History Fanfic / IdTradeMyLifeForYours

** After the fifth trial, in which [[spoiler:Kokichi was executed without concrete proof that he killed Maki, the students find concrete proof that he ''didn't'' kill her: Maki is alive.]]

* ThreeAmigos:
** Kaede forms this with Kaito and Tenko in the beginning chapters with much of the storyline focusing on them and their efforts to stop the Killing Game together.
** From Chapter 5 onwards, [[spoiler:Kaito becomes less involved with the main girls and spends more time with [[DarkActionGirl Maki]] and [[TheTrickster Kokichi]], forming their own [[VitriolicBestBuds unofficial trio]]]].
** Likewise, [[spoiler:[[TheAtoner Ryoma]] unintentionally replaces the astronaut in the main trio. This is further cemented when he, Kaede and Tenko end up as the sole survivors in the 6th trial barring [[BigBad the mastermind Tsumugi]]]].

Compare ''Fanfic/ThreePointShot'', in which the ringleader is discovered in the first trial, and ''Fanfic/SystemRestore'', a ''VisualNovel/{{Danganronpa 2|Goodbye Despair}}'' fic with a similar premise.

* TogetherInDeath: At the end of chapter 37, [[spoiler:Maki is left in critical condition after receiving devastating blows from Monokuma's assault. The bear then declares that a final trial will be held and anyone who doesn't attend will be killed, giving him the perfect opportunity to kill her. Wanting to stay by her side and realizing that [[IllBoy he doesn't have long to live]], Kaito decides to stay behind with her so she won't be alone]].

* RealityEnsues: By the penultimate chapter, Kaito's illness has worsened to the point where the group has to take breaks while exploring alongside him.

** The burning arrow at the end of Shuichi's execution was "inspired by a certain spoiler-y death from ''WebAnimation/{{RWBY}}''".

* ArmorPiercingQuestion: [[AllLovingHero Kaito of all people]] gives this to Kaede when she insists on [[spoiler:holding a trial against Maki to execute her in Case 5]].

* InSpiteOfANail: Angie establishes the student council in spite of Kaede's leadership saving their lives in the second trial.

* NeverTrustATitle: The title for Chapter 31 is ''The Fifth Body Is Known'' as Tenko's body is found near the end of the chapter. Fortunately, unlike the other cases where the bodies were corpses, Tenko is revealed to be alive and was only unconcious.

* WhamLine: Tenko delivers this line during the fifth trial, completely changing the direction of the discussion.
-->'''Tenko:''': "Tenko isn’t sure about that, and she also knows she wasn’t there for the Flashback Light, so maybe she’s just confused, but which killing game was Amami-san in?"
** Then in chapter 37, we get these two lines from [[spoiler: Maki during her assault on Monokuma]].
-->'''[[spoiler: Maki]]''': "Find cover. This place is about to become a war zone."
-->'''[[spoiler: Maki]]''': "To put is simply, we [[spoiler: show the audience exactly how much the mastermind’s game has failed.]] We’re going to [[spoiler: contact them directly and tell them this killing game—every killing game—is over]].”

-->'''Kaito:'''[[spoiler: "The hell is the matter with you!? Iruma was just killed seconds ago, and you're fucking arguing over her stuff!? While you're literally holding Kiibo who watched her fucking die!?"]]

-->'''Kaito:''' "You—you [[spoiler: killed Maki, and you faked your own death just so you could lie and manipulate us,]] and-and put me through hell. And I’m never going to forgive you for any of this.”
-->'''[[spoiler: Kokichi]]:''' "You shouldn’t. In fact—”
-->'''Kaito (runs up to hug them):''' “And I’m so fucking happy you’re alive.”

-->'''Kaito:'''[[spoiler: Akamatsu—haven’t you killed enough people already?]]

** One of the purple Exisals [[spoiler:is used as a hiding spot for Maki after pulling off a FakingtheDead gambit with Kokichi.]]

** At the end of chapter 37, [[spoiler: Kaede willing puts aside her negative feelings for [[TheRival Maki]] in order to help her carry out her plan to strike back against the mastermind. Maki accepts her help without question]].

