#regardless Ann and Shiho love each other

[onceuponalegendbg]

Persona 5 Drabble (Beautiful Rose Has Thorns)

Attention, I'm putting up a trigger warning for this. It's nothing super descriptive or in depth but this will be dealing with feelings about stuff that happens during the Kamoshida arc. Slight mentions of life or death ideations and physical/sexual harrassment. I just wanted to let you all know. Of course if you've played the game then you know what I'm talking about.

Shiho always made fun of her for her lack of acting ability, but Ann likes to think she’s gotten pretty good at putting on a smile. After all, Shiho doesn’t know everything, and Ann doesn’t want her to. Everyone else may believe the rumors, and as much as that stings, it’s worth it in the end. It has to be. Because Ann’s only light in the world is her best friend. She’s the whole reason she plasters on all those smiles around Kamoshida.

Wires pull the corners of her lips up, and something inside her revolts. Every time he looks at her she wants to rub her skin until it bleeds. He’s not even seeing her, she knows. She’s just a pretty, little doll, something he wants to play with, something to possess. She’s not stupid. Not about this.

Just keep smiling, she tells herself. Shiho’s future depends on this. It’s a broken mantra in her head. A reflex more than an actual thought she conjures up at this point. But it keeps her moving, keeps her here. Keeps her from…

Because she loves Shiho, and Shiho deserves the world.

The rumors keep getting worse, and there’s always a new one waiting to be told just around the corner. Sure, sometimes she gets a break and someone else will be the subject of gossip. Others get a few lines of consideration circulated like the hottest news. But inevitably, it all circles back to her. The worst part is she’s starting to believe them.

She’s got Kamoshida eating out of the palm of her hand. She’s leading him on. She’s trying to keep all his attention. She gave him her number. She’s been spotted in his car. From the outside, she knows how this looks. After all, some of the rumors are true.

Maybe they’re right. Maybe this is all her fault. Maybe she deserves this.

And he keeps asking for more, of course he does. Because he can. He’s untouchable. He has all the control. So, he takes and takes and takes. Ann doesn’t know how much she can give before there’s nothing left, and even the strings holding her smile in place snap from being pulled too taunt.

It’s not all bad though, even now. Amidst the roar of their audience, sometimes there’s a moment of quiet, where it’s just her and Shiho. For just a moment, Ann can pretend that these moments are all that matter, that she doesn’t feel so, so tired. These moments have become so scarce. Precious. They’re all that’s holding Ann together.

Until April.

Ann’s felt like she’s been performing by herself for so long that it knocks her completely off balance when someone else comes up and takes their final bow before her.

Shiho stands on the edge of the roof.

Shiho lays on the grass below.

Something breaks. Something’s been broken. Ann doesn’t know what. Something. And she can’t even reconcile what it is until she hears Carmen’s voice.

There’s no more pretending now.

------------

Staring down the pitiful creature before her, Ann feels flames licking at her skin.

It gets on its knees.

It begs.

It whimpers.

And it’s just not fair. The pathetic would-be demon is what caused all this heartache, all this despair. It drove Shiho to…

Carmen hovers behind her, waiting, flame at the ready in her palm.

This worthless little worm almost snuffed out all the light in Ann’s world.

The boys leave the Shadow’s fate to her. It’s them letting her take some control back. Here she is. Persona towering over all of them, fire dancing around its fingers. She could do it. She wouldn’t even feel bad about it. She wouldn’t lose any sleep over it.

But the thing in front of her doesn’t deserve something so merciful. It deserves to rot. Kamoshida deserves to live with the memories and be crushed by the guilt of his actions until he can barely breathe without sobbing at what he’s done.

Morgana calls her kind. He doesn’t understand. There’s nothing kind about how she feels right now.

--------------

Shiho opens her eyes. Ann cries.

For the first time since everything came crashing down, she sobs. Brown eyes look at her and Ann can’t breathe without choking on tears. Everything hits her all at once and she nearly falls to her knees outside Shiho’s room.

It’s everything. It’s relief and joy. It’s sorrow and grief. It’s the knowledge that Shiho’s alive. It’s the fact that she almost wasn’t. Ann feels it all, allows herself to feel it all now that she’s seen those beautiful eyes.

They both apologize to each other, for everything and nothing. All the things they should have said, could have done. They go around in circles blaming themselves before Shiho stops them, interlocking her fingers with Ann’s.

She smiles, small and tired but so full of love.

And for the first time in years, tears and all, Ann smiles back from the bottom of her heart.

[phantom-thieves-official]

I adore pegoryu as a ship or just as platonic soulmates and now you all will listen to me talk abt why.

First and foremost they have so much chemistry together no matter how you read their relationship. They have the closest relationship of any of the thieves. Even outside of his confidant hangouts, Ryuji calls Joker to talk when he's feeling unsure or worried or when he's got something on his mind. I don't remember anyone else relying on Joker in this way outside of their confidant. That doesn't mean it doesn't happen, but it surely doesn't happen as much as it does with Ryuji. I think the bond and trust between Ryuji and Joker is the most elaborated on and fleshed out bond in the game. He's also the only one who you can hang out with on their birthday, despite some of the other thieves' birthdays falling after you get their confidant. So romantic or platonic, they have the closest, most established bond among the group.

Also I'm OBSESSED w the way they meet and I have so so many thoughts on them stemming from this. All of the Thieves are outcasts who struggle to fit in with their peers for various reasons, but Joker and Ryuji's situations are such good parallels to each other. They both have gotten in trouble and are labeled bc of that, regardless of if their actions were justified. They're both labeled as delinquents, troublemakers, dangerous people despite never having done anything to legitimately earn that reputation. Joker awakened Arsene to save Ryuji - sure Joker himself is in danger too, but the catalyst is that if Joker does nothing, Ryuji will be killed. I do believe Joker would have awakened to save ANYONE in that situation, but it wasn't anyone. It was Ryuji. They could’ve written it in to be anyone but they made it Ryuji. And before that, Ryuji is willing to stay behind and put himself in danger so Joker can run. So there's this parallel between their stories and their general ride-or-die 'we're strangers but I will put myself in harm's way to help you' nature. Like how am I supposed to NOT adore the fact that they BOTH have early character moments where they are looking to protect each other, even though they're strangers? They're also the two shown most willing to blindly help others regardless of what it means for them: Joker helping the woman being harassed by Shido and Ryuji in so many ways esp in the early game (notably, telling Akira to run when they first visit Kamoshida's palace, going back for the cognitive volleyball members, and being spurred into action against Kamoshida by Shiho's suicide attempt).

Anyway moving on. I think far far too often about how it's Ryuji's voice and words that activate the nav. They meet that day as if by fate. Ryuji says the keywords to get them into the palace and that allows them to learn of the metaverse. It's the meeting with Ryuji that sets EVERYTHING else into motion. Like BRO the POETRY in that. I’m SOOOO into the idea that it was fate or whatever and they would’ve met and been friends and loved each other no matter what, like they would’ve ended up together in some capacity no matter what they did bc it was meant to be. They were meant to meet that day and discover the metaverse and change their lives and the world forever. Absolutely obsessed w it (also, it's such a sweet romantic sorta scene w Ann, and then. Ryuji's there, too. Standing under the awning in the rain surrounded by cherry blossoms.... it's so sweet and the meeting w Ryuji is juxtaposed right against the obv kinda dreamy romantic meeting w Ann. Like hello????)

Ryuji shows Joker kindness even when be knows of Joker's reputation. Ryuji is a warm person and he shows it most to Joker. And Joker learns about Ryuji's past and still sticks by him, as well. They show each other the kindness nobody else has bothered to offer. Hell, the ending of Ryuji's confidant all but explicitly states that Joker was the first person after the track incident to look beyond the reputation and rough facade to give him a chance. And ofc Ryuji fills the same role in return - he's the first person to see Joker and think maybe he's not the bad guy they say he is. They find kindness and support in each other when they couldn't find it anywhere else. Like.... they mutually support each other, they provide the other w kindness when the world has been cruel and turned it's back on them.

I just love their dynamic, I love the parallels in their characters, and it makes a satisfying narrative imo if they end up together based on their relationship and how close they are. Plus, most of the romance options feel forced imo w little to no evidence in their interactions to suggest they're even esp close as friends, let alone as romantic partners. Ryuji and Joker's care, love [even if interpreted as strictly platonic] and general devotion to each other though is made so clear. Like dude Ryuji outright tells Joker he feels free with him and that he believes their places in life are next to each other. Platonic, romantic, or something else, these two are fucking soulmates man.

(Side note, Ryuji's farewell gift is a sport's watch and the flavor text says it's the same as his own so. Matching watches??? Bro??)

[princekirijo]

Right ok so it's Ann's birthday and I don't have enough energy to draw so why not throw together a few headcanons I have for her:

She listens to a lot of English songs (as in songs in the English language). Some of her favorites are Britney Spears, Mitski, Chloe Moriondo, Doja Cat and MARINA.

I saw a post where someone said she'd be really good at Physics and I adore that hc so yes English and Physics are her strong subjects. Shout out to whoever made that post (I'll credit them if I find them)

Her least favorite subjects are PE (if that counts) and History.

She can cook but she's much better at baking. She makes cupcakes for Phantom Thief meetings every so often.

She and Yusuke are fashion buddies and they go shopping together (Ann always treats him to lunch despite his protests).

In that same vain she has taken every single one of the thieves shopping at some point even Morgana.

She is a fantastic listener and gives pretty good advice.

Ann does end up trying harder at her modelling job but she doesn't start dieting or doing any of that crazy shit that models are expected to do. Instead she just keeps herself healthy and ends up advocating for the destruction of the toxic beauty standards in the modeling industry (this is more so when she gets older but you know)

I also like to think she kept her dream of being an action actress and did end up starring in a few movies/TV shows.

Because of both of the above headcanons she meets Yukari. They become best buddies and she also gets to meet Mitsuru and they become best buddies too.

Yukari low-key adopts Ann and makes sure she's always safe and happy at photoshoots and the like. I imagine the dynamic between her, Mitsuru and Ann is like baby lesbian (Ann) looking up to older sapphic couple (yukamitsu) if you get what I mean.

Also yeah Ann's a lesbian it's in her name (lesbiann 💀)

Shiho was definitely her first crush, regardless of who she ends up with. She realized she liked girls when her mom told her it's not common place for friends to kiss each other when saying goodbye (she was like 14 💀)

When she realized she had a crush on her she spent the majority of her nights lying in bed with girl in red blasting in her earphones (no I'm not projecting)

Idk why but I feel like she's really good with kids.

