Persona 4

ペルソナ4
Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4
P4

Manga7.93021 votes13 volumes · 68 chaptersFinished

ActionDramaSupernaturalSeinen

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About this title

Synopsis

Inaba is a sleepy countryside town that has recently been the center of a string of mysterious serial murders. While his parents head abroad for work, Souji Seta moves into the town to live with his uncle for the year. He enrolls at Yasogami High School, where he is placed in the same class as the bold Chie Satonaka, the rowdy Yosuke Hanamura, and the refined Yukiko Amagi. The four quickly become friends and begin to hang out after school, where Chie asks Souji if he has ever heard of the "Midnight Channel"—a channel one can view on their turned-off TV when they are alone at midnight during rainy weather. It is said that while staring at one's reflection on the screen, their soulmate will appear instead. Believing it to be an urban legend, Souji, Chie, and Yosuke decide to tune in at the stroke of midnight, when they witness a classmate of theirs appear on the screen. When the same classmate ends up being the next victim in the serial murders, the three of them realize that the mysterious Midnight Channel is somehow involved. As the police struggle to find any leads, Souji and his new friends decide to investigate the mystery themselves, beginning a search that takes them not only across Inaba, but also into a mysterious parallel world beyond the TV. [Written by MAL Rewrite]

Publication notes

Persona 4 was published in English by Udon Entertainment from February 23, 2016 to October 20, 2020.

