Double Standards, Misogyny, And Bad Writing: A Deep Dive Into Character Criticism

Why Post Game AUs Hit Different

Hear me out, okay? Post-Game AUs in the sense of Danganronpa hold a special place in my heart. They’re what first brought me into the fandom space, they’re some of the first fics and fanart I made, and yeah, I know it’s kind of weird, but there’s just something about them that I can’t shake.

When I first sat down to write this, I stared at a blank screen for hours. I really wanted to talk about this topic, especially since no one else seems to have tackled it in depth before. But I was stuck. At first, all I could think was, "I want the V3 cast to be happy and alive," and, "I love angst."

However, after re-reading some of my favorite post-game fanfictions and really reflecting on them, I realized there’s so much more to this AU than I initially thought.

Post-game AUs are so compelling because they dive deep into themes like healing, found family, rediscovering happiness, self-identity, and the truth about fame.

These themes are what make the stories emotionally impactful and really connect with readers. They make you think, and they allow the audience to resonate with the characters and the world they inhabit.

For example, when I read about Kaede digging her nails into her neck, desperately trying to pry off the chain that dragged her to her execution—a chain she never actually wore—it makes me stop and think. It makes me feel something.

Or when I read about Maki having nightmares about killing people and being tortured, even though she never actually did. Those moments resonate deeply, and I find myself thinking about them long after I’ve finished reading.

Then there’s Kokichi, atoning for his past mistakes and opening up, allowing himself to be vulnerable. And when I see Ryoma discovering that there are people who genuinely care about him, it hits so hard.

It’s like watching that final, epic battle in a movie that everything’s been building toward. It’s satisfying, and it gives you an ending you can feel content with.

I know a lot of people complain about V3’s open ending, but honestly, if there had been a definitive conclusion, we might not have gotten all the creativity that’s poured into post-game fanfics and fanart. The beauty of that open ending is that it left so much room for fans to craft their own narratives—nothing feels too absurd because there was no ending at all.

And I’m not going to talk about every single post-game fan art or fanfic that’s completely changed my view and perception of post-game, but some of these fics have inspired thoughts that go beyond just the post-game world For example, It’s Just Showbiz got me thinking about the reality TV side of fame and made me start headcanoning Tenko as a trans woman, which I hadn’t considered before.

Here Comes the Sun shifted my perception of Kiyo, showing me a different side of him that I hadn’t thought about in the context of the original story.

The Friends We Used to Know led me to a rabbit hole of exploring platonic Chabahara, which opened my mind to new dynamics between characters.

These fanfics didn’t just change how I think about post-game—they expanded how I view the characters and their potential after the events of the original game.

There are so many vastly different takes on what happened to the V3 cast after the events of the game. (Well, all the casts, but V3 is the most prominent in the post-game space, followed by SDR2.) Some interpretations focus on the survivors struggling with guilt, forced to carry the weight of everything that happened. Others bring back the dead students in different ways—some with injuries reflecting how they died, some as puppets controlled by Team Danganronpa for publicity, and some just living happily together in a one-bedroom apartment.

Some fics depict V3 as the final game, while others frame it as just the beginning of something even bigger. Some characters signed up willingly; others had no idea what they were getting into. Post-game AUs are completely open to interpretation, with no right or wrong answer. Sure, you could say the same for Hope’s Peak, non-despair AUs, or even pre-game stories, but there’s something about post-game that just hits different. Maybe it’s the characters. Maybe it’s the themes. Maybe it’s the perfect balance of angst and healing. I can’t fully explain it—but it works.

Post-game AUs are more than just a way to keep the story going—they’re a way to explore what happens after the cameras stop rolling, after the killing game ends, after the characters are left to pick up the pieces. They allow for healing, for growth, for alternate interpretations that make us rethink everything we thought we knew. And maybe that’s why they hit so hard.

No matter how many versions exist, no matter how different the interpretations may be, post-game AUs will always be special to me. They take everything I love about these characters—their struggles, their resilience, their ability to change—and push it one step further. They remind me why I fell in love with Danganronpa in the first place, and why I keep coming back.

I love post-game aus so much and I can’t wait to see what other incredible stories and art will come from this space, because if there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s that post-game AUs aren’t going anywhere.

