Why Danganronpa IF Is So Great

[@NezumiVA]

Comment question: What is your favorite AU of all time? (For any property, not just Danganronpa.)

[@Videosyncrasy]

Off the top of my head I'm going to say "Finn the Human" from Adventure Time and that Futurama episode with the Finglonger.

[@Alyssaromantic]

Undertale: Flowerfell

[@DepressedHunter]

underverse

[@anngoro1119]

DRA and SDRA2

[@samkathryn4825]

I haven’t read/watched many, but I absolutely loved Extra Life and Three Point Shot. Both have their problems, but I think they’re pretty great regardless.

[@lufuse]

Wow I really wish Mukuro would have lived. I've had very verbally abusive people in my life and thay scene where Junko says goodbye really hit me hard. I had a feeling that their relationship might be toxic like this but seeing it written out is another thing enturely. I've started reading the light novels and I can wait to read If.

[@RebellionInHell]

If you want I can point you to a good fanfic called Danganronpa Another If by MHJoker4Ever for a Mukuro surviving story.

[@eridanstan4977]

@@RebellionInHell this comment led me to that story… it seems really good so far!

[@AC_memes]

​@@eridanstan4977link?

[@samkathryn4825]

Danganronpa Class Swap II has some good Mukuro content, though it hasn’t as of yet delved much into the toxicity of the sisters’ relationship.

[@jvever4904]

When I first read DR IF, it made Mukuro my favorite character. Which is why I also cannot take the DR3 anime's version of Mukuro as canon.

[@karlrassmann4604]

Agreed. You can tell they're different writers, because the two are completely different characters. One is a heartbreaking abuse victim who's seeing a way out for the first time. The other is a mindless walking sister complex.

[@fate8718]

I mean considering the dude who made Durarara wrote this, and sheesh the characters in Durarara are the reason that story works, it was bound to be better than some anime's writing team.

[@trellyv8826]

Is it really that different through all of IF mukuro was never directly in contact with junko and time to chat with Makoto and through the anime she had direct contact with Junko and no supports with Makoto considering they get the supports during IF. So anime Mukuro is just her is her most Junko obsessed time period. I mean even in IF when she was betraying her sister she said she was doing it for her. Like just hearing Junkos voice is enough to get her off her fighting game amazing if Junko has standing there in person.

[@the_basil_fang1rl]

Same. I'd rather count an actually well written Mukuro that we see here as canon than the masochist sister complex one in DR3.

[@youtuber5669]

i can say exactly the same

[@midnalazuli793]

Danganronpa IF is literally borderline fanfiction, but it still has better writing than all three arcs of DR3 put together.

[@weirdguy1495]

Most of UDG has better writing than DR3.

[@tienluong9648]

Despair arc was good bro wtf?

[@midnalazuli793]

@@tienluong9648 Despair Arc is EASILY the WORST of the three arcs.

[@tienluong9648]

@@midnalazuli793 That's a weird way of spelling Future arc

[@midnalazuli793]

@@tienluong9648 Future Arc could've been good if it was 26 episodes long and had more time to develop its plot and characters. Despair Arc had no reason to exist, it ruined every character that was in it, and gave us more questions than answers. And what answers they DID give us were lazily written.

[@senescence57]

[V3 Spoilers] Any y'all notice how Tsumugi never did Mukuro drag? Or even drag of Mukuro in Enoshima drag? She even did Sayaka and Impostor in Byakuya drag, who never appeared in a trial.

[@sanfransiscon]

Good observation! Definitely fits with her obsession with Junko and inflating her importance.

[@jmh8817]

Never noticed that, but it definitely makes sense thinking about it.

[@CRAMDVoiceLessons]

@@sanfransiscon you mean by not worshiping false idols? (Junko drag lol)

[@CRAMDVoiceLessons]

@@jmh8817 omfg, your profile pic is a BOP

[@revoltman-needsmoreclickbait]

sen could you edit you comment and press the enter key a bunch of times in between the two statements so that the comment will hide the spoiler under a read more prompt please?

[@MiloKuroshiro]

I'm screaming with your music choice. The Umineko Soundtrack is just perfect damn

[@bakeranita6040]

Great video!! Quick idea about another book like this- I think the true ending would have been great if everyone said they would give up their talents and then we see them walk out and then we see them outside in the sunshine and Makoto or"Junko" saying "we were lying right?" And everyone says back-"totally!" Would be sooo funny and in line with the humor of the game

[@cnemesys2156]

Mukuro in if is fine and all but **point at what she done to Chisa in DGRP3**

[@endplanets]

Celestia: Gotta give up gambling. Had a feeling my next gamble wouldn't pay off. Leon: (Sarcasm) oh no, I have to give up baseball. Daaaaarn. Makoto: I don't have a power so I don't really care. Mondo: Can't be a criminal. Gotta become Prime Minister. Japanese politicians ain't ever done bad stuff. Ishimaru: Dibs on biker. Sayaka: gonna give Country Music a shot Yamada talking to Toko: want to swap?

[@presidentpeashooter4617]

Looking at it Toko could’ve been the ultimate fanfic writer

[@hotanimebabe779]

@@presidentpeashooter4617 yeah but at the same time she murdered hifumi his ass for liking fanfics in chapter 2.

