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No matter how intensely the stormy seas may batter me, I will not fall as long as my feet are firmly planted! And if you can't do it alone, just find someone to support you, and you can support them back! That's how you can overcome any storm!

Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc


Kiyotaka Ishimaru (石丸 清多夏), also known as Taka, is a student in Hope's Peak Academy's Class 78th, and a participant of the Killing School Life featured in Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc. His title is the Ultimate Moral Compass (超高校級の「風紀委員」 lit. Super High School Level Public Morals Committee Member).

History[]

Early Life[]

Ishimaru's Grandfather in the manga

During Kiyotaka's early life, his grandfather, Toranosuke Ishimaru, was once Prime Minister of Japan; a title Kiyotaka believed he gained through his own natural genius rather than any hard work.

After only a few months in office, the public opinion of Toranosuke changed from high praise to widespread criticism due to a disastrous scandal, and he was forced to step down. After that, his business collapsed and the Ishimaru Family was left mistrusted and in huge debts which Kiyotaka has stated “Still have not been paid off, and continue to trouble my family to this day” and “My family is middle-class... No, we are below even that...” His family name shamed, Kiyotaka's grandfather allegedly spent the last years of his life in shamed silence.

Kiyotaka gained a deep resentment for his grandfather and the label of “genius” that was associated with him, though he simultaneously seemed to feel sorry for him and believed that his grandfather's tragedy was an important lesson for him. He swore to restore honor to his family name by gaining his success through hard work rather than natural talent, sacrificing hobbies, and most of his social interactions for study sessions and good grades, even going as far to tell Makoto he never played video games or watched TV due to his dedication. Because of this, his social skills suffered and he didn't have any friends. He was a model student in his middle school, known for participating in its morals committee (disciplinary committee in the original Japanese game).

Kiyotaka attended Kaiseidan High School, and later, a few years after his grandfather died, was scouted by Hope's Peak Academy as part of Class 78th as the Ultimate Moral Compass.

Killing School Life[]

Main article: Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc
Taka, Leon, Mondo, Chihiro

During the Tragedy, Jin Kirigiri, the Headmaster of Hope's Peak Academy, planned to seal the school building and let the students live forever inside the Academy in order to protect them from the destruction. The class agreed to his plan, and they sealed the building together. The students lived peacefully inside the school building for a year without knowing that the Ultimate Despair members were already in their midst.

Danganronpa 1 CG - Cafeteria Meeting (Chapter 1)

After Monokuma first appeared to make his announcement about the Killing School Life, Kiyotaka assigned himself as a de-facto leader to the students and organized the morning meeting where the students would meet in the cafeteria to discuss trying to escape the school.

Later, as an incentive to murder in order to escape, the students were each given a DVD featuring a video from Monokuma which implied that their loved ones were in danger. Kiyotaka's father, Takaaki Ishimaru, was captured by Ultimate Despair for this motive.

Stamina Contest[]

Danganronpa 1 CG - Mondo Owada and Kiyotaka Ishimaru sauna contest

The negative relationship between Kiyotaka and Mondo Owada came to a head in a "Stamina Contest" between the two of them after arguments. The Stamina Contest was in the sauna, and who could have survived the longest in it as the heat was turned up. Makoto was set to judge, only to be chased away and leaving the pair alone for the night.


Danganronpa the Animation (Episode 04) - Male Bonding (042)

The next day, animosity now put aside, Kiyotaka and Mondo became very close, even calling each other "bro" to indicate their sudden deep friendship. Makoto tries to bring up their previous rivalry, only to be shut down by Mondo and Kiyotaka.

Becoming "Kiyondo"[]

Danganronpa the Animation (Episode 06) - Ten Million Dollar Motive (17)

In the Class Trial of Chihiro's murder, Kiyotaka became horrified when Mondo was identified as the culprit by Makoto. He refused to believe it and even came to Mondo's defense. This proved fruitless as Mondo was indeed revealed as the Blackened, and when it came time to vote, he did not vote for Mondo and instead voted for himself. Afterward, he broke down into tears and wailed in despair over losing his close friend.

The culmination of the second trial traumatized Kiyotaka to a point that he was rendered completely mute and near-catatonic, not responding to anyone.

After he received news about Alter Ego (whom he mistook as Chihiro Fujisaki's spirit) and their discovery from the other remaining students, he immediately went to Makoto's room and asked him to guide him to Alter Ego, since he wanted to apologize to Chihiro for what Mondo had done.

Danganronpa the Animation (Episode 06) - Meeting Alter Ego (57)

When Kiyotaka and Alter Ego finally met, Alter Ego tried to console Kiyotaka by mimicking Mondo's voice, personality, and changing their avatar to Mondo's face. Because of the shock of seeing his "bro" alive again, Kiyotaka's grief manifests into a merge of his personality, and Mondo's personality, and became "Kiyondo".

He then became very overprotective of Alter Ego, thinking they were his deceased "bro" Mondo, and because of this, he began a sudden bitter rivalry with Hifumi Yamada for the artificial intelligence's attention, which accumulated into Kiyotaka's eventual fate.

Kiyotaka's Fate[]

Kiyotaka was manipulated into going into the Science Lab Storage Room with a claim of an escape route found in the school by Hifumi, who in turn was manipulated by Celestia Ludenberg, as a part of a murder plot set up by her. He was bludgeoned in the back of the head by Hifumi with Justice Hammer #4, killing him instantly, then his corpse was brought to the Art Room Storage by Hifumi who was eventually killed as well.


