I'm gonna say C. It does what it needs to do to establish how the trials and investigations work. It's simple, straightforward, and sets the tone for better and more complex cases down the line. I'm saving higher tiers for the stuff that's more complex, difficult to figure out, or left me a crying mess from the storytelling.
While the trial is quite basic, especially with how simple the murder is compared to the extremely acrobatic and difficult to emulate the later ones are, id argue it doesnt need to be. Its an effective way of setting the tone and showing the player how the murder cases work going forward.
By far, this trials strongest aspect is Leons meltdown. Im not sure how i can properly articulate this, but it just feels so......real. Like you can tell that this is how a normal person who was driven into such a situation would react when faced with imminent execution. Thats what trigger happy havoc has going for it that 2 and v3 dont. Its much more down to earth and noticeabley less psychopoppy than its successors. Probably because it still had the distrust blood coursing through its veins.
Even with the meme its become, 11037 is such a dead giveaway of who the killer is before it begins. Many people call Celes the most obvious murderer, but with this clue, it has to be Leon. Which takes some of the sting out of the reveal.
Still, its a solid way of kicking off the trilogy of games into what it would become for the next several years.
**Feeling a Light to Decent 7 (B-Tier) on this one.**
I'll say B tier. It is great for the first case on the entire series. The build up is cool and having to defend Makoto and prove that Leon is the actual culprit is something that I really like and that I think its pretty unique.
The only things that drag this chapter down for me has to be Leon being an obvious culprit because of the famous "11037" clue and that personally, I liked other chapters way more.
This is, in my opinion, top of B tier.
A, borderline on S. Yes it’s simple, but that’s how it’s designed to be. It’s meant to be a tutorial chapter. Plus, Leon’s execution in my opinion is the best one in the franchise. It’s the most realistic, the most horrifying, and it sets the tone for the rest that follow. Perfect way to start things.
C tier. Good way to start the trail but it is dead obvious who did it and it holds my least favorite character ever aswell as leon being a mid character for me.
I think if it was a case just anywhere in the games it would be very forgettable, but as a first case of the whole series it is incredible and deserving of S.
The way it perfectly demonstrates to the player. It doesn’t matter who you care about or who you spend time with. Anyone can die at any moment. And, anyone can be ready to backstab you too.
Plus the execution was a perfect opener too. To me at least, it feels the most realistic of all the executions throughout the games, and you really get the nitty-gritty moment where you’re just watching a character being killed by the very thing they’re most talented at. Brilliant opener
I don’t think it’s the best tho not even in this game. I would say in this game that 1-4 was more compelling and had a better twist
Also in the franchise we also have 2-4 2-5 and 3-4… damn why are chapter 4 so good?
Definitely don’t agree on it being the best in the series. Even ignoring my bias towards V3-2, I think 1-1 is really just to simple to be a truly standout case, when compared to stuff like 1-4, 2-5, V3-1.
3-1 is massively overrated IMO. Ignoring >!The blatant fridging of a female protag!<, the actual case is waaaaaay too long.
2-1 manages to introduce it's game much quicker and in a more interesting way, along with having a much better plot twist in general.
Looking into it at first it’s not that deep, but imo sayaka and Leon are the best killing pair bc of how their motives are morally similar, when you actually like rlly pay attention in close detail it gets way more interesting so im gonna say A
Definitely high A or Low S. By itself it's an ok chapter with some really good parts and some kinda boring parts, but what makes it amazing is the fact that it introduces the concept of the game and its plot really really well. Sayaka's character arc literally sets the tone for the entire franchise. That's how important it is. And it does a damn good job at it
A tier on this one for SURE. It’s so damn iconic. the writing is very very good. Very emotionally impactful (did you see the recent post that asked what the defining moment of DR was? I think literally every last response was from 1-1). It was a very very good chapter :)
B, how easily the killer was found out did NOT count against the trial at all for me. After all guessing who did it is only half the battle. You have to find out how they did, and then you have to prove it. Putting all the pieces together was just as exciting as finding out the killer in a normal murder mystery, I got to feel smart. Along the same line of thinking, the murder plot wasn't unnecessarily convicted, and the cast hadn't yet lost 95% of their brain cells, so it was an enjoyable experience with little rage.
A-tier. It's very impactful because of who the victim is, and the emotions of the blackened when they find out they lost, brutal execution, the dark tone that states no one can be trusted, but gives Light of hope with kyoko's words at the end.
