Monika (Doki Doki Literature Club Plus)

Monika, formally aliased as Monitor Kernel Access, is the titular main protagonist of the visual novel, Doki Doki Literature Club Plus!, the enhanced expansion of the 2017 visual novel, Doki Doki Literature Club!, where she was the game's main antagonist. She is Sayori's best friend, and serves as one of the four members and president of the newly-formed Literature Club.
Monika is the founder of the Literature Club after departing from the Debate Club due to all of the inner politics and drama, highlighting a desire for order, freedom of topics and friendliness. As such, she saw the Literature Club as important to her. 
Unlike her original incarnation, where she had a yandere-like personality and manipulated files in order to win over the player's heart, Monika, in Doki Doki Literature Club Plus!, is instead a compassionate character who accompanies and assists people who are going through conflict or dilemma, such as her fellow club members.
==Appearance==
Monika is an attractive young woman with long light brown hair that she retains in a ponytail tied back with a large white bow. Along with Natsuki and Yuri, Monika’s forelocks form arches on top of her head, which slightly resemble a cat's ears. Her eyes are emerald green and look gentle. She has white-toned skin. She wears the typical blackish-gray school uniform, which is a grey blazer of a white-collared shirt with a brown sweater vest over it, topped off with a red ribbon.
She also wears the dark blue skirt, black thigh-high socks/leggings, which are in stark contrast to the rest of the cast's white knee-socks, and white and pink uwabaki slippers, a japanese-kind of slippers. Monika's presumable height is 5'3 (160cm), being the second-tallest character in the game after Yuri (and the protagonist in the original Doki Doki Literature Club).
==Personality==
Unlike her original incarnation, Monika is an over-the-top perfectionist with impossible standards for herself. This has been demonstrated through a scene in "Trust," where Monika could not even write a singular sentence on a piece of paper due to the fact that she was too focused on beginning the writing with perfection. She was only left with a black spot of ink that she smeared on the top of the page while writing underneath that this was the result of her being a perfectionist. In the beginning, Monika found herself being quite shortsighted when it came to what her idea of what the Literature Club should be, as she discovered that she was not accepting all members into the club sufficient enough, demonstrated when she was hesitant to being keen on letting Natsuki join the Literature Club because her sole literary interest was manga.
In contrast to her original incarnation of Doki Doki Literature Club!, Monika is a considerate, optimistic and kindhearted girl who often tries to make prominent usage of leadership and deal with conflicts between the club members, although she has stated herself that dealing with conflict is not her powerful suit. During "Reflection," Monika tried to resolve a conflict between Natsuki and Yuri by possessing a discussion, but this became fruitless and all of Monika's efforts proven to make the situation worse. During "Respect," she was too pusillanimous to endorse for Natsuki when a pair of other students were mocking her. Monika felt remorseful about it and shown a sign of self-anger against herself because she lacked the courage to endorse for Natsuki. As such, Monika is described as a scapegoat because of this.
As shown throughout the timeline of the Literature Club, Monika takes the Literature Club heavily seriously, which was a portion of the reason she was reluctant on letting Natsuki join the club. Further reflecting her kindhearted characteristics, Monika tries her best efforts to assist the other members through conflict. She comforted Sayori when the latter wrote the poem about depression, holding her in a embrace of friendship and telling her that it was not a requirement for her to force herself to speak on the matter more. Monika also assisted Yuri write a letter in apology to Natsuki when Yuri came to the trio for assistance. Monika sat down and discussed Yuri through it, assisting her to write something meaningful and something that did not sound blameful.
Monika tends to beat herself up in certain situations, opting to state the phrase, "What a good leader..." when she feels as though she has failed as club leader.
==History==
Monika is the main protagonist of the side stories in Doki Doki Literature Club Plus!. Taking place in an alternate universe of Doki Doki Literature Club! where the protagonist does not cease to exist, it shows how the club was formed by Monika with the assumption that she never had her epiphany, and is willing to help all of the members around the literature club through conflict during the side stories. 
Monika was born on September 22nd, 1999. In 2017, Monika initially participated in the Debate Club, but eventually departed due to all of the inner politics and drama, highlighting a desire for order, freedom of topics and friendliness. 
 
In the first side story, "Trust," she eventually found the Literature Club, and was the only member of the club back then. She spent days attempt to get other people to join, but to no avail, until Sayori showed up one day and became the first new member, as well as the vice-president, and advises Monika on what to write. The relationship between the two gone smooth sailing at first glances, until she notices a folder on the floor, which she presumes to be Sayori's and opens it to check - inside are poems written by her, and Monika reads through the first poem she sees, Become the Flower. Tomorrow, Sayori confesses to Monika that she suffers chronically from depression, explaining how she gets upset when others are worried for her, and that allowing people to see her inner emotions contradicts her goal of offering happiness to everyone, reiterating that the trust she has with Monika gives her the courage to open up like that and telling her that if she is vulnerable, Monika can be too. Monika embraces and starts reassuring Sayori to comfort her.
