Board 8 > danganronpa v3 (spoilers as i go)

(+) Yeah! (+)

The pool itself has something floating in it - an inner tube. The Monokubs appear, and... uh, contribute almost nothing, except to deny responsibility for putting the inner tube into the pool. Kaito claims that it's unrelated ot the case, but we notice the rope attached to it. Kaito's "stupidity" defnitely seems like it's an impedance to the investigation right here. The diving board doesn't seem to have changed.

We reread the pool rules again, and the exact measurements of the pool are reiterated. Monokuma explains that going into the pool at night means that the sirens go off and the Exisals rip apart the violator. No one alive could have been there at the time, Monokuma informs us. We notice the gym window, of course. To the storage room we go, and we see an electric air pump that may have been used for the inner tube - nothing else of note, though. Finally, we take note of the window.

Ah, wow, we'd forgotten one thing - the actual fabric in the pool. Kaito claims it's just trash and we should ignore it, but... is that Ryoma's clothing, or something else? Kaito wonders why the culprit wouldn't clean out any evidence. Given that, it's likely that the culprit couldn't clean it up.

And that brings us to the bell. "Investigations aren't all that fun, you see," Monokuma explains, "Kinda like searching the Internet for that perfect porno video!" I was just about to say that the search was arguably better than the trial (and certainly better than the shitty parts of the trial)!
---

Kaito gives us that "I believe in you" shit. We flash back to the "I want to die" moment, but decide instead that we want to live. Into the shrine we go. Kokichi is exuberant about Himiko's being suspect #1 and is trolling her, lmao.

We do a quick survey. Tsumugi is aware that Himiko is a red herring but feels that she should have played more point-and-click adventure games. Tenko thinks Kokichi must have a crush on Himiko if he's picking on her. Miu is hopeful that we (Detective Dumbass) have found a suspect. Kiyo is interested in the motive - "no reason to live." Maki is a little less belligerent, but still professes her uselessness. And Himiko is shaking - "like a big ol' vibrator," according to our most lecherous friend. "I know all her secrets! Her gender! Her hair color! Her height!" LOL.

Okay, for now I think the killer is not:

Tsumugi
Himiko
Tenko
Maki
Miu
Kokichi
Gonta
Kibo

Suppose it could be Angie (though it would really sadden me), Kaito, Kiyo (though it would be a weird one), Kirumi (pretty unlikely).

That said, I could be dead wrong right now. Would be hilarious if it were Tsumugi or Tenko somehow. Though the ultimate troll would be if it were Shuichi, that would make this case incredible.
---

Okay, heading down.

Kokichi tries to finger Himiko in the trial, but Tenko keeps cutting him off. "All males want to talk about is S-E--" / "HIMIKO SEEMS SUSPICIOUS."

ANGIE YOU A REAL ONE. LET'S GO!
---

"Ryoma died during Himiko's magic show." How are this many people buying into this shit?!

"Did you kill Ryoma, Himiko? Atua will hear your confession."

"There is no trick, it really was magic." Yikes. And Tenko has no idea how to defend Himiko. So yeah.

The first obvious point to dispute is that Ryoma was "eaten alive." We hit Kokichi with the Monokuma File... Kokichi hasn't checked the MF yet. LOLLLLL. Kibo is the first one to realize that you can't drown someone in 60 seconds. We point out that he was drowned before the show started, and Kiyo agrees. This fucking guy was agreeing that Ryoma was killed during the show just seconds ago, lmao. Jackass. Whose benefit was this section for, other than Kokichi's? LOL.

Speaking of which, Kokichi's bringing it back to Himiko - how was the body concealed?

The non-stop debate here... appears to be an Agree, actually. With - surprise - Maki! Mechanism to the side of the tank and all. In comes Tenko, white knight. "I'm gonna punch you!" punctuates of her little argumentative statements. Which is great. This is our chance to present the wet staircase.

"Haha, bitch! Caught ya soakin' wet and red-handed!"

But Himiko's clothes weren't wet. Why? She changed her uniform. Angie outs her. Himiko is breaking down. "Fine... you win." Yesss. "But that doesn't mean I used them!" Oops. Kiyo thankfully lets us move on from here.

Kirumi wants to know where Ryoma's body was hidden. One obvious spot is the staircase, but Kibo and Tsumugi are against it due to the size of the staircase. Angie points out that the switch could have happened before Himiko entered the staircase. Man, Angie's going hard at Himiko - I'm concerned that it was her. :(

Tenko's ready to die believing in Himiko, ugh. Back to non-stop debate, and Kokichi says "No one saw anyone." But Gonta did see something - or rather, nothing. It's almost certain Ryoma's body was dropped in at the same time as the piranhas.

So where was the body? Time to negotiate more! Kaito points out that the piranhas would have eaten the body - but we do have that weird glass pane. The person who brings up the correct way to separate things... Kiyo. Odds that Kiyo is the murderer are dropping for sure. And this clearly explains the appearance of "extra piranhas" and the crowdedness.