Post-Killing School Life[]

Makoto's Hallucination[]

Main Article: Danganronpa 3: The End of Hope's Peak High School - Future Arc #11.
Kuwata and Ishimaru's death

Kiyotaka is seen alongside his deceased classmates in Makoto's hallucination. He is first standing next to Celestia Ludenberg, which then morphs into him bleeding from the head reflecting how he, along with the other deceased members of the 78th Class, had died.

Real Fiction[]

In Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony, it is alleged by the mastermind Tsumugi Shirogane that the entire Danganronpa franchise is fictional in-universe; a series of games, anime, and later live-action dramas performed actors. In particular, Tsumugi, who is the Ultimate Cosplayer, claims she is only able to cosplay fictional characters (breaking out into a bright pink rash whenever she tries to cosplay a real person), and the fact she is able to cosplay as the whole cast of Danganronpa characters including Kiyotaka Ishimaru is used as evidence to support her claim that all of the cast are fictional. However, due to a number of holes in Tsumugi's story which make her an unreliable narrator, whether or not she was telling the truth is deliberately left up to the player's interpretation; as a result, it is up to the player whether they believe Kiyotaka's story within the Danganronpa series was real, or a fictional story written by Team Danganronpa and performed by an actor.

Creation and Development[]

Kiyotaka Ishimaru Beta Designs 1

Kiyotaka was first set up as a hot-blooded exceptional student. His role as a hall monitor came later, but the basic plan stayed the same.

The character designer, Rui Komatsuzaki, was asked to depict him as "enthusiastic to the point of being mad", with black googly round eyes. At first, Kiyotaka's hair was longer and stuck up. To highlight his madness, his design was made military-based, and he was given a school uniform and short hair. Slowly, he began to look much more like a soldier.

Since Kiyotaka is a character rich in expression, Komatsuzaki had fun drawing the many face patterns his sprites required, he describes it as:

"Ishimaru overreacts to everything, but more than anything I tried giving everything I had when drawing his crying expressions."[5]

In an interview with Kazutaka Kodaka, creator and writer of the Danganronpa series, it was stated that they were originally planning to elaborate on Kiyotaka's middle school life but “it looked like it [was] going to turn dark, [so] we stopped”.[6]

Kiyotaka's birthday, August 31, is the last day of summer vacation before the continuation of the school year in Japan, and the beginning of the new school year in many countries around the world - somewhat fitting Kiyotaka's unmatched dedication to his studies.

In DISTRUST, a prototype murder mystery novel that was later developed into Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc, Kiyotaka's full name was originally Kiyotaka Ishiru.

The kanji for "Kiyotaka" (清多夏) translates into "a myriad pure summers". The kanji for "Ishimaru" (石丸) is composed of the kanji characters 石 ishi - stone, and 丸 maru, which among other things means both "circle" and "perfection". The last name could be meant to reflect Kiyotaka's stern personality, his perfectionism, and his strong sense of justice.

In the English localization, he has a shortened version of his name as a nickname: "Taka".

The name “Ishida” (石田), which he takes after “fusing” with Mondo's soul, comes from the first kanji from Kiyotaka's family name (石) and last kanji from Mondo's family name (田).

In the English localization, his name is changed to "Kiyondo" which combines Kiyotaka and Mondo's first names, instead of family names, without the use of any kanji from either name.

Alternate Fates[]

School Mode and Ultimate Talent Development Plan exist in two separate alternate universes where Kiyotaka still attends Hope's Peak Academy, but no students are in peril. As they are alternate universes, these events are non-canonical, but because Kiyotaka's personality in unchanged, backstory information shared by him in these events is considered questionably or dubiously canonical rather than fully non-canonical.

Free Time Events are also considered somewhat questionably canonical due to the nature of how Free Time Events are accessed (in that some characters' Free Time Events cannot be fully completed during the course of the canon game storyline due to limitations on the number of interactions you can have with them during one playthrough, and thus can only be accessed after they have canonically died either through a second playthrough or via School Mode). However, due to Free Time Events being largely experienced during the canon game storyline, Free Time Events are more grounded in canon than School Mode and Ultimate Talent Development Plan and are largely considered canon by the majority of players.

Unused Execution[]

Sonia-Nevermind-Pixel-for-Jpn-Template The section below is based on non-localized content only available in Japanese.

As such, this information is based on fan-contributed translation.

In the Danganronpa Visual Fanbook, there is a description of executions for all of the characters who did not have one. Kiyotaka's execution is called Prime Minister Ishimaru Kiyotaka's Inaugural Parade and described as the following:

"Ishimaru sits on a vehicle and answers people's cheers in the middle of a huge, gorgeous parade. The crowd has posters that say things such as “Hooray for Prime Minister Ishimaru”. In the next moment, Monokuma pops up resembling Golgo 13 and kills him with a shot through the heart."

Other Alternate Fates[]

Danganronpa 1 CG - Everyone escapes (Another End) (2)

The Danganronpa 3 box set included a feature detailing an alternate ending of Danganronpa called Danganronpa Another End which ultimately never made it out of the development phase. In this ending, all of the students escape, at the cost of giving up their talent forever. In Kiyotaka's ending, claims he will become a farmer, and attempt to lead his country from an "agricultural viewpoint".

Kiyotaka also escapes Hope's Peak in the novel Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc IF, but in this version all his classmates survived.

