#but he doesn't want Munakata to die

[ridiasfangirlings]

The night before the attack on Mihashira Tower, Munakata and Fushimi privately and quietly go over their betrayal plan one more and one last time. It's then that Fushimi admits in his own way that... he really doesn't want Munakata to die.

Imagine it’s like just here, in the dark at this last private moment that they know they’ll have, where Fushimi’s finally able to say something honestly (and he knows it too, bitterly, that here at last maybe he’s willing to admit that there’s something he doesn’t want to lose right at the moment where he may truly lose it, and where he has to betray the person who he’s finally realized he never wants to betray). The evening before the Mihashira raid Munakata calls Fushimi into his room to discuss — his room, not the office, not anywhere that they can be seen, late at night when everyone else has gone to bed to be ready for the next day’s mission, Fushimi slipping in under cover of night making certain no one knows he’s here except Munakata. He scoffs over all the secrecy and Munakata coolly apologizes, this is after all a top secret mission between the two of them and he cannot risk letting anyone else know.

They start to go over the plan, what Fushimi’s to do and when, Munakata probably leaving a lot of it up to Fushimi knowing that there’s no way to pinpoint exactly what would have to occur at Mihashira for them to lose. Munakata smiles and notes that he has full confidence in Fushimi’s ability as an actor and Fushimi rolls his eyes, muttering that he’ll complete the mission properly and isn’t that all Munakata needs from him. Munakata says indeed and warns Fushimi that this is a dangerous mission and once again he can refuse if he wishes, that once Fushimi’s in jungle he will be on his own and responsible for his own safety. Fushimi says he knows that and Munakata laughs softly, adding that he would like to be able to guarantee Fushimi’s safety himself but…, trailing off with a rueful smile.

Fushimi gets this irritated look and clicks his tongue in the silence, saying Munakata really intends to die so easily. Munakata says that is not his intention but he must be prepared, telling Fushimi to go get some sleep now. Fushimi stays where he is though, this annoyed expression still on his face as he shifts from foot to foot. Munakata asks if Fushimi’s nervous and Fushimi snaps that he isn’t, he’s just annoyed at Munakata saying such stupid things about dying, aren’t you supposed to be better than Suoh Mikoto Captain. Munakata is amused at Fushimi speaking so bluntly and Fushimi says isn’t that why you brought me over, and now you’re the one talking so cavalierly about dying. Munakata says of course he had more he wanted to do and Fushimi cuts him off there with another tongue click, saying if that’s the case then don’t you dare die before the mission is complete. 

Munakata looks momentarily surprised and then the truth behind those words sinks in and he gives this gentle smile, wondering if Fushimi is concerned for him. Fushimi starts to deny it and then pauses, finally murmuring ‘you had better not die, Captain.’ Munakata sighs and says he wishes he could make such a promise but he can’t guarantee anything — however, if it is at all possible he will do his best to survive, and to meet Fushimi once again. Fushimi says he’ll hold Munakata to that even though it wasn’t a promise, turning to leave and trying to ignore this sudden tightness in his chest. (Bonus: if you want the bonus smut version of this, this fic of mine is basically that.) 

[danglovely]

Oh man, this scene.

My first instinct was "Makoto is telling you he loves Kyoko more than you love Chisa," which is wrong. Makoto is trying to make Munakata understand how much he loved Chisa.

The next layer is how this line gets at Makoto's philosophy on love (and the show's philosophy by extension). Makoto believes that your positive actions can exist in a vacuum and have value even after the effects of them have disappeared. He doesn't apply the same belief to negative actions because his version of hope focuses on rehabilitation. He wants to understand why people hurt each other and find a way out of it. His point is that no one is truly beyond redemption until they die and even then, that doesn't invalidate anyone's love for them.

Not that I think Makoto applies this to everyone in practice. He really really loves Kyoko. I don't think he's spending much effort reflecting on all the good times he and Junko had together.

[lunart-06]

I love DR3 specifically for the future arc and only future arc cause my gooooodddd I've never hold onto Makoto's character tighter since DR1 and I MEAN IT.

There are a few thoughts I have and after that one post I reblog I HAVE to talk about it.

In DR1 I don't THINK he would make murder as something optional, considering the situation he was in, that would just be what Monokuma– what junko– wanted. Even if it comes to defending himself if he were to ever be the blackened's victim, he'd prolly just tried to see if there was a way to escape, or just punch his way out of it (the whole sayaka situation and all prolly does not sit right with him).

But that's it. He may not consider murder optional in DR1 but he won't hesitate to hurt when it comes to self-defense in the most devastating moment. He would, consider decking someone like Monokuma a few times but those are just the "food for thought" kinda thing for him. Not like he actually WOULD do it, rules or not, but he does think about it at least.

As for FF!Makoto– or DR3 Makoto, he was *outside* of Junko's confinement, he sees how the world became and *did* some things in order to gather all the remnants of despair. There is no doubt he would probably hurt– hurt, not kill– some people wearing the brainwash helmet. Cause again, these people aren't in their own will, and it's not their fault (though perhaps some were, while others would do so in their own will).

He doesn't have to take the option to kill during outside because there are lots of other options to take. He could ran away, he has a weapon, he has his friends with him.

But when trapped inside the FF building (doesn't that bring back good memories) there was NO other options that could make him avoid murder. There was nowhere left to run (he can't even run!!), he doesn't have a weapon, he was depended too much on his friends and risking his friends by slowing them down just for him.

And after Kirigiri died, and her last words flashes back to him in his dreadful, silent walk in the hallway to face Munakata, to "dont give up hope". There are lots of indication behind those words, and what led to Makoto in doing all those deadly traps. Kirigiri *trusted* him that he could move forward after her inevitable fate, his survival is *her* hope that she left, and she willingly die to keep him alive because she trusted him that he could and save the world even without her, she isn't wrong when she call him the ultimate Hope.

And how can he refused her dying wish?

Maybe, just maybe, that when he had his short breakdown afterward all alone in that hallway, not only that the fact Kirigiri just died had come back to slap him on the face that caused him to cry, but maybe, it's also because he *realizes* what he *has* to do in order to survive, in order to continue spreading hope, in order to keep Kirigiri's hope and everyone else's living.

That is keep on talking to Munakata, or trying to understand him in amidst of everything, will just won't get to him and led him to kill and hurt more others. Then Makoto has *no other choice* in order to stop him in the hard way.

He wouldn't like it. But progress won't be made if Munakata didn't stop this whole "trying to kill him and every despair" ordeal.

(I wonder, if by then, he mentally apologised to Chisa for unable to understand Munakata, despite all the tries, for letting her down, that he had failed. I wonder, when Chisa requested Makoto to try and understand Munakata, is that a small bit of what was left of her real self slipped out, or is it the despair that was talking, knowing fully well in using Makoto's "seeing everything good in everyone" nature to his own demise?)

I wouldn't doubt that it would get to him afterward, if he does succeed. Even if he does still capable of killing for his own survival when *extremely* necessary, doesn't mean that he doesn't despised it whole.

[siramay-the-showgun-dragon]

DR3 episode 10 Makoto Vs Munakata BREAKDOWN

recently someone else made a post about Makoto's feral-ness during the showdown he had with Munakata in episode 10, of course it's quite cool, but i feel some may take it the wrong way so i wanna set the record strait and also gush about stuff i love in that scene that people may not notice so first lets lay some context

future arc episode 10: prior to this Munakata has gone on a downward spiral of insanity being a knight templar and that his way is the right way and that he must kill all despair meaning everyone he even practically killed Juzo and even before his full berserk mode he was highly aggressive and hostile towards Makoto not listening to his words at all and belittling him, in short at the time he was far from "a reasonable folk" and Makoto at the time just had his girlfriend friend Kyoko die in which Munakata challenged him to a once and for all face off, in which Makoto bears his will and steady's himself, though being open about the pain in his heart of her apparent passing and this is important as his heart is his most powerful weapon ok now lets start

so we start with the precursor as Makoto walks to Munakata and they think over their ideologies. and how Munakata wants to pull a "kill them to save them" with Makoto and everyone cause he thinks despair must be destroyed and you know its interesting cause then Makoto says

i remember it shaking me how steadfast and determined he was, to stop Munakata at all cost but i just want to point out something from here on out that i feel is very important to what we shall be seeing

