Danganronpa Zero is a prequel to the original Danganronpa series, showing the events that lead up to the first game. The story spans just two volumes, but it packs in a lot of setup, character moments, and worldbuilding that ties directly into the main series.
Volume 1 does a great job of laying the groundwork, while Volume 2 ramps things up — ending with a twist that genuinely left me flabbergasted. It came out of left field in the best way and wrapped up the story in a satisfying, impactful way. It also really highlights just how twisted the mastermind is.
One thing I really enjoyed throughout the series was how the chapters shift between different characters’ perspectives and narration.
Some of the characters are definitely weird — but that’s to be expected in Danganronpa. The story also references or introduces characters and events that later appear in Danganronpa 1, 2, and 3 (not V3). In many ways, it feels like a testing ground for themes and ideas explored more fully in the games.
One of the highlights for me was getting more time with characters you don’t see much of in the main games — like Jin Kirigiri and Mukuro Ikusaba. It’s great to see their stories expanded here.
If you’ve played or watched Danganronpa 1, 2, or 3, I definitely recommend checking out this short novel series. It adds fun background and extra depth to the world — especially for longtime fans.