Published

Sep 19, 2008 to Mar 27, 2019

Authors

External links

MyAnimeList page Wikipedia

MAL rank: #1023
Members (MAL): 11,119
Favorites (MAL): 290

Related titles

Sequel

Persona 4: The Ultimate in Mayonaka Arena

Adaptation

Side Story

Persona 4: Yasoinaba Case File

Spin-Off

Alternative Setting

Other

Main characters

Yuu Narukami1723 fan favorites
External profile
Date of Birth: Unknown, 1994 Height: 180 cm (5'11") Blood Type: O Initial Persona: Izanagi Ultimate Persona: Izanagi-no-Okami Weapons: Two-Handed Sword The Protagonist is named by the player in the video game, but is given the name Souji Seta in the manga adaptation and Yuu Narukami in the anime. He has silver hair with a shape close to a bowl cut. He is depicted as being a distant, but otherwise friendly, loner with a pessimistic outlook on life due to having to move frequently as a result of his parents' changing careers. At the beginning of the game, he moves to the countryside to live with his uncle and cousin for a year, and attends Yasogami High School in the same homeroom class as Chie, Yosuke, and Yukiko. The story of Persona 4 begins when the Protagonist meets Igor and Margaret in the Velvet Room, in the form of a limousine driving in a thick fog; the shape of the Velvet Room changes based on its visitor. The Protagonist's first Persona, Izanagi of the Fool Arcana, wears a long coat reminiscent of the Japanese bancho and wields the Amenonuhoko, which, in-game, is a spear with a blade resembling a combat knife. This Persona is later transformed into Izanagi-no-Okami of the World arcana, the game's most powerful Persona. The Protagonist also has a unique "wild card" ability to swap Personas, similar to the main characters of previous Persona games, but without the power of Death at his hand, he cannot use Fusion spells like the Protagonist of Persona 3. The characters of the story give the Protagonist titles "senpai", "sensei", "leader", "partner", "big bro" when directly talking to him, instead of the usual "you" or "him" like his predecessors. The character design of the Protagonist stayed relatively similar from initial conception, with his tone and expressions changing the most.
Naoto Shirogane1390 fan favorites
External profile
Age: 15 (Start of the game, 16 first appearance) Date of Birth: April 27th, 1995 Zodiac: Taurus Height: 152 cm (5'0") Bloodtype: B Initial Persona: Sukuna-Hikona Ultimate Persona: Yamato-Takeru Arcana: Fortune Weapon: Revolver A refined, serious youth, with formal body language and gestures. Naoto is a young detective under the case of Inaba's Murders.
Yousuke Hanamura867 fan favorites
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Age: 16-17 Date of Birth: June 22, 1994 Zodiac: Cancer Height: 175 cm (5'9") Weight: 58kg Blood Type: A Initial Persona: Jiraiya Ultimate Persona: Susano-o Weapons: Knives, Kunai Boy with slightly unkempt reddish-brown hair, who usually walks around with a music player and red/orange headphones around his neck. He dual wields blades ranging from knives to daggers in battle. He is usually very clumsy and often used as comic relief through physical comedy. When going from place to place, he is usually on his bike. Yosuke is the most vocal of the investigation team, and is the one often to create theories on the murders as well as piece evidence together. Although it often falls on the player to decipher the clues Yosuke ponders, his deductive skills allow him to create solid theories, and he is the self-appointed second in command, often saying what the player is unable to. His Persona is Jiraiya of The Magician Arcana, whose head vaguely resembles that of a cartoon frog, and wears a white disco suit with a distinctive "V" on its chest along with a red scarf. Jiraiya uses wind spells and is also able to use minor healing spells. Once his Social Link, The Magician Arcana, is maxed out, Jiraiya will evolve into Susanoo. Yosuke's Shadow takes the form of a cartoon frog with a body on top; the body and frog resemble his Persona. It represents his resentment of living in a small country town with little to do, as well as his inner wish for something exciting to happen. The Protagonist helps Yosuke face his issues regarding his sadness over his unrequited feelings for Saki Konishi, the second victim of the murders, in the course of the Magician S.Link. Also in one of the Social Links, Yosuke told the Protagonist that he was fighting Shadows for no reason. He just feel that it is the right thing to do. He doesn't even know what he is fighting for, similar to Junpei Iori on Persona 3.
Chie Satonaka850 fan favorites
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Age: 16 (17) Date of Birth: July 30th, 1995 Zodiac: Leo Height: 158 cm (5'2") Blood Type: B Initial Persona: Tomoe Gozen Ultimate Persona: Suzuka Gongen Weapons: Greaves Arcana: Chariot Being a tomboy, Chie often behaves like a boy but manages to stay feminine. Other than that, she has a bright and upbeat personality, often trying to cheer up the group by joking about the case. She is also obsessed with kung fu and is a huge fan of martial arts movies like Trial of the Dragon, and is furious once she finds out that Yosuke broke her disk. Generally, she has a short temper with him and exploits this in order to get her beloved steak for free at Junes. Chie is an awful cook and often, along with Yukiko and Rise, serves the gang terrible dishes. Her Persona is Tomoe Gozen of the Chariot Arcana, a muscular female figure wearing a yellow outfit reminiscent of Bruce Lee's "Game of Death" costume, wielding a double bladed naginata. Tomoe Gozen is shown to use both physical and ice spells. However, Teddie will take over as the main ice caster when he comes into play, thus Tomoe will stop learning ice spells (last spell to be obtained is bufula) near the level the player obtains Teddie. Tomoe evolves into Suzuka Gongen after completing The Chariot Social Link. Chie's Shadow takes the form of a long haired, masked dominatrix supported by three pale Chies. The dominatrix has long black hair, similar to Yukiko's. It represents her jealousy of Yukiko's natural gifts and talents, as well as her wish and need of control over Yukiko. Chie went through a majority of design changes as the others, one of her designs even being used to develop Teddie. Through the S.Link for the Chariot, the Protagonist and Chie become closer through training together at the Samegawa Floodplain. Over time, the Protagonist learns of how Chie enjoys creating groups and titles for herself, in hopes of being feared by juveniles and protecting the weak. Hearing from a police officer that high schoolers have been bullying people in the Central Shopping District, Chie and the Protagonist coincidentally help. They first save Chie's middle school friend, who then calls the police. The second time, Chie makes the hoodlums run off just as they attempt to steal from a little boy. Once this occurs, the Protagonist has the option of making an intimate relationship with Chie. Depending on what the Protagonist does, Chie will either go to train with the Protagonist (normal relationship) or go to his home (serious relationship) and give him some matching wristbands. Chie's resolve to help others and protect the team, especially the Protagonist, transfigures Tomoe Gozen to Suzuka Gongen.