Gonta now corroborates. Kirumi and Angie wonder how the body could have been obscured given the glass pane. We present the piranhas themselves. And the pane was the lid of the tank... Himiko is now bringing something up, which is a surprise. Kokichi jumps on her for it, and Tenko comes to her defense again. Her utter devotion is actually pretty entertaining. Angie is excited that Himiko is no longer the only suspect, but Himiko doesn't want to blame Angie... instead, she wants to blame the killing game itself. "That's what Atua said, anyway." YESSSSS.

Miu is frustrated that the range of suspects is so wide... but Kokichi wants to talk about alibis. It's time! We manage to answer wrong twice on when the body was hidden, lmao. But here we go - it was hidden before nighttime.

---

* "We heard you the first time, titless! No one cares!"

* "Himiko is committed to her act. But those who deal in dreams are often liars..."

* "Let's work together to revela the secret behind Himiko's trick!" Angie's utter disregard for Himiko is awesome. Power to the people, and praise to Atua!

* Himiko: "Maaagic... Maaaaaagic... Maaaaaaaagic!" The meta-ness of DR suggests that its writers are fully aware of what they're doing - it's just that contrived behavior is an unfortunately necessary component sometimes to make the story more dramatic.

* Atua went to sleep because he was upset people doubted him. :(
---

Kokichi explains the time of death theory, and Kaito wants more. We present out the last times that Ryoma was seen. Kirumi jumps in.

Alibis time! Kirumi, Kaito, Miu, and Maki were the only ones missing. Kirumi a real bro - she does not care if anyone suspects her. Looks like an angel during it, and Kiyo practically ejaculates over it. Kirumi also states she was in the gym briefly. Miu is very excited to accuse Kirumi. Maki can say nothing, and Kokichi points out that only murderers grow out creepy facial hair like Kaito.

Mass Panic Debate! We validate Kirumi's alibi with Kokichi's story. We also free up Miu using the girl-half-naked defense. Apparently Gonta acts against his sexual desires, not on them. Fanservice pic, of course.

We're down to Kaito and Maki. I'm beginning to suspect that since the body was moved from the pool into the gym, that it didn't have to be done during that 8-10 window?

"Let's do something more fun," says Kokichi. Oh yes.

---

* Kokichi wrecks Miu again.

* Tsumugi: "Doesn't telling such obvious lies make you more suspicious, Miu?" These subtle digs are starting to work, lol.
---

Kokichi's amusing plan: make the two suspects argue against each other, head-to-head. Definitely makes you think the suspect is neither of them. Kokichi gets at us: people are too scared of confrontation.

And to kick off our discussion... the Kubs pad! Kokichi you fucking sly dog! And of course, it's Maki's video that Ryoma had, because we had Kaito's. Kaito comes at us - neither he nor Maki is the culprit. Kind of expected, bummer. "It's just a hunch I've got." Kaito obviously knows something but isn't the killer. Ugh.

Enjoying these reactions.

Kokichi: "You can't be that stupid, right?"

Tenko: "No, he can be that stupid."

Kiyo: "Wanting to believe in someone is a beautiful act, yes ... however, it is a sentiment that has no place in a class trial."

Himiko: "He's an idiot, after all..."

Ugh, it looks like Kaito is gonna be the heart. Shuichi is now taking Kaito's part. Fuck, man, Shuichi plummeting the rankings.

... wait what. Maki's secret is... she met with Ryoma. LOL. Welp. Kokichi is convinced this is a lie... I really hope Kokichi's not the killer, the game would get so much less interesting without him.

Intermission.
---

Apparently, Ryoma asked Maki about the motive video she possessed. The only person who could've told is... Kokichi. And Maki... keeps her room unlocked. LOL.

There's discussion, but we cut right through it - we need to ask Kokichi about whether or not he actually told Ryoma about the motive video. Kokichi corroborates. Kirumi's not ready to give in that Maki is innocent, though.

Kiyo is probably the most skeptical of Maki aside from Kokichi. Welp. Time to debate, then. And apparently lie about it? We commit some perjury on Maki's behalf by interrupting Kiyo and claiming that we overheard Maki.

Miu is the first to doubt us. Kiruma is next, doubtful about why we didn't check whom Maki was talking to. Even Kiyo believes us now.

Kokichi: "I'd be so surprised if Shuichi were a liar!" This guy!

I now feel dumb about thinking that the murder took place from 8 to 10. But I also feel vindicated for picking the "wrong" answer of "during nighttime" before - as that is now clearly the answer.

Oh hey, Split Opinion time. It's a simple one but the way that the statements link together is really satisfying. Finally we're able to talk about the window. Unfortunatley we die on something dumb so it's a game over. The ladder isn't tall enough to reach the window alone. It's obvious the rope is going to play a big role here in transporting the body.

Man, Shuichi is stumped. Dude paid so much attention to the rope before... a bunch of shit self-doubt appears now.

Maki is now more interested on the killer and the crime site than the method of transportation. So we shift there. Non-stop debate - if the murder happened at night, then we know it wasn't in the pool, so we'll present the pool rules. Seems clear - it's the sink in the lab, which has scratches due to the handcuffs.

Kokichi wonders how the hell Ryoma got ambushed if even Gonta couldn't catch him. Anyway, finally we point to the windows.

