#Mod Fuyuhiko

[danganronpasurvivoraskblog]

Dangancember 2024 - Danganronpa Top 24 Class Trials - NUMBER 2🥈: Danganronpa 2 Case 5

//I'm willing to bet that almost EVERYBODY thought this one was going to get Number 1 on this list, and to be fair, when I did a ranking years back, it DID get the reward for my best case back on Reddit.

//But in case this list, compared to that one, isn't evidence enough, my opinions have changed a bit.

//I feel the need to remind everyone that this ranking is based primarily on my general feeling of each of these cases, taking into account the characterization, investigation, general mystery, plot twists, etc. If we were ranking this purely on investigation and mystery, without my personal feelings towards a case involved, this one would be Number 1.

//When it comes to Danganronpa cases, Game 2 Case 5 is not just the crown jewel; it’s the one everyone expects to see perched at the top of any "best trials" list.

//And yes, I hear you already, "Oh, how predictable. Case 5 at the top? How original!"

//But let’s face it, sometimes the popular opinion is popular for a reason. I don’t do contrarianism for sport, folks. If something’s obvious because it’s correct, then I’m not going to waste time pretending otherwise.

//Could I have slapped some other case here, like 1-2 or V3-1, to make things spicy? I think it's spicy enough that this one isn't Number 1, but that aside, we’re not here for hot takes; we’re here to appreciate brilliance, and Case 5 is absolutely, unequivocally, that case.

//Now, let’s address the elephant in the room, or perhaps the giant robotic animal mascot if we’re staying on brand. This case is legendary for reasons beyond just "it’s good."

//Put simply, there is no other video game or mystery-themed franchise that could pull this case off OTHER than DANGANRONPA.

//It’s part mystery, part madness, and 100% the kind of twist-riddled storytelling that no one can replicate. You’d need the full chaotic toolkit of Danganronpa’s narrative rule-breaking, character complexity, and absurd-but-brilliant logic leaps. Without those, you’re just a murder mystery fan with a dream.

//Why does this case stand out so much? Because it takes what we think we know about how these games work, how mysteries work, really, and throws it straight into Monokuma’s metaphorical incinerator. In most murder mysteries, the setup is fairly predictable: Person A offs Person B, usually for some selfish reason, like wanting freedom or holding a grudge.

//Danganronpa usually follows that formula, with the added twist of a deadly game show setting. But then along comes Case 5, flipping the script so hard it leaves you reeling. It doesn’t just upend expectations; it takes them out back, ties them to a rocket, and blasts them into space.

//And yet, it’s not just shock value. Beneath the twists and turns, this trial is meticulously crafted, intertwining its revelations with the overarching story in ways that make your brain do somersaults. It’s equal parts emotionally devastating and intellectually satisfying. If you’re a fan of intricate mysteries and gut-punching twists, this case isn’t just going to impress you, it’s going to live rent-free in your mind forever.

But don’t take my word for it (well, okay, do, since you’re reading my review). This case’s reputation precedes it. If you’ve played it, you know. And if you haven’t…well, let’s just say, the bar for storytelling in murder mystery games is about to be set unreachably high.

//Let's dive in!

//Let’s be real: by this point in time, you’re knee-deep into this game, so many are dead, and you know something’s about to go down with Nagito Komaeda. The ominous buildup and his increasingly unhinged behavior practically scream, “Buckle up, this is gonna get wild.”

//So when you eventually stumble upon his body, it’s not exactly shocking that he’s the victim. What is shocking, however, is everything else about this chapter. The setup, the stakes, the twists, and oh boy, the absolutely brutal state of his corpse. Seriously, if you thought previous trials in this game had upped the ante, Chapter 5 snaps the bar in two and sets it on fire for good measure.

//The setup alone is chaos incarnate: Nagito has hidden bombs around Jabberwock Island and cheerfully announces that if they go off, the entire island and everyone on it will sink straight into the ocean. Naturally, this sends the remaining students—Hajime, Chiaki, Fuyuhiko, Akane, Kazuichi, and Sonia—into panic mode as they scramble to defuse them.

//Just when they manage to avert what feels like certain doom, they discover a warehouse is suddenly engulfed in flames. Conveniently (or suspiciously?), fire grenades are nearby, and the group decides to toss them into the inferno in an attempt to extinguish it.

//Crisis averted, right?

//Wrong.

//When the smoke clears, they find Nagito’s lifeless body inside, and it’s unlike anything the series has thrown at you before.

//Let’s talk about that body discovery scene because…wow. Danganronpa doesn’t shy away from gruesome, but Nagito’s death takes the cake. His body is covered in cuts, there’s a knife stabbed straight through his right hand, and, as the pièce de résistance, a massive spear is impaled directly through his chest. It’s horrifying, grotesque, and easily one of the most graphic and unforgettable discoveries in the entire series. If you’re not audibly gasping by this point, you might need to check your pulse.

//But here’s where things get really interesting: despite being the victim, Nagito is also the villain of this chapter. His death isn’t just the result of some random grudge or desperation; it’s an intricately planned act designed to manipulate and torment everyone left alive.

//It’s peak Nagito. Brilliant, twisted, and utterly maddening.

//I don't know if I can talk about Nagito himself without repeating things that I've already said, because he’s come up multiple times in this countdown already (and spoiler alert, he’s not done yet), and for good reason.

//Calling him "memorable" feels like the understatement of the century. This guy is the embodiment of chaos, and his very existence has transcended the game to become a full-blown meme.

//But there’s a reason for that: Nagito isn’t just weird; he’s fascinating. He’s the kind of character who sticks in your brain long after the credits roll, equal parts horrifying and hypnotic.

//What makes Nagito so unique is his complexity. On the surface, he seems like an unassuming guy with a fairly mundane talent. But peel back the layers, and you’ll find one of the most manipulative, unsettling, and downright creepy characters in gaming history. His self-loathing is palpable, but it’s overshadowed by his ability to twist every situation to his advantage, or just to create absolute bedlam at ease.

//He’s so committed to his warped version of "hope" that he’s willing to employ the most extreme, morally dubious methods to achieve it. In many ways, he’s the second game’s true antagonist, even if he doesn’t fit the traditional mold. Fuck Junko and Izuru.

//And Case 5 is essentially Nagito’s magnum opus. It’s the culmination of everything that makes him such a standout character: his intelligence, his unpredictability, his disturbing charisma, and his willingness to do whatever it takes, even die, to prove his point. The result is a chapter that feels less like a murder mystery and more like an elaborate psychological chess match.

