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fishy-poof-crackers · 9 days ago

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Why Trios Work - Part One

The Training Trio: Kaito, Maki, Shuichi

In Danganronpa: Killing Harmony, Kaito invites Shuichi and Maki to train at night. Though their time together comes with character and relationship development between the three of them.

Relationship & character analysis.

Disclaimers:

Spoilers for the entirety of v3: Killing Harmony.

Content warnings: illness/disease, discussion of blood.

I haven't seen v3 in awhile. I tend to think as I write and I may ramble and repeat things and not make any sense, haha.

1. Kaito has Maki's and Shuichi's best interests at heart.

The loss of Rantaro and Kaede has taken its toll on everyone in the killing game. It starts a sequence of events that leads into a downward spiral of bloodlust and murder.

Kaede's death hits the hardest for Shuichi. It's implied that Shuichi had feelings for Kaede. Even if it was a small crush, Kaito knows that they had a deeper emotional connection. They trusted each other, they were there for each other, etc.

But because Shuichi spent so much time with Kaede, he didn't form hard connections with the other students.

Kaito invites Shuichi to befriend him and help him cope with the loss of Kaede.

Shuichi makes a promise to Kaede that he will end the killing game. Kaito knows that Shuichi can't do this on his own. He knows that someone at least needs to be there to boost Shuichi's morale. By showing that he believes in him, Kaito is being his shoulder to lean on.

(Kaito himself also wants to end the killing game. He doesn't believe that he can do it by himself, or that Shuichi can do it by himself. It isn't just Shuichi fulfilling Kaede's wishes to stop the killing game; Kaito fulfills her wish to have everyone band together. He believes that it takes a team. Teamwork makes a dream work, right?)

Kaito invited Shuichi to help him grow stronger.

They have similar interests at heart.

Kaito invited Shuichi to achieve their goals.

Since this is chapter two we're talking about, there isn't much to say about Maki.

Kaito takes an interest in Maki.

Okay, Kaito isn't very smart, but somehow he's able to see inside her. The rest of the students brush her off, including Kaede, the main protagonist. I don't remember who, but one of the two (I think Shuichi) points out that Maki can't be heartless due to her talent. In chapter two, Shuichi still doesn't have the mindset of the others when it comes to her. He doesn't make an effort like Kaito, but he doesn't think she's some stone-cold bitch with a secret.

Yeah, it isn't much, but Shuichi sees something else in Maki, too. So, Kaito and Shuichi both see something in Maki (mostly Kaito).

Shuichi is surprised to learn Kaito invited Maki, but he's even more surprised when she joins. It's disappointing when she doesn't interact with them like Kaito and Shuichi have been, but as you probably know, this eventually changes.

Like Shuichi, Kaito invites Maki to help her grow stronger.

When I say stronger, I mean in all aspects. Emotionally, physically, mentally. He wants them to become stronger people, wants them to have stronger relationships- Kaito wants them to be strong.

Kaito invites Maki because he wants her to open up.

This is a big recurring theme in chapter two. Going back through this analysis in my head I simplified the reason why, and it makes me kind of sad. There are a few reasons Kaito wants Maki to open up. I'll do my best to emphasize how heartwarming they are.

Going stronger, yadda yadda.

Curiosity. This is far from the main reason, but I respect it. Heavily. I'm a curious person (sometimes) and I always want the fucking answers.

He sees her as a closely-guarded person. This ties into the third reason, so view this as a prequel, haha. Kaito doesn't think isolation will help her at all. I don't remember if he thinks this will make her a target (he probably does, but he's still not the main reason he wants to connect with her), but in general, he thinks isolated people are not happy. In a high-pressure situation, Kaito believes she's burying her emotions deep. He knows that isn't a good thing.

Kaito is genuinely concerned for Maki's well-being.

This hurt me a lot. It's so sweet, and it shows how good of a person Kaito is. As stated, the reason he's concerned about her is because he wants her to be happy. He wants her to be comfortable with herself. Kaito shows this throughout the game- evidence on this later.

Kaito wants Maki to heal.

Again, evidence on this later, but Kaito believes that if Maki lets her guard down and learns to trust others, she can learn to trust and love herself.

2. Dynamic (+Humor).

Their dynamic works beautifully.

