Naekusaba

Naekusaba is the het ship between Makoto Naegi and Mukuro Ikusaba from the Danganronpa fandom.

Canon
While there were no real interactions between the two in the first game, their relationship is explored and elaborated on in the novel Danganronpa IF.

It is revealed that they were friends due to being classmates, though seemingly not very close due to Mukuro's distant personality. Mukuro was in love with Makoto due to him being the first person to ever smile at her, though he appeared to be unaware of this and thought of her as a friend. She would often watch him from afar while they still attended Hope's Peak before The Tragedy occurred, as she lacked the courage to tell him how she felt. Another hint at her crush is provided in the first game, as during the last class trial when some group pictures of Class 78th are shown, Mukuro is looking away from the camera (some appear to be deliberate). However, the only one where she is actually looking directly at the camera is the one taken by Makoto. In Danganronpa IF, Junko says that Mukuro never cared about being in the photos, but did care about the one Makoto was taking.

It was because of Makoto that Mukuro began to think more of the world outside of Junko's plans, and it caused her to have doubts when Junko revealed her plan for the killing game involving their fellow students, Makoto included. However, initially, she was perfectly willing to kill him if for Junko's sake, despite the way she felt about him. As shown in Danganronpa 3, Mukuro hesitantly suggested that she and Junko kill Makoto immediately after her sister deemed him a threat.

In Danganronpa IFs alternative universe, this changed drastically after Makoto became heavily lacerated for saving Mukuro where she became desperate in saving a moribund Makoto. As Junko then gives Mukuro the injunction to kill Makoto, Mukuro responded in refusal. Makoto treated Mukuro very kindly and placed his trust in her, even after it was revealed she was partly responsible for what had happened to Hope's Peak Academy.

Their relationship develops more in their Free Time and School Mode events, where Mukuro shows a clear attraction to Makoto. In their first event, Mukuro describes Makoto as a passive boy and says that he needs an aggressive girl. She promises to get him acquainted with such a girl once they escape the academy, referring to her true identity as Mukuro Ikusaba. Mukuro subtely slips out the hints of her identity and role several times throughout the events. In the end, Makoto promises to help Mukuro find a new dream to chase after once they escape, and promises not to abandon her, even if she seems different from before.

In eleventh episode of Despair Arc, when Junko Enoshima says Makoto is just a loser, Mukuro asks if he's not just a loser. After Junko explains why Makoto's luck is a threat to her plans, Mukuro asks whether she's going to kill him. In Super Danganronpa 2.5: Nagito Komaeda vs. the World Destroyer, in Nagito's illusionary world, Mukuro is shown hiding behind a tree, jealous of Makoto and Sayaka Maizono walking together.

In one of the bonus modes from Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony - Ultimate Talent Development Plan, the two are shown to have similar interactions to those from their Free Time Events. Mukuro stays behind in the classroom, being sentimental before the upcoming graduation. The two end up talking about their plans for the future. Mukuro reassures Makoto that any company would likely want his luck on their side. Likewise, after she admits that she's not sure about her own plans, he'll support her no matter what she chooses and will be there for her.

Fanon
The ship sailed as a result of Mukuro Ikusaba developing a crush on Makoto. It isn't too well known due to originating from the interactions between characters shown only in the bonus mode, as well as a side material, Danganronpa: IF light novel included as a bonus feature after completing Danganronpa 2. For a ship originating from a side materials, it has a large number of shippers. In fact, it's still one of the most popular attractions from the bonus modes. It was popular enough to warrant being referenced in the OVA.

Its main ship rivals are Naegiri and Naezono, although there are a lot of fans who like all of them equally, sometimes resulting in Naegi Harem.

Fandom
FAN FICTION
 * Naegi/Ikusaba on FanFiction.Net
 * Makoto/Mukuro on FanFiction.Net
 * Makoto/Mukuro on FanFiction.Net

DEVIANTART

TUMBLR

WIKI
 * on
 * on

Variations

 * Naekugiri refers to the ship between Makoto, Mukuro and Kyoko Kirigiri