Persona 4 From Atlus

Plot
Persona 4 takes place in the same universe as Persona 3 in a rural town named Inaba. There have been mysterious murders occurring whenever there was fog after heavy rain. There were also rumors about a channel on television airing only at midnight called Mayonaka TV, during which it is said that one can see his/her "other half" when staring at the TV screen. After hearing about a recent unsolved murder which occurred during the fog, the characters—the main character, Chie, and Yōsuke—discuss how each of them had attempted to watch the mysterious TV channel and witnessed the murder victim. The protagonist later realizes that during midnight when the channel is on, his body can phase into his television set as a gateway to enter another world infested with shadows. After discovering this, they all decide to explore. When first completely entering the world, dazed and confused, the main character meets Kuma. Mayonaka TV and the town murders seem to have a connection. The murder victims may be merely victims of Mayonaka TV. Everyone decides that they will together try to solve the mysterious murders by exploring the hidden world of Mayonaka TV. An older looking Chihiro appears, as a third year student, putting the Story's start one year after the events of Persona 3.

Character

Protagonist/Shujinkou (主人公, Shujinkō^?) Voiced by: Daisuke Namikawa

Persona: Izanagi of the Fool Arcanum, Izanagi Ookami of the World Arcanum

The silent male protagonist of the game who represents the player, following the tradition of the Megami Tensei games. He has dark-gray hair with a shape close to a bowl cut. He attends Yasogami High School with Chie, Yosuke, and Yukiko. As with most protagonists of Megami Tensei games, his entire personality and name is decided and portrayed by the player's in-game actions and decisions. He wields two-handed sword type weapons. Unlike the protagonist of Persona 3, he doesn't use other alternative weapons.

His Persona, Izanagi of the Fool Arcanum, appears to wear a long coat reminiscent of Japanese Yakuza and wields the Amenonuhoko, which in-game, is a spear with a blade resembling a scout/combat knife. There is also an Izanagi Okami, which is the only Persona of the World Arcana in the game. Izanagi is known to use Zio(electric) spells and some buffs/debuffs. The Main Character also has the ability to change personae, similar to what the characters in the first three installments of the series were able to do.

He was given his persona by Izanami, the mastermind responsible for Mayonaka TV and everything that resulted from it, who was disguised as a gas station employee and gave it to him with a handshake at the beginning of the game. In the final battle against Izanami-no-ookami he uses his commu power to turn Izanagi into Izanagi-no-ookami and defeat her.

Yosuke Hanamura (花村 陽介, Hanamura Yōsuke^?) Voiced by: Showtaro Morikubo

Persona: Jiraiya, Susano-o of the Magician Arcanum

An awkward boy with slightly unkempt reddish-brown hair who usually walks around with a music player and red/orange headphones around his neck. He uses dual blades ranging from knives to daggers in battle. He is usually very clumsy and often used as comic relief through physical comedy in situations where he either unintentionally causes himself pain, or is forced to go through Chie's angry beatings when he provokes her. When going from place to place, he is usually on his bike.

His Persona is Jiraiya of The Magician Arcanum, whose head vaguely resembles a cartoon frog's, and wears a white disco suit and a red scarf. It also has a distinctive ' V ' on its chest. Jiraiya uses wind spells and is also able to use healing spells. Once The Magician Social Link is completed, Jiraiya will evolve into Susano-o.

Yosuke's Shadow takes the form of a cartoon frog with a body on top; the body and frog resemble his Persona. It is believed to represent Yosuke's fear and anxiety about growing up or that others see him as immature or childish.

Chie Satonaka (里中 千枝, Satonaka Chie^?) Voiced by: Yui Horie

Persona: Tomoe Gozen, Suzuka Gongen of the Chariot Arcanum

An upbeat girl with short light-brown hair who usually wears a green athletic jacket decorated with buttons. Her weapon is a pair of greaves. She has an obsession with Kung fu, and even uses them in battle, similar to Lisa Silverman of Persona 2. Her obsession goes so far that she even attacks Yosuke over a Chinese Martial arts film DVD. Most of the time, she is friendly, cheerful, and energetic, but she has a short temper, especially with Yosuke. She and Yukiko and Rise are unskillful cookers, providing normally unpalatable to terribly awful dishes to the main crew several times during the story progress.

Her Persona is Tomoe Gozen of The Chariot Arcanum, 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 Kuma will take over as the main ice caster when he comes into play, thus Tomoe will stop learning ice spells near the level the player obtains Kuma. 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. Based on the shadow's dialog it seems that Chie feels like she's living in Yukiko's shadow and thus feels like all she can do is support Yukiko's popularity.