//So, while Chapter 5 might technically be about solving Nagito’s death, it’s really about unraveling Nagito himself. His influence permeates every aspect of the case, making it one of the most unforgettable and genre-defining moments in Danganronpa history.

//The investigation is okay, but again, as I said for 1-2, it's how they all culminate into the trial that it really works, so let's not waste any more time, and actually get into talking about that.

//For starters, I want to say that the pacing of this trial is BRILLIANT. Every twist and turn feels meticulously timed to keep you on the edge of your seat, while the ideas introduced all tie into the case’s central themes, on top of being innately shocking.

//When the students first discover Nagito’s body, the sheer brutality of the scene makes it look like he was tortured for information before being killed. There are cuts all over his body, a knife impaled through his hand, and that massive spear skewering his chest like the world’s most horrifying centerpiece. It screams “murder most foul,” and naturally, the students start theorizing about who could’ve done something so horrific.

//But quickly, they realize that it wouldn't make sense for someone torture Nagito for information if his mouth was duct-taped shut. Though Kazuichi especially argues for it, that one little detail flips the entire narrative on its head. If he couldn’t speak, then the torture couldn’t have been for interrogation.

//The students realize this, and their next leap in logic is to suspect that maybe Nagito wasn’t murdered at all. What if he orchestrated his own death?

//After all, this is Nagito we’re talking about, a guy who thrives on chaos and has a disturbingly cavalier attitude toward his own life. Using the rope attached to the spear, it seems plausible that he could’ve rigged a setup to drop the weapon onto himself, making it look like an elaborate suicide.

//This is...somewhat true. But in true Danganronpa fashion, the obvious answer is never the correct one. The suicide theory falls apart under closer scrutiny, leaving the students, and the player, scrambling for answers.

That’s when the horrifying truth comes to light, and boy, does it hit like that fire truck that killed Celeste.

//Nagito set up the scene so that the warehouse he died in would catch on fire once the students opened the door. To get through, the rest of the group grapped a bunch of fire grenades to put the fire out, and all of them grabbed at least one, and threw it into the flames.

//However, this single act causes them to plummet head first into the trap that had been set for them.

//Nagito, ever the agent of chaos, actually rigged one of the fire grenades with lethal poison gas. When the students threw the grenades to extinguish the warehouse fire, one of them tossed the poison grenade, dispersing the gas and killing him. Suddenly, what seemed like a murder mystery or a suicide case becomes something far more twisted.

//And here’s the kicker: nobody knows who threw the poison grenade. Not even the person who actually did it!

//By mixing the poison grenade with the others, Nagito ensured that the identity of his killer would be COMPLETELY RANDOM. This wasn’t just a murder; it was a gamble, a deadly game of Russian roulette where none of the participants even knew they were playing. As I said it’s the kind of mind-bending twist that only Danganronpa could pull off, and it perfectly encapsulates Nagito’s philosophy of chaotic hope.

//Monokuma obviously knows which student threw the poisoned grenade as well, and obviously, if the students get it wrong, they are ALL SCREWED.

//The brilliance of this setup is how utterly hopeless it makes the trial feel. Class trials are all about deduction, piecing together clues, and eventually uncovering the truth. But how do you solve a case where even the killer doesn’t know they’re the killer?

//For the first time in the series, it feels like there’s no way forward, no light at the end of the tunnel. The murder is, quite literally, impossible to solve using traditional methods. It’s a masterstroke in subverting the player’s expectations while also reinforcing the themes of despair and uncertainty that define the series.

//This moment also highlights why Nagito is such a standout character. Only he could come up with something so convoluted, so meticulously planned, and yet so chaotic at its core. He turns the class trial, a system designed to uncover truth and punish the guilty, into an instrument of despair.

//By making the killer’s identity random, Nagito forces the group to confront the idea that justice might not always be attainable. It’s a chilling reminder of how far he’s willing to go to prove his warped ideals about Hope and Despair.

//Thematically, this case is a perfect storm. It pushes the students to their absolute limits, not just intellectually but emotionally as well. How do you come to terms with a murder that has no clear perpetrator? How do you move forward when the very foundations of the game’s rules have been shaken?

//The trial becomes less about solving the mystery and more about grappling with the moral and philosophical questions it raises. It’s a level of depth and complexity that sets it apart from anything else in the series.

//Of course, this wouldn’t be a Danganronpa trial without a good dose of drama and tension. Watching the students wrestle with their guilt, fear, and confusion as they try to piece together the puzzle from start to finish, and then reach the absolutely horrifying situation they land in, is both heartbreaking and riveting. The stakes, genuinely, never reach higher than this, and the outcome feels completely uncertain and TERRIFYING.

//By the time the truth is revealed, you’re left in awe of the sheer audacity of the writing. It’s the kind of storytelling that leaves a lasting impression, long after the game is over.

//Ultimately, what makes this so effective is how it combines narrative brilliance with gameplay innovation. It’s not just about what happens, but how it makes you feel as a player. You’re questioning everything you thought you knew about how these trials work. It’s a case that breaks the rules, challenges your expectations, and delivers a story that’s as thought-provoking as it is shocking.

//But if you thought we were done, no, we aren't quite yet. What comes after this kicks the trial into a, somehow, HIGHER gear.

//Despite Nagito’s seemingly impossible-to-solve murder, the students DO manage to piece together the truth. And the resolution is haunting, depressing, and brilliantly layered, as it ties back to one of the game’s longest-running mysteries:

//The identity of the traitor.

//Monokuma drops the first breadcrumb early in the story, mentioning that the island was prepared for specifically 15 students but somehow, this group ended up with 16.

//This anomaly immediately plants the suspicion that one of the students is a traitor working for, what we eventually discover, is the supposedly evil "World Ender Organization." It’s a mystery that looms over the entire game, and Nagito, being Nagito, becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth.

//This obsession drives much of Nagito’s increasingly erratic behavior. His bizarre stunts, from his cryptic speeches to the explosive warehouse gambit, are all rooted in his desperation to expose the traitor. Though his motives aren't quite what they seem.

//The events of Chapter 5 are essentially his ultimate gambit for this mission: an elaborate plan to force the traitor to reveal themselves by staging an unsolvable murder.