Rise Kujikawa712 fan favorites
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Age: 15-16 Date of Birth: June 1, 1995 Zodiac: Gemini Height: 155 cm (5'1") Weight: 41kg Blood Type: AB Initial Persona: Himiko Ultimate Persona: Kanzeon A cheerful-looking girl with bright-red hair tied in two pigtails. She was one of the most popular idols in Japan, but suddenly quit her job and transferred to Yasogami High School as a freshman to take a break from the spotlight and lead a normal life, away from the stress of fame. Rise grew up in Inaba, and her grandmother runs a shop in the shopping district, Marukyu Tofu, which Rise initially helps out at after her return. Her look is reminiscent to that of Yuka Ayase from Shin Megami Tensei: Persona. She takes over the role of support character once Teddie's Persona awakens. Her Persona is Himiko of The Lovers Arcana. Himiko wears a white gown, has a satellite dish for a face and holds a visor which resembles the torch held by her namesake. Himiko allows Rise to provide background and enemy information for the party both in and out of battle. Once the protagonist completes Rise's Lovers S.Link, Himiko evolves into Kanzeon. Rise's Shadow is a pole dancer in a rainbow zentai suit which resembles Rise. Her Midnight Channel dungeon resembles a strip club, including stages with poles, curtains, and sexual looking shadows. Rise's shadow represents her anger at being stereotyped as an eroticized, airheaded popstar, represented as a sex symbol. However, her true worry was finding her true identity. In The Lovers S.Link, the protagonist helps Rise's transition from her brief departure in showbiz. At first, Rise is happy to have left behind the alias "Risette", but numerous reminders of her time in the spotlight, including pestering from her former manager, a new replacement idol and a letter from her biggest fan, make her somewhat regret her departure. The Protagonist helps her realize that even though Risette was a part of her that she only showed to the public, it was still part of what made Rise who she is and that she should accept all sides of herself. She then voices her plans to return to her idol job by spring. She is also one of the female characters whom the protagonist can have a romantic relationship with.
Kanji Tatsumi650 fan favorites
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Age: 15-16 Date of Birth: January 19th, 1996 Zodiac: Capricorn Height: 183 cm (6') Weight: 65 kg Blood Type: A Initial Persona: Take-Mikazuchi Ultimate Persona: Rokuten Maou A male delinquent with a bleached, swept-back crewcut who has a scar above his left eye. He wears many piercings, metal jewelry, and a black sweater with a skull-and-crossbones design on it under his school uniform. He uses brute force in combat, swinging weapons such as steel chairs and shields. Kanji has a reputation as being a bully, and is the center of numerous rumors regarding a confrontation with a local biker gang. He also attends Yasogami High. His mother runs a textile shop, with the Amagi family being one of their main customers. Kanji is skilled at tailoring for this reason, and has been interested in sewing since he was a child, but was teased about his interests. His Persona is Take-Mikazuchi of The Emperor Arcana, which, like Kanji, is a large, imposing figure with a skeleton-like design similar to Kanji's winter uniform. He uses electric spells and physical attacks. Once the player completes Kanji's Emperor S.Link, Take-Mikazuchi will evolve into Rokuten-Maō.
Yukiko Amagi530 fan favorites
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Age: 16-17 Birthday: December 8, 1994 Zodiac: Sagittarius Height: 164 cm (5'5") Blood type: O Initial Persona: Konohana Sakuya Ultimate Persona: Amaterasu Weapon: Fan An elegant, introverted girl with long groomed black hair and a red hairband. Yukiko usually wears either a red cardigan over her school uniform blouse or a pink yukata, and is sometimes also seen carrying a paper fan, which she uses in battle, or a red umbrella. Her family owns a famous ryokan in the city and Yukiko is always busy preparing herself to take over the business. She is named the next owner of the ryokan and feels oppressed by her expected duties. Despite her elegant appearance, she carries a whimsical side prone to fits of laughter. Her Persona is Konohana-sakuya of The Priestess Arcana, resembling a Tokusatsu heroine and being almost completely pink in color, her uniform is reminiscent of a high school cheerleader's uniform. Like Yukiko, it appears to carry a pair of fans. Yukiko is skilled with healing and fire spells. Konohana Sakuya will evolve into Amaterasu once Yukiko's Priestess Social Link is maxed out. Her Shadow takes the form of a caged red lovebird with Yukiko's hair, that is able to summon a prince-like shadow to assist it. It represents her resentment towards having her destiny already chosen for her as inheritor of the Amagi Inn and her desires to be rescued and taken far away by her "prince" Chie, as she feels "caged" in Inaba. Her Midnight Channel dungeon is a pink Romanesque castle filled with medieval furniture. In the S.Link for The Priestess, Yukiko voices her wish to the protagonist to leave Inaba and find a career away from managing her family inn. She eventually changes her mind when she realizes she cannot find the heart to leave the family and employees who supported her when she decided to learn to cook. In addition, Yukiko discovers her fear and resentment wasn't solely born from the idea of her inheriting the family business, but rather that the decision to take over was made for her by her family. She is also one of the female characters with whom the protagonist can have a romantic relationship. A younger Yukiko makes an appearance in Persona 3 Portable at the Amagi Inn, when the Gekkoukan students take a field trip to Inaba. She is seen interacting with Rio Iwasaki.
Kuma229 fan favorites
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Age: Unknown; Probably irrelevant Height: 152 cm (5'0") (human form) Weight: 55kg (human form) Initial Persona: Kintoki-Douji Ultimate Persona: Kamui Weapon: Claws Arcana: Star Kuma is a strange stuffed-bear-like creature with blue fur and a red/white jumpsuit, who resides inside the TV world. In the Japanese version, Teddie has a verbal tic where he usually ends his speeches with "-kuma" ("bear" in Japanese). In the English version, he makes puns on the word "bear" (Bear-sona, etc.). He serves as outside support in battle, but is later replaced by Rise and becomes an active party member. When fighting, he uses knuckles and other hand-worn weapons. He is often used as comic relief. Teddie's human form later in the game is a blonde, charming, bishonen-looking teenager.