Just when you thought Danganronpa 2×2 couldn’t get any more exciting, Spike Chunsoft dropped a bombshell that has the entire fandom scrambling. A brand-new character named Sakutaro Higashi has been officially revealed for the game’s exclusive Slayhem Mode — and his voice actor is none other than Natsuki Hanae, one of Japan’s most beloved and versatile voice talents.
If that name doesn’t immediately ring a bell, his roles certainly will. Hanae is the voice behind Tanjiro Kamado in Demon Slayer, the protagonist of Metaphor: ReFantazio, 9S in NieR: Automata, and most recently Ken “Okarun” Takakura in the viral hit Dan Da Dan. The man doesn’t miss — and his casting in Danganronpa 2×2 is already sending shockwaves through the community.
Who Is Sakutaro Higashi?
According to Spike Chunsoft‘s official reveal, Sakutaro Higashi is a newcomer exclusive to Slayhem Mode, a brand-new game mode in Danganronpa 2×2 that adds a completely separate storyline with different events from the original game. What makes Sakutaro particularly fascinating is his apparent mission: he seems determined to halt Monokuma’s killing game and disrupt the class trials entirely.
This is a radical departure from the usual Danganronpa formula, where characters are typically trapped and forced to play along with the sadistic bear’s rules. A character who actively pushes back against the system? That’s the kind of narrative wildcard that could change everything fans thought they knew about Goodbye Despair‘s story.
The English Voice Will Sound Familiar Too
For English dub fans, the casting is equally exciting. Grivvin Burns takes on the role of Sakutaro in the English version. Burns has an impressive resume of his own: he voiced Joe in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Cyril in Fire Emblem: Three Houses, and Muichiro Tokito in Demon Slayer. Both the Japanese and English voice actors bring serious dramatic weight to a character who already looks like he could steal the show.
Slayhem Mode Changes the Game
Slayhem Mode isn’t just a simple bonus feature — it’s a full-blown alternate storyline. Spike Chunsoft has been carefully drip-feeding information about this mode, and every new detail makes it sound more ambitious. With Sakutaro Higashi positioned as someone who directly opposes Monokuma‘s plans, fans are speculating wildly about how this could create branching narratives, new class trial mechanics, or even entirely different murder cases.
The original Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair is widely considered one of the greatest visual novels ever made. Its cast — including fan favorites like Nagito Komaeda, Chiaki Nanami, and Hajime Hinata — became iconic. Adding a new character to this beloved roster is a bold move, and the pressure on Spike Chunsoft to get it right is immense.
Tropical Vacation Collector’s Edition Looks Incredible
Alongside the character reveal, Spike Chunsoft also showcased the Tropical Vacation collector’s edition, priced at $139.99. The set includes a copy of the game, Monokuma and Monomi Kid Robot figures, a reversible hat, and the full soundtrack on CD. For the Nintendo Switch 2 version, the game comes as a game-key card rather than a traditional cartridge — an interesting move that suggests Nintendo’s next-generation hardware may be shifting how physical games work.
When Can You Play It?
Danganronpa 2×2 is set to launch on January 14, 2027, across Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC. The multi-platform release means virtually every gamer will have access to what could be the most definitive version of Goodbye Despair ever created.
With Natsuki Hanae‘s star power, a completely new game mode, and a mysterious character who dares to challenge Monokuma himself, Danganronpa 2×2 is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated releases of early 2027. The despair — and the hype — has never been higher.
What Do You Think?
Are you excited about Sakutaro Higashi joining the Danganronpa roster? Do you think Slayhem Mode could surpass the original storyline? And how do you feel about Natsuki Hanae voicing this mysterious new character? Drop your thoughts in the comments below — we want to hear from every Ultimate fan out there!
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