Oh fuck, it's a Psyche Taxi. FUCK.

---

* "No one can slip by me! I'm known far and wide as the Snoozing Sorceress!"

* "Gentlemen not chuck dead bodies!"

* Kokichi talking about how delicious Ryoma is came outta nowhere, but it was awesome.
---

that minigame didn't take that long but it was stupid as fuck
---

Maki's gotten far more vocal. She points out that equipment must have been used: rope. Starting to look like the two ropes were tied together. Gonta jumps in for a change to explain it. Miu thinks that the body was hung via the handcuffs, but Kokichi shoots her down. We're trying to figure out how the body was nicely placed now. Kaito jumps in with some shit.

The answer after a relatively painless hangman's gambit is, er, "Ropeway." It's quite obviously the inner tube, but now we have another bullshit minigame. It's actually kinda satisfying but adds zero to deduction.

LMAO. The Monokub leaks some details - "last time we got asked this question" - basically confirming that the culprit stepped on the windowsill. Monokuma is extremely quiet about this. Kokichi is upset. "The trial was just getting fun! Why you gotta ruin it with that slip-up?"

The image of the culprit looks a lot like Kirumi.

Anyway, it's obvious the inner tube was dropped since it was nighttime.

Kiyo: "Respect begins to bloom in my heart for this wonderfully cruel culprit!"

Yet we still don't know who it is. But suddenly, we have to choose...! I want to say Kaito, but it's a no. Almost certainly Kirumi then.

Yup. :(
---

Takes some brute-force-guessing, but "Alibis" hits Kirumi. Then we have a showdown and present the abrasions on the windowsill.

Kirumi REFUSES TO SURRENDER. Welp. Looks like she remembered something more than we did? But it looks like the others think it's the motive video.

Full-on manipulative tactics from Kirumi yesss! But now we have to use the black fabric. They're Kirumi's gloves and the rhythm game is total garbage and it winds up with a fetish maid pose.

Kirumi saw her own vid. Something went wrong up top, but they're not discussing it. Kirumi had to "make the country great again." Uhhh. Whatever. LMAO. Ryoma's motive vid... has nothing whatsoever.

Kaito decides to take control and man, this case really started sucking. Fortunately, Kirumi has a pretty entertaining death, and she crushes another Monokub on the way out.

Some more discussion of motive videos, then Gonta hints that this isn't our set of stars. But Kokichi has one last thing to say - there's a far worse liar than him in the group. Kokichi knows Maki's true identity - the Ultimate Assassin.
---

SeabassDebeste posted...

"That's what Atua said, anyway." YESSSSS.

atua take the wheel
---

That was a much more subdued reaction than mine to the reveal that kirumi was the prime minister of japan

Paratroopa1 posted...

That was a much more subdued reaction than mine to the reveal that kirumi was the prime minister of japan

I was pretty exhausted at that point. Just too many bad minigames. Everyone's reactions to this felt tedious, too.

Maybe it'll sink in and seem more palatable later.
---

It's starting to sound like you don't even like these games to be honest!
---

I don't think V3 is nearly as good as 2, but yeah, I was a bit surprised by the level of dislike during this case.
---

At this point in the game I would probably agree, though by the end it's a pretty easy swing in V3's favor.
---

I'm not like a superfan of the series or anything, but I do enjoy the games, especially DR2. A lot of the value of a game comes from being able to discuss it, for me - in this case, probably most of the value!

For reference, this is probably going to be the first game I've beaten in like six months. I drop even games that I think are better. Just because I'm critical doesn't mean I'm not liking it.

I do think the games are tedious and not particularly tightly executed. I tend to enjoy elegance. DR tends to go for excess in every dimension, which is... good at some points, bad at others.
---

ah... it looks like i deleted half my writeup :(

well here's the second half

We head outside and note that more construction has been done. Himiko claims it's becoming more and more beautiful, like she is. Tenko is following Himiko like a groupie.

Heading to the courtyward's exclamation point. Himiko claims to have magicked her way out of the tank... but she's upset that her show wound up making people sad. Her regret is a great look juxtaposed with her former listlessness. Tenko will include even the passed degenerate males' well wishes in motivation.

Well, let's feed this ninja statue. Out comes a new area: a dojo. We observe a GIANT ROBOT and a scaffolding that looks pretty suspicious. There's also a pillar for balance and some nice tatami mats. Himiko's not into the dojo due to lack of mana, but Tenko's beyond psyched. We're concerned about her lack of sparring partner, so Tenko throws us. When Himiko doesn't feel like training, Tenko throws her, too. Funny little scene - not sure if this area will be plot-relevant.

Miu is outside with Kibo. Miu is making lots of sexual innuendos to Kibo, so I'm almost certain it has nothing to do with sex. Indeed, Miu pulls him into her Ultimate Inventor's Lab, so she just wants to examine his robotic features. We peek in. Miu has her boobs pushed up on Kibo, talking about his "throbbing" and his "needs," probably cleaning him. "OHHHHH." That said, when we close the door and "that's all," it suggests more, a little bit.