[@shadestrider1033]

In the base game, Makoto is a pretty charismatic speaker. If he actually did something with it before the story, he could have been the ultimate speaker. But since he's the lucky student, maybe he still has his speaking abilities (losing his inhumane luck, though). He could go to art school, fail at getting in, become twisted by bigoted thoughts and commit genocide.

[@williammiller6330]

@ShadeStrider103 don't think no one caught on to that reference.

[@kyomado]

@@williammiller6330 LMFAO it was a hitler reference for those that didn't get it, by the way

[@amiablereaper]

Naegi in the true ending: let's not go to hope's peak, it is a silly place

[@a_boring_male]

when you think about it in that ending, he's luck really saved him ig LMAO

[@daniborja8019]

But if that happened, they all would be dead, isn't it? As Junko Enoshima would have initiated the Tragedy with the help of Izuru Kamukura, and the chaos and killings would have ended their lives in a pretty tragic way.

[@scott34494]

​@daniborja8019 In the true ending somehow the end of the world didn't happen and they just are normal high schoolers in a normal world it would seem ... it doesn't really make sense.

[@JDubs1464]

“You all can go just give up your talents” Leon: Lmao bro say less

[@8970-R]

"ok, you go, no talent"

[@mrrunodan8119]

How did they give up their talent? It's not like it magically disappears

[@min0uet]

@@mrrunodan8119 i think maybe they're just making an agreement that they can never use it again?

[@mrrunodan8119]

@@min0uet how is Junko gonna monitor them anyway?

[@larsthememelord3383]

@@mrrunodan8119the patented and iconic junko-copter of course, that she always had and uses to monitor random people for shits and giggles

[@lezzei]

mukuro is my favorite char in the series but i hate how she's basically kodaka's punching bag lmao, reduced to just an incestuous mess in the anime and neglected in terms of sprites

[@NezumiVA]

Fwiw, as I understand it, DR3 was largely not written by Kodaka himself, merely supervised. Don’t know how much input he had on that specifically, but I don’t have MUCH faith regardless lol.

[@lezzei]

@@NezumiVA ooh gotcha, probably should've figured but it's annoying either way lol

[@BucketIHead]

This comment is 2 yeara old but i really wish they had mukuro survive and have a redemption arc instead of being killed for shock

[@reitrace]

fuck that scrapped ending hit me hard almost wish it was kept in the game i love everyone just melancholically considering what to do with their lives now that their ambitions are out the window hits far far far too close to home for me dont really like the dream angle tho

[@Saws.numb.1.fan.]

Except for Leon who pretty much said “Hell yeah!”

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

Agreed

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

​@@Saws.numb.1.fan. True

[@Wince_Media]

I think it was really interesting for you to talk about how this story characterizes mukuro compared to how she's characterized I'm DR3. I'll definitely need to check out IF for myself, and I CANT WAIT to see you tackle DR3 ( Oh and also v3 lol)

[@MegaMachiOnline]

I’m hoping the more intricate Appeal to Emotion aspect of V3 gets tackled when it pertains to a certain slew of key characters

[@Wince_Media]

@@MegaMachiOnline may I ask what you mean by that comment? Just wondering

[@AAAAAAA-dc6xb]

I mean Angie and Kokichi are characters that really represent logic and they are both antagonists while Tenko and Kaito who represent emotion are both seen in a positive light. Chapter 3 also seems to value emotion over logic but Chapter 4 actually does show that logic is valuable but then again everyone is miserable after that and nobody ever realizes that maybe they should stop being so emotional.

[@Wince_Media]

@@AAAAAAA-dc6xb I honestly kind of like that as it shows that not everything is black and white, yknow?

[@MiloKuroshiro]

@@AAAAAAA-dc6xb what are you talking about? Angie literally appeals to everyone's emotions, not their logic, and she's not ever portrayed as an antagonist, just antagonistic. And V3 says again and again and again that we should go through the truth, just that there's truth in emotions.

[@francisfatta]

I think some people overlook how interesting the first game really is, from it’s entire setting to the overarching story to the deeper morals of trust and the will to keep pushing forward. It’s especially interesting to see the story be taken in fascinating little directions like this

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

Agreed

[@wrigglenight93]

It is interesting to me that her backup plan is apparently a hair stylist. Given that the interest she shows subjects like hair and makeup, which Junko is supposedly an expert in, seems at least somewhat genuine.

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

Agreed

[@buttercupghost]

Oh man, I'm already crying. "This is an act of mercy." That scene was already so powerful, but you put into words why it impacted me so much. Junko and Mukuro's relationship is so heartbreaking to me; filled with abuse, but also love, albeit a twisted one. It pulls at my heart strings. And yeah, how DR3 handled it was... disappointing to say the least. Also, Kyouko/Mukuro is a GREAT ship thank you for acknowledging that. Personally, I'm partial to Mukuro/Makoto/Kyouko/Sayaka for this series, I love all sides of it. I also love Chihiro/Mukuro! They're underrated. DR:IF is great and I love how it explores Mukuro. Mukuro is one of my favorites because of it, I think how they characterize her is really good. It was amazing. I think you really articulated why; Mukuro's relationship with Junko and Makoto, and how those relationships contrast, was really the backbone of IF, I think. I honestly didn't expect you to do IF, but I'm glad you did! Despite being so short, it's one of my favorite installments of DR, along with SDR2 and DR0. Glad you could cover it!