Appearance[]

Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc design document
Kiyotaka Ishimaru Fullbody Sprite (1)

At the beginning of the Killing School Life, Kiyotaka appears to be a high school-aged teenager but, due to the memory loss, he is two years older than he believed. He has short, spiky black hair, large and long matching eyebrows, and intense red eyes.

He wears a military-style white Japanese school male uniform with five golden buttons on each sleeve and five on his chest, a red and bronze medal above his right breast pocket featuring his Former High School symbol, yellow epaulettes, a red, black, and white armband with the kanji 風紀 fūki (meaning "Public Morals"), and knee-high black lace-up boots.

The kanji character adorning the collar of his uniform, 参, actually represents a verb read as 参る mairu which can mean either "to be defeated", "to be annoyed", "to be madly in love" or "to visit a shrine/grave".

As Kiyondo, his appearance is mostly the same but his hair is pure white and his eyes have a glowing red aura to them, however given his corpse has his black hair it's unknown if the drastic change in appearance happened in reality or was metaphorical.

DR1 Present 101 Kiyotaka's Undergarments

During his school years, he wore a set of white briefs. They were manufactured by a company named: "Military World".

His swimsuit in Danganronpa S: Ultimate Summer Camp consists of a pair of dark indigo swimsuit briefs and a silver whistle tied around his neck with a white string.


Personality[]

Befitting of the Ultimate Moral Compass, Kiyotaka is righteous and values order and rules above all else. He takes his role as a student very seriously, shown when he gets upset that there are currently no classes going on during the Killing School Life. He also states he has 10 sets of his uniform so he never runs out and so he is able to wear one every day of the year, even on holidays or days off from school. He is shown to be very polite and respectful, as in original Japanese release, he addresses people, even girls with "-kun" honorifics.

Because of his grandfather's tragedy, he considers effort most important and he is a hard worker, believing that one can achieve anything through it. He views his grandfather with bitterness, but also pity, as considers genius's fate a tragedy and he considers geniuses his enemies because they don't understand the true value of effort. He also believes that people who are easily provoked to violence are cowards. Described as "enthusiastic to the point of being mad", Kiyotaka believes that every action must have a purpose and he absolutely hates wasting time.

Fitting his talent, Kiyotaka often takes up and views himself as a leader, as seen when he organizes the morning meeting for the other students. However, he often isn't taken very seriously—due to his extreme dedication to studying and proper conduct, he could not even hold a "normal" conversation with another person, which becomes clear very soon if someone spends free time with him. Furthermore, he is very expressive and intense in his manner of speech and is almost constantly shouting. Due to his lack of social skills, he often bursts out the first thing that comes to his mind and forces his values and beliefs on others, which he's aware of and feels guilty about. Possibly because of the lack of social interaction in his life, he can also be insensitive toward another at times, as evidenced at the beginning of Chapter 2, when he said that Makoto would not feel too comfortable sleeping in the same room with Sayaka Maizono's corpse.

Nevertheless, Kiyotaka truly cares about his classmates. He is willing to take pragmatic approaches to avoid murder, such as offering to have everyone, starting with himself, reveal their secrets to avoid Monokuma's second incentive and naively thinking during the first trial the killer would raise their hand and reveal themselves to avoid said trial. In the non-canon Free Time Events, he even dubs Makoto "Professor", much to the latter's discomfort.

Though he acts confidently and is quick to take the role of leadership, he suffers from low-self esteem at times and he is quite sensitive, sometimes crying very easily if he is shocked or touched by something. Inside, he wishes he could make friends and have someone to talk to, but he feels that he might be a nuisance to others, as he is stated to overreact to everything. Some of his other weaknesses appear to be his slight naivety and slow-wittedness, as he sometimes figures things out slower than the most other students, and tricking him seems to be rather easy.

One of his unique traits is also his belief that "when the body is naked, so is the soul", meaning that showing each other their naked bodies helps two men form mutual trust.[7] Overall, Kiyotaka values bonds between men, and during his Free Time Event, he asks Makoto to bathe with him in an attempt to become closer friends with him.

In the end, the death of his first and best friend, Mondo, renders him in a state of shock and he becomes almost completely speechless and unresponsive. He only comes out of this state when seeing Alter Ego, to whom he apologies to for Mondo's actions. When Alter Ego impersonates Mondo to try to help Kiyotaka, he adopts the persona of "Kiyondo" and becomes more aggressive as well as very protective of Alter Ego, whom he sees as his "Bro". Similar to Mondo, his behavior and language is more aggressive, though refuses to use vulgar language (though he does so in the Japanese version). However, he still sees himself as the Ultimate Moral Compass, mentioning himself that he wouldn't perform criminal activities.

Talent and Abilities[]

Ultimate Moral Compass[]

Danganronpa 1 Kiyotaka Ishimaru English Game Introduction

As the Ultimate Moral Compass, Kiyotaka has a strong sense of morality and duty. Even during the Killing School Life, he doesn't forget his rigorous beliefs about right and wrong. Kiyotaka often takes up the role of a leader and tries his best to lead his fellow classmates on the right path, much to their annoyance.