Yukiko Amagi (天城 雪子, Amagi Yukiko^?) Voiced by: Ami Koshimizu

Persona: Konohana-sakuya, Amaterasu of the Priestess Arcanum

An elegant but introverted girl with long groomed black hair and a red hairband in it who usually wears either a red jacket or a pink kimono, carrying with her either a paper fan, which she also uses in battle, or a red umbrella. Her family hosts a famous ryokan in the city and Yukiko is always busy for training herself to succeed the business. She is branded the next owner of the ryokan but feels stress for her name.

Her Persona is Konohana-sakuya of The Priestess Arcanum, resembling a Tokusatsu heroine and being almost completely pink in color. Like Yukiko, it appears to use its petal-like wings as fans. Konohana-sakuya is skilled with healing and fire spells. Konohana-sakuya will evolve into Amaterasu once the High Priestess Social Link reaches Rank 10.

Her Shadow takes the form of a caged phoenix with Yukiko's head that is able to summon a prince-like shadow to assist it. It represents her boundaries and limitations on living a normal teenager's life. Her Mayonaka TV dungeon is a Romanesque Castle.

Kanji Tatsumi (巽 完二, Tatsumi Kanji^?) Voiced by: Tomokazu Seki

Persona: Take-Mikazuchi, Rokuten-Maō of the Emperor Arcanum

A male delinquent with a bright-blonde/silver, swept-back, crewcut who has a scar above his left eye, many piercings, metal jewelry, and wears a black sweater with a skull-and-crossbones design on it under his school uniform. He uses brute force in combat, using weapons such as steel chairs and shields. He apparently gets into a lot of fights in the streets. He also attends Yasogami High. His mother runs a dyehouse in their home with Amagi's family being their acquainted customer, Kanji is skilled with tailoring for this reason.

His Persona is Take Mikazuchi of The Emperor Arcanum, which, like Kanji, is a large, imposing figure with a skeleton-like design exterior. He uses electric spells and physical attacks. Once The Emperor Social Link is completed, Take-Mikazuchi will evolve into Rokuten Maō.

Kanji's Mayonaka TV dungeon is a men's bathhouse. His Shadow is a mostly nude version of himself surrounded in a bed of roses while holding two Mars symbols. It represents his questioning his true sexuality and being unsure of the opposite sex, as the sensitive side under his rough exterior is often gone unappreciated and even ridiculed by girls. The true Kanji's sexual orientation remains debatable among fandom. After he joins the protagonist's crew, his sexuality is occasionally made fun of due to the form his Shadow takes. He's also kissed by Kuma when the gang visits a club at Gekkokaun as part of the Ojao-Sama Game (kind of like a mix between Simon Says and Truth or Dare). His possible interest is in the masculine Naoto Shirogane, even though Kanji shows some interest in Naoto, he occasionally faces away from Naoto due to shyness.

Rise Kujikawa (久慈川 りせ, Kujikawa Rise^?) Voiced by: Rie Kugimiya

Persona: Himiko, Kanzeon of the Lovers Arcanum

A cheery-looking female 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 out of reasons unknown. Her look is reminiscent to Alana from Revelations: Persona. She is the support character after Kuma.

Her Persona is Himiko of The Lovers Arcanum, who wears a white gown, has a satellite dish for a face and holds a object similar to the torch wielded by the actual Himiko. She will provide background and enemy information for the frontlines during and outside of battles. Her ultimate persona obtained when the main character reaches rank 10 in the Lovers social link is Kanzeon.

Rise's Shadow is a colorful pole dancer with pigtails like hers. Her Mayonaka TV dungeon is an disco amphitheater which looks more of a strip club. They all represent her fear of her popstar image being turned into more of a sex symbol since she is supposed to be a good girl.

Naoto Shirogane (白鐘 直斗, Shirogane Naoto^?) Voiced by: Romi Paku

Persona: Sukuna-Hikona, Yamato-Takeru of the Wheel of Fortune Arcanum

A young, serious, masculine looking female with dark-blue hair who almost always wears a navy-blue officer's hat, and sometimes, a black officer's uniform along with it. Her clothes and gestures are reminiscent of those of Raidou Kuzunoha, while her face and hair resemble that of the protagonist of Persona 3. Similar to Takaya of Persona 3, she uses a revolver in combat. She is known as a famous detective, dubbed the "Detective Prince" by the media, though she still attends Yasogami High.

Naoto's Persona is Sukuna Hikona of Wheel of Fortune Arcanum, a Persona that is smaller than its own user and wears a cape over a blue suit and shorts. It uses an energy sword longer than itself and is capable of using almighty, light, dark, & physical skills. When Naoto's Social Link, Fortune, is completed Naoto's Persona will evolve into Yamato Takeru.