She definitely keeps an eye on younger models and makes sure there's no one harassing them (she's definitely kicked creeps for doing that)

She loves RPGs with some of her favorites being Chrono Trigger and Kingdom Hearts (I haven't played either of those but they are high on my list).

Her favorite movies are: Legally Blonde, Devil Wears Prada and Tarzan

She gets emotional very easily and cries a lot. However she rarely cries in front of others because she doesn't want to make people feel bad cause she's crying.

Her relationship with her parents isn't great and she doesn't feel close to them at all.

Growing up she didn't celebrate her birthday much because her parents weren't around so when the thieves find this out they decide to go all out for her birthday

They throw her a massive surprise party in Leblanc and they manage to invite Shiho (because by this point she's probably moved but that does depend on when you complete Ann's confidant.

From then on the thieves and all of her new friends (read yukamitsu) make sure that her birthdays are always celebrated just as she deserves :]

[blackhakumen]

Mini Fanfic #788: After a Cliff Falling Experience (SSBU X Persona 5)

3:40 p.m. at Smash Mansion's Living Room.........

It was a relaxing, peaceful day at the mansion for the Phantom Thieves (Shiho and Lavenza included) as they watch some TV together. That is until......

'Door Open'

Pit: (Weakly Made his Way to the Living Room While Being Covered in Ashes) I'm.....hoooooome......(Fells Down on the Floor in Exhaustion)

'THUD'

Phantom Thieves: (Eyes Widened in Complete Shock Once They've Seen Pit Lay on the Ground) PIT!?

Makoto: Oh my god! (Immediately Makes her Way to Pit Along with the Others) Are you okay!? (Starts Helping Pit Back Up With Ren's Assistance)

Pit: ('Groans a Bit in Pain') Yeah......I think so....

Futuba: Dude, what happened to you?

Ann: Yeah. And why are you covered in ashes?

Lavenza: Were you hit by a nearby fire perhaps?

Pit: Not exactly.....I was uhh....(Starts Rubbing the Back of his Head Back and Forth While Chuckling a bit Awkwardly) Kind of, sort of got thrown off a cliff......

Phantom Thieves: You WHAT!!?

Yusuke: Who on Earth would do such a thing!?

Pit: I dunno....Some guy name Kazuya or some-

Ryuji: Waitwaitwait! You said Kazuya?

Shiho: As in THE KAZUYA MISHIMA!?

Pit: Uh....I think that's what his me is, yeah.

Ryuji: (Eyes Widened in Complete Shock as He's Almost Speechless) Holy fucking shit.......

Shiho: (Covers her Mouth in Complete Shock) Oh my god.....

Ann: (Turns Ryuji and Shiho in a Not of Confusion) You guys know him or something?

Ryuji: KNOW HIM!? That's the guy from Tekken!?

Shiho: He's the guy with literal devil powers!!!

Lavenza: (Eyes Widened in Genuine Surprise) Oh my.....

Ren: Ah yeah.....Tekken. (Turns to Ryuji) I remember you telling me about it that time school. (Turns to Pit) What makes you wanna go after that guy?

Pit: Well, for starters, we really haven't heard from Ganondorf all day yesterday. So Kirby and I decided to look for him all night. Once we eventually arrived at this....Volcanic Mountain looking place, the first thing we saw was that Kazuya guy carrying Ganondorf to a cliff and throwing off there.

Ryuji: (Eyes Widened in Complete Shock) FOR REAL!?

Haru: (Couldn't Believe What She's Hearing) I-I don't understand! Why would he do such a thing!?

Pit: I'm not entirely sure myself, but he did say something about wanting to fight worthy opponents or whatever.

Yusuke: So he's like Ryu then?

Ryuji: Yes......

Shiho: ......And no..... He's way more cold and ruthless than Ryu is in his Messatsu Form.

Ryuji: And that's all because the whole Mishima Family in general was messed up from the start.....

Ann: (Turns to Ryuji and Shiho) How do you two know all of this?

Ryuji: Shiho and I used to play a lot Tekken growing up.

Shiho: (Smiles Softly at her Girlfriend) You should play it with us sometime, Ann. It's really fun.

Ann: (Shrugs While Smiling at her Girlfriend) Sure. I'm down.

Makoto: Guys, we're going off topic here! (Turns Back to Pit) How exactly did you gotten yourself like this? Did you.....

Pit: Yeah....I tried to fight myself, but...beat me to the punch. (Winces a bit in Pain While Placing His Hand on his Stomach) literally.... And then after that, he tries throwing Kirby off the cliff too-

Everyone: He WHAAAAAAAAAAAAT!?

Pit: (Gets Startled by Everyone's Sudden Outburst Before Speaking Again) Y-Yeah. After I got beaten up and thrown off a cliff, he immediately grabs Kirby by the head and threw him out there too!

Futuba: (Had Enough) OKAY, SERIOUSLY!? What is with this guy and throwing people off CLIFFS!!!?

Pit: That's what I wanted to know!! It's like he has some kind of sick, twisted enjoyment out of it too! I even saw a glimpse of him smirking while I was falling!

Ryuji: I mean, he was thrown off a cliff when he was six. So.......

Futuba: (Starts Pinching her Nose in Disbelief) Oh my freaking God........

Makoto: (Turns to Pit) Pit, do you have any idea where Kirby must've fallen down to once you were on the ground?

Pit: I.... can't say that I do really. All I remembered is seeing was Kazuya preparing to toss Kirby off there with me. After that, I blackouted....

Ren: Wait a minute. Couldn't Kirby fly or-

Ann: I'mma kill him.

Ren/Makoto/Pit: (Slowly Turn their Heads at Ann with a Surprised Look on Each of their Faces) What?

Ann: (Turns to the Trio With Anger in Her Eyes) You heard me. I don't know who this Kazuya guy is and I don't care at this point!! I am going to find the jackass and pulverize him myself!!

Shiho: (Turns to Ann with a Determined Look on her Face) I'll go with you.

Ann: (Gently Grab Both of Shiho's Hands) No, Shiho. I don't want him to hurt you.

Shiho: (Gently Squeezes Ann's Hands) It's okay, Ann. I may not have Personas like you guys, but I've been training for a while now. I can fight too.

Ann: ('Sighs in Defeat') Fine. But you are staying right by my side in all of this, alright?

Shiho: (Nodded in Agreement) Right.

Ryuji: (Turns to Girls With Anger in his Eyes as Well) I'm going too! I don't give a damn he has crazy devil powers! Ain't no way I'm letting him get away with hurting our friends like that!!! And maybe even Ganondorf!!

Yusuke: You know.....(Puts on a Dark Look in his Eyes) It has been a long time since I've used my blade in action.....

Haru: (Has a Darken Look on her Eyes as Well) Couldn't agree more.....My axe has gotten quite dull as of late.....

Morgana: Normally I don't join in on the violence bandwagon immediately....(Puts on a Anger, Determined Look on his Face) But patience be damn! That devil's paying the piece!!

Haru: Well said, sweetie!!

Morgana: (Turns to Lavenza) Lavenza, you're coming with us?

Lavenza: (Already Has a Darken Look on her Face as Well) Of course.....I will punish thee for his cruel and thoughtless actions that was stow upon our two companions. And I will not hesitate to use my full potential in the process. In other words.....(Summons a Blue Colored Chainsaw on the Palm of Her Hands With a Loud Ripping Sound to Boot) The bastard will pay.

Futuba: (Angrily Pumps her Fist Up in the Air) AH YEAH! Let show that punk who's boss!!

Morgana: (Turns to Futuba) Futuba, you don't even know how to fight.

Futuba: (Pours at Morgana) Oh yes I do! Big sis Sae has already taught me the ropes of Self Defense and everything!

Ryuji: We can talk about that later! Right now..... (Points at the Front Door Fiercely) LET'S GET HIS SORRY ASS!!

Everyone: YEAHHHHHHHH!!!!

Makoto: THAT'S ENOUGH!

Makoto stomps her feet to the ground loud enough to get the rest of the Phantom Thieves' attention.

Makoto: ('Sigh') Calm down and think rationally on this, people! We can't go out there and recklessly fight him like that! He could be powerful enough to stop ALL OF US for all we know!

Ren: Makoto's right, guys. And fighting him is not our main focus at the moment. What we need to do right now is find Kirby and bring him back home.

Lavenza: (Stares at the Couple for a Brief Second Before Sighing in Defeat) The Joker and Queen are right....(Makes the Chainsaw Magically Disappear Out Thin Air) It would be foolish of all of us if we rush in without a proper plan of some kind. We must find Kirby at once.

Ryuji: But how are we gonna him in a huge ass town like this? He could anywhere for all we know!

?????: Poyo!

Ryuji: Hey, Kirby. But as I was saying, I- ('GASPS')

Everyone in the room immediately turns around and sees Kirby happily waving at them.

Kirby: Poyo! Poyo!~

Everyone: (Smiles Brightly at the Smiling Pink Puffball) KIRBY!!~

And with that, everyone (with the exception of Ren, Makoto, and Pit) immediately rushes over to Kirby and express how worried and happy they are about his whereabouts and return.

Makoto: (Watches Everyone in the Background While Sighing in Relief) Well....at least Kirby's back home.

Ren: (Smiles Softly) And not a spec of ashes in his body.

Pit: ('Sighs in Relief and Happiness') I'm so glad......I thought I would actually lose him forever. I would've been really pathetic if that were to happen....

Ren: (Eyes Widened at What Put Just Said) You would've been what now?

Makoto: (Turns to Pit with Worry in her Eyes) Pit, what are you talking about?

Pit: Oh....Well, before or....maybe after Kazuya threw me off of a cliff, he...calls "pathetic".......(Starts to Frown Sadly) And I'm starting think he's rig-

Ren/Makoto: NO HE'S NOT, PIT!!

Ren: Don't believe a SINGLE word from his mouth!!

Makoto: You are NOT pathetic, Pit! And you never will be!

Pit: B-But I lost a fight against him! A-And I wasn't even strong enough to protect Kirby.....

Ren: But Kirby's fine now. He knew he was able to float and use that opportunity to fly away safely.

Pit: I-I mean.... You're right, but-

Makoto: (Gently Place her Hands on Pit's Shoulders) But nothing, Pit. We know what happened to the both of you last night was terrible, but you still did everything you could to stop that man regardless of how strong he was at the time and we couldn't be anymore proud. So please.....(Gently Hugs Pit Lovingly) Don't ever think that way about yourself again.....

