Kakeru Yamaguchi

The content below contains **spoilers** for **Danganronpa Another**. Proceed with caution.

## Kakeru Yamaguchi

* Splash Art
* Halfbody Sprite

## Characteristics

### Likes

* Books
* The internet
\*

### Dislikes

* His personality
* Muscles

### Family

* Grandmother
* Father
* Mother
* Midori Yamaguchi

## Status

### Fates

Ambiguously killed by **Kakeru Yamaguchi**

## Fangan Info

### Origin

Danganronpa Another~ Another Despair Academy~

### Artists

LINUJ

 —Danganronpa Another

**Kakeru Yamaguchi** (야마구치 카케루 *Yamaguchi Kakeru*) is a main character featured in the Korean fangame **Danganronpa Another~ Another Despair Academy~**, created by Korean game-developer LINUJ. He is known as the **Super High School Level Lawyer** (초고교급 변호사 lit. *Super High School Level Lawyer*)

## **History**

### **Early Life**

During his childhood, Kakeru grew to be much more taller and muscular than everyone else. Although he lived life like any normal child, his muscular appearance took form naturally. With both of these, Kakeru was often side-eyed or questioned by his schools classmates, as nobody believed he was the same age as them.

On a field trip Kakeru witnessed a lawyer asserting himself. This moment gave Kakeru hope, and he began to study to become a lawyer.

### **The Tragedy of Hope's Peak Academy**

Kakeru was one of sixteen students scouted by Hope's Peak Academy under its 79th class. Quickly admitted by the school to complete a secret project, everything was in vain when the student council was massacred by this same project. Although the schools administration tried their best to cover up the incident, rumours inevitably spread between the schools students. After personally researching and confirming their claims Yamato Kisaragi, the Super High School Level Inventor, searched for the incidents true masterminds after seeing one of them in footage from a hidden camera. placed on the body of the last surviving council member. Throughout his investigations, Yamato soon learned about a more sinister plan taking place. To protect his friends Yamato came up with his own plan to protect the 79th class. When the 'parade' began to take place, Yamato inflicted his plan and drove his classmates to an isolated island belonging to the Kisaragi Foundation. Unbeknown to all of them at that time, two members of the Ultimate Despair were already among them.

Shortly after escaping to the island Monokuma's attacked the building, killing numerous of the organizations staff and attacking the students. While some of their classmates protected the class, Kanata, Kakeru, and Kinji were forced into hiding. Unable to do anything, a Monokuma clone ambushed the trio. Although Kakeru tried to hold it back, all three were eventually captured and rendered unconscious. His memories of his time at Hope's Peak Academy were soon erased, and the laboratory was remodelled to look like the school building.

### **79th Class Killing Game**

*Main Article: Danganronpa Another*

    Kakeru was one of sixteen students scouted by Hope's Peak Academy under its 79th class. After entering the Hope's Peak school building, Kakeru and his classmates fall unconscious, and each wake up alone in different locations. After regrouping together in the main hall, an anonymous announcement lead them to the Gymnasium, where they meet a robotic bear, Monokuma, the school's self-proclaimed headmaster. Monokuma soon reveals the true nature of the school, announcing the start of a mutual killing game, where the only way they could leave were to murder another person. Enraged by this, Tsurugi Kinjo attempts to apprehend Monokuma, but is pushed back by a machine gun, leaving him startled and in silence. After this incident the class splits up until the next morning.

During the middle of the week, bored from the lack of any death yet, Monokuma joins one of the class's morning meetings. There he reveals the class's first motive, clueing them in to explore the CV Room. Cautious due to the headmaster's previous actions, the class convince Yuki Maeda, the Super High School Lucky Student, to check out the area. In the room Yuki finds a box with numerous DVD's, all with a participants name on it. The rest of the class meet up with Yuki after he lets out a panicked scream, causing everyone to check the contents of their DVD, revealing someone close to them in grave danger. Distrust falls among the group after this, causing them to split up from each other. Unbeknown to them at the time, one of them was already plotting their crime.

