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[FluxWaveZ]

THIS IS A THREAD FOR OPEN SPOILERS REGARDING EVERYTHING DANGANRONPA OFFICIALLY RELEASED IN ENGLISH

Primarily focused on Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls, this thread will also contain open spoilers for Danganronpa 1, Danganronpa 2, Danganronpa IF and that thing at the end of DR:AE (keeping this intentionally vague right now).

THIS MEANS NO OPEN SPOILERS FOR DANGANRONPA Zero OR ANYTHING ELSE ONLY RELEASED IN JAPANESE. Spoiler mark that stuff.

This is the place to go to discuss what happens in DR:AE openly, isolating that discussion away from the DR:AE OT.

Spoilers? Spoilers.

 

[The Bankslammer]

i'll just start things off by saying i hope monaca doesn't show up as a primary antagonist in the future, as is hinted at in the ending. i like her, but a character who's trying to be junko is the next worst thing to junko again.

i appreciate that she has a bit more concrete motivation compared to junko, but really, kodaka can do antagonists that are much more interesting than "despair for despair's sake"

 

[SephLuis]

I will be waiting for the meltdowns.

i'll just start things off by saying i hope monaca doesn't show up as a primary antagonist in the future, as is hinted at in the ending. i like her, but a character who's trying to be junko is the next worst thing to junko again.

i appreciate that she has a bit more concrete motivation compared to junko, but really, kodaka can do antagonists that are much more interesting than "despair for despair's sake"

Since people haven't played yet:

I liked Monaca and

Spoiler

I believe she will be one of the main antagonists of DG3. What I really liked about the ending was how she can surpass Junko, instead of being the simple puppet that she was in the entire game.

 

[DaBoss]

Someone's gonna have to remind me in spoilers what DR0 and AE have in relation to each other (in marked spoilers). I've read it, so a lot of detail wouldn't be required.

 

[FluxWaveZ]

Someone's gonna have to remind me in spoilers what DR0 and AE have in relation to each other (in marked spoilers). I've read it, so a lot of detail wouldn't be required.

I'd need to sit down and think about this, but I can't recall any direct connections off the top of my head between the two right now. All I know is that DR0 does a lot to give context to how the world got so screwed up, which isn't really talked about much in DR1 and even DR2 other than "shit got messed up."

i'll just start things off by saying i hope monaca doesn't show up as a primary antagonist in the future, as is hinted at in the ending. i like her, but a character who's trying to be junko is the next worst thing to junko again.

i appreciate that she has a bit more concrete motivation compared to junko, but really, kodaka can do antagonists that are much more interesting than "despair for despair's sake"

I agree that Kodaka should aspire to do more than just make the villains Junko repeats, even though he seems to cling onto the idea that "Junko = Monokuma" in interviews. Nagito is an example of him doing something rather different, yet even more satisfying (to me). That said, I like how Monaca is "Junko-lite," except with differences that clearly differentiate her from her idol. Monaca isn't a despair junkie, and it's obvious she's really not into it when things don't go her way (while it was practically the opposite with Junko).

Whatever the case, no more Junko.

 

[PK Gaming]

I doubt Monaca will factor as the next game's big bad since Kodaka is all about them twists and swerves. I figure she'll be a minor factor in the next game, or maybe... as one of students in the next Despair game. Wouldn't that be unexpected!

 

[SephLuis]

I doubt Monaca will factor as the next game's big bad since Kodaka is all about them twists and swerves. I figure she'll be a minor factor in the next game, or maybe... as one of students in the next Despair game. Wouldn't that be unexpected!

I don't think she will be a minor role, but certainly not the main one.

 

[Feep]

........

 

[Nachos]

........

Leaked screenshot of DR3:

 

[GSR]

........

Tell me, did you ever think this was where your life would take you?

 

[twothunder]

Just imagine. DR3 takes place in Fukawa's warped fantasies.
The entire game is in this style.

I doubt Monaca will factor as the next game's big bad since Kodaka is all about them twists and swerves. I figure she'll be a minor factor in the next game, or maybe... as one of students in the next Despair game. Wouldn't that be unexpected!

