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Shuichi Saihara

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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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Spoiler Warning: This article or section may contain spoilers. If this bothers you, proceed with caution.

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

TBA

Subjects of Fannish Interest & Meta

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

Fan Communities/Fan Events

Wikis

Fan Fic

Fan Art

General Fanworks

Meta

Links and Resources

References

  1. ^ 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.