Makoto Naegi

Bryce Papenbrook voices Makoto Naegi's in English.

In the original Japanese version of the Danganronpa series, Makoto Naegi is voiced by Megumi Ogata. Due to Makoto lacking a talent in contrast to the rest of the cast of the first game, Ogata referred to her character as an audience surrogate. The same execution was done in the anime adaptation of the series. The actress further referred to the protagonist as a reclutant detective due to his role in the narrative as he becomes forced to solve trials to survive and protect the other innocent students. These type of characterization was found by Ogata as something common in her carrer, comparing Makoto to the "ordinary" mecha pilot Shinji Ikari from the anime Neon Genesis Evangelion. Nevertheless, Ogata felt that Makoto possesses a unique talent that allows him to stand out despite his weak appearance.[6] Due to budget issues, some lines were not given voice acting which left Ogata with the desire to make some important lines in restrospective. She felt a similar feeling with the anime adaptation as she felt it was too trimmed. Kodaka claimed some lines were not befitting to Makoto such us when the player is exploring an area. As a result, he also felt they would have added more fitting lines if Spike had the budget for the game.[7]

In regards to his personality, Makoto was described as optimistic teenager by Ogata, making him as a more responsible person whenever something chaotic happens in his appearances even if he has doubts about his own skills. As the franchise commonly touches themes of "hope", Ogata went to call that Makoto embodies the philosphies of hope as he brings such ideals to the narrative and the setting.[6] In further analyzing these themes, Ogata states Danganronpa often touches both elements of despair and hope. The characters experience "despair" when being trapped in the school and thus Makoto provides a more emotional support to the cast across the story, giving the actress a far more optimistic message in the way that students are gonna survive.[8] When revisiting Makoto in Danganronpa: The Animation, Ogata expressed joy in the remaking of most of her original lines as well as act with other actors she finds talented.[9] Since the anime had a bigger budget than the game, Ogata felt that Makoto "finally gelled" in the anime as a character as there was more voice acting.[7]

In the English dub of the series, Makoto is voiced by Bryce Papenbrook. Papenbrook found that his "young" voice allowed him voice multiple lead characters from anime including Makoto such as Eren Yeager from Attack on Titan or Shirou Emiya from Fate/stay night among others.[10] He enjoyed having fun voicing Makoto in the first game, and looked forward to people looking his work in the game.[11] He felt expressed a similar feeling for doing the older persona of Makoto from the anime sequels of the games as well as Nagito.[12]

In stage play of the first game, Makoto was played by Kanata Hongō.[13] In the one from the anime series Shun Nishime took the role,[14] who claimed that his character was an ideal hero based on his actions presented in the high school scenario. He also remarked being a fan of the Danganronpa games and felt joy when being cast as Makoto.[15] Hongō would later voice the protagonist of Death Come True, a young man named Makoto Karaki. Kodaka felt he was knowledgeable about his style ofthe writing after Danganronpa and thus felt his acting would be suitable for his work. As a result, he claimed there were no connections between this Makotos.[16]

Centre: Makoto Naegi as redesigned for Danganronpa 3: The End of Hope's Peak High School, in a promotional image of him wearing handcuffs.

Makoto and Nagito Komaeda from the first sequel Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair are considered as opposites based on what each of them thinks about the idea of "hope". In order to surprise the gamers and infer the characters to potentially be the same person, both Makoto and Nagito share the same voice actress, Ogata, while "Nagito Komaeda" is an anagram for "Naegi Makoto da" ("I am Makoto Naegi").[3] Localization member Robert Schiotis felt that finding a voice actor for the latter proved too challenging as is meant to clash with Makoto's ideals. In the end both ended sharing the same actor, Bryce Papenbrook, making the connections between both of them more interesting.[17] The anagram was made as a hook to fans of the first game Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc due to the lack of promotion materials pre-release of the original version of Goodbye Despair during its year of release.[18]

For the anime series Danganronpa 3: The End of Hope's Peak High School, Kodaka aimed to make a unique style of storytelling. As a result, the writer divided Makoto's group from Hajime's. Makoto's storytelling and themes are that of hope in contrast to Hajime's of despair.[19] For the anime sequel, Makoto and his friends were redesigned by Rui Komatsuzaki to look more mature according to director Seiji Kishi. In order to attract more fans, Makoto's first image as an adult was him handcuffed based on Kishi's ideas.[20]

