Why did the Remnants of Despair do that?

Spoilers for Danganronpa 3 (obviously)

I've made it very clear that I really like Danganronpa 3 and that I think a lot of the criticisms are unfair or misguided. One common criticism however stuck with me for the longest time. In Hope Arc, after Hajime and his friends helped put an end to the Future Foundation killing game, they proceeded to seemingly "cover it up." On the surface, this seems strange. The series constantly criticized Hope's Peak for covering up incidents, so why is this any different? After some time thinking, I think I managed to put together why.

At first, the video starts with the Remnants of Despair seemingly taking credit for the Future Foundation killing game. While technically, yes, Kazuo Tengan was a Remnant of Despair, he was completely disconnected from the rest of the people in the video and had no affiliation with them. However, it's the next part where this gets interesting.

Now despite what you might think, there is a LOT to dissect in these four lines.

"If the world were to be saved and reach a happy ending... Doesn't that strike you as boring?"

Obviously to anybody who has watched Hope Arc, this line is kinda ironic considering it generally has a pretty happy and sweet ending. However, what's important to note is that to the general public, there wasn't a happy ending. A majority of Future Foundation's leaders were just wiped out and the Remnants of Despair are still presumably on the run. So why would Hajime say this? Well I feel like the next bit of text should fill you in. "That is why we will once again dye the world in despair. The world needs despair." This line is REALLY interesting to me as it directly ties into one of the major themes in Danganronpa 3. Throughout Future Arc, Kyosuke believes that the only way to achieve true hope is to eliminate all despair. However, Makoto (and Tengan) believe that despair needs to exist alongside hope in order for hope to be meaningful, otherwise it's meaningless. True hope isn't blind happiness, it's keeping a positive mindset while overcoming despair. This sheds a completely different light on what Hajime is saying. He isn't just taking the fall so Makoto and his friends can move on without trouble, he and his friends are taking on the burden of despair as a way of atoning for their actions as remnants. This way, everyone can unite against them. They're making a sacrifice so that way hope can continue to manifest and have meaning.

This is shown again later in Makoto's final conversation with Kyosuke. When asked if he is able to carry the burden of hope, he mentions that the others are carrying the burden of despair. Now things are starting to make sense. Hajime and his friends decide to hold onto the burden of being despairs as a way to atone for their crimes and give the world something to unite against, choosing to sacrifice their image in order to help make the world better. The difference with Class 77's sacrifice here and Hope's Peak behavior is that Hope's Peak covered up incidents that were their fault so they could protect their image. Their motivations were entirely selfish and only to benefit themselves. Meanwhile, Hajime and his friends sacrificed their own reputation in order to help give the world hope in a strange, roundabout way along with taking accountability for their own sins. They aren't pretending to be innocent, they're acknowledging their own guilt and using it to benefit the world.

I also think that Makoto and his friend's reaction to the video is pretty interesting. They don't seem very excited, but more confused and shocked. It's almost like they're still trying to why they did this in the first place.

After a moment, they move on from that subject entirely. Byakuya tells Makoto that he did well and his hope helped in the end despite his refusal.

Despite that, despair unfortunately did take a toll on them. Even still, it can't be denied that hope did win in the end because of despair, further showing that the two need to coexist. Things may look bad now, but just like, always they'll get better. Makoto and Byakuya both realized what the point of the video was. In a way, the video was more like them taking accountability for everything they've done as opposed to just the covering Future Foundation killing game.

The former remnants finally head off to Jabberwock Island to continue their atonement, making one last sacrifice and carrying the burden of despair. I hope what I wrote can help you see Class 77's actions in Hope Arc in a new light. Like I said, a lot of people have criticized them, but in my opinion I think it's a very fitting and satisfying way to end their arc. (Now's the part where I make a "Goodbye Despair" joke.)

Hi! I'm Pengu, this is just a new pinned post for my Tumblr account, nothing special.

I do a lot of writing and analysis stuff, primarily on Twitter (go follow me), but I figured it would be a good idea to start posting my longer analysis threads here since Tumblr doesn't have a character limit and is more built for this stuff (as seen with my epic Danganronpa brainwashing post). So expect a lot of really long Danganronpa and Ace Attorney posts.

