Something I think goes underappreciated about Persona 4 is the way that it gives you all the tools you need to solve its greatest mysteries if you put the time in to explore. There are special NPC interactions throughout the year with plot relevant characters like the Moel Gas Station attendant, Mitsuo Kubo, and Namatame that give insights to their roles in the story.
Take the attendant, for example:
This character ONLY appears on rainy days. Persona 4 teaches you that rainy days are important. The Midnight Channel, your rescue deadlines, all of it links back to rain, so if you go to the gas station on those days, you get dialogue. This NPC is never available on any other day. So, if you catch onto this pattern, the gas station attendant becomes more significant than if you never explore the town on rainy days and just focus on your story objectives, Social Links, etc.
But it's not just the gas station attendant. This applies to other plot significant characters, too.
Taro Namatame is a special NPC who only appears around set dates in the game's calendar, but one who appears throughout the entire story. The game teaches you he's important by giving him a portrait. Portrait characters are always going to be more meaningful, which actually makes the gas station attendant a fascinating subversion by having a distinct design and even a voice actor in his introduction, but not a portrait until the game's final day.
But if you interact with Namatame, you will get insight to his feelings and get early evidence that he did not kill Saki or Mayumi Yamano. If you explore, if you investigate, you will have the tools you need months in advance to confront the game's red herrings and see through the fog.
But you have to put in the effort. You have to commit yourself to the investigation and leave no stone unturned. Persona 4 embraces the mystery genre even in its game design by encouraging exploration and interaction with Inaba itself.
Mitsuo is another example. He's introduced earlier with a portrait and appears on the overworld for a few months before he becomes plot relevant. During this time, you do get glimmers of... possible concern intermixed with his less pleasant personality.
But he genuinely is furious at the police for their inability to catch the killer. He may not be nice, he may look creepy, and he may be a copycat killer who wants the attention, but with his dungeon painting this action as a result of social ostracization, expulsion, and possibly even neglect, he becomes a much more layered, if ultimately still antagonistic character. For more on that, I recommend this tumblr post.
So, once again, you are given a hint that he's a red herring, if you pay attention, remember those interactions, and ruminate on them.
There are other really cool NPC interactions that update throughout the game, like the shopkeepers, but I bring these examples up specifically because they demonstrate how Persona 4's game design sets you up with all the tools you need to solve the case that I think go underdiscussed.
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Kirby: Mysterious Incident on the Pupupu Train! - Chapter 2: Pupupu Train, Ready to Depart!
Previous Chapter
Finally, the day of departure arrived. Kirby arrived at the Dream Land station that was built next to Castle Dedede with the hopes of being the first to ride it. There was still a lot of time left before departure, but Kirby was so excited that he couldn’t wait. At the gate stood a station attendant wearing a cool hat.
“Good morning, sir. Thank you for riding the Pupupu Train today. May I see your ticket?” The attendant said to Kirby.
“Ok!”
He showed the attendant the ticket he was given in advance. The attendant took a scissors-like tool and clipped it with a “snip”.
“Ahhh! Why’d you cut my ticket!? That’s important!” Kirby exclaimed in surprise.
“It’s a way to show that the station attendant saw the guest’s ticket. It’s old-fashioned, but it’s a tradition that the York Railroad Company keeps.” The attendant replied.
“Huuuuuh! That’s interesting!”
Kirby stared at the station attendant. Between the hat on his head and the tool in his hand, he looked cool.
“Hey, Mr. Attendant. I wanna try doing that job.”
“Huh? You?”
“Uh-huh! Please?”
Kirby pleaded, to which the station attendant nodded and smiled.
“Very well. But don’t let your mind wander because it’s a very important job.”
“Got it! Thank you!” Kirby enthusiastically took the hat and ticket gate scissors from the station attendant.
~~~~~~~~
As it became closer to the departure time, the citizens who were passengers arrived at the station one after the other.
“Please show me your ticket. If you do not have a ticket to the planet Baspa, you cannot board the train.” Kirby said while in front of the ticket gate.
“Huh? Kirby?” The passengers were surprised.
“Why is Kirby doing the station attendant’s job?” Chilly asked.
“I asked the station attendant if I could because I thought it was cool!”
“Sounds good. That hat really fits you, Kirby.”
The next one to show up was King Dedede. He was no longer wearing his usual gown, but a yellow vest and a navy-blue jacket. On the jacket’s chest was the emblem of the Pupupu Train. On his head was no longer a crown, but a red station master’s hat.