Makoto Planed all this

not the before stuff i mean as soon as he walked in that room he knew what he would say and what he would do, he had his end goal in mind he even says so near the climax with the doors but even before that he planned what would happen prior it may not seem like it due to how he always seemed on the losing side and sure he probably didn't plan to get beaten up so much but he still knew what he would do and how he would do it, and people don't talk about that much but this all shows how Makoto is much more intelligent then we give him credit for, but I'll explain as we go on

so then we start Makoto steps on glass to alert Munakatas attention, you can tell it's on purposes as there's no indicator of uncertainty or fear on Makoto's part, it's to say "i am here lets end this" as when Munakata speaks makoto still stands strong not faltering or fumbling. then he says "i wont hesitate anymore" makoto will face munakata head on and do what he needs to but even then befor anything he trys to talk down munakata saying how killing eachother is pointless and that they can still work together

of course munakata doesn't listen but no one can say Makoto didn't try

and that's when the chase begins, but who's the hunter and who's the hunted? that's what one must ask

so though munakata attacks makoto runs out closing the door as it's revealed in the end makoto knows munakata can't open doors and uses this to his advantage drawing distance and gaining time to make his next move, as

open door which of course Munakata knows is a set up,

but jokes on him makoto knew he would know it's a set up, or not, it's a win win either way because if he didn't know

deep fried zealot on the barbie! but since he did know he survived which leads to the next phase of makotos plan. and if any of you are wondering why makoto would do such a thing

he was always feral! he just didn't have much chance to act on it because he's polite and sees the good in people, but even he has his limits, so you best start appreciating the kindness Makoto shows in you when he does, well on to phase 2!

cause munakata survives with his sword and shoots makoto with tengans weapon which hurts of course so makoto runs off as his blood leads munakata exactly where makoto wants him to be he even says so

of course makoto knows about the fire extinguisher and he dosent just mean that but I'll bring that up in a second as we see makoto look around waiting for munakata who comes in soon after and makoto is hidden now holding the fire extinguisher to bop munakata on the head! which fails, he also throws it but that fails, now one ask if this could kill munakata but from my research it seems it would only hurt maybe konk him out as for something to hit your head and kill you it must be about 24 kg (52 lbs). for it to be lethal from arm length and the average fire extinguisher is around 5-10 pounds and as much as i like to believe makoto is this

hes more likely this

so that fire extinguisher is more then defiantly not killing just gonna sting maybe knock him unconscious which would be a win, but he failed but dont worry! this leads the phase 3! which brings up how before he threw it he planed on using it for its intended purpose, (which is a important part of phase 3)

because though it gets thrown away and jammed in the wall it BLOWS UP HITTING MUNAKATA IN THE BACK AND MAKEING A SMOKE SCREEN EVERYWHERE! which disorients and distracts munakata for makotos phase 3!

JUMP HIM AND PUSH HIM IN THE HOLE!

which leads me to point out something genius The dud fire extinguisher? It was the same one that Asahina tried to use to cover their escape in episode 2. Likewise, the hole in the floor is the one Great Gozu smashed for an escape route in the same episode. In "fighting" Munakata, Makoto made use of observation, deductive reasoning, and a pretty good memory; skills that he'd honed in his own Killing Game, which Munakata had earlier derided for being too orderly compared to fighting in the real world.

which of course leads to the kicker as they are both down the hole, munakata apears to have makoto right where he wants him right there in on a silver platter for a kill, but on the contrairy, makoto has munakata right where he wants him as makoto reveals he knows munakats forbidden action, and thus makeing it so munakata cant kill him and has to listen. moral of the story

munakatas like "your plan faild i am not dead" makoto:

this of course all leads to the epic confrontation scene

it was with empathizing and saying these words to munakata did he finally pierce his heart and get munakata to back down...

so much for useless platitudes ay munakata?

[starlightshadowsworld]

Danganronpa 3: Future arc episode 4

Thonks.

After Munakata gave an admittedly cool line...we get a recap from Monokuma who calls him a badass.

I'm sorry but if Monokuma thinks highly of you... You know you're the bad guy.

"Please note: Hagakure's stuck outside because nobody likes him."

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼.

I mean I'd rather have him than Juzo.

"Quit acting like your title means a damn thing."

Bold words for a guy who once beat a student because he was "inferior" for not having a talent.

Someone needs to stop giving this guy chairs.

Seiko's still... That and running after Ruruka and Izayoi.

The director being kind of a badass makes sense.

Wouldn't have survived this long if he wasn't.

And he's beating Juzo sips tea maybe we can trust him.

Kyoko's stunned reaction like you gotta be good to fool the detective.

Awh Asahina and Kyoko hugging.

"Why bother being like him, he's him and you're you." Look at you Kyoko giving encouragement.

I'm proud of her.

And Asahina chiming in that yeah you're great on you own. You don't need to be like Makoto.

Trust me, as much as we love Makoto one is enough.

Ahh fuck Munakata's got Makoto.

I knew he didn't kill him already, but to use him for ransom?

... Nope he's gonna kill him...

I love how everyone's freaking out and Kyoko's just annoyed.

Explaining it's a trap, to draw them all in.

If Munakata was gonna kill him he would've done so already, so they have time to negotiate.

So I was right, he is ransom.

Although I disagree on the he would've done so already.

Munakata seems like the type to play with his food, so to speak.

He's not gonna kill Makoto, not yet.

He's gonna make him suffer first.

Like Sato said, I wanted to see the light leave her eyes. That's what Munakata wants from Makoto.

To drag him into the depths and experience true despair.

Not realising Makoto has, several times.

Makoto just having no energy while Munakata is still on his dramatics.

Mood.

Also man needs to pick his side because I'm confused.

First it's, you have to die because you're that strong and gave so much influence.

And now it's you're nothing, you're not a threat of you live or die.

Is it because he's tied up?

That doesn't mean he couldn't go free, and thus be a threat?

Pick a story my dude and stick to it.

Makoto: The worst case scenario is we all die.

Munakata: Nope.

In a way I get where he's coming from in his hypotheticals.

If the killing stops after a person is killed that doesn't mean they're the killer. They could stop whenever they want.

And that person could survive and than go on to influence the rest of the foundation.

But it doesn't justify mass murder nor whatever the hell he's doing.

Also his insistence on calling it a game...doesn't sit right with me.

Man if I ever complained about Byakuya I want to apologise.

You are nowhere near as insufferable nor egotistical as this fucker.

Idk how you managed to make game 1 Byakuya "I moved the dead body to make the killing game more interesting" Togami look like an functional human being.

But here we are.

"Despair would march on with a flag of hope. That would be the worst outcome."

... Who's gonna tell him that's exactly what he's doing...

He's on a power trip and decided him and only him gets to decide who lives and who dies.

Again, stop trying to justify mass murder.

The director is here and shattered his sword. That's how you make an entrance.

Finally Kyoko gets to do her thing and investigate.

Asahina getting Makoto to safety, whoop.

Director stepping up to fill Gozo's shoes as resident badass on Makoto's side.

Rest in peace Great Gozu.

"For what it's worth, there's no doubt in my mind that you are the Super High School Level Hope."

There it is from the former headmaster himself.

I think Ryota's the traitor but I don't really have any evidence.

Just a vibe.

I hope its not though I'm not sure who it could it be.

"We used to be besties."

"Oh don't even play that card. Last I checked, besties don't get besties expelled from Hope's Peak high school."

... Yeah Ruruka and Seiko definitely have history.

Reminds me of Natsumi and Sato.

Oh so Izayoi and Ruruka also got expelled.

Interesting.

Ya'll are kinda in your own show at this point.

Oh hell yeah the Director just through Munakata on the ground.

I get he has a name but I'm just gonna call him Director.

Also him calling Munakata cynical and naive when all Munakata has done has berate Makoto for being naive.

Hell yeah.

"Despair can only be eliminated by those prepared to make the necessary sacrifices."

"Oh than I suppose Yukizome was one of those sacrifices."

OHHHHHHHHH!!!

He got you there.

Gonna need some ice for that, the old man is not playing around.

... And getting stabbed through the hand and keeps going.

Fucking hell.

And they fell through a glass balcony.

Man I don't want Miaya to die... But they're going off alone and said I'll be back...

"When we get out of here, we're gonna eat so much donuts."

Heh, yeah you guys should.

Annnd Miaya has rocket missles in her wheelchair.

Oh... Yeah the Director has been stabbed through with shrapnel.

Munakata having the audacity to say he thought the director had "lost his fangs and was just hiding behind a cheap code of ethics."

And he'd wanted to kill him for ages.

Werido.

Juzo you just committed the cardinal sin of kicking someone's ass while they're powering up.

Dude doesn't know fighting etiquette either.

... And Miaya's a robot.

No wait there's someone controlling her.

WAIT

Miaya is Monaca?!

Didn't see that coming holyshit.

... So she's the traitor?

Because I don't think she's the mastermind.

Either way... Monaca Towa is back.

Fuck.