(this is what i look like 100% trust)

Ema's quote is good but Apollo's response is even better

About Brainwashing in Danganronpa

Hello to all 3 of the people who see this account. A few months ago, I made a thread on hit website Twitter dot com about brainwashing in the Danganronpa Series. I discussed where it came from, how it works, and how the brainwashing of class 77-B was never a retcon. The thread got a lot of attention there, even getting a "debunk" on other hit website Reddit dot com (lmao). Due to that, there's been a lot of responses and questions. Since I can't really update a Twitter thread, I decided that I'd make the Ultimate™ Brainwashing thread and hopefully dispel any information on the subject while making my original points more clear and covering things I failed to cover. So here it is: Brainwashing in Danganronpa, how it works, where it came from, and how it was intended from the start. (a 🧵 except not really) *Massive spoilers for Danganronpa Zero, Danganronpa 2, Danganronpa Another Episode, Danganronpa Togami, and Danganronpa 3, as well as the series as a whole*

Danganronpa Zero: First Sighting

Brainwashing has its roots all the way back in the second official entry produced in the series, Danganronpa Zero. During the story's events, Ryoko comes across a secret cult made up of students from the reserve course. They're seen staring at a strange video, seemingly turning them and turn them into mindless zombies.

The video depicts members of the student council killing each other. Ryoko is stunned while watching it. She can barely look away, but eventually through force of will she does. This same video is later used to convince the reserve course to rebel.

The way it's described to work is that it uses their “pent-up emotions,” implying that their emotions played a role in its effectiveness. It's also worth noting that the novel itself refers to what is happening as brainwashing, making this objectively the first depiction of brainwashing in the series right from the second entry.

Danganronpa 2: Now it Gets Dubious

Our next instance of brainwashing comes from Danganronpa 2. The concept is brought up multiple times, such as when Makoto states that the Ultimate Despairs were brainwashed or how the Neo World Program is good at treating brainwashing, though the details of what brainwashing actually means in this context are kept vague.

It's also worth noting that Danganronpa 2 was being written around the same time as Danganronpa Zero and Kodaka wanted concepts from the novel to appear in Danganronpa 2, likely so readers would feel validated. This is why things like Izuru Kamukura and the reserve course play huge roles in Danganronpa 2, it's not too much of a stretch to say that the same applies with brainwashing. One detail we’re given about the brainwashing is from Monokuma, who states the Ultimate Despairs were brainwashed by Junko taking advantage of their feelings. Specifically love, hate, grudges, and "anything really". If that sounds familiar, it’s because that’s exactly how the brainwashing video from Danganronpa Zero was described to function, using their pent-up emotions.

I should mention that Monokuma and Junko are known for being unreliable narrators who often stretch the truth, exaggerate things, and use hyperbole to manipulate people into believing their narrative. Monokuma describes the Ultimate Despairs as “nothing more than Junko’s limbs”, which contradicts the existence of characters like Nagito. Who, while in his despair state, did not work with Junko nor did he look up to her (at least in the normal sense like the other Ultimate Despairs). In fact, it would have been impossible for them to really obey any of Junko's orders as Ultimate Despairs because Junko was trapped inside of Hope's Peak with minimal connection to the outside world. This isn't a definitive "Monokuma is lying" statement, but just note that his word isn't 100% reliable. Meanwhile, someone like Makoto who outright mentions brainwashing, is a much more reliable source.

Danganronpa Another Episode: More Brainwashing! (kinda irrelevant tho...)

The next time brainwashing is used is in the next entry, Danganronpa Another Episode. Though its purpose in this discussion isn’t the most useful, as the brainwashing is caused by Monokuma helmets, which don’t have their functionality explained. I figured it was worth mentioning and describing at least, as its another example of brainwashing at least.

I did figure it was worth adding how the brainwashed children act. They obey the Warriors of Hope’s every command, as if they have zero control over their actions. This is different from how the Ultimate Despairs act, who still some free had free will after presumably being brainwashed judging by the actions of Nagito, who is also in this game.

Danganronpa Togami: I Hate My Life

Okay. As mixed as my opinions are on this novel trilogy, it does feature brainwashing. In fact, it might feature one of the most detailed and important descriptions of brainwashing in the series, and even outright CONFIRMS that class 77-B were brainwashed (sorta).

