people not understanding/vibing with training trio. They just happen to be one of my favorite dynamics from DRV3.

Things i think Danganronpa V3 should've done -Let Kaede have 5 FTEs in Chapter 1. She can only have 2 for each character and that's annoying. Add 3 more, let her interact with other characters, include more depth to them. Why they dismissed that?? We could have 10 FTEs for everyone (besides Shuichi and Kaede) and that would be really great. -Include routes. Well as a YTTD enjoyer Danganronpa V3 could have routes where we get different results and survivors. Not only that characters like Ryoma and Rantaro can have more screentime, we could see Angie being the antagonist instead of Kokichi (that's not something i wish i think Kokichi is a fine antagonist but i would wanna see different characters in different roles) or most basic one, making Kaede as the main protagonist. We also would get a different mastermind with a different plot. I wish they did that. -Make Tsumugi INTERESTING. She is most boring character in not V3 in main cast of Danganronpa. To me even Hifumi and Teruteru is more appealing cuz at least they are doing something in the game. Tsumugi is just a boring ass mastermind. (Even they are not making plot for her they could make her a POV in 6th trail and while we play as her we would try to convince Keebo for voting hope. That would be really could twist and make her much interesting.) -Exclude Monokubs. Imagine being more plotless than Tsumugi. They have no reason to be in game and game would be much better without them. I skipped their lines and i didn't even feel i lost anything, besides i didn't waste my time over them.

You mentioned that you may do extra content in a separate video and that got me thinking. Have you read Danganronpa 0? Because from what I understand, it adds A LOT to Junko's character.

There is a fanganronpa called Danganronpa:Redemption on youtube channel Redemptionronpa Where Kaede is protagonist and Kokichi to be antagonist get see other intresting dynamics too

V3 never got a anime that’s made me side but I love the game tho 😅

If they were gonna kill Kaede, it should've happened in chapter 5. I couldn't care less about Kaito after losing Kaede, it felt like the game was trying too hard. And Kaede's dynamic with Kokichi is infinitely more interesting than Kokichi with Kaito and especially Suichi. And as much as I love Suichi he's not as interesting when a protagonist, i enjoyed him alot more as the support in ch1 If they killed Hajime in ch1 and left us with Nagito I'd be just as disappointed and Nagito's one of my 3 favourite characters

I think it'd be kinda neat if Shuichi, Kaede and Rantaro formed a trio that did a tonne of investigating together and started uncovering tons of the secrets, THEN Rantaro gets murdered. I feel it'd be fairly neat because a lot of the V3 deaths are a little bit too predictable, I think they tried that with actual Rantaro, but because he's so disconnected from everything, it's a bit obvious he's going to die. Plus Shuichi's actual trio, while wholesome are sort lf useless in terms of investigating the school go.(Also it leaves Kaede alive for longer lmao)

Hot take but I actually like that kaede was a fake out protagonist. I just wish she died in a later chapter like possibly chapter three so we had more time with her. But I think it’s because I think that would hit so hard to have a protag for a good chunk of the game be taken from the player at that point? Like giving the player a false sense of security only to rip it from under them? Also with that making sure shuichi still gets consistent development so that him becoming a protag in this hypothetical version of v3 isn’t jarring of course.

The switch plot twist has been discussed by the fans over the years, but I'm on the side who didn't like this as much, fortunately to some and unfortunatly to others. When I played the game and the plot twist of the first chapter happened, I literally had to spoil myself the entire game because I had uninstalled it lol, but because I saw that Tsumugui was the one, then it made me want to install and feel the game again. In my opinion, Kaede would have been an interesting pick for protag for the whole game because of her change in personality, because for me a protagonist can be either male or female (though i prefer more female representation) but they have to make me feel interested in their personality and the way they think. Shuichi unfortunatly had fallen into the same category as his ancestors and I don't think wanting him to be the victim of the first chapter counts as 'having a feminist opinion' or something, it's literally because his personality was the same, even with Kaede's death developing his confidence. I've read I'd trade my Life for yours in AO3 and the creator of the fanfic did such an amazing job with Kaede's character in there, making her more realistic then positive in such a delicate direction that made her interesting throughout the entire story! (Which could have happened with Shuichi too, to be honest). The thing with me too, is that there were other characters that could be the protag instead of him, like Maki, Miu, Kokichi, Rantaro - all of them having more personality and plots then the real protag. But this is just my opinion btw <3

The bath scene is optional and some people dont even see it. Are you gonna getting pissy over optional content now You gonna throw a fit over the two boardgames and their weird interactions?