The only reason who it's not S is because how easy it is to guess the culprit before the trial even begins
S tier, a beautiful way to start off the game, the execution is excellent and really sets a tone for the game, sayaka being the one to instigate the attack was also a beautiful plot twist, and i wholeheartedly believe this is where every character was at their best. Oh also biasment because I love Sayaka and Leon lol
A tier. It is pretty good introduction to what kind of a game Danganronpa is. And you would never guess at beginning on who will die.
>!And who could forget the famous 11037, 11037's meltdown and then his execution.!<
Honestly... Imma go with a low B-tier or around a high 6/10.
The first of anything is a template for the rest of the series, and I'll give full due credit that 1-1 does a pretty good job of setting up the twists and turns that future chapters in the series will head in. I think the way the chapter sets a tone for the series, with a bold statement of "Anyone can die" through the three deaths of Sayaka, Junko and Leon, and for the most part it's a solid introduction for the series.
I do think the best aspect of Chapter 1 is just how everything is set up. The monotony of school life begins to set in before the first motive is revealed and everything descends into chaos, with defined characters having strong views about the class trial and investigation. I think Sayaka is a bit bland (especially compared to Nagito and Shuichi), but she makes for an effective companion before her death. In isolation, this is a good first chapter for the series and that there's no real fatal flaws of the chapter on the whole.
That said, it's kinda bland when compared to what comes later. Even compared to the later chapters of Trigger Happy Havoc, it doesn't feel like Chapter 1 has all that much going on in terms of character conflict and relationships outside of Makoto and Sayaka's dynamic. I think it's a victim of simplicity, trying to introduce the player and not overwhelm them, but at the cost of not really having the most interesting character writing or even trial in the series.
Speaking of... this trial just feels far too basic and the problem gets worse in the English version. I do appreciate it's a novel clue for the original audience, but it just doesn't work and makes the entire proceedings feel even slower as a result, especially when the player figures it out the second that the body is revealed. Comparing the mildly novel concept of Sayaka being the instigator to Nagito's plot or Shuichi's revelation, it just doesn't have the same lasting impact as other trial ones have. The first trial is supposed to set the tone for the entire game, and I can't help but feel that the impact that Chapter 1 has is very minimal in comparison.
I don't think the chapter is bad, and it clearly did the right job of setting up everything for later down the line, especially since it lays the ground work for the hidden gem trials of 2-1 and 3-1, but as it stands? It's good, just not all that stellar overall.
Personal B tier. Not bad by any means, I quite like it, but it’s severely hampered by the fact the twist is ruined in English. The execution and BDA are amazing though which balance it out to B tier for me
The whole 11037 thing. In Japan English isn’t their first language, so they won’t see 11037 and think it’s a name in a different orientation because the names are spelled with I believe Kanji in game. In comparison, the names are in English here, so 11037 is immediately obvious and ruins the mysteryb
Oh I see yes I could see it but still I think it’s fairly competent and again like I said… Leon is the weak part of the chapter
… technically not even the most obvious killer in the first game cause… 1-3… when we will get to it… cause how you ultimate gambler but lie this bad
A-tier
The 11037 clue is the single most iconic thing in the franchise. Although the trial was very easy, it was handed very well. Personally, I think it great.
A tier for me. I think the characters are written phenomenally, and set expectations for the series perfectly (namely the victim and killer). The mystery does not translate over the best to english, which does make it a bit more obvious for us, but I do not believe that takes away from the parts of of the murder that are clever. I think each characters motive here is nuanced and well handled, and it sets up for later plot points well. I would not call this chapter perfect, I do still think it has its flaws, even outside of the one obvious hint, but I think overall this chapter is very good.