//But this isn’t just about solving a mystery. Nagito, in his twisted logic, decides that sacrificing himself is a small price to pay if it means exposing the traitor and their connection to the World Ender. If everyone else has to die as collateral damage? Well, that’s just fine with him. It’s peak Nagito, both brilliant and horrifying.

//But...if this plan is at risk of killing everyone, and the poisoned grenade was thrown by a random person, how exactly was it supposed to work?

//What makes this trial so exceptional is how it builds on a recurring theme in Danganronpa 2: the way characters use their Ultimate Talents to achieve their goals. Each case in the game showcases this idea in unique ways.

Teruteru uses his cooking skills to conceal a murder weapon.

Peko exploits her swordsmanship to stage a clever escape.

Mikan manipulates her role as a nurse to fabricate an alibi.

Gundham weaponizes his hamsters to immobilize his victim.

//But this trial falls into this theme while also switching it up, by making the victim the one who uses their talent to manipulate the outcome. And Nagito’s Ultimate Lucky Student talent once again takes center stage, and its application here is as ingenious as it is unsettling.

//Nagito’s luck is unlike Makoto’s relatively tame version in the first game. It’s tangible, almost supernatural, and eerily consistent. Whether it’s winning a game of Russian Roulette with an almost fully loaded revolver in Chapter 4 or orchestrating the chaos of this trial, Nagito’s luck always seems to tilt events in his favor, even when it’s to his detriment.

//This trial showcases his mastery of his talent, as he uses it to create a scenario so convoluted that solving it requires an extraordinary leap of faith. It’s a testament to how his character embodies the unpredictable nature of luck, both as a tool and as a weapon.

//When the students are left with no other options, Hajime proposes a bold theory: the person Nagito was targeting with his poison grenade must be the traitor. With the clock ticking and no clear path forward, the group takes a gamble and calls for the traitor to reveal themselves. And here’s where the trial delivers one of its most gut-wrenching twists.

//Instead of the group uncovering the traitor through deduction, the traitor steps forward voluntarily. It’s Chiaki Nanami, the Ultimate Gamer and a beloved figure in the story.

//Chiaki’s betrayal is particularly heartbreaking because of how central she’s been to the trial system in Danganronpa 2. She is effectively Hajime's equivelant to what Kyoko was for Makoto, being his closest ally, and often providing critical insights and support during investigations and debates. Her calm demeanor and love for her friends make her an endearing presence, so her reveal as the traitor feels like a betrayal not just to the characters but to the player as well.

//Even if I've always felt Chiaki might be a bit overrated, it’s hard not for me to feel a pang of sadness as the truth comes to light. And yet, this reveal also solidifies the brilliance of Nagito’s plan. His twisted methods worked: he exposed the traitor, even at the cost of his own life.

//Genuinely, the reaction to Chiaki stepping forward as the traitor is one of the most soul-crushing scenes in the game thus far, and for good reason.

//Chiaki is the most perfect candidate to play the role of the final killer in this game, because she’s the one student on the island that everyone universally adores. She’s the epitome of the "can do no wrong" character. Which for me personally, is something I've never liked about her, but it does work in the buildup to this revelation.

//She’s sweet, dependable, and always there to lend a hand during trials with her sharp insights and calm demeanor, just as her supposed "father" Chihiro was. The same applies to Kaito in V3, as he's the universally loved wildcard who shoulders a heavy emotional weight heading into the endgame.

//So, when Chiaki confesses to being the traitor and asks the group to vote for her so they can save themselves, her classmates react in the most predictable way possible: absolute, unrelenting denial.

//Instead of nodding grimly and doing what needs to be done like every other time, they outright refuse, dragging their heels like stubborn toddlers who don’t want to eat their vegetables. Watching this unfold is both heartbreaking and oddly hilarious, as it highlights just how much the group collectively loves her.

//Hajime, bless his poor, conflicted soul, finds himself in the unenviable position of having to convince the group to face reality. This includes arguing against everyone, particularly against Sonia, who is especially resistant to the idea.

//Imagine trying to sell an unflattering truth about someone universally beloved while standing in a room full of people who would rather rewrite history than accept it. That’s exactly what Hajime has to do. Everyone goes to great lengths to deny Chiaki’s guilt, even twisting their earlier testimony to absolve Chiaki, and it’s like watching a courtroom drama where the defense lawyer loves their client so much they’re trying to argue the laws of physics out of existence.

//What makes this sequence so powerful is how the game adjusts its tone and pacing to reflect the emotional gravity of the situation. The trial’s usual high-energy minigames, complete with intense, upbeat tones and kickass music, suddenly shift into something quieter, heavier.

//Take Sonia’s Rebuttal Showdown, for instance. The usual sword-clashing music is replaced with a somber track, setting a melancholic mood. This silence isn’t just an absence of sound, it’s a deafening reminder of the emotional stakes at play.

//Even Hajime’s iconic "No, that’s wrong!" line is replaced by more desperate, sorrowful dialogue, hammering home the fact that despite arguing against, her, he, above EVERYBODY ELSE HERE, wants to accuse Chiaki THE LEAST.

//But he knows he must. She’s essentially asking him to kill her so that the others can live, and he’s left with no choice but to comply. It's tragic, raw, and incredibly effective storytelling.

//As if the emotional gut punches weren’t enough, the trial then drops a bombshell about the overarching narrative: the Future Foundation, which had been framed as the antagonist group, are actually the good guys. Chiaki and Monomi, as their representative, was working against Despair all along.

//This twist retroactively reframes the story, making Chiaki’s betrayal feel even more bittersweet. Monomi’s steadfast support of the group also takes on a new light, as her actions were driven by a desire to protect them, not manipulate them like they all believed. It’s the kind of twist that makes you sit back and rethink everything you’ve assumed about the game up to this point.

//And then there’s Nagito, whose insane brilliance looms large over this trial. At first, his actions seem designed to expose Chiaki as the traitor and ensure her execution. But after the trial, it becomes clear that his motives were far more complex, and arguably even more unhinged.

//After discovering that the other students were former Remnants of Despair, key players in Junko Enoshima’s plans, Nagito developed an intense self-loathing and a burning hatred for his classmates that completely paralleled his initial admiration of them. In a bizarre twist of logic, he decided the traitor was the only good person among them and concocted this elaborate trap to ensure their survival.

//Nagito’s plan, of course, hinges on his Ultimate Luck, which he uses to make the trial seemingly impossible to solve, and his hope was that Chiaki, as the traitor, would survive by default while the rest of the group received a wrong verdict and were executed. It’s a plan so convoluted and morally dubious that you almost have to admire the audacity of it.