Pit: (Almost at a Loss of Words) You guys.....(Tears Starts Falling Down From his Eyes) ('Sniff') I'm sorry.....('Sniff') We didn't mean to worry you....

Ren: (Joins in on the Hug) Hey man, you have nothing to apologize for here.

Makoto: Ren's right. We're just happy that you and Kirby are back home safe.

Ren: We love you, Pit. (Kiss the Top of Pit's Head) Always.

Pit: I....('Sniff') (Gently Hugs Ren and Makoto Back) I love you guys too.....('Sniff') So much.........

@keyenuta

@princekirijo

@caleb13frede

@26shann

@cyber-wildcat

@albion-93

@ma-lemons

[1eos]

on that one post u were like "i have to rewrite narratives to make them better" and im the same way, so i wanted to ask since youre playing p5 rn, what would you change about p5 to make it better? i love all the characters sm... but some of them r just handled so poorly cough cough ann... so im interested in hearing ur thoughts!!

oh im so glad u asked. after 300 hrs in persona 5 i have THOUGHTS. so i think p much every character in p5 has a p good introduction nd base but the nuance of their motivations nd growth go out of the window ESPECIALLY for ann nd ryuji. under the cut ofc bc im a long winded bitch 😔

i would rewrite everything abt ann post kamoshida tbh bc the whole thing abt the first arc was abt women nd kids being treated like objects just to treat her like an object the whole time? hell no. for one her pt outfit would NOT be that. i love a catsuit but the boob window was evil. nd ALSO i would have the male character NOT remark on her body as they get closer actually i would rewrite ryuji to not be flirty towards ann at all bc there's a moment where u find out they went to the same junior high nd knew each other nd i would rather have a kinda reunited sibling vibe bc ann’s whole thing is abt not feeling safe so for her friends to look down her shirt as a joke is.............no.

also her confidant would have to be kinda rewritten. again i think its weird for ann to lament abt her looks making her a target then her goal is to be a model....? nd she has no real drive for it? atlus basically just like to make lovers arcana girls famous PERSONALLY i would make ann’s route abt finding out what she actually wants to do bc she has no passion the way shiho had for volleyball nd finding out who she is beyond her looks nd beyond being shiho’s friend. like ann has no hobbies mentioned in game other than eating sweets nd not doing her homework but it always circle back to her weight 😐

nd bc of the above i would tweak yusukes introduction to be him either wanting to draw the protag bc atlus was so close to like........a good narrative on how artists should love the human body regardless of gender nd spare ann being treated as a walking pair of tits or just him wanting to draw her with her clothes ON nd it being a moment abt capturing inner nd outer beauty rather than tits

who else.........oh ryuji. im tired of atlus turning characters w unexplored trauma into comic relief. they do it to kanji too to the point where its homophobia nd its like.........why? nd there are so many moments where ryuji lashes out then APOLOGIZES bc he recognizes the behavior is bad nd its prime time to explore his relationship w his father. or even explore the relationship w the staff? like every teacher believed lies abt him AND the protag so eye think it wouldve been beneficial to get moments where the public opinion of both u nd ryuji changes for the better once kamoshida is exposed. 

nd honestly that dumbass part of the game where morgana leaves the party couldve been ryuji. i think it wouldve been justified to have him blowing up after the nth time he was treated as a joke or throwaway despite having as much emotional baggage as the rest of them. like ryuji is the first one to stand up to men who bother the girls nd they rag on him for nooooooo reason i think calling everyone out on being so callous nd treating him like comic relief wouldve been better nd it still couldve segued into getting haru bc after he stormed out he couldve seen haru w her shit stain of a fiance nd then jumped in to save her from him..........like i see the vision

akechi............................................................my biggest gripe w the game. akechi is such a weak villain until the very end nd ik atlus wanted to recreate the iconic narrative foil between the p4 protag nd adachi but it doesnt work 😭😭😭 for one akechi is bland nd has no real personality besides being sneaky but WE AS THE AUDIENCE DON’T EVEN GET THAT. actually no first of all making akechi a detective was so fucking stupid like again....they just wanted to recreate naoto from persona 4 but worse. 

i would double down on making akechi joker’s other half. have him be another normal student that stumbled upon powers nd double down on him being fake!!!!!! have him help the party one minute just to actively put them in harms way there was no real rivalry btwn u nd akechi which is why facing him in the end fell flat other than the great voice acting nd twist of him having multiple personas but like......we need more hints! imagine akechi hinting that he sees the velvet room? 

also his route being automatic 🤮 ik p5 was bogged down w links but in my p5 akechi is a night slink thats kinda offputting? like u don’t get closer to him per se but u do see more sides of him nd he can even give u a fake request nd when u go into the metaverse he’s there nd its even weirder. wasted potential with that one

that’s p much all of my big changes other than no kawakami or ohya romance fakfajfkafjakkjf thank u for reading all of this im sorry i talk so much

[sillyfudgemonkeys]

while i think OBJECTIVELY, okumura’s arc was the absolute worst, i also agree that kaneshiro’s was a close second. honestly, for me personally, kaneshiro’s is worst because of my personal hatred of makoto and the fact that the bank arc is never criticized elsewhere (usually praised for the music, makoto’s awakening, and the dungeon of all things) in comparison to okumura’s arc which is universally hated (both in story and dungeon)

I dunno if it can be objectively tbh, writing wise that is (it’s hard to say something subjective is objective in general, nothing against you just....I’ve been grappling with this myself tbh). I do think if there was a measure to something being objectively bad writing wise.......I’d ask these questions (like I’ve said, I’ve been thinking a bit on this for awhile kfdjaslfa;): Is it consistent?, Does it contradict?, Does it make sense? .....first two can be grouped together tbh (and tbh P5 is littered with all three regardless lfkdjsakf;) But yeah I do know I’m hella biased against Makoto (tho it’s because of how dungeon 3 played out that caused me to hate her) so like there’s that. 8U

Anyway time to make an argument as to why the fandom should adopt Kane as the worst arc, under cut:

Dungeon design I won’t defend it, it’s a slog (tbh anything after Mada goes on for waaaaay to long, needs more substance if they’re gonna make us slog through the dungeon for that long, gimme some cutscenes damnit), it really hurts my eyes (I love blue, tbh deserts are my worst enemy with games, cause they hurt my eyes the  most, but they did something with Oku), and I know people HATE the air lock puzzles (I love them aklfdjska;jfa they aren’t that bad tbh, you just kinda go forward). The puzzles are the only reason I don’t mind it kfldjsafj;akjf;

Ngl whenever I think of Oku’s arc writing wise I’m just...”yadda yadda bs fight, yadda yadda go into dungeon meet Haru/Mona, yadda yadda won’t make up, yadda yadda Anne found Haru, yadda yadda having a nice talk with Haru, MAKOTO CHASES HARU AWAY, yadda yadda Haru tries to run us over (did Mona tell her or did she do it on her own, this would be INTERESTING TO EXPLORE ATLUS!), yadda yadda mona got kicked, Haru in trouble, say we will help Haru, go in dungeon, Haru now full Persona, slog through dungeon, Oku’s been doing stuff people have already told us he is doing! :O SHOCKER! slog through dungeon, slog, slog, Oku fight, he bad, Oku dead, Haru says how her dad was poor. Done. 

Is it a boring ass slog where Haru gets sidelined for a dumb fight, a fight that should’ve been written better? Yeah. Now is it consistent/does it contradict? Fore the most part yeah.....I think......There are some questions raised about Goro and the Metaverse (and how Futaba is a shit Navi *cough* good job detecting him when you guys dragged him in >.>....ngl makes me think she......she’d lose to Rise/Fuuka in terms of locating, aka I don’t think locating people is Futaba’s strong suit). But everything else? Yeah, Ryu’s/Mona fight started with Futaba having a moment on the beach and built from there. Only thing really jank is I think it’s Yusuke/Anne who flip flop on thoughts on Oku (I remember this point more from the P5 crit video tbh). And PQ2 lies about why they went after Oku iirc (or there was more to what was going on and yeah....oversimplified it), but that’s PQ2. And they seem to be surprised by what’s happening to the Robots.....despite.....knowing he’s like that..... Does it make sense? Stupidly bt yes, it’s not fun and boring but yeah. Tbh I really need to refresh myself with Oku’s dungeon (I ought to pick Royal back up sakldjfa;jfl blame the move and Smite tbh), because it’s just......bare......and simple....and dumb....and shallow....and boring. (if you have something to add I’d love to hear it, I really need to refresh myself on it cause....Kane’s is just....so much worse imo). 

Ok so low key, surprised people even like the dungeon’s design. Is it cause it’s a bank? Cause it’s kinda bland, doesn’t help Kane’s the least developed antagonist in the entire game (you’d think they counterbalance not seeing him irl with the Shadow but nope). It’s just grey walls and piggy banks. Not really a puzzle (or what is one is easy/can easily have the solution looked up so it’s not really testing the player). I don’t really care for the music (I only think Sae’s and Royal’s is worth listening to iirc, but I also don’t care for P5′s music in general.....). If you like Makoto I can see you liking this dungeon (other than the music) but that’s it. I still don’t get what’s so great about her awakening. She summoned her Persona and hit enemies with it? Great. Is it cause it’s a bike? Or cause she hit enemies with it? I mean I guess if you like the bike (y’all know I hate the thing ksladjf;a so many issues and I think it looks boring/ugly tbh). I swear to god tho, if it’s because she stops her foot.....Anne literally broke out of steel/iron (?) shackles, disarmed a shadow, jumped several feet into the air while swinging a heavy ass steal(?) sword. Anne’s showcased Persona user’s strength, Makoto’s gonna need to raise the bar A LOT higher than “I stomped my foot cause I was angry and then I beat shadows with my persona-I’m special. uwu” :/ (ngl was disenchanted with Yusuke/Mako(and Futaba I guess)’s awakening, Anne’s showcased power, MC showcased blood/brutality, Ryu’s showcased the pain, Futaba’s was just P4 so nothing special, Haru’s only stood out after all that because of how hammy it was, but Yusuke/Mako/Futaba I didn’t care for cause it was stuff I already seen and wasn’t anything new). 

....anyway...onto my three questions for dungeon 3.....Is it consistent/does it contradict? .......so like.....the better question....is when doesn’t it contradict? Anne’s character? We’re gonna act like it’s more her fault so we can make Makoto look better for when we force her on the team, doesn’t matter that we’ve been showing/stating that Anne didn’t know about Kamo’s abuse towards Shiho because of the miscommunication she was having, we’re gonna make it so that she should feel guilty for not having helped Shiho....even tho she WAS helping her just for a different issue. Iirc Mona states something about having Mako be the key, and then the NEXT GOD DAMN SCENE Mako’s acts like it was her idea:

Hi key had a freaking shit fit when I saw this. What do you mean you had this thought? How many people wrote these scenes without communicating with each other???? Mona had the idea??????? Which is why we even brought you along in the first place????? The hell????? It just doesn’t feel connected at all???? 

