ndrv3expert1

[ndrv3expert1]

Why Post Game AUs Hit Different

Hear me out, okay? Post-Game AUs in the sense of Danganronpa hold a special place in my heart. They’re what first brought me into the fandom space, they’re some of the first fics and fanart I made, and yeah, I know it’s kind of weird, but there’s just something about them that I can’t shake.

When I first sat down to write this, I stared at a blank screen for hours. I really wanted to talk about this topic, especially since no one else seems to have tackled it in depth before. But I was stuck. At first, all I could think was, "I want the V3 cast to be happy and alive," and, "I love angst."

However, after re-reading some of my favorite post-game fanfictions and really reflecting on them, I realized there’s so much more to this AU than I initially thought.

Post-game AUs are so compelling because they dive deep into themes like healing, found family, rediscovering happiness, self-identity, and the truth about fame.

These themes are what make the stories emotionally impactful and really connect with readers. They make you think, and they allow the audience to resonate with the characters and the world they inhabit.

For example, when I read about Kaede digging her nails into her neck, desperately trying to pry off the chain that dragged her to her execution—a chain she never actually wore—it makes me stop and think. It makes me feel something.

Or when I read about Maki having nightmares about killing people and being tortured, even though she never actually did. Those moments resonate deeply, and I find myself thinking about them long after I’ve finished reading.

Then there’s Kokichi, atoning for his past mistakes and opening up, allowing himself to be vulnerable. And when I see Ryoma discovering that there are people who genuinely care about him, it hits so hard.

It’s like watching that final, epic battle in a movie that everything’s been building toward. It’s satisfying, and it gives you an ending you can feel content with.

I know a lot of people complain about V3’s open ending, but honestly, if there had been a definitive conclusion, we might not have gotten all the creativity that’s poured into post-game fanfics and fanart. The beauty of that open ending is that it left so much room for fans to craft their own narratives—nothing feels too absurd because there was no ending at all.

And I’m not going to talk about every single post-game fan art or fanfic that’s completely changed my view and perception of post-game, but some of these fics have inspired thoughts that go beyond just the post-game world For example, It’s Just Showbiz got me thinking about the reality TV side of fame and made me start headcanoning Tenko as a trans woman, which I hadn’t considered before.

Here Comes the Sun shifted my perception of Kiyo, showing me a different side of him that I hadn’t thought about in the context of the original story.

The Friends We Used to Know led me to a rabbit hole of exploring platonic Chabahara, which opened my mind to new dynamics between characters.

These fanfics didn’t just change how I think about post-game—they expanded how I view the characters and their potential after the events of the original game.

There are so many vastly different takes on what happened to the V3 cast after the events of the game. (Well, all the casts, but V3 is the most prominent in the post-game space, followed by SDR2.) Some interpretations focus on the survivors struggling with guilt, forced to carry the weight of everything that happened. Others bring back the dead students in different ways—some with injuries reflecting how they died, some as puppets controlled by Team Danganronpa for publicity, and some just living happily together in a one-bedroom apartment.

Some fics depict V3 as the final game, while others frame it as just the beginning of something even bigger. Some characters signed up willingly; others had no idea what they were getting into. Post-game AUs are completely open to interpretation, with no right or wrong answer. Sure, you could say the same for Hope’s Peak, non-despair AUs, or even pre-game stories, but there’s something about post-game that just hits different. Maybe it’s the characters. Maybe it’s the themes. Maybe it’s the perfect balance of angst and healing. I can’t fully explain it—but it works.

Post-game AUs are more than just a way to keep the story going—they’re a way to explore what happens after the cameras stop rolling, after the killing game ends, after the characters are left to pick up the pieces. They allow for healing, for growth, for alternate interpretations that make us rethink everything we thought we knew. And maybe that’s why they hit so hard.

No matter how many versions exist, no matter how different the interpretations may be, post-game AUs will always be special to me. They take everything I love about these characters—their struggles, their resilience, their ability to change—and push it one step further. They remind me why I fell in love with Danganronpa in the first place, and why I keep coming back.

I love post-game aus so much and I can’t wait to see what other incredible stories and art will come from this space, because if there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s that post-game AUs aren’t going anywhere.

[ndrv3expert1]

The True Horror of Danganronpa V3 Isn't the Killing Game It's the Aftermath

I've always been terrified of body horror, not just because of the grotesqueness but because of how it strips away your autonomy, turning you into something monstrous in the eyes of the world. It's the fear of losing control of your own body, of becoming something unrecognizable not just physically but mentally, and I believe Danganronpa V3 follows this same theme.

Not to the same extent as body horror, but the true terror of V3 isn't the killing game, it's what comes after-the unraveling of your very identity, realizing that everything about you, your relationships' backstories and personalities are all written by someone else. You're left not as who you once were, but someone else entirely a puppet to the whims of a creator.

And the worst part, there's really no one you can confide in. You don't want to hang around the people from your past, the ones who cling to the person you once were and now only see you as a celebrity on their favorite show, but the people who have been through the same things as you remind you of your past trauma. The people who should bring comfort only bring more ghosts.

And Team Dr could have changed anything to fit their mold of a perfect character your body something minor from eye color to hair texture to more major things like body type or gender your backstory if they make your character unlikeable, you're remembered like that forever think Kiyo and Miu or give you such a horrible yet detailed backstory that you have nightmares about it like you actually lived it (Maki and Ryoma) the identity crisis is the true killer.

It's also the horror of freewill. Before, all of your choices were pre-written. Now you have control of your own body, but it's terrifying when you don't even know who you are, you don't have any foundation to build your future on. You also lose your sense of purpose in the killing game. At least you had escape to push you forward and motivate all your decisions, but now you have nothing what you are supposed to do with your life.

Get a job? Where you'll be heckled for being in the latest season of Danganronpa by coworkers and fans alike, which brings me to my next point. You'll just be seen as the fictional character you were inside the game, and you know how some fans act theuy would admire you ridicule you treat you like an animal in a zoo like how some people act with celebrities stalk them have tattoos of them try to hurt them sexually, or otherwise it would be hard to go anywhere, and you may not even be safe in the privacy of your own home.

And sticking on the path of being a celebrity Team Dangaronpa using the cast for the press, especially if Shuichi actually ended the franchise, they would have to milk them for all their worth to try to hold onto straws as their biggest series falls apart around them invasive QnAs, forced smiles for photoshoots fake relationships to appease to the fans use your trauma annd suffering for content.

And wherever you go, you're haunted by your trauma. People dressing up as your friends in videos talking about your death, fans raving about your execution even after you escape. The pain isn't over.

That's the true horror of Danganronpa V3 not the blood, not the executions, not the killing game, but the aftermath. The terrifying questions of: were you ever real in the first place? How do you figure out who you truly are? And what does it mean to truly live?