//However, it’s also hilariously short-sighted upon reflection. Killing everyone except Chiaki would have effectively handed victory to AI Junko, whose goal was to plunge the world into even greater Despair. Of course, Nagito had no way of knowing that, but it's still funny to think about that had Hajime and Chiaki not been able to stop his plan, Junko would have won.

//In hindsight, Nagito’s plan might seem downright idiotic, but it’s this blend of genius and madness that makes his character so compelling. The sheer absurdity of his actions adds a layer of dark humor to the trial, even as the emotional stakes reach their peak. It’s a masterclass in how to balance tension, tragedy, and character-driven storytelling.

//The effectiveness of this lies in how it forces you to confront uncomfortable truths. Chiaki’s true identity, Nagito’s madness, and the group’s denial all intertwine to create a narrative that’s as heartbreaking as it is unforgettable.

//It’s a rollercoaster of emotions, packed with twists and turns that redefine what a Danganronpa trial can be. If the goal was to leave a lasting impression, this chapter more than delivers. And let’s be real: who doesn’t love a trial that combines emotional devastation with a side of absurdity?

//The revelation that Chiaki unknowingly threw the poison grenade ties everything together in a tragic bow. The class trial’s conclusion sees Chiaki and Monomi executed in a sequence that’s as heart-wrenching as it is inevitable. Nagito’s gamble paid off, but at what cost?

//The fallout from this trial leaves the remaining students reeling, their hearts shattered and their resolve tested like never before. It’s a moment that defines the series, not just for its shocking twists but for its emotional depth and philosophical complexity.

//What makes this trial so effective is how it uses every element of the Danganronpa formula to maximum effect. The mystery is intricate and satisfying, the stakes are sky-high, and the emotional weight of the characters’ decisions is palpable.

//It also serves as a perfect showcase of how the class trial system can be manipulated. This concept is revisited in Danganronpa V3, where Kokichi and Kaito pull off a similar stunt to challenge Monokuma’s control.

//I want to end this review by going over basically all the key points of why this trial is amazing, even though I have already done some analysis here already, and I admit, a lot of this will be repeating myself.

//But to make this review as official as it can be, I need to make sure the information is presented well. I can break down why this trial is fantastic into 5 main catagory's.

#1: This trial massively subverts the formula.

//The Danganronpa series has a well-established formula: a murder occurs, the class investigates, a culprit is identified, and they’re executed. Rinse and repeat, right? It’s a satisfying loop for those who love unraveling mysteries and piecing together evidence, but just as you start to feel like you’ve cracked the game’s rhythm, this trial throws an absolute curveball.

//The Danganronpa series thrives on its formula of uncovering killers, but Case 5 in Goodbye Despair flips the script in spectacular fashion. Instead of a straightforward murder, it begins with what looks like a suicide, leaving players and characters scrambling to make sense of Nagito’s maddeningly intricate setup. With no clear culprit, the trial forces you to rethink how cases are solved entirely.

//Nagito’s genius lies in using his Ultimate Luck to orchestrate an elaborate plan where every clue feels like a trap. By staging his own death and planting conflicting evidence, he creates an unsolvable mystery to expose the traitor among his classmates. This subversion of expectations turns the investigation into a mental labyrinth, testing the player’s logic like never before.

//The trial doesn’t just break the usual flow; it’s a deep dive into Nagito’s twisted obsession with hope and despair. His plan, theatrical and chaotic, challenges everyone to grapple with impossible choices. It’s peak Nagito—equal parts brilliance and insanity.

//Speaking of...

#2: Nagito’s Genius and Madness

Nagito's role in Case 5 is nothing short of mind-bending, as he masterfully pulls double duty as both the victim and the mastermind. Only Nagito could turn his own death into a trap, complete with poison, a fire grenade, and a spear, because why use one method when you can use three and confuse everyone in the process?

//It’s a move that’s equal parts genius and absolutely unhinged, perfectly reflecting his complex character.

//What makes this setup so effective is how it’s not just a murder but a moral battlefield. Nagito’s goal isn’t just to die but to force his classmates to uncover the identity of the traitor hiding among them. This escalates the already high stakes into a psychological tug-of-war, where trust erodes and tensions boil over.

//Nagito’s twisted ideals of hope and despair come to life in this trial, making his actions as brilliant as they are baffling. His chaotic orchestration is both a testament to his intellect and a reminder that, in the world of Danganronpa, no situation is ever as simple as it seems, especially when he is involved.

#3: Chiaki's Death

//Chiaki's reveal as both the killer and the traitor is an emotional wrecking ball disguised as a plot twist. Up until this moment, Chiaki has been the group’s rock, dependable, sweet, and seemingly incapable of harm.

//Learning she’s the traitor completely flips the script, forcing one to rethink every smile, every piece of advice, and every moment of quiet solidarity they’ve shared with her.

//It’s like finding out your favorite cozy sweater has been secretly plotting against you this whole time. The twist doesn’t just pull the rug out from under you; it sets the whole floor on fire.

#4: The Complexity, the Detail, and the general Presentation

This trial is a masterclass in making players second-guess everything they thought they knew. From unraveling how poison ended up in a fire grenade to deciphering Nagito’s absurdly elaborate setup, the mechanics of this case are both brain-bending and deeply satisfying.

//Every tiny clue matters, and the game’s pacing doles out twists like it’s hosting a plot twist buffet, except every dish leaves you more anxious than the last.

//The atmosphere is dialed up to eleven, with every element working in perfect harmony to mess with your emotions. The ominous tension builds like a slow-motion train wreck you can’t look away from, and when the trial reaches its devastating crescendo during Chiaki’s execution. It’s the musical equivalent of someone punching you in the soul, ensuring the emotional impact of this case lingers long after the trial gavel falls.

And #5: The Themes and Emotional Impact

//Nagito's actions are the embodiment of his twisted mantra: hope born through despair. His scheme is a masterstroke of chaos, forcing the group to grapple with betrayal, sacrifice, and their commitment to surviving together.

//Chiaki’s tragic death serves as a painful but pivotal moment, galvanizing the group to push forward despite their grief. It’s a gut-wrenching reminder of the game’s central theme: even in the bleakest moments, hope can still shine through, though it might leave you sobbing into your controller.

//Unraveling Nagito’s convoluted plot is satisfying on an intellectual level, but the real punch comes when you realize the cost of discovering the truth.