[aparticularbandit]

thinking about like.

chisa and sakakura were investigating hope's peak during dr3, right. and like, i'm including chisa and munakata in oafc. in theory, this means sakakura should be there, too, but i'm honestly not sure that he is.

because see, here's the thing. junko only escapes getting caught in dr3 because she manipulates sakakura and brainwashes (and lobotomizes) chisa.

but i'm not having chisa brainwashed/lobotomized in the fic.

and i'm playing with her a bit in terms of how she interacts with junko and the whole situation. these three have been disillusioned by hpa even before finding out about the izuru kamakura project. they still believe in what hpa can be, but are convinced of corruption from within - corruption that chisa specifically finds. because i'm taking away the remnants' brainwashing and instead having junko step in and do things that hpa should be doing but isn't, chisa as a result has a higher opinion of junko - to the point that she would be a character witness of the sort who would say that's not the junko i know, junko would never do that. (and then finding out that junko is, well, junko would just. that's a spike of despair on top of believing that she'd failed her kids because they were dead (assumed) and then because junko corrupted them and drew them into ultimate despair when she finds out they were alive. like. there are layers of despair to chisa that i'm playing with that i like!

but sakakura wouldn't have any such reason to believe that junko was better than what he sees, and his and munakata's research should pull up the same as it was before. and, sure, junko could pull the same strings she does in dr3, but like.

wouldn't it be more effective for him to be dead.

like - dead before munakata even asks him to go talk to junko (because if he got killed while trying to look into her, that would be bad, and she's not that dumb). like junko assesses the threat before it even gets to that point. and just. he needs to be gone.

there's an entire group of rioting students. there's an entire mob. maybe someone just. lets the mob in. maybe mukuro just. hides in the mob. or peko, at fuyuhiko's request, because junko says this guy is a threat to her and she's scared of him and fuyuhiko's not going to see another sister of his die because he didn't act.

and then sakakura is out of the way.

and munakata will listen to chisa.

and then that's another layer of despair for chisa later, when she realizes that one of hers is the reason her other best friend is dead. (especially if going with the peko and fuyuhiko route.)

and then that's another layer of reasoning for munakata to want junko dead, because she's the reason that his other best friend is dead. (which leads to greater conflict with makoto and more reason for kyoko to just not tell anyone anything about what she's learning because she doesn't trust any of them.)

adds conflict. adds layers. makes things more personal to the characters getting added in.

also means i don't have to write sakakura. ;D

[ciaossu-imagines]

For the weekend mini-event, how about Scepter 4 + Homra where "Imagine all your OCs trapped in IKEA together" and that is one funny idea :D

That is an absolutely hilarious idea, so thank you so much for sending it in! I hope you'll enjoy the headcanons!

So HOMRA's alphabet boys are at IKEA because Shouhei got a new apartment after his old one was infested with bedbugs, which, along with some serious mold and structural issues, meant that the building got condemned, and he now needs new furniture and what he couldn't find at a second-hand store, he plans on getting at IKEA because hell, he's cheap. He's only working part time jobs, after all. And the others just kind of tag along with him, because he was mentioning it at the bar. Kamamoto came along for IKEA's food court and Yata had nothing better to do that day. Even Anna's there, mostly because she needs a new lamp for her bedside table. Some certain people might have been goofing around with a ball and might have ended up throwing it into her room and breaking her alarm clock and her lamp. She doesn't much care about the alarm clock...but she really liked that lamp and hopes IKEA has something similar.

Scepter 4's Alphabet Boys are there carrying out errands for the higher up's and doing some of their own shopping. Munakata and Seri are much too busy to really do their own IKEA runs, even if it is stuff needed for the headquarters or the dorms, and Fushimi would probably rather die than ever set foot in an IKEA, let's be real. The task was initially trusted to Akiyama, Benzai, Fuse, and Kamo but Hidaka tagged along because an extra set of hands never hurts things, Andy thought the errands seemed fun, Enomoto had things he needed, and Goto just got finished reading a horror novel that was set in a renamed IKEA and wanted to go see if all IKEA's were haunted.

Goto is very disappointed in both the lack of ghosts and the lack of anything interesting.

Bandou and Enomoto end up getting into a shouting match in the Smart Home section of IKEA as they're both fans of different technology vis a vis smart homes, and what started off as a debate ended up becoming far more.

Chitose's taking a nap on one of the display couches, under the guise of 'researching the best sofa' for Shouhei. Dewa got bored with the whole IKEA run half-way through and is sitting opposite Chitose in a display chair and reading. He's really in love with the chair and probably even buys one to have as a reading chair in his apartment.

Kamamoto and Hidaka both end up in the food court...and they know each other. They know who the other is and they really should be fighting, they both know it but like...there's the meatballs and who can really fight a dude who's just trying to chill and eat his meatballs?

Kamo ends up helping Anna with her lamp shopping after he got her a lamp she'd been trying to reach on one of the high-up shelves. He ends up recommending her the one he'd buy his daughter and she feels too bad after hearing him say that that she buys it despite thinking it's ugly.

Yata actually ends up being the only one to actually seriously help Shouhei with his shopping, but he disappears when it comes time to put all the furniture together somehow. Benzai and Akiyama pass them a few times, but they both mostly just do their own thing and ignore the HOMRA boys, who never even notice them because they're not in uniform.

Eric and Fujishima have spent almost the entire time in the pet section, where Fujishima finds a lot of great deals for all the strays he feeds and takes care of. He leaves IKEA the happiest.

[makowo]

I posted 6,043 times in 2022

1,245 posts created (21%)

4,798 posts reblogged (79%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@febo-asoma

[ex-mutual that sucks]

@moodorbs

@pandadust

@penicillinsteve

I tagged 5,869 of my posts in 2022

Only 3% of my posts had no tags

#misc - 3,096 posts

#makotalk - 1,385 posts

#danganronpa - 331 posts

#art - 318 posts

#animals - 259 posts

#pokemon - 231 posts

#makoto naegi - 203 posts

#fav - 173 posts

#inscryption - 140 posts

#minecraft - 108 posts

Longest Tag: 108 characters

#🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

[no no go off flood my tags it is super weird about how Kyoko is given a hope obsession despite her just trying to make a clever compliment and I don't get how he needs better friends, like his friends are willing to harbor terrorist fugitives for him what more do you want.]

okay okay okay. SO.

Kyoko is most fucking definitely not hope obsessed. i dont know how people were led to interpret her like this, but it's obvious if you think about her backstory, motivations, and actions for a even few minutes.

Kyoko is someone entirely defined by her logical way of thinking, and is literally written to directly contrast Makoto's more emotional thought process. She makes no direct reference to Hope and Despair as actual concepts or sides to take, other than in the final trial, when everyone has to do that. She calls Makoto the Ultimate Hope with no idea that it would really catch on, or that this would be a title with any weight.

Hell, Makoto isn't even that hope-obsessed, none of the dr1 cast is (except Junko ofc, though obsessed with opposition to it). He mentions it a lot because he's gotta as the Ultimate Hope, and the world is kinda defined by this conflict. Nagito and Munakata are the only major characters that could be defined like this directly, tbh

Makoto also already has great friends. It's just that at that point, they had known each other for a month, wherein that entire month was dictated by a high stress situation where any of these strangers could be plotting their murder at any moment. The reason Kyoko is the one to save Makoto is not because she's the only one that cared, she's the only one that was entirely convinced of both his innocence and survival.

The others had to have known in some way that Makoto was innocent, even though Kyoko certainly informed none of them of this. But Monokuma had stuck tightly to this idea of following the rules he set, and the fifth trial was really out of left field. I can't blame them for not trying to go save Makoto because they had no idea if he even survived that execution anyway, and if they didnt vote for someone during that trial, they would all die. It was a lose-lose situation, with no right answer to it.

(I will say however that canon does NOT do well with showing how they would have grown closer after escaping HPA, and that scene in the cafeteria where everyone backs off from him like that was just a bad attempt to shove in some comedy to lighten the tension. This doesn't immediately mean they're assholes to him tho, just stop taking canon at face value like that.)

In the end, I do think some of this can also be attributed to Makoto fans entirely misinterpreting Makoto's character. I'm sure you've seen the Jesus Makoto posts, as well as lots of people viewing him as pure and without fault without thinking abt any of his actions (blatantly points at sdr2) critically, nor even probing the surface of his character. I don't need to say anything more.

