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Naekusaba is the het ship between Makoto Naegi and Mukuro Ikusaba from the Danganronpa fandom.
Canon[]
Neither character had many interactions in the main story, but School Mode, Danganronpa IF, and various spinoff materials reveal that Mukuro had a crush on Makoto before the events of Monokuma's Killing Game.
In Chapter 6's Investigation seen in the main game, Makoto gives an embarrassed response towards Togami's analysis of Mukuro's measurements, responding as if to insinuate that he finds Mukuro's measurements to be attractive.
Their relationship can be explored through optional 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 somebody like that once they escape the academy (likely referring to herself). Mukuro subtly slips out hints of her identity several times throughout their interactions, and her attraction toward Makoto becomes increasingly apparent. Depending on the Events and dialogue options chosen by the player, Mukuro will even openly flirt with him in some scenarios, with her even kissing Makoto provided he gifts her an item she likes. In School Mode, Makoto is shown to blush in response towards Mukuro showing her muscles, & at the end of School Mode, Mukuro resolves to reveal her true identity to Makoto, despite pretending to be her sister for as long as they've known each other. In turn, Makoto offers to help her find a new dream to chase after they escape, and he promises not to abandon her, even if she seems different from before. This common ground of dream searching is a common element referenced in Mukuro's Free Time Events, Danganronpa IF, School Mode, & in Danganronpa S, thus making it a key element in Mukuro & Makoto's relationship dynamic.
In Danganronpa IF, an alternate timeline sharing continuity with Mukuro's Free Time Events, where all 15 participants of the Killing School Life survive, Junko actively berates her for her crush towards Makoto, followed by Junko outright denouncing her & bidding goodbye. This leaves Mukuro no choice but to abandon everything she's worked towards with Junko to instead upkeep Makoto's hope, whilst simultaneously bringing Junko the despair she desperately desires in doing so. Despite being fully aware of Mukuro's acts of terror as Ultimate Despair & under the PMC Fenrir, Makoto still values Mukuro as a friend & believes in her not being destined into a life of despair, even if she considers herself beyond the point of redemption.
In eleventh episode of Despair Arc, when Junko Enoshima suggests that there might be more to Makoto, Mukuro tries to convince her that he's just a underachiever, with the English dub opting to have her call him a loser outright. After Junko explains why Makoto's luck is a threat to her plans, Mukuro asks whether she's going to kill him, with a noticeable hint of fear in her voice. 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. Despite originating from interactions almost exclusively available in bonus material, as well as a side material, Naekusaba has a relatively large following and can be considered one of the three major Makoto ships. It was popular enough to warrant being referenced in the OVA, is the third most popular Makoto Ship on AO3 (beaten out by Naegiri & Naegami), & is the most popular Mukuro ship (with Ikuzono landing as a close second).
Its main ship rivals are Naegiri and Naezono, although there are a lot of fans who like all of them equally, sometimes resulting in the Naegi Harem.
Fandom[]
FAN FICTION
- Makoto/Mukuro tag on AO3
- Naegi/Ikusaba on FanFiction.Net
- Makoto/Mukuro on FanFiction.Net
FAN ART
- Naekusaba tag on DeviantArt
TUMBLR
WIKIS
- Makoto's relationship with Mukuro on Danganronpa Wiki
- Mukuro's relationship with Makoto on Danganronpa Wiki
- Ikusaba x Naegi on Fanlore
Gallery[]
Anime[]
Official Art[]
Videos[]
Variations[]
- Naegi Harem refers to the ship between the two, Kyoko Kirigiri, and Sayaka Maizono
- Naekugiri refers to the ship between the two and Kyoko Kirigiri
Trivia[]
- Ryōgo Narita, who would later go on to write Danganronpa IF, had observed that Mukuro in one particular photo had looked directly at it when Makoto was not in the photo, whereas she generally looked away when Makoto was in view, leading him to headcanon that this was to hint at Mukuro having a crush on Makoto. While not initially intended by either the series artist Rui Komatsuzaki or series creator Kazutaka Kodaka, the latter enjoyed the idea so much that he would later implement it in Danganronpa Zero, as later seen with how Mukuro reacts in embarrassment after Makoto thanks her for saving him from Misshiki Madari.[1][2] A similar scene also plays out at the end of Danganronpa IF seemingly in direct parallel to DR0, but with the context of Mukuro's crush being explicitly confirmed in-narrative in the same work.
- The Animation Producer of Danganronpa 3: Despair Arc, Yuji Higa, alongside of series creator, Kazutaka Kodaka, stated in an interview that with enough time, Mukuro would've had more onscreen time of her being conscious of Makoto, but they were only able to focus on Class 77 for the events of the series.[3]