[ndrv3expert1]

The Sun That Never Truly Sets: Kaito Kaede and Tenko's Legacy in the Survivors

Kaede Kaito and Tenko are the as I like to call them counterparts to the v3 survivors their confidants their supports their extroverts that pratically adopted them building them up until they eventually have to die for plot relevance and character devolpment.

And they are as I believe I have compared them to before the sun- bright, radiant, lighting up every room they walk into (hot?)

Untill the sun goes out and it's not immediate but the after effects are felt strongly cold dark unforgiving. It's not as drastic as what would happen if the sun went out in real life but to the survivors it is like the end of the world like there is no life left living.

And yet, even in death, Kaede, Kaito, and Tenko leave something behind. Just like the sun transfers its warmth through radiation, they passed their energy onto the survivors, carrying them forward to the end of the game. Their presence lingers—not physically, but in the lessons they left behind, in the strength they instilled in those they cared about.

Or, if you prefer another analogy: Maki, Himiko, and Shuichi are plants, and Kaede, Kaito, and Tenko were the sunlight that helped them grow. They transferred their energy, their warmth, their unwavering belief, and that’s what gave the survivors the strength to keep going.

In conclusion: Maki, Shuichi, and Himiko are plants, and no one actually died.

[ndrv3expert1]

my body type hcs for kaede, kaito, and maki! (also i made this during rainy season and i yearned for the beach)

bonus shuichi (bringing their stuff):

someone please tell me what their 4 person poly ship name is because this is driving me up the wall

[ndrv3expert1]

Why Do We Love Seeing Our Favorite Characters Suffer?

It’s like an unspoken rule in fandom: if you have a favorite character—a “blorbo”—you want to see them suffer. Not in a mean way (we love them!), but in a put them through hell and watch them break kind of way. And then, once they’ve been completely emotionally destroyed, we turn around and say, “Actually, I want them to be the happiest person alive.”

We’ll write fics where they get to be safe, loved, and thriving… but also fics where they’re barely holding it together. We’ll create AUs where the worst never happened, only to still find ways to make them suffer. It’s the duality of fandom.

But why do we do this? Why does suffering make our favorite characters better in our eyes?As a Danganronpa fan, I’ve seen this in action a lot. We’ll create non-despair AUs, but will that stop the angst? Nope. We’ll write post-game fics where the survivors try to move on, but the trauma still eats them alive. And yet, we also turn around and make content where they’re happy, together, and free.

It’s this weird push and pull between wanting them to heal… and wanting to drag them through the worst imaginable pain first.

So what is it about suffering that makes characters so compelling?

1. Emotional Growth and Development

Let’s be real: watching a character go through hell makes them more interesting. A character who’s just happy all the time? Kinda boring. But a character who’s been through the worst and still keeps going? Now we’re talking.

There’s something about seeing them struggle that makes them feel more real. You get to see their vulnerabilities, their breaking points, and how they react under pressure. And when they do manage to grow from it, it feels earned.

Take Shuichi, for example. Seeing him go through all the weight of his friends dying then taking down the game that caused their suffering that's the good stuff. It feels so much more meaningful because we saw what it took to get there.

2. Relatability and Humanity

Characters who suffer just feel more real. Nobody’s life is perfect, and when fictional characters go through tough times, it makes them feel more human. Their emotions—whether it’s grief, fear, or desperation—make them easier to connect with.

Even if we haven’t been through the exact same things, we get the emotions behind them. Seeing them struggle can feel like looking in a mirror sometimes, and that connection is what makes us latch onto them so hard.

Ryoma is emotionally distant and initially refuses to get involved with the other students, but as the story progresses, his humanity shines through. His struggles with loneliness, despair, and his desire for redemption mirror universal feelings of wanting to escape the weight of loss while still searching for a meaningful connection.

His suffering, especially in dealing with his personal guilt and past trauma, can make him a very relatable character for some, as many of his emotional challenges are reflective of real-world emotional battles people face. Ryoma’s journey throughout the game embodies the theme of human vulnerability and the complexities of trying to find hope in the face of overwhelming darkness.

3. The Contrast Between Pain and Joy

The reason we love to make our faves suffer and be happy is because one makes the other hit so much harder. If a character’s just happy all the time, it doesn’t feel as impactful. But when a character has been through hell and finally gets a moment of peace? That’s when we feel it.

Think about it: watching Maki smile after everything she’s been through? That is what makes it powerful. If she was just happy from the start, it wouldn’t have the same weight. The suffering makes the happiness feel earned.

4. Catharsis (AKA, Glorified Therapy)

Let’s be honest, sometimes we just project a little too hard. Watching characters go through emotional breakdowns, trauma, and existential crises is basically free therapy at this point. We put them through pain, watch them survive it, and in some weird way, it helps us process our own emotions

It’s like, “If they can make it through this, maybe I can too.” Their suffering feels familiar, but their healing gives us hope. It’s weirdly comforting, even if we’re the ones making them miserable in the first place.

Take Kokichi underneath all his lies and pranks, there's a longing for genuine connection and understanding, but he’s terrified of being vulnerable.

Kokichi's journey through deception and eventual emotional exposure offers a deep form of catharsis. Fans can project their own feelings of vulnerability, fear, and longing onto him, and when he finally allows himself to show his true emotions, it’s a bittersweet release that resonates on a personal level.

5. Projection (We’re All Guilty of It)

Let’s be real: we see ourselves in our favorite characters. Whether it’s their insecurities, their struggles, or just the way they react to things, we latch onto them because we relate. So when they suffer, it feels personal.

And when they finally win—whether that means healing, finding happiness, or just getting a break—it feels like a win for us too. Seeing them overcome their struggles gives us the tiniest bit of hope that maybe we can too.

Many people can project onto Kaito because, despite his loud personality, he struggles with feelings of inadequacy and fear, particularly surrounding his health and the pressure to be the "Ultimate Astronaut"—a title that weighs on him heavily.

Kaito represents the idea of pushing through hardship while trying to maintain an outward appearance of confidence, which is something a lot of fans can relate to, especially when dealing with their own struggles while trying to appear strong or capable to others. The way Kaito allows his insecurities and fears to be buried under his bravado speaks to the way many people carry their own emotional burdens while trying to stay positive for others. When fans project onto him, they might see aspects of themselves, their own struggles with self-doubt, or the desire to be a source of support and strength for others.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, we love seeing our favorite characters suffer because it makes their stories deeper, more emotional, and more relatable. Their pain makes them feel more real, their growth makes them more compelling, and their happiness—when they finally get it—feels earned.

It’s not just about watching them struggle or giving them a happy ending—it’s about the journey in between. And that’s what makes storytelling (and fandom) so addictive.

So yeah, I will continue to put my favorite characters through hell… but only because I love them. (Sorry Tenko.)

Why do you love "torturing" your favorite character is it one of the reasons above or do you have your own reason?

[ndrv3expert1]

Hope vs Despair and How Danganronpa Shows the Fine Line Between Them

In Danganronpa, Hope vs. Despair aren't just opposing forces—they’re intertwined like yin and yang.

