#it's up to interpretation and headcanons who Kanji is or isn't breaking up with but i imagine Naoto or maybe yu

[ammstify]

A few months ago, I read an exchange between a mutual of mine and a person about their experience with Persona 4 Golden, more specifically, about the queer writing within it, how they felt about Naoto Shirogane's story, and how the game treated (or mistreated) Naoto's gender identity.

Today, I decided I wanted to put in my two cents and discuss the truth of what Naoto Shirogane's social link/story is ACTUALLY about (at least, from my own interpretations while using empirical evidence from the game!)

***BIG FAT NOTE: To avoid controversy, but also out of personal preference and headcanon, I will be referring to Naoto by they/them pronouns.

This does NOT MEAN I AM TRANSPHOBIC! I am a queer person who imagines Naoto as genderfluid, similar to Haruhi Fujioka from Ouran High School Host Club, but if you view Naoto as a transman, that is PERFECTLY OKAY! I have no judgement for those who do, and support many headcanons, including Kanji Tatsumi being bisexual, or Yosuke being a closeted gay guy!

(Also spoilers for Persona 4 Golden's major story beats and Naoto Shirogane's Social Link!!)

Let's begin with a general summary of the story prior to entry into Naoto's Social link, which can be accessed as early as

We first meet Naoto Shirogane, a young male-presenting detective known as the "Detective Prince" by the media, who we find talking to Kanji, believing that he may be the next victim in the recent rising kidnapping cases. We learn through both Naoto and our uncle that Naoto was sent to Inaba for the purpose of aiding the local police department. For what purpose? To provide aid in investigating the increasingly bizarre murder cases and the kidnappings of local teenagers, much to the chagrin of both Dojima, Adachi, and many of the older officers presiding over the case.

After the return to school from summer break, as well as the rescuing of both Kanji and Rise by the Investigation Team, Naoto enrolls at Yasogami High School as a first year student, attracting the attention of all students, especially the female students who find Naoto to be handsome. He even receives multiple love letters from girls, yet remains disinterested, finding romance to be "entangling" and "callow". The boys on the other hand though are a bit mixed about Naoto, with some jealous of the interest he gets from girls, while others find Naoto to be cool and suave.

Eventually, we interact a bit more with Naoto during the investigations about the disappearance of Mitsuo Kubo, after the recent murder of local Yasogami High School teach Kinshiro Morooka. Many individuals, including our own team, the police department, and Naoto believe that Mitsuo is the true culprit and murderer of the prior cases, and the kidnappings.

As we question Naoto though, they become annoyed and question why we're so involved in this case, and why it matters to us. The group, and the protagonist himself, answers that its for justice and to seek the truth, which leaves Naoto a bit surprised and perplexed, as if they didn't expect that. It leaves Naoto contemplating as we hurry off to save Mitsuo from the Shadow World, and prevent him from dying so he can face justice.

But, after Mitsuo is apprehended, we come to find out that Naoto ends up becoming the next victim, despite deciding that the case was over and done.

Knowing all this and what comes next, you might think "oh, so Naoto's story is about his struggle with being a female at birth, and wanting to transition!" Not exactly...

This is where we get to the point of my post; Naoto's story isn't just about gender, sex, or sexism within the police force, its about age.

Specifically, how people perceive and treat Naoto based on their age, and how Naoto molds their appearance to affect that perception!

Let's first start with analyzing the main elephant in the room, Shadow Naoto. Prior to the battle, when we finally find the boss room, Shadow Naoto isn't acting like a woman or someone repressed by a sexist establishment; Shadow Naoto acts like a lonely child, begging for Naoto to not leave while sobbing and clinging to them.

The Shadow questions why Naoto is leaving, with Naoto rejecting it as they attempt to leave. Instantly, the Shadow's personality changes to a deluded attempt at maturity, as it states "These childish gestures are no mere affection..." and implies quotes from adults like "You're only a child" and "Keep out of our business kid."

This is definitely shown throughout the story and when we meet Naoto, who in comparison to their peers, whom of which adore them regardless if they present as male, female, or otherwise, is treated by adults as one thing; A child.

Even after the reveal of Naoto being a female at birth, neither Dojima, Adachi, or any of the police officers on the investigation change their treatment towards Naoto, viewing them as a child and annoying kid who is ruining their work. They all view Naoto as a rookie, and think that they should be sent back to the city and not meddle with their affairs.

Despite this though, Shadow Naoto regresses back, stating that they want to "be a big boy right now" and how the adults will "see who I am." Many people confuse this for Naoto wanting to be trans, which I admit, I thought so too! But as the conversation continues, we learn that Naoto doesn't necessarily want to be a man.... But be like the detectives in fiction, who are often older, mature, adult men, rather than women, or even teenagers for that matter.

