Oumatsu

Oumatsu is the het ship between Kaede Akamatsu and Kokichi Oma from the Danganronpa fandom.

Canon
Kaede meets Kokichi for the first time in the prologue, when he is bothering Keebo. Her first impression of him is that of a "mischievous little kid who is bothering one of his classmates." After Kokichi introduced himself as the Ultimate Supreme Leader, she was intrigued and began asking him about his unusual talent. He then said that he was "just" the leader of a secret organization containing more than 10,000 members, and she was very impressed at first, but after Kokichi was revealed to be a liar, she started accusing him of lying about almost everything he said.

Their first Free Time Event starts with Kokichi saying he doesn't want to die and that Kaede can stay by his side for a while. The rest of the Free Time Event is spent by Kaede trying to prevent Kokichi from trying to do anything 'stupid'. At the end, Kokichi asks why Kaede approached him in the first place, to which Kaede replies that she just wanted to do so, and was fine if Kokichi didn't want to spend his free time with her. He then says, he'd never turned down an invitation from her, but then adds that it was a lie. After lying about their first encounter, he then apologizes.

In their second Freetime Event, Kokichi accuses Kaede of wanting to kill him, after which, if the player chooses to spend time with Kokichi, Kaede will have to chase after him, which amuses him. Afterwards, Kokichi asks Kaede for a favour, which is Kaede working for him as an agent in his secret organization, as he believes Kaede will go on to 'represent Japan as a pianist' and thus she could go abroad without any suspicion, and meet as many powerful figures as she likes. He then tells her "Join my organization, and together we'll do as we please to all the stupid plebs to the world. Let's sit on top of the world and look down on everyone else... And if we want to watch the world burn? We'll light the whole thing up!" In response, Kaede questions the existence of his secret organization, to which he retells Kaede that he is a liar. At the end of the event, Kokichi says "But y'know I'm only saying this because I care about you, right Kaede?' You can keep thinking like that, but don't come back crying to me when things don't go your way." Kaede then refuses to be an agent of his secret organization, which it ends with an unaffected Kokichi.

Throughout the game, most of the interactions between Kaede and Kokichi contain a moment where Kokichi tries to help Kaede by offering her a lot of perceptions she hasn't thought of, like opening her eyes to things because he cares about her. Kaede seems intrigued by Kokichi, often wondering if Kokichi lied, and wanting to know more about him, frequently questioning his words but still coming back every time to spend time with him even though he annoys her, caring about him, trying to trust him and always trying to be his friend.

After Kaede is found guilty for the murder of Rantaro Amami, Kokichi explains her why she fell right into Monokuma's trap, and that even if it was to "protect everyone", she started the killing game the second she thought of committing a murder. After Tsumugi and Gonta accuse him of being too hard on Kaede and that he shouldn't talk to her like that, Kokichi says "I know, you don't need to remind me! That's why i'm so... Pissed off! Pissed off at myself for being so... so useless!". The Original Japanese version is a little different tho. He says 'わ、わかってるから・・ムカついてるんじゃないか・・何もできなかった・・無力な自分' "I know, I know... i'm pissed off because... i couldn't do anything... i were helpless."

Kokichi then says that Kaede definitely wasn't boring. It is important to note that this is a notable argument from Kokichi, and that he said this to only a few people (because of his contempt for boredom and anything that is not fun) and these people seemed important to him. In the Japanese version, Kokichi says '赤松ちゃん、じゃあね. キミはつまらなくはなかったよ. ' "See you later, Akamatsu-chan. You were not boring." His last words to Kaito before he died were similar as the ones he said to Kaede before her execution: "At least I... wasn't boring, right?"

After her punishment, he cries and say "I... I can't believe this happened to Kaede... I liked her s-so... m-muuuuch... WAAAAH, KAEDEEEEE!!!!" But this is quite different in the Japanese version since he says 'う、嘘だ・・・オ、オレの・・・大好きな赤松ちゃんが・・・!' "Ugh, that's a lie...? My... My favorite Akamatsu-chan!" the kanjis used for a passage of this sentences are '大好きな' ("My favorite" or "I love..."), '好き' (Suki "Love" which can be interpreted in both platonic or romantic way) '大好' (Daisuki "Very favorite"), and '大好きな赤松ちゃん' which can be interpreted as "My favorite Akamatsu!" or "I love you, Akamatsu!".

