Danganronpa Gaiden: Killer Killer

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Japanese: ダンガンロンパ害伝キラーキラー

Information

Type: Manga

Volumes: 3

Chapters: 14

Status: Finished

Published: Mar 9, 2016 to Apr 8, 2017

Genre: Mystery

Theme: Psychological

Demographic: Shounen

Serialization: Bessatsu Shounen Magazine

Authors: Kodaka, Kazutaka (Story), Sasako, Mitomo (Story & Art)

Statistics

Score: 6.84¹ (scored by 4,214 users)

¹ indicates a weighted score.

Ranked: #11238²

² based on the top manga page. Please note that 'R18+' titles are excluded.

Popularity: #2104

Members: 9,470

Favorites: 193

6.84

Ranked #11238Popularity #2104Members 9,470

MangaBessatsu Shounen MagazineKodaka, Kazutaka (Story), Sasako, Mitomo (Story & Art)

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Volumes: /3

Chapters: /14

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Synopsis

After The Biggest, Most Awful, Most Tragic Event in Human History, an organization known as Future Foundation was created in order to save the world. In addition, the Special Crime Investigations division was formed with the sole purpose of investigating bizarre and grotesque murders. Their newest recruit, Misaki Asano, is bright, cheerful, and despises gore—yet that does not stop her from striving to bring light in a world ridden with despair.

Partnered with the eccentric slob Takumi Hijirihara, Misaki's first job is to investigate the discovery of several corpses at an idol's concert. Although Hijirihara has solved the case swiftly, the culprit is soon discovered cleanly dismembered by a mysterious murderer of murderers known as "Killer Killer." Only leaving behind a cute note at the scene of the crime, Killer Killer has been eluding the Foundation for a long time, but the mastermind behind these slaughters may be closer than they realize.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

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Background

Danganronpa Gaiden: Killer Killer is a spin-off of studio Lerche's original TV anime Danganronpa 3: The End of Kibougamine Gakuen.

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Characters

Hijirihara, Takumi

Main

Asano, Misaki

Main

Kirigiri, Kyouko

Supporting

Enoshima, Junko

Supporting

Fukawa, Touko

Supporting

Togami, Byakuya

Supporting

Asahina, Aoi

Supporting

Ikusaba, Mukuro

Supporting

Mitarai, Ryouta

Supporting

Yukizome, Chisa

Supporting

Reviews

Mar 18, 2024

Curlybrace101

Recommended

What Danganronpa Gaiden: Killer Killer suffers most from is being a Danganronpa Gaiden. It's garnered a harsh reception in its time and if you ask me, that is largely because it is tied to the Danganronpa name and thus wasn't what people were expecting it to be. It's not Danganronpa enough for them.

But set aside Danganronpa for a minute, and what do you have?

You have a pretty standard mystery/detective series about an antisocial, eccentric detective who, in spite of his weirdness, is great at his job, and his easily excited amateur assistant who isn't as good as him but is just as excited to solve ... mysteries and is learning along with the audience. Also, because the leads are male and female, there's some fun romantic tension (although they don't have to be the opposite sex for that; look at the trope codifier). It's a very traditional setup for a detective story but it's traditional because it works. However, it works especially well here because at the end of chapter one, we learn more about our oddball detective and it takes a very dark turn.

This dark turn is largely what the story focuses on and in works in tandem with the detective work. It makes for an engaging story as it is unexpected of this standard setup of the detective genre and gives you something to really be interested in. It's effective in getting you invested in these characters (which are easily the most interesting part; the relationship and parallels between our detective and another character introduced about halfway through are simply fascinating, although you also have to give credit to the relationship between our male and female leads. It's so fun to dig into the minds at motivations of these characters. It deserves that psychological tag.). The mysteries themselves aren't the most in-depth cases ever, which is definitely something that could be improved upon as a detective story, but they're fun for what they are.

I am of the opinion that it's better for the detective to serve the mystery rather than the other way around, but hey, the other way around isn't so bad either if you know what you're doing and what the story you really aim to tell is.