Ultimate Moral Compass official translations in other languages
Language Talent Translation
日本語 Japanese 超高校級の「風紀委員」 Super High School Level Public Morals Committee Member
中文(臺灣) Chinese (Trad) 超高校級的“風紀股長” Super High School Level Discipline Monitor *
中文(香港) Chinese (Simp) 超高校级的“风纪股长” Super High School Level Discipline Monitor *
français French Le Compas Moral Ultime The Ultimate Moral Compass *
Le Délégué Ultime The Ultimate Class Representative *
Le Préfet Ultime The Ultimate Prefect *
Deutsch German Super-Flur-Aufseher Super Hall-Monitor *
italiano Italian Super Addetto Disciplinare Liceale Super High School Level Discipline Monitor *
español Spanish (Spain) Super Estudiante de Instituto Nivel: Prefecto Super High School Student Level: Prefect *
Supermonitor de bachillerato Super High School Monitor *
nci Spanish (Mexico) Súper estudiante vigilante de pasillo Super Hall Monitor Student *
es-AR Spanish (Argentina) Súper disciplinario de secundaria Super High School Disciplinarian *
polski Polish Super Porządkowy Super Rule-Abiding *
português do Brasil Portuguese Monitor Supercolegial Super High School Monitor *

Differences Between Talents[]

In the original Japanese version of the game, Kiyotaka's title is "Super High School Level Public Morals Committee Member" (超高校級の「風紀委員」). The "public morals committee", also known as the "disciplinary committee", is a student committee dedicated to the preservation of a proper learning atmosphere and enforcement of the rules around the school (two duties Kiyotaka is very dedicated to fulfilling) that is commonplace in Japanese high schools. It is apparently characteristic for disciplinary committee members to wear uniform armbands.

Due to the concept of disciplinary committees being relatively obscure in North America and Europe, the official English translation of the game came to translate Kiyotaka's title metaphorically as "Moral Compass".

Free Time Events & Bonus Mode Guides[]

The links below are full transcripts and in-depth guides for Kiyotaka Ishimaru's relationship routes in Free Time Events, School Mode, Ultimate Talent Development Plan, and Danganronpa S Development Mode, including his MonoMono Machine Present preferences and most effective dialogue options.

DR1 Present 101 Kiyotaka's Undergarments Danganronpa 1 School Mode Trip Ticket Kiyotaka Ishimaru School Mode Pixel Icon (1) DRS Development Icon
Free Time Events School Mode Ultimate Talent
Development Plan
Danganronpa S
Development Mode


Quotes[]

Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc (English)

Prologue:

  • "Just a moment! There's something else we must address! Makoto! Your tardiness is unacceptable! Surely you were aware the meeting was to start at 8 a.m. sharp! To be late on your first day is unspeakable! I must report you, and you must accept your due punishment!"
  • "Jeez, you guys! How long do you plan to waste our valuable time with this ridiculous back-and-forth!? Self-introductions are for introducing yourself, not bumbling through a bunch of idle chit-chat!"
  • "I'm Kiyotaka Ishimaru. I believe in bold simplicity! Let's work together on our educational crusade!"
  • "Anyway, you can call me Taka. You said your name was Makoto Naegi, right? That's a good name, a strong name! You should thank your parents for giving you such an excellent name. And to keep that name from losing its value, you must devote yourself every single day! Life is worth putting every ounce of effort into it! Right? Right!"
  • "A lie, is what it is. All these ridiculous things we've heard... This all has to be fake!"

Chapter 1:

  • "R-Right... She's right! Sometimes, even if you're nervous or afraid, you just have to step forward! To forget such a simple fact... I can't forgive myself. Please, someone hit me! I can't forgive myself! Somebody hit me! Punish me!"
  • "True. We need to find out where exactly we are. Is there any way out? What about food and supplies? There are tons of questions we need to answer!"
  • "Ah, Makoto! Sayaka! So you two got here first, huh? Too bad... I was sure I'd beat everyone here. I guess that just means I don't have enough fighting spirit yet! Well I won't give up! Next time, I swear I'll win no matter what it takes! Justice shall always prevail!"
  • "The sooner we find out what's going on, the sooner we get out of here!"
  • "Darn it, Kyoko! You're really going to be late like this on the first day of school!? Not only is she late, she didn't tell anyone she would be late! A most unbecoming personality trait..."
  • "Well what do you want me to do!? Punctuality is everything!"
  • "Yes, morning greetings are quite a delight! Such an energizing way to start the day! Now then, let's make sure we both do our very best throughout the day!" (to Makoto)
  • "No matter how intensely the stormy seas may batter me, I will not fall as long as my feet are firmly planted! ...You agree, right? And if you can't do it alone, just find someone to support you, and you can support them back! That's how you can overcome any storm!"
  • "I was thinking about it last night, and...I decided we all need to really come together. And that was when I realized... Every morning from now on, after the morning announcement, everyone should have breakfast together! And now is the beginning of that fateful day! Please head to the dining hall at your earliest convenience! That's all for now! I have to go let everyone else know the good news!"
  • "Everyone, thank you for making time in your busy schedules to come together. I know I already mentioned this earlier, but... In order to get out of here, it is essential that we all cooperate with each other. And the first step is this breakfast meeting, to allow us to become friends and build trust! So from now on, let's all meet here in the dining hall every morning after the morning announcement! Now then, let's eat!"
  • "Certainly is not a concern right now! I'll allow whatever remarks you may have!"
  • "Don't put those awful thoughts in our head! That's exactly what they *want* us to do!"
  • "Let's not jump to conclusions just yet! Save that for the Class Trial! There we can all reveal the details of Makoto's crime!"
  • "Relax! I haven't decided 100% that you're the culprit just yet!"
  • "Okay then...everyone close your eyes, and whoever did it, raise your hand!"
  • "It IS a problem! A boy and a girl spending the night together!? It's...it's...unwholesome!" (Mistaking Sakura as a guy)