Talents: The Ultimate Blessing or Curse? A Speculation on the Ethical, Societal, and Moral Issues of Ultimates

Being an ultimate is a blessing untill it isn't.

Do you think people who aren't Ultimates would hate Maki because she hates her talent like yeah she was forced into it at a young age and doesn't like taking people's lives but would people sympathize with her I'm sure some would but others just because she's in a prestigious academy in a place where talents are supposed to be hailed and practiced would see her as 'ungrateful.'

Then if people found put how many people Ryoma and Kiyo killed would it ruin hopes Peak reputation or are they desensitized to having murders be Ultimates.

I also feel like it would be awkward for Shuichi and Kyoko both being detectives it would be like: "we're looking for these people." "yeah... those are my classmates." It's definitely a moral dilemma because they know for most of their friends/ classmates at least that they were forced into it or there was more context behind it but to everyone else it just seems like they're protecting 'dangerous criminals.'

On that same note are people concerned about the ultimate assassin and yakuza honing their skills and being released into the world.

I'm sure someone is praying on hopes peaks downfall pointing out every weird questionable or controversial thing an ultimate does just to be like: "see they don't deserve to be there."

I bet people are complaining all the time about which Ultimates get accepted. "Cosplayer come on man are we even trying anymore."

That line between adoration and resentment has to be so so thin.

At the end of the day being an ultimate is a double edged sword fame and fortune for the rest of your life but still held to the same regard as celebrities in which there will always be people who hate you and scrutinize you for everything you do.

If Rantarou survived first chap+

The existential crisis that is waking up in a body that isn't your own in a life that isn't your own but it really is yours and your perception of fiction and reality has been warped so much you still believe you're the person you were written to be in the simulation even though you know that person is fake because it's the only sense of identity you have left.

It's like having two people trapped in your body the person you were in the simulation and the person you used to be.

honestly, i really hope tsumugi lied A Lot at the end of V3 because if she is even telling 90% of the truth, the survivors are exiting the game into an existential nightmare

I don't get the 'if Tenko was a man everyone would hate him because he would hate women' argument.

To preface I am a Tenko fan but even if I wasn't I still wouldn't get it, because you would only come to that conclusion if you changed Tenko’s entire backstory and I don't understand why you would because it's not really gendered.

Tenko’s master could have taught a boy that he shouldn't hurt women because that's bad and only what 'degenerates' do without the specific extra warnings about men that a woman may get because they are more susceptible to being assaulted by a man, then could still take Tenko out into the streets to protect woman, and beat up predators.

Tenko would then act pretty much the exact same as in the game, protecting women and hating men who hurt women, he might just be a little less overbearing on his hatred towards men (unless his master still told him about how bad and horrible men are without making a separation between bad men and good men and he grew up with some self hatred.) It might be a bit unnerving for a guy to be like "men are always trying to prey on vulnerable women" but he wouldn't be a misogynist.

And I don't think Tenko would be an alpha male or nice guy stereotype because there would be nothing to influence that. People aren't born with ideals or beliefs and there is nothing in Tenko's backstory that would have caused that.

Do people think that just because Tenko dislikes men as a women she'll dislike women as a man?

Tenko's animosity wouldn't change based on gender it would just transfer over.

I know Tenko's master had an anti romance stance, and might tell him that interactions with women would weaken his neo aikido energy so that he wouldn't date them, but then on the other hand if there's so many sexual predators out that they can just go out and find them multiple nights he would have to teach Tenko something about bad men and how some women get taken advantage of especially since Tenko in this situation is a man himself. Then he would still want to give Tenko a moral compass so they would still go out and protect woman.

Tenko's reason for hating men is mostly experiences anyway, the master's words are just the straw that broke the camels back.

There would be a lot of mixed messages, and the two would probably just cancel each other out and make Tenko more awkward around women. For example Tenko would protect Kaede or someone and then she would give him a hug and he would be like "no Kaede you can't do that you're going to make Tenko weaken his neo aikido energy."

Then Tenko would be afraid of having romantic or sexual thoughts about woman because A he doesn't want to fall back on his training and B he doesn't want to turn into the men he fought on the streets.

But that's just my characterization.

The gag is like Tenko as a man spews traditional gender norm like oh woman should be in the kitchen make me a sandwich but she doesn't say men are the earners of the household you shouldn't cry because you're a man etc so that doesn't make any sense.