"Hey um... Tumblr/Twitter user Pengu... what do you mean by 'sorta'?" Well my uninformed reader who I guarantee has probably never read this book, there's a twist. I regret to inform you that the canonicity of Danganronpa Togami is rather questionable, as it depicts an extremely unreliable narrator’s warped viewing of events due to this thing called the K2K system, which means not everything in the novel is meant to be taken literally or at face value.

This doesn't mean that everything should be discarded or immediately dismissed however. This just means that we have to use our brains a little and decipher what the hell Yuya Sato was cooking when he wrote this novel trilogy. In the novel, we discover the existence of the elusive despair novel. When read, the novel will turn the reader to despair and inflict them with the despair disease. This novel is what's used to plummet the world into despair, as well as being what caused the class 77-B to become the Ultimate Despairs. There's no known ways to avoid it, once you read it, it's joever. 😔

As I said earlier, the events of Danganronpa Togami can’t be taken literally. Due to this and prior context, we can safely assume that the despair novel is most likely the K2K's warped idea of the despair video from Danganronpa Zero. Instead of being a book being read that brainwashed people, it was a video being watched. What makes me so sure? Well let's look over the similarities. The way the despair novel works is that it uses cruel words to overload the reader with negative emotions, causing them to snap and turn to despair. That sounds almost exactly like the despair video, overloading the viewer by manipulating their emotions until they turn to despair. This connection's a little bit of a stretch but I'll bring it up anyways. The technology used in the despair novels was originally to bring hope. (Take notes, it will probably be important assuming you buy this connection.)

Essentially, the despair novel works the exact same way as the despair video, but instead it’s a book and you read it instead of watching it. This means that class 77-B and the rest of the world were most likely brainwashed via the despair video, and that is what caused the class to become Ultimate Despairs.

Danganronpa 3: The One People Really Don't Like

And all of this brings us to the most detailed yet controversial usage of brainwashing: Danganronpa 3. Many assume that the anime’s usage of brainwashing is a retcon, contradicting the words of our holy savior Super Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair High School. However, I’d like to debate that. In fact, I'd like to finally put a nail in the coffin of this really stupid debate and finally show you that Danganronpa 3's depiction of brainwashing is exactly how it has always been described.

In Danganronpa 3, we are introduced to Ryota Mitarai and his anime. Using the power of subliminal messaging, it heightens the viewer's emotions and makes them more powerful. What was once a slightly emotional scene is now a complete tearjerker fully capable of tearing at the viewers heart strings! While he acknowledges that there are unethical things that can be done with this technology and it's technically brainwashing, his goal is to use this technology to make the world a better place, even if it can be dangerous. If that sounds familiar, that's because it's what Hope's Peak tried doing with the despair novel in Danganronpa Togami. Though I'll admit, this single point is a little bit of a stretch as there are differences. I just figured it was worth at least a mention.

Using her analytical prowess, Junko gets a rough understanding of how the technology works, so she develops the despair video, featuring the student council killing each other overlayed with subliminal messaging technology to make the despair felt while viewing the video stronger.

The video works on Mikan, however Junko fears that the video may not be powerful enough to fully go through with her plans due to not understanding the technology nearly as well as Ryota does. Because of this, she forces Ryota to create a better, more powerful despair video. A despair video v2 if you will. Junko’s fears weren’t unfounded, as we discover that Chisa had the mental fortitude to resist the despair video, similarly to how Ryoko was able to resist the same video in Danganronpa Zero. This is exactly why Junko needs a more powerful video, one that she knows can’t be resisted.

"Ermmmm, Tumblr/Twitter user Pengu, how come Ryoko and Chisa are able to resist the despair video but Mikan and nobody in the reserve course could?" Good question, the answer is pretty simple. As mentioned before, the video takes advantage of the emotions of the viewer. Mikan is already pretty weak minded, so there wasn't much issue in controlling her. The reserve course already hated Hope's Peak and would take any reason to hate them more, so a video that shows them the sins of Hope's Peak would affect them as well. Ryoko and Chisa have no connection to the reserve course however, and neither are particularly very weak emotionally. Ryoko has the analytical prowess of Junko and Chisa is just a very strong willed person in general, and paired with Junko's lack of knowledge about subliminal messaging when creating the video, it's pretty obvious it wouldn't be that effective on them. All the more reason for Junko to force Ryota to make a better despair video.