Ther'es an exclamation mark next to the 4F again, so we're back. It's the Monokuma doll, which walks away. This "painting" at the end of the hallway is really glass - so we use our hammer. Behind this is... a Computer Room. Something about making a new world. We leave the computer alone, but the treasure chest... yup. Flashback Light. Kokichi pops up, excited, and we run off to the dining hall.

Kaito and Maki still haven't returned. Kokichi disinvited Maki, LOL. Kibo's not good with computers... as Kokichi points out, Kibo's only talent is existing.

Okay. Kaito brought Maki with him. She's got her RBF with her, too. She doesn't want people to know because they'll fear/hate her and try to kill her. Yeah whatever, that doesn't make you sympathetic, Maki. You still kill people for money. She bounces.

Kokichi: "What are you thinking, trying to turn her against us?" LOLLL

The flashback shows a few voices having a funeral for everyone at the school. I guess we were presumed dead.

FREE TIME

---

* Miu makes a boner joke, and then Tenko enthusiastically joins in. This results in an offended Miu telling Tenko to "Stay in your lane, bitch!" The little moments.
---

That "stay in your lane" line is one of my favorites in the entire game so far.
---

V3 is definitely the worst game in the series, yeah. Could've been great if Shuichi had died in case 1 and Kaede had stayed as the MC I think. Case 2 definitely isn't good either, though the game does have a couple cases I like
---

By the end, V3 is a great game. It's actually my favorite game ever! You thinking Kokichi is the worst character in the franchise is certainly telling, though.
---

DRV3 is easily my favorite of the series but I can't discuss why because it may or may not have to do with upcoming things

Paratroopa1 posted...

DRV3 is easily my favorite of the series but I can't discuss why because it may or may not have to do with upcoming things

and also because I prefer to let people make up their own minds about stuff, I don't want to pre-plant notions of good or bad in someone's head

Okay, we check our inventory but find it lacking, so play a few games at the school store. Now equipped to hang with Angie. We locate her on the map in her own lab, then give her a sketchbook. Angie wants a sickle, used to beg for consolation. All the children become adults together through a physical ceremony. This sounds implicit, but then she talks about everyone consumating their vows along with a bride-and-groom, and then sharing the bride. Interesting island!

Meh. Time to train with Kaito. A big part of my lukewarm feeling on the game has been due to Kaito. He's brought Maki, and he keeps poking at her until she joins in. She obviously destroys us at pushups and leaves. Kaito brought Maki because he finds her weak.

After nighttime, we're summoned by the Monokubs to the gym. On the way, Kaito wants to get Maki, and Kiyo informs us he usually spends 90 minutes a morning getting ready. Maybe his secret is that he's a girl.

We also run into Tsumugi and Himiko. Evidently, Himiko was planning on a party with Angie. Tsumugi fills in the details. "Atua said he wanted to play in the pool." The obligatory swimsuit scene is on its way, I see.

Kibo is convinced we're about to find out another motive. But he "won't allow it" to continue. This should be amusing.

Evidently, Miu's been up all night working on the computer. Kibo seems jealous. Kokichi is persistent on bullying Maki. Angie, Himiko, and now Tsumugi all agree. Is Tsumugi the latest victim of the cult leader? LOVE IT.

Gonta busts in. Apparently we got trouble. But the Monokubs appear first. Angie is unafraid of the motive presented. Our boy Kibo agrees, because we now have Atua on our side. LOLWUT I LOVE IT.

"The motive is a transfer student!"

Er, it says we're allowed to resurrect someone. Gonna have to wait to see if this actually pans out, but between this and everyone being "already dead" ... eh... Kiyo loves it, though. I'm fairly worried about his longevity. Kiyo has no interest in gods, but much in their creators - humans.

Angie has something to say. Perhaps we'll receive "clones" of some sort? Gonta hops in with the letters in the courtyard. More have appeared, but I skip over it before I'm able to take a stab at what it means.

Well, this almost certainly won't work for real. I'm curious about how this will turn into a motive, though. Suddenly, weird cutscene as Angie hugs Gonta and sings the praises of his character - and then invites him to join student council.

That image of Angie ruling over everyone is spectacular. What a great leadership team, too. It's less of a burden if Atua makes the decision! Kaito is silent.

FREE TIME again.
---

I will say that by this point I had bought into Kaito as a fun character and potential deuteroganist, so it colored my perception of the stuff involving him a lot different.

We want to talk to Kiyo and have some artifacts, so let's go there. I'm concerned he'll be involved in the murder this time. The monkey's paw should please him. We ask about history, anthropology, and archaeology. This is actually a neat conversation and has very little to do with Kiyo's general creeptitude.

More FREE TIME.

Unsure what could go to Kokichi, but this Rice Toy Block seems promising. Kokichi is on the second floor, but on the way there we find ourselves in the Ultimate Pianist Lab. It's really pretty beautiful. Kokichi is in fact... hanging out in Kirumi's Ultimate Maid Lab. Kinda sad. He offers to teach us about brainwashing, but unfortunately, it seems like lies.

Oops. He doesn't like the Rice Toy Blocks.