Also male Tenko is basically just Kaito and plenty of people love him.

Second also if Tenko was a man he would transition to be a woman.

Someone please explain it to me because I don't get it.

The Ethics of Murder in Danganronpa: A Breakdown of the Killing Game's Morality

Ethicality is the adherence to moral principles in decision-making and actions, evaluating whether something is right or wrong.

However, ethics in the form of Danganronpa is where the lines start to blur. It's not as simple as right and wrong. When your life is on the line, you can justify killing someone as self-defense, right? But it's not that simple once you add in the psychological and emotional factors—the stakes change.

What's the value of a life, especially one that's a stranger? What happens when that stranger becomes someone you actually care about? The price of their life may change, and suddenly, it's a whole new ballgame. So the questions become: how much would it take for you to kill someone, and is murder ever justified?

That’s what Danganronpa forces us to confront death isn’t just a consequence it’s the game and with every death comes new motives emotions and decisions behind it.

Some characters may seem like their killing to survive others do it for greed and their own personal gain and then you have the people who act out of pure fear and panic.

The physiological pressure the manipulation the backstabbing these aren’t just trivial things and there’s a thing in here somewhere about how being in a killing game environment isolated from the rest of the world with a bunch a strangers who can kill you at anytime would change you as a person effect your morals and such (but this sadly isn’t about that and maybe I’ll touch on that later, ) this is about how the killing game makes us and the characters question whether murder is even okay? Where do we draw the line? and why do we forgive some and ostracize others?

Of course, your first thought would be absolutely not murder is not okay, never under any circumstance. But then the other thoughts start to roll in, you think about your family you think about your life outside the game you think about the value of your own life then you start making friends with with the strangers that you’re trapped with, and you start to think about the value of their life then it becomes a twisted mess and the answer isn’t just a simple no anymore it becomes a no except… a maybe a yes only… your perception becomes skewed as other factors are weighed in.

Should we feel sorry for the murders or should we see them as monsters and what’s the cuff off point where do draw the line for sympathetic killer and heartless murderers

So, with all that in mind, how do we even begin to break down the ethics of murder in Danganronpa? It’s not a simple black-and-white answer. But here’s a framework to think about it:

Murder in Danganronpa: Breaking It Down with MBBCO Motive Brutality Bias Context and Obligation

*For specifically Dr based on the blackened trials and reactions of other students probably not good for use in real world situations*

M. Motive

Why did they do it? The motive is essential because it gives us a reason behind the action. Is it for the sake of others, like Kaede killing to end the killing game, or for personal gain, like Celestia? Some motives may seem more honorable, but it all comes down to perspective. Did they kill out of desperation, or was it a calculated act for personal gain? Understanding the motive helps weigh the ethicality of the act.

B. Brutality

How did it go down? Was the murder violent and grotesque, or was it quick, swift, and painless? Brutality plays a significant role in how we perceive the act. Junko's actions were very gruesome and treated like a spectacle, while Kiyo killing Angie was painless, not very gruesome, and simple. Even though both had reasons, how the murder went down makes a huge difference. Was it cold or heartless, or were there moments of hesitation? Brutality not only shapes the act but also the way we see the killer.

B. Bias

Who is the victim, and who is the killer? Bias can cloud judgment, and while it shouldn't determine ethics, sometimes it still can. Take Kaito vs Kokichi, for example. The majority of the cast is quick to defend and stand by Kaito but ostracize Kokichi. This extends to everything, including murder. These biases sometimes get in the way, skewing the perception of ethicality.

C. Context

Context: What was the situation? This is vital because the surrounding circumstances heavily influence the actions. If a character kills in self-defense, it changes things compared to a murder driven by power. Take Mondo as an example: Mondo killed Chihiro not just because of personal animosity but because of Mondo's fragile sense of pride and guilt. In his case, the context wasn't just survival or revenge; it was deeply tied to his own internal battle of self-worth. Context can either justify or complicate the ethical decision to kill.

O. Obligation

Obligation: Was it a choice? In a killing game, the definition of choice can be murky. Was the character forced into a situation where they had to kill for survival, or was it something they actively chose for personal reasons? In some cases, like Hifumi's, it's clear he was manipulated, while many other characters acted on their own volition. The sense of obligation varies depending on the killer's mindset and circumstances.

