- Primary Subject: Danganronpa 2x2 (Slayhem Mode)
- Key Update: An opinion feature explores why adding new student Sakutaro Higashi to Danganronpa 2x2's alternate-timeline Slayhem Mode risks cluttering Goodbye Despair's iconic original cast.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: September 24, 2026
- Quick Answer: Sakutaro Higashi is a new student added to Danganronpa 2x2's Slayhem Mode, introducing an alternate timeline variable to the classic Jabberwock Island killing game.
When I first heard of Danganronpa 2x2's Slayhem Mode, I was excited. Goodbye Despair is my favorite game in the franchise, and I couldn't wait to experience an alternate timeline with different victims and killers.
But when I first saw the new character - who was nicknamed John Danganronpa by fans and ultimately revealed to be Sakutaro Higashi - I was nervous. I think the original cast is perfect, so adding a new individual to the mix could muddle the whole thing.
As fans continued to rejoice (and poke fun) at Sakutaro, I still can't shake off the feeling that his addition to the game isn't necessary.
Danganronpa 2x2 Doesn't Need Sakutaro Higashi To Be Worthwhile
I understand the appeal of a new character. It gets fans curious about who they are, and lures them to buy the game. But as someone who has been a fan of Danganronpa since Trigger Happy Havoc, I don't think it's necessary. Real fans will know that the original cast is untouchable.
Every single character served a specific purpose in driving the paranoia, humor, and tragic Class Trials on Jabberwock Island. Inserting a completely new character - one who, from the looks of it, is similar to protagonist Hajime Hinata - feels like a cheap way to make the game appealing. It's as if they are trying to add a new piece to a puzzle that's already complete.
I want to give his addition to the cast the benefit of the doubt. After all, he'll only be part of Slayhem Mode, which is an alternate timeline and probably won't be considered canon. Even so, I'm not fully sold on this new character.
The reason why the Danganronpa series is so good is its characters - and since we already developed a fondness for the original cast, I think taking the time to flesh out Sakutaro would mean taking away time from the characters we're looking forward to. It could lead to him overshadowing the other characters or him appearing half-baked, and neither sounds good.
If Spike Chunsoft wants Sakutaro to work, he can't just be "the new guy" or the "second Hajime." He needs to have a talent that sets him apart from the rest and a trope that doesn't overlap with the other characters. During the trials, he needs to throw a wrench in Monokuma's plans, adding even more tension to the situation.
He needs to earn his place among the original characters. Until I play Slayhem Mode myself, I'm keeping my expectations grounded. After all, Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair is a narrative masterpiece, and I would hate that it would get messed up all because a new character was forced into the picture.
Sakuto Higashi has a massive hill to climb to prove he belongs with the other students on Jabberwock Island.
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