    During the next morning meeting the class soon realise two of their classmates have gone missing. After splitting up to search for Rei and Kiyoka, the body discovery announcement draws everyone to the female bathrooms. After the class discover Kiyoka Maki's hung-up corpse, the investigation to find her killer begins. During the investigation, Kakeru relays that he saw Rei earlier that morning, and attested the her alibi was accurate. Before leaving the room, he and Yuki discover a bloody hammer.

As the group enter the class elevator, Kakeru reveals his hidden lawyer personality, performing a 180 switch from his usual behaviour. Though this confuses many of his classmates, After successfully identifying Mitsuhiro as Kiyoka's killer, the class witness as Monokuma brutally murders him, all left in shock after his execution ends.

### **Comforting Kizuna**

    During the second week of the killing game, Monokuma reveals his next motive, giving everyone a note revealing one of their classmates deepest, darkest, secret. Throughout that same week, Kizuna Tomori, the Super High School Level Cheerleader, had closed herself off from the rest of the group. During one of the groups morning meetings, the class discusses Kizuna, and decides to confront her together, and try to convince her to rejoin the group. Kakeru joins the rest of his class and watches while Akane tearfully tries confides in Kizuna. This action causes Kizuna to rejoin the group, but unbeknown at the time, their acts were in vain. The next day Kizuna is found dead in the switchium.

    During the class trial for Kizuna's murder, the truth about her case is revealed. During the previous night Kizuna and Akane met together, after the former had devised a plan to murder one of her classmates. Revealing her plan to Akane, she tries to convince her that they should work together, but she refuses. Understanding what this would've meant for her safety, Kizuna removes the knife on her person and lunged toward Akane. During their struggle Kizuna was stabbed. Panicked by what she'd done, Ayame Hatano, a close friend to Akane, witnesses her running away, covered in blood. In order to protect her friend, Ayame removes the knife from Kizuna's torso, and stabs her a second time in the throat. A few minutes later she died from blood loss. The class are able to correctly deduce who killed Kizuna, and she is soon sent to her execution by Monokuma.

The morning after Ayame's execution, the group meet together as per usual. By the end of their morning meeting, Monokuma reveals the existence of an impostor, planted within the game from the very beginning. Already suspicious due to the note Kizuna received, Yuki is removed from the main group.

### **The Third Motive**

Later on that week, Monokuma summons the participants to the Gymnasium for the third motive, One-by-one Monokuma takes every participant to a soundproof room, then playing a video of what they desire most. If a person is able to commit murder and get away with it, Monokuma claims he would reward them with whatever it is they desired. Despite his claims, the class decide to stay strong, and refuse to believe anyone would murder for such a reason.

    Towards the night of the same day, Yuki is drawn toward the dormitory's after hearing a loud scream. At the scene he discovers blood on the floor, after Akane tried to kill herself with a pair of scissors, surrounded by Haruhiko, Teruya, Satsuki, and later Mikako. Wanting to be reunited with Ayame, wishing to apologise to her, nobody is able to calm Akane. That is until Mikako takes hold of the situation. As Mikako speaks, Akane tearfully listens as she reminds her of Ayame's last words. After doing so however, Mikako suddenly passes out after experiencing head pains.

During this time, unbeknown to the group at the time, a series of events had begun to take place. An easy target due to her always being in the infirmary, Kinji knocks Kanata out and carries her away to the art room, where he prepares to kill her.

### **Kakeru's Fate**

Before Kinji was able to finish tying Kanata to the ground, Kakeru suddenly enters the room and pushes Kinji aside. Injured after hitting his head, Kakeru takes advantage of the moment to pick up Kanata, trying to run away as fast as possible. Unfortunately, he is unable to save Kanata, and near-instantly dies after his neck is slashed from behind. In his dying moments, Kakeru begs Kinji to let Kanata live.

