Watch order guide
Danganronpa Anime Watch Order
Danganronpa started as a video game series, and its anime only covers part of the story. The biggest trap: Danganronpa 3 spoils a game that never got an anime. This Danganronpa anime watch order shows how to avoid that. Part of our anime watch order guides.
By James Henry · Last updated: October 19, 2026
Quick answer · start here
Danganronpa: The Animation → Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair (game, or a full playthrough video) → Danganronpa 3 (Future and Despair arcs, alternating) → Hope arc.
Danganronpa anime watch in order
| # | Title | Year | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Danganronpa: The Animation | 2013 | Anime, 13 episodes | Adapts the first game, Trigger Happy Havoc |
| 2 | Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair | 2012 | Game (no anime) | Needed before DR3 |
| 3 | Danganronpa 3: Future Arc + Despair Arc | 2016 | Anime, 12 + 11 episodes | Watch alternating (see below) |
| 4 | Danganronpa 3: Hope Arc | 2016 | Anime, 1 episode | The finale |
Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls (spin-off game) and Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony (game) have no anime. V3 is a separate story with its own cast.
How to watch Danganronpa 3 (Future and Despair arcs)
Danganronpa 3 was broadcast as two shows on alternating days. Watch them the same way:
Future 1 → Despair 1 → Future 2 → Despair 2 → … until Future 11 and Despair 11, then Future 12, then the Hope episode.
This is the most common answer in fan discussions (including on Reddit), because each arc’s episodes reveal things that change how you see the other.
Do I need to play the games?
- Game 1: no. The Animation covers its story, though the game has more detail.
- Game 2: yes, before Danganronpa 3. Its cast is central to the Despair Arc. If you won’t play it, watch a full no-commentary playthrough video.
- V3: optional, any time after DR3.
Where to watch Danganronpa
Crunchyroll and other services carry the anime in some regions. Availability varies by country. The games are on PC, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch and mobile.
How long does it take to watch Danganronpa?
Planning a binge? Here is a rough guide to the main parts of the danganronpa watch order, based on about 24 minutes per TV episode:
| Part | Length | Watch time |
|---|---|---|
| Danganronpa: The Animation | 13 episodes | about 5 hours |
| Danganronpa 3: Future Arc | 12 episodes | about 5 hours |
| Danganronpa 3: Despair Arc | 11 episodes | about 4.5 hours |
| Danganronpa 3: Hope Arc | 1 episode | about 45 minutes |
If you have time, playing the games first gives you the full mysteries; the anime is a faster way into the story. Times are approximate and do not include openings you skip or breaks.
Tips for first-time Danganronpa viewers
- Follow the release order first. It is the order the creators intended, and it protects you from spoilers.
- Sub or dub? Both are fine. Subtitles keep the original Japanese performances; dubs let you focus on the animation.
- Avoid wiki pages and comments. Big twists are often spoiled in titles and thumbnails.
- Pace yourself. Two or three episodes a night is enough to stay hooked without burning out.
- Use official streaming. Legal services support the creators and usually have the best quality.
What to watch after Danganronpa
Finished the danganronpa watch order and want more? Fans often enjoy these next:
- Another
- Kakegurui
- The Promised Neverland
- Death Note
Each of these shares something with Danganronpa, such as its action, characters or tone, so they make an easy next step.
Why follow this danganronpa watch order guide?
Our danganronpa watch order guide gives you the release order, the chronological order, what you can skip and where everything fits, checked against official sources and updated when new seasons or films are announced. Use the danganronpa watch order above to plan your binge, then bookmark the page so you can check it when the next part is released.