-->'''Kokichi (referring to Kaito):''' "Picture this: terminal illness patient wants to be a hero before their death and sets up a killing game where everyone will love them as one last hurrah! What do you think?"
-->'''Kaede:''' "That's horrible!"
-->'''Kokichi:''' "So it is, but what about this—you’re the mastermind, and to throw everyone off your tracks, you befriend one of your victims and then act super heart broken over their untimely death to garner sympathy."
-->'''Kaede:''' "Tenko-san? She’s your pick for mastermind?
-->'''Kokichi:''' "No. But that’s how she’d do it. Hoshi-chan’s pretty similar—though with a hardcore case of faking depression thrown in—Shirogane-chan would just be a girl too boring to be the mastermind hiding in ‘plain’ sight, and Harukawa-chan who’s so obviously violent and unstable that you assume she isn’t the mastermind to the point where it’s a twist when she is."
-->'''Kaede:''' "You. You are… really ''fucking'' paranoid. You suspect everyone?"
-->'''Kokichi:''' "“Just everyone who I don’t have proof isn’t the mastermind, so to answer your question, no I don’t really trust Momota-chan."

* GoOutWithASmile: [[spoiler: Angie puts on a smile even after being covered in blistering hot wax during her execution.]]
** Also applies to [[spoiler: Kokichi during his execution; he is particularly touched to see Kaito try and reach out to him during the ordeal]].

-->'''Maki Harukawa:''' [[spoiler: "Akamatsu liked Saihara, and Chabashira liked Yumeno, and Hoshi liked Gokuhara... and half of those people are dead."]]

-->'''Kokichi:''' "See, Kiiboy, is just a useless robot, and Gonta and Hoshi-chan only like each other, so that just leaves you!"
-->'''Miu:'''"So you only wanna bone him by default?"
* PreSacrificeFinalGoodbye: [[spoiler: Kokichi gives one of these to Kaito before going off to be executed. He hugs the astronaut to help calm him down while also saying some parting words to him and the other survivors]].

-->'''Tenko:''' “Tenko would… really like to stop discovering her friends’ bodies…”

* SpotTheImposter: During the fifth trial, [[spoiler: everyone believes that Kiibo was operating the exisal and was impersonating as Maki to fool everyone. But they realize something is wrong once the real Kiibo awakens from his tablet and the Kiibo riding the exisal refuses to give up his impersonation]].

* SwappedRoles: In the fifth trial of the canon game, [[spoiler: Maki made every effort to convince everyone to vote for her as Kokichi's killer in order to protect Kaito, the real culprit, who was hiding in an exisal. In the fifth trial for the story, Maki is the one inside the exisal while Kaito is outside trying to convince everyone that he was the one who killed Kokichi in order to protect her.]] This eventually extends to include [[spoiler:''Kokichi''. Kaito takes on Maki's original role as he tries desperately to save her even if it means throwing everyone off. Maki takes on Kokichi's role by creating an elaborate scheme to expose the killing game as a farce while also supposedly [[SuicideIsPainless killing herself via hydraulic press]] in order for the plan to work. And Kokichi takes on Kaito's role by going through with Maki's plan and operating the exisal during the fifth trial. He even willingly [[FaceDeathWithDignity goes through with his execution]] without a trace of fear]].
* TheReasonYouSuckSpeech: Kaito gives a vicious one to [[spoiler: Kaede after being fed up with her insistence on wanting Maki executed for the sake of [[RevengeBeforeReason revenge]] in chapter 32.]]
-->'''Kaito:'''[[spoiler: "You know what, Akamatsu—I guess I did make a mistake with Maki, but I also made a mistake with you. You’re the pettiest, most hypocritical, most vindictive person I have ever fucking met. And—and. [[YouShouldHaveDiedInstead And I guess I made a mistake listening to Ouma last night, too.'']]]]
** However, [[spoiler:Kaede gives one in return in the next chapter, calling out his hypocrisy.]]
--> '''Kaede''': [[spoiler: "You keep going on, and on, lying and lying. And maybe you’re telling the truth now, or maybe you were telling it earlier, but either way that means that at some point during this trial, you were—or maybe still are—willing to let everyone die!”]]
* TheStarscream: Monodam [[spoiler: does this to his own father during Angie's execution. Monokuma in turn retaliates by killing all three of his remaining cubs during Miu's execution.]]

