Persona 3/Characters

Everything About Fiction You Never Wanted to Know.


The Characters of Persona 3. Spoilers abound!

SEES

The Entire Team

Main Character (a.k.a. Makoto Yuki)

Voiced by Akira Ishida (Japanese) and Yuri Lowenthal (English)

The Silent Protagonist of Persona 3. His parents died ten years prior to the events of the game, and he has moved around a lot as a result; he spends much of his time listening to music. He has an affinity with the Fool Arcana, which allows him to store multiple personas, beginning with Orpheus. He can also wield various weapons, but defaults to a one-handed sword. The manga gives him the name "Minato Arisato" and describes his personality to be very calm and rather reclusive. Despite his introverted behavior, he has significant leadership skills and can think and plan in the midst of battle.

He is transferred into the Gekkoukan High School in his second year of high school. Upon arriving at his new dorm during the Dark Hour, he is asked by a young boy to sign a contract which states "I chooseth this fate of my own free will." Within the next few weeks, he has his first encounter with the Shadows and is recruited into SEES, appointed as field leader by Mitsuru and Akihiko due to the ease with which he is able to summon his Persona. He also visits the Velvet Room, and has periodic chats with Pharos, the mysterious young boy who initially presented him with the Velvet Room contract.

Late in the game, it is revealed that the "accident" which killed his parents was probably the battle between Aigis and Death. Unable to destroy Death completely, Aigis sealed it inside of the protagonist, where it remained dormant until it was awakened by proximity to Tartarus and the Full Moon Shadows and began appearing to the protagonist as Pharos.

In the final battle against Nyx, the protagonist attains the power of the Universe Arcana and uses it to become the Great Seal between Nyx and humanity in order to prevent the Fall. In doing so, he sacrifices his life, but manages to hold on long enough to keep the promise SEES made to meet at the school roof on Graduation Day, after which he falls asleep and does not awaken.

  • Always Someone Better: Towards Junpei.
  • Badass: With a maxed out courage stat, he is labeled in-game as "Badass". He needs it to unlock Fuuka's social link. Why? Because she's a Lethal Chef, and you need it in order to eat her meal.
    • Submissive Badass: He might be the team leader, but he's always taking directives from someone (usually Mitsuru). However, this doesn't make him any less of a Badass because of the reason WHY he was chosen to be the team leader. In short, he takes orders well and gets the job done.
  • Barrier Maiden: He possesses the ego fragment of the Nyx Avatar while all of its powers are split.
  • Beware the Nice Ones: He can chase off a group of thugs single-handedly without much problem, without the use of his Persona. In the audio drams, the one time he ever expresses anger is when his friends are in danger.
  • Big Eater: In the manga, though most of his social links often take place in restaurants,especially the Gourmet's.
    • The Gourmet King is amazed that the protagonist can keep up with him in eating, and, uh... "You have eaten very little since our seventh meal." Sure, Elizabeth is somehow a bigger eater than him, but still... he ate SEVEN MEALS before he got full!
  • Big Sleep: At the end of the epilogue.
  • Bishie Sparkle: Both him and Akihiko in the manga.
  • Bishonen: Even guys point out how pretty he is.
    • His appearance even gets lampshaded during the "Babe Hunt" in Persona 3 Portable.
  • Canon Name: In the movies, he's given the name "Makoto Yuki". As the Persona 4 protagonist has been known as "Yu Narukami" since that game's anime adaptation, Makoto has similarly been adopted as the name for Persona 3's protagonist. Prior to the movies, he was commonly refered to by his manga name, Minato Arisato.
  • Catch Phrase: "Doudemo ii", the meaning of which depends on the context. Generally, it can be translated as "Whatever" or "I don't care". It's one of the most common dialogue choices for the male protagonist. In the drama CDs, it's usually used when he has no opinion on something.
  • Chick Magnet: Every girl he meets seems to fall for him. This includes grade schoolers, teachers, and, er, robots.
  • Cloudcuckoolander: Mild version in the manga (see Sleepyhead below); the other characters note that he looks "zoned out" most of the time, and his mind tends to wonder unless something important is going on (or a ping pong match).
  • Conveniently an Orphan
  • Cosmic Plaything: His parents died when he was six, leaving him as an orphan. The embodiment of death is sealed inside his body, biding its time until it can return to full strength. He later gives his life to become a Barrier Maiden to prevent the world's death wish from reaching Nyx.
  • Eleventh-Hour Superpower: After the fight with the Nyx Avatar, he eventually stands up and take the fight directly to Nyx, a fight where concentrated death is used on him every turn but doesn't do a thing. The fight finishes when he uses his own soul to seal Nyx.
  • Estrogen Brigade Bait
  • Even the Guys Want Him: There are Pharos's nightly visits for starters, keep in mind that Ryoji and Pharos are also the same person... Also, his fanbase consists largely of fangirls and fanboys.
  • The Hero: Your best fighter, both for physical and magical attacks, as well as intellectually and socially capable.
  • Heroes Prefer Swords: He starts out with a one-handed sword being given to him, but can later use almost any type of weapon.
    • Persona 3 Portable limits him to just one-handed swords.
  • Heroic Sacrifice: He uses his soul to create a seal to stop Nyx.
  • I Am Who?: Aigis sealed the Nyx Avatar inside him as a child.
  • In-Series Nickname: "Leader". In the drama CDs, as he has no 'canon name', his friends in SEES take to referring to him as such. It eventually spreads to the protagonist's other friends, who note how well the nickname fits him.
  • Kohai: Unlike his successor Yuu, he more often than not plays the underclassman. He is only the sempai of Chihiro and Ken.
  • Lighter and Softer: Despite being silent, his dialog options sound kinder and more optimistic as the plot and Social Links progress.
  • The Messiah + Messianic Archetype + The Paragon:

"Not like you, Minato-san... You're such a great person, and you make those around you happy too..."

    • And as if that wasn't enough, his last Persona is named "Messiah", and its description implies it's Jesus himself. Also his ultimate Persona if you look at the end credits.
  • New Transfer Student: Starts the year by transferring into the school without knowing anyone.
  • The Quiet One: Fits this trope to a T, even thought the player picks all the dialog choices. Lampshaded on a few times.
    • He starts out this way in the drama CDs, having very little spoken lines in the first few. As more drama CDs are released, he is given more and more lines. Note that this technically isn't a case of character development; the release dates of the drama CDs don't, in fact, coincide with in-game chronology. Rather, it's simply a shift in written characterization.
  • Parental Abandonment: His parents died in an accident. An accident that was very, very likely caused by Aigis's first fight with Ryoji.
  • Peek-a-Bangs: Even Lampshaded during the Tower Social Link.
  • Pink Girl, Blue Boy: The color themes for the menus of the Male Protagonist or the Female one go exactly with these colors.
  • Power Strain Blackout: He collapses and is unconscious for several days after summoning his Persona for the first time.
  • Really Gets Around: Five of his S. Links end with him spending a long time in a bedroom. 6 or 7 if you include Elizabeth and Aigis's visits.
  • Red Oni, Blue Oni: Blue Oni to both the female protagonist and Junpei. With the female protagonist, it's easily more apparent in the drama CDs; the male protagonist is significantly more reserved, level-headed and has a generally lower volume.
  • Second Year Protagonist
  • Silent Protagonist: Somewhat averted since he shouts to call his Persona, but fully averted in Persona Q if you choose the Persona 4 side.
  • Sleepyhead: Has the option to doze off in his classes. You can choose to keep him awake, but the option's mere existence has to imply something.
  • The Stoic: Lampshaded by both Yukari and Junpei.
    • Lampshaded by himself in the manga. When he is introduced to Yukari, he smiles and says 'Nice to meet you', and promptly thinks 'That was out of character for me!' (could also be lampshading his Silent Protagonist role as well).
  • Superpower Lottery: He's the resident Wild Card, meaning he can hold and make use of several Personas. This lets him (late enough into the game, anyways) fulfill any role at least as well as his teammates, as well as let him adapt to pretty much any combat situation you can end up in. That alone would be enough, but he also has the unique ability to summon two personae at once for a fusion attack. He's unquestionably the most adept persona user to ever live.
  • Vitriolic Best Buds: With Junpei.
  • You Gotta Have Blue Hair: His hair is dark blue.

Female Main Character

Voiced by Marina Inoue (Japanese) and Laura Bailey (English)

Persona 3 Portable provides the option of playing as a female main character. She has the same history and storyline as the male protagonist, but is not a Gender Flip of him; she has a different appearance, a slightly modified version of Orpheus, and a more energetic and upbeat personality as indicated by her dialogue prompts. She also has a number of different Social Links, including Social Links with all members of SEES rather than just the female members, providing additional character development for Akihiko, Shinjiro and Ken which is not seen in the original version of the game. The Social Links with the female team members are mostly unaltered except for the removal of specifically romantic content.

Many of the tropes which apply to the male protagonist apply to the female as well, except as noted:

  • Action Girl: As the protagonist, she is the most powerful member of SEES, just like in the male route.
  • Badass: And, as above, maxing Courage makes this official, as if there were any doubts. It's used in order to unlock Ken's social link. Why? Teenaged girl hanging out with a kid doesn't look good (he's still an optional Love Interest, so...).
  • Blade on a Stick: She uses naginatas. One such naginata is a human-sized version of the MS-14 Gelgoog's double-ended beam naginata.
  • Continuity Nod: A unique dialogue tree has this as one of the reactions to Ikusuki's betrayal. Let's think positive.
  • Cool Big Sis: Has the opportunity to be this for Maiko and non-romantic Ken.
  • Darker and Edgier: Contrasting to the male protagonist, after the events of October 4, she sounds more serious in her options, especially since a few of her S.links resume or start afterwards.
    • Case in point, she gets the option of killing Takaya when he asks for it. Considering he was the catalyst of Shinjiro's death/coma - which also affects two other potental love interests, Akihiko and Ken - this might not come as a surprise.
  • Dude Magnet: By the end of the game, it's possible for Akihiko, Shinjiro, Ken, Ryoji, Hidetoshi, Bebe and Theodore to all be in love with her; plus, Maiko's father awkwardly asking her out.
  • Even the Girls Want Her: Aigis's interactions with her are exactly the same as they are with the male protagonist.
  • Expy: She looks a bit like Yuzu from Devil Survivor. Funny, since the main character of that game was an expy of the male protagonist in this one.
  • Feminine Women Can Cook: Girls in Persona games have a tendency to be awful cooks, the Female main character is not one of them. She's even good enough to rescue cookies from the clutches of the evil chef Fuuka. In fact, if done correctly, the Female main character (with some help) can turn Fuuka into one as well, culminating in the two baking a fabulous cake and having a very close-and-personal celebration together.
  • Gender Flip: She isn't one, as she has her own unique appearance and distinct personality, but her version of Orpheus is.
    • Also only her version of Orpheus. Orpheus Telos is the same between both genders.
  • Genki Girl: As compared to the male protagonist, her dialogue options tend to be much more energetic and upbeat. This is also how she's depicted in the drama CDs.
  • Hair Decorations: They're also symbolic, representing the alternate placement of the fool arcana (XXII).
  • Hidden Depths: Able to bring this out of Akihiko, Ken, Junpei and Shinjiro due to Social Link interaction with them not available to the male protagonist.
  • In-Series Nickname: Same as the protagonist, her comrades in SEES all refer to her as "Leader" in both the game and drama CDs.
  • Lady of War: She's quite graceful in battle.
  • Manic Pixie Dream Girl: Her role in her Social Links with Hidetoshi and Shinjiro has some shades of this.
  • Platonic Life Partners: With Junpei. He's the only male SEES member to not have a romance option with her despite knowing her the longest.
  • Plucky Girl: Even in the darkest stretches of the game, her dialogue options remain determinedly upbeat.
  • Red Headed Heroine
  • Red Oni, Blue Oni: To the male protagonist's blue. Particularly in the drama CD, where her personality is significantly louder, and she's a lot more energetic and outgoing. She's also more emotive, and is even shown getting angry at one point, even threatening violence.
  • Schrödinger's Player Character: If she's picked as the protagonist, the male Main Character doesn't exist in her story. Considering the only game she appears in is Persona 3 Portable, that means she's possibly not really meant to be canon to the games. If that turns out to be the case, then as far as game canon is concerned, that sadly means she's little more than a gimmick to sell a port.
  • Shotacon: In the original Japanese version, ten-year-old Ken is a potential love interest. This was toned down for the English-Language release due to Values Dissonance, recasting their interaction so that the protagonist mostly seems unaware of or chooses to overlook his feelings for her.
    • Although by the time his Social Link hits Level 7 and beyond, it's pretty obvious in either language.
    • It's also referenced in Rank 9 of the Social Link with Ken revealing that he's nervous about being in a relationship with her because of this.
  • Single Woman Seeks Good Man: All of her possible love interests are genuinely nice guys... even Shinjiro.
  • Star-Crossed Lovers: With Ryoji. Before he accepts his fate as part of Nyx, he tells her that he'd have given anything to be with her forever and gives her a ring so she'll always remember that he loved her.
  • Supreme Chef: And her speciality is sweets!