//Chiaki’s confession, laced with bittersweet acceptance, and the group’s collective sorrow turn the courtroom into a theater of heartbreak. By the end, you’re not just grappling with the logical fallout of Nagito’s manipulation, you’re left questioning your emotional capacity to survive the gauntlet of despair Danganronpa throws at you.

//And...that's about it. There really isn't that much to say that hasn't been said already. Ultimately, this trial is the most series-defining chapter in Danganronpa history, and every other trial should stand by its example.

//It encapsulates everything that makes the series special: the blend of hope and despair, the unpredictable twists, and the deeply human conflicts at its core. It’s not just a murder mystery; it’s a philosophical puzzle, a character study, and a testament to the creative heights of the genre.

//No wonder it stands tall as one of the best moments in the series, if not its crowning achievement. And personally, I do believe that it's hands down the best case in the entire franchise.

//...

//Except for one...

[crackanronpa]

[viesghoststation]

Somebody is taking requests I see! (All of my favorite blogs have requests closed ) I'm in hard times, but enough of me I wanna request something obviously

Could I please have a S/O that has a personality like Elysia from Honkai Impact 3rd? If you don't know Elysia's personality very well I'm here to help!

Basic information about her: Elysia is an elegant, cheerful, and sweet lady who's described as someone who "enjoys everything". Also likes to interacting with people and is very good at it.

Sorry forgot the people with Fuyuhiko, Kazuichi and NAGITO + gundam tanaka if you could add him but I don't want to overwhelm you so take your time! :)

Take care and love yourself and love what you do bye bye~ 🦋 also eat a nice meal and drink water all the way! sorry if this to long

Fuyuhiko, Kazuichi, Nagito, and Gundham x Reader like Elysia.

Sorry this took for ever just haven't had any motivation to write but here you go. -mod shi

At first Fuyuhiko was standoff is when you met, him not being the most talkative but after getting to know each other he asks you out! and of course you say yes to this

of course Fuyuhiko shows you his gang and makes sure they all treat you with respect as they should the future wife of the future head of the Yakuza.

You and Peko get along amazingly.

After Peko decided you are not a threat and gets to know you she warms up and will tell you embarrassing things Fuyuhiko did, (but only when he's not around)

obviously your wedding was amazing and so wonderful

though you did have to be careful that no rival gangs attacked.

you two are so happy with each other, and you show Fuyuhiko so many other hobby that the two of you can do together.

At first Kazuichi was very nervous around you since your so outgoing but after time, you get him to open up

You help him get out of his shell

you also help him get over Sonia and he later realizes he has feeling for you!

of course he tries to make the most romantic date to ask you out, and it goes...

decently well

you two are dating now

you love listening to him talk about his mechanics and help him test stuff

he also loves listening to what you're interested in!

He super nervous when he asks you to marry him

You can kinda get the feeling for what's he's planning so you just try and encourage him and help him along.

of course when he does ask you say yes and both of you are happily wed.

Kazuichi and you are always so happy to be with each other.

Nagito tries to above you at first him knowing what he feels and not wanting you to get affected by his luck

you on the other hand want to help him he always seems so distant

so you keep trying to talk to him and eventually Nagito gives up and let's you in, you and him are friends

Then of course after hanging out he confesses his feeling for you

you of course say yes you love him

you always spend time with Nagito when he's in the hospital

Nagito does tell you he wants to marry you, but he doesn't want to burden you with all his problems

you of course tell him he's not a burden and you want to spend the rest of your life with him to!

so the two of you get married and it's such a happy event

Nagito loves trying new things with you, you always find ways to surprise him and it's so wonderful how you bring hope to him.

You and Gundham hit it off right when you meet he's so ready to share his love of animals

and you love showing him all that you love! he's always willing to listen to you!

He teaches you so many things about animals and how to take care of them and of course his dark arts

you also teach him lots of things about the stuff you love!

eventually Gundham asks you out! you tell him Yes! you'd love to be his girlfriend!

Gundham is very affectionate with you and you both love each other so much

you are the princess that will free him from his curse. And his Bride if you show wish and you do wish! you two love each other so much!

you always take care of each other no matter what<3

[ohmyronpa-imagines]

The last anon read my mind lol. Is it alright if I request the same thing with Fuyuhiko, where reader is trying to escape someone killing them and he saves them?

Man, y'all sure do love your near-death experiences. Nothing wrong with that though, I like writing them! Thank you for the request, Anon! - Mod Hajime

Fuyuhiko Saving You From A Murder Attempt

There was no reason for you to even be outside at a time like this.

But it was so hard to believe you had been trapped on a remote island and were now part of a killing game. Didn’t that sort of stuff only happen in fiction?

Still, despite Monokuma telling you all that your cabins were safe, you didn’t trust them.

You especially didn’t trust yours, if the broken lock was anything to go off.

Thinking ahead into the future, you didn’t tell anyone your door was busted. That would’ve made it too easy.

Though, being outside made you easy prey as well. There wasn’t a motive to kill yet, but wasn’t being trapped on an island a good enough reason?

Suddenly feeling nervous, you stood up. Long gone was the desire for peace within Jabberwock Park.

Without missing a beat, you ran back to your cabin, your adrenaline making it easier to handle running for such a long distance.

You opened your door and shut it behind you, letting out a long sigh. Nothing had happened today, not even a little spat between your classmates had occurred. So that meant there was peace, right?

You shuffled to the bathroom and stared at yourself in the mirror. Dark circles were forming under your eyes and your expression had turned into a permanent frown. Well, that was to be expected, considering you hadn’t slept properly in days.

The silence in your cabin was interrupted by the sound of your doorknob jiggling. Your useless lock audibly popped and the door creaked open.

If you shut your bathroom door now, you’d be discovered for sure. You tucked yourself into the corner, hoping the lack of light would you from the intruder’s vision.

Unfortunately, your efforts didn’t work. The intruder’s hand shot out and grabbed your arm, yanking you out of your hiding spot.

A shout ripped from you when you felt a sharp pain in your side. You looked down to see the handle of an ice pick sticking out of you.

With adrenaline pumping through you, you delivered a strong punch to your attacker, knocking them into your dresser. A little Monokuma plush hit the floor from the impact, bouncing against their leg.

Suddenly, you were very aware of the metal in your abdomen. You caught yourself on your dresser and staggered towards the door.

Blood roared in your ears when you heard the attacker getting up. You had to get out of there immediately.