AND NO FREE TIME EVENT IS TRIGGERED FUCK THIS SHIT.
---

Nighttime. Or at least, we presume so - Monokuma is silent on screen. Our doorbell blows up. It's Maki. Kaito doesn't feel well and wants Maki and us to train together. There's an awkward silence that's so long that Maki talks to us. Shuichi's best moment - out-silenting Maki. Anyway, Maki recognizes that we are looking up to him kinda. Shuichi articulates the spontaneity of Kaito's spirit, and Maki finishes.

Suddenly it's time for Maki's mask to come off. Here comes the tsundere angst-dump. We share our story about inspiration and Maki's all "whatevs." Totes tsundere. Our final bit of voice-acting: "MAKI!" So much enthusiasm, lmao.

Back at the dorm... the Student Council is awake, and Angie wants for people to stop walking around at nighttime. "We need to remove all worry and doubt, so everyone can have a peaceful life here." It's creepy but still hilarious. Angie is just too funny.

Silence in the morning announcement, and we decide to head to the dining hall. Because we're social now. En route, Kokichi is excited to greet us, though we're not psyched to see him. Kokichi is really bummed about not having Kirumi's food anymore. TBH, I think he really does miss her as a person - he did have that chat with her.

Outside, Maki wonders if we're okay. She's bothered by the Student Council. Kiyo, very much still alive, wants us to help him organize his documents. And Miu... has still been working on the computer.

Finally we reach the dining hall. Kaito is upset that the student council has blocked off the manhole. Tsumugi now receives the Angie Hug. "Atua smiles upon your plain and simple service." YESSS. And Angie now breaks the Monokubs' new Flashback Light, as well. This is pretty radical. It's also painting a big target on Angie's back. :( Tenko seems like a possible murderer.

Angie also has a plan for the resurrection ritual: bring back someone, and then offer them as a sacrifice to the killing game if need be. Kaito freaks out even more. And the person to be resurrected: Rantaro. YESSS. The Student Council bolts. Kokichi wants to use the assassin to break the SC, but we shoot that down. Kaito's physical meltdown continues. I'm hopeful that he's been poisoned by a slow-acting agent and will be the next victim. He returns to his room.

FREE TIME. Probably the last for this case.
---

After the last upsetting FT experience, I head for Kibo, for whom I'm more confident in my gift. He's in... Maki's lab. But he refuses to hang out with us, being in the SC now. Yikes. Maybe we'll try the library and Maki... though I have no idea what I have that might interest her. Maybe the Candy Cigarette? She did claim to be the Ultimate Child Caregiver. Oops. Nope. Wow, seriously, this game blows.

FREE TIME again.

Maybe we can give Miu the Machine Parts catalogue? She's back in her dorm. For all her sexual innuendo, Miu is obviously put off when we actually spend time with her. Fortunately, it works. She's pretty upset that we haven't planned any entertainment, but she insists on showing off some inventions. There's a "Hookup Counter." And then there's the "Auto-Puncher that Punches You for Telling Terrible Dirty Jokes," which immediately hits her. And finally, the underwear teleporter. We give her some positive reinforcement. "I FUCKIN' RULE!!!" One of the more satisfying FTEs for sure.

Night, and it's the silent Monokuma again. Despite curfew, we want to see Kaito. Maki and Kaito both come out of his room. Maki still wants to train despite Kaito's illness. "Do you wanna die?" she asks us, then pulls back since that's a "bad habit." We go off with her and let Kaito be.

Red eyes from Maki, fixated on the patrolling Tenko. Tenko has obviously not been truly brainwashed. She wants Maki to kill Angie? Not exactly, but she does want both our help and Maki's. It's off to the artist's lab. The door is locked. Maki pounds on it, but no good. Tenko's knock, however, is answered. Angie assumes we're here to be inducted into the cult.

WAX DOLLS BABY!!! We're unable to persuade Angie not to go through with the ritual and leave. As she cheerfully lets us go, she notes that Tenko has clearly betrayed the SC. Himiko shows as well, and she's still gonzo. Tenko tries to snap Himiko out of it, but no dice so far. Himiko does seem bummed, though.

Tenko goes to sleep. Maki speculates on how to stop the ritual and goes to sleep. Bedtime.

Still no morning announcement. Please tell me the body will be discovered! Maki's at our door. She's disgusted that we let the announcement be our alarm clock. Kaito also wants us to stop the resurrectio. Maki is now nicknamed "maki roll."

Ugh, Kaito's not gonna die, he was just scared. Tsk. Anyway, back to the artist's lab. Himiko states that Angie refuses to come out. I knew it was too good to be true NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. Good timing for Kokichi... and the lock is picked, and the door opens.

Whyyy do good characters have to die first :(((

---

* "I obviously can't ask Kokichi, Miu, or Kiyo." No one questions this. LOLLL.
---

I love how the two danganronpa v3 topics have vastly different opinions regarding Angie.
---

man v3 really likes killing off people I like

then again come to think of it Shuichi is the only one I def don't like so far
---

Angie is pretty controvertial in general. She generally ends up being at the bottom of most lists. I felt similar, though I turned around on her post game.

