Danganronpa: The Animation

DEATH GAMES. 

Who wouldn't enjoy watching shows where death is around the corner, and better off, the main character struggling to play according to the rules where losing means throwing your LIFE away. We can already guess from previous death game horror-thriller shows like Mirai Nikki, Death Note, The Hunger Games, Another, even Sword Art Online (yep it's literally a death game) earned so much praise for instilling thrill into viewer's minds.

So here I am making a review on DANGANRONPA; originally a video game for the PSP and PSVita, Danganronpa is a logic-based death game where the main character has to use his wits to get out of a murder school alive. To "graduate" from the school, the mastermind coerces 15 students to try and kill one of their own --- and if they get away with it, all the others are killed and the killer is free; but if the killer is caught, he is the only one who dies. So much for the mechanics, now let us proceed to the actual review!

Danganronpa: The Animation includes a new twist in thriller death games by setting the game in a school: making the viewer imagine how he, if he was in the same situation, would kill someone using school supplies and facilities, AND get away with it. The anime also appeals to the viewers' hidden detective side, as they encourage those watching/playing to think while enjoying the show itself.

The theme of the anime is not only games of life and death, but also Hope and Despair. How someone could possibly find hope in such a hopeless situation, how a person could keep on believing and not give in to despair.

The exaggerated art of every character and how their personalities have vast differences helps you remember each and every one of them (remember, there are 15 students) and the storyline twists will surely satisfy anyone with a detective or conspiracist side to them. A must watch for those who enjoy solving cases and demystifying enigmas with only the slightest of clues.

Comments are very much appreciated :)