43 notes - Posted March 19, 2022

#4

we all know that if naekusaba somehow happened at some point in canon then they'd definitely be awkward exes at best right. like we all are aware that makoto hears abt her crush on him and felt kinda bad, so he tried to make her happy by giving it a try. it couldnt work out at all though bcs mukuro likes him just because he smiled at her once, cant hold a conversation for the life of her, and generally doesn't have the personality nor any interests that would mesh well with his at all. the only reason it lasts as long as two months is bcs makoto doesn't have the heart to back out and mukuro doesn't want to acknowledge the truth of the situation. it's painfully obvious to everyone else though, so someone steps in because it's just unbearable to watch it go on for any longer

43 notes - Posted February 18, 2022

#3

we could be doing something very neat with despair makoto aus yknow.

something about the Ultimate Hope title being inherently cursed for the superiority it gives over other people while also constantly perpetrating the concept of Ultimates as a whole.

something about how it is a title given to those that managed to survive extreme suffering that they should never have had to go through, but only puts them further away from others around them.

something about the way it makes others glorify the person; they are brought to being a symbol of something greater, a herald of a new age. An expected martyr, at worst. that person isnt a person anymore, just a stand-in for something greater

something about how it would inevitably destroy even the kindest people, because no person could bear that weight. The inevitable end is destruction of others and the self, because there's far too much strain put upon a person who got this title for going through something horrible.

no matter how much good it symbolizes, no matter how much good can be done with it, it still holds a similar standing as Ultimate Despair. opposites inevitably reflect one another.

45 notes - Posted June 2, 2022

#2

see if you're going to make Naegi an angel or some divine, powerful thing in an au you have to do it with some amount of irony. it is integral to Naegi's character that he is from a very normal background, a completely innocuous person who is thrust into the limelight via the most stressful method possible. You can't get around that fact without rewriting a huge chunk of what caused him to be a kind, compassionate person.

it feels just. Wrong. when Makoto starts out special. that role of being special must be thrust upon him, or it be previously stated that he wasn't always such a person. Makoto is a normal guy who must suddenly need to take on the great responsibility of leading others, due to his stellar performance of leading others in a deeply traumatizing event.

if he's specifically stated to be the one and only person able to be this beacon of hope, and/or takes it with absolute grace, then like. what the Fuck is the point yknow. that's not Makoto, that's an ideal version of Makoto that completely undermines his extremely average background, and his continuous troubles with self-esteem and the lack of experience he has in being "special".

62 notes - Posted June 19, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

543 notes - Posted March 3, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

[shiut]

Perhaps the word willingness is a little vague, because by willingness I mean that it's possible for him to consider the option even though he doesn't necessarily want to. For my purposes, willingness just means the act as being a conscious decision that he would have to make and carry out, as opposed to something like an accident or an act without his knowledge or manipulation.

So when I include his line where he makes the hypothetical about killing Kyoko, it's because in his mind there is a possible scenario in which all other options have been exhausted, and it would be a difficult decision to make, but the idea of him having to kill her is something that is indeed remotely possible to him. Extra poignant, considering that we know she had died keeping her forbidden action a secret with the heavy implication that she knew that Makoto would probably sacrifice himself before letting her die. However, in this case she had done nothing wrong, so of course he would do anything in his power to help her. But he does know that there is a reality to the fact that if she'd become dangerous, and she'd continue to be a danger to other people even if he'd allow her to kill him, then that would be a scenario in which he would have to make that hard decision and still love her as the person she was before without regret. It was a hypothetical, but it was a hypothetical he was committed to if it were real; if he wasn't serious about it, then he'd be a hypocrite towards Munakata in that moment.

That's not to say that I think interpreting him as a hypocrite is a bad thing though. It might even be a pretty interesting concept for a "savior" figure to have some hypocritical tendencies if someone would want to see it that way.

A part that I like from dr3 is that is that it exhibited Makoto's willingness to kill when absolutely necessary.

He premeditates a trap to kill Munakata. Not to just stop him or block his path. He watches and waits until he's drenched by the sprinklers and makes sure that the pool of water reaches his feet before throwing the live wires into it in order to electrocute him. A surprisingly brutal murder method that Makoto of all people has the distinction of being one of the only non-monokuma characters in the series I can think of who attempts it (considering most of the other murders in the series just come down to essentially a bonk or stab).

And when that fails, in desperation he tries to ambush him to bludgeon him with a fire extinguisher. Now, whether or not he is even physically capable of killing him even if he did land a hit... but he still gave it a good couple of tries.

Not to mention, it's not even something reserved for his enemies.

He expresses that he'd even have the willingness to kill a person who's precious to him if he had to.

He's not an extreme pacifist who would refuse to hurt anyone no matter what. He's just a guy that does what he must in order to survive; a sentiment I've felt aligns with his character even ever since dr1 and has developed even more since then.

[ridiasfangirlings]

Munakata x Nagare enemies-to-lovers Sherlock Holmes au? (Currently watching YuuMori and I suddenly thought of this for some reason). First I wanted to make this MikoRei like usual but I just can't imagine Mikoto fitting the battle of wits thing in Sherlock Holmes stuff. Doesn't seem like his thing (I don't read the K side stories so maybe I'm wrong lol)

It is hard to imagine Mikoto doing the battle of wits thing, not because he isn’t smart but I think he would consider it way too much effort put into being sneaky when you could just punch someone XD Munakata and Hisui would definitely be a bit more of a match for this case. Imagine Hisui becoming known as the ‘Lord of Crime’, though while he’s the main criminal mastermind the alias itself is also used by Iwafune and Yukari as well. Iwafune is some fallen aristocrat who still has money but not as much influence as he used to due to stepping away from public life to do charity work. He gave orphan Yukari a job as his attendant and poor disabled orphan Hisui became his child and legal heir. Everyone thinks that they’re just a nice family trying to do good works, no one knows that Hisui is truly the notorious criminal trying to change the world by punishing corrupt aristocrats who would otherwise buy their way out of crimes, and who wants to make a world where everyone is equal. 

Munakata meanwhile is a private detective whose path continues to cross with that of the Lord of Crime, though Munakata himself has not been formally asked to uncover that person’s identity he considers it a personal project of a sort — he only wishes to find out the identity because he thinks it would be interesting. I imagine Munakata would also notice that the Lord of Crime despite his name does not target people who are poor or weak regardless of the bad they do, only aristocrats, and he finds this particularly intriguing as he is certain that the Lord of Crime must be of high class himself. He and Hisui probably meet at some fancy banquet or something, like a scam charity run by a corrupt noble and Hisui is ostensibly attending as one of those poor sad disabled kids who this charity will help but really he’s here to make sure the noble in question is revealed as a scammer and then dies. Munakata was invited as a famous detective and his eyes shine the moment he meets Hisui, despite Hisui putting in an act of an innocent guileless person Munakata recognizes immediately that this person has a keen mind.

After this they’re constantly trying to one up each other, Munakata has his suspicions about the Lord of Crime and is getting closer and closer to finding that person’s identity while Hisui has decided that Munakata will be the one to unmask him when the time is right. Iwafune is concerned because he’s been suspecting for a while that Hisui was intending to die in order to make his wish a reality and he’s torn between wanting to let Hisui do what he wants and hoping Munakata will figure it out before things get too dangerous. Hisui and Munakata keep running into each other too, mysteries pop up and they both just happen to be in the same place, smiling at each other blandly and exchanging pleasantries while both running their own agendas (also please imagine them doing that ‘catch me if you can, Mr.Holmes’ moment from Yuumori and meanwhile Watson Fushimi is in the seat next to Munakata with a disgusted look like please stop flirting in front of my dinner).

[profnodanna]

Please do Mikoto Suoh for your character game 🥰

send me a character and i’ll list:

favorite thing about them: hard question. I've been thinking about it a lot. I didn't want to write something like "his tragic story" or "he's strong and cool", which I think it's something most of his fans would say. What made me love him was, in the end, his contradictions, that monstrous red which is also beautiful, that part of him captivated by destruction and that other part made by kindness, his being an outsider, someone who due to his nature can't fit in the society (and I think this is a strong theme considering how the japanese society is), his desire for a freedom almost utopic, that can't be reached.

I feel like Mikoto is a puzzle made of pieces that don't match, a flame you can't grasp, a spirit so free you can't restrain with any rule.

In the end, my favorite thing about him is he inspires very strong emotions, both in the characters around him and the audience.

least favorite thing about them: Sometimes he has the personality of a rock, but probably it's more a consequence of the combination of my high expectations and K-not-being-so-deep-after-all. Speaking only of his personality, I don't like how negatively he considers himself.

favorite line: “A guy who can only measure another’s foot by his own last is an idiot, no matter how quick-witted he is.” [ X ]

brOTP: MikoIzu (+Totsuka. I'm generally less interested in him, but you can't really understand Mikoto without both Kusanagi and him)

OTP: Mikorei

nOTP: Mikototsu

random headcanon: He got his first kiss from Kusanagi. You know, just the "two bros kissing for learning reasons nothing gay here" kind of trope.

unpopular opinion: The section is which it becomes clear why I have two friends in this fandom (and they barely tolerate me). Disclaimer: I (try to) respect everyone's opinions, but one thing is the canon, another thing is what is projected onto his character.