I think I just don't like chapter 3 that much!
---

Killing off liked characters is hardly exclusive to the 3rd Danganronpa game :P

2 gave me the double gut punch of killing off my favorite female characters, and then my favorite male character right after. >_>
---

Angie is still a bottom 3 character in the entire franchise in my book, and I believe she was the only character who's murder in the series I actively cheered

I won't lie. My growing affection for Angie may have to do with some good fanfiction.
---

LapisLazuli posted...

I won't lie. My growing affection for Angie may have to do with some good fanfiction.

I'm listening....
---

breaking for the night

angie mostly worked out because she's surrounded by imbeciles. gonta, himiko, tenko, and tsugumi are dead weight characters; the game is just much more fun when they all subscribe to this bizarre cult for some reason

essentially she commoditized the worst remaining characters

even before that, in fairness, she was benefiting in comparison to those crappy characters surrounding her
---

I get the feeling you think I meant something less than wholesome.

I meant actual quality work!
---

Ah, lol.

Well that's fine too!
---

I really should replay the game. Very interested in how I'll respond to the minute to minute knowing the game like I do.
---

SeabassDebeste posted...

Whyyy do good characters have to die first :(((

MrSmartGuy posted...

Yeeeeeeeeeeep, bye Angie. You will not be missed.

>__>
---

Why don't we put in a few more hours before we gotta leave for the week...

Well, let's get to it! Monokubs hand us the MF. Cause of death stabbing to the neck, laceration on forehead, time of death 2 AM.

Tsumugi mentions that transfer student could have killed her, which instantly makes her the most suspicious person, lmao. Maki becomes our investigative partner - clearly the best turn of events that could happen at this point.

Kiyo really, really wants to do a seance. It's been stated that channeling can only be performed by women. I'm now interested whether Kiyo really is a woman. Himiko's on board, along with Kokichi ("I was getting bored of investigating anyway!") Keebo being "dragged into" the seance is hilarious. Anyway, they plan to set it up in the Center Room.

Both Case 3s so far have involved double-murders - we're setting up for a weird scenario during investigation, which is almost unheard of - makes me wonder if we'll get a second murder during the seance.
---

Well, let's start investigating.

The back door is still locked, and it's got a fleck of gold on it (?) - the lock slides quite easily. Maki moves to the front, and we discuss Kokichi's picking of the cylinder lock. We're not sure how you can lock the front door from inside and still exit and we're unsure about the two types of locks. I'm gonna guess that the rear door was somehow locked from outside. Maki lampshades the locked-room mystery.

Miu has figured it out, and Maki just wants ot move on, which puts her out. The wax dolls are diversions, she says. She also wants to see what's up those wax dolls' skirts. Tsumugi now fingers Tenko, the student council traitor. She's been way more vocal this investigation, which has me extra-suspicious. Gonta... is just puzzled that anyone was outside after the SC had set the curfew.

Alright, how bout the body then. Next to it is the Necronomicon, the book of resurrection. We finally get to read it. Creating the effigy comes first, then burning the book itself, then sprinkling ashes onto the effigy. Shuichi wonders whether in this place, the rules for resurrection may actually work. Anyway, the gold-gilded katana is in Kaede's chest. Speculation on why this rusty thing was the murder weapon - we think perhaps it's because of the proximity to the crime scene; Maki thinks perhaps it's due to length. And now, Maki's hands are sticky with gold flakes - almost certainly relevant. We resolve to check out the Anthropologist Lab.

The ropes came from the warehouse. Alas that the warehouse wasn't blocked, but rather the exit. Why are the effigies upside down?

The pool of blood around Angie is dry. Her body has the forehead wound which is different from the killing wound, and there's bloody duct tape with Angie's hair on it. What's the dealio? Maki's more used to corpses.

(Suddenly it occurs to me that there are no cameras in this game despite the monitors. Are we really dead after all, and Monokuma can see us omnisciently?)

Maki gives some tsundere comment about how cool we are when investigating. Time to move on.
---

Just as a heads-up, in case you were wondering whether to follow my topic through the point you are currently at, I would advise you not to. First off, you're gonna see my theories before you're able to come up with your own, and that kinda ruins things from the start. But also, I don't do the whole summarizing everything going on thing like you are doing, so I have some pretty abrupt jumps in the game. At the end of one update, I'll be heading into a trial and then the beginning of my next post will be like "oh so I was real stupid for thinking ___ could be the culprit".

Once you finish a chapter, you're definitely safe to read through my trial update for that chapter. I never really theorize overall game plot points, so you're good to read from chapter to chapter at least.
---

"Why am I acting like your partner? Well, it's fine... just... don't get used to it." Sure pal.

Indeed, the katana is missing from the lab, confirming that it came from the lab. Kokichi shows. He's here for the white sheet after already having taken the cage and statue. Kokichi decides to take a peek at the Caged Dog Village book. It's a pretty elaborate ritual consisting of the statue, corners, chanting, and utter darkness. Seems pretty likely Kiyo winds up dead. Maki refuses to attend, but we're dispatched.

