Being the next game made by a couple fairly legendary game creators in the visual novel mystery genre, you likely expect plenty of references to other pop culture in a game likeThe Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy, and you won’t be disappointed - one of your teammates is practically referencing anytime she talks.
There are plenty of callbacks to other popular video games, iconic anime, and even internet memes that you can look forward to as you play through The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy, but if you spot any more, let us know in the comments down below!
There Are 100 Days At The Academy, With Zero Escape
Day 002, Zero Escape
While the game has Danganronpa’s vibe written all over it, you’ll find plenty of nods to Uchikoshi’s visual novel series, Zero Escape, throughout The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy as well, and in several interesting ways – like the branching endings, for instance.
One of the earliest references to the Zero Escape series, though, comes when Darumi brings up the escape room element of the game. In them, you’re given the task of solving an escape puzzle with a series of odd characters, and while you’re battling here instead, it all feels pretty familiar.
Don’t Reverse Your Social Links!
Day 011, Persona 3
Another confirmation that Persona exists in the world of The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy and Darumi is a pretty big fan is her reference on Day 011 at school, mentioning that Takumitrying to persuadeTsubasa and Gaku to join the fight against the invaders too early would jeopardize reversing his social links.
In older Persona titles, your friends were referred to as Social Links (Confidants began in P5), and making offensive choices in conversations or turning down your lady friends when they needed you most could reverse these connections. You’d need to put in the time to pay your penance before the character forgave you, so maybe Darumi is onto something about knowing how to read your friends.
What A Terrible Fate…
Day 006, The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask
When Eito runs away from school on Day 006, before the team heads out to go rescue him afteran expedition across the ruinsbeyond the Undying Flames (hopefully grabbing some resources along the way – you’ll need them soon!), Darumi mentions he may have met with a terrible fate.
If you’re a fan of The Legend of Zelda games, then this all-too familiar phrase probably sent a chill down your spine! At the beginning of Majora’s Mask, a transformed Link is asked, “You’ve met with a terrible fate, haven’t you?” by a character who becomes a creepy staple in the game from there. Time for a replay!
Sailor Moon Didn’t Have To Fight These Things
Day 024, Sailor Moon
When the storm hits the school and Takumiheads out onto an expeditionon Day 024 in The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy, you’ll come across plenty of cards around the game board as you head toward your final goal on the far side of the ruins.
Depending on how much you’ve been exploring, or how much you’re looking around on this outing, you may even find it earlier than this, but it was Day 024 in our game.
The chance card in question is a Textiles card, referring to a sly man in a black cape and wondering if he’s “the legendary thief, Black Tie Mask,” and you’ll see he drops a rose if you choose to ponder if it’s him instead of ignoring him or giving chase. Sailor Moon fans will recognize the Tuxedo Mask meme from a mile away.
A Meme-Worthy Acceptance
Day 006, Rick And Morty
When Eito goes missing on Day 006 after Hiruko tells the group that those unwilling to fight will be kicked out of the Academy, Takumi tries to rally the group to conduct an expedition to head out into the ruins to find him. WhenDarumi hears that Takumi and Takemaruare going, she says the above line.
While it’s been censored in the name of not swearing too much with Darumi, her reply is a reference to a well-loved meme that came of and still gets mentioned on Rick and Morty.
The Game Truly Is Madness Sometimes
Day 009, 300
After Hiruko addresses the remaining holdouts who aren’t willing to fight even after seeing Eito join up, the group can tell by her tone that she’s not playing around. Darumi makes a reference to Hiruko running the school as a tight ship is “madness,” with Takumi replying that the whole thing sounds “pretty Spartan.”
The 2006 historical action movie 300 is about the battle between Sparta and Persia, with a character declaring before his execution that “this is madness.” Before killing him, the king shouts, “This is Sparta!”
Hopefully Flawless
Day 007, Mortal Kombat
It always seems to be Darumi in these references, huh?When your team is preparingfor your first Commander battle on Day 007, the day when Eito joinsyour combat team, Darumi salivates at the idea of how she can hopefully “pull out an invader’s heart” and for a Flawless victory.
Anyone who’s played the beloved Mortal Kombat series is no stranger to hearing such a battle cry after particularly brutal fights where you’ll do just that to your opponents. Nobody ever seems nearly as happily flustered about the concept in those games as Darumi is, though.
It’s Killing Game Time!
Practically Every Time You Talk To Darumi, Danganronpa
The very second you introduce yourself to Darumi Amemiya at the beginning of The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy, she starts talking about how she feels like a Killing Game is inevitable at some point, going so far as to be distraught about the revival mechanic at the school essentially ruling out the concept.
Though you don’thaveto have played the Danganronpa games to play The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy, plenty of fans of Kodaka’s signature series are enrolling at the Academy for their 100 days. When you’re finished with the main story, maybe you’ll even get to dabble in that Killing Game after all, too.