* [[HeKnowsTooMuch They Know Too Much]]: The reason the mastermind targets [[spoiler: Himiko, Gonta and Ryoma during the third case. Himiko managed to find the mastermind's secret base which resulted in them killing the young mage in cold blood. And in chapter 29, Ryoma discusses how he and Gonta discovered the Nanokumas and how they were being videotaped. Not wanting to have this secret revealed to the others, the mastermind sets them up as potential targets for Angie]].

* TheUnTwist: For many fans, the reveal that Tsumugi was the mastermind. [[spoiler:This also applies to the survivors during the 6th trial. Kaede knew it was her since Tsumugi revealed her true colors in private at the start of the 6th Chapter, Tenko learned of this from Keebo while helping him set up the broadcast, and Ryoma knew based on deductive reasoning]].

* ADayInTheLimeLight: Chapters 31 and 32 start with the POV of Tsumugi going about the events of the story providing vague hints about her true interest in the killing game. When the actual trial takes place in Chapter 33, she takes on the role as the POV protagonist in order to advance the trial.

* LoveMartyr: Maki [[LampshadeHanging lampshades]] this when Kaito of all people brings up the issue of falling in love during a killing game.

** One chapter has Kaede and the group hold a memorial for their dead classmates like in ''VisualNovel/SuperDanganRonpa2'''s third case. Unlike the previous title's [[PlayedForLaughs comical scenario]], this event is mostly somber and PlayedForDrama when people start feuding because of Angie's overbearing influence.

* {{Main/Fanservice}}: Following Kaito's declaration to form an anti-cult group dedicated to 'manly bonding', [[AllWomenAreLustful Miu becomes ecstatic]] to see what type of activities they'll engage in behind closed doors. To her displeasure, none of the boys end up revealing much skin during their bonding as per tradition of Dangan Ronpa fanservice scenes as many of them are properly clothed. The only one who shows any skin would be a shirtless Kaito.

* [[{{UsefulNotes/JapaneseHonorifics}} Japanese Honorifics]]: Since this fanfic was written before the game's overseas release, the whole cast refer to each other with honorifics to match the Japanese version.

** The burning arrow at the end of Shuichi's execution was "inspired by a certain spoiler-y death from WebAnimation/{{RWBY}}".
** After the class gains access to Maki's lab, Tsumugi references VideoGame/Persona3 when Kokichi [[spoiler: plays with one of the gun props.]]
** Manga/FruitsBasket is also referenced during the fourth trial.
** Tsumugi says the iconic 'OBJECTION' line from Franchise/AceAttorney [[spoiler: while filling in as the POV Protagonist during the fifth trial]].

* {{Main/Yandere}}: [[spoiler: Maki]] is implied to be this in [[spoiler: Chapter 33 when the others assume that she must have tortured and killed Kokichi along with wanting to be voted as the culprit because of her affection for Kaito.]] [[FanGirl Tsumugi]] admits that she finds the trope to be [[TakeThat bad and lazy]].

''[[http://archiveofourown.org/works/10517349/chapters/23213121 I'd Trade My Life for Yours]]'' by [[http://archiveofourown.org/users/grayimperia/pseuds/grayimperia grayimperia]] is a ''Franchise/{{Danganronpa}}'' AlternateUniverseFic where Shuichi Saihara, the [[TheProtagonist canon protagonist]] of ''VisualNovel/NewDanganRonpaV3'', is voted the killer of Chapter 1's trial while [[DecoyProtagonist Kaede Akamatsu]] keeps the role of [[SubvertedTrope main lead]].

Compare ''Fanfic/ThreePointShot'', in which the ringleader is discovered in the first trial, and ''Fanfic/SystemRestore'', a ''VisualNovel/SuperDanganRonpa2'' fic with a similar premise.

''[[http://archiveofourown.org/works/10517349/chapters/23213121 I'd Trade My Life for Yours]]'' by [[http://archiveofourown.org/users/grayimperia/pseuds/grayimperia grayimperia]] is a ''Franchise/DanganRonpa'' AlternateUniverseFic where Shuichi Saihara, the [[TheProtagonist canon protagonist]] of ''VisualNovel/NewDanganRonpaV3'', is voted the killer of Chapter 1's trial while [[DecoyProtagonist Kaede Akamatsu]] keeps the role of [[SubvertedTrope main lead]].

