#annxhero

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So haven’t been on here a while. But decided to write real quickly. About a subject I feel probably too strongly about. Why I like the AnnxJoker ship in P5.

Now first off I respect why AnnxRyuji is way more popular. It gets a lot of cute ship bait treatment in both the game and anime. They’re similar, clearly close and care about each other. I get it. But personally I’m not a fan for two reasons.

One I’m just not a fan of the whole bickering will they won’t they thing. I get that it’s cute and harmless and very real to some. But I’ve been in a relationship like that. And it eventually dissolved. Because we realized all we did anymore was fight. And the happy moments that counterbalanced this were fewer and farther between. It was a big growing moment for me. And in my life I’ve tried (unsuccessfully but tried nonetheless) to be less combative even if it’s just having fun. So yeah not for me.

Second and I don’t dislike Ryuji. I wanna be clear I do love a lot about his character. And issues I have with the game don’t affect my enjoyment of him. But I hate how he objectifies her. In a way that clearly makes her uncomfortable. Ann states in the game she hates people lusting after her. As it makes her feel like a doll a literal object. And yet throughout Ryuji is leering and making innappropriate comments at her.

I don’t think he’s a bad character. I just think the writers use him as a tool. To accomplish what I hated he most about the game. How Ann’s initial arc is about slut shaming and giving her agency over her body and life. But then once Kamoshida is done the game fetishizes her continual humiliation and discomfort. And even slut shames her itself. (The less said about the pool scene the better)

To be fair the Hero (I have no dog in this name battle) is also complicit in this. See the desert bus scene and the rooftop kiss which I wish it handled differently. But given he’s a silent protagonist much of his actions and intentions for that matter are up to player choice and interpretation.

The moment where I fell in love with the ship though. Is actually her bonus date in the attic at Leblanc. After you’ve already maxed her out. She’s noticeably antsy but there’s an off hand line I thought was really sweet. Where she comments that she doesn’t feel uncomfortable with just the two of you. Despite her spending too much of the game in noticeable discomfort from the attention and advances of various men.

It’s pretty basic. And possibly even something I’m reading too much into. But that scene was so important to me and cemented her as my favorite in the game. It was a happy ending and final conclusion to her arc of gaining confidence in herself. That we frankly never got in the main game. And I love that scene and the ship to death for it. That almost begins to right the wrongs the story does to her.

These are just my personal feelings. Not a thesis statement or attempt to start an argument. I’m also a big fan of AnnxShiho and think it’s arguably the stronger ship. But I do really love AnnxHero.

If you read all this rambling thanks. Here’s a scene from the new Mementos mission manga for your troubles. I love whenever she’s protective of him. Reminds me of when she was all scared for him during the solo arena fight in the Casino.