LOL. Since only five can participate, Keebo's evicted. Toothpaste and orange juice. Poor little robot! "That's why we're apologizing!" says Kokichi. LOL. "Just don't get mad and start shooting electromagnetic waves at us." ... "I won't forget this betrayal, Shuichi!" I love it. We're now forced to memorize a song. LOL. Poor Keebo, obviously better suited for this. Tenko volunteers to be the spirit medium as a favor to Himiko. So maybe Tenko winds up dead instead?

"I shouldn't have lied... I'm way too weak for this. Kokichi so great. Anyway, the circle is made of salt, which seems like an important detail. We're covering Tenko's kneeling body, and Kiyo is personally covering Tenko with the sheet. Then we place a 175lb statue on top of the cage, which worries Tenko.

We go to the corners, with Himiko standing in the one with the hole, which seems pretty important. Indeed, Himiko is told not to move due to holes. We blow out the candles, and then... some shitty song... complete with a THUNK. Sounds like the cage didn't hold. Hopefully this isn't how Tenko dies - that would be boring as hell.

Kiyo calls out three times. No answer. Uh oh.

The dog statue remains, but I'm pretty sure that's a blood stain...! Yup! Himiko fucks up the salt circle. Wait, is that a hole underneath her?

The Monokubs are baffled about what to do in case of two blackened, lmao. However, it feels safe to assume that Angie's killer was also responsible for the second kill - in order to stop Tenko from saying something. Anyway, Monokuma finally returns. But Monokuma's answer: Tenko's killer "wasted a kill." This investigation will remain focused on Angie's death. Yesssss. I kind of suspect Maki for one of the two.

Stab wound is on the back of Tenko's neck. Aw yeah. Kaito freaks out at the "curse," ugh. He grabs Maki and gets a fistful. Investigation time.
---

Keebo lights up the room from Miu's updates. It's also listed as a Truth Bullet, which is... pretty interesting.

Tsumugi whines about suspecting Tenko. You're no less suspicious now, woman. Himiko is shell-shocked. Gonta whines. Kiyo gives us a recap of the ceremony, including the "thunk." Maki calls the seance a sham. Miu's certain that someone in the room was the killer. Maki... finds the floorboards unstable. So yeah, guessing that the killer killed her from beneath somehow? Except that Tenko's wound is to the back of the neck. Maybe the killer was... in the dog statue?

After checking the wrecked salt circle, we move in. We note that Tenko made no sound, and that the murder weapon is missing. The iron cage, lifted by Himiko, has blood on it. And the Marker Stone that Himiko brought (seems relevant)... Unsurprisingly, the floorboard is loose.

We check out the thick cloth. Kiyo made a big deal of handling it himself, and there's a bloodstain, but there's no hole in the fabric. And the dog statue... we state it weighs about two girls.

Lastly, we check the candles and the hole in the corner. Something's been dropped there, so we come down and... well, someone could definitely have come from the adjacent room. We find a bloody sickle. The curve of this sickle could absolutely allow someone to kill from below. It's from Maki's lab, and we recall Angie really liked sickles. :(

"How did the culprit attack Angie?" Jesus Christ, Shuichi. You're LITERALLY underground.

A crosspiece is cut right below Tenko's body, seemingly intentionally to loosen the floorboard and provide an opportunity for murder. There's a giant pool of blood and also... a dried bloodstain. Was this the site of Angie's death?

Maki wants to turn her attention to survival - who killed Angie? That's the blackened. I like the way this girl thinks. But we want ot find out the truth for JUSTICE. Also for fun. So we're headed back to the art studio.

LMFAOOOOOO KOKICHI! "IT'S A LIE!!!" Evidently, he fell through a floorboard - a crosspiece was missing in an adjacent room, as well.

Class trial time. Let's go! This has been by far the best investigation sequence of the series - and short, too!

---

* "C*** fu." Nice.

* "What do you know about girls? Have you even touched a woman besides your mother?" says Maki. I mean, she isn't wrong... even DR3, the girls weigh 115-120 pounds. Maki's also rolling into Miu's lane here. Sudden theory, Miu killed Tenko for stepping into her lane.
---

Some thoughts before trial time.

"I'd want you to graduate from super-idiot level to at least Kaito-idiot level." Kokichi, you a real one.

"You don't need to worry about our dwindling numbers. Only dipshits have died so far. I know it's a tall order, but try to use your brain cells this time so I don't have to use mine!" Miu don't hold back either.

Tsumugi: "Atua... Please lend us your power."

SUSPECT LIST

* Kiyo is way too upset about his seance failing to be Tenko's killer, at least.

* It would be kinda neat if Gonta were the killer, but does he have the finesse or the small size needed to fit undre the floorboards for Tenko? The wound to Angie's forehead might be his doing if he really is the killer.

* Keebo would easily be able to crawl under the floorboards and he has the new flashlight for vision. I don't really want to think it's him yet due to his personality, though.

* Tsumugi kind of seems killerly this case - she has set off all sorts of red flags, and she seems one of the least likely to believe in Atua. (Keebo really wants to be human, Himiko is absurdly lazy, Tenko was lying, and Gonta's a moron.) She pointed the finger at Tenko, too.