But, even if Naoto were to appear or be a male, none of their older peers in the detective and police forces will ever respect them, because they're a teenager. So, even if they were to go through this change for their body using the machine created by Shadow Naoto, they would never truly be happy. This is further implied during the battle with Shadow Naoto, who states that "children can't do anything at all!"

We eventually fight our way through the battle, where in the end Naoto is left vulnerable as they explain the truth; Naoto is indeed a female at birth, who as a child, lost both their parents and was raised by their grandfather. Due to depression and struggling to make friends, Naoto read detective novels to pass their time, and fell in love with the idea of becoming a detective, both like their parents, grandfather, and the ones in the novels.

Over time, they began to aid their grandfather with his clients, earning them the nickname "Junior Detective." But even with their intelligence, not many accept their collaboration with cases due to their age. There, they wisely then state that "But though I will one day change from a child to an adult, I will never change from a woman to a man..."

They reveal that their gender and sex on the other hand didn't fit their image of an ideal detective, representing the lack of women in the force at the time, and a struggle with their own identity because of this. They state that it would give officers another reason to look down on them, saying that "no one would need me anymore..."

But, through the support of Kanji and Yukiko, they realize that its not about age or gender, but the fact that they shouldn't have to listen to the misguided judgment of adults. Nor do they have to change theirself to fit others views, and should be comfortable with their own body and age. And with a smile, they accept their Shadow, and create their Persona, Sukuna-Hikona!

(Who btw, is a male Persona, similar to how Ken's Persona, Nemesis, in Persona 3's was female! Perhaps this is due to Naoto's ideal idea of a detective/their grandfather, like how Ken's might reflect his mother and his view of her being strong?)

Next, we then focus upon their Social Link!

Over the entire course of Naoto's social link, they are sent upon a scavenger hunt around Inaba, led by a series of mysterious cards written by an anonymous person who calls theirself a "Phantom Thief" (later to be revealed to be Naoto's grandfather). When we go to the respective locations listed on each card though, we come across a series of various clues and seven detectives tools that relate to their love of mystery novels.

Some of these tools include:

A handmade detectives badge

A children's digital watch, with a bright backlight meant to blind enemies

A ballpoint pen that functions as a penlight and telescope

A knife-shaped radio

And a detectives pocketbook

Seeing these objects help Naoto remember their childhood, and make them realize what they have been longing for all along: To be seen. According to Naoto, when they were young, their parents passed away, leaving them to live with their grandfather. Because of this, Naoto was fairly lonely and had little to no friends, and spent much of their childhood enjoying detective novels, admiring their grandfather, and wanting to be like a detective.

This formulated not only their want to be seen as an adult, but as a male adult due to most detectives in their novels being depicted as such, hence Naoto's more mature personality, but also style of dress. They often try to take care of theirself and do things by theirself, out of fear of not being seen as mature or feminine.

Despite that though, Naoto realizes that not only do they not have to be seen as an adult, since they are only a teen, but also to accept help from others including the protagonist. This is especially shown when you meet Yakushiji, the secretary of Naoto's grandfather, who was sent to Inaba in order to send the protagonist and Naoto on the scavenger hunt. The purpose was to aid Naoto in not only gaining friends, but to also "regain the joy (she) felt in days past. To regain the feelings of when all that (she) wanted was to be a detective, regardless of (her) heritage or gender..."

They realize that being a detective doesn't mean getting respect or recognition, regardless of your age or gender, and remember why they wanted to become one: To help people by solving the mysteries that intrigued them.

And lastly, this means the entirety of Naoto's social link was focused on helping Naoto live in the present, and enjoy their life not only as a teen, but look fondly on their past when they were a child. This in turn allows Naoto to be more willing to be seen as immature like a teenager, and enjoy the joys of being a teen more happily with their friends, but also realize how they want to help their friends and Inaba, and bring the killer to justice.

In the end, while gender is a fairly large part of Naoto's story, age is also just as equally important if not moreso, and together, Naoto's realization helps them better understand theirself and be their true self: A young teenage detective, who loves their friends and family, and only wants the approval of those that love them and their own. Not from their peers or the adults around them.

(Also wanna note cause I saw this: ASKING NAOTO TO DRESS IN THE GIRLS UNIFORM IS OPTIONAL, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO DO IT! I don't know if Naoto will still wear it during the Christmas date, but as far as I'm aware, that dialogue choice is once again OPTIONAL.)

Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed this analysis, and maybe learned a bit more stuff about Naoto that you might've not expected!

[thatlittledandere]

Yosuke always knows exactly what to say