The despair video v2 that Ryota is forced to make comes in the form of Chiaki’s execution video, where the stronger subliminal messages paired with witnessing the representation of the happiest moments in their miserable lives and their closest friend suffer makes class 77-B unable to resist. Ultimately this causes them to finally snap, being overloaded with despair, and now they turn into the Ultimate Despairs. (side note this is so freaking cool idc what anyone else says)

This resembles Monokuma’s explanation from Danganronpa 2. Junko used class 77-B’s emotions and years of getting closer against them to turn them to them to despair. Now featuring the added context of her using the video designed to manipulate people’s emotions. This depiction of brainwashing fits perfectly with the information provided throughout the series, even down to the little details. It’s so close in fact that I can say without a doubt that Danganronpa 3 did not retcon anything. “But Tumblr/Twitter user Pengu, that isn’t how the video is shown to work during Hope Arc. Therefore it actually contradicts previous entries and is inconsistent!" To that I say, you’re correct! ...at least about the hope video functioning differently, but that doesn’t make it inconsistent. The hope video behaves pretty differently. Instead of overloading the viewer with negative feelings, it simply just shows them a repeating video loop that turns them into a mindless zombie, likely caused by even stronger subliminal messaging. The people affected can also snap out of this state with some time, as seen with Aoi.

The reasoning for this is actually pretty simple, it’s just different technology entirely. It’s stated that the hope video was developed later on after the despair video. If anything, it behaves very similar to the Monokuma masks from Danganronpa Another Episode, which we also already established uses different technology. The hope video doesn’t contradict the despair video at all because they both use completely different tech. This can also be seen with how the despair video uses subliminal messaging, meanwhile the messaging in the hope video couldn’t be further from subliminal. There is no inconsistency, just two different things.

The reason the hope video needed to be broadcasted everywhere was so that since it would be airing everywhere, nobody would have time for the effects to wear off or resist it. This would turn the world into mindless zombies who obey every command, similarly to the Monokuma kids. It's just that now they don't have to force bulky helmets onto everyone.

Debunking Common Arguments

With the hope video out of the way, I think it’s very safe to assume that not only is the despair video’s functionality very accurate to previous descriptions, it’s also always been the reason for the brainwashing of Class 77-B, long before Danganronpa 3. Even if you disagree and think the cause of brainwashing was never explicitly mentioned in Danganronpa 2, there's still the fact that Danganronpa 2 outright says it was brainwashing. So even if a video wasn't the direct cause of it, them being brainwashed was still always intended (though given the context, I'm certain that the video was always the culprit). Many point to this line where Kazuichi asks why they became the Ultimate Despairs and Makoto says he never got an answer to debunk this. But... this doesn't change anything. He asks why they became Ultimate Despairs, not how. And this is completely ignoring the fact that Makoto clearly has done his own digging into the situation, he discovered the Remnants of Despair were hiding among Future Foundation after all. The Future Foundation had access to brainwashing videos, they found them, so of course Makoto is going to know about the brainwashing. But that's not what he's asking about, he's asking about the why. That's what he doesn't know.

Many also point to Mikan stating that it was her many human relationships that led her to being the way she is. Once again, this changes literally nothing. Mikan was the only one of the remnants who actually knew Junko, she was the only one who spent time with her because she was the first subject. This is why she gets more attached to her, and even why she'd believe what Junko would tell her when they spent time together. Monokuma also says that Junko used "hopeless methods overflowing with charisma and humor" to control the masses. I don't even know why I have to address this, but this statement is so vague you can interpret it as a million things. Like for example, this is how she got Ryota to work for her. While pretending to be Makoto to manipulate the people in the trial, Junko tells them that they all became Ultimate Despairs while coming into contact with her at Hope's Peak and they were subjected by her terrifying influence. Again, ignoring how vague "terrifying influence" is, this is literally Junko trying to LIE AND MANIPULATE them. This is quite possibly the worst example you could have used because we know for a fact that she is lying to them while pretending to be Makoto. There's other examples of Junko trying to manipulate them, like mentioning how everyone hated them and their all Ultimate Despairs at the end of the day. But that's just what this is, manipulation. You would think that the "Junko manipulated class 77-B" crowd would understand that saying "everyone hates you but I saw your potential" is literally manipulation 101. Some say that the brainwashing turned them into mindless zombies and eliminates all blame from their actions. While I would agree that it does make them less at fault, they still have the ability to make choices and still have free will. Their original personalities haven't been overwritten, their brains were just rewired to crave despair. They're still each their individual person with their own ways of feeling despair, and characters like Chisa and Nagito show that they regain their free will to an extent.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