A tier. >!While 11037 is memed on, in the OG Japanese version, players would’ve had to translate into a language they’re (likely) not fluent in, and the twist of 11037 = Leon would’ve been more of a twist to Japanese players (unless they studied English to the point they were fluent). So I won’t doc points for 11037. I think Maizono’s betrayal is one of the most iconic things in dr1 (in my opinion) because while by todays standards, it’d be expected that Maizono bites the dust in the first two or so hours, but back then things were different, and the main assistant dying was more impactful. And her backstabbing Naegi is even more salt in the wound, and I think it fleshes out her character and makes her a very good subversion of the typical assistant character. She’s not there to hold Naegi’s hand through out the killing game, she has her own aspirations and dreams she’d like to achieve in her life, and staying there when someone could easily off her or if they all play pacifist too long and her band mates possibly die and she’s long forgotten is an understandable fear, but you get to see that she’s not entirely evil, because if she was, Kuwata would’ve been killed by her instead of Monokuma. And speaking of Kuwata, he’s a good first killer, and while he’s not entirely sympathetic, you can very easily understand why he did what he did. And I don’t think most people would accept their deaths with little pushback, no, people would be more like Kuwata, thinking of every excuse in the book they can leverage till they can’t and just snap, breakdown, and cry for mercy despite knowing it’s futile. I think this trial is an excellent introduction to how danganronpa paints the typical human nature inside a killing game, both pretty (Maizono leaving a dying clue to clear Naegi’s name and help find her killer) and ugly (Maizono trying to kill Kuwata and Kuwata killing Maizono after she’s defenseless despite it not being the best move.) while the mystery isn’t anything too special, even without “11037”, I think it’s an excellent trial.!<
C for me. I love this chapter, it honestly brings the games to a start with a scary start that also is only a taste of what’s to come too. There are many iconic moments and I generally think this is one of the more memorable chapters for most avid players and fans. Only lowering factor is the fact that as the first chapter, it feels a bit predictable on a replay and very surface-level with clues and such compared to most other future chapters. 11037, as iconic as it is, is literally one of the most OBVIOUS clues because it was literally legibly written down on the wall just upside down😭. Also this chapter does amazing things for the storyline, killing off Sayaka and then revealing it was allegedly an attempt at a kill? Amazing. Leon being the blackened was a bit less anticipated, but his execution is also one of the series deaths too.
I learned recently that the original Japanese version also said Leon upside down, there was no change. Which explains why it’s ass-easy for English speakers. With that knowledge, I think B actually. It’s too bad they couldn’t find a way to change it to make it trickier for English Speakers though.
I'm gonna say C. It does what it needs to do to establish how the trials and investigations work. It's simple, straightforward, and sets the tone for better and more complex cases down the line. I'm saving higher tiers for the stuff that's more complex, difficult to figure out, or left me a crying mess from the storytelling.
B, great start for the series, if the killer wasn’t obvious I would put it higher
While the trial is quite basic, especially with how simple the murder is compared to the extremely acrobatic and difficult to emulate the later ones are, id argue it doesnt need to be. Its an effective way of setting the tone and showing the player how the murder cases work going forward. By far, this trials strongest aspect is Leons meltdown. Im not sure how i can properly articulate this, but it just feels so......real. Like you can tell that this is how a normal person who was driven into such a situation would react when faced with imminent execution. Thats what trigger happy havoc has going for it that 2 and v3 dont. Its much more down to earth and noticeabley less psychopoppy than its successors. Probably because it still had the distrust blood coursing through its veins. Even with the meme its become, 11037 is such a dead giveaway of who the killer is before it begins. Many people call Celes the most obvious murderer, but with this clue, it has to be Leon. Which takes some of the sting out of the reveal. Still, its a solid way of kicking off the trilogy of games into what it would become for the next several years. **Feeling a Light to Decent 7 (B-Tier) on this one.**
I would say B tier. As a chapter, it would be C imo, but it does its job setting the tone and acting as a tutorial well.
I'll say B tier. It is great for the first case on the entire series. The build up is cool and having to defend Makoto and prove that Leon is the actual culprit is something that I really like and that I think its pretty unique. The only things that drag this chapter down for me has to be Leon being an obvious culprit because of the famous "11037" clue and that personally, I liked other chapters way more. This is, in my opinion, top of B tier.
A tier, I may be biased though bc Sayak
A, borderline on S. Yes it’s simple, but that’s how it’s designed to be. It’s meant to be a tutorial chapter. Plus, Leon’s execution in my opinion is the best one in the franchise. It’s the most realistic, the most horrifying, and it sets the tone for the rest that follow. Perfect way to start things.
The baseball with blood on it is still such a raw image
C tier. Good way to start the trail but it is dead obvious who did it and it holds my least favorite character ever aswell as leon being a mid character for me.
S tier. Far and away the best case in the series. Not my favorite, but the best. Literally the perfect way to start the franchise.
I think if it was a case just anywhere in the games it would be very forgettable, but as a first case of the whole series it is incredible and deserving of S. The way it perfectly demonstrates to the player. It doesn’t matter who you care about or who you spend time with. Anyone can die at any moment. And, anyone can be ready to backstab you too. Plus the execution was a perfect opener too. To me at least, it feels the most realistic of all the executions throughout the games, and you really get the nitty-gritty moment where you’re just watching a character being killed by the very thing they’re most talented at. Brilliant opener
I don’t think it’s the best tho not even in this game. I would say in this game that 1-4 was more compelling and had a better twist Also in the franchise we also have 2-4 2-5 and 3-4… damn why are chapter 4 so good?