[@ethanhinton4549]

To be COMPLETELY fair to dr3 (not that I like it either) Mukuro hadn't had as much time with class 78 as she had by Dr1/IF, so naturally her level of independence and autonomy from Junko would be diminished in comparison.

[@TheRebornExpert]

@@ethanhinton4549 Unfortunately, you have a point, Mukuro (At that point in time), was totally loyal to Junko. Doing, literally anything, that Junko ordered so she could accomplish her master plan.

[@alphamarine4784]

I like your ship with Mukuro, personally My favorite ship is Makoto/Mukuro/Sayaka/Kyoko/Aoi, maybe add Celeste, not so sure. I simply find Mukuro to be one of my favorite character in the whole series, along side with Makoto due to how much a a good boy he is. I really hope in the future that there’s a sequel to Danganronpa If in the future, exploring more of the world with Mukuro. But failing that, at least we have fanfiction to help tide us over for the time being.

[@esotericpince]

channel name wasnt lying, that nezumi sure does VA 😳

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

Agreed 😀

[@spicedch4i]

I love your danganronpa retrospectives so much! They actually ended up getting me more into the series and I'm now playing the games. You approach the series so well, and I really appreciate that you give warnings for and criticize the more badly handled (or even harmful) content in the games. I like listening to video essays or retrospectives while drawing and I've listened to your dr videos at least two or three times each lol, they're so eloquent and enjoyable while being informative and even giving me a new appreciation for parts of the series. Just wanted to let you know that these videos are great and you're an awesome creator!

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

Me too

[@yukimishima7854]

Man, I forgot how great this story was. I remember Narita gushing about Danganronpa in the afterword of one of his novels, but I didn't realize he himself went on to write something for the franchise. You can tell he wrote IF with the passion of a real fan of the original work.

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

Agreed

[@psychronia]

I loved DR IF and would totally get a sequel to it. The worst part of it is that it made me wish Mukuro survived at least a bit longer into the original game.

[@feihtyt2063]

I don't just want a sequel I want an entire full length multi-part multi-media production of games, animes, and mangas of this. There is so much potential for a power of friendship story that shows how some of these characters who we get so little time with in game actually are. I want to see this version of events tackle the Warriors of Hope and the Remnants of Despair, I want to see the family members and friends held hostage be saved and reunited.

[@psychronia]

@@feihtyt2063 The Golden Timeline.

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

Agreed

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

​@@feihtyt2063 Agreed

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

​@@psychronia nice title

[@WavePrism]

always a pleasure seeing your takes on this series. feels refreshing that there's someone that acknowledges what makes it click for so many while also not being afraid to take its bad points to task.

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

Agreed

[@slimeballgamerdp7505]

In the scrapped ending when monokuma gives naegi the escape button and says "if you press it you will end the world, it will be true despair" and I think he saying this to the player which ending the fiction/world for you and true despair as in you will feel it cause you just ended and stopped the game you love, no more. And I just love that shit.

[@mayayamato7351]

and you can see echoes of that in v3's ending, in my opinion. with the way the mastermind in that one represents all the fans that want the carnage of the series to keep going.

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

I agree with you that possibly true.

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

Also I love that stuff too (I am not using the s word though.)

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

​@@mayayamato7351 that definitely seems likes the case ( no pun indeeded)

[@michiyaslana5974]

I always thought Mukuro was one of the most wasted characters in all of DR. She was SO fascinating to me in THH, I loved the mystery surrounding her and I was dying to know more about her. The anime disappointed me so much. I thought it would've been so fun if she was Junko's original nemesis while being her beloved twin, the first person to ever catch on to what Junko was trying to do, trying to stop her, only to end up losing and brainwashed during their last showdown. So much despair to be had there. But nah, let's just make her a spineless ally for absolutely no reason.

[@NezumiVA]

Her being Junko's ally is at least in line with the abuse narrative between the two, so I don't take any issue with that, really. I take issue with how they changed her personality outright to make her much more of a sycophant (and took the uh...'Sibling Love' angle _way_ too far, in a way I find extremely reductive). That said, I still think the original angle from the hints in DR1 and the expounding in IF, surrounding familial abuse and learning to stop bending a knee to people in your life who will hurt you, is very good - and I don't really find it as interesting to scrub that entirely away.

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

True

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

Agreed

[@gov2417]

Before reading DR:IF: interesting character wish i learn more about her After reading DR:IF: Number one best girl ! i love her very much❤️ and i pledge my allegiance to Naekusaba forever

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

Agreed

[@gundambassexe31]

I love how monokuma is Self aware and Makoto is mildly confused 🤣🤣

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

Me too

[@gamefreakDX]

IF is the main reason why I like Mukuro. Which is why it's a shame they changed up her personality in DR3 to be a lot more masochistic, which is not a trait I got out of IF, in fact, she says outright that she's not one.

[@imme3330]

DR3 was done by a different person

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

Agreed

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

​@@imme3330 after watching the anime, I am willing to agree

[@kerran4550]

@@yellowstarproductions6743 Despair Arc should’ve been a novel.