Chapter 2:

  • "More like a staple food source! Now let's get moving!"
  • "But it's also of utmost importance to double-check the areas we already know about, just in case! Aren't I so clever to think of that!? I really impress myself sometimes."
  • "An army marches on its stomach, as they say! We must all eat! Eat until there's nothing left to eat! Anyway, now is no time to get discouraged. We must head elsewhere to continue our search!"
  • "He's right! In this situation, there's nothing scarier than when an ally turns loose cannon! It's just like when we were kids, and someone would go crazy at sports day or whatever!"
  • "You *are* a coward! That's why you turn to violence to solve your problems! That's why you can't do what society asks of you, why you walk around dressed like that! You've already lost to yourself, but you're such a coward you don't even realize it!"
  • "He'll be done in a matter of minutes, anyway. People like him are, without exception, all talk!"
  • "Say wh-whatever you want...I'm still totally...good to go! In fact, I'm starting to feel...kinda cold!"
  • "In a true competition...there's no such thing as a tie! You win, or you lose. That's...the only thing that matters!"
  • "Come tomorrow morning... ...you'll fall down in front of me...down on your knees. I'll show you where to do it...!"
  • "Forget her, bro. A girl like her just doesn't get our manly bond! Friendship between men is stronger than blood! A woman could never understand!"
  • "No, bro, you mustn't! Your body is a temple, given to you by your loving parents!"
  • "Yeah, don't ask stupid questions! What matters is that we both took apart in it together!" (to Makoto)
  • "I don't know what you've got planned, but we're not going to kill each other anymore! No matter what you do, I swear to God we won't!"
  • "He's right! Your plan is doomed to fail! No one's gonna murder someone for this kind of thing!"
  • "Good news, everyone! I have a brilliant idea! Why don't we all just confess the secrets in those envelopes right here and now!? If we do that, any and all motive for murder will vanish! That's pretty smart, right!?"
  • "Having our secrets exposed isn't going to be fun, but it's not like we're gonna die cuz of it! So, you know, um... Don't do anything hasty!"
  • "Oh... Uh, okay, sorry. I know it's gonna be tough, but..."
  • "Maybe we should have confessed our embarrassing secrets after all..! Dammit! I'm sorry, Chihiro... It's all because I wasn't strong enough!"
  • "I don't know why the killer did what they did, but... I'm sure it'll work itself out! Justice always prevails! Right, bro!?"
  • "I have no idea what's going on anymore...! Could such a heinous villain really be innocent!?"
  • "He kept calling this is a game, right? So he'd be totally willing to do something like this to "win"!"
  • "Hey, don't just move on without permission!"
  • "Do you not have a mind of your own!?"
  • "The more I hear you talk, the more I don't understand! I mean, you guys trusted each other, right!?"

Chapter 3:

  • "If I can go back to the past...then I can... This time I'll stop Mondo for sure—!"
  • "It's starting to sink in... The way a bucketful of water sinks into a bone-dry sponge... Those words... Deep within my heart...! They're inside of me! Uwaaaaaaaaaaaahhh!"

As Kiyondo:

  • "Who the fudge is Taka!? Hey, don't worry about it! Guess I caused kind of a scene, huh? Shoot, man... I'm...a new me... Hraaah! I'm totally stuffed with fighting spirit now! Ya dumbbutt! I AM calm! And don't call me Taka! That's...that's not my name anymore... I'm...me! I! Am! Meeeeeee!"
  • "Who the hell's Taka!? Listen up! I'm me! Got it!? Don't bullcrap me! Isn't it obvious!? I'm Kiyotaka AND Mondo. So, like...Kiyondo, I guess... I'm gonna stick a banana up your tailpipe!"
  • "Alter Ego! He's an exact copy of the one who gave me my soul back! And I'm not gonna let anyone else have him ever again! Fudgin' idiot!"
  • "Well me and HIM have been melded together in the white-hot heat of FRIENDSHIP! Moron! Talk down to me and I'll ram my fist right into all of your vital points!"
  • "Who's got a problem with who my friends are!? We're gonna have a little CHAT!"
  • "Hey! You! How long were you gonna keep us waiting!? It's almost 10 o'clock, you know that!? Bedtime for all the good little boys and girls!"
  • "You're the suspicious one here! You're nothin' but a big, jiggling sack of fat!"
  • "How many times do they hafta kill bro before they're happy...? I'll beg, I'll scrape my head across the ground. Just please give him back...!"
  • "That doesn't matter. Nothing...nothing else matters... No matter what it takes, I'm gonna get him back! That's my promise as a man!"
  • "Who gives a crap about "effective"!? We're talkin' about our FEELINGS here!"

Danganronpa: The Animation (English)

Episode 04:

  • "There is no such thing as a "draw" in a duel!"
  • "Girls could never hope to understand the strong bond men share! Friendship between men runs thicker than blood!"

As Ishida:

  • "I'm no longer Ishimaru! It's me! It's friggin' me!"

