Post by Robyn on May 5, 2013 22:17:44 GMT -5
Hey, everyone! Let me just kick off my return to the forums by making a fanclub that we would be absolutely REMISS if we didn't have-- a fanclub dedicated to that new craze sweeping Tumblr & elsewhere, Dangan Ronpa.
What is Dangan Ronpa?
I'm so glad you asked! Dangan Ronpa is a PSP murder mystery game that was released in Japan in 2010. It was never introduced in America, but a few dedicated translators have been working to make the game available to us in a few different ways. Programmers are already working on a playable English copy of DR, but in the meantime, a readthrough of the entire game is available on the Something Awful forums if you give it a quick search. During the times that SA isn't blocked by that dumb paywall, it's quite an interesting read!
Okay, but what about the plot?
That's an even better question! The story follows a young boy, Makoto Naegi, who has just been selected out of all the high school students in Japan to attend a prestigious private high school, Hope's Peak Academy. Hope's Peak is renowned for educating the finest young geniuses in various fields (referred to as Super High-School Level students). It's so private that one can only get in via invitation. Naegi doesn't think he's anything special-- certainly not special enough to be in a class with the country's top teenage swimmer, baseball player, fortune teller, or gang leader, to name a few-- but armed with the mysterious talent of Super High-School Level Good Luck, he walks in on the first day and promptly falls unconscious.
Is this where stuff gets weird?
You bet it is. Once Naegi comes to, he finds himself in a classroom with all of his other classmates...and a walking, talking teddy bear named Monobear. Monobear proceeds to inform the students that as the best of society, they'll all be living here together. Forever. The kids soon realize that all of the windows are barred with steel plates, and the door is sealed by a gigantic steel vault.
Of course, he says, there is ONE way to leave the school. A way to graduate.
Kill one other student without getting caught.
The seeds of mistrust are sown between them, and soon all of the students are tested as they try and maintain their sanity and lives.
Yikes. Sounds dark.
Oh, most definitely. But no darker than Homestuck can often be? And as a plus, the SA readthrough blocks out profanity, and any blood shown is censored by Japanese standards already. I wouldn't recommend something willy-nilly! Just keep the plot content in mind if you're thinking about reading.
Well, why should I? What's the upside to all of it?
A lot, surprisingly! As dark as DR can be, it also has teaches the value of friendship, critical thinking, inner strength, personal worth, and most importantly, having faith when all hope seems lost. The characters are all varied and interesting, and the relationships they form are wonderful to analyze and appreciate. The plot itself is full of twists and turns; if you're planning on reading it, stay away from anywhere that could spoil you! The emotional points will be worth it.
Let's say I've read it. What now?
Anything! I want this to be a place where we can talk about favorite characters, discuss the plot, imagine ourselves in the universe, just whatever you all want to do. Also, if this helps others get into what is quickly becoming one of my favorite fictional works of all time, the more the merrier!
So, yes!
SUPER HIGH-SCHOOL LEVEL FANCLUB GO
Members
- Robyn (Mastermind/SHSL Filmmaker)
- Terra (SHSL ? ? ? ?)
- Reve (SHSL Aimless)
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