Review of Danganronpa 3: The End of Hope's Peak High School - Future Arc

While not the best story in Danganronpa, Side Future was a lot better than I thought it was. Compared to Dangaronpa the Animation, this was relatively better paced in its story beats and characters which was probably because it's an after story rather than a direct game adaptation. Sixteen characters both old and new were trapped in the Future Foundation HQ as Monokuma announced that there's a traitor among them. In context with Dangaronpa's internal logic, Side Future revealed a whole new level of messed up characters and decisions, this time through the cynical adults of the Future Foundation. The stakes were high and engaging becauseunlike the trials at Hope's Peak there are no rules. Sound judgement was nonexistent since episode 1. The only rule that existed was trust no one. The characters were okay and I enjoyed watching them interact with one another.

My only nitpick was that not all the 16 characters got enough screen time to be fleshed out. Certain characters were unredeemable to a fault and while I understood how messed up these people were given the situation, some of their decisions made no sense.

Production was okay. While there won't be epic animated fight scenes, the show did well with establishing its atmosphere thanks to its cinematography, lighting, and color. Voice performances were also great. The OST and OP were awesome.

If you've seen The Animation, don't miss Danganronpa 3.