Persona 5 is one of my favorite games of all time. Though I always found turn-based combat to be somewhat boring, the other elements of its gameplay formula were more than enough to keep me interested throughout its long runtime. Narrative is usually what keeps me invested in a game, and this is one where the story delivers on nearly every front. In my opinion, though, the crown jewel of Persona 5‘s story is its incredible cast of characters.
The whole cast feels genuine and, above all, real. I first played Persona 5 when I was the same age and in the same position as a majority of the characters, in school and constantly thinking about what the future might bring. Every character feels like someone I could have met throughout the hallways of my school, even with all the supernatural stuff happening around them. Through their Confidant events, I got to know their motivations and main traits. With time, I slowly got attached to each of them. For me, no character embodies that sense of realism better than Makoto Niijima.
I quickly fell in love with Makoto from the moment she was introduced. Sure, it was partly because I related to her, but it was also because I admired her writing and character arc. On the surface, it may seem like her character arc follows the same tropes other school-based stories utilize. She initially seems like the stereotypical studious and rule-following student council president. But her specific nuances make her feel like a person that I could have met in class, rather than a one-dimensional caricature. This stems from her core rebellion that eventually turns her into a Phantom Thief.
The writing of Makoto’s character centers around her rebelling against the heavy expectations placed on her by those around her. Following her father’s tragic death, the only one left to take care of Makoto is her older sister, Sae. Makoto is president of the student council, solely focused on her studies and getting into a good school. This puts her in direct opposition to the Phantom Thieves at the start of the game. In fact, Makoto even acts as a minor villain at the start of the game.
She is tasked by the school principal with uncovering the identities of the Phantom Thieves, with her recommendation letter hanging in the balance if she fails. This pressure motivates her, but she’s clearly conflicted by the task she has been assigned. The Phantom Thieves are standing up to those who take advantage of power, aligning with her own views, even if those who inspire her—including her sister—completely oppose the team.
It doesn’t take her long to join the team, but she’s not flawless on her way there. As the president of the student council, she’d been complicit in the mistreatment of some students on the volleyball team. Indeed, she and the rest of the council were not aware of the extent of the issue, but it’s her reaction to finding out that makes her flawed. Makoto blames the victims for not speaking to the council, insisting that she couldn’t do much about issues she didn’t know about. She clearly does blame herself, though, and her remorse leads her to team up with the Phantom Thieves to deal with another issue plaguing the students at their school.
Ending up as part of the Phantom Thieves isn’t a deviation from her rule-following character. However, it lines up exactly with her internal logic. Makoto isn’t about following the rules; she’s about doing what’s right. After she joins the Phantom Thieves, her character develops so that she’s willing to break rules if it is the right thing to do. Watching her grow without sacrificing her goals or core beliefs, instead learning how to adapt them, makes her feel like a real person whose journey I got to experience firsthand.
Another thing that Persona 5 does to make its cast feel more real is giving them specific traits and likes. Sticking with Makoto, she is afraid of the dark and a big fan of an old panda mascot called Buchimaru-kun. There is a great scene where she connects with another student because of Buchimaru, dropping her carefully constructed diligent student mask. It is a fascinating contrast to her personality as a Phantom Thief, where she takes charge as Queen, where she dons a flaming motorcycle and a menacing leather outfit. These traits, aligned with her character development, are some of the many reasons why Makoto feels as realistic as she does.
I focused on Makoto for this article, but the same brilliant writing applies to every other Phantom Thief. Whether it’s Haru Okumura, Goro Akechi, or Ryuji Sakamoto, each protagonist in Persona 5 has a clear voice and traits that fit their personalities. Furthermore, every character has realistic arcs where they naturally grow and evolve based on the world around them. This isn’t even taking into consideration their unique Confidant routes and the unique perspectives those offer for each respective character.
This cast is ultimately what keeps me coming back to Persona 5. Its characters feel like people I got to know rather than pieces of a story, each shaped by their own flaws, interests, and experiences. Makoto may be the character I connected with most, but that same care can be felt across the entire Phantom Thieves lineup. If Persona 6 can capture even some of that same sense of humanity, I’ll be more than happy.