[@marybonner7432]

Monster is such a fitting song. I love it. Even if it is not canon, I love mukuro's redemption and depth this story gives her. I would've loved if mukuro stayed longer in the original game too, would have been so interesting to see how she would have been reacting to the events around her and how the others would've if she was revealed as a traitor. Excellent video. 😁

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

Agreed

[@3heads0thoughts]

At this point you've just convinced me I need to read everything ever written by the writer of Baccano because it seems like the only common thread I've found is that every part of fiction I ever love springs forth from their brow I was also TREMENDOUSLY disappointed to see DR3's Mukuro be the most subservient and yet excited that Junko tried to kill her - and like, I get it, DRif only works because Mukuro had blind faith followed by betrayal. But god damn, did they have to make it so Junko tries to kill Mukuro at every opportunity? In all honesty, that choice also ruins DR1 - where Mukuro basically says "It wasn't supposed to go like this" before *dying*. Like, come on. What the fuck. Anyway that's why the DR3 anime's depiction of Mukuro isn't canon thanks for coming to my TED talk

[@ejm1225]

To be fair, is DR3 truly canon, or is it just something made to end the Hope's Peak Saga?

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

​@@ejm1225 you make a good point

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

Fair point

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

I will respect your opinion despite not agreeing with you

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

​@@ejm1225 Also I am in agreement with you.

[@zeroanonymity9736]

It's such an incredible pairing, using Umineko's BGMs for this. Just fantastic uses of each one.

[@keshagriffin3375]

Umironpa

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

​@@keshagriffin3375 great title for a fangame

[@keshagriffin3375]

@@yellowstarproductions6743 Umironpa 76

[@esotericpince]

i really liked this video! i've been uninterested in danganronpa for a while now and you're making me want to read the light novels. are you planning on covering any of the manga or other media in the future? the pacing of reading directly and then breaking to add your own thoughts and insight makes this a lot easier to consume. (on another note: for a series that handles mental health so badly its wild to see how well the sisters relationship was conveyed)

[@NezumiVA]

Possibly! But definitely in the future, if so. Once I get DR3 and V3 done I’m gonna be done with DR for a _while_ lol.

[@esotericpince]

@@NezumiVA thats fair lol, ive seen what over consuming danganronpa can do to tumblr kinnies, its not pretty 😔. i'll be looking forward to see what you do next :3

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

Me too

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

​@@NezumiVA ok

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

​@@esotericpince agreed

[@Aisubun]

Really enjoyed this one! Glad I've stuck around after my Madoka Magica phase because your stuff is great, these Danganronpa retrospectives in particular are some of my favorite analyses of games on KZbin. The mix of breakdown and discussion is really nice and helps people unfamiliar digest the points well in addition to being a nice refresher for people who have played it before. It's also just really nice to listen to. I hope your stuff keeps getting more attention because you definitely deserve it :)

[@Aisubun]

THIS VIDEO WAS A YEAR AGO NOW I REMEMBER WATCHING IT LIVE ON MY TRIP TO VIRGINIA FOR MY GRADUATION CEREMONY I'M GONNA CRY TIME IS SO MEAN

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

Agreed ❤❤❤❤

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

​@@Aisubun true

[@GamingWithHajimemes]

Really sucks they had to make Mukuro a masochistic sister complex in dr3. I loved her character in the IF story...

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

Me too

[@randominternetman8177]

I love how the script ending is like Undertale resets, keeping some memories of previous runs, allowing for different events and potentially different outcomes.

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

Me too

[@HectorCotto97]

I feel like Mukuro doesn't get enough love. When the DR3 anime came out I was happy to see her not only animated but appearing at all outside of DR1 and not having to see her dressed like Junko. Though it IS disappointing how they decided to portray her in the anime, years back I remember reading a translated version of the IF story somewhere online before it was officially localized with DR2 and I remember loving it and loving Mukuro. I don't care whether it's "canon" or not, to me IF Mukuro is the true Mukuro Ikusaba in my opinion. I just wish she got more attention not just from the fans but from the creators of the games, not to mention I want to see more of Mukuro WITHOUT the Junko disguise. It's just a shame that IF doesn't have a continuation, it would be interesting to see how the overall story would change with everyone making it out alive. Obviously they would join Future Foundation but would Naegi be treated the same? since he wouldn't be knock as the Ultimate Hope and since Junko is alive I imagine she would cause a lot of chaos. As for Mukuro herself I doubt she would even be allowed to join the Foundation, Toko barely made it as a intern, so there is no way Mukuro is being let anywhere near their organization.(Those emails sent to Naegi in DR2 and the people you see in DR3 are a good indication on how they would react to her.)

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

Agreed.

[@alphamarine4784]

This video was great, it really solidified Mukuro as my favorite character. Hopefully one day we get a Danganronpa IF spin-off universe and see more of her. Naegi x Mukuro for life!

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

Agreed

[@halfchiangel88]

Danganronpa IF is so compelling, I wish we could have more content for an IF au because Mukuro is such an interesting character. I love your essay videos, they're so well done and great to listen too! :D

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

Agreed

[@Mayuapril]

Togami: I am perfect Every other togami fan: yes, you are perfect

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

Agreed

[@coughedfeathers1292]

Yo. YO. DID I JUST HEAR A PARAMORE COVER?! And I thought I loved you for your Dr retrospectives and impeccable commentary already. I have that particular song on my fangan playlist already, SO happy to hear it here!!