“King Dedede... what’s up with your outfit?” Kirby asked, to which Dedede replied in excitement.
“Call me “station master”! I’ve become the station master of Dream Land station!”
“...huh? Then does that mean it’s fine if we call you Station Master Dedede since you’re not a king anymore?”
“Nah, I didn’t stop being a king. Call me King Station Master Dedede!”
Someone tapped Dedede’s back, who then became flustered.
“Can you let me through? It’s almost time to depart.”
“Hmm? Who dares to speak so brazenly to the station master...”
Dedede looked back and let out a startled scream.
“Meta Knight!? What do you want?!”
There stood Meta Knight and his subordinates. His subordinates were dragging a large suitcase.
“What I want is a strange thing to ask. This is a station, correct? For what reason would I come here other than to ride a train?” Meta Knight calmly answered.
“No way, are you also riding the Pupupu Train?!”
“I am. As you can see, I have a ticket.” He showed Kirby his ticket.
“You don’t even need to ride a train, don’t you? You can go anywhere with that battleship Halberd!” Dedede said with a grimace.
Meta Knight chuckled softly. “Sometimes it's not so bad to get away from the Halberd. That’s why I wanted to take the train.”
“Right! Right! The experience of riding a train is important to us warriors!”
“And even the Halberd needs to rest once in a while.”
“And the beaches and hot springs seem fun!”
His subordinates, the Meta Knights, shouted enthusiastically as they headed to the platform in excitement. The last to join them was Captain Vul. He was the only one that was not ecstatic like the other subordinates. Rather, he had an even more stern face than usual.
“What’s wrong, Captain Vul? You don’t look so well.” Kirby asked while clipping his ticket.
“...no, it’s nothing.” Vul answered, but there was definitely something wrong. Even his complexion didn’t look that good.
It made Kirby worried.
“Does your stomach hurt? Like you ate too much...?”
Suddenly, Vul raised his voice in anger. “I-i-it’s nothing like that! Absolutely, positively, nothing related to overeating!”
It was a fierce response. While Kirby rolled his eyes, Vul made a thumping footstep before he was gone.
The last to appear was Railroad King York and his three subordinates. Today, he wore an even more elegant suit and had a radiant expression.
“Good morning, King Dedede and Kirby. It’s a fine morning befitting the departure of the Pupupu Train.”
“Uh-huh...” Dedede then asked in surprise. “You’re also gonna ride the train?!”
“Of course.”
“Why don't you just wait on Baspa?”
“I don’t do it like that. Whenever a new line is opened, I always make it a point to board it as a passenger. I cannot tell if a customer is satisfied unless I ride it myself.”
“I see. That’s a really noble gesture.”
“Thank you, King Dedede. Now allow me to introduce to you the crew of the Pupupu Train.”
York looked back at his subordinates, who were waiting behind him.
“The driver, the conductor, and the maid who cleans the guest rooms and takes care of the customers. Every one of them is enthusiastic about their work and a skilled veteran in their field.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you!” The three people said cheerfully as they bowed. Each of them was wearing a neat uniform and had a serious expression.
Then York spoke. “Then we will finally be departing. King Dedede, Kirby, you both should board the...”
“Alright! Let’s go!”
Dedede threw off his station master jacket. Underneath, he had a floral printed shirt and pants, completely like that of a resort. It was a sight to behold for York.
“Oh, what good preparation! As expected of the Great King Dedede!”
“Ha ha ha! I’ve got it covered! Now, Pupupu Train, let’s depart to the resort planet!”
“Departing!”
Kirby shouted together with Dedede before they both ran to the platform. York then spoke to the crew in a calm, gentlemanly tone.
“It’s great to see that everyone in Dream Land seem to be enjoying themselves. Well, shall we be going?”
“Yes, sir!”
The crew headed to the train.
~~~~~~~~
The bell announcing the train’s departure rang loud, and finally the Pupupu Train began to move. It rumbled along the track that stretched into the sky. The scenery of Dream Land from the train became smaller and smaller.
The inside of the train was in a festive mood. Everyone was frolicking in their respective rooms, cheering in the aisles, and unable to contain their excitement.
“Wow! Amazing! This is even comfier than my home!”
“The bed and sofa are so soft! It’s like a lavish hotel!”
While everyone’s voices echoed, Chef Kawasaki was the one who seriously got down to work. His station was the dining car and the kitchen. The kitchen car was equipped with a large oven and sink that would have been at home in a first-class restaurant.
“Hyaah! What wonderful equipment! It may be better than my own restaurant!”