You can’t have one without the other. Each moment of hope carries the potential for despair, and each moment of despair can give birth to a new form of hope.

The series doesn’t just explore this dynamic; it forces the characters to confront it, shaping their growth and evolution throughout the story.

Take Makoto Naegi, for example. As the Ultimate Hope, he stands in direct contrast to Junko Enoshima, the Ultimate Despair. But Makoto’s hope isn't simple optimism—it’s been tested and shaped by the despair surrounding him. His journey shows how hope can survive even in the darkest circumstances. On the flip side, Junko manipulates despair, using it as a tool to corrupt and reshape hope into something sinister. She twists the idea of hope, showing that it too can be warped when exposed to extreme despair.

Despair is often depicted as the absence of hope, like the color black, while hope is like white—full of aspirations, dreams, and ambitions. But, just as there are varying shades of black and white, hope and despair are not as clear-cut as they might seem. There are nuances, shades of gray that blur the lines, making it harder to see where one ends and the other begins.

In SDR2, the pattern continues, but with more complexity. It’s still hope vs. despair, but with the added layer of past vs. future. The characters' pasts represent despair to them, but through confronting their dark pasts, they create new hope. Their stories show that hope isn’t just about looking forward—it’s about confronting the past and using that pain to forge something better.

Then there’s Nagito Komaeda, who’s obsessed with hope. His view of hope is twisted because he believes hope can only arise from despair. For him, creating despair is the means to achieve his ideal hope, showing just how tangled these forces can become. Nagito represents the extreme, where hope and despair bleed into each other in the most disturbing way.

In V3, the lines between hope and despair are even more blurred. Monokuma’s Death Road of Despair is a perfect example of this cycle. The characters are given hope—a potential escape that’s always within reach—but as they fail repeatedly, their hope turns into despair. They begin to believe that escape was never possible, that they were wasting their time from the start.

The constant cycle of hope and despair leaves them trapped in their own feelings, forcing them to reevaluate what hope even means.

Then, we have characters like Kaede, Kaito, and Tenko, who embody hope for those around them. When they die, the survivors are filled with despair, but instead of succumbing to grief, they use their deaths as a source of strength. Their deaths become a new form of hope for the survivors, pushing them to continue the fight. The cycle isn’t over; it’s reborn from loss and pain, showing that hope can arise even from the darkest moments.

Ultimately, Danganronpa isn’t about choosing hope over despair or vice versa—it’s about understanding the complex relationship between them. Both hope and despair are essential to the human experience.

One cannot exist without the other, and each gives rise to the other in ways we may not fully understand. The characters are constantly forced to confront this reality, evolving in response to the ever-present pull of these two forces.

By rejecting the notion that hope and despair are opposites, Danganronpa teaches us that life isn’t about simple binaries. It’s about the messy, complicated truth that both hope and despair are necessary for growth, and in the end, it’s the balance between them that gives life meaning.

[ndrv3expert1]

I Accidently Made a Game: The Origin of The Duck Game

Hey, pausing the not so regularly scheduled Danganronpa rants to talk about a passion project of mine that has complety taking over my brain for the past several months.

You ever start a joke and then wake up one day realizing it’s gone way too far? Yeah. That’s The Duck Game.

It started with a simple board game, a dumb conversation, and a Danganronpa fanfic idea that spiraled completely out of control.

And now, somehow, it’s a real, fully fleshed-out narrative RPG about the dark side of ambition, success, and power.

Let me explain.

One day, my friend Jensen brought in a board game called Abducktion by Very Special Games.

It’s a strategy game where you move colored ducks into formations to score points. The game had this story where you’re an intern at a UFO company abducting ducks, and in the single player mode you could gain promotions based on how many points you earned.

So, as my friends Jensen, and Braylon were playing, we started joking around. What if Abducktion wasn’t just a fun little game? What if the boss was actually using it to weed out the weak to find the best interns, promote them and get rid of the rest?

And that’s when I thought: Wait. This would make a great fanfic.

I didn’t want to write a fic about me and my friends, so I did the next logical thing—turn it into a Danganronpa fanfic. That same day, literally hours later, I had a draft for the first chapter, multiple endings planned, and a whole choice-based structure where readers would click links to different chapters based on their decisions.

Then I realized... that would be alot of work even for an over-obsessed Danganronpa fan.

So, I told my friend Braylon about the idea, and he said:

"If you come up with the ideas, me and my team could make it a game for you."

And just like that, me and his team partnered up. But there was one little problem:

Copyright.

I couldn’t just submit a Danganronpa fanfic as a standalone game and try to market it off as my own that would be a legal disaster.

But then I remembered—my stupid brain had already come up with HCs so OOC they twisted the characters beyond reconigtion.

So I took my favorite (sadly) non canon friend group—Tenko, Kokichi, Maki, Shuichi, Kaito, and Kaede—gave them new names, new roles, new backstories, new trauma, and new relationships and boom.

The Duck Game was born.

What started as a ha-ha funny idea spiraled into something way bigger than I ever expected.

When I was writing the idea down for the first time I literally wrote "The Duck Game, lmao no way this will go anywhere"

And now, several months later, here I am—actually making a real game. And honestly? I’m really proud of myself (which is rare, so that’s how you know this means something).

It's also really weird to be super fixated on something that isn't Danganronpa for once.

So What Is The Duck Game?

It’s a narrative-driven RPG about climbing the corporate ladder at a shady company called Luxus Enterprises. You play as Bennett Brooks, an anxious intern who slowly gets tangled in a world of corruption, power, and moral compromise.

Every decision you make shapes his relationships, his career, and who or what he ultimately becomes.

With multiple endings, branching choices, and a heavy focus on ethical repercussions, The Duck Game asks one question:

"How far would you go for success?"

If you're into narrative driven games, power struggles, and complex characters you'll love The Duck Game. It's got drama, tough choices, and dark themes, with a unique twist on corporate ambition and moral dilemmas.

It's still a WIP but I'm excited to share as it develops. Follow @theduckgameoffical for updates!

If you're intrested I'd appreciate you checking it out! Your feedback and support let me know people are invested, but no pressure.

Thank you so much for all the support you’ve shown on my rants and projects in the past—I’m really excited to work towards making The Duck Game a fully fledged game with all of your help!

[ndrv3expert1]

The Possibilities of Two Blackends in Danganronpa V3: The Transfer Student Beyond The Grave and the First Come First Serve Rule

This is a rant/speculation about the addition of a second blackend in the Transfer Student From Beyond the Grave, especially with the implications of the first-come, first-serve rule.

"A lot of people talk about the missed opportunity and the idea of having two killers for Tenko and Angie in V3 Chapter 3, and yeah, I agree—having two blackends would’ve been cool.

It would’ve shaken up the trial, with the group debating when (or if) they should even bring up the second victim.

But the thing is, the real interest doesn’t come from the trial itself.