Murder is always murder, regardless. But this doesn't mean we should ignore the complexities that determine the ethics and morals of each murder in the killing games. It's not always clear-cut, but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Some characters make decisions we might understand, even if we don’t agree with them. Others make choices that are downright horrifying, and no amount of explanation can justify that. But that’s the beauty (and horror) of Danganronpa: it forces us to question the morality of our actions, and whether any of us would really be able to survive in such a twisted situation without crossing a line.

Why I Love Tenkaemaki

Hello I’m back from the dead I’ve been busy but I’m back with more Dr rants.

And I promise after this it will go back to the normal rants unless you guys like this form of content.

I fucking love Tenkaemaki that’s it that’s the whole post.

They’ve been my ot3 for a while after I stopped really hardcore shipping Tenmiko and Tenmaki became my otp and ughhhh! they’re just so ahhhhhh!

Like of course I can say that they’re cute and Maki has two loving girlfriends that will treat her like the princess she is and Kaede gets two strong girlfriends to simp over and Tenko gets two girlfriends she can protect from degenerate males even though they don’t really need her to but…

It’s also Maki having two overly affectionate girlfriends and being like affectionate ugh what is this give me more it’s Kaede not having to carry a burden by herself it Tenko caring and being cared for in return and finding true strength in leaning on others and not putting herself in danger time and time again because even though it’s a nice gesture to put yourself on the line to protect someone she has people who love her waiting for her at home.

It’s all of them not asking for help and caring for others without caring for themselves and having acts of service as a love language.

It’s Kaede sitting up all night pacing around her room waiting for her girlfriends to come back from their very dangerous jobs/ talents ready with tea and cuddles and comforting words. It’s Tenko and Maki forcing Kaede to take a break because she’s been wearing her self thin focusing on the class’s well being.

It’s all of them definitely pondering committing crimes for each other.

It’s them not having to say I love you they know in every touch every action every gesture.

It’s Maki’s bluntness and Kaede’s gentle Tenko’s hyperactive.

It’s Tenko and Maki both being so disconnected from their childhood due to their upbringing and Kaede giving them those gentle nice things they never got just so they know they deserve it and that they’re allowed to have nice things.

It’s Maki and Kaede stopping Tenko from being to hard on herself and over working herself it’s them correcting her how ever many times that it takes after she claims she’s not pretty enough not talented enough not good enough.

It’s Maki still not being used to affection after being tackle hugged for years but comfortable enough that she lets herself be hugged without retaliation and even reciprocates or initiates the affection.

It’s Kaede kissing Tenko and Maki’s scars.

It’s the group wondering how emotionally closed off cold and blunt Maki got two girlfriends.

It’s the fact they can make each other better and help each other grow in the best ways.

It’s the fact that they’re all independent and strong but have this mutual protection where no one is truly the “weak” one, but they all fall into that role for each other at times.

It’s rotating cycle of tough love and tenderness where each one of them refuses to rest until the other two do first.

It’s the “I’m hurt but you’re hurting more so I’m going to take care of you first but I know when you’re better you’re going to be pissed.”

Each of them keeps thinking they’re the burden, while the other two are the ones who truly deserve love and rest. So it turns into this heartbreaking relay race of:

“You’re always protecting us. Let us protect you.”

“You always listen. Let us listen to you.”

“You always take care of things. Let us take care of you.”

TenKaeMaki is amazing they’re so good and I just want the best for all my girls dammit all three of them deserve the world.

More Than a Label: Rethinking V3's 'Dumb' Characters

It's weird how the characters that we and the game constantly call stupid are actually some of the smartest.

Well, a lot of characters fit this bill, but seeing as I am a DR rant blog, I'm talking specifically about Tenko Chabashira, Kaito Momota, and Gonta Gokuhara.

Now these characters are now referred to as dumb by the game and particularly the fandom for pretty similar reasons.

Gonta because of his speech pattern particularly is portrayed as Tarzan's speech, and his understanding of normal things we find simple like technology and most famously in chapter 4 where he was manipulated by Kokichi, but the localization, NIS America did change his character a lot they changed his backstory and how the whole killing game buster thing happened in chapter 4.

Which is funny because all three of the characters I'm talking about in this rant were changed pretty heavily by NIS America.