Yuri joins the club after Monika and Sayori recruit her to do so, taking place in "Understanding." Monika spends time preparing posters for the literature club elsewhere, leaving Sayori and Yuri in the classroom to discuss about each other. On the third day, Monika, who is late for school, finds Yuri waiting outside the clubroom on her own, while also noticing that Sayori is inside. Sensing some potential conflict, Monika invites Yuri to join her on a walk through the school. The two discuss the previous day, with Monika enquiring how she got on with Sayori. Yuri reveals that Sayori was not into the book, and that she feels bad for forcing her own interests over Sayori's. She expresses her own inabilities in social situations, that she feels like Sayori is taking pity on her too much. She would rather Sayori basically admit she is not into her interests, rather than being too nice her and inconveniencing herself just to make Yuri feel more comfortable. Monika replies, stating she should explain her thoughts directly to Sayori, and shares that Sayori is entertained with offering other people happiness in her free time, much to Yuri's dismay. The two eventually return to the clubroom door having photocopied new fliers, and Yuri builds up courage to enter the clubroom on her own. After the mutual understanding of Yuri and Sayori's requirements and the two returning to reading, Monika returns to the clubroom, overhearing Yuri's offering to return Sayori's gratitude by asking her to teach her poetry instead.
In "Respect," Natsuki joins the literature club as the newest member, with her sole interest of literature being manga. This results in mixed reactions within the other club members, especially Monika, who does not appreciate manga or comics as a real form of literature. After Natsuki gives the latter some convincing, Monika eventually allows Natsuki to join the club, though she expresses doubts about their new member while Natsuki is absent from the room. Natsuki stumbles back into the club, hoisting a pair of heavy boxes of manga, while Monika questions if accepting manga as literature is right for the club in silence. On the following day, all club members return, though there continues to be a degree of friction between Monika and Natsuki due to her having disapproving regards on manga. While attempting to come up with ideas for club activities, Natsuki feels rejected by the members as her regards are not being taken into consideration by Monika, resulting in Natsuki storming out of the clubroom early, which provokes Sayori to chase after her. Monika reflects on her inner conflict of guilt and frustration towards Natsuki, unsure if she was being too hostile to her or if Natsuki simply wasn't a good fit for the club. Yuri reassures Monika that she was not being too irrational, though Monika's own guilt about the situation compels her to at least read some of Natsuki's manga. During lunchtime the next day, Monika searches for Natsuki in attempt to make amends. She spots her with her friends, who are being judgmental for her previous membership in the Anime Club and for joining the Literature Club, implying that her interests in manga are immature and that she should have grown out of it by now. Upon seeing this, Monika realizes why Natsuki joined the club in the first place, and returns to the clubroom later that afternoon. Monika discusses what she saw with Yuri, questioning her own ability as being the president of the club for being so judgmental to Natsuki and failing to stand up for her. Sayori joins the pair, and the trio look for methods to make it up to Natsuki.
On the next day, Monika and Yuri anxiously await Natsuki's return to the clubroom. Eventually, Sayori returns with Natsuki, though Natsuki is cautious of the other members and opts not to greet them. Monika addresses the club, introducing the new activity as 'learning about manga,' however, Natsuki senses that Monika is being disingenuous, pointing out that she is 'forcing' it too much to be genuine. Monika approaches Natsuki and, with a little help from the other club members, is able to apologize for her earlier mistakes, easing the tensions within the club. In response, Natsuki then accepts her apology and the members continue with the manga discussion. Over the next week, the members all share their favorite kinds of literature, having started off with Natsuki and her manga. At the end of the last day, Monika asks Natsuki to remain behind, wanting to share something with her in the music room. Monika reflects on her actions and admits Natsuki was able to teach her a lesson about respect, that it was not until Natsuki showed up that she realized she had such a condescending attitude to things she disliked. Monika also admits she read some of her manga, and reveals that she started to learn how to play the piano after relating to a character in the book. The two gather around the piano, and Monika shares a song that she wrote for the club, My Song, Your Note, after only a week of practice, contrasting with her perfectionist-filled attitude observed when Natsuki first joined. Natsuki, who is flattered, admits she was equally as abrasive towards Monika and the two are able to make it up to each other.
In "Balance," Sayori continues approaching Natsuki and talking to her over a past few days, though Natsuki dislikes this more each day. At the end of one of the days, Monika approaches Natsuki and asks if she is entertained with herself, to which she responds with mixed emotions. She discloses that she feels smothered by Sayori, after not being used to such a friendship. Feeling responsible for the situation, Monika offers to talk to Sayori, though Natsuki declines.