Free Time Events:

  • "You know, sometimes what students need is a meeting of the soul. Would you like to study with me?"
  • "Study, of course! I'm a student, aren't I? A student must be studying professional! And of course my duties as the chairperson of the morals committee keep me quite busy, as well! It's my duty to foster an environment in which we can all focus our studies!"
  • "But doing things "just for fun" serves no purpose! There must be more to it... You wouldn't spend your valuable time doing something useless, would you!?"
  • "Things like that are more likely to twist the truth than teach you anything useful! If you want to learn about the past, crack open a history book!"
  • "Ahh, I'm so ashamed of myself! If there was a hole somewhere around here, I'd totally go hide in it! I let it get to me, I wasted all that time... I never saw the blind spot in my studies! I'm a complete embarrassment! I'm not qualified to even be on the morals committee, let alone lead it!"
  • "Well that's not the case here at Hope's Peak Academy! As long as I live, I will protect our morals!"
  • "A student should head home immediately after school! Are you saying that you stay out after dark? What are you getting up to, Makoto!?"
  • "Students these days are utterly ignorant of proper dress code. It's quite a pain! And frankly, I don't understand youth fashion these days anyway!"
  • "School itself may observe holidays, but there's no such thing as vacation for a student! So as long as I live the life of a student, I will always wear my uniform!"
  • "I'm just gonna come right out and say it... I'm freaking out! As we speak, we’re being left in the dust by other students our age! I'm totally freaking out! Makoto! What should I do!? If I keep involuntarily skipping class like this, I'm gonna reach dunce status in no time!"
  • "I'm no genius. I'm a normal person, just like anyone else. I'm from a middle-class family, you know? Actually they're not even middle-class... That's why I have to push hard! I have to knock down that wall! It's not geniuses that change the world. It's ordinary people who make every effort they can. And to prove that, I have to keep on making effort after effort after effort! So don't call me a genius! Don't lump me in with those lazy clods who don't put in any effort!"
  • "But I only said all that because you and me are the same. You and me, we're just normal people. We know what it means to have to make an effort. That's why I want you to know exactly how I feel... And that's why I'm so passionate about my work on the morals committee. I want to create an environment where everyone has the opportunity to give it everything they've got. That's why I put all my blood, sweat, and tears into creating that kind of environment. I want everyone else to understand that, too. In the end, you can't succeed if you don't try. Anyone who says differently is selling something. And I have to prove that to all the ordinary people out there so they'll keep on trying! I have to become the ordinary man who can surpass any genius! Those are the feelings I carried with me when I entered Hope's Peak Academy..."
  • "I think until you said that just now, I'd totally forgotten what I was here for. The foundation of effort is the will to never give up. You're right. I have to try, no matter the situation. Even without classes, without assignments... I can just look back at what I've learned already and reinforce those basic principles!"
  • "Let's work together as fellow ordinary people to show those geniuses who's boss!" (to Makoto)
  • "Seeing you get excited is getting *me* excited! Let's stack our effort one on top of other and show those self-centered genius jerks what for!"
  • "Some consider genius fate's blessing. But I see it as a tragedy more than anything. The tragedy of finding success without understanding the importance of effort. There's nothing worse than a genius who trips and falls. Just like my grandfather... My grandfather serves as in important lesson why you must never be deceived by words like "genius." Relying on my own effort, I will reach greater accomplishments than anything my grandfather ever did! So we have to work hard to build a society where those who put in the most effort are properly rewarded!"

School Mode:

  • "If we want to get out of here, we all need to work together!"
  • "...Silence gives consent, as they say! Then it's decided! From this point forward, we all agree to work together to maintain a peaceful communal life!"
  • "Even outside of class, students have no time for goofing off!"
  • "Hair doesn't matter! Your only duty is to study!"
  • "All I know is, I don't want to get dragged down by those around me! So no matter what anyone says, I will not falter!"
  • "It's important for every student to know their school's regulations like the back of their hand!"
  • "School is where you come to devote yourself to your studies!"
  • "As they say, to appreciate art is to develop the heart!"
  • "To place value on a book is to place value on knowledge!"
  • "You've decided to pursue knowledge of your own free will! In situations like this one, such independence is a true student's last refuge! I fully support your perseverance, so let's combine forces and do our best!"
  • "Books grant us knowledge, so any student should embrace the habit of reading."
  • "Stop slacking off, Makoto! Your duty as a student is to study! What's the point of standing around in a daze!? As a member of the public morals committee, allow me to help you shape up and fly straight!"
  • "To disturb the peace of the library is unthinkable!"
  • "Plant that butt, arch that back, put your head down and get to studying!"
  • "There's no such thing as boredom in life! If you're bored, that means you're wasting time!"
  • "As students, it's also our duty to nurture our own school spirit!"
  • "Walking is the perfect way to balance your mind and body! And as students, we must always maintain both! Plus, walking helps strengthen the body as well. Two birds with one stone! So as long as we've got the energy, let's walk like we've never walked before!"
  • "Well, where there's a will there's always a way! If it comes down to it, we gotta do what we gotta do!"
  • "A day like today will never come around again. But then again...no two days are really ever the same. Well, I'll never regret the time I spent with you. We have to live each day to its fullest!"
  • "Even being trapped here, if you just give up then you can never really grow. Let's find whatever mental escape we can in here, and just focus on that!"
  • "All that matters is that I keep pushing forward! I had it all wrong, you know... I always thought that showing emotion, showing concern or pain, was a sign of weakness. But that's not true at all. And you taught me that...!"
  • "This world doesn't belong to the geniuses. Try hard enough, and your efforts WILL pay off. I'll see to that myself!"
  • "In the face of effort, NOTHING is impossible! Hahahaha!"