[@v47r]

omggg another paramore fan uwu also do you have the playlist link? i'd love to listen 💖

[@jmh8817]

IF is very good and I was so disappointed about the franchise after DR3 went in a completely different direction that it's a minor miracle i played V3 at all. (That one EERILY PRESCIENT line from Kirigiri though, OH WOW, I'd forgotten about that!)

[@benroebke1153]

I love Danganronpa IF, but one of my biggest problems with it is how the nurse's office is a common location used when it wasn't even unlocked in the main story at this point. It's so inconsequential to the story, as the scenes it took place in could've really happened everywhere and still had the same effect, but for some reason it always bugs me 😭

[@kichiroumitsurugi4363]

It was really just unlocked for the purposes of keeping Makoto alive after he got bonked by the Spears of Gungnir

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

Agreed

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

​@@kichiroumitsurugi4363 that makes sense

[@diogohauriata5738]

I need to admit.. THAT NARRATIVE YOU PUT INTO THIS WAS SO FUCKING AWSOME! IT MAKES ME OMG IT FILLED ME WITH EXCITEMENT!! perfect. I have now more appreciation towards Mukuro, Gosh, THAT was an ending and god bless DANGANROPA IF because THAT WAS SO AAAAAAAAAAA GORGEOUS

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

Agreed.

[@isapu1948]

Hold on I thought there was a whole bit about Makoto saving Ikusaba and ending up in the infermary, Ikusaba fighting Monokuma as the SHL soldier and Junko exposing herself At one point Mondo joined in to help Did I dream that? Was that just a fanfic?? Edit : oooooohhhh never mind.

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

Agreed.

[@TonyRedgrave]

Danganronpa IF is amazing. It alone makes Mukuro my favorite character in the series. Poor girl deserved better. Another thing I really like about IF is that it makes the concept of Ultimate Despairs somewhat more believable. By breaking down Mukuro's thoughts and emotions, it touches on how they think, how they operate, how they interact with one another, their motivations and limitations. It's easy to look at the Ultimate Despairs and see villains who are evil just for evil's sake and that's a little true. But IF shows how a person could reasonably be an Ultimate Despair, and I really like that. Also, it's a little spooky how well Paramore's Monster fits Mukuro at the end of IF.

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

Agreed.

[@Videosyncrasy]

The editing on these just keeps getting better and better.

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

Agreed.

[@AfroBlackSiren]

All this time. So many danganronpa games, artwork, spin offs and events. And we still don't have sprites of Mukuro as Mukuro. Sure, Ultimate Imposter doesn't have either, but that's kind of his thing, while we HAVE seen Mukuro without her Junko fantasy

[@Eclipse_is_no_longer_an_idiot]

Technically Danganronpa 2 is still possible if this version of the ending was canon cuz the Danganronpa 2 cast is still out there and can still be put into the program

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

Agreed

[@personita2.733]

Isn't it curious how even in the little cut ending from the begging of the video, mukuro feels like a character and we can see ambitions of her outside of her sister and that's really sweet too!

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

Agreed.

[@thenagito]

I've actually been wondering about your thoughts on Ultra Despair Hagakure, since it's a lot like this one; a light novel unlocked by beating a game (though in this case it's UDG) and it focuses on (predictably) Yasuhiro and (not as predictably) Kanon Nakajima, who's apparently Leon's cousin, and his Hit List target. I haven't personally read it yet, but it looks really interesting and I need to get through UDG to read it.

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

Agreed.

[@azazel7505]

SPOILER for Danganronpa V3 I love how Kirigiri literally wrote the ENTIRE storyline for Danganronpa v3 30:26

[@Xwithashotgun]

Honestly Danganronpa IF will always be my canon compared to DR3. They did Mukuro dirty in DR3

[@ryojifan]

GOD im so excited for this- i just finished reading IF and mukuro is now my favorite character!! can't wait for this to go up :)

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

Agreed

[@Jmaniac9204]

Danganronpa If would be perfect to adapt into an OVA

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

Agreed. Especially voiced in the English language with the actual cast.

[@bobolar3605]

You actually made a video about it... THANK YOU!!! Despite the story's short length, it still manages to cover so much ground, and yet still feel digestible. Seriously, every Danganronpa fan needs to sit down and read this at least once. The part about Junko and Mukuro's relationship hit hard. I've personally found it a bit difficult to fully process the scope and scale of Junko's abuse, but the way you framed it in this video seriously made me go "WTF". And honestly? Their relationship being like that makes me even more devastated that IF isn't canon (besides yay Mukuro Not Dead) Anyway Mukuro is best girl, she's badass in fighting but underneath that, she's still just a regular girl with a history of being abused. She's shy, not good at talking to others, especially not good at romance, but even so she's still trying her best to figure herself out, and it's a shame she had to die before her character could develop any more like what we see here. Also her relationship with Makoto is genuinely so wholesome (naekuro shipper here). And her ""weirdness"" is incredibly endearing to me. Literally one of my favourite characters in the series. As a commenter on another video put it, I'm also satisfied that this story isn't solely the Mukuro Variety Hour. We get to see different sides to the other characters as well like the scene with Leon and Sayaka, and even Mondo. There's something super gratifying about seeing these characters show that they can be more than what they were in the original game. Finally, the way you hint at Mukuro's characterisation in DR3 makes me want to not watch it even more lmao. Still looking forward to the retrospective though, just so I can see what it's all about. All the best with that and the V3 vid! And have a great day~