Sure, it might’ve made that useless scrum debate a little more intense, but the real draw for me is what happens after—when one of the blackends gets away scot-free."

Seeing the others having to live with a murder.

Now, you've seen how they treated Maki when she was revealed as an assassin they were nervous scared on edge and she was murdering people they never met.

Imagine how they would act if that were their friend, someone they cared about.

That's the part that would really mess with them. It's one thing to lose your friend, but it's another to know their killer is sitting right across from you.

The blackend might be alive, but socially, they're dead.

Every interaction would be laced with paranoia—the fear they will do it again—and infighting between people trying to pretend everything is normal and those being openly hostile.

Imagine the tension, the ostracization.

Of course, some people would try to make amends, but others would still see them as a potential second killer.

And the blackend, (seeing that with the rule only the first murder counts,) would probably realize they've just killed someone for no reason and are now being isolated from the rest of the group, being labeled a murderer and untrustworthy.

Maybe they would lean into their role as a villain, or maybe they would genuinely try to reach out and apologize, only to be shut down time and time again.

Even worse, what if the real danger isn't the blackend, but the others?

Someone could snap under the pressure and decide that if Monokuma won't bring justice, they will. Because who would care if a previously confirmed killer died?

They're a threat, and they killed somebody someone else cares about, so it's a win-win, right?

And the next murder—before no one had gotten away with it, but now it's been proven that it can work. You have the road map to get away with it.

You wait until someone murders, and then you kill someone who's a threat to you, someone you hate, and get away with it just like the murderer before you.

It turns the situation into not just a killing game, but a discussion about morality, ethics, and motives. Of course, these themes are in place throughout all the blackends, but it's different when you're condemning someone to an inescapable death versus them sitting across from you at the dining table, eating breakfast.

Of course they're still human but what if they killed someone you loved, someone you truly cared about, your only friend in the game.

(The arguements especially between Kaito Maki and Kokichi. chefs kiss)

In the end, having two blackends with the addition of the first come first serve rule would turn the game from a simple survival battle into a psychological minefield, where trust is shattered and the lines between right and wrong blur beyond repair.

The real danger wouldn't just be the killers, but the fear of betrayal, the crumbling of morality, and the weight of survival, forcing everyone to confront their choices of whether to forgive or forget and what they're truly willing to sacrifice.

The true impact of two killers is the emotional fallout—the fractured relationships and shattered trust. It's the heart of what makes the killing game devastating.

[ndrv3expert1]

Talents: The Ultimate Blessing or Curse? A Speculation on the Ethical, Societal, and Moral Issues of Ultimates

Being an ultimate is a blessing untill it isn't.

Do you think people who aren't Ultimates would hate Maki because she hates her talent like yeah she was forced into it at a young age and doesn't like taking people's lives but would people sympathize with her I'm sure some would but others just because she's in a prestigious academy in a place where talents are supposed to be hailed and practiced would see her as 'ungrateful.'

Then if people found put how many people Ryoma and Kiyo killed would it ruin hopes Peak reputation or are they desensitized to having murders be Ultimates.

I also feel like it would be awkward for Shuichi and Kyoko both being detectives it would be like: "we're looking for these people." "yeah... those are my classmates." It's definitely a moral dilemma because they know for most of their friends/ classmates at least that they were forced into it or there was more context behind it but to everyone else it just seems like they're protecting 'dangerous criminals.'

On that same note are people concerned about the ultimate assassin and yakuza honing their skills and being released into the world.

I'm sure someone is praying on hopes peaks downfall pointing out every weird questionable or controversial thing an ultimate does just to be like: "see they don't deserve to be there."

I bet people are complaining all the time about which Ultimates get accepted. "Cosplayer come on man are we even trying anymore."

That line between adoration and resentment has to be so so thin.

At the end of the day being an ultimate is a double edged sword fame and fortune for the rest of your life but still held to the same regard as celebrities in which there will always be people who hate you and scrutinize you for everything you do.

[ndrv3expert1]

Why Tenko Chabashira is a Great Character pt. 2: Chapter 3, Relationships and Conclusion

Chapter 3

In chapter three Tenko’s loud hyperactive layers are pulled back to reveal her caring serious intelligent nature which was there the whole time just focused more on, in chapter three.

In the chapter she died no less, I will never stop talking about how Tenko was so close to getting her character development reaching her full potential and becoming a beloved character in some people's eyes but no she just had to be killed off.

Since Tenko has a lot of moments in chapter three I will just go over the main ones and the ones I think are most important in showing her development and the other side of personality.

Student council

Angie creates the student council and has Himiko Tsumugi Kiibo Tenko and Gonta join. Tenko is not under Angie’s brainwashing as she calls it.

She joined only to try to get on the inside and protect Himiko believing that Angie’s way of trying to help Himiko was unhealthy.

Tenko decides she needs help so she recruits ⅔ of the training trio and survivors Maki and Shuichi to help her (one of my favorite scenes in v3) after not only becoming distrusting of Maki after Kokichi revealed her as an assassin and wanting to perform a sneak attack on her and not really liking Shuichi because he's a guy.

When Tenko asks them to help, Maki asks if Tenko wants her to kill Angie and Tenko says that murder strongly goes against her morals so as much as she thought about it she would never go through it Tenko along with Maki and Shuichi go to Himiko’s dorm.

Tenko tries to convince Himiko that’s she being brainwashed and they have an argument in which Tenko insults Himiko’s status as a mage proving that at this point Tenko cares more about helping Himiko than her crush on Himiko itself.

Angie finds out that Tenko isn’t a part of the council but doesn’t kick her out Tenko tells Shuichi and Maki thank you for their help but that she’s going back to her room and that she’ll apologize to Himiko in the morning because she believes she was too harsh and is sorry for yelling at her.

This shows Tenko's logical side, her caring nature, loyalty, and intense morals.

Research Lab

In Kaede’s second FTEs with Kaede, Tenko has Kaede look for a dojo which they are unsuccessful in finding, and in chapter three she finally gets her research lab.

Tenko flips Himiko and Shuichi is able to read them like an open book and invites them to try Neo aikido as a way to improve themselves.

The last important thing that Tenko says in her time at the dojo is:

“Aikido is not about competing for fun to see each other’s strengths and weaknesses. By working together and using techniques that make full use of your mind, body, and breath… you can measure your physical and mental growth. That is the true purpose of Aikido. You do not compete for superiority in Aikido. In fact, in Aikido you do not compete at all. Aikido is not a martial art for inflicting harm, but a way to improve yourself!”

This shows Tenko's profound thoughts on self-improvement, her intelligence, and her caring nature. It shows Tenko’s true love for Aikido, how she views it and her trying to improve her friends' mindsets and well-being.

Her Death/ Sacrifice

Tenko’s death itself shows how much of a sweetheart she is because she’s just that great. I think the only other person’s death that does that is Kokichi's (which is ironic because both their deaths include elements of self-sacrifice).