Yukari Takeba

Voiced by Megumi Toyoguchi (Japanese) and Michelle Ruff (English)

Yukari - affectionately called "Yuka-tan" by Junpei - is one of the most popular second-year girls at Gekkoukan High thanks to her cheery personality and good looks. However, she proves to have hidden insecurities and can be abrasive and confrontational. She is a member of the archery club and uses bow and arrow in battle. Her Persona is Io of the Lovers Arcanum and later evolves into Isis; its focus is on Wind and Healing magic.

Yukari is the newest member of SEES prior to the protagonist's arrival. She reveals early on that her father, a scientist, died ten years ago under mysterious circumstances involving a project run by the Kirijo Group, and that she transferred to Gekkoukan and joined SEES in hopes of discovering the truth. She is estranged from her mother, who coped by taking up relationships with various men, to Yukari's disgust.

Yukari is badly shaken when she learns that her father was involved in releasing the Shadows upon Port Island, and goes through a period of guilt and self-doubt. When it's later revealed that he died trying to prevent the Fall, she's able to embrace her love and pride in him again, prompting the evolution of her Persona into Isis. The protagonist is also able to help her make peace with her mother.

Yukari is the Lovers Social Link for both protagonists, and a potential love interest for the male protagonist. The male protagonist requires substantial Charm in order to begin the Social Link; in contrast, Yukari opens up much more readily to the female protagonist, finding it easier to relate to a girl her own age, particularly in contrast to Mitsuru's aloofness. The link is essentially the same in both versions save for the romantic content.

In the PSP remake, if Yukari's Social Link is completed in a New Game+, the player has the option for the main character to spend his last moments with her, and she tearfully tells him that she loves him and she'll stay with him forever.

In The Answer, Yukari is jealous and resentful of Aigis after the latter inherits the protagonist's "wild card" ability and his Persona Orpheus. With Mitsuru supporting her, she clashes with the other members of SEES over her desire to go back in time to see the protagonist again and save him from his fate, even if it means unsealing Nyx and causing the Fall to happen again. She's defeated by Aigis and Metis and ultimately comes to terms with the protagonist's sacrifice, resolving to live for the future and reconciling with Aigis in the process.

  • Action Girl
  • Always Save the Girl: Gender-reversed when a grief-stricken Yukari decides in The Answer to go back in time and save the Main Character, even if it means triggering the Fall all over again.
  • The Archer: Subverted for the most part (see below trope Spirited Young Lady), but still somewhat evident. Yukari is generally friendly and sociable, but can be moody and aloof when particularly agitated. She also has trust issues and tends to keep most of her personal problems to herself.
  • The Atoner: After finding out her father was one of those responsible for the Dark Hour coming into existence, she decides to live to atone for his actions. Mildly subverted as it's revealed he actually tried to prevent the Fall. Though finding out the truth strengthens Yukari's resolve to eliminate the Dark Hour once and for all. Yukari's ultimate Persona Isis holds many titles one being "the protector of the dead." The Answer ends with her apologizing for her borderline Love Makes You Crazy behavior throughout.
  • Blow You Away: Her specialty is powerful wind spells. Notably, it's the element the Lovers Arcana is associated with.
  • Bond Breaker: After the protagonist dies, Yukari grows adamant about reviving him/her by going back in time. This was so risky that it would've prevented the Big Bad from getting sealed, risking the entire world once again to another battle that the team wouldn't have won in any other way than if the protagonist hadn't died. Thankfully, it doesn't come to that, and Yukari gets better, but only after a fight with the rest of the team (Mitsuru sided with her though).
  • Break the Cutie: Hey, Yukari? Your beloved father is one of the people responsible for the whole Dark Hour mess. Hope that makes you feel better!
  • The Chick
  • Clingy Jealous Girl: She is upset by Aigis' affection towards, and later bond with, the protagonist.
    • Plays this straight in The Answer, though she develops past it and reconciles with Aigis.
  • Daddy's Girl/Deceased Parents Are the Best: She idolizes her father and has a rather rocky relationship with her still-alive mother. It hurts her to find out he's partially responsible for the Dark Hour.
  • First Girl Wins: In the PSP remake's New Game+ it's possible to chose to spend the last moments with Yukari in Aigis' place. She then finally tells him she loves him. The original ending is still canon, however.
  • Get a Hold of Yourself, Man!: To Mitsuru.
  • Girls Are Really Scared of Horror Movies: She's noticeably jumpy during the events up to and including the 2nd Full Moon operation (which involved the supposed vengeful ghost of Fuuka after she disappeared).
  • Heterosexual Life Partners: Develops such a bond with Mitsuru and Aigis by the end of The Answer.
  • Lethal Chef: Implied in dialogue (although not as bad as Fuuka).
  • Love Makes You Crazy: Attempts to go back in time in The Answer to prevent the Protagonist's death, even if it means having to face Nyx all over again.
  • Mood Swinger
  • Parental Abandonment: Her father died ten years ago, and her mother essentially whored herself out to other men.
  • The Resenter: Towards Mitsuru in The Journey, and towards Aigis in The Answer. She gets over it in both cases.
  • She's Got Legs: Her official Persona 3 artwork is proof of that.
  • Spirited Young Lady: Fits this trope to a T. The other half of Yukari's personality that balances her more Archer Archetype traits, but mixes with her Plucky Girl traits.
  • Squishy Wizard: Her stat growth is biased heavily towards her Magic stat, leaving her with the lowest health and defense of the party, but with Garu spells that hit like a truck.
  • Sweater Girl: The majority of outfits you see her in include sweaters.
  • Took a Level in Jerkass: During The Answer.
  • Tsundere: She has shades of this.

Junpei Iori

Voiced by Kosuke Toriumi (Japanese) and Vic Mignogna (English)

Junpei is the class clown of Gekkoukan High, and Minato's best friend. He's doesn't like to take things seriously, preferring to avoid serious subjects by making jokes; he enjoys the idea of being a hero, but his immaturity and inexperience make him unreliable in comparison to the protagonist, and he struggles with jealousy and resentment of the protagonist's greater strength, skill and leadership ability.

Junpei is recruited to SEES almost immediately after the protagonist, after Akihiko finds him awake during the Dark Hour. He fights using a two handed sword, but wields it like a baseball bat. His Persona is Hermes of the Magician Arcanum, and later evolves into Trismegistus; it specializes in Physical skills, Fire magic and Buffs.

Midway through the game, Junpei encounters and gets to know Chidori of Strega, and falls in love with her. His well-meaning concern causes her to open up to him as well, giving her a reason to value her own life again. Her renewed fear of death causes her to betray Junpei to Strega, but ultimately she sacrifices her own life to save him, merging her Persona with his and endowing him with her Healing Factor. In FES, it's possible for her to revive following her sacrifice, to Junpei's delight.

Junpei is the female main character's Magician Social Link, replacing Kenji (who appears during the female's Chariot link instead). Due to his plot-important relationship with Chidori, he is the only male SEES member that the female protagonist has no romantic interaction with... a romance was scripted, but was Dummied Out, and video of the New Game+ end scene can be found online. Instead, Junpei's relationship with the female protagonist is almost brotherly; he becomes protective of her and wants for her to be able to depend on him, and confides in her some of the details of his strained relationship with his alcoholic father.

In The Answer, Junpei serves as a middle ground between the various SEES members when they fight over what to do with the keys. Along with Koromaru, he sides neither with Yukari and Mitsuru's desire to go back and save the protagonist, nor with Akihiko and Ken's desire to simply leave the door and move on. Frustrated with the intra-party fighting, he fights Aigis to prevent her from obtaining the key without a clear goal as he does not believe she is strong enough to face off Yukari and Mitsuru, and is defeated by her and Metis.

  • Abusive Parents: His father, and that is the only parent that mentioned, is an alcoholic of the raging type. Junpei is downright relieved to be living in the dorm.
  • Badass: Fancies himself one at first, though he's more of an Idiot Hero who got lucky cuourtesy of the Superpower Lottery. He actually becomes one in a rather literal fashion after the fight with Chidori when she saves him from being shot by Takaya by sacrificing her life to revive him. Takaya mocks her sacrifice, and that's when Junpei and his Persona literally Took a Level in Badass.
  • Big Brother Instinct: Towards the female protagonist. Especially when investigating the pictures.
  • Boisterous Bruiser: Although he's only a bruiser in gameplay.
  • Book Dumb: If you check the exam scoreboard, he consistently gets low scores until the last one.
  • Butt Monkey: Junpei ends up as the butt of a lot of jokes, but doesn't really seem to mind so long as he can volley insults with Yukari.
  • Casanova Wannabe: He unsuccessfully flirts with a lot of girls, though he also appears to recognize that he's not going to score.
  • Dating Catwoman: He meets Chidori while she's painting strange pictures by herself, and after awhile they start getting along. Eventually, Chidori is captured and hospitalized, after which Junpei begins visiting her. Ends badly when she dies due to taking a bullet for him, though her body was already on the verge of failing.
  • Desperately Looking for a Purpose In Life: A big deal for him as he knows he not good at anything, and even the thing that makes him unique is outclassed by the Protagonist.
  • Disney Death
  • Heroic BSOD
  • Heroic Wannabe: He likes to think of himself as the leader of SEES, which causes Chidori to kidnap him.
  • Hot-Blooded: Constantly shouting and prone to jumping into things without thinking.
  • Idiot Hero
  • I Just Want to Be Special: He's upset that anything he can do other people can do better, which leads to him not trying at the things he might be able to do competently, but not excel in. At first, joining SEES is his way of escaping his life and playing hero, but character development kicks in and he grows out of it.
  • The Lancer: One of your first party members, the main characters's biggest foil and the team member most prone to acting out of order.
  • Leeroy Jenkins: Early on, he tends to charge in as an attempt to prove himself.
  • The Load: His Leeroy Jenkins tendencies tend to result in him becoming this towards the team.
  • Manly Tears/Tears of Joy: When he discovers Chidori is alive.
  • Overshadowed by Awesome: The primary reason he develops into the resenter.
  • Parental Abandonment: His dad couldn't care less about him leaving.
  • Platonic Life Partners: With the Female Protagonist that while he knows her the longest out of the SEES male members, he's the only one you can't be romantic with. Though you can joke that in Rank 10, when he's trying to tell the protagonist something, that he's going for a Love Confession. His reaction is "Wha-- NO!".
    • Also, in Akihiko's Rank 4, you find out that there's a rumor going around that you and Junpei are dating. When Akihiko asks if it's true, all three options deny it.
  • Playing with Fire: Though he isn't geared towards magic. Useful for exploiting weaknesses though.
  • The Resenter: He resents the male main character for being better than him at everything, especially fighting, and to a lesser extent he's unhappy that a girl is in charge of him while exploring Tartarus, though Mitsuru quickly makes it clear she is not going to stand for that.
  • Shipper on Deck: A mild example, but in the female protagonist's route, he thinks it would be funny if she and Akihiko got together and tells her he'll be happy to be her wingman if she decides to go for it.
  • Ted Baxter
  • Vitriolic Best Buds: With Minato. He gets along better with the Female Protagonist due to him being a Social Link.

Akihiko Sanada

Voiced by Hikaru Midorikawa (Japanese) and Liam O'Brien (English)

Akihiko is a third-year student at Gekkoukan High, and the captain of the school's boxing team. He's very popular and is usually surrounded by fangirls when seen at school, but mostly ignores them. He is one of the three founding members of SEES and can summon the Persona Polydeuces, later evolving to Caesar, which focuses on Lightning and Debuffing magic, but as a boxer, he's strongest with his fists and uses various gloves, metal knuckles and fist spurs as his weapons.

Akihiko is an orphan; he had a younger sister Miki who died in a building fire when Akihiko was still a child. Powerless to help her, Akihiko resolved to become strong enough to protect the things he cared about, and took up boxing and got involved in SEES as ways of growing stronger. However, he can never get over Miki's death and his feelings of pain and guilt, and tries to avoid getting too attached to anything so as to avoid any more such feelings. The death of his best friend Shinjiro, who faces his own mortality bravely and gives his life to protect Ken, inspires Akihiko to face up to his own fears, prompting the evolution of his Persona.

In the female protagonist's story, Akihiko is her Star Social Link, replacing Mamoru (who never appears). She'll need level 4 Charm in order to stand out in his eyes from all of his annoying fangirls (and ward off their anger, for that matter). During the Social Link, the protagonist has the chance to get to know and appreciate Akihiko for who he is as opposed to the "cool upperclassman" image that the other Gekkoukan students admire, and helps him come to terms with Miki's death and what happens to Shinjiro. Depending on dialogue choices, he can become the female protagonist's love interest.

During the New Game+, if she has a romantic relationship with Akihiko, on the final day, he'll meet her on the roof and stay with her in her last moments before becoming the seal for Nyx, apologizing for having forgotten and promising that they'll never be apart.

In The Answer, Akihiko chooses to respect the protagonist's reasons for sacrificing himself and, along with Ken, fights the other members of SEES for the key, believing it should be used to leave the dorm so that they can all go on with their lives.

