Danganronpa Zero

Protagonists '''''' – The main protagonist, an amnesiac student known as the "Ultimate Analyst". '''''' – Ryoko's caretaker and childhood sweetheart, known as the "Ultimate Neurologist". ' – Consisting of twin sisters and ', the pair are instigators of "The Tragedy". '''''' – A student known as the "Ultimate Detective", investigating Izuru Kamukura and the cause of "The Tragedy" after being hired by her estranged father. Supporting characters '''''' – A group of octuplets and collective "Ultimate Bodyguard" who pursue Ryoko. '''''' – A perverted student and self-proclaimed "Ultimate Secret Agent" who assists Ryoko. '''''' – An apparently comatose student in Matsuda's care and the only known survivor of "The Tragedy". '''''' – The Headmaster of Hope's Peak Academy, who tasks his estranged daughter Kyoko with investigating "The Tragedy" while he is dealing with "The Parade". '''''' – A student of indeterminate gender hiding on the grounds of the school, and the perpetrator of "The Tragedy". '''''' – The school board of Hope's Peak Academy and creators of Izuru Kamukura, who cover up their role in "The Tragedy". ==Development==

After the making of the first Danganronpa game, there were no plans for a sequel. However, the team split up into different groups to make other projects. Initially reluctant, Kodaka was attracted by the idea of creating the novels Danganronpa Zero. After consulting to Terasawa, Kodaka decided to write the novel. While writing Zero, Terasawa approached Kodaka with the idea of a sequel in a few months. Kodaka was busy with the novel as he aimed to complete it so the sequel was written once he was finished with Zero. In the end, Kodaka wrote both Zero and Goodbye Despair at the same time. In retrospective, Kodaka considers the novels as needing more structuring work when comparing it with the game. He wrote elements he was doubtful from the first game into the novel as well as more hints towards Goodbye Despair. As a result, Kodaka recommends players to first read Zero before playing the sequel. ==Volumes==

The novel has been collected into two volumes, both of which were published in late 2011. ==Notes==