In the Japanese characterization, Gonta's backstory is more ambiguous, being raised by a forest family and developing an extensive knowledge of insect species, his speech pattern is more polite and formal, and the third-person way of speech is culturally associated with child-like innocence and a cute endearing or 'quirky' personality-not dumb.

And in chapter 4 he had more of an idea what was going on in Kokichi's plan from the beginning and acted upon his own decisions rather than just being a blindly lead victim till the end.

But in general, Gonta has a deep knowledge of insects and astrology (for this analysis we are ignoring the ending) and good observational skills that are helpful in class trials like how he noticed that he must be far away from home because the constellations looked different in chapter two and his knowledge about the state of the floorboards and the way the seesaw trick was carried out in chapter three which span both the Japanese and English translations.

Kaito is portrayed as being dumb due to his struggles in trials and his refusal to acknowledge certain truths because they go against his ideals.

But Kaito's intelligence while being shown in some ways on paper by passing the astronaut entrance exams excels in more ways than academically he has emotional intelligence and leadership shown by how he interacts with everyone particularly him supporting Shuichi and pushing him to grow his confidence and seeing past Maki cold exterior and helping her open up emotionally and also in chapter 5 acting out Kokichi's plan which shows strategy and trust.

He also possesses a good amount of street smarts that people overlook.

Tenko is often seen as dumb because of her loud over emotional nature and mannerisms. Some people also don't take her seriously because of her 'man-hating' and her relationship with Himiko.

Tenko also has the same problem as Gonta with localization. In the original Japanese her speech patterns are more elegant and refined, and her male hating is turned back exponentially.

Tenko is however extremely emotionally intelligent her flipping ability which allows her to read people's emotions contributes to this as well as her encouraging Shuichi to build his confidence and Himiko to express her emotions more.

It spans beyond this however in chapter 3 Tenko infiltrates Angie's cult to protect Himiko and avoids brainwashing as well as making it her mission to help Himiko grow from her emotional suppression.

Finally, Tenko allows herself to be the medium for Angie (whom she had a rivarly with) in the seance for Himiko showing her deep empathy self-awareness and willingness to prioritize someone else's emotional healing over her own safety. Is a clear demonstration of her emotional intelligence and wisdom.

In conclusion, whether a character is intelligent or not really depends on how the piece of media portrays the character and how the viewers define intelligence.

I think school systems have definitely skewed our perceptions of intelligence making us think intelligence is just test scores and book smarts rather than street smarts and emotional intelligence.

Gonta Kaito and Tenko- while not in the same as Shuichi or Kokichi- are smart. And I don't think our skewed perception and bad localization should determine how we view them.

Some characters are written to be dumb, and that's fine but Gonta Kaito and Tenko? They aren't.

They're loud, naive, and emotional but they aren't complete idiots.

And I hope this rant helped you realize that.

The double standard: Why Kaito’s flaws are forgiven and Tenko’s aren't

Sexism in DRV3 is crazy-like which loud, hot headed, oddly dressed, self sacrificical, hero complex having supportive character do you like more? But ones a girl.

It's not about disliking any of them honestly-I used to hate Kaito for no reason-if you asked me I wouldn't be able to give you a straight answer.

Now I appreciate his character and actually like him and he is my second or third favorite male character (the spot for second place fluctuates with Kokichi.)

That said its worth recognizing the double standards, you can ignore and forgive every questionable thing Kaito says but don't start hating on Tenko for her male hating when it isn't even that bad.

You don’t have to love Tenko just like you don't have to love Kaito. But it's worth asking: "are we holding the girls to a different standard than the boys?"

If Kaito’s flaws don't ruin his character for you the same ones that Tenko has shouldn’t ruin her character either.

It's okay to have preferences but at least be honest with why you hold them. Saying "hey I'm biased I just like Kaito more than Tenko" or "I don't like Tenko for this super specific reason" is totally valid. But sometimes the reasons people hate Tenko don't hold up when you compare her to Kaito, and that's worth thinking about.

No hate if you like either and not the other- this is specifically for the people who say "I don't like Tenko for her personality and sexism" but then defend Kaito from any criticism about his personality or sexism/ toxic masculinity. I think it's worth questioning whether the issues might be more about how we treat certain flaws than the characters themselves.

(No sound)

Sakura shows a little parlor trick, based on that one DRS interaction.

Happy I finished some animation already, trying to really keep to it :]