This whole debate stems from people misunderstanding Monokuma’s words and going along with the popular interpretation, which turned out to be wrong. Whether you like the use of brainwashing or not, it objectively isn’t a retcon as it's been developed ever since Danganronpa Zero. Personally, I love the use of brainwashing. I think the way it's developed throughout the series and its usage in Danganronpa 3 is super interesting. If you disagree, that's fine! Heck, if you choose to headcanon that Junko manipulated 15 individual teenagers into all becoming despair hungry terrorists capable but ending the world and fighting off every military in the world in less than a year, that's cool too! But the truth is, Danganronpa 3's brainwashing is canon and it's also not a retcon nor does it contradict anything. Contrary to popular belief, Kodaka was involved with the writing of the anime. He provided a large draft and outline of the plot and oversaw its development. He produced the anime, he did his homework, he knew what he was doing. I'm sure if Kodaka intended for them to all be manipulated one by one, that's what he would have went with. All information implying that it was manipulation is very few and far between and questionable at best, not to mention outweighed by everything implying it was brainwashing. Mind manipulation stuff is not new in this series, its been around since the first game and brainwashing was established in literally the second entry ever produced. Whether you love it or hate it, think it's the best thing since sliced bread or the death of the series, brainwashing was the answer the whole time. Some people just never noticed it, and instead of acknowledging that they were wrong, they stuck with a headcanon that they believed so much and jumped to the conclusion of "retcon". I hope this mega post managed to inform some people, maybe change some minds too. If you still don't buy it, then I guess there's nothing I can do. Thanks for reading all of this though, I tend to yap a lot about this franchise lmao.

Oh wow. I didn't know you had a tumblr lol

yeah i do but i barely use it lol

Danganronpa Canon Guide

I put together a guide to help people trying to get into Danganronpa and want to know what's canon or not

Canon = Main series or referenced in main series Implied Canon = Not main series or referenced in main series, but does not contradict canon Non-Canon = Alternate universes/timelines or media that contradicts canon

Canon:

Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc (Main Series)

Danganronpa Zero (Arguably main series, referenced in SDR2 and DR3)

Super Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair (Main Series)

Danganronpa Kirigiri (Referenced in DRAE)

Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls (Arguably main series, referenced in DR3)

Ultra Despair Hagakure (Referenced in DRAE)

Danganronpa 3: The End of Hope's Peak High School (Main Series)

Super Danganronpa 2.5: Nagito Komaeda vs. The World Destroyer (Connects to DR3)

Implied Canon:

Makoto Naegi Secret File

Danganronpa Gaiden: Killer Killer

Kirigiriso (Only Plant Girl True End route, all other routes are non-canon)

Non-Canon

Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc IF: The Button of Hope and the Tragic Warriors of Despair (Alternate version of DR)

Danganronpa 1・2 Beautiful Days (Alternate events of DR and SDR2)

Danganronpa Togami (Contradicts canon)

New Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony (Alternate universe)

Happy Danganronpa S: Ultimate Summer Camp (Contradicts canon)

felt like posting my phoenix wright family tree here because i haven't posted anything in a while and i thought it was interesting (spoilers obviously)

ace attorney pixel art….part 2 😏

exports you and turns your resolution waaaay down

There's something about the DS versions of the Ace Attorney games that the remasters can't replicate. The feeling of the pixelated, low resolution sprites with the DS/GBA music is one lost entirely with the remasters. Don't get me wrong, the remasters are objectively better, but I feel like that some of the charm was lost a bit. I would recommend the DS version but even I have to admit that the remaster is better due to its improved script and quality of life enhancements. Honestly, my only real complaint about the remaster is that the backgrounds are cropped and there's no option to use the original textbox style.