Yeah. I think she might be built up as the next big bad only to not last very long in the next game (if she appears at all)

 

[FluxWaveZ]

Alright, going back to DR:AE itself, here are a few thoughts I had after I finished the game:

1. They give this impression that Komaru and Makoto's parents weren't executed, saying that there was no trace of anyone in the torture room after everything was done, but then there was this scene earlier (at which point in the story, I assumed Monaca was talking to her own parents before the "Successor" twist):

Either she was talking to no one (she's not that crazy, right?), or she was definitely talking to Komaru's parents. I guess in which case, she somehow didn't manage to kill them, or what Komaru saw on the TV actually happened and her hoping that they're still alive somewhere is just false hope.

There would have been something powerful if they didn't try to subvert their death and she still overcame that.

2. I liked how this was Komaru's initial disposition:

Which then became this as the story progressed:

I was expecting it throughout the game because her terrified looking idle pose was just too much, but it was still a really nice way of conveying her change of character.

3.

It's kind of weird how none of them died, right? Maybe they didn't want to go so far as to explicitly kill off kids on-screen (even though adults killing children was referred to numerous times), but then I'm not too sure what exactly their "punishment" was when that was Monaca's doing. And is it ever explained why at least the Hero has a bracelet like the Demons? Presumably, that one has an explosive in it that will be triggered if they exit the area. I don't recall it ever being stated that they were also putting their lives at stake.

Which also leads me to remember the biggest problem I have with Danganronpa: Another Episode's story:

The moment requiring maybe the biggest suspension of disbelief in the entire series for me was Komaru Naegi's "execution." No one would survive that helicopter crash, and she didn't have an out like the talent of "Ultimate Luck" or something, either. It lead me to think of a possibility where all that was happening was either a coma induced dream or something significant tying into that particular crash.

Last thing: I thought for sure that the rubble falling on Monaca at the end would, ironically, cripple her. But then we see her standing at the end. Thought that was pretty lame.

 

[The Bankslammer]

Yeah, I suppose my concern over Monaca is mostly a symptom of looking for DR3 teases and really only finding a character saying they want to be Junko 2. While I agree that the tease was probably too overt to not actually be followed up on in DR3, time with Nagito could probably lead to some interesting development, and I'm sure that she'd be used in a much more surprising way than I'm anticipating.

In response to the points above, I felt pretty comfortable walking away from the game with the fact that Mr. and Ms. Naegi were killed, and the final scene was just meant to demonstrate Komaru's optimism. Otherwise I suppose it could just be a Get out of Jail Free card if they ever decide they want to use their parents again.

In general I was surprised by the low bodycount of named characters. It was really just Yuta and Taichi, and I was expecting a hell of a lot worse. Also, Masaru is just wearing a wristband. The design is different than the bracelet given to targets.

 

[FluxWaveZ]

In general I was surprised by the low bodycount of named characters. It was really just Yuta and Taichi, and I was expecting a hell of a lot worse. Also, Masaru is just wearing a wristband. The design is different than the bracelet given to targets.

Alright, nice to hear someone say that because that's a possibility I had been considering (since I didn't see any of the other Warriors of Hope have a bracelet on). They look similar at a glance, but I'm sure I'd be able to tell them apart immediately if I scrutinized them.

 

[twothunder]

2. I liked how this was Komaru's initial disposition:

Which then became this as the story progressed:

I was expecting it throughout the game because her terrified looking idle pose was just too much, but it was still a really nice way of conveying her change of character.

True. Still. Reminds me how Toko kept warning her that saving the people in the city was incidental.
Guess Toko predicted in advance her confidence / hero role would be used against her.

As for Komaru Naegi's "execution."
Both Monaca and servant boy needed her alive for their own reason, right?
Perhaps servant boy's luck helped her survive? It's somewhat of an excuse.
He did have his bad luck before that.

 

[FluxWaveZ]

Perhaps servant boy's luck helped her survive? It's somewhat of an excuse.

Ha, alright, that's the one thing I could accept. Nagito's luck extends to everyone that will help him achieve his goals, and everything about that helicopter crash was planned by Nagito and Monaca, who indeed needed her alive. Still, it's just the visual depiction of the crash; some kind of flashback or something of "this is actually what happened" would have been nice. It's not too big of a deal, but it was just something that made me start the story by going, "Come on, really?"