** Tsumugi makes an off-hand remark about a certain [[VisualNovel/DanganRonpa gothic lolita gambler]] when the group gains access to the casino.
** One chapter has Kaede and the group hold a memorial for their dead classmates like in VisualNovel/SuperDanganRonpa2's third case. Unlike the previous title's [[PlayedForLaughs comical scenario]], this event is mostly somber and PlayedForDrama when people start feuding because of Angie's overbearing influence.

* CruelAndUnusualDeath: As is the standard for any Danganronpa story, the executions are both cruel and ironic.

** The second trial ends with [[spoiler: all but one vote cast for the killer and one vote cast for the protagonist, just like in Danganronpa V3.[[note]]though the circumstances are completely different[[/note]]]]

* AdaptationalEarlyAppearance: Story elements found late in the game's story get revealed early on. This includes [[spoiler: the mastermind's hideout, the existence of Motherkuma, the weapons Miu invented for Kokichi, and Kaito's illness. Without the others slowing them down, Maki and Ryoma are able to cross through the Death Road of Despair one case earlier.]]
* AdaptationalVillainy: ''Half the surviving cast'' gets this in the fourth case, [[spoiler: with no fewer than ''four'' of the remaining students[[note]]Kaito, Maki, Ryoma, and Miu[[/note]] admitting an attempt on Kokichi's life, though two of them[[note]]Maki and Miu[[/note]] attempted to do so in canon (albeit under different circumstances).]] Granted, it’s a relatively minor case.
** Purposely invoked when [[spoiler: Tsumugi tricks the remaining students into thinking Kaede is the mastermind thanks to the Flashback Light she left in the dining hall.]]
* ADayInTheLimeLight: Chapters 31 and 32 starts with the POV of [[spoiler: Tsumugi going about the events of the story providing vague hints about her true interest in the killing game]].
** This extends to Chapter 33 when the actual trial takes place where [[spoiler: she takes on the role as the POV protagonist in order to advance the trial.]]

* AloneWithThePsycho: At the start of the 6th Chapter, [[spoiler: Tsumugi reveals herself as the mastermind to Kaede while both of them are in the latter's room alone]].
* AngerBornOfWorry: We get this touching scene once [[spoiler: the true culprit of the fifth trial is revealed]].

-->'''Kaito (runs up to[[spoiler: hug him]]):''' “And I’m so fucking happy you’re alive.”
* ArmorPiercingQuestion: [[AllLovingHero Kaito of all people]] gives this to [[spoiler: Kaede when she insists on holding a trial against Maki to execute her in Case 5]].

* AssassinationAttempt: [[spoiler: Thinking that Kokichi is the mastermind of the Killing Game, Maki tries to do this to him only to be impeded by Kaito during her initial attempt.]]
** [[spoiler: She does this again to Kaede in Case 5 after watching a Flashback Light that claims she's the mastermind.]]
* BadIsGoodAndGoodIsBad: In the eyes of [[spoiler: Motherkuma, she considers the dramatic and murder themed events of the killing game to be good for ratings while the pleasant and tranquil events between the students to be bad for ratings]].

** [[spoiler: Tenko]] is bereft not only by [[spoiler: Himiko's death, but also because her murderer avoided exposure during the third trial.]]
** While it's not obvious at first glance, [[spoiler: Ryoma's [[DeathSeeker suicidal tendencies]] reach new depths right after losing Gonta. It gets so bad that he offers himself to Maki as a scapegoat or accomplice if she decides to be the blackened.]]
* BreakThemByTalking: [[spoiler: While operating the exisal, Maki uses the machine's voice changer application to torment Kaede with the voices of Rantarou and Shuichi.]]

* CartwrightCurse: Mere ''minutes'' after [[spoiler: Miu and Keebo [[IfWeSurviveThis agree to go on a date should they escape]]]], [[spoiler: Keebo]] is found dead. [[spoiler: It gets even sadder when Miu is revealed to be [[DeathByIrony his killer]].]]