The game acts like she’s so smart suddenly, and even takes shit that she didn’t even come up with. Acts like she can def be level headed when she LITERALLY JUST RAN INTO A MAFIA DEN CAUSE SHE WAS TINY BIT STRESSED! Claims she has all these adults on her ass, when it’s just one (who backs down when she says no...AND IT WORKS), and the other who is just trying so hard to be a parent and a sister (who they keep wishy washy so we can like her later cause see she’s not all bad! uwu poor Sae ;w;). Acts like her arc is about adults telling her what to do and getting in her way and probably the reason she didn’t help with Kamo....EVEN THO SHE SAYS SHE DIDN’T DO ANYTHING CAUSE SHE DIDN’T CARE! And while it’s contradicted in retrospect, iirc it’s in her CoOp where she’s like “being a prim and proper prez won’t help me here” (or at least claiming she was one) when like/????? no she did illegal shit this entire arc, which fkldjsaf;jskjsfadf FREAKING LAUGHABLE she is after us when she is 1) stalking, 2) taking illegal recordings, 3) taking illegal photos, 4) harassing us in general like????? you’re the criminal Makoto (tbh her, Futaba, and Goro are the real criminals of the PT skldfjajf the only illegal shit happens cause of them). 

Then there’s the plan scene:

Makoto: What’s your guy’s plan? Ryu/Yuske/whoever: We kinda just go in and look around? Makoto: oh you don’t have a plan? well good thing I’m here! Me: What’s your plan Makoto? Makoto: We’re gonna go in and look around! Me:  (ノಠ益ಠ)ノ彡┻━┻

Pre Mako: We worked together to come up with a plan to attempt to sneak the treasure out! Post Mako: You don’t plan????? Good thing Mako’s here! We’re not going to attempt to steal the treasure by sneaking it out, instead we’re just gonna walk in there.....that’s it, no plan, and when there is one it’s gonna suck ass realistically but we’re gonna make it work through the power of ~plot convenience~! Me:  (ノಥ,_｣ಥ)ノ彡┻━┻

Mona: Oh Makoto called to apologize for getting your number via Leblanc. She must be ok! Me: Mona she threatened my livelihood, has been stalking me for weeks, wants me to go after a dangerous criminal that could risk my life AND livelihood otherwise she’ll just destroy my livelihood, wouldn’t help with our investigation one gd bit, chased away my one gd lead.....and..Do....do you think....she’s....”not bad?” Is that where your standards lie?

Game: You just need to change the person’s cognition and ya golden! Me: Well Kane said we are his customers, can we get in without Mako? Game: Nope! Me: Why? Game: We just need her in the plot is all. Me: But we COULD go without her. Game: 

Me: ????? BUT YOU WROTE THOSE RULES AND SAID THAT THEY WERE KANE’S CUSTOMERS?????!!!

Me: So Makoto can ride her Persona....that kinda shows they can all touch their Personas. Game: .......... Me: Why didn’t they try riding their Personas up to Kane in the first place?  Game: .......only Arsene has wings..... Me: I’m sorry but as Pennywise would say, “They all float down here.”  Game: 

PT: Man we sure do need a target! I wonder if there are any good leads Me: We literally just heard a rumor on the train this morning about a mob boss- PT: Man sure is sad we have no knew leads. u_u Me: I swear to god, I’m this close......I’m THIS close..... 

On a non Makoto related BS thing the game does this dungeon: PT: We need to go after bad guys! Me: What about going after the ones the police are going after! PT: No because they’ll take the credit. Me: Woooooooooooooooooooooooooooooow this says so much about your character, I thought it didn’t matter unless we were helping other’s? Did I just get teleported to the 5th dungeon for a sec? What’s with this BULLSHIT?  I get you need popularity for Mementos but first and foremost was helping people right? I’m not just bullshitting myself right???? So you mean to tell me, before it actually even went to your head, you already cared about popularity over helping people in general? Holy shit. You know, I give Junpei a lot of shit, but at least he and Yosuke have the integrity to keep doing what they need to do and not deciding not to do their damn job because people aren’t noticing them. You guys are horrible heroes. 

So yeah it’s not just Mako (or because of Mako, but most of it is because of Mako) that messes up the team/writing, even when she’s not related we get lovely pieces like that. It’s inconsistent and contradictory (Futaba is just as bad, it’s just aimed a lore elements that can easily be missed, rather than character/plot writing like Mako’s arc is). Lemme tell you, I’m literally having a shit fit every 2 seconds (btw I can go on about a 2 hour rant with probs each line like that’s how much I get tilted with this dungeon and it’s BS, lying straight to my face they think they can well I’ll just scream into the void! >XO) with both Mako/Futaba, but esp Mako. Oku’s might have a few contradictions or inconsistencies, but nowhere NEAR as many as Mako’s does. 

So now it begs the question.....does it make sense? No. Absolutely not. With that many inconsistencies/contradictions......how can it? Hell the premise makes no gd sense even knowing Humpty Dumpty is with the evil organization. Using her would make no sense, hell he has like a few suspects he could EASILY make a list without even asking around school (both Volleyball teams+track team+Ryuji+MC+Anne because he admitted to all that on stage next to the guy!) Hell it makes no sense why he’s part of the conspiracy when like......his position seems to do nothing for them. It’s just there for bullshit reasons, and to make Mako be put into a bullshit situation, it’d make more sense to hire Goro than ask a normal high school student to play detective (even tho Goro is probs the other one who provided a list, the hell are they asking the principal when they already used Goro?????) Hell, Kane targeting Syujin kids makes no sense, esp when their uniform is very recognizable! 1) They are already in the news for controversy (so unneeded attention), and 2) they’re connected to a fellow conspiracy member, why would you knowingly want to screw him over???? It just makes the conspiracy look dumber than they already look. 

Then there’s also the fact chars act dumber, either to make Mako look smarter, or to make it so she can join the team later. The whole arc smells of plot contrivance AND plot convenience. Literally bending over backwards to justify her joining when....the game accidentally wrote almost every way she didn’t need to join. 1) Found out about Kane before her, 2) Found his name without her help, 3) could use Personas to fly up to his dungeon if they tried it, 4) if for some stupid reason they couldn’t, they’d just make one of them a customer (hell probs just need to “join a scheme” like the other high school kids with the lackeys rather than run into his den himself, Kane seems to keep track of everyone) The game just doesn’t need her, but it realizes that and has to inconvenience itself and twist itself around to try to justify her. 

And this is probably only scratching the surface cause....it’s late.....but this is what I remember off the top of my head at 5 am. 

Like Oku’s is bad, but Kane’s is abysmal (oh, and at least with Oku we kinda KNOW why he’s crazy about power, Kane is more vague, which isn’t good for an already underdeveloped char). I don’t know why the fandom signed off on Oku being the worst when Kane’s around. Or even that “the game gets better when Futaba joins” (it doesn’t, the game was on a decline since Kamo’s dungeon, Futaba was just an apparent uptick from Mako, mostly cause it lacks the character/story assassination that Mako’s had) when the freaking way they handle mental illness should be a big red flag for everyone (the lore stuff? def will go over newbies heads, I get not everyone is a lore whore like me but c’mon, some stuff does make you question it tho even when you only look at P5). 

But yeah I think Kane’s has more writing issues than Oku’s does. Oku’s writing is bland, with one of the worst dungeons, but Kane has the worst writing and a very bland dungeon when you just....look at it.Kane does get shit, but I don’t know why Oku gets more shit, I get gameplay wise the dungeon can be frustrating, but my god......the writing in Kane is......just horrible all around.  

[takamakisu]

『♥🖤Akira X Ann: Why I Support It.🖤♥』

In honor of the upcoming ShuAnn week, I have decided to contribute by writing a long post about why I love these dorks so much. I haven't seen a meta for them yet, so I figured I'd try my hand at it. (Which will be updated and expanded as I find more content) Without further ado, let us begin! Tagging the wonderful @shuann-week for this one.

1. The first encounter.

In media, the first interaction that two characters have with one another, regardless of relationship; lays the groundwork for said relationship and therefore is absolutely vital. When Akira first meets Ann, he's casually texting away on his phone and not really paying attention to much, but when she walks by he looks up. Already his curiosity is piqued, as is the player's; and then when she removes her hood, even then we don't get to see her face. But we DO see Akira's reaction, and he seems absolutely dumbstruck.

This is when things get interesting. Ann takes a few moments and sort of surveys her surroundings, and then she senses Akira's eyes and turns to him. And he doesn't look away, or get flustered; Akira keeps looking at her with that flabbergasted expression. He doesn't even blink. He is so taken aback by her he can't even greet her, and Ann just smiles at him and looks away- but even then, he doesn't break his gaze, and he never does until she actually leaves: Ann leaves him absolutely spellbound. And the music that plays during this encounter is exclusive to this encounter and this encounter alone. It never plays before this scene, nor does it ever play again after. There are heavy romantic undertones in this encounter, from the body language to the background music, and only Ann receives this treatment. It screams "attraction at first sight", and now with the groundwork laid, the relationship can begin to blossom.

 This is very important. Even before we get to see Ann's face, we already know from Akira's viewpoint that she must be pretty, at least in his eyes. And when we finally do get to see her face, she is indeed beautiful.

2. Her closeness to him.

First off, she's with you from essentially the beginning of the game, so you get a lot of time to get to know her and become closer to her. Ann is the third member to join your party and the first female member and therefore the first available romance option as well! (That's pretty big.) She's also your classmate, so you get to see her literally every day and there's a sense of familiarity that is built on from the beginning. 

Ann was the first to see Akira for who he truly was, and she looked past the rumors of him and got to know him for herself. Because she understands being an outsider and being mistreated, there's a level of understanding Ann has with you that the other girls simply do not. That's not to say they're bad, but Ann just connects better with the protagonist on that level. Let it also be remembered that before she met Akira, and by association the rest of the Phantom Thieves; Ann didn't have any friends, besides Shiho. Due to being a foreigner (and a very pretty one, at that) and the rumors surrounding her with Kamoshida, no one talks to her. While having a two-parent household, they are rarely home; and so Ann's lonely as well as bullied. Akira saving her from Kamoshida and then giving his genuine friendship then allows her to open up and be vulnerable to other people and that's very healthy. 