Nope, he didn't die because he couldn't live without Totsuka.

Nope, he wasn't an ass to Munakata and he doesn't deserve to be blamed for his (Munakata's feelings).

Nope, he is not responsible of anyone's feelings towards him.

Nope, he didn't die because he was depressed.

He is not "irresponsible" just because he doesn't conform to Munakata's standards.

His character is very interesting, but at the same time it is not so deep as I like to think. Mikoto's character was born with the idea to talk about the fate of the Red King, not Mikoto's.

He made a favor to everyone by killing the Colorless. Do you really think Munakata would have been able to imprison a fox-spirit somewhere? The same people who complain about how Mikoto hurt Munakata would now complain about how Mikoto dared to stay alive while the Blue King had to kill the Colorless, suffering the Burden of killing a King.

Nope, he's not gay (he wouldn't label himself in any way imho).

(I wrote the last one just to be annoying :P)

song i associate with them: In The End (Epic Cinematic Cover)

favorite picture of them: hair down + long coat = chef's kiss

[hopeymchope]

AU where Dr3 is a regular killing game, and near the end there is a 2-4 esq motive where the group will die if somebody doesn't die, so Kirigiri sacrifices herself to make Makoto the blackened, and while he wants to sacrifice himself but decides to honor Kirigiri's sacrifice but Munakata figures out that he's the blackened anyways and Aoi cries.

What is "2-4"? ....aside from a level in many video games.

Also not clear on why Kirigiri sacrificing herself would "blacken" anybody. I mean, Sakura's suicide didn't cause someone else to be blackened, after all. She was the perpetrator AND the victim there.

Either way, I see what you're trying to do — basically get both of my faves killed literally due to their close personal connection. God damn, the angst. You live up to your username. :P

Although I don't know that I'd buy Makoto ever deciding to kill everyone else in a group and save himself, even with the reason given. And because of that, I don't think Kirigiri would ever make the call to sacrifice herself if she knew it'd put Naegi into a position where he had to make the call between killing himself vs killing everyone else around him. She'd know full well that it'd wind up with him dying. It's just not in his nature to save himself over others, even if someone he cared about deeply wanted him to do it. That wouldn't be real "hope" to him, you know?

[superfreshsupermarket]

❤️ 💛💔 Danganronpa 3: The End of Hope's Peak anime - what I loved, liked, and disliked ❤️💛💔

Warning! Spoilers below the cut for DR 1, SDR2, and DR 3. Please no spoilers for V3, I haven't played it yet!

These are my personal thoughts and feelings toward the anime. I'm happy to discuss anything you agree/disagree with!

❤️ The way it's formatted! We get to see the answers to two big questions: what happened after Makoto finished with the Neo World Program and how did the DR 2 cast become remnants of despair? Going back and forth between these arcs and seeing themes and relationships reflected in each other was so cool.

❤️ What they did with Chiaki and Hajime <333 wow wow wow. That conversation by the fountain about making memories really hit me. The way they become friends, the parallels to DR2, the gaming together... Oof. My heart. I love them so much.

❤️ Chiaki as a whole! What a beautiful storyline and holy shit her execution was so so so sad but powerful to watch. That final scene with Izuru too...

❤️ Makoto and the survivors, especially Kirigiri and Byakuya. They've come such a long way!! Hagakure's own little plight was hilarious imo. As for Makoto, I wish he did have more of a broken moment after Kirigiri's "death," but tbh I don't think he needed it. His character is as terrifying as Junko's when it comes to pursuing fixed goals. When Makoto is crowned as a hero for the world by Munakata, it makes sense. It's the perfect role for Makoto, as he is a very classical kind of hero in many ways.

❤️ The music! The openings and endings! Constantly stuck in my head.

❤️ Chisa's brainwashing scene. So painful to watch, but very effective.

❤️ Toko and Komaru still being such wives.

💛 That Kyoko survives. I think it was fine that she lived! I think it makes sense with the plot, the ultimate pharmacist felt such strong regret after not saving the ultimate farmer and Kyoko would have investigated the pharmacist's body fully and found the pills and, knowing she was destined to die, ingested one as a potential cure.

❤️ The Ultimate Imposter's backstory! Seeing his face!!

❤️ How love is shown as a whole. While I've seen complaints about characters, and especially Future Arc characters, being mishandled, I have to say the characters they did work with had such incredible bonds and motivations. Yes, there were Future Arc characters who I didn't care much for/weren't developed much but like... I felt the same way about characters who died early in in DR 1 and 2 (I think of Leon, Teruteru, and the Ultimate Farmer as the first deaths... Their characters don't stand out to me). But how people love each other in this series, what they'll do for love, is such a cool grey area of the Hope and Despair narrative. For example, the characters who are symbols of hope in the series (Makoto, Hajime, Chiaki, and Munakata) all have very different styles of loving and how their love propels them towards and away from hope. Chiaki has a protective and community-oriented love for her class, Munakata has a selfish and almost worshipful love of Chisa, and Hajime's love must be so strange! After getting so messed up from the procedure into Izuru, how does he feel love? Or does he just feel duty?

❤️ You get to see Nagito's whole ass Lmaoooo what more could you want.

💛 That Chiaki didn't survive. I know, I know, how could I?? But it makes sense that she doesn't make it--she truly did die. And unlike Junko, they didn't have a perfect AI copy of her in DR 2. AI Chiaki was a collection of all of their memories of her, but did not include her full personality and knowledge. If she were brought back as a kind of cyborg/robot like the little Nekomarus that Kazuichi makes, it would've felt cheap.

💛 Mitarai's final scene. Bringing up an understandable counterargument to hope vs despair battle. Simple weakness. Despite everything, despite having a powerful talent, you don't feel powerful. But as Chiaki says at the beginning and what Hajime finally internalizes and tells Mitarai at the end, there is innate power all of us and in togetherness. Mitarai's hug with the imposter was also so sweet!! Their bond was so touching.

💛 Chisa, Juzo, and Kyosuke's bond. The love the three of them shared. I especially loved the scene where Kyosuke runs to Juzo when he's dying.

💛 Brainwashing as opposed to individual falls into despair. Junko is a mastermind who has a plan with many many moving pieces, and this was the most efficient way, among other reasons. This also ties in nicely to @hello-kitty-shuichi-saihara 's awesome post about how the DR2 cast were recovering rather than redeeming themselves in the Neo World Program after their actions as remnants.

💔 Mukuro Ikusaba's character! Felt very different from Danganronpa IF. And in part, Junko's character. BUT honestly it kind of makes sense. We get to see more behind-the -scenes moments from the twins, which reveal what a fucked up relationship they have. Mukuro is the perfect example of an effective individual fall into despair at the hands of Junko---long-term manipulation and pressure, but so artfully done that Mukuro worships her. This kind of manipulation takes TIME. Junko did not have time to do this to all the DR 2 students... As for Junko's charisma, she's still charismatic! But we see that at the end of the day, you can't win over everyone with charisma, especially people who have strong beliefs (aka so many characters in DR as a whole). In order to achieve the levels of despair she wants, Junko can't just be charismatic. She needs to be a mastermind, a psychopath, a bully, and a brainwasher as well.

💛 Restoring Hope's Peak. Look I haven't played V3 so maybe I'm waaay off but Makoto isn't a moron and I see so many people being like "why is he restoring hope's peak after all it did???" After seeing what happened to Hajime and the reserve course, I have a strong feeling that Hope's Peak is reopening as two things: a living memorial to the past, so people don't forget what happened and they can learn from history AND a school that is open to all students, a public school basically, which reflects the discussions Chiaki and Hajime have about talent and community.

💛 The Killing Game and Forbidden Actions. I thought this was a cool concept and a perfect conclusion to the killing games as a whole. The fact that everything was automated, people killed themselves... It shows how pointless these killing games are and how it all comes down to the dangers of doubt and mistrust, which leads to "me against the world" mentality combined with incredibly talented people who have the power to harm as much as heal. The forbidden actions are another great example of pointlessness--they were all assigned to people so the game would go a certain way. It's rigged! These killing games were never about winning or losing, as Celeste and Byakuya in DR 1 originally thought. They are always about fulfilling an agenda, in this case, pushing Mitarai over the edge so he'd broadcast the Hope video. When he accidentally ended up in this killing game, he was assigned the forbidden action that he couldn't use his talent, which led to him seeing all the situations where he could've used his talent to "fix" the horror happening around him, but couldn't. Lol that went off topic but hopefully makes some sense!

💛 Seeing the inside of Kyoko's detective notebook! It was a small detail but so cool.