Naoto's Shadow is a robot version of herself, equipped with large toy like laser guns, rocket feet and a jet pack; this form represents her resentment towards being treated like a child. It can also be something of a split personality, as it can talk seriously one minute, and act like a whiny baby the next, similar to how the Wheel of Fortune may act. Her Mayonaka TV dungeon is like an industrial factory/laboratory or military base.

Kuma (クマ, Kuma^?) Voiced by: Kappei Yamaguchi

Persona: Kintoki-Douji, Kamui of the Star Arcanum

A strange stuffed-bear-like creature with blue fur and a red/white jumpsuit who resides in the world of Mayonaka TV. When talking, he usually ends his speeches with "-kuma". He serves as outside support in battle, but is later replaced and becomes a party member during battle. When fighting, he uses knuckles and other hand-worn weapons. He is often used as comic relief. His head is safely removable, as demonstrated when Yosuke forcefully pulled it off, suspecting Kuma's appearance was merely a costume. Kuma's human form later in the game is a blonde, charming, bishonen looking teenager when he removed his costume to take a drink from the summer heat (even though Yosuke tried to keep his costume on still believing no one was actually inside).

His Persona is Kintoki Douji of The Star Arcanum, who has the appearance of a bulbous red boiler with stubby limbs in a blue cape, carrying a tomahawk missile (the axe (tomahawk) is Kintoki's trademark) in its arms. It is capable of using ice spells. He is also the other main healer. By completing Kuma's Social Link, Kamui will replace Kintoki-Dōji.

Kuma's Shadow is a larger form of his bear costume coming out of a hole in the ground. It is believed to represent Kuma's hiding the truth about his identity - that is, the fact that he is a lost, lonely Shadow. He learned to speak human language and became friendly with humans, taking his bear-like form so that people would like him upon meeting him. Kuma eventually takes a human form so that he can be with other humans. After gaining a personality and losing his Shadow mask, he receives his own Persona.

Igor Voiced by: Isamu Tanonaka

A mysterious, long-nosed gentleman who resides in the Velvet Room (which has recently taken the form of a limousine). As in the other Persona games, Igor's purpose is to assist the player in acquiring new powers and Persona.

Margaret Voiced by: Sayaka Ohara

A mysterious woman replacing Elizabeth as Igor's assistant after Elizabeth set off on a journey. She is of the Empress Arcanum.

Elizabeth

The previous assistant of Igor and the recent keeper of the Persona Compendium. Elizabeth left the Velvet Room to free the protagonist of Persona 3, who became a wall to block the Goddess Nyx. She is also Margaret's sister.

Tōru Adachi (足立透, Adachi Tōru^?) Voiced by: Mitsuaki Madono

Persona: Magatsu-Izanagi

A young police officer in Inaba's police department, and Doujima's partner. The real culprit behind Yamano and Konishi's murders, and also the person who fooled Namatame into carrying out the kidnappings that took place after. Also the one who put Kubo (the culprit behind Morooka's murder) into a TV.

Izanami/Izanami-no-ōkami (イザナミ/伊邪那美大神, Izanami/Izanami-no-ōkami^?) Voiced by: Mitsuaki Madono

The goddess Izanami, and mastermind behind everything. Claiming that it's what humans desire, she aims to cover the world in mist and turn mankind into shadows.

Her Mayonaka dungeon is Yomotsuhirasaka. When fought her first form looks like that of a goddess, but after it is defeated and she does not die it is revealed that like in the myth, she is already dead and rotting, as she reveals her true form, that of a massive, skeletal monster. The main character defeats her by using his commu power to turn Izanagi into Izanagi-no-ookami and defeat her with a single attack.

Chihiro Fushimi Voiced by: Ai Maeda

The treasurer from Persona 3 makes a return in Persona 4. She appears to have become more confident in the two years separating Persona 3's beginning and Persona 4's.

Akihiko Sanada Voiced by: Hikaru Midorikawa

One of the main characters from Persona 3, he makes a brief appearance towards the end of the game, informing the group of the events from two years prior and how they relate to what is currently occuring.

Ai Ebihara

One of the main character's classmates. She has orange, wavy/curly hair, and a serious expression. She appears to be a cold hearted ice queen, and, like Yukiko, comes from a rich and influential family. She doesn't open up to many, and has a penchant for manipulating others. She is the sports team manager, but seems to possess little to none interest in sports, and is more interested in the Protagonist, rather than her duties. She is of the Moon Arcana.

Yumi Ozawa

One of the main character's classmates. She has black, short hair in a very reserved looking style. She is extremely tall and graceful, and is a member of the drama club, and is the Sun Arcana commu, depending on which club you choose to join.

Ayane Matsunaga

One of the main character's classmates. She has black short hair, in a style similar to Fuuka. She is very young looking, with red cheeks, and is often compared to a apple. She is a very shy, but skilled musician, similar to how Fuuka was also extremely shy.