Now some people especially Tenmiko shippers like to think that Tenko knew she was going to die when she volunteered as cute as this would be I’d say from a logical standpoint she was oblivious now, I’d like you to remember that before this Tenko had a massive argument with Himiko.

Would you volunteer for something not knowing the consequences for someone you argued with?

Tenko is a protector by nature she was raised that way from a young age and it’s in her personality so I believe that Tenko just volunteered to take Himiko’s place without even thinking just like she jumped to protect Kaede before her execution it’s not about her knowing she would die or not it’s about putting herself in a vulnerable situation where she could very well be hurt or worse for someone who has expressed no interest in her all game.

Tenko’s last words are also important, especially since they are repeated about three times during the trial.

Tenko tells Himiko to:

“Keep your chin up and live life facing forward, survive with me and everyone else” as well as “Expressing your feelings is perfectly natural. You shouldn’t feel ashamed at all. So… if you feel like crying your eyes out when you’re talking to Angie go ahead and cry your eyes out you’ll feel better when you do. Well, I mean… laughing makes you feel better too... And venting your anger onto something can cheer you up! Train your heart by laughing, crying and venting your anger, Himiko.”

Tenko’s final words to Himiko bring back up a point expressed in the dojo Himiko’s emotional suppression now I will get to Tenko’s and Himiko’s relationship and what it does for Himiko’s character development later but all you need to know is that it shows how much Tenko cares about Himiko both of these instances do they show that their relationship (in some aspects) isn’t superficial and has some genuine meaning behind it Tenko wants to help Himiko overcome her emotional suppression and improve her self.

Which shows how great Tenko is as a character not just some ‘I hate men’ gag but a character with real depth compassion intelligence and morals.

Relationships

Shuichi

Shuichi becomes one of the only men Tenko likes she invites him to practice Neo Aikido with her and treats him as one of the good men as she does with her master.

Proving that Tenko actually had character development.

Himiko

A lot of people compare Himiko and Tenko`s relationship to Souda and Sonia and Byakuya and Toko from the previous games which were also an unrequited relationship but I would like to give reasons for why this is not true.

Of course at the beginning of the game Tenko`s advances on Himiko are creepy especially since Himiko is shown to not feel the same but as the game progresses it`s shown that Tenko cares about Himiko and is trying to help her she continually puts herself in danger for Himiko and is shown to be the only one who is concerned about her or believes in her interests.

I don't really even ship Tenmiko anymore I lean way more to Tenmaki and Tenkaede nowadays but I can still see that from chapter two onwards Tenko’s goals and reasons to be around Himiko change from a pure obsession to a genuine intrest in helping her grow and develop.

Tenko made it a mission of hers to help Himiko with her emotional suppression because it was unhealthy for her Himiko was scared and stressed out about the killing game and Angie`s god wasn`t helping the problem just giving Himiko a temporary coping mechanism.

Suppressing our feelings can lead to exacerbated depression, anxiety, panic attacks and other mental health issues.

So Tenko and Himiko`s best interests were in mind but Himiko wanted the easy way out Tenko was too loud and hyperactive and using Angie's god was easier than expressing her emotions which created their conflict, but Tenko caring about Himiko`s well-being and trying to help her improve herself mentally makes their relationship so much better than just a stalker-stalkee relationship.

Himiko completely shuts down during the trial but after being reminded of Tenko’s final words she decides to keep going to avenge both Tenko and Angie’s deaths after the trial she finally breaks down releasing all the emotions she had locked up and after the third trial she decides she’s no longer going to suppress her emotions and live life to the fullest for both her friends.

Angie

Tenko and Angie are rivals in the game both representing the themes of logic and emotion with Tenko representing emotion and Angie representing logic they also fight over the correct way to help Himiko with her stress and fear about the killing game with Angie trying to get Himiko to believe in her god joining the student council etc and Tenko trying to get Himiko to express her emotions.

Tenko thinks Angie is weird because she is constantly happy, and is also jealous that Himiko has taken a liken to Angie and her ‘handsome god.’

In chapter three Tenko reveals to Maki and Shuichi that she is afraid that Himiko has been brainwashed by Angie and that she has thought about killing Angie but has strong morals against killing.

When Angie is found dead Tenko feels bad and guilty about it despite their rivalry even volunteers for the seance to become the medium for Angie’s spirit.

Tenko also had much more animosity which Angie than any of the guys sooo.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Tenko Chabashira is a great character and one of the best characters in NDRV3 for her personality, character design, development, and crucial role in the game which is imperative to the narrative.

She is an influential part of Himiko’s development and subsequent survival, as well as a portrayal of one of the main themes in the game, (logic vs emotion.)

She supports and befriends men and women alike, provides profound thoughts at beneficial times, and genuinely cares for her friends' safety and development.

Tenko Chabashira deserves more appreciation and hopefully over time more people will recognize the depth of her character beyond surface level jokes and criticisms.

I love this supportive sweetheart who is just like a big kid and I hope that this essay helped you to understand why and maybe cause you to start loving her too.

Thank you so much for reading my ridiculous rant

[ndrv3expert1]

Why Tenko Chabashira is a Great Character pt. 1: Tenko’s Backstory and Personality

Another essay excerpt because that did better than I expected last time and I'm suprised people actually want to read my stuff.

Tenko Chabashira is an over-hated character in the fandom with people before the game even came out criticizing her and hoping that she died.

Now this is not everyone’s opinion.

I've seen many people praise Tenko, but it’s a widely accepted opinion that she sucks, ranking near the bottom on a lot of people’s tier lists and having people post on every social media platform how much they hate her.

I love Tenko.

She is my favorite character in NDRV3 and right now my favorite character of all time.

With the game already in its eight anniversary I thought, what a better time than ever to fulfill my civic duty as a Tenko fan and explain why she is a great character and doesn’t deserve nearly all the hate she’s gotten.

Backstory

One of the main reasons people hate Tenko is her hatred of men.

I would like to lessen this to dislike because Tenko shows multiple times in the game that she does not hate men and there are also reasons behind her sentiments.

Tenko took her master's teachings very seriously; he was like a father figure to her (which makes sense especially since her parents abandoned her), and she was adamant about mastering neo-aikido.

Tenko is also really gullible.

It's why she believes Himiko can do real magic, so she would believe her master wholeheartedly when he tells her that interactions with men would weaken her.

It's similar to a child being told by their parents that if they are good Santa will give them gifts.

Another factor contributing to Tenko’s dislike of men would be her crime fighting which not only adds to her childlike nature but gives more of a reason to her so-called “man-hating.”

In one of Tenko’s ftes with Shuichi, she says:

“As practitioners of Neo-Aikido, Master and I… are also heroes of justice! Master and I wear masks to disguise ourselves! We serve to save, whether it is day or night! We do everything! Help an old woman carry her belongings… Help a child cross the street…Oh, yeah! I caught a thief the other day! We also punish degenerates who cheat and bring divine justice to gropers on trains. And even help girls who just had tough break-ups!”