Kodaka aimed Munakata was supposed to die protecting Naegi. He thought at this point he was satisfied actually die, but mostly because he wanted him to carry the weight of his sin from that time he tried to get rid of Sakakura. However, he changed the that part of the script because Kodaka wanted Naegi to move forward carrying the burden of hope, Hajime Hinata to move forward carrying the burden of despair, and Munakata to move forward carrying the burden of his dead friends. As a result, the plan was to include what happens to all sorts of different characters after Hope Arc during the credits, but they all got cut for length. Animation Producer Yuuji Higa claimed ultimately it was Naegi and Hinata carrying their respective burdens of hope and despair that he thought was really amazing. Kodaka was put into tears when watching the scene of Makoto confronting Munakata especially due to Megumi Ogata's acting. Higa believes it was thanks to Makoto's role in the anime that Munakata became a more appealing character due to their interactions.[21]

The protagonist of Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc, Makoto Naegi is an ordinary high school student who was accepted to Hope's Peak Academy via a lottery. He has no spectacular talents, aside from his belief that he is a bit more optimistic than most people, and was given the title of Ultimate Lucky Student (超高校級の「幸運」, Chō-kōkō-kyū no "Kōun", Super High School Level Good Luck). A bear-like machine named Monokuma has the students trapped and allows one leave if they manage to kill somebody and remain innocent.[22] Shortly after this, Makto's former classmate and pop star Sayaka Maizano is murdered by baseball star Leon after her plans to murder her would-be killer and frame Makoto for it failed. Despite his disappointment about being manipulated by the late Sayaka, Makoto aims to solve the trials.[23] He receives assistance from Kyoko Kirigiri, who possesses keen observational and deductive skills. He and Kyoko investigate the following trials as more students attempt to betray them.

In an alternate ending to Trigger Happy Havoc in which Kyoko is executed for being blamed of killing Mukuro Ikusaba. Makoto loses his will to fight in the next trials and establishes a polyamorous relationship with Byakuya Togami, Yasuhiro "Hiro" Hagakure and Aoi "Hina" Asahina, the latter of whom Makoto of which has a child with.[24] In the regular route, Makoto avoids incriminating Kyoko and is thus nearly killed by Monokuma for being accused of murdering Mukuro. He is saved by the artificial intelligence Alter Ego and returns to confront Monokuma. Makoto is instrumental in solving all of the murder mysteries, and foils Monokuma's plot, who is revealed to be Mukuro's sister and true murderer, Junko Enoshima. As Junko reveals that the students hid themselves two years ago from a crisis known as The Tragedy and erased her memories from two years ago, Junko tries to protect the students from the outside world using Makoto's life. However, Makoto encourages his friends to face reality and earns the title of Ultimate Hope (超高校級の「希望」, Chō-kōkō-kyū no "Kibō", Super High School Level Hope) with Junko committing suicide in response. Shortly afterwards, Makoto to escape from the academy alive with rest of the survivors: Kyoko, Byakuya, Toko, Asahina and Yasuhiro.[25]

During the events of Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair, Makoto and the other survivors attempt to forcibly rehabilitate the Remnants of Despair by placing them inside a virtual world which would rewrite their memories of being terrorist members of Ultimate Despair and remove their motivation to continue spreading despair. However, because of a virus containing Junko's Alter Ego inserted by former Ultimate Hope Izuru Kamukura, the world is turned into another killing game, prompting Makoto, Kyoko and Byakuya to eventually enter the virtual world themselves to help the surviving students activate a shutdown sequence to stop Junko once and for all.[26]

During the events of Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls, set between the events of the first two games, Makoto is depicted as an agent of the Future Foundation, dedicated to rebuilding society and fighting Junko's legacy, sending forces into Towa City to rescue his sister Komaru, who had been captured by Ultimate Despair before the original killing game took place to serve as a future motive, although ultimately unused. While Komaru is taking on the forces of the Warriors of Hope, she contacts Makoto over a video call, who, surprised to see her, explains the state of the world to her. Sometime later, Byakuya informs Makoto over a separate video call that Komaru has elected to remain in the city with Toko to search for the corpses of their parents.[27][28]

Makoto appears throughout Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony in apparent flashbacks to the life of new killing game participant Shuichi Saihara, as a persona taken on by the new mastermind, and as a supporting character in the game demo.[29] Makoto is present in action video game Danganronpa: Unlimited Battle[30] and virtual reality tech demo Cyber Danganronpa VR: The Class Trial.[31]