Chef Kawasaki was excited. Behind the kitchen car is the food car, which had a giant refrigerator and freezer that could hold a large amount of meat and vegetables.
“This train is like a dream! I’m itching to put my skills to use!”
He brought the ingredients from the food car and began to cook immediately. Today is the first day of the memorable trip, so a big party will be held with all the passengers gathered there. It was a time for Chef Kawasaki to show off his skills.
“I have to make the best feast I can so everyone can enjoy it! Roast beef, shark fin soup, salmon carpaccio, in-bone steak...”
He prepared delicious food one after the other.
~~~~~~~~
The scheduled time arrived for the party to begin. The smell of the cooking was mesmerizing to the passengers gathered in the dining car.
“Is that hamburgers? I wanna eat them now!”
“I’m starving! Start the party already!”
As if responding to everyone’s hungry voices, York smiled. “We shall begin the party that celebrates the start of a wonderful journey. But first, a toast from King Dedede!”
“Okay!”
King Dedede raised a glass full of orange juice.
“Then, in celebration of the Pupupu Train’s opening, cheers!”
“Cheers!” Everyone raised their glasses in unison.
Chef Kawasaki and the Waddle Dees who helped him laid the dishes on the tables one after the other.
“We made a lot of food! Have as much as you like!”
Kawasaki’s words gave great joy to the passengers.
“I wanna eat the super-hot magma stew! Then the super-hot hot dog and the super-hot mapo dofu!”
“I want the sherbet cold tofu. And the ice oden and the blizzard salad!”
“I want meat! Bring me more and more meat! And bring me the roast beef and bone-in steak, it’s not enough!”
“Me, too! Gimme seconds of corn cream croquettes and nikuman and tempura udon and curry rice and French fries and... and...!”
In addition to the feast that was prepared, everyone’s orders were brought out.
“I have Chef Kawasaki’s cooking all the time, but when I eat it in the dining car, it tastes even better.” Walky said.
“I agree!”
“It’s so romantic with the galaxy spreading outside the window. I’ve never had a meal like this before!” Bouncy said with a hopping bounce.
“It’s so fresh though it’s on a moving restaurant! This trip is getting more and more exciting!” Knuckle Joe said while eating a massive hamburger.
Meta Knight and his subordinates were also enjoying a lovely meal at their table.
“This is delicious! I’ve never had such delicious gratin before!”
Javelin Knight shouted, sounding deeply moved while Trident Knight smiled.
“The food on the Halberd was nutritious and delicious, but it’s nothing compared to the food Chef Kawasaki makes! This piping hot pizza is the best!”
While the Meta Knights were engrossed in their meal, Axe Knight suddenly spoke.
“Hm? You haven’t eaten much, Captain Vul. Is it not palatable to you?”
Captain Vul, who had only eaten a small salad, was already putting down his fork and knife.
“Yes, it’s not my most favorite flavor. I prefer the food on the Halberd.” Vul replied with a grim look.
“Is that so? For a great trip like this, that’s too bad.”
“No, it’s ok. Never mind me.”
Next, dessert was brought out.
“Waah! That pudding looks delicious!”
“Ice cream with blueberry sauce! My favorite!”
“There’s so many bite-size cakes! I don’t know what to eat!”
Everyone cheered and Chef Kawasaki said with a smile. “We’re going to have a tea party the afternoon after tomorrow. I’m thinking of trying a new cake recipe. Look forward to it!”
“A tea party?! Uwaah! Sounds fun!”
The passengers clapped their hands in joy. At that moment, Captain Vul suddenly stood up. He looked horribly unhappy and his beak was quivering.
“What’s wrong, Captain Vul?” Javelin Knight asked in surprise.
“...I don’t feel well! Lord Meta Knight, forgive me, but please excuse me.” He bowed towards Meta Knight and left the dining car.
The Meta Knights looked at each other.
“What’s wrong with him? He was acting really weird.”
“His face was so gloomy and he barely ate anything.”
“It’s weird. I can’t believe that he didn’t even touch dessert. He might be sick.”
“What should we do, Lord Meta Knight?” When Axe Knight asked that, Meta Knight replied.
“Don’t worry about it. He might be anxious because this is his first time riding a train. He should be fine after a good night sleep.”
“That’s right.”
After hearing what Meta Knight said, the Meta Knights relaxed and continued to enjoy their meal.
~~~~~~~~
It was an extremely fun party.
But no one expected the terrible commotion that would ensue that night.
No one could have predicted it.
-
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