PWAA and TGAA Parallels

The Great Ace Attorney 1 and 2 are prequel to the Ace Attorney series that takes place in the late 19th century. However, the game mirrors and subverts the original games, specifically the original Phoenix Wright - Ace Attorney in many ways. This is especially clear with many of it's characters, so I thought I could go through many of the character parallels, no matter how big or small, and note my observations. Obviously I'll be going over spoilers for PWAA and TGAA 1&2, so please play those games if you haven't already, their available on basically any modern platform and I highly recommend them.

The most obvious obvious comparison I can make is that between Phoenix Wright and Ryunosuke Naruhodo. Right off the bat, their names are very similar. In Japan, Phoenix is named Ryuichi Naruhodo. Unfortunately this connection was kind of lost in translation, but it's still neat nonetheless. Both Phoenix and Ryunosuke suffer the loss of a good friend in the second episode of their respective games, which motivates them to continue their legacy. Eventually, both of them manage to bluff their way through the courts and reveal several long lost mysteries from the past. (I'll elaborate more on those later.) Phoenix and Ryunosuke have very different personalities, but their experiences are still quite similar. The next obvious similarity I want to mention is that between Winston Payne and his ancestor: Taketsuchi Auchi. Similarly to the Phoenix and Ryunosuke, their Japanese names are also very similar. Winston's name in Japan is Takefumi Auchi, so this connection was also kind of lost in translation. Fortunately, Winston and Taketsuchi are very easy to compare to eachother. They both look very similar and are the prosecutors of the first episode of their respective games. They're essentially the same character, even their personalities are similar. Not much else needs to be said these two, one look at each of them and you'll see exactly what i mean. The next comparison is a little more subtle, and that's Mia Fey and Kazuma Asogi. Both Mia and Kazuma are defense attorneys (at least towards the beginning). Both were good friends with and saw talent in the protagonist. Unfortunately, both of them are killed in the second episode. This is where the comparisons end, though. Mia was killed in cold blood by someone with no remorse, while Kazuma's "death" was kind of an accident. I put death in quotes because as we learn in TGAA2, Kazuma doesn't actually die and he reappears later in the game as the final prosecutor you face in court. After his "resurrection," Kazuma starts to take form as his own, unique character. The next similarity is that between that between Maya Fey and Susato Mikotoba. Both of them lost someone very close to them in episode 2 of their games. Maya lost her sister, Mia Fey, and Susato lost Kazuma, someone who was like a brother to her. This causes them end up working with the protagonist as their assistant before returning home, but eventually returning to continue assisting the protagonist. That's where the similarities end though. The next characters on our list are Miles Edgeworth and Barok van Zieks. Both act as the prosecutor throughout most of their game before being arrested for murder, leading to them relunctantly accepting the protagonist's offer to defend them. During most of their game, they hold a grudge against the protagonist, but eventually at the end they set their grudge aside and move on. While on trial, the truth about their past is revealed, and they must learn to come to terms with it. And that leads us to the last two characters I want to talk about, Damon Gant and Mael Stronghart. Both are similar in appearance and take a position of authority. However, using this authority they do horrible acts behind the scenes that that are uncovered in the final episode of their games. They act as the "final boss," and no matter how much they try to slip out of the accusations, they eventually can't hide from the truth. Both of them believed what they did was what had to be done and was ultimately for the sake of justice.

And with that, my little essay ends. I hope that wasn't too much to read. These were just the most obvious parallels, but I'm sure there are more. I would highly recommend playing these games if you haven't already. I hope you enjoyed reading this or maybe learned something new.

hello

hello

Hello

Hi, I'm Pengu and I'm new to Tumblr. I made this account because I need a place to dump all of my thoughts about Ace Attorney, Danganronpa, Sonic, or really any other series I'm interested in. I play a lot of games, watch anime, and in my free time I make bad games and pixel art. If you're interested in hearing my random ramblings then you should totally follow me because I'm cool and awesome.