Aside: I really liked how the game subverted "hope." DR2 did that in a way with Nagito, in that his version of "hope" requires despair, but DR:AE did it differently in that "hope" isn't always a positive thing. Both Makoto and Nagito's "hope" is inherently good with the goal being to have good things for everyone and flowers and rainbows (where they differ is the method of obtaining it), but DR:AE presented "hope" in a way that it could actually lead to destruction, from how Komaru was used to the adults revolting. I thought that was really cool.

 

[SephLuis]

Alright, going back to DR:AE itself, here are a few thoughts I had after I finished the game:

1. They give this impression that Komaru and Makoto's parents weren't executed, saying that there was no trace of anyone in the torture room after everything was done, but then there was this scene earlier (at which point in the story, I assumed Monaca was talking to her own parents before the "Successor" twist):

Either she was talking to no one (she's not that crazy, right?), or she was definitely talking to Komaru's parents. I guess in which case, she somehow didn't manage to kill them, or what Komaru saw on the TV actually happened and her hoping that they're still alive somewhere is just false hope.

There would have been something powerful if they didn't try to subvert their death and she still overcame that.

The tortured dead weren't Komaru's parents that's for sure. I think by that time, she already killed her father, so no chance it could be her own parents. I do not remember a single mention about her mom.

It's kind of weird how none of them died, right? Maybe they didn't want to go so far as to explicitly kill off kids on-screen (even though adults killing children was referred to numerous times), but then I'm not too sure what exactly their "punishment" was when that was Monaca's doing. And is it ever explained why at least the Hero has a bracelet like the Demons? Presumably, that one has an explosive in it that will be triggered if they exit the area. I don't recall it ever being stated that they were also putting their lives at stake.

A friend of mine would probably kill them with his bare hands =P
This was dissapointing to me too, considering how the series is. My only guess is that they will have some development in future games or they didn't wanted this to go into CERO Z rating.

 

[FluxWaveZ]

The tortured dead weren't Komaru's parents that's for sure. I think by that time, she already killed her father, so no chance it could be her own parents. I do not remember a single mention about her mom.

Wait, could you elaborate on this? How comes during that screenshot I posted, Monaca couldn't have been talking to Komaru's parents? During Komaru's breakdown scene for the "Successor" twist, that specific scene was used as a flashback concerning who Monaca was really talking to:

Could you be confusing Monaca and Komaru's parents in your sentence? Because Monaca killed her own father.

 

[SephLuis]

Wait, could you elaborate on this? How comes during that screenshot I posted, Monaca couldn't have been talking to Komaru's parents? During Komaru's breakdown scene for the "Successor" twist, that specific scene was used as a flashback concerning who Monaca was really talking to:

Let me try to remember. I played the japanese version months ago and it could have some differences between what I understood and how the localization brought it (also, my japanese isn't fluent, so consider that I might have not understood a few things).

If I remember correctly, Monaca put those bodies in there to make Komaru believe that her parents were dead. If I remember correctly, someone goes into the room later and confirm that those bodies weren't actually Komaru's parents and n one knows where they actually are. I remember Makoto telling her to hope that their parents are okay.

The flashback thing I do not remember/know what you mean. At least on that entire scene, I am pretty sure Monaca was lying about capturing Komaru's parents. I guess they never explained who were the victims of that torture room.

Could you be confusing Monaca and Komaru's parents in your sentence? Because Monaca killed her own father.

Her father was already dead and his body was in his office. No mention about her mother though.

 

[FluxWaveZ]

If I remember correctly, Monaca put those bodies in there to make Komaru believe that her parents were dead. If I remember correctly, someone goes into the room later and confirm that those bodies weren't actually Komaru's parents and n one knows where they actually are. I remember Makoto telling her to hope that their parents are okay.

I see. What the game actually stated wasn't that the bodies weren't Komaru's parents, but that after everything died down, they couldn't find anyone in the torture chamber. Because of this, Komaru actually tells Makoto (and not the other way around) that she chooses to believe that they're still out there.

 

[SephLuis]

I see. What the game actually stated wasn't that the bodies weren't Komaru's parents, but that after everything died down, they couldn't find anyone in the torture chamber. Because of this, Komaru actually tells Makoto (and not the other way around) that she chooses to believe that they're still out there.

I see. At least, from what I gathered, their parents are missing and could be dead or alive. I don't think they will become a important thing in the future at least.