If the player chooses to talk to Kokichi at a random moment after the meeting with Angie about the necronomicon, Kokichi will tell Shuichi that he doesn't really want Rantaro to be the one to come back to life, and that he would have preferred Kaede to resurrect.

After Chapter 1 and Kaede's death, Kokichi immediatly tried to find a way to end the killing game like Kaede wanted, and even sacrified himself like her in Chapter 5. Kokichi's dying words can be compared to some words that Kaede said during her trial:

''Kaede:"So we can... End this killing game." - Kokichi:"I thought it would end the killing game."''

''Kaede:"I'll defeat the mastermind and end this dumb killing game!" - Kokichi:"The reason why I pretended to be the mastermind... Was to end this boring killing game!"''

''Kaede: "I definitely won't let that happen, even if it costs me my life!" - Kokichi:"There are no depths i won't sink to... Even if I have to sacrifice myself."''

The main theme of Danganronpa V3 is "Truth vs. Lies". Kaede and Kokichi are both representatives of this concept like two sides of the same coin. Both openly represent a concept to other students, but they also represent each other's concept in some way: Kaede represents the truth, trying to reach the truth of the mastermind and protect everyone all the time. Kokichi represents the lies, always lying to hide his true feelings and intentions. Kaede, on the other hand, never lies about her feelings or anything, but she may try to lie in the case of protecting everyone or reach the truth, representing her concept of truth quite "badly". Kokichi represents his concept badly too, because even if he says every time that he lies, we know by his last words that he only lied about lying, that he lied to himself, and the truth is he didn't like the killing game at all, while his entire character was based on the way he enjoyed the killing game. A big difference between them is also their trust, since Kokichi never trusts anyone during all the killing game (except Shuichi and possibly Kaede) while Kaede's main values are to believe in everyone.

In Danganronpa V3: Anthology Comic Vol. 1, Chapter 1: First Half, Kaede wants to help Kokichi see Keebo's "human" side so that they can finally get along. Kaede dresses Keebo in a Kimono, but Kokichi points out to Keebo that his school uniform screams robot, and that it's weird to dress a kimono over it. Kaede finally fails to change Kokichi's mind. Later in the manga, Kokichi had made a joke about Gonta becoming the first victim of the killing game, so Kaede and Kokichi go together to Gonta's dormitory with Kaito, Angie and Shuichi to see if Gonta is okay. When the Monokubs arrived a little later, Kaede asked Monokid why he's harassing Monodam so much, to which Monokid replied that he's keeping himself healthy and that it's to externalize the stress. Kokichi then said "I totally get it! Beating up on inorganic objects like robots really clears the head!", referring to his habit of pestering Keebo, showing once again that Kaede failed to change his mind. After Kokichi told Gonta that the insect he found was a beetle drone, Gonta started a monologue about why calling it a beetle drone was wrong. Kaede listened to Gonta talk and seemed interested, but Kokichi fell asleep behind Kaede following Gonta's monologue.

Later, Kaede tries to comfort Himiko by asking Shuichi to solve the case because Himiko had a dream about Kokichi harassing her, so Kaede and the others go to talk to Kokichi about it, but when Tenko starts hitting him, Kaede doesn't know how to react. Kaede then tells Himiko that she shouldn't pay attention to Kokichi's torment. A little later, Tenko hits Shuichi with Himiko in his arms, leaving Kokichi and Kaede alone apart from the group. The two look at each other and Kokichi asks Kaede if her plan worked, to which she replies "I guess?".

