The Despair and Future arcs of Danganronpa 3 continue to weave together in both comedic and darker ways, as the series delves deeper into one intriguing catastrophe after another. In this week’s episode, we finally discover why Kimura and Ando have such a bitter relationship. And, as it turns out, the blame falls squarely on the enigmatic character, Nagito Komaeda.

Nagito has always stood out in the franchise for the same reasons that his anagrammatical counterpart, Makoto Naegi, blends in so seamlessly. While Makoto represents unwavering hope and resilience in the face of adversity, Nagito, as a passive antagonist, subverts this archetype. He showcases the infuriating potential of evil, proving that it can be just as powerful as good. We all want to believe that hope will prevail, and most stories reinforce that belief. But seeing evil emerge victorious just as often is a jarring experience. Junko may embody pure despair in contrast to Makoto’s pure hope, but Nagito represents a more frightening force: Murphy’s Law. His life is defined by dramatic irony, and this has driven him to the brink of insanity. Born as the most unlucky person on the planet, Nagito is fated to incite conflict wherever he goes. He ensures that his presence brings an end to simplicity and harmony, regardless of whether his actions result in fortune or misfortune. Every time Nagito effortlessly disrupts a peaceful situation, it’s worth considering how Junko must feel about Makoto’s ability to achieve the opposite.

The Ultimate Unlucky Student’s plan begins innocently enough. With the Academy’s practical exams approaching, Nagito realizes that his classmates are feeling down after the double homicide of two girls in the Reserve Course. Wanting to see them perform at their best, Nagito asks their teacher to advocate for a postponement. However, when Chisa explains that the school is unlikely to grant this request, Nagito takes matters into his own hands. He decides to force the closure of the exams by issuing a bomb threat. Add in Gundham’s runaway puppy, a series of unfortunate switcheroos, a potent serum, and a powerful laxative, and chaos ensues, all thanks to Nagito’s luck.

Although much of this episode is filled with hilarity, beneath the toilet humor and tongue-in-cheek references lies the groundwork for tragedy. Unlike a lesser anime, the feud between Ando and Kimura isn’t solely the result of Nagito’s meddling. The show wisely introduces and cultivates discontent in their relationship leading up to the catastrophe. These girls are already part of an unhealthy and distrustful pseudo-friendship before the fateful switcheroo that ultimately leads to their expulsion. This episode is about so much more than their ugly breakup. In the end, Hope’s Peak administration isn’t foolish. When Chisa refuses to allow Nagito’s expulsion due to his possible involvement in the bombing, she is transferred away from Class 77-B to oversee the Reserve Course.

With Chisa out of their classroom, it’s safe to assume that the unity Class 77-B has struggled to build will begin to crumble. It’s unsettling to think about who will take her place. Will it be Junko disguised as a teacher, or will the series surprise us with a more clever twist? The greatest tragedy of all is that Chisa had to sacrifice herself to protect Nagito, a mistake many others will repeat in the numerous tragedies that lie ahead. At the same time, her desperate attempt to rescue him from his misguided sense of martyrdom is touching. “You aren’t trash! You’re my precious student!” Unfortunately, trying to save Nagito is akin to corrupting Makoto—a mistake that will ultimately lead to one’s own destruction. It’s always the baby-faced ones who bring about the most upheaval.

I have always admired Danganronpa’s ability to convey powerful emotions through lowbrow absurdity. Even though this episode primarily serves as setup for the upcoming climax, it remains highly entertaining. After eight episodes, Danganronpa 3 continues to captivate without faltering. Bravo!

P.S.: It just dawned on me that Gundham’s far-fetched tale about vanquishing a formidable Hell Hound beast, which turned out to be a mere pomeranian, was actually true. Danganronpa, you never cease to amaze.

Rating: B

Danganronpa 3: The End of Hope’s Peak High School: Despair Arc is currently streaming on Funimation.

Jake has been an anime fan since childhood and loves discussing cartoons, pop culture, and visual novel development on Twitter.