As he dies Kinji is forced to relocate both of their bodies. Momentarily storing Kakeru's corpse in a locker, he uses Kanata's labcoat to clean up the blood his death left behind. After attacking Rei and Tsurugi, Kinji once again moves Kakeru's body, this time to the library. As he does this, he pours blood around the room, as well as over his own head, to claim he was attacked by one of his classmates. Kakeru's body is later found by Akane and Teruya, who discovered a pool of blood coming from underneath the library door.

### **Legacy**

After the destruction of the school building, Kakeru's body sinks to the bottom of the ocean. A gold statue in his appearance is later found in the Tower of Babel.

## **Creation and Development**

### **Creators Notes**

Untranslated Info*The information below is currently untranslated. It will be re-written in more detail when more information is available.*

### **Alternate Fates**

Non-Canon*The information below is considered **non-canon**.*
**야마구치 카케루 처형 도안**

**처형명 "리버스 트라이얼"**

**야마구치는 몸이 꽁꽁 묶인채 어떤 나무 발판 위에 묶여 있다. 주위가 어두워서 아무 것도 보이지 않지만, 이내 불이 켜지며 재판장이라는 것이 드러난다. 피고인석에 모노쿠마가 나타나고, 검사 모노쿠마와 변호사 모노쿠마가 입싸움을 벌이지만, 결국 실형이 선고되고 판사 모노쿠마가 망치를 내려친다. 불안에 떨던 야마구치는 몸의 3배는 되는 망치를 온몸으로 맞는다. 야마구치가 묶여 있던 곳이 판사석이었던 것이다. 이내 갑자기 재판이 빨리감기되듯 피고인 모노쿠마가 우르를 몰려들고, 검사 모노쿠마가 전부 실형을 선고, 피고의 수 만큼 망치를 연타하게 된다. 야마구치의 피와 먼지로 재판장이 가득 차고, 먼지가 사라졌을 때 망치엔 찐득한 무언가만 가득할 뿐, 야마구치의 모습은 온데간데 사라진 채였다.**

### **Name Etymology**

Kakeru's surname is written using the Kanji 山 ('Yama') which translates to 'mountain; hill', and 口 ('Guchi') which translates to mouth. His first name is written with the Kanji 駆 ('Kakeru') which translates to 'to run; to dash; to race;', which parallels his final moments alive. Interestingly, his name can be written with the Kanji 駆ける, which means 'to advance (against one's enemy)', more than likely referencing his talent.

## **Appearance**

Kakeru is the tallest of his class, standing at 185CM. He has tanned skin, an extremely muscular build, and slicked back blackish-gray hair. Although they can't be seen in his sprites, Kakeru seems to wear a pair of glasses, as he can be seen wearing them in the 'IF' illustration, and in his character illustration. During the class trials Kakeru's right eye glows red, and seemingly has electricity coming out from it.

His outfit consists of a half-black and half-orange tanktop, possibly meant to resemble flames, a pair of dark blue jeans, and a pair of black shoes. In his character illustration, Kakeru wears a standard gray suit, with a red tie, and white dress shirt.

His swimming outfit consists of a pair of orange swim shorts, with white lines by his sides. He also wears a three-piece pendant necklace, and a pair of red sunglasses.

If Kakeru had survived to join the Kisaragi Foundation, he would've worn a standard suit, shirt, and tie, alike his character illustration. He also wears a pair of glasses, and wears the organizations badge over a chest pocket.

If he had lived long enough to join the party he would have worn a pinstriped suit, a vest with buttons, and a pair of striped pants. His jacket sleeves would have been rolled up, and his hair would have been slicked back.

## **Personality**

Possessing an extremely introverted personality, Kakeru fails to meet his classmates expectations of what a lawyer should be like, often stuttering when he speaks. After shutting himself in due to others opinions of him, Kakeru began to struggle socially, and grew to become extremely conscious about himself. Despite this, he is a kind-hearted and soft person, who wishes to be able to get along with his classmates. Due to his social awkwardness, he struggles to do so, but tries nonetheless. Although he sometimes struggles to express it, Kakeru seems to have a deep sense of care for his classmates. After finding Kanata unconscious and about to be killed, Kakeru ran into the danger and attacked her to-be-killer. Though this act claims his life, Kakeru used the last of his strength to convince the killer into letting Kanata live. His care is showcased yet again when the Kisaragi Facility was attacked, ambushing a Monokuma clone so Kinji and Kanata could escape. Kakeru appears to be self-conscious of what other people think about him.