[@knightloveslesbians]

IF is my favorite piece of danganronpa media for EXACTLY the reasons you mentioned, the leon/sayaka moment and mondo riding in ON HIS EXECUTION BIKE destroyed me. beautiful video

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

Agreed

[@xawesomedude2x]

I’m so glad I chose to read through Danganronpa IF back when I finished SDR2. It’s a great, short story that easily makes Mukuro one of the best characters. Still loving this series a whole lot and very much looking forward to how you tackle DR3! Even as much as I tend to try and accept works for what they are or are trying to do… that one was a little too much for me. I’ll be eagerly awaiting it!

[@benelz8542]

Mukuro is such an interesting character but I wish we could know more about her past beyond Junko when they were separated and worked for Fenrir and how Fenrir impacted her like she had to have some kind of friendly relationship there

[@SlickEvan]

Ayyyye! I'm ready for this. I just now got into the extra content of Danganronpa, so it'll be cool to hear your thoughts on this seeing as I just read the synopsis of this a few days ago.

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

Agreed.

[@stormRed]

Such an underrated aspect of the game, I just love the idea of a happy ending alternate universe. Now why can't the spin-off material take more inspiration from her characterization 😔

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

Me too

[@cl0wzzie]

I'm glad you talked about how Dr 3 anime and Dr IF Mukuro different.

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

Agreed

[@statesminds]

I just read it on my switch and loved it. The stuff she says to Makoto and those seeds were planted in the actual main game so great to see it continued here. Wish she had more screen time in the game and didn’t die so easily. Also wish she was like this in D3. I wish they had also added Zero novel to the games

[@OlTimeyChara]

Mukuro's resolve always gives me chills, she's a absolute badass

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

Agreed

[@SlickEvan]

"Which... no comment" 😀 Ahhhh... Anyways. This is great. I read a synopsis pretty much and it didn't give the same depth to the story as this video did, so this video changed how I view IF now. It's pretty neat, a much stronger feeling than what I got from the synopsis! Also this is the first time I heard about the scrapped ending. I love finding out about all these little tidbits and increases my already solid infatuation for the series. Great video and I'm glad you covered it.

[@JustAnotherFreak11037]

Mukuro (Danganronpa IF) > Mukuro (DR3)

[@YuyuHakurei]

IF is only non canon in that it never happened. Their feats are done from their canon powers. So the outcomes for power scaling purposes can be used from IF. Not that many people care that much about it. It is kinda important in the story that Mukuro is the strongest character in the series. Without her they never woulda beat Junko in IF. She also beats Sakura. It's also why the leaders of Ultimate Despair are both of them. Junko came up with the plan and Mukuro did it herself. Hence why she's such a reoccuring character in the anime. The creators were making up for her not accomplishing a lot in the game she was in, but they wanted to show how important she is for the side of despair.

[@MegaMachiOnline]

The fucked up thing here is that, in a meta sense, there theoretically was an Ultimate Despair before Junko

[@miameirohara9206]

Really? Who was that!?

[@Lolbitz.]

If is very enjoyable it's a great alternative story and I really our only in game information we get on mukuro even if it is a story rather than a game

[@skyty0]

Why NezumiVA's Danganronpa Retrospective is so Great

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

Because of the love and effort she puts in.

[@darthcass1210]

I've fallen a bit out of danganronpa recently, still have a soft spot for the series but not as much love for it as I did when I first got into it waaaaay back in the something awful forum translation days. This was a really good video on dr IF and why I loved it, dr on and a whole and of course my girl Mukuro (I once got a little Mukuro figure from one of these blind box things and I love her so much). I appreciate you looking at the series in a way that acknowledges its flaws without belittling what people enjoy about it, it reminds me why I liked it in the first place :)

[@melasnexperience]

This is the first I've heard about DR Another End, and my God, I love it. I wouldn't want it to surpass the original story, but it's just as bizarrely uplifting as I've found the rest of Danganronpa to be. I think it's because it speaks to me as someone who focused on one "dream" during my youth, only to find that it (a) wasn't likely to happen & (b) the alternatives I wound up taking were more fulfilling. Seeing the kids go through that journey and realize that their lives don't have to be that one & only path just resonated for that reason.

[@SmartAlec86]

Danganronpa IF is why I ship Makoto with Mukuro.

[@ZE.brigitte]

Monokuma: Ok, you can leave, but your talent must leave too Everyone: *Thinking what they're gonna do next* Leon: "FUCK YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH"

[@Pikminer-5087]

Need more Mukuro content, she was amazing here. Also her wielding an IV pole was peak

[@FunnyLittleFella]

I am glad to see this one covered since so few western fans get to really experience it. DR3 is gonna be a bumpy one but aw shit I can't wait to eventually get to V3.