 

[twothunder]

Ha, alright, that's the one thing I could accept. Nagito's luck extends to everyone that will help him achieve his goals, and everything about that helicopter crash was planned by Nagito and Monaca, who indeed needed her alive. Still, it's just the visual depiction of the crash; some kind of flashback or something of "this is actually what happened" would have been nice. It's not too big of a deal, but it was just something that made me start the story by going, "Come on, really?"

It is kinda hard to believe she survived that in the way it was shown.
Especially without much of a serious injury. Either that Nagito luck or she's made of the same iron as Toko.

Aside: I really liked how the game subverted "hope." DR2 did that in a way with Nagito, in that his version of "hope" requires despair, but DR:AE did it differently in that "hope" isn't always a positive thing. Both Makoto and Nagito's "hope" is inherently good with the goal being to have good things for everyone and flowers and rainbows (where they differ is the method of obtaining it), but DR:AE presented "hope" in a way that it could actually lead to destruction, from how Komaru was used to the adults revolting. I thought that was really cool.

Ah yes. I liked that too. Having the hope of countless others on your shoulders can be quite a burden. Especially when someone pushes you over the edge.
Made seeing toko say that she'll share Komaru burden no matter what she decides a nice moment

 

[PK Gaming]

Re: The Warriors of Hope actually being alive

Did anyone else really, really hate this last second reveal? It really took away from their arcs, which ended tragically. I mean for all intents and purposes they're pretty much dead, but -PSYCHE- they're actually alive for unexplained reasons.

 

[kewlmyc]

Re: The Warriors of Hope actually being alive

Did anyone else really, really hate this last second reveal? It really took away from their arcs, which ended tragically. I mean for all intents and purposes they're pretty much dead, but -PSYCHE- they're actually alive for unexplained reasons.

It's lame, but it's not like we haven't had this sorta twist in the past *cough DR2*

 

[PK Gaming]

It's lame, but it's not like we haven't had this sorta twist in the past *cough DR2*

I actually liked DR2's twist, since it played an important part in the final case. In the end, it was ambiguous whether they would wake up or not, and that ambiguity plays a large part in why DR2's ending is poignant.

AE evokes a similar sadness with those kids, but then throws its hands up at the last second, and says "it's okay, the kids are alive!"

 

[The Bankslammer]

Yeah, not really sure what Masaru, Jatarou, and Nagisa still being alive really contributes anyways. Kotoko and Monaca are the important ones, and were alive at the end anyways. Just feels like an uncharacteristic pulling of punches without actually accomplishing anything.

I mean, I'm not demanding these kids's blood or anything, it just stuck me as odd. Maybe they have big plans for them in DR3, I dunno.

 

[Shizuka]

The sense of friendship and its evolution between Komaru and Toko are the highlight of the game. The traumas that the Warriors of Hope went through before the whole invasion comes in second. It's weird, but I can't rank this game among the other two mainline titles. It's way too different to be compared.

Monaca will probably be the main villain of Danganronpa 3, or controlled by Junko somehow.

 

[FluxWaveZ]

Monaca will probably be the main villain of Danganronpa 3, or controlled by Junko somehow.

If you can predict it, that's not gonna be the case.

 

[SephLuis]

Re: The Warriors of Hope actually being alive

Did anyone else really, really hate this last second reveal? It really took away from their arcs, which ended tragically. I mean for all intents and purposes they're pretty much dead, but -PSYCHE- they're actually alive for unexplained reasons.

My guess is that they wanted to avoid a CERO Z rating in Japan. Showing kids to be brutally murdered wouldn't sit well with the rating in Japan, even if it does make sense in the game.

At least that's what I think. They had no reason to show them alive in the end.

The sense of friendship and its evolution between Komaru and Toko are the highlight of the game. The traumas that the Warriors of Hope went through before the whole invasion comes in second. It's weird, but I can't rank this game among the other two mainline titles. It's way too different to be compared.

Monaca will probably be the main villain of Danganronpa 3, or controlled by Junko somehow.

Komaru and Toko are a couple by the end of the game. At least to me they are.

 

[FluxWaveZ]

My guess is that they wanted to avoid a CERO Z rating in Japan. Showing kids to be brutally murdered wouldn't sit well with the rating in Japan, even if it does make sense in the game.

It's hard to imagine that that lone image at the end of the game changed the rating. That's the only piece of evidence that the kids survived what happened to them; I don't think omitting that would have immediately shifted the rating to CERO Z.

Komaru and Toko are a couple by the end of the game. At least to me they are.

