Brain: You know you could swap him Hifumi out for Santa Shikiba in DR1 and the story would still largely be the same, even better in some parts.
Me: Hah! Good one! That's...wait...actually? Um...
Design: Both are variants of the goofier outlier Danganronpa design formula (think like Hifumi/Teruteru/Ryoma/Bandai and such), so Santa replacing Hifumi would still fill that design niche without making it void.
Archetypes: Hifumi's archetype of the cast is that of a geek with avid interest in his profession, with a strong sense of justice, that just wants to be understood and liked, though has a tendency to go aout things the wrong way, being overly dramatic. or make bad judgement calls. Santa, based on his depictions in Kirigiriso, also fills the role of a geek with an intense passion for what he does (albeit in botany instead of doujin), is quite the dramatic guy, strong sense of justice and has a tendency to bumble or make bad calls (...like really bad calls. As in, people die because of his bad calls. Which also fits him well for the Hifumi slot!)
Roles: Now, this is most important. When swapping out Hifumi, we have to take in consideration if Santa would best work in his place. Hifumi, for the three chapters he's in, does have a few notable roles during his stay here. He was the one in charge of the incinerator in ch1, he had a camera that was pivotal for ch3, and then there's his main relationships with Celeste, Alter Ego and as one of the ch3 killers.
Though, honestly, I can see him slotting into all three of those smoothly. Santa, at least in the EDF route, is characterized as being really friendly and selfless, so I can see him taking up the trash role (though withut him doing it for pervy reasons). Him having the camera can just be explained as him just being a geek for that kind of stuff.
As for his relationship with Celeste honestly, it could still work. While he probably wouldn't have Hifumi's crush/devotion to her, his interest in tea and his hero complex could make Celes have an interest in him...as a servant/pawn. Thus, promptly scaring the poor guy into submission (though I can still see him trying to play off his fear under the guise of a hero just doing his job XD). And Santa's obsession with Alter Ego could still align with Hifumi's: just a person finding someone that cares about their interests, not really in a romantic sense like Hifumi mind you, but still an obsession nonetheless. And eventually thinking of him as a 'innocent bystander' that needs to be protected by a hero like him! The only real major snag for ch 3 is the whole Robo Justice suit needing to be made, but I think you can explain as Santa making it still, and it would still make sense. After all, he could turn pinecones into bombs, making the Robo Justice suit shouldn't be too hard for him!~
All this together, Santa taking Hifumi's spot also means the Monokuma Flower on the Fifth Floor now holds a stronger connection to the main cast as its now a strong reminder of their dead friend instead of just being an unknown casualty.
Conclusion: Santa is the Better!Hifumi!!!! Kidding! Both have their appeal as separate characters, though I can't help but thinking about a 'what if' scenario where Santa got to officially be in the main cast, is just too in teresting not to write about
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