Another interesting interaction is during the Kamoshida arc, Makoto will ask you in essence what's the relationship between you and Ann, if there's something between you. If you say "there's nothing", her reply is "Didn't seem that way yesterday" and if you tell her you're classmates she'll say "But do friends get that close?"

3. How she falls for him.

For these reasons, I support these two. Lemme know in the comments what won you over to this pairing and any other moments that get your heart warm and fuzzy! 

In addition, Ann gets an on-screen kiss with the protagonist; a luxury only two other Persona girls have received (from 3-5, Maki kisses Naoya in P1): Margaret and Marie from Persona 4. The fact that Ann gets an explicit kiss (and possibly an implicit one as well because in Rank 9 her reaction to Joker hugging her hints he MIGHT have kissed her too) screams that while she's not 'canon' (nobody is) it sure does seem Atlus is sneakily pushing her towards Joker. They even match costumes in the dancing games! Oh yes, and Ann doesn't go home on Valentine's Day + Sojiro literally just "ayyyy" when she walks in- XD

Her Confidant has the protagonist and Ann getting closer as friends and also helping Shiho recover and you get to be a part of a few of Ann's interpersonal relationships. Shiho, as stated before, was Ann's closest and only friend before she met the player; and so earning her trust and helping her heal is significant. Suzui also hints to the player Ann seems to be attracted to them, talking about how her best friend talks highly of you and then the blonde gets flustered.

Her confession shot me through the heart. With Ann you don't have to increase your Knowledge or your Guts; just Kindness. To her, it doesn't matter if you get the best grades in the class or how brave you are, she just wants a friend who'll be there for her when she needs them, and that's what Ann falls for in the protagonist: his genuineness and his willingness to stick by her side. She falls in love with you for who you are and it feels the most natural and realistic. Something that's also very interesting about Ann's rank 9 event in Japanese is instead of saying “I guess we’re more than friends now...” she actually says, “I just realized it,” referring to her feelings for him (when she said “I love you”) in the original dialogue. And this is so so important. This hints at a love that developed slowly over a friendship and Ann wasn't even really aware it was there at first, until the only friend she'd had moved away and she felt alone and abandoned again. Akira being her pillar in that moment was the paradigm shift from platonic feelings to romantic ones and that is absolutely beautiful. But she ALREADY loved him, did you catch it? She just realized and became aware of it in that situation. Ann's been in love with the protagonist for who knows how long before she even confesses. And at the end of her confidant she calls you her light.. that just speaks volumes to me. The protagonist basically saved her, and because of that she wants to become stronger and encourage other people as well. It's beautiful. 

5. Other characters reactions to them.

There's a specific scene where the protagonist is in the bathhouse with Ryuji and Yusuke, and Ryuji will ask you what you think of Ann. If you admit you think she's pretty, he gets extremely excited ("Ooh, you straight up said it!")

Another very interesting thing that's different in the original language is when Akira gets home from interrogation. In English, Ann just chirps "Hey there!" No big deal, right? But in Japanese, she says, “okaeri”, which means “welcome home”. This greeting is said amongst family or couples in Japan, hinting a deeper level of closeness than the translation. 

(It's also something of note that when Ann got locked out of her room in Hawaii she went to Akira's room first. )

Additionally, after the school festival; Ann will talk to you about how she thinks about your future together! And if you tell her in another instance that you'd like to get married, she gets extremely excited whereas some of the other romance options become all flustered and blushy; a cute and interesting contrast.

A Mementos conversation also has Ann absentmindedly talking about how coffee goes well with sweets, to which Ryuji immediately replies 'Joker always smells like coffee, doesn't he?'

Now, I may be looking too deeply into this, but this could possibly be Ryuji "hint hint-ing" he thinks Akira and Ann are a good pair for each other. Ryuji also flat out refuses to date Ann during a scene in the gym when she offers to let him take her out. I don't know about you, but if I had a crush on somebody and they offered to let me go out with them, I don't think I'd turn it down as quickly and explicitly as Ryuji did (He tells her 'hell no, quit acting like you're some sexy anime character'). Personally I think Ryuji supports Ann with Akira and so he tries to gently nudge her over like "Okay, this guy? He's a good fit for you." Sakamoto's a great friend for Ann but I personally believe he's better as just that: a friend. 

4.  Their personalities blend well.

Ann's bubbly personality contrasts wonderfully with the protagonist's more introverted, reserved side. They're sort of like Robin and Starfire, just to less extremes. Ann is very pleasant and tender and she's got a big heart and it shows; consistently. She's a great friend to Ryuji and Shiho and big sister to Futaba, while at the same time tolerating nonsense from absolutely no one, regardless of status. I now want to cast attention to Meyer-Brigg's personality types. These are headcanons, but after analyzing Akira and Ann's characters Joker seems to be an ISTJ, while Panther is an ENFP. These are abbreviations for Introversion, Sensing, Thinking, Judging (ISTJ) and Extroversion, Intuition, Feeling, Percieving (ENFP) respectfully. Ann, at her core; is the heart of the Phantom Thieves honestly. She is very sensitive to others' emotions and feelings, and very emotionally intelligent. Being an extrovert, Ann also needs interaction and validation from other people: it energizes her and fufills her. And, in return she's a caregiver; Ann wants to support others and help them become stronger. She's a wonderful sister figure and just a comforter in general, and very amiable and chirpy. Contrast that with Akira, who makes decisions based on facts and logic rather than feelings and intuition (although in the Metaverse he seems to throw caution to the wind, quite frankly) and analyzes situations from a logical rather than emotional angle; (and there are exceptions to this like helping the woman Shido was assaulting and chasing Ann down to talk to her) and they seem on completely opposite ends of the spectrum. However, their differing personalities balance one another. While Akira keeps Ann grounded logically, she keeps him grounded emotionally and the bounce off is extremely healthy. 

In Yusuke's Confidant, saying Ann is the definition of beauty nets the most points. 

Atlus seems to like putting these two together as well, from giving them matching songs and outfits in the dancing games to putting them together in advertisements. It's pretty cute and though it's subtle, it's a nice little nod. 

[spoofenshmirtz]

i’m in a Mood so have some quick notes on what the hell my akira is up to post-p5. since everyone plays him the way they want and have their own interpretations of him and what he’d be up to, i thought it’d be fun exploring that a little bit!

doesn’t stay for long in his home town post-game. like there isn’t exactly a lot for him to do here, he’s already out of touch with any friends he had before he was put on probation and any attempts to reconnect only end up awkward and weird, particularly since he, himself, has changed so much over his year in tokyo. people don’t really know how to treat him, and despite his overflowing charisma and kindness, he’s still tainted by the crimes he didn’t commit and people find him hard to approach.

his parents are glad to have him back; however, they’re as unable to give him the emotional care he needs as they were before. i hc them as good parents on the surface, but unable to connect deeply with their only son, leaving him sort of emotionally neglected throughout his life. they had a good life together on the surface before akira was put on probation, but now that he’s experienced what it’s like to have people care for him deeply, he gets antsy being around his parents. they notice and don’t blame him for leaving something like halfway through his third year to return to tokyo.

he continues dating haru despite the distance. she occasionally visits him while he’s still in his hometown and tries to be very considerate of him, despite very obviously needing him there for herself as well. when he tells her he’s coming back to tokyo she can barely contain her happiness and relief at having him closer to her, seeing as she’s still bound by university there and can only make so much time to come visit him. eventually, they open their very own café together, haru as the manager and akira as her assistant manager. but it’s very much a joint effort, and haru accepts akira’s support and help wholeheartedly, which is why they can open their place before haru even finishes uni; akira doesn’t really know what he’d study there, so he decides to focus himself entirely on their café and on being a good “househusband”. people who come to their café quickly see how loving and caring they are of each other and their place becomes a popular place for couples and dates when rumors about how their coffee gives luck to relationships start spreading. they laugh it off but still give each other meaningful glances.

they also have their very own garden that they take care of, together, and grow coffee beans for their special blend! morgana’s also hanging around their café most of the time, and some customers become regulars just to come hang out with the cute kitty. morgana is mildly offended but has started accepting and appreciating pets much more after accepting that he was never human to begin with (although he’s still going to become one! definitely!)

akira’s friendships with the rest of the phantom thieves remain constant, of course. they all support he and haru’s café by becoming regulars and dropping in as often as they can to say hello and update them on how their lives are going. ryuji starts running again, ann starts modeling more seriously (and occasionally brings shiho to the café, at which times akira and haru always glance meaningfully at each other and offer them lots of goods “on the house”, especially their more romantic options), yusuke becomes a more well-known artist with pieces that are known to touch people at the core, makoto starts working her way up in the police force, and futaba finishes high school (and although dealing with other people is still hard, she finds lots of comfort in going to akira and haru´s café to hang out, pet morgana, do her homework. akira always gives her a coffee on the house, “but you’ll have to pay for refills, i can’t have you freeloading here”, at which she always sticks out her tongue at him defiantly).

other confidants also continue checking up on him, most becoming regulars at their café. sojiro won’t admit it, but he really likes their house blend and comes by a bit too often for someone who has his own damn café to take care of. although he does eventually close down leblanc, “to give newcomers a chance in the business,” he says with a smirk and quickly becomes a treasured regular. sae looks in every now and then to check up on akira and update him on how her life is holding up. others drop by occasionally, some more by chance than others, but everyone agrees that haru and akira’s café is a special space for comfort.

akira never truly gets over akechi. he held complicated, contradictory feelings for him before the events that unfolded in shido’s palace, and afterwards any grudges he may have held all but faded away to leave room only for massive regret. haru knows, of course, and allows him space to grieve while supporting him wholeheartedly. it does take him some time to fully open up to her, seeing as he’s used to being someone others rely on more than relying on others himself, and while the things he reveals once he’s opened up are painful for her to hear, she’s still happy that he trusts her enough to rely on her. she doesn’t personally forgive akechi, but she gives akira the space he needs to get over him and remains a constant source of emotional support for him. it takes a year or so, but eventually the nightmares become few and far between and he can dedicate himself more fully to he and haru’s craft.