The door slammed behind you and you stumbled across the docks, unsure of where you were. Everything was spinning and you felt like your dinner was about to make a second debut.

Your head knocked against a solid piece of wood. It cleared the heat in your ears so you did it again. You continued for an unknown amount of time, barely aware of an obscure figure walking towards you.

Without warning, the cool wood was removed from your head, sending you to the floor and the mystery person fleeing.

“What the fuck?” You heard someone talking. The voice was familiar, but your head was too full of melted butter to process it. Instead, you responded with a groan.

Trying to remember how to stand, you held your hands out to push yourself up, but the ice pick was making it hard to move. You struggled to find the pick and gripped it, ready to pull it out.

“Don’t do that, you dumbass!” A soft hand smacked yours away and you were quickly pulled into a bright, much warmer room.

A pretty face was in front of you and the person waved their hand in front of you. “Hey! Look at me! Don’t you dare die right now!” You squinted.

Pink cheeks, freckles, long eyelashes, and a mean snarl.

“Fuyuhiko?” You mumbled, struggling to pick an eye to look at.

He huffed, “Yeah, it’s me. What the hell happened to you?”

“Stabbed? I think.” You looked down at the ice pick and reached for it again, only to be stopped by Fuyuhiko again.

He held your hands down and ordered you to stay still and lay on the ground. The yakuza disappeared for a moment until he returned with a pair of scissors, a rag, bandages, and a bottle of rubbing alcohol. 

“Gonna take it out?” You whispered, focusing on his face, specifically a freckle on his cheek.

He didn’t respond. Instead, he cut the fabric around the knife and pulled your shirt up, opening the rubbing alcohol. He was looking for something, but you didn’t know what.

You groaned when a stinging sensation erupted on your sternum. “Don’t move, you have a cut here.”

“What about the other one?” You asked, pointing at your plugged stab wound.

“If I pull it out you’ll bleed out. Can you shut the fuck up now?” He grumbled and wrapped your cut in the bandages.

Fuyuhiko sighed and dragged you over to his bed. When he realized he couldn’t carry you, he threw his pillows and blanket on the floor. He laid down next to you, quiet, but watching you.

Each rise and fall of your chest could be the last, and he didn’t want someone dead in his room.

He didn’t want to see anyone die for that matter.

You were one lucky bastard. Knocking on his door after getting attacked wasn’t easy, to add to that, you had an ice pick completely lodged in your body. He wanted to ignore it, but hearing the knocks get progressively slower made the pit in his stomach grow.

When he opened the door he was expecting something worse, but having you fall at his feet was worse. Not to mention the suspicious shadow that crept away when he opened his door. What would’ve happened if he hadn’t opened the door?

Did you even realize you were dying?

He looked over at you to check and let out a sigh of relief, seeing you still breathing. He just had to wait for the sun to rise then he could grab Mikan to get the ice pick out of you.

Hopefully you could make it for two more hours. He glanced at the clock, reading 5:00. “You really are a lucky motherfucker.” He let out a half chuckle.

He reached his hand to hold onto yours and squeezed it.

He was just checking your pulse, that was all.

[danggirlronpa]

Oh, are we talking about trans headcanons??? I see someone already mentioned transfem Kazuichi, which I'm a pretty big fan of! But have you guys considered transfem Fuyuhiko? I think there's a lot of potential in that - in the fact that even in canon there's a lot of him not feeling like he really fits as the Ultimate Yakuza, and that he has to play a role to be so... I think it lends well to a transfem headcanon. Another I could see would be transfem Mondo, with how much in canon he plays up the masculinity, it could be something preformative in a transfem headcanon. I'm also a fan of transfem Kokichi & Shuichi, too - I've seen people headcanon the both of them as nonbinary, transfem, AND transmasc, and honestly? Love that for them, tbh.

I also am a big fan of transfem Makoto!!! I usually headcanon him as genderfluid, but I could also see him be a trans demigirl, tbh. I respect transmasc headcanons too even if I don't usually ascribe to them for Makoto specifically! I kind of like to think that the fact that Makoto's door gets stuck is a very funny quirk of fate in the event of him being genderfluid/nonbinary - even his door, which is supposed to be a men's one, doesn't ascribe to a binary! & Makoto using she/they/he pronouns is so real to me.

I also love to see Kiibo exploring pronouns in fics. Like, in canon they use he/him (at least in the localization) but I like to believe they experiment with different ones for a while, just to see if they like them.

I also tend to see Hajime as nonbinary, using he/they pronouns too! That's not exactly a transfem headcanon, but yeah.

I also love the idea of nonbinary kaede as well - using she/they pronouns. Maybe in the event of transfem Shuichi or Kokichi, she helps them explore their gender at first.

I could also see Tsumugi as being genderfluid or otherwise genderqueer in some way - she defaults to she/her but she doesn't mind other pronouns, and oftentimes go with he/him when complying a male character.

This one's more controversial, but I also love the idea of nonbinary Junko with possible internalized transphobia. Like, I think the fact that she keeps making alter egos that are male (Monokuma, Shirokuma, and Kurokuma) lends well to this, but I also keep going back to that line monokuma said about being neither male nor female because there's no gender in the animal kingdom. Incredibly nonbinary thing to say. Of course, I think how Junko handles being nonbinary is somewhat dependent on what you headcanon Chihiro as - but if you headcanon Chihiro as a transwoman and Junko as transphobic towards her, it could somewhat be from internalized transphobia- like, her having the idea that "if I'm fine with being a woman even though I feel like this about it, you should be fine with your assigned sex too!" Or even the idea that she cannot fathom why someone would WANT to be a woman in the first place - like, what reason would you have to subject yourself to it if not malicious ones or weakness? Since she is so disconnected or even discontent from "womanhood". If you see Chihiro as nonbinary, Junko not understanding or even being bitter that they get to reject the binary but she doesn't could also make sense, and her putting them in the "male" box would almost be from jealousy and spite. If you headcanon Chihiro as a transmale, it becomes a) somewhat hilarious that Junko, the big bad of the series, accepts their gender and b) Chihiro could be the person who teaches her about this stuff in a pre-despair setting, and maybe even make her realize she's nonbinary. I know it's.... slightly problematic to headcanon the main villain of the series who has shown she is possibly transphobic (depending on how you see Chihiro again) as trans, but I think it's... fine if you also headcanon other characters as so and not just the villains. Plus, I'm nonbinary myself, so I think it's allowed.