That just sounds like the typical baseless shipping people make. They seemed purely platonic, and Toko would obviously still have feelings for Byakuya, which they refer to in Danganronpa 2 anyways (taking place after DR:AE).

 

[SephLuis]

It's hard to imagine that that lone image at the end of the game changed the rating. That's the only piece of evidence that the kids survived what happened to them; I don't think omitting that would have immediately shifted the rating to CERO Z.

I mean, I had the impression that they wanted to show the kids being killed, but couldn't. Like the murders and punishments in DR1 and DR2. Even showing a dead body would be enough, instead of the proper punishment

The way they did it always left me with the question: "are they dead or not ?"

That just sounds like the typical baseless shipping people make. They seemed purely platonic, and Toko would obviously still have feelings for Byakuya, which they refer to in Danganronpa 2 anyways (taking place after DR:AE).

It is baseless and platonic. I just thought it was funny to ship them as a couple, since they got along so well in the ending. Nothing more than a joke, really.

 

[GoldStarz]

That just sounds like the typical baseless shipping people make. They seemed purely platonic, and Toko would obviously still have feelings for Byakuya, which they refer to in Danganronpa 2 anyways (taking place after DR:AE).

Different people have different perspectives, haven't finished my playthrough, but having seen a full playthrough of a subbed JP playthrough, I thought it was hella gay.

((besides, even if it is baseless, it's far from the worst ship in the DR franchise))

 

[FluxWaveZ]

Different people have different perspectives, haven't finished my playthrough, but having seen a full playthrough of a subbed JP playthrough, I thought it was hella gay.

((besides, even if it is baseless, it's far from the worst ship in the DR franchise))

Why? Two girls can't have a platonic relationship? The fact that they're literally in a life or death situation and that they've watched each others back, bringing them close, makes them homosexual?

"Different perspectives" is fine, but this happens for literally every single game with a close friendship, and it's now just laughable. All "ships" are the same.

 

[SephLuis]

Why? Two girls can't have a platonic relationship? The fact that they're literally in a life or death situation and that they've watched each others back, bringing them close, makes them homosexual?

"Different perspectives" is fine, but this happens for literally every single game with a close friendship, and it's now just laughable. All "ships" are the same.

Well, to me it isn't every other single game and this one the idea resonated more to me.

And it's funny to imagine Makoto's reaction and Toko internal dillema with this. Not really something to be taken seriously.

 

[Alfredo]

Just finished the game. I felt like the story didn't really pick up until Chapter 4. I enjoyed the game, and it is easily the best gameplay in the Danganronpa series by far (but that's not hard ).

I'm slightly disappointed by the lack of Kirigiri, though, other than like her grandpa or whatever.

 

[Shizuka]

If you can predict it, that's not gonna be the case.

And that's why I like Kodaka.

 

[FluxWaveZ]

And that's why I like Kodaka.

To be fair, DR:AE was the most predictable it's been to me thus far and I did guess a lot of moments, but the intention of its storytelling was different than the other games and Danganronpa Zero.

 

[Vylash]

Ugh i can finally post, anyway i have thoughts

I was so damn impressed by Komaru's transformation over the course of the game, down to the fact that her pose for the first half of the game is her huddled over, shaking, with fear in her eyes, but after her big speech in the hideout she stands upright and her eyes are filled with determination

fucking lol at the only purpose of the monokuma bracelets being to kill off Hina's brother, also christ why haven't we seen or heard from Hina since 1? Hiro gets a side novel and still nothing from her

Monaca was the best, i didn't really see her as the final boss until she intentionally triggered Kotoko (which was mean as shit btw) but damn that bloody kiss with Nagisa totally sealed the deal, also I'm totally ashamed that i didn't put the pieces together about Monaca not really being handicapped until they flat out told me

Chihiro's dad getting owned was hilaroius "i'm finally starting to see hope!" *dead*

I'm really glad they all survived since i'd like to see them put into the Hope Restoration Program, also it would be karmic justice if Monaca was actually crippled under those rocks at the end, which is still possible since we never see her stand after that

so uh i guess Junko's Alter Ego AI was controlling Kurokuma and Shirokuma the whole time, which makes sense since it's a bitchy thing to do and that's totally Junko, but how does that explain her being able to control the giant Monokuma? the only ones who could control it are Haiji and his dad

 

[FluxWaveZ]

I'm really glad they all survived since i'd like to see them put into the Hope Restoration Program, also it would be karmic justice if Monaca was actually crippled under those rocks at the end, which is still possible since we never see her stand after that

That's what I said above, but we see her standing here:

Guess she could be on a stool or something, but I think they would have made a bigger deal about that if it happened. Maybe they'll realize and retrofit it in the story, if Monaca ever comes back.