I think thats the only thing i actually agree with you on The bye bye ouchies is probably the worst execution if you dont understand her character and fears And its just straight up weird if you do understand her character and fears Fear of large objects being represented by yhe arms that sprouts up The multiple repeated shots could be a nod to what you said eailer how she had darts throw at her (most likely hitting her arm since thats the part of her body bandaged. I do like the fake out where you think she might get lethal injection or death by impalment but the pay off to that fake out was not good and probably wouldve been better if she got a boring exe like impalement or injection

I have to disagree again The despair sickness (cant spell disase) is unique and its one of our first hints into the fact that this world is not real if monokuma can alter people this drastically

Im gonna say it Miu does the hiyoko trope better They are both foul mouthed but at least miu is smart/useful also if you push back she folds Hiyoko would just double down and start an argument

The fact you defend tenko neutralizes every other talking point in this video 😂😂😂😂😂

17:00 Its almost like the antagonist isnt supposed to be likable and do good things or something

Leaving the time stamp for the sensible fans that can read and understand chihiro refers to HIM SELF as a guy and made and ai that calls HIM MASTER not MISTRESS She talks about chihiro for some odd reason from 4:41 - 6:17

I literally jumped when I saw the notification 🎉 Thank you for this analysis, especially Angie and Ruruka's parts, they're both really hated and very few people bother to discuss them, especially the latter. What other franchises will you discuss about? I'd like you to discuss the female characters of Ace Attorney (especially Franziska and the culprits from the first trilogy and Apollo Justice). But only if you've played the Game of course.

the tdpi of danganronpa...

Out of curiosity will you continue your Women in Persona series? You haven't done the other 4 games like Persona 3 or 4 yet

35:17 Without the splash art years before I have the same thought too that Tsumugi looks like a librarian or a teacher.

Honestly it would’ve been interesting if Shuichi was killed off and Kaede and Rantaro ending up being the main characters. I find them both way more interesting than Shuichi, even though i like him too.

I like that through Kaede that Shuichi is really the first main protagonist to have their Free Time Events so we know more about Shuichi unlike with Makoto and Hajime. And the interesting case of good use of Free Time Event is with Tenko as with Kaede you learn why Tenko likes Himiko and understand her attraction while Shuichi as a guy can't really ask that question so he tries to be closer with Tenko.

I would disagree with calling Kaede's death in dangonronpa V3 fridging. fridging a character is when you kill a character only to hurt the protagonist of your story and do nothing with them afterwards making the death feel irrelevant. Kaede's death is relevant for the rest of the game especially for character like Shuichi, Kokichi and Kaito and is not just moved on from even after death she still has impact for the rest of the game's story and massive moments (Kaede's death is what caused Shichi's development, Kokichi starting his new approach and plan, and Kaito taking leader role and the reveal of chapter 6). Kaede's death is relevant for the entire game which is why I don't think she was fridged now do I think that she could have been a good protag in place of Saihara ? Sure probably has you said her toxic positivity would have been interesting to explore but has for how she was used I'd say it was used really well. of course you can disagree but that is just how I see it.

Are you gonna talk about the men in each mainline game next?

I wonder if I’ll hear the word “fridging” in the video and I’m kinda ready to bet one of my kidneys on that. 10:52 there we gooooooo

Kirumi is my favorite character from Danganronpa V3. She reminded me of Noelle from Genshin Impact (sorry, if you don’t know who that is. Basically a maid who always looks out for others but not for herself. She has immense strength and is a good shielder) and that‘s why I became attached. She has a pleasant personality and/or attitude which is also a win in my book. On top of that she’s a total badass and smart, character traits I also like. Her case brings up a very interesting question, too. Is it okay to sacrifice a group of people for the Greater Good? Did she do it for the Greater Good or out of the belief that she is more important than the others? For me Kirumi is just great. But that’s just my opinion.

This really was the Danganronpa

This was a great stream Kyoka, good chill vibes.

What are your thoughts on Kaede? Just wondering