Those are the ones I can remember off the top of my head! I love trans headcanons <3

There's so much good stuff here!! I can't address all of it, but a couple of my favorites:

I LOOOVE transfem Mondo, it's one of my absolute favorite transfem headcanons. The way it changes that trial from "horrifying trans panic" to "the tragedy of someone with extensive internalized transphobia meeting someone who is further along on their journey and lashing out in unrealized jealousy, ultimately destroying the version of themself they wish to be"...MWAH. The type of tragedy that can only belong to someone transitioning. The consequences of self loathing, both in harming others and harming ourselves, made manifest! But with GENDER.

I'm sure this is just part of the rest of that line, but the phrase "they canonically use he/him pronouns" is so funny. Power to K1-B0 for being incomprehensible wrt gender just in general. Love that agender kid

I am actually a big fan of transmasc Junko! (And I'll use he/him for Junko real fast to emphasize this point) I think the idea of Junko as someone who experiences a huge amount of dysphoria when he's perceived as feminine, who then goes out of his way to present himself as a champion of gyaru culture and hyper-femininity, making it so that, even if he one day receives the mental health treatment he obviously needs, he will always be associated with this incredibly female-oriented culture...that's despair. That's the type of shit you do at rock bottom. I have BEEN there my man. EDIT:

we are on the EXACT SAME PAGE anon 🤝

I actually did, genuinely, think Shuichi was a butch girl until I played the game, and was SO excited to finally see rep of my actual high school self. Wearing hats to cover dysphoria-inducing hairstyle? Emo makeup to escape the Social Makeup Norms? hangs out with kaede??? that's one of us right there

[sips-tea-cutely]

Everything I know about ‘Love’

WOAHHH GUESS WHO 😓😓😓😓 i came back from my rotting in bangtan jail they are like gorgeous as im typing this kim taehyung is dragging me by the leg with those visuals ughhh actuallyi should be showering rn bcus my extended family is having a fathers day celeb and those shrimps arr good as helll gotta grt like 13 and also my cousin wants to bring me and some of our others on a cruise hes so nice right 😻😻😻

OH BUT THE TITLE!!! so i have not actually listened to laufeys album im a fake fan i only listened rn to val, beautiful stranger, LYBMHA and from the start and i am so bored of my happy crush playlist like she keeps sending me kisses and then she sent me a screenshot of her listening to how you get the girl by taylor swift like do i kiss her or do i type the lyrics so this is my entering into the laufey fandom

by like�� listening to every song and thinking of a cute boy bcus one has been stuck in my head forever 🤭🤭 (kaveh, hes my new obsession.)

Fragile - Kaveh

“Will you let me come closer to you?”

Beautiful Stranger - Kim Namjoon

“Beautiful stranger sitting right there”

Valentine - Osamu Dazai

“I’ve rejected affection for years and years…”

Above the Chinese Restaurant - Fuyuhiko Kuzuryu

“I still freeze when I look at these faded photographs…”

Dear, Soulmate - Alhaitham

“Do you live in New York City?”

What Will Love Do To You? - Kim Taehyung

“I don’t know where to look…”

I’ve Never Been in Love Before - Tetchou Suehiro

“I've never been in love before, now all at once it's you”

Just Like Chet - Akito Shinonome

“In a perfect world, I wouldn’t have met you at all”

Everything I Know About Love - Ryunosuke Akutagawa

“So enchanting in every way”

Falling Behind - Rantaro Amami

“Moved out to a new city~…”

Hi - Min Yoongi

“I want to say ‘Hi’ to you”

Dance with You Tonight - Cyno

“Still boy, don’t talk to me…”

Night Light - Chuya Nakahara

“Up the staircase, first door to your left.”

Slow Down - Tamaki Amajiki

“Slow down, give me just a moment…”

Lucky For Me - Doppo Kunikida

“I just want to take you home”

Questions For The Universe - Kaeya Alberich

“Why do I love the moon so much?”

Bonus:

From The Start - Multiple Scenario (Alhaitham, Kunikida, Tighnari, Taehyung)

“Don’t you notice how I get quiet when there’s no one else around?”

[despair-to-future-arcs]

Finally...

//After a while, I finally got all of Class 77-B as Ultimate Despairs redesigns (excluding Izuru, Nagito, Imposter and Teruteru since either they are canon or I really like them) so here are all of them if you wish to see.

[shroomedits]

꒰𑁬 : // anonymous requested: kuzupeko palette swap

[twisted-lies]

༊·˚ 80s Grunge Fuyuhiko Kuzuryu Icons :: Requested by 🐾🍡 Anon

♡ / ⇆ if saving | credit if using

[unluckiestluckystudent]

hold on. You’re telling me that there’s two of you now? Well that’s unexpected.

@thatonemafialeaderwithagun

(-Fuyuhiko Kuzuryu)

"Ahh, there's a familiar face! It's nice to see you, buddy!" Buddy might be stretching it a little... he knows that.

"But... yeah. I can't say I expected it either. Even just one of me is a little too much..." He sighs.

@thatonemafialeaderwithagun

[goodbyedespairshowdown]

[danganronpasurvivoraskblog]

//I'm unable to post today because I'm visiting family, but...

//Here's a bunch of cool pixel art edits by @deepclover80. Thanks as always dude!

-Mod

[crackanronpa]

[drkinhome]

Hey, can I get a shufflemancy on me (Peko) and Fuyuhiko's relationship? (uhh i've never gotten a shufflemancy before sorry if it's phrased wrong i just scrolled until i found a shufflemancy to see)

I Am Not A Robot (Flex’d Rework) - Passion Pit Remix / MARINA

———————————–

You've been acting awful tough lately

Smoking a lot of cigarettes lately

But inside, you're just a little baby, oh

It's okay to say you've got a weak spot

You don't always have to be on top

Better to be hated

Than loved, loved, loved for what you're not

You're vulnerable, you're vulnerable

You are not a robot

You're loveable, so loveable

But you're just trouble

———————————–

Fuyuhiko was having a rough time mentally and tried to assert his dominance and resorted to unhealthy coping mechanisms to cope. However, you supported him and let him be his authentic self and express his emotions! You were definitely one of his biggest supporters in your timeline.

[ohmyronpa-imagines]

Hi! Can I get a Fuyuhiko, Kokichi and Korekiyo X a reader who is very clumsy and forgets things easily?