Even though those don’t seem like the best reasons to “hate” a whole gender overshadowed by being hurt by men emotionally or physically.

If you think about it, it’s not the worst reason either, Tenko was just a kid and her master filled her head with misconceptions and stereotypes about men.

(In the end, he was just trying to protect but there are many more ways to go about it.)

Of course, Tenko didn’t have to believe it, but by being exposed to bad men on the streets when she and her master were fighting crime, and not having many interactions with good men, you can start to see where she comes from.

She’s just like a kid who never grew out of the boys' cooties phase (with a little more trauma), and as a kid, she wasn’t taught that all men aren’t bad, she wasn’t shown that all men aren’t bad, and she wasn’t exposed to the idea either.

I don’t think we should blame Tenko for something really out of her control.

Children are very impressionable that's why they're easy targets (well them and elderly people).

Their frontal lobes aren't fully developed so they don't think critically plus when your a kid small and vulnerable you tend to look to your parents for safety and guidance.

Imagine yourself in Tenko’s shoes. The man who is basically a father figure to her tells her all these misconceptions about men—and that they will stop her from fully mastering Neo-Aikido, something she has dedicated years to. With her low self-esteem, she likely already believes she isn’t good enough.

(While most of her self-esteem issues seem to be tied to her physical abilities, strength could play a role in that too. )

Wouldn’t that make you dislike them?

Then when he takes her out and she sees the men doing exactly what her master told her that they would do it would not only prove that her masters teachings are true it would solidify that hatred.

Now at the beginning of this section I said that Tenko doesn’t hate men but now I’m saying she does?

I believe Tenko had bad teachings and exposure that made her man hatred reasonable.

I don't think Tenko hates the whole male species as she says she does but if you're a man who hurts women Tenko is going to hate you with a burning passion an important distinction I need to make.

Tenko’s backstory isn’t perfect I’ll admit that but based on how she interacts with men during the game and how she acts overall bad exposure and teachings are a fine reason.

Personality

She’s rather boisterous and is like a ball of energy and can be overbearing to other students especially Himiko since how she acts with other students (not just the boys) is not “normal” per se (but no one in this game is normal) many people chalk it up to her just being annoying.

Still, I would like to add something else that may be a factor in her upbringing which I know I have already discussed.

Still, Tenko grew up in a temple with priests she was sent there when she was very young (there isn’t a specific age but many suspect five to six) so we can assume that she didn’t have a lot of interaction with kids her age (especially boys) with the only time interacting with people probably being people going in the temples for religious purposes or the people she saved while fighting crime.

A person’s upbringing especially if it’s bad or not normal can influence how someone acts just take Maki Harukawa, for example, she grew up in an orphanage and was trained to be an assassin during the game when Shuichi and Kaito are fighting she makes Shuichi watch her teaching Kaito to assemble and disassemble a crossbow so that they can make up, and when Kaito is kidnapped she reverts to the only thing she knows and tries to kill Kokichi.

Or Gonta Gokuhara who was raised in the forest by wolves doing odd things like not wearing shoes, lacking general cultural knowledge, getting suddenly controlled by strong emotions and having trouble with language.

So it makes sense for Tenko to act strangely and lack strong social skills, given her isolation from kids her age when she was young.

Unlike someone who has been interacting with others their entire life, starting from kindergarten, her experiences have been limited.

Or you can just say it’s her lack of understanding social cues and she’s neurodivergent coded.

...

Tenko, while claiming she hates men, gets along fine with them and shows them support. Some of these scenes include:

Joining Kaito’s strategy meeting

Telling Shuichi not to be too hard on himself after Kaede’s death

Yelling at Kokichi when he makes fun of Shuichi without his hat

Promising to avenge Rantaro and Ryoma’s deaths

Complementing Gonta for being calm and reasonable after Kirumi accuses him

Feeling bad after flipping Shuichi over her shoulder and carrying him back to her room

Allowing Shuichi to participate in Aikido with her

Telling Shuichi he needs to gain more confidence in himself.

She is also lovely and caring, volunteering to protect all of the girls, placing herself at risk alongside Kaito and Gonta to save Kaede from her execution, and her friendship with Himiko, in which she tries to help her overcome her emotional suppression, demonstrates her compassion for others.

She is one of the most vocal characters when it comes to opposing the killing game they were imprisoned in, and she is always willing to offer assistance or emotional support.

Tenko has a wonderful personality. Her deep emotional core, supportive persona, and childlike thinking are qualities that I and many others can identify with.

These qualities, in my opinion, dampen the hatred of her "male-hating" mentality in some aspects and make her a charming character.

Tenko's development

While having many ‘annoying/ undesirable’ traits Tenko eventually does have character development.

The main one is her dislike of men. I've already discussed that this dislike doesn’t seem genuine because, since the beginning of the game, she’s been having friendly, kindhearted interactions with men but taking that out of account Tenko does develop from the beginning of the game to her death.

Tenko’s journey reveals layers of her personality, showcasing how bad experiences shape beliefs and attitudes.

And how a good experience can turn it all around for the better even if her transformation is not entirely linear and overshadowed by other major characters (Shuichi Maki and Himiko.)

In her Free Time Events (FTEs) with Shuichi, she is very mean to him.

Nicest thing she says is that he can improve himself through Neo Aikido and become a good man like her master.

However, the interactions in her FTEs specifically with Shuichi amplify her disdain for men making it seem worse than it is in the game.

Despite all this she still she moments of genuine growth realizing that not all men are as bad as the ones her master told her about and the one she saw while crime-fighting through her experiences with Shuichi and the other men in the game she slowly but surely alters her perspective, and the journey leads her to form a friendship--though some would say acquaintanceship--with Shuichi (a man 😱.)

It’s a shift for her from her initial male-hating persona as she learns to accept that not every man is as bad as she was taught to believe by her master.

I could go on but this is getting long so in Part 2 I'll delve deeper into Tenko’s character arc and development in chapter 3.

[ndrv3expert1]

Danganronpa's heart isn't the killing game it's the characters

I think a part of the DR games get pretty overlooked is the daily life sections like yeah sometimes it seems like you can skip over sections them and not lose any important information and V3 makes the FTEs unbearable but it's what gives Danganronpa games their charm and what separates DR games from other games similar to it.

The characters, their backstories their relationships.

And even though THH the animation probably brought in more viewers (because its much more easy and convenient to watch a ten episode anime than to play, or watch someone else play a 25 hour game) people who watched it would just get the surface level version of the story.

Trust me I watched the anime the first time around.

If you ask any Danganronpa fan whether they play for the plot, (the mystery-solving murders, executions, and trials) or the characters most would probably pick the latter and it's not a choice with no thought at all.

Each game has a wide array of characters with their personalities, backstories, quirks, interests, and traumas. With every game comes a new cast of characters to obsess over, and hope they don’t die.

