The Nintendo Direct announcement and teaser trailer for Danganronpa 2x2 took a lot of fans by surprise. After the anniversary collection, most weren't expecting another rerelease. However, 2x2 is much more than just a remaster of Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair. According to the trailer, "one incident will trigger an entirely new scenario," offering a new story route with new killers, new victims, and new twists.
Needless to say, since the trailer's release, fans have gone wild with speculation about what this new storyline might entail. Will beloved characters be spared their tragic fates? Will unlikely killers reveal a vicious side? Danganronpa's biggest strength has always been its wacky, lovable, and surprisingly deep characters. Here are some of the best ways the new storyline could further flesh out these sixteen students.
.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=140&h=98&dpr=2)
Danganronpa: 7 Things You Didn't Know About Junko Enoshima
The main antagonist of most of the Danganronpa series, Junko Enoshima is a complex character. Here's what you might not know about her.
There's No Despair Disease
A Lackluster Motive
Of the motives in Danganronpa 2, the Despair Disease has always left fans a little disappointed. Although it does play into the mystery of the class's missing memories, Mikan's drastic personality change cheapens both her character and the deaths that occur during this chapter. The case is more confusing than anything else, and doesn't do much to explore the characters' personalities or the dynamics between them.
Since 2x2 will have completely different murder cases, it's possible that all of Monokuma's motives will be different. There may very well be no Funhouse or Twilight Syndrome Murder Case either. But of all the motives in the original story, the Despair Disease is the one I'm most eager to see replaced with something more grounded. The best murder cases in Danganronpa are the ones driven by fear, revenge, anger, or desperation. Mikan's hidden depths aren't fully explored, and eliminating the Despair Disease from her arc could change that.
Fuyuhiko Never Has His Turning Point
A Character Arc Gets Cut Short
Fuyuhiko Kuzuryu, the Ultimate Yakuza, had one of the best character arcs in the original Danganronpa 2 story. Mahiru's murder, learning of his sister's death, and losing Peko all lead him to break his "tough guy" facade, and he becomes a fierce, loyal friend. But had things turned out differently in Case 2, this might not have happened. 2x2 should explore other possibilities for this multifaceted character.
One possible route, and the one that I think has the most potential, is for Fuyuhiko to become a murder victim. Making him a killer seems almost too obvious, with his yakuza background and the way he acts for the first few hours of the game. On the other hand, it's easy to see how someone else might get fed up with his attitude, driving them to take drastic measures. Fuyuhiko might wind up pushing someone over the edge, and end up getting murdered before his character's arc kicks off.
This would also open up interesting possibilities for Peko, in examining how Fuyuhiko's death affects her. Would their connection be revealed during the class trial? What kind of character arc would these events set up for Peko? Her whole identity has surrounded her role in serving Fuyuhiko — I'd be curious to see how she reacts when that's taken away from her.
Mahiru Commits Murder
A Defender To The Death
Mahiru Koizumi, the Ultimate Photographer, immediately establishes herself as a force of personality. From the start, she's the one who steps in to shut down arguments, help solve problems, and try to keep the group from splintering. She's fiercely protective, especially of the girls in the group, calling out Teruteru's inappropriate comments and Fuyuhiko's threats. And it's that quality that has the potential to set her up as a killer in the game's alternate storyline.
One thing we haven't seen in a Danganronpa case is a murder committed to protect someone else. Mahiru is the perfect candidate for this. Considering the bond she and Hiyoko form, Hiyoko would be the most compelling character for Mahiru to kill for. The ensuing trial would also be a fascinating one. Would Mahiru confess, or try to defend herself? Would Hiyoko try to take the fall in hopes that Mahiru might survive? This could create a new take on the dynamics of the game's second case — especially if Mahiru's victim is Fuyuhiko.
Hiyoko Makes A Change
A Full Character Arc
Right from the beginning, the Ultimate Traditional Dancer is selfish and mean-spirited, bullying Mikan and anyone else she can along the way. Yet, after Mahiru's death in the original story, we see Hiyoko trying to become a better person. She bites her tongue and swallows her insults, even trying to find it within herself to forgive Fuyuhiko, who is also trying to change for the better after losing Peko. However, Hiyoko never gets to see this change through, becoming a victim in Case 3.
Mahiru's kindness had an impact on Hiyoko. If Mahiru did something drastic, like killing to protect Hiyoko, that impact could be much more profound. In her Free Time Events, it's implied that Hiyoko's childhood was one of harsh expectations, and that she doesn't show much kindness because she hasn't received much. It would be interesting to see Hiyoko have a real turning point and become a more three-dimensional, sympathetic character — though she should still maintain a sassy streak.
Chiaki Is Murdered
A Different Path To Revealing Her Identity
Chiaki may be an AI, but that doesn't necessarily mean she can't be murdered within the Neo World Program. In fact, if Chiaki were to be killed, that could create a variety of fascinating scenarios that lead to her being exposed as a traitor for the Future Foundation, and maybe even her true nature as a computer program.
Many fans have pointed out that Chiaki's execution does not show her body, nor does it involve any blood. If Chiaki is murdered, the mystery could revolve around inconsistencies or strange details about her corpse or the crime scene. Perhaps there's no blood splatter despite her having been stabbed or struck. Maybe her death leads to glitches in the system or other irregularities.
Which Danganronpa Character Are You, Based On Your Zodiac?
Danganronpa has quite a colorful cast of characters, and there is someone to fit every Zodiac sign.
Alternatively, Chiaki's killer could learn that she is an AI and target her because of it. Perhaps they manage to corrupt her code somehow, leading to a "death" with no obvious cause. Solving such a case would require a lot of creative thinking, and would lead to a lot of questions about the true nature of Jabberwock Island. No matter how it happens, this should be the last murder case in the game if it does occur, leading whoever is left alive to the cusp of solving the greater mystery.
Twogami's Identity Is Revealed While He Is Alive
An Unexplored Plot Point With Potential For Conflict
On their first playthrough of Danganronpa 2, gamers are invariably befuddled at the presence of Byakuya Togami, one of the survivors from the first game. Though his physique is noticeably different, he appears to be the same character — until it is revealed, much later, that the person using that name on the island is in fact the Ultimate Impostor, posing as Byakuya. In the game's original story, "Twogami," as he is referred to by fans, is stabbed to death by Teruteru (who was aiming for Nagito). It isn't until Chapter 5 that his identity is revealed, long after his demise.
That should change in 2x2. Not only should Twogami get to live longer; he should also be exposed to the group much sooner. One thing Monokuma does best is sow seeds of distrust, creating an environment of suspicion that's ripe for killing. If things start to get boring, revealing Twogami as the Ultimate Impostor might prove a powerful motive. He doesn't even have to do it directly — much like in the original story, he could lead someone to find the Hope's Peak Academy student profiles. Twogami would have to defend his actions and his lies, and perhaps we'd get to see a bit of the Ultimate Impostor's true personality.
- Released
- 2026
- Developer(s)
- Gemdrops, Inc.
- Publisher(s)
- Spike Chunsoft
- Prequel(s)
- Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair
- Franchise
- Danganronpa
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Visual Novel, Puzzle, Dating Sim, Adventure