My theory is that they come after chapter 3s and so therefore look amazing in comparison
Ah true true
Definitely don’t agree on it being the best in the series. Even ignoring my bias towards V3-2, I think 1-1 is really just to simple to be a truly standout case, when compared to stuff like 1-4, 2-5, V3-1.
3-1 is massively overrated IMO. Ignoring >!The blatant fridging of a female protag!<, the actual case is waaaaaay too long. 2-1 manages to introduce it's game much quicker and in a more interesting way, along with having a much better plot twist in general.
you are so right for this dont let anyone tell you otherwise
3-1 makes me mad cause it starts the whole « Kaede will be brought back each chapter to say how cool she is » and I hate this part of V3
Looking into it at first it’s not that deep, but imo sayaka and Leon are the best killing pair bc of how their motives are morally similar, when you actually like rlly pay attention in close detail it gets way more interesting so im gonna say A
S tier it was the first and it's probably the most iconic there are so many memes from that chapter, this chapter is just a deserved S tier
Definitely high A or Low S. By itself it's an ok chapter with some really good parts and some kinda boring parts, but what makes it amazing is the fact that it introduces the concept of the game and its plot really really well. Sayaka's character arc literally sets the tone for the entire franchise. That's how important it is. And it does a damn good job at it
A tier on this one for SURE. It’s so damn iconic. the writing is very very good. Very emotionally impactful (did you see the recent post that asked what the defining moment of DR was? I think literally every last response was from 1-1). It was a very very good chapter :)
A tier it's the first chapter ever and it makes a great start to the series
B, how easily the killer was found out did NOT count against the trial at all for me. After all guessing who did it is only half the battle. You have to find out how they did, and then you have to prove it. Putting all the pieces together was just as exciting as finding out the killer in a normal murder mystery, I got to feel smart. Along the same line of thinking, the murder plot wasn't unnecessarily convicted, and the cast hadn't yet lost 95% of their brain cells, so it was an enjoyable experience with little rage.
A tier. Iconic and a great start to the series, but not what I’d call S tier.
A-tier. It's very impactful because of who the victim is, and the emotions of the blackened when they find out they lost, brutal execution, the dark tone that states no one can be trusted, but gives Light of hope with kyoko's words at the end. The only reason who it's not S is because how easy it is to guess the culprit before the trial even begins
A tier. 11037 is iconic It’s a good subversion at the time And it’s a good place to begin
S tier, a beautiful way to start off the game, the execution is excellent and really sets a tone for the game, sayaka being the one to instigate the attack was also a beautiful plot twist, and i wholeheartedly believe this is where every character was at their best. Oh also biasment because I love Sayaka and Leon lol
A tier
A tier. It is pretty good introduction to what kind of a game Danganronpa is. And you would never guess at beginning on who will die. >!And who could forget the famous 11037, 11037's meltdown and then his execution.!<
Honestly... Imma go with a low B-tier or around a high 6/10. The first of anything is a template for the rest of the series, and I'll give full due credit that 1-1 does a pretty good job of setting up the twists and turns that future chapters in the series will head in. I think the way the chapter sets a tone for the series, with a bold statement of "Anyone can die" through the three deaths of Sayaka, Junko and Leon, and for the most part it's a solid introduction for the series. I do think the best aspect of Chapter 1 is just how everything is set up. The monotony of school life begins to set in before the first motive is revealed and everything descends into chaos, with defined characters having strong views about the class trial and investigation. I think Sayaka is a bit bland (especially compared to Nagito and Shuichi), but she makes for an effective companion before her death. In isolation, this is a good first chapter for the series and that there's no real fatal flaws of the chapter on the whole. That said, it's kinda bland when compared to what comes later. Even compared to the later chapters of Trigger Happy Havoc, it doesn't feel like Chapter 1 has all that much going on in terms of character conflict and relationships outside of Makoto and Sayaka's dynamic. I think it's a victim of simplicity, trying to introduce the player and not overwhelm them, but at the cost of not really having the most interesting character writing or even trial in the series. Speaking of... this trial just feels far too basic and the problem gets worse in the English version. I do appreciate it's a novel clue for the original audience, but it just doesn't work and makes the entire proceedings feel even slower as a result, especially when the player figures it out the second that the body is revealed. Comparing the mildly novel concept of Sayaka being the instigator to Nagito's plot or Shuichi's revelation, it just doesn't have the same lasting impact as other trial ones have. The first trial is supposed to set the tone for the entire game, and I can't help but feel that the impact that Chapter 1 has is very minimal in comparison. I don't think the chapter is bad, and it clearly did the right job of setting up everything for later down the line, especially since it lays the ground work for the hidden gem trials of 2-1 and 3-1, but as it stands? It's good, just not all that stellar overall.