💛 The Despair Arc drug trip scene hahahahaha it was just so weird.

💔 DR 2 characters completely restored to how they were in the Despair Arc (except for Nagito and Fuyuhiko). I wish they had more scars from their time as remnants, since a big piece of this anime is the message of not forgetting the past!!

💔 How Junko meets Mitarai - - way too convenient and doesn't make sense! How would she know he could be used as such a key player??

💔 The plot line of the ultimate pharmacist, confectionist, and that third guy... I couldn't really get into it and it took up to much time!!

💔 The Student Council Killing Game. Perhaps I'm forgetting some of my DR 2 lore, but it was weird to see how it actually went down. Effectively horrific though!

💔 Juzo bleeding out and Makoto leaving him. Why!?!

Thanks for reading!

[starlightshadowsworld]

Danganronpa 3: Future arc, episode 2

Thonks.

Soo after that fun episode, we are back to the killing game.

Fun.

I called it!

I knew Munakata was gonna Makoto for all of this. Even though it is not his fault.

Though he's definitely gonna blame himself now.

I mean I get it.

Munakata is grieving and of course you're gonna lash out at Makoto.

Because from his and everyone else's perspective he's the likely culprit.

He's already betrayed you once, Monokuma called him by name and this all happens when Makoto is being arrested.

But than, if Makoto is the mastermind why would he put himself and his friends in this?

To kill you guys? But than why not just kill you with the gas earlier and escape.

... Wasn't expecting him to tell Makoto to straight up kill himself.

Greif or not, what the fuck Munakata.

... Also how the fuck would that accomplish anything?

If you truly believe Makoto is on their side, if he kills himself especially on the basis that you were the one to make him do it... You're just gonna enrage them.

It's fucked and it's stupid.

Though now I'm sure he's gonna be like fine, I'll kill you myself.

... Yeah Chisa I don't think we can give him a chance, sorry.

Also Makoto in black and Munakata in white, we love to see it, visual oppositions.

The bracelets are dangerous.

I thought maybe they would be explosives but apparently they just inject you with death.

So that's fun.

And one person "the attacker" will be fine and can kill one person.

That person's a traitor... And Makoto is the traitor so more reasons against him.

"Why don't you gang up on someone you don't like and pray their the attacker."

Insert all the sprites surrounding and killing Makoto

.. What is this, the 5th trial?

So Makoto's fucked until they can prove who the real one is.

And omtop of that there's a "forbidden action" Something you can't do at all.

Or you die.

Man theres a lot to this one.

Given Makoto's luck, he's gonna get something bad isn't he?

Asahina, girl I love you but why are you acting like you haven't done this before.

And it's being televised...

Fuck I hope Komaru doesn't have to watch this... Again.

... And Usami is already here?

And apparently the avatar of Miaya, the ultimate therapist.

Who was apparently is one of the top developers for the neo world program.

Aka the simulator the Remnants went into.

Cool.

Though we all know this isn't gonna work, Usami can't beat Monokuma that's a fact.

Aaand Monomi is back.

Makoto: We need to work together.

Munakata: I couldn't agree more.

...You mean work together to kill Makoto don't u?

Because I don't believe you'd wanna work together with him.

I get why everyone's like find the traitor and kill them.

But Makoto being against that is gonna cause a rift, especially because their already is one and it makes him more suspicious.

... Also, who was the traitor in the first game?

And what happened to her because of all the infighting?

I doubt Makoto or Asahina especially want another Sakura situation happening.

"We can restrain them."

"Yeah, with your Super High School Level Luck, big shot .

Juzo...that's not how insults work.

"I'm not as easy to manipulate as Junko Enoshima."

WHAT?! 🤣Im sorry what???

There are many, MANY words to describe the chaotic mess of a human being that was Junko fucking Enoshima.

Easy to manipulate, are not those words.

I'm sorry... have you met, Junko?

In what world, is she easy to manipulate!??

Did you even watch the first game?

And he just hit Ryota... Fuck this guy man.

Talking about being in a war zone when he's acting like the big shot high-school bully.

I get your friend is dead and that's upsetting but let's be real my dude you'd be the asshole here either way.

There's no need for any of this.

This is what Monkuma wants and your playing into his hands.

There's always a big tough guy who has to be the asshole, to show he's strong when he's just as scared as everyone else.

Picking on people weaker than you doesn't make you tough, it makes you pathetic.

.... And because of your actions you've killed Ruruka because his forbidden action was "witnessing violence by participants."

Way to go, tough guy.

No one wants to share their forbidden action.

It's the "embarrassing memories" and the motive videos all over again.

And we all know how those ended.

Oh.. we're gonna just vote the person out straight away? With no evidence or anything?

Sure because that's a good idea? Munakata you are supposed to be smarter than this.

And it's not anonymous either... You're just creating tension.

I'll say it, the high schoolers handed this better than you guys.

He's totally gonna vote Makoto isn't he?

... Yup.

I can't imagine having such a disregard for human life that you're mentality is to kill everyone till you find the culprit.

Funnily enough, mass murder is not the answer.

Munakata saying Makoto understands that that the Remnants nerd to be eliminated at any cost.

... Like he didn't just go against that entirely.

Chisa, I know you're dead but you deserved better friends.

Gozu is officially my favourite member.

Dude shattered Juzo's knife with his bare hands.

Giving Sakura and Nekomaru vibes, the badass with a heart of gold.

And gas in the room, go go gooo.

... And Makoto is forbidden to run... Fucking hell.

Asahina got them muscles because she just piggybacks him away.

Concerned that Kyoko stayed behind.

The director of Hope's Peak telling someone violence isn't the answer.

Now I've heard it all.

Also he might not be Kirigiri but he giving them vibes.

Gozu continues to be the best person ever. Fighting Munakata one on one in the hallway.

Man we've got the ultimate wrestler vs the ultimate student council member.

I tell ya, fight of the century.

I'm sorry I can't take Munakata's talent seriously he sounds like the less cool version of Ishimaru.

Also Munakata your spitting bullshit.

How does killing, especially a person others care about stop despair?

That's like the textbook guide to causinh despair.

That's why the killing game happened and is happening now...Tf you on my dude?

Most unrealistic part of this is the future foundation lasting this long.

Annnd the floors caved in.

Makoto shutting the door the moment before Munakata threw his his knife.

And having Gozu in his side and carrying him.

Nice to see Makoto having some good luck here.

Even if... Yeah.

Times running on the bracelets.

I love the conversation between Asahina and Makoto. Telling her she's not alone, he and Kyoko are here.

They didn't know each other last time.

Now, they are a team.

And that, that's hope.

Plain and simple, it's knowing in your darkest hours you have something to hold onto to keep you going.

They might be in the worse situation on earth, again but they aren't alone this time.

They didn't have that before, not with each other.

It's something that the previous survivors are all banding together.

And the Future foundation members who have, because of the memory wipe, know each other longer.

And they have turned on each other.

Their split up, divided.

For an organisation built on the future, on hope.

They have none.

Not in each other, nor themselves.

I love Gozu adding into the conversation, remarking that Makoto was exactly the person he saw on the screen.

Because unlike Juzo's stupid ass, Gozu saw the killing game.

He saw that Makoto never gave up. Despite everything, he clung to that hope and inspired others.

It meant something to people, it changed lives.

Also him telling Makoto not to modest over his contribution, love this guy.

I love seeing the people who genuinely believe in Hope, who genuinely care for each other.

And than you have people like Munakata and Juzo who are just out for revenge and kill whoever disagrees with them.

I know Juzo says he's doing it for revenge but I don't believe him.

I believe Chisa's murder hurts him, but even if she hadn't died.

I can't see him being in this situation and not acting the way he is now.

Feels like an excuse, a justification to bring about his own perverse justice on whoever he wants.

And either way Chisa wouldn't be happy with either of them.

Makoto I love you but you're luck is more unhinged and complex than Nagito's.

It's not the best thing to rely on.

Times up.

I love how this just became the most dangerous game of Mafia.

.... NO

NO NO NO NO

FUCK THIS.

FUCK THIS OH FUCK NOOOO

ASAHINA 😭!!!

And the bloods literally on Makoto's hand so he looks the most sus.

What is this the first trial?

AHHHHHH

His face, oh Makoto... God this is Sayaka in the shower all over again.

They were just talking.

I HATE IT

I HATE IT HERE.

AHHHHHHHHH

[quickdeaths]

"You know," Anzu mused, tapping at her cheek as she looked back in the direction of the boat. "I was looking at the underside of the ship, you know, that spinning thing with all the blades?" She mimed the rapid spinning motion, as though Shinobu didn't know what she was talking about. "I bet if you put your neck in-between them, it would slice your head off so fast." A click of her tongue and a thoughtful nod punctuated the suggestion. "You wouldn't even feel it."