Ultimate Talent Development Plan:

  • "Let's work together on our educational crusade!"
  • "Life is worth putting every ounce of effort into it!"
  • "Friendship between men is stronger than blood!"
  • "Even though we're bros... No, *because* we're bros, I refuse to let you live a slacker's life!"
  • "Gh... Even so, you should not neglect your studies! Studying is a student's duty!"
  • "Disorder in one's outfit is disorder in their heart!"
  • "I don't want you to go easy! I'll beat you with effort! By working hard!"
  • "I am not talented! I got where I am by putting in effort every day!"
  • "I was acknowledged as an Ultimate for working hard. I want the world to work the same way."
  • "However, it should be that those who work hard can win and those with talent aren't relied on!"
  • "Cheering on your weary classmates... Impressive! I will also encourage my friends!"
  • "Talent alone is not enough to secure a good and just society!"
  • "I don't know what kind of man you are, but you should not underestimate the world! Nothing good will come of you abusing others! I cannot abide a man like you!"
  • "You must put in that effort for yourself! You must find out how to best use your talent!"
  • "But I am not alone! Many people know the value of hard work! Even with talent...you are just one man. You make mistakes...and then you die."
  • "That's not it! That's not it, Celeste! It is all my studying, all of my practicing, all of my effort that finally reached you!"
  • "I am going to build a true meritocracy. A society that rewards valiant effort! In that way...I will have truly won against you!"
  • "You've lived your whole life with your talent, and now you want to work hard for a new life! How can I not be touched!? I will support you with all my heart!"
  • "I never dreamed that I could make so many friends! I should have had a more open mind! I will continue this approach in the future!"

Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc IF (English)

  • "As my classmate, I have complete faith in you!"
  • "Stop this already! No matter what you do to us, we'll never commit murder!"
  • "No one here would ever take another human being's life for any reason!"

List of Appearances[]

Trivia[]

  • Kiyotaka's former high school, Kaiseidan High School (開成灘高校), is a reference to two real-world schools that are two of Japan's top academic schools: 開成高校 (Kaisei Koukou) and 灘高校 (Nada Koukou). The Kanji 開成 (Kaisei) and 灘 (Nada) are combined to make 開成灘 (Kaiseidan).[8]
  • Kiyotaka's English voice actor Sean Chiplock is also the voice of Monotaro in the English version of Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony.[9]
  • Kiyotaka shares his birthday with Yui Samidare.
  • Kiyotaka was voted the third most popular character in the Japanese fandom.
  • Kiyotaka is the only character in the series to never stand next to anyone during a Class Trial - the two students beside him, Sayaka and Mukuro, are already dead by the first Trial.

References[]

  1. List of DR and DR2 casts former high schools.
  2. Twitter Icon Sean Chiplock: "Happy to reveal that you can hear me as Kiyotaka Ishimaru in DanganRonpa: Trigger Happy Havoc, due out in early 2014!" (Image of tweet) (17 Aug 2013)
  3. Funimation: Danganronpa the Animation English Cast Announcement (April 4th, 2015)
  4. synchronkartei: Danganronpa: The Animation German Dub Cast
  5. Dangan Ronpa by orenronen - Part 146: Early character designs (Translation)
  6. Kodaka Kazutaka talks about Danganronpa! by Dengeki Online April 16th, 2011 (Japanese)
  7. This is based on the traditional Japanese concept of "naked socializing" (裸の付き合い hadaka no tsukiai), which revolves around how when using a public bathhouse, where one cannot distinguish people according to social class due to the lack of clothing, people are able to form honest bonds with one another.
  8. Kiyotaka Ishimaru's school information researched by @Crocus29 on Tumblr.
  9. Twitter Icon Sean Chiplock: "I voice Monotaro in #danganronpav3: Killing Harmony on PS4/Vita by @NISAmerica!" (19 Sept 2017)


Navigation[]