Makoto appears as the protagonist of Danganronpa: The Animation, adapting an abridged version of Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc. Makoto returns as the protagonist of the Future Arc story arc of the anime Danganronpa 3: The End of Hope's Peak High School (set sometime after the events of Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair), now on trial for treason for saving the Remnants of Despair who carried on the will of Junko Enoshima from the Future Foundation. As top members of the Future Foundation, including Makoto's former classmates Kyoko Kirigiri, Aoi Asahina, and Yasuhiro Hagakure, are brought together to decide on Makoto's punishment, they are all imprisoned by a new Monokuma,[32] who forces everyone present to participate in a final killing game, in which they must try to determine a traitor amongst their ranks who will kill them in their sleep, while also trying to avoid being poisoned to death by personalised forbidden actions. His forbidden action is "running in the hallway."[33] In the climax, Makoto himself ends up unintentionally triggering Kyoko's forbidden action – remaining alive for four cycles with Makoto himself still being alive. He is shocked and blames himself for letting her die. However, her last words of encouragement to him seemed to give Makoto just hope and determination to bring an end to the Final Killing Game.[34] Makoto is able to convince Kyosuke Munakata that Kazuo Tengan may not have been a Remnant of Despair and was simply forcing Ryota's hand by setting up and putting into action the Final Killing Game. That Kazuo's hope was his belief in Ryota's talents and that he did not expect Ryota Mitarai to ever participate in the game. Upon this deduction, they are able to discover Ryota's plan of action, that he will be heading for a broadcast studio situated in a nearby building.[35]

In the Hope Arc of Danganronpa 3: The End of Hope's Peak High School, as Makoto races to stop Ryota from broadcasting his Hope video, he and the others are assisted by the arrival of the 77th Class, restore to fighting form by an awakened Izuru Kamukura. As Kyosuke leaves Makoto in charge of bringing hope to the world as he goes off to shoulder his own burden, it is revealed that Kyoko had managed to survive her poisoning thanks to an antidote, much to Makoto's relief. A few months later, the former Ultimate students get together to rebuild Hope's Peak Academy, with Makoto serving as its headmaster.[36]

In the Despair Arc of Danganronpa 3: The End of Hope's Peak High School, a young Makoto appears in Hope's Peak Academy where his good luck saves him from being killed by a wrench Junko throws at him. Makoto remains unaware of the attack and his own luck during the episode, after which point Junko and Mukuro decide to keep him alive as a "wild card".[37]

Makoto makes minor cameo appearances in the light novel series Danganronpa Zero, Danganronpa Kirigiri and Danganronpa Togami, as well as in the manga series Killer Killer.[38][39][40] A short story booklet titled Danganronpa: Makoto Naegi Secret File – The Worst Day Ever (ダンガンロンパ Makoto Naegi Secret File 苗木誠、人生最悪の日, Naegi Makoto, Jinsei Saiaku no Hi), written by Kazutaka Kodaka, was included with special editions of the first Japanese Blu-ray and DVD release of Danganronpa: The Animation, serving as an origin story for how Makoto became selected as the "Ultimate Lucky Student" of Hope's Peak Academy, in that his luck led to the original female candidate intended for the role being replaced by unknowingly destroying her acceptance letter, leading to a new lottery being held, in that his bad luck is so powerful that it cancels the good luck of anyone around him, and that when his good luck rarely manifests, it is immensely powerful in its own right, allowing outcomes that are nearly statistically impossible to occur, such as getting the Escape Switch from the item machine in the non-canonical alternate universe short story Danganronpa IF and surviving his near-execution in the first game.[41]

Makoto Naegi appears in the Spike Chunsoft game Mystery Chronicle: One Way Heroics along with Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls protagonist Komaru Naegi, where they are designs available for the game's Ultimate Student class.[42] Makoto additionally appears in Crypt of the NecroDancer and Identity V as alternative costumes for the main character, along with characters from series developed by Spike Chunsoft such as Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer and Kenka Bancho.[43] He is also present in a collaboration illustration betweeen Danganronpa and the anime Akudama Drive.[44] In December 2020, Japanese fashion brand Estryllia Enhillia announced a clothing line featuring a range of dresses, accessories, and unisex clothing pieces themed around Danganronpa characters to tie in with the 10th anniversary of Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc, including Makoto, Toko Fukukawa, Byakuya Togami, Kyoko, Junko Enoshima and Monokuma.[45]

Critical response to the character has been favorable. GameSpot regarded Makoto as a relatable character due to how an early twist in regards to a character might fool both the player and Makoto at the same time. His actions in the game were compared with the character of Phoenix Wright, a character from Capcom's visual novel Ace Attorney.[46][47][48] Gaming Age found the character likable enough to make people worry whether or he would be one of the characters to be murdered in the school, thus making his actions more important.[49] Meristation enjoyed Makoto's actions when solving murder cases thanks to the options provided.[50] US Gamer enjoyed Makoto's characterization as does not suffer from too much grief when losing friends, making the pacing of the first game enjoyable.[51] Both PlayStation LifeStyle and Polygon enjoyed Makoto's interactions with the main cast with the latter pointing that as through his point of view, even the most unlikable characters display redeeming traits.[52][53] Similarly, Vandal liked how the player must use Makoto to get respect from the rest of the cast across the narrative, especially while solving trials.[54] In regards to the manga adaptation of the first game, Manga News enjoyed how Makoto's relationship with Kyoko continuously improved the more time they worked together to investigate the culprits from each murder.[55] His appearances in the anime adaptation were mixed due to how properly were Makoto's game mechanics when solving cases were adapted in the form of incriminating the culprits by the main character.[56][57]

