I've been a fan of the Danganronpa game series since 2012. In 2013, Danganronpa: The Animation came out, and honestly, it was crap. The animation and art was pitiful, the characters were barely grazed and hardly as deep as the corresponding game had it, and it was just rushed. But that's the thing with animating an entire game in 13 episodes-- it's not possible to fit every scenario, so the anime had to condense it for only the main plot points to appear.
Now, why do I mention the first animation when I should be talking about the 3rd Despair Arc? You need to be aware of my disappointment for that, so that you can understand I was overall impressed with the effort put into Danganronpa 3, both sides. The Despair Arc cannot be seen without knowing the plots of the 1st and 2nd Danganronpa games, so unless you've seen it, you'll likely be thoroughly confused. But anyways, Despair Arc explains the events before the 1st game, which had me interested to see. It's like more puzzle pieces were given to the viewer, to try to fathom all of this "hope" and "despair" madness. I wasn't very disappointed with what I got, thankfully enough.
S H O R T C O M I N G S
I was introduced with the students of SD2 (Super Danganronpa 2) and some characters from the Future Arc, such as the homeroom teacher, Yukizome Chisa, the leader of the later Future Foundation, Munakata Kyosuke, etc. Getting to see them animated, along with new characters that I welcomed fairly enough, was exciting. However, I only get glimpses of their personalities, it seems? My personal expectations in an anime this short isn't very high on character, but again, I felt like I got only a taste of what the students were truly like (I won't spoil anything from SD2). I honestly wish I'd gotten more.
For the first two episodes, you feel like you're watching a slice-of-life, ridiculous comedy with friendships and rainbows and idealistic school life (also with that one perverted cook and that fanservice of pantsus). Then, well I love this, but it all just goes downhill and you know it. However, it felt like the beginning could've been more blended to the more despairing episodes that come after. It felt a bit more sudden than what it could've. It's somewhat predictable too as a whole, but I've already known the aftermath of these events, so I suppose it can't really be helped.
This kind of goes back to the characters, and maybe I'm not so forgiving for unrealistic scenarios, but these characters don't make sense. When you see someone you care about get killed, you won't follow the killer and do what she wishes, right? You'd either plot revenge or try to move on, almost ignoring what had happened. Or something else. Just not follow the one who murdered someone you care about. Also, some of these character's motives, their passion, are somewhat strange. One character is so passionate about making an anime to the point of sleepless nights, skipping school entirely, and acting like a high-strung, insane, desperate person. It seems like none of these characters are normal, which is kind of the thing Danganronpa has, but IS IT TOO MUCH TO ASK FOR A SANE PERSON? And no, I don't want just the principal, that old man, and that drunk guy! And Junko, control yourself! (I was joking, don't stone me)
When I watched this, I was starting to expect two things: more explanation for Enoshima Junko's motives, and more story to Kamukura Izuru. I honestly didn't get much from either, at least, things I didn't already know. Kamukura was okay, but Junko felt so stupid to me. Like, is she just evil because she's just evil? She looks like a fool, honestly. I liked her in the 1st and 2nd games because she wasn't that big of a character, sort of, but now that she's a more appearing character, with her actions open like a book, it feels like she just does ridiculous things just because. And it feels stupid! No backstory, just because. And she has everything her way.
But then again, WWII happened, and this might be somewhat the same deal.
P R O S
I could go on for a while regarding the good points. Again, seeing SD2's characters animated was real fun to watch. I was especially curious about Komaeda Nagito, Hajime Hinata and Nanami Chiaki. And, in case you haven't noticed, I watched this first before Future Arc, and finished it first too.
What I got from this was pleasantly some Ikusaba Mukuro, which for some reason I didn't expect that much of. Even though her character was somewhat dissed off, I got to see her devotion to her sister and sides of her I otherwise wouldn't have seen. I also found more importance in Chiaki. Not that she wasn't important to the second game, but I always thought she was a little strange and off. Seeing her hope throughout this anime, in the midst of despair, was impressive. I also enjoyed most of the characters, as they kept this anime light, mostly.
As for the little tidbits, I think I see most of the characters in Despair Arc in Future Arc. Since they aired around the same time, I could switch back and forth if I wanted, and I found that doing so will explain things in the Future Arc. It'll explain some bad and good relationships between characters there. I also appreciated the cameos of the characters in Danganronpa 1.
And the art, along with the music. I was majorly impressed. The animation was well done, and the art was consistent, and effort is shown in that department. It seemed like the games' tone was split in half, creating the tones of the Despair and Future arcs. The signature pink blood remained, but the colors were much brighter and lighter. As the story progressed, the colors did change, and oh my gosh the opening changes as you watch, I loved that. It just got darker and darker, and I was warned in the beginning that the story will end in despair, but still-- it's so enticing! And hearing Komaeda's VA sing the ED was heavenly.
At first, I didn't really like the OP and ED, and that was because it didn't feel Danganronpa-like. It didn't have that jazz-pop feel that I adored. But it started to grow on me, and it made me realize that the despairing events occur midway of this anime, so it was appropriate. Midway, the soundtrack does switch a bit more to the familiar tunes you often get with Monokuma, so I'm satisfied.
C L O S U R E
This is probably the longest review I've written, but I literally just finished this anime and it's Saturday. I've yet to finish the Future Arc, and I know I probably spoiled some things without realizing it, but it's nothing explicit and in fact, you should expect the above things already? It's Danganronpa, wake up.
I think this animation was amazingly done, compared to the first season. This isn't based off of any game, just shows events outside of the games. I'm glad the creators made that choice, though, as these events aren't exactly game-material and more for something like this. As I learn more and more about Danganronpa's story like how Once Upon A Time shows it (present to past, to present, to past), it's like more puzzle pieces are coming and eventually, will show a masterpiece.
I can't wait for that day, when I know all of it. Hope will triumph over despair, you guys. ;)
Story: 7
Art: 9
Sound: 8
Character: 6
Enjoyment: 8
Overall: 38/50 ~ 76% ~ 8/10