** [[spoiler: During Keebo's death]], Tsumugi mentions how things would have been worse if the group was left to starve in the virtual world.
** [[spoiler: Kokichi's execution in the fifth trial is an exact homage to Celestia's ''Burning of the Versailes Witch'' execution. It can also be argued that Kaito rushing towards Kokichi in a (failed) attempt to save him is similar to how Fuyuhiko tried to reach out to Peko during her execution]].
* ChainedHeat: Kokichi invokes this on [[spoiler: himself and Kaede as part of his blackout scheme.]] The reasons he does this is [[spoiler: to guide Kaede across the school to provide clues that will be crucial in solving Gonta's murder while also keeping an eye on her to see if she would take advantage of the situation and try to murder again.]]
* ChekhovsGun: The drone Miu took back from Kokichi [[spoiler: inspires her to replicate Kaede's death trap in the virtual world. While the trap worked, it ended up killing someone other than her intended target.]]
** [[spoiler: One of the purple Exisals is used as a hiding spot for Maki after pulling off a FakingtheDead gambit with Kokichi.]]
* ComplimentBackfire: [[spoiler: At the aftermath of Miu's last stand/execution]] while discussing the rule of only two people being allowed to leave the Gifted Inmates Academy, Ryoma and Kaede earnestly claim that Tenko deserves to be one of the two to survive for her diligence and good heart. Tenko detests the idea as it would mean everyone else would have to die just so she can live.
* CruelAndUnusualDeath: As is the standard for any Dangan Ronpa story, the executions are both cruel and ironic.

* DealWithTheDevil: [[spoiler:Tsumugi convinces Kaede to hold off from exposing her as the mastermind early on in exchange for more clues about the Killing Game.]]

** The second survivor, [[spoiler:Himiko, is killed by the mastermind during the third investigation]].
** The last of the survivors, [[spoiler: Maki, ends on the verge of death after sustaining multiple injuries from Monokuma during her gambit to ruin the Killing Game in chapter 38.]]
** Zigzagged with [[spoiler:Kiibo - he is murdered in the fourth chapter, but his AI is saved by Miu's meddling. He later pulls off the same HeroicSacrifice at the end to help the survivors escape.]]
** Though they also die in canon, [[spoiler:Korekiyo and Gonta die one case earlier than they did in the original, and Gonta is a victim rather than a culprit.]]
* DebateAndSwitch: At the start of the story, Kaede decides to find the mastermind so she can kill them for trapping them in the killing game and torturing them for their amusement. Her friends with more clearer values such as [[AllLovingHero Kaito]] and [[ThouShaltNotKill Tenko]] are unsure as to whether killing them would be the right course of action, especially if they were a fellow student. [[spoiler: During the 6th trial, this is brought up again when [[BitchInSheepsClothing Tsumugi]] is revealed as the mastermind. While her friend Tenko is shocked that she would be willing to kill her, Kaede insists that it's the only way to ensure that her crimes do not go unpunished]].
* DespairEventHorizon: This happens in [[spoiler: the fourth trial where Ryoma and Maki reveal to everyone that the outside world is no more. Everyone is in despair over whether their actions and the deaths of their friends were meaningless and if it would be better to [[DrivenToSuicide purposefully vote wrong in order to end their suffering]]. Fortunately, [[HopeBringer Kaede]] is able to snap them all out of it.]]
* DestroyTheEvidence: [[spoiler: The mastermind destroyed one of the microscopes in Gonta's lab to prevent anyone from learning the existence of the Nanokumas.]]
* DramaticIrony: During the fourth trial, [[spoiler: after the group realizes that four people tried to kill him]], Kokichi openly claims that he, Tenko and [[spoiler: [[BitchInSheepsClothing Tsumugi]]]] are the only ones who [[spoiler: have not tried to or have already murdered someone]].

* EpicFail: [[spoiler: Miu's murder plan easily unravels due to her own ineptitude and lack of foresight.]]

-->'''Kokichi (referring to [[spoiler: Kaito]]):''' "Picture this: [[spoiler: terminal illness patient wants to be a hero before their death and sets up a killing game where everyone will love them as one last hurrah!]] What do you think?"

-->'''Kokichi:''' "So it is, but what about this—you’re the mastermind, and to throw everyone off your tracks, you [[spoiler: befriend one of your victims and then act super heart broken over their untimely death to garner sympathy]]."
-->'''Kaede:''' "[[spoiler: Tenko-san? She’s]] your pick for mastermind?
-->'''Kokichi:''' "No. But that’s how [[spoiler: she’d]] do it. Hoshi-chan’s pretty similar—though with a hardcore case of faking depression thrown in—Shirogane-chan would just be a girl too boring to be the mastermind hiding in ‘plain’ sight, and Harukawa-chan who’s so obviously violent and unstable that you assume she isn’t the mastermind to the point where it’s a twist when she is."