  • Adorkable: As proven in his Social Link in Persona 3 Portable.
  • All Girls Want Bad Boys: His aloof nature in school causes his classmates to peg him as a Bad Boy, which is the reason why he has a legion of fangirls.
  • Annoying Patient: Mostly because he hates being out of the action. It takes constant effort on Mitsuru's part to keep him from heading back into battle before he's fully recovered.
  • Badass:
  • Big Brother Instinct: Most noticeable on the "rescue Fuuka" mission. The female protagonist in Persona 3 Portable also comes in for some of this from him. In both cases, it's unquestionably because of his issues regarding his Dead Little Sister.
  • The Big Guy
  • Blood Knight: His early characterization has a bit of this going on; he's focused entirely on training and getting stronger, and enthusiastic about the Shadows and Tartarus as means to that end. Mitsuru gets on his case repeatedly about his eagerness to fight even while injured, and only after Yukari directly accuses him of not caring what secrets are being kept from SEES as long as he gets to fight does he begin to rethink his motivations. It takes Shinjiro's death for him to finally get past it for good.
  • Cannot Talk to Women: He's completely incapable of talking to women other than his teammates, and in the female protagonist's route in the PSP version, he gets pretty tongue-tied around her at times as well.
  • Chaste Hero <-> Celibate Hero: A variation. He ignores his hordes of female fans, and as seen at the beach vacation, he's either not interested in approaching ladies, or suffers crippling awkwardness around them. The female Social Link proves that he is just too much of The Stoic to understand romance very well. She literally needs to explain to him that he's in love with her when he can't quite figure out why it feels different hanging out around her.
  • Chick Magnet: At school, he's usually surrounded by fangirls, although he dislikes the attention and claims they talk so much they give him a headache.
  • Coat Over the Shoulder: As you can see in his picture above.
  • Covert Pervert: Only if the player has maxed out his Social Link and becomes the Female Main Character's love interest. For a guy who does not know anything about women, Akihiko does get the Female Main Character to go to his room somehow and let their bodies do the talking.
  • Crazy Jealous Guy: He shows shades of this when he's lovers with the female protagonist. Mostly played for laughs though, as the brunt of it is directed only against Ken, who is surprisingly capable of holding his own against it.
  • Dead Little Sister: Miki.
  • Determinator
  • Estrogen Brigade Bait
  • Expy: Silver hair? Check. Captain of the boxing team? Check. Something going on with his left temple? Check. He's basically an intelligent Ryohei Sasagawa.
  • Extremity Extremist: He's a boxer. He boxes.
  • Genius Bruiser: He's a boxer whose physical attacks are second only to Aigis, and not only does he get consistently good grades, he's also the first to put two and two together on things like giant Shadows appearing during the full moon and why Fuuka disappeared.
  • Good Old Fisticuffs
  • Heroic BSOD: His sister. Shinjiro... take your pick.
  • Jack of All Trades: His Strength and Magic stats are both high, making him more or less equally effective with physical attacks and his Zio spells, plus a single-target heal and a full complement of debuffs.
  • Machete Mayhem: Has one in Persona 4 Arena.
  • Noodle Incident: It's heavily implied that Akihiko has previously been "Executed" by Mitsuru. It'll happen again if you fail the Hot Spring Mini game.
  • Not So Stoic: Comes off as cold and distant at first, but once you get to know him, he's pretty affable, if somewhat awkward and reserved.
  • Oblivious to Love: Persona 3 Portable states outright that he doesn't seem to understand girls' feelings at all.
  • Perma-Stubble: Sports a goatee in Persona 4 Arena.
  • Pointless Band-Aid: On the left side of his forehead. It's still there three years later in Persona 4 Arena despite the fact he's now Covered in Scars.
  • Power Fist: One of the only characters who will attack with an equipped weapon, often dealing major damage.
  • Pretty Boy
  • Red Baron: "The Protein Junkie with Unyielding Fists" in Persona 4 Arena.
  • Red Oni, Blue Oni: Red Oni to Mitsuru's Blue.
  • Shock and Awe: His Persona uses electric attacks, and unlike Junpei, Akihiko's more balanced stat spread allows his spells to hit with a bit more force without sacrificing his already strong physical abilities.
  • Spirited Competitor
  • Trademark Favorite Food: Beef bowl.
  • Tragic Bromance: Castor (Shinjiro) and Pollux (Akihiko).
  • Walking Shirtless Scene: In Persona 4 Arena.


Mitsuru Kirijo

Voiced by Rie Tanaka (Japanese) and Tara Platt (English)

Mitsuru is a third year student of Gekkoukan High, the school's Student Council President, and the daughter of the head of the influential Kirijo Group, which built the school. Her family's status gives her a great deal of influence within the school, enabling her to even issue orders to teachers if necessary. She is the first member of SEES, having awakened to her Persona at a very young age due to her family's experiments with the Shadows and Tartarus. Her Persona is Penthesilea of the Empress Arcanum, later evolving into Artemisia, and is focused on Ice and Healing magic. Mitsuru is also a member of the fencing club and wields a rapier in battle.

After her Persona awakened, Mitsuru resolved to fight the Shadows in order to protect her father Takeharu, and to atone for her family's role in bringing about Tartarus and the Dark Hour. She is shattered when Chairman Ikutsuki reveals his true intentions and murders her father, and with her purpose gone, she falls into depression which lasts until Yukari helps to snap her out of it during the school trip to Kyoto. After this, she recovers her resolve to lead the Kirijo group and prevent the Fall, prompting the evolution of her Persona.

Mitsuru is the Empress Social Link, and a possible love interest for the male protagonist. An excellent student herself, she has very high standards, and the protagonist must have maximum Academics and good exam scores in order to begin her link, which becomes available in November. Her Social Link reveals that Mitsuru is engaged to one of the Kirijo Group's business associates, a marriage arranged for her by her family. Following her father's death, she finds herself doubting her role and her ability to lead the Kirijo Group effectively, and feels that she should accept the marriage in order to secure the Kirijo Group's future; however, her relationship with the protagonist helps her to realize her fiance's arrogant and controlling nature, causing her to break off the engagement and drive him away.

In the PSP remake, the player can choose to have Minato spend his last moments with Mitsuru, during which she admits in her own roundabout way that she loves him and that he is the most important person to her.

In The Answer, Mitsuru sides with Yukari in her decision to try to save the protagonist. She states that this is because she promised herself that she would support Yukari if Yukari ever needed her, the way that Yukari supported her following her father's death.

  • Action Girl: She's quite capable of defending herself physically and one of the better fighters. Her Persona does focus on magic and healing though.
  • An Ice Person: Penthesilea (and later, Artemisia) utilizes ice spells for offensive use.
  • Arranged Marriage
  • The Atoner: She feels she bears responsibility for the Shadows and the Dark Hour, even though it was something her grandfather was responsible for and that she was a young child at the time.
  • Badass:
    • Badass Bookworm: She's quiet, analytical, intelligent and aloof, but also rather capable of combat.
    • Badass Longcoat: A fur one in Persona 4 Arena.
    • Lady of Black Magic: Composed, graceful, and her Persona skillset makes her specialised in elegantly defeating enemies with ice magic.
    • Lady of War: Mitsuru fits the personality to a tee, as she's elegant, reserved, formal, and uses a nice, classy rapier.
  • Break the Cutie: She dedicated her life to protecting her father. Said father is later killed right in front of her. She does not take this well.
  • The Captain: Mitsuru is the official leader of SEES, but because she initially acts as Mission Control, she appoints the main character as the Field Leader. Since (s)he is so good at the job, Mitsuru leaves the current status quo as is even after return to the field.
  • Child Marriage Veto
  • Combat Stilettos: Her critical animation ends with kicking the enemy.
  • Daddy's Girl: Her gaining of her Persona? To protect her father from the Shadows. She falls into a Heroic BSOD when he's killed.
  • Defrosting Ice Queen: She starts off aloof and distant from SEES apart from Akihiko, causing friction with Yukari. She loosens up later in the story and her Social Link indicates that the Ice Queen attitude is in part fueled simply by awkwardness.
  • Enemy Scan: She's your first mission control character and is later replaced by Fuuka, who is much better at it.
  • Even the Girls Want Her: She seems to have more female fans than male ones, including a very vocal stalker in the hallways.
  • Fate Worse Than Death: Her executions, according to Akihiko.
  • Fish Out of Water: Her Social Link demonstrates that her life has been very sheltered in some ways; she is out of her depth and uncomfortable when she goes with the protagonist to places like fast food restaurants, the culture of which she has no experience with.
  • Girls Are Really Scared of Horror Movies: She asks to hold your hand when you're about to watch one.
  • Gratuitous French: In the English dub, as well as the Japanese version of Persona 4 Arena.
  • Hello, Nurse!
  • Heroes Want Redheads
  • Heroic BSOD: After the death of her father.
  • Heterosexual Life Partners: Definitely with Yukari, ever since that river scene.
  • Honor Before Reason: Why she sides with Yukari towards the end of The Answer.
  • Hot Chick with a Sword
  • Last-Name Basis: How she addresses everyone except for Akihiko. After completing her Romance Arc, Mitsuru will also refer to the Male Main Character by his first name as well.
  • Lonely Rich Kid
  • Magic Knight: Is a very skilled fencer, has access to the highest level Ice, healing and status-change spells, and has the second highest Magic stat in the game.
  • Mission Control: She's this early on. She's later replaced by Fuuka.
  • A Mother to Her Underclassmen
  • Must Make Amends: She feels guilty for her grandfather creating the Dark Hour and is out to stop it.
  • Ojou: Wealthy and somewhat sheltered, but she's definitely not pampered.
  • Old Man Marrying a Child: She's about to graduate, and her fiance is at least in his thirties.
  • Onee-Sama: Develops into this over the course of her Social Link with the Female Protagonist. Also for Yukari as well in The Answer.
  • Parental Abandonment
  • Peek-a-Bangs: Her left eye is frequently hidden by her long red hair.
  • Platonic Life Partners: With Akihiko.
  • Pretty in Mink: Wears a fancy, fur coat over her Spy Catsuit in Persona 4 Arena.
  • Red Baron: "The Lonely Queen of Executions" in Persona 4 Arena.
  • Red Oni, Blue Oni: Blue Oni to Akihiko's Red.
  • Royal Rapier: C'est Magnifique.
  • Sensor Character: She functions as your first scanning character until Fuuka joins. Her Persona isn't really suited for it though, so she's happy to be able to help more directly.
  • The Smart Girl: She's the formal leader of the group and tends to set up most of the plans.
  • Spy Catsuit: In Persona 4 Arena.
  • Student Council President: She was elected in a landslide, but a lot of students admit that she just sounds really smart and that they don't really understand what she's talking about.
  • Stupid Sexy Senpai
  • Sugar and Ice Girl: She seems cold and professional and hides some information, but she actually cares a lot about her friends and the group as a whole. She simply has difficulty trusting others and a large sense of responsibility that tend to mask her better nature. It makes for quite the spectacle at the end of her Social Link.
  • Supporting Leader: The game doesn't focus on her much, this role is mainly due to how responsible her family is in the creation of Tartarus and the Dark Hour, and the fact that she is openly recruiting more people into SEES.
  • Tall, Dark and Bishoujo
  • Team Mom: Actually expects everyone to maintain good grades.
  • Uptown Girl: In the Male Protagonist Social Link. She doesn't really care and even defends him.
  • The Woman Wearing the Queenly Mask: A significant amount of her aloof attitude is based on her not being that great at socializing, while the rest is based on her attempts to be professional and in control.

Fuuka Yamagishi

Voiced by Mamiko Noto (Japanese)

Fuuka is a timid girl who is often bullied and put under pressure by her strict parents. She is supposedly sickly, and initially comes to the attention of SEES through Akihiko and Shinjiro's visits to the hospital, where they become aware of her potential. However, before they can approach her about it, she goes missing, having been locked in the school gymnasium by bullies and becoming trapped in Tartarus when the school transformed during the Dark Hour. SEES must therefore stage a rescue attempt during the third full moon event.

Fuuka does not actively participate in combat. Instead, her persona Lucia of the Priestess Arcana encases Fuuka in an indestructible globe and gives her the power to know the features of a given area, the location of any people and Shadows there, and the strengths and weaknesses of enemies. As Lucia's sensory powers greatly exceed those of Mitsuru's Persona Penthesilea, Fuuka takes over the support role and enables Mitsuru to join the field team. Through the events of the game, she develops from a shy, timid girl to an emotionally strong and compassionate young woman.

A little after the incident on October 4th, Fuuka is still feeling uneasy about it, feeling her negligence led to it. Natsuki, who is now her close friend, then reveals she is transferring, and Fuuka is shocked. However, after talking to her, Fuuka understands how her concern comes from her desires to say close with her friends, and Lucia gives rise to Juno.

In her Social Link on Minato's route, Fuuka tries to become more feminine by learning how to cook, and having you (the protagonist) test her cooking. She comes to accept that her true passion lies in her love for technology, and a valuable asset to SEES. In Minako's route, she and the protagonist create an unofficial Cooking Club to help her learn how to cook, and it isn't long until she's able to make something not only edible, but good.

During New Game+, if you choose Fuuka (if her Social Link is maxed) to be at Minato's side on the final day, she promises to always be with him from now on.