During the class trials Kakeru's hidden side shows. He appears to be a completely different person, possessing a complete personality flip, and shouting while he speaks. Although his stuttering and social awkwardness go during this time, he still fails to talk with others, as this persona causes discomfort for his classmates. During the first Class Trial Kakeru's different way of acting confused and surprised the other participants, and most didn't understand why Kakeru acted the way he did.

## **Talent and Abilities**

### **Super High School Level Lawyer**

Inspired to become a lawyer after watching one in action, Kakeru possessed a great natural talent for the work. During his studies to become a lawyer, he found he could direct his skills in court, although this often causes people to run when they heard him. Despite what others said about him, Kakeru continued his work as a lawyer, although became even more conscious about his appearance.

Throughout the killing game, Kakeru's lawyer side shows up during the class trials. Although this initially confuses his classmates, this side to him quickly proves useful, as he is able to deduce things others may have struggled with.

### **Strength**

Kakeru is one of the strongest students of the 79th Class. During the events of The Tragedy he was able to hold back a Monokuma clone, which is shown to be as strong as or stronger than Kakeru. He was also able to ambush Kinji, causing his head to start bleeding. Kakeru was also able to carry Kanata in his arms. Throughout his upbringing Kakeru grew self-conscious about his muscles, as he looked nothing like the rest of his classmates.

### **Midori Yamaguchi**

As a result of Midori's sickness since birth, she and Kakeru frequently spent time together, with the latter taking care of her. Unable to leave the house, Midori developed most of her mannerisms and personality traits from her older brother. In Kakeru's character sheet they are shown laughing at a TV together.

**Classmates:**
### **Kanata Inori**

During the Killing Game he and Kanata aren't seen interacting much. However, they are frequently drawn together in illustrations, and appear in multiple scenes together. After the class receive their third motive, Kinji decided to target Kanata and almost killed her before Kakeru found her on the Art Room's floor. After attacking Kinji, Kakeru tried to save Kanata but ultimately failed, and was fatally injured in the process. In his final moments alive Kakeru tried to convince Kinji to let Kanata live, though this unfortunately didn't work. Kakeru's final words were Kanata's surname.

During The Tragedy, Kakeru hides in a storage closet with Kinji and Kanata. When a Monokuma entered the room, Kakeru protected the other two and tried to save them.

### **Yuki Maeda**

Though they are not seen interacting during the Killing Game, Kakeru and Yuki grow to become friends during their Free Time Events together. During the time they spent together, Kakeru opened up about his insecurities and what made him want to become a lawyer.

### **Kinji Uehara**

Alike Kanata, he and Kinji are not seen interacting much during the Killing Game, but are frequently drawn together in illustrations. After killing him and later Kanata, Kinji wishes for their forgiveness in the afterlife. During The Tragedy, Kakeru hides in a storage closet with Kinji and Kanata. When a Monokuma entered the room, Kakeru protected the other two and tried to save them.

## **Trivia**

* Kakeru ranked thirteenth in the official popularity poll, taken after the games completion.

## References

1. ↑ **Kakeru Character Setting:** https://linuj.tistory.com/category/%EC%BA%90%EB%A6%AD%ED%84%B0%20%EC%84%A4%EC%A0%95%EB%B9%84%ED%99%94?page=3
2. ↑ **Popularity Poll:** https://linuj.tistory.com/entry/%EB%8B%A8%EA%B0%84%EB%A1%A0%ED%8C%8C-%EC%96%B4%EB%82%98%EB%8D%94-%EC%9D%B8%EA%B8%B0%ED%88%AC%ED%91%9C-%EA%B2%B0%EA%B3%BC-%EB%B0%9C%ED%91%9C?category=412177