(if akechi ever returns from the “dead”, he’s afraid to approach akira out of fear that he’ll throw the life akira’s made for himself off balance. but accidentally bumping into the phantom thieves one by one, he’s forced to accept that he’ll eventually run into akira as well. haru, who he meets last, tells him very firmly to let akira know he’s alive; she’s personally seen the suffering he went through grieving him, and believes he has a right to know, regardless of what it may mean for the relationship she’s built with him. akechi enters their café one day with an apologetic smile on his lips, akira drops and shatters a cup he was wiping, then steps around the bar to punch akechi in the face and then hold him close for a good fifteen minutes, crying into his shoulder. haru looks on with a melancholic look in her eyes and silently decides that she’ll let akira decide what’s best for himself; she’ll be content supporting him in whatever decision he makes. akira and akechi slowly build a close friendship and come to trust each other, and one day, akira surprises haru by asking if they can hire akechi as well. the three of them eventually become close, and even if haru doesn’t forgive akechi for the act of killing her father, she comes to accept him for the person he’s become, and she’s overjoyed when she realizes she and akechi can coexist in akira’s life.)

[it-will-not-last-the-night]

Ryuji + Ann

The writing for Ryuji and Ann’s relationship with each other in the first portion of the game (let’s say up to Kaneshiro’s Palace) is really, really good and I enjoyed it a lot. I think their relationship after that was written...poorly, but this post is going to be a positive post so I’ll focus today on what I liked.

First I want to give some background; when I first began playing Persona 5 I fell in love with Ryuji and Ann’s relationship and shipped both quite hard. I was really fond of them and felt the chemistry between them was incredible. It was the first time I’d witnessed, that I could remember, one of these traditional ‘slap-slap-kiss’-type relationships in media where I felt that it was executed well. Ann and Ryuji did take jabs at each other but it was always moderated, and the two always showed concious effort to back-off if they feared they’d offended, such as Ann instantly stopping ribbing Ryuji over the money she gave him at the Aquarium when he mentions it being for his mom. Ann instantly stops teasing him and says that after all they’ve been through they can call it equal, even showing gratitude to him.

So it was great! The two also didn’t needlessly physically beat each other up (a trope I hate) and for the first two Palace’s Ryuji’s objectification of Ann is incredibly underplayed, the most blatant example just being looking at her Panther outfit, commenting vaguely on it, but then when Ann asks him what he’s talking about he instantly drops the topic and does no more. Instead, in the first part, Ryuji shows borderline overprotective tendencies towards Ann.

So all this combined so that I really felt the two were a great pair (romantically or platonically, either worked I felt). However, sadly, their charm and relationship degrades sharply as the story goes on, for a number of reasons, and thus my special interest in it faded.

I still like it, but no more than I might like Ryuji/Akira, Ryuji/Makoto, Ryuji/Yusuke or Ryuji/Haru, for example.

So what drew me to their relationship so much in the beginning? Why is it so good? Everything below, note, applies only till the end of Madarame’s Palace.

Genuine Compassion: A common problem I have with the ‘beat each other up but like each other secretly’ trope is that it often feels to me as if there is no actual compassion from one or both of the sides. To be blunt if the only time you can be friendly and compassionate with someone is if they almost die then you’re probably not in a healthy relationship with that person. Ann and Ryuji display several times genuine compassion and gratitude for the other, and clearly hold the other in high esteem.

From Ann’s side she is quick to thank Ryuji for his assistance in the Metaverse, feeling truly indebted to him, and she similarly thanks him for his assurances that if Yusuke tries anything funny she just has to call and they’ll interfere to help her. Ann also is quick to worry about Ryuji when he is separated from the group.

Ryuji, meanwhile, comes across as protective of Ann to a degree which, honestly, wouldn’ t surprise me if he did, or once had, romantic or even familial feelings for Ann. He is the only boy at Shujin who seemingly does not assume Ann is sleeping around with Kamoshida for her own gain, instead insisting that Ann wouldn’t do that. Despite being someone who’s canonically meant to be very unobservant he’s quick to notice Ann in a crowe. He attempts to scare her off from following himself and Akira because, in his own words with a sad voice, he doesn’t want to have to take her somewhere she’ll be in danger and then he’s the only one of the PT’s who specifically contacts and informs Ann that she shouldn’t actually get naked for Yusuke and that if she needs help he’ll come.

Respect for feelings: In the beginning Ann and Ryuji ususally come across as if they pull their punches on purpose because  they don’t actually want to hurt each other. They’re willing to still jab at each other, over the money he owes, over Yusuke’s obsession with the nude modelling, but are always quick to backtrack and offer serious or kind reassurances if they think the other person is truely troubled, as seen in Ann’s words about the borrowing of money, and Ryuji’s quickness to try to assure her she won’t have to get actually naked.

They can have fun: This is an important one because many stories struggle to make a couple interact outside of extreme situations. In a lot of stories romance and romantic confessions only occur in dramatic moments and a couple's interaction outside of those moments makes one not even suspect they're in a romantic relationship (P5 is also an example of this, once you are dating a girl you can practically go on never interacting with her again, making the relationship itself seem ridiculously shallow).

Ann and Ryuji have the capacity to simply talk and have fun together, seen very nicely in the Wilton Buffet when having their little play-argument over food, and are actually, until the end of Madarame’s Palace, very quick to gel with each other over any other PT’s, ganging up at both the Wilton Buffet and when Yusuke comes looking for a home and when organizing a party very quickly.

The two can casually interact and clearly enjoy casually interacting with each other. This is rare among the PT’s because we, sadly, only really see most of the others ever interacting in such a capacity with Akira. If we remove Akira the only comparable relationship I can think is their is some hinting of Makoto and Ann being capable of casual get-togethers and Futaba and Yusuke have the hints of a fun relationship which doesn’t get explored in depth (I think an easy solution the game should have employed is that Akira can do more group social events in which we see the PT’s interacting with each other, not just Akira, and the capacity for cross confidant S-Links).

Conclusion: Ann and Ryuji’s relationship in the first part of the game is actually really nice and fun. It can work both as friends or as two people with feelings for each other, whether those feelings be romantic or familial (Ann and Ryuji can honestly at times come across as if they might as well be a brother and sister). I loved it a lot, and I still think its part of why I enjoy the first part of the game way more than the latter parts.

It actually makes me wish we learned a bit more about their relationship prior to the beginning of the game. For example Ann doesn’t seem to ever even have realized that Ryuji suffered a major injury, or wrongful punishment at the hands of Kamoshida and, if one looks closely, Ann and Shiho’s indifference to Ryuji at the start can raise annoying inconsistencies in their character arcs.

Personally, in my headcannon, I would like to assume that Ann wanted to help Ryuji, and made an attempt at it, but Ryuji, being who he is and also being in the low point of his life, lashed out in some very major and terrible way, hurting Ann deeply enough that she was scared to try to help him again, and Ryuji felt guilty enough that he decided it’d be better for Ann to never interact with him again.

Then, on top of this, add that Ann herself was becoming a more and more hopeless person, watching Shiho unravel, feeling the need to curry favour with Kamoshida for her friend, Ann began to lose any of her own self-belief as well, so she never bothered trying again, and Ryuji tried to ignore her.

Honestly simply the character arc of Ann and Ryuji’s movement from friends, to ignoring each other, to friends again is something I find really interesting, and would love to have seen further developed.

Regardless of his real feelings, Ryuji, for example, clearly is ridiculously protective of Ann (which is why if you cheat on her I wish Ryuji would join in on the beating because that is exactly what his character would do. Hurting Ann? Treating Ann like a sexual commodity? That is probably one of the fastest ways to get Ryuji to beat you up).

[thepathsofdestiny]

Logistics

~*~ The love and loyalty among the Phantom Thieves is deep, abiding, and occasionally confusing, which is why they decided to make a chart. The start of my new series, Where The Lines Overlap. Read it on AO3 here.  ~*~ It had been Makoto’s idea. Makoto Niijima was, after all, nothing if not organized. Her time as a college sophomore, preparing to take the law enforcement entrance exam, had taught her that things feel so much more concrete once you write them down. That was true for everything; facts, goals, even relationships. What her sophomore year also taught her was that trying to get eight college students with different schedules together in the same room was a logistical nightmare. Truly, being an adult was complicated. But no more complicated than being in love. 