  • Age-Inappropriate Dress: The version where she wears clothes that would be regarded old; other characters noted she lacks some fashion sense.
  • All of the Other Reindeer: Before being recruited, she had some minor issues with bullies, apparently due to her low self esteem. The problem largely vanishes by the time she joins, and she even makes friends with one of her former bullies.
  • Badass: After becoming a Persona user, she is frequently calm despite seeing things that occasionally freak out some of the other SEES team members.
    • Badass Damsel: She's saved by SEES after being stranded in Tartarus for hours... and her first order of business is to awaken her Persona and take up the incapacitated-Mitsuru's role as support.
  • Captain Obvious: She tends to state very obvious details regarding the enemy, like how many there are, at all times even if you've done something that wouldn't have affected the number like healing.
  • Dull Surprise: Her English VA's performance as her tends to border on this. She gets a little better in The Answer when voicing new content, but her incredibly flat battle talk remains. Your Mileage May Vary though.
  • Education Parents: Part of the reason she joined SEES is to escape her parents. They put academic pressure on her thanks to being mechanics in a family full of doctors. Note: this is the most mundane of the SEES backstories.
  • Enemy Scan: Her Persona has surprisingly high stats, but its abilities are focused entirely on scanning, and thus she's relegated to the support role.
  • Hollywood Hacking: We never do see her do it, but she hacked into top-level Kirijo Group archives in order to find out the truth about SEES and Tartarus. At home, she's almost always sitting with a laptop, and she can piece back together video files purposefully deleted by third parties. This proficiency with computers is undoubtedly related to her being a...
  • Hollywood Nerd: Type 2; her physical beauty is commented on by both Junpei and even female classmates.
  • Ill Girl: Causes some concern when she first comes to the group's attention; despite having the potential, they fear she'll prove too fragile to participate.
  • Informed Attribute: Junpei says that Fuuka has an angelic voice. Riiiight. Again, Your Mileage May Vary.
  • Lethal Chef: The female route's social link is devoted to making her stop being this and improving. Shinjiro can also drop some help as well.
  • Mission Control: She takes over Mitsuru's support role after joining.
  • Mystical Waif
  • Nerds Are Sexy
  • Non Action Girl
  • Only Sane Man: Literally.
  • Proper Tights with a Skirt
  • Sensor Character: She handles all your enemy scanning after joining.
  • She Cleans Up Nicely
  • Shrinking Violet: She tends to be very quiet, passive and finds it difficult to really speak up.
  • Shy Blue-Haired Girl: She has teal hair and is one of the most timid and socially awkward characters in the entire cast, although she opens up more over time.
  • Spell My Name with an "S": Her name is listed as "Huka" in the credits, at least, in the bad ending.
  • Yamato Nadeshiko: A variation: she's the girl that fits the stereotype the most, but her conflict with her parents, lack (at first) of domestic skills and (at first) extreme timidity run counter to the trope.
  • You Gotta Have Blue Hair: It is more dark cyan, but still counts.


Aigis

Voiced by Maaya Sakamoto (Japanese) and Karen Strassman (English)

During SEES's summer vacation, they're alerted to a dangerous Anti-Shadow weapon that's escaped the Kirijo lab and asked to retrieve it. When asked if they have permission to destroy it if it can't be contained, Ikutsuki laughs nervously and replies that he seriously doubts that'd be possible. Thankfully for the heroes, the weapon in question turns out to be Aigis, a Ridiculously Human Robot with a human mind and persona, as well as a harmless and seemingly inexplicable attachment to the main character that Ikutsuki attributes to a minor glitch in her software. The last survivor of a series of battle androids created to help contain the Shadows gathered by the Kirijo Group ten years ago, she's now allowed to live in the SEES dorms (where she also proves to have some telepathic ability, as she can understand Koromaru perfectly) and to even enroll in the main characters' class by posing as a new transfer student, all while gradually exploring her own interests and latent humanity.

It turns out that Aigis was pivotal in averting the apocalypse ten years ago when she faced Death's weakened form on the Moonlight Bridge, immediately after the destruction of the Ergo Research Lab. Unable to defeat Death directly, she instead forced it into the 6 year-old main character, who happened to also be on the bridge that night, and used him as a living seal. Her memories were severely damaged after the battle, and her desire to stay close to the main character and protect him had stemmed from her unconscious awareness that he's the only thing standing in the way of Death's return. Once Death does return in the form of Ryoji Mochizuki, she tries to redeem herself by defeating him head-on, and fails, nearly destroying herself again in the process. Left shaken by her defeat, she's encouraged by the others to see herself as a person instead of a weapon, and she finds her affection for the main character growing beyond the mere necessity of preserving his life.

In FES and Portable, Aigis has her own Social Link Aeon.

  • The Atoner: When she regains her memory, she feels a lot of guilt towards the main character for sealing Death inside them.
  • Badass: Even gets her own anime style cutscene to prove it.
  • Bodyguard Crush
  • Changing of the Guard: She inherits both the dead protagonist's Wild Card and leadership role in The Answer.
  • Compulsory School Age: Justified with good measure. Not only can she protect the protagonist this way much better, she also gets to experience more of her human side by interaction with other people.
  • Deuteragonist: In The Journey, though it doesn't become apparent until her backstory is revealed.
  • Finger Gun: Some of her weapons like the one she starts with has her firing bullets from her fingertips.
  • First Girl Wins: Well, technically she's the first girl to meet the protagonist. When she, uh, seals Death inside of him. It's complicated.
    • First Girl After All: As it turns out, she was the one who created the main character's destiny from the beginning.
  • The Gunslinger: All of her weapons are forms of firearms: from her finger machine guns, a Hand Cannon and a rifle.
  • Hair of Gold: Fits this trope after Character Development leads her to become more human.
  • I Want My Beloved to Be Happy: She fears her being close to the protagonist will keep him from attaining a romantic bond with a "real" girl.
  • Last Girl Wins: Except in the PSP remake, which removes The Answer and allows any of the SEES girls to be the last one with the male main character in the New Game+. The original ending is still canon, however.
  • Magikarp Power: When she first joins you, she's a couple of levels behind the rest of the party, and her skillset is rather lackluster, with a handful of physical attacks, some buff spells that at that point overlap with other's an no elemental spells whatsoever. Her usefulness skyrockets later on when she gains access to healing spells, rounds out her buff selection and widens the gap in physical stats between her and other party members. Amusingly coincidental with her Character Development.
  • Mighty Glacier: An odd variant; although she has some of the highest HP and Attack power in the game, she also has access to some of the highest level healing spells.
  • Mind Control Eyes: When she's controlled by Ikutsuki on November 4th.
  • More Dakka: Extremely apparent in Persona 4 Arena, where she has a crapton of guns and projectiles she keeps in Hammerspace.
  • My Greatest Failure: Her story in The Answer is mostly her coming to terms with not being able to prevent the Protagonist's death.
  • The Protagonist: In The Answer.
  • Ridiculously Human Robot: A justified case. If she didn't look like a human, her mind wouldn't self-identify as human, and she wouldn't be able to use a Persona.
  • Robot Girl: If most of her skin is covered, she can pass for human. If not, she has some extremely obvious joints. Even without that, her head and neck are clearly robotic.
  • Shoot the Dog: Her sealing the final Shadow in the Protagonist ten years before the story started.
  • Shout-Out: whenever Aigis performs a Critical Hit, she says "Hasta la vista".
  • Single-Target Sexuality: She finds herself in love with the Main Character, regardless of their gender.
  • Speaks Fluent Animal: This conversation:

Junpei: Wait, does that mean... this dog's a Persona-user!?
Aigis: He says, "This is a place of peace, so I protected it."
Junpei: Uh, Aigis? Don't tell me you can translate dog language too...
Aigis: Canines do not have their own language. However, speech is not the only means of communication.

  • Stalker with a Crush: She had a motive, by the way.
  • Taking Up the Mantle: In The Answer, she gains recently deceased Protagonist's Wild Card ability, Orpheus and the role as Player Character.
  • Her Heart Will Go On: By the end of the game and throughout The Answer. Though she eventually accepts the protagonist's passing, she continues to hold his memory dear and relies on it for strength.
  • What Is This Thing You Call Love?: She struggles with this during her Social Link, but only a little.
  • What the Hell, Hero?: She calls herself out for her choice to seal Death inside the protagonist. The player has the option to tell her she did the right thing.

Ken Amada

Voiced by Megumi Ogata (Japanese) and Mona Marshall (English)

Ken's a precocious, serious 11 year-old orphan the heroes first meet around town. He's soon invited by Ikutsuki to live in the SEES dorms once he's discovered to have the potential, and, once his Persona awakens, he volunteers to join SEES's fights against the Shadows.

In reality, he joined because he wanted a chance to get revenge on Shinjiro. Several years ago, Shinjiro briefly lost control of his Persona during a fight with the Shadows, and Ken's mother died in the crossfire. Ken patiently awaits his chance to avenge his mother and finally seizes it on the anniversary of her death. But when he finds that Shinjiro's willing to die and won't fight back, and that he's lived with a crushing amount of guilt ever since that night, Ken backs down, realizing that it truly was an accident and forgiving Shinjiro's role in it. Unfortunately, they make peace just as Takaya of Strega shows up to kill them both, and Shinjiro dies taking a bullet that was meant for Ken.

In the female main character's path in the PSP remake, Ken is the Justice Social Link, replacing Chihiro. The interactions deal with him overcoming his buried resentment over his mother's passing, his childish tendencies versus his desire to be seen as an adult, and as a romantic option, the realization that he can't be the ideal man for the female protagonist while he is still a child, and only time can change that. Still, he deeply cares for her.

In a New Game+, if he's chosen to be the person she spends her last moments with, he'll apologize for forgetting everything, but thanks her for causing a miracle. However, he seems to realize she paid a price for such, and worries about her "disappearing", then vows to always take care of her.

  • Adorably Precocious Child: Cute? Check. Serious? Check. Hates being thought of as a kid? Check. Relationship with an older girl? The tone may vary but at the very least his Social Link with the Female Protagonist is at the very least Cool Big Sis with the potental for a May–December Romance.
  • Adorkable: He his aboslutly adorable when he's geeking out, be it over an action flick or a cool manga. He tries hidding this though as he feels that it makes him appear childish.
  • Adults Are Useless: The Answer reveals that he was particullary hit hard with this. It leads him to believing that he should take matters of finding his mom's murderer into his own hands. It also becomes the basis for the trope below.
  • Anguished Declaration of Love: It's not him, but the Female Protagonist has to perform in order to make the Social Link romantic. After telling him she hangs around him because she "likes" him, he remarks that's how adults lie. When she exlaims that she isn't lying, he finally trusts her enough to confirm his feelings.
  • Badass: Considering his age, he is surprisingly capable of standing his ground, whether he fighting humans or inhuman horrors.
    • Badass Adorable: He's the youngest member in SEES and can stick a gun (er, evoker) to his head without flinching, yet he doesn't lose anything that makes him an adorable little kid.
  • Blade on a Stick: Spears.
  • Bodyguard Crush: With Female Protagonist.
  • Combat Medic: Has access to very good healing spells. but can still use effective Light attacks and is very good with a spear.
  • Covert Pervert: In the original Japanese version, he's not above using the fact that the Female Protagonist is a Shotacon against her (though it's a post Social Link scene, and it's still left vague).
    • Also the one scene that got made intact through localiztion is the fact that post Junpei going on about Kimono Fanservice, he's still flustered around Female Protagonist, if you're in a relationship with him.
  • The Cutie: Acts this way in his Social Link.
  • Don't You Dare Pity Me!: To the point of wanting to kill himself to run away from it.
  • Harmful to Minors: Well, he witnessed his mother murder. It's accidental, but he doesn't know that. It's bad when facing Shadows isn't the worst thing on this list. This leads to...
  • Holding Hands: Gets freaked out after tricking Female Main Character into doing this. When asked why, it's because he thought of "the kids being used" while holding her hand.
  • Kid Appeal Character / Tagalong Kid: Straddles the line as while he is an offical member, it's certainly not for the kid appeal and fits the Tagalong trope in spirit.
  • Kid Hero: More so than the rest anyway. He's only in elementary school.
  • Light'Em Up[context?]
    • Light Is Not Good: Remember, this is one of the One Hit KO line of spells. Also his signature move is Cruel Attack, which does double damage against downed enemies. Still a good kid at heart who just wants to be important to the team and is also specializes in medics, though his desire for revenge is probably all the more greater since he feels so strongly that it is the right thing to do.
  • Meaningful Name: Both the kanji of his given name and family name are synonymous, meaning 'heaven' as a reference to his arcana. More depressingly, his first name can also mean 'drought' or 'to desiccate'. One could interpret that as his life being a drought to him without his mother and the cover up of her death, or his revenge dried up due to Shinjiro's health and Takaya's intervention.
  • Please Don't Leave Me: His New Game+ Ending plays this quite tragically.
  • Precocious Crush: Played straight in the localized version, but in the original Japanese it makes it a point arguably that those feelings are more serious than what you'd expect, albeit the game handles it tastefully. However, she probably wasn't the greatest girl to get such a crush on.
  • The Promise: Rank 10 romantic has Ken promising not the leave her behind and asks the protagonist for the same. It's also slightly different between the localizations, with the original Japanese asking the protagonist to love only him with the English localization switching it to letting him be there for her. YMMV on which one is more appropriate. Swear to it, and he drops the -san when referring to her and tells her that he loves her. And you get to spend a long time "talking" with him.
  • Revenge: His motivation.
  • Secret Relationship: In the lovers route, naturally. He freaks if you tell him that you two should come out and tells her to keep it a secret.
  • Shock and Awe: He has access to a few Zio spells, but not to the extent of Akihiko.
  • Through His Stomach: Almost all of his dates are taking him out to dinner and one time, actually making his favorite meal, omelets and wild rice.
  • Token Loli: Has a symaptathic backstory, (to some) and a potental love interest for the female protagonist. Best of both worlds! Though as he does get less attention as a love interest than others for the Female Protagonist, thanks to being a child.
  • Who Wears Short Shorts?: Ken does! They've been subject to Memetic Mutation within the fandom.
  • You Killed My Mother: Ken joins SEES hoping that it will provide him with the chance to kill Shinjiro in revenge for Shinjiro's role in his mother's death. Further, he's intensely distressed when he finds out that Shinjiro is dying anyhow, feeling that it robs his vengeance of meaning. Ultimately, Ken forgives Shinjiro, but it takes Shinjiro not only accepting blame for his mother's death, but also taking a bullet for Ken for good measure.