 

[Feep]

Tell me, did you ever think this was where your life would take you?

I was valedictorian in high school. I was exceptionally talented in mathematics and computer programming. I went to study electrical and computer engineering at UF.

I don't really know what happened. What have I done? Why has this occurred? Who have I become...?

 

[FluxWaveZ]

I liked Toko's "Persona" moment:

The game made me like Toko way more than the first, but Genocide Jill is still kind of a weird thing. The fact that Toko now has more control of her other side makes me appreciate her more, I suppose.

Unrelated: It's an interesting thing to think about Komaru as the Successor. It's not like even if she became the "Ultimate Despair 2," she'd be anything like Junko. Wonder what Monaca envisioned Komaru would actually turn out as if she killed all those children.

 

[Vylash]

That's what I said above, but we see her standing here:

Guess she could be on a stool or something, but I think they would have made a bigger deal about that if it happened. Maybe they'll realize and retrofit it in the story, if Monaca ever comes back.

yeah I just assumed she was on a stool, but they could easily confirm or deny her being crippled in the next game

my biggest issue with Monaca being bred as the next Junko is the fact that she'll need some sort of guidance for that to happen but I can't think of anyone who fits the bill unless they break off one of the Remnants of Despair

 

[FluxWaveZ]

So like others, the main issue I had regarding the game's grim tone was how they handled Kotoko's background.

I don't think I'm being the one with a dirty mind when I say I quickly realized why she preferred sweet chestnuts and had an utter disdain for salty ones, and salty flavors in general. It's too blunt; it lacks subtlety. A lot of the tragic backgrounds behind the Warriors of Hope lacked subtlety, unfortunately.

 

[The Bankslammer]

in fairness, that particular example had subtleties lost in translation (they were just referred to as peeled and unpeeled in the japanese version)

not to say i don't take issue with the way some things were handled

 

[Hero Prinny]

so i got a question, is this game FUN? not as in is the story interesting cause i know it is but is the gameplay actually enjoyable?

 

[Hands of Stone]

Anyone recommend a good recap video about 1 and 2?

I've got no interest in playing these games but I wanna start watching a LP video on the newest one but I'm super lost..

 

[kewlmyc]

in fairness, that particular example had subtleties lost in translation (they were just referred to as peeled and unpeeled in the japanese version)

not to say i don't take issue with the way some things were handled

Weren't they referred to peeled and unpeeled chestnuts as well in the English version. At least in her introduction?

 

[The Bankslammer]

Weren't they referred to peeled and unpeeled chestnuts as well in the English version. At least in her introduction?

no clue, haven't gotten my english copy yet

all i know is that from my recollection, they never explicitly mention "salty" food in the japanese version, because, presumably, that's a connection they felt japanese audiences could make themselves (and the localization team didn't think westerners could)

edit: fuckkkk first thing she says when you meet her are that she likes sweet things and doesn't like salty things. oops

 

[kewlmyc]

Anyone recommend a good recap video about 1 and 2?

I've got no interest in playing these games but I wanna start watching a LP video on the newest one but I'm super lost..

SBF fan, huh?

There's plenty of LPs of the first game that you can find with a search of "Danganronpa let's play" on youtube. Or you could just watch the anime instead which is quicker and while it isn't as in depth as the game, it will make you understand generally what's going on in DR:AE. As for the second game, it's only really required to know knowledge of DR2 in order to understand who "Servant" is and to understand the significance of end credits scene, so you can skip over that if you want.

 

[FluxWaveZ]

no clue, haven't gotten my english copy yet

all i know is that from my recollection, they never explicitly mention "salty" food in the japanese version, because, presumably, that's a connection they felt japanese audiences could make themselves (and the localization team didn't think westerners could)

Yeah, they do refer her tastes as the difference between "peeled" and "unpeeled" chestnuts even in English, but they do also explicitly refer to as the difference between sweet and salty tastes. That's interesting, concerning the Japanese version.