The characters are what makes the game so special and unique, and I think the game wouldn’t have gotten as much popularity as it did in the past few years if there were a bunch of normal characters with nothing of note in a killing game.

That's why the daily life sections are so important-they give the characters a chance to breathe and interact without the pressure of a trial weighing upon them.

Without those moments the deaths, executions and trials wouldn't hit as hard.

Danganronpa thrives on its daily life sections and if they are skipped over or reduced they take away so much of what makes the game special.

The mystery is engaging sure, but it's the relationships personalities and tragedies of the cast that's what keep people coming back long after they've finished the games.

[ndrv3expert1]

The double standard: Why Kaito’s flaws are forgiven and Tenko’s aren't

Sexism in DRV3 is crazy-like which loud, hot headed, oddly dressed, self sacrificical, hero complex having supportive character do you like more? But ones a girl.

It's not about disliking any of them honestly-I used to hate Kaito for no reason-if you asked me I wouldn't be able to give you a straight answer.

Now I appreciate his character and actually like him and he is my second or third favorite male character (the spot for second place fluctuates with Kokichi.)

That said its worth recognizing the double standards, you can ignore and forgive every questionable thing Kaito says but don't start hating on Tenko for her male hating when it isn't even that bad.

You don’t have to love Tenko just like you don't have to love Kaito. But it's worth asking: "are we holding the girls to a different standard than the boys?"

If Kaito’s flaws don't ruin his character for you the same ones that Tenko has shouldn’t ruin her character either.

It's okay to have preferences but at least be honest with why you hold them. Saying "hey I'm biased I just like Kaito more than Tenko" or "I don't like Tenko for this super specific reason" is totally valid. But sometimes the reasons people hate Tenko don't hold up when you compare her to Kaito, and that's worth thinking about.

No hate if you like either and not the other- this is specifically for the people who say "I don't like Tenko for her personality and sexism" but then defend Kaito from any criticism about his personality or sexism/ toxic masculinity. I think it's worth questioning whether the issues might be more about how we treat certain flaws than the characters themselves.

[ndrv3expert1]

My full essay of my rewriting Tenko’s flipping ability

Just a heads up. This is a 33-page essay about Tenko’s flipping ability, a very niche topic, and a scene that only showed up once in the game. It has some good points, of course, but it is VERY LONG and in my opinion okay in quality.

But someone asked me for it and I promised I would post it if someone asked

So if you genuinely want to read it, you can read it Here 👈

I hope you enjoy it as much as you enjoyed my original post, and if not, I'm sorry.

[ndrv3expert1]

The impact of Tenko’s ability on Maki and Kokichi's character arc: a continuation of me rewriting Tenko’s flipping ability.

This is a more indepth analysis of Tenko and Maki and Tenko and Kokichi's relationships. It might not make sense without the first part, but you don't have to read it to enjoy this.

Introduction

Tenko is the sun, bright, loud, beloved, and emotional, Maki and Kokichi are the moons, the liars, the ones who build up walls to hide their true selves, the loners.

Realistically, that analogy was supposed to be with Kaito, but we’re not talking about him, and I think Tenko could in some ways be a better mentor figure for Maki (Kokichi and Shuichi.)

Tenko is like Kaito but soft in the ways he is rough, less abrasive. Tenko relates to Maki and Kokichi in a different way than Kaito, of course. Kaito Maki and Kokichi are like three peas in a pod, but Tenko would be able to listen to help to heal in a different way than Kaito can.

Tenko’s flipping ability doesn’t take away from Kaito’s role; it adds to it and gives more time for Kokichi and Maki to flesh out before or during their development with Kaito.

Kokichi’s mask doesn’t have to break like it did in chapter five, but we can see him become more defensive and isolated.

Maki doesn’t have to shed her stone-cold assassin behavior and break down like in chapters five and six, but she can start to become more vulnerable.

Maki's growth with Tenko

Maki and Tenko could spar together and have chats about Maki’s past that even though Tenko didn’t agree with murder, she knows that Maki was forced into it and is still a good person deserving of love and affection and would be like a second Kaito there for her, especially since Kaito is deteriorating because of his illness.

I believe that Maki could also help Tenko, especially since their backstories are so similar, talking about her crime and opening up about her distrust for the men she saw on the streets and the ones her master told her about, and Maki would help keep Tenko grounded and help her open up more.

I always thought it was a missed opportunity only giving Maki and Tenko one interaction in the game.

I love the parallels between her and Maki's backstories and their characters as a whole.

From the get-go, both didn’t really have a say in their lives; their childhoods started out similar with both getting abandoned but then had two separate paths: a savior and a killer, one embracing their role and the other rejecting it.

I want Maki and Tenko to have long, profound talks about strength and being vulnerable. I want Tenko to flip Maki and give her a whole new outlook on her life.

I want them to talk about Tenko’s vigilantism, Maki's childhood friend, the burden that they both place on themselves to protect those they care about even if it means harming others.

I want Tenko to grab Maki's hands, which have been coated with blood countless times, even with her strong morals against murder, and tell Maki she trusts her and cares about her.

Kokichi’s arc with Tenko

With Kokichi after flipping him, making him vulnerable and out in the open, Kokichi runs away at first but soon realizes the strength of Tenko’s ability and has her help him with his plans, he being the one that suggests she flip Tsumugi.

They would hang out, even though the others give them weird looks, especially since Tenko knows Kokichi’s true intentions. But like everyone else, Kokichi pushes Tenko away, putting back up his facade as a villain, betraying Tenko before her death, leaving him to run right back to Himiko.

Who she still cared about helping but took her mind off the jealousy of Himiko gravitating to Angie more than her by hanging out with Kokichi.

Kokichi would also tell Tenko that she’s lying to herself and too concerned about the others to care about herself and that mentality is going to get her killed.

(While he holds his script to his chest, knowing what’s coming two chapters from now.)

After Tenko died, Kokichi felt regretful but chose to keep it away from the others, still knowing that Tenko was one of his only true friends in the game, the only person who truly understood him (until chapter five), but that having friends in a killing game was a mistake and would only make him more weak and vulnerable.

Kokichi and Tenko’s friendship

Outside the narrative I have created, I want more Tenko-Kokichi shenanigans.

I like the fact that both sacrificed themselves to help/save someone else, and both died in a dark, claustrophobic environment alone.

I also like how they're more like each other than they both realize.

I think Kokichi could point out Tenko's altruism as a flaw and also call her out as a hypocrite, and he would definitely bash her for her relationship with Himiko, and I think Tenko could start to crack the mask, the facade that is Kokichi Oma.

I love their dynamic so much I just don't know how to explain it:

Two people who actively hate each other but have good chemistry and are constantly hanging out with each other to the confusion and expense of the others.

They insult each other all the time, but if anyone else insults either one of them, they would beat that person up.