That was how Makoto came to be standing in the attic at Leblanc with a whiteboard, markers, and one of Yusuke’s easels, aiming to map out hearts that were long since stolen. That is to say, Makoto was writing everyone’s names in a circle around the edge of the board, while all her closest friends chattered and cuddled in clusters around the room. Yusuke and Haru were sitting on a wooden bench, prim, elegant, long-limbed. Akira and Ryuji were by the windows, Ryuji reaching over to spin Futaba around in her new computer chair. Claiming the couch were Ann, radiant as ever, and Shiho, quiet, attentive- her sun and moon. “Alright!” Makoto called out, clapping her hands together for quiet. “Eyes up!” Her voice held as much steel as a soon-to-be police cadet as it did a lifetime ago, as second-in-command of the Phantom Thieves. In an instant, all eyes were on her. “Now then,” Makoto began, “it’s no secret that we’re all very… close… friends. There are some understandings that have gone unspoken for some time, and I think, in the interest of openness and communication-” “She wants to know who we want to fuck!” Ryuji called out from the cheap seats. “Thank you, Ryuji,” Makoto sighed. “What would I do without you.” “That’s what I’m here for,” Ryuji grinned. “Oh, and uh, sorry about the language, Shiho.” Shiho smiled gently. “It’s quite alright.” “Why do you always do that?” Ann asked. “Do what?” “You always apologize for cursing in front of Shiho,” Ann said. “She’s the only one of us you do that to. Why is that?” “I dunno,” Ryuji shrugged. “She’s, like, a lady.” “What does that make us?” Haru giggled, a faux-affronted hand at her chest. “That’s not what I mean,” Ryuji explained. “Cursing in front of Shiho is like, I dunno, cursing in front of my mom.” “Ew!” Ann made a face. “Don’t think about Shiho like-” “No no no, it’s a compliment,” Akira put in quickly. “Ryuji loves his mom.” “I do,” Ryuji nodded. “I’m flattered?” Shiho smiled. “Moving on,” Makoto groaned. Steering a conversation with these dorks was like herding cats- they never go where you want them to, even if they look cute on the way. “Alright. I was thinking we could color-code our relationships. I brought markers-” “Oh!” Yusuke chimed in. “May I see them?” Makoto passed him the pack. Yusuke studied them, a thoughtful hand under his chin, looking as if he were scrutinizing every individual dot of paint in Georges Seurat’s A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte rather than a 500-yen pack of markers. “Not the brand I would have chosen,” Yusuke muttered. “And an odd choice of medium-” “We’re just. Making. A chart.” Makoto seethed. Yusuke blinked up at her, meekly returning the pack. Makoto saw a hand across the room. “Yes, Akira?” “Which color should we do first?” Makoto sighed in gratitude. “...I was thinking we could start with red, for sexual attraction.” “Why didn’t you just start with a red board?” Everyone turned. Futaba was sitting in her computer chair, knees hugged to her chest. “What?!” Futaba said, defensive. “You’re all super hot!” Futaba saw the face Akira was making and rolled her eyes. “Except you, obviously!” “What about the other colors?” Shiho offered gently. Makoto smiled at her, grateful. “I thought we could use blue for emotional intimacy, and yellow, for non-sexual, physical intimacy. Basically for all the cuddlers.” “Oh, we should have started with a yellow board,” Haru mused. “I suppose all my lines will be green, then,” Yusuke said beside her. “Sex is not something I have a vested interest in.” “Hey, aren’t you two living together?” Ann asked. “Oh, yes, Yusuke’s a lovely housemate!” Haru cooed. “We’re both of us tremendously lonely people with no family to speak of, so we fit together quite nicely. He’s a lovely cuddler, and a lovelier person to confide in. And I get to provide for him. I’m glad to cater to his expensive tastes in terms of art supplies, interior decorating…” “...his regular tastes, like eating more than just bean sprouts…” Akira muttered. “I am regularly dismayed at having to turn my attention away from art and towards such base concerns,” Yusuke said. “What, like feeding yourself?” Akira asked. “Aww, that’s cute, though,” Ryuji grinned. “You two are practically married.” “Except they never have sex,” Ann said. “Uh, yeah. So they’re married.” “Guys, if we could focus for just two seconds…” Makoto sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Excuse me.” “Yes, Shiho?” “May I go first?” Makoto smiled. “Yes. Go right ahead.” Shiho rose, taking the pack of markers from Makoto and standing by the board, studying it. “I’m afraid I’m not as deeply involved in this circle as all of you,” Shiho admitted, sheepish. “Certainly not as much as I’d like.” “It’s okay,” Makoto said softly. “The board’s only going to get more crowded from here,” Akira shrugged. “True,” Shiho said. “Now, what were the colors again?” “Red for sexual intimacy, yellow for physical, blue for emotional,” Makoto said. Shiho uncapped the blue marker. “Well, Akira’s always so easy to talk to,” she said, drawing a blue line between her name and his. “And Ryuji can be surprisingly insightful at times…” “Do you have to say ‘surprisingly’?” Ryuji grumbled, as Shiho connected their names in blue. “And, um,” Shiho hesitated, before switching to a green marker. “...I’ve… grown rather fond of you, too, Mako-chan…” Haru gasped. “She calls you-?! Oh no! That’s adorable!” “And Ann…” Shiho smiled, settling on a black marker. “...well. Do I even have to say it?” Shiho drew a black line between their names. Ann ran up and threw her arms around Shiho from behind, Shiho pulling her hand away from the board before the line became a squiggle. “Oh, Shiho!” Ann wailed, full of an aspiring actress’ staged melodrama. “Oh, Ann…” Shiho purred. “Oh, brother,” Makoto said, but she was smiling just the same. She held up the pack of markers. “Who’s next?” ~*~ They took turns adding to the chart, everyone keeping an eye out for black lines, in particular. Some of those, people saw coming- Akira and Ryuji, for example, since after years of tacit understanding Ryuji was finally able to say it out loud. The room grew warm with Ryuji’s embarrassment and the group’s pride in him, although Futaba had to ruin it, wondering how Ryuji outran his feelings for so long on a bum leg. Some of these, people didn’t see coming- for instance, when Haru came up and drew green lines between Akira, Yusuke and herself, yellow lines for almost everyone else… and a single black line, between her and Makoto. “When did this happen?!” Ryuji had blurted out. “A lady doesn’t kiss and tell,” Haru had said, coy. “This whole meeting is us kissing and telling,” Makoto had to remind them. “When does the kissing start?!” Futaba had cut in. Some of the lines, however, needed a little more fuss. Ryuji and Ann, in particular, had stood in front of the whiteboard, scrutinizing it with the same level of intensity as Yusuke had studied the markers. There was a green line between their names, but Ann had the red marker in her hands, capping and uncapping it, wondering. “I mean… does it count?” Ann asked, completely serious. “It was one time,” Ryuji shrugged. “I don’t think it counts.” “Yeah, but…” “Make it black, you cowards!” Futaba called from her seat in the corner. Ann and Ryuji blushed. They looked, first to Shiho and Akira, respectively, then to each other. “W-We’ll talk,” Ryuji said. “Yeah,” Ann said, capping the red marker and tossing it aside. “You poor dears,” Haru teased. “Three years of this back-and-forth,” Yusuke chuckled. “Hey, remember what I said about you two being married?” Ryuji sniped, but he was smiling. By the time Akira stepped up to the board, it was a tangled knot of color. He turned, catching Makoto’s eyes. “Bless this mess, huh?” he asked. “You love it,” Makoto smiled. “I do.” Akira was going last, so by now, everyone should have drawn all the lines connecting to him. By the look in her eyes, Makoto knew it- but she handed him the pack regardless. When Akira stepped away from the board, there was a red line going around the circle of names, linking his name with everyone- Except Futaba. “What?!” Futaba exploded. “HOW COME HE GETS TO FUCK EVERYONE?!” “Dude!” Ryuji cut in. “Watch your fucking language!” Akira smiled a trickster’s smile as the room dissolved into teasing laughter around him. Makoto only handed him some blotting paper and shook her head, smiling. ~*~ Makoto’s ‘meeting’ concluded with a tangled, multicolored jumble on the whiteboard as well as on the attic floor, Akira having unrolled the spare futon as a makeshift carpet. They all huddled together in a pile of intoxicating warmth, chatting, cuddling, poking at their phones, stretching unselfconsciously across each other’s legs. Futaba was in the corner, clicking through the PC she’d built for Akira during his senior year away from Tokyo, which had taken the place of his work desk where he’d once made lockpicks. She was putting together a playlist- or trying to. Uniting the musical tastes of eight college students was almost as difficult as getting them all in one room. Almost. “Hey, shitlord,” Futaba said. “Hm?” Akira looked up from his seat on the floor. Makoto and Ryuji were sprawled across his legs, watching some MMA fight on Ryuji’s phone. “What’s up?” “I need you to head down to the Triple Seven and get some snacks.” “Why?” “Because I’m hungry?” “Fine,” Akira said. “Pass me my wallet?” Futaba reached out her hand, making grabby motions. “Nope. Can’t get it. It’s too far.” Akira sighed and stood up, grabbing his wallet off the computer desk, six inches from Futaba’s hand. He smiled, and thwapped her on the head with it, tossing it back down on the desk. “Brat.” “Bite me.” The stairwell creaked as Sojiro clambered up into the attic, smiling wryly at the cuddle pile on his floor. “What, are you throwing some kind of party up here?” Sojiro muttered. “It’s always a party when Akira’s around, sir,” Ryuji said. “Hmph. Ain’t that right,” Sojiro said. His gaze drifted to the whiteboard. “What’s this?” “Oh!” Makoto got to her feet. “That’s, um… you see, sir…” Sojiro studied the circle of names, linked together in multicolored lines. He frowned. “...This isn’t one of those ‘jelly bracelet’ things, is it?” “No no no no no!” Makoto said quickly. “I mean, it could be, if you weren’t cowards,” Futaba muttered. “Jelly bracelets? Is that some kind of candy?” Shiho wondered, oblivious. “It’s not,” Akira said firmly. “I… Look, it’s none of my business,” Sojiro said, uncomfortable. “Listen, I’m gonna close up shop. Don’t forget to lock up, alright, son?” “I won’t, D-” Akira caught himself, but it was too late. Everyone was looking at him. “Aww!” Haru cooed. “The paperwork hasn’t gone through yet!” Futaba hissed. Akira stuck his hands in his pockets, weathering the teasing. He couldn’t keep the smile from his face. Sojiro cleared his throat. “...You, uh. You kids have fun, alright? But not… too much fun.” “We won’t, sir,” Makoto said. “She’ll make sure of it,” Ann said, clinging to her arm. Makoto playfully swatted her away. Sojiro smiled and shook his head. “You kids…” Sojiro disappeared down the steps. The attic at Leblanc fell into a comfortable, intimate quiet. Ann’s hand closed around Makoto’s wrist, and she let her pull her down onto the floor, she and Shiho nuzzling into her like cats. Haru was coiled up on the futon, not unlike a cat herself, chatting with Yusuke about plans to decorate the house while he sat drawing her, a sketchbook on his lap. Ryuji was sprawled out in the middle of the floor, one hand in Ann’s hair, the other one poking at his phone. He dropped his phone flat on his chest and looked up. Ryuji reached up, grabbed hold of Futaba’s computer chair, and gave her another spin. She laughed as she went around, Akira’s hand smoothing against her hair as she came to a stop. Akira smiled- and wasn’t convinced he had ever stopped smiling, not since he’d returned after a year away from Tokyo, not since he’d come home to this tangled mess of limbs and hearts. He caught Makoto’s eyes across the pile. “It’s good to get everyone together, isn’t it?” Akira said. “Even if it’s like herding cats,” Makoto mused. “Hey,” Ryuji said, his voice breaking the warm quiet. “Now that we’re all here…” Ryuji sat up, suddenly aware everyone was looking at him. He grinned. “...Do you guys want to make out?” There was a pause, and a murmur. Ryuji blinked, not expecting anyone to actually consider it. “Um,” Ann said quietly. “I’d, uh. I’d be down.” Akira snickered. Then his wallet hit him in the face. “Hey!” Futaba said. “I still want those snacks!’ Akira shook his head and smiled, picking his wallet up off the floor and carefully stepping through the tangle of limbs. “Don’t have too much fun while I’m gone,” Akira said. “Makoto, you’re in charge.” “Understood,” Makoto smiled. Akira took one last glimpse at the chart before heading downstairs. It felt strange to say, but he was glad they had taken the time to write it all down. It felt more real that way. More solid. Not any more solid than the party going on in the attic, but still. Scheduling was going to be an issue, he was sure. He technically had a cafe to run. Makoto, Yusuke, Haru, and Shiho were all going to different schools, and into different fields. Futaba was taking online courses, which, along with ‘me time’, meant she was cooped up in her room and unavailable. Ann was an actress, so her schedule was a mess. And Ryuji, well… Ryuji was still figuring things out. Just like they all were, really. Still, after all this time... It was good to get everyone together. ~*~

[noaokami]

"Actually good characters instead of just archetypes because Atlus doesn't know how to write"

That's an opinion, not a fact. Explain how the characters are badly written. Also--If you think a group of professionals who created an insanely popular franchise can't write, I would like to see you try and do better.