-->'''Kokichi:''' "“Just everyone who I don’t have proof isn’t the mastermind, so to answer your question, no I don’t really trust [[spoiler: Momota-chan]]."
* {{Main/Fanservice}}: Following Kaito's declaration to form an anti-cult group dedicated to 'manly bonding', [[AllWomenAreLustful Miu becomes ecstatic]] to see what type of activities they'll engage in behind closed doors. [[spoiler: To her displeasure, none of the boys end up revealing much skin during their bonding as per tradition of Dangan Ronpa fanservice scenes as many of them are properly clothed. The only one who is close to showing significant skin would be a shirtless Kaito]].

* FlatWhat: Tsumugi says this when [[spoiler: Tenko asks which killing game Rantaro participated in at the end of Chapter 33]].

** A death was bound to happen right after [[spoiler: Kirumi saw her own motive video. She just didn't expect her own demise to occur afterwards.]]
* {{Foreshadowing}}: There have been multiple hints throughout the story that foreshadow [[spoiler: Tsumugi being the mastermind of the killing game]].
** In the memorial service that is held during Chapter 3, [[spoiler: she is the first one who brings up how they mustn't give up ''hope'' and should not fall into ''despair'']].
** During the 3rd trial, [[spoiler: she asks how it was possible for Himiko to create the blackout and gain access to the mastermind's secret room. Most likely to ensure how it was done to avoid letting it happen a second time]].
** In chapters 31-33, [[spoiler: the POV is given to her where she goes about her day and provides vague details about her interest in the killing game. Then when Kaede walks out of the investigation, she becomes the new POV protagonist as she searches for clues for Kokichi's murder. This even extends to the 5th trial where she guides the discussions and prods the other students for information as a way to get as much drama as possible]].
* ForgivenButNotForgotten: Averted with [[spoiler: Kokichi who neither forgives nor forgets Kaede's murder attempt, though it doesn't stop him from giving her a hand for his own ends.]]
* FrameUp: Tenko's motive video was placed on [[spoiler: Kirumi's corpse to pin the blame on her.]]
** Kokichi [[spoiler: purposely puts himself on the chopping block during the third trial to guide Kaede to the true culprit.]]
** The mastermind [[spoiler: does this to Kaede in order to keep the game going.]]
* GoMadFromTheRevelation: [[spoiler: Tenko does not take TheReveal of the killing games very well and begins to panic over the grim implications. She manages to regain herself but the revelation still shook her to her core]].
* GoodIsBoring: [[spoiler: Motherkuma discusses with Tsumugi how the peaceful Free Time Events between the students aren't worth being aired and are instantly deleted without a care]].

** Also applies to [[spoiler: Kokichi during his execution and is particularly touched to see Kaito try and reach out to him during the ordeal]].

* GrewBeyondTheirProgramming: [[spoiler: Tsumugi brings this up after revealing herself as Himiko's killer to Tenko. She ponders with amusement as to how the aiikido master was able to restrain herself during this revelation as she expected Tenko to throw her across the room like in the past. This is eventually used ''against her'' in the next chapter where Kaede and the others taunt Tsumugi by saying that they've grown beyond their written characterizations]].
* HeroicBSOD: [[spoiler: Almost everyone has this reaction when they learn of the outside world's ruined state.]]

* InferredHolocaust: InUniverse. [[spoiler: During the 6th trial, after learning that there have been 53 killing games total, Ryoma estimates that more than 500 people have died participating]].

* InsaneTrollLogic: One of Kokichi's "reasons" for distrusting [[spoiler: Kaede is because she wears pink, the color of lies.]]

* ItsAllMyFault: Aside from her own self-loathing over what happened to Shuichi, Kaede [[spoiler: blames herself for inspiring the fourth culprit to commit murder in the simulation world. Ryoma also feels this way about himself when Gonta is killed in his place.]]

* ItsPersonal: This happens to Ryoma when [[spoiler: the killing game claims Gonta as its third victim. He even coldly silences Kaede when the latter tries to empathize with him.]]
* JackTheRipoff: [[spoiler: Keebo's killer based their murder plan on the [[RubeGoldbergDevice Rube Goldberg death trap]] that killed Rantaro.]]