Makoto's role in the second series was also the source of positive reaction.[58] Manga.Tokyo also praised Makoto's appearances in the anime and his connection with Komaru in the anime sequel.[59] Manga.Tokyo describes his introduction in the Future Arc as "The Downfall of the Hero" due to how the anime's narrative treated Makoto in the first episodes of this story arc.[60] Anime News Network expressed shock by the way Makoto was treated in the series in general following multiple events in the original Danganronpa series as it would affect the audience who played the game or watched the original anime.[61] In a following review, the site commented on Makoto's hope values as how they rivaled Munakata. The reviewer claimed "Makoto's optimistic faith is laudable, and he is technically in yet another game with concrete rules that can be won".[62] David Lynn from the Fandom Post discussed the themes employed in the writing of Makoto during the Future Arc involving his "inclusive, idealistic hope" which contrasted with Kyosuke's "pragmatic, goal-driven hope" giving a reason to make these two characters clash in the anime adaptation of Future Arc.[63] Chris Beveridge from the same site felt that Makoto's setting of being arrested caused a major distrust this causes to the Foundation and eventual development within most of the major cast members.[64]

In reviewing the three story arcs from the anime, GamesRadar writer Kenneth Shephard felt that the anime managed to bring closure to Makoto's story arc and felt his story easy for newcomers rather than just returning players.[65] Similarly, Thanasis Karavasilis from Manga.Tokyo felt that the Hope Arc finale episode of End of Hope's Peak managed to bring a proper conclusion to both Makoto's fight that started in the Future Arc and bring parallelism to how his story and Hajime's were given closure as both have been fighting to survive ever since the video games.[66] The character's relationship with Kyoko was also compared with Romeo and Juliet based on the romantical tragedy that occurs with apparent death of Kyoko by Jacob Chapman from Anime News Network.[67] As a result, Kyoko's survival to the killing game was noted by Karavasilis to have aided Makoto who had been suffering ever since he believed he lost her and he recovers his happiness in the process.[66]

The voice actors behind Makoto were also well received.[68] In an "Anime! Anime!" poll, he was rated as the 5th most popular character voiced by Megumi Ogata.[69] Theron Martin from Anime News Network praised Bryce Papenbrook's work as Makoto, finding him fitting for the character.[70] For the Danganronpa 3 anime, James Beckett from the same website once again acclaimed Papenbrook fas he brings "the goofy charm and charisma that has made Makoto such an endearing hero over the years".[71] Kotaku writer Richard Eisenbeis complimented Ogata's in voicing the main character while also liking the execution provided as he "gets the time to shine".[72]

Makoto has been a popular character. The Gamer listed him as the second best Danganronpa character behind Monokuma based on his skills with finding culprits and his growth into a stronger person despite his average traits.[73] Yuzuru Hanyu's performance in the 2014 Winter Olympics led to an illustration of the athlete skating alongside a parody of Monokuma. Ogata enjoyed the reference to Makoto and claimed that "He's an Ultimate-class figure skater!"[74] In April 2020 when the game's developers announced a new installments, Ogata celebrated this, talking about Makoto's ideal regarding hope.[75] In a popularity poll from the franchise for the collected release of Trigger Happy Havoc and Goodbye Despair, Makoto took the first spot. As celebration, Rui Komatsuzaki did an illustration of the top five who would be featured in the re-release of the games, Reload.[76]

While remembering the release of the first Danganronpa anime, Kodaka learned of how a fan was overjoyed by just seeing two characters often promoted. In response, he believes that such two characters must have been Makoto and Kyoko based on their popularity, comically mentioning it could not have been Hifumi or Yashuhiro. In response to Kodaka's comments, Ogata stated that most male characters were "cute".[4] A fan expressed delight over Makoto's acts in the first game during his constants fights against the themes of despair to the point of wanting to be like him, making for him the story of the first Danganronpa superior despite having an unspecified character in Goodbye Despair as his favorite. Ogata commented that ever since Danganronpa multiple friends were sad about the deaths of Makoto's friends. Kodaka claimed that both storylines were written specifically different, making Makoto's story more tragic.[3]