In "Reflection," Monika chats with Yuri about her fantasy books. During their conversation, Yuri remarks that Natsuki will eventually 'grow out' of manga, just like Yuri did with older interests of hers. Natsuki overhears this, leading to a few further disagreements between their contrasting interests, though Sayori eventually breaks the tension after eating cookies that fell on the floor. With both Natsuki and Sayori outside the clubroom, Natsuki's blunt attitude causes Yuri to reflect on their interaction, leaving her feeling as if Natsuki disrespected her own reading interests. Monika attempts to mediate her feelings, stating that it is normal to be passionate, though Yuri remains skeptical. On the following day, Monika addresses the club with a special meeting, wishing to discuss the differences in literature in a constructive manner. She goes on to make usage of Sayori as an anecdote, analyzing how her language is potentially contribute to tension when there is disagreement. Natsuki is hesitant as she does not understand the reason she must filter her own language, though Monika proceeds with the discussion and invites Yuri to talk about her opinion on manga. Yuri initially rejects this, citing that nothing productive could come of it, though she nevertheless proceeds to list a few of her thoughts on the topic. In her thoughts, she describes manga as more immature to what she currently prefers and that she has moved past that, provoking Natsuki and causing her to be offended. Monika attempts to interject, though this just leads to more conflict between the two, eventually culminating with Sayori getting upset by her friends' argument. Yuri, rather angry by this point, asks Monika to not involve herself next time, and leaves the clubroom.
Outside the clubroom where Sayori and Natsuki discuss during the next meeting, Monika spots Yuri at a disused stairwell reading on her own. Yuri is immediately apologetic about the events from the day before, though Monika reassures her that she is not mad at her. Yuri goes on to explain that she seems to be constantly pessimistic, and that she struggles with having a normal conversation without upsetting those around her. Monika continues to comfort Yuri, who is in a distressed state after reflecting on those events. Monika tells Yuri that she does not need to feel bad for thinking so sharply of Natsuki, that it is fine if someone cannot control that emotion, rather only how someone expresses it is important. Monika shows her appreciation towards Yuri for displaying her true emotions, giving the idea for Yuri to write a letter to Natsuki rather than having to talk. Monika also gives Yuri praise for her ability of self-reflection, after learning that she enjoys listening to other people's needs and concerns. During lunchtime the next day, Yuri seeks out Monika, who is in a classroom with her friends. Monika spots her through the window and joins Yuri outside, who asks for Monika's help in writing the letter to Natsuki. The two enter an empty classroom, with Monika joining Yuri at an empty desk. Monika assists Yuri come up with things to write, and the pair title the letter with 'Reflection.' Monika assists to structure the letter into three paragraphs, recognizing that Natsuki is still vulnerable and that she should make it clear that Yuri is prepared to respect her and her interests from the start. A while passes and Yuri discusses her own revelations with Monika, stating she finally understands that everybody is in good faith, and that she now realizes that a person's behavior is not strictly indicative of how they wish to be. At the end of the day, Yuri asks Monika to deliver the letter for her, as she would rather not watch Natsuki read it. In response, Monika obliges.
In the penultimate epilogue side story, "Equals," all four members are present and take place after the other events in the previous side stories. Monika opens the discussion by talking about the general direction of the club, as the school festival is drawing closer day by day. Monika suggests that they could each discuss about what they have gotten out of the club, though Yuri presents some resistance to that idea. After Monika offers her some convincing, Yuri agrees and each member takes turns to share what they got out of the club. In Monika's case, she shares her learning experiences, stating that her perfectionism was an obstacle of seeing the best of other people, and that she has learned she is not perfect, rather everybody is equal. In addition, feeling gullible for being so abrasive to the other club members when she first joined, Monika reassures her that the club would not have been the same without Natsuki, and that it taught her a good lesson in respect, with the rest of the club members chiming in to offer their own reassurances. Sayori decides to write these experiences down, writing the word, 'Trust,' on the room's chalkboard. Each member writes a word on the chalkboard, corresponding to their individual side story: 'Trust', 'Understanding,' 'Respect,' 'Balance,' 'Reflection,' and finally, 'Self-Love.' 
Monika offers to take a group photo, and each member decides to write a poem based on their experiences. Monika once again struggles to write about herself. However, with some thought, she is finally able to write.
==Trivia==
*Monika has a Twitter account under the username of lilmonix3.
*As stated by Monika herself, Natsuki was the reason Monika started playing piano.
*Monika made a song for the Literature Club, called "My Song, Your Note," on the piano. This song title shares initials with the four club members in the order they joined: Monika, Sayori, Yuri, and Natsuki. However, Monika was too apprehensive to tell them.https://twitter.com/dansalvato/status/1611528074067312644?s=20
**Interestingly enough, the conversation between her and Natsuki in the music room during the second half of the side story, "Respect," contained some familiar lines: "And I'm not really good at it yet. Like-at all. But...I wrote a song for the club. And I worked really, really hard on it. It doesn't have any words or anything, but...well, yeah." before she begins playing the song.
***These same lines, despite some differences, are the same used in the conversation from Monika to the player before the credits and "Your Reality" start playing.
*Her favorite flavor of ice cream is vanilla.
*In one of the emails that can obtained throughout Plus, it is revealed that Monika's name is an acronym for "Monitor Kernel Access.""
==External Links==
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