[@zigaudrey]

This sound like a Life is Strange Alternative Timeline fan-fiction I made long ago. Except because this is made based on a nightmare, I didn't expand it. Will there be translation?

[@369destroyer]

Honestly, Id love a Dangonrompa 2 IF thats a sequel to this. A world where the students of Hope's Peak find SHSL Despair and help them come to their senses somehow.

[@diamond._.8186]

The Umineko music makes this so so so much better. It really helps you get engulfed when you’re going in depth on the story

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

Same here

[@combatmagi1006]

This is Mukuro I like I hadn't played the games only seen the first anime but I had read the novel online through a wiki dive so when I saw Dangonronpa 3 I was dumbfounded by what they did with her in the Despair Arc and I just... I cant accept that version of her as Mukuro. I know Kodaka did have a more direct hand in the Anime and author of IF is someone else but her portrayal in IF i feel lives up to the mystery that is SHSL/Ultimate Soldier not whatever was in 3. And maybe I'm wrong but I feel like Kodaka would have had to approve the novel right?

[@LuigiK64]

Not only did Kodaka praise Danganronpa IF as a "masterpiece" at Danganronpa 2 game conference. But even the anime producer of Danganronpa 3 wanted to show IF elements for Mukuro in Despair Arc.

[@sam7559]

DR:IF might not be much but it is so effective that it singlehandedly made Mukuro my favorite Danganronpa character.

[@jonasmcneal2382]

I also like the undertones of Murkuro likes Niagi(I’m sorry I CANT spell) I dont even dig this deep into relationships I don’t know why this intrigues me so much

[@OlTimeyChara]

I like how everyone was reflecting and stuff about their future paths, and celeste just starts with "i'm fucked" in a fancy way

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

Agreed

[@tokofukawa8894]

30:37 Shipping Kyoko with Mukuro… I just might do that

[@firefly5677]

I always thought Mukuro was interesting even before reading IF. Going back to Junko's free time events in Danganronpa 1 with the knowledge that it's Mukuro really made me feel for her. You could tell she had feelings for Makoto and that she had some really severe inner demons she was fighting. I think IF did an excellent job expanding on the little bits we got from those free time events and exploring Mukuro's character and the horrible, toxic relationship between her and Junko. I'll never forgive the Danganronpa 3 anime for throwing all thsi potential out the window and butchering her character

[@CrimsonJewel]

Really, really late, but I do wonder how everyone surviving in THH would affect the plot of the sequels like SDR2 and UDG (and perhaps even V3).

[@Trevorcraft71]

i knew i loved mukuro before, but god you definitely helped propel her further into my heart.

[@CupofJoe_93]

Ma’am I do not know you, but I came across your Danganronpa videos by happenstance. Now I feel like I warped back into 2015 where I first got into this series, and I can’t get enough. Thank you for this. 🙏🙏

[@davidpescitelli8004]

i feel like reading like reading Danganronpa IF is a bit of a double edged sword. It make me like Mukuro a lot more than I did before, but it also made me really disappointed in how little she contributed in the games.

[@auramaster6606]

I like Danganronpa IF's storyline, a unique way of showing alternate possibilities

[@TaySamey]

I thought about it, there’s only one thing that let’s me forgive Mukuro’s characterization in DR3: It takes place prior to Danganronpa IF. Before the moment Mukuro could ever get that wake up call of Naegi pushing her away from Junko’s spears, she’s trapped. She stays bound to Junko, toxically tied to the sister she desperately seeks validation from. It’s two years before any of this could manifest, and she’s constantly absorbing Junko’s degrading treatment of her, thinking of it as nothing but love. She deflects every attack Junko jabs at her in the limo as if that’s just her dear sweet sister, oh well, and just isn’t at that breaking point to take action towards her. I wish Mukuro showed any semblance of agency even in private, sure. But she’s so trapped until then, and canonically dies for her unhealthy attachment to Junko.

[@GeneralSouthParkFan]

The Animation Director for Despair Arc alongside series creator Kodaka were specifically cited as saying that Mukuro would've shown *more* conscious of Class 78 than she was shown in DR3 if they had the runtime to focus on Class 78 in general. The only real remnant of this in the real product being seen at the end when Mukuro asks Junko if she wants him dead in a distressed tone, then proceeds to go tsun & call him a loser, or more specifically an "underachiever" (in reference to him just being a talentless nobody). Really DR3!Mukuro more or less is just a direct flanderization of her Zero counterpart. No mention of her trying to understand her sister's despair outside of promotional material (“She really is ridiculous… to the point of despair. She’s… the lowest, worst sister ever, but… that’s why I can’t leave her alone. That’s why I have to help her. After all, I’m the only one who can understand her.”), no real demonstration of her in outright distress as seen at the end of Zero where she sobs (in which the novel directly compares her to a puppy being scolded). Considering just how much of Zero DR3 rips & seemingly bastardizes/double downs on, I can't say it's much surprising how Mukuro's portrayal came out the way it did.