"Female characters not being used as fanservice/being sexualized and instead being kickass characters without having to have their entire bodies in latex suits for them to be seen as powerful"

Another opinion. Does the fact that many of them wear skintight outfits mean they aren't kickass and are just sexualized and useless? Far from it. These women are powerful regardless of whether they're wearing a tight suit or not. You can't deny that. An example would be Futaba. She's a talented hacker who was fully capable of busting the phantom thieves. Is she not powerful?

"A comic relief done right instead of one character getting all the blame for shit that isn't even their fault"

Another opinion. While it is true that they shit on Ryuji a bit much, he deserved a lot of it. He nearly outed them so many times due to bad judgement. That's not something he can't help.

"An actually good mascot character"

Baseless opinion.

"Morgana and Ryuji being teasing buddies who push the other to be better while taking light jabs at each other But will defend each other when it comes to that."

As far as I remember, they already are teasing buddies... they jab at each other all the time but they're still teammates. They'll still defend each other, because they're teammates...

"Ann not in her thief costume (Atlus you know what you were doing)"

You just don't like her costume. This isn't something we, the entire fan base, were all robbed of. What's wrong with Atlus' design other than "Its too sexual for my tastes"?

"Just... Ann not being sexualized when she's supposed to be a sexual abuse survivor."

A lot of Japanese games do have issues with oversexualizing their female characters, I will agree with you there. But I personally don't think they went too far with Ann. I somewhat agree with you here.

"Mishima, Hifumi, and Shiho being thieves"

I will agree that these characters had a lot of potential that went unexplored, but I do believe Atlus did a fine job making them as side characters.

"Akechi having more effort put into him"

How do you know they didn't do enough? What is he lacking? This is another baseless opinion because you're not really explaining why you think this way, and why we should agree with you.

"A main character that already has a story and personality to them and isn't just a blank slate for us to project onto"

...Akira does have a backstory. A simple one, obviously, but it's there. We play as the protagonist and shape his personality through his actions and dialogue. Also, why is it bad for a player character to be a blank slate?

"Later confidants getting more screen time and actually being able to max them out at a reasonable pace"

I'm indifferent.

"A LONGER BETTER WRITTEN GAME"

Dude, P5 is already a really long game. That's not even an opinion--its just LONG. Considering what the vast majority of reviews and fans say, I think the game is written perfectly fine. If you think the game is badly written, then how come so many people praise it and love it?

Don't put stuff like this in the character tags, please. You seem to just want to start drama.

Things we were robbed of from Persona 5

Actually good characters instead of just archetypes because Atlus doesn’t know how to write

Female characters not being used as fan service/being sexualized and instead being kickass characters without having to have their entire bodies in latex suits for them to be seen as powerful

A comic relief done right instead of one character getting all the blame for shit that isn’t even their fault

An actually good mascot character

Morgana and Ryuji being teasing buddies who push the other to be better while also taking light jabs at each other but will defend the other when it comes to that

Ann not in her thief costume (Atlus you knew what you were doing)

Just….Ann not being sexualized when she’s supposed to be a sexual abuse survivor

Mishima, Hifumi, and Shiho being thieves

Akechi having more effort put into him

A main character that already has a story and personality to them and isn’t just a blank slate for us to project onto to

Later confidants getting more screen time and actually being able to max them out at a reasonable pace ((loud cough Haru loud cough))

A LONGER BETTER WRITTEN GAME

[blackhakumen]

Mini Fanfic #305: After the Movies (Super Smash Bros Ultimate)

Sonic & Amy

Sonic: (Excitedly Walked out of the Theatre with Amy) Ah man! That movie was actually pretty great!

Amy: (Happily Scrolling out of the Movie Theatre while Holding Sonic's arm) Told you it would be wonderful~

Sonic: (Smiles Softly at Any) Never doubted youbfor a second, Ames~

Amy: (Simply Nodded) Mmhmm~ Hey, Sonic...

Sonic: Hm?

Amy: When we get back to the mansion, do you....(Starts Blushing a little) maybe wanna cuddle for the night?

Sonic: Yeah, sure.

Amy: ('Gasps') Really?~

Sonic: Yeah. Amy, we're dating now. You don't have ask me stuff like that.

Amy: (Giggling to herself) You're right. How silly of me?~

Sonic: (Chuckles Lightly) You're Adorable~ (Kiss the top of Amy's forehead) You know that?~

Amy: (Smiles Sweetly while Giggling) True. And you're very handsome~ (Kiss Sonic's cheek)

Sonic: (Shrugged with a Playful Smirk on his face) What can I say? I got this sophisticated look from my folks.

Amy: (Giggles once more) That you do. (Hugs Sonic's Amy Affectionately) I love you so much, Sonic~

Sonic: (Smiles Softly towards Amy) I love you too, Ames~

Banjo & Kazooie (Ft. Futuba & Morgana)

Futuba: (Smiles Excitedly as she walks out of the Theatre with her peeps) Oh my God, you guys! That movie was so awesome!

Morgana: Tell me about it. The movie itself was a lot more enjoyable than I thought it would be.

Kazooie: (Smiles Relaxingly) I'm just glad we're all able to watch the full experience. ('Heh') Well.... Almost everyone~ (Teasingly Smiles at Banjo)

Futuba: (Turns to Banjo) Banjo-kun, you were completely knocked out at the second half end part of the movie! (Starts to get a tiny bit worried) You okay, buddy?

Banjo: (Chuckles Lightly while Rubbing the back of his head back and forth) Oh definitely. The seats there was so relaxing that I...kinda fell asleep by accident. Sorry about that.

Kazooie: Nah it's cool, big guy. Those seats were pretty comfy. And besides... You're pretty adorable when you sleep~

Banjo: Am not.

Kazooie: Are too~ (Starts giving giggling Banjo kiss pecks on each of his cheeks)

Futuba: (Gasps Silently as she picks Morgana up and Whispers to him which walking a bit further) Mona, are you seeing this?!

Morgana: (Turns towards Banjo and Kazooie and watch the whole Adorable scene) Yep. You know, it still baffles me that these two even had feelings for one another to begin with.

Futuba: I know, right? It's soooooooo cute~ While I'm not the biggest Romantic fan myself, I can definitely say that these two are made for each other~

Morgana: (Starts Smiling when Kazooie rest her head on Banjo's Shoulder as they continue walking) Yeah. They really do make a great couple, huh?

Ann & Shiho/ Lucas & Ashley

Lucas: (Smiles Brightly as he Ashley, Ann and Shiho walked out of the Movie Theatre together) That movie was so much fun to watch.

Ashley: (Smiles Softly while Holding Lucas' hand) I agree. They actually made the movie more enjoyable than I thought. But I gotta say, Lucas....(Starts Smirking Playfully towards her boyfriend) I never realized you gotten scared so easily. Especially when you used my arm and Shoulder as Emotional support~

Lucas: (Starts Blushing) I-I'm sorry! The movie was so intense and flashy that...I couldn't help it....

Ashley: (Smiles Softly) It's okay, Lucas. I really didn't mind it in the slightest

Lucas: Really?

Ashley: Of course. I'll always have a Shoulder for you to lean on. (Kiss Lucas on the cheek) Always.

Lucas: (Blush starts getting Bright Red) M-M-M-Me too!! I-I-I'll Always have a Shoulder for you to lean on too, Ashley!!

Ashley: (Giggles Softly at how Adorable Lucas is being right now) I'm so honored~ (Hugs Lucas' arm while walking) Thank you so much, Lucas~

Shiho: (Smiles Adorably as she watches the Younger Couple from a distance with Ann) Ann!~ Can we pleeeeeease adopt them?

Ann: (Giggles Softly) Sorry, Shiho, but I think that offer is already out the table. Remember when I said that most of the ladies in the Smash Mansion are all Certified Moms?

Shiho: Oh yeah....You did told me that the moment we step in the mansion. (Getting Disappointed) Aww.....

Ann: (Gently hold both of Shiho's hands with a smile) Hey. No need for the long face. We can still be Big Sisters figures to them. How does that sound?

Shiho: Oh my gosh..... (Smiles Brightly) It's perfect! I love it! And I love you, Ann-Bear!~ (Kisses Ann's Cheeks)

Ann: (Giggles Ticklishly by Shiho's kisses) Oho Shiho-kins~ I love you too~

Ren & Makoto

Ren: (Walking out from the Movie Theatre with Makoto hugging his arm Relaxingly) That's was a pretty decent movie if I do say so myself.

Makoto: (Smiles Softly) True. It's a lot better than I thought it would be.

Ren: (Smirks Playfully) It's even better when you're here to watch it with me~

Makoto: (Giggles Softly) Also true~ You know, I still can't believe you had a dream about being in Harem with every girl and women you met back in Shiyuba, including our friends.

Ren: Tell me about it. I still couldn't believe it myself. I mean, I do care about all of them in a sense, but honestly....(Turns to Makoto with a Sincere Smile on his face) you're the only woman I truly love with all my heart.

Makoto: Ren....You really mean that?

Ren: Of course. There's a reason why I keep calling you "My Queen".....you know other than messing you on some occasions.... It's because I love you. A lot~

Makoto: (Heart Starts to Melt as she Snuggle on to Ren's arm Affectionately) Oh, Ren-Kun.....I love you too~ So much~

Byleth & Sadayo

Byleth: (Walking out if the Theatre while holding Sadayo's hand) I never knew the screen projector would be so huge.

Sadayo: (Giggles Softly at Byleth's cute curiousity) Well it's called a "Movie Theatre" for a reason. They gotta make it big for the whole audience to see.

Byleth: Fascinating....(Smiles Softly) Well regardless, I had a wonderful time with you this evening.

Sadayo: (Smiles Softly) I had a great time with you too, Byleth~ Can I ask you something, though?

Byleth: Of course.

Sadayo: Well...('Ahem') Since tomorrow is the weekends, you wanna....spend some more time together? (Starts Blushing) Y-You know, if you're not too busy that is....

Byleth: I would love to spend more time with you tomorrow, Sadayo.

Sadayo: (A bit Surprised by Byleth's answer) Really?

Byleth: Of course. I've always enjoyed your company the moment we first met here. (Starts Smiling Sweetly) And it made me so happy that you enjoy my company as well~

Sadayo: (Starts Blushing even harder) (My God....Why is so adorable right now?!) T-That's so sweet of you to say, Byleth~ Really...

Byleth: (Giggles Softly) Thank you. And I believe that you're sweet too~

Sadayo: (Sadayo Kawakami..... I think I'm finally in love.....)

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