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vexcrest_113 's review for:
Danganronpa: The Animation, Volume 1
by Spike Chunsoft, Spike Chunsoft, Takashi Tsukimi
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
An incompetent and rushed adaptation that both fails to capture the appeal of the game and fails to stand on its own as an independent manga story.
The problem with adapting Danganronpa is it has a large cast that can only be properly explored in the context of a video game. A TV series or book cannot give the full cast the time they need because devoting any time to just one would demand giving time to EVERYONE and that would take either multiple chapters or multiple episodes purely for character work.
And, unfortunately, in a thriller for young teens/preteens, the manga doesn't have faith in its readers to stick around that long without a death scene to grab attention.
Because the manga believes character work is too boring, it doesn't offer any. Only our protagonist, Makoto, and a girl named Sayaka are given any real attention at all, and that makes it painfully obviouswho will be dying first . Not to say the game is any more subtle, because it's not, but at least in the game the rest of the cast are given chances to define themselves. That's the entire purpose of Free Time Events, which allow the player to bond with characters of their choice.
Here, no one matters. Not Mondo, or Aoi, or Byakuya, or anyone besides Sayaka.
At least untilSayaka dies at which point Kyoko takes over for her.
This complete lack of character development or exploration means there is no tension because there is no reason to feel attached to anyone and be upset by their deaths. It's pointless violence with no shock factor because these victims are worthless to the reader.
Not even one page goes by after the class trial before a new body is discovered. Not a single page. The trial ends and the very next scene has Byakuya alerting Makoto to a body.
Wow.
I feel so invested in whoever died considering they said and did practically nothing this entire volume and we devoted literally zero time to further character interaction after the last murder mystery. Sure. Just dive right into another.
Moving on from the horrible pacing and sloppy narrative, the art is unimpressive. Rather than stick to the defined and distinct Danganronpa art style, the manga goes for a softened and more generic aesthetic found in many manga. If you put this art beside the art of any random shojo or light novel, I probably wouldn't know the difference if not for the character designs. The anatomy is poorly done, with many characters having limbs that are much too long for their bodies. Hands are improperly sized and Aoi's breasts don't always look connected to her chest.
Speaking of Aoi's massive breasts, this manga sure loves to flash them right after a serious scene- just in case the murder stuff is too depressing and you need a presumably underage girl to show off her cleavage as a little treat.
The trial and mystery going with it are about as engaging as the one in the game—with one major difference. Before the trial is even over, Monokuma outright spoils who the killer is to the reader.
Now, most readers probably know who the killer is by that point, but assuming they don't, then they just had the mystery ruined for no reason at all. What a horrible writing choice. Is this supposed to be a joke or does the book sincerely believe the reader wants to be spoiled because they don't like not having answers? Despite the answer being just pages away?
The choices made in adapting this are incomprehensible at times.
In conclusion, it sucks. It's not a good adaptation, and as an independent story it's even worse. There is nothing to enjoy here unless juvenile displays of violence are edgy to you and you want to feel cool for liking the Murder Bear series.
The problem with adapting Danganronpa is it has a large cast that can only be properly explored in the context of a video game. A TV series or book cannot give the full cast the time they need because devoting any time to just one would demand giving time to EVERYONE and that would take either multiple chapters or multiple episodes purely for character work.
And, unfortunately, in a thriller for young teens/preteens, the manga doesn't have faith in its readers to stick around that long without a death scene to grab attention.
Because the manga believes character work is too boring, it doesn't offer any. Only our protagonist, Makoto, and a girl named Sayaka are given any real attention at all, and that makes it painfully obvious
Here, no one matters. Not Mondo, or Aoi, or Byakuya, or anyone besides Sayaka.
At least until
This complete lack of character development or exploration means there is no tension because there is no reason to feel attached to anyone and be upset by their deaths. It's pointless violence with no shock factor because these victims are worthless to the reader.
Not even one page goes by after the class trial before a new body is discovered. Not a single page. The trial ends and the very next scene has Byakuya alerting Makoto to a body.
Wow.
I feel so invested in whoever died considering they said and did practically nothing this entire volume and we devoted literally zero time to further character interaction after the last murder mystery. Sure. Just dive right into another.
Moving on from the horrible pacing and sloppy narrative, the art is unimpressive. Rather than stick to the defined and distinct Danganronpa art style, the manga goes for a softened and more generic aesthetic found in many manga. If you put this art beside the art of any random shojo or light novel, I probably wouldn't know the difference if not for the character designs. The anatomy is poorly done, with many characters having limbs that are much too long for their bodies. Hands are improperly sized and Aoi's breasts don't always look connected to her chest.
Speaking of Aoi's massive breasts, this manga sure loves to flash them right after a serious scene- just in case the murder stuff is too depressing and you need a presumably underage girl to show off her cleavage as a little treat.
The trial and mystery going with it are about as engaging as the one in the game—with one major difference. Before the trial is even over, Monokuma outright spoils who the killer is to the reader.
Now, most readers probably know who the killer is by that point, but assuming they don't, then they just had the mystery ruined for no reason at all. What a horrible writing choice. Is this supposed to be a joke or does the book sincerely believe the reader wants to be spoiled because they don't like not having answers? Despite the answer being just pages away?
The choices made in adapting this are incomprehensible at times.
In conclusion, it sucks. It's not a good adaptation, and as an independent story it's even worse. There is nothing to enjoy here unless juvenile displays of violence are edgy to you and you want to feel cool for liking the Murder Bear series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Misogyny, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing