10 Most Disturbing Danganronpa Deaths

When Danganronpa was first released in Japan during 2010, it was a niche, psycho-pop death game visual novel, with a small, but dedicated fan base. Over the decade, the series has exploded in popularity, spanning over three main games, a spin-off and other forms of media.

As a result, the cast of usually lovable -and always unique- cast of characters has also grown, creating many a fan-favourite. The downside to this? These are death games at their core and Danganronpa revels in killing off characters indiscriminately. No-one is safe.

Including an art style and gaming identity, which draws upon and subverts anime tropes, as well as the battle royale genre - these are very unlikely to be peaceful, or even explicable deaths. The entire premise is built upon it being an intentionally disturbing experience, which explores just how far will people go to ensure their own well-being when under threat.

Everyone is a potential culprit when motivated by freedom and various other incentives- so long as they can get away with murder. Therefore, even deducing a true cause of death can become a masterclass in deductive reasoning, due to some truly bizarre murder methods and trials.

As high as the bodies pile though, this does not diminish the effects of the executions. These often tie directly to the culprit's talents in a darkly satirical manner, more befitting a Shakespearean tragedy than a fun video game experience...

Titled 'Blast Off', this is the very first execution in the Danganronpa series, as well as the opening shots of the game. No context is provided for this scene, deliberately leaving the player in the dark along with the blindfolded victim.

The childishly stereotypical form of the rocket, combined with the appearance of Monokuma and the cartoon sun and moon contrasts starkly with the screaming, trapped figure. It is not until Monokuma presses the button to launch the rocket, that the player can be sure of what they are witnessing.

This death is disturbing, not only because is it unexpected, but the game makes it clear that Jin Kirigiri has been placed in this rocket against his will. The rocket blasting off does not seem too dangerous at first. Being ambiguously sent off to die in space would not be a fun death, but nor is it particularly violent.

However, as the rocket slows, turns, then plunges back towards Earth at increasing speeds, a crash seems (and is) unavoidable. To further emphasis the disturbing nature of this death, the death is then confirmed by the rocket opening to reveal the remains of a sad skeleton with a cracked skull.