There had been some bloody incident at Future Foundation in the recent weeks. The details weren't share with the rank-and-file. Maybe, Shinobu thought, it was to keep them all from falling into despair, as if blissful ignorance was any vaccination against those darker thoughts. Many departments had lost their leaders, although Munakata, Naegi and Miss Kirigiri, and a handful of others had made it out unscathed. The same could not be said for-

"Seiko-chan misses you, you know. Ayaka-chan, too, and your parents. Especially me, Shinobu-chan. I'm so lonely without you." She was not there. Shinobu knew that. Anzu Tachibana was dead. That had been true for years, and yet she could practically feel the friendly clinging of the most important person she'd ever known, hands on her shoulders, trying weakly to pull her back towards the water. "There's nothing else for you here, Shinobu-chan. You did it. You beat back the Ultimate Despair, but now the world doesn't have a place for someone so horribly ruined."

There was a cheery smile on her face, same as always. "You don't belong here anymore. Only good, happy people deserve this world, and I know you're forcing yourself. You're always so stubborn." The feeling of a grip tightened, though Shinobu's steps weren't stalled. There was nothing tangible touching her. Whether placing her head into the ship's rudder, or holding herself beneath the water, it wasn't something she could be forced into. "I'm trying to look out for you, Shinobu-chan, so just die already, okay?" Anzu was not there. This was not real.

Perhaps it was what she deserved. Shinobu had taken advantage of Seiko's kindness and desire to please, securing for themselves all kinds of experimental medications, supplements, and drugs to boost their attributes, to stave off weakness and fatigue, to force their body forward when every muscle refused. Now that Seiko was dead, there was no one to make the things that Shinobu's body had become dependent upon. Every ache, every bout of nausea, every delusion conjured by her mind, was a price paid for the extremes to which she'd pushed herself.

Which led to this moment. They were good at hiding their symptoms, but Naegi cornered her with his meddlesome antics even so. Away from the headquarters, away from the place where she had seen so much death, away from the expectations of holding a bow in her hands with murderous intent, it seemed, he expected her to be able to relax - as though the crushing weight of existence, a crippling chemical ailment, and the lingering memory of another dead friend could be dispensed with by the sea breeze and the sound of waves.

"..." Shinobu's lips parted, but no words came out. Sonia. Sonia. Whatever expectations Shinobu had regarding her feelings upon seeing her again, this defied them. "I-" It would be reasonable, they thought, to hate her, to want her dead the way so many others seemed to. Yet, Shinobu couldn't bring herself to think such things about most of the former class 77-B. Perhaps due to Anzu, the real Anzu's, wishes, perhaps due to the time she'd spent with some of them. Munakata didn't agree with Naegi's plan, but Shinobu couldn't agree with consigning them all to death, not without at least one chance.

And speaking of Naegi... He had mentioned that their memories were spotty, the narrow focus of restoring their common bonds of friendship with each other set as a priority above all others, and yet Shinobu had never considered that she might be forgotten entirely. "It's weird, Shinobu-chan," came Anzu's voice. "I'm the one who's dead, but it's really like you're the ghost. Your family... your friends... the girls you loved, and the many more who loved you... It's like no one remembers you at all." Anzu wrinkled her nose, eyes narrowed as though she were peering into Shinobu's soul. "Does it hurt, or are you so completely ruined that even that doesn't faze you?"

Shinobu swallowed, attempting to shake off everything swimming in her mind. "Miss Kirigiri is aware that I've arrived, though, I appreciate being informed of who else is here." She really didn't remember. There wasn't even a hint of recognition in her eyes. What were they supposed to do with that information? "I regret touching your things without permission, Miss Nevermind." How easily it came back to her, to speak to her, to call her that. "But while I don't doubt your ability to handle things alone, it may be quicker with my assistance."

A polite nod accompanied her words, falling back on the familiarities of formal speech and politeness when the rest of her thoughts seemed too chaotic to parse. "My role is to assist in the overseeing of operations on the island. I consider aiding you and your friends to be part of that role, so long as it's not entirely resented." Careful not to disturb anything, they merely gestured to the stack. "If there's something I can do, I would appreciate the opportunity to be useful."

@quickdeaths asked: ⚠️from FF!Shinobu (maybe less "first meeting" and more "first meeting in a long while")

First meeting starter prompts - No Longer Accepting!

⚠️: Your character notices mine in a dangerous situation and decides to step in and try to help them out.

"Where do you want these."

It had been said far more like a statement rather than a question, but she didn't mind. The curt tone matched the wary look in his eyes: in all of their eyes, really, as the ship's crew worked to unload their cargo, and take on necessary letters and parcels, as quickly as possible.

Sonia didn't blame them. Save for Makoto Naegi and those who believed in his ideals, the rest of the world wanted to forget Jabberwock Island, and those who resided there, ever existed. They had a world, a life, to rebuild, ones that had a better chance of success if the Remnants of Despair had no part in it. Former Remnants.

She had to remember that, even if she didn't believe it herself as she glanced down at the clipboard in her hand. At least her wide-brimmed straw hat shielded her face from the sun so she could read the instructions Hajime and Fuyuhiko had designed. "Cart three," She replied flatly with a small nod of her head. Arranged on the edge of the sandy beach were several golf carts with different numbers tacked onto them: ideal for moving about new cargo from the biweekly ships that briefly docked at Jabberwock's port before hurriedly sailing away. The sheer sight of any of the former Remnants was enough to rattle them.

But they worked efficiently, leaving Sonia mostly to stand on the beach and observe until everything was unloaded, placed on carts, and the necessary items and people to be sent back to the mainland were loaded aboard. Something she didn't care for: with Teruteru and Tsumiki having been revived first out of group-decided necessity, it left the former Ultimate Princess with less to do in the makeshift hospital with her rudimentary diagnostic care training. And with cooking and cleaning both disasters still, she'd been relegated to administrative duties: paper filing, message delivery, and now overseeing the loading and unloading, beyond a task or two she took on as personal projects. Now she wished she hadn't been assigned ship duty, wincing for several reasons all at once.

The first was the faint summer breeze in the oppressively-warm weather. It rustled the skirt of her linen sundress, bringing a small amount of relief from the heat, but with it came the scent of the sea and the feel of sand over her toes. Two things that now never failed to remind her of killing games and death sentences. She'd woken up hating the beach, a sentiment that hadn't changed.

The second was an array of parcels the ship hands had begun to stack on the sand. They were unlike the packages sent from the Japanese mainland: a deep forest green instead of unpainted wood or brown cardboard, with labels missing various Japanese characters: names, contents, even where the package had come from. No, instead these had been addressed in cursive script: Western lettering, and set aside even by the ship hands who had no idea how to read it for there was only one foreigner among them that they could be for.

She bit back a groan: part of Makoto Naegi, Kyoko Kirigiri, and Byakuya Togami's grand plans for her to remember, and embrace, what she was in order to bid everyone farewell for the foreseeable future and return home. To best serve the Future Foundation back in Novoselic where, if the news reports were to be accurate, the nation was split between believing she'd been brainwashed by Enoshima and demanding her severed head. Surely, they'd thought, having bits and pieces of her old life packed up and sent to Jabberwock Island would provide her some comfort, and inspiration, to become the Queen of Novoselic she was meant to be.

Instead, Sonia found it ridiculous and, if it hadn't bothered Hajime so much to leave a mess on the shore, would have left it all on the sand to be swept out to sea at high tide. "Not this shit again," She muttered, dropping the clipboard onto one of the golf cart seats before stalking over to the small mountain of green boxes and garment bags, reaching for the top of the pile right alongside another hand. One that belonged to someone who wore a black blazer, if the sleeve was any indication.

She looked up with an irritable sigh: a woman, with red hair and eyes that greatly contrasted the rest of the black and white monochrome look. The Future Foundation uniform: this had to be the latest crony sent by Headquarters to assure that the former Remnants were behaving themselves and weren't conspiring with Makoto Naegi to overthrow the chain of command at HQ. Which, according to ship hands who were prone to gossip, was a real fear from the other departments: Makoto had already acted rogue once with his plan to reprogram and revive the former Class 77-B, he could act out of his own interests again.

"I've got it, I assure you," Sonia insisted, lifting the moderately heavy box with both arms. Two arms that were still working on obtaining their former strength: a coma and poor dietary habits didn't help things, but two arms nevertheless that were keen on hauling away her own pile of shame. Being one of the few former Remnants with a home, of sorts, to return to, she didn't like to leave the evidence sitting there for her friends to see. "Thank you. You may want to check in with Togami, Kirigiri, or Asahina: those are your cohorts who are currently here."