Koromaru

A Shiba Inu whose owner, a monk at the Naganaki Shrine, died two years ago, he originally continued to live at the shrine as a stray. He's amazingly loyal, walking on the same routes through town that his master took him on when he was alive and keeping vigil at the shrine. However, there's more to this dog aside from being an adorable pooch: he gained the potential after seeing his master get killed by a Shadow on one of their late-night walks. When SEES discover that a Shadow has strayed out of Tartarus and is heading towards Naganaki shrine, they arrive to see an injured Koromaru, and the Shadow nowhere in sight. Commending the dog's bravery for defending the shrine, and amazement that a dog can summon a persona at all, they give him the best veterinary care and, once he's recovered, a home in the dorms. His Persona is the Strength Arcana's Cerberus, who uses fire and darkness spells. Koromaru himself uses a dagger to fight, which he wields in his mouth, and wears cloth and leather dogsuits as armor. Once Aigis joins the team, she often translates Koromaru's wishes for the rest of SEES.

Koromaru replaces Yuko as the Strength Social Link in the female main character's path.


Shinjiro Aragaki

Voiced by Kazuya Nakai (Japanese) and Grant George (English)

A former member of SEES, he left the group several years before, following a tragic accident. Despite looking like a delinquent, he has his soft side. After Ken Amada rejoins the group, Akihiko talks Shinjiro back into SEES. The two grew up in the same orphanage. Shinjiro's Persona is the physically-oriented Castor of the Hierophant Arcana.

Two years before the game, Shinjiro lost control of his Persona during an Operation and accidentally killed a woman. His guilt drove him out of SEES, and he began to take Persona-suppressing drugs, provided to him by Strega. The woman, it so happens, was Ken Amada's mother.

During the October 4th full moon operation, Ken and Shinjiro meet at the spot where Ken's mother died. There, Ken attempts to get revenge, which Shinjiro accepts as justified. However, because Shinjiro is so willing to die, Ken can't bring himself to do it, particularly not once he learns that Shinjiro is already dying. When Strega intrudes and Takaya attempts to kill Ken, Shinjiro takes the bullet for him.

In the female protagonist's story, Shinjiro is her Moon Social Link, replacing Nozomi and allowing the player character to see much more of his softer side, unlike the male protagonist who does not have much opportunity to interact with him and receives a somewhat more standoffish attitude from him. In his Social Link, Shinjiro prods the protagonist about concerns over her health and their teammates eating habits, assists Fuuka with her cooking, and at one point makes a grand dinner for the rest of SEES. He also voices concerns over Akihiko's well-being and talks about their childhoods and Akihiko's sister Miki. Towards the end of the link, the female can retrieve a pocket watch he'd lost from the police station and return it to him. If she does, the watch will prevent fatal damage from Takaya's shot and Shinjiro will survive, although he'll spend the rest of the game comatose in the hospital and will not rejoin the party.

After maxing his Social Link, the female can start a romantic relationship with him by talking to him again... although she will have to be very persistent with her feelings to overcome his reluctance. During the New Game+, establishing a romance with Shinjiro will make it possible for him to break out of the hospital on the game's final day and meet the protagonist on the roof of the school as she's fading away from sealing Nyx. He tells her that he saw everything while she was unconsious and that he's proud of her, is glad that she loved him, and he's grateful to have met her.

  • An Axe to Grind
  • Backup From Otherworld
  • Badass In universe, punks on the bad side of town are quite leery of screwing with him, and he's so badass a Persona user no less than Akihiko takes pains to make sure he's on the team.
  • Becoming the Mask: Subverted as he sold information to Strega, but rejoins SEES for redemption. As the Moon Social Link reveals, however, he is a genuinely kind guy and cares for SEES.
  • Bruiser with a Soft Center: He acts like a tough guy, but in truth, he's so soft that it's the only thing you really see during his social link.
  • But I Would Really Enjoy It: A rare male example after his Social Link in Persona 3 Portable is maxed. To put it simply, he's not just afraid of their relationship changing, he knows that he's going to die by any of three ways, and that romance will not end well.
  • Convenient Coma: Of the Put on a Bus variety. If you play as a girl and retrieve his pocket watch, he survives the October 4th moon (see Pocket Protector below), but since he dies under any other circumstances, in order to keep the plot on the same path, he spends the rest of the game hospitalized and in a coma.
    • If you're playing a New Game+, it's possible for him to wake up just in time to spend your last moments with you, making it a different type of Convenient Coma.
  • Dark and Troubled Past
  • Dead Ex Machina: The protagonist doesn't pull together enough HP to cast the Great Seal until Shinjiro's voice provides the last bit of encouragement.
  • Death Seeker: Implied. He was going to die any way, so he preferred to go out atoning for his sins. The 2013 movie adaptation makes it much more obvious that not only is he killing himself with the suppressants, but that he's dying out of guilt for what he did.
  • Guest Star Party Member: He rejoins SEES after hearing Ken has been recruited. He's only ever available until October 4, when he's killed off. Averted in Persona Q, as that game takes place just before the October 4th event, and as such, Shinjiro is available for the whole game.
  • Hidden Heart of Gold: He deliberately fosters and enjoys an aura of intimidation and aloofness, and is very embarrassed when others discover his kindness.
    • Face of a Thug: He may look like a delinquent and hangs around at the dark parts of the city, but Shinjiro is actually a sweetheart who takes interest in cooking and looking after cute animals.
  • I Just Want to Be Normal: Says almost these exact words during his Social Link.
  • Incurable Cough of Death: It's what trips him in his Critical Failure.
  • I Want My Beloved to Be Happy: When you Max out his Social Link as the female protagonist in the portable remake, he hints that his feelings for her are like this. Under the circumstances he's in, it's perfectly reasonable.
  • Jack of All Stats: He has neither resistances nor weaknesses to anything.
  • Jerkass Facade: Played almost humorously when he's unsuccessful, then becomes quite tragic when you realize how far he'll go for those he cares about.
  • Killed Off for Real
    • Can be averted in the Female Protagonist route, but only if his Social Link is Maxed.
  • Meaningful Name: "Aragaki" is written with characters meaning "rough" or "rude" and "wall".
  • Parental Abandonment: Like Akihiko, he's an orphan.
  • Pet the Dog: His friendship with Koromaru is almost literal. It makes it clear he is still a good guy despite his attitude.
    • In the audio dramas, he has this relationship with the male protagonist and Fuuka as well. Although he's rather cold to the other members of SEES, he's constantly expressing concern over the protagonist's health, even making nampura for him when the protagonist gets sick. He's considerably patient when dealing with Fuuka, and often gives her encouragement concerning her cooking.
  • Please Kill Me If It Satisfies You: He's prepared to let Ken kill him to make up for his Accidental Murder of Ken's mother.
  • Plotline Death: Dies intercepting a bullet meant for Ken in the male protagonist's path or if you fail to clear his Social Link as a girl. He's only around in Persona Q because of time travel, taking him from a month before he dies.
  • Pocket Protector: Getting the last rank of his Social Link in the female protagonist's route requires her to find a pocket watch he mentions he has lost, and return it to him. Having it in his pocket on October 4th is what makes it possible for him to survive being shot, although he's still seriously injured.
  • Precision F-Strike: Adios, asshole.
  • Put on a Bus: If you're playing as a girl, and you max out his Social Link and retrieve his watch, he survives. But since he dies under all other circumstances, in order to keep the plot on the right track, he spends the rest of the game in a coma.
  • Real Men Wear Pink: He's very fond of cooking and is a regular viewer of the family cooking show. In his Social Link, he, the protagonist and Fuuka cook a restaurant-quality meal big enough for everyone in SEES.
  • Redemption Equals Death
  • Sacrificial Lion
  • Sarcastic Devotee: Especially to the male protagonist, who comes in for some snark from Shinjiro in combat: "Tch. Who does he think he is?" He's less belligerent to the female protagonist, but still warns her that he'll fight however he wants to and complains if she heals him in battle.
  • Secretly Dying: The suppressants he takes are not exactly good for him.
  • The Stoic:
    • Not So Stoic: Just add cooking, dogs or the female protagonist.
  • Sugar and Ice Guy: Tough as he may be, his Social Link with the Female main character shows another side of him that is quite unexpected.
  • Supreme Chef: It's stated that he cooks most of the team's meals, though he seems slightly embarrassed about it.
  • Taking the Bullet: How he dies on October 4. He dives between Ken and Takaya's gun, saving the boy's life.
  • Team Mom: Think about it. He's a good cook, worries about whether or not everyone's eating properly, tells you to take care not to get sick... Face it, he's your ideal House Husband.
  • Think Happy Thoughts: Surprisingly, his mantra, which keeps him from being too depressed over his condition, and tries to pass this belief to the protagonist. It's also what makes him so distant from Akihiko who broods quite often about Miki, much to Shinjiro's discomfort.
  • Tsundere: Equip him with the tuxedo in Tartarus and talk to him for his reaction. You'll either laugh or Squee.
  • When He Smiles: In Persona 3 Portable, he only smiles during the Social Link, which makes a pleasant surprise for those unaware.
    • Though the only time you get to see Shinjiro smile in the MALE protagonist route is him talking to Koromaru while going on a walk.
  • Unfortunate Meaningful Name: The fact that his persona is Castor tells you all you need to know about his ultimate fate.
  • Yank the Dog's Chain


Shuji Ikutsuki

Voiced by Hideyuki Hori (Japanese) and Dan Woren (English)

Referred to as "the Chairman", Shuji is the school chairman and the head of SEES. He worked with Mitsuru and Yukari's fathers on the project ten years ago, and was one of the designers of Aigis. Despite not having a Persona, he remains conscious during the Dark Hour and provides briefings and support to the members of SEES during their major missions.

Unfortunately, he's also a complete lunatic. During the experiments ten years ago, Shuji came across a prophecy referring to a Prince who would bring about the Fall. He became convinced that he was the Prince, and rigged the experiments so that they would release the twelve Full Moon Shadows. He also altered Yukari's father's last message, so that it would guide SEES to destroy the twelve Shadows (which would summon Nyx) instead of warning them not to, as it originally said.

When the final Full Moon Shadow, the Hanged Man, was destroyed, Shuji reprogrammed Aigis to render the rest of SEES unconscious, then brought them to Gekkoukan High's observatory. Tying them to crosses, he ordered Aigis to sacrifice them to Nyx. However, Aigis's affection for the group compromised her programming, leaving her unable to do so. Before Shuji could shoot the group himself, Mitsuru's father interrupted him. The two men shot each other, suffering mutually fatal wounds, Koromaru stole the remote device he was using to control Aigis, and Aigis freed the rest of SEES. Shuji's last act as he watched his plan fall apart was to laugh bitterly, lamenting that "I was so close", before falling from the observatory roof. Despite the implications of his falling body vanishing into the darkness, we're later told that yes, they did find the body.

  • Absent-Minded Professor: He's fairly spacey and spends most of his free time making terrible puns.
  • Axe Crazy: He wishes to bring the Fall to wipe out most of humanity so that he can rule as its prince afterward.
  • Big Good: The founder SEES, but he is not able to summon a Persona. Subverted when it turns out he's been using SEES to bring about the Fall.
  • Disney Villain Death: It's even lampshaded by a guy who hangs out around the movie theater, saying that that's how all the villains die, though dismisses that idea.
  • Evil Plan. He's responsible for releasing Death, and manipulated SEES into destroying the twelve Full Moon Shadows in order to create Nyx Avatar. He does all this to bring about the Fall because of a prophecy he read.
  • Hoist by His Own Petard: Ikutsuki is the one who suggested Koromaru join SEES. Guess who ruined his attempt at having Aigis kill SEES to bring about the Fall.
  • Kansas City Shuffle: His plan to use SEES to reunite the Shadows and cause the Fall.
  • Manipulative Bastard: He pulls off being an almost fatherly nice guy with rather freaky ease, so when he finally drops the act, the difference between the band pun spewing professor figure he played as, and the Ax Crazy lunatic he really is was quite a shock to EVERYONE.
  • Meaningful Name: "Ikutsuki" is written with the character for "moon".
  • Mentor
  • Mr. Exposition: He's responsible for a lot of info dumps early on for how things in the story work.
  • Nietzsche Wannabe: He honestly believes that humanity desires the Fall and hastens to bring it about.
  • Non-Action Guy: He has no Persona, so he can't fight Shadows.
  • Obfuscating Stupidity: Subverted, in the fact that he actually does find his jokes funny.
  • Pungeon Master: Hoo boy.
  • Scary Shiny Glasses: His "serious" face.
  • Slasher Smile: Sports one when he drops the "good guy" act, though like his sequel counterpart Adachi, his smile makes him look like he's either drunk or high off his ass.
  • Smug Snake: His plan may have worked, but his personal downfall came pretty quickly after he dropped his act.
  • Spell My Name with an "S": His name is written as "Syuji" in the credits of the bad ending.
  • Treacherous Advisor: He has been misleading SEES the entire time.


