Monokuma (Japanese: モノクマ) is a fictional identity adopted by several characters in the Danganronpa series, serving as the mascot and main antagonist of the series. Monokuma first appears in Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc as a disguise used by "despair sisters" Mukuro Ikusaba and Junko Enoshima during their killing game in the fictional school of Hope's Peak Academy. Monokuma was created by scenario writer Kazutaka Kodaka and designed by Rui Komatsuzaki. The identity is used primarily as a disguise for the masterminds of each game to conceal their identities while overseeing and organizing killing games, and as such has been voiced by several actors. The character has often appeared in popular culture since its inception, referenced in film and television as well as spawning a series of action figures and merchandise. Nobuyo Ōyama and TARAKO voice him in Japanese, while Brian Beacock provides his voice for the English dub.In the Danganronpa universe, the robotic polar bear is not unique and is easily obtainable, allowing others to take up its identity. Monokuma regularly interacts with killing game participants and other targets to taunt or threaten them while using a voice changer that hides its true identity, in addition to executing each "blackened" if they kill another student. In Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair, Monokuma transforms Jabberwock Island Operator Usami into a sister figure which he dubs Monomi, while in the spin-off Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls, two different characters that are similar to Monokuma, the all-white Shirokuma and all-black Kurokuma, appear, in addition to an army of Monokuma robots. In the third main series game, Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony, Monokuma is provided "children" with the Monokubs, consisting of: Monotaro, Monodam, Monokid, Monophanie, Monosuke, and the Nanokumas; Monokuma is additionally provided a mother figure dubbed Motherkuma, who is responsible for manufacturing Monokuma's robot bodies.Critical response to Monokuma has been generally favorable, and he has often been listed as one of the best characters in the entire franchise.