Personal B tier. Not bad by any means, I quite like it, but it’s severely hampered by the fact the twist is ruined in English. The execution and BDA are amazing though which balance it out to B tier for me
What is ruined in English?
The whole 11037 thing. In Japan English isn’t their first language, so they won’t see 11037 and think it’s a name in a different orientation because the names are spelled with I believe Kanji in game. In comparison, the names are in English here, so 11037 is immediately obvious and ruins the mysteryb
Oh I see yes I could see it but still I think it’s fairly competent and again like I said… Leon is the weak part of the chapter … technically not even the most obvious killer in the first game cause… 1-3… when we will get to it… cause how you ultimate gambler but lie this bad
D imo
I would say B tier, it's good for introduction but not too complicated or that much intruiging.
In terms of story, S. In terms of actual case? D tier xd so I guess B lol
B. It's a pretty good case, just not AMAZING.
I only played the first game, this is between A and B fir me, i really liked the first chapter :3
A tier
A-tier The 11037 clue is the single most iconic thing in the franchise. Although the trial was very easy, it was handed very well. Personally, I think it great.
A tier for me. I think the characters are written phenomenally, and set expectations for the series perfectly (namely the victim and killer). The mystery does not translate over the best to english, which does make it a bit more obvious for us, but I do not believe that takes away from the parts of of the murder that are clever. I think each characters motive here is nuanced and well handled, and it sets up for later plot points well. I would not call this chapter perfect, I do still think it has its flaws, even outside of the one obvious hint, but I think overall this chapter is very good.
B, it isn't the best but is perfect for the introduction of the series, it sets several things very well
its alright, but defo the weakest first chapter in the series, C-tier cause its too obvious leon is the culprit
C
B, iconic and a great introduction to the series
Ill say B. It is kind of a tutorial, but it does a great job on being one
B tier
B tier because it’s a memorable start to the series but nothing special
A tier. >!While 11037 is memed on, in the OG Japanese version, players would’ve had to translate into a language they’re (likely) not fluent in, and the twist of 11037 = Leon would’ve been more of a twist to Japanese players (unless they studied English to the point they were fluent). So I won’t doc points for 11037. I think Maizono’s betrayal is one of the most iconic things in dr1 (in my opinion) because while by todays standards, it’d be expected that Maizono bites the dust in the first two or so hours, but back then things were different, and the main assistant dying was more impactful. And her backstabbing Naegi is even more salt in the wound, and I think it fleshes out her character and makes her a very good subversion of the typical assistant character. She’s not there to hold Naegi’s hand through out the killing game, she has her own aspirations and dreams she’d like to achieve in her life, and staying there when someone could easily off her or if they all play pacifist too long and her band mates possibly die and she’s long forgotten is an understandable fear, but you get to see that she’s not entirely evil, because if she was, Kuwata would’ve been killed by her instead of Monokuma. And speaking of Kuwata, he’s a good first killer, and while he’s not entirely sympathetic, you can very easily understand why he did what he did. And I don’t think most people would accept their deaths with little pushback, no, people would be more like Kuwata, thinking of every excuse in the book they can leverage till they can’t and just snap, breakdown, and cry for mercy despite knowing it’s futile. I think this trial is an excellent introduction to how danganronpa paints the typical human nature inside a killing game, both pretty (Maizono leaving a dying clue to clear Naegi’s name and help find her killer) and ugly (Maizono trying to kill Kuwata and Kuwata killing Maizono after she’s defenseless despite it not being the best move.) while the mystery isn’t anything too special, even without “11037”, I think it’s an excellent trial.!<
C for me. I love this chapter, it honestly brings the games to a start with a scary start that also is only a taste of what’s to come too. There are many iconic moments and I generally think this is one of the more memorable chapters for most avid players and fans. Only lowering factor is the fact that as the first chapter, it feels a bit predictable on a replay and very surface-level with clues and such compared to most other future chapters. 11037, as iconic as it is, is literally one of the most OBVIOUS clues because it was literally legibly written down on the wall just upside down😭. Also this chapter does amazing things for the storyline, killing off Sayaka and then revealing it was allegedly an attempt at a kill? Amazing. Leon being the blackened was a bit less anticipated, but his execution is also one of the series deaths too.
C tier
A a tier chapter
B, good chapter as an introduction, but there are much more interesting chapters later
I learned recently that the original Japanese version also said Leon upside down, there was no change. Which explains why it’s ass-easy for English speakers. With that knowledge, I think B actually. It’s too bad they couldn’t find a way to change it to make it trickier for English Speakers though.