* Kokichi was carrying out a legit investigation at the time of the trial expiring. He always has red flags, but doubtful.

* Himiko being the killer would be bizarre - wiping out the three Gimmick Girls all in one case would be DR-ish, and she did lift the cage. She also had easiest access to the floorboards... but she volunteered to be the spirit medium, so her motive is lacking. This is all on the Tenko murder, of course.

* Miu is slightly suspicious because she's spent so much time in the computer room at night - fairly easy access to the floor, and lots of opportunity to scope out the areas under the floorboards.

* Kaito seems rather unlikely since he's been missing all case. The killer isn't always prominent, but for someone who has a relatively major role now, doubt he goes down in a case where he's not even present.

* Maki is a little too helpful to be the killer IMO - the biggest red flag for her is the way she keeps denying that supernatural events are possible - it could be concealing worry about them.

* Ruling out Shuichi for sure this time!

MEANS

* The katana was used to fiddle with the rear lock of the locked room somehow - hence the gold flecks there. I feel like the rear door was the exit.

* Seems pretty clear the sickle was used from beneath the floorboards. The underground connection to the Side Room is obviously tied to the case - though it could have been used just to prepare the crime scene, or as the final entry point.
---

Himiko is really angry. Kiyo wants to propose a two-killer theory. Tsumugi is talking about the transfer student again. Tsk, tsk. Well, we'll disprove that first, as the Necronomicon wasn't burned. Quick break there. However, Monokuma claims that resurrection is possible.

Miu has a theory - Kiyo killed Angie. Where did this one come from?! Ah, the katana. Miu didn't suddenly get smart. Anyway, Tsumugi's account informs us that Angie wouldn't have opened the door for Kiyo.

"It can't be Himiko! I trust their friendship!" LMAO Kokichi.

We're down to Tsumugi, Gonta, and Keebo - looks like a mass panic debate. Hilariously, Kokichi himself claims that only SC members could have gotten in, when he can obviously pick a lock.

Neat, I just caught a joke. "Open, says a me." I like it!

"The culprit was me, all along... I thought that if I confessed, I could atone for my sins. And it helped! I feel soooo much better." This is the type of bullshit we need in our lives. Anyway, Kokichi is unable to explain the locking of the doors - the back door was locked last.

Mind mine! It takes a while, but we discover the samurai sword pretty far away. Looks like Psyche Taxi time. And apparently the effigy was... spun? Interesting. The driving is tedious, but the conclusion is cool!

Time to focus again on who entered the room, now that the locked room is solved. Kokichi is a suspect, too, but we want to focus on the SC members... and now he brings up Himiko again. As a valid suspect. LOL. Kokichi again wants to get the suspects to talk, just like last time. Suspect Rangers unite!

Himiko wants to talk about Angie's case, and suddenly Kokichi jumps on her for it - no talking about Tenko's case at first! When Himiko tries to interrupt, Kokichi gives her the fucking business - "You didn't give two shits about Tenko when she was alive." Kokichi MVP.

Kaito jumps in to talk about Tenko's death. Bleh. Maybe I just hate his design and voice. Shuichi does wonder, why was the conversation changed? And by whom?
---

We name the four people present at Tencrotch's death. But Kokichi is most suspicious of Kiyo (Himiko was just a coinky-dink!) Kiyo deflects onto Himiko - and also points out that there's a hole in the floor. Good man - he's not entirely useless. But seriously - it's frustrating that everyone keeps saying that she was killed by someone in the room. The cage prevented killers from aboveground... Argh.

Kiyo's testimony looks super-badass, accusing Keebo. It takes us a game over, but we contradict the light under the floor theory - the hole in the ground would have shown that blinding light. "My vision is somewhat poor, and I only possess physical strength and intelligence!" LMAOOOOO.

Gonta thinks that the floorboard was displaced this way to let the attacker stab Gonta from underneath. Yesss.

We switch tacks. When was Tenko killed? We know that she wasn't killed when the cage was lifted - the sheet has a stain on it. Miu is very unhappy. Stupid minigame time! We prove that you can't stab through the cage since Tenko's head was on the stone.

Kaito and Maki suddenly come up with a bullshit theory about the culprit being in the cage. Maybe the culprit was inside the dog? Except... she's referring to Tenko herself. What. Kokichi jumps in to troll. TBH, I'm not really buying the suicide theory?
---

having trouble figuring out what to agree with here, about the source of the sound + floorboard coming loose
---

Himiko and Gonta refuse to believe in Tenko's suicide. Kiyo's on board. Time to get into a split decision debate? Nope, non-stop seance.

Ah, we need to lie about it. We're gonna claim Tenko died instantly. Maki doesn't contradict us, despite that she's the very one proposing the theory. We do have a clue - the thud. So let's present it in the non-stop debate? We Agree with Himiko about the "hearing something fall."

It's not the sickle. Must have been heavier. It's the floorboard... and we wind up Agreeing with Kokichi about a stomp, with the cross section removed. So it was a seesaw... and the seesaw was in the cage itself? What.

Kiyo thinks that Himiko stomped it since she chose the room with the cut cross section - but this isn't the only room where this happened.

INTERMISSION
---