[@chihirofujisaki8923]

The only thing I care about is that Chihiro survives

[@rinfujioka4687]

FINALLY SOMEONE TALKED ABOUT IF

[@shadowspire4593]

Though Danganronpa IF isn't canon i sort of wish it was cause, in my opinion, it had more of potential than the actual ending. Seeing more of Mukuro and her alliance to Junko makes my heart ache, their relationship is complicated yet so genuine well from Junko's perspective anyway. From listening to Mukuro's story the more i realize joining Fenrir ruined her life or her relationship with Junko. I assume she felt really guilty because she left her sister and that resulted in being her slave by a guilty conscious that guilt never left her, and because of that her guilt became loyalty, the more guilty she is the more loyal she is to Junko. I hated how Danganronpa 3 portrayed Mukuro and her relationship with her sister it's more like she was more of a dog that is loyal to its owner because of abuse than a tamed wolf. I hated how she agreed to any insult that had been given by Junko, I hated of how she let Junko physically abuse her like in that one scene (if you watch the anime you know what I'm talking about) the only interaction in the anime that i liked between the both of them is when they came for Kamakura when Mukuro unalived a group of bodyguards and Junko just standing there and telling her to clean up her mess. The reason why i liked this scene because this shows the willingness of Mukuro to unalive by Junko's orders and shows the process of how Junko orders her around that scene showing that Mukuro is a deadly wolf willing to bite any prey that comes after Junko (shown in the scene where Kamakura counter racks Junko's attack) or ordered by its master. In my opinion, that scene showed this side of Mukuro and Junko's alliance if we just ignore Junko's insults and Mukuro's low self-esteem. One thing I also loved about IF is that it showed Mukuro's perspective about everyone's memory being erased, she spent about 2 years with the class including from where they are sheltered in the old school building so I'm sure she loved them as much as Junko loved the class as well. The line she said about everyone's memory being erased and saying that nobody knows her just Junko gives me an idea Mukuro never had a part in planning and that she was just a soldier in the war. The only time she could make a plan was when she had an idea to secretly work in the shadows with Junko while the killing game commence thus leading to her death. This was also shown in Zero even though Junko's memory was erased and turned into completely different person she still followed Junko's orders without making a plan of her own (or so i think im saying my opinions from my observations of Zero so if i have any mistakes feel free to correct me) that includes unaliving all of the Matarai brothers (i forgot the name) and leaving Ryoko with the neurologist (i forgot his name) whilst unaliving the board members and the fact that the neurologist succesfully taking the corpse of the board members more than once shows of how Mukuro never thought of the possibility that he could be a threat (or that could also be Junko's plan too idk i only knew about Zero just from watching from Nezumi's video if im wrong please ignore my paragraph) overrall the top reason of why i love IF is that it shows the complete side of Mukuro Ikusaba her side and perspective with working with Junko and with her classmates shows that she didnt become Ultimate Despair because of her perspective of the world its because of her guilt that she had ever since leaving her sister and IF showing more of the relationship between the sisters both as the Ultimate Despair and as Family was heartbreaking and up until now she was always a tamed wolf loyal to its master by a guilty conscious which made me fear Junko more because of how she used her own sister's guilt by her own advantage. If there is something that i missed or mistake please correct me this is just my observation and my opinions of the relationship of Junko and Mukuro (please ignore my grammatic errors)

[@LavenderLuna83]

Have you watched the danganronpa anime with the 2nd games characters? I watched it after watching your video and seeing all the things connect was crazyyyyy like i wasn't expecting it to be that good cause the first one was lacking but the way it expands on the characters and on how and why they joined junko was cool to see

[@NezumiVA]

I’ll be covering all of the DR3 anime in my next video, yes. I’m not particularly fond of it, however.

[@LavenderLuna83]

@@NezumiVA ooooo im so excited to see your perspective on it. It's because of your videos i got to understand this series in the first place i was to young to understand when i was younger thank you so much for reintroducing me to this series

[@moriensdei2201]

"A world where everyone can be happy..." Except Sayaka, RIP.

[@NezumiVA]

She’s still alive in IF, lol. She’ll get there.

[@moriensdei2201]

@@NezumiVA I could've sworn IF starts with the gym scene where Monokuma explains how class trials work and Mukuro stomps on him, though. Isn't that _after_ they find Sayaka's body? Edit: I double checked and I'm wrong, Monokuma apparently just decides to explain the class trials for no real reason; I'd forgotten about Makoto fainting. It makes me wonder why Junko'd do it that way 'round instead of either explaining it right at the start or having one of her spies kill someone first, but whatever.

[@cheshirecreeper3743]

Okay, you've sold me, where's the petition to get this guy who wrote IF to write all Danganronpa material from now on

[@kasumichanxx8390]

Ik super danganronpa 2 another isn’t cannon to the story but is it possible for you to talk about those games as well there extremely well written games

[@NezumiVA]

I've never played them, so I can't comment unless I actually were to, and I'm not planning to do anything DR related for a while after I finish my videos about DR3 and V3.

[@roscoe5427]

really glad to see you posting these, i'm sure they take quite a while to make since they're always so long, but i look forward to watching each of them. keep it up!

[@reitrace]

why are all your voices spot fucking on omg i love it

[@Zondac]

Isn’t there a line at the end of one of the early days of DR1 where Makoto says he wishes he’d wake up and realise this was all one big bad dream? But then goes «but that wouldnt make for a very satisfying ending». So that was a tongue-in-cheek reference to the original true ending?

[@vapyofthewind]

SAYAKA IS TOO PRECIOUS I CAN'T----