Technically, their dynamic is called a "complex bro-ship" LMAO. ("Gym bros" also works, I guess. I hate that term, it's more sexualized than bro-ships.) But they ARE! This post was meant to be ambiguous- you can interpret it as a friendship or a romance. You still can! I just use the term 'friendship' a lot for this point.

Honestly, "bro-ship"s in media makes it seem like they have to be between two guys and there's sexual tension and they're probably fucking on the side, or it's a Disney Love Triangle where it's romantic and you have to choose one (not to mention that your love interests don't like each other), or it's one ship and friend-zoning and jealousy.

The Training Trio not only defies the typical stereotypes, but they go beyond it. It truly is a complex friendship. I fucking love it when relationships make the stereotype complex, but I love it even more when they break it entirely.

This trio also brings some good comedic relief.

And relief in general, but allow me to elaborate on the humor aspect.

When Maki first starts exercising with the group, the boys' reaction is priceless. They're like, 'Woah, where the hell did this come from?' It's hilarious.

Kaito doesn't do the workout with them. It quickly becomes obvious that he set the group up for emotional reasons, but it's still funny to watch. Maki and Shuichi call him out on it and he straight-up makes excuses and picks on Shuichi.

He isn't hurting Shuichi's feelings too bad either, and it gets Maki to laugh.

I adore humor like this if no one is actually getting hurt. Maybe this isn't the perfect example of how this humor works because Shuichi does feel a little put-down, and I don't think he should feel bad at all.

Even so, the way they make me laugh feels way less awkward than most of the other characters do in the cast. Partly because the other jokes used in v3 are rude and sexual, partly because the Training Trio brings a sense of comfort because it feels like a joke between friends.

3. Character Development.

Character development and a closer look to each of their characters.

I'll start with the most obvious one.

Maki

Maki becomes less cold-hearted and more open. She shows kindness to others while not letting them walk all over her. In the past, she kept up a prickly barrier that would poke you if you even touched it.

In the end, she falls for Kaito. She reveals it after the fifth trial when he's about to get executed for murdering Kokichi.

"I've never... fallen for anyone before."

Kaito replies that by learning to love and trust others, she can learn to love and trust herself.

More than vulnerability, allowing herself to care, and showing the two on numerous occasions, Maki allows herself to feel. After Kaito's death, she admits she cried that night. Although she also says she wouldn't allow herself to cry about it anymore.

Shuichi

Honestly, most of his character development can be chalked down to Kaede, but... Nah. I do believe that she was a huge influence, but hear me out.

I believe Kaede pushed Shuichi towards being more confident, but there were still times when he doubted himself. Shuichi is always doubting himself; however, we see Kaito and Maki not only back him up, but sometimes they even go so far as to give words of encouragement.

There were multiple times when Shuichi said he didn't think he could fulfill Kaede's wishes. At some point, he thinks about how he doesn't think he's able to do it without her...

...But he has Maki and Kaito.

Shuichi will never be alone again.

Kaito

This was harder to think about, especially because I didn't really care for Kaito in my v3 phase. I did go back to be able to form an opinion.

Kaito is encouraging, brave.... and full of himself. Maki (and Shuichi) have to put him in his place multiple times. Kaito listens and tries to become a better person while still maintaining his own beliefs. He sticks to what he believes in, which is also his downside.

But that's a character description, not development you're saying?

Yeah. You're right.

Kaito more or less stays the same. Not all the characters are going to develop that much. Especially in v3.

4. Mutual Relationship.

I implied before that their relationship doesn't lean one way or the other, meaning it's extremely mutual.

"But Maki has a crush on Kaito!"

Yeah.

So?

Maki still looks out for Shuichi after Kaito dies. While they're training Maki chooses to talk to Shuichi to get his view on something. She says that Shuichi can give her different viewpoints than Kaito, so she goes to him instead.

You have to understand that Maki and Shuichi went through Kaito's downfall together.

I've already explained how Kaito cares for Shuichi and Maki and how they care for him in return. So, there's no need to elaborate on that, but I will add a point.

Kaito's illness. They're both genuinely horrified. Neither of them wants him to die, and both of them want to do their best to help Kaito recover. He brought them together.

Conclusion

I've never been good at ending things, haha. I really like these three! I believe they were crucial to the plot and they definitely didn't waste our time.

If you have any suggestions you can put them in my inbox, but I also read comments and reposts.

Speaking of which, both of those are very appreciated! I've never done an analysis on my own time before. Thank you.