Danganronpa is originally a visual novel adventure game and not an adaptation from the usual source material, which is the manga.
Perhaps this accounts for the dramatic and somewhat midday game show style of delivering their dialogues. However, it’s not in a negative way; the dramatic poses and speeches make it enjoyable to watch.
Danganronpa also has stylish and charming character designs, vibrant colors, and signature anime unique hairstyles.
But despite its cutesy style in appearance, Dangaronpa is a violent anime with lots of death, sexual themes, and gore.
Minors are not allowed to watch the franchise because of its graphic content, as the show is meant to be R18+, so viewers’ discretion is advised.
But these contrasting elements are what makes it so worth watching because it’s thrilling and allows the viewers to think with the characters and figure things out themselves.
If you are into this type of anime genre where survival is the main theme, then Danganronpa is right for you.
If you are interested in watching Danganronpa, keep reading to find the best watchlist!
Danganronpa Watch Order By Chronological Order of Events
The optimal way to watch the Danganronpa anime is by chronological order of events.
Viewing the first few episodes of the first season allows the audience to grasp the anime’s unconventional storytelling and concept.
Different perspectives will also be featured in the franchise, so watching it in succession will not cause confusion to the streamers of the show.
Watch Order | Title |
---|---|
1 | Danganronpa: The Animation (2013) |
2 | Danganronpa 3: The End of Hope’s Peak High School – Future Arc (2016) |
3 | Danganronpa 3: The End of Hope’s Peak High School – Despair Arc (2016) |
4 | Super Danganronpa 2.5: Komaeda Nagito to Sekai no Hakaimono (2017) |
5 | Danganronpa 3: The End of Hope’s Peak High School – Hope Arc (2016) |
Can You Watch Danganronpa Without Playing Any of the Games?
Absolutely, viewers can watch the anime without playing the game. The anime sticks to the storyline of what is being featured in the game, just in animation form.
However, if you want in-depth information about the game and more character details, you will need to play the game. Moreover, more sub-stories in the game are not present in the anime adaptation.
Where to Watch Danganronpa (October 2022)
For US and Canada, the best streaming platform to watch Danganronpa is Hulu and Crunchyroll.
If you are from the UK and Australia, you can stream on Funimation.
However, it is important to note that not all streaming sites have all the shows available.
If the show is not available to watch in your country, then a VPN is needed to gain access to the anime.
Complete Summary of Danganronpa Anime
# of Episodes | 37 (including the special episode) |
Runtime | Approximately 23 – 24 minutes per episode |
Manga Canon Episodes | 1-37 |
Anime Canon Episodes | 0 |
Special Episodes | 1 |
OVA | 1 |
Movies | 0 |
Danganronpa was first released on November 5, 2010, in the form of a visual novel adventure game by Kazutaka Kodaka called “Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc.” It was developed and distributed to the public by Spike.
In the next year, two manga adaptations were made from the first Danganronpa, which was released between June 24, 2011, and October 18, 2013.
The manga was illustrated by Saku Toutani and published in Enterbrain’s Famitsu Comic Clear web magazine.
In May 2013 and September 2014, another mangaka artist named Takashi Tsukimi wrote the manga adaptations, which were serialized into 4 tankōbon volumes on Shōnen Ace.
In addition, the first Dangonranpa anime release was on July 4, 2012, on MBS’ Animeism programming.
Not to be confused about the manga and anime; plotwise, the manga and anime stick to the original material in the game.
The manga sequentially follows the anime, which follows the visual novel game, so if we were to put it, it’s game, anime, and then the manga.
Danganronpa Complete Anime Synopsis
1. Danganronpa: The Animation
Media | Series |
# of Episodes | 13 |
Original Release | July 4 – September 26, 2013 |
Runtime | Approximately 24 minutes per episode |
IMDb Rating | 6.8/10 |
The first season follows Makoto Naegi and 16 other students enrolled in a prestigious school named “Hope’s Peak Academy.”
But despite the school’s clean and posh outer appearance, it is not what it seems. Behind it lies a sinister motive and a bloody ending for those involved.
The school is spearheaded and supervised by an animatronic bear named Monokuma. Monokuma appointed himself as the Headmaster of the academy.
It told the students that in order for them to graduate, they must murder each other, but there’s a catch.
If somehow the others figured out that you are the suspect, then you are to be executed.
But if the suspect remains to be unknown, then only the killer gets to graduate, and the others will be executed.
Naegi is an optimistic and righteous young man who values morals over his obligation to kill. However, he must move forward and become everyone’s ultimate hope, and save lives as much as he can.
2. Danganronpa 3: The End of Hope’s Peak High School – Future Arc
Media | Series |
# of Episodes | 12 |
Original Release | July 11 – September 26, 2016 |
Runtime | Approximately 24 minutes per episode |
IMDb Rating | 7.1/10 |
Makoto Naegi and his other fellow surviving classmates had managed to escape the impenetrable force of Hope Peak’s Academy. They are now venturing off to what’s left of the world that has fallen into ruins.
Soon they stumbled upon an organization that is committed to conquering despair, and that is the “Future Foundation.”
Things were starting to look up for Naegi and the gang when suddenly Neagi was thrust into a difficult situation. He was arrested for defending a group from the Remnants of Despair.
Things continued to progress to the worst possible scenario. The foundation’s security was hijacked by none other than the malicious bear that brought them trauma and horror- Monokuma.
Not soon after hacking into the security system, he declared the start of another killing game. This time with only one murderer and no class trials to help in confronting and defending themselves. And the start of another catastrophe begins.