In another story in the same chapter, Kaede opens a conference to take stock of all the victims of Kokichi's pranks. After hearing the testimonies, Kaede launches "Operation Catch Kokichi" "Starting operation Catch Ouma-kun!", and says that she will do her best to catch Kokichi. Kaede then goes to talk to some students to help her in her mission and after getting ready, Kaede spots Kokichi and tries to chase him until she comes across Maki strangling Kokichi. So Kaede tied Kokichi with a rope and Kokichi says ''"C'mon guys, I was just playing heel to increase the group's unity~ Isn't tying me a little too cruel?" "Well it's a lie, anyways!"'' and Kaede makes a comment about how it still made everyone cooperate to catch Kokichi. Kokichi then raises his hands sharply, which unties him from the rope while saying "Got ya!". Kaede throws herself on the rope, but Kokichi manages to escape. The chapter ends with Kaede on the floor, saying "Geez! Seriously. We never know what Ouma-kun's thinking...".

In Danganronpa V3: Anthology Comic Vol. 3, Chapter 3, Kaede is looking for a way to avoid a potential murder. Kokichi tells her that they could just fly up on Keebo's back, which gives Kaede an idea. Kaede asks Keebo if he has his own feelings even though he's a robot, and after Kaede being called robophobic by Keebo, Kokichi says "I got it, Akamatsu-chan is fed up with how much of a sucker Ki-boy is, just like I am!", to which Kaede replies "that's not it!". Kaede then tells everyone about her plan and they all agree to educate the Monokubs to stop the killing game. Kokichi is in charge of making Monotaro think he's his brother. Kokichi does pretty well at first, and Kaito points this out but then Kaede says "Ah, but that's bad! Look at Ouma-kun's face, he seems to be having a hard time resisting the urges to say "It's a liiie~"" in the end, Kaito and Shuichi put themselves in front of Kokichi to avoid him to speak, and Kaede's plan is a success. The next day, the Monokubs killed each other and Kaede says that it was different from what she had imagined, to which Kokichi replies "Told ya robots were useless!".

Later in another chapter, Kaede, Rantaro and Tsumugi are discussing about Rantaro's talent, when Kokichi interferes in the conversation and asks if they are talking about something interesting. Kaede asks him if he wants to know Rantaro's talent too, and he makes her understand that he does. At the end of the story, Kaede tells Rantaro "We should all cooperate with each other from now on!" to which Kokichi replies that he will continue to doubt everyone to annoy Kaede, and she yells at him"Seriously, Ouma-kun?!" to which he replies "Aw, don't be like that! Nishishi~".

In Kaede and Kokichi's respective relationships charts, Kokichi comments "念だったね!"  'You were right!'  or  'That was a reminder!'  for Kaede, Possibly referring to the fact that she served as an example of why "trusted people" can kill, and that she started the killing game by reminding everyone that they are in a killing game and that they will only get away by killing each other, that there is no escape. Kaede comments "力し合おうよ!"  'Let's help each other!'  or  'Let's help each other out!' about Kokichi, proving that even if she sometimes finds him annoying, she still wants to put in the effort and work with him because he's worth it after all.

Fanon
The ship sailed with Kaede being the first protagonist of Danganronpa V3 and Kokichi coming off as a "rival character", being a compulsive liar, thus representing one side of the "Truth vs. Lies" theme. Even after the reveal of Shuichi Saihara being the next protagonist of the game, the ship appealed the fans of the ships between the main character's support characters and rivals. The ship was fueled even more because of how Kokichi said that he cared about Kaede, referring to her as "My favorite Akamatsu-chan", and offered her to rule the world by his side. What makes this ship even more popular is that Kokichi told Kaede to join D.I.C.E, who are the most important people in his life, meaning he told her to be one of the most important people in his life.

Oumatsu is rivaled by both Kaede and Kokichi's respective ships with Shuichi, Saimatsu and Saiouma. Though, a poly ship between all three of them has been created as well. Oumatsu is also rivaled by other ships such as Oumota and Irumatsu. While it's not the most popular combination for the two, it remains among the most popular shipping choices for both characters included.

Fan fictions and fanarts may often pick up a scenario where Kaede agrees to Kokichi's offer to rule the world with her, becoming a member of D.I.C.E alongside him as a result. Fans may often headcanon Kaede as a "therapist" for Kokichi, because of her nature of "taking care of everyone", She obviously cares about Kokichi by default, because it is her personality, and their relation could improve if Kaede didn't die in Chapter 1. Some fans prefers the ship in a platonic way, Kaede being like a big sister to Kokichi, but most of the shippers prefers Oumatsu in a romantic way.