* KeepingSecretsSucks: Kaede sometimes feels this way whenever she has to obscure certain facts [[spoiler: such as the location of the mastermind's hideout]] or lie about them in trials.
* KilledOffscreen: [[spoiler: Maki and Kaito are presumed to have been killed by Monokuma as them not attending the final trial is punishable by death]].

* LotsaPeopleTryToDunIt: This happens in the [[spoiler: fourth case with Kokichi being the target of no less than four different people.]]

* ManySpiritsInsideOfOne: [[spoiler: For the fifth trial's Theory Armament portion, the exisal takes on the voices of all the deceased students as they each take critical shots towards the futility of the killing game and how it only serves to entertain the audiences.]]

* NeckLift: Like with Kokichi in the main game, [[spoiler: Kaede is on the receiving end of this from Maki for attempting to reveal her true identity to everyone. Fortunately, she is saved by Tenko and the other students]].
* NeverTheObviousSuspect: Even when [[spoiler: Kokichi does a lot of shady things that lead up to the third trial, he is clearly not the suspect behind Gonta and Himiko's deaths.]]
* NeverTrustATitle: The title for Chapter 31 is [[spoiler: ''The Fifth Body Is Known'' as Tenko's body is found near the end of the chapter.]] Fortunately, [[spoiler: unlike the other cases where the bodies were corpses, Tenko is revealed to be alive and was only unconcious]].

* PairTheSpares: The reason Kokichi constantly 'flirts' with [[spoiler: Kaito]] is because all the other boys are either dead, together or uninteresting to him.
-->'''Kokichi:'''[[spoiler: "See, Kiiboy, is just a useless robot, and Gonta and Hoshi-chan only like each other, so that just leaves you!"]]
-->'''Miu:'''[[spoiler: "So you only wanna bone him by default?"]]

* RealityEnsues: [[spoiler: By the penultimate chapter, Kaito's illness has worsened to the point where the group has to take breaks while exploring alongside him.]]
* RecurringElement: A common theme for each case is that Tenko [[spoiler: has always been one of the first three people to discover a corpse.]]
-->'''Tenko:'''[[spoiler: “Tenko would… really like to stop discovering her friends’ bodies…”]]

* SenselessSacrifice: [[spoiler: During the final trial when Tsumugi reveals that one of the three survivors will end up returning for a future killing game, Ryoma and Tenko fight over wanting to sacrifice themselves so the others can leave. Kaede points out how futile it is since it's only giving Tsumugi and the audience what they want]].

* TheSociopath: [[spoiler: Pregame!Kaede is revealed as this when her audition tape is shown. Along with her having no faith in humanity, she openly admits that she loves the social aspect of the killing games and how fun it is to manipulate people without their knowing. She claims that it wouldn't take long for her to betray someone to make the game more exciting]].

* ThreeAmigos: Kaede forms this with Kaito and Tenko in the beginning chapters with much of the storyline focusing on them and their efforts to stop the Killing Game together.
** [[spoiler: From Chapter 5 onwards, the original trio seems to split off once Kaito becomes less involved with the main girls and spends more time with [[DarkActionGirl Maki]] and [[TheTrickster Kokichi]], forming their own [[VitriolicBestBuds unofficial trio]]. Likewise, [[TheAtoner Ryoma]] unintentionally replaces the astronaut thus reforming the main trio. This is further cemented when he, Kaede and Tenko end up as the sole survivors in the 6th trial barring [[BigBad the mastermind Tsumugi]]]].

* TogetherInDeath: [[spoiler: Maki and Kaito at the end of chapter 37. Maki is left in critical condition after receiving devastating blows from Monokuma's assault. The bear then declares that a final trial will be held and anyone who doesn't attend will be killed, giving him the perfect opportunity to kill her. Wanting to stay by her side and realizing that [[IllBoy he doesn't have long to live]], Kaito decides to stay behind with her so she won't be alone]].

* TheUnTwist: For many fans, the reveal that [[spoiler: Tsumugi was the mastermind. This also applies to the survivors during the 6th trial. Kaede knew it was her since Tsumugi revealed her true colors in private at the start of the 6th Chapter, Tenko learned of this from Keebo while helping him set up the broadcast, and Ryoma knew based on deductive reasoning]].
* VisionsOfAnotherSelf: [[spoiler: The beginning scene of Chapter 6 features a vague narration by Kaede before she become involved in the Killing Game]].