Metis

Voiced by Chiwa Saito (Japanese) and Stephanie Sheh (English)

Metis's appearance heralds the beginning of SEES's next adventure in The Answer, when she emerges from the Abyss of Time that's appeared beneath the dorm and immediately launches an attack on every human present, announcing that she has to kill them to protect her "sister" Aigis. Aigis rushes to their aid and, in the battle that follows, loses her Orgia mode while gaining the main character's persona Orpheus, as well as his "wild card" ability. The subdued Metis later explains that she'd only tried to kill the rest of SEES because she saw them as a hindrance to protecting Aigis, and agrees to cooperate with them after they threaten to leave her in the Abyss of Time, revealing her intense fear of being alone and abandoned. She seems to have amnesia: while she knows that Aigis is her sister, and she's familiar with the Abyss of Time, she can't explain how she knows any of it or where she actually came from.

Metis is actually Aigis's discarded humanity, a being born in the spiritual realm from the emotions that Aigis had disconnected herself from. Her neediness and fear of being alone represent Aigis's repressed grief, and once Aigis accepts Metis as part of herself, they merge together again.

  • Anatomy of the Soul: Metis is the embodiment of Aigis's rejected emotions.
  • Animal Motifs: Red swallowtail butterflies. She has mostly black color scheme like the body of one with red accents that stylistically resemble wings, and her Persona Psyche has one for a head. A wreath of them be seen when she activates her Orgia Mode for the first time.
  • Dark Magical Girl: Fits personality-wise, since magic is ubiquitous.
  • Deuteragonist In The Answer.
  • Eerie Pale-Skinned Brunette: Extremely so, with dark hair and white skin. While seemingly a way to contrast from her more human-like sister, in the drama CDs, Metis's appearance is revealed to be based off a hospitalized girl Aigis had met in the past.
  • Jack of All Trades: She has no resistances or weaknesses, along with physical, ice and wind skills.
  • Miss Exposition: She explains how the Abyss of Time existed below the dorm during the episode's prologue.
  • Red Eyes, Take Warning: Played straight initially, but later subverted when she talks things through with the others.
  • Ridiculously Human Robot
  • Sugar and Ice Girl: While cold and calculating, she can't bear to be alone. Figures, as she is Aigis's emotional side personified, loneliness and cynicism included.


Strega

Strega

Takaya voiced by Nobutoshi Canna (Japanese), Chidori voiced by Miyuki Sawashiro (Japanese), Jin voiced by Masaya Onosaka (Japanese)

A group of Persona-users opposing SEES who host an online assassination service. Consisting of Takaya Sakaki, a revolver-wielding Nietzsche Wannabe, Psycho Supporter Jin Shirato and Dark Magical Girl Chidori Yoshino, the group are the survivors of experiments performed by the Kirijo Group and must take life-shortening drugs in order to control their powers. While not the main antagonists, they do their part to cause the heroes all sorts of trouble since they see their efforts to stop the Dark Hour as wasting their "gifts". Chidori later on becomes Junpei's romantic interest, even sacrificing herself for him.

Later on, with the revelation of the Fall, Takaya proclaims himself a Dark Messiah of an Internet Cult set up by Jin in order to embrace Nyx since his only dream is for the world to die. During the team's final climb of the tower, Jin attempts to stop them and fails, blowing himself up with a grenade after they leave him to die. Takaya fares no better, but at least gets to see Nyx descend upon the world.

While his exact fate isn't made clear, it's assumed that if he didn't die back at Tartarus, Takaya's probably dead by the time of Persona 4.


The Velvet Room

Igor

Voiced by Isamu Tanonaka (Japanese) and Dan Woren (English)

Igor is the mysterious proprietor of the Velvet Room, an equally mysterious place "between dreams and reality", and introduces himself as the being who creates Personas. His most distinctive physical attribute is definitely his Tengu/Pinocchio-like long nose. In Megami Ibunroku Persona, Igor calls himself "a servant of Philemon", though he seems to be in charge of the Velvet Room himself during Persona 3 (Philemon is in the game, but Word of God says he's taken a more passive role in the world's affairs now). Igor is always found in the Velvet Room: although in previous games, he used a phone made of bone to call up Personae from the depths of the soul, now he does so by arranging tarot cards into mystical arrangements on his table. Although he's helpful, friendly and later proves instrumental in saving the world, he still gives off a very sinister aura.

  • All There in the Manual: He really doesn't make very much sense if you haven't played the previous Persona games, especially with Philemon taking a backseat now.
  • Catch Phrase: "Welcome to the Velvet Room."
  • Cheshire Cat Grin: Permanently etched on his face.
  • Dark Is Not Evil: He's one of the good guys. Really.
  • Gag Nose: Take a look above, at everyone else's nose. Then look at this guy.
  • Gonk: He's ugly enough to not even look human.
  • Looks Like Orlok: Although he's a good guy.
  • The Mentor: In his own, purposefully obtuse way.
  • Misunderstood Loner with a Heart of Gold: He certainly looks evil, but he's really a nice guy (though he could be a bit more forthcoming with information).
  • Mysterious Backer: Helpful, but enigmatic.
  • Omniscient Morality License: Igor makes it clear early on that he knows far more than he's saying, but feels compelled to hold back and let the hero learn what's going on for himself. In the end, it all works out.
  • Powers That Be: Whatever Igor is exactly, he's almost certainly one of these.
  • Spirit Advisor: The main character is (usually) the only one who can see or enter the Velvet Room.


Elizabeth and Theodore

Voiced by Miyuki Sawashiro (Japanese) and Tara Platt (English), and Junichi Suwabe (Japanese)and Travis Willingham (English), respectively

Igor's assistants. Elizabeth appears in the original, FES, Persona 3 Portable in the male character's path and as a choice in the female character's path. Theodore is only available in Persona 3 Portable in the female's story. Both serve the same role in the game. They send the main character on different sidequests and, in the FES and Persona 3 Portable editions, can visit the human world with the main character and become romantically involved with him or her. Theodore is Elizabeth's younger brother, and both are the younger siblings of Persona 4's Margaret.

  • Almighty Janitor: As shown by their Bonus Boss battles. Probably the strongest elevator attendants you'll ever get to face. They can break the damage cap for Pete's sake!
  • Apologetic Attacker: Theodore. Elizabeth also apologizes occasionally when you fight her, but not nearly as often.
  • Badass in a Nice Suit: Theodore in particular, but both are extremely sharp dressers. And both are... yeah.
  • Big Eater: Elizabeth, who wonders why you stopped eating after your seventh meal.
  • Bishonen: Theodore is considered by many fans as the most handsome of the male characters in the entire series.
  • Bonus Boss
  • Cloudcuckoolander: Overlaps with Fish Out of Water, as both of them display some very bizarre ideas about modern life during their dates. The main character mostly doesn't seem to have the heart to correct their cheerful misconceptions.
  • Covert Pervert: Elizabeth's final date gives you the option of "guiding her through your room" as by her request. She is by far the least subtle love interest.
  • Eyes of Gold: In light of what this trope signifies in Persona 4, Elizabeth and Theodore's eye color has inspired the creation of wiggling willows.
  • Fish Out of Water: Elizabeth and Theo during your dates.
  • Humans Through Alien Eyes: Theo and Elizabeth have some very odd ideas about how the human world works.
  • Improbable Weapon User: Like their older sister, they wield the Persona Compendium as their weapon, leading to:
  • Man Child: Compared to Elizabeth, Theodore is much more child-like in demeanor during the dates. While Elizabeth shows a sort of morbid fascination with the human world, Theo's is much more innocent, and he can react with fear or amazement at things Elizabeth just finds mildly amusing.
  • Nightmare Fuel Station Attendant: While most of what Elizabeth says or does is charming, some of her reactions to certain things can be rather... interesting. Take her response to the medical dummy you bring her from school, which she calls the Shell of Man. She seems morbidly fascinated and intrigued when the eyes pop out...
  • No Social Skills: Hoo, boy. Where does Igor find these people?
  • Sidequest: Many of them, with rewards ranging from the mildly useful to the potentially gamebreaking.


Classmates

Ryoji Mochizuki

Voiced by Akira Ishida (Japanese) and Yuri Lowenthal (English)

A New Transfer Student who first makes his appearance in November. He is a flirty Bishonen who asks out any girl he meets, and quickly befriends the members of SEES. In reality, he is the Appriser of Nyx, doomed to bring about the Fall. He was sealed within the protagonist for the past ten years, and manifested as Pharos in earlier parts of the game. As Ryoji, however, he is ignorant of his true nature until the beginning of December... at which point he suffers from Amnesiac Dissonance, having become fond of humanity and life in general.

In the PSP remake with the female's story, Ryoji is oddly still based on the male main character despite having gotten his human form from her. Ryoji is her version of the Fortune Social Link and is able to get to know her better. Unlike other Links, his is only available on specific days during the month of November and will always rank up if you see him, so it requires no points; however, if you miss a single day, you cannot complete the link. In it, he bonds with her and ponders his strange familiar connection to her, hinting at his Tomato in the Mirror plot. If you choose to pursue a romantic relationship with him, he'll find that she's the only girl he's truly ever loved. After the reveal (if you've completed the link to that point) on New Years Eve, the link will complete and Ryoji will declare his love for her and state that he'd give anything to be with her forever, except of course that he must fufill his duty as Nyx's herald. He leaves with a ring, proof of his existance as a human and his love for her.

  • Affably Evil: Despite his purpose, he is nothing but polite to the heroes. He seems to finally reach a breaking point when using Night Queen however, but his voice is never raised.
  • Amnesiac Dissonance: Before, he was just another Shadow trying to evoke the Fall. After forgetting his original purpose and being stuck in the main character for a while, he becomes the fun-loving Ryoji we know and love.
  • Amnesiac God: Ryoji is the Nyx Avatar and in a way Nyx itself. He doesn't remember this though and just goes to school, where he becomes the protagonist's friend.
  • Anti-Anti-Christ: Not that he really has a choice in the matter.
  • Bi the Way/If It's You It's Okay: He explicitly tells the female love interest he'd be into her whether she was a guy or a girl, which may be a not-so-subtle nod towards the male protagonist (who doesn't exist if the female is chosen).
  • Chick Magnet: He had an Instant Fanclub spring around him as soon as he stepped into his brand new classroom.
  • Creepy Child: As Pharos, anyway. As Ryoji, he's all grown up.
  • Did You Just Romance Cthulhu?: A possible Social Link in the female main character's route.
  • The Dragon: Nyx don't directly fights the heroes, at first. Instead, Ryouji takes the form of Nyx Avatar to kill them at the top of Tartarus by using a combination of physical and magical techniques according with the first thirteen arcanas of tarot. Only after that Nyx decides to fight the protagonist by herself in a duel.
  • Final Boss: The fight with Nyx is basically a playable cutscene: the protagonist can't lose. So, Ryouji as Nyx Avatar is the actual final boss of the game.
  • The Grim Reaper
  • Guide Dang It: His S link is very specific, and if you mess up even once, you can't complete it.
  • Hair Antennae
  • Handsome Lech
  • Heroic Sacrifice In one of the endings.
  • Kidanova: He will hit on anything female, sometimes within seconds of being rebuked by someone else... in the same room.
  • Ladykiller in Love: With the female protagonist.
  • The Last of These Is Not Like the Others: The only boss that changes his arcana during the fight. Just in case you didn't notice, Fuuka is repeatedly confused by this until the final stage of his boss fight, and states she has never seen this before, but finally reaches the true conclusion that his "true arcana is Death"..
  • Going To School With The Villain.
  • Marathon Boss: He has thirteen phases as the Nyx Avatar. If the protagonist dies, the party must start again from phase one.
  • Meaningful Name: "Mochizuki" is written with characters meaning "aspire to/expect/desire" and "moon".
  • Mouth of Sauron: Claims to be one with Nyx once he is confronted at the top of Tartarus. Fuuka doesn't even bother of making a distinction, and calls him Nyx using female pronouns in the English version.
  • New Transfer Student: The third transfer student to the protagonist's class within a year.
  • Spirit Advisor: In his Pharos form during the first half of the game.
  • Star-Crossed Lovers: With the female protagonist after The Reveal.
  • Tomato in the Mirror: He isn't aware he is Nyx Avatar at first, or even that he is not a normal human being. This seems to disturb him greatly.
  • Tragic Monster: He's clearly broken up about his role in bringing the Fall.
  • Younger Than They Look: He's only about ten years old.

