Why Danganronpa Fans Shouldn't Miss Out on The Hundred Line

The Danganronpa franchise turns the usual high school trope on its head with murderous games and Class Trials that pit students against each other. Behind these challenges is primarily the evil robot bear named Monokuma, along with the other mechanical plushies working to push the Killing Games along in every title. Creator Kazutaka Kodaka has made his mark with Danganronpa's thrilling saga, and he's done it again with The Hundred Line - Last Defense Academy.

Kodaka and Kotaro Uchikoshi, who's known for his work on the Zero Escape series, joined forces for the first time to bring The Hundred Line - Last Defense Academy to life. The adventure game revolves around 15 students, including protagonist Takumi Sumino, who have to defend a school in the middle of nowhere from grotesque monsters for 100 days. Likewise, a strange creature named Sirei gives Takumi the power to protect those important to him, but also face the consequences of his actions, which could affect their mission. The Hundred Line takes strategic turn-based combat to the next level, with a gripping storyline that Danganronpa fans will resonate with.

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By Jack Peachey

The Hundred Line - Last Defense Academy is a Great Danganronpa Successor

One of the most distinct qualities of Danganronpa games is its art style, which Kodaka brought to The Hundred Line - Last Defense Academy to bring its characters to life. Each of the students has their own unique personalities and quirks, adding depth to the already colorful world. The protagonist, Takumi, is described as an average guy who's determined to fight and protect the people close to him. He's similar to Danganronpa's main characters, who are usually set up as underdogs with a strong sense of justice. He is supported by a cast of interesting characters with interesting backgrounds, offering their skills to fend off the monsters.

The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy Students

Last Defense Academy: Takemaru Yakushiji, Hiruko Yakushiji, Darumi Amemiya, Eito Aotsuki, Tsubasa Kawana, Gaku Maruko, Ima Tsukumo, Kako Tsukumo, and Shouma Ginzaki
Second-to-Last Defense Academy: Nozomi Kirifuji, Kurara Oosuzuki, Kyoshika Magadori, Yugamu Omokage, and Moko Mojiro

The Hundred Line's story also shares the same plot of high school students being trapped in a school and forced to join a murderous game led by an evil mascot named Sirei to get out. Only this time, they're up against deadly robots and monsters, collectively known as School Invaders, and their goal is to survive together and not murder each other to achieve freedom. Sirei is the robot principal and commanding officer of the Last Defense Academy, so he is essentially the equivalent of Danganronpa's Monokuma in the game.

An added layer to The Hundred Line's story is the fact that every player can get a different experience depending on the choices that Takumi makes in the story. Unlike Danganronpa's multiple endings, which involve watching "despair-filled" executions, Kodaka made sure that players won't have to sit through a lot of endings in Hundred Line in order to understand the entire story. However, they are available to uncover if they're looking for extra lore. These elements definitely give the game high replay value because players may want to find every possible ending.

In every sense, The Hundred Line could pass off as a new Danganronpa installment, with gameplay mechanics similar to Fire Emblem as well. After all, Danganronpa has already explored other gameplay forms in its spin-off games, like the third-person RPG Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls. But The Hundred Line stands on its own as a worthy successor to the successful franchise, bringing with it the same disturbing charm of being trapped inside an academy, while surviving in a dystopian world with a mascot ordering them around.