v  e
GAME CHARACTERS
Monokuma Units MonokumaMonomiShirokumaKurokumaMonokuma Kubs (Monotaro, Monosuke, Monophanie, Monokid, Monodam)
Danganronpa:
Trigger Happy Havoc
Makoto NaegiAoi AsahinaAlter EgoByakuya TogamiCelestia LudenbergChihiro FujisakiGenocide JackHifumi YamadaJin KirigiriJunko EnoshimaKiyotaka IshimaruKyoko KirigiriLeon KuwataMondo OwadaMukuro IkusabaSakura OgamiSayaka MaizonoToko FukawaYasuhiro Hagakure
Danganronpa 2:
Goodbye Despair
Hajime HinataAkane OwariByakuya TogamiChiaki NanamiFour Dark Devas of DestructionFuyuhiko KuzuryuGundham TanakaHiyoko SaionjiIbuki MiodaJunko EnoshimaKazuichi SodaMahiru KoizumiMikan TsumikiMonobeastsNagito KomaedaNatsumi KuzuryuNekomaru NidaiPeko PekoyamaSonia NevermindSatoTeruteru Hanamura
Danganronpa
Another Episode:
Ultra Despair Girls
Komaru NaegiToko FukawaGenocide JackJataro KemuriKotoko UtsugiMasaru DaimonMonaca TowaNagisa ShingetsuHaiji TowaHiroko HagakureHit List TargetsIzuru KamukuraThe ServantTaichi FujisakiYuta Asahina
Danganronpa V3:
Killing Harmony
Kaede AkamatsuAngie YonagaExisalsGonta GokuharaHimiko YumenoKaito MomotaK1-B0Kirumi TojoKokichi OmaKorekiyo ShingujiMaki HarukawaMiu IrumaRantaro AmamiRyoma HoshiShuichi SaiharaTenko ChabashiraTsumugi Shirogane
For minor characters, see: Minor Characters
v  e
ANIME CHARACTERS
Danganronpa:
The Animation
Makoto NaegiMonokumaAoi AsahinaAlter EgoByakuya TogamiCelestia LudenbergChihiro FujisakiGenocide JackHifumi YamadaJin KirigiriJunko EnoshimaKiyotaka IshimaruKyoko KirigiriLeon KuwataMondo OwadaMukuro IkusabaSakura OgamiSayaka MaizonoToko FukawaYasuhiro Hagakure
Danganronpa 3:
End of Hope's
Peak High School
Future Arc
Main Characters Makoto NaegiAoi AsahinaByakuya TogamiChisa YukizomeDaisaku BandaiGreat GozuJuzo SakakuraKazuo TenganKoichi KizakuraKyoko KirigiriKyosuke MunakataMiaya GekkogaharaMonaca TowaMonokumaMonomiRuruka AndoRyota MitaraiSeiko KimuraSonosuke IzayoiYasuhiro Hagakure
Minor Characters Komaru NaegiToko FukawaGenocide JackWarriors of Hope
Danganronpa 3:
End of Hope's
Peak High School
Despair Arc
Main Characters Junko EnoshimaMukuro IkusabaIzuru KamukuraAkane OwariChiaki NanamiChisa YukizomeFuyuhiko KuzuryuGundham TanakaHiyoko SaionjiIbuki MiodaKazuichi SodaMahiru KoizumiMikan TsumikiNagito KomaedaNekomaru NidaiPeko PekoyamaRyota MitaraiSuper High School Level ImposterSonia NevermindTeruteru Hanamura
Minor Characters Jin KirigiriJuzo SakakuraKazuo TenganKoichi KizakuraKyosuke MunakataNatsumi KuzuryuSatoThe Student Council
Danganronpa
2.5
Main Characters Nagito KomaedaFuyuhiko KuzuryūKazuichi SōdaMikan TsumikiPeko PekoyamaSonia NevermindWorld Vanquisher
Minor Characters Akane OwariChisa YukizomeGundham TanakaHajime HinataHiyoko SaionjiIbuki MiodaMahiru KoizumiMakoto NaegiNekomaru NidaiRuruka AndoRyota MitaraiSayaka MaizonoSeiko KimuraSuper High School Level ImposterSonosuke IzayoiTeruteru Hanamura
For minor characters, see: Minor Characters
v  e
NOVEL CHARACTERS
Danganronpa Zero Ryoko OtonashiYasuke MatsudaChihiro FujisakiIsshiki MadaraiIzuru KamukuraJin KirigiriJunko EnoshimaKyoko KirigiriMakoto NaegiMukuro IkusabaThe Steering CommitteeSōshun MurasameThe Student CouncilYuto Kamishiro
Danganronpa Kirigiri Kyoko KirigiriYui SamidareDetective Library membersFuhito KirigiriGekka RyuzōjiHajiki YakiJin KirigiriLicorneMikado Shinsen • Nazuna Tooakitsu • Norman's Hotel Murder Case participantsSachi MizuiyamaSae YozuruSalvador Fukuro YadorigiSuisei NanamuraTadashi AsakuraTōkichirō Endō • Tsukiyo Nada
Kirigiriso Kyoko Kirigiri • Kouhei Matsudaira • Santa ShikibaKyouka
Danganronpa: Togami Byakuya Togami • Blue InkAloysius PennyworthSuisei NanamuraTaeko KanaiUltimate Imposter
Short Stories Danganronpa:
Trigger Happy Havoc IF
Mukuro IkusabaJunko EnoshimaAoi AsahinaByakuya TogamiCelestia LudenbergChihiro FujisakiGenocide JackHifumi YamadaKiyotaka IshimaruKyoko KirigiriLeon KuwataMakoto NaegiMondo OwadaMonokumaSakura OgamiSayaka MaizonoToko FukawaYasuhiro Hagakure
Makoto Naegi Secret File Makoto NaegiKomaru NaegiJin Kirigiri
Ultra Despair Hagakure Yasuhiro HagakureKanon NakajimaKotoko UtsugiMasaru DaimonLeon Kuwata
Danganronpa:
Danganronpa 1 ・2 Beautiful Days
MonokumaMonomiAkane OwariAoi AsahinaByakuya TogamiCelestia LudenbergChiaki NanamiChihiro FujisakiFuyuhiko KuzuryūGundam TanakaHajime HinataHifumi YamadaHiyoko SaionjiIbuki MiodaKazuichi SōdaKiyotaka IshimaruKyōko KirigiriLeon KuwataMahiru KoizumiMakoto NaegiMikan TsumikiMondo ŌwadaMukuro IkusabaNagito KomaedaNekomaru NidaiPeko PekoyamaSakura ŌgamiSayaka MaizonoSonia NevermindTeruteru HanamuraTōko FukawaYasuhiro Hagakure
For minor characters, see: Minor Characters
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