Kenji Tomochika

Voiced by Kenji Nojima in the drama CDs.

A fellow classmate of the main character, Kenji is the very first Social Link (of the Magician Arcana) the male main character can get, being established automatically soon after he starts attending Gekkoukan High. Already friends with Junpei and Kazushi, he's also somewhat attracted to Yukari, though the player soon discovers that he has a thing for older women. In fact, pursuing his social link reveals that he has a crush on one of his teachers, and the main character helps him in his quest to win her over. Unfortunately, it doesn't work out, as he only succeeds in freaking out his teacher and discovering that she's already engaged and about the leave the city. After a bit of heartbroken sulking, he finally manages to get over it.

Though he loses his Social Link status in Persona 3 Portable to Junpei if the player chooses the female main character, he still makes appearances as part of Rio Iwasaki's Social Link.

Kenji is also surprisingly fashion conscious, commenting on the main character's wardrobe at certain points (in fact, the item he gives the main character at the end of his Social Link is a choker he made for him).

  • Boke and Tsukkomi Routine: In FES, after the school festival is canceled, Kenji and the main character can act out an impromptu Manzai routine for the rest of the class, with Kenji acting as the boke and Main Character the tsukkomi.
  • Hidden Depths: Kenji is surprisingly fashion conscious, commenting on the main character's wardrobe at certain points. In fact, the item he gives the main character at the end of his Social Link is a choker he made for him because he "doesn't look fashionable enough".
  • Hot for Teacher: He has a crush on his teacher, and they actually start dating. Or at least that's how he perceives it. See Love Hurts below.
  • Kidanova: Not upheld in his Social Link; however, Kenji DOES understand how the ladies act and react in this game. He's pretty much the in-game manual of how dating the female Social Links work.
  • Likes Older Women: His attraction to his teacher, and possibly his oblivious toward Rio's attraction toward him, is based on this trope.
  • Love Hurts: His perception that his love for his teacher was reciprocated turns out to be a mistake, and she's actually kind of creeped out.

Hidetoshi Odagiri

Voiced by Hiroaki Miura in the drama CD

A member of Gekkoukan High's student council, Hidetoshi heads the student disciplinary committee. As expected, he's strict and unyielding, and can come off as quite the hardass. He's also a very unpopular with the rest of his class because of his no-nonsense attitude. After Mitsuru has the main character join the student council, Hidetoshi becomes the Emperor Social Link, and pursuing his Social Link has him/her helping out with finding a student who left a cigarette butt in one of the school male bathrooms. As the Social Link goes on, he ends up accusing half the school (even the student council Vice President... who's female) and alienating himself from his fellow students even further. Eventually, he reveals that the main character is the only person that he can trust, and that he believes that everyone should be treated equally and fairly, and be held to the same standards. When the culprit is finally discovered, he realizes that he needs to lighten up if he's going to keep his fellow peers' trust.

In Persona 3 Portable, Hidetoshi falls in love with the female protagonist during his Social Link, but wants to wait until he's worthy of her love before he tries to make it official.

  • Determinator: Break the rules, and Hidetoshi will hunt you down, and he will never stop until he finds you.
  • Disappeared Dad: He was arrested on false charges.
  • Freudian Excuse: He believes that his father's trusting attitude was what got him made into a scapegoat and jailed, which is why Hidetoshi himself is hesitant to trust others.
  • Jerk with a Heart of Gold: He's quite abrasive, and he's not exactly loved by his peers for his insistence on the rules, but he definitely falls into the "tough, but fair" category. He's going a little overboard trying to track down the cigarette smoker, but doesn't actually intend to do anything further than lecture them.
  • Lighter and Softer: Hidetoshi eventually realizes that he needs to be a little more like this if he wants to gain people's trust.
  • Red Armband of Leadership: Hidetoshi of course wears one, being the head of the student disciplinary committee (though it's actually yellow, possibly so as not to get confused with the red armbands worn by SEES members).
  • Smug Smiler: Everytime Hidetoshi smiles it looks like this.
  • Stern Teacher: He's not a teacher, and he's not exactly loved by his peers, but he definitely falls into the "tough, but fair" category. If you talk to him on one of the last days after maxing his link out, it's implied he's going to become one in the future.
  • Tsundere: A rare, mild male example. He acts very dere to the main character: everyone else receives his tsun.


Kazushi "Kaz" Miyamoto

Voiced by Atsushi Kisaichi in the drama CD

Kaz is a member of whatever sport team the main character joins. Stubborn and fanatical, Kaz quickly declares himself the main character's rival, and aims to win the championship. Kaz represents the Chariot Social Link, pursuing it has the main character discover that he's suffering from a bad knee, which is only getting worse due to his constant and overzealous training, to the point that he could very well never walk again if he keeps it up. Then it is discovered that the reason that he's pushing himself so hard is that he's trying to convince his nephew, who was crippled in an accident, to undergo rehab by winning the championship. Eventually, he admits his knee problem to the rest of his team, and is convinced to drop out of the championship and get surgery for his knee instead, deciding to go through rehab with his nephew.

In Persona 3 Portable, Kaz loses his Social Link status to Rio Iwasaki if the player chooses the female main character, though he still makes the occasional appearance, usually alongside Yuko or Kenji.

  • Cloudcuckoolander: Kaz has various moments throughout the game, due to his competitiveness and obsession with his sport. Probably the biggest example being the school trip to Kyoto, where Kaz doesn't show any interest in spying on the girls in the hot spring until Kenji calls it a "challenge", and then later going to one of the shrines in Kyoto with his group, and then proceeding to simply run laps around it, eventually dragging the entire group into it.
    • There's also the fact that he never wears anything other than his tracksuit, so he can be ready to exercise at a moment's notice.
  • Determinator: Kaz isn't about to let potentially never being able to walk again stop him from winning the championship. Eventually subverted, as he decides to give up the championship and get surgery for his knee instead.
    • To reflect this, a lot of the proper responses to his Social Link scenes are basically "Suck it up".
  • The Rival: He starts off as this for the main character, but that role is eventually taken over by Mamoru.

Rio Iwasaki

Voiced by Saori Hayami in the drama CD

Rio is Kaz's Distaff Counterpart; whether the female main character chooses to join Tennis or Volleyball, she'll find Rio acting as the leader of the junior-level teammates. To her dismay, her teammates don't share the same single-minded devotion to the club. Also friends with Kenji, who likes to visit practice both to see her and to catch up with Ms. Kanou, who oversees the club.

  • Childhood Friend Romance: Unlucky Childhood Friend variety; she's in love with Kenji and well aware that he prefers older women and barely thinks of her as a girl.
  • Curtains Match the Window
  • Distaff Counterpart: To Kaz, and to a lesser extent to Akihiko, as she shares certain personality traits with the latter.
  • Love Epiphany: Much of her Social Link involves her coming to understand her feelings for Kenji...
    • Love Hurts: The realization makes her miserable since she knows he doesn't feel the same about her, but it does help her bond with the other girls in the sports club.
    • Love Confession: Late in the Social Link, she concludes that the only way to move forward is to confess her feelings to him; this plays out with the protagonist, Yuko, and the rest of the sports club shamelessly eavesdropping, only to be completely derailed when she asks Kenji how much he likes her and he replies that he likes her as much as he likes ramen. Hilarity Ensues.
  • Oblivious to Love: Much like Akihiko, she has trouble understanding why other girls are so In Love with Love, and also has difficulty understanding her own feelings on the subject.
  • Odd Friendship: With Kenji, who she's known since they were kids.
  • Tomboy
  • Tomboyish Ponytail


Chihiro Fushimi

Voiced by Ai Maeda in the drama CD

The student council treasurer, Chihiro is pretty much a textbook example of the painfully shy, bookish, yet surprisingly attractive nerd girl. She represents the Justice arcana in her Social Link and is one of the many potential love interests for the male main character. Pursuing her Social Link gets her to open up a bit more, and eventually deal with accusations that she stole money from the school.

In Person 3 Portable, Chihiro loses her Social Link status to Ken if the player chooses the female main character, but she still makes her token appearances in Hidetoshi's Social Link scenes.

Chihiro also makes an appearance in Persona 4, having gotten over her shy tendencies, and looking even more attractive.


Keisuke Hiraga

Keisuke is the leader of whatever Culture Club the main character joins. The son of a doctor, Keisuke is under pressure to quit his club and join the family business. He represents the Fortune arcana in his Social Link, and pursuing it has him refusing to quit the club, claiming that he doesn't want to become a doctor. This is proven to be untrue, however, as he's shown to be quick to help people who are sick or injured. Eventually, he gets over his denial and quits, throwing himself into studying for his entry exams.

In Persona 3 Portable, Keisuke loses his Social Link status to Ryoji if the player chooses the female main character, and his role in the game is greatly diminished, only making a few small appearances.

  • The Dutiful Son: Keisuke is expected to be one by his father, and after some fighting, he eventually agrees.
  • Stepford Smiler: Keisuke has only three expressions: smiling, grinning and angry. Guess which one you see the most, even when he's treating someone who just collapsed, or when you turn him down for hanging out on a Sunday.


Yuko Nishiwaki

Voiced by Satomi Satou in the drama CD

The team manager for whatever Athletic Club the main character joins, Yuko represents the Strength arcana in her Social Link, and is one of the male main character's potential love interests. If the player pursues her Social Link, the main character discovers Yuko's lack of motivation, not really sure what to do with her life. As the Social Link goes on, she ends up coaching a group of neighborhood children on how to run faster, so they could beat a group of sixth graders in a race and win back their playground. While coaching them, she finds her motivation, and eventually decides to become an athletic trainer.

In Persona 3 Portable, Yuko loses her Social Link status to Koromaru, though she still makes the occasional appearance as part of Rio Iwasaki's Social Link.

Minato: What I like about Yuko is that she always makes her loaded questions very, very obvious.


Andre Laurent Jean Geraux (a.k.a. Bebe)

Voiced by Hisayoshi Suganuma in the drama CD

Sole member of Gekkoukan High's fashion club (at least until the main character joins), Bebe is the token foreigner and a raging Japanophile. He managed to be able to study abroad in Japan thanks to the efforts of his aunt. He represents the Temperance arcana in his Social Link, and pursuing it has Bebe making his first friend in Japan with the male main character. Eventually, he discovers that his aunt died, and his uncle wants him to come back home. Not wanting to leave Japan, he decides to make a kimono to take with him to help convince him to let him come back. The Social Link ends with Bebe leaving to go back home, swearing to come back someday.

In Persona 3 Portable, Bebe falls in love with the female protagonist during his Social Link, that at the end of the Social Link, he confessed his feelings to her before he leaves.


Saori Hasegawa

The student who helps the female main character with her student comittee activities and serves as the Hermit Social Link. While currently a junior, she's actually two years older than the heroine, having traveled abroad and taken a couple years off from school. As a result, other students aren't certain how to treat her; after all, she's even older than the upperclassmen!

Since she desperately wants to please others, Saori lets her classmates take advantage of her kindness and refuses to raise a fuss over their cruelty. This becomes a major problem when she becomes the victim of Malicious Slander. Ultimately, with the heroine's support, she is able to stand up for herself and attempt to clear her name.

She doesn't appear on the male main character storyline, and her Social Link status is used by Maya.

Nozomi Suemitsu

An obese, unpopular senior who sits alone in Paulownia Mall, Nozomi is nicknamed the "Gourmet King" and represents the Moon arcana. At first, he seems to be an arrogant and unlikable boy who's bizarrely obsessed with food, but as the main character continues to spend time with him, the Gourmet King's true background begins to gradually emerge, a complicated story involving sibling rivalry, a secret cult and a childhood tragedy.

A mysterious conflict with another boy's father brings the situation to a head, and helps Nozomi to realize his own self-worth and devote himself to living up to his potential and making his brother proud.

In Persona 3 Portable, he loses his Social Link status to Shinjiro, and doesn't appear on the female main character storyline.

  • Always Second Best: He struggles with being unfavorably compared to his brother, who's described as something of The Ace.
  • Big Eater: Possibly enough to rival even Elizabeth.
  • Church of Happyology: The cult he belongs to charges money for membership. Lots of money.
  • Gonk
  • Hidden Depths: There is far more to the Gourmet King that his first impression suggests.
  • Ted Baxter: Nozomu takes his Gourmet King title very seriously, to the point where he at one point thinks that there are assassins out to kill him for it. Eventually, someone IS hired to beat him up, but for completely different reasons.
  • The Unfavorite: Everyone always loved his brother, but Nozomi is nothing special and got overlooked.

Other Social Links

Isako Toriumi/Maya

Isako is both a composition teacher at Gekkoukan High and the main character's homeroom teacher, where she comes across as strict but cheerful and understanding, as well as oddly fixated on cakes and sweets. She represents the Hermit arcana for her Social Link, which is started when she and the male main character meet on the dying MMORPG Innocent Sin Online. Pursuing the Social Link has the two repeatedly meeting online, with Isako complaining about her job and the other faculty members, while slowly revealing who she really is, and then finally revealing that she's in love with main character (not knowing that it's actually him on the other side). At the end of the Social Link, the MMORPG is finally closed down due to inactivity, and the main character is able to meet up with Isako in real life and have her find out that she was talking to him the whole time, whereupon she freaks out, but still comes to terms with the fact that she's in love with him.

