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Shuichi Saihara
Character | |
---|---|
Name: | Kanji:最原 終一 Katakana: サイハ シュウイチ Hiragana: さいはらしゅういち Romaji: Saihara Shūichi Latin Alphabet: Shuichi Saihara |
Occupation: | High School Student |
Relationships: | Kokichi Ouma (rival; deceased) Kaede Akamatsu (partner; deceased) Maki Harukawa and Kaito Momota (friends; only Momota is deceased) |
Fandom: | Dangan Ronpa |
Other: | Talent: 超高校級の「探偵」lit. Super High School Level Detective Official English Translation: The Ultimate Detective |
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Shuichi Saihara is a student from Dangan Ronpa. He is a prominent character within the series and popular with fans. Saihara debuted in the third game of the main-line series, Dangan Ronpa V3: Killing Harmony, and survived the killing game. He replaced Kaede Akamatsu as Killing Harmony's protagonist after her execution by Monokuma during Chapter 1.
Canon Overview
Pre-Game Personality
Saihara was an average teenage boy and a fan of Dangan Ronpa, the in-game fictional reality TV show. He auditioned for the show's 53rd season, (stylized as V3,) and got on it. In fanworks, this is considered to be his Pre-Game Personality. Like with every other Killing Harmony student, all of this info is filtered by Tsumugi Shirogane, and fans may not believe this part of his character is true.
Dangan Ronpa Personality
Saihara is first introduced as Akamatsu's partner. After becoming protagonist, his character arc focuses on the process of him getting stronger and coming to terms with what he must do as a detective, as well as his continued grief for Akamatsu and the other classmates he is forced to condemn. Ultimately, he is successful in defying The Mastermind and ending the killing game, escaping the academy as one of Killing Harmony's three survivors.
Popular Tropes & Fanon
- Bisexual!Saihara Shuichi
TBA
Subjects of Fannish Interest & Meta
This article or section needs expansion. |
Fan Opinion
Fan opinions on Saihara as the game's protagonist, and specifically his replacement of Akamatsu in this role, are mixed. Some fans feel that Saihara is a complex, relatable character whose growth is a breath of fresh air compared to more common tropes of optimistic, happy go lucky main characters. Others preferred Akamatsu and were looking forward to a female protagonist or simply enjoyed her personality more. Further, the fact that the protagonist swap is intended as a surprise twist left some feeling resentful, and hate toward Shuichi as a result can occur. Despite this, he's popular among most fans overall, ranking 2nd within V3 and 7th in the series overall in one 2021 Japanese poll.[1]
Pre-Game Personality Headcanons
His possible personality before the game is often explored in fanworks, with one common interpretation being of pre-game Shuichi as an obsessed fan of Dangan Ronpa, (and especially Kyoko Kirigiri,) who may have yandere tendencies. This fanon interpretation is itself controversial, with some enjoying the idea of him with such a different personality from canon, and others criticizing it as toxic.
Relationships
This is purposefully an incomplete list, as Saihara is shipped with much of Dangan Ronpa's cast. Please add any notable relationships in fanworks if they are missing.
In Kanji, Saihara is usually represented in a pairing names with 最 (sai). In Hiragana, さい (sai) is common.
The order seen should be what's most popular unless marked with "possibly." ENG portmanteaus are also subject to change. Relationships listed fall into GL, NL, BL, Poly, Combi or Cargo.
With... | Full Label | Type | Portmanteau / Phrase | Kanji or Katakana | Information |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kokichi Ouma | Kokichi Ouma/Shuichi Saihara | BL | Saiouma | 王最 (Ousai), 最王 (Saiou) | n/a |
Kaede Akamatsu | Kaede Akamatsu/Shuichi Saihara | NL | Saimatsu | 最赤 (Saiaka) | n/a |
Kaito Momota | Kaito Momota/Shuichi Saihara | BL | Saimota | 百最 (Momosai), 最百 (Saimomo) | n/a |
Kaito Momota, Kokichi Ouma | Momota/Ouma/Saihara | Poly | Saioumota | (n/a) | Very popular for a poly ship. |
Maki Harukawa, Kaito Momota | Harukawa & Momota & Saihara | Combi | Training Trio | n/a | n/a |
Rantaro Amami | Rantaro Amami/Shuichi Saihara | BL | Amasai | 最天 (Saiama) | Most popular pairing overall for Amami. |
Tenko Chabashira | Tenko Chabashira/Shuichi Saihara | NL | Chabahara | 最転 (Saiten) | n/a |
Maki Harukawa | Maki Harukawa/Shuichi Saihara | NL | Saimaki | 最春 (Saiharu) | n/a |
Tsumugi Shirogane | Shuichi Saihara/Tsumugi Shirogane | NL | Saimugi | 最つむ (Saitsumu) | n/a |
Kiibo | Kiibo/Shuichi Saihara | BL | Saiibo | キボ最 (Kibsai), 最キボ (Saikibo) | n/a |
Angie Yonaga | Shuichi Saihara/Angie Yonaga | NL | Sainaga | 最アン (Saian) | n/a |
Ryoma Hoshi | Ryoma Hoshi/Shuichi Saihara | BL | Saihoshi | 最星 (Saihoshi) | n/a |
Himiko Yumeno | Shuichi Saihara/Himiko Yumeno | NL | Saimeno | 最夢 (Saiyume) | n/a |
Korekiyo Shinguji | Shuichi Saihara/Korekiyo Shinguji | BL | Shinsai | 真最 (Shinsai), 最真 (Saishin) | n/a |
Kirumi Tojo | Shuichi Saihara/Kirumi Tojo | NL | Sairumi | 最斬 (Saikiru) | n/a |
Miu Iruma | Miu Iruma/Shuichi Saihara | NL | Sainaga | 最入 (Saiiru) | n/a |
Gonta Gokuhara | Gonta Gokuhara/Shuichi Saihara | BL | Saigoku | ゴン最 (Gonsai), 最獄 (Saigoku) | n/a |
"Introvert Saiara" | Saiharacest | BL; selfcest | Saiharacest?, Insai | 陰最 (Insai), JPN for "shadow" | n/a |
Example/Notable Fanac
Examples Wanted: Editors are encouraged to add more examples or a wider variety of examples. |
Fan Communities/Fan Events
Wikis
Fan Fic
Fan Art
General Fanworks
Meta
- Shuichi has a functional character arc by apeironstella, Archived version (2020)
- shuichi and being a side character by apeironstella, Archived version (2020)
- Saihara's reaction to Ouma's fake death in chapter 3 by 96percentdone, Archived version (2018)
- Saihara doesn’t like being fucked with by 96percentdone, Archived version (2018)
Links and Resources
- Shuichi Saihara on the Danganronpa Fandom.com wiki
- Danganronpa — Shuichi Saihara at TVTropes
- Saihara Shuichi works on AO3
- #Shuichi Saihara on tumblr
- #Shuuichi Saihara on Pixiv
References
- ^ Dengeki have released the results of their Danganronpa 10th Anniversary character popularity poll. After 5,000 votes..., Archived version. Twitter thread by @danganropnawiki posted 20 November 2021. Accessed 23 September 2022.