[oumakokichi]

I've seen your ranking, and I wonder why you like Juzo so much ? I can't help but think his redemption doesn't outweight his previous actions. He helped stopping the killing game but that was him fixing something he did and saving someone he cared about, which isn't selflessness. He assaulted people for reasons that were petty or unjustified, so it felt really forced when he saved Naegi. Also, he let Junko end the world because he didn't want Munakata to know he was gay ? Please enlighten me.

Personally, I like Juzo becausehe’s not supposed to be a selfless or a sweet or softhearted character. If Juzohad stopped the killing game for any of those kinds of reasons, or if dr3 hadsuddenly tried to play Juzo off as a character who was entirely selfless foreveryone’s sake, I’d have been incredibly disappointed. But as it is, Juzo’scharacter development was one of the few things dr3 managed to do right.

Juzo scores #3 on my personalcharacter ranking because he’s an incredibly well-written and flawed characterwho is given his own autonomy and has a compelling arc of development. He’s alsopretty much the embodiment of the Undying Loyalty trope, something I like in mycharacters—and even better is that dr3 managed to emphasize that that’s hisstrength and his weakness at the same time.

In a lot of ways, Juzo remindsme of a better-done Maki. Like Maki, Juzo is a bit of a throwback to some other“killing machine” characters, like Mukuro and Peko. While SHSL Boxer is a farcry away from SHSL Soldier, Swordswoman, or Assassin, it’s still a fact thatJuzo is thought of first and foremost as hired muscle, by Munakata, Tengan,Kizakura, and pretty much everyone else in the Future Foundation. He’s meant toact as an enforcer, act first and ask questions later—and he’s perfectly finewith that.

Juzo is no strategist or ideasman by any means, but he’s aware of that. His forte is punching problems untilthey go away, so that’s what he does, the same way that Maki’s first instinctis to eliminate a target so they’re out of her life completely.

But Maki’s characterdevelopment is ultimately hampered by having to center around Momota’scharacter, and all the frustratingly misogynistic “life lessons” he gives herabout how “women should take care of children, not use weapons,” “women shouldlook cute, not work as a hired assassin” etc. Juzo, on the other hand, doesn’thave that problem, because the sad fact of the matter is that male characterswho are cold and aloof and think of themselves as weapons will receive bettertreatment from the writers than female characters with the same flaws.

Just as Maki prioritizes Momotaover everything and everyone else in the group, Juzo does exactly the samething with Munakata. But again, unlike Maki, whose coldness and recklessnessalmost never gets called out by the narrative (not even when she tried to killeveryone else in Chapter 5, for which she received a slap on the wrist atmost), dr3 pretty much spends all its time calling Juzo out. And that’s exactlywhat I like. There’s hardly a character in Future Arc who didn’t allude to Juzo’sfeelings for Munakata or lampshade the fact that Juzo would throw everyone elseunder the bus in two seconds if Munakata asked him to. Characters like Kizakurawere smart enough to realize that Juzo will get angrier on behalf of Munakatathan he will on behalf of himself, even. And this is a good way to highlightthe fact that loyalty isn’t always a good character trait necessarily.

Juzo absolutely didn’tsacrifice himself for everyone else’s sake—he only did it for Munakata’s. IfMunakata hadn’t been involved in the killing game, I have no doubt that Juzowouldn’t have given two shits about pretty much anyone else involved, exceptmaybe Chisa or Seiko, who were in their same faction. But he wouldn’t have goneto the lengths he did to stop the game just for their sake. What really madehis sacrifice powerful and memorable is the fact that he was willing to stopthe game, willing to cut off an arm, all for the person he cared most about inthe entire world.

Juzo’s loyalty is tragicbecause it’s his primary character trait, both his strongest advantage and hisgreatest weakness. It’s tragic because he was loyal to someone who ultimatelynever felt the same way about him, who doubted him and suspected him and neveronce really had those same feelings towards him. His sacrifice to end thekilling game isn’t supposed to be taken as some selfless gesture for the group—it’sa gesture meant for Munakata only, and Munakata still arrives too late, unableto really understand or appreciate the lengths Juzo went for him.

I would hesitate to say Juzowas seeking redemption with his actions. Atonement, perhaps, but redemptionimplies receiving recognition and forgiveness from everyone he ever wronged.And there’s none of that with Juzo. Juzo’s hot temper, his excessive violence,and his pettiness are never excused by the narrative or played off as somecutesy character trait. If anything, the reason he saved Naegi is because he’sstill as angry and petty as ever.

He didn’t save Naegi for anygrand, overarching ideal. He didn’t do it because he wound up agreeing withNaegi’s idea of “hope,” or anything like that. No, in the end, Juzo saved Naegionly because he was angry at him—for having defeated Junko where Juzo keptquiet about her, for reminding him constantly of the ways in which he fuckedup, of his own role in the way the world is now.

By dr3, Naegi was essentiallyrevealed as some grand savior who stopped the Big Bad Enoshima Junko and herdespair with his platitudes about hope. For him to just give up and die supereasily from the same despair-brainwashing video that killed everyone else wasthe biggest anticlimax—it was anticlimactic and pathetic enough that it pissedJuzo off, and that’s why he savedNaegi.

This is also perhaps a bitoff-topic to the subject, but I’ve always been curious as to why people actedlike Juzo was more irredeemable for being violent and reckless and punchingpeople early on in dr3 than many characters who have actually committed murderor other atrocities. DR is a series about murder and death and killing—and yetJuzo was immediately deemed a more unforgivable, awful monster than characterswho have killed without any remorse whatsoever. I suspect it has something todo with the fact that many people were mostly angry about who Juzo was punching or kicking, rather than the fact that he wasviolent and reckless in general.

After all, without knowingalmost anything about Mitarai or his character, people were very up in arms about Juzo kicking himin episode 2 of Future Arc, because he seemed cute, innocent, and everyone waspegging him for an “innocent cinnamon roll.” People then said that this wasbecause Juzo got killed Bandai killed by violating his NG code—but it’s not asif Juzo did it intentionally knowing that Bandai couldn’t witness any violence.He was just as surprised as everyone else when Bandai died. But I stilldistinctly remember people bending over backwards to say that this automaticallymeant Juzo was the worst character in the franchise, despite the fact thatthere are many DR characters who have intentionally done much worse.

As for the final part of yourask, about Juzo “letting Junko end the world”… Haha, I guess this is somethingyou could probably only understand if you can relate with Juzo on a personallevel. If you honestly blame him more for Junko’s actions than Junko herself, Idon’t really know what to tell you. What Junko did to him was blackmail. It wasinsidious, horrible, and the absolute worst-case scenario for Juzo. It was “despair.”If you can’t understand the fear of being outed, especially to the person you careabout the most, then you’re probably very lucky, anon.

As someone who is gay andsomeone who has been outed to abusive family, I can say that it goes beyondjust normal fear. Gay people aren’t afraid of being outed to their friends andcrushes and family because “oh no, someone will know that I’m gay.” We’reafraid of being outed because there is always a chance that people we loved andtrusted will immediately turn on us when they know, will look at us and call us“monsters,” “evil,” “sinful”—all of which I actually did have thrown at me whenmy family found out.

Juzo wasn’t afraid of much, buthe was afraid of Munakata finding outand recoiling from him, disowning him as a friend, wanting nothing to do withhim anymore. Not knowing how Munakata felt was preferable because it meant henever had to face the “what-if” possibility of Munakata finding out andtreating him like he was “disgusting” for it. If that had happened, that wouldtruly have been “despair” for him.

He was blackmailed andpressured and manipulated into keeping quiet about Junko the same way thatJunko either manipulated or intimidated or brainwashed everyone into keepingquiet and doing what she said. It makes absolutely no sense, in my opinion, tohold Juzo more accountable for “letting Junko end the world” when Junko is theone who did it. And to be entirely honest, if Junko hadn’t been having so muchfun holding that threat over Juzo’s head and seeing his reactions, she would’vejust killed him. The only reason she let him live was to make him sufferfurther—but if he had seemed like he would’ve told Munakata regardless (andJunko could’ve predicted if he would’ve, I have no doubt), then she wouldn’thave let him leave those school grounds alive.

This has gotten pretty long,but I hope I’ve been able to summarize my thoughts pretty well. Juzo is mythird-favorite character in the franchise for many reasons. He’s well-written,his flaws and mistakes are never downplayed by the narrative or turned into anendearing character trait, and I can relate with him on a very personal level.I was overjoyed when he was confirmed gay, even moreso when it wasn’t played asa joke or retconned in future episodes. Dr3 didn’t contribute much to thefranchise overall, but Juzo was at least one really incredible character tocome out of it. Thanks for asking, anon!