* WasItAllALie: How Tenko reacts when she learns that [[spoiler: Ryoma was willing to kill even if it meant dishonoring Gonta's memory]].

* WeHaveReserves: [[spoiler: After revealing herself as the mastermind to Kaede, Tsumugi casually claims that any of them, including herself, can be replaced during the killing game if necessary. Thus rendering the possibility of Kaede killing Tsumugi to end the game as pointless]].
* WhamEpisode: The third case [[spoiler: has Himiko's killer go unpunished much to Tenko's grief. This was intentionally done to stir up paranoia within the group and cause them to turn on Kokichi.]]

* WhamLine: Tenko delivers this line [[spoiler: during the fifth trial that completely changes the direction of the discussion.]]
-->'''Tenko:''': "Tenko isn’t sure about that, and she also knows she wasn’t there for the Flashback Light, so maybe she’s just confused, but [[spoiler: which killing game was Amami-san in?]]"

** [[spoiler: Kokichi's execution in the fifth trial is exact homage to Celestia's ''Burning of the Versailes Witch'' execution. It can also be argued that Kaito rushing towards Kokichi in a (failed) attempt to save him is similar to how Fuyuhiko tried to reach out to Peko during her execution]].

* DeadManWriting: In chapter 37, Kaito along with Kaede read [[spoiler: a letter with messages from both Maki and Kokichi saying their final words to Kaito before pulling off their ThanatosGambit in Case 5. Though this becomes partially subverted on Maki's part when it's revealed that she was [[FakingTheDead alive all along]]]].

** Odd case with [[spoiler:Kiibo - he also dies in canon but as a HeroicSacrifice as opposed to being murdered here, and his AI is saved by Miu's meddling, [[SparedByTheAdaptation inverting the trope entirely]].]]

* EnemyMine: [[spoiler: The end of the fifth trial reveals that Maki and Kokichi, infamous among their peers for their antagonistic relationship, ended up working together in order to create an unsolvable murder that would ruin the credibility of the mastermind. They were even willing to [[HeroicSacrifice give up their own lives]] in order to make it work]].

* FightingYourFriend: A [[NoHoldsBarredBeatdown physical]] example occurs in [[spoiler: chapter 32 between Kaede and Kaito]].
** Happens again near [[spoiler: the end of chapter 40 as Tenko refuses to go through with Kaede's desire to execute Tsumugi]].

* FinalBoss: The final opponent that stands between Kaede and her goal of ending the killing game is [[spoiler: [[FightingYourFriend Tenko]]]].
* FirstNameBasis: Thanks to Kaito and Tenko's emotional support, Kaede is comfortable enough to call them by their first names.
** Throughout the story, Kaito along with Tenko refer to Kaede by her first name. [[spoiler: Unfortunately, Kaito goes back to using her surname after their falling out in chapter 32 while the following chapter has him referring to Maki and Kokichi, both of whom he had come close with, by their first names. Once he and Kaede talk things out in Case 6, he uses her first name again.]]

* SparedByTheAdaptation: Kaede, obviously. The story also confirms the survival of two other characters who died in the original source material.

* SwappedRoles: In the fifth trial of the canon game, [[spoiler: Maki made every effort to convince everyone to vote for her as Kokichi's killer in order to protect Kaito, the real culprit, who was hiding in an exisal. In the fifth trial for the story, Maki is the one inside the exisal while Kaito is outside trying to convince everyone that he was the one who killed Kokichi in order to protect her.]]
** This eventually extends to [[spoiler: Kaito, Maki and ''Kokichi''. Kaito takes on Maki's original role as he tries desperately to save her even if it means throwing everyone off; eventually becoming [[HerHeartWillGoOn the only one among the three who survives through the trial]]. Maki takes on Kokichi's role by creating an elaborate scheme to expose the killing game as a farce while also [[SuicideIsPainless killing herself via hydraulic press]] in order for the plan to work. And Kokichi takes on Kaito's role by going through with Maki's plan and operating the exisal during the fifth trial. He even willingly [[FaceDeathWithDignity goes through with his execution]] without a trace of fear]].