Island Mode is a bonus mode unlocked after beating Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair. It’s similar to School Mode in Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc and Love Across the Universe: Dangan Salmon Team in Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony. Like its predecessor and successor, it serves as a dating sim where no killing occurs.

Some fans have queerly read this since the act of male characters giving Hajime Hinata their underwear can seem to be referencing queer relationships in some way.

Additionally, some dialogue such as with Nekomaru Nidai suggests gay/queer relationships as well. If the player picks a “Bad Option” for a trip with Nekomaru, he will respond saying:

• Hmmm… That date wasn’t exciting at all…A detailed plan produces maximum results in both dating and training. You won’t make me fall for you if you act like this! Bye now!

Also, during Nekomaru’s Island Mode Ending, if the player responds “Love,” Nekomaru will respond saying:

• Whaaat!? Was that what it was…? I see…so I actually…had feelings…for you…

Many of the events and endings with various characters have gay/queer undertones, but very few actually explicitly confirm characters as some form of queer sexuality.

LGBTQ References in this series:

Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc (2010): Chihiro; Genocide Jack/Jill and Toko; Hifumi’s Ending; Mondo and Taka; Monokuma; School Mode

Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair (2012): Ibuki Mioda, Island Mode, Mentions, Mikan Tsumiki, Nagito Komaeda, Teruteru Hanamura

Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls (2014): Tokomaru Ship

Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony (2017): K1-B0, Kaede Akamatsu, Kokichi Oma, Korekiyo Shinguji’s Love Suite Event, Love Across the Universe: Dangan Salmon Team, Miu Iruma, Rantaro Amami, Tenko Chabashira

See also QRM’s entry for this game series.

Citations:

1. Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair. (n.d.). Retrieved January 29, 2020, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danganronpa_2:_Goodbye_Despair
2. Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony. (n.d.). Retrieved January 29, 2020, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danganronpa_V3:_Killing_Harmony
3. Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc. (n.d.). Retrieved January 29, 2020 from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danganronpa:_Trigger_Happy_Havoc
4. Island Mode. (n.d.). Retrieved January 29, 2020, from https://danganronpa.fandom.com/wiki/Island_Mode
5. Island Mode/Nekomaru Nidai. (n.d.). Retrieved January 29, 2020, from https://danganronpa.fandom.com/wiki/Island_Mode/Nekomaru_Nidai
6. MarioStrikerz. (2015, March 20). r/danganronpa – What characters did you think were gay/lesbians? Retrieved January 29, 2020, from https://www.reddit.com/r/danganronpa/comments/2zpo96/what_characters_did_you_think_were_gaylesbians/cpl5mck/