The detective aspect takes a back seat in the latter half of the story as it starts getting really intense and, in true Danganronpa fashion, the stakes shoot through the roof, but it feels very natural both as Danganronpa and in general. It always was a characters-first story, and that's fine, even if it isn't the best for a detective story. Because really, it's not a detective story, it's a story about a detective, and that's fine too, so long as you know how to balance it well and don't try to be what you're not (looking at you, BBC).

That being said, I also think people are exaggerating about it being missed potential for the Danganronpa franchise. It's a gaiden series for a reason. It's supposed to be different from the main plot. Expecting it to be just more of the main plot is a fool's errand. While it could be doing more to utilize it's setting in the world of Danganronpa, it's still a pretty damn good expansion of the franchise's world and its building. In particular, it does a lot to explore what the rest of the world is like in the aftermath of the killing game, as it slowly heals. It's getting better, but it's not there yet. Society is once again functioning, but it's still a crapsack. It's an interesting part of the storyline that the main entries never had time to explore. It also weaves the Danganronpa worldbuilding in with the original characters and mysteries seamlessly. Characters from the main series show up, but only just as much as they need to. They don't feel intrusive, or take time away from the main characters. It is just enough to tell a Danganronpa side-story.

It could have been a few chapters longer, because it resolves a few things just a bit too quickly and could have expanded some more on a few others, but that's a nitpick. I do wish they hadn't pushed the female lead aside for the men, but what else is new? It also has some BL undertones (or, overtones honestly) if you're into that but you're a Danganronpa fan, which should answer that question. Personally, I can appreciate it. Oh, also the way the main conflict is resolved is ah...uncharacteristically silly? Even for Danganronpa, which did knock off a few points, but is nowhere near enough to ruin how interesting the rest was.

It isn't the world's best detective story nor is it a perfect expansion of Danganronpa, but when you set that aside and accept what you've been given, it's a fun and intriguing read for Danganronpa fans.

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Feb 22, 2021

b0x-0ffline

Mixed Feelings

in all honesty, the story here isn't that deep and the problems are resolved too quickly.

though, i have to say that the main characters really make this manga for me. hijirihara is an absolute delight and made me laugh out loud more than he should have. his character is more comedic than threatening, mostly because he's ridiculously overpowered. he's one of my favorite characters just because of how hilarious his existence is. the other main and side characters are okay... not much notable, though. hijirihara is really the star of the show.

the art in this manga was absolutely gorgeous, though. sasako mitomo's art contributes ...

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Aug 12, 2022

Allslsl

Not Recommended

There's one thing for sure that I can say without a doubt about this manga...
WHAT A WASTE OF POTENTIAL!!!ri

This manga is the spin-off for the anime Danganronpa 3 The End of Kibougamine Gakuen that pretty popular at the time.
Our MC name Hijihara Takumi (that looks very similar to Hikigaya 8man from Oregairu for some reason) is a serial murderer that kill other serial murderer because they lack the passion for their murder. It's pretty refreshing to see this plot because rather than a vigilante for justice, there is a lot of potential in this character.
There's also our other main character, which is a girl ...

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Poll: Danganronpa Gaiden: Killer Killer Chapter 10 Discussion toblynaruto - Dec 11, 2016	6 replies	by whiplash12naf »» Nov 1, 2023 3:11 AM
Poll: Danganronpa Gaiden: Killer Killer Chapter 14 Discussion Stark700 - Apr 10, 2017	12 replies	by saengdao »» Jun 13, 2019 6:09 PM
Poll: Danganronpa Gaiden: Killer Killer Chapter 13 Discussion toblynaruto - Mar 24, 2017	4 replies	by saengdao »» Jun 13, 2019 5:55 PM
Poll: Danganronpa Gaiden: Killer Killer Chapter 12 Discussion Ranxomare - Nov 21, 2017	1 replies	by saengdao »» Jun 13, 2019 5:43 PM
Poll: Danganronpa Gaiden: Killer Killer Chapter 11 Discussion Ranxomare - Nov 21, 2017	1 replies	by saengdao »» Jun 13, 2019 4:52 AM

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