I’m gay and so are all the Danganronpa girls

She was, however, written with the same intent as any other DR character- she’s the main character of her own story (and I’m not talking about the popular headcanon that she could have been the protagonist here). While she may have died early, only having been a headstrong but kind-hearted young girl as far as the main story went, Chapter 2′s motive explored her backstory and the very reason for her death brings up what makes her so strong… through very banal words, in fact.

(Props to @/miodaislifemiodaislove on Facebook for bringing this scene back to my attention)

Out of context, this screenshot very much gives off “people die when they are killed” vibes but that’s just what makes her a protagonist in our hearts. Within context, though, this is a pretty Hot Take. Thanks to DR3, we now have an idea of how close Satou and herself were, and the sadness she felt when she lost her. SDR2′s second motive pits Mahiru and Fuyuhiko one against the other through the sheer idea that remembering what happened will make the both of them want to use the Killing Game to get revenge for the loved one they lost. However, Mahiru decides to talk things out with Fuyuhiko.

At this point in the story, Fuyuhiko hasn’t even considered becoming friendly, if memory serves me right at least. Mahiru has to be aware how dangerous meeting with him is, especially with the knowledge that the game informed him of her involvement in Natsumi’s death, but she decided to risk it anyway. She never planned to kill him (a very honest Fuyuhiko tells us that much)- even though the game had informed her of Fuyuhiko’s involvement in Satou’s death. Simply because she strongly believes that revenge is wrong. These aren’t just words she says- she’s convinced of it. She could have hidden in fear, or called for help, but Mahiru decided to take the matter into her own hands… and most likely trusted in Fuyuhiko enough to believe she had a chance to knock some sense into him. No matter how unfriendly the guy was, she believed in him to be strong in that sense- and she might have been right, but she was unfortunately unaware of Peko’s relationship to him and her upbringing.

Looking into what happened in Chapter 2 does, in fact, tell us a lot about Mahiru’s personality, her strengths and weaknesses. The kind of person she is, more than on a surface level. With her family life in mind, I find it very interesting how independent she’s willing to be despite her sweet personality (more so portrayed in DR3 than SDR2, again, if memory serves me right), and her will to believe in giving people a chance… It hits hard, bro.

I feel like Mahiru is underrated because a lot of people dismiss her as “useless” (when they don’t hate her for being sexist which is a whole other topic and, imo, misconception about her characterization) and because people who do stan her are often dismissed as “fanboys/girls” who just happen to have a thing for girls like her. In truth, I feel like even though SDR2 sometimes failed to balance its characters’ time in the spotlight, Mahiru was very intelligently shown to us and she is one of the few early-game victims to have been properly explored before dying.

Mahiru isn’t useless. Thinking about her protagonist potential- I wonder just how popular she would be if she’d been the protagonist up until her death, similarly to Kaede. Her being a victim would immediately make it all the more tragic.

Honestly: I love making ask meme’s myself so here we go ~ Send me a number and I’ll answer!

1. Favourite game?

2. Favourite Protagonist?

3. Favourite antagonistic character?

4. Favourite character?

5. Best girl?

6. Best boy?

7. Favourite class trial from all the games?

8. Least favourite character?

9. Least favourite class trial?

10. What would be your Ultimate Title?

11. Favourite cast?

12. Favourite Danganronpa 3 character?

13. What’s your opinion on the Danganronpa 3 anime?

14. What do you think about Danganonpa 1 anime?

15. Your absolute OTP?

16. Your absolute BROTP?

17. Do you have an OT3? Which one?

18. Favourite rare ship?

19. Who do you think is an underrated character?

20. Who do you think is an overrated character?

21. Favourite voice actor?

22. Favourite talent?

23. Favourite mascot?

24. Favourite Monokub?

25. Least favourite mascot?

26. Favourite execution?

27. Least favourite execution?

28. Favourite unused execution?

29. Which character should survived in your opinion?

30. Which character would’ve deserved to survive?

31. Is there a character you think who shouldn’t have survived but did?

32. Least favourite protagonist?

33. Character with the best clothing?

34. Best character design?

35. A character who should’ve got more character development?

36. Character who looks amazing but you don’t like?

37. Favourite minor character?

38. Favourite eyes?

39. Smartest murder plan?

40. Favourite culprit?

41. Person you’ve never expected to become a culprit but they became? (Doesn’t include Chiaki)

42. Honest opinion on Tsumugi Shirogane?

43. Describe Monaca Towa in 3 words!

44. Describe Nagito Komaeda in 3 words!

45. Unpopular opinion?

46. Unpopular headcanon?

47. A headcanon you have about a character?

48. Favourite OST?

49. Favourite mini game?

50. Favourite game design?

51. Character you thought you were gonna dislike but loved in the end?

52. Character you thought you would like but disliked in the end?

53. Favourite game end?

54. Least favourite game end?

55. Favourite love hotel scene?

56. Best free time events?

57. Character who should’ve lived longer?

58. V3 Pregame! headcanon?

59. Favourite moment?

60. Saddest moment?

61. Character who looks like the love child of ???

62. Describe Mikan Tsumiki in 3 words!

63. Describe Kyoko Kirigiri in 3 words!

64. Which character seemed like they were gonna be a culprit but they wasn’t?

65. Who did you never expected to die but they died?

66. Describe the last trial from V3 in 3 words!

67. Which character would you never want to meet in real life?

68. Which character would you like to meet in real life?

69. Choose one character which you would take with you on a trip.

70. Character you would have a sleepover with?

71. Character you can relate to?

72. Character you can relate to but you dislike them?

73. Character who deserved better?

74. What do yo think of Hiyoko Saionji?

75. Describe Gonta Gokuhara in 3 words!

76. Favourite research lab?

77. What do you think of the fandom?

78. Favourite random/unnecessary scene?

79. Which character has the cutest design?

80. Hope or Despair?

81. Could you be the Ultimate Lucky Student?

82. Favourite chapter?

83. Least favourite chapter?

84. Which character do you easily forget?

85. Could you be a Dangan Protag? Why?

86. Favourite Anthology chapter?

87. Describe Peko Pekoyama in 3 words!

88. Describe Mondo Oowada in 3 words!

89. Least favourite Danganronpa 3 character?

90. Do you like Junko?

91. What do you think of Monokuma?

92. Least favourite Monokub?

93. Did you like the Monokubs?

94. Did you like the Warriors of Hope?

95. What do you think of Gundham Tanaka?

96. Who’s an overrated character you dislike?

97. Overrated ship which is your NOTP?

98. Outfit you dislike?

99. Your absolute NOTP?

Ultimate Bitch Bracket, Hell Yes