Will we ever see another Danganronpa? Who knows, but we should probably cut its miniature murderer some slack

Danganronpa
(Image credit: Atlus)

This adorable little murderer is a mystery wrapped in an enigma wrapped in an unforgettable character design. A series of robots rem𒐪ote controlled by a human killer? A talking bear with a series of mechanical doubles? A sentient AI with an endless supply of self-destructing bear avatars? 

Three games later, we still don’t know. The third game serves only to deepen the mystery. Whoever or whatever Monokuma is, they are a killer. Of high school students, no less! Yet it’s easy to forget (or, at least, deprioritise) this while playing 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Danganronpa. There’s a playful yet malicio💜us bounce to their voice, and that laugh &nﷺdash; puhuhuhu! – is never far away. 

Bear necessity 

Danganronpa

(Image credit: Spike Chunsoft)

Mor♓e important than the killing to Monokuma’s identity, arguably, are the terrible puns that they throw all over the place. They'🐲d fit right in here. You know, apart from the murdering and kidnapping. 

That twisted humour is what makes the terrorising teddy equal parts appealing and frightening. Despite forcing a bunch of strangers into a deadly situation, Monokuma refuses to take it seriously. The whole thing is turned into a game, a series of actual𒐪 murder mysteries that won’t end u𒀰ntil one person is left standing... or everybody is dead. 

The killing🍌s – those committed by the cuddly mastermind, at least – are flamboyan💟t, complicated, and infused with a dark humour. The bear personalises each according to the victim. Monokuma’s actions are impossible to defend, but the bear/robot/AI/ person/whatever themselves? 

One of the most memorable villain🐻s in fiction, and very🅘 easy to celebrate.


This feature first appeared in PLAY magazine -

Luke contributed regularly to PLAY Magazine as well as PC Gamer, SFX, The Guardian, and Eurogamer. His crowning achievement? Writing many, many words for the last 18 issues of GamesMaster, something he’ll eagerly tell any༺body who’ll listen (and anybody who won’t). While happy to try his hand at anything, he’s particularly fond of FPS games, strong narratives, and anything with a good sense of humour. He is also in a competition with his eldest child to see who can be the most enthusiastic fan of the Life is Strange series.