In Persona 3 Portable, Isako loses her Social Link status to Saori Hasegawa if the player chooses the female main character.

  • Bottle Fairy: You'd never know it at school, but her Social Link reveals that she often tumbles headlong into this trope during her off-hours.
  • Christmas Cake: Her age isn't explicitly stated, but she's at least in her twenties and gets a great deal of grief from her mother, and Tanaka, about becoming too old to marry.
  • Cool Teacher: She's generally understanding and protective of her students, and constantly argues with Mr. Ekoda (who's something of an Obstructive Bureaucrat).
  • Digital Avatar: Maya.
  • GIFT: Most of her time on Maya is complaining about her coworkers. She eventually realizes this though.
  • Heroic BSOD/Freak-Out: When she finds out who "Tatsuya" really is.
  • Leet Lingo: She talks like this in her Maya persona, which is ironic considering she's a composition teacher.
  • Mrs. Robinson: Ruefully admits that she can't complain about people overlooking her due to age considering she has a preference for younger guys herself.
  • Only Sane Employee: Isako sometimes complains about being this compared to the rest of the teachers. That's a little debatable, but her idiosyncracies are at least less overt than the rest.
  • Shout-Out: Along with the title of the MMORPG, Isako's avatar is Maya, and she convinces the main character to change his avatar's name to Tatsuya, reflecting the names of the two main characters of Persona 2: Innocent Sin and Persona 2: Eternal Punishment. In the Japanese version, the MMORPG was Devil Busters, and the screen names were Y-Ko and N-Jima.
  • Stern Teacher: Isako has a habit of assigning new transfer students empty seats that belong to other students, with the logic that if they aren't there, they aren't part of the class.
  • Sweet Tooth: Isako loves cake, to the point that she sometimes assigns bringing a slice of cake along with homework. The other teachers have learned to bring cake when they're delivering bad news.
  • Teacher-Student Romance: Never actually initiated, but her Social Link reveals that she has a crush on the main character.
  • Tsundere: Judging by Isako's reaction to finding out who Tatsuya was all this time, including asking him out to dinner and then throwing a dictionary at him, she's probably this.


Bunkichi and Mitsuko Kitamura

Voiced by Koji Yada for Bunkichi in the drama CD

Owners of the Bookworms bookstore at Iwatodai Station, Bunkichi is an occasionally wisecracking and sometimes senile, but ultimate well-meaning old man (who frequently gives the main character food), and Mitsuko is his more quiet wife. The two of them represent the Hierophant Social Link, and pursuing their Social Link has the main character frequently visiting their bookstore, ultimately learning that they had a son, who was a teacher at Gekkoukan High until he was killed in a car accident, when a persimmon tree was planted at the school in memorium of him. Eventually, the two of them catch wind that the tree is going to be cut down, and start a petition to try and stop it, but when they learn that the tree is going to be cut down in order to build an extension on the school, they finally decide to let them cut it down, deciding that education is important than their son's memories, and that he would've wanted it that way (though eventually it's revealed that the tree was simply relocated instead of cut down).


Maiko Oohashi

Voiced by Fumiko Orikasa in the drama CD

A precocious grade school girl, Maiko frequently hangs out at the playground at Naganaki Shrine. She represents the Hanged Man arcana in her Social Link, and pursuing said Social Link reveals that Maiko's parents are going through a very messy divorce, which the main character helps her get through. Wondering if it's her fault that they're splitting up, Maiko eventually decides to run away from home, thinking that they'll have to work together to find her, and that it will help them get back together. It only proves to be a partial success, as though they really do work together to find her, they still plan to get divorced, though now they work more on helping Maiko understand why they're splitting up. At the end of the Social Link, Maiko decides to live with her mother as she leaves Port Island, but declares that she wants to marry the male main character when she grows up.

Though she stays as the Hanged Man Social Link in Persona 3 Portable, if the player chooses the female main character, then Maiko will see her as more of an older sister figure. Near the end of the game, Maiko's father will receive a letter, which mentions how Maiko wishes that she and the main character could "become a family for real" and ask her out on a date, misunderstanding the message.

  • Abusive Parents: Maiko's parents come off as extremely overbearing, frequently sending her off to cram school and private piano lessons, and during one fight, her father even hits her. They seem to see the error of their ways near the end of her Social Link, however.
  • Meaningful Name: Maigo in Japanese means "lost child".
  • Precocious Crush: She even proposes to the male main character at the end of her Social Link.
  • Put on a Bus: At the end of her Social Link, as she moves away with her mother.

Tanaka

Voiced by Bin Shimada in the drama CD

Company president and TV salesman, Tanaka is the owner of a home shopping network which the player can buy products from every Sunday. Later on, the main character can find him standing around Port Island Station (Paulownia Mall at night in FES). He represents the Devil arcana in his Social Link, and pursuing it has Tanaka swindling the main character out of 40,000 yen before deciding to start giving him/her some of his rather... unscrupulous business advice, and even considering making him/her a model for his company. Eventually, he reveals that even though he's filthy rich, he's always so busy that he never has the time to really use any of his money. The Social Link ends with Tanaka finally deciding to give some of his money to charity. Later in FES, it's implied that he may have given up on his dubious business techniques.

In FES and Persona 3 Portable, Tanaka is one of the easiest Social Links to level up at the male main character, due to him being of the two only Social Links available at night, as well as the fact that every time the player talks to him, the Social Link is guaranteed to level up.

  • Arson, Murder, and Jaywalking: The bizarre threats he makes to keep you from revealing his secrets (see below) decrease in severity with each Social Link rank. Justified in that it signifies his growing trust in you.
  • Corrupt Corporate Executive: The reason he's the Devil Social Link.
  • Cut His Heart Out with a Spoon: He throws all kinds of bizarre threats at you at the beginning of his Social Link to keep you from telling people about him swindling you out of the 40,000 yen. These threats range from making you swallow a thousand needles to putting your picture on a dating site for former convicts, to ringing your doorbell every night at midnight.
  • Ear Worm: In-Universe example: The TV Tanaka theme. It's even described as "obnoxiously catchy" in-game.
  • Jerkass >> Jerk with a Heart of Gold: The heart of gold part is slightly more emphasized in the female route, where he is more open about the fact that the protagonist is probably better off without his assistance.
  • My Card: How he introduces himself to you in the first Social Link.
  • Self-Made Man: He talks about how poor he was in his youth a fair amount.

Mutatsu

Voiced by Masaharu Satoun the drama CD

Found sitting by himself, drinking and smoking, at Club Escapade, Mutatsu is a rough, rude Buddhist monk. He represents the Tower arcana in his Social Link, and pursuing it reveals that he comes to the club often to get drunk, due to his wife and son leaving him because of his obsession with his work. For a while, he dispenses some rather depressing advice to the main character, and starts treating him/her as his own son/daughter. Eventually, he decides to hire a private detective to track down his wife and son, deciding he wants to apologize and ask them to take him back.

Mutatsu is one of the easiest Social Links to max out as the male main character, as he's one of the only two ones available at night.


Mamoru Hayase

The top athlete of his school, with potential for even competing on a professional level, Mamoru befriends the main character after soundly beating him in the summer tournament, after which the two of them establish a friendly rivalry. He represents the Star arcana in his Social Link. Pursuing his Social Link reveals that he's trying to get into college on a scholarship and be a professional athlete, but he has to work to support his siblings with his mother after his father died in a car accident. After a while, his mother collapses from exhaustion, and the responsibility falls solely on him, to the point where he even has to give up both his sport and college. After the main character helps him through it, he eventually decides to give up for the time being and go to work at the factory his father worked at.

In Persona 3 Portable, Mamoru loses his Social Link status to Akihiko and disappears from the story entirely if the player chooses the female main character.

  • Broken Ace: He's better than everyone else in the game at whatever sport he's participating in, but he's burdened by the fact that he has to support his family, and might not even get into college or keep participating in his sport.
  • Lonely at the Top: Mamoru doesn't get along very well with his fellow teammates because of his fame.
  • Put on a Bus: At the end of his Social Link, when he moves away to get a job.
  • The Rival: He replaces Kaz after the summer tournament.


Akinari Kamiki

Voiced by Hiroshi Kamiya in the drama CD

A frail young man who represents the Sun arcana, Akinari likes to spend his Sunday afternoons sitting by the playground at Naganaki Shrine. He was born with a terminal illness and doesn't have much longer to live. At first bitter about his fate and reluctant to talk to people, he gradually opens up to the main character and develops not only a powerful friendship, but the inspiration to write a children's book as his parting message to the world: a tragic but ultimately hopeful story about the friendship between an outcast pink alligator and a bird who can't fly.

  • Dead Ex Machina: It's possible that when you meet Akinari for the last time, and he gives you his book, he's already died off-screen. Maxing his Social Link also means that he cheers you on along with your other maxed Social Links right before you take on Nyx.
  • Disappears Into Light: How his last meeting with the main character ends.
  • Ill Boy: He has a terminal congenital condition. His Social Link is actually described as "The Dying Young Man".
  • Incurable Cough of Death: It only gets worse with each conversation.
  • Tragic Keepsake: The children's book he leaves behind.
  • Your Days Are Numbered: From the day he was born, no less.


Bonus Characters

Labrys

Voiced by Ayana Taketatsu (Japanese) and Cindy Robinson (English)

A character introduced for the drama CD, apparently as the Class Representative. Showed up as a playable character in Persona 4 Arena... fans' reactions were split.

The Reaper

A notorious Bonus Boss found in Persona 3 and Persona 4, including FES, Persona 3 Portable and the Anime of the Game. His Arcana card is "Death", and he's based off the Grim Reaper. His face is shrouded in bandages, with only one ominous yellow eye to see its surroundings. In Persona 3, he lurks around Tartarus during the Dark Hour, personally appearing under one of four outcomes: if you stay on one level for too long, if there aren't any Shadows in a level, if there are only gold Shadows on a revel, or if you pick a Shuffle Time card that's appended by an ominous black crossbone. Thankfully, he cannot follow you through the stairs, but good luck trying to find them.

He reappears in Persona 4, but only on your second playthrough. In Magatsu Inaba/Mandala, the Reaper can be found in ordinary chests; upon examination, the Protagonist is forewarned that a powerful force dwells within the chest. Should the Protagonist choose to open it, the Reaper will attack the Protagonist, engaging the party to a battle. Like its previous incarnation, the Reaper can be challenged multiple times, as long as the Protagonist manages to locate the treasure chest he dwells within. He will only drop a characters' weapon if they are in the team that fights him, so you can re-organize the party every time you fight him if you want to get every character weapon.

  • Ascended Extra: He actually appears in the Anime of the Game for Persona 4.
  • Badass: One of the toughest enemies you'll ever have to face in the Persona series, unless your level reaches the mid-80s.
  • Badass Longcoat: With four coat-tails, too.
  • Bonus Boss: A famous one among Persona fans.
    • Taken literally in Persona 4, where you can actually choose whether or not to fight him.
  • Call Back: His garments bear some resemblance to Tatsuya Sudou's clothes.
  • Character Tic: Run the fuck away when you hear the chains rattle.
    • Also, avoid the black crossbone cards at Shuffle Time!
  • The Dragon: In Persona 4: The Animation, Adachi personally summons him to fend off the investigation team.
  • Evil Is Stylish: Come on, admit it. You want to cosplay as him some day.
  • Four Is Death: One of four avatars of the Grim Reaper, with his total (Persona 3) HP at 4444, there are four scenarios in Persona 3 that allows him to approach you.
  • Grim Reaper: One of four in this game.
  • Guns Akimbo: He completely forgoes a scythe for dual revolvers.
  • Me's a Crowd: Three Reapers show up in Persona 4: The Animation.
  • Metal Slime: In Persona 4, defeating the Reaper grants the respective characters their strongest weapons per defeat; if the in-battle characters already have their strongest weapons, the Reaper instead drops the strongest armor. If all of those have already been received as well, the Reaper drops the Omnipotence Orb, an accessory which voids all attacks excluding Almighty-elemental.
  • Nice Job Breaking It, Hero: Picking a Shuffle Time card with a black crossbone quickens his approach. Makes for a good Oh Crap moment if you never saw him until that point.
  • Recurring Boss: Since his debut in the original Persona 3, this guy has appeared in every Persona game to date (sans Persona 4 Arena).
  • Revolvers Are Just Better: Especially when they have 3 foot long barrels.
    • Hand Cannon: He dual wields revolvers with barrels that seem several feet long.
  • Sealed Evil in a Can: The Persona 4 incarnation hides him in a chest on the Magatsu Inaba/Mandala dungeons. Lord knows who managed to do that.
  • Sinister Scythe: An incredibly rare aversion.
  • Stalked by the Bell: Take too long to leave a level, and this bastard will show up.
  • The Usual Adversaries: Being a Bonus Boss, this guy always harasses you in the Persona 3 games (including FES and Persona 3 Portable). Even after defeating him, he'll always show up again.
  • Video Game Cruelty Potential: If you're nowhere near an access point or the stairs, you can split up your party and hope he tracks down one of them while you make your escape.
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