I bet you thought I was dead, huh? Nope, I'm just a procrastinator and a student! Thank you for your patience! <3 -Mod Hajime

Fuyuhiko, Kokichi, and Korekiyo with a Clumsy & Forgetful Reader

Fuyuhiko Kuzuryuu

Okay, one clumsy person wasn’t too bad, but two? Between you and Mikan, Fuyuhiko couldn’t stand being in the classroom. One minute everything was fine and the next both of you were on the ground and Mikan was in an impossible position. At least whatever was going on with the nurse wasn’t happening to you.

He just didn’t get it. How were you so clumsy? Was there some genetic issue, did you have a weak leg? He wanted to ask you but 1. It felt rude to do that, and 2. It was kind of his whole thing to not care about anyone.

So he remained concerned in silence.

Over all, you were a nice person and you weren’t as annoying as some of the other characters in the class, even if his confusion and concern grew with each day.

Not only were you clumsy, but you were also the most forgetful person he knew. It wasn’t even minimal things you were forgetting, like what you ate for breakfast. It was the names of people, what things were called, the test on Friday, ect.

It finally reached a breaking point where he had to ask you. What was going on?

When you answered him he felt dumb. No, you didn’t have a bad leg and you didn’t hit your head either. You were just born that way. It didn’t hinder how you lived your life because after so many tumbles you could just laugh it off.

What was there to be embarrassed or worried about? People fall and forget all the time! You just happened to do it more than others.

Your words stuck with him. You were just yourself. Unashamed of being yourself and uncaring of other people’s opinion of you. It was admirable, something he’d never been able to do.

Afterwards, Fuyuhiko found himself trying to open up and you ended up supporting him without trying to. He would start to help you stand up after a fall and he’d remind you of things when you forgot.

Somehow your clumsy-ass saved him from being closed off forever.

Kokichi Ouma

Honestly, he found you mildly amusing at best, being clumsy or forgetful didn’t make him interested. If that was what interested him, he would’ve been all over his upperclassman, Mikan.

Still, there was at least something fun about you. Because you forgot stuff so easily he could easily trick you into helping him. You were like a less innocent and dumb Gonta to him!

When he started to rope you into his pranks and schemes it was just something to pass the time. He had tons of lackeys and now you were one of them.

That was until one day, while you two were preparing a prank that involved messing with the sprinklers in your classroom something bad happened. You had insisted on loosening the sprinklers and while Kokichi was still preparing tie-dye, you had fallen off the ladder.

He watched you hit the ground with the ladder falling on you and felt a weird pain in his chest. Was he actually worried for you? Apparently, he was.

Before he could check you for an injury you pushed the ladder off of you and started laughing. It surprised him but it slowly began to make sense. Someone so accident-prone had to have developed some resilience over time, right? Your skull was probably reinforced with metal or something with how many times he saw you trip over your own feet in the halls.

Once he was convinced you were okay he chose to finish with the sprinklers and fill the capsule he brought with the dye. Both of you were wearing white and when the rest of the class entered Kokichi stood up on Ryoma’s desk and lifted a match up to the sprinklers, triggering the prank.

You had forgotten the prank while the lesson was happening but once the dye sprayed out of the sprinklers, you remembered what you had set up.

By the time the school managed to shut the sprinklers off, the entire class was covered in red, blue, yellow, and whatever colors bled together.

Even with your clumsiness and forgetfulness, Kokichi didn’t mind hanging out with you. It made it more fun because not only did you help with his endless schemes, you would forget it too, giving him another genuine reaction.

It was at a certain moment when he saw you laughing that he realized that maybe you weren’t so bad.

Korekiyo Shinguji

Everyone tripped over things and forgot, it was just the way humans were. Yet, you seemed to be the exception of that average.

The first day of class you fell through the door, tripped over Akamatsu’s desk, and dropped literally everything you were holding. Kiyo wasn’t sure what he was supposed to do.

Was he meant to help you? Maybe you had done it on purpose and it was a joke. He chose to leave you be, though now he was interested.

Every day it was something new. You got tangled in his hair once and Kirumi had to untangle you. Another time you somehow fell out of your chair and brought the whole desk with you. Was it possible you had been cursed?

Not only were you clumsy, but you were also very forgetful, not that he minded. You sat near him so he was willing to assist you. It had gotten to a point where he would just bring a printed copy of his notes for you in case you forgot to bring them or write them for that matter. Every time you apologized, though he reassured you that he didn’t mind.

He really didn’t. You were intriguing to him. Studying your behavior was fun because while you were predictable, you were also incredibly difficult to understand. There wasn’t really a pattern to your clumsiness or something specific you would forget. All he could do was ask questions and watch.

At some point he had started considering you a friend and less of something to study. Your resilience and confidence were admirable. You weren’t ashamed of being forgetful or clumsy like others were.

He enjoyed your presence, even if your clumsiness could result in both of you falling. The number of times he’d had to save you from falling down the stairs was almost as common as you tripping over your own feet, which is to say it had been a daily thing at one point. Still, he didn’t dislike being around you.

There was still no explanation for why you were so forgetful and clumsy but Kiyo found that it didn’t matter anymore. You were just yourself and that was all humans really needed to be.

[danggirlronpa]

i know this isn't an f/f ship (except for transfem/other headcanons, i personally love butch Fuyuhiko in particular) but I have been incredibly curious about the mod stance on fuyu//peko, I personally see them as siblings but I also understand that because of canon, their actual view of each other is much more in the air

Moment's pause to acknowledge butch Fuyuhiko. What a concept. Holy shit. Genius

For me, Fuyupeko is pretty unambiguously one of the strongest relationships in the series, if not THE strongest. The lead up to Peko's death is one of the only times in the series I've genuinely cried. The tragedy of it all really hits what I want in fiction. I personally tend to view them as a queerplatonic relationship - not romantic or even necessarily with strict boundaries at all, but the most important relationship in both of their lives nonetheless.

That said, Fuyupeko is also a bit of a tender point to me with regards to this blog in particular. I would consider Peko one of the more popular characters in Danganronpa, but relative to other major characters, she doesn't have the same presence on this blog (in the upper 400s, where the average for major chars is ~650 posts). And that's because almost all Peko content pairs her with Fuyuhiko. The fandom is actually generally pretty okay at not falling into the "girl defined by her relationship to a boy" trap, even in other massively popular ships like Nae//giri. But Peko really gets the short end. It's something that frustrates me a lot, especially since Peko's arc is such an intentional response to and pushback against that very idea.