Quotes
"Is Kokichi going to be okay? Maybe I should stay by his side..."

- Kaede's thought before their first Free Time Event. "I'd *never* turn down an invitation from you, Kaede."

- Kokichi when Kaede wants to spend time with him. "I can't bear it anymore! I haven't forgotten! I've been thinking about you this whole time!"

- Kokichi to Kaede during their first FTE. "Join my organization, and together we'll do as we please to all the stupid plebs in this world. Let's sit on top of the world and look down on everyone else... And if we just wanna watch the world burn? That's fine, too! We'll light the whole thing up! The Ultimate Pianist and the Ultimate Supreme Leader joining forces sounds pretty sweet, huh?"

- Kokichi asking Kaede to be a part of his organization. "But y'know I'm only saying this cuz I actually care about you, right Kaede ?"

- Kokichi in their second FTE. "And I can't help but relate to another pianist. It's easy to see myself in her."

- Kaede after Hifumi tells her about a romance between a Pianist and an Evil Leader in Danganronpa S "But if all of that is true, then that’s pretty unfortunate... I mean, it's Kaede, y'know?! She kept preaching about working together, and then she goes and kills in cold blood-?!"

- Kokichi after Shuichi proving Kaede as the blackened.

Fandom
FAN FICTION
 * Akamatsu K./Oma K. on FanFiction.Net
 * Akamatsu K./Oma K. on FanFiction.Net
 * Akamatsu K./Oma K. on FanFiction.Net

FAN ART

TUMBLR

WIKI
 * on
 * on

Trivia

 * This is the third Danganronpa ship between the protagonist's implied love interest and rival, with the first two being Togiri and Komanami.
 * In Danganronpa S: Ultimate Summer Camp's Hifumi Yamada Events, when Hifumi Yamada tells Kaede about a romance between a Pianist Girl and an Evil Leader ("Bossman"), Kaede says that she relates to that pianist. After telling Hifumi once more that the character "resonates with her so much", she then helped him writing the romance. The romance is between a pianist who fight evil forces at school with her band, but has a crush on the leader she fights.
 * Kaede's Research Lab is the first lab we discover throught the game, at the first chapter (Chapter 1), while Kokichi's is the last one we discover, at last chapter (Chapter 6)
 * Because of a lack of interaction between Kokichi and Shuichi Saihara in chapter 1, it's possible that after Kaede's death, Kokichi switched to Shuichi and started to be interested in him because he was the closest person to Kaede, and because Kaede gave him everything she had, Shuichi becoming a sort of incarnation of Kaede's final wish.
 * Kokichi only tried to end the killing game after chapter one, after Kaede's death. He is one of the characters who refers to her the most after chapter 1, Whether by mentioning her in moments when she wasn't the topic, or trying to "save everyone" and ruin the killing game in chapters 2/4/5.
 * One of Kokichi's character namecards in Danganronpa: Talent Plan shows the sentence "Well... You definetely weren't boring." as his signature phrase, this being his last words to Kaede.
 * In the first trial's Scrum Debate, Kokichi is opposed to Kaede.
 * Kokichi showed a lot of respect to Kaede before her death, more than any other culprit trought the game.
 * They are both of the 3 characters who died by being crushed; Kaede by the giant piano and Kokichi by the hydraulic press.
 * In the announcement room of the Monokubs, the two are hanging from the ceiling.
 * Both of them are in some way leaders, Kaede mainly leading the group, and Kokichi leading DICE, his organization.
 * Kaede and Kokichi are two of the 4 characters featured in Ultimate Roll Call #4, with the two other characters being Miu Iruma and Rantaro Amami.

Variations

 * Amasaioumatsu refers to the ship between the two, Rantaro Amami and Shuichi Saihara
 * Saioumatsu refers to the ship between the two and Shuichi Saihara
 * Oumamimatsu refers to the ship between the two and Rantaro Amami