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Danganronpa is a Japanese video game franchise created by Kazutaka Kodaka and developed and owned by Spike Chunsoft.
The series centers around a group of high school students who are forced into murdering each other by Monokuma, a bear.
While the plot is rather straightforward, Danganronpa is one of the most perplexing anime series in terms of watching order. If you decide to watch this messed-up anime (in a good way, of course), there aren’t many guides that can tell you where to start correctly if you want to completely understand Danganronpa’s story. The reason for this is that watching only anime will not provide you with a complete understanding of the Danganronpa universe. It is necessary to play the games.
For starters, let’s keep it simple.
How to watch Danganronpa in order
| ANIME/GAME TITLE | YEAR |
|---|---|
| Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc (Game) or Danganronpa: The Animation | 2010/2013 |
| Super Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair (Game) | 2012 |
| Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls (Game) | 2014 |
| Danganronpa 3: The End of Hope’s Peak Academy – Future Arc + Danganronpa 3: The End of Hope’s Peak Academy – Despair Arc (TV) | 2016 |
| Danganronpa 3: The End of Hope’s Peak High School – Hope Arc (TV) | 2016 |
| Super Danganronpa 2.5: Nagito Komaeda and the Destroyer of the World (OVA) | 2017 |
| Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony (Game) | 2017 |
How to watch Danganronpa in order, explained
1. Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc (Game)
Trigger Happy Havoc was released in 2010, and it’s the original main title in the Danganronpa franchise, available for PSP, iOS, Android, PS Vita, Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X, Windows 10.
The game is strongly recommended over the rushed & heavily criticized Danganronpa: The Animation.
2. Super Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair (Game)
The game was released in 2012, and it’s a direct sequel to Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc. It’s accessible on the following platforms: PSP, PS Vita, Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux, PS4, iOS, Android, and PS5.
The game has not been adapted into an anime.
3. Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls (Game)
Ultra Despair Girls was released in 2014, and this spin-off takes place between the events of Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc and Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair.
It’s available for PS Vita, Microsoft Windows, PS4, and PS5.
While it’s not necessary to play it, it’s recommended.
4. Danganronpa 3: The End of Hope’s Peak Academy – Future Arc + Danganronpa 3: The End of Hope’s Peak Academy – Despair Arc
This anime TV series aired in 2016, and the two Arcs are intended to be watched in alternating order, starting with the Future Arc.
For clarification: Future Arc ep 1 → Despair Arc ep 1→ Future Arc ep 2 → Despair Arc ep 2 etc. This is due to the beginning of Despair ep 1 casually spoiling the ending of Future ep 1.
5. Danganronpa 3: The End of Hope’s Peak High School – Hope Arc
Danganronpa 3: The End of Hope’s Peak High School – Hope Arc is an anime TV series that debuted in 2016.
It’s a completely new original story supervised by the series creator, and it’s intended to be the conclusion of the Hope’s Peak Series.
6. Super Danganronpa 2.5: Nagito Komaeda and the Destroyer of the World
A 1-episode OVA set after Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair and before Danganronpa 3: The End of Hope’s Peak High School – Hope Arc.
7. Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony (Game)
This game was released in 2017 and you can play the game on PS Vita, PS4, PS5, Steam (PC), iOS, Android, and Nintendo Switch.
It’s not a direct sequel to the previous titles and acts as the start of a new arc with a completely new cast of characters.