They're normally making jokes at each other's expense but sometimes get serious with each other and actually give good advice and comfort.

Probably my second, maybe third favorite Tenko-male friendship (my first is Tenko and Shuichi).

They would be so chaotic together; I wish they would have gotten more time to hang out.

Tenko's missed opportunities

Tenko should have hung out with more people who weren't Himiko (and Shuichi) in the game. Her flipping ability and emotional depth could have allowed pivotal shifts in the narrative as well as doing work for her and many others' character arcs and developments.

(And just be really cool; give my girl more screen time, damn it.)

[ndrv3expert1]

How I would rewrite the utilization and timing of Tenko's flipping ability (That also slightly changes the narrative.)

Tenko's flipping ability had the power to change the entire narrative of DRV3 but the game barely used it here's how it could have made a really impact.

This is an excerpt to a 25 page essay I wrote inspired by @whattheskyknows' post about the underutilization of Tenko’s flipping ability. Check out their original post below.

https://www.tumblr.com/whattheskyknows/766230450261884928/i-wish-drv3-utilised-tenkos-flipping-technique?source=share

The first reveal of Tenko’s ability

The first time Tenko’s power will be revealed is late chapter two early chapter three. Here she will flip Shuichi and Himiko just like in the original game, but this time instead of being the only time her ability is ultilized it will be used to give the player an inclination of Tenko’s power with characters that we already know enough about to deem Tenko’s analysis correct making her ability seem reliable and trustworthy.

The next time Tenko’s power will be utilized is in the middle of chapter three.

Maki's flip

Here she would flip Maki. I know you probably think I don’t know if that would work out, etc., but at this point, Maki is getting closer to Kaito and Shuichi, and even though Tenko was one of the many people who were wary of Maki after her talent reveal she did eventually come around and had a nice chat with Maki in chapter three.

Tenko could guise it as sparring, especially after her dojo opened up and flipped Maki telling her something along the lines of:

“You hide from us because you believe that we’ll all hate you, but Tenko can tell, deep down, you’re a caring girl, Maki. You’re afraid, just like the rest of us, afraid of hurting your loved ones, which is why you lie to build up walls. You don’t want us to shun you, and you don’t want any more blood on your hands, at least not if you don’t have to.”

And then Maki would obviously (and understandably) be shocked, probably asking Tenko how she knew that just by flipping her.

I think the two would grow closer and make that conversation between them before Angie’s death a bit more impactful.

Either Shuichi would have to be in the room or Maki would have to tell him (and Kaito) after the fact since Shuichi is the protagonist and we find out all the information through him, and then he would do that thing where he has a thought or an internal monologue, but it pops up as text that reads:

‘It’s nice that those two are getting along with their combined strength; we might be able to find a way out of here.’

Kokichi’s flip

Next would be Kokichi, which wouldn't be an on screen moment like Maki's because Kokichi dropping his mask is a big reveal for the end of the game.

Tenko would either flip Kokichi out of pure annoyance or reluctant curiosity, then say:

"Tenko can see you're putting up a villainous facade, but she can tell that there’s more behind it."

And Kokichi gets so scared that he’s vulnerable and just runs away.

Maybe he even writes on his little whiteboard an insult under Tenko’s name, then erases it and writes interesting or useful under it.

They can then have little interactions where they talk, combining their skills to try and figure out the mastermind or the truth of the game, and we see them getting closer to each other.

Then I wrote two separate storylines because I love Tenko so much I created two alternate universes for her ability to be used correctly, and I wanted to make this harder for myself because I can't take the easy way out.

Here's how Tenko’s flipping ability could play out in two possible narratives option being closer to the canon and option two deviating further from it.

Option one:

Tenko dies like she was supposed to and all the secrets die with her. Kokichi and Maki are upset, but of course, in typical fashion, don’t show it in front of the others.

After Tenko’s death, Tsumugi looks happy/relieved, and Kokichi gets suspicious, but it’s not enough evidence to determine anything yet.

In late chapter three or early chapter four, before everything happens, Kokichi finds out that Tsumugi was happy Kiyo killed Tenko because she found out too much and goes into his plan even more determined to end the killing game and get revenge on Tsumugi for everything she's done to them (and Tenko).

Option two:

Kiyo kills Angie locked room mystery style, he then tries to kill Tenko but it fails (it still hit her in the arm or a non-vital part of the neck.) Tenko still dies, though, and everyone believes that it was from blood loss.

Later Kokichi discovered that Tsumugi killed Tenko using the power of the first-come, first-served rule to save herself because Tenko flipped her and found out way too much.

Kokichi would then find out and confront Tsumugi in a confrontation that would go something like:

“You did it, didn’t you?” Kokichi said, his voice filled with emotion, Tsumugi turned around, confused and angry. "You killed her."

Here bits of Kokichi's mask would start to drop , the usual mischievous smirk replaced with a rage-filled scowl.

Tsumugi would walk closer, their faces almost touching.

“She was learning too much, sticking her nose into places it didn’t belong. The game wouldn’t have been as fun if there was a reveal so early… I had to get rid of her; she was a threat to me. You understand, don’t you, Ouma?” (referencing chapter four).

Kokichi would then curse her out and say something along the lines of he'll ruin Tsumugi's game for her and everyone watching, either Tsumugi directly or the cameras, and continue his plan to end the game.

Tsumugi would then either be amused that Kokichi would try or genuinely concerned seeing Kokichi as a threat and trying to stop him herself, once again changing the narrative.

This one is especially nice because it shows the parallel of Kokichi and Tsumugi as a sheep in a wolf’s clothing and a wolf in a sheep’s clothing and also them both having scripts and doing whatever is necessary to make their narrative happen.

Kokichi is manipulating Gonta to kill Miu and Tsumugi killing Rantaro and framing it on Kaede.

This also gives Tsumugi more of a role as the mastermind in the game, also allowing Tenko to use her power multiple times without the consequences of an early reveal or boring game.

Then for either one or two, the ending would pretty much go the same except for maybe Tsumugi subtly mentioning that Tenko (and Kokichi) already found out a while ago, but the rest of the ending is perfect and wouldn’t be affected.

Conclusion

And that is a rewrite of how I think Tenko’s flipping ability could have been used to its full potential.

Of course, there were a few things that I couldn’t stress as much as I wanted to, like Tenko and Maki and Tenko and Kokichi's friendship, and the others would be like:

“Tenko and Kokichi/Maki are close these days, aren’t they?”

But this is getting long, so maybe I'll talk about it in another post.

Tenko had a really amazing power that had the chance to change the narrative and be a really cool arc, especially since she's a character that expresses her emotions wholeheartedly and wants others to do the same, but it instead was just like so many other things about Tenko's character overlooked, underutilized, and forgotten about, during and after its reveal.

Tenko deserved better. We deserved better and it's a shame to see such a great opportunity go to waste.

And if anyone wants